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NEWS:

Upcoming WSU Spring Lectures

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NOTEWORTHY:

Stephanie Chalupka (Nursing) was an author of "Do Your Procedure Trays Meet Sharps Safety Standards?" which was published in OR Nurse.

In the United States each year, an estimated 380,000 to 800,000 healthcare workers based in hospitals are injured by sharps. In Massachusetts hospitals, more than 3,000 sharps injuries per year are reported to the Massachusetts Sharps Injury Surveillance System. An estimated 58% to 73% of needle-stick injuries are unreported, suggesting that current data on sharps injuries significantly underestimate the true number of injuries. Although sharps injuries have been associated with the transmission of at least 30 bloodborne pathogens, three of them-- hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV-- present the greatest concerns.

Chalupka and fellow researchers investigated prepackaged procedure trays used in operating rooms at 10 Massachusetts hospitals as potential factors in sharps injury prevention. Many hospitals were found to routinely use prepackaged procedure trays containing sharp devices that conflict with mandates of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)Standard.

Professor Chalupka's co-authors were Catherine Galligan of the Sustainable Hospitals Program, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Angela Laramie, an epidemiologist for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Sharps Injury Surveillance and Prevention Project of the Occupational Health Surveillance Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Letitia Davis, Director of the Occupational Health Surveillance Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The research was funded by Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

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AROUND CAMPUS:

Update on Progress of the
Presidential Search Committee

Dear Members of the WSU Community,

I am writing to provide you an update on the progress of the presidential search committee. The group has been extremely busy with meetings being held on a weekly basis. During these meetings, the advertisement for the position was designed and locations of publication were determined.
The Prospectus and Profile describing the desired characteristics and qualifications was produced and is being mailed to all interested applicants. Documents are posted on the website and may be viewed at www.worcester.edu/presidentsearch.

Applications are starting to arrive and the process for reviewing them is being set. The deadline for submission of applications is January 28, 2010. It is the goal to review all applications and set semi-finalist interviews during the month of February. Various constituencies of the campus will be invited to participate in the on-campus interviews of all candidates. This is a very tedious process and the members of the committee remain committed and dedicated to finding the best candidate to serve as the next President of Worcester State University. I will be sharing additional information with you prior to the holiday break.

Sincerely,

Ronald Valerio, Chair
Presidential Search Committee

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Elder Registration, Jan. 13
Worcester State University's Intergenerational Urban Institute (IUI) will be hosting elder registration on Thursday, January 13, 2011. Elder registration is for life-long learners, aged 60+, who are interested in signing up for spring 2011 semester courses at WSU. Classes for the spring semester begin January 18 and there is no tuition or fees for students aged 60+.

IUI invites elders to come and meet their peers and enjoy an intergenerational classroom experience. The reception begins at noon with refreshments and information in the Sullivan Commons, Room 130 in the Sullivan Building. Registration follows from 1-3 p.m. at the Registrar's Office, Room 107 in the Administration Building. Courses are offered on a space available basis. Those interested in registering are asked to bring a drivers license, senior ID card, or birth certificate (proof of age required). For more information call 508-929-8900.

Reminder - Inclement Weather Policy
It's that time of the year. Don't forget to review the inclement weather policy at www.worcester.edu/inclementweather. Do you want to receive a text message about weather-related University closings and/or emergencies? Add or update your mobile number in the Emergency Notification system.

Diversity Office Workshop
A series of workshops are being offered by the Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action to address key diversity/ harassment issues across campus. Diversity initiatives such as these are known to improve the quality of an organizations workforce and can be a catalyst for a more inclusive community. We invite you to participate in these "dialogues" as we seek to understand the business imperative behind embracing diversity. Bring your own lunch - additional refreshments and soft drinks will be served.

Workshop 3: Prevention of Discrimination
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Student Center, Fallon Room @ Noon

This workshop helps us to understand that harassment is not only about sex. It can also be about race, religion, age, disabilities and other protected characteristics.

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WSU IN THE NEWS:

Business People
Telegram & Gazette
Extra Innings of Auburn, an indoor baseball and softball training..., has appointed five new instructors.... Michelle Cote is an assistant coach at Worcester State University and a first-team Northeast-10 All-Conference leader. Michaella Mahoney is a second-year captain at Worcester State University..


Worcester State baseball team getting its field of dreams
Telegram & Gazette 12/4/10
As successful as Worcester State University's baseball team has been over the years, that success came without the benefit of the home field advantage enjoyed by most colleges. Because the school does not have an on- campus ...


College Town
Telegram & Gazette 12/5/10
Worcester State University has received a $112,000 grant from The Fairlawn Foundation to develop a master's of science in nursing degree, with a concentration in...

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