This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• Happy Holidays from VCSU!
• Da Vinha joins Brazilian research group
• Viking Sports Update
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

The VCSU Hotline! online newsletter is published every Monday during the academic year. Deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 3 p.m. the Friday before publication.

Happy Holidays from VCSU!

Thank you for your support in so many ways during 2017. It was another great year to be a Viking!

Please check out our holiday greeting at www.vcsu.edu/president/vp.htm?p=3889.

Da Vinha joins Brazilian research group

Luis da Vinha, Ph.D., assistant professor of geography and political science, has joined the Group of Advanced Studies on Peace and International Conflict – Grupo se Estudos Avançados Sobre Paz e Conflitos Internacionais (GEAPCI) – as a guest researcher. GEAPCI was founded by the International Relations Department of the Federal University of Tocantins (Brazil) and seeks to bring together a wide assortment of academics and researchers focusing on peace and conflict studies.

Da Vinha has already collaborated on several of GEAPCI’s projects. He has co-authored, with Anthony Dutton (VCSU), a chapter titled “From ‘Gringos Malhechores’ to ‘Bad Hombres’: The Changing Narratives and Politics of the Mexican-American Border” for the book (Re)Definições das Fronteiras: Velhos e Novos Paradigmas. The chapter analyzes the way the Mexican-American border has been perceived by the two nations over the last two centuries. Da Vinha has also participated in the group’s third meeting by contributing to a guest lecture on the theme of “New and Old Wars.”

Da Vinha was the first international scholar to join GEAPCI and is currently the only American academic on the research team.

More information can be found at: http://dgp.cnpq.br/dgp/espelhogrupo/5807230300951409.

Viking sports update

Women’s Basketball
Friday: VCSU 95, Mayville State 84
Saturday: VCSU 73, Waldorf University 49
The Viking women’s basketball team remained undefeated with two more victories this weekend, including a 95-84 win over No. 16-ranked Mayville State University. VCSU is now 10-0 overall and 3-0 in the NSAA. The Vikings host rival University of Jamestown on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Men’s Basketball
Tuesday: VCSU 74, Concordia–Moorhead 57
Friday: Mayville State 74, VCSU 65
Saturday: Waldorf University 66, VCSU 60
The Valley City State men’s basketball team posted a 1-2 record this past week and are now 4-9 overall and 0-3 in the NSAA. VCSU plays an exhibition game Tuesday at NDSU and then hosts rival University of Jamestown on Friday at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Track & Field
The Valley City State track and field team took several competitors to Fargo for the North Dakota State University Dakota Classic on Friday. Results from the meet can be found at www.vcsuvikings.com/stats/2017-18/Track_and_Field/2017%20Dakota%20Classic%20Results.pdf.

Upcoming Events
Dec. 12: Men's basketball @ North Dakota State University, 7 p.m. (exhibition)
Dec. 15: Women's/men's basketball vs. University of Jamestown, 5:30/7:30 p.m.
Dec. 16: Women's/men's basketball vs. Presentation College, 3/5 p.m.

What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City ...

Monday, December 11
Finals Week
5:30 Public input meeting on proposed streetscape improvements, Valley City High School cafeteria

Tuesday, December 12
Hanukkah begins at sundown
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW
7 p.m. Viking men’s basketball @ North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D.
7:30 Courthouse caroling, Barnes County Courthouse

Wednesday, December 13
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town and Country Club
3–5 p.m. VCSU community holiday social, Student Center Skoal Room

Thursday, December 14
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Norway Room
3:30 Winter commencement, Vangstad Auditorium
8:30–10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, December 15
Payday
5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball vs. University of Jamestown, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse

Saturday, December 16
3 and 5 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball vs. Presentation College, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse

Sunday, December 17
6–8 p.m. Family skate night, Youth Sports Complex, free admission with donation to Barnes County Food Pantry or Abused Persons Outreach Center

Monday, December 18

Tuesday, December 19
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, December 20
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town and Country Club

Thursday, December 21
First day of winter
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Norway Room
8:30–10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, December 22

Saturday, December 23

Sunday, December 24
Christmas Eve

Monday, December 25
Christmas Day
VCSU campus closed