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PsychNotes
www.psychology.ccsu.edu/psychnotes

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September 2003, Volume 8, Issue 1

Click here for previous issues

Welcome to the PsychNotes Website!!

PsychNotes, a regular publication of the Psychology Department at Central Connecticut State University, is intended to inform members of the Psychology community (faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni) about current happenings in the Department.

To keep up with the changes on this website, we've made it easy to use a free service called Mind-it, a free, Web-based software tool that automatically sends you an e-mail whenever a web page you've selected has been updated. The instructions for using Mind-it are at the end of this newsletter.

Greetings

On August 27th, 2003, I completed my first 3-year term as Chairperson of the Psychology Department.  During these three years we have made several changes that have made the department a better place to be, to work, and to prepare for a better future. None of this would have been possible without the support of all of those who make up the department: A wonderful group of students, faculty, and staff.  To all of you, thank you very much and I hope that we can all continue to work together during my next 3-year term chairing the department (08/28/03-08/27/06).

It is a pleasure to extend to faculty, students and staff a cordial welcome to the Fall 2003 Semester.  I am available to you in Room 212-Marcus White Hall.  During my office hours you can contact me by phone ([860] 832-3108) or via e-mail (donis@ccsu.edu).

Faculty News

Three of our most senior professors – Drs. William Sherman, Robert Stowe, and Suad Vaillant, took advantage of the State’s Early Retirement Incentive and retired as of June1, 2003.  Combined, these three Professors served the department and Central for over 100 years and we thank them and wish for a long and enjoyable retirement.

Fortunately, we have been able to hire highly qualified replacement faculty.  Dr. Carolyn Fallahi, Dr. Rebecca Wood, Dr. Peter Marcus and Ms. Caroline Tyler have been appointed to one-year faculty positions.  Dr. Fallahi, a Clinical Psychologist, and Ms. Tyler will share Room 208; Dr. Wood, a Child and Developmental Psychologist, will share Room 215; and Dr. Marcus, a clinical psychologist, will share Room 218, all in Marcus White Hall.  Ms. Tyler will receive her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in December 2003.

Dr. Austad’s term as AAUP Chapter President ended in May 2003. She now returns to the department full time.  Dr. Mate-Kole has been appointed Director of the Africana Center.

Our regular contingent of Adjunct Faculty (18) returns to the department.  Adjunct faculty will now have an office in Marcus White Room 203

Student/Faculty Events and Issues

Psychology Achievement Test:

As of Spring 2003 Semester, all psychology majors will be required to take a “Standardized Psychology Achievement Test” in order to graduate.  The test will be administered according to the following guidelines:

·          All students with Senior standing (86+ credits) will be eligible to take the test

·          The test will be administered two (2) times per semester.  The dates for testing sessions will be posted outside of my office, Room 212-Marcus White Hall, the first week of classes every semester

·          Eligible students will register to take the test with the department secretary, Room 211-Marcus White Hall, at least one week before the scheduled exam date

We strongly recommend that you plan ahead and register to take the test with enough time to avoid being denied graduation because of this requirement.

Psychology Advisors

It is important that you meet with your academic advisor to plan your academic program at CCSU, to prepare your class schedule, to ask any questions that you may have, or to assist you in planning your future career.  To help you get in touch with your advisor, a directory of psychology faculty that contains their telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and office hours has been placed in our web page this Spring Semester (http://www.psychology.ccsu.edu/FacultyOfficeHoursFall2003.html).  If you don’t have an advisor, please see the secretary to be assigned one.

Psychology Club

All Psychology majors are encouraged to join the Psychology Club.  The club meets several times each semester, and sponsors a number of events including speakers and an annual trip to a psychology conference.  The current president is Chelsea Gaynor who can be reached at ldytiburon@yahoo.com.  The Faculty Advisor to the club is Dr. James Conway (office: Room 215-Marcus White Hall, phone: (860) 832-3107, e-mail: ConwayJ@ccsu.edu).  The first meeting of the year will be scheduled and advertised soon.

Psi Chi

Psychology Majors are invited to join Psi Chi – The National Honor Society in Psychology.  The purpose of Psi Chi is to encourage excellence in scholarship of the individual members, and to advance the science of psychology.  We have had a chapter of Psi Chi at CCSU for over 30 years.  The criteria for joining are:

·          Each candidate must have completed at least 12 semester hours in Psychology including Psychology 221 (Research Methods I)

·          The candidate must have an overall GPA of 3.25 and a GPA in Psychology courses of 3.5.

Psi Chi Meeting

Thursday, September 25, 2003
Marcus White Living Room (2nd floor)
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Refreshments will be served!
 

Find out about the honors fraternity in psychology!  Let’s get this fraternity active – active – active!

There will be opportunities to meet other serious psychology majors, get involved with research, explore the possibility of graduate school / careers in psychology.

Dr. Fallahi is the advisor for the CCSU chapter of Psi Chi. For further information about the Society, contact her:

office: Marcus White Room 208
            phone: (860) 832-3114
            e-mail:  fallahic@ccsu.edu 
            mail: Psychology main office in Room 211-Marcus White Hall (second floor).

Francisco J. Donis, Chairperson
Psychology Department