Linda Pratt and her accreditation team await a formal audience at the Ab Dhabi palace of the UAE minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. With Pratt are, from left, Mohamed Badr El Din Aboul-Ela of the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation; Mohamed Sami Anwar, chair of the English Language Department, UAE University; and Don Bialostosky, professor of English at Pennsylvania State University.

The administration building at University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

UAE visit confirms value of higher learning

By David Ochsner, University Communications

The U.S. government's "war on terrorism" and heightened conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians have brought unprecedented media attention to the Middle East, much of it characterizing countries in that region as closed societies that discourage Western influences.

Linda Pratt, chair and professor of English at UNL, had a different experience recently when she visited the United Arab Emirates. Pratt was part of an accreditation team invited by the UAE's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research's Commission for Academic Accreditation.

What she found in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, however, were modern cities and a university system that not only welcomed Western influences but also had adopted an American-style model of higher education administration.

Pratt's committee reviewed the University of Sharjah's Department of English Language and Literature during a five-day visit to the UAE in late January.

"The people I worked with were very open. They talked about everything from pets to houses to customs, and they were particularly interested in talking about tensions in the Middle East, and about Sept. 11," she said. "I found them more candid about religion and customs than some people I have met in other countries. I didn't expect that kind of openness."

Pratt was invited to the UAE in her capacity as the new president of the Association of Departments of English, a division of the Modern Languages Association. Her colleagues on the visiting committee included a former ADE president, Don Bialostosky, professor of English at Pennsylvania State University, as well as Mohamed Sami Anwar, chair of the English Language Department, UAE University; and Mohamed Badr El Din Aboul-Ela of the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation.

This committee met daily with students, faculty and administrators at the University of Sharjah, which is on the edge of the old city of Sharjah. The campus is an oasis of human origin, gleaming white buildings and wide plazas of marble set amid lush formal gardens. Pratt said what is remarkable is that five years ago the campus site was like the land around it - a flat, featureless desert landscape.

But what she found even more remarkable was the life of the university itself, and the extent to which western models of higher education have been adapted to suit its needs.

"The Emirates have set up their review process and faculty governance on our model - department committees, an academic senate and the accreditation rules we followed during our visit were adapted from the North Central Association and other American accreditation agencies," Pratt said. "They are trying hard to hold their faculty to Western standards. They wanted us to use as a standard that their best students would be acceptable as graduate students at our universities."

A perusal of the University of Sharjah's course catalog bears this out: Flipping through its pages, it is almost indistinguishable from a course catalog at an American university.

Of course there are exceptions - the catalog does include listings for departments devoted to Arabic culture and Islamic law, and the Sharjah campus itself is divided between sexes, with separate campuses for men and women.

"There are even separate libraries, and this was confusing because the buildings all look alike - it took me awhile to realize that there were two of everything," Pratt said. Despite the divide, she said faculty men and women could teach both sexes, but they had to move from one campus to the next to do so.

Pratt said all but one of the English majors at Sharjah were women, and most favored wearing traditional black robes and headscarves.

"When I first saw the students in the English department I thought they looked unapproachable in their black robes. But when I had a chance to visit with them, I found that they talked about the same things our students talked about - they had too many tests, and that the tests were too hard," said Pratt, who added that such complaints only confirm just how much people are alike despite their outward appearance.

Pratt said many of the students were from countries all around the Middle East. "Eighty-five percent of the people in the Emirates are from somewhere else," Pratt said. The two UAE representatives on her committee, for example, are Egyptians.

After the accreditation review, Pratt's committee reported to Sheik Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

"We had a formal audience at his palace in Abu Dhabi," said Pratt, who also met the Duke of Kent while waiting for her meeting with the Sheik.

"The Sheik was soft spoken and Oxford educated. He offered expressions of sympathy regarding (the events of) Sept. 11 and spoke of the need to link the world through education," she said. "He spoke of the need for a more peaceful world, and the role of education in achieving it."

Pratt was surprised that the Sheik so directly expressed his sorrow for the grief of the American people. Pratt had been told that she could ask the Sheik for a photograph at the end of the session, but wasn't sure about the protocol given the somber mood and the formal setting.

"But the Sheik saw the camera on top of my purse, and he said, 'I see you have a camera; would you like a picture?' Then he extended his arms for us to join him for a photograph," Pratt said.

Pratt noted that the particular demographics of the UAE illustrated the need for peace in the Middle East.

"Eighty-five percent of the population in the UAE is from some other country. They are so reliant on people from other places to sustain their infrastructure; therefore, the need to have a peaceful and safe world is enormous," Pratt said. "In the U.S., our need for a stable world is important. But what I learned from this visit was another country's perspective on how stability is important to them, too."

Pratt said that as an administrator, the visit also left her with a greater sense of duty.

"In addition to having a renewed sense of importance of ESL programs, I also have a greater sense now of what we are doing at our own universities. People in other countries use our universities as models. That makes it all the more imperative that the work we do at our universities is done right in the first place."

Motivation conference tackles drug abuse

By David Ochsner, University Communications

It's a noteworthy year for the Nebraska Symposium on Motivation. At age 50, it's the oldest and one of the more prominent psychology conferences in the country. But what is more important, said Rick Bevins, symposium chair, is the influence the symposium has had over the years on the psychology profession and on advances in the study of human behavior.

Bevins said this year's symposium, which occurs March 28-29 at the Nebraska Union, is particularly relevant to a wide audience because of its focus on drug abuse. The symposium will feature leading drug abuse researchers and highlight cutting-edge discoveries that will define the future of the field.

"It's our No. 1 problem, both from a biological and a behavioral/psychological point of view," said Bevins, an associate professor of psychology at UNL. "It's so pervasive in our society. Its costs involve so many aspects - police, heath care, the courts, education, the economy. . . It's a national problem, and a problem for Nebraska."

Six years ago Nebraska police seized a total of a half a pound of methamphetamine, said Bevins, referring to recent statistics cited by Gov. Mike Johanns. "In 2000, state police seized more than 200 pounds of meth," Bevins said. "That's really telling."

Although the title of the symposium, "Motivational Factors in the Etiology of Drug Abuse," may have an esoteric ring to it, Bevins said the bottom line of the conference is the study of motivation and how it relates to drug abuse, a topic he said will be of wide interest not only to scholars but also to anyone in the public interested in issues related to drug abuse and its prevention.

"This symposium runs across all levels - the analysis of the issue will be integrative, ranging from the study of cells and neural structures to human behavior in the lab and human evolution," Bevins said. "We look at motivational factors in the whole organism, from cells to entire communities, and the interface between research and practitioners. We ask the questions that are important to our communities - what motivates people to abuse drugs, and why do people abuse drugs despite all of the negative consequences?"

This year's symposium is also special in that in marks the 50th anniversary of the event and the 50th volume of its published papers. For those involved in the field of psychology in the last half-century, the Nebraska Symposium is well known and well respected.

"It's a prestigious symposium, and the longest-running," said Dave Hansen, chair and professor of psychology at UNL. "Fourteen of the speakers during the symposium's first 25 years also served as president of American Psychological Association."

According to an article published in the symposium's 1978 volume, the symposium arose in response to concerns regarding the ability of the psychology departments (all eight of them) to expose students to a wider scope of ideas than could be represented by the faculty at that time. Motivation was selected as the central topic of the annual symposium, and this proved to be a good choice for the future success of the symposium because it was an integrating topic, bringing together research and theoretical work from areas such as personality, physiological psychology, learning and social psychology.

"In terms of department benefits, the symposium has been a terrific opportunity to interact with the top experts in the field," said Hansen, who added that the benefits extend beyond the symposium through the publication of symposium contributions in an annual volume produced by the University of Nebraska Press. "The volume is a wonderful ongoing resource."

Fifty years ago, Hansen said, the NU Press was not enthusiastic about the publishing venture. Then-Chancellor Reuben Gustavson had to agree to cover any losses before the Press would proceed with the first volume, Current Theory and Research in Motivation: A Symposium. Published in 1953, its sales far exceeded expectations of the both the press and the symposium organizers.

"This has become a world-famous symposium, and it has given Nebraska tremendous recognition," Bevins said. "As an undergraduate I read some of the early Nebraska Symposium volumes. It was part of the required reading.

"Big names come here because it is the Nebraska Symposium. Everyone I invited knew about it, had read the volumes, and were interested in continuing the tradition of excellence," Bevins said. "It was amazing how easy it was to get these people - people I have read and admired through the years. It just blew me away."

To attend The 50th Nebraska Symposium on Motivation begins at 8 a.m. March 28 and continues through 6 p.m. March 29. Pre-registration is not required, and all events are free and open to the public except the 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner on March 28. For more information, see http://www.unl.edu/p sychoneuropharm/symposium.

Storms get spotlight at severe weather symposium

As a kick-off to Nebraska's severe weather awareness week (April 1-5), UNL will host the Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium March 30. The theme is "Observing Severe Weather on the Great Plains."

The day-long event is free and open to the public. It will include storm videos, talks by storm chasers and photographers, visits with TV meteorologists and displays and information from a host of weather-related organizations. Weather permitting, a camera-toting weather balloon will be launched, feeding back pictures as it floats into the atmosphere.

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Clifford Hardin Nebraska Center for Continuing Education.

"Other than football, the most often talked about topic in Nebraska is our severe weather," said Ken Dewey, a UNL professor organizing the event. "This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from the experts what it's like to chase storms. There is always something new to learn about the unique and fascinating weather of the Great Plains."

Professional storm-chaser and photographer Jeff Piotrowski, who has won an Emmy award for his storm video, is the keynote speaker. Some of Piotrowski's most intense storm chases include the May 17, 2000, Brady-Maxwell tornado; the June 13, 2001, Seward tornado; and the Sept. 22, 2001, Edgar tornado.

Also appearing will be Jim Reed, who has photographed blizzards, droughts, ice storms, lightning, floods and tornadoes.

David Stillings, who is known as "The Lightning Stalker," will exhibit some of his most spectacular images.

Additionally, these broadcast meteorologists will be on hand: Kevin Coskren and Sander Ludeman (KLKN), Ken Siemek, Brad Anderson and Tyson Pearsall (KOLN/KGIN), Mark Lee (KMTV) and Dean Wysocki (KPTM).

A link to updated information can be found at http://www.hpccsun.unl.edu.

Alumnus: Baseball is similar to leading a university

By Kim Hachiya, University Communications

Eight years after leaving the chancellor's office at the University of Kansas for the commissioner's office in Major League Baseball, Gene Budig has written a book about campus leadership.

Now senior adviser to the commissioner of baseball, Budig was the president of the American League from 1994 to 2000. He holds three degrees from the University of Nebraska, including a doctorate earned in 1967.

Speaking March 4 at the Teachers College, Budig outlined some of the concepts in his new book, A Game of Uncommon Skill: Leading the Modern College and University. The book is published by ACE/Oryx.

Budig noted that higher education and college CEOs are still held in high esteem by the general public. The job of college CEO is intellectually rewarding, he said, but fewer people are choosing to pursue the profession. Why? The job is extremely time consuming and is open to criticism from all audiences - students, faculty, parents, taxpayers, legislators and trustees.

"The chancellor takes the ultimate hit when something goes wrong on campus," Budig said. "When I was at KU, if the students weren't mad, the faculty were. The trustees and parents all had opinions. It was a very difficult thing."

Yet the job was intellectually fulfilling, he said, because a person can make a lasting difference. "If you are not interested in making a difference, then don't take this job," he said.

Budig said a faculty member at KU once told him: "People like you come and go, but the faculty remain. We are the university and the protector of its values." Budig said there is truth to that statement, and insightful college presidents and CEOs acknowledge that truth.

Typically, the CEO of a large state university has a seven-year tenure, he said. "That's a pretty good thing; you stay long enough to make a difference and do courageous things."

The skills he developed on campus served him well as a baseball administrator, he said. Some fundamentals are the same, he said. Both must:

• be good and receptive listeners,
• generate a defensible bottom line whether it's able graduates or a profitable and winning team;
• be able to relate to large numbers of people from varied backgrounds;
• build loyal and enthusiastic staffs; and
• work hard to increase the numbers of women and minorities in significant leadership roles.

Budig said one thing that has changed for college CEOs is the increased emphasis on fund-raising. However, he noted, the state must remain a partner to ensure that higher education is affordable for most students.

When asked about his view of the role of major college athletics, Budig said that with proper oversight and management, athletics are an "enormous asset" to higher education.

"Athletics allowed me to introduce the total university to the rest of the country," he said of KU's 1988 national championship basketball program. "Athletics supporters became interested in our academics. We had the obligation to remind people what the university is all about. And you can only do that with first-rate coaches and athletic directors who are representative of your institution's highest values."

Budig said Nebraska has a good reputation for graduating able students with solid work ethics and the capacity to excel. "I always tried to attract people from Nebraska to work for me," he said.

In addition to his job with baseball, Budig teaches at Princeton University at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. He has a book about the economics of baseball in progress.

Visitors Center, Ross Theater takes shape Construction continues on the Van Brunt Visitors Center and Mary Riepma Ross Film Theater March 8 at the corner of 13th and R streets. When completed, the center will house some admissions staff, the film theater, a film library, classrooms, exhibits and campus information.

NU group blasts spring break promotions'

Members of the NU Directions coalition, led by co-chairs James Griesen, vice chancellor for student affairs, and Lincoln Police Chief Tom Casady, have blanketed city officials in Panama City Beach, Fla., with letters expressing their disapproval of a 16-page insert distributed to UNL students that promotes high-risk drinking practices, free alcohol and a tolerant attitude from local police.

The efforts developed after the advertising insert appeared in the the Daily Nebraskan featuring spring break and alcohol promotions from Panama City Beach's hotels and clubs. The Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau sponsored the publication that has resulted in a letter-writing campaign to Panama City Beach officials from Lincoln citizens. Casady's response to the insert and his involvement in the issue has yielded media articles in both Nebraska and Florida.

The 30 letters sent to Panama City Beach from individuals in Lincoln reflect a national concern shown in an American Medical Association poll released March 7 that found 88 percent of parents are outraged by spring break promotion that emphasize excessive drinking. The poll also revealed that a majority of parents are unaware that college students are targets of direct marketing from tour companies.

Through the Office of Student Involvement, UNL offers a variety of opportunities for students during spring break week that provide a positive alternative to college party destinations, while still allowing students to socialize with their peers. LeaderShape, a weeklong program that enables students to envision and implement projects that make the university a stronger learning and living environment, and an Alternative Spring Break trip to Denver, which includes community service and skiing are popular choices with students.