March 11, 2009
LATEST BUDGET UPDATE
With the legislative session set to end March 12 at midnight, significant progress has been made in advancing Higher Education’s agenda. The good news is that budget cuts are half of what has been projected. Several higher education buildings have been funded and all legislative priorities have either passed or are on track to passing in the final four days. Read the latest update online (hotlink to http://www.admin.utah.edu/president/budget/index.html) under the “Legislature News” tab.
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS TURNS 60
You only turn 60 once and the College of Fine Arts is doing it in grand style. The College encompasses the departments of art and art history, ballet, film, modern dance, theatre, and the School of Music. The 60th anniversary celebrates each of these art forms with a series of speakers, exhibits, and performances taking place now through March 13.
Earlier celebratory events included a performance by Bobby McFerrin; screenings of films by Isaac Chung, who is honored as the U’s Distinguished Young Alumni for 2009; and the David P. Gardner Graduate Lecture with Sir Ken Robinson.
Upcoming events include a College of Fine Arts assembly on Thursday, March 12, at 11 a.m. in Kingsbury Hall; and Art Now: Recent Work by U of U Art Faculty, which runs March 12 through May 11 at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Finally, The Arts Unfolding, A Gala Performance, will be held Friday, March 13, at 8 p.m. at Kingsbury Hall. The performance honors the mission of the arts at a research university. A complete list of events (hotlink to http://www.finearts.utah.edu/index.php/site/news/95) honoring the College’s 60th anniversary is online.
FRONTIERS OF SCIENCE LECTURE SERIES: THE YELLOWSTONE HOTSPOT: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
Some of earth’s most violent geologic forces have produced the magnificent scenery of Yellowstone National Park and the world’s greatest concentration of geysers and hot springs. The energy responsible for these features is from deep within the Earth, particularly the power and dynamics of a mantle plume, a giant magma reservoir more than 100 miles deep, providing magma and heat to the Yellowstone hotspot.
Robert B. Smith, U of U professor of geology and geophysics, will discuss the topic on Wednesday, March 18, at 7:30 p.m. in the Aline Wilmot Skaggs Biology Building. Smith has published over 160 scientific papers and a popular science book, with co-author Lee Siegel, "Windows Into The Earth/The Geologic Story of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks," (Oxford University Press). The book was released in 2006 and will be available at this lecture. Additional information on the Frontiers of Science Lecture Series (hotlink to http://www.science.utah.edu/fos.html) is online.
HONOR A NURSE WHO HAS DARED TO CARE
Celebrate National Nurses Week by recognizing a nurse who has touched your life. The 15th annual Honors for Nursing will be held Tuesday, May 12, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Little America Hotel. Hosted by the College of Nursing and the Nursing Alumni Association, Honors for Nursing is a regional event that provides recognition and appreciation for individuals within the nursing profession—and celebrates those who support the nursing profession. Miss Utah 2007 Jill Stevens, an emergency room nurse at Primary Children’s Medical Center and combat medic in the Utah National Guard, will emcee the evening. Individual recognitions can be made for $25. An invitation to the recognition reception event is mailed to each nominee. As the one honoring an individual, you may also attend the dinner at a cost of $25. (Other guests pay $35 to attend.) Revenue generated from Honors for Nursing helps to provide much-needed financial assistance to nursing students. Deadline to submit the name of a nurse for recognition is Monday, May 4. For more information contact Sue Onwuegbu (hotlink to sue.onwuegbu@nurs.utah.edu) or call (801) 581-5109. More information is online (hotlink to http://nursing.utah.edu/alumni/honors.html).
FEDERAL WAY TO CLOSE
Federal Way, the narrow road that runs east/west through the U golf course from Wasatch Drive to Central Campus Drive, will permanently close on Monday, March 16, in preparation for the groundbreaking on Wednesday, April 22 of the new James LeVoy Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building—A USTAR Innovation Center building project. This marks the first of several campus construction projects to be built on current golf course property. Others include three additional USTAR buildings, a new chilled water plant, and several projects for Health Sciences. Layton Construction will close Federal Way to install construction site fencing, set project trailers, and install utilities to the trailers. The fencing will include gates at each end of the road for construction access and to allow access from Central Campus Drive for the groundbreaking ceremony. This is a permanent closure of Federal Way and requires users to reroute to North Campus Drive.
KUDOS
Distinguished Professors named
Congratulations to the following faculty members who have been named Distinguished Professors:
Phyllis Coley, Distinguished Professor Biology;
Leslie Francis, Distinguished Professor of Law and Philosophy;
Christopher Hill, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry; and
John Parkinson, Distinguished Professor of Biology.
Hatch Prize recipient announced
Edna Rogers, professor of communication, is the 2009 recipient of the Calvin S. and JeNeal Hatch Prize in Teaching. The Hatch Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding faculty member who has distinguished her or himself in teaching through unusual motivation and stimulation of students to seek greater learning, unusual concern for students, noteworthy expertise in a given field of study, and other exemplary contributions to education at the U.
Honorary Degree recipients named
The Board of Trustees has approved honorary doctoral degrees for four individuals, which will be presented at this year’s Commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 8, in the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Given to individuals who merit special recognition for service or achievement, the awards will be presented to Marva M. Warnock for Doctor of Fine Arts; Carol M. Fay for Doctor of Business; Peter D. Meldrum for Doctor of Engineering; James L. Macfarlane for Doctor of Business; and to this year’s Commencement speaker, David McCullough, for Doctor of Humane Letters.
A FEW QUESTIONS FOR PHYLLIS COLEY
Professor of biology and recipient of a 2009 Distinguished Professor Award
• What book should every person read and why?
Any book, even a field guide, that takes you outside and helps you appreciate nature.
• What’s your favorite building or place on campus and why?
My office—I have filled it with art and it has a lovely view of the mountains.
• If you could meet any notable person, who would it be and why?
Charles Darwin, because he has changed the way we understand life on earth—though it would take a lifetime to hear all he had to say.
• Name a favorite local place to eat.
Thai Siam, 1435 S. State Street.
• What’s the most important thing today’s students need to know?
Keep learning for learning’s sake, and put it to use making the world a better place.
• List two of your favorite websites.
I lived in a tent in the Amazon for three months last fall without email or the Web—it was great.
• What do you like best about your job?
Doing research in tropical rainforests and training recent college graduates from around the world.
• What reading material is on your bedside table?
Isabelle Allende and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I am reading them in Spanish so they have been there a while.
• If politicians had to pass an exam before they were allowed to serve in public office, what question would you add to the test?
Name the three biggest threats to the environment—due to human impacts—and explain the steps you would take to mitigate them.
• Among the complex moral and political issues that affect humanity, which do you believe will never be resolved?
Human arrogance: the assumption that humans are more important than all other organisms on earth.
• What’s the best advice you ever got?
From my husband who told me I had to marry him.
BULLETIN BOARD
• FYI NEWS GOES PAPERLESS—NOW
Those of you who receive the FYI News online may not realize that we still print a limited number of newsletters and send them to those employees who do not have regular access to computers as part of their job such as the grounds crew and custodial staffs. As of this March 11, 2009 issue, we will stop printing FYI News and will go to an online-only format. If you do not have campus access to a computer, we encourage you to ask your supervisor to print out and post the online FYI News. Access is always available online (hotlink to http://www.utah.edu/fyi) and includes a “print” link.
—Ann Floor, Editor
• ATTENTION! POISON PREVENTION WEEK COMING UP
National Poison Prevention Week is March 15-21 and offers a great opportunity to promote poison prevention in your community by raising awareness of the dangers of unintentional poisonings. The Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC), established in 1954, is a program of the U of U’s College of Pharmacy. In 2008, UPCC received over 56,000 reports of poison exposures. Sixty percent of these cases involved children younger than six years of age, and 4 percent of cases involved adults over 59 years of age. The UPCC safely and effectively managed 77 percent of the poison exposures at home with telephone follow-up. Take this opportunity to refresh your knowledge about poison prevention. Additional information is available online (hotlink to http://www.utahpoisoncontrol.org).
• CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: UMFA WANTS YOU!
Applications are due March 13.
If you have a thirst for knowledge and a commitment to arts education, then consider becoming a weekend docent at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. The UMFA relies on committed docents to guide thousands of people through the Museum each year. Training for weekend docents consists of six 90-minute meetings held on Saturdays. For more information or to arrange an interview, call Amy Edwards at (801) 585-9875. Applications are online (hotlink to http://umfa.utah.edu/pageview.aspx?id=22013).
• 2009 IN FACT BOOK NOW ONLINE
Did you know that the U’s 170 tenured and tenure-track faculty continue to be among the most frequent winners of University teaching and research awards? Want to see a listing of money matters at the U? For this and other U of U tidbits, check out the latest edition of In Fact online (hotlink to http://www.infact.utah.edu).
• ONE, TWO, THREE STRIKES YOU’RE OUT!
Spring is here and that means the U’s softball and baseball teams are at play. Softball games are played on the Ute Softball Field west of Legacy Bridge. A softball schedule (hotlink to http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/w-softbl/utah-w-softbl-sched.html) is online. Baseball games are played at Franklin Covey Field. A baseball schedule (hotlink to http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/utah-m-basebl-sched.html) is also online.
UPCOMING ON CAMPUS
• THE MIDDLE EAST THROUGH ITS FILMS 2009
Caramel
Wednesday, March 11, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m
UMFA Dumke Auditorium
Six women in Beirut seek love, marriage, and companionship and find duty, friendship, and possibility. A discussion follows with Laurence Loeb, professor of anthropology. (Films are not rated.) More information on the film series can be found online (hotlink to http://www.hum.utah.edu/index.php?&pageId=1255).
• ART NOW—RECENT WORK BY FACULTY
March 11 - May 11
UMFA
Recent work by the faculty of the Art and Art History Department celebrates the 60th anniversary of the College of Fine Arts. The exhibition highlights the work of professors across eight studio tracks including art education, ceramics, graphic design, illustration, painting and drawing, photography and digital imaging, printmaking, and sculpture intermedia. See the diversity of themes and media that capture the imagination and creativity of the U’s faculty. Additional information is online (get the right link before uploading, hotlink to http://www.umfa.utah.edu).
• DISABILITY STUDIES FORUM
Wednesday, March 11, 7:00 p.m.
Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (138 West 300 South)
Film and panel discussion: Born Freak.
Thursday, March 12, 1:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Olpin Union Saltair Room
A seminar, poster session, and keynote at 5:30 p.m. titled Life After War for Wounded Warriors and Everyone Else in a New Era for Civil Rights features Anita Silvers, professor of philosophy at San Francisco State University. For more information, contact Cathy Chambless (hotlink to cathy.chambless@cppa.utah.edu) or call (801) 585-0371.
• HONORS COLLEGE TALENT SHOWCASE
Thursday, March 12, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Libby Gardner Hall, Room 270
Join the Honors College as it showcases the many talents of its best and brightest honors students. For more information, contact Tamara Taylor (hotlink to t.taylor@honors.utah.edu) or call (801) 581-8648.
• LEGISLATIVE WRAPUP
Friday, March 13, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Hinckley Caucus Room, 255 OSH
Hear how the U fared in this legislative session from State Senator Pat Jones, Senate President Michael Waddoups (invited), House Speaker David Clark (invited), and State Representative David Litvack.
• TOADALLY FROGS
March 14 - September 14
UMNH, Dumke Gallery
Toadally Frogs, the last exhibit slated for the Utah Museum of Natural History’s current building, will showcase more than 70 live frogs when it returns for an encore presentation on March 14. Toadally Frogs will run through Sept. 14 after which the Dumke Gallery will become a staging area for the Museum’s impending move to its new building in 2011. The Museum will be hopping throughout the spring and summer as Toadally Frogs will have some 20 different species of frogs and toads on display, including the tiny jewel-colored dart frogs, flat-as-a-pancake Surinam toads, and the large Rococo toad named “Toadzilla.” Additional information on the exhibit is online (hotlink to http://www.umnh.utah.edu/frogs).
• INDIA NIGHT AT THE U
Saturday, March 14, 4:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Olpin Union Ballroom
“India Night” showcases the country’s rich cultural heritage through music and dance—from classical to folk and Bollywood. Authentic Indian food will be served. Seating is from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. with snacks and beverages served during that time. Ticket information is online (hotlink to http://web.utah.edu/isa/rangbarse2009.html) or in person at the Olpin Union Information Desk. For more information, contact Aniket Surdi (hotlink to aniket.surdi@utah.edu) or call (801) 556-3295.
• YEAR OF ASTRONOMY FREE FILM FESTIVAL
Saturday, March 14, 6:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
Olpin Union Theater
Hosted by the Department of Physics & Astronomy, free popcorn is provided. At 6:00 p.m. Newton’s Dark Secret will be shown, followed at 7:15 p.m. by a screening of Men in Black (PG-13).
• KUED HOSTS FREE PREVIEW SCREENING
We Shall Remain: Trail of Tears
Tuesday, March 17, 7:00 p.m.
City Library Auditorium (240 East 400 South)
KUED will give the public a chance to see a sneak peek of the new PBS American Experience series, We Shall Remain, as well as an opportunity to see KUED’s five half-hour local documentaries next week.
• MEDICAID IN CHALLENGING ECONOMIC TIMES
March 19, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
New Goodwill Humanitarian Bldg. (south of Social Work)
Experts provide information on:
• Changes to Medicaid
• How these changes impact Medicaid recipients
• Government plans to address the challenges and changes to Medicaid
coverage in light of the current recession
• How professionals can be actively involved in advocating for their
clients through legislative, policy and practice initiatives.
For additional information, contact Jennifer Nozawa (hotlink to Jennifer.nozawa@socwk.utah.edu).
• KUED HOSTS FREE PREVIEW SCREENINGS
We Shall Remain: A Native History of Utah
Thursday and Friday, March 19-20, 7:00 p.m.
Indian Walk-In Center (120 West 1300 South)
KUED’s five half-hour documentaries, We Shall Remain: A Native History of Utah, will be screened over two consecutive evenings. Thursday evening, The Paiute and The Ute will be shown, with The Navajo, The Goshute, and The Northwestern Shoshone shown on Friday evening. Post-film discussion will be moderated by Ella Dayzie, director of the Indian Walk-In Center.
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. 16 for a chance to win two tickets to see Arlo Guthrie at Kingsbury Hall on Sunday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m., 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 Mar. 25 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 Feb. 25 FYI Mystery Photo shows the southwest entrance to the Carolyn Tanner Irish Humanities Building located east of LNCO and OSH. Congratulations to Heidi Camp, winner of the Feb. 25, 2009 FYI Mystery Photo Contest! Heidi was randomly selected from the pool of contestants who sent in the correct answer. "Wow – I never win anything!" said Heidi. “How fun!” Heidi is assistant dean for advancement and research in the College of Humanities. “This means I oversee development, marketing and communication, and grant funding for research within the College.” Heidi received four tickets to the women's gymnastics meet on Friday, March 6 at the Huntsman Center, courtesy of Utah Athletics. A big thanks to Utah Athletics for contributing the prize! And thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. We invite you to try your luck again with the Mar. 25 FYI News. |
U SAVING ENERGY
Although there’s snow on the ground, it’s time to resurrect your bike from its winter storage. Swing by the U’s bike collective (hotlink to http://www.sustainability.utah.edu/initiatives/universitybikecollective.htm) located just east of UMFA (small brick building with a bike on top), Monday through Thursday between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. and get a spring tune up. Consider curbing your carbon by taking the Clif Bar 2 Mile Challenge (hotlink to http://www.2milechallenge.com/#/home) and consider commuting to work by bike at least one day a week to help fight global climate change.
DEALING WITH THE BUDGET CUTS
SUGGESTIONS FROM
FACULTY AND STAFF
Attention faculty and staff:
FYI News continually 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. 23, 2009
STOP PRINTING
Just yesterday, I distributed a bundle of printed copies of FYI addressed to staff. Although these are not on glossy, magazine-stock paper, they are in full-color and I know are expensive to print. At the hospital, I know nearly all the staff in my area pull FYI out of their mailboxes and immediately throw it in the trash. As staff and faculty, we all have University email addresses, and already receive FYI electronically, so why is this being duplicated? Likewise, why are University entities, such as Print and Copy Services spending ridiculous amounts on internal marketing? Those of us who are required to use them, already know about them, and those who don’t, don’t need to anyway. Items such as the annual calendar are nice, but why not make them available to those who request them, instead of sending them all over campus to those who may not have any use for them?
—Cindy
RESPONSE FROM FYI NEWS
The March 11 FYI News will be the last one printed on paper and from here on out, FYI will go to an online-only format. The paper FYI has been distributed to those employees who do not have access to campus computers as part of their job—like the grounds crew and custodial staffs—so we encourage all supervisors to print out the online FYI and post it for those employees without computer access.
ORGANIZE A REVIEW TEAM
A lot of the ideas on reducing costs are great but I disagree with switching from Microsoft Office to Open Office. I’ve used them both. Open Office has a lot of problems and quirks that make it less functional and more frustrating to use, and I think some costs are good investments in the long run. However, it may be a good idea to use a group to review exceptionally good software that’s available and perhaps the Marriott Library could have their support staff at the media center or other computer support staff could do that
—Julia
STOP THE WASTE
As a hospital staff person, I see huge amounts of daily waste, from food to supplies to medical and administrative. Much of this cannot be abated due to safety and health requirements, but by all means, when it comes to printing, mailing and marketing, there are much more efficient alternatives than to send physical, expensive, internal communications and materials.
—Brooke
