news briefings

Swim programs for youngsters of all ages and lifeguard training will be offered this spring and summer at Western Carolina University.

The Tiny Tot Swim Program will be held weekdays, June 2 – 13, July 21 – Aug. 1 and Aug. 4 – 15 at WCU’s Reid Gymnasium Pool. The classes are designed for children ages 1 through 5, and each child must be accompanied by an adult.

Classes for children ages 1 – 3 will be held 5:30 to 6 P. M., and classes for children ages 3 – 5 will be held 6:15 to 6:45 P. M. Three-year-old children can take either class based on skill level. The cost is $25 per child.

The WCU Youth Summer Swim Program, for children age 6 and over, will be offered June 2 – 20 and June 23 – July 11 at Reid Pool. Classes will meet at various times, based on the child’s skill level, from 8:45 to 11:30 A. M. A specialized program for exceptional young swimmers will take place June 23 – July 11. Classes will meet weekdays at Reid Pool from 8 to 8:45 A. M. with instruction from beginner to advanced. The cost for all Youth Swim Program classes is $50 per child, and registration is required by May 12.

Instructor for the courses is Michael Creason, assistant professor in the department of Health and Human Performance. A swimming instructor for 26 years, Creason is certified by the American Red Cross to teach infants and children.

A lifeguard training course will take place Saturday, April 26, in Reid Pool from 9 A. M. to 1 P. M., and on Saturday, May 3, in Room 128 of the Reid Fitness Center from 1:30 to 5:30 P. M. Participants must be at least 15 years old. The cost is $85 per person. Each participant will receive lifeguard, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificates approved by the American Red Cross upon completion of the class. Lifeguard and first aid certifications are valid for three years and CPR certification is valid for one year.

Instructor Otto Spilker, retired professor in the department of Health and Human performance, is certified as an instructor trainer for lifeguarding, water safety and various CPR courses. Spilker has more than 40 years teaching experience at WCU. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, contact WCU’s Division of Continuing Education and Summer School toll free at (800) 928-4968.

WCU TO OFFER “LEGAL ISSUES IN HUMAN RESOURCES”

Western Carolina University will offer a new course this summer on “Legal Issues in Human Resources,” July 7 through Aug. 8.

The three credit hour elective course will be a combination of classroom and online instruction. Classes will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8:50 P. M. in Karpen Hall on the University of North Carolina at Asheville campus.

Topics covered will include the Family Medical Leave Act, Title VII, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and Equal Employment Opportunity regulations.

“The learning objectives for the course are not focused on turning students into legal experts, but rather providing students with a general understanding of thelegal issues and how they impact the various functions carried out by the human resource professional,” said John Sherlock, WCU assistant professor of Human Services and instructor for the course.

Such functions include recruiting and selection, compensations and benefits, providing a safe and fulfilling workplace culture, employee relations and performancemanagement, Sherlock said. Students who complete the course will identify a number of Web-related resources to help them stay up-to-date on the issues and network with other HR professionals regarding legal issues.

Prior to becoming a WCU instructor, Sherlock worked for more than 15 years in the high-tech industry in management and executive positions.

For more information or to register, contact WCU’s Programs in Asheville at (828) 251-6642.

WCU’S CATAMOUNT CLUB AUCTION SET FOR MAY 31 AT LOWE’S MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Western Carolina University’s Catamount Club will hold its annual Athletic Scholarship Auction at the Speedway Club at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in the Charlotte area on Saturday, May 31.

The auction has become the cornerstone event in Catamount Club efforts to raise funds to provide athletic scholarships for men and women student-athletes at WCU. Among the items available to the highest bidder are Super Bowl tickets, ACC Tournament tickets, a pontoon boat, furniture, beach resort packages, cabin getaways, Catamount apparel, Carolina Panther tickets, golf packages, NASCAR items and autographed NFL merchandise.

This marks the fifth straight year that the auction has been held at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Previous fund-raisers have been held in Ericsson Stadium inCharlotte. Proceeds from last year’s event brought approximately $70,000 to WCU’s athletic scholarship fund, and the goal for this year’s event is $80,000.