October 22, 2008
Get out and vote!
People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote—a very different thing.
Walter H. Judd
Minnesota Congressman, 1942-1963
Some say the stakes have never been higher. Others say it’s about Country First! Still others say it’s about Change We Can Believe In. Whichever way, the 2008 election is making history.
Here at the U, energy for the election is high. ASUU’s VoteProject (hotlink to http://www.asuu.utah.edu/) includes its unprecedented early-voting-on-campus initiative, now underway and continuing through Oct. 31. Any registered voter who lives in Salt Lake County can vote on campus in the Olpin Union Building, room 161. Polls are open now through Friday, Oct. 31 from noon to 7 p.m. (bring photo I.D.). In addition, as part of a nationwide effort by college students, ASUU has registered more than 2,800 new voters, making ASUU third in the nation for this effort. To keep the energy going, they are sponsoring a UVote concert on Nov. 3, the day before elections.
KUED 7 (hotlink to http://www.kued.org/) continues its schedule of half-hour debates with congressional candidates, airing on Utah NOW with Doug Fabrizio, Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Watch candidates for Utah’s Second District on Oct. 24; and those from the Third District on Oct. 31. In addition, KUED-7 will present Frontline’s (hotlink to http://www.kued.org/?area=programs&action=viewSeriesDetails&id=145) acclaimed series, The Choice, which examines the personal and political biographies of John McCain and Barack Obama, airing Sunday, Oct. 26 at 9:00 p.m., repeating on Monday, Nov. 3, at 9:00 p.m.
On Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m. in the Hinckley Caucus Room (255 OSH), Hinckley Institute of Politics (hotlink to http://www.hinckley.utah.edu) will host a Who Won and Why live Radio West broadcast with Doug Fabrizio discussing the election results with Dan Jones (hotlink to http://www.poli-sci.utah.edu/jones.html), president, Dan Jones & Associates (hotlink to http://www.djasurvey.com/) and a political science professor/lecturer, and Kirk Jowers (hotlink to http://www.capdale.com/kjowers/), Hinckley director and a partner in the Washington D.C. law firm Caplin & Drysdale (hotlink to http://www.capdale.com/).
Polls are open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Make yourself heard.
Budget cuts are coming
President Young recently reported to the Academic Senate on the state of the budget. He noted that a 4-percent cut in the state-funded budget is a certainty, with additional cuts expected next year. Deans, department chairs, and program directors are being asked to identify where in their areas the 4-percent reductions should be made. Rather than an across-the-board cut, President Young encourages a strategic approach—looking for programs that are overfunded and adjusting the budget in a way that supports the core functions. “The U has gone through more severe budget cuts than this,” said Young. “I don’t want to minimize the pain these will occasion, but on the other hand, we want to reduce the budget as much as possible without weakening any of the core enterprises that our faculty members have spent so much time building. It’s an opportunity to be strategic and decide what is essential to the main enterprise and what is less critical and start paring away.” Noting that making cuts is never easy, Young said, “It will position us to absorb the cuts as best we can. Then as things turn around—as they certainly will—we’ll deploy the resources as they come back in an effective and strategic way.”
Note: There are a couple of related articles in the Oct. 15, 2008 Chronicle of Higher Education: Fresh Round of Budget Cuts Hits Higher Education (hotlink to http://chronicle.com/daily/2008/10/5085n.htm?utm_source=at&utm_medium=en) and Voluntary Cuts: New Tactic to Preserve State Support (hotlink to http://chronicle.com/weekly/v55/i08/08a02501.htm?utm_source=at&utm_medium=en).
Applause Please!
Physics Professor Receives Packard Fellowship
John Lupton (hotlink to http://www.physics.utah.edu/people/faculty/lupton.html), an associate professor in the physics department (hotlink to http://www.physics.utah.edu) has been notified that he is among 20 researchers nationwide who will receive a 2008 Fellowship for Science and Engineering from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation (hotlink to http://www.packard.org/home.aspx). The grant of $875,000 for five years is among the largest “no-strings-attached” awards available to researchers. The foundation says the fellowships are intended “to provide support for unusually creative researchers early in their careers.” Since joining the U faculty in 2006, Lupton has published several research papers including one in the August issue of the journal Nature Materials (hotlink to http://www.nature.com/nmat/journal/v7/n8/index.html). Lupton will use his Packard Fellowship to develop strategies to improve the performance of devices such as LEDs and solar cells, as well as to develop novel optical sensing techniques. The only other University of Utah faculty member to receive such a fellowship was biochemist Brenda Bass in 1991, although mathematics professor Graeme Milton won the award in 1988 and chemistry professor Greg Voth in 1990 before both men came to Utah.
U student named Miss Latina U.S. 2009
Brazilian-born Diana Franca, a sophomore majoring in international relations, in September was named Miss Latina U.S. 2009 at the National Miss Latina pageant in San Antonia, Texas. Diana becomes the first woman of Brazilian heritage to win the national title in the history of this U.S. pageant. Selected from a pool of 18 delegates, she will represent the Latino population in this country at the 2009 Miss Latin America® of the World Pageant held annually abroad. Diana is tri-lingual—fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish—and excels in both sports and academics, as noted by the following distinctions: Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Scholar; Academic All-State Volleyball; All American Academic Volleyball; High School Diploma of Merit; Sterling Scholar World Languages; Region and State 1st Place Volleyball.
Read more about the accomplishments of your colleagues in Recognizing U (hotlink to http://unews.utah.edu/?action=recognizingU).
Halloween Hauntings
THE GHOST OF CARLSON HALL
Toby Ortega has worked at the U as a custodian in Carlson Hall for the past seven years. Early one morning a couple of years ago, around 5:30 a.m., he was in his office in the basement and heard a banging noise from the water pipes. It seemed to be coming from the women’s restroom, so he went in to look around. He didn’t see anyone, but there was a puddle of water on the floor. “I grabbed my mop to clean it up and heard someone talking out in the hall. It sounded like a woman, so I peeked out to see who was there.” At that early hour, he knew that no one should be in the building. “I couldn’t see anyone, so I went back to finish cleaning up. As I bent down to start mopping, a splash of water hit the back of my neck and I heard someone laughing in the hallway. I rushed out, but again, no one was there. I went back to finish mopping and looked up at the ceiling—but there was no water dripping.” Toby has seen the puddle of water since but has never been able to find its source.
“It scares me to be there by myself—especially early in the morning—because that’s when the pipes bang the most,” he says. “When I first started working here I heard that when [Carlson Hall] was a women’s dorm back in the 1930s, a woman committed suicide in the basement. There’s a shower down there in the women’s restroom and that’s where she slit her wrists. I’m not much of a spiritual person but it definitely scared me, especially when water dropped on my neck and I heard the laughing in the hallway.” Toby says the spirit is still there. “Good spirits too,” he says, “most of the time it’s pretty peaceful.”
STORYBOOK GARDEN AFTER DARK
Now through Oct. 30, (M, Th, F, Sat) 6:00 – 9 :00 p.m.
Red Butte Garden
Your favorite storybooks come to life in Red Butte Garden’s Storybook Garden After Dark. Enjoy a night of face painting, magic shows, crafts, and storytelling. Dress as your favorite storybook character and enjoy warm drinks, yummy snacks, and dinner fare during an enchanted evening. For more information, contact Red Butte Garden (hotlink to http:/www.redbuttegarden.org) or call 585-5225.
PHILHARMONIA HALLOWEEN
Oct. 24-25, 7:30 p.m.
Libby Gardner Concert Hall
It’s a night of spooky music and fun for the entire family with the Utah Philharmonia’s (hotlink to http://www.music.utah.edu/ensembles/orchestra) Monstrous Melodies Halloween Concert. Enjoy music from beyond the grave, featuring selections from Chronicles of Narnia, Jaws, Mars from The Planets, and Danse Macabre performed by a decked-out creepy orchestra. Director Robert Baldwin’s memorable costume is known as one of the best surprises of the year. For tickets contact the Kingsbury Hall ticket office (hotlink to http://www.kingtix.com) or call 581-7100.
SPOOKFEST IN THE UNION!
Monday, Oct. 27 – Friday, Oct. 31
It’s a family spookfest in the Olpin Union where offices are decorated for Halloween and staff is dressed up for the occasion. There’s lots to do with games, face painting, and pumpkin painting in the lobby.
20% OFF SPOOKTACULAR & PUMPKIN-CARVING CONTEST
Friday, Oct. 31
The Campus Store
The pumpkin carving contest starts at 11 a.m. with prizes for first ($200 gift card), second ($100 gift card), and third place ($50 gift card). Sign up online (hotlink to http://www.info.campusstore.utah.edu/marketing/Halloween.html) or at customer service in the store by Wednesday, Oct. 29. Costume contest participants must meet at the Campus Store at 12 noon. The winner receives a $50 gift card and a free AT&T Palm Centro phone.
HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR OVERNIGHT
Friday, Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m. to Saturday, Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m.
Utah Museum of Natural History
Calling all ghosts and ghouls! Are you ready for a hair-raising experience this Halloween? Explore the Utah Museum of Natural History (hotlink to http://www.umnh.utah.edu) at night! Investigate the properties of dry ice, conduct slimy experiments, carve pumpkins, and go on a spine-tingling flashlight treasure hunt. Wear your favorite costume for some monstrous fun! (For 6-12 year olds and their adult chaperones.) For more information, contact Shelli Campbell (hotlink to scampbell@umnh.utah.edu) or call 581-6927.
President Young to give Reynolds Lecture
Bricks, Bytes, Beakers, and Business
The 58th annual Frederick W. Reynolds Lecture, presented by President Michael K. Young, will investigate the possibilities and prospects of U.S. universities in creating and sustaining the world in which we will live in the 22nd Century. The Reynolds Lecture was established to honor Reynolds, who was appointed by U of U President Joseph Kingsbury in 1911 as the first director of the Department of Extension Work, now called Continuing Education (hotlink to http://continue.utah.edu/). The lecture will be held Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Aline Wilmot Skaggs Biology Building Auditorium. The public is invited but an RSVP is required. Call 585-0911.
Murderball!
Presented by the Utah Scorpions
Often called “murderball,” wheelchair rugby is an exciting, fast-paced, intense, and competitive full-contact sport. During this presentation, on Monday, Oct. 27, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the new Goodwill Humanitarian Building (hotlink to http://www.socwk.utah.edu/goodwillbuilding/index.html ) (social work), the Utah Scorpions (hotlink to http://utahscorpions.org/), coached by Tim Daynes, will provide insight into what it’s like to be quadriplegic and what playing wheelchair rugby means to them. Films of their games will illustrate just how demanding the game is. The presentation will smash stereotypes about people with disabilities. Bring your questions to ask the Utah Scorpions team and find out what it’s like to roll a mile on their wheels. The presentation is part of the students in the College of Social Work’s (hotlink to http://www.socwk.utah.edu/) Allies for Equity Lecture Series. For more information, contact Jennifer Nozawa (hotlink to jennifer.nozawa@socwk.utah.edu) or call 585-9303.
Deadline for new Ed-Pass is Oct. 31
If you are eligible for a UTA Ed-Pass, but have not picked up your new pass, you’ll want to do that by Friday, Oct. 31. Effective Saturday, Nov. 1, only the new UTA Ed-Pass will be valid on UTA (buses, TRAX and FrontRunner). You can get your UTA Ed-Pass at any of the following campus locations:
• Commuter Services, Annex
• UCard Office, Olpin Union
• UCard Office, Hospital Cafeteria
• Campus Store, Computer Department
• Health Sciences Bookstore, Health Sciences Education Building
Bulletin Board
• Got Continuum?
The U’s award-winning magazine, Continuum (hotlink to http://www.continuum.utah.edu) can be yours for the asking. Subscribe online now (hotlink to http://www.continuum.utah.edu/subscribe.php) and the Spring 2009 issue will arrive in your campus mailbox—free of charge!—in early March. (If you have already subscribed, there is no need to do so again.) Each issue of Continuum is filled with news and information about the U—from reports on faculty research discoveries to articles about athletics, alumni, and the arts. Keep up-to-date with what’s happening across campus and around the U’s world by having Continuum delivered right to your desk. For more information, contact Marcia Dibble (hotlink to marcia.dibble@alumni.utah.edu) or call 581-6996.
• Tony Caputo’s Happy Hour Café
Now open on campus
How about a fresh mozzarella, tomato, and lettuce sandwich, or a pesto salad? Baklava for dessert? Is your mouth watering yet? The new Happy Hour Café run by Tony Caputo is located inside the new Tanner Irish Humanities Building. Offering Italian sandwiches, pasta and green salads, a daily special, and desserts, the café is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. See a menu (hotlink to http://www.humis.utah.edu/humis/docs/announcement_853_1220565334.pdf) and plan to meet a friend for lunch. Enjoy!
• Did you know?
Top 10 Utah counties with the highest numbers of U of U students (fall semester 2007)
| Salt Lake County | 14,314 |
| Davis County | 2,344 |
| Utah County | 1,542 |
| Weber County | 620 |
| Summit County | 493 |
| Cache County | 256 |
| Wasatch County | 234 |
| Tooele County | 184 |
| Box Elder County | 95 |
| Carbon County | 90 |
• Assertive communication tip
Think and talk about yourself in positive terms. Eliminate adding qualifying statements to your opinions or requests like, “you’ll probably think this is crazy, but…,” or “I guess,” or, “but that’s just my opinion.” Reduce tag questions like, “does that make sense?” or “is that okay?”
The Counseling Center (hotlink to http://www.sa.utah.edu/counsel/)
Upcoming on Campus
• PRIDE WEEK—ACTIVATE, TRANSFORM, EVOLVE
Now through Oct. 24
Check out the myriad activities during Pride Week including a pride pet show, a take-the-gay-train TRAX ride to the Gayway (Gateway), a keynote address by Erika Huggins (Thursday, Oct. 23, noon to 1 p.m., UMFA Dumke auditorium), and a Gay-la and silent auction (Friday, Oct. 24, Jewish Community Center). Details are online (hotlink to http://www.sa.utah.edu/lgbt/events/index.htm).
• COMMUNITY FORUM MEETING
Thursday, Oct. 23, 4:15 p.m.
Rice-Eccles Stadium Tower, Room 645
Join our campus neighbors for an open discussion on the U’s new biking path/services plan, updates on the Universe Project and Research Park, and a review of sustainability efforts at the U. For more information, call 585-9244 or check online (hotlink to http://unews.utah.edu/?action=neighbors).
• AUBREY FISHER MEMORIAL LECTURE—OLD MEDIA, NEW MEDIA
Thursday, Oct. 23, 7:00 p.m.
LNCO 1110
John D. Peters is the F. Wendell Miller Distinguished Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Iowa. The title of his lecture, Old Media, New Media, appears deceptively simple, but Peters’ remarks will traverse the social, political, economic, cultural, and human consequences of the new media through a deeper historical understanding of old media. If you are familiar with his award-winning works Courting the Abyss and Speaking into the Air, you know just how exciting his lecture promises to be.
• INFORMATION SECURITY AWARENESS DAY
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Olpin Union, Saltair Room
Speakers include Scott Thomas, formerly with the National Security Agency, and Linda Criddle, author of Look Both Ways and former senior product manager for child safety at Microsoft. Learn how to ensure basic computer security, get free anti-virus software, and a chance to win prizes, including an 8 GB iPod Nano. (You must be present to win). Details are online (hotlink to http://www.secureit.utah.edu/news/isaday.html).
• HIGH TECH TRASH—THE AFTERLIFE OF YOUR COMPUTER IN ASIA AND AFRICA
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 7:00 p.m.
City Library (free)
Where does it go? Two documentaries address the growing problem of foreign dumping of electronic waste by following the journey of electronic equipment from homes and offices to toxic dumps across the ocean. A panel discussion follows with Erika George, Quinney College of Law; Scott McCoy, Utah State Senator; Sarah Westervelt, Basel Action Network; and Mike Wright, Guaranteed Recycling Experts. For more information, visit the Wallace Stegner Center (hotlink to http://www.law.utah.edu/stegner/).
• SCIENCE NIGHT LIVE!
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
The Depot, 400 W and South Temple
The College of Science (hotlink to http://www.science.utah.edu) kicks-off its “Science Night Live!” lecture series with chemistry professor Michael Bartl presenting A Cue From Nature: The Photonic Beetle, highlighting his work with diamond-based photonic crystal structures found in iridescent scales of a Brazilian beetle. The discovery could lead to ultrahigh-speed computers with optical integrated circuits that run on light instead of electricity. For more information, contact Jim DeGooyer (hotlink to jdegooyer@science.utah.edu) or call 581-6958.
• WELLNESS FAIR 2008
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Olpin Union Ballroom
More than 90 vendors and health organizations from the Wasatch Front provide the U community with the latest knowledge and skills to promote optimal health and well-being through balanced social, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness.
• RUN LIKE HEALTH 5K
Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.
Rice-Eccles Stadium parking lot
The Wellness 5K is open to all ($10 in advance; $20 the day of the race). Proceeds fund service-oriented spring break trips and support the Student Health Advisory Committee, a student group increasing health awareness at the U. For more information, contact Rachel Crane (hotlink to Rachel.Crane@shs.utah.edu) or call 585-1274.
• ORCHIDS GALORE!
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Red Butte Garden
The autumn orchid show, presented by the Utah Orchid Society (hotlink to http://www.utahorchidsociety.com) (UOS) includes exhibits and sales of spectacular exotic orchid species and hybrids from all over the world. A lecture on orchid culture for new growers will be presented Saturday, Nov. 1, at 2:30 p.m. and UOS members will provide advice on orchid culture in Utah. The public is invited to bring their healthy plants for display and judging by American Orchid Society (hotlink to http://www.aos.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&WebsiteKey=c30f5e30-3f96-446d-9943-1925b9ed57a0) experts (bring them to Red Butte Garden on Friday, Oct. 31 between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m.) Submitted plants must stay in the exhibit until closing at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2. For additional information, contact Barry Cole (hotlink to barryccole@comcast.net) or call 255-9026.
U SAVING ENERGY
Sustainability Tip
Just because the temperature is dropping doesn’t mean your bicycle commuting should! Follow these tips for winter riding preparation: Always maintain your bike with proper tires, lubricant, and lighting. Drink plenty of water; you can still dehydrate when the temperature is below freezing. Wear layers of reflective, windproof, breathable clothing. Protect your face with a neck gaitor and eye protection. Remember: there is no such thing as bad riding conditions, just bad clothing choices. For help with bike maintenance, drop by the University Bike Collective (hotlink to http://www.ubike.org/) just east of the UMFA building on business circle Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
FYI Mystery Photo Contest
FYI Mystery Photo
Where is this on campus? Send your answer (be specific) to FYI@ucomm.utah.edu by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27 for a chance to win two passes to Red Butte Garden, courtesy of the Garden. The winner will be randomly selected from the pool of those submitting the correct answer and will be listed in the Nov. 5 FYI News.
Thanks to Red Butte Garden 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 Oct. 8 FYI Mystery Photo shows the east side of Carlson Hall, located directly south of the law school on main campus. Congratulations to Sally Emett, recruitment coordinator for the Honors College; Ava van Zanten, resident advisor in the residence halls; and Erin Phillips, providing accounting support to the microfabrication and surface science laboratories in the College of Engineering. Sally, Ava, and Erin are winners of the Oct. 8 FYI Mystery Photo Contest! They were randomly selected from the pool of contestants who sent in the correct answer. They each received a pair of tickets to the Utah/Colorado State football game on Saturday, Oct. 18 in Rice-Eccles Stadium. A big thanks to Utah Athletics for donating the tickets. And thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. We invite you to try your luck with each issue this fall. |
