October 3, 2007
NEW OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY OPENS
Think of it—recycling, transportation, a campus garden, a bicycle collective, energy and water conservation—these are just some of the focus areas of the U’s new Office of Sustainability, which will be launched at a celebration on Thursday, Oct. 4 beginning at 10 a.m. on the Olpin Union west patio. The event will join with ASUU’s “Campus Environmental Impact Day,” featuring an overview of the new campus master plan, alternative fuel vehicles (veggie oil shuttle bus and vehicles that run on natural gas, biofuel, and electricity), and information on electricity consumption and conservation, campus agriculture and dining, recycling, and the bicycle collective and repair shop. President Young is scheduled to speak at 10:30 a.m. Additional speakers include Office of Sustainability Director Craig Forster and ASUU President Spencer Pearson.
Sustainability=Environmental stewardship, social
responsibility, and economic progress
The new office will establish the U as a leader and innovator in the field of sustainability by promoting environmentally responsible practices and behaviors, fostering a culture and ethic of sustainability, and creating a campus wide sustainability network. One of the first projects will be to produce a baseline ecological footprint analysis of campus.
For more information, contact Craig Forster, Office of Sustainability, at 581-3864 or craig.forster@utah.edu.
ONE YEAR TO GO—MARRIOTT LIBRARY RENOVATION UPDATE
Scheduled for completion in July 2008, the Marriott Library renovation project is on schedule. Ian Godfrey, facilities and access services manager and renovation manager for the library, answered a few questions for us. He reminds us that on Oct. 15, the library’s east entrance will close. During the final year of the project, library access will be only via the west entrance adjacent to the Campus Store.
What percent of the renovation has been completed to date? Current construction documents indicate we are approximately 75 percent complete. The majority of the exterior upgrade and associated seismic reinforcement is behind us.
Which areas have moved into the renovated space? Preservation and bindery has moved into its new permanent space in the southwest corner of Level 5. The science and engineering, government documents, and instruction divisions have also moved into their permanent spaces on Level 1. The entire west half of the library was completed Oct. 1 but is largely filled with temporary patron spaces to accommodate users and public service staff during the final phase of renovation.
Is the cost holding? Or is it costing more? The State of Utah’s Division of Facilities Management and the U have settled on a guaranteed maximum price. Material costs have increased since the project was initially bid.
Who are the project designers and contractors? MJSA Architects in Salt Lake City designed the renovation and Okland Construction is the general contractor for the project.
What are you most excited to have library patrons see once it’s open? I believe library patrons will be most excited to use the Knowledge Commons (KC), a nearly 26,000 square foot space on Level 2 where students can get reference assistance from library professionals, IT help, or use one of 20 group study rooms. The KC also will have more than 200 computers in various configurations to accommodate single students or groups working together.
How is the renovation increasing safety in the building? The largest part of the renovation has been the seismic upgrade. Sixteen chevron braces have been added around the perimeter of the 1968 building and are tied into the floor slab at each level. Additionally, the more than 70 columns inside the building have been reinforced and enlarged. At the conclusion of the project the library is projected to withstand a 7.2 earthquake and sustain only repairable damage. New electrical systems will alleviate former problems with overloaded circuits.
What are some additional benefits of the renovation in addition to safety? Programmatically, the renovation project has allowed us to add new services. The Automated Retrieval Center will house up to two million volumes. By clearing space previously occupied with books, we have been able to build on Level 1 eight new classrooms that will benefit the entire campus.
How is it that glass walls are good earthquake-proofing material? The composite panels that used to be on the exterior of the library would have sheered off in a seismic event. The glass is much lighter and the brace frames are meant to keep the building from moving in an earthquake.
Once finished, will this library be unique in any way when compared with other campus libraries around the country? Few libraries around the country have automated retrieval systems. Currently, HK Systems bills the Marriott Library as having the largest automated library system in America.
To see a slide show of the renovation project, click here.
FORMER SURGEON GENERAL DAVID SATCHER TO SPEAK ON HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND OBESITY
Thurs., Oct. 4, noon to 1 p.m.
Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Dumke Auditorium
David Satcher, 16th U.S. surgeon general under President Clinton and former assistant secretary for health, will address concerns of obesity and the importance of healthy lifestyles in the eleventh annual Rocco C. and Marion S. Siciliano Forum. The lecture is free and open to the public. Satcher’s lecture, titled “Revisiting the Call to Action on Obesity: A Focus on Healthy Lifestyles,” will examine the increasing rate of obesity in the United States and the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles rather than weight loss alone as a solution.
Walk the Gold Medal Mile |
“The proportion of the American population considered overweight or obese has doubled in recent decades,” notes Rebecca Utz, assistant professor of sociology at the U. “There is not a simple explanation for why this has occurred.” Utz hopes that by bringing experts together from a variety of academic fields and practitioners from the community, the forum will provide a better understanding of why Americans are facing an obesity “epidemic” and what they should be doing about it.
Satcher served simultaneously as surgeon general and assistant secretary for health from 1998 to 2001. He spearheaded the development of Healthy People 2010, which included the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in health as one of its two goals. Satcher also released 14 reports on topics including tobacco and health, mental health, suicide prevention, oral health, sexual health, youth violence prevention, and overweight and obesity issues.
Director of the Center of Excellence on Health Disparities, Satcher is also the first Poussaint-Satcher-Cosby Chair in Mental Health at the Morehouse School of Medicine. He received his M.D. and Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 1970 with election to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Born in 1941 in Anniston, Alabama, Satcher and his wife, the former Nola Richardson, a poet, reside in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the father of four grown children.
To learn more about the Rocco C. and Marion S. Siciliano Forum: Considerations on the Status of American Society, click here.
PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLANNING AT THE U OF U
Since spring 2006, when the U received a Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with some matching funds from the U, a research team has been working to address the challenges currently existing on campus that could create serious complications in the event of a disaster such as a significant seismic event. Project participants include faculty and students from the College of Architecture + Planning and the College of Engineering, and staff members from Facilities Management, Office of Information Technology, Finance, Sponsored Projects, Auxiliary Services, Student Affairs, Environmental Health and Safety, and other areas.
Pre-disaster mitigation actions will be identified, defined, and implemented and a “tool kit” will be produced for use by other universities. Since the threat of earthquake is much greater in Salt Lake City than other types of events, its impacts will receive the most comprehensive attention. The project is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2008.
The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive Grant project should not be confused with a related but separate project of the Campus Security Task Force, which was organized last year to look at issues regarding weapons on campus. The Virginia Tech incident prompted President Young to ask that the task force take a broader look at general safety on campus. The Campus Security Task Force is considering measures that relate to emergency management in general, including preparation, training, counseling, and emergency notifications. It expects to have a report this month. We will have more information on this project in an upcoming issue of FYI News.
For more information on the Pre-Disaster Mitigation project, contact Pete van der Have at 585-5491 or petevanderhave@msn.com. For more information on the Campus Security Task Force, contact Wayne McCormack at mccormackw@law.utah.edu.
FYI Mystery Photo Contest
Photo by Ann Floor
Where is this on campus? Send your answer (be specific) to FYI@ucomm.utah.edu by noon on Thursday, Oct. 4 for a chance to win two tickets to see Paula Poundstone of NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” at Kingsbury Hall on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
The winner will be randomly selected from the pool of those submitting the correct answer. The winner will be listed in the Oct. 17 FYI News.
Thanks to Kingsbury Hall for providing the prize!
This contest is open to U of U faculty and staff only.
Last Issue’s FYI Mystery Photo Contest Answer
The Sept. 19 FYI Mystery Photo shows the front of the Rosenblatt House on Military Way, home of President and Mrs. Young. Greg will receive two tickets to a Utah football game, courtesy of Utah Athletics. Thanks to everyone who entered the contest! |
12 QUESTIONS FOR...
JANNAH MATHER
DEAN, COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK
1. What book should every person read and why?
The Shipping News — a book about relationships and the power of connection between human beings.
2. What building on campus do you think is the most interesting architecturally?
Gardner Hall.
3. If you could meet any legendary person—dead or alive—who would it be and why?
I would like to meet Jane Adams, one of the pioneers of social work. She won the Nobel Peace Prize during WWI and she exemplifies the profession of social work through the work she did with the poor.
4. Name a favorite place to eat.
Rib City Grill.
5. How will the next generation of scholars—today’s students—change your field in the decades to come?
My hope is that they will move towards an integration of evidence-based practice and the art of social work, and that they will utilize their skills with those in greatest need.
6. List two of your favorite Web sites.
eBay: www.ebay.com
The Council of Social Work Education: www.cswe.org
7. Will a liberal arts education remain relevant to students in our increasingly technological society? Why or why not?
Liberal arts education is critical to all higher education students as it is the way by which they encounter different ideas which turn into critical thinking. Without critical thinking, technology suffers.
8. What reading material is on your bedside table?
Books by Marian Keys and pottery books.
9. If politicians had to pass an exam before they were allowed to serve in public office, what question would you add to the test?
I would ask: What is the most important thing for a politician to know? The answer would be to know their constituents. They should vote their conscience relevant to the needs of their constituents. I would also want them to know about higher education and the critical need to expand the opportunity across all income levels.
10. What is one thing you would like to ask people to do to change the world for the better?
Spend more time getting to know racially and culturally diverse individuals. A fuller understanding of one another could provide a way to make our country stronger.
11. Among the complex moral and political issues that affect humanity, which do you believe will never be resolved and why?
Beliefs of religious zealots will never be resolved and will continue to cause wars, hatred, and harm.
12. What’s the best advice you ever got?
From my grandmother: Treat others fairly and before you speak, think about how the other person might feel after you make your comment. Then give your response based on honesty and understanding. It has been a strength in my capability to work with students, staff, and faculty
iTUNES U—A NEW TOOL FOR PROFESSORS
Teachers: Are you taking advantage of iTunes U? Your colleagues at more than 250 colleges and universities around the country are.
What is it? iTunes U is a free service for higher education from Apple that provides a way to manage, deliver, and access university-related content. Selections can be made from a variety of subjects including university news, department or program information, lectures, training sessions, and guided tours. Supported files include most common forms of audio and video formats, enhanced podcasts, common image formats, text, and PDFs.
Instructors can upload course content for their registered students who can then download the content for playing or viewing on their computer, iPod, iPhone or other media players and cell phones. Non-course content like updates and notices of events can be uploaded and accessed by the general Internet user.
For access to iTunes U, visit http://itunesu.utah.edu where you’ll find FAQs, terms, hardware and software recommendations, tutorials, and information on support and trouble-shooting.
To upload and/or edit content in iTunes U, send e-mail to itunesu-edit-request@scl.utah.edu.
For more information or to request a presentation on iTunesU, send e-mail to itunesu-support@scl.utah.edu
ANDY WARHOL'S DREAM AMERICA COMES TO THE U
Oct. 4 – Jan. 6, 2008
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Nearly 100 screen prints by internationally-acclaimed artist Andy Warhol include some of the late artist’s most popular work focusing on Mao, Marilyn Monroe, Campbell’s Soup, Mick Jagger, Ten Jews, and Cowboys & Indians. Also included is the John F. Kennedy campaign poster from the Flash portfolio as well as the suite’s cover, Jackie I and Jackie II, and several revealing self-portraits.
Andy Warhol is noted for his reverence and playful exploitation of American popular culture. His art is among the most accessible yet complex to emerge out of the 20th century. “By brashly declaring, ‘I want to be a machine,’ Andy Warhol shifted the direction of the history of art from a reverence for the original, one-of-a-kind object to the reluctant acknowledgement of mass-produced, mass-manufactured masterpieces,” says UMFA curator Mary Francey. “Warhol’s brash ‘lipstick-and-peroxide-palette,’ combined with a visual language of pre-formulated, trivialized forms, produced recognizable and relevant statements about the anaesthetizing effects of repetitive images generated by contemporary media.”
Several public programs are planned:
Oct. 10, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Evening for Educators: Andy Warhol
A free teacher workshop (for those in all disciplines and grade levels) helps teachers use a variety of approaches for incorporating the art of Andy Warhol in the classroom. In-service credit is available. For more information call 585-7163, or send e-mail to umfaeducation@umfa.utah.edu.
Oct. 11, 1:30 p.m.
Lecture by Jim Edwards: “Andy Warhol's Dream America”
Art historian Jim Edwards will speak about Andy Warhol in conjunction with the exhibition. Edwards is a curator at the Salt Lake Art Center and wrote the essay accompanying the catalog for the exhibition.
Nov.17, 1 p.m.
Family Films on Andy Warhol
Two animated family films about Andy Warhol teach young children about pop art and Andy Warhol’s famous Campbell’s soup cans and other images of everyday life.
Nov. 17, 2 – 4 p.m.
Third Saturday Art Project for Families
Children tour the Andy Warhol exhibition for inspiration and then go into the classroom to create their own printmaking projects.
For more information, visit www.umfa.utah.edu or call 581-7332.
KNOW YOUR U: HISTORY 101
Homecoming—Always Alums
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U of U football team, late 1890s |
In autumn our thoughts turn to Homecoming, celebrated at the U since the late 1880s. On May 26, 1886, the Alumni Association held its organizational meeting “to promote a general interest in the cause of education and to perpetuate the friendships formed between the graduates of the University.” The founding officers were Orson Howard, B.H. Roberts, Waldemar Van Cott, George M. Cannon, Ada Faust, and David R. Allen. In 1906, the U Club was formed by the student body to promote school spirit and to encourage students to join the Alumni Association after graduation. The U Club was a subset of the Alumni Association—the early MUSS, no doubt. Today’s 5,300 Alumni Association members and the 242,682 degree-receiving individuals since 1886 share the great heritage of the U. Happy Homecoming season to all.
~Paul Mogren, Librarian
NEW FROM PODCASTING FROM THE U
Your Genes and You: We Are All Mutants
Raymond F. Gesteland, Helen Lowe Bamberger Colby Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics and Vice President for Research at the University of Utah.
Who has a right to know your gene makeup? Do you want to know? How do we avoid the stigma of “bad genes?” These are just some of the questions Gesteland addresses in this accessible and informative lecture, which takes a look at what’s happened since the discovery of DNA’s structure (double helix) 50 years ago. Now that a complete sequence of our genes (3,100,000,000 letters of genetic information) has been mapped, society needs to decide how to harness the potentially disruptive effects of our new knowledge. Whatever the answers, there’s no going back. The revolution is upon us!
Listen to the podcast at www.utah.edu/podcast/.
UPCOMING ON CAMPUS
• Former Surgeon General David Satcher to speak on healthy lifestyles and obesity
Thurs., Oct. 4, noon to 1 p.m.
Utah Museum of Fine Arts Dumke Auditorium
The 2007 Rocco C. and Marion S. Siciliano Forum features David Thatcher, former surgeon general (1998-2001), in his presentation, “Revisiting the Call to Action on Obesity: A Focus on Healthy Lifestyles.”
• Master plan town hall meeting
Thurs., Oct. 4, 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Olpin Union, Panorama East
All are encouraged to participate in the Town Hall to discuss master plan alternatives. Click here for details.
•The University of Utah Women’s Club
Monday, Oct. 8, 1 p.m.
Alumni House
Maysa Kergaye will speak on Muslim women’s rights and Ramadan. All are invited to attend. For more information, call LaNae Heusser at 581-9719.
• What’s in the basement?
Saturday, Oct. 13, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Utah Museum of Natural History
Don’t miss this annual event when the Museum opens its special storage in the basement. Thousands of rarely-seen artifacts are on display! Click here for more information.
• Annual Staff Meeting with President Michael K. and Suzan Young
Monday, Oct. 15, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Skaggs Hall Auditorium in the College of Pharmacy
Please RSVP by Oct. 9 to president.events@rdms.utah.edu.
• Culture with a Q—Pride Week at the U
Oct. 15-20
Events include an art gallery, LGBTee-off golf tourney, gay-la dinner and auction, and keynote address. Open to the LGBTQ community and their straight allies. For more information, visit www.sa.utah.edu/lgbt or call 587-7973.
• Webmaster Orientation Set
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Sign-in and refreshments at 12:30 p.m.
Dumke Board Room, Eccles Broadcast Center
The Office of Information Technology and the University Webmaster will present an orientation to introduce new webmasters to university web policies, best practices, and resources available to assist them with managing their Websites. Click here for registration information and a detailed agenda. For more information, call 581-6113.
• Free Faculty Workshops
Oct. 22-26
The Technology Assisted Curriculum Center (TACC) offers free workshops for faculty, instructors, and graduate assistants. All library faculties are welcome to register and attend. Click here for more information.
BULLETIN BOARD
• Manic Mondays
Campus Recreation Services invites everyone to enjoy free facility use on Mondays throughout the academic year (now through Dec. 3; and Jan. 14 through April 21) at the Field House, HPER Complex, and Natatorium. Bring your UCard. For more information, call 581-3797.
• Attention all drivers
Take charge of your driving behavior, reduce your crash risk and avoid high risk driving mistakes—this is the theme of Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) Drive Safely Work Week, Oct. 1-5. Click here for more information.
• Call for study participants
Wanted: Healthy adults
Participants are needed for an IRB-approved study on friendships and cardiovascular functioning. Participants will bring a friend into the lab (selected by the researcher) and have discussions about real-life events with that friend. Participants must be relatively healthy (i.e., no cancer, heart disease, or cardiovascular medication). Compensation will be provided. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Allison Vaughn at 581-3176 or allison.vaughn@psych.utah.edu.
• Continuing Education introduces RSS Feed
Sign up for Continuing Education’s new RSS feed at www.continue.utah.edu for up-to-the-minute news and event announcements from any of its nine programs. Also, Youth Education has classes for kids from preschool to high school. For a listing of this fall’s offerings, click here.
U SAVING ENERGY
Since the university’s energy-saving program began in July 2003 the U has saved the CO2 equivalent of 6,877,370 gallons of gasoline.
TIP: You can help extend these savings by keeping heating and cooling vents unobstructed by furniture or equipment.
Source: U of U Energy Management. For more information, contact Bianca Shama at 585-1171 or Bianca.Shama@fm.utah.edu.
