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A muse is rarely amusing and is not a musing
Most of us consider a thing or event that is entertaining, engaging or witty to be amusing. Supposedly designed to embrace a modicum of happiness, the origins of the word have little to do with fun.
The root word, "muse," has disputed beginnings. If we believe Greco-Roman religion and myth, a muse was any of a group of nine sister goddesses who were daughters of the great Zeus and Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory.
The muses are purported to preside over the arts and sciences.
However, the Roman scholar Varro claimed there were only three muses. One was born from the movement of water, another made sound by striking air and a third could only be found in the human voice.
The Greco-Roman source is more traditionally accepted.
According to the pundits of Oxford Dictionary fame, the word has evolved. Its modern use refers to a muse as a woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist. Allegedly, all who pursue creative endeavors as a career path have one.
If my muse inherited her talents from the egomaniacal narcissist, Zeus, and the goddess of memory, Mnemosyne, I have serious doubts about the dependability of her abilities.
Memory is subjective, selective and dependent on inherent talent. If genealogy is involved, memory is likely less than trustworthy. And everyone knows that Zeus was a study in absolute power gone mad.
Hmmm...describes my muse perfectly.
She is never around when I need her. She gives dubious advice, often obfuscated in riddles and incomplete thoughts. The woman is fiercely independent, haunts my dreams and taunts me with snippets of possibly good concepts that are as evasive as she is real.
She is a true vixen at best.
I know that she wants to be perceived as my alter ego. She likes to fill in the blanks with nonsense and gibberish when my thinking is skewed or my ideas are weak. I have never actually seen her, even in my dreams. She likes to stand behind me and look over my shoulder. Then, she whispers in my ear as if she were a confidant.
Once in a while, I will see her shadow or a weak reflection in a dream. However, whenever I try to recall the image, it is foggy at best, and I can hear her demonic laugh because she knows she has frustrated me again.
I am convinced that she has sabotaged a few of my past relationships by possessing their minds. She embodied herself in their flesh to elicit my trust and take advantage of my unquestioned faith in the woman with whom I was involved.
Several times, when my muse was shrouded in her disguise, just when she thought she had me, I came to my senses and called her out. She would then make an immediate exit and leave me standing alone with the new love of my life, who looked at me as if I were completely insane.
My muse is a jealous wench, and she loves to use her devious antics to ruin my life.
I want a modern muse, one like Sarah Boden, music editor of the Observer, a British music magazine, described in her article, "10 Great Muses."
Why can't I have a muse like Gwyneth Paltrow, who inspired Chris Martin of Coldplay, or Sara Lowndes, who was one of Dylan's greatest influences?
Boden also named Yoko Ono as one of the top 10.
I could do without that.
However, Patti Boyd, who was a muse for both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, sounds like fun.
So many times, artists – particularly male artists – are depicted as "wallowing in the notion of lone wolf heroism." I do not think that image is the least bit appealing.
I hate suffering.
I want a muse who will take the pressure off and do her job.
Like today, for instance: Where was my muse? Did she come up with a column idea? No – she did not! If I listened to her, I would be writing about the advantages of fertilizing plastic plants, or I would try to convince the world that cauliflower worship was the path to weight loss, wealth and attractive offspring.
She is evil, conniving and useless, and I want a new one.
Trying to find a good muse is difficult at best when we live in a system we can't understand.


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Stands for "Way to Be a Dick", and is interchangable with WTBAB, which is "Way to Be a Bitch". Used when someone is being an arrogant ass and you want to point it out.
Jordan: One of your boobs is significantly larger than the other, ho.
Jessica: Wow, WTBAD!
Jessica: Wow, WTBAD!
by deathofkokostanley October 10, 2009

subset: commoncrawl


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A study of captive Asian Elephants has led to successful measures to reduce human-elephant conflict, especially during festival time. CEC member Dr. T.P. Sethumadhavan describes the study and strategy.
In the era of Conservation, where IUCN is giving more emphasis to conservation of Asian Elephants, this story on mitigation of human-elephant conflict among captive Asian Elephants in India will be an eye opener to all CEC members. The measures to reduce this human-elephant conflict were very successful with the help of strategic extension programmes.
Among range countries, human-elephant conflict is an important area of concern in India. Among captive Asian elephants human-elephant conflict is acquiring momentum in the country. Recent findings revealed that 342 human lives have been lost during the last three decades in Kerala, India, due to human-elephant conflict; more than 94 percent of victims are mahouts (a person who drives an elephant).
This study was conducted during January to May 2010 in the southern-most state of India; Thrissur in Kerala state, which occupies only 1.13 percent geographic area of the country. Human-elephant interaction is more frequent in the state where tuskers are used for festivals and processions. Kerala has more than 700 captive Asian Elephants. As part of the study, 240 captive Asian Elephants were randomly selected to find out the cause and to formulate measures to reduce the human-elephant conflict.
Different variables were indentified, e.g. feeding, management, season, age, musth incidence, behavior, transportation, breeding and diseases. Through a schedule of interviews, data were collected from stakeholders involved in elephant welfare, such as veterinarians, mahouts, elephant owners, festival organizers, policy makers and elephant lovers. Focus group discussions were also conducted. Major interventions affecting above variables were identified and a SWOT analysis was done. Based on the findings, management protocols were developed to reduce the increasing incidence of human-elephant conflict.
Based on the above findings, a management system was formulated to reduce the stress after taking in to account the major variables identified. It includes best feeding and management practices, a musth forecasting system, scientific disease control system and best management practices during transport and festivals.
The formulated scientific management system, which was administered during 2007, were modified and applied on 240 captive Asian elephants during the festival season January to May 2010:
- During festive season, when the elephants are compelled to stand more than 6 hours, measures were taken to frequently give succulent vegetables and fruits. They were allowed to walk in shady places. Wet gunny bags were placed underneath their feet.
- A 12- hour rest period was made compulsory for elephants before moving to the next festival.
- A series of mahout training programmes and awareness seminars were conducted to create awareness on scientific management practices among mahouts, public and students.
- Interventions in transportation norms were followed. Elephants are allowed to walk only 20 km per day during morning and evening hours. Beyond 20 km trucks were made compulsory as per the captive elephant management rule prevalent in the state.
- Protocols for control of elephants and the role of mahouts were well defined and implemented.
Based on the SWOT analysis, the following of remedial measures was identified in breeding, feeding, management, season, age, musth incidence, musth forecasting, mahout training, behavior, over work, cruelty, transportation and disease control in tune with captive elephant management rule 2003.
Musth forecasting system was formulated based on previous incidences of musth. The study findings revealed that best captive elephant management practices could reduce 92 percent of human-elephant conflict in the state. In order to reduce stress, variables like scientific feeding and management, disease control and management during musth period need proper attention. There is a positive correlation noticed between season and incidences of musth. Musth forecasting system can help to reduce human-elephant conflict by taking effective control measures before the premusth period.
For more information, contact Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan, Assistant Director & Veterinary Scientist, Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Kerala, India, at email@example.com


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I have just assembled PL-259's without soldering the shield and they seem to work (tested only with SWR meter). But without solder the contact will deteriorate over time as the copper braid oxidizes. Not so bad if only used for inside connections. Since compression is used with other style connectors this may work fine. I would just be sure to thoroughly wx-seal any connectors that will be outside. Then time will tell if this method is good. Soldering all the holes in the PL-259 seals the connector from moisture intrusion (if taped). I much prefer using N-connectors just about everywhere because of the superior contact design. PL-259 is not a good connector above 2m and is marginal at 2m. I wonder how this method of construction affects use with very high power (1500w)? For satellite RF levels (<50w) it may be OK. 73 - Ed At 06:59 PM 12/5/2007, Auke de Jong, VE6PWN wrote: >I thought it was a bad idea, untill I borrowed an anritsu 331D and swept my >feedlines for proof one way or the other... >I just folded the shield back over the sheath, and twisted the PL-259 onto >the cable until the dielectric was past the solder holes, trimmed-off the >excess shielding, soldered the centre conductor, and called it good. It >seems to work well on both RG-8 and several different LMR-400 equivalent >cables that I have tried. hardly even a bump on the tester thru 450MHz! > >Auke, >VE6PWN >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Rick Mann" <firstname.lastname@example.com> >To: "AMSAT-BB" <email@example.com> >Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 9:47 PM >Subject: [amsat-bb] Where can I buy pre-made feedline? > > > > I'd like Belden 9913 with PL-259 connectors pre-attached, 50'. Ham > > Radio Outlet (every store) is out of this, and so they sold me 50' > > bulk cable and connectors. I have been trying VERY unsuccessfully to > > solder these, but I am unable to do it. I can sold 0603 SMT resistors > > and 0.5 mm pitch TQFPs, but not this. > > > > I have tried multiple techniques. I am no longer interested in trying > > to solder this. > > > > Google has been less than helpful in finding online stores. > > > > Can someone point me to a reputable online retailer who can ship this > > to me immediately? Thank you! > > > > -- > > Rick > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via email@example.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > > Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.14/1172 - Release Date: > > 12/5/2007 8:41 AM > > > > > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via firstname.lastname@example.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via firstname.lastname@example.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
AMSAT Home


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HB 149 / SB 309 Mopeds and Motor Scooters - Titling, Insurance, and Required Use of Protective Headgear
This bill regulates use of motor scooters and mopeds. It requires all mopeds and motor scooters to be titled electronically and be issued a permanent decal to place on the rear of the motor scooter. The cost for the decal will be $5. For the first year, (until October 1, 2013) non-new motor scooters and mopeds will be exempt from the titling fee and excise tax. After October 1, 2013, the motor scooter and moped title fee will be $20 and the minimum excise tax will be 6% of $320. Individuals will have to certify at the time of titling that they carry the minimum levels of liability insurance for the motor scooter / moped. Operators of motor scooters and mopeds will be required to wear motorcycle helmets and eye protection and carry an insurance card.
Effective October 1, 2012.
HB 668 Vehicle Laws - Historic Motor Vehicles - Trucks, Tractors, and Motor Homes
This bill permits Class E Trucks over 10,000 lbs, Class M Motor Homes, and Class F Trucks to register with historic registrations. The vehicles must be 25 years old or older and cannot be used for daily transportation or for any commercial purpose. Additionally, the owner must certify at the time of application that the vehicle will be used only in exhibition type events, and that the vehicle is insured by a historic or antique type motor vehicle insurance policy. These vehicles pay a reduced registration fee and are exempt from all inspections, but not exempt from repair orders. Vehicles in these classes that are older than 60 years are eligible for a one time registration fee of $50 that does not need to be renewed.
Effective June 1, 2012.
HB 1180 Vehicle Laws - Required Security - Electronic Reporting Requirements
This bill requires insurance companies to report information to the MVA on newly insured customers immediately. The information must be reported electronically on an "immediate" basis as designated in regulation.
Effective October 1, 2012.
SB 401 Motor Vehicles - Towing Practices and Procedures
This bill establishes prohibitions against private trespass tows. The bill requires a private property owner who is going to tow vehicles, or have vehicles towed, from a lot to have large visible signs with the name of the towing company. Tow companies or storage yards must permit retrieval of the vehicle 24 / 7. Vehicles can be towed a maximum of 15 miles from the site of the tow. In the bill: spotters for towers are prohibited; the cost for towing and storage is capped; the tower must take a photograph of the violation; and the tower cannot tow for a lapsed registration sticker until 72 hours after attaching a warning to the vehicle.
Effective October 1, 2012.
HB 499 Vehicle Laws - Disposition of Vehicle to Automotive Dismantler and Recycler or Scrap Processor
This bill creates a new process for disposal of motor vehicles without a certificate of title or a salvage certificate. If a vehicle is going to be used for parts only or scrapped and never re-titled, a licensed Automotive Dismantler and Recycler or Scrap Processor (AD&R / SP) can take the vehicle, provide notice, hold the vehicle for 11 business days and then junk / scrap the vehicle. The AD&R / SP must keep detailed records of the transaction including recording the Driver's License and Registration of the person transferring the vehicle, inputting the information into the Maryland State Police's database, and signing an affidavit form developed by the MVA. The bill also clarifies that AD&R / SPs can apply through the police to have a vehicle retitled by using the CS78 process.
Effective October 1, 2012.
HB 435 / SB 487 Vehicle Laws – Salvage – Defective, Lost or Destroyed Certificates of Title
This bill permits an insurance company that has acquired a vehicle by way of settlement of a claim, but for which the certificate of title is defective, lost or destroyed, to submit an affidavit, along with a copy of the settlement check or other evidence of final payment, to apply for a salvage certificate.
Effective October 1, 2012.
HB 678 / SB 591 Real Property – Manufactured Homes – Affixation to and Severance from Real Property
This bill establishes a process by which a manufactured home can be converted from a vehicle to real property and vice versa.
Effective October 1, 2012.
SB 111 Vehicle Laws - Identification Cards and Drivers' Licenses - Period of Validity
This bill increases the maximum duration of a driver's license or identification card from 5 years to 8 years. The actual length of a driver's license or identification card's validity will be set by regulation.
Effective October 1, 2012.
HB 358 / SB 276 Drivers' Licenses and Identification Cards - Notation of Veteran Status
The bill permits a veteran to present documentation to the MVA to certify that the individual is a veteran of the armed forces for the purpose of placing a veteran's designation on the driver's license or identification card of the applicant. The MVA can share this data with relevant state agencies.
Effective January 1, 2013.
HB 292 / SB 506 Vehicle Laws - Provisional Driver's Licenses - Driver Education Requirements
This bill permits first time drivers over the age of 25 to take the driver skills test after a reduced learner's permit holding period of 45 days with 14 hours of self-certifying practice time.
Effective October 1, 2012.
SB 741 Vehicle Laws - U.S. Foreign Service Members Absent from State - Effective Period of Driver's License
This bill permits employees of the U.S. Foreign Service who are absent from the state, due to their employment, and their families to maintain licensure for a period of time up to 30 days from the date they return to Maryland.
Effective October 1, 2012.
HB 67 / SB 177 Vehicle Laws - Nonfunctioning Traffic Control Signals - Requirement to Stop
This bill changes the law to require that a vehicle approaching a non-functioning traffic light must stop and yield to other vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection before proceeding through the intersection.
Effective October 1, 2012.
HB 313 / SB 185 Motor Vehicles – Child Safety Seats – Requirements
This bill removes the exemption to the requirement to have children under 8 years of age secured in a child safety seat for children weighing more than 65 pounds. Children under the age of 8 must be in a child safety seat unless they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, regardless of weight.
Effective October 1, 2012.


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On February 17th 1995 police found Richey Edwards' Vauxhall Cavalier abandoned at the Severn View service station. They reported that there was evidence that The Manic Street Preachers' guitarist had been living in the car.
As for the car's owner, well nothing has been heard from him since. There have been alleged sightings in Goa and Lanzarote, while there are those believe that he took his own life and jumped off the Severn Bridge. I guess we will never know.
Edwards, however, wasn't the first rock star who decided that they had had enough of their old life and wanted to start anew. Various members of Fleetwood Mac disappeared in the late 60s and early 70s to be discovered in the cradle of slightly iffy religious groups.
There are others too and I have rounded up five stories of musicians who, for one reason or another, completely disappeared. Some, like Richey, are missing presumed dead, others are just keeping an incredibly low profile while working on that magical next album. Then there's the tale of Rodriguez, a singer whose life was shrouded in mystery before a film was made retelling his amazing tale.
The other thing about all five is that each of them has created some wonderful music, which in four out of the five cases, deserves to be much better known.
Jim Sullivan - whisked away by aliens?
Perhaps the most dramatic tale of a musician going AWOL ever the Jim Sullivan story still intrigues everyone who hears it. The story has an added poignancy as the album that Sullivan released in 1969, UFO, is a special one that has recently been championed by a new wave of folk stars like Laura Marling. Anyway back to the story. In the late 60s Sullivan was a talented singer songwriter in need of a break. He got one when an actor friend of his, Al Dobbs, decided to fund his album. That record, UFO is minor classic - a perfect mix of dusty folk and Gothic country, yet with some strong pop undertones. Dobbs had ensured that only top notch musicians played on the album including several of Phil Spector's legendary Wrecking Crew band of session hacks. It really is quite an astonishing listen. Take Rosey, a delicate, gently picked ballad taken to new heights by pizzicato and then soaring strings. It sounds like the sort of track Lee Hazlewood would have written on a very good day. Most intriguing of all is the title track UFO, where Sullivan shares his obsession with aliens in an eery way that some believe was a psychic prediction of the fate that was soon to befall him. Sadly the album stiffed - it has been reissued by Light In the Arric Records and these days is hailed as a classic of its genre - and Sullivan went back to playing bars and busking for a living. Then in 1975 he decided to leave his wife in California and head eastwards to start a new life a session musician in Nashville. He never got there. His car was found abandoned in the desert while all his possessions were left in his hotel room. The last time he was seen was on the ranch of a family with mafia connections. The case is still unsolved, but there are some folk who believe that the UFO watcher's dream finally came true and he was whisked away by aliens. Others take the view that he may have been murdered and the body never recovered. Either way Sullivan left behind one superb album and an enduring myth which one day really ought to be turned into a film.


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CBS announced its 2013-14 premiere dates Monday, which includes a special one-hour final season premiere of "How I Met Your Mother" and the debuts of five new series.
The new comedy "Mom" premieres Sept. 23 followed by the freshman drama "Hostages." New comedy "We Are Men" premieres a week later on Sept. 30.
On Sept. 26, CBS will begin its new two-hour Thursday comedy block with the premieres of "The Big Bang Theory," "The Millers," "The Crazy Ones" and "Two and a Half Men." Check out the schedule below.
CBS's 2013-2014 Premiere Dates
All times Central; new shows marked with (series debut)
Wednesday, Sept. 18
7 p.m. "Survivor" (27th edition premiere)
Sunday, Sept. 22
7 p.m. "The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards"
Monday, Sept. 23
7 p.m. "How I Met Your Mother" (9th season premiere)
8 p.m. "2 Broke Girls" (3rd season premiere)
8:30 p.m. "Mom" (series debut)
9 p.m. "Hostages" (series debut)
Tuesday, Sept. 24
7 p.m. "NCIS" (11th season premiere)
8 p.m. "NCIS: Los Angeles" (5th season premiere)
9 p.m. "Person of Interest" (3rd season premiere)
Wednesday, Sept. 25
8 p.m. "Criminal Minds" (9th season premiere)
9 p.m. "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (14th season premiere)
Thursday, Sept. 26
7 p.m. "The Big Bang Theory" (7th season premiere)
7:30 p.m. "The Millers" (series debut)
8 p.m. "The Crazy Ones" (series debut)
8:30 p.m. "Two and a Half Men" (11th season premiere)
9 p.m. "Elementary" (2nd season premiere)
Friday, Sept. 27
7 p.m. "Undercover Boss" (5th season premiere)
8 p.m. "Hawaii Five-0" (4th season premiere)
9 p.m. "Blue Bloods" (4th season premiere)
Saturday, Sept. 28
9 p.m. "48 Hours" (26th season premiere)
Sunday, Sept. 29
6 p.m. "60 Minutes" (46th season premiere)
7 p.m. "The Amazing Race" (23rd edition premiere)
8 p.m. "The Good Wife" (5th season premiere)
9 p.m. "The Mentalist" (6th season premiere)
Monday, Feb. 24
9 p.m. "Intelligence" (series debut)
Want more? Discuss this article and others on Show Patrol's Facebook page.


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WORCESTER — Despite the chilly temperature Sunday night, about 100 people, including 60 Worcester firefighters, turned out for a brief ceremony on Vernon Hill in front of the vacant lot at 49 Arlington St., where veteran Firefighter Jon D. Davies Sr. died in a three-decker fire two years ago.
On Dec. 8, 2011, Firefighter Davies and his close friend and partner on Rescue 1, Firefighter Brian Carroll, had gone back into the building to search for someone they had been told might still be trapped inside. The second floor collapsed beneath them.
Firefighter Carroll was rescued after being buried under a pile of debris in the basement and seriously injured. Firefighter Davies, 43, a 17-year veteran of the Fire Department, did not make it out alive.
Sunday night's ceremony included a short prayer by the Rev. Walter J. Riley, the Fire Department chaplain; the placing of a floral wreath on the chain-link fence that surrounds the vacant lot where the three-decker stood; and the striking of the last alarm.
Firefighter Carroll, a 16-year veteran of the department, fought back tears as he stood with a group of firefighters who hung the wreath, with "R1" in the middle.
Visibly emotional, he would only say that it was "thoughtful" that people attended the ceremony.
Deputy Fire Chief Geoffrey Gardell said December is a difficult month for Worcester firefighters. Just five days earlier, he noted, firefighters attended a ceremony at the Franklin Street fire station in remembrance of the Dec. 3, 1999, conflagration at the former Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. building that claimed the lives of six Worcester firefighters.
"This is an unofficial ceremony," he said. "The guys who worked with him were going to be here anyhow. December is a tough month for us."
Next year, he said, he is hopeful a memorial in honor of Firefighter Davies will be in place at the Franklin Street station for a ceremony on the third-year anniversary of his death.
Mayor Joseph M. Petty said he was thankful so many people attended to pay their respects and recognize the sacrifices firefighters make. Such events can help heal the community after an extremely tragic loss, he said.
Worcester resident Jennithan Cortes, who was a childhood friend of Firefighter Davies and who graduated with him in 1986 from Holy Name Central Catholic High School, said his death brought a lot of people together.
"It rekindled friendships and we're celebrating those friendships and his life and our commitment to him," Mr. Cortes said. "He was a fun-loving, charismatic all-around good guy. He was a big teddy bear."
Rev. Riley said Firefighter Davies will forever be in the hearts and minds of those in the community.
He said Firefighter Davies showed true regard for others and was an "example for the rest of us."
Contact Paula Owen at email@example.com. Follow her on Twitter @PaulaOwenTG


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Report: Capitals to host Blackhawks in Winter Classic
The Chicago Blackhawks will play the Washington Capitals in next season's Winter Classic, according to the Canadian Press.
It will be the Blackhawks' third outdoor game and second Winter Classic. They hosted the New Year's Day game in 2009 at Wrigley Field and a Stadium Series game at Soldier Field last season.
Next season's Winter Classic is expected to be played at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. That location has not been officially announced. The Blackhawks will be named the Capitals' opponent when the NHL releases the schedule for the season this weekend.
The Capitals are hosting the Winter Classic for the first time. They visited the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2011 event at Heinz Field.
The NHL is reportedly only scheduling two outdoor games next season after having six last season. The other one is set in the San Francisco Bay Area. It will be played at either AT&T Park in San Francisco or Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.


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While there doesn't seem to be an end in sight for potential civilian and scientific uses of drones, a raft of federal regulations has slowed development, for now.
The Federal Aviation Administration requires any public agency seeking to operate unmanned aircraft systems to apply for a certificate of authorization. In addition, the operator must maintain visual contact with the aircraft, a restriction that works at cross-purposes to some of the more complex – and productive – drone applications.
"The biggest problem at the moment is the FAA regulations," said Edan Cain, a programmer for ESRI who donates his skills at programming drones to search-and-rescue teams. "When we are using [an unmanned aerial vehicle] we want to go beyond line of sight."
Related coverage:
DOD looking to ease restrictions on domestic UAV flights
Cain adds that the requirements for certification of aircraft also adds greatly to the cost of developing drones. "You have to get FAA certification for the air platform itself and that will take years," Cain sighed. "It's only the big players who are interested in that at the moment. You're talking about quite a lot of money."
Michael Hutt, U.S. Geological Survey UAS program manager, says that the paperwork involved in getting UAS projects approved is a challenge, but one that is getting easier to manage.
"As we get more familiar with what the FAA wants and they get more familiar with us, it is becoming much more streamlined," he said. "It still takes a couple of months of effort, though, to actually get the special use permit, get the frequency allocations, get the review by USGS, send it over the FAA and get approval."
And Hutt would like to see some of the restrictions lifted for certain types of deployments. "I see the need for observers if you are in congested airspace," he said. "But a lot of the places that we fly at [the Department of the Interior] are pretty remote. For all of the missions that we have flown, the closest aircraft we've seen was at 35,000 feet, and we're flying at 400 feet." The requirement to have line-of-sight observers, says Hutt, may actually be creating more risk.
Earlier this year, Congress passed a law that will open up the national airspace to UAVs for civilian, scientific and public safety uses. The law requires the FAA to have regulations in place by 2015.
About the Author
Patrick Marshall is a freelance technology writer for GCN.
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So another military drone just crashed in Maryland. Customs has already lost 2 along the border with Mexico. And our idiot political leaders want more flown domesticly?
The use of UAVs for search and rescue could greatly reduce risks to rescue workers. The UAV can tirelessly fly and map with cameras, radar, etc. at a fraction of the cost of helicopters and airplanes.
There's just something inherently unsettling about drones! Maybe I'm only one of few geo-geeks that still wants privacy as a US Citizen...
Do we allow them on our streets, in our cities, in our parks, with our kids, or on the ground yet (outside of a combat zone)?
"Big Brother" takes flight! Only moles will have privacy (at least until the drones start carrying ground penetrating radar).
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When several alleles are shown, the nucleotide mutations and amino acid
changes for a given codon are indicated in red letters. These polymorphic mutations are reported in
Tables of alleles.
Dashes indicate identical nucleotides. Dots indicate gaps according to the IMGT unique numbering. Blanks indicate partial sequences (blanks at the 5' and/or 3' end).
Clicking on the allele name gives access to the IMGT/GENE-DB.
Clicking on the accession number gives access to the IMGT/LIGM-DB.
D-REGION D-REGION 5'->3' 3'<-5' (direct orientation) (inverted orientation) 1 10 20 1 10 20 |........|.........| |........|.........| G Y S S R S G S A A I P G I A A D D L L L Y V * Q Q I I C C Y T BK009075 IGHD6S15*01 ORF D-REGION gDNA gggtatagcagcagatcc ggatctgctgctataccc
This alignment of allele is generated by IMGT/OutilAllele (Patrice Duroux, Mehdi Yousfi and Perrine Pégorier).


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Stop the parole of Richard Baldwin
Richard Baldwin killed Beth Brodie in 1992. She was 15 years old, he was 16. Now he may get parole. Help stop this!
Richard Baldwin killed Beth Brodie in 1992. She was 15 years old, he was 16. Now he may get parole. Help stop this!
Milwaukee Co. Judge allowed an abuser to continue abusing my elderly disabled mother.
My campaign is important because slavery is a huge global issue and is a problem in every country.
Violence is an issue in Tasmania and to many lives are being put at risk we need public safety and a deterant
Because it is time to ask for an action by Government and Judiciary.
To put pressure on the government to stop this scourge against our fellow human beings. To waken them into am mending
Hi everybody, Me and lots of people reported this page plenty of time already, but it seems facebook is not interested
Tomorrow the same thing could be happen with our own, so it is time to put a full stop in all this. I have decide to
RAPE - I have deeply thought it over. I hate, react & rise against it - one of the most, if not the most heinous crime
Studies 4 Every One it is a care 4 all pours struggling 4 their studies to begin............................so plz them


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The incident occurred at 1:40 p.m. Saturday at Goff Cove Beach while Kelly's 18-year-old daughter was walking the 65-pound bulldog on a leash, KCBS-TV, Los Angeles, reported. The dog ran off and attacked the sea lion, the TV station said.
The video shows the teen screaming while the dog holds the sea lion by its neck. Two women tried to help the teen before Kelly arrived and forced the dog off the animal but the sea lion later died, KCBS-TV said.
Nathan, who declined to give the TV station his last name, was having lunch nearby and took the video of the attack. He said he didn't know the incident involved Kelly's family when he posted it online. Kelly is married to former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.
"It was pretty much just panic. People didn't know how to act when a dog of this size just locked down [and didn't let go]," Nathan said.


text:
Graduate Catalog
2012 – 2013
Office of Graduate Studies and Extended Education
McKelvie Hall, 102 W. Rosedale Avenue
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-2943
Fax: 610-436-2763
Revised June 2018
|Academic Integrity
|Continuous Enrollment
|ADA Policy Statement
|Course Numbering
|Repeat Policy
|Active Status
|Credit by Exam
|Adding a Course
|Directory Information
|Removing "No Grade"
|Advisory System
|Disruptive Classroom Behavior
|Research Requirements
|Applicable Catalog Year
|Dropping a Course
|Second Master's Degree
|Certificates, Professional
|Enrollment Classification
|Student Rights and Responsibilities
|Certification - Educational Specialist and Act 48
|Examinations, Other
|Teacher Certification Programs
|Certification - Instructional I (Provisional)
|Thesis Binding
|Certification - Level II
|Frederick Douglass Inst.
|Thesis Defense
|Certification - Teacher Education, Formal Admission
|Grade Appeals
|Time to Complete the Program
|Certification - Teacher Intern
|Grade Changes
|Transcripts, Obtaining
|Change - Program
|Grade Reports
|Transferring Credit to WCU
|Change - Status
|Grading System
|Undergraduate Courses
|Change - Name, Address
|Graduate Summer Sessions
|Withdrawal - Summer
|Changing to Auditor
|Graduation Application
|Withdrawal from WCU
|Classification of Students
|Leave of Absence
|Withdrawal - Involuntary Medical
|Comprehensive Examination
All students are bound by the Graduate Catalog in the year they are admitted to the University under one of the matriculated student categories (see below under "Classification of Students"). Students are bound by the requirements in the Graduate Catalog at the time that they are admitted to the degree or certificate or teacher certification or professional growth program. If a student is admitted more than once, the year of the most recent admission is applicable. If any of the requirements for the program change while students are matriculating, they may, but do not have to, meet the changed requirements. In some instances, accrediting and/or certification standards necessitate the change in the degree or certificate or teacher certification program requirements. In such situations, the respective college will formally inform each student that he or she must meet the new requirements. Readmitted students are bound by the requirements in place at the time of readmission, except where permission for change in requirements or exception has been granted by the respective department and the associate provost and dean of graduate studies.
All requirements for the master's degree, including courses, comprehensive examinations, and thesis, must be completed within six years.
See also "Degree Candidacy" and "Degree Requirements".
Students are classified as follows:
Full-time students must enroll in 9-15 course credit hours. Part-time students enroll for fewer than nine course credit hours. All students will be charged a per credit tuition rate.
For summer enrollment students generally take a maximum of 12 credits. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the associate provost and dean of graduate studies.
Summer school includes two five-week terms plus a three-week post session, devoted primarily to workshops (see "Admission" to apply) and courses/programs offered in program-specific formats (see summer course schedule). Admission to summer sessions courses does not constitute admission to a degree program.
All active graduate students (those who have maintained continuous enrollment), nondegree students who have attended within the past year, and newly accepted students will have access to the scheduling booklet online. Course schedules for summer/fall are usually available in early February and for spring semester in October.
See policy on Continuous Enrollment.
To remain in good standing, graduate students must maintain continuous enrollment (i.e., one or more semester hours each fall and spring) from the semester of matriculation through the semester of graduation. The only exception is for students on a leave of absence. All graduate students who have been admitted into a graduate program must maintain continuous registration each semester (except summer sessions), or must apply for a formal leave of absence. Graduate students who do not wish to register for formal course work, but who desire to maintain continuous enrollment, must register for GSR799, a noncredit registration category used to record the fact of continuous enrollment. Graduate students are not required to maintain matriculation during the summer sessions unless they intend to complete their final degree requirements during this period.
With the approval of the graduate coordinator and the associate provost and dean of graduate studies, a leave of absence may be granted for a minimum of one calendar year. Leave of absence forms may be obtained online. A leave of absence does not extend the six-year time limit for completion of all degree requirements.
Unless a graduate student is granted a leave of absence, he or she is ineligible to return until readmitted. A formal application for readmission must be completed and submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies and Extended Education. Forms are available online.
Readmission is not automatic and may be subject to additional conditions set by the department, school or college, or by the graduate dean.
All students will be assigned an adviser in the program of their chosen major. Students must comply with all program or department advising and scheduling procedures, and are expected to meet with their advisers at least once each semester during the course scheduling period.
500-series graduate level courses to which advanced undergraduates may be admitted
600-series graduate courses not normally open to undergraduates
Course numbering within a series is at the discretion of the department offering the courses.
Some departments have identified selected undergraduate courses that may be taken by graduate students (under departmental advisement) for graduate credit. No more than six credits of specifically designated 400-level courses may be applied to the awarding of the graduate degree. See departmental listings. All undergraduate credits, even those applied towards a graduate degree or certificate or certification program, will not be certified as graduate credit by the Office of Graduate Studies for any reason (e.g., notification to employer, or transfer of credits to another institution).
The number 598 following the departmental prefix indicates an "open" workshop that allows the departments to offer a variety of short-term seminars in specific subjects under this designation. Such workshops may or may not carry credit in a graduate degree program.
Credit by examination may not be taken for graduate course work.
The pass/fail option is not available to graduate students for graduate or undergraduate courses.
West Chester students who wish to take course work at other institutions for credit at West Chester University must obtain approval from their chairperson or graduate coordinator and the associate provost and dean of graduate studies prior to enrollment. Other restrictions and requirements are the same as those given in "Transfer of Credit," page 6.
A provisional degree student who has met the various conditions stipulated at the time of admission may petition for full graduate standing by completing the change of status form available online. Credit earned as a provisional degree student or as a nondegree student may be accepted in a degree program only on the recommendation of the student's adviser. Provisional degree students should consult their advisers well in advance in order to select work appropriate for transfer toward the degree.
Before the end of the add period, a student may apply to become an auditor by completing a change in class status form available online and by obtaining the necessary approval.
In order to change from one degree program to another, a student must submit an application to the Office of Graduate Studies and Extended Education. The student must meet all specific admission requirements of the program for which the change is requested and receive the approval of the program coordinator. No fee is charged.
Students may add a course by filing a Schedule Change Form in the Office of Graduate Studies and Extended Education only during the schedule change period and after obtaining approval from their program adviser or graduate coordinator, and the associate provost and dean of graduate studies.
If a student is only scheduled for one course, then withdrawal from the course at any time is considered a withdrawal from the University.
Students wishing to withdraw from summer sessions should follow the same procedure for withdrawal from a course. Withdrawal deadlines are adjusted appropriately in accordance with the summer calendar.
Students wishing to withdraw from the University must contact the Office of Graduate Studies and Extended Education and follow the prescribed procedures. If illness or some other emergency interrupts the student's work, he or she must notify the Office of the Graduate Studies and Extended Education immediately. Unless a student withdraws officially, F grades will be recorded for unfinished courses.
To foster an environment conducive to learning and assure the safety of the community, the University takes appropriate measures to address student conduct that is destructive to self or others or results in serious disruption of the learning environment. In extraordinary circumstances, the University may require a student to involuntarily withdraw from the University when it determines that the student poses a significant risk of harm and this measure is the only way to protect the student and/or others and/or to preserve the integrity of the learning environment.
Please refer to the following Web site for the entire West Chester University Involuntary Medical Withdrawal Policy:
Students in a degree program who will not be registering for course work during the fall or spring semesters should either schedule GSR 799 (Continuous Registration) or file a request for a leave of absence with the associate provost and dean of graduate studies. A leave of absence may be granted for a minimum of one calendar year. The request should be filed in advance of the semester in which course work is halted. Approved leaves of absence do not release the student from the six-year time limitation stipulated for the completion of degree requirements. Leave of absence request forms may be obtained online.
The following grading system applies to graduate students:
|Quality Points
|Superior graduate attainment
|Satisfactory graduate attainment
|Attainment below graduate expectations
|In Progress
|No Grade
|Administrative Withdrawal
West Chester University does not recognize a grade of D for graduate study. Therefore, any grade below a C- in a graduate course is considered a failure and carries zero quality points.
IP (In Progress) is given to indicate work in progress and will be used only for protected courses (theses, practicums, internships, recitals, and research reports).
NG (No Grade) is given when a student fails to complete course requirements by the end of a semester and a time extension is granted by the instructor; see "Removing 'No Grade' Designation" below.
W (Withdrawal) is given when a student withdraws from a course between the end of the first and the end of the ninth class week of the semester or the equivalent in summer sessions.
Y (Administrative Withdrawal) is given under appeal when there are nonacademic mitigating circumstances, and there is documentation that the student never, in fact, attended class.
Graduate students may repeat up to two courses, which are being applied to their degree. Courses may be repeated only once. Both grades earned for a course will remain on the student's record; however, the most recent grade (whether it is higher or lower) will be used in the GPA calculation.
This policy also applies to courses taken at the undergraduate level and applied to the graduate degree or certificate or teacher certification program, or taken as a prerequisite for the program.
IP grades indicate work in progress and will be used only for protected courses (theses, practicums, internships, recitals, and research reports).
NG grades will be given when a student fails to complete course requirements by the end of a semester and a time extension is granted by the professor. Students must complete course requirements as stipulated by the professor, and not later than the end of the 9th week of the subsequent semester or the NG grade will convert to an F.
A grade awarded other than NG and IP is final. Final grades can be changed only when there is a clerical or computational error. If the student thinks there is an error, the student must report the alleged error in writing to the professor as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the fifth week of the following semester. If a grade change is warranted, the professor must submit a change of grade request to the Office of the Registrar not later than the end of the ninth week of the semester. Final grades cannot be changed after the ninth week of the semester following the alleged error.
Grade reports are available to graduate students soon after the end of a semester or summer session on myWCU. Students are reminded to check their reports against grade requirements and other regulations, as well as for accuracy, and to have their grade reports available when consulting with advisers. Students needing a paper grade report for reimbursement purposes can submit the request form found on the Registrar's Web site.
The Grade Appeals Policy applies only to questions of student evaluation. Since appeals involve questions of judgment, the Grade Appeals Board will not recommend that a grade be revised in the student's favor unless there is clear evidence that the original grade was based upon prejudiced or capricious judgment, or was inconsistent with official University policy. In the case where the grade was based on a charge of cheating, the Academic Integrity Policy applies (see below). Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to
Any situation involving a violation of academic integrity is of major concern to the University. Faculty members preserve and transmit the values of the academic community through example in their own academic pursuits and through the learning environment that they create for their students. They are expected to instill in their students a respect for integrity and an understanding of the importance of honesty within their chosen profession. Faculty must also take measures to discourage student academic dishonesty.
Commitment to maintaining and encouraging high standards of academic integrity is demonstrated in many ways. One way is through the establishment of policies and procedures governing violation of the standards of academic integrity. The following policies, procedures, and definitions are intended to help faculty meet these responsibilities.
First, the instructor has both the right and responsibility to demand academic honesty if a student is to remain in good standing in the course and is to be evaluated fairly by the instructor. A grade certifies both knowledge and a standard of academic integrity. It is essential that the instructor retain the right to set the minimum academic penalty for academic dishonesty in a course, subject to the appeal rights of a student.
Second, cheating is not just a matter between an instructor and student in a specific course. While it is the right and duty of the instructor to set minimum penalties for dishonesty in a particular course, the University is responsible for the minimum standards of academic integrity and achievement on which degrees are based. It is the University that permits students to remain members of the academic community and finally certifies that students have attained sufficient academic credit and exhibited acceptable standards of conduct to entitle them to a degree.
Third, students accused of academic dishonesty have the right to have their case heard in a fair and impartial manner, with all the safeguards available within the bounds of due process.
Violations of the academic integrity standards of West Chester University fall into six broadly defined categories listed below:
Faculty are responsible for determining the grades earned in their courses, and they are the first step in determining if a violation of academic integrity has occurred. They are also the first individuals to determine what penalty should be levied. A faculty member responsible for assigning final grades in a course may acquire evidence, either directly or through information supplied by others that a student violation of academic integrity may have occurred. After collecting the evidence available, the faculty member will meet with the student to present the evidence of an alleged violation and request an explanation.
If the faculty member accepts the student's explanation, no further action is taken. If the faculty member determines that a violation has occurred, the faculty member informs the student, within five class days of his/her decision, using the appropriate form, of the penalty that will be imposed. The faculty member will also inform the student of his/her rights to file an appeal within 10 class days of the faculty member's decision.
Once a faculty member has charged a student with academic dishonesty, the student may not withdraw from the course to avoid a grade penalty or to prevent the filing of the Report of Violation of Academic Integrity. Any student who withdraws from a course before the charge is made may be reregistered for the course so that appropriate action can be taken.
The faculty member fills out and forwards a copy of the Report of Violation of Academic Integrity, together with any additional supporting documentation, to his/her department chairperson. In departments that have a departmental Academic Integrity Board, the faculty member will forward the information to the departmental board. The department chair (or chair of the departmental board) will forward the information to the associate provost and dean of graduate studies. If the faculty member is the department chair and there is no departmental board, the report will be sent directly to the associate provost and dean of graduate studies.
The report includes
If the student is subsequently found not guilty of the charge, the student may either
If the student is found guilty of violating the student Academic Integrity Policy, the student may not withdraw from the course and will receive the sanction imposed by the instructor or other academic authority.
All acts of academic dishonesty violate standards essential to the existence of an academic community. Most offenses are properly handled and remedied by the faculty member teaching the course in which they occur. The penalties that may be assessed by the faculty member include the following:
A grade of "F" for the course triggers the graduate policy on automatic dismissal from the University. Students dismissed under these circumstances will not be considered for readmission to another academic program at West Chester University.
Whatever the penalty, the report describing the incident and recording the decision will be kept by the associate provost and dean of graduate studies until the student has graduated and the degree has been awarded. Individual departments may establish a "zero tolerance" policy for their majors. Students must be clearly informed of such a policy by those departments.
The purpose of this record keeping is to ensure that students who violate the University's student Academic Integrity Policy a second time are dealt with appropriately. A second violation will result in automatic expulsion from the University.
A student may appeal the instructor's unilateral imposition of a reduced or failing grade. A student who files an appeal within 10 class days of the faculty member's determination will suffer no worse penalty as a result of the appeal than he/she would have suffered if he/she had not appealed the instructor's unilateral action.
A student who files an appeal to the next level must do so within 10 class days. The request for appeal should contain any and all information that the student believes is relevant to his/her case. After the initial appeal to and decision by the department chair, the student will have five days to appeal the decision to the graduate dean, if he/she so wishes.
The progression of the appeal is as follows:
If the faculty member who has brought the charges is also the chair of the department, the appeal moves directly to the graduate dean.
Information on the composition and functioning of the Academic Integrity Board and sanctions is located on the University's Web site at www.wcupa.edu.
Graduate students' rights and responsibilites, as well as standards of behavior, are outlined in the "WCU Student Code of Conduct" section of the Ram's Eye View Student Handbook, which is available at http://www.wcupa.edu/_services/stu/ramsEyeView/codeOfConduct.aspx/.
The Academic Integrity Board may be requested by an accused student as part of the appeal process.
The chair will provide notice to all parties which shall include a summary of the matter for disposition, as well as the time and place of the hearing. The student charged will also be advised as to the identities of Academic Integrity Board members and witnesses that will be presented by the charging party. Hearings shall proceed to the extent possible according to the following form:
The board chair shall have authority and be responsible for maintaining an orderly procedure throughout the hearing. All hearings are closed proceedings; witnesses may be excluded from the room until the appropriate time for their testimony. The burden of proof rests on the individual bringing charges. All matters upon which the decision will be based must be introduced into evidence at the hearing.
Both parties shall have the right to be assisted by advisers, who may be attorneys, and who may be present at hearings. The board chair must be notified in advance of the hearing as to whom the advisers will be. The advisers may only consult and interact privately with their advisees, and may not address the board. Advisers who are disruptive to the process will be asked to leave the proceedings, and the matter will go forward absent their involvement.
All hearings will be tape recorded. The audiotape record of the hearing will be archived in the Office of the Provost or his/her designee for five years. A written transcript of the hearing will be provided at the expense of the University pursuant to a validly issued subpoena.
A written recommendation based on a preponderance of evidence, arrived at by majority vote, in which the facts and reasons for the recommendation are set forth shall be issued within 15 calendar days after the close of the board proceedings. That report shall be sent to the provost and vice president for academic affairs, with copies to all parties, including the associate provost and dean of graduate studies and the appropriate department chair. The copy to the accused will be sent certified mail, return receipt requested, and first-class mail. Within 15 calendar days the provost shall implement the recommendation of the board, or shall provide a written response containing his/her decision, and explaining to all parties his/her reasons for declining to implement the board's recommendation. In the event that the provost finds inadequacies in the record, the matter can be remanded back to the board for additional testimony.
Any party who fails without appropriate reason to appear at the hearing consents to the hearing being conducted in his or her absence and to a final decision to be made based on the facts presented.
The board retains the right to continue a hearing whenever necessary and appropriate.
Either party may express its reaction in writing regarding the recommendation of the board to the provost or his/her designee within seven calendar days of receipt of the recommendation. If the seventh day falls on a weekend or holiday, the seventh day will be the first day that the University is open for business. Written submissions should be submitted to the provost. Any stay of sanction shall be granted only upon application to and at the sole discretion of the provost or his/her designee. The decision of the provost shall be final. If the penalty being levied is an "F" in the course, the provost will direct the registrar to enter the grade of "F" in the student's record. A grade of "F" for the course will automatically result in the student's expulsion from the University.
NOTE: A written statement of the decision and relevant materials shall be placed in the student's academic file and sent to the student's academic adviser. In the absence of a student appeal, the recommended sanctions from the department and dean's level should be forwarded from the Office of the Associate Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies to the provost for action.
At the conclusion of the appeals process, a student may be exonerated or subject to any combination of the following range of penalties. If the student is found in violation of the Academic Integrity Policy, the board will not impose a penalty that is more severe than the one recommended by the faculty member for that infraction. The board shall have no knowledge of any record of previous acts of academic dishonesty when making its initial adjudication of the case. Any actions taken by the provost will be sent to the director of the Office of Student Conduct. A disciplinary file will be established as a permanent record of these actions.
Transcripts of work taken at West Chester University may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. A check or money order, payable to West Chester University, must accompany a written request that should include the period of attendance at the University, degree status, the curriculum pursued, Social Security number, and any change of name during enrollment. For a description of the transcript fee, see "Fees and Expenses."
Students should immediately notify the Office of Graduate Studies and Extended Education, and their department of any change of address or change in name.
A comprehensive examination covers the student's major field and is constructed, administered, and evaluated by the faculty of the student's major department or program. Candidates are responsible to know the deadlines and conditions for the examination and must apply to the program graduate coordinator or chair. Generally, students are not eligible to take the examination prior to the semester in which all courses in the major discipline are completed.
Students who write a master's thesis must first have the "Request for Approval of Master's Thesis Examining Committee" form completed and signed before the student begins work on the thesis. (This form is available online.) The completed thesis must be successfully defended before a faculty examining committee. The requirement of the University is that a student passing the thesis defense will receive no more than one negative vote from the examining committee. However, in a number of departments, a unanimous positive vote of the examining committee is required for a successful defense. Thesis students should check departmental requirements with the graduate coordinator.
Other examinations may be required of degree students. All requirements given under the heading of the particular program should be carefully noted.
Students should consult specific programs to determine whether independent study directed toward either the thesis or a research report is required, offered optionally, or omitted.
Each candidate for a master's degree must submit their: (1) Intent to Graduate form on myWCU; (2) a check for $56 made payable to the Commencement Fund; (3) a Commencement Fund invoice form; and (4) a cap and gown order form. All of these forms are available online. The following are deadline dates for applying to graduate: May graduation-February 1; August graduation- June 1; December graduation-October 1.
After approval by the examining committee, theses must be typed in accordance with specifications contained in the "Guide to the Preparation of the Master's Thesis," a copy of which may be obtained from departmental offices or online. After the associate provost and dean of graduate studies has approved the thesis, the student is responsible for transmitting all required copies to the library for binding.
Students wishing to obtain a second master's degree from West Chester University (where the baccalaureate degree may have been earned at West Chester University or another institution) must meet all academic requirements set by the Office of Graduate Studies and the department concerned. Candidates for a second master's degree must earn a minimum of 24 credits beyond the hours applied toward the first master's degree. All new credits and additional departmental academic requirements must have been completed within a six-year period preceding the awarding of the second degree.
The primary mission of the teacher education programs at West Chester University is the preparation and continuing development of educational professionals. The University subscribes to learning and teaching in context in order that all PK-12 students achieve in the public schools and other education environments throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The University is committed to excellence in teacher education by preparing candidates to exhibit five unit outcomes: knowledge and pedagogical specialist, assessment and instructional designer, diversity advocate and classroom community builder, school and community professional, and self-directed practitioner.
The University is committed to preparing exemplary professionals to assume their roles and responsibilities as educators in a multicultural, global society; to pursue personal and professional development opportunities; to support the continuing improvement of schools; to assume leadership; and to participate in the education community.
The State Board of Education adopted changes that affect all of Pennsylvania's teacher certification programs by adding nine credits or 270 hours or equivalent combination for adaptations and accommodations for diverse students in an inclusive setting, and three credits or 90 hours or equivalent combination to meet the instructional needs of English language learners. Additional program requirements are being developed and incorporated into certification programs to comply with new regulations for certifying teachers that became effective January 1, 2011.
The State Board of Education also adopted changes specific to early childhood, elementary (K-6), and special education. New certification guidelines will apply After August 31, 2013 regardless of a candidate's enrollment date. Candidates seeking current certifications must complete their program by August 2013, including all certification requirements.
As part of the admission process, upon entrance to the University, graduate students (in both postbaccalaureate and master's programs) seeking teacher certification must meet with their academic adviser(s) to complete an "Approved Program of Study" (APS) form. This form outlines all of the students' certification requirements and is signed off by the University certifying officer attesting to their unique course of study at WCU. The original APS is submitted to the Office of Teacher Certification during their first semester. Once their APS is processed, graduate students work toward their Formal Admission to Teacher Education (FATE). To be eligible for FATE and qualify for designated advanced courses, one must
Students with FATE whose programs culminate in a student teaching semester must apply to student teach during the first month of classes (September or January) of the semester prior to the intended student teaching semester. Students in the elementary education program are required to apply for student teaching two semesters prior to the intended student teaching semester.
All graduate students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their graduate studies to maintain FATE and good standing at WCU.
It is the graduate student's responsibility to apply for a Pennsylvania certificate through the Office of Teacher Certification.
The Instructional I certificate is issued for entry into a teaching position in the public schools of Pennsylvania and is valid for six years of service in Pennsylvania (not calendar years). To receive an Instructional I teaching certificate, a person must meet all of the requirements to be certified and must be recommended to the PDE by the institution of higher education at which the person completed the requirements.
Designed for individuals who possess a baccalaureate degree, the intern certificate is valid for a period of three years. The certificate is issued only for instructional areas; it is not applicable for professionals seeking certification as educational specialists, administrators, or supervisors. Before being admitted to the program, candidates for the teacher intern certificate are expected to attain all of the professional competencies established for students pursuing a degree program with certification in a specific field, with the exception of student teaching. Candidates are expected to obtain a firm offer for a teaching position that will be held during the internship period. Contact the Office of Field Placement and Student Teaching in Room 251, Francis Harvey Green Library.
The second-level certificate is issued to a person who holds an Instructional I certificate, who has completed three years of satisfactory teaching in a Pennsylvania public school as certified by the superintendent of the school district in which the person's most recent service was performed or, in the case of an intermediate unit, the executive director or, in the case of an approved nonpublic school, the chief school administrator.
In addition, the person must have completed 24 semester credit hours of collegiate credit at an approved baccalaureate or advanced-degree-granting institution subsequent to the conferring of the baccalaureate degree. The credits may be satisfied, in whole or in part, through in-service programs approved by the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education. Last, the person must successfully complete an induction program offered by a public school district and approved by the PDE.
Commonwealth regulations also provide for certification as an educational specialist to those persons who successfully complete an approved program of study and have the recommendation of the training institution. The Educational Specialist Certificate is issued on two levels.
The Educational Specialist I Certificate is issued for entry into a professional position in the schools of the Commonwealth. The applicant must have completed an approved program of study, possess a baccalaureate degree, and been recommended for certification by the preparing institution.
The Educational Specialist II Certificate is a certificate issued to an applicant who has completed three years of satisfactory service on an Educational Specialist I Certificate, and who has completed 24 semester hours of postbaccalaureate or graduate study at a regionally approved institution. In addition, the applicant must have received the recommendation of the superintendent of the school district in which his or her most recent service was performed, or in the case of an intermediate unit, the executive director, or in the case of an approved nonpublic school, the chief school administrator.
On June 1, 1987, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education implemented revisions to the Pennsylvania Code. These revisions require all students who apply for Pennsylvania teaching certificates to pass state competency tests in basic skills, general knowledge, professional knowledge, and specific knowledge of the subjects in which they seek teacher certification.
As changes are made in requirements for all certification programs, it is the student's responsibility to satisfy the new requirements.
All educators holding Pennsylvania public school certification including Intern, Instructional I and II, Educational Specialist I and II, Administrative, Supervisory, Letters of Eligibility, and all vocational certificates are affected by the requirements of Act 48.
Educators must maintain their certificates as active by earning six collegiate credits or six PDE-approved, in-service credits or 180 continuing education hours or any combination of the above every five calendar years. Note: Each collegiate or in-service credit is equal to 30 continuing education hours.
Several departments and programs, in addition to offering degrees, offer professional certificates on completion of a prescribed course of study. Consult the individual department or program listings regarding offerings.
Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended this program.
The Frederick Douglass Institute at West Chester University is an academic program for advancing multicultural studies across the curriculum and for deepening the intellectual heritage of Frederick Douglass, the former slave, distinguished orator, journalist, author, and statesman. Douglass, who was a frequent visitor to the West Chester area, gave his last public lecture on West Chester's campus on February 1, 1895. Thirty years earlier, at the inauguration of a Baltimore, Maryland, institute named for him in October 1865, Douglass said that the mission was "to be a dispenser of knowledge, a radiator of light. In a word, we dedicate this institution to virtue, temperance, truth, liberty, and justice."
At West Chester University, the Douglass Institute is primarily involved in four academic areas: 1) promoting research and teaching in multiculturalism and on Frederick Douglass; 2) sponsoring distinguished lectures, exhibits, and student presentations; 3) organizing the Frederick Douglass Teaching Scholars Program to prepare advanced graduate students from historically underrepresented and underserved populations to become teachers in higher education; 4) and collaborating with historical societies and other educational and cultural agencies.
The activities of the institute take place on and off campus. With undergraduate and graduate students, and West Chester faculty, the institute sponsors seminars and forums on selected topics. The Anna Murray Douglass Circle is the name for a lecture series offering a platform for today's leading intellectuals. The institute also coordinates a monthly Lunch (En)counter lecture series.
Annually in April, the institute organizes the Dr. Patricia Grasty Gaines Multicultural Leadership Award and Lecture in collaboration with the College of Education.
West Chester's institute is the convener for the Frederick Douglass Institute of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, a collaborative created in 1999 with other campuses.
For further information, call Dr. Christian Awuyah, director, Frederick Douglass Institute at 610-436-2766.
The West Chester University Poetry Center hosts the annual West Chester University Poetry Conference (the largest annual poetry gathering in America), sponsors the University's Poet-in-Residence program, presents poetry readings thoughout the year, and collaborates on poetry and music concerts with the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The center also oversees national poetry awards under the auspices of the Iris N. Spencer Poetry Awards. The center is located in the WCU Poetry House, and Dr. Kim Bridgford, Department of English, is the director.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, is a federal law which states (a) that a written institutional policy must be established and (b) that a statement of adopted procedures covering the privacy rights of students be made available. The law provides that the institution will maintain the confidentiality of student education records.
West Chester University accords all rights under the law to students who are in attendance at the University, and in certain instances to the parents of dependent students, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Basically, a dependent student is a student whose parent(s) provides more than half of his/her support. Generally, the University does not provide information to parents because of this act. However, exceptions are made if
No one outside the institution shall have access to, nor will the institution disclose, any information from students' education records without the students' written consent except to personnel within the institution who have an educational need, to officials of other institutions in which students seek to enroll, to persons or organizations providing students financial aid, to accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function, to persons in compliance with a judicial order, a valid subpoena, and to persons in an emergency in order to protect the health or safety of students or other persons. All these exceptions are permitted under the act. Within the West Chester University community, only those members, individually or collectively, acting on the student 's educational interest are allowed access to student education records. These members include, without limitation, personnel in the offices of the Registrar, Bursar, Financial Aid, Admissions, and academic personnel within the limitations of their need to know.
At its discretion the institution may provide directory information (see Directory Information) in accordance with the provisions of the act to include a student's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, scholarship information, weight and height of members of athletic teams, and all other information defined as directory information by West Chester University. Students may withhold directory information by submitting a "Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information" form to the Office of the Registrar within 15 calendar days after the beginning of each fall semester. If a student places this hold on his or her account, it will remain in effect until otherwise notified.
The law provides students with the right to inspect and review information contained in their education records, to challenge the contents of their education records, to have a hearing if the outcome of the challenge is unsatisfactory, and to submit explanatory statements for inclusion in their files if the decisions of the hearing panels are unacceptable. The University Registrar at West Chester University has been designated by the institution to coordinate the inspection and review procedures for student education records, which include admissions, personal, and academic. Students wishing to review their education records must make written requests to the Office of the Registrar listing the item or items of interest. Only records covered by the act will be made available within 45 days of the request. Students may have copies made of their records with certain exceptions, or a copy of the academic record for which a financial hold exists. These copies will be made at the students' expense. Education records do not include records of instructional, administrative, and educational personnel which are the sole possession of the maker and are not accessible or revealed to any individual except a temporary substitute, records of the law enforcement unit, employment records, or alumni records. Health records, however, may be reviewed by physicians of the students' choosing.
Students may not inspect and review the following as outlined by the act: financial information submitted by their parents, confidential letters and recommendations associated with admissions, employment or job placement, or honors to which they have waived their rights of inspection and review; or education records containing information about more than one student, in which case the institution will permit access only to that part of the record which pertains to the inquiring student. The institution is not required to permit students to inspect and review confidential letters and recommendations placed in their files prior to January 1, 1975, provided those letters were collected under established policies of confidentiality and were used only for the purposes for which they were collected.
Students who believe that their education records contain information that is inaccurate or misleading, or is otherwise in violation of their privacy or other rights, may discuss their problems informally with the Office of the Registrar. If the decisions are in agreement with the students' requests, the appropriate records will be amended. If not, the students will be notified within a reasonable amount of time that the records will not be amended, and they will be informed by the Office of the Registrar of their right to a formal hearing. Student requests for a formal hearing must be made in writing to the associate vice president for academic affairs who, within a reasonable period of time after receiving such request, will inform students of the date, place, and time of the hearing. Students may present evidence relevant to the issues raised and may be assisted or represented at the hearings by one or more persons of their choice, including attorneys, at the students' expense. The hearing panels which will adjudicate such challenges will be the individuals designated by the University.
Decisions of the hearing panels will be final, will be based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing, and will consist of written statements summarizing the evidence and stating the reasons for the decisions, and will be delivered to all parties concerned. Their education records will be corrected or amended in accordance with the decisions of the hearing panels, if the decisions are in favor of the student. If the decisions are unsatisfactory to the student, the student may place within the education record statements commenting on the information in the records, or statements setting forth any reasons for disagreeing with the decisions of the hearing panels. The statements will be placed in the education records, maintained as part of the students' records, and released whenever the records in question are disclosed.
Students who believe adjudications of their challenges were unfair or not in keeping with the provisions of the act may request, in writing, assistance from the president of the institution to aid them in filing complaints with Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.
Revisions and clarifications will be published as experience with the law and the institution's policy warrants. This policy has been adopted in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232(g), and the regulations promulgated thereunder at 34 C.F.R. 99.1 et seq. , and that reference should be made to that statute and regulations for additional information. Contact the Office of the Registrar with any questions.
West Chester University from time to time makes public certain kinds of information about students, such as the names of those who receive scholarships, who hold offices, or who are members of athletic teams. Various kinds of campus directories are published throughout the year to help members of the University community locate and communicate with each other. The commencement programs publish the names of those who have applied for graduation.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 defines the term "directory information" to include the following categories of information: the student's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student. The University will limit information that is made public to categories such as these but will not necessarily publish all such information in every listing.
Undergraduate and graduate students who do not wish to have any or all of such directory information published without their prior consent must submit a "Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information" form to the Office of the Registrar within 15 calendar days after the beginning of each fall semester. If a student places this hold on his or her account, it will remain in effect until otherwise notified.
West Chester University is committed to equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination for all students, employees, applicants for admission or employment, and all participants in public University-sponsored activities. In keeping with this commitment, and in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the University will make every effort to provide equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination for all members of the University community and visitors to the University, regardless of any disability an individual may have. Accordingly, the University has taken positive steps to make University facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities and has established procedures to provide reasonable accommodations to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in University programs.
The director of the Office of Social Equity has been designated as the ADA coordinator for the University. In this capacity, the director of social equity works with the University ADA Committee to advance University policies and procedures that will provide equal educational and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The Office of Social Equity has an established process to investigate and address any complaints of discrimination on the basis of a disability. Any individual who has a suggestion, question, or complaint regarding ADA issues is encouraged to contact the director of social equity, 13/15 University Avenue, 610-436-2433.
West Chester University has also established the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, which operates as a centralized service for addressing the needs of students with disabilities and as a resource center for students, faculty, and staff. A student who wants to request an accommodation and/or receive specialized services should contact the director of the OSSD. The policies and procedures used by the OSSD are contained in the West Chester University Handbook on Disabilities, which is available in the OSSD, 223 Lawrence Center, V/TDD 610-436-3217.
Various housing facilities and services are available for resident students with disabilities. For this and other information about on-campus housing and food service, please contact the Office of Residence Life and Housing, 202 Lawrence Center, 610-436-3307.
The Office of Human Resources has been designated as the contact for employees and applicants seeking to request an accommodation. The office is located at 201 Carter Drive, 610-436-2800.
West Chester University is involved in the ongoing process of renovating campus buildings to ensure accessibility for all individuals. Many of our buildings are currently accessible, but some are awaiting renovation. To find out whether a particular location is accessible or how to access a location, please contact the space manager at 610-436-3348. To make arrangements for changes to a particular facility to ensure accessibility, please contact the manager of campus projects at 610-436-3599.


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Latino youth in the U.S. are learning to practice safe sex. And they're also having less of it.
The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Latino high school students are getting smarter when it comes to sexual intercourse.
Data compiled from 2007 to 2011 shows the amount of sexually active high school Latinos has decreased by 3.9 percent.
The High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey was conducted nationally among students from 9th to 12th grade.
The number of teens not using any form of birth control has also decreased, meaning that the youth that are having sex are more likely to be using some form of contraception.
And despite Latinos having the highest pregnancy rate among females ages 15 to 19, in recent years these numbers have reached historic lows.
An analysis by the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign showed that in 2011, pregnancy rates among Latino teens shifted the most of any demographic, dropping 14 percent in one year.
"It's a glass half full, half empty situation," Bill Albert, chief program officer of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, told Fox News Latino.
"It's really this magic formula of less sex and more contraception," he added.
The data for Latino teens backs up the most recent findings by the Pew Research Center which show that Latinas of all ages are having fewer babies.
The Pew survey explains that there are several reasons why Latinas aren't in a hurry for motherhood. In addition to the recession, attitudes toward having bigger families may have changed with the times. Older generations, Pew experts say, prized larger families and were more likely to following religious Roman Catholic teachings, which forbid artificial contraception.
In addition, reproductive health experts are stating there is greater access to information about birth control.


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|This article is part of WikiProject Definitions. Consider editing to improve it. View articles referencing this definition.
Dividends are payments made by a company to its shareholders. When a company earns a profit, that money can be put to two uses: it can either be re-invested in the business (called retained earnings), or it can be paid to the shareholders of the company as a dividend. Paying dividends is not an expense; rather, it is the division of an asset among shareholders. Many companies retain a portion of their earnings and pay the remainder as a dividend. Publicly-traded companies usually pay dividends on a fixed schedule, but may declare a dividend at any time, sometimes called a special dividend to distinguish it from a regular one.
The profits of a company can either be reinvested in the business or paid to its shareholders as a dividend. The frequency of these varies by country. In the United States, dividends of publicly-traded companies are usually declared quarterly by the board of directors. In some other countries dividends are paid biannually, as an interim dividend shortly after the company announces its interim results and a final dividend typically following its annual general meeting. In other countries, the board of directors will propose the payment of a dividend to shareholders at the annual meeting who will then vote on the proposal.
In the United States, a decision regarding the amount and frequency of dividends is solely at the discretion of the board of directors). Shareholders are explicitly forbidden from introducing shareholder resolutions involving specific amounts of dividends (SEC Form 8-A [3])
Where a company makes a loss during a year, it may opt to continue paying dividends from the retained earnings from previous years or to suspend the dividend. Where a company receives a non-recurring gain, e.g. from the sale of some assets, and has no plans to reinvest the proceeds the money is often returned to shareholders in the form of a special dividend. This type of dividend is often larger than usual and occurs outside of the normal dividend distribution schedule.
Dividends must be "declared" (approved) by a company's Board of Directors each time they are paid. There are four important dates to remember regarding dividends. These are discussed in detail with examples at the Securities and Exchange Commission site [1]
The declaration date is the day the Board of Directors announces its intention to pay a dividend. On this day, a liability is created and the company records that liability on its books; it now owes the money to the stockholders. On the declaration date, the Board will also announce a date of record and a payment date.
The ex-dividend date is the day after which all shares bought and sold no longer come attached with the right to be paid the most recently declared dividend. This is an important date for any company that has many stockholders, including those that trade on exchanges, as it makes reconciliation of who is to be paid the dividend easier. Prior to this date, the stock is said to become dividend ('with dividend'): existing holders of the stock and anyone who buys it will receive the dividend, whereas any holders selling the stock lose their right to the dividend. On and after this date the stock becomes ex dividend: existing holders of the stock will receive the dividend even if they now sell the stock, whereas anyone who now buys the stock now will not receive the dividend.
It is relatively common for a stock's price to decrease on the ex-dividend date by an amount roughly equal to the dividend paid. This reflects the decrease in the company's assets resulting from the declaration of the dividend. The company does not take any explicit action to adjust its stock price; in an efficient market, buyers and sellers will automatically price this in.
Shareholders who properly registered their ownership on or before the date of record will receive the dividend. Shareholders who are not registered as of this date will not receive the dividend. Registration in most countries is essentially automatic for shares purchased before the ex-dividend date.
The payment date is the day when the dividend cheques will actually be mailed to the shareholders of a company or credited to brokerage accounts.


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Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.
out of 100
Metascore®Generally favorable reviewsbased on a weighted average of allcritic review scores.
Widescreen lensing favors tight close-ups, and multiple shoot-'em-ups are edited with panache.
Read Full Review
Besson has a natural gift for plunging into drama with a charged-up visual style.
This is a Cuisinart of a movie, mixing familiar yet disparate ingredients, making something odd, possibly distasteful, undeniably arresting out of them. [5 Dec 1994, p. 93]
With some surprisingly strong character interaction, there's a lot to like about this movie, at least for those willing to look beyond all the bloodshed.
Ah, monsieur, you can lead a Frenchman to the Big Apple, but you can't make him a New Yorker -- and that's exactly what makes The Professional so fascinating.
See all The Professional reviews at Metacritic.com
Iffy for 15+
Stylish, mature hitman thriller is quite violent.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this action thriller includes some scenes of extreme violence, including one in which a family -- including a 4-year-old boy -- is brutally gunned down in their home. There are also explosions, abuse (of a 12-year-old), and more. The 12-year-old girl develops an unusual relationship with a much older hitman (who teaches her his trade); there's an undercurrent of chemistry between them. Strong language includes "f--k" and "bitch"; characters also drink and smoke.
Messages: Characters on both sides of the law engage in criminal or immoral behavior, including killing, drug dealing, and mob activity. The main character, a hitman, is portrayed as an otherwise caring soul who tries to rise to the challenge when he must protect a little girl. Law-enforcement characters are portrayed as crooked and more morally bankrupt than the film's criminals.
Violence: Graphic violence throughout, including murder, shooting, explosions. A knife is held to a man's throat; people have guns pointed at them or held to them. A man who's been badly wounded in a shootout launches grenades strapped to his body, causing a massive explosion that kills both him and his nemesis. A little girl is abused (slapped, hit) by members of her family. She is seen with a black eye and a bloody nose. While standing in the shower, a man stitches up a bloody wound on his chest.
Sex: At times there's a rather creepy undercurrent of sexual chemistry between a grown man and a young girl. When a hotel desk clerk asks her about her male guardian, she lies, saying, "He's my lover."
Language: Many uses of words like "f--k," ass, and "bitch."
Consumerism: Not an issue
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Various characters drink, smoke, and take drugs. Kilos of cocaine are shown. A 12-year-old girl is seen smoking cigarettes.
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