January 9, 2008
CORNEL WEST TO GIVE 2008 MARTIN LUTHER KING ADDRESS
A Right Delayed is a Right Denied
The U’s annual celebration of the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. will run Jan. 14-21. A keynote presentation on Thursday, Jan. 17 (noon, Union Ballroom) will feature noted scholar Cornel West, author of 17 groundbreaking books including Race Matters and Democracy Matters —books that have influenced the course of public discussion on race, justice, and democracy. “West has been a champion of racial justice since his childhood and is clearly one of America’s most informed and provocative public intellectuals,” says Michael L. Hardman, dean of the College of Education. “We anticipate a very engaging intellectual event in which everyone will take away new and valuable ideas for now and into the future.”
Robert Newman, associate vice president of interdisciplinary studies and dean of humanities, notes, “For two decades, Cornel West has been among the most influential, diverse, and bold scholars in American higher education and as a public intellectual. His many contributions dwell within the multiple intersections between race and ethnic studies, religion, pragmatism, Marxism, rap, and political justice. He challenges his audiences to question their cultural, political, and class assumptions, encouraging them to embrace perspectives that might expand justice and equity throughout our society.”
Additional MLK events during the week include a campus/community panel discussing Utah’s changing demographics; senior scholars from the College of Education presenting their research as it applies to access and equity within their areas of study; a screening of the award-winning documentary The Boys of Baraka; the annual MLK Youth Leadership Award presentations; an evening of multicultural arts performances; and an art exhibit by students in the Salt Lake and Jordan school districts.
For complete information on MLK events on campus, all of which are free and open to the public, click here or call 581-7569
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A REPORT ON CAMPUS SECURITY
A task force on campus security was appointed last spring by President Young to review existing campus security measures, primarily prompted by a desire to look at the U’s policy regarding weapons on campus. After the Virginia Tech incident, the task force broadened its scope of work to include a look at the U’s emergency policies in general. The initiative is a top priority for President Young and is chaired by Wayne McCormack, a professor in the law school.
In a recent report to the President, the task force recommended a new structure for planning procedures which will include an emergency policy group, composed mostly of vice presidents, who will interact with an operational planning group made up of those who carry out emergency responses. In addition, the task force will draft a new emergency plan for campus which will be consistent with federal policies and guidelines and will include the use of a new terminology so campuses, municipalities, and states all speak the same language. These efforts are now underway and results will come out in about six months.
The task force also discussed with the staffs of student affairs and human resources methods to identify and deal with potentially dangerous behavior by faculty, staff, or students, and ways to interact with those who witness disruptive or difficult behavior. Professional crisis-management teams and emergency response units are already in place. In the event of an emergency, people are urged to call 581-COPS or 911 to trigger an appropriate response effort.
Summary of Task Force Recommendations • Advice regarding weapons should be posted in multiple locations such as break rooms, classrooms, and Websites. • The Housing and Residential Education Policy regarding gun-free roommate preferences is in place and functioning well. • The Public Safety Policy regarding secure hearing rooms is in place and functioning well. • Student affairs and human resources should continue working on guides to use in identifying and addressing troubling behavior, attempt to use a standard language when possible, and maintain cross-membership on their crisis-response teams. • Emergency notification should be conducted with a mix of devices and media including an integrated notification system. • An Emergency Policy Group (EPG) should be created to advise the President on emergency management and to provide policy to the planning and operational teams. |
U TOONS
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 Monday, Jan. 14 for a chance to win two tickets to the Utah vs. New Mexico men’s basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Huntsman Center, courtesy of Utah Athletics.
The winner will be randomly selected from the pool of those submitting the correct answer and listed in the Jan. 23 FYI News.
Thanks to Utah Athletics 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 Nov. 28 FYI Mystery Photo shows the Hoberman Arch used during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, now located at the south end of Rice-Eccles Stadium in the Olympic Cauldron Park. April received two passes to the U’s first-ever Ski and Shred Red Day on Dec. 14 at Snowbird courtesy of Campus Recreation Services. Thanks to all who entered and thanks to Campus Recreation Services for donating the passes. |
A FEW QUESTIONS FOR...
FRED ESPLIN, VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
• What book should every person read and why?
Two of my recent favorites are Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides, about the conquest of the West, and Warriors of God by James Reston Jr., the story of the Crusades. Both books provide fascinating insights into the people and their time and shed light on current events in the process.
• What building on campus do you think is the most architecturally interesting?
I’m particularly partial to the Eccles Broadcast Center and the Park Building.
• Name a favorite place to eat.
Bombay House for Indian food, East/West Connection for south-east Asian food, and the Hong Kong Tea House for dim sum. Salt Lake City is getting more and more interesting new restaurants so I’m sure there are many more good ones I have yet to discover.
• How will the next generation of scholars change your field in the decades to come?
In advancement, probably very little. In the field of public service broadcasting, where I spent most of my career, we’re already seeing dramatic new innovations in online and interactive services, with pbs.org being a good example.
• If you could meet any legendary person, who would it be?
What sounds fun to me is a dinner party with Truman Capote, Virginia Wolfe, and John Lennon.
• Will a liberal arts education remain relevant to students in our increasingly technological society?
Absolutely! And it’s growing in importance, not diminishing. It is essential that those studying the hard sciences have a good introduction to the arts and humanities, and I think the opposite is also true. Context is everything and a broad liberal education provides that context as well as making life more interesting and fulfilling. Increasingly such an education should also include time spent traveling, living, and studying abroad.
• If politicians had to pass an exam before they were allowed to serve in public office, what question would you add to the test?
What is your understanding of why the framers of the Constitution considered it important to call for a separation of church and state?
• What reading material is on your bedside table?
I’m reading Walter Isaacson’s biography of Einstein and a great book by Daniel Walker Howe on the transformation in America between 1815 and 1848 called What Hath God Wrought.
• Among the complex moral and political issues that affect humanity, which do you believe will never be resolved?
The extent to which nature, nurture, and free will respectively determine our actions and accountability; because there is likely not a universal answer to that question.
• What is one thing you would like to ask people to do to change the world for the better?
I couldn’t do better than the Golden Rule—that we seek to treat others as we would wish to be treated.
• What’s the best advice you ever got?
I grew up in a ranching family in southern Utah under the tutelage of cowboys, so there are several bits of helpful advice I heard, including: The scenery only changes for the lead cow; never try to milk the bull; don’t dig for water near the outhouse; and don’t squat with your spurs on.
ON THE MOVE
- Interim VP for research named
Thomas N. Parks, current chair of the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, and executive director of the Brain Institute, has been named interim vice president for research. He will continue to direct the Brain Institute, and Monica Vetter, a professor of neurobiology and anatomy, will serve as interim chair of the department. A nationwide search is underway for a new vice president for research. Raymond F. Gesteland, who held the position for the past seven years, has returned to full-time teaching and research as Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics. The search is expected to be completed within three to six months.
- New director chosen for American Indian Resource Center
Beverly Fenton has been selected as the director of the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC), its first since the center was established in January 1996. The center aids in the recruitment, retention, and support of American Indian and Alaska Native students. Fenton, who is an Ojibwe (Chippewa) and one of the original founders of AIRC wants to create a network, with the AIRC acting as an educational hub, for the Rocky Mountain region to provide information sharing about best practices, referrals, resources, support and collaboration with similar entities. Fenton has a long history of working with American Indian students both at the U and for the state of Utah.
- Sundance or bust
U film studies student Alex Haworth Johnstone’s film, The Deep, has been selected for screening at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival in Park City. Originally from Bath, England, Johnstone admits he may have overproduced The Deep, having worked on the script for six years, planning every shot and location. The film “follows the thoughts of a solitary character in the heart of a future dystopia who works underground on the machines that fuel the city...” You can see the film at Sundance in late January or download it from iTunes.
FOCUSING THE NATION ON GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS
The U of U is participating in Focus the Nation, a national educational and civic engagement initiative aimed at uniting millions of U.S. citizens to find solutions to global warming. It is now the largest teach-in in history, with more than ten thousand volunteers building events at over 1,200 schools, faith and civic organizations, and businesses.
The U’s Office of Sustainability and a coalition of students, staff, faculty, and community groups have planned a series of events throughout the month of January to engage Utah citizens in the global warming discussion. All events are free and open to the public.
A teach-in during the week of Jan. 28 will include optional faculty participation in connecting course content to global climate change and initiating class discussion. Additional topics of discussion throughout the month include sustainability in building and design, sustainable development and management of ski resorts, a panel discussion on interfaith climate change, a Focus the Nation 2% Webcast, and a panel discussion with Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker on Utah’s political leadership and policy solutions to global climate change. To see a complete listing of events, click here or contact Lindsay Clark at lclark@sustainability.utah.edu or 585-9352.
U HOSPITAL REACHES MILESTONE
2,000 kidney transplants
In November 2007 University Hospital performed its 2,000th kidney transplant. When he was five years old, Curtis Barney was diagnosed with glomerulonephritis, a type of kidney disease for which doctors told him there was no treatment. His kidneys worked fine for 23 years until last year when his kidney function dropped below 25 percent. His sister, Robyn Fillmore, donated one of her kidneys to him. The surgery was performed in November and both brother and sister are doing fine at their respective homes in Spanish Fork. For more information on this story, contact Amy Albo at 587-7212 or amy.albo@hsc.utah.edu.
U HOSPITAL KIDNEY TRANSPLANT STATISTICS
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—From an article in PULSE, December 2007/January 2008
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
• Alumni Association Awards — Nominations Due Feb. 1
The Alumni Association is accepting nominations for outstanding candidates to receive the following awards for 2008. Awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Banquet on April 17.
Par Excellence Award
Established in 1982, this award pays tribute to a young alumnus/a who is making a notable contribution to the community, the U of U, and her/his profession. Nominees must have attended the U within the last 15 years.Faculty/Staff Community Service Award
This award recognizes a faculty or staff member who has contributed significantly to the betterment of the off-campus community through sharing or volunteering her/his time, talent, and/or resources. The recipient will be recognized with a $500 cash stipend.Perlman Award for Excellence in Student Counseling
Awarded to a faculty or staff member who has made contributions to the U through her/his student advising and counseling, the recipient will be recognized with a $500 cash stipend.
Applications are available online.
• Alumni Association Scholarships
This year, the Alumni Association will award more than $150,000 in scholarships to incoming freshmen and continuing U of U students. The Association’s Founders Day Scholarship is awarded each year to a student who has contributed both to the community and to the U, and who has overcome challenging circumstances. The deadline for application is Jan. 18. In addition, up to six Alumni Association Achievement Scholarships will be awarded from the Founders Day Scholarship pool of applicants.
For more information, click here.
For questions about alumni awards or scholarships, contact Linda Morgan at 585-9012 or linda.morgan@alumni.utah.edu.
UPCOMING ON CAMPUS
• Red Rocks Gymnastics kicks off 2008 season
Friday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.
Huntsman Center
Plan to support the Red Rocks women’s gymnastics team at its first meet of the season with the University of Georgia on Friday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Huntsman Center. For more information, contact Alison Fields at afields@huntsman.utah.edu or call 581-UTIX (581-8849) or click here.
• Free seminar series on aging
Monday, Jan. 14, 12 noon- 1 p.m.
Nursing 212
One-hour seminars run throughout spring semester. The first presentation, titled Bringing Interdisciplinary into Action on Monday, Jan. 14, features Rebecca L. Burrage, geriatric nurse practitioner and assistant professor of nursing; Lynda H. Oderda, Department of Pharmacotherapy; Katherine P. Supiano, director of Caring Connections; and Mark A. Supiano, chief, Division of Geriatrics and executive director of the Center on Aging. The 13-part series runs through April 21 and features information on the aging brain, elder law and advanced directives, and advocacy and aging issues. The seminars are free and open to all. To access a complete schedule, click here. For more information, contact Scott Wright at scott.wright@hsc.utah.edu or 585-9542.
• Suitcase Paintings: Small Scale Work by Abstract Expressionists
January 19 - March 29
UMFA
See 60 intimate-sized works by 40 artists from the mid-twentieth century “New York School” of Abstract Expressionism including Jackson Pollock, William de Kooning, Phillip Guston, Robert Motherwell, and Michael Goldberg. For more information, visit UMFA or check the exhibit site.
BULLETIN BOARD
• Salt Lake City Reads Together announces new selections
Former Mayor Rocky Anderson and Utah Juvenile Court Judge Andrew Valdez recently announced the winter selections for Salt Lake City Reads Together, the citywide book club of which the U of U is a sponsor. New selections are available at the Campus Store and include: DEX: The Heart of a Hero, by Caralyn Buehner and Mark Buehner (children); Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale (young adult); Angle of Repose, by Wallace Stegner (adult fiction); and No One Makes it Alone, by Andrew Valdez (adult non-fiction). For more information, click here.
• Couples research
Do you currently live with a spouse/romantic partner? Does one of you suffer from depression or anxiety? Are you both between the ages of 18 and 65? If so, you may be eligible for a research study on how relationships affect and are affected by depression and anxiety. Compensation will be provided. For more information, contact the Couples Psychology Research Lab at 581-3245 or familylab@psych.utah.edu. This study has been approved by the University of Utah IRB.
• Kennecott development to benefit SLC and Utah
Kennecott Land’s West Bench development will have a major beneficial impact on Salt Lake County and the state of Utah according to a new study of the project by the U’s Bureau of Economic Business Research (BEBR.) The study explores the effects of additional economic activity generated by the West Bench development from 2010 through 2060. The analysis was produced by a projection model that simulates long-term trends in the economy and population given specified development scenarios. The two-region model included projections for future conditions as well as economic connections between Salt Lake County and the state of Utah. To request a copy of the report, call the BEBR office at 581-7165.
• Mental health tip
Feeling Stressed? Don’t let the little things become big things
Stress is a normal part of life. We have to deal with a variety of challenges, including keeping up with the demands of busy jobs, maintaining relationships with our families and friends, and navigating personal finances. Doing little things to manage stress can make a big difference. Take some time to think about different things you can do to reduce your stress level in ways that make sense for you. Try talking to a friend, listening to music, or taking a walk. Go shopping. Head to the gym or go for a run. Take a hot bubble bath. Relax in front of a funny movie. The possibilities are endless. Building in regular “stress-buster” activities can help keep your stress under control and can prevent the “little” things from becoming “big” things.
—From the Counseling Center
For additional resources, click here or visit the Counseling Center.
• Price break offered on tickets to The Vertical Hour
Pioneer Theatre Company offers U faculty and staff (with a UCard) tickets to The Vertical Hour at a two-for-one rate (tickets are regularly $21-$39). The offer is valid Jan. 11 through Jan. 26 (based on availability) with a limit of four tickets per person. Tickets may be purchased in-person at the PTC box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Written by English playwright David Hare, The Vertical Hour provides a look at political ethics in the age of terrorism. The play contains strong language. For more information, call PTC at 581-6961 or click here.
• Commissioner of Higher Ed retires
Richard Kendell, Utah’s commissioner of higher education for the past four-plus years, has retired. During his tenure, he oversaw the hiring of seven presidents in the state’s 10-school system; the number of students receiving student loans nearly tripled; and savings accounts were established that now have reserves of $2.6 billion. In addition, the U of U received a record number of research grants and Mario Capecchi was awarded the Nobel Prize. Kendell served in the field of education for four decades beginning at Ogden High School where he taught English. The Board of Regents is conducting a national search for a replacement and hopes to have a list of finalists by August. Dave Buhler, the agency’s associate commissioner for public affairs, will serve as interim commissioner.
U SAVING ENERGY
Since the university’s energy-saving program began in July 2003 the U has saved the CO2 equivalent of 153,297 barrels of oil.
TIP: Did you know that most idle appliances – TVs, VCRs, cable boxes, CD players, cassette decks, cordless phones, alarms, microwaves – continue to consume energy when switched off? This energy keeps display clocks lit and memory chips and remote controls working. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory calculates that these energy “leaks” account for five percent of total domestic energy consumption, cost more than $3 billion annually, and spew 18 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere. Try to unplug appliances whenever possible.
Source: U of U Energy Management. For more information contact Bianca Shama at 585-1171 or Bianca.Shama@fm.utah.edu.
