The Board of Trustees, at its April 6 meeting, approved sabbatical leave for eight faculty members to work on a wide range of projects during fiscal year 2011-12.

Information provided from the Office of Academic Affairs briefly list details of projects the professors will be working on during their sabbatical.

Professor of History Thomas L. Altherr (Fall 2011): Work on three projects in progress: (1) Complete a manuscript on North American ball games before 1845; (2) Complete an article on the history of plow design in America from 1760-1830 including cultural history; (3) Complete a book for University of New Mexico Press on the New Mexico National Park, the New Pajarito and Cliff Cities, 1888 to the present.

Professor of Economics Erick Lee Erickson (Fall 2011): Complete and publish scholarly articles on a 19th century abandoned post office and sort, record and compile recovered postal documents in a combination of history and archeology, studying these economic records to shed light on larger economic matters.

Professor of Accounting John Hathorn (Spring 2012): Complete the writing of a textbook on business combinations that is of sufficient breadth, depth and rigor for a Business Combinations graduate class, necessary since no adequate textbook exists now.

Professor of Economics Kishore G. Kulkarni (Spring 2012): Complete three goals: (1) Complete and publish a new edited book in Readings in International Economic Development; (2) Write two research articles to be published in a peer reviewed international journal or a book; (3) Visit Indian universities for an extended lecture tour in March 2012 and give seven lectures.

Professor of Political Science Oneida J. Meranto (Fall 2011): Further research and revise a manuscript in progress and submit it for publication; the textbook is "The Other American Governments: Tribal Governments in Transition from Dependency to Sovereignty." Also visit two Native schools to understand process of textbook selections.

Associate Professor of Mathematical & Computer Science Jody Paul (Spring 2012): Complete research to produce a software application, "Enhanced Assessment Vehicle (EVA)," and documentation to improve student assessment by standardizing the methods of assessment. Provide a more accurate measure of test-taker knowledge and ability, elementary to post-secondary.

Associate Professor of Biology Douglas W. Petcoff (Spring 2012): Advance research as a co-author with a Metro State graduate on a manuscript in preparation, about in vitro fertilization of frog oocytes and their “maturing and conditioning” process, present this research and submit for publication review. Further undergraduate research capabilities and develop curricula.

Associate Professor of Earth & Atmospheric Science Stella W. Todd (Fall 2011): Develop a “visualization mode,” or set of standardized, intuitive symbology for GIS applications including creating symbol libraries for GIS planning and mapping purposes.