August 27, 2008
People on the Move
Tom Parks Picked as Research VP
Neurobiologist Thomas N. Parks, executive director of the Brain Institute and a U faculty member for 30 years, was named on June 27 as vice president for research. He served in the position as interim director for the past six months after Ray Gesteland stepped down. Parks intends to expand the pool of research funding sources, provide assistance for faculty who are submitting large research proposals, and help the public understand why it’s worth spending a little extra money to send their children to a research university. Parks takes the job as the university continues to gain stature as a major research university, collecting $322 million in research funds during the 2007 fiscal year, spinning off 17 new companies based on faculty technology innovations the same year, and seeing geneticist Mario Capecchi win the 2007 Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology. A native of Fullerton, California, Parks earned an undergraduate degree in biology at UC Irvine, followed by a Ph.D. in psychobiology at Yale University and postdoctoral work at the University of Virginia. He co-founded and served on the board of NPS Pharmaceuticals, and was responsible for hiring three USTAR professors.Read more. (hotlink to http://www.unews.utah.edu/p/?r=062608-1)
VP Loretta Harper to retire
President Young announced on July 31 the retirement of Vice President of Human Resources Loretta F. Harper and expressed his gratitude for her “extraordinary service” to the University community.
“The decision to come to the University of Utah in 2000 was not easy,” says Harper. “However, it turned out to be one of the best I have ever made in both my career and my life. This has been an amazing adventure that has provided me the opportunity to work with the most extraordinarily talented faculty and staff.”
Harper and her husband are relocating to Georgia to spend more time with their children and grandchildren, and to actively engage in their many interests—travel, volunteer work, and glass and wood carving. They intend to buy a condo in Utah “so we can visit when the humidity is just too unbearable in the southeast.” Harper’s last day at the U will be Aug. 31. A search committee for her replacement, chaired by Vice President Barbara Snyder, has been formed. Names of qualified candidates may be e-mailed (hotlink to bsnyder@sa.utah.edu) to Snyder.
Among Harper’s contributions |
While You Were Gone
MAY 6—ED CATMULL TO LEAD ENGINEERING ADVISORY COUNCIL
Ed Catmull (hotlink to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Catmull), U alum and president of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios (hotlink to http://www.pixar.com), is the new chair of the College of Engineering (hotlink to http://www.coe.utah.edu). National Advisory Council. Catmull, who earned B.S. degrees in computer science and physics and a Ph.D. in computer science from the U, is a founding member of the council, which was established in 2001 to support and guide the strategic direction of the college. The council will work with the college to advance growth targets as part of Utah’s Engineering Initiative, a challenge to the state’s engineering programs by the 2001 Utah Legislature to double the number of graduates. The College has increased graduates by more than 65 percent, and is committed to a 100 percent increase.
MAY 8—NOLA LODGE APPOINTED TO DIRECT AMERICAN INDIAN PROGRAM
Nola Lodge is the new director of American Indian Teacher Education in the College of Education (hotlink to http://www.ed.utah.edu/#). Lodge, who is a member of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin (hotlink to http://www.oneidanation.org), says the biggest obstacle for American Indian students to qualify to come to the U is getting them through high school. Lodge will continue to teach in the Department of Education, Culture and Society while she expands and strengthens the relationship between the University and the American Indian community—a critical component to the success of recruiting, supporting, and retaining native students.
MAY 12—LINDA DUNN ASSUMES LEADERSHIP OF BENNION CENTER
Linda Poulson Dunn, the new director of the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center (hotlink to: http://www.sa.utah.edu/bennion), has spent 25 years teaching in the Salt Lake and Granite School Districts and served five years as executive director of Utah Campus Compact (hotlink to: http://uccenews.blogspot.com). She earned her B.S. degree in secondary education and M.S. degree in educational administration from the U of U in 1981 and 1997, respectively. She hopes to expand the Bennion Center’s mission and engage the campus even more in local, national, and global issues. Dunn succeeds Marshall Welch, who served as the program’s director since 2001. Read more. (hotlink to: http://unews.utah.edu/p/?r=050908-11).
JUNE 10 TO JULY 2—RECORDS THEFT AND RECOVERY AT U HOSPITAL AND CLINICS
On June 10, faculty and staff were informed via email of a theft on June 2 of a box containing the digital billing records and in many cases social security numbers of 2.2 million patients and guarantors of University Hospital and clinics. That number was later reduced to 1.5 million. The box was stolen from a car belonging to a driver who worked for the independent company contracted by the hospital to store its records in a mountain vault in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The driver violated the protocols his company had established to ensure secure data transportation when he failed to deliver the tapes to the vault and instead kept them overnight inside his vehicle. On July 2, U employees were alerted to the good news that the stolen tapes had been recovered by the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The tapes were turned over to the FBI for forensic examination. On July 8 Thomas H. Anderson and Shadd D. Hartman were charged with the theft. The investigation is ongoing. It is believed that the information contained in the records has not been compromised.
JULY 1— PRESIDENT’S PAY GOES UP
President Young’s salary was bumped up from $330,000 to $348,000, effective
July 1. The Board of Regents increased the salary of all Utah college and university presidents to bring them closer to the national salary average for presidents at comparable institutions (currently $415,000). The size of the U, scope of University programs, and its designation as a research university factor into the salary increase. Although Young is the highest paid university president in Utah, his new salary is lower than the national peer average.
JULY 29—COLLEGE OF NURSING ANNOUNCES $1.25 MILLION GIFT FOR ENDOWED CHAIR
The Robert L. and Joyce T. Rice Presidential Endowed Chair in Healthy Aging has been established in the College of Nursing (hotlink to http://www.nursing.utah.edu). Robert Rice, who died last summer, and his wife Joyce, have been lifelong advocate for health, fitness, and healthy aging. The Rice Endowed Chair will become the cornerstone of the new Hartford Center of Excellence in Geriatric Education (hotlink to http://nursing.utah.edu/hartford/). A search is currently underway to find a chairholder who will be responsible for developing and executing research initiatives related to healthy aging. Read more. (hotlink to http://www.unews.utah.edu/p/?r=072908-1).
AUGUST 11—FUNDING SECURED FOR ARTS AND EDUCATION COMPLEX
The Sorenson Legacy Foundation (hotlink to http://www.sorensoncompanies.com/sorenson_legacy.html) has donated $12 million to the U for construction of an interdisciplinary arts and education complex to facilitate the research and integration of arts education into all Utah elementary schools as a core curriculum subject. It is the largest single donation in support of fine arts or arts and education in the U’s history and one of the largest donations of its kind in the state. The Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts and Education Complex will be attached to Milton Bennion Hall. Sorenson, a U alum, is a philanthropist, a former teacher, and founder of Art Works for Kids! (hotlink to http://www.artworksforkids.org). Read more. (hotlink to http://www.unews.utah.edu/p/?r=080808-1).
Transit News from Commuter Services
TRANSIT ALERT!
NEW UTA ED PASS DISTRIBUTION DELAYED
Effective immediately through Oct. 31, 2008, your UCard (University of Utah ID) will be valid in lieu of a UTA Ed Pass to ride UTA buses, TRAX, and FrontRunner. It is anticipated that new Ed Passes will be available Sept. 15. Watch for updates in future FYIs or contact Commuter Services (hotlink to comments@parking.utah.edu). Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. Read more. (hotlink to http://www.rideuta.com/mediaRoom/pressReleases.aspx?pressReleaseID=822)
HEADS UP: POSSIBLE OVERCROWDING ON BUSES & TRAX
A Message to Faculty & Staff From Commuter Services
High gas prices, traffic headaches, and vehicle wear and tear have convinced more people than ever before to make the smart choice to leave their personal vehicle at home and commute to the U on UTA. With the start of fall semester, we anticipate there may be more transit commuters than in the past and there is a possibility that not every commuter will be accommodated on every train or bus.
We have a close working relationship with UTA, but we also recognize that they work with finite resources. UTA has assured us, however, that all of their vehicles will be in service each day when the semester begins.
Just in case the demand outstrips the supply, please consider these “Commuter Tips” to minimize disruptions to your schedule:
• Plan ahead and have a contingency plan. You may not get on the first bus or train you encounter.
• Consider taking an earlier bus or train—they usually aren’t as full as those arriving just before classes begin.
• If you bring your bike on a train or bus, there is a chance that you may be delayed because full passenger loads will limit space availability for bikes. Be patient and prepared.
• If possible, consider carpooling or biking to campus.
We welcome your comments. Contact Commuter Services (hotlink to comments@parking.utah.edu) or UTA (hotlink to http://www.rideuta.com/root/contactUs.aspx) or call UTA at 743-3882.
Alma Allred
Director, Commuter Services
Attention Faculty
ACADEMIC SENATE
Paul Mogren (Marriott Library) will serve as president of the Academic Senate for the 2008-09 year. Newly-elected executive committee members include Peter W. Alfelt (mathematics), Timothy A. Ameel (mechanical engineering), Randy L. Jensen (neurosurgery), David M. Kiefer (economics), Karol Kumpfer (health, promotion, & education), Bruce M. Landesman (philosophy), James E. Metherall (human genetics), Donn Schaefer (music), Randy H. Silverman (Marriott Library), and Nancy T. Staggers (nursing). Humanities professor James Anderson is president-elect.
REGARDING THE EVER-RISING COSTS OF TEXTBOOKS…
In response to the increasing prices of textbooks, the administration, sensitive to the students’ plight, is supporting an effort by ASUU’s Student Commission to encourage the faculty to use the same book for multiple years so that used books are a lower cost alternative to all new books. In addition, faculty members are encouraged to make some books optional, and place portions of them on electronic reserve. Last year, ASUU’s leadership team addressed the problem by successfully lobbying the legislature to remove the sales tax on text book sales. This year, faculty members are encouraged to suggest additional ideas to address this increasing burden to students.
Natural History Museum Breaks Ground
On a cool summer morning in July, under a white tent in the foothills of Research Park, museum staff, dignitaries, and 700 enthusiastic fans celebrated the groundbreaking of the new $103 million Utah Museum of Natural History (hotlink to http://www.umnh.utah.edu) building. Earlier, on May 15, Rio Tinto (hotlink to http://www.riotinto.com), parent company of Kennecott Utah Copper (hotlink to http://www.kennecott.com), gave $15 million toward the new building and with that gift—the largest ever single corporate donation made to the project and to the University—became the naming donor. Architects for the 161,000 square-foot Rio Tinto Center—Polshek Partnership Architects (hotlink to http://www.polshek.com) and the local firm Gillies Stransky Brems Smith (hotlink to http://www.gsbsarchitects.com) —are designing the building to LEED (hotlink to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LEED_certification) gold certification. The design embodies the museum’s mission to “inspire wonder and discovery of the natural world and the place of humans in it.” With $20 million left to raise, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation (hotlink to http://www.gsecclesfoundation.org) has offered a $5 million “capstone challenge grant” if the museum can raise the remaining $15 million within three years. The Rio Tinto Center should be completed by early 2011.
Saving the Lilies of the Field After the site for the new museum was selected, Ann Kelsey decided to save as many native plants as possible from the effects of construction. As curator of the botany exhibit for the museum (she’s worked there for the past 18 years), she chose two species—the Sego Lily, Utah’s state flower, and another bulb native to the area, the Death Campas (highly poisonous from stem to stamen). Starting two years ago, she was fairly confident that she and her volunteers had found and potted all the Sego Lilies growing in the construction site. But early this summer, after a strong winter and cool spring, they discovered many more popping up—so they went back to collect as many as they could find. “They seemed to stand up and wave to us, calling, ‘Save me! Save me! I’m over here!’” Kelsey says. Not shovels, but archeology picks—and later brick laying picks—were used to carefully break the soil in a six-inch diameter around each plant. Then the plants were placed in one-gallon containers. The Department of Biology generously agreed to store the more-than 300 plants during the construction period. Once the museum is finished, the bulbs will be replanted, and the native soil, which was also collected and saved, will be re-spread. |
Monet to Picasso
From The Cleveland Museum of Art
When you see it on a plate in a book, you think you’ve seen it but you haven’t seen it at all.
Older gentleman with two friends observing Low Tide at Pourville by Monet
I like it. It’s confident.
A young woman with a friend observing Picasso’s Woman with a Cape (1901)
We have less than four weeks to see the masterworks of Impressionist and modern European art now on exhibit at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts (hotlink to http://www.umfa.utah.edu) (UMFA). Coming to campus from the Cleveland Museum of Art (hotlink to http://www.clemusart.com/exhibitions/index.aspx), the exhibit, which runs through Sunday, Sept. 21, includes 74 paintings and sculpture by such notables as Renoir, Bonnard, Picasso, Dali, Degas, van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Matisse, and Rodin. Sound devices with recorded information offer in-depth information on the artist, the painting, and the period represented. The exhibit is open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with extended hours on Wednesdays until 8:00 p.m. Admission for faculty and staff is $10 (a savings of $5). For more information, call 585-1306 or check the UMFA website (hotlink to http://www.umfa.utah.edu). The U is one of just four North American venues selected to host the exhibit, which is sponsored by the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, with media sponsorship from Media One, and KSL Television.
Have Your Carrot and Eat it Too
Farmers Market Comes to Campus
Thursday, Aug. 28, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Webster’s Lawn (east of Pioneer Memorial Theater)
Great news! Starting Thursday, Aug. 28 and continuing every Thursday through Oct. 2, we’ll have an opportunity to get fresh Utah produce when the farmers market (hotlink to: www.hr.utah.edu/wellu/farmers_market) opens on campus. Bring your reusable bags and plan to pick up fresh fruit and veggies right here on campus.
New Appointments
William Sederberg named Commissioner of Higher Ed
William A. Sederberg assumed his new role with the Board of Regents as commissioner of higher education on Aug. 18, succeeding Richard E. Kendell who retired Dec. 31. Associate Commissioner Dave Buehler served as interim commissioner during the search. Sederberg is president of Utah Valley University. Additional appointments to the board include France Davis and Basim Motiwala. Davis, who is pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, replaces Sara Sinclair on the board. Motiwala is a former ASUU vice president and will serve as the student regent. Each voting member of the State Board of Regents is appointed by the governor to serve a six-year term.
Board of Trustees names two new members
The U’s Board of Trustees appointed two new members at the end of spring semester. Patrick Reimherr, new ASUU president, and Michele Mattson, new board president of the Alumni Association, are now serving. The Board of Trustees, the U’s top governing body, is composed of eight members appointed by the governor, and two additional rotating positions.
Photo Gallery Call for Photos
New FYI photo page to feature photos by you!
We’re trying something new this semester—an online photo page featuring photos taken by our readers. We invite you to submit one photo on the theme of Back to school for the Sept. 10 FYI News. Photos in jpeg or tiff format must be received via email (hotlink to fyi@ucomm.utah.edu) by Thursday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. Please tell us your name and where you work on campus so we can include that information with the photo. We’ll use fall semester to see how it goes. If the experiment works, we’ll continue through spring semester. For more information, contact FYI (hotlink to fyi@ucomm.utah.edu).
UPCOMING ON CAMPUS
• 2008 STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARDS LUNCH
Thursday, Sept. 4, 12 noon
Olpin Union Ballroom
The Staff Excellence Awards recognize superior service and ongoing contributions by the U’s full-time staff. The six winners have been selected and will be announced at a lunch in their honor. Each will receive a $5,000 honorarium, a special plaque, and have their name added to the Perpetual Plaque in the human resources office. The names of those nominated are online at www.hr.utah.edu/etc/psa/sea08/index.php. All are welcome ($16 per person). RSVP to terri.crow@utah.edu or call 585-0928 by Friday, August 29.
• DISCUSSION: MASSACRE AT MOUNTAIN MEADOWS
Friday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m.
City Library
A panel discussion co-sponsored by the American West Center of a new book, Massacre at Mountain Meadows (Oxford University Press, 2008) (hotlink to http://www.oup.com/uk/catalogue/?ci=9780195160345) by Ron Walker, Richard Turley, and Glen Leonard, will include formal critiques by three panelists—John Mack Faragher (hotlink to http://www.yale.edu/lamarcenter/people/faragher.html), a nationally-recognized scholar on western violence from Yale University; Philip Barlow (hotlink to http://www.usu.edu/history/facultyvita/barlow.pdf), holds the Arrington Chair in Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University; and Donald Fixico (hotlink to https://sec.was.asu.edu/directory/person/472315), Distinguished Foundation Professor at Arizona State University, who takes an American Indian view. A response from co-author Richard Turley will follow. The intent is to shift the discussion of the massacre (hotlink to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_meadows_massacre) away from questioning what Brigham Young (hotlink to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigham_Young) knew—which in the past has dominated discussion of the topic—and instead offer a set of questions and insights from some of the nation’s leading scholars, placing the massacre within a deeper context of violence, imperialism, and religiosity in the American West. More information is available at the American West Center (hotlink to www.awc.utah.edu).
• UTAH FOOTBALL OPENER
Utah vs. UNLV
Saturday, Sept. 6, 6 p.m.
Rice-Eccles Stadium
Join the fans as Utah Football takes on Mountain West Conference (hotlink to http://themwc.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mwc-m-footbl-body.html) opponent UNLV at the home opener. Check out the new “tighter and lighter” uniforms which some players say make them run faster. Utah Football salutes America with an armed forces appreciation program. General admission tickets are $10-$50. More information is available at Utah Utes (hotlink to http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/utah-m-footbl-body.html) or by calling 581-UTIX. And by the way, in case you haven’t heard, Utah will play at Notre Dame on Nov. 13, 2010.
• ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE FACULTY BY PRESIDENT YOUNG
Monday, Sept. 8, 4 p.m.
Aline Skaggs Building
• U WOMEN’S CLUB TO MEET
Monday, Sept. 8, 3-5 p.m.
Rosenblatt House (1480 Military Way)
The U of U Women’s club annual membership tea will be held at the home of President and Mrs. Young. Fred Esplin, vice president for institution advancement will speak at 3:30 pm. All interested faculty and staff are invited to attend. For more information call Laurel Hughes at 583-1063.
• BOOK DISCUSSION: THE WORLD WITHOUT US
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Tracy Aviary in Liberty Park
Alan Weisman, author of the New York Times bestseller and TIME magazine’s #1 Nonfiction Book of 2007, The World Without Us, will be on campus Sept. 30. In anticipation of his visit, the Utah Museum of Natural History will host a community discussion (Hotlink to http://www.umnh.utah.edu/bookclub) on Weisman’s book at Tracy Aviary (hotlink to http://www.tracyaviary.org). For more information, call the museum at 541-2122 or join an online discussion (hotlink to http://www.umnh.utah.edu/talk). The book is available in paperback at the Campus Store (hotlink to http://www.bookstore.utah.edu).
• SUSAN SANDOVAL RUN FOR OVARIAN CANCER
Saturday, Sept. 13—Register 7 a.m.; run 8 a.m.
Sugar House Park
Adults $20; kids under 12, $10
Proceeds from this 5K run and 1.5 mile walk/run will benefit the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology to support community education and research of ovarian cancer and other gynecologic cancers. Questions? Call 585-5564. Pre-register online (hotlink to http://medicine.utah.edu/obgyn/SSRun/index.htm).
BULLETIN BOARD
• Register Now for Fall Fitness Program
Online and in-person registration at the Field House is now underway for Campus Recreation classes including body works, butts & guts, kickboxing, step, zumba, and combo challenge. Personal enrichment classes include swim fit, belly dance, hip hop/pop n' lock, Latin/ballroom dance, pilates, yoga, yogalates, and tennis. Check out the 5,000 square-foot cardio area and free-weight center. Personal trainers are also available. The week of Sept. 2-6 is “Free Week,” where all classes are free (excludes tennis and swim classes). Get more information and register online (hotlink to http://www.utah.edu/campusrec.)
• Foreign Trips – Minimize Your Risks
Leading a foreign trip? Worried about risks? The responsibility of recognizing and properly managing the associated risks can be daunting. Such risks may include exposure to disease, change of plans due to political unrest, legal issues resulting from cultural differences, or injuries from road accidents which may require medical evacuation and crisis management. Help is available. A short PowerPoint presentation titled, “Study Abroad Liability and Risk Management: Reducing the Risk,” (hotlink to www.utah.edu/risk_management/insurance/index.htm) includes a list of resources and helpful tips. Questions? Call Risk and Insurance Management at 581-5590.
• KinderCare Changes Name to University Kids
University Kids is the new name for the child development center, formerly known as KinderCare, located at 545 S. Guardsman Way. Operated by Childrens’ Creative Learning Centers (hotlink to http://www.cclc.com) (CCLC), University Kids is open to the general public for children ages six weeks to six years. The center is working toward accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (hotlink to http://www.naeyc.org/) (NAEYC). For more information, contact Andrew Montgomery (hotlink to MMontgomery@cclc.com) or call 582-1669.
• Museum Docents Needed
Be a part of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts (hotlink to www.umfa.utah.edu) (UMFA) educational efforts to help our community understand and appreciate the art and culture around us. UMFA is currently recruiting for its fall docent training programs. Weekend and weekday shifts are available. Applications are due in September and trainings begin the first week of October. For more information contact Amy Edwards (hotlink to aedwards@umfa.utah.edu) or call 585-9875.
FYI Mystery Photo Contest
FYI Mystery Photo
Where is this on campus? Send your answer (be specific) to FYI@ucomm.utah.edu by noon on Tuesday, Sept. 2 for a chance to win six tickets to the Utah vs. UNLV football game on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, courtesy of Utah Athletics.
The winner will be randomly selected from the pool of those submitting the correct answer and will be listed in the Sept. 10 FYI News.
Thanks to Utah Athletics for providing the prize!
Note: This contest is open to U of U faculty and staff only.
Last Issue’s FYI Mystery Photo Contest Answer
The Apr. 30 FYI Mystery Photo shows the accessible ramp on the southwest corner of the Olpin Union Building. From the 105 correct responses we randomly chose Russ Askren as the winner of the Apr. 30 FYI Mystery Photo Contest. He is a doctoral student and graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Philosophy and begins his fourth year this fall. His studies and research focus on political philosophy and applied ethics Russ won a family camping package courtesy of Campus Recreation Services. Thanks to all who entered and thanks to Campus Recreation Services for donating the prize. |
U SAVING ENERGY
U AIMS HIGH FOR CLIMATE-NEUTRAL FUTURE
On Earth Day 2008 President Michael K. Young joined more than 560 American college and university presidents in signing the Climate Commitment (hotlink to http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/index.php) with the goal of achieving climate neutrality(hotlink to http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/html/faq.php#faq6) as soon as possible. In practical terms, this means the Office of Sustainability (hotlink to www.sustainability.utah.edu) will help inventory and track campus greenhouse gas emissions and the U will continue efforts to use energy more efficiently and reduce consumption of fossil fuels. Initiatives like the windpower campaign (hotlink to http://windpower.utah.edu) will help offset (hotlink to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_offset) emissions we cannot eliminate. Building operations for lighting, heating, cooling, and equipment are our largest emissions source. Watch for tips on how you can help President Young meet the commitment in future FYI columns.
