Keeping the Dream
Alive
Robert Hicks, left, co-chair of UNL's Martin Luther King Jr.
celebration,
assists Neari Warner, interim president of Grambling State University as
UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman signs a partnership agreement between the
two schools during the celebration Jan. 15 in the Sheldon Memorial Art
Gallery.
The agreement will allow student and faculty exchanges, faculty
development
opportunities and cooperative research efforts.
Clemente Talk Moved to Union
Roberto Clemente's Jan. 25 Scholarship in Society lecture has been
moved
to the Nebraska Union. The lecture originally was scheduled for Bancroft
Hall.
Clemente, assistant professor of educational leadership, counseling
and
post-secondary education at the University of Northern Iowa, will deliver
"Reparations: Vieques, Puerto Rico and the Latin Bicultural Identity
of the United States of America" at 3:30 p.m. in a room to be posted
The lecture is free and open to the public.
W-2 Forms Distributed Soon
W-2 Forms will be distributed to the departments the week ending
January
26. Employees should note that the amount shown as gross year-to-date
earnings
on their last check stub/payroll deposit advice and the amount shown as
taxable income on their check stud/payroll deposit advice and W-2 Forms
may be different because:
o Tax shelter retirement deductions reduced taxable gross pay for 2000
(annuities will be taxed upon receipt during retirement).
o Employee deductions for reimbursement accounts, long term
disability,
accidental death and dismemberment, health/dental/vision insurance and
life
insurance (except dependent life) and parking, have been withheld as
pre-tax
deductions; employees do not pay income tax on these payments. If there
is an amount in Box 13, there will be a code (letter) next to it. The
codes
are as follows:
o C - Imputed income for life insurance over $50,000 (for federal
employees
at IANR Only.
o E - Section 403 (b) employee retirement deduction(s) for SRA(s) and
additional Retirement.
UNL Speakers Part of Human Rights Series
Several UNL professors are guest speakers for a community series on
human
rights held consecutive Sunday evenings in February and March at
Lincoln's
Unitarian Church, 6300 A St.
Each lecture in the Human Rights and Migration - A Global Perspective
series begins at 7 p.m. Each session lasts for two hours and includes the
lecture and discussion period. All sessions are free and light
refreshments
will be served.
David Forsythe, Charles J. Mach Distinguished Professor of political
science, opens the series Feb. 4 with a presentation "Introduction
to Human Rights and Human Diversity."
Robert Hitchcock, association professor of anthropology, speaks Feb.
11 on the topic "Refugees and Roles of Non-Governmental
Organizations."
On March 11, Patrice McMahon, assistant professor of political
science,
will speak to the topic "Refugees in Europe with Focus on Former
Yugoslavia."
Miguel Carranza, associate professor of sociology and ethnic studies,
will speak March 18 on the topic "Refugees in the Western
Hemisphere:
Central and South America."
The series closes with a potluck supper beginning at 6 p.m. March 25
with speakers telling their personal refugee stories.
For more information about other speakers in the series or the series
in general, contact Karen Dienstbier, 489-7545, Barbara Francis,
483-6727,
or the church at 483-2213 or unitarian@inebraska.com.
Another Big Red Welcome
John Owens, center, who joined UNL as vice chancellor for the
Institute
of Agriculture and Natural Resources, speaks with UNL Chancellor Harvey
Perlman, left, and Bud Dasenbrock, retired director of Landscape
Services,
at a welcome reception Jan. 16 in the Nebraska East Union. The reception
welcomed Owens and his wife Virginia to Lincoln.
Family and Medical Leave Provisions
Explained
Family and Medical Leave provides eligible employees with up to 12
weeks
peryear away from work: (1) to address a serious health concern of his or
her own or of the individual's spouse, child, or parent; (2) to address
parental concerns associated with the birth of a child or the placement
of a child into their home through adoption or foster care; or (3) in
association
with the death of an immediate family member.
Although FML is unpaid, employees may also use accrued sick and
vacation
leave, as appropriate, to maintain their income. FML can be taken as
needed:
for example, it can be taken on an uninterrupted basis for up to 12-weeks
or on an
intermittent basis with a few hours taken here and there over an
entire
year. Medical certification may be required to determine one's
eligibility
for FML and when authorizing one's absence from the work site.
Employees on FML may continue to participate in the university's
insured
benefits program and to receive employer contributions; however,
individuals
are still responsible for paying his or her own portions of insurance
premiums.
Employees who are unable to cover their portion of insurance premiums
through
payroll deduction should contact the Benefits Office at 472-2600.
To be eligible for FML, (1) employees must hold regular appointments
of .50 FTE or greater and have been with the university in such a
capacity
for at least six months or (2) have worked for the university in any
capacity
(including temporary or graduate student) for at least 1,250 hours during
the 12 months preceding the start of the requested leave.
Also of note, if a husband and wife both work for UNL and both are
eligible
for FML, they are each eligible for 12 weeks per year as defined
above.
Copies of the FML Request Form, the Physician's Certification Form,
and
a more complete explanation of this policy can be found on-line at http://www.unl.edu/unlhr/
hrhomepage.html.
Call Human Resources at 472-3101 for more information.
Wilderness Law Advocate Speaking Jan. 26
Becky Rom, a Minnesota-based lawyer and wilderness advocate, will
speak
Jan. 26 at the College of Law.
Rom's address, "Achieving Renewal: Wilderness Conservation and
Organization
Strategies," will begin at 12:10 p.m. in the Sherman Welpton
Courtroom,
East Campus Loop and Fair Street. It is free and open to the public.
A member of the governing council of the Wilderness Society and chair
of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Foundation, Rom has testified many
times
at Congressional and U.S. Forest Service field hearings on environmental
and conservation issues and recently led efforts to maintain the existing
laws that established and protect the Boundary Waters Area and Voyageurs
National Park in northern Minnesota.
Rom is a partner at Faegre and Benson, a large Minnesota-based law
firm.
She practices in the area of commercial real estate, which involves
environmental
law, low-income housing, financing, development, leasing, purchase and
sale
of commercial projects, and representation of lenders and borrowers in
construction
financing, permanent financing and foreclosure/workout situations.
Olympic Medalist Speaking Feb. 2
Lucinda Adams, who won a gold medal in the 1960 Olympics, will speak
at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 2 in the Nebraska Union. Her presentation, Gender,
Sport
and Achievement: A Pathway to Unlimited Opportunity, is free and open to
the public.
Adams ran on the 400-meter relay team that won the gold at the Rome
Olympics.
Among her relay teammates was Wilma Rudolph, the first American woman to
win three gold medals in a single Olympics.
Adams is a retired public school teacher and administrator in Dayton,
Ohio. She will talk about her experiences as a female African American
athlete
prior to the passage of Title IX and successes of the civil rights
movement.
Her appearance at UNL is co-sponsored by the Hewit Academic Center/UNL
Athletics Department, the Office of Graduate Studies and the sociology
department.
Shades of Leadership Nominations Due Feb. 12
The Shades of Leadership is an annual recognition ceremony that honors
students, staff and faculty who have exemplified leadership qualities in
areas concerning students of color. These individuals make significant
contributions,
going above and beyond the call of duty in order to create an atmosphere
conducive to the needs of minority students at UNL. Shades of Leadership
also recognizes minority students who have achieved significant academic
accomplishments while successfully balancing the role of student leader.
All UNL students, faculty and staff as well as members of the Lincoln
community
are invited to nominate persons who deserve such recognition.
A panel of university community members will evaluate all nominees.
The
top five selected student leaders and one faculty/staff member will
receive
an award on April 12. All nominees will also be recognized at the award
ceremony.
Nominations are due Feb. 16. Forms are available from William
Olubodun,
Student Involvement, 200 NU, City Campus. Forms may be dropped off,
mailed
or faxed to (402) 472-8140
For more information, email Olubodun at wolubodun2@unl.edu.
Credit Union Directors' Election March 23-28
Voting for the board of directors for the University of Nebraska
Federal
Credit Union will be conducted at the Credit Union offices (1630 Q St.
and
301 N. 52nd St.) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 23, 26, 27 and 28,
and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on March 24 at the 1630 Q St. location
only.
Members must be at least 16 years of age and must have joined the
Credit
Union by March 16, 2001, to be eligible to vote. Voting will also be
conducted
before the annual meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 29 at the East
Union.
If you would like to vote but are unable to come to the Credit Union
or attend the annual meeting, you may receive an absentee ballot by
submitting
a written request to the Credit Union by the end of the business day on
Feb. 23. Absentee ballots will be mailed on Feb. 26, and must be received
by the Credit Union by midnight March 27.
For more information, call 472-2087.
Search Committee Certification Sessions Scheduled
Search Committee Certification by the Office of Equity, Access and
Diversity
Programs is required for employees prior to their serving on a search
committee.
Certification is obtained by attending a briefing session. Reservations
are required - call 472-3417. There must be a minimum of 10 participants
per session. Sessions may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Future
sessions
will be announced in the Scarlet and on the Internet.
- Feb. 1, 9 to 10 a.m., Nebraska Union
- Feb. 7, 9 to 10 a.m., East Union
- Feb. 13, 3 to 4 p.m., Nebraska Union
- Feb. 22, 3 to 4 p.m., East Union
- March 2, 9 to 10 a.m., Nebraska Union
- March 6, 9 to 10 a.m., East Union
- March 19, 3 to 4 p.m., Nebraska Union
- March 28, 3 to 4 p.m., East Union
- April 3, 9 to 10 a.m., Nebraska Union
- April 11, 9 to 10 a.m., East Union
- April 26, 3 to 4 p.m., Nebraska Union
- May 8, 3 to 4 p.m., East Union
- May 22, 9 to 10 a.m., Nebraska Union
- June 8, 9 to 10 a.m., East Union
- June 19, 3 to 4 p.m., Nebraska Union
Fore more information, contact the office at the number listed above.
They assure reasonable accommodation under the Americans with
Disabilities
Act.
Search Committee Certification Update Sessions Told
The following dates are being provided for faculty and staff whose
Search
Committee Certification requires renewal during this academic year.
Reservations
are required - call the Office of Equity, Access and Diversity Programs
at 472-3417. There must be a minimum of 10 participants per session.
Sessions
may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Future session will be announced
in the Scarlet and on the Internet.
- Jan. 30, 3 to 4 p.m., East Union
- Feb. 5, 3 to 4 p.m., Nebraska Union
- Feb. 16, 9 to 10 a.m., East Union
- Feb. 20, 9 to 10 a.m., Nebraska Union
- Feb. 28, 3 to 4 p.m., East Union
- March 8, 3 to 4 p.m., Nebraska Union
- March 22, 9 to 10 a.m., East Union
- March 30, 9 to 10 p.m., Nebraska Union
- April 4, 3 to 4 p.m., East Union
- April 17, 3 to 4 p.m., Nebraska Union
- April 24, 9 to 10 a.m., East Union
- May 10, 9 to 10 a.m., Nebraska Union
- May 24, 3 to 4 p.m., East Union
- June 6, 3 to 4 p.m., Nebraska Union
- June 21, 9 to 10 a.m., East Union
For more information, call the office at the number listed above. They
assure reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities
Act.
Chinese New Year Celebration Jan. 27
The Chinese Student and Scholar Association will sponsor a Chinese New
Year celebration Jan. 27 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Nebraska Union
Centennial
Room.
The event celebrates the Chinese lunar new year, the "Year of the
Snake," which began Jan. 24. The party is a reunion for the local
Chinese
community and is the largest public celebration of Chinese culture in
Nebraska,
said Mandy Guo, an event organizer.
A traditional Chinese dinner buffet will be served at 6 p.m. followed
by prize drawings. At 7:30 p.m., Chinese students and international
friends
will perform folk music and lion dancing. The national champion Husker
women's
volleyball team, which toured China last summer, is also scheduled to
attend
and perform a song. The evening will end with a fireworks show at the
Cather
Pound Recreation Fields, 17th & Vine streets.
Organizers expect approximately 650 guests for the event, which is
open
to the public. A limited number of tickets are available in advance. Cost
is $12 for adults, $5 for children 5 to 12. Contact Ah Huang at (402)
742-5260
for tickets.
The event is co-sponsored by University Program Council and supported
by the NU Pepsi Endowment Fund, the Nebraska Alumni Association and
International
Affairs.
Opportunities Abound to Chat with Chancellor
The UNL Independent Students' Association is hosting an informal
dialogue
with Interim Chancellor Harvey Perlman at their regularly scheduled
meeting
beginning at 6 p.m. Jan. 25 in the Nebraska Union Georgian Room.
Perlman will address several questions already given to him covering
items of interest primarily to students who are non-traditional, married,
parents, or financially independent. A short question and answer session
will follow.
Perlman also will attend a "Chat with the Chancellor"
brown-bag
lunch at noon Jan. 26 in the Nebraska Union. This event is sponsored by
the University Association for Administrative Development. For more
information,
contact Duane Mohlman, 472-7528, or Julie Hagemeier, 472-1619.
CCSW Seeks Nominations for Contribution Award
The Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women is seeking
nominations
for the Outstanding Contribution to the Status of Women Award. This award
recognizes efforts to create a climate that is comfortable for women at
UNL. These efforts may be by an individual or by an organization or
department
within the institution. The award recipient must demonstrate a sustained
and tangible impact on the campus community.
Such efforts might include, for example:
o A record of recruitment resulting in the appointment of women.
o A program that recruits more female students than is typical for
that
program.
o An individual or unit that provides a special service to female
students
and helps retain these students.
o An academic department that promotes the professional advancement of
women faculty members and encourages and supports the recognition of
service
responsibilities beyond that normally expected.
o A project that results in more women students entering graduate
school
in a special discipline.
o A project that promotes greater awareness of women's issues within
the University context.
o A project in the public schools that encourages or enables more
women
to enter this University.
Nomination forms can be obtained by contacting Dora Dill at 472-7082
or ddill1@unl.edu. All
nominations
and supporting information are due Feb. 9.
A Rare and Wonderful Collection
Carolyn Ducey, curator of the International Quilt Study Center, speaks
about a quilt from the Robert and Helen Cargo Collection during a
presentation
at the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery Jan. 15. The collection of African
American
quilts will be on display through April 1 in the gallery.
Severe Weather Policy Reiterated
If the chancellor decides that the university should be closed because
of severe weather, every effort is made to have that information to local
radio and television stations by 6 a.m. for day classes and 2 p.m. for
night
classes. The media notification list is extensive and includes in
Lincoln,
Nebraska Public Radio (KUCV-90.9 FM), KRNU-90.3 FM, KFOR-1240 AM,
KLIN-1400
AM, KOLN-TV and KLKN-TV. An announcement will also be posted on-line at
<http://www.unl.edu>.
When the university is closed due to severe whether, all non-essential
regular office/service and managerial/professional staff scheduled to
work
will be considered on paid administrative leave. Essential staff required
to work during a severe weather closedown will receive time off (hour for
hour) at a later date for the period of time they work. At departmental
discretion, regular paid hourly employees who work during weather
closedown
may receive additional pay (hour for hour) in lieu of time off. Essential
staff required to work during weather closedowns are specifically
notified
of this requirement; unless an employee has been told otherwise, the
employee
should assume their services are not required during weather
closedowns.
When the university is open during periods of adverse weather,
employees
must still account for their normal workday by working or taking vacation
leave. Supervisors and department chairs may alter work schedules to try
to accommodate both operational needs and individual employee
situations.
For more information regarding weather closedowns, contact the Office
of Public Relations at 472-2211. For information pertaining to
compensation
for hours worked in such situations, contact Human Resources at
472-3101.
UCARE Applications Due Feb. 16
UCARE (Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences) is
a research program, funded by the Pepsi Endowment, that creates
intellectual
partnerships between UNL students and UNL faculty members. Its mission is
to enrich the academic experience of undergraduate students and to
provide
a tangible benefit to the research program of UNL faculty sponsors. UCARE
is designed as a two-year program and projects are accepted from all
academic
disciplines. Funding ranges up to $2,000 for the first year and up to
$2,400
for the second year of involvement. Applications for both the first and
second years are due by Feb. 16.
For application forms and a detailed description of the program, visit
the UCARE website at <http://www.unl.edu/ucare/>, or contact Laura
Damuth, UCARE project coordinator, Office of Academic Affairs, 208
Canfield
Admininstration, 472-5024.
Humanities, Harris Centers Relocate to Oldfather Hall
The Humanities Center and the Harris Center for Judaic Studies have
moved
to 1213 Oldfather Hall. Barbara Von Eckardt, director of the Humanities
Center; Jean Cahan, director of the Harris Center for Judaic Studies; and
Doreen Wagenaar, are the staff for both programs. The new mailing address
for the Humanities Center is 1213 OldH, CC 0347; and for Judaic Studies
is 1213 OldH, CC 0346. The phone numbers remain the same.
Farewell Reception for Bugenhagen Jan. 25
A farewell reception for Marilyn Bugenhagen, will be held from 3:30 to
5:30 p.m. Jan. 25 in the Heritage Room, Nebraska Union. Bugenhagen has
taken
a position as student union director at Marquette University in
Milwaukee,
Wis.
Drop-In Aerobic Classes At Campus Recreation
Campus Recreation offers Drop-In Aerobic Classes regularly throughout
the semester. These classes require no advance registration cost $2 on
site.
The next Drop-In classes are scheduled for 10 to 11 a.m. Feb. 3 at the
Campus Recreation Center; 5 to 6 p.m. Feb. 4 in the Campus Recreation
Center
(Cycling, racquetball court #2); and 5:15 to 6 p.m. Feb. 4 in Mabel Lee
Pool (water aerobics).
For more information, call 472-3467.
Free Retirement Planning Seminar Feb. 27
A free retirement planning seminar will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27
at the Clifford Hardin Center for Continuing Education.
What is "Aging in Place?" Find out the answer and discuss
other
topics including "Roth IRAs," "Pension Plans" and
"Social
Security Benefits." Also, find out "What to Expect;"
"Financing
Heath Insurance, Retirement, and Long Term Care." Diane Rolfsmeyer,
a certified financial planning professional, will answer these and many
other of your retirement questions.
Call the University of Nebraska Federal Credit Union at 472-2087 to
reserve
your seat. Seating is limited.
Fidelity Counselor on Campus
The Fidelity Counselor will be on campus for individual counseling
sessions.
The dates are Jan. 30 and March 28 in the Nebraska Union, and Feb. 8 and
March 27 in the East Union.
To reserve a space to discuss your current and future investments,
call
Reservation Systems in Boston at 800-642-7131. For more information, call
the UNL Benefits Office at 472-2600.
2001 Tax Changes Implemented
For 2001, federal income tax rates, the standard deduction and the
personal
exemption amount have been indexed for inflation. These adjustments will
result in a slight reduction in federal income tax withholding for most
individuals. The value of each federal personal exemption will increase
from $2,800 to projected $2,900 for 2001. The standard deduction for
married
persons filing joint returns will be $7,600 an increase of $250 for 2001.
For single taxpayers, the standard deduction will be $4,550 an increase
of $150 for 2001. Nebraska state income tax withholding rates will not
change.
It should be noted that withholding amounts for individuals are
affected
by tax sheltered retirement, pre-tax benefits, and personal allowances
claimed
on their W-4.
The social security (OASDI) tax will remain at 6.2 percent and the
medicare
(HI) will remain at 1.45 percent. The taxable wage base for the social
security
portion of the tax will increase from $76,200 to $80,400. The taxable
wage
base for the medicare portion of the tax was removed beginning in
1994.
Student Job and Internship Fair March 6
The Student Employment & Internship Center invites UNL departments
to recruit students for part-time jobs, summer jobs, internships and
cooperative
education experiences at the Student Employment and Internship Fair, from
noon to 5 p.m. March 6 in the Nebraska Union.
This event has attracted over 800 students in the past. This year, the
event has been moved earlier in the semester and later in the day to
attract
more students, including local high school students. The registration fee
is $125 to participate in the fair. The Student Employment and Internship
Fair registration form is available on-line at http://www.unl.edu/careers,
listed under "Career Events." Print off the registration form,
complete it, and return it to the Student Employment and Internship
Center,
345 NE Union 0495. Questions may be directed to Emily Wilber at 472-6364
or ewilber1@unl.edu.
Free Skate Night Feb. 4
Campus Recreation is sponsoring a Free Skate Night at the Ice Box from
9:40 to 11 p.m. Feb. 4. Skates are available for rental on site or from
Outdoor Adventures Rental Equipment located on the east side of the
Campus
Recreation Center. An NU I.D. required to skate for free. Guests are
$5.
For more information, contact Campus Recreation at 472-3467.
Drop-In Body Compositions Available Feb. 7
Check your body composition for only $2 from 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 7 in the
Weight Training and Conditioning Room of the Campus Recreation Center.
This
is a quick, non-threatening procedure that will give you valuable
feedback
about your fitness level. For more information or if you have questions,
call us at 472-3467.
Spring 2001 Study Abroad Extravaganza
International Affairs will host the Spring 2001 Study Abroad
Extravaganza
from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 30 in the north end of the Nebraska Union.
The
Extravaganza provides information about UNL World Campus opportunities
for
summer and fall programs and overall information on study abroad. Each
year,
UNL offers a number of courses taught in other countries. These programs
are part of what is known collectively as the UNL World Campus.
For more information on study abroad opportunities, call 472-5358.
International Business Plan Competition Feb. 23-24
The Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship at UNL will host 21 college
and university teams from North America, Canada and Thailand for its 14th
Annual International Business Plan Competition on Feb. 22-24 at the
Cornhusker
Hotel.
Each team will display their competitive plans at an opening reception
from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 22. Preliminary judging will take place on Feb. 23
and final judging on the morning of Feb. 24. Teams competing this year
include:
University of Manitoba; University of Georgia; Loyola Marymount
University;
University of Michigan; San Diego State University; Kennesaw State
University;
York University; University of Nebraska; Miami University (Ohio);
Thammasat
University (Bangkok); University of Arizona; Colorado State University;
University of Texas; University of Houston; The Citadel; University of
Akron;
University of Portland; University of Saskatchewan; University of Tulsa;
Western Kentucky University and Westmont College.
The public is invited to attend. For more information contact the
Nebraska
Center for Entrepreneurship at 472-3353.
Landscape Design Workshop Feb. 3
University of Nebraska and commercial landscape specialists will
present
a half-day workshop on basic home landscape design at the UNL East Campus
Union, Saturday, Feb. 3.
"Those who attend Festival of Color, UNL's fall residential lawn
and garden open house, have told us they are very interested in learning
more about home landscaping, so this is an opportunity to delve into that
in more detail," said UNL horticulturist and workshop organizer Anne
Streich.
The workshop is 8 a.m. to noon. Topics include landscape design
process,
design principles, plant selection and how to find professional
assistance
in designing a landscape.
"Home landscaping is almost universally recognized as being
important
to a home's overall livability and value. This workshop will give you the
basics on developing or renovating a home landscape and the chance to
have
your questions answered," Streich said. Presenters include UNL
landscape
architect and extension landscape specialist Steve Rodie, UNL lecturer
and
Finke Gardens and Nursery landscape architect Kim Todd, and Streich.
Pre-registration through Jan. 29 is $25 per person or $40 per couple.
After that date the rates are $35 and $50. Registration is limited to the
first 150. To register, send a check payable to the UNL Department of
Agronomy
and Horticulture to: Landscape Design Workshop, Department of Agronomy
and
Horticulture, 377 Plant Sciences Bldg., University of Nebraska, Lincoln,
NE 68583-0724. For information, contact Streich at (402)472-2811 or email
astreich2@unl.edu.
The workshop is sponsored by the NU Institute of Agriculture and
Natural
Resources.
Non-Credit Classes From Campus Recreation
Campus Recreation offers a wide variety of non-credit classes and
clinics
throughout the year. Upcoming classes that will improve your fitness,
level
of wellness, or both include: Argentine Tango (starts Jan. 29); Yoga
(Jan.
29); Shotokan Karate (Jan. 30); Adult C.P.R. (Jan. 31); Sports Safety
(Jan.
31); West African Dance (Jan. 31); Weight Training For Women (Feb. 3);
Adult
Swim Lessons (Feb. 5); Ballroom & Country Dance (Feb. 6); and Fly
Tying
(Feb. 6).
To register for any of these classes, simply complete the registration
form and pay the fee in Room 55 of the Campus Recreation Center or Room
32 of the East Campus Activities Building. Registration forms are
available
in both the Campus Recreation Center and the East Campus Activities
Building
or by calling 472-3467.
March Conference Looks at Sexual Health Issues
The University Health Center Community Health Education Department is
one of several groups sponsoring a conference "Issues Impacting
Sexual
Health: An Update," scheduled for March 14-15 at the Holiday
Inn-Downtown.
There will also be a pre-conference training session on March 13 for
those
interested in HIV/AIDS counseling and testing.
The keynote speaker will be the president and CEO of the Sexuality
Education
and Information Council of the United States (SIECUS), Tamara Kreinin.
For
more information about Kreinin, consult the website: http://www.siecus
.org/media/press/press0010.html.
The conference is being sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Health
and Human Services Divisions of Reproductive Health, STD Prevention and
HIV/AIDS Prevention; Development Systems, Inc.; the Denver STD
Prevention/Training
Program; and the St. Louis STD Prevention/Training Program in addition to
the UNL Health Center.
For more information, contact Julie Reno at 471-0163 or email julie.reno@hhss.state.ne.us
.
UNL Offers Master's of Ag Degree
By Molly Klocksin, IANR News
UNL will offer a master's of agriculture degree designed for working
professionals starting in January 2001. Courses will be available both on
campus and via distance education.
"The new master of agriculture degree program is an exciting new
opportunity for advanced technical education in agriculture that should
be especially useful to Nebraskans already working in the industry,"
said Steve Waller, interim dean of NU's College of Agricultural Sciences
and Natural Resources.
Courses in the interdisciplinary program offered via distance
education
include entomology, agronomy, agricultural leadership and education and
biometry. They will be offered on campus and via satellite, videotape,
Internet
and multimedia instructional software, allowing professionals to fit
classes
into their busy work schedules, Waller said.
"Graduate instruction is important because of ever-changing
technology
and regulations in professions like agrichemical, crop consulting and
seed
industries," he said.
By tailoring their curriculum to their career objectives,
professionals
can enhance or add areas of expertise in their fields, he said. Distance
education technology will allow participants to network with each other,
regardless of where they live.
Entry requirements for the master's program include an undergraduate
degree in agriculture or a related area, such as biological or physical
sciences, and experience in agriculture. Courses also may be taken for
professional
development, self-improvement or as continuing education units. The new
degree was approved by the NU Board of Regents earlier this year.
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is part of
NU's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
For more information, contact Waller, or visit http://
ianrhome.unl.edu/distanceEd/masterofag/degree.shtml
on the World Wide Web.
Lake Research Could Yield National Water Quality Classification
Process
By Steve Ress, Water Center News Writer
UNL water scientists, engineers, remote sensing experts and
geoscientists
have teamed to assess and classify Nebraska's lakes based on water
quality.
Their research could lead to a national lake water quality classification
procedure.
The team is doing everything from extensively sampling lakes and
reservoirs
statewide to devising water quality assessment methods and ways to
monitor
lakes with the help of remote sensing technology, said John Holz, a water
quality researcher in UNL's School of Natural Resource Sciences who is
coordinating
this effort.
"Our team hopes to build methods to assess and classify lakes and
reservoirs by more than 20 water quality parameters so we can determine
how much impact human activity has had on them and how we might better be
able to maintain or improve their water quality," he said.
Research will focus on defining reference procedures; grouping lakes
by similar water quality conditions; developing ways to use remote
sensing
and GIS technologies in lake classification; and transferring findings
and
technology to those who'll use them.
The result will be a standard procedure and framework for classifying
lakes based on water quality, Holz said. Different regions may require
some
refining to accommodate unique regional challenges
Nebraska is representative of states where agriculture heavily
influences
water quality, he said. It's ideal for this research because most
previous
lake and reservoir classification efforts involved ecosystems not
dominated
by agriculture.
"The general classification framework we develop could be applied
to all regions in the U.S., but some of the specific methods may be most
useful in agricultural regions," he said.
The project began on a small scale about a year ago, using water
quality
data and funding from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.
Holz and six other university researchers will develop their methods over
the next several years with more than $1.2 million in state and federal
grants. Much of the funding was predicated on the EPA's desire for a
standardized
set of processes for assessing lake and reservoir water quality
nationally.
The university team will add sampling data from 65 more lakes and
reservoirs
over the next two years for a total of more than 220 statewide. Samples
are tested for temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, turbidity
(cloudiness),
nutrients, pesticides and other information.
An important element of the project is developing methods for
continued
remote monitoring of the lakes and reservoirs, Holz said. "The
ultimate
goal is to be able to ascertain the biological condition of these bodies
of water by surveying them from an aircraft or satellite."
Donald Rundquist and Anatoly Gitelson, remote sensing researchers in
the university's Center for Advanced Land Management and Information
Technology,
are working on a way to measure water quality from afar.
EPA and NDEQ are helping to fund this research, conducted through NU's
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Rate Increases for Personal Vehicle Mileage Reimbursement
The State of Nebraska has increased the personal vehicle mileage
reimbursement
rate to 34.5 cents per mile, effective Jan. 1, 2001.
This change is consistent with the standard mileage rate established
by the Internal Revenue Service. Any employee expense claims for personal
vehicle travel that took place on or after Jan. 1 should be submitted
with the new rate. Claims for mileage expense incurred before Jan. 1
should
use the previous rate of 31 cents per mile.
Included in the personal vehicle mileage reimbursement rate are the
typical
costs of owning and maintaining a vehicle - gasoline, maintenance,
insurance,
etc. As a result, when a university employee uses his or her personal
vehicle
for university business, the employee's personal insurance coverage for
liability risks remains the primary source of payment should an accident
occur. Any property losses due to accident or damage claims are the
responsibility
of the employee's insurance coverage as the university does not carry any
collision or comprehensive insurance. For this reason, departments should
carefully advise faculty and staff concerning the use of personal
vehicles
because university vehicles are available for a reasonable rental
fee.
Currently, a 4-door sedan from UNL Transportation Services rents for
$9 per day plus 20 cents per mile. Using the revised mileage
reimbursement
rate, the typical one-day Lincoln to Omaha round trip (135 miles) will
cost
a department's budget $46.58 if the employee drives his or her personal
vehicle. The same trip using a rented university vehicle would cost a
department
only $36. All trips exceeding 62 miles will be less expensive to the
department
if a university rented vehicle is used.
Because most out-of-town trips total more than this 62-mile breakeven
point and university faculty and staff should be wary of exposing their
insurance risk and driving records while conducting university business,
departments should help faculty and staff carefully consider the use of
university rental vehicles for most out-of-town traveling.
Questions about the mileage rate reimbursement change and related IRS
regulations should be forwarded to Loren Blinde, director of UNL
Accounting
at 472-2881. Questions concerning Transportation Services vehicle rentals
should be addressed to Mike Cacak, Transportation Services director at
472-2422.
Harris Center Lecture Series Features Rabbi Graetz
The Norman and Bernice Harris Center for Judaic Studies presents
Vehicles
of Revelation, a lecture series by Rabbi Michael Graetz, from 5 to 6 p.m.
on Tuesdays from Feb. 6 to March 13 in the Nebraska Union.
Each of the lectures will deal with a key concept of Judaism:
temptations
of knowledge; forgiveness (Germans and Jews); minority rights; women and
the idea of equality; and sacred space.
Each lecture will draw on both the Talmudic sources and the work of
the
French Jewish philosopher, Emmanuel Levinas. The lectures will be readily
accessible to both Jews and non-Jews, experts and novices, and discussion
will be encouraged. These programs are free and open to the public.
UAAD Workshop Focuses on Customer Service
UAAD will present a professional development workshop, Service
Essentials
Showcase, with Doug McCallum, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 22 in the
Nebraska
Union.
Top-notch customer service is one of the key ingredients to bring
excellence
to your work place. Join your colleagues for a day-long Service
Essentials
Showcase that will heighten your awareness of customer service
excellence,
distribute the tools that will help you and your department deliver
excellent
service, identify the behavioral and systemic components of excellent
service,
and give you the overview of Service Essentials for Everyone, Management,
and Telephone.
Registration deadline is Feb. 12. Send registration form and fee to
Vicki
Highstreet, 55 CRec 0232, or register by email by including your cost
object
number at: vhighstreet1@unl.edu.
The cost is $5 for UAAD members and $15 for non-members. Registration
includes a workshop notebook and a lunch ticket.
| 
