Today@Sam Article

SHSU Update For Week Of April 2

March 31, 2017
SHSU Media Contact: Lane Fortenberry

NIJ Recognizes ‘CRIMES’ As Exemplary CJ Technology

A comprehensive records management system developed for law enforcement agencies by the Police Research Center at Sam Houston State University has been designated a Justice Innovation Center by the National Institute of Justice.

The Criminal Research Information Management Evaluation System, currently used by 50+ departments in Texas, was recognized as a technological solution for both law enforcement and probation for small, rural, tribal or border criminal justice agencies. The system aids in day-to-day operations of departments, as well as long-term planning.

“I am very proud of this significant accomplishment by our team at the Police Research Center,” said Phillip Lyons, dean of the College of Criminal Justice and director of the Criminal Justice Center. “Our goal at the College and the Center is to facilitate a sharper focus on efforts that elevate practice in the field. This recognition provides ample evidence that CRIMES and (the new) CRIMES Probation programs do just that.”

Although records management systems are an indispensable tool for law enforcement agencies, the cost is often prohibitive for smaller agencies. CRIMES is a cost effective way to deliver services that can be shared by multiple agencies.

“CRIMES represents a technology solution that has provided a credible response to the needs of law enforcement agencies and is working to do the same for correction agencies as well,” according to a report by Vincent Webb, former dean at the College of Criminal Justice, and Jirka Taylor at the Justice Innovation Center. “There is nothing to suggest that its replication in other locales would not be able to provide similar outcomes.”

CRIMES consists of four key components, including core modules for daily operations, support elements to aid officers in their duties, analytical tools to use in planning, and management devices to handle routine activities. The system offers 20 modules, ranging from computer aided dispatch, master name-person identification, incident reporting, database searches, report generation, crime analysis, and booking and jail management, to name a few.

CRIMES is accessible remotely and has a GPS/GIS interface to map functions and locations. It also can integrate fire services for computer-aided dispatch and mobile communication. It provides a centralized location for data and provides a back-up system to ensure that data will not be lost due to local system failure. It also automatically shares law enforcement and crime data information with the FBI’s National Data Exchange.

The report is available from the Justice Innovation Center.

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Faculty, Staff Invited To Preview New Common Reader

Faculty, staff and administrators interested in incorporating the new 2017-2018 SHSU Common Reader, “The Good Food Revolution: Growing Healthy CommonReader550Food, People, and Communities,” by Will Allen, are invited to attend an exclusive reveal luncheon on Friday (April 7).

The luncheon, which includes presentations by faculty, a faculty authored curriculum guide and complimentary copies of the book, will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Room 320 (RSVP required).

Penguin Random House Review describes “The Good Food Revolution” as Allen’s tale of transformation of the cultivation, production and delivery of healthy foods for underserved, urban populations. It is also a story of personal transformation.

He was the child of sharecroppers and a product of the Great Migration. He fought as a young man to leave farming behind. However, the desire to farm again grew, and he saw the potential of fresh food to change the lives.

Access to reasonably priced, healthy, fresh food provides a defense against the dehumanizing and debilitating effects of diabetes and food-related illness, according to Allen. He argues that if we can piece together the broken relationship between local farmers and cities, we can provide a chance for people to live with greater dignity.

The annual spring book reveal allows time to plan to include book themes into fall and spring classes and programs.

Any member of the university community can request a copy of the book. In the fall, Allen and faculty experts will speak, and members will be able to participate in discussions, assignments and service projects related to themes in the book.

The Professional and Academic Center for Excellence and Student Success Initiatives sponsor the event.

Space is limited for the luncheon and those who wish to attend are encouraged to reserve a place as soon as possible.

For more information, or to make a reservation, contact Kay Angrove, director of the First-Year Experience Office, at fye@shsu.edu.

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Trio Of Art Students To Display Works At Senior Show

SHSU art students Allyssia-Lynn Montalbo, Michelle Dudley and Laura Miller will present their senior art show in the Satellite Gallery April 6-8.

Their collaborative work, entitled “Deception,” represents how nature impacts everyday life. The students are working toward their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in photography.

“By comparing through different methods, we realize that we all stem from one root,” Miller said. “This show reflects our interactions and comparisons to how humans are deceived by nature.”

Photographer Miller works in both analog and digital processes, exploring comparisons of beauty and nature. She is president of the SHSU Student Art Association and shows work locally and statewide. She plans to become an art teacher.

Focusing on the human body’s unique features compared to nature and animals, artist Dudley has shown her work in a number of galleries in Huntsville.

Montalbo, also an artist, focuses on the impact of consumerism on the world. She has shown her work in Huntsville.

A reception will be held at the gallery from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday (April 6) with artist talks at 7 p.m.

The Satellite Gallery is located at 1216 University Ave. in Huntsville. Hours are 4-8 p.m. Thursdays, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Exec. Director Honored For Research Project

The Environmental Design Research Association recently awarded Certificates of Research Excellence to five architect and study teams for research projects.

Joellen Tipton, executive director of Residence Life and Living-Learning Programs, and TreanorHL, architect company, were recipients of certificates.

The study, Revitalizing Underutilized Social-Study Areas in a Student Residence Hall, was a research project done with furniture design in the public areas of Lone Star Hall.

The certificates recognize valuable, innovative practice-based research that promotes best practice in environmental design.

EDRA CORE’s evaluation framework identifies environmental design research that meets industry challenges and advances design thinking.

The CORE recipients will be recognized during EDRA48Madison May 31-June 3, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Soft Skills Panel Event Set For April 6

Sam Houston State University’s Communication Department and Career Services will host the first of three panel events, Backpack to Briefcase, on BackpacktoBriefcase550Thursday (April 6) from 12:30-2 p.m. in Academic Building IV Room 220.

The theme of the event is communicating power in business and relationships.

The events and featured guests will highlight the value and need of soft skills in the job market and in relationships.

The group of community leaders and executives for the first panel are couples that possess career and community leadership. They will discuss soft skills in both relationships and within the workplace. Topics include goal setting, negotiations skills, criticism, respect, and compromise.

The featured guests are:

  • Judge Craig and Amy Doyal– Montgomery County judge; director of regulatory compliance for Texas Gas Utilities
  • Paul and Sherrye Gugenheim - president CEO of Delta Structural Technology Inc.; executive chairman of ‎Delta Structural Technology, LLC
  • Ted and Dr. Johnnie Seago- Sr. pastor and political activist; president of Parent and Child Education Services
  • Paul and Kelly Williams– former Houston Oilers quarterback and former director and chief executive officer of Eagle Ford Oil & Gas; former city councilwoman and mayor pro-tem (City of Kemah), radio host, director Miss Kemah USA Pageants
  • Patrick and Terri Jaggers– adoption attorney; community organizer 

For more information contact Terri Jaggers, clinical assistant professor, at tej003@shsu.edu.

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Shannon Lane To Give Colloquium Presentation

Shannon Lane, research fellow in the Center for Rural Studies at Sam Houston State University, will give the colloquium presentation “The Texas RuralShannonLane500 Survey: At First Glance” as a part of the College of Humanities and Social Science’s ongoing events.

The presentation will be on Wednesday (April 5) at 4 p.m. in CHSS Room 110.

The Texas Rural Survey is sent out by the Center for Rural Studies. The purpose is to provide information on rural Texas for state policy makers, local stakeholders and the citizens.

A random sample of the rural Texas population, selected from current census data, is sent a survey and asked to answer a series of questions pertaining to perceptions of rural living, community issues, economic development strategies and efforts, medical and healthcare services, disasters and risk perceptions, and sociodemographics.

The response data provides a rich look into perceptions that are shared with Texas leadership both in Austin and in rural communities across the state. It has been collected in 2012, 2013 and 2016.

Lane will be discussing preliminary findings, opportunities for research and potential collaborations college wide.

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Leadership Over Lunch Set For April 5

The next installment of Leadership Over Lunch will be on Wednesday (April 5) from 11 a.m. to noon in Lowman Student Center Room 315.

The theme of the lunch is The Leader’s Voice.

The purpose of the workshop is to differentiate communication methods that are acceptable socially and in college from those of the professional realm.

Bruce O’Neal, visiting assistant professor in Sam Houston State University’s Department of Mass Communication, will discuss four primary communication topics—verbal communication, non-verbal communication, electronic communication, and active listening.

Students should have a better understanding of these communicative strategies, be able to recognize when certain approaches are better than others, and develop a beginners understanding of some of the generational differences that can impact effective communication.

For more information, contact the Department of Leadership Initiatives at 936.294.3000 or leadership@shsu.edu.

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Museum To Showcase ‘State Fair’ ExhibitStateFair630

The Sam Houston Memorial Museum will present “State Fair,” an exhibit by the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin, in partnership with Humanities Texas from March 31 to May 5.

The exhibit highlights photographer Arthur Grace’s journey through 10 state fairs—California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia.

Grace is praised for his ability to uniquely and deftly capture the sights and feelings of people and the various activities performed at state fairs, which began as a celebration of rural American life, but have now evolved into super-sized extravaganzas.

For more information about viewing hours, contact the museum at 936.294.1832.

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Outdoor Recreation To Visit Wichita Mountains

Sam Houston State University’s Outdoor Recreation Program is offering a trip to the Wichita Mountains in Lawton, Oklahoma, April 13-16.

Attendees will be able to rock climb, hike and experience all the Wichita Mountains have to offer.

The trip is available to all experience levels.

The cost is $85 for students and $105 for non-students. Transportation, equipment, food (except any meals on the road), permits, fees, lodging or camping, instructions, and guides are included in the cost.

The deadline to register is April 7. If the trip is full, email Lara Patterson, coordinator of outdoor/traditions camp, at lpatterson@shsu.edu to be added to the waitlist.

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Saturday@SAM Set For April 8

The spring Saturday@SAM event will be on Saturday (April 8) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. all around campus. Check-in will be held in front of the Newton SaturdaySam200Gresham Library.

The biannual event is a free program for prospective students, families and friends.

Attendees will be able to take a guided tour, browse student organization booths, preview academic programs, visit with faculty, and speak with representatives from various departments.

Saturdays@SAM is designed to supply answers to all attendee’s questions and provide a sample of what Sam Houston State University has to offer.

For more information, visit the Saturday@Sam page.

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Program Council To Screen ‘Split’

The Program Council will present Universal Pictures’ “Split” on Wednesday (April 5) at 6 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Theater as a part of its Split630ongoing PC Cinema events.

The film features a man with 23 personalities who abducts three girls. As they plan their escape, they learn the 24th personality will soon be unleashed, which he refers to as the “beast.”

“Split” stars James McAvoy and Anya Taylor-Joy and is directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It grossed more than $137 million at the box office and holds a 75 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

All currently registered students are invited to attend. Popcorn will be provided, while supplies last.

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Send Experts, Story Ideas Here

Are you an expert in a topic might be of interest to reporters? Or even a unique topic? Would you like to have your research interests highlighted or discuss your expertise with reporters seeking interviewees?

The university Communications Office is collecting information and story ideas for its ongoing projects, including the online SHSU Experts Guide, the SHSU home page and Today@Sam. 

The SHSU Experts Guide was established as a resource for the media, who turn to university experts lists for potential interviewees for news stories. Faculty who are interested in being a part of the university's database of experts can submit their biographical and personal information, as well as their areas of expertise, through the Experts Guide Submission Form.

Other story ideas, both news and features on faculty or student research and accomplishments can be sent to today@sam.edu or jenniferg@shsu.edu. For news stories, please include the date, location and time of the event, as well as a brief description and a contact person.

All information, including news story ideas and update items for Today@Sam, should be sent a minimum of a week in advance of the event in order to make necessary contacts and write a story. Feature story ideas for the SHSU home page ("sliders") should be sent a minimum of two months in advance. 

To see a full list of the Today@Sam submission guidelines, or to access submission forms for news and feature stories or hometown releases, visit the guidelines page.

For more information, call 936.294.1836.

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