September 23, 2009
JOIN THE REDVOLUTION: HOMECOMING 2009
Now through Saturday, Sept. 26
SALUTING MARGARET PRICE CARLSTON, THE U’s FIRST HOMECOMING QUEEN
Selected from a group of 25 coeds—by two justices of the Utah Supreme Court, no less—Margaret Price, in 1937, was named the U’s first Homecoming Queen. She studied business education with an emphasis in typing and shorthand, and found time to serve in the Spurs (pep club) and on the Utonian (yearbook) staff. She was a member of Delta Gamma sorority as well as the President’s Club. Born in 1916, she began classes at the U in 1933 and graduated in 1937. Margaret and her husband, Ken (U of U grad 1938), in 1955 moved with their five children to Whittier, California where she taught high school English as a substitute teacher for nearly 30 years. She retired at the age of 86 and moved back to Salt Lake City in 2005. Margaret Price Carlston, now 93 years old, returns to campus take part in a ceremony in her honor during the Homecoming football game.
HOMECOMING EVENTS
Homecoming Week 2009 offers something for everyone—from pep rallies and Songfest, to a Homecoming Scholarship Scramble golf tournament at Bonneville Golf Course. Comedian Jim Gaffigan will perform Friday night at Kingsbury Hall. With countless appearances on Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, as well as a recent Comedy Central special titled Beyond the Pale, Gaffigan has become one of the most popular touring and recorded comedians in the country today. Homecoming Day, Saturday, will include a 5K run/walk/stroll for the whole family and, of course, the Homecoming football game against Louisville at 5:30 p.m. in Rice-Eccles Stadium. The week is filled with fun for students, alumni, and other Utah fans. See a complete schedule of events online (http://www.alumni.utah.edu/homecoming) or call (801) 581-6995.
PRESIDENT YOUNG’S ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE STAFF
Celebrating his fifth year at the U, President Young will present his annual address to the staff on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 9:00 a.m. in the Huntsman Cancer Institute’s 6th floor conference room. His comments will focus on recent progress and future plans for the U in the areas of its mission: research, teaching, and community service. Because of limited parking, consider using TRAX and the campus shuttles. An RSVP (shirley.keiser@utah.edu) by Thursday, Oct. 1 would be appreciated. Also, please indicate any special access needs.
SIX STAFF MEMBERS RECEIVE EXCELLENCE AWARD
The following six University staff members received the annual University Staff Excellence Award and attended a lunch in their honor with President Young. The awards were established to recognize superior service and ongoing contributions by the U’s full-time staff. We congratulate them for their hard work and good example. The award recipients include:
- Galina Morshedzadeh, nurse practitioner at University Hospital
- Candelaria Cisneros, custodian at University Hospital
- Jenny Young, executive assistant to Vice President Fred Esplin
- Nancy Klekas, accounting supervisor in academic affairs
- Nate Dickson, computer professional at the Campus Store
- Karen De Mara, health sciences case manager
The six employees each receive $5,000 and their names will be added to an honorary commemorative sign in the human resources office in Research Park.
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH
- EPSCoR UPDATE: A LEG UP FOR YOUR FEDERAL PROPOSALS
From Ron Pugmire
Associate Vice President for Research
Epscor is a program from the Office of Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) (http://www.nsf.gov/od/oia/programs/epscor/about.jsp) to “strengthen research and education in science and engineering throughout the United States and to avoid undue concentration of such research and education.” Utah has now been designated as an EPSCoR-eligible state for the National Science Foundation (NSF). Other federal agencies have EPSCoR programs (NIH, DOD, NASA, DOE, EPA) that rely on EPSCoR designation by NSF. Any proposal to these agencies will be automatically flagged as coming from an EPSCoR state and thus will be eligible for a chance to get co-funding from the agency’s EPSCoR programs. Such funding will usually follow from a case where the proposal review just missed the pay line and EPSCoR funding might be used to augment existing funding and fund the proposal.
In addition, EPSCoR states qualify for major infrastructure funding. The U is now preparing proposals to NSF for cyber infrastructure and cyber inter- and intra-campus connectivity that will impact all of the institutions of higher education in Utah (the RII-Track 2 and TrackC2 proposals). The RII Track-1 proposal contains elements of environmental modeling and energy plus STEM education.
- TRACKING AND ACCESS TO YOUR PROPOSALS
From Brent Brown
Director, Office of Sponsored Projects
Research Portal is being developed as the one-stop-shop activity management tool for U researchers submitting grant proposals. Key features of the current Research Portal include:
• Queries for generating proposal and award activity reports
• Access to real-time status of proposals and awards
• Various filters for sorting data by college, department, principal investigator (PI), and sponsor
• Facilitation of collaboration opportunities
• Online submission of limited competition pre-proposals (the only way pre-proposals are now accepted)
The latest upgrade provides information on awards by PI, department, or college. The amounts, dates, updates, and status of every proposal can be viewed quickly and easily.
Research Portal is accessed through the Campus Information System (https://gate.acs.utah.edu/psp/plpr/EMPLOYEE/EMPL/h/?tab=PAPP_GUEST) Once you have logged in, scroll down to the “Research Administration” section on the left sidebar and select the link titled “Research Portal” to launch the application.
OSP will continue to enhance Research Portal and its current features. Coming soon are executive summary reports for administrators of large data collections, and new proposal development and collaboration assistance tools. Over the next few years, upgrades are planned to provide progressively more help for researchers including electronic signature collection and help with budgeting post-award accounting.
OSP will host demonstrations of Research Portal across campus as needed. Times, locations, and registration information is online (https://education.research.utah.edu/special_events.jsp). The demonstration is titled “Research Portal Demonstration.” For more information, contact OSP (mailto:osp-research@umail.utah.edu).
- WIMBA—LIVE AND RECORDED ONLINE MEETINGS MADE SIMPLE
You may have heard a new word around campus—Wimba. What is it, and why should you care? In short, Wimba Classroom makes live virtual meetings with students, staff, and colleagues around the world as easy as sending out a web address and opening your browser. It also has the ability to make conference calls with as many people as you would like to invite. This system functions much like ‘WebEx’, using the phone line for voice and the internet to show a computer screen for collaborative work, power point presentations, etc. It is fully integrated with the University’s Blackboard (WebCT) and Moodle courses. Staff and graduate students have personal Wimba virtual offices available from their Campus Information System (http://cis.utah.edu) pages. With over 2,000 Wimba rooms running at the U, it’s never been more convenient to convene virtual classes, offer office hours online, invite guest lecturers from around the world, record lectures, hold online study sessions, or convene collaborative meetings. Think of Wimba as Skype beefed up for rich virtual teaching and meetings. If you can’t meet in-person, maybe you could meet via Wimba.
Wimba virtual classroom runs in a web browser and can capture anything you display or write on its virtual whiteboard, such as PowerPoint slides or JPG images. It has two-way speech and/or video capabilities using a USB microphone or webcam. Participants who don’t have computer microphones can simply dial into the Wimba room from any telephone. You can even share your desktop screen, allowing participants to see anything you display—or ask to see their computer screens. Wimba records everything to an archive that participants can later watch from a browser or download as an MP4 video playable on an iPod, iPhone, or other device. Wimba Classroom is a no-charge service managed by the Technology Assisted Curriculum Center. Walk-in Wimba orientation sessions are held the last Wednesday of each month at noon in Room 1008 of the Marriott Library. You can find more information and training resources online (http://tacc.utah.edu/wimba).
MORE GOOD NEWS FROM HUMAN RESOURCES
- FLU SEASON IS COMING—ARE YOU PREPARED?
This year, the employee health care plan will cover the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine (when it becomes available) at 100 percent for employees and their family members who are enrolled in an employee health care plan (University Health Care Plus, Blue Cross Blue Shield, or ValueCare).
The University will hold several flu clinics around campus for employees and their family members. Children over the age of six months may be immunized. Flu clinics for the seasonal flu vaccine will be held on the following dates:
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Eccles Broadcast Center, Harris Conference Room (101 South Wasatch Drive) |
Schedule an appointment online (http://www.hr.utah.edu/ben/flu-shot.php). Additional clinics will be scheduled once an H1N1 vaccine becomes available to the public. You may also wish to contact your primary care physician regarding H1N1 vaccination availability.
If you are enrolled in the U’s employee health care plan, be prepared to show your ID card when you sign in to receive the vaccine at no cost. If you are not enrolled in the U’s employee health care plan, you will be required to pay $25 for each vaccination.
If you are unable to attend one of the University flu clinics, visit one of the University Heath Care Clinics or your primary care physician. To find a flu vaccine clinic, visit the Utah Flu Vaccine Locator (http://www.immunize-utah.org). If you pay for your vaccination, keep your receipt(s). You may request reimbursement from your health plan network administrator (University Health Care Plus, Blue Cross Blue Shield, or ValueCare). Note: Please do not use your FSA Benny Card to pay for the immunization if you want to be reimbursed.
- LIFE INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT
From now through Sept. 30, 2009, University employees in benefits-eligible positions may enroll in up to $350,000 in supplemental term life insurance on their own lives, without providing proof of good health. To enroll, download the Life Insurance Special Enrollment Form (http://www.hr.utah.edu/forms/lib/Life-Insurance-Special-Enrollment.pdf) and submit it to the University Benefits Department on or before Sept. 30, 2009. To enroll in Employee Supplemental Life Insurance in an amount greater than $350,000, you will need to apply for coverage and provide proof of good health. Coverage for those who enroll during this special enrollment period will be effective Oct. 1, 2009. If you are not actively at work on that date due to a physical or mental condition, coverage will be effective on the date you return to work.
For additional information, contact the Benefits Department (http://www.hr.utah.edu/ben) or call (801) 581-7447.
UNIVERSITY GUEST HOUSE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
What were you doing back in 1999? Just because you were sitting in the dark watching The X-Files doesn’t mean the folks at the University Guest House (http://www.universityguesthouse.com/) weren’t busy. In fact, they were polishing the railings and cleaning the windows in preparation for their grand opening in October 1999. Today, they’re getting ready to celebrate 10 years of success. Everyone is invited to attend their anniversary open house on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 110 South Fort Douglas Blvd. for food, prizes, gifts, music, tours, and lots of fun. For more information, call the conference services office at (801) 587-2980.
THREE NEW ACADEMIC PROGRAMS RECEIVE APPROVAL
The board of trustees recently gave final approval to three new programs:
- The Informatics Graduate Certificate expands the existing certificate to include nursing informatics students, faculty, and courses, and allows for interdisciplinary growth into the future. The change will make the certificate more inclusive by expanding it to a broad range of disciplines beyond health sciences.
- A new Undergraduate Minor in Health offers content in the areas of public health, positive behavior change, and healthy lifestyles. The minor is designed for students entering careers other than health promotion and education who wish to have formally-recognized educational preparation in health as well as those who wish to pursue careers in other health-related fields.
- The National Center for Voice and Speech (NCVS)—a “center without walls”—was formally organized in 1990 with a grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders to understand and promote the best use of human voice and speech. Moving its headquarters from Denver to Utah will make the state the national focal point for advocacy in effective voice and speech use. The new center will bring together different campus entities involved in voice, including the colleges of health, medicine, fine arts, engineering, and science.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND YOU—CONSERVE NOW
The U’s energy management office identifies energy-saving opportunities that can be made by changes—both mechanical and behavioral—in campus buildings. For example, a project in the Student Services Building is making the HV/AC more efficient. New dampers on each floor are improving airflow for heating and cooling; and the replacement of the angled banks of windows with more efficient glass better controls comfort by blocking more of the radiant heat and sealing the windows to keep out moisture and air leaks. Behavioral changes include turning off lights in unoccupied areas on campus. If empty classroom or hallway lights are left on, take the initiative to turn them off. When you see the opportunity to utilize partial lighting in a hallway, set the light level back. Through these mechanical improvements and behavioral changes, the University will continue to see savings in energy consumption. For additional information, contact Bianca Shama (Bianca.shama@fm.utah.edu) or call (801) 585-1171.
LET’S TAKE A WALK
Tired of sitting behind the desk all day? Need to get out and stretch those legs? Then let’s take a walk. On Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 12 noon, U of U employees are invited to meet at the Marriott Library Plaza fountain for a twenty minute stroll around campus. We’ll enjoy some fresh air, pleasant company, and information about what’s going on around campus. After the walk, additional information will be available to help individuals understand the benefits of walking and the positive impact it can have on a healthy lifestyle. Information about the PEAK Academy (http://www.health.utah.edu/peak) will also be available for those who are interested.
—Brought to you by PEAK Academy, a program of the College of Health
RAPE AGGRESSION DEFENSE CLASS OFFERED BY U POLICE
A six-week rape aggression defense class (RAD) for women will be held on Wednesdays, Sept. 30 to Nov. 4, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Huntsman Center Lounge. Cost is $25. To register, pay, and receive a packet for the class, visit the U of U Police Department located at 1735 E. South Campus Drive (the small building northwest of the South Campus TRAX Station). RAD is a practical self-defense class for women over the age of 12. For additional information, contact Lynn Rohland (lynn.rohland@dps.utah.edu), Arb Nordgran (arb.nordgran@dps.utah.edu), or call (801) 585-1162.
WANT CONTINUUM FOR YOUR WAITING AREAS? OR HOW ABOUT A PERSONAL SUBSCRIPTION?
Campus departments, clinics, and other facilities that have public waiting areas (such as lounges and patient rooms) may request a free drop of Continuum, the University’s award-winning magazine. The average waiting area receives 10 copies, while larger facilities may get 25 or more, depending on their patient/visitor population. If you would like to have Continuum available for your visitors, contact Marcia Dibble (marcia.dibble@alumni.utah.edu). If you are a faculty or staff member and would like a free subscription for yourself, sign up here (http://www.continuum.utah.edu/subscribe.php). The magazine is also available for viewing online (http://www.continuum.utah.edu/).
COUPLES NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY
The psychology department is conducting an IRB-approved study on how different patterns of interaction between couples affect physiological reactivity. They are seeking both opposite-sex and same-sex couples. The findings will have important implications for understanding how close relationships influence physical health. The study involves visiting their laboratory, filling out questionnaires, and engaging in a videotaped discussion with your partner about daily events, sources of conflict, and positive experiences—all while your cardiovascular functioning is assessed. All participants will be financially compensated. Details about the study are online (http://research1.psych.utah.edu/study/family/). For more information, contact Lisa Diamond (diamond@psych.utah.edu) or call (801) 585-7491.
FYI NEWS SURVEY
If you have not yet taken the FYI News survey, (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=oKj1ZJDDMU6D2qJMhfshjA_3d_3d) please do! It will help us improve the publication.The survey is short—just 10 questions—and closes Friday, Sept. 25. Thanks for your time and support.
—The FYI News Team
CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS TO AFFECT SOUTH CAMPUS
Two major construction projects on the south side of campus will impact pedestrian, bike, skateboard, and vehicle traffic from now until mid-summer 2010. These two projects are in addition to the various other construction projects currently under way on campus.
The first is the installation of a new sanitary sewer line under the business loop road (three phases) made more challenging because of the construction of the new business building nearby. The second is the installation of an underground utility tunnel east/west under the HPER mall walkway from the Tanner Dance Building near the Eccles Bridge to Orson Spencer Hall (also three phases). This second project also will impact those parking in the lot east of LNCO. The two projects will be under way at the same time. In an effort to mitigate the disruption to everyone moving through these areas, campus planners have a few suggestions:
- For those who ride TRAX to campus, consider avoiding the South Campus and Fort Douglas TRAX stations and instead use the Stadium and Health Sciences stations and make use of the campus shuttles.
- If you do enter campus from the construction area, look for signs that will guide pedestrians along the best routes to get into campus. Please be aware that these routes will change with the different phases of the construction projects.
- Check the construction impacts Web site (http://constructionimpacts.utah.edu) often. Updates are made on a weekly basis—it’s your best resource to find out what’s happening.
Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. For any specific project, contact Campus Design and Construction at (801) 581-6883 to be directed to the respective project manager.
FYI Mystery Photo Contest
FYI Mystery Photo
Where is this on campus? Send your answer (be specific) to FYI@ucomm.utah.edu by 12 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 for a chance to win two passes to Red Butte Garden (http://www.redbuttegarden.org), 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 Oct. 7 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 Sept. 9 FYI Mystery Photo shows the west side of the Eccles Health Sciences Library with the Eccles Institute of Human Genetics peeking out at the top. Congratulations to Niloofar Bakhti, winner of the Sept. 9 FYI Mystery Photo Contest! Niloofar was randomly selected from the pool of 93 contestants who sent in the correct answer. Niloofar is the accountant at the Eccles Health Sciences Library. She started as evening circulation supervisor, then became duplication manager, and was promoted to accountant seven years ago. “I just reached my 25th anniversary in September and attended the luncheon with President Young on Sept. 1,” she says. Niloofar received four tickets to the Homecoming football game against Louisville at Rice Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, courtesy of Utah Athletics (http://www.athletics.utah.edu). A big thanks to Utah Athletics for providing the prize. And thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. We invite you to try your luck again with the Oct. 7 FYI News.
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UPCOMING ON CAMPUS
All campus events are listed in the U’s online events calendar—are yours? If not, contact Lisa Westlind or call (801) 581-5819.
• “REDVOLUTION” HOMECOMING 2009
Now through Saturday, Sept. 26
Various locations throughout campus
A complete schedule of activities is online (http://www.alumni.utah.edu/homecoming) or call (801) 581-6995.
• RECESSION, RECOVERY, RETIREMENT: CONTINUING TO BUILD A SAFE AND SECURE RETIREMENT IN THE NEW ECONOMY
A Talk By Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.
Thursday, Sept. 24, 9:00 to 10:15 a.m., Free and open to all
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Roger Ferguson is president and CEO of TIAA-CREF, former vice chairman of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System, and a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee. Additional information is online (http://www.ipia.utah.edu/Ferguson.html).
• EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY
Thursday, Sept. 24, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Olympic Cauldron Park at Rice-Eccles Stadium
All U employees are invited. Bring your UCard to get in and enjoy food and fun! Details are online (http://web.utah.edu/employeeday).
• FARMERS MARKET
Thursdays, now through Oct.8, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Webster’s Lawn (east of Pioneer Memorial Theatre)
Additional information is online (http://www.hr.utah.edu/wellu/farmers_market/index.php).
• HINCKLEY FORUM: SARAH PALIN AND ALASKA: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
Thursday, Sept. 24, 1:00 p.m.
Hinckley Caucus Room, 255 OSH
Clive S. Thomas, a professor of political science at the University of Alaska Southeast, will speak.
• FREE SCREENING OF THE FILM, SKINS
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2 p.m. (Rated R)
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Native American filmmaker Chris Eyre bases this contemporary film on a book by Adrian C. Louis. Skins tells the tale of Rudy Yellow Lodge, a police investigator, and his brother Mogie, a severe alcoholic. Both live in a slum on Pine Ridge Reservation, the site of the Wounded Knee massacre. Faced with a cycle of poverty, violence, and despair, Rudy goes on a quest to avenge himself, his family, and his culture. The film is shown in conjunction with UMFA’s exhibition, Splendid Heritage: Perspectives on American Indian Art, which features more than 140 artistic and cultural treasures from the private collection of John and Marva Warnock. Additional information is online (http://www.umfa.utah.edu/splendidheritage) or call (801) 581-7332.
• HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME: UTAH VS. LOUISVILLE
Saturday, Sept. 26, 5:30 p.m.
Rice-Eccles Stadium
Ticket information is online (https://www.nmnathletics.com/tickets/TicketHome.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=1400).
• HINCKLEY FORUM: THE FAIR BOUNDARIES INITIATIVE—REDISTRICTING REFORM IN UTAH
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 9:10 a.m.
Hinckley Caucus Room, 255 OSH
Tania Knauer, Fair Boundaries program director, will speak.
• THE MAKING OF A SCIENTIST: AN UNLIKELY JOURNEY
A presentation by Mario Capecchi
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 7:00 p.m.
City Library (200 East 400 South)
Mario Capecchi is a Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics and Biology, and recipient of a 2007 Nobel Prize for his work in molecular biology with Oliver Smithies and Martin Evans.
• WALK OF THE WEEK
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 12 noon
Marriott Library Plaza fountain
Meet for a 20-minute walk around campus with trainers from PEAK Academy. Free and open to all.
• JAMES BALOG ON THE EXTREME ICE SURVEY
Thursday, Oct. 1, 7:00 p.m.
Old Fine Arts Auditorium (Between Marriott Library and Art & Architecture Bldg.)
Free and open to all
Acclaimed photographer, adventurer, naturalist, and director of the Extreme Ice Survey (EIS), James Balog, will present a public lecture including photographs which highlight the rapid retreat of 15 different glaciers in Greenland, Iceland, the Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Bolivia, and the Alps. Conrad Anker, the Black Diamond, Timex, and The North Face athlete will be in Salt Lake City to introduce him. For more information, contact Jessi Carrier (jessi.a.carrier@gmail.com) or call (801) 608-9652.
• THE GOOD IN THE ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTIFUL—LESSONS FROM THE UNSAID
A presentation by Julio Bermudez, Associate Professor of Architecture
Monday Oct. 5, 5:30 p.m.
Art & Architecture Building, Room 127
This lecture offers reflections based on one person’s search for beauty in buildings, and in his experiences of architecture. “In the end, the beautiful will be recognized as one of the essential paths to re-sensitize ourselves with the world and with life,” says Bermudez. Seeking, enjoying, and working for beauty is reframed as a radical practice geared to change us. For more information, contact Brad Baird (baird@arch.utah.edu).
• PRESIDENT YOUNG'S ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE STAFF
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 9:00 a.m.
Huntsman Cancer Institute, 6th Floor Auditorium
Parking is limited, so consider using TRAX or the campus shuttles. An RSVP (shirley.keiser@utah.edu) by Thursday, Oct. 1 would be appreciated.
• NEW WEBMASTER ORIENTATION
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Eccles Broadcast Center
The Office of Information Technology will sponsor a webmaster orientation to introduce new webmasters to University Web policies, best practices, and resources available to assist them with managing their Web sites. New webmasters are encouraged to attend as well as other members of the University web community who might benefit from a refresher course. The event is free, but seating is limited, so register (http://www.utah.edu/uwebresources) early.
• UNIVERSITY GUEST HOUSE OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, Oct. 8, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
University Guest House in Fort Douglas
The Guest House celebrates its 10th anniversary. All are invited to join the celebration.
