GEORGE I. ALDEN EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD -
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS - DUE FEBRUARY 13, 2009
Worcester State College began as a teachers' college and recognizes that teaching is still at the heart of what we do. Through the George I. Alden Excellence in Teaching Award, students have a public way of acknowledging the role of good teachers in their lives by honoring those who have most inspired them and contributed the most to their success. Today, teaching remains the foundation upon which the integrity of our institution rests. The Center for Teaching and Learning has created this award as a means to provide students and alumni with the opportunity to publicly acknowledge professors who have made a difference in their lives through their teaching excellence. Although one full-time tenured or tenure track professor will be honored annually, the award is intended to honor all educators on our campus who are committed to teaching excellence. All students and alumni are eligible to nominate a full-time tenured or tenure-track professor. For a nomination form, please visit www.worcester.edu/alden.

TWO WSC STUDENTS CHOSEN FOR ACTING AWARD COMPETITION
Following the performance of Lysistrata by Worcester State Theatre students, two more nominees were chosen to compete in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryan Acting Award competition. Emily Chestna, who played Lysistrata, and Danielle St. Amand, who played Myrrhine, will attend the KCACTF Region I Festival in Fitchburg, Mass. in January to compete in the Irene Ryans. They will be joining Johnny Sanderski and Kyle Maxwell, nominated from the spring 2008 production of All In The Timing. Lysistratas Rebecca Belmont and Ryan Purcell were selected as alternates.

The Irene Ryan competition is a nationwide affair, in which winners at the regional level are selected to compete in Washington, DC, at the Kennedy Center in April.

CITY OF WORCESTER WINTER PARKING BAN
The City of Worcester Department of Public Works has announced that the Winter Parking Ban will be in effect beginning today, Monday December 1, 2008. Public Streets fall under two categories: permanent and declared.

A PERMANENT BAN will remain in effect on Emergency Arteries, WRTA Bus Routes and streets that are critical to the flow of traffic. The permanent ban means that from December 1 through April 30, there is no parking on one or both sides of the street between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. and also when a snow emergency is declared, anytime day or night.

A DECLARED BAN will be in effect on all remaining city streets. The declared ban means that parking is allowed on both sides of the street until the winter parking ban is put into effect. You can expect the winter parking ban to go into effect whenever inclement weather is forecasted.

You may search the City of Worcester winter parking ban database by street name. Please select the street name by clicking on the link below. The search results provide information on the ban type, ban zone and no parking side.

A decision to close the College or open later will generally be made between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. by the President or the President's designee in consultation with other members of the College staff.

If a decision is made to close for the day or to open later, notice will be made to the following outlets:

College Homepage - http://www.worcester.edu

Email to all Worcester State College addresses

Campus Phone - 508-929-8000 - To hear the inclement weather message, press 1 and then press 2 (from a touch-tone telephone only).

PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE COLLEGE POLICE TO FIND OUT IF THE
COLLEGE IS OPEN, CLOSED OR DELAYED, as this ties up the phone
line for emergency calls.

RADIO STATIONS	TELEVISION CHANNELS
WSRS 96.1 FM	CBS - Channel 4
WTAG 580 AM	WCVB - Channel 5
WTAG 94.9 FM	WHDH - Channel 7
WRKO 680 AM	WSBK - Channel 38
WBZ 1030 AM	WLVI - Channel 56

Closing During Normal Office/Class Hours*

If, during normal office/class hours on a work/class day, the President or her designee determines that the College should be closed due to inclement weather or other circumstances, all offices will be notified of the time and duration of cancellation of normal activity. Normal routine will be expected to commence on the next regular class/work day, unless notified otherwise.

* Normal hours are defined as Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WSC CHORALE RELEASES CHRISTMAS CD
The Chorale of Worcester State College has just released a new Christmas CD in time for the holidays titled, "Songs of Christmas." The collection contains some familiar carols as well as some lesser-known music. The CD is now for sale for $10. If you are interested in getting one in time for the holidays, please contact Christie Nigro at cnigro@worcester, 508-929-8824 or stop by the Dept. of Visual and Performing Arts (LRC-132). This would make an excellent holiday gift. Selections on the CD include:

Please support WSC's excellent a cappella choir.
Checks can be payable to WSC Chorale.

WSC TOY DRIVE
Once again the Secret Santa's of Worcester will sponsor a toy drive for NEEDY Children and their families. In 2007, over 3,000 toys were delivered to happy children all over Worcester county.

If you would like to donate a gift - please drop it off to the Presidents Office - Room 111, Administration Village, prior to December 11. Please wrap all gifts and label girl or boy and age (infant to 18 years - teenagers love a gift card).

Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps
Worcester Boys and Girls Club Daybreak
Worcester Probate Court
Needy families in Worcester neighborhoods

A party to collect all donations will be held on Thursday, December 11 from 5:15 - 8:30 p.m., 440 Grove Street, Worcester, Mass.