A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor, a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

BULLETINS
Nominations sought for XCaliber Award
The Center for Innovation and Learning (CIL) is seeking nominations for the 1999 XCaliber Award. Now in its second year, this award recognizes outstanding contributions to learning that faculty members and teams of faculty and staff members are making as they develop courseware using technology.
Nominations may be made for faculty efforts during the past two years. Nominees' work should illustrate the following student-oriented outcomes in on- and off-campus settings in both credit and non-credit courses: active learning, interactive communication, more self-directed, self-paced learning, computer literacy integrated with content, electronic access to course material and supplemental resources, electronic access to course information, announcements, and news.
The XCaliber, so named for exceptional, high-caliber contributions to courseware development, carries with it a cash award and commemorative plaque. Honorees will also be asked to demonstrate their award-winning work at appropriate occasions.
Nominations are due by 5 p.m. December 21. Send 12 copies to: Anne H. Moore, Center for Innovation in Learning, 327 Burruss Hall (0169). Winners will be selected in January. Awards will be made in mid-spring.
For more information, visit the CIL XCaliber web site at http://www.edtech.vt.edu/cil/xcaliber.html.
Statistical Consulting Center posts client info
The Statistical Consulting Center will stop accepting new clients for Fall Semester on Friday, Dec. 4. New clients for spring 1999 will be accepted on Friday, Jan. 15. Current clients who have been assigned to consultants, should check with their consultant as to their availability during this time.
Organization of Women Faculty to meet
The monthly Organization of Women Faculty Coffee Hour, will be held from 8-9 a.m., at the The Easy Chair coffee shop, at the University Mall.
The Organization of Women Faculty is a group of women in academic and administrative faculty positions at Virginia Tech. All women faculty members are welcome. Call Tamara Kennelly, 1-9214, for more information."
Leave donations requested
Virginia Tech employees in the Controller's Office and Residential and Dining Programs have requested leave donations.
Personel Services still has employees in the following areas who have requested leave donations: College of Veterinary Medicine, Physical Plant, Residential and Dining Programs, and Tidewater AREC.
A donor form may be obtained from department administrative offices or from Personnel Services department at 1-9331. Return forms to Mary Chapman Gearheart, leave administrator, Personnel Services, 0318.
Christmas Parade changes parking
On Saturday, Dec. 5, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be no parking in the B-Lot located between Prices Fork Road and Perry Street. This lot will be used as the staging area for the annual Christmas Parade.
This area of campus will be congested until 1:30 p.m. Those who need to park on this end of campus are directed to park in the Derring, Pamplin, or New Engineering Building lots.
Food drive benefits Christmas Store
SAFE (Staff Association for Facilities Employees) is sponsoring a food drive for the local Christmas Store. The Christmas Store in Christianburg provides food, clothing and toys for those in need of assistance. The store is asking for donations of soup, cake mixes and canned meat but will accept any non-perishable food. Donations can be left in the numerous boxes placed in buildings throughout the campus. The food drive ends Monday, Dec. 7.
Museum announces new exhibit
A new photo exhibit, "Sampling of the American Landscape," will be showing at the Virginia Tech Museum of Natural History through February. It will feature the photographs of Paul Haden, a graduate student in landscape architecture. The showing consists of a sampling of plants and landscapes he photographed while taking part in a special-study class, "Geography For Life Explorers: Amtrak Across America '98."
There will be an artist's reception Thursday, Dec. 3, from 4:30-6 p.m. Haden will be on hand to answer questions and to discuss his photographs. He will also present a slide show with accompanying commentary at 5:15 p.m.
Museum hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.
The Many Moods of Christmas concert set
The Virginia Tech School of the Arts and Department of Music present The Many Moods of Christmas, a benefit concert for music students' scholarships, at 8 p.m. on December 5, in Burruss auditorium.
Starting at 7:30 p.m., selected soloists and small ensembles will perform in the lobby of Burruss Hall.
Ensembles and soloists featured in the concert include Craig Fields, baritone; Lisanne Lyons, soprano; Nancy McDuffee, soprano; the University Concert Choir, Meistersingers, New River Valley Symphony Orchestra, New Virginians and the Virginia Tech Jazz Ensemble.
CD's of the Virginia Tech Jazz Ensemble (recorded and produced at Tech) and a new release from the New Virginians will be available for purchase at the door before and after the concert.
Tickets are available in advance at the UUSA ticket office at 1-5615. For more information, call 1-5200 or visit web site www.sota.vt.edu.
Smithfield Plantation plans holiday events
Holidays at Smithfield will be December 3-6, from 1-5 p.m. Candlelit tours of the home, live musical entertainment, traditional craft demonstrations, storytellers, children's activities and Susanna's Tea Shoppe are planned at the restored 18th century plantation home built by Col. William Preston. The Smithfield Store will be open and the annual holiday greenery sale will be under way.
For more information, call 1-3947.