extension

So much soda! Don't ask who drank all that soda. Just applaud Talcott Elementary School students for collecting plastic bottles and bringing them to their "recycling class." Now, instead of filling up the Summers

County landfill, these empties are destined to find a full life as a new product.

Follow this STAR: Kids will learn, recycle! • by Flor·ita S. Montgomcl'J

Kids love it. Teachers want it. Landfills need it.

"It" is STAR. And STAR works. But now WVU Extension

Service (WVU-ES) educators are asking: Will this STAR continue to bum brightly?

STAR-Schools Together Ad­vance Recycling-had a successful pilot run during two consecutive school years ( 1993-94 and 1994-95).

In the five pilot counties, 40 schools and more than 7,000 students participated in educa­tional activities and recycling projects. Together, the schools and their students kept more

than 35,000 pounds of solid waste out of West Virginia's land­fills. The refuse included steel and aluminum cans, cardboard, newspaper, plastic soda bottles, and mixed office paper.

Working with schools in Boone, Lincoln, Marion, Putnam, and Summers counties, the pilot reached STAR's two goals:

• To increase recycling by pro­viding training, informational support, and educational re­sources.

continued on page 3

4

!JJJJ 1 Greetings from Morgantown! As I write this, we're looking

forward to the permanent arrival of spring, and we're in the middle of the rush of events that culmi­nates in commencement May 12.

It's an exciting and challeng­ing time for the university. Presi­dent David Hardesty has commis­sioned several task forces to ex­amine some of the critical issues at WVU. The Student Affairs Task Force and the Administrative Task Force have completed their work and have presented their reports to the university commu­nity. Adjustments are under way to address some of their recom­mendations. The Research Task Force Report is now on the street for public comment.

There are several new stu­dent initiatives under way on campus. Susan Brown Hardesty is moving rapidly with the forma­tion of WVU parents dubs

2

!77::. mission of the & w~:t Virginia University

Extension Service is to form

learning partnerships with the

people of West Virginia to enable

them to improve their lives and

communities. To these partnerships,

we bring useful research- and

experience-based knowledge that

facilitates critical thinking and skill

development.

throughout the state and neigh­boring regions. The Festival of Ideas brought a group of out­standing speakers to the campus earlier this semester. President Hardesty has announced Opera­tion Jump-Siart to provide the 1996 incoming freshmen with new and additional support for the "freshman experience." Be­ginning this fall, every freshman will join a house-a group of 300-400 students. These stu­dents will go through orientation together, live together in one of the residence halls, and partici­pate together in some of the basic courses. Each house will offer recreational opportunities and learning opportunities-the things that make college special. Also, each house will have a couple of faculty members, maybe a married couple, who will serve as house leaders. The Class of 2000 will have a class advo­cate, a faculty member who will serve as the representative for that class to the university com­munity at large. We expect the class advocate to become an im­portant voice in the life of the university. These examples repre­sent some of the positive things that are happening at WVU to bring the faculty and students closer together. We think these initiatives provide an important service to our students.

Meanwhile, the Extension Task Force is meeting weekly and hopes to complete its report in the next two weeks. President Hardesty continues to give strong support to the employees of the

WVU Extension Service, as un­derscored in his "Letter to the Editor" on page 10 of this issue. We want WVU to be the best uni­versity in the country in terms of service-service to the student body and service to the state. And service is where we come in. We believe that every unit of the uni­versity must be involved in out­reach/ extension activities-the public service function-of the university. We believe there are innovative ways to respond to the issues of public concern in the state. We believe that the Exten­sion Task Force Report will help WVU in the implementation of our historic, three-pronged land-grant mission of teaching, research, and extension in the face of declining human and fis­cal resources.

The Extension Task Force Report soon will be available for public comment. I solicit your views and perspectives on the report, and I look forward to working with you all in the pur­suit of mutually beneficial goals.

Have a look at the articles on the following pages; each reflects one of the many facets of our activities. I hope you will enjoy reading them!

Until next time, my best re­gards.

~ Jr-~c-f Robert H. Maxwell Interim Associate Provost for Extension and Pubtic Service Direcior, Cooperative Extension Service

ExtE ~"on Vision Spring 1996

continued from page 1 • To reduce the volume of solid

waste placed in the state's landfills.

The well-planned program emerged from the WVU-ES Envi­ronmental Stewardship Team's determination to respond to a recognized need for the public to become supportive of and com­mitted to recycling.

Drawing from \VVU-ES' expe­rience in nonformal education, the team decided to focus its efforts on the state's youth.

Consequently, STAR's first glimmer was ignited by a state­wide survey of public schools. Conducted in 1992, the study revealed two key points:

• In general, schools throughout the state lacked direction and support for recycling pro­grams.

• The schools' officials regarded WVU-ES as a reliable resource for recycling education.

Recycle, recycle, recycle! Hinton Elementary School students march to the beat of the recycling drum as they prepare their plastic soda pop bottles for the recycling market. Plans call for these Summers County recyclers to hear the recycling beat from now through their high school years.

Building on those two revela­tions, the Environmental Steward­ship Team developed an in-school recycling program that provides:

• recycling curricula, audiovis­uals, and hands-on instruc­tional materials for teachers;

• certificates, book covers , and other incentives for young recyclers;

• general guidelines for helping the local recycling coordinator gain the cooperation of indi­viduals and organizations that play indispensable roles in moving recyclables from school classrooms to business mar­kets.

During the pilot, extension faculty provided training and support for school-based recy­cling projects. By working in the schools, the educational program encouraged recycling not only among youths but also among parents, school employees, and the community at large.

As they would with any other program, WVU-ES agents molded the pilot to meet their communi­ties' needs. As a result, STAR had

slightly different formations in each of the five counties.

But all produced results. In Summers County, results

amazed a grateful Teri Clark, executive director of Summers County Solid Waste Authority. She credits WVU Extension Agent J. Ancil Schmidt and STAR for expanding her single one-month in-school recycling project into two yearlong programs.

Combining action with edu­cation, STAR had incentives for Summers County teachers and students. It gave students a chance to compete for individual and classroom awards for haul­ing in the most aluminum and plastic soda containers.

For teachers , STAR was a key to opening doors that could help students equate "learning lessons" with "living life." Litter, landfills, composting, and the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) supplemented the curriculum.

Some teachers went beyond the STAR lessons and merged the recycling projects with their basic curriculum. Pete Tabor's stu­dents, for example, found recy­cling interwoven into their math

-

and science lessons at Summers County's Talcott Elementary.

Another bonus for Talcott was money. The recycling fund­money eamed from sale of recyclables-helped the school buy a new photocopy machine and make special purchases for the library. This year, the fund will send eight youngsters to 4-H Camp and Conservation Camp.

The pilot is over in Summers County. But recycling is not. Clark said that she is still working in Summers' three elementary schools and has expanded to three elementaries in Monroe County. Every week she visits at least one elementary school. She works with students in their classrooms, us­ing the STAR curriculum along with educational and incentive materials from the state's Division of Natural Resources.

Clark plans to let STAR rise gradually into her counties' middle and high schools as her STAR-trained pupils are pro­moted from grade to grade. Even­tually, she said, she hopes to have successful in-school recy­cling programs in the high schools, maintained by students who "grew up" recycling.

A similar optimistic note is sounded by WVU Extension Agent David Cooke, who is facili­tating STAR in Boone and Lincoln counties.

4

STAR's educational component focused on the three Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle. Sally Summers, WVU Extension agent in Putnam County, uses big and small boxes to introduce Confidence Elementary School students to enviroshopping -buying products in the right types and sizes of packages to reduce waste.

STAR is continuing in schools in both counties this year. How­ever, Cooke is assisting the two counties in different ways be­cause their situations and needs are different.

Boone is particularly unique. "It's the only county in the

state that provides full garbage service. That translates into $600,000 in solid waste services," Cooke explained. "For every ton tumed into recyclables, you have at least $50 in cost avoidance."

Boone will be expanding and intensifYing its in-school recy­cling program this year via equip­ment and incentives financed by a $70,000 state grant awarded to the county solid waste authority.

Cooke, who wrote the grant request, said the expanded recy­cling program will bring many benefits. including helping Boone County schools "cut the dumpster pulldown fees by half."

Saving money is an incentive. But Cooke does not neglect STAR's educational objective: "Educate the children; the children educate the families," he said.

The STAR curriculum, he explained, is part of the recycling effort in his participating schools.

STAR's future is not as bright everywhere. A successful educa­tional and recycling effort has been curtailed, for example, in Putnam County schools.

During the pilot, more than 2,000 STAR participants pro­tected landfills from receiving more than six tons of solid waste. The refuse was recycled. But that may not happen in 1996.

In a letter to participating schools, Putnam County's WVU Extension Office and the Putnam County Solid Waste Authority explained that the various ex­penses associated with conduct­ing the recycling program had exceeded the market value of the recyclable materials.

Consequently, the solid waste authority had to drop its role-at least temporarily-in STAR.

"Some schools are continuing to encourage recycling, and some are offering some kinds of incen­tives," explained Sally Summers, WVU Extension agent in Putnam County.

STAR STAR relies on many players. But three key players must be on stage at all times for the curtain to rise for STAR and for STAR to shine brightly. Ironically, the three elements in the recycling logo seem to symbolize those three key players-school officials, local solid waste officials, and waste haulers.

Extension Vision: Spring 1 996

Want more information about recycling? Check with your county's solid waste authority. If you're not sure where to begin, your "contact to a contact" in your county or region is Rita Meneses, a planner with the W.Va. Solid Waste Management Board. Write her at: W.Va. Solid Waste Management Board, 1615 Washington Street East, Charleston, wv 25311-2126.

However, she realizes that without local haulers and the solid waste authority participating in a formal arrangement with the schools , individual schools won't be able to handle their previous quantity or variety of recyclables .

As a member of the team that conducted the original statewide research, planned the program, and then tested the pilot, Sum­mers is particularly proud of STAR's achievements in her own county. That success, however, also intensifies the disappoint­ment she feels now that a few clouds have dimmed STAR in Putnam County.

"If I had it to do over again, I would. This is my baby. I've nur­tured this program: I helped con­ceive it. I watched it grow. I picked it up when it fell," Sum­mers explained.

Planning to re-introduce the full STAR program into Putnam's schools whenever possible, Sum­mers emphasized her commit­ment to recycling and recycling education: "I don't look at it as a burden. I look at it as a real op­portunity."

Despite her disappointment over her local program's lag, Summers recognizes STAR as a "major achievement" in program development.

Extension Vision: Spring 1996

"Extension's role, " she stressed, "is to research (the problem), develop a program from the research results , pilot the program, evaluate it, and then share the results. "

"This was real exciting for me .. .. Now, I hope others will pick up the program," Summers said.

Summers' faith in STAR's bright future is understandable. Other counties are recycling. That's because they have found markets for their recyclables. Recycling programs must have markets for their "goods."

That's the nature of the recy­cling world: Recycling is good for nature. Recycling also can be good for business. Unfortunately, the single achievement of being "good for nature" cannot stabilize and guarantee the future of a recycling venture. The nature of the business world requires that recycling also have at least one more achievement: Be cost effec­tive .

Many strategies undergird a stable recycling venture. Long-term broker relationships, nearby markets, recycling coop­eratives, and real dollars are among the supports recycling programs need.

Those supports are develop­ing. And West Virginians are

recycling. More and more will do so-some, because of their own enlightenment; others, as a result of the state's mandates.

Today, in some communities, West Virginians have no choice. The state's 15 municipalities that have a population of 10,000 or more must operate curbside col­lection programs for recyclable materials .

Though a voluntary program, STAR is one way communities can help its residents adopt the recycling habit.

Can STAR burn brightly past its brilliant pilot stage?

It can and it should, accord­ing to Rita Meneses.

A planner with the West Vir­ginia Solid Waste Management Board, Meneses has been "push­ing STAR."

People recognize that STAR works , she said.

What STAR and other recy­cling initiatives need, Meneses explained, are volunteers (to coor­dinate the program) and funds (to handle program costs, which for STAR would include buying in­centives for students and pur­chasing school recycling bins).

A one-time $5,000 WVU-ES grant funded the pilot for two years in five counties. The pilot's funds purchased curriculum materials, pencils, book covers, and other incentives. Any other costs schools had-such as pur­chasing bins-were covered through arrangements with haul­ers, the solid waste authority, or other donors.

Meneses believes that com­munities can develop STAR for their schools if they develop good cooperation between public agen­cies (schools and solid waste authorities) and private organiza­tions (such as haulers and pri­vate recycling facilities).

In the meantime, STAR re­mains a success story waiting in the wings of the auditoriums of most West Virginia schools.

•

5

Special bio-diffuser pipe installed in a constructed wetlands system offers 60-percent more efficient infiltration than conventional gravel and seepage tile systems.

Wetlands: 101d-new' approach to wastewater • b.v Gt·act~ 'l't·umau

Constructed wetlands are gaining favor in several small West Virginia communities as an "old-new" approach to wastewater treatment.

These low-cost. low-mainte­nance systems apply new re­search findings to the old-fash­ioned septic system. The concept is simple but effective: A multi-

6

layer bed of rocks and plants set between the septic tank and the leach field can eliminate or dras­tically reduce discharge to that field.

''This is an alternative system that works," says Steve Trail , sani­tarian for the Summers County Health Department. "We're gather­ing the analytical data that proves they work, and that is helping to build acceptance."

Trail had worked with Frank Schutz, coordinator of West Vir­ginia University's rural wastewa­ter treatment program, to develop three prototype systems for single households in the early 1990s. As he continues to learn and experi­ment with constructed wetlands, he sees a lot of potential for their use statewide.

Installing and maintaining a conventional centralized sewerage system is becoming "absolutely cost-prohibitive" for many small,

rural communities in West Vir­ginia, Trail explains. So, about half of the state's population still relies on septic systems, holding tanks, and other disposal meth­ods. If these systems fail, the result can be drinking water con­tamination, river and stream pollution, health hazards, odor problems, and land that can no longer be used or enjoyed .

The dilemma was a reality for the tiny ridgetop community of True in Summers County three years ago. An existing cesspool system was not functioning satis­factorily, and sewage was being carried by nearby streams into the Bluestone River. The isolated enclave of seven households could not look to a public sewer line to solve the problem.

To help these families, sani­tarian Trail joined forces with West Virginia University Exten­sion agent J. Ancil Schmidt and

Extension Vision: Spring 1996

Jerry Brackenrich, district con­servationist for the Natural Re­sources Conservation Service. Their goal was to develop a con­structed wetlands system for the residents ofTrue.

"It just makes sense to allow Mother Nature to efficiently treat wastewater, and that's what these systems do," said Schmidt. "Research indicates that they are effective 95 percer;t of the time, and you can build them for a tenth of the cost of some conven­tional systems."

A constructed wetland at­tempts to mimic the purification activity of a naturally occurring wetland or swamp. The gravity­fed system begins with a conven­tional septic tank to settle out a majority of the solids in the sew­age. The next phase is the wet­land, followed by the leach field or discharge lines.

The wetland is a multilayer rectangular bed with one or more cells. Large field stones form the bottom layer. On top of these is a layer of smaller stones. Native water-loving plants, such as bul­rushes and cattails, are trans­planted into the top layer.

Effluent from the septic tank enters the bed in the large stone area. There, protozoa feed on bacteria and other microscopic life; the water-loving plants re­move nitrogen, phosphorus, po­tassium, and heavy metals from

Extension Vision: Spring 1996

the liquid. The sun-heated rocks aid in evaporation. If the system is working properly, the result of all these activities is that no liquid is discharged into the leach field.

The True system was mod­eled after a constructed wet­lands system in Monterey, Va. And that system was based on research conducted by the Na­tional Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the late 1980s. (NASA was looking at various options for treating wastewater at a space station.)

Schmidt and his colleagues organized several tours of the Monterey system to help West Virginians learn more about constructed wetlands. Partici­pants in these trips included representatives from the Fayette County Commission, Summers County Health Department, McDowell County Public Service Districts, WVU Extension Ser­vice, and Natural Resource Con­servation Service.

The True wetlands con­struction was completed and put into operation in July 1994. Total cost was about $15,000. While immediate improvement was noticeable, the system did not meet state-specified dis­charge limitations for the first

Top: Raw sewage seeps through a pasture near a failing cesspool system, creating a health hazard and odor problem for families living nearby.

Bottom: Young workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps place stones and set the discharge piping for the True constructed wetlands.

7

five quarterly lab testings. "We found that we had made

two mistakes in installation, " Schmidt explained. "First, we had some exposed liquid because the rock/ gravel layer was not deep enough. We needed about six more inches, and we have been able to partially correct that. "

The second problem stemmed from a bad decision. To hold down expenses for the homeowners, the project team had agreed to pump the old cess­pool up into the constructed wet­lands system for treatment. This accumulated sewage grossly in­flated the levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total sus­pended solids, nitrogen, and fecal coliform for the first 18 months of operation.

"As with any research, we've learned from this," Schmidt added. "All future systems will have the old septic tank contents pumped and hauled away to prevent high discharge levels."

True's system "passed with flying colors" on the sixth round of quarterly testing in December 1995. Lab monitoring will con­tinue through 1999.

After the True system came on line, Schmidt was asked by the owner of a Greenbrier County housing complex to develop a constructed wetlands system for

that site. He worked closely with that county's sanitarian to design a four-cell system that can serve up to 10 homes.

Actual construction costs for the Snowflake system totaled $10,053 . The property owner saved about $75,000 compared to installation of a conventional aerator system. And, the savings continue because the wetlands system requires no electricity or operator and has no mechanical components to maintain.

Schmidt says additional projects are on the drawing board for locations in Summers County. He also is working with sanitar­ians in Nicholas and Fayette counties, where his extension agent assignment moved last year. Other extension faculty are helping local officials in Boone, Monongalia, and Tucker counties to explore alternative wastewater treatment projects.

An engineer himself, WVU's Schutz concedes that these pro­fessionals generally have been slow to endorse alternative treat­ment schemes. "Most are not particularly inclined to use any­thing but the most conventional systems," he said. Consulting contracts that base engineering fees on a percentage of the con­struction costs actually provide a disincentive for engineers to rec-

ommend low-cost plans. Schutz also sees a pressing

need for state regulatory agencies to allow for more flexibility to adopt innovative technologies.

"West Virginia is a very re­strictive state in terms of what kinds of systems you can put in," he observed. "We need to come up with a program to simplify the application process, accommo­date a number of small communi­ties, provide active technical sup­port, and buy into these low-cost systems."

Trail agrees. He considers the True project an excellent example of intergovernmental cooperation, which he sees as essential to tackling these complex issues.

"The whole system is inter­locked," he noted. "All players, including the government agen­cies charged with correcting sew­age problems and issuing per­mits, have to be convinced that these systems will work.

"A key role that the Extension Service can play and is playing is providing education, both techno­logical and philosophical," he added. "The Extension Service has helped people change their feel­ings about these systems. A lot of resistance is breaking down, and we have been able to make a lot progress because of that."

•

Representatives from state and local agencies cooperating in the True constructed wetland project survey the treatment site.

8 Extension Vision: Spring 1996

Discharge pipes carry wastewater that has been treated naturally in the wetlands to the infiltration field.

Water-loving bulrushes and cattails, planted atop a constructed wetland, help remove nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and heavy metals from wastewater.

Fencing protects the finished wetland from pets, grazing livestock, and other intruders.

Extension Vision: Spring 1996

I •

9

To the Editor:

West Virginia University

NEWS

NEWS SERVICE 200 Clark Hall P.O. BOX 6688 MORGANTOWN WV 26506-6688 304-293-6997 FAX 304-293-7159

Wednesday, Feb. 7, is the anniversary of the founding of West Virginia University. In Morgantown, faculty, staff and students will be observing the 129th birthday by eating slices from a huge cake in our student union, the Mountainlair.

I wish everyone whom the University touches could have a slice of that cake and could join in the celebration with us--our alumni, the parents of our students, Mountain­eer sports fans, and especially our West Virginia citizens whose lives are touched by our Extension faculty and staff.

Missing from our on-campus celebration will be many of our WVU Extension agents, who live and work in each of the state's 55 counties. These faculty, along with the Exten­sion specialists. professionals and support staff, bring West Virginia University directly to the citizens of our state. As they work with local citizens--individually and in groups--Extension faculty and staff translate WVU's research and knowledge into action.

Targeting local problems, Extension educators address social, economic and technical concerns. The people of your county may recognize some of the work of WVU Extension in their communities. They may see the helping hand of Extension:

--when volunteer firefighters learn to protect families and property. --when children learn skills that help them build character and plan careers. More

than 20,000 youths "learned by doing" through 4-H projects and programs; another 20,000 special youth populations participated in school retention and enhancement pro­grams.

--when individuals learn new ways to produce income. --when volunteers are trained to serve West Virginia's communities and schools. --when farmers improve productivity. Through integrated pest management, farmers

are saving money by learning to control crop pests with fewer pesticides. Through total resource management, soil testing and other Extension programs. farmers are employing better production and management practices for livestock and produce.

--when landowners learn to use natural resources more wisely. --when families become more resilient and healthy. For example, 929 rural families

and more than 8,000 homemakers have learned nutrition. food management and food preparation skills. Families in all 55 countries participated in WVU Extension skill-building programs that are helping them employ positive child care, family commu­nication and health care strategies.

--when managers and laborers improve relations and workplace safety. --when local governments learn strategies to tackle economic and community devel-

opment issues. --when industries. manufacturers and other businesses increase productivity and

retain jobs for West Virginians. Ninety-one projects coordinated by WVU Industrial Exten­sion have made West Virginia's industries and manufacturers more competitive. As a result of other efforts, many jobs have been created or saved through WVU Extension's business and retention assistance to more than 145 enterprises.

That's just a small sample. On behalf of WVU, I want to publicly thank the people who work for the University and the state through the Extension Service, and I would like to invite members of the community where these individuals work also to offer their thanks for benefits Extension faculty and staff provide.

David C. Hardesty, Jr. President, West Virginia University

Faculty study Indonesian labor groups • by Jm·•·y Kessel

Interdisciplinary interests can generate positive results.

Take the College of Business and Economics (B&E) and the Extension Service. Together their faculties have generated various projects for over 30 years.

Today, they work together

Extension Vision: Spring 1996

Indonesian workmen tune metal gongs as they strive to meet advance orders.

through the Institute of Industrial and Labor Relations (IILR), a joint program of B&E's Department of Industrial and Labor Relations and extension's Institute for La­bor Studies and Research (ILSR).

The latest project, sponsored by the U.S . Information Agency, involved an exchange reflecting the global economy.

In October 1994, the first phase involved seven delegates from Indonesia's trade union movement and legal aid system who spent three weeks in the United States, using Morgantown as their base. B&E and ILSR were their hosts.

The second phase, from Oct.20-Nov.5 last year, occurred in Indonesia. Sarah Etherton,

extension assistant professor, and Owen Tapper, associate pro­fessor, with the ILSR's Institute for Labor Studies; and Randy! Elkin, B&E industrial relations professor, provided educational programs for government, educa­tion, and labor officials . They also learned about the economy and labor situation in Indonesia.

Alternative dispute resolution in labor issues was the topic of the visits.

No business or management schools in Indonesia teach indus­trial relations. Instead, law facul­ties do. The WVU team met with members of the University of Indonesia law faculty.

Moving into the marketplace, they toured a model factory. The

ll

••

I •

Argo Pantes Textile Company in Jakarta employs 4,000 people. The enterprise includes a com­pany store and dormitory accom­modations for male workers.

Most of the educational ex­change occurred in Jakarta. But one and a half days were spent in Surabaya (a one-hour flight) with Center for Labor Studies and law faculty from Brawijaya University in Malang and with labor activists.

"Indonesia has official unions and unofficial unions," Dr. Etherton said. "Disputes are gen­erally handled by the government and the military rather than be­tween management and labor."

Because of historical circum­stances, economic necessity, and some doctrinal predisposition, Indonesia's armed forces retained considerable influence in the workings of the national economy until the early 1990s.

Economic policy decision­making then became the role of Western-trained economists and managers.

Dr. Elkin is "optimistic that some forces for change are at work to make the system more democratic." As he viewed an economy that's becoming an Asian power, he found the role of the law especially interesting.

For instance, Elkin noted, "The influence of the military in workplace resolutions has not been seen in the United States since early in the century." As he

made presentations to three WVU classes contrasting the two sys­tems, he found his Indonesian observances "particularly appro­priate in conflict resolution."

"The exchange gave me a much better perspective on our own problems and the things we take for granted under the demo­cratic process," Etherton said.

An unexpected part of the trip was experiencing gridlock. Etherton and Elkin caught a firsthand view of the massive traffic jams in Jakarta.

"We watched from our hotel," Etherton said. "The street was filled with vehicles. Citizens take it upon themselves to direct traf­fic. Appreciative drivers reward them with tips."

Small wonder traffic comes to a standstill. Jakarta alone ac­counts for more than 33 percent of all automobiles in the archipelago.

Tapper's discussions with the Indonesians emphasized the U.S. grievance procedure that ends in binding arbitration.

According to academic stud­ies and unions, Tapper said, the labor court system in Indonesia is not working. "There are problems and there are alternatives," he continued. "As fast as the country is growing, they'd better take a look at revising the system."

Noting the ease of television reception, Tapper believes the medium will raise the expectations of the young people. "They'll have

WVU faculty members Owen Tapper, back row, third from left; Randyl Elkin, third from right; and Sarah Etherton, second from right; confer with SPSI, Indonesia's official union.

Right: A carpenter turns a lathe at an outdoor work site.

12

hope. Television also will bring changes to politics, labor, and the power structure," he said.

The IILR operates on the con­cept that the soundest, renewable form of economic development is multifaceted. It depends on the development of human resources and reasonable, productive rela­tionships from those in the mar­ketplace-workers, managers/ owners, and public officials. Such a structure involves impartial study, research, and public ser­vice.

THE IILR is not directly in­volved in providing credit instruc­tion. Rather, it serves as a source of impartial data pertaining to human resources development problems in general and labor-management relations problems in particular.

IILR programs include: • analysis of state economic

trends,

• labor force requirements,

• cross section analysis of state labor laws,

• bibliographic studies pertain­ing to economic development and labor-management rela­tions,and

Extension Vision: Spring 1 996

• case studies of notable experi­ments in labor-management participation.

Recalling some of the IILR service projects, Frederick A. Zeller Jr., ILSR's Human Resources Research program leader, explained, "Economic development studies have in­cluded labor market analyses for counties and for Delta 6, a six­county labor- management group in the Northem Panhandle, surveys for individual companies, and evaluations of worker train­ing programs."

This spring, he explained, a team of industrial relations re­searchers plans to begin an ex­tensive labor leadership study about the changes in the roles of union workers and managers, particularly during collective bargaining agreements.

ILSR faculty will work with Dieter Schaupp, B&E industrial and labor relations professor. Results of the study are expected to be incorporated into the ILSR curriculum.

Since its founding, the Ex­tension Service has been the major service arm of West Vir­ginia University. And, as part

West Virginia's comprehensive land-grant university, the College of Business and Economics is committed to outreach activities and programs. The college recog­nizes both its special service re­sponsibility to the state and the importance of reaching a national and international audience with its research and publications.

After all, in a global economy, prosperity is everybody's business.

•

Gridlock (top photo) occurs daily in Jakarta; (right) WVU faculty meet with members of the Indonesian Prosperity Labor Union (SBSI), the unofficial national union; (below) pleased about their discussions are an Indonesian laborer and WVU's Owen Tapper.

Donna Hudgins of Walker, left, West Virginia Extension Homemakers Council president, and Francoise Stauber, education coordinator for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program, are all smiles about establishing

good partnerships with new organizations in the statewide campaign against breast cancer.

Screening for cancer worth effort • by Jm·t·y Kessel

"You cannot understand what it's like to have a breast removed unless it has happened to you." So say survivors of breast cancer.

They, and others statewide, have joined forces to increase awareness of lifesaving early de­tection practices.

A 1994 WVU Extension Ser­vice Annual Report feature story told, among other experiences, about future educational out­reach between the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health and

14

Extension Homemakers. Specifically, "YWI is being

adopted statewide by Extension Homemakers clubs in 1995."

YWI? Yes, "You're Worth It"-a statewide breast and cervical cancer screening program offered by the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health through the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center at West Virginia University.

Why all the concern about early detection of breast cancer? Because breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. In 1993, 1,148 West Virginia women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 327 died of the disease.

Research shows that breast cancer deaths could be reduced by at least 30 percent if women followed recommended breast cancer screening guidelines.

These include routine mam­mograms for all women over 40, yearly examination by a physi-

cian or nurse, and monthly breast self-examination.

One out of eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer. The message to women is clear: Become aware you are at risk and discuss a screening program with your health care providers.

Nationwide, October is desig­nated as Breast Cancer Aware­ness Month. Last Oct. 2, Exten­sion Homemakers in all 55 coun­ties joined in the observance of West Virginia Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

First Lady Rachael Worby opened the statewide campaign to promote breast cancer awareness at a press conference in Charles­ton. She also hung a symbolic wreath at an entrance to the capitol.

Extension Homemakers de­signed that wreath and the ones they placed at county court­houses on Oct. 2.

Extens1on Vis1on: Spnng 1 996

Although the designs varied, all contained pink ribbon-the national symbol for breast cancer awareness. The Marshall County wreath, designed by Extension Homemaker Connie Crow of Bow­man Ridge, focused on a cherub in memory of those who have died of breast cancer. A pink rose symbolized life to those who have survived.

Other groups participating were the American Cancer Society, West Virginia Division; the Ameri­can Association of Retired Per­sons, West Virginia Division; the National Black Leadership Initia-

Extension Vis1on: Spnng 1996

tive on Cancer; the Cancer Infor­mation Service; local health care providers and community leaders; and breast cancer survivors.

At the Berkeley County Courthouse on Oct. 2, Lizzie Lowe of Inwood said she owes her life to an early diagnosis. Survivors like Lowe wanted to tell their stories and raise the awareness of others.

Among them is Deb Stuart of Charles Town. After undergoing chemotherapy, Stuart is partici­pating in a study on breast can­cer patients conducted by the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md.

~-...,r ,~

Joining in the presentation of wreaths Oct. 2 were (top photo), from left, Betty Jo Whipkey, Extension Family Issues chair; Joyce Landacre, area director for the Monongalia County American Cancer Society; and Florence Merow, 1995 president of the Monongalia County Commission; (below) BCCSP coordinators and cancer information specialists are among those planning the second Oct. 2 observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Day; {left photo) Jean Milton, left, New Cumberland Woman's Club GFWC; George Kource, Hancock County commissioner; and Iris Cuppy, Hancock County Extension Homemakers Council president; take part in courthouse ceremony.

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"I have daughters, and I wanted to do what I could to help other women," Stuart said at the Jefferson County Courthouse awareness day ceremony.

At the Jackson County obser­vance, two-time cancer survivor Artist Taylor said overcoming fear is an essential step. "The first time I thought I had cancer, there was tremendous fear."

Taylor, who has overcome colon and breast cancer, de­clared, "Fear doesn't change any­thing. The way to fight cancer is to pursue it, control it, and get on with your life."

She advised, "If you find a change in your body, go see the doctor immediately. With early detection, you're in control. It's a happy time-you've found it, and

Obstetrician/ gynecologist Dr. Carlotta Evans, seated at far left, met with Nicholas County participants in Summersville following her presentation to women about the importance of cancer screening and early detection .

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Robert H. Maxwell Interim Associate Provost for Extension and Public Service Director, Cooperative Extension Service P.O. Box 6031, Knapp Hall Morgantown, WV 26505-6031

Helping you put knowledge to work

956-3558

now you can do something about it and get on with the rest of your life."

Those wh o missed their county programs last year can plan now for the Oct. 2, 1996, Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The Extension Homemakers are continuing their support.

"The Extension Homemakers have been great to work with and are eager to work with us again," noted Francoise Stauber, YWI education coordinator. "Isn't that great?"

Those who want to find out about free or low-cost breast ex­ams and mammograms can call their local health department or clinic. Finding breast cancer early can save lives. Just ask a survivor.

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Nonprofit O rganization U.S. Postage PAID Morgantown, WV

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