September 16, 1999
Table of Contents
BAC Program Graduates 24
Community Welcomes New President
Message from President Subbiondo
Successful Conversion
New Student Orientation A Success
Fall 1999 Admissions Application Summary
Open House
New Face on the Web
InnerLight Bookstore News
Endbeginnings
Institute of Rededication
Calendar of Events
Comings & Goings
On Campus
Co-sponsored by the Institute
Alumni of Note
On Sunday, August 29th, the CIIS community, family, and friends gathered in Namaste Hall to celebrate the closing ceremony for the Bachelor of Arts Completion (BAC) program's Cohort T. Under colorful prayer flags and surrounded by the faculty, staff, family, and friends who supported them in this past year, 24 undergraduate students honored each other in this ritual of closure. Bobbi Kyle (Director of Undergraduate Studies), President Joseph Subbiondo, and faculty members Kimmy Johnson and Alec MacLeod were the featured speakers along with cohort member, Deanna McKinstry-Edwards.
In a moving and powerful speech, Deanna reflected on her experiences in the program and spoke of her own transformation. She shared with the audience a charming story about her experiences in drama school (and her role as a dragon) and went on to observe that "CIIS is the kind of school that slays dragons," the kind of school where "students are taught to question answers as opposed to answering questions."
Adriana (Betsy) Duerr, a student who commuted from Hawaii to attend the BAC program, hand carried beautiful floral crowns for the women in the group and fragrant leaf leis for the men. Floral arrangements continued the spectrum of color, and the soothing and inspirational guitar music by Srinivas Reddy completed the celebration. Facing a sea of family, friends, and significant others, the 24 students celebrated their completion of the program and testified to its importance in their lives. Near the ceremony’s closing, each student received a river stone which had been engraved with a circle and the letter "t" - signifying Cohort T, along with a photograph of the group and a gratitude sheet on which each cohort member wrote a note of thanks to the student.
Following the ceremony, there was a festive reception in which family and friends were introduced to each other. During the day, many took the time to observe the importance of the CIIS community, including family and friends who supported the students in this intensive year of learning and change. [Back to the top]
COMMUNITY WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT
Namaste Hall served as the setting for an intimate reception officially welcoming President Subbiondo into the CIIS community. Approximately 100 students, staff and faculty enjoyed a light lunch and brief remarks from President Subbiondo.
Reflecting on his first few weeks at the Institute, President Subbiondo said, " I have never been among so many people who refuse to raise obstacles. Every time I have made a suggestion, you have responded with one of your own."
The enthusiastic response at the reception prompted President Subbiondo to introduce the idea of hosting "Community Forums" once a month at the Institute. This platform would allow for topics, questions and answers and various communication to be shared by all interested members of the community. Please refer to the next issue of the InnerEye for more details.
The Schools of Professional Psychology and Consciousness and Transformation sponsored this delightful event.
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT SUBBIONDO
Dear Colleagues:
I have always appreciated the seasonal nature of the academic calendar: each year has a clearly defined beginning, middle, and end. Of these phases, I find the beginning to be the most exhilarating as faculty, staff, and students return to the community charged with the special excitement that accompanies a beginning. Last year’s issues usually melt over the summer; and unless there have been summer surprises, the year tends to start free of pressing issues.
In greeting new students at student orientation, I found myself in a Namaste Hall that radiated with the energy of a new academic year. I have been in higher education long enough to know that the hope and enthusiasm running throughout that assembly was mostly the result of successful planning and hard work by many dedicated people in our Institute. I commend and thank the many members of our faculty and staff who collaborated effectively and worked tirelessly in attracting new students and bringing back our returning students.
This year, our challenge is to build on the momentum of this beginning and create the best academic year in the history of the Institute. To help this process, we will gather in Namaste Hall on Wednesday, September 29, to rededicate ourselves to the mission of the Institute. As a community, we need to renew the spiritual bond that connects us in a supportive relationship unlike that of any other educational institution. I am extremely pleased that our founding partner, Bina Chaudhuri, will join us in this special ceremony.
I hope that you will check our revised website. The new features, especially the faculty profiles and the search engine, will certainly assist students in learning about the Institute. I am committed to secure funds to continue the support of a web coordinator.
I greatly appreciate your support, and I look forward to our work and achievements together.
Joseph L. Subbiondo
President [Back to the top]
by Jon Morgan, Information Systems & Technology (IST) Director
Congratulations to everyone who helped us make the transition from quarters to semesters this past summer. It was an excellent example of a community working together across the Institute to achieve a concrete task. The change required revising curricula, converting student records, rethinking financial aid, advising students, and planning for subtleties and forgotten tasks. Additionally, our semester transition was accompanied by tuition adjustments, a transition to flat fee rates, and changes to academic income/expense reporting. There is rarely a small task at CIIS!
The semester conversion project was led by Anne Teich, who wisely and graciously stayed with us just long enough to see its successful implementation. Anne was able to work with faculty, program coordinators, academic office managers, and student services staff to ensure that all gaping holes were at least partially filled. Curricula changes were significant for many programs (except for Psy Doc who had been waiting for the rest of the Institute to join them in semester mode for three years). In addition to mapping quarter-based courses to semester-based equivalents, all courses were renumbered to a four-digit course number. Hopefully, this will keep us from running out of course numbers for the next thirty years (assuming we can temper our creativity and have fewer than 100 new courses each semester).
Information Systems & Technology (IST) worked closely with the registrar and business offices to properly convert students to the semester system and coordinate changes in our administrative software. New courses were established, transcripts were printed and tested, and calculations to generate student charges were rebuilt. IST’s new systems analyst, Scott Ciliberti, has helped to lead the technical aspects of our semester conversion.
Special thanks to Anne, Scott, and the entire registration staff for their middle-of-the-night insights, long working days, and diligent planning to help make this transition as smooth as possible. [Back to the top]
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION A SUCCESS
by Richard Buggs, Dean of Students
On August 23, 150 new students gathered in Namaste Hall for breakfast followed by orientation. Dean Janis Phelps led the group in a short meditation, and President Subbiondo welcomed the students, remarking that "it's nice to be able to welcome someone newer than me!"
Many staff and faculty were present and introduced to the students, including Nancy Hager, our registrar, and Kathy Makunga, assistant director of financial aid. The students had the opportunity to register for classes and then have student ID cards issued. A question and answer period helped clarify a number of points about procedures and policies at CIIS and the 1999-2000 Student Handbook was also distributed.
The morning concluded with various groups of students being guided to local restaurants by staff and faculty members. Many thanks to all of those in attendance. It was wonderful to see so many new faces being welcomed into our community.
FALL 1999 ADMISSIONS APPLICATION SUMMARY
by Henry Villareal, Dean of Enrollment Management
We are delighted with the significant increase in appliants and total number of new students admitted to the Institute. In addition, we are seeing an upswing in our inquiries, which is another positive step towards increased enrollment. The numbers below reflect a summary from our most recent registration period as of September 7th:
Application Summary
- Total of 375 applications, which surpasses the fall of '98 total
- Admitted students total 270, which is an increase compared to fall '98
- 196 NEW students are currently enrolled, which represents a 16% increase compared to fall '98
- Our projected overall percentage of rate of enrollees as compared to applicants is expected to be 73% for fall '99 vs. 63% for fall '98
- Congratulations to the Psy.D. program which has the largest single program enrollment of 30 new students
As noted above, there is a significant increase in our applicants which can be attributed in part to recruiting efforts which included phone calls from the faculty to newly admitted students.
Saturday, October 23, 1999
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
General Information
- Welcome, Dean of Enrollment Management
- Meditation, Rina Sircar, Ph.D.
- History & Vision, President Joseph Subbiondo
Program Information
- Overview of our Programs
- Topical Presentation
- Questions & Answers
- Closing Ritual
Applications will be accepted for those programs which enroll students in the Spring semester. Contact the admissions office for more information.
by Pamela Chaloult, Director of Communications & Marketing
Mike Vincenty and I, in conjunction with the Web Committee, have been working diligently on creating a new website for the CIIS community. The first step was to get the new home page up and running. One of the many features on the new page is a rotating file of faculty profiles which will be an integral part of the entire site as it is developed. You will also notice a spinner which highlights our "what's hot" items, and the immediate access to our Continuing Education programs. Other features include a search engine and easier access to our degree programs.
Currently, our site receives between 2,000-2,500 hits a day and it seems to be growing! The admissions and financial aid applications are being downloaded by prospective and new students at a very high rate. This trend mirrors a recent survey that indicated that 86% of prospective students use the internet to research potential schools.
At this time, our home page links to our old site. In the coming months we will be launching a completely new site, so keep your eyes open. If you have suggestions, please feel free to contact me at pamelac@ciis.edu. Until then, keep checking us out at WWW.CIIS.EDU
by Victoria Ritchie, Manager
As we all know, on-line merchandising is experiencing an overwhelming boom these days, and like anything else, textbooks can be bought on-line. In that connection, I’d like to share something just received from the American Booksellers Association.
Key Messages About On-line Booksellers
Despite the perceptions from national publicity and advertising, college and university students very often may buy their textbooks from college bookstores at prices just as low as the on-line booksellers. National findings reveal that textbooks purchased from on-line booksellers are very often not less expensive than those purchased at college bookstores.
Even if the advertised price of a book is less expensive on-line than in the college bookstore, students should remember to add any shipping and handling charges to the on-line order so they have the "actual" cost of the book.
Service Factors of the College Bookstore
In addition to price, students should consider a number of service factors before making their final textbook purchases:
- Is the book being sold on-line the same edition that is being used in class?
- Will the book be available in time to be useful in class?
- Books purchased at the school bookstore can be returned for a refund and the store can grant the refund without shipping charges.
- The InnerLight Bookstore has systems in place to handle purchases made with financial aid monies.
The main point is that no matter where students choose to buy their textbooks, or any products for that matter, they simply need to be informed, particularly when buying on-line. The phrase, "Let the buyer beware" certainly applies when buying products on-line. Issues such as credit card security, product identification, refund policies, and "actual" cost should all be considered. The final decision of where to buy is strictly up to the student. [Back to the top]
A Gala Benefit for CIIS
Friday, October 1, 1999, 6:30 p.m.
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
"Beginnings and endings are always right up against each other. Nothing ever ends without something else beginning or begins without something else ending. Perhaps this would be easier to remember if we had a word for it. Something like endbegin, or beginend."
Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.
- Welcoming Remarks by President Joseph L. Subbiondo
- Theatrical and Musical Entertainment
- Special Exhibit Viewing: The Arts of the Sikh Kingdom—Arts of India, Japan, Himalayas, China, Tibet
- Featured Speaker Rachel Naomi Remen is co-founder of Commonweal, a member of CIIS Council of Sages, and author of Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories that Heal
For ticket ($150 per person) availability, additional information, and volunteer opportunities call Alaina Bixon: (415) 575-6113.
Sponsored with the support of Laurance S. Rockefeller
The entire CIIS community is cordially invited to a celebration marking our rededication to the mission of our Institute.
Wednesday, September 29, 1999
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Namaste Hall, Third Floor
Special Program
Refreshments and Entertainment
September 16
Resurrection, starring Ellen Burstyn, Louis P. Gainsborough Room (307), CIIS*
6:15 p.m.
September 30
Communion classic UFO abduction movie, Louis P. Gainsborough Room (307), CIIS* 6:15 p.m.
September 31
End of Overdue Library Book Amnesty
October 1
Endbeginnings A Gala Benefit for CIIS, Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
October 2
CIIS Board of Trustees meeting
Haridas Chaudhuri Room, 9-12:00 noon
October 14
Powder, a riveting film that begs the question, "what light does transpersonally oriented psychotherapy with spiritual emergencies shed on how to deal with such issues?" Louis P. Gainsborough Room (307), CIIS* 6:15 p.m.
October 23
Open House 10am - 2pm
October 27, Downtown SF
Marianne Williamson
www.learningannex.com
November 12-14
Body & Soul Conference, Hyatt Regency, San Francisco Airport
March 17-20, 2000
Ayahuasca Conference, San Francisco
(415) 575-6290
April 1, 2000
Open House, 10am -2pm
June 2000, Location TBA
U.S. Association for Body Psychotherapy Conference; contact Mark Ludwig (510) 663-9649; e-mail: malud123@aol.com
*Sponsored by Integral Counseling Psychology Program in conjunction with a class on Spiritual Emergency. Films shown on alternate Thursdays; watch future issues for upcoming films.
Jack Weller, director of the Expressive Arts Program, is out on medical leave until November 1st. Jack suffered a heart attack while back-packing in the Sierras in August, and is home recovering and recuperating. He says: "I plan to come back 'better than ever!'" Everyone at CIIS wishes Jack a speedy recovery.
Farewell:
Joyce Brady, Integral Health Studies faculty, left to pursue other teaching opportunities.
Tracey Gersten, Clement Street Counseling Center Manager, leaving to pursue other work.
Transitions:
David Erwin, left his position as student program assistant to the Somatics Program and was hired as an Assistant to the Registrar.
Dexter Young, has recently taken on the role of International Student Advisor, in addition to his duties as Admissions Assistant, following Beatriz Rincon's move to the President's Office.
Welcome:
Naomi Hoffer, has been hired as the newly created position of Student Services & Administrative Coordinator for the Expressive Arts Program.
Jane Fullerton has been working as the temporary Front Desk Receptionist. [Back to the top]
Sports Club Anyone?
We’d like to start a Sports Club for students, staff, faculty who want to have an informal and fun way to hang out together. We aim to meet weekly to play volleyball, soccer, or other coed sports in a park or on a beach. Interested CIIS community can e-mail rupertdavis@yahoo.com or call: (415) 753 0917
New Bike Racks Installed
We are pleased to announce that a new bicycle rack for the entire community, has been installed in the back parking lot. Access to the bike rack can be obtained through the Dean of Students office (room 401). All you need to do is show a valid CIIS ID in exchange for the combination of the lock that locks the gate to the racks. Happy Peddling!
Kranzke Scholarship Deadline Extended
Applications for the Robert Joseph and Wilhelmina Ann Kranzke Scholarship for Psychedelic/Entheogenic research have been extended to September 30.
Up to four $5,000 awards are available for students interested in conducting research and study in the use and application of psychedelic/entheogenic plans and medicine. The scholarship application and guidelines are available in the Financial Aid Office, room 402.
Career Advisory Network
Students in the School of Consciousness and Transformation can now take advantage of a new resource being offered by the Placement office (room 401). The Career Advisor Network is a valuable venue for you to learn more about your field of interest and resources for your professional development. At the same time, it is a great opportunity for you to network and share information with alumni.
If you are interested in speaking informally with alumni about their careers or "world of work" experiences, please come to the Placement Office, Room 401, and ask for more information about the Career Advisor Network. We look forward to the opportunity to help members of the CIIS community make connections that will support their professional advancement!
CIIS Scholarships Awarded
The Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the CIIS Scholarship Program for the 1999-2000 academic year. The recipients are to be commended for their scholarly achievements and dedication to community involvement. The recipients by Scholarship Program include: Diversity: F. Antonio Ramirez-Hernandez, Jessica Lane, Teresa Henderson, Karin Von Daler; International: Jane Miknius, Kyrie SanKaran; Auen-Berger Community: Lori Sampson, Heidi Andersen; Annual Institute: Christina Alexandre, Paul Loper, Elizabeth Shaver; and BAC: Corinna McDonald, Marie France Cote, Daniel Schulke, Stephan Rupsch, and Steven Wedel. Congratulations to these outstanding students!
Expressive Arts Program Is Expanding
Due to an overwhelming number of qualified Fall '99 applicants, the EXA program is very proud to announce that an additional cohort will be admitted into the community in January of 2000. Credit for this success is attributed to strong leadership and direction, to the incredible work of the Admissions office, to the loyalty of the EXA faculty and staff in creating a thorough and high-quality training program, and simply to the larger and unexplained forces that render this a popular time for expressive arts therapy on a global scale. [Back to the top]
Marianne Williamson
In conjunction with the Learning Annex, the Institute is sponsoring an evening with Marianne Williamson, noted author of Abundance, Return to Love, and Enchanted Love, on Wed., October 27. CIIS students are eligible for a discounted rate of $29 ($10 off the regular price of $39). See Learning Annex link on CIIS Website.
Body & Soul Conference
Over the past five years, the Body & Soul conferences have featured an exceptional lineup of world-renowned explorers in the fields of mind/body healing, spirituality, creativity, right livelihood, and social transformation. CIIS is co-sponsoring the November 12-14, 1999 conference in the Hyatt Regency, San Francisco Airport. Two members of our Council of Sages, Ram Dass and Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., will be featured speakers. To register, call (877) 944-3003.
Ayahuasca: Amazonian Shamanism, Science, and Spirituality
First-ever conference devoted solely to "Ayahuasca," the visionary plant brew widely use by indigenous shamans in South America for healing and divination. Many groups and individuals from Western countries have participated in ayahuasca ceremonies in the Amazon, often in conjunction with projects for the preservation of rainforest ecosystems and indigenous cultures. Call Michael Kender at (415) 575-6290 or e-mail: kathyg@ciis.edu.
U.S. Association for Body Psychotherapy
In June 2000, the Institute will co-sponsor the U.S. Association for Body Psychotherapy Conference in San Francisco (location TBA). The mission of the conference is to promote the field of somatic psychotherapy in a non-denominational manner. CIIS students will receive discounts and volunteer opportunities at the conference. Call Mark Ludwig at (510) 663-9649 or e-mail: malud123@aol.com
Sukie Miller, Ph.D. has just published her second book entitled, Finding Hope When A Child Dies. Her first book in 1997, After Death: Mapping the Journey, was praised for paving new ground in the understanding of possible postmortem journeys. Sukie is also in private practice in San Rafael and was recently featured in the August 18th issue of the Pacific Sun.
Roxana Wales, Ph.D., East-West Psychology '94, never imagined that her work as a cultural anthropologist would lead her to work for NASA. Yet today she is part of a NASA research team that is designing software for two major space projects, including one that will explore Mars. (Editor's note: look for an expanded profile of Roxana in the October issue of the Open Eye.)
Joe Bavonese, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology '89, is a licensed psychologist and the director of a business he started called the "Relationship Institute," a psychoeducational service organization helping singles, couples, and parents create healthy relationships. In addition, he sees 25 therapy clients each week and co-leads 3 psychoeducational programs. Joe is the co-author, along with his wife, of a monthly column on relationships in Phenomenews, the Midwest's largest body-mind-spirit magazine. He is also writing a book called Creating Lifelong Loving Relationships.
Innereye
Editor: Pamela Chaloult
Editorial Board: Donna Blakemore, Pamela Chaloult, Cathy Coleman, Phaedra Valencia
The Inner Eye is published every 3 weeks by the Communications & Marketing Department. Next issue: October 7
Articles may be submitted by to candicec@ciis.edu via email or disks may be put in the Inner Eye mailbox. Articles are subject to editing for clarity, length, and appropriateness.
Deadlines: Thursday, September 23 and Thursday, October 14.
1453 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 575-6100 Fax: (415) 575-1264