1 l BYU- IDAHO NEWS & NOTES OCTOBER 2014 l 1

Statistics released for Fall Semester 2014 show a total campus enrollment of 16,193 students, an increase of 3.9 percent over last fall’s campus enrollment of 15,584.

While BYU-Idaho will continue to experience some short-term impact from the change in missionary age eligibility announced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in October 2012, this semester’s increase returns the university’s campus enrollment to pre-announcement levels.

During the two years since the change in missionary age eligibility was announced, the university experienced a decrease in enrollment nearly every semester. Projections indicated the missionary age change would affect enrollment at BYU-Idaho through the end of 2014.

BYU-Idaho’s ability to adapt to those fluctuations in enrollment over the past two years has been greatly enhanced

by the unique three-track calendar system, which allows the university to offer enrollment to students at times when they might otherwise be off campus.

Enrollment in BYU-Idaho’s online courses and degree programs continues to grow considerably, with the university now serving more students off campus than on campus for the first time in its history.

The number of enrolled students not on campus for Fall Semester 2014, including online and Pathway students, is 18,874, an increase of 57.4 percent compared to this time last year. For Fall Semester 2013 that number was 11,987.

This semester the campus student body consists of 7,519 male students and 8,674 female students (46.4 percent and 53.6 percent respectively). The number of married students is 3,893, comprising 24 percent of the total campus student population.

EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2014

Campus enrollment returns to pre-2012 missionary age announcement levels BYU-IDAHO ALSO SERVING MORE STUDENTS OFF CAMPUS THAN ON CAMPUS FOR THE FIRST TIME

» By Marc Stevens

Fall Semester 2014 By the Numbers

16,193 Total on-campus enrollment 3.9% Increase over last fall’s on-campus enrollment

18,874 Total off-campus enrollment

57.4% Increase over last fall’s off-campus enrollment

7,519 Male students on campus

8,674 Female students on campus

3,893 Married students on campus

2 l BYU- IDAHO NEWS & NOTES

Board of Trustees approves creation of four new interdisciplinary degrees» By Austin Cary

Thanks to a recent decision by the BYU-Idaho Board of Trustees, existing resources are being used to create specifically-named degrees from within the Interdisciplinary Studies program.

As a result, four new bachelors of science degrees will appear in the 2015-2016 academic catalog: Manufacturing and Supply Chain, Welding Engineering Technology, Automotive Engineering Technology, and Automotive Technology Management.

“There is a great rationale in creating these degrees,” said Marc Skinner, associate dean of the College of Foundations and Interdisciplinary Studies. “To do more with the resources we have fits our model with what we are trying to accomplish. After thoughtful research on job markets and graduate school opportunities, we are taking the best that we have from different areas and bringing them together to help students.”

The Interdisciplinary Studies program was established for students who want to tailor their education for specific career and education-related goals. In this program, students have the benefit of being able to study more than one discipline.

This is made possible through the combination of prearranged courses from a particular area of study called concentrations. Each concentration is about 30-36 credits and includes upper

division courses—giving students a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

The demand for these type of degrees is growing as more and more new jobs are emerging from evolving industries. Even though a Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies can prepare

students for these careers, graduates have noticed a slight disadvantage with the programs as their customized degrees do not carry customized names. Transcripts simply read “Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS).”

This may seem like a minor issue, but when an employer has only a few seconds to look at a batch of resumes, having the right degree properly identified can make all the difference in getting an interview. The decision to name interdisciplinary degrees is intended to give students this competitive edge in applying for jobs.

BYU-Idaho will not be naming every interdisciplinary degree. Student-initiated interdisciplinary degrees will keep their traditional titles. Only after much cross-

college collaboration and research on job markets, graduate schools, and the interests of students will the university consider naming an interdisciplinary degree.

Discussions are currently underway about creating additional specifically-named degrees in the future.

We are taking the best that we have from different areas and bringing them together to help students.M A RC S K I N N E R

A S S O C I AT E D E A N , C O L L E G E O F F O U N DAT I O N S & I N T E R D I S C I P L I NA RY S T U D I E S

Department of English faculty member receives grant for translation project » By Clint Urick

A faculty member in the Department of English recently received an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Steve Stewart was one of 20 recipients awarded the Literature Translation Fellowship. The

Literature Fellowship, which receives numerous applicants nationwide, is given for the translation of foreign language literatures into English.

Stewart received a $12,500 grant to fund his translation of House of Geishas, by Argentine author Ana María Shua. This is the third time Stewart has translated one of Shua’s books from Spanish to English.

Getting foreign works translated to English is one way the National Endowment for the Arts supports artistic

excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities.

“It is a way we can see what other people really care about, and it can pull us together,” said Stewart. “It helps us have a better understanding of other countries and cultures, and enriches our literature at the same time.”

Steve Stewart

2 l BYU- IDAHO NEWS & NOTES OCTOBER 2014 l 3

The David O. McKay Library held a successful open house in September showcasing the changes that had taken place during the Summer Session. The purpose of the open house was two-fold: to familiarize the faculty and office assistants with the changes, and to further develop the relationship between the library, faculty, and student in the learning process.

“We wanted to let the faculty know we didn’t lose any books or resources with the move,” said Laurie Francis, University Librarian. “It is a rearrangement of resources we hope students and faculty will find more comfortable.”

Part of the open house was a tour of the library where the faculty could see and ask questions about the new changes.

The most visible of these changes was the expansion of the Academic Support area on the second floor of the east wing. This included moving the math lab, adding a classroom, expanding the Tutoring Center, and opening up the Family History Center. To do this the books that had previously occupied this place were moved to the west wing on the first floor.

The bookshelves were also removed and reused keeping in line with BYU-Idaho’s legacy of humility and frugality. Approximately 39,000 books changed location. The second floor to first floor transfer required an update to the online catalog as well as some labeling changes.

The library employs a fantastic staff to help with any questions or concerns that may arise regarding the new changes. A professional librarian is on duty every hour the library is open.

“The library is here to provide the best service for faculty and students that we can,” Francis said.

The open house was a big hit with the faculty. The

department is considering future open houses to continue the library, faculty, and student relationship.

“Overall we were really pleased with the turnout,” Francis said. “And pleased with the opportunity to show the faculty that the changes are something that will benefit them and the students.”

McKay Library hosts open house for faculty» By Clint Urick

Department of Psychology faculty member gives TED talk in India » By Clint Urick

Matthew Whoolery, a member of the Department of Psychology faculty and a Fulbright Scholar recently gave a TED Talk in New Delhi, India.

After spending six months in India on a Fulbright Scholarship, Whoolery returned to Lady Shri Ram College to deliver a talk at a TEDx event. Whoolery gave a satirical talk about how to be unhappy. A lot of time and

effort went into the talk.

“You know going into it that TED Talks are generally seen by a large audience, so I was nervous about it,” Whoolery said.

“During the preparation I was wondering, ‘How am I going to look? How am I going to sound?’”

Adding to the pressure was the 18-minute time frame and exclusion of note cards.

“At first I thought I would just memorize the whole thing,” Whoolery said. After thinking about it, I realized that I talk in front of students all day and I’m at my best when I’m spontaneous. So I decided to find a balance between memorization and spontaneity.”

Whoolery then spent several hours a day practicing the talk.

“I practiced so much that I forgot it was supposed to be humorous,” he said. “The audience started laughing and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, this is funny.’ Then I was able to build off the audience’s reaction and the talk went really well.”

Whoolery was one of six speakers at the event. The event was independently organized by the Department of Psychology of the Lady Shri Ram College under free license from TED Talks.

The TEDx Talks Youtube channel will soon publish Whoolery’s talk online.

Matthew Whoolery

2/3 Wide Photo with Caption

Faculty and other university employees gather for the McKay Library open house.

4 l BYU- IDAHO NEWS & NOTES

News & NotesA monthly publication of University Relations

A D V I S O R Marc Stevens

W R I T E R S Austin Cary, Clint Urick

PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Lewis, Ryan Chase, Leanna Davidson, Tyler Rickenbach

If you have any ideas for future issues, please e-mail newsdesk@byui.edu.

Department of Music announces call for hymn texts

BYU-Idaho students and employees, as well as members of the local community, are invited to submit original hymn texts for use in the tenth annual BYU-Idaho Hymn Festival on February 25, 2015.

Submissions chosen for use will be forwarded to students in the BYU-Idaho Department of Music, who will create a new hymn tune and harmonization for the submitted text.

Texts must follow a common poetic meter for hymns, as explained on page 405 of the Latter-day Saint hymnal.

The new hymn text can be sung to an existing Latter-day Saint hymn tune. Also, instead of creating an entirely new hymn text, an additional verse (or verses) to an existing Latter-day Saint hymn can be submitted. Any gospel topic can be addressed.

Some ideas include the temple, the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Restoration of the gospel, the sacrament, and other topics not widely covered in the current hymnal, such as baptism, covenants, tithing, etc.

Submissions are due Friday, November 7 to Daniel Kerr in the Music Department office located in Snow 246.

Please include your name, address, phone number, email, and a scriptural reference that supports the text (such as those provided for each hymn in the Latter-day Saint hymnal.)

Due to the volume of entries, not all submitted texts can be used in the festival. Questions? Contact Daniel Kerr at (208) 496-4964 or hymnfestival@byui.edu.

Tickets available for concluding performances of Center Stage’s fall season» By Don Sparhawk

The Center Stage Performing Arts Series at BYU-Idaho is wrapping up its Fall Semester 2014 season. Several high-profile events are yet to come, including the annual “A BYU-Idaho Christmas” featuring this year’s guests artists, The King’s Singers.

“Beauty and the Beast” featuring the State Street BalletSaturday, November 17:30 p.m., Kirkham Auditorium

State Street Ballet from Santa Barbara, California, will perform the ballet Beauty and the Beast. The classic tale of love and loss was adapted from the 1925 film by Jean Cocteau and set to the music of Tchaikovsky by Emmy Award-winning choreographer Robert Sund. The lavish sets, stunning costumes and virtuoso performance by State Street Ballet has delighted audiences throughout Asia and the United States.

Tickets on sale now. No children under four. Event dress.

Shanghai QuartetFriday, November 77:30 p.m., Barrus Concert Hall

Renowned for its passionate musicality and impressive technique, the Shanghai Quartet from China has become one of

the world’s foremost chamber ensembles. Its elegant style melds the delicacy of Eastern music with the emotional breadth of Western repertoire. Formed at the Shanghai Conservatory in 1983, the quartet currently serves as quartet-in-residence at Montclair State University in New Jersey and ensemble-in-residence with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in China.

Tickets on sale now. No children under six. Event dress.

“A BYU-Idaho Christmas” with special guests The King’s SingersSaturday, December 67:30 p.m., BYU-Idaho Center6:00 p.m., Preshow dinner in Manwaring Center

The King’s Singers, one of the world’s best known a cappella groups, will be the featured guests at the university’s fourth Christmas program in the BYU-Idaho Center. The Grammy-winning King’s Singers will join the BYU-Idaho Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, Symphony Orchestra, dancers, and other students from the College of Performing and Visual Arts. Founded in 1968, The King’s Singers are named after King’s College in Cambridge, England, where the group was formed.

Tickets go on sale October 27. No children under six. Preshow dinner is $15 extra. Event dress.