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June 25, 2004
[I've had a few folks request a menu or list of topics be added
to the top of the Extension Update so I am trying this approach
for the first time today. Let me know if you think this is of value.]
REMEMBER TO UPHOLD PRIVACY OF VOLUNTEERS AND EMPLOYEES
An important
reminder to all Extension personnel and affiliated county personnel:
The residential addresses and residential telephone
numbers of University employees or volunteers which are held in
personnel records, employment or volunteer rosters, or mailing
lists are exempt from public disclosure (RCW 42.17.310(1)(u)).
See also Release
of Public Records.
This
is particularly relevant to newsletters, for example Master Gardener
Newsletters, published to county Extension Web sites. There
may be some belief that documents posted as a Word Doc, PDF, or
other non-HTML format are acceptable when, in fact, the format
is irrelevant. Disclosure is the issue. Please post documents with
personal information into password protected areas or delete the
personal information before posting to the Web. Thank you for protecting
your fellow employees and our treasured volunteers.
OPPORTUNITY TO ORDER MARKETING ITEMS
We have had a request to place another Extension
marketing order. If you are interested in ordering, go to http://ext.wsu.edu/marketing.
Please submit orders via the order form to Christy Fitzgerald by
June 30, 2004. If you have any questions, please email
Christy.
WSU EXTENSION GRANT ACTIVITY CONTINUES AT RECORD PACE
Congratulations
to the faculty and staff in Extension who continue to compete
well and are increasing our portfolio of grants and
contracts. Last year, for the first time, Extension revenue from
grants reached $15 million, matching the level of state funding
we receive annually. Well, you’ve done it again! The Office
of Grant and Research Development (OGRD)
shared with us that they estimate Extension will top off the FY04
(July 2003 through June 2004) fiscal year with over $20 million
in grants and contracts (including county MOA). A 25% increase
in grant activity in one year! Great work!
To
support this level of productivity in grants, we hired Joan
Root,
Grant and Contract Specialist earlier this spring.
She will specifically work with the western counties and the Energy
Program. Esther Tate will work with the eastern counties and specific
projects such as Risk Management. Effective July 1st, Dorothy Heitter
is reducing her work hours to 80 percent; she will work Monday
through Thursday.
EXCEL VERSION OF TRAVEL FORMS ONLINE
In response to your needs to have access for
business and finance office forms, there are IRI and TEV forms available
in Excel; you
don't have access to Filemaker Pro. We are in the process of trying
to develop a form for TA's also. The online electronic forms will
be updated when Travel changes per diem or mileage reimbursement
rates so be sure to use the online forms for the latest version.
This
Interdepartmental
Requisition and Invoice (IRI) form was created
to be used by individuals that do not have access to
FileMaker Pro or for individuals wishing to use it as a supplement
to the FileMaker Pro IRI. There is no requirement to use it. We
are providing it in response to a suggestion that an Excel version
be made available. Please fill in all areas highlighted with a
red box. While using the document, use the enter key, tab key and
arrow key(s) to move from block to block. This form will calculate
all of the amounts for you.
This
Travel Expense
Voucher (TEV) form was created to be used by individuals
that do not have access to
FileMaker Pro or for individuals wishing to use it as a supplement
to the FileMaker Pro TEV. There is no requirement to use this form.
Again, we are providing it in response to a suggestion that an
Excel version be made available. While using the document, use
the enter key to continue typing in the Address block, the Purpose
of Trip block and Travel Details block. Use the arrow key(s) to
move from block to block. Everything is calculated for you (i.e.
meals, mileage, lodging, etc.).
For
assistance, contact Michelle Ely.
ONLINE TRAVEL SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE
WSU travelers will soon have the option of procuring airfare,
hotel rooms and Budget rental cars through a new online travel
service contracted by the State of Washington. Boersma Travel is
currently the only State contract authorized internet provider
approved for booking on-line travel arrangements for WSU travelers.
Travel
Services and Boersma Travel will be hosting two training sessions
to introduce this service at WSU Pullman, on Friday June
25th from 8:30 am - 11:30 am in Lighty SSB, Room #405, and from
12:30 pm - 3:30 pm in Murrow Hall West, Room #52. Boersman's Travel
representative Deanna Kierczak will be the presenter. To register
online, consult the Employee Development
Web page.
You may also register by contacting the Learn
Line at 335-3276.
You
can view a PowerPoint
on-line tutorial.
FY 2005 AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS
The House Appropriations Committee considered the FY 2005 Agriculture
Appropriations bill in a markup session today. After debate on
several amendments -- including an amendment by Rep. Marcy Kaptur
(D-OH) to cut $6 million from the National Research Initiative
-- the bill was reported by the committee. It is expected to be
considered on the House floor sometime after the Independence Day
recess, which begins on June 25 and ends on July 5.
Rep. Kaptur
offered an amendment to move $6 million from the NRI to a "Farmers Market" program.
The Kaptur amendment was vigorously opposed by NASULGC champions,
including Reps. Henry
Bonilla (R-TX), Tom Latham (R-IA), and John Olver (D-MA). The Kaptur
amendment was defeated.
The full Appropriations
Committee made some minor adjustments to the bill as approved
by the Agriculture Subcommittee on July
15. The committee agreed to include $500,000 within the bill for
the "Resident Instruction and Distance Education Grants" line
item of benefit to land-grant institutions located in the U.S.
insular areas (Guam, Puerto Rico, etc.).
The committee also increased the Smith-Lever 3(b)-(c) line item
by $500,000, making the FY 2005 level for that item $277,242,000
(as compared to the FY 2004 level of $277,742,000).
The committee reduced the NRI level from $181,000,000 to $180,000,000.
The NRI would, therefore, be funded at the president's FY 2005
budget request level, which is still $16,000,000 (10%) more than
the FY 2004 level.
For
updates, refer to the Blue Ribbon
Team (BRT) Report from Washington,
which is edited by Fred H. Hutchison on behalf
of the BRT. The BRT, comprised of Fleishman-Hillard Government
Relations, Fleishman-Hillard Inc., and Cornerstone Government Affairs,
represents the Budget and Advocacy Committee of National Association
of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC) Board on
Agriculture Assembly before Congress and executive branch agencies.
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The following five overseas assignments in Armenia and the Republic
of Georgia may be of interest to you or your colleagues. It is
hoped to recruit experts from Land-Grant colleges and universities
for these assignments.
- Food
Safety & Sanitation
Specialist, USDA-Marketing Assistance Project, Location: Yerevan,
Armenia, Six Month Assignment, Start
Date: July 2004
- Visiting
Faculty Position in Agribusiness Marketing Management/ Policy,
Appointment for at least one semester of the 2004-2005
academic year beginning September 1, 2004. Travel, housing
and per diem provided. Salary and other terms are negotiable.
- Dairy
Cow Veterinarian, USDA-Marketing Assistance Project, Location:
Yerevan, Armenia, Duration: Five Week Assignment, Start
Date: July 2004
- Meat
Production Specialist, USDA Marketing Assistance Program (MAP),
Location: Yerevan, Armenia, Duration: 6 months, Start Date:
1 July 2004
- Youth
Program Specialist, USDA-Marketing Assistance Project, Location:
Yerevan, Armenia, Duration: Four Week Assignment, Start
Date: July 2004
Please
share the announcement as appropriate. Contact Hiram
Larew, Director,
International Programs, Cooperative State Research, Education
and Extension Service, 202-720-3801.
PERSONNEL
International Assignment Complete:
Justin Smith is returning June 22 to the U.S. from an international
assignment in Armenia with the USDA Marketing Assistance Project.
He has accepted a position with Utah State University.
SCHEDULE
Mike will be in Pullman next week.
Linda will be in Pullman next week except for Thursday when she
will be in Tri-Cities for the SE District faculty meeting.
******************************
Linda Kirk Fox, PhD
Associate Dean and Associate Director
Washington State University Extension
PO Box 646230
Pullman WA 99164-6230
(509) 335-2933 Office
(509) 335-9223 Desk/Voicemail
FAX (509) 335-2926
lkfox@wsu.edu |
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