3/12/02
For Immediate Release:
Contact:
Katie MacDonald, program manager, UNI Regional Business Center, (319) 236-8123,
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
UNI Regional Business Center to offer IRS small business tax workshop Thursday, March 28
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- An "IRS Small Business Tax Workshop" will be held by the University of Northern Iowa Regional Business Center and Compliance Alliance on Thursday, March 28, from 9 a.m .to 4 p.m., to assist businesses in filing their 2001 tax returns.
Participants will learn about deductible business expenses, health insurance deductions for the self-employed, payroll taxes, deposit requirements, record keeping, tax returns to file and more. A representative from the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance also will be discussing state sales, use and local option taxes.
The class will be held at the UNI Regional Business Center, 212 E. 4th St., in downtown Waterloo. The cost for the class is $35 per participant and includes a light lunch. For more information or to register, contact Katie MacDonald at (319) 236-8123 or (888) 237-8124, or visit the Center's Web site at www.unirbc.org.
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3/12/02
For Immediate Release:
Contact:
Katie MacDonald, program manager,UNI Regional Business Center, (319) 236-8123, (888) 237-8124
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
'Fast Trac' training for new and existing entrepreneurs to be offered by UNI Center beginning April 6
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Fast Trac, a national training program for new and existing entrepreneurs, will be hosted by the University of Northern Iowa Regional Business Center and the Iowa Entrepreneurial Consortium, beginning April 6.
This seven-week comprehensive class will allow participants to explore their business concept and growth strategies, gain insight into analyzing financial statements, conduct market research, learn about financing programs and create a business plan. Each session will include classroom instruction, a discussion with an expert from the local business community, and an opportunity to network with other Cedar Valley entrepreneurs.
Classes will be held on Saturday mornings, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, April 6 through May 18, at the UNI Regional Business Center, 212 E. 4th St., in downtown Waterloo. The fee for this comprehensive class is $199 per business. Scholarships are available.
For more information or to register, contact Katie MacDonald, program manager for the UNI RBC, at (319) 236-8123 or (888) 237-8124, or visit the RBC Web site at www.unirbc.org.
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(Part of the EducatioNet series from the University of Northern Iowa)
For release during March 2002
Contact: Gwenne Culpepper, UNI Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
Parents and Sports mix for deadly cocktail
CEDAR FALLS -- Over the past few years, national youth sports leagues have reported weekly incidents of fights or abusive behavior involving parents or coaches. The incidents have ranged from one that included 20 grown men in a fracas during a T-ball game, to another more tragic one in which a hockey coach died following a fight with a player's father.
Increasingly parents find themselves not only at odds with their children's coaches, but in actual fights.
Roberto Clemente, assistant professor in the Department of Postsecondary Education and Leadership at the University of Northern Iowa, says these attitudes have roots in professional sports. "Almost every type and level of professional sports offers numerous examples of our multi-million dollar heroes using profanity, hitting fellow players and attacking referees. We see it on live TV and repeated endlessly on sports shows."
What happens then, he says, is that sports fans -- parents included -- internalize and later imitate the actions. "Why not? They've seen their heroes applauded, admired and well-paid despite violent actions and poor sportsmanship."
It often begins with a parent's good intentions, simply hoping their child will be the next Kobe Bryant or Tara Lipinski. And when the child does not, for whatever reason, live up to those expectations, parents can feel frustrated. "Combine that with the constant coverage of sports, the increasing levels of violence in all sports, and the disproportionate glory we've given to athletes, and you sometimes end up with a parent ready to explode."
Clemente has developed a short list of questions to help parents decide whether sports have become too important in their family life. Answer true or false to the following statements.
My family's life revolves around my children's sports activities.
My mood swings are often directly linked with the outcome of my children's competitions.
When my children win, I reward them with gifts, verbal praise and words of love.
When my children lose, I withhold physical or emotional affection, may tease or put them down, may not even speak to them.
I give more of my time and attention to my children's sports than their academic endeavors.
I push my children to train harder all the time and encourage them not to be 'lazy.'
When my children lose, I label the coach as inept, incompetent and weak.
I brag about and discuss my child's abilities and accomplishments all the time.
I will say, "WE are playing against ..." and not "My son or daughter is playing against..."
I have verbally abused other parents during sport activities.
I have felt like getting into a physical fight with parents from the other team after a loss.
I have often called in sick or lied to miss work to attend to my children's sport events.
Before my children's competitions, I am cranky, nervous and anxious.
"If you answer true to more than a coupe of these questions, you may be putting too much emphasis on your children athletic activities," Clemente says. "It's time to readjust your perspective regarding what you see on TV, your own expectations, and your children's sports. "
He suggests talking to a counselor about the issue. "It's quite possible to re-establish a healthy emotional balance between sports and parenting style. A professional counselor can help point you in the right directions."
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ednet sports/parents 0302 G: Link,Sp
(Part of the EducatioNet series from the University of Northern Iowa)
For release during March 2002
Contact: Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
InTime project shows teachers how to integrate technology into the classroom
CEDAR FALLS, Ia. -- When teachers want to find out what the best and brightest in their profession are doing to integrate technology into the classroom, they log on to InTime, an innovative Web site that shows teachers from all disciplines how it's done. InTime stands for Integrating New Technologies Into the Methods of Education.
Created by the College of Education at the University of Northern Iowa in 1999, the free site is funded by a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Karla Krueger, co-director of the grant, explains the site features a database of more than 300 videos that can be streamed, and curriculum materials to be used along with the videos. By August 2002, she says, there will be 600 videos.
The project benefits teachers, teacher educators, faculty in teacher education, in-service teachers, and even students themselves. Explains Krueger, "A math teacher can find out how another teacher has integrated technology into the classroom by introducing graphing calculators or special software to help students understand certain concepts. A language arts teacher might learn how another instructor used computer software that helps children who have difficulties in writing or spelling. A music teacher shows us how to use the Iowa Communications Network to video conference with experts on panpipes."
"What we show are examples of exemplary teaching and methods for integration of technology. What we've heard from those who use the site is that they like it because it's real," says Krueger. "Nothing is scripted or staged. You see real teachers, real students, and real classrooms."
The College of Education, using teachers chosen through a rigorous selection process, goes onsite to tape PK-12 teachers across the Midwest. The tapes are then analyzed by a project staff using a quality teaching model developed at the university, edited to short video vignettes and uploaded to the InTime Web site. Also on the Web site are lesson plans, online discussion forums and case study development tools.
Krueger, who co-directs the grant with William Callahan, associate dean of the UNI College of Education, notes that several other universities, all members of what is known as the Renaissance Group, participate in the InTime project. They are Eastern Michigan University, Emporia State University, Longwood College, and Southeast Missouri State University. UNI is the project leader.
The site address is http://www.intime.uni.edu.