Academic Advising

Several significant changes have been made in Graduate College policies as of the 2004-05 academic year and for next year in the MHS program.  The Dean of the Graduate College, John (Jack) Pelton is working diligently to enhance the graduate experience at Boise State. His efforts are reflected in recent policy changes and in the expansion of resources available to graduate students, see GRA information below.  

The following items highlight some of the changes made in graduate policies, see pg 23-30 of the 2004-05 Boise State University Graduate Catalog for additional details. 

Graduate College Policy Changes (2004-05):

• Undergraduate Courses. An undergraduate course may be applied to meet the credit requirements of a master’s degree subject to the following restrictions: 1. The course must be an upper-division course and must be in a discipline outside the major field of study of the master’s program. 2. A grade of B or better must have been earned in the course. 3. The course cannot represent effort for an undergraduate thesis, internship, practicum, independent study or research, conference or workshop, experiential learning, study abroad, seminar, or colloquium.  In addition the course cannot have been counted toward the completion of an undergraduate degree.
• Semester GPA Requirement. A student who is admitted to a graduate program is required to achieve a semester grade point average (semester GPA) of 3.0 or better each and every semester or summer session in which he or she is enrolled through program completion. If a student fails to meet the semester GPA requirement and the failure is the first occurrence since admission to the program, the student will be placed on academic notice by the Graduate College but will be allowed to continue in the program. If a student fails to meet the semester GPA requirement and the failure is the second occurrence since admission to the program, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the program by the Graduate College. The semester GPA requirement is effective beginning with the fall 2003 semester and the determination of academic notice disregards earlier semesters and summer sessions.

Master of Health Science Program Changes (2005-06):

Some modifications have been made in the MHS program.  These changes were based on input from students and the MHS Advisory Board and the examination of policies from other programs.  Students using the 2005-06 Catalog for graduation will:

• not be required to take a standardized entrance examination, i.e., the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) will no longer be required.
• be required to complete a 3-credit MHLTHSCI 600 Assessment (Capstone Course) during their final semester in the program.
• not be required to take a written comprehensive examination.  Successful completion of the Capstone (MHLTHSCI 600) will satisfy the comprehensive examination requirement.
• be able to select a non-thesis/non-project culminating activity option that will only require the completion of additional course work.
• have additional course options to select from in the Health Promotion Emphasis.  These include community psychology, health care marketing, grant writing and public budgeting and financial administration.

Note: Students currently enrolled in a graduate certificate or degree program may choose to meet the program requirements defined in any graduate catalog in effect after admission to the program.

Please don't hesitate to contact me for additional academic advising assistance.  Sarah, stoevs@boisestate.edu or 426-2452

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Scholarships

The College of Health Sciences offers several scholarships.  To be eligible, students must be admitted to the MHS program and register for a minimum of 3 credits each semester (credit hour requirements vary depending on the specific scholarship).

The MHS scholarship application can be accessed through the following link scholarships, (http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/scholarships/), see Departmental/College Scholarships.  The deadline is noon on March 1, 2005 in the MHS program office.

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Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

The program, in conjunction with the Center for Health Policy, Center for Study of Aging, Department of Nursing and other College research entities anticipates the availability of of 2 - 4 Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) in the coming year.  To be eligible for a GRA position a student must be admitted to the MHS program, enroll in 9 – 12 graduate credits each semester and be available to work as a research assistant 20 hours per week. Benefits of the position include a full tuition waiver and stipend of approximately $5000.00 per semester.

If interested in a GRA position, please complete the GRA Application form available at the following link graduate research assistantships (http://finad.boisestate.edu/images/grasst.pdf). Application deadline is noon, April 1, 2005, in the MHS program office.

Graduate Residential Scholars Program (GRSP): (this is a bit late for this year, but keep it in mind for next year)  Participants in the GRSP live in an on-campus residential community of graduate students representing diverse backgrounds and disciplinary interests. Each scholar is awarded a graduate assistantship that includes a stipend ($10,000 per academic year), full waiver of tuition and fees, and free housing in the new and fully furnished University Park apartments. Approximately twenty GRSP awards are anticipated for new graduate students starting in the fall 2005 semester. Questions may be directed to John R. (Jack) Pelton, Dean of the Graduate College, Boise State University, Boise, ID, 83712. Email: jpelton@boisestate.edu, telephone: 208-426-3647.  Selection of GRSP award recipients begins on February 1, 2005 with notification in late February.

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Legislative Watch

The website developed for the Idaho Legislature (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/) is very informative and user friendly.  You can track a bill, identify your representatives in the House and Senate, send email messages to legislators, and access mailing and phone contact information.  Bills can be identified and tracked by accessing the "Legislative" area and reviewing either the mini-data list or topic list.  Your voice is very important and you can make a difference.

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Upcoming Events

A Fog Over Boise: The Hidden Cost of Dirty Air
Date: Thursday, March 3, 2005
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Place: Rose Room, 718 W. Idaho Street
A Fettuccini Forum, sponsored by Boise State University's Center for Idaho History and Politics (no charge)

SAVE THE DATES!
March 23-25, 2005

IEHA/IPHA 2005 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Idaho Environmental Health Association (IEHA) and Idaho Public Health Association (IPHA)*

Topics include: West Nile Virus – Idaho 2005; Issues surrounding drinking water in Idaho: Uranium, Arsenic, Nitrates, rural costs, etc; Public Health Implications from Feedlots;
Heavy metal contamination in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin; Risk Communication

Conference will be held at the Student Union building on the Boise State University campus.  Conference Brochure available from: Dale King, Senior Environmental Health Specialist, 208-476-7850, dking@phd2,idaho.go
*For additional information about IPHA please contact Rachel at ipharachel@yahoo.com.

MHS Program Advisory Board Meeting
Date: Thursday, April 14, 2005
Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Place: Farnsworth Room, Student Union Building, Boise State University
Contact Anita Castello for more information, acastel@boisestate.edu

Visit the New AHEC Event Calendar

The new Idaho Area Health Education Center (www.IdahoAHEC.org) Event Calendar allows organizations to post continuing education opportunities for healthcare professionals.  The calendar is free and is "searchable" by event location (city) and by discipline.

Academic Calendar Events

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Students and Faculty in the News

Congratulations to the following recent (2004) graduates: Lorretta Amy (General Research), Annaliessa Balk-Stimpert (Health Services Leadership), Heidi Hawkins (Health Services Leadership), Stacy Knipple (Health Promotion), Jean Laughrin (Health Services Leadership), Shaun Menchaca (Health Services Leadership), Jan Poppenga (Environmental Health), Ryan Rulon (Health Services Leadership), Christine Schroeder (Health Policy), Chandra Story (Health Promotion), Larry Van Dyke (Health Services Leadership)

Mary Lou Cunningham (Addiction Studies Emphasis) was recognized as the 2004 School Nurse of the Year for Idaho by the School Nurses of Idaho Association.  She will receive special recognition at their national meeting.

Cal Gillis (Environmental Health Emphasis) has been representing Eddy Trout, costume and all, around campus, at the Capital, and in the community.  Cal's participation as E Trout is related to the active role he plays on the Partners for Clean Water coalition.

Susie Schumacher (Health Services Leadership) is currently serving as 2nd Vice President of the Boise State University Alumni Association's Board of Directors.

Brian McGovern (Environmental Health Emphasis) presented a poster of his research on stormwater awareness in Boise City during the Boise State University Legislative Day.

Ed Baker (Faculty, Community and Environmental Health and MHS) co-authored on a paper entitled "Investigating Carbon Monoxide Exposure on Denali" which was submitted to the Journal of Wilderness and Environmental Medicine in January of 2005. Ed worked with physicians from Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, Terry Reilly Health Services and the Denali National Park and Reserve on investigating mountain climber use of portable stoves and the potential risk of CO exposure related to such use.

Uwe Reischl (Center for Health Policy) was an invited plenary speaker at the 2^nd International Ergonomics Conference held in Zagreb, Croatia, on Oct. 21-22, 2004.  He presented information about his research work on employee chronic low-back pain and its relationship to diurnal spine compression and recovery.

Uwe Reischl and Team (Center for Health Policy) in partnership with the Idaho Small Business Development Center and DrugFree Idaho Inc. have received funding to develop and evaluate innovative intervention strategies for employed young people ages 16-24.  Boise State will receive $150,000 a year for two years in Phase I, the development phase of the program. Following Phase I Boise State expects to receive an additional $1.5 million in Phase II, the three-year implementation and evaluation phase.

Dale Stephenson (Director, Environmental Health Program) had an article entitled Side-by-Side Comparison of Three Sampling Methods for Aerosolized Endotoxin in Wastewater Treatment Facilities published in the November 2004 issue of the Journal of Environmental Health.

Sarah Toevs (Director, Master of Health Science Program) was appointed as chair of the newly formed Department of Community and Environmental Health.  The Department includes degree programs in health sciences, pre-professional areas, environmental health, health information, and master of health science.

Lee Hannah (Associate Research Faculty) was elected to a second term as President of the Idaho Public Health Association (IPHA).  For information about IPHA please contact Lee at lee.hannah@safelink.net or ipharachel@yahoo.com.

Ginger Floerchinger-Franks (Adjunct Faculty) received the Directors Award from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for her outstanding leadership on behalf of the Idaho Suicide Prevention Plan.

Please drop us a line to keep us posted on your activities and accomplishments.  stoevs@boisestate.edu

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