MASS MUSINGS
The Official Newsletter of Appalachian State University
Masters of Arts in Social Science (MASS) Program
Volume 6www.mass.appstate.edu April, 2002
What is New With MASS?
Greetings MASS students, faculty, alumni and other interested persons. Welcome to the latest volume of MASS Musings. As you may already know, the MASS Program has undergone some changes. There is a new director, a new office, and two new Graduate Assistants. After 3 years, Dr. Ed Folts stepped down as the MASS Program director in July. He continues in his capacity as editor of the Southwest Journal on Aging and is the new sociology undergraduate program director.
NEW DIRECTOR
MASS is pleased to have Dr. Ken Muir as its new Program Director. Dr. Muir is an assistant professor of sociology who arrived at Appalachian State University in 1998. Before that he was at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for two years, and prior to that was an assistant professor at West Virginia University. Dr. Muir's academic credentials include a B.A. in Journalism from Oakland University in Rochester, MI., and a Master of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Florida. Dr. Muir earned his Doctorate in Sociology from Virginia Tech in 1993. Dr. Muir's research interests are in sociology of mass media and teaching introductory sociology. He has published his research in media/communications, gerontology, and sociology journals. He can be reached at the following contact points:
203-C Chapell Wilson Hall
Phone: 828-262-6388
Email: muirkb@appstate.edu
NEW ASSISTANTS
MASS also has two new Graduate Assistants. Eileen Weigand and Jerry Green come to MASS from diverse backgrounds. Weigand is completing her first year as a MASS student and Green will be graduating this May with his Masters degree in political science. Both Jerry and Eileen can be reached at the following contact points:
205-A Chapell Wilson Hall
Phone: 828-262-6676
NEW OFFICE LOCATION
The MASS office has been relocated to the second floor of Chapell Wilson Hall, Room 203-C. Dr. Muir's office hours are Monday, Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday and Thursday from 11-noon and 2-3 p.m. Other hours are by appointment and it is recommended that you call first 262-6388 before making the trip to campus. You can always leave a voice mail message and Dr. Muir will get back to you as soon as possible.
WEB SITE UPDATE
MASS has updated its web page at www.mass.appstate.edu . Our former webmaster, R.V. Rikard has been progressively updating the site to provide timely and important information to current and potential students. Note that the site and its links are a good source for much of the information you will need while enrolled at Appalachian. The links to the graduate school include all the forms you may need, including program of study and candidacy forms (although these forms are also available at the MASS office). Please visit the site and let us know what you think. You can contact Program Director Dr. Ken Muir at muirkb@appstate.edu.
FAREWELL RV!!!
Our favorite computer trouble-shooter is on the move. RV Rikard is leaving us this summer to begin graduate studies at Temple University in Philadelphia. A graduate of the MASS program, RVearned scholarships including a teaching assistantship and fee waivers. These waivers are highly competitive and we're all proud that RV will be carrying on the banner of the MASS program with distinction as he begins his Ph.D. program at Temple.
COMPUTER LAB
The Department of Sociology and Social Work has a new computer lab available to MASS students. Located in Room 203A in Chapell Wilson Hall, the lab has 12 new Dell computers with word processing, email, printing and scanning available. The hours of operation are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. Contact Dr. Muir with any questions.
RECENT GRADUATES
Our congratulations go out to our most recent graduates: Andrew Rushin, Scott Morrison, Robert Mimms, Shawn Eldred, and Donna Kimball. We especially want to congratulate Andrew Rushin and Kristen Hopkins who got married this summer and became the first "MASS couple." We wish them well.
GETTING INTO THE MASS PROGRAM
If you are a potential student and you have an interest in the MASS program, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Ken Muir at (828) 262-6388 or e-mail him at muirkb@appstate.edu. You may also get information from the MASS web page at www.mass.appstate.edu. The application materials and Graduate Record Exam schedule are on the graduate school web site at www.appstate.edu or you may contact them directly at (828) 262-2130. You may also want to contact the ASU Housing Office and the Student Loan Office should you have needs in those areas.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT AND ACADEMIC LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Some school districts have a tuition reimbursement policy through which qualified full-time teachers may recover some or all of the tuition paid in the pursuit of a graduate degree. If you have an interest in pursuing a MASS degree with a concentration leading to "G" certification, and you are employed in a public school system, then you may want to contact your central office to inquire about potential financial support. In addition, if you are employed by a community college, you should know that many offer a paid leave of absence to individuals in pursuit of academic improvement. Check it out, and get in touch with us.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
MASS office (828) 262-6388 www.mass.appstate.edu
Dr. Muir (828) 262-6388 muirkb@appstate.edu
Sociology Department (828) 262-2293 www.soc.appstate.edu
Sociology FAX (828) 262-2294
Graduate School (828) 262-2130 www.acs.appstate.edu/dept/graduate
Grad School FAX (828) 262-2709
Registrars Office (828) 262-2050 www.registrar.appstate.edu
Registrars Office FAX (828) 262-3136
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Most of this office’s correspondence will be accomplished electronically. Mail, messages, and announcements will be sent to your email accounts on campus and your personal accounts, if applicable. If you do not know your campus email password, or would prefer all your email sent to your home account (if you never check your campus account), it is really easy to do. Just visit the friendly folks at Academic Computing Services (ACS) (www.acs.appstate.edu ) in the Raley Hall. They will solve all your email needs. If for some reason you cannot receive electronic mail and would like to receive everything "snail mail," just let us know.