February 25, 2009
CELEBRATING WALLACE STEGNER
I believe that good depends not on things, but on the use we make of things. Everything potent, from human love to atomic energy, is dangerous. It produces ill about as readily as good. It becomes good only through the control, the discipline, the wisdom, with which we use it.
— Wallace Stegner
As an acclaimed writer, teacher, and conservationist, Wallace Stegner, who died in 1993, is an enduring influence on those who are writing about and engaged in protecting the American West today. Although he was born in Iowa and moved around a lot as a child—“20 places in eight states and Canada”—he claimed Salt Lake City as his hometown and graduated from the U of U in 1930. His books include the Pulitzer Prize-winning Angle of Repose and Beyond the Hundredth Meridian, and his The Wilderness Letter became the conscience of the conservation movement. This month, celebrations mark the centennial of his birth. Chief among them is the S.J. Quinney College of Law’s annual Stegner Center Symposium, this year titled Wallace Stegner: His Life and Legacy, taking place on Friday and Saturday, March 6-7, at the Marriott University Park Hotel. The symposium brings together more than 18 presenters—former Stegner fellows, writers, poets, conservationists, historians, and public officials—who explore Stegner’s life and his ongoing influence. The lineup includes Bruce Babbitt, former secretary of the interior under President Clinton; Wendell Berry, an award-winning writer; Charles Wilkinson, a professor at the University of Colorado; and Stegner’s son Page, also a writer. Others include Stephen Trimble, Terry Tempest Williams, and Robert Steensma. Detailed information is available online (hotlink to http://www.law.utah.edu/stegner) or by calling (801) 585-3440.
Additional programming honoring Wallace Stegner includes KUED-7’s documentary, Wallace Stegner, airing Wednesday, March 4, at 7:00 p.m. The film paints a portrait of the West that Wallace Stegner so loved, and includes interviews with his students, contemporaries, and family, revealing insights into the life of this extraordinary man. Additional information is online (http://www.kued.org/productions/wallacestegner/).
DARIA BIJAK RAISES THE BAR
U of U gymnast Daria Bijak, from Cologne, Germany, is having an exceptional season. Bijak, who competed for Germany at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is in the all-around lineup for the No. 1 ranked Utes. This season, she has career highs on bars (9.925) and floor (9.90). She is currently ranked fourth in the nation on the uneven bars.
Coach Greg Marsden is counting on big things from the junior All-American. “She looks different from anybody else out there. Last year she performed very well but the judges didn’t reward her for it and for whatever reason they are rewarding her this year.” You can see Bijak perform when the Utes meet Arizona State in the Huntsman Center on March 6 at 7:00 p.m. For a complete schedule of upcoming meets check online (hotlink to http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/w-gym/utah-w-gym-body.html).
A FEW QUESTIONS FOR STEVEN STERNFELD
Associate professor of linguistics and recipient of the 2009 John R. Park Award
• What book should every person read and why?
Whatever book will compel you to pick it up again and again over the years to understand how much you have grown.
• What’s your favorite building or place on campus and why?
The Tanner Dance Building. My daughters Giuliana and Francesca danced there as children and Francesca teaches there as an adult. Giuliana’s 4-year-old son Maiu is now enrolled in the Tanner Fine Arts Preschool, and I’ve been taking adult dance there for five years from Karen Bean, a most remarkable dance teacher.
• If you could meet any notable person, who would it be and why?
Dante Alighieri. Last semester, some forty years after having read Inferno as an undergraduate Italian major at Stanford University, I co-taught the course, “Reading Dante’s Inferno” with Norm Council from the English department. Had I benefited from Norm’s insights into Dante back at Stanford, I might have chosen to become a Dante scholar.
• Name a favorite local place to eat.
Caffé Niche, 800 East and 300 South. Good location (around the corner for me), good coffee, good food, good people, good ambience.
• What’s the most important thing today’s students need to know?
That when they graduate, it will be their educational institution that grants them a degree, but it will have been the students’ responsibility to have gotten themselves an education.
• List two of your favorite websites.
That would be http://www.npr.org and http://www.projectneweyes.com. The first is my window on the world, the second is a window on my world.
• What do you like best about your job?
No two days, two weeks, or two semesters are the same.
- No Boundary: Eastern and Western Approaches to Personal Growth, by Ken Weber
- The Zookeeper's Wife, by Diane Ackerman
- Wicked, by Gregory Maguire
- The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle
- Creatures of the Desert World (a pop-up book)
- Eeyore’s (mis)Adventures, by A. A. Milne
- Newsweek and The Advocate
• If politicians had to pass an exam before they were allowed to serve in public office, what question would you add to the test?
Present compelling arguments both for and against the following statement: “Reality is invented, not discovered.”
• What is one thing you would like to ask people to do to change the world for the better?
In Ghandi’s words, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” or, for us teachers, in the words of Ram Dass, “All work is work on your self. A teacher works on himself so as to create an environment in which others are free to change, should they so choose.”
• Among the complex moral and political issues that affect humanity, which do you believe will never be resolved and why?
The fundamental tension that exists in human relationships because our cultural identity emerges out of an exclusive rather than inclusive “us” that requires that there be a “them.”
• What’s the best advice you ever got?
Don’t forget to breathe!
PARK BUILDING MAKEOVER REVEALED
Recent removal of the scaffolding from around the Park Building has revealed significant restoration of the 95-year-old limestone and terra cotta. Both historic materials have been carefully cleaned and repaired, and many elements have been anchored to the building structure to minimize seismic risk. The decorative parapet was entirely rebuilt with a new stainless steel structure. Severely deteriorated limestone, originally quarried in Sanpete County, was patched with matching repair mortars and a more durable limestone from Wisconsin. Copper sheet metal flashing now protects more surfaces and will help the building shed water and preserve the limestone.
Many historic windows have been restored or have received new sash with insulated glazing, and all other windows have received minor repairs and a coat of paint—but their full renovation will be in the future.
On the interior, fire protection systems—both detection/notification and sprinklers—have been installed in a majority of spaces. The inconvenience to building occupants has allowed a much-improved life-safety situation for all.
Currently wrapped in protective plastic, the bronze statue of John R. Park has been fully restored and reinstalled on a new, matching terra cotta pedestal. Reinstallation of the restored granite stair treads and new granite pavers beneath the portico will allow the front entry to be reopened in April. Some final aspects of the re-roofing and the re-landscaping of the site will complete the effort and will be finalized in time for Commencement.
—Scott Jefferson, Campus Design and Construction
February 16, 2009
REMEMBERING WILLEM J. KOLFF
The University of Utah lost one of its campus treasures with the death of Willem J. Kolff, on Feb. 11, in Philadelphia. Kolff, a U of U Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Bioengineering, Surgery and Medicine, was 97 years old. Born in Leiden, Netherlands, he studied medicine and began his research on an artificial renal function replacement—work that would lead to worldwide recognition and being known as the Father of Artificial Organs. Kolff came to the U.S. in 1950 to do research and development work on heart-lung and dialysis machines at the Cleveland Clinic. By 1967, he had moved to Salt Lake City and was named head of the U’s Division of Artificial Organs and Institute for Biomedical Engineering. He helped develop the artificial heart and was involved with the first implant in Barney Clark in 1982. Kolff is regarded as one of the most important physicians of the twentieth century. He received more than 12 honorary doctorates at universities all over the world, more than 120 international awards, and was nominated, with William H. Dobelle, for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2003. U professor Joe Andrade was a colleague of Kolff and remembers him as an “indefatigable spirit—always questioning, always considering new ideas, never slowing down.” Kolff’s lasting legacy on the U and the state of Utah is far greater than just the artificial heart. When Kolff came to the U, the best and the brightest in medicine and bioengineering followed him. Today, his legacy lives on in these former colleagues and students who continue to strengthen Utah as an international leader in research and commercial development of new biomedical technologies.
VIRGINIA TANNER DANCE AND CDT CELEBRATION
Virginia Tanner was a pioneer in children’s dance, teaching classes to Salt Lake City children for decades. Her young students experienced the exuberance of creativity made accessible through movement. For the girls, it was twirling across the floor in a “Ginny Gown” that was the crowning glory—the true mark of being one of Tanner’s students.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Virginia Tanner studied with modern dance pioneer Doris Humphrey and took classes in New York City. She then returned to Utah to work with children. “The motivating force behind my work is not only developing excellent dancers, but more importantly, developing young people who are useful, imaginative, worthwhile human beings,” said Tanner. This philosophy is the foundation of the Tanner Dance Program, which she created in 1937. In 1947, she added a performing company called the Children’s Theatre Dance Group and by 1949, renamed it Children’s Dance Theatre (CDT) and moved the program to the U of U campus. Eventually, the Tanner Dance Program also moved to the U and both flourished under her direction until her death in 1979.
This month, CDT celebrates its 60th year, and the Tanner Creative Dance Program celebrates 72 years. Festivities, under the umbrella theme of “Coming Home: Celebrating our Roots, Strengthening our Wings,” include two concerts and a brunch for former students and friends of the program. In addition, an alumni association has been formed with the following as charter board members: Rebecca Spencer Biggs, Jodi Stoker Kirkham, Meg Mecham Lewis, Heidi Wilde Romney, and Suzanne Spencer Wirthlin. Former students, teachers and employees are encouraged to join. Information on the brunch and concerts is below. For more information, contact Sara Oswald (hotlink to sara.oswald@utah.edu).
Children’s Dance Theatre
60th Anniversary Spring Concert
Friday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28, 2:00 p.m.
Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South)
Ticket information is through ArtTix online (hotlink to http://www.arttix.org) or by calling (801) 355-ARTS
Alumni Brunch
Saturday, Feb. 28, 9:00 a.m.
Hotel Monaco (15 West 200 South)
Tickets are $20
RSVP online (hotlink to tannerdance@utah.edu) by Feb. 25.
All former alumni, board members, employees, family, and friends are invited to join in celebrating.
NEWS FROM THE ACADEMIC SENATE
Department name change: Meteorology is now Atmospheric Sciences
At the February Academic Senate meeting, senators voted in favor of following a national trend and changed the name of the Department of Meteorology to the Department of Atmospheric Sciences. The new name better describes the course of study offered by the department, which is broader than just meteorology and includes climate science. The change will improve recruiting, strengthen funding opportunities, and will better represent the U of U in the broader science community.
Resolution from the faculty budget and planning advisory committee
Senators voted to support a resolution brought by the Senate’s Faculty Budget and Planning Advisory Committee which calls for “University administration, college deans, and department chairs to practice transparency in financial matters and plans for budget cuts, by opening their budgets to faculty review through readily accessible means, providing information on revenue streams and the personnel and activities supported by them.”
CHECK YOUR ADDRESS!
Annual Open Enrollment is Coming Soon
Is the home address listed for you on the U’s Campus Information System accurate?
If not, you will need to update your information before Friday, March 13, to ensure that your enrollment information is sent to the correct address when Annual Open Enrollment begins in April. You can make changes directly online (hotlink to https://gate.acs.utah.edu/). Once you are logged on, click on the “EMPLOYEE” tab, then click on “Change Your Mailing Address.”
Annual Open Enrollment is your opportunity to enroll, change, or discontinue your U health coverage, enroll in your 2010 FSA, and make changes to the Group Legal Plan. Open enrollment information will be mailed directly to your home address. This important information is your notification of any changes to the benefit plans.
Additional Open Enrollment reminders will be sent via email, so don’t forget to also update your email address on the Campus Information System.
For more information, contact the Benefits Department at (801) 581-7447.
UPCOMING ON CAMPUS
• THIRD ANNUAL BARBARA L. AND NORMAN C. TANNER CENTER FOR NONVIOLENT HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY FORUM
The Evolution of Human Aggression: Lessons for Today’s Conflicts
Wednesday – Friday, Feb. 25-27
Various locations but mostly at Fort Douglas
This year's forum is organized around four topics that illustrate how evolutionary theory can inform our understanding of human aggression. Presentations by invited speakers represent a diversity of disciplines including evolutionary psychology; biological, physical, and cultural anthropology; archeology; and primatology. All sessions are open to the public. Additional information including a schedule is online (hotlink to http://humanrights.utah.edu/forum/index.html).
• UNIVERSE PROJECT COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
Thursday, Feb. 26, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Rice Eccles Stadium Tower, Room 645
Parking is free in the stadium lot at that hour
Take advantage of this opportunity to hear about the proposed Universe Project to be built in the stadium parking lot. Offer suggestions and state your concerns. More information is available online (hotlink to http://www.facilities.utah.edu) or call Betty Martin at (801) 585-6751.
• 2009 MENTORING FOR U WORKSHOP
Functional Mentoring
Tuesday, March 3, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Huntsman Cancer Institute, 6th floor auditorium
The School of Medicine’s annual half-day workshop on mentoring features a keynote presentation by Maryellen E. Gusic, associate dean for clinical education and professor of pediatrics at Penn State University College of Medicine. For more information, contact Angelo Ziakas (hotlink to angelo.ziakas@hsc.utah.edu) or call (801) 587-9105.
• MEMORY AND THE MEDIA LECTURES SERIES
Thursday, March 5, 7:00 p.m.
City Library (210 East 400 South)
In discussing her book, Buried by The Times: the Holocaust and America’s Most Important Newspaper, Laurel Leff is joined by U professors Suhi Choi, who studies coverage of the Korean War, and David Vergobbi, who studies ethics and First Amendment issues. A book signing will follow. The lecture is simulcast on KCPW Radio 88.3 and 105.3 FM. For more information, contact Kimberley Mangun (hotlink to kim.mangun@utah.edu).
• THE NATURE OF THINGS LECTURE SERIES WITH TOM FRIEDMAN
Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 p.m.
Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple)
Called “the world’s greatest commentator” by the BBC, author Tom Friedman kicks off the 2009 The Nature of Things Lecture Series with a talk titled Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution and How it can Renew America. How much have we already altered the climate, resources, and balance of the planet? What does it mean to live sustainably in order to restore balance in nature? What economic opportunities does sustainable living provide? Friedman addresses these questions and the state of America in the global future, bringing a fresh look at the crises of destabilizing climate change and rising competition for energy—both of which he believes could poison our world if we do not act quickly and collectively. Tickets are available through ArtTix online (hotlink to http://www.arttix.org) or call (801) 355-2787 (service fees apply). Additional details on the lecture are online (hotlink to http://www.umnh.utah.edu/nature).
The lecture series is sponsored by the Utah Museum of Natural History and the Hinckley Institute of Politics.
• CAMPUS CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE (CI) DAY
Enabling research in a data-driven world
Friday, March 13, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
New Sutton Building (north of the Browning Building)
The U’s first Cyberinfrastructure (CI) Day explores various approaches that outside experts and University faculty are pursuing to more effectively manage and comprehend data. The keynote speaker, Ed Seidel, is a noted computational astrophysicist and the director of the Office of Cyberinfrastructure at the National Science Foundation. To make a reservation or for more information, check online (hotlink to http://www.it.utah.edu/ci-day).
BULLETIN BOARD
• PRINT, COPY, AND MAIL TO MERGE
On March 1, University Print & Copy Services and University Mailing Services will merge into one department—University Print & Mailing Services—to better serve the University community. Over the next few months the two departments will consolidate their customer service teams to provide one-stop shopping for all University printing and mailing needs. For design, print, and delivery services, contact the newly-merged University Print & Mailing Services at (801) 581-6171.
• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT RED BUTTE
Red Butte Garden welcomes volunteers to assist in the care of breathtaking gardens, conservation of endangered plants throughout the state, and the education of all about the wonders of nature. If you are passionate about the natural world, join in Red Butte’s mission to learn, protect, educate, and enjoy the beauties of the outdoors. More information is online (hotlink to http://www.redbuttegarden.org) or call (801) 585-5688.
• ATTENTION PHOTOGRAPHY BUFFS
Grab your camera, get outside, and snap a few shots of the emerging spring. Entries are open for the 7th annual U of U American Meteorological Society Nature Photography Contest. All entry proceeds benefit The Road Home. Rules and entry details are online (hotlink to http://www.met.utah.edu/photocontest/).
• AREA CODE DIALING STARTS MARCH 1
You should now use the area code when making all local phone calls, using the full 10-digit number. All calls in the 801 or 385 area codes need to be dialed using the area code and telephone number. Dialing on campus with 5 digits will continue as is.
U SAVING ENERGY
ENERGY TIP: When given the option, consider using ENERGY STARR labeled compact fluorescent bulbs. An 18-watt compact fluorescent bulb will give you the same amount of light as a 75-watt incandescent at 25 percent of the operating cost. ENERGY STARR-labeled compact fluorescent bulbs also last ten times longer than incandescent bulbs. Questions and comments may be directed to Bianca Shama at 585-1171 or via email (hotlink to Bianca.shama@fm.utah.edu).
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, Mar. 2 for a chance to win four tickets to the Utah vs Arizona State women’s gymnastics meet on Friday, March 6, at 7 p.m. in the Huntsman Center, 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 Mar. 11 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 Feb. 11 FYI Mystery Photo shows the Henry Eyring Building (chemistry) located just south of the biology building. Congratulations to Murray Hayward, winner of the Feb. 11, 2009 FYI Mystery Photo Contest! Murray was randomly selected from the pool of contestants who sent in the correct answer. He is the safety officer for University Health Care. “I manage the Environment of Care programs to ensure safety and health for our patients, visitors, students, and employees,” says Murray. He first enrolled at the U in 1965 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He started working at the U’s medical center in 1974. “I have enjoyed a 35-year career as a faithful full-time Ute,” he says. “I knew the location in the photo—I walk through that north chem building courtyard before and after every Utah football game. Go Utes!!!” Murray received a weekend ski package for two courtesy of Campus Recreation. A big thanks to Campus Rec. for contributing the prize! And thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. We invite you to try your luck again with the Mar. 11 FYI News. |
DEALING WITH THE BUDGET CUTS
SUGGESTIONS FROM
FACULTY AND STAFF
Attention faculty and staff:
FYI News invites you to send in your suggestions for dealing with the campus budget cuts. Your ideas will be forwarded to Vice President David Pershing for his review. Although he is not able to respond personally, he will read them all. We will continue to post a sampling of the responses on this site.
Send your suggestions to FYI News.
From the week of Feb. 9, 2009
ALLOW VOLUNTARY LEAVE
Have a policy that allows faculty to take part- or full-time unpaid leave as needed throughout their career. People may choose to do this to briefly work in industry/private sector, to take an international experience, to visit another university, to take time off with children/aging parents (beyond family leave), or just for fun/relaxation. Part-time tenure track positions could make us a truly family-friendly university. A generous policy of voluntary unpaid leave could help in the short term, and it might be quite popular in the long term too.
— Cindy
TOO MUCH FOOD
I am new here and one of the first things I noticed was how much money is spent to provide food for training sessions, meetings, and conferences. Then I noticed how much of it goes to waste! Not only are we wasting money feeding people who are more than capable of bringing a snack to these sessions, but we're wasting food, AND contributing to the already out of control obesity problem in the USA!
— Marti
ELIMINATE EXCESS PRINTERS AND FAX MACHINES
In my office (about 25 people) there are five shared printers and four fax machines that are incredibly underutilized. This isn’t counting all the personal printers that are scattered around on individual desks. These machines use power, toner, and are on maintenance contracts with service companies. It would seem quite simple to eliminate half of these machines and save a substantial amount of money over the long term. Everyone has reasons for wanting printers nearby or at their desks, but this has gone beyond the point of reason, especially in these financially challenging and environmentally conscious times. Eliminating the unnecessarily large number of machines campus-wide would not only save money but also would go a long way toward greening our campus.
— Earl
USE OUR OWN RESOURCES
Reconsider the benefits of hiring outside consultants to define policy for the University. The University should not pay outside consultants to tell us what we already know (defining our dress code, for example). Utilize existing internal resources to analyze and suggest changes to policies and procedures. We are an institution of higher education—we should use and apply the knowledge that we already possess.
— Sheila
ADD MOTION SENSORS TO LIGHTING SYSTEMS
We recently remodeled our space and installed motion sensors for all our lighting, and now no one has to remember to turn off the lights. Computers also can be set to turn off during nonworking hours in all offices and clinics. It would be a great budget saving practice to install motion sensors throughout campus.
— Shirley
SHUT DOWN BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS
I suggest we shut down campus between Christmas and New Years as other universities (like Utah State University) have done. It’s so empty during those days. We waste a lot of money on light, heating, electricity, custodial, road plowing, and many other services for just those skeleton staff who are here. Not only would we save money, but it would go a long way in boosting employee morale. Last year’s three day Christmas holiday was wonderful.
— Stephanie
PROVIDE ALUMNI CAREER SERVICES AT NOMINAL COST
In this time of economic instability, many people—including our alumni—are losing their jobs. The U of U career center already provides a good service for students. Perhaps they could also provide this service for alumni at a reasonable cost. A larger pool to hire from might attract more companies to advertise with the career center, thus providing better opportunities for both students and alumni. This would be a good service for the U to provide in general.
— Cindy
RECYCLED PAPER: USE THE BACK SIDE
Many people print items that are for personal or internal-use. These items could be printed on the back side of recycled paper. Designate one printer drawer for recycled paper and one for clean paper, and choose the correct drawer for your needs. This could be done on an individual, hall/office, or department basis. Then make note pads by cutting stacks of recycled paper—clean on one side—into four quadrants, then stapling the small pieces across the top. Voila! Instant pads.
— Marjorie
