December 3, 2008
MOURNING THE LOSS OF CRAIG FORSTER
The campus community is mourning the death of Craig B. Forster, director of the Office of Sustainability and passionate steward of the earth. He died from a fall last weekend in Zion National Park.
“Craig’s sudden and unfortunate death is a great loss to us all,” said President Young. “His remarkable leadership and extraordinary abilities laid the framework for the U’s efforts to become climate neutral. His contributions to our sustainability efforts were felt across campus. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and worked with him.”
Forster was on the faculty of the College of Architecture + Planning. “He was the glue connecting all the people on campus who are working for sustainability,” said Brenda Scheer, dean of the College. “He was a gifted and creative scientist who unselfishly and tirelessly promoted cooperation and collaboration. He was unafraid to tackle the real, enormous issues in our environment, and he was unafraid to lobby at the highest levels of the university for the resources to do it. He is an irreplaceable part of the College.”
For additional information and links to news reports, visit the Office of Sustainability (hotlink to www.sustainability.utah.edu).
NURSING BUILDING TO GET A MAJOR FACELIFT
The 40-year-old nursing building recently kicked off a $23 million renovation to update and expand sorely needed teaching space. The college currently has 112 faculty and expects to hire 20 more once the renovation is completed. The building—which is structurally sound but in need of updates—will be renamed the Annette Poulson Cumming Building. Cumming was trained as a nurse and in fact graduated from the College of Nursing in 1968—the same year the building was initially built. Cumming has worked tirelessly on behalf of women and women’s rights around the world. She and her husband donated the initial $5 million gift for the renovation.
According to Maureen Keefe, dean of the College, Utah has the third most severe nursing shortage in the country and estimates that over 1,000 registered nurses are needed to fill vacant positions in the state. “The shortage in faculty is at the root of the nursing shortage,” says Keefe. “Many qualified men and women apply to the College’s nursing programs each year, but two-thirds are turned away due to the faculty shortage. With modern technology and the new office space, we will be able to recruit and retain top faculty, and make nursing education more available, thus helping to alleviate the nursing shortage.” Construction will begin in January and is expected to last 18 months.
GET YOUR FLU SHOT!
Last year, 36,000 people died from influenza in the United States. The elderly and those with chronic medical conditions are at high risk for the flu’s complications. Health Sciences has set a goal to have 90 percent of its staff who are involved in patient care to receive a flu shot or sign a declination form.
Nationwide, the rate of vaccination in health-care workers remains low—about 50 percent—due to the lack of an effective employee immunization campaign, complacency, and unfounded concerns over vaccine safety. Here are some of the myths that create barriers to immunization:
• Flu shot causes the flu. This is not true. There is no live virus in the vaccine; only virus components that help the body mount an immune response.
• If you’ve never had the flu, you won’t be infected during an epidemic. You are still at risk and you will be just as sick as anyone else who contracts influenza.
• A person can be treated for influenza once symptoms develop, thus preventing spread of the virus. While treatment is available, transmission of the virus may begin before symptoms develop and in some people symptoms may not develop causing them to be a silent source of infection. Prevention is still the best treatment.
• The vaccine is not very effective. Scientists have improved the match between vaccine components and the most likely strains to cause influenza in a given year. When well-matched, the vaccine is 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing the flu in non-elderly adults.
So get vaccinated!
—From an article in the November 2008 PULSE by Tomas L. Miller, medical doctor and chief medical officer, University Hospitals & Clinics
12 QUESTIONS FOR HARRIS SONDAK
Professor of Management and David Eccles Scholar, David Eccles School of Business; Adjunct Professor, Quinney College of Law
1. What book should every person read and why?
Marx’s Economic & Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844. We live in a world dominated by market-based economics; markets condition all or nearly all of our social relationships even if many people take them for granted. While markets have created great wealth, they should be viewed through a critical eye.
2. What building on campus do you think is the most interesting architecturally?
FAMB and Behavioral Science are about equally interesting in the sense: “What could they possibly have been thinking?” I like the new Marriott Library, and the plans for the new Utah Museum of Natural History are very exciting.
3. If you could meet any legendary person, who would it be?
Martin Luther King so I could ask him why he was so sure that the arc of the universe bends toward justice.
4. How will the next generation of scholars—today’s students—change your field in the decades to come?
With a lot of luck, they will develop ways to provide enlightened leadership for commercial enterprises, governments, nonprofits and universities alike.
5. Name a favorite place to eat.
La Cai noodle shop on State Street.
6. Will a liberal arts education remain relevant to students in our increasingly technological society?
Yes, of course just like it has been relevant in the past regardless of technology. Enduring problems of moral and aesthetic judgment are not vitiated by technical innovations.
7. List two of your favorite Web sites.
Talkingpointsmemo.com and Alta.com give me much valuable information.
8. What reading material is on your bedside table?
The New Yorker and The New York Review of Books (current events); Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilich and Roth’s Portnoy’s Complaint (been thinking about my father); Frank’s What’s the Matter with Kansas? (election season); Rabelais’ Gargantua (started in France this summer); and Cathcart and Klein’s Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar... (philosophy jokes).
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?
Place the following items in the correct order of priority according to Confucius: Guns, butter, moral leadership; now place them in the correct order of priority according to you; explain the agreement or disagreement in the two orderings.
10. What is one thing you would like to ask people to do to change the world for the better?
Stop acting like pigs.
11. Among the complex moral and political issues that affect humanity, which do you believe will never be resolved and why?
How do you get people to stop acting like pigs? This seems to be an extraordinarily difficult problem.
12. What’s the best advice you ever got?
My grandfather said to me: “Make a decision. If it is wrong, make another one.”
HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FROM CAMPUS
• ANNUAL FACULTY & STAFF NIGHT AT THE CAMPUS STORE
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Show your UCard or a paycheck stub and receive a 30 percent discount on insignia wear, general books, and school and office supplies. IPods and Apple computers are academic-priced just for the U. (Excludes electronics, textbooks, computer items, best sellers, and special services.) Enter to win a trip for two to Disneyland during spring break (airfare included). Santa will be there along with free food and drinks, so bring the kids! Enjoy free gift-wrapping, prize drawings, child care, and entertainment throughout the evening.
• RED BUTTE GARDEN OPEN HOUSE AND ART FAIR
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 – 7
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the crowded malls and shopping centers this holiday season and help support the local art community by purchasing your holiday gifts from local artists. Take a stroll through the Richard K. Hemmingway Orangerie where Utah’s finest artists and craftsmen will present their original work for sale, just in time for holiday gift giving. Items include glasswork, paintings, jewelry, and garden décor. These are Garden Gift Days so that means free admission for all! For more information, visit Red Butte Garden (hotlink to www.redbuttegarden.org).
• DEPARTMENT OF ART & ART HISTORY HOLIDAY SALE
Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Thursday, Dec. 11
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Gittins Art Gallery, Art and Architecture Building
Don’t miss this opportunity to view and purchase quality ceramics, prints, paintings, and photographs. Funds raised from the sales enable students to attend national conferences in their respective fields. This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase works from some of Utah’s up-and-coming artists. For more information, contact the Department of Art and Art History (hotlink to info@art.utah.edu) or call 581-8677.
• PRINT AND COPY SERVICES
In addition to solving your custom printing needs, you can purchase custom made calendars ($15), mouse pads ($6), T-shirts (starting at $9.50), and holiday cards. Visit www.printing.utah.edu
to view and order cards. For more information, contact the Union Copy Center (hotlink to unioncc@printing.utah.edu) or call 587-7928.
• UTAH MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
Watch for your holiday postcard to arrive from the UMFA. It’s your ticket for a 15 percent discount in the museum store any one time between Dec. 1 and Dec. 24. Make the most of your busy holiday season by picking up art-inspired gifts for everyone on your list!
•MUSIC FROM THE U SINGERS
The internationally acclaimed University of Utah Singers has a new CD available for purchase. Carol of Joy ($15) was recorded in Libby Gardner Concert Hall. It features traditional Christmas carols such as “Silent Night,” “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” and “We Need a Little Christmas.” Two additional holiday CDs are Christmastide ($15) from 2005 and Christmas Morn ($15) from 2004. For more information, check online (hotlink to www.uofusingers.org) or call 587-9377.
• DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
T-shirts, sweatshirts, and water bottles are offered at discounted prices. Call 581-8218 for more information.
• CAMPUS RECREATION SERVICES
Gift certificates from Campus Recreation Services are available for any amount at the Field House and HPER Complex. They never expire and can be redeemed for memberships, personal training, fitness classes, or outdoor equipment rental. Call 581-3760 for more information.
• UNIVERSITY GUEST HOUSE
The Guest House offers a special holiday rate to U employees and their families of $75 per room (single or double) during the holiday season, now through Jan. 2. Services include free breakfast, parking, and internet access; and each room has a refrigerator, microwave, and cable TV. Your holiday guests could stay there instead of at your house, or you could stay there and take TRAX downtown to see the holiday lights and do some shopping. For more information, visit the Guest House (hotlink to www.guesthouse.utah.edu) or call 587-1000. Be sure to mention the special rate. This offer does not apply to official campus business.
• UNIVERSITY GOLF COURSE
If the weather holds, you might be able to get in a few rounds of golf before the course closes for good in March 2009. In the meantime, the golf shop has a great sale going on—perfect timing for the holidays. You’ll find name-brand golf clubs, caps, balls, and gloves—the perfect gift for your favorite golfer. The golf shop is open dawn to dusk, weather permitting. Call first to be sure they’re open—581-6511.
• GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING
Getting tired of giving (or receiving) more stuff? Give an incredible experience instead! Continuing Education has something for everyone on your list: gift certificates for cooking, crafts or gardening classes through Lifelong Learning; social and intellectual opportunities for people 50 and older through gift memberships to the Osher Institute; computer classes in iPhoto and iMovie/iDVD through Technology Education—to name just a few! For more information, check online (hotlink to www.continue.utah.edu).
• THE RED PLANET
U-inspired merchandise—gift cards, lapel pins, etc.—is available from THE RED PLANET (selling to campus entities only, not individuals). Still in stock, Block U tins are very popular and make a wonderful gift. You can buy them pre-filled with a variety of nuts or purchase empty tins and fill them yourself. For more information, visit THE RED PLANET (hotlink to www.ucomm.utah.edu/store/index.html), contact Fran Andrus (hotlink to fran@ucomm.utah.edu), or call 581-7190.
• MARRIOTT LIBRARY
Marriott Library presents the Harmonia Macrocosmica 2009 Calendar. Have you ever wished you could invite 17th century astronomers like Copernicus, Ptolemy, Brahe, and Aratus into your office or kitchen—for an entire year? The Marriott Library makes it possible with a 2009 wall calendar featuring 13 spectacular images from our Harmonia Macrocosmica collection. Proceeds from the sale of these calendars will be used to grow our digital collections. Visit our website to learn more: (hotlink to http://tinyurl.com/5lwyd3).
• PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY
Pioneer Theatre Company offers holiday gift certificates for upcoming plays which include the Tony award-winning musical, The Light in the Piazza (Dec. 5-20); The Yellow Leaf (Jan. 9-24); Romeo and Juliet (Feb. 13-28); Dial M for Murder (Mar 4-April 20); and Miss Saigon (May 1-16). For more information, visit Pioneer Theatre Company (hotlink to http://www.pioneertheatre.org).
UTA FUEL SURCHARGE UPDATE
As a result of the recent dramatic drop in fuel prices, many faculty, staff, and students have asked about the 10 percent increase in parking permit fees implemented on July 1, 2008 to pay for a UTA fuel surcharge. Commuter Services understands your concern and will keep you informed as the information changes. UTA’s fuel surcharge is assessed based on the price of diesel fuel from the previous two quarters. As a result, the U is now paying a surcharge based on the high price of fuel from last spring and summer. This is why the 10 percent parking fee increase was necessary. Commuter Services will continue to monitor diesel fuel prices and will provide another update in January 2009. For more information, visit Commuter Services (hotlink to www.parking.utah.edu) and scroll down to “UTA Fuel Surcharge.”
APPLY NOW FOR STAFF COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIPS
The U of U Staff Council is now accepting Staff Council Scholarship applications for spring semester. The application is available online (hotlink to http://web.utah.edu/staffcouncil/scholarship.html) and is due Dec. 22 at 2:00 p.m. Two awards of $500 each will be awarded. For more information, visit the Staff Council online (hotlink to http://web.utah.edu/staffcouncil/), contact Connie Smith (hotlink to csmith@sa.utah.edu), or call 581.8761.
UPCOMING ON CAMPUS
• Proposition 8, Mitt Romney, and How Americans View Mormons
Thursday, Dec. 4, 9:10 a.m.
Hinckley Caucus Room, 255 OSH
The Hinckley Institute of Politics presents Gary Lawrence, California pollster and author of the book, How Americans View Mormons.
• Brian Kershisnik Lecture: Nativity
Saturday, Dec. 6, 2:00 p.m.
Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Auditorium, free
Local artist Brian Kershisnik discusses his large-scale painting, Nativity. A Christmas favorite, the work will be on display in the UMFA’s main lobby throughout the month of December. A question and answer session will follow.
• Field Trip: Waterfowl at Farmington Bay
Saturday, Dec. 6, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Join Rosalie Winard, photographer of UMNH’s “Wild Birds of the American Wetlands” exhibit, and John Luft, avian biologist from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Cost is $40 per person/ $30 for UMNH members. For more information, contact Shelli Campbell at 581-6927 or visit UMNH (hotlink to www.umnh.utah.edu).
• U of U Choirs Holiday Concert
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 -13, 7:30 p.m.
Libby Gardner Concert Hall
Cost: Adults $7; students $3.
For additional information, visit the School of Music (hotlink to www.music.utah.edu).
• Festivus for the Rest of Us
Tuesday, Dec. 23, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Olpin Union front foyer
Don’t miss the Union’s annual Festivus celebration for staff and faculty. Festivus is the annual holiday invented by writer Dan O’Keefe whose screenwriter-son Daniel introduced it on Seinfeld. It’s always a great time and there will be food! All are welcome.
• Kwanzaa Celebration!
Saturday, Dec. 27, 12 noon – 4:00 p.m.
Utah Museum of Fine Arts, free
UMFA's annual Kwanzaa Celebration invites children to participate in art workshops, music, and storytelling from around the world. Visitors can walk through the exhibition of kente cloth, Wrapped In Pride. Bring a can of food for the Utah Food Bank. The Kwanzaa Celebration has become an important African American holiday celebrated from Dec. 26 – Jan. 1, and honors both African traditions and American customs.
BULLETIN BOARD
• 12-SEED UTAH HEADS TO NCAA TOURNAMENT
The Mountain West Conference champion U of U volleyball team completed its regular season with a 24-5 mark and enters the NCAA Tournament as the nation’s 12th seed. The Utes will face the Furman Paladins on Friday, Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. in Clemson, SC. The winner of the match will face the winner of the Tennessee/Clemson contest Saturday at 5 p.m. (Mountain Time). Utah has qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 10 of the last 11 years and has compiled an 8-9 all-time record in the national postseason tournament. Read more online (hotlink to http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/120108aaf.html).
• GREAT NEWS FOR SKIERS!
Starting Dec. 14, UTA’s ski bus, Route 951, providing bus service seven days a week between downtown SLC and the 6200 South ski bus lot, will include a stop at the Heritage Center. Buses will depart (outbound) from the Heritage Center at 8:04 a.m. and 9:34 a.m., and depart (inbound) from 6200 South at 3:15 p.m. and 5:08 p.m. For more information, contact UTA (hotlink to www.rideuta.com).
• SUGAR? FIESTA? ORANGE?
Which bowl will it be?
Watch for news on Selection Sunday—Dec. 7—the day we’ll find out where our 12-0 Utah Utes will play their impressively-earned bowl game. The announcement will be made on Fox Television (KSTU Channel 13) during the BCS selection show airing at 6 p.m. Mountain Time.
• PARTICIPANTS NEEDED
BRAIN IMAGING
The Department of Psychiatry is looking for participants for an IRB-approved brain and aging study. Eligible participants must be female, ages 18-22, 25-35, or 65-75, and right handed. The purpose of the study is to examine how the brain changes in response to aging. Participants will complete a study evaluation and one magnetic resonance imaging scan. Compensation will be provided. To enroll or for more information, contact Cheryl Garn at 582-1565 ext. 2759.
FIBROMYALGIA TREATMENT
Researchers in the Department of Anesthesiology are seeking participants for an IRB-approved clinical study to evaluate rehabilitation programs for treating Fibromyalgia. Eligible participants must :
• Have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Syndrome
• Be between 21 and 65 years of age
• Not exercise regularly (less than 30 minutes per week)
This study includes evaluations and 10 consecutive, weekly, 2.5 hour treatment sessions—all at no cost to participants. For more information, contact the Pain Research Center at 585-7697.
U SAVING ENERGY
Since the U’s behavioral energy saving program began in July 2003 the U has saved the CO2 emissions equivalent of 3,876,420 propane cylinders used for home barbecues.
While laptops use much less energy than desktop computers, you can still find ways to maximize your savings with a laptop. Try putting the AC adapter on a power strip that can be turned off (or will turn off automatically); the transformer in the AC adapter draws power continuously, even when the laptop is not plugged into the adapter. For questions, suggestions, or comments contact Bianca Shama (hotlink to Bianca.shama@fm.utah.edu) or call 585-1171.
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, Dec. 8 for a chance to win two tickets to the Jon Schmidt concert on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13 at Kingsbury Hall, courtesy of Kingsbury Hall. The winner will be randomly selected from the pool of those submitting the correct answer and will be listed in the Jan. 14 FYI News.
Thanks to Kingsbury Hall 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 Nov. 19 FYI Mystery Photo shows the south side of Milton Bennion Hall, home to the College of Education. Congratulations to Robin Bennion, winner of the Nov. 19, 2008 FYI Mystery Photo Contest! Robin works for UHU Quality and Patient Safety. Robin was randomly selected from the pool of 105 contestants who sent in the correct answer. She received a weekend ski package for two courtesy of Campus Recreation Services. A big thanks to Campus Rec for providing the prize! And thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. We invite you to try your luck in 2009 when the next FYI is published on Jan. 14. |
