This Week At USI
Monday, February 11 – Saturday, February 16
USI Homecoming 2019
The University of Southern Indiana will hold Homecoming activities throughout the week of Monday, February 11 through the women’s and men’s basketball home games on Saturday, February 16. A full schedule of homecoming events, the homecoming court and other activities can be found at USI.edu/homecoming.
Thursday, February 14 – Sunday, February 17
USI Theatre Continues Season with Pygmalion
University of Southern Indiana Theatre will continue its 2018-2019 season with the classic play Pygmalion, written by Bernard Shaw and directed by Elliot Wasserman, professor of theatre. The production runs from Thursday, February 14 through Sunday, February 17 in the USI Performance Center located in University Center East on USI’s campus. Read More
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Friday, February 15
USI’s annual International Food Expo returns Friday, February 15
The International Club at the University of Southern Indiana will host the annual International Food Expo from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, February 15 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 from the Center for International Programs in University Center East, Room 1235, or at the door on the day of the Expo for $15. USI students are able to purchase tickets from the Eagle Access Office with their USI ID using Munch Money. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local charity. Read More
Exhibit open through Saturday, February 16
New Harmony Gallery to host work of New Harmony Clay Project artists
The New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art is hosting a ceramics exhibition, showcasing artists in residence at the New Harmony Clay Project, through Saturday, February 16. The exhibition is free and open to the public. The exhibition will feature a diverse set of styles and techniques in both functional and sculptural ceramics from six resident artists who participated in the project in 2018. Read More
STUDENT EVENTS
A collection of events on campus and in the community sponsored by USI student organizations can be found on the USI events calendar by clicking here.
SAVE THE DATE
7 p.m. Wednesday, February 20 and 6:30 p.m. Friday, February 22
USI to celebrate 21st anniversary of The Vagina Monologues and founding of V-Day
The University of Southern Indiana will present a two-night-only benefit reading of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play The Vagina Monologues at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20, and 7 p.m. on Friday, February 22 in Forum III of the Wright Administration Building on the USI campus. Doors will open at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20, and at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 22. The event costs $8 at the door. Ninety percent of proceeds go to Willow Tree of Posey County, working to help women and girls coping with sexual assault and domestic violence. Ten percent of proceeds go to the V-Day Action Fund for women who have been incarcerated. Read More
9 a.m. Friday, February 22
USI Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Liberal Arts present 12th Interdisciplinary Colloquium
The University of Southern Indiana College of Liberal Arts and its Center for Interdisciplinary Studies will host the 12th Interdisciplinary Colloquium, titled “Movement(s).†The day-long, multi-session event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, February 22 in Carter Hall in University Center West. This event is free and open to the public. The College of Liberal Arts’ annual Interdisciplinary Colloquium showcases USI faculty research across a wide range of academic disciplines centered on a single topic. Faculty presenters represent a variety of USI programs and departments including Art, Biology, Criminal Justice, Economics, English, Gender Studies, German, Health Services, History, Music, Sociology, and Theatre Arts. Read More
Tuesday, February 26
Author, scholar, activist Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor to keynote 2019 Mandela Day
Dr. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, author and assistant professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, will present the keynote address for the 2019 University of Southern Indiana Nelson Mandela Social Justice Day at 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 26 in the USI Performance Center. The presentation will be free and open to the public. The keynote address is the culmination of a full day of activities meant to raise dialogue at USI around current issues of human and civil rights, public service, and activism. Read More
Wednesday, March 21
Annual Shaw Biology Lecture to feature director of National Center for Science Education
Ann Reid, director at the National Center for Science Education in Oakland, California, will present the University of Southern Indiana’s eighth annual Marlene V. Shaw Biology Lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, in Mitchell Auditorium, located in the lower level of the Health Professions Center on USI’s campus. The presentation, titled “The Enduring Power of Evidence,†will be free and open to the public. Read More
Thursday, April 4
General Colin Powell to speak on leadership at USI in April
The University of Southern Indiana will present “Leadership: Taking Charge,†a moderated discussion with General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2019, at the new USI Arena. The discussion will be free and open to the public. General Powell will be the fourth speaker in the University’s Romain College of Business Innovative Speaker Series. Previous speakers include T. Boone Pickens, legendary entrepreneur and philanthropist in 2013, Dr. Ben Bernanke, former chairman of the Federal Reserve in 2015, and Dr. Oscar Salazar, founding chief technology officer of Uber in 2017. Read More
University Of Evansville CiSM Project Receives $1 Million Grant for Scholarships from the NSF S-STEM Program
University Of Evansville CISM Project Receives $1 Million Grant for Scholarships from the NSF S-STEM Program
The University of Evansville’s Computers in Science and Math (CISM) project has been awarded a grant totaling $999,934 to fund scholarships for academically talented students with financial need majoring in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental science, mathematics, physics, or statistics and data science.
The project, funded by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program, is led by UE faculty members Joyce Stamm, professor of biology; Angela Reisetter, associate professor of physics; Adam Salminen, associate professor of mathematics; and Sarah Wilson, assistant professor of chemistry.
The CISM scholarships will be available beginning in the fall 2020 semester and will provide up to $10,000 per year for four years to two cohorts of seven or eight students. These students will be part of an interdisciplinary learning community established through an all-expenses-paid bridge course during the summer before the freshman year and maintained as the students live together in UE’s honors residence hall and enroll together in computational problem-solving courses. CISM students will also receive summer research and conference attendance funds, and CISM-specific academic advising, career preparation, and mentoring.
“This interdisciplinary cohort approach will prepare our students for a real work setting, where biologists and mathematicians may work alongside chemists and physicists toward a common goal,” said Stamm. “The interpersonal skills developed from living and working together are just as, if not more, important than the technical skills gained through coursework. It allows them to learn to speak the same language.”
Reisetter added, “Computational problem-solving skills are not currently emphasized in UE’s math and science curriculum, so we’re particularly excited to develop additional talents in our students, which will translate into broader career opportunities and workplace success upon graduation.”
To develop these skills, the project will introduce a scaffolded curriculum with four interdisciplinary computational problem-solving courses. The first three courses will focus on the power of computational and data visualization skills in the sciences, and introduce students to interesting data-centric scientific projects. The fourth course will be part of the UE ChangeLab program and will pair student and faculty teams with a local business or nonprofit clients. Students will work with the clients to solve a problem involving experimental design, data collection, and/or data analysis. Because these courses will be open to all math and science majors at UE, the CISM project will have an impact beyond the scholarship recipients
“The digital revolution has allowed scientists and businesses to collect vast quantities of data,” said Salminen. “Marketing firms, educators, and sports teams have gleaned knowledge and insights from this data for application to business techniques for many years. Of particular importance here is the growing need of these skills in the sciences.”
Data scientists and statisticians work to develop new statistical approaches and develop new software and techniques of analysis. However, a scientist in other areas such as genomics, particle physics, and neuroscience need to use these techniques to unravel the massive amounts of data that they collect. Moving forward, scientists will need to have a better understanding of working with large data, and statisticians and mathematicians, with proper training and interest, can help tackle difficult problems throughout the sciences.
In line with the NSF’s mission to improve STEM undergraduate education, another important goal of the project is to determine the impacts of the learning community on CISM scholars.
“We will assess each of the project’s activities using a mixed-methods approach, to examine how involvement in the CISM community affects students’ science and mathematics self-efficacy, sense of community, retention, success, and progression to STEM careers,” said Wilson. “We hope that the CISM project will serve as a model for interdisciplinary STEM education at institutions similar to UE.”
KOMEN EVANSVILLE TRI-STATE 3nd ANNUAL BIGWIGS CHAMPAIGN AND BIGWIGS KICK-OFF EVENT WITH THE DIAMOND GALLERIA!
Susan G. Komen Evansville Tri-State Affiliate in conjunction with The Diamond Galleria will host a public kick-off reception to meet and greet the 2019 Komen Evansville Tri-State BigWigs! The reception will be held on Thursday, February 21 5:30 to 7:30 pm at The Diamond Galleria at 6245 Vogel Road in Evansville who is the Host Sponsor for this event.
“Komen BigWig (noun): a very important person on a mission to end breast cancer forever by raising awareness and funds in their community; willing to have fun while wearing a ridiculous pinkwig.â€
Come meet all ten of our BigWigs, find out why they are fundraising, how much they have committed to raising, and how this fundraising campaign will make a difference in our tri-state community.
Our 2019 BigWigs are:
-   Veronica Dekett – 44 News WEVV
-   Liberty DeWig – My105.3
-   Karen Krauskopf – Ellis Park
-   Heidi Lance – Vanderburgh Medical Alliance
-   Darin Lander – Old National Bank
-   Brandon McClish – Purple Aces Sports Properties
-   Bethany Miller – 14 News WFIE
-   Ronnie Paulson – Schmitt Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating
-   Ron Rhodes – WEHT
-   Travis Sams – 99.5 WKDQ
EVSC’s MPA Students Travel to St. Vincent for Hands-on Learning
Lt. Governor Crouch: Public schedule for Feb. 12
Below is Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch’s public schedule for Feb. 12, 2019.
Tuesday, Feb. 12
What: Crouch speaks at Agribusiness Council of Indiana
Host: Agribusiness Council of Indiana
When: 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., with Crouch remarks at 11:05 a.m., ET
Where: Indiana Statehouse, Supreme Court conference room, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
Tuesday, Feb. 12
What:Â Crouch speaks at 2019 Grant County State Legislative dinner
Host:Marion-Grant County Chamber of Commerce
When:5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., ET, with Crouch remarks at 6:10 p.m., ET
Where:Columbia Club, 121 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46204
The Latest Edition of the Indiana State Police Road Show
Catch the latest edition of the “Indiana State Police Road Show†radio program every Monday morning at your convenience.
This week’s show features Stephanie Manner, the law enforcement liaison for the Indiana Special Olympics. This week we discuss the upcoming Polar Plunge events.
You can view the show on the Indiana State Police YouTube Channel at:Â ISP Road Show with guest Stephanie Manner of Indiana Special Olympics
The radio program was titled “Signal-10†in the early 1960’s when it was first started by two troopers in northern Indiana. The name was later changed to the “Indiana State Police Road Show†and is the longest continuously aired state police public service program in Indiana.
Radio stations across Indiana and the nation are invited to download and air for FREE this public service program sponsored by the Indiana State Police Alliance and Cops for Kids, a subsidiary of the Indiana State Police Alliance.
Tax Court affirms reduced Jeffersonville Meijer assessment
Katie Stancombe for www.theindianalawyer.com
The Clark County assessor has lost her appeal of a determination that lowered the assessed value of a Jeffersonville Meijer store when the Indiana Tax Court found she failed to prove the decision was contrary to law, unsupported by substantial evidence, or was an abuse of discretion.
Meijer argued its Jeffersonville Meijer store’s valuations for 2008-2016 were too high. Meijer filed an appeal with the Clark County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals and with the Indiana Board of Tax Review.
In November 2017, the Indiana Board conducted one administrative hearing on all of Meijer’s appeals, but focused primarily on its 2012 assessment of just over $10 million. Meijer presented an appraisal report and testimony from its author, Laurence Allen.
Allen presented a sales comparison and income approach that, combined, assessed the value for tax purposes at $7.6 million for the 2012 tax year. The Clark County assessor then presented her own USPAP certified appraisal authored by David Hall, that valued Meijer’s property at $11.2 million.
In finding that the Meijer appraisal was more persuasive than the assessor’s appraisal, the Indiana Board reduced the subject property’s 2012 assessment consistent with the Meijer appraisal’s reconciled value of $7,6 million. The other years’ assessments would subsequently be determined by applying an agreed-upon trending formula to the finally determined 2012 assessed value.
On appeal, the assessor argued the Indiana Board of Tax Review’s final determination should be reversed because it was contrary to law, not supported by substantial evidence, and constituted an abuse of discretion.
First, the assessor contended that pursuant to The Appraisal of Real Estate, 14th Edition, Allen was required to adjust the sales prices of the comparable properties to account for the expenditures. Since he did not, she argued the final determination was contrary to law and should be reversed.
The Tax Court noted that a final determination of the Indiana Board could only be contrary to law if it violated a statute, constitutional provision, legal principle, or rule of substantive or procedural law, and that The Appraisal of Real Estate was none of those things.
“… [I]t is a textbook, used by the appraisal profession, to instruct its members on the ‘principles of appraisal and the sound application of recognized valuation methodology,’†Judge Martha Wentworth wrote. “To the extent an appraiser relies on the guidance provided in The Appraisal of Real Estate to complete an appraisal assignment, the result, his appraisal, is still merely his opinion.â€
Next, the tax court denied the assessor’s contention that the final decision lacked evidence to support the leased-fee sales comparables she used in her first sales comparison approach were not credible and reliable.
The Tax Court found that had the assessor wanted the Indiana Board to follow a specific path to conclude that the leased-fee rental rates were at market levels, she should have walked the Indiana Board down that path during the administrative process.
“Because the assessor failed to do so, she cannot now rectify her misstep,†Wentworth wrote. The court further found there to be a reasonably sound basis of support in administrative record for the Indiana Board’s conclusion that the subject property, containing a grocery and convenience store/gas station completed in 1999, suffered from obsolescence.
“Allen testified at length about what he believed had a diminishing effect on the value of Meijer’s property. Indeed, he explained numerous times that big-box properties generally, and the subject property specifically, suffer from obsolescence immediately upon construction because they are built for first-generation users to their exact specifications, and in turn, subsequent users will never pay ‘cost’ for these properties because they must incur extensive expenditures to adapt the properties to their own use,†Wentworth continued. “Allen’s testimony adequately identifies the cause of the obsolescence and is consistent with a paradigm this Court has long accepted as valid.â€
It additionally denied the assessor’s claims that there was an abuse of discretion because the final determination failed to apply a consistent burden of proof in Clark County Assessor v. Meijer Stores LP, 18T-TA-3.