Oct. 27, 1995


Public Radio Examines Ocean's Biodiversity

The oceans of the earth contain an array of life whose interconnections we are just beginning to understand. But according to a new radio documentary, growing threats to our oceans' complex ecosystems could soon harm us all.
This October, National Public Radio (NPR) and the National Geographic Society will present Radio Expeditions: Oceans of Life on all stations of the Nebraska Public Radio Network.
Scheduled for broadcast at 2 p.m. Oct. 29, Oceans of Life will take listeners on an audio journey through our oceans to learn how they function and about the species they hold. Interviews with marine scientists and explorers reveal how Earth's rich variety of sea life is threatened by human progress; hosts Alex Chadwick and Lynn Neary question what this could mean for life on Earth.


Peer Review Project Offers Teaching Fellowships

The UNL project on peer review will provide at least 24 UNL faculty members with one-month summer fellowships for development of teaching. Each faculty member will participate in a seminar on peer review of teaching and engage in three peer review activities with a designated review of teaching and engage in three peer review activities with a designated partner from the same academic discipline. Faculty will be paid $2,500 for their participation, and they will be actively engaged in the project during a three-week summer pre-session period. The project covers a three-year period (ending August 1998), but individual faculty members will participate intensively during only one of those years.

Project activities include faculty members working in pairs coming from the same discipline, and fellows participating in a three-week summer seminar in peer review. Based on extensive consultation with each participating faculty member, there will be assessment of both teacher and student performance (done with grant resources) throughout the grant period.

Nominations will be made by chairs/heads, and nominations are due at the Teaching Council by Nov. 6. Faculty who are willing to participate in the seminar or would prefer to participate in the second or third years (summers of 1997 or 1998) should still be nominated now. Interested faculty should contact their department chair/ head.

The plan includes identifying faculty pairs in as many departments and colleges as is possible over the three years of the project. The project is intended for tenure-track faculty members who teach either undergraduate or graduate courses as part of an on-campus load. Faculty who have been teaching for at least three years at the time of their participation will be preferred. The process in not intended exclusively for "master teachers." It is more important that participants be interested in development of their teaching and be willing to work in a collaborative node with a departmental peer and with the project team.

Faculty interested in participating should see their chair/head for information about nominations. More than one pair can be nominated from a department. Questions or requests for more information about nominations procedures should be directed to Dan Bernstein at 2-3786 or at djb@unlinfo

'Romeo and Juliet' 'Macbeth' Cancelled

The Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain have cancelled their two Lied Center performances: Romeo and Juliet originally scheduled for Nov. 3 and Macbeth on Nov. 4.

Bruce Marquis, Lied's executive director said, "It is unfortunate that this cancellation has taken place. Due to complications during pre-production, the company was unable to get the show up and running in time for their North American tour. This cancellation means that patrons summer swill be unable to experience some of the highest quality Shakespearean actors. Because of the short notice, we are unable to arrange for a replacement event of equal international stature."

Patrons may either exchange their tickets for a future event in the 1995-96 season or receive a full refund. Contact the Lied box office at 2-4747 or 800-432-3231. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Magazine Examines Nebraska Retail Trade Centers

In its September 1995 issue, Business in Nebraska examines the state's retail trade centers -- communities that attract or capture a surplus of retail customers from surrounding communities and regions.

Using a formula that included average state per-capita nonmotor vehicle retail sales for 1990-92, the average of actual community nonmotor retail sales for the same period, and community population in 1990, researchers at the Bureau of Business Research at UNL's College of Business Administration found some interesting results.

Lisa Valladao and Meghan Eary identified 39 trade centers with more than $5 million in trade capture during the period studied, and, as expected, Omaha was the largest retail trade center with more than $1.4 billion. (Trade capture was defined as retail sales in excess of what would be expected based on a community's population).

Omaha's trade capture was 10 times that of the next largest trade center -- Grand Island with $139 million. Grand Island had $40 million more than Lincoln's $97 million, despite having only one-fifth of Lincoln's population.

The state's fourth-largest trade center in 1990-92 was Scottsbluff, which had $93 million in trade capture despite ranking 11th in population (13,711). In addition, three communities with fewer than 1,000 people were among the trade centers with more than $5 million in trade capture -- Humphrey (population 741) with $7.1 million, Shelton (population 954) with $5.2 million and Ceresco (population 825) with $5.1 million. The 1990 census listed 117 Nebraska communities with more than 1,000 people.

Valladao and Eary said they weren't surprised that the largest communities were prosperous trade centers, but added, "The magnitude of retail trade dollars captured by a community is not a direct function of community size. Clearly factors in addition to population combine to generate retail activity."

Those factors, they said, include geographic isolation from other retail trade centers, creating retail "oases," and proximity to Interstate 80. Meanwhile, proximity to large cities can be detrimental.

Valladao and Eary also discussed the impact retail trade capture has on a community's employment level. Using North Platte as an example, they found that trade captured by the city's retailers support more than 360 retail jobs and household expenditures by those employees support an additional 110 jobs in the North Platte economy.

Following are Nebraska's trade centers with over $5 million in trade captured, with amount captured, direct employment impact and total employment impact.

Air Travel Discount Available to State Agencies

The university has been informed by the State Attorney General's Office that a settlement agreement on airline antitrust litigation has been reached. As a result of this settlement, state agencies are entitled to a 10 percent discount on domestic air travel on the following airlines: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Trans World Airlines, United Airlines and USAir. The discount is to be applied to "any published fare" in excess of $50.

This discount is available now and will continue until Feb. 9, 1997, or until the value of all discounts applied to state and local governmental travel equals $40 million. As a result of the overall dollar limitation, it is possible that discounted fares will be unavailable for the entire 18-month period.

To qualify for this discount, travel must be designated as official business. Tickets will need to either be purchased with a credit card (Corporate American Express Card) issued to and imprinted with the name of the eligible government entity, or an authorizing letter on eligible government letterhead that will include name of traveler, dates, travel itinerary and an authorizing signature. At the time you purchase your ticket, tell the travel agent that your purchase is part of program code "Multistate" and that the "CRS Code" is MS10.

A more detailed list of participating commuter airlines is available. If you would like a company or have any questions regarding this discount, please contact James Main, assistant vice chancellor for business and finance/director of university services at 2-3322.

Search Begins to Fill Big Shoes at Public Television

UNL and the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission have begun a national search for a successor to Jack McBride, who will retire as director of University Television and general manager of KUON-TV and Nebraska Educational Television July 1, 1996.

John Goebel, dean of the UNL College of Business Administration, and Herb Schimek, chair of the commission, have been named co-chairmen of a 13-member search committee that is expected to forward a list of final candidates to the university and the commission early next year.

The other members of the search committee are Marian Andersen, Omaha; Pamela Holley-Wilcox, director, Information Technology Support, UNL; Ron Hull, associate general manager, Nebraska ETV Network; Monty McMahon, director, UNL Distance Education; Lonnie Michel, American Business Information, Omaha; Ryan Pichler, Association of Students at the University of Nebraska, UNL; James K. Randall, professor of communications and information technology, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UNL; Sam Rankin, president, Chadron State College, Chadron; Mary Neal Schutz, public information officer, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission; Sandra Scofield, project director and principal investigator, Nebraska Math and Science Initiative, UNL; and Larry Walklin, professor of broadcasting, UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Nov. 8 Lecture Examines Value of Boot Camps

The lecture "An Alternative to Prisons: Youth Correctional Boot Camps -- Can They Work?" will be presented from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Nov. 8 at Love Library in the Great Plains Art Collection. A reception will precede beginning at 3 p.m.

Members of the panel who will be discussing this topic include Wayne Osgood, associate professor of sociology, UNL; Laurie Camp, deputy attorney general of Nebraska; Susan Jacobs, assistant professor of criminal justice, UNL; and John Wright, Nebraska Supreme Court judge.

Modeled after military camps for basic training, boot camps are programs which began in 1983 in Georgia and Oklahoma as alternatives to prisons. The programs combine physical training, hard labor and rehabilitation for young adult offenders who have committed nonviolent or first-time offenses. Nebraska may join other states in establishing boot camp programs. What is known about the goals of the boot camp program? How much deterrent or rehabilitative value do boot camps have? Will correctional boot camps match the needs of Nebraska?

Sixth Annual Ag at the Crossroads Offers Forum on Property Tax Reform

Imagine one conference where you can learn about the Nebraska property tax system and four proposals to alter that system.

That one conference exists: at the sixth annual Agriculture at the Crossroads Conference Nov. 3 at the Cornhusker Hotel, said Glenn Helmers, conference chairman and professor of agricultural economics at UNL.

Jointly sponsored by the Nebraska AgRelations Council (NAC) and the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics, the conference this year will draw together the central figures in Nebraska's current property tax controversy, Helmers said.

One panel during the morning general session includes state Sen. Jerome Warner, Waverly; Omaha tax activist Ed Jaksha; Bryce Neidig, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, Madison; and Atkinson rancher Stan Dobrovolny. Also joining the panel will be a representative of the Unicameral's Revenue Committee.

Jaksha and Dobrovolny are each spearheading petition drives to change Nebraska's property tax laws. The Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska State Education Association are jointly sponsoring another property tax petition drive.

Prior to the panel, Roy Frederick, IANR specialist-public policy, and John Allen, rural sociologist at UNL, will provide the historical setting of local property taxes and discuss trends in property taxes, respectively.

Robert Raun, Minden farmer and NAC president, will preside over the day-long conference, which begins with registration and refreshments at 9 a.m., followed by the general session at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 3.

The luncheon speaker will be Lynn Harvey, Michigan State University extension economist, who will review "The Michigan Experience in Property Tax Reform." The thrust of the conference shifts after lunch to farm bill registration under intense discussion in Congress, followed by breakout sessions on current topics of interest to the agriculture and agribusiness sectors, Helmers said.

U.S. Rep. Bill Barrett, R-Neb., has been invited to speak on the status of farm Bill deliberations.

Experts Seek a Different Perspective on Livestock Waste

It's a Good Thing, and There's Plenty of It

Viewing livestock manure as a nutrient resource instead of a disposal problem is important to sound manure management, according to speakers at this month's Agricultural Research and Development Center symposium.

The symposium, "Agriculture and People . . . Building a Shared Environment," sponsored by UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was conducted in conjunction with the dedication of ARDC's new headquarters building near Mead.

Speakers presented research and information on various aspects of manure management. Livestock waste was an important soil nutrient before commercial fertilizers were widely used, said Elton Aberle, head of UNL's animal science department. More recently, managing livestock waste has become an economic and environmental concern.

"If we view manure as a resource rather than a problem, I think we can make great progress on this," UNL animal Scientist Terry Klopfenstein said. Research and information that helps producers manage waste more effectively should help shift the prevailing view from a disposal to a resource issue. Nebraska's cattle, hog and poultry operations produce an estimated 28 million tons of manure annually, Aberle said.

"That's about $100 million worth of nitrogen and phosphorous," said Charles Shapiro, soils specialist at NU's Northeast Research and Extension Center near Concord. This waste includes 200,000 tons of nitrogen and 60,000 tons of phosphorus. If used for its agronomic value, it would represent 26 percent of the nitrogen and 83 percent of the phosphorous sold in Nebraska annually, he added.

In reality, producers consider manure's nutrient value to be much lower for many reasons, Shapiro said. Nutrient losses during storage, handling and application reduce manure's nutrient value, he added.

Collaborations between livestock producers and farmers is important, Klopfenstein said. Feeders often must buy grain for their cattle. Livestock feeding operations also sometimes produce more waste than the surrounding land can handle. Returning nutrients from livestock waste to cropland from which a feeder buys corn benefits farmers and feeders, improves use of resources, and reduces waste management and environmental concerns, he said. Developing storage and application equipment that preserves manure's nutrients is among the challenges to using it as a resource.

Manure management requires a multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving, said Daniel Fox, an animal nutritionist at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and conference speaker. He detailed a demonstration project on two New York dairy farms that focuses on integrated nutrient management to improve sustainability. It involves about 20 researchers from different disciplines.

"We have to figure out how to integrate our knowledge to give (producers) the best possible plan," Fox said. "We can't just take one piece in isolation anymore if we're really going to do whole-farm management."

Symposium participants toured parts of a whole-farm research and demonstration project at ARDC. IANR researchers from many specialties are collaborating on the Integrated Farm Project, which explores the ways to integrate crops and livestock into sustainable, profitable farming systems.

Treasure of Royal Tombs Lecture Nov. 7

Pennsylvania State University's Eugene Borza will deliver a public lecture for the Archaeological Institute of America Lincoln-Omaha Society on Nov. 7.

"Treasures of the Macedonian Royal Tombs" will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 in the Beadle Center, Room E 103. The lecture is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the talk.

"Treasures of the Macedonian Royal Tombs" will review many of the last decade's discoveries of Macedonian tombs, with a special emphasis on the architecture and grave goods of the royal tombs at Vergina as evidence of the wealth and last of the Macedonians.

The excavation of this material -- including painting, ivory sculpture, gold and silver vessels and jewelry, and a variety of other grave goodsÊÑÊhas forced a reevaluation of the ancient Macedonian royalty and gentry, who now appear to have acquired sufficient wealth to acquire from abroad or to manufacture at home a variety of high-quality objects.

The grave goods also reveal some information about the religion and the burial customs of a people who differed in some respects from their Greek neighbors. This survey includes some discussion of the identity of the persons interred in the tombs, including what some believe are the remains of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. For more information, contact Michael Hoff, UNL Department of Art and Art History, 2-5342.

Help Sought for Child's Medical Expenses

UAAD is encouraging all university employees to help Tom and Lynda Todd, both employees at UNL, with medical expenses associated with their daughter's illness.

Chanel Jenkins-Todd is suffering from a rare form of cancer. While the Todd's insurance has covered many of the costs of 11-year-old Chanel's treatment, the family is now facing a major expense.

The Todds were told last week that Chanel will require a bone marrow transplant. Their insurance will not cover the $250,000 cost because the procedure is considered experimental.

A fund has been established at the Cornhusker State Bank to assist the Todds. Those wishing to make donations may make checks payable to the Chanel Jenkins-Todd Foundation and take or mail the contributions to any Cornhusker branch.

UNL Research Council Deadline Nov. 6

Nov. 6 is the deadline for UNL Research Council applications for Visiting Scholars for the period of Jan. 1 - June 30, 1996. Applications are due by 5 p.m. in the Research Council Office, 303 Administration Bldg., 0468. Late applications will not be considered. Applications that are not submitted on the new revised form will not be accepted.

Teachers College Alumni Board Seeking Editor

The Teachers College Alumni Board is seeking applicants for editorial services for The Primer newsletter of the UNL Teachers College Alumni Association. This is a freelance position with the editor responsible for the writing, photography, editing and designing of two issues annually. Interested individuals should contact Marc Shkolnick, director of alumni outreach, UNL Alumni Association, Wick Alumni Association, 2-4221 by Nov. 3.

Free Scholarship Search Offered

The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid announces that UNL students, faculty and staff have access via Internet to perform their own scholarship search. This service is provided by Student Services, Inc., sponsored in kind by Barnes & Noble Bookstores, Inc. and American Educational Services and provided free of charge to the UNL community.

To access the fastWEB scholarship search program, you must use a workstation that has Internet access. Once you are in a World Wide Web browser, such as Netscape, type in the following address: http://www.unl.edu/scholfa/cover.html then choose "Scholarship Search Program."

One interesting feature of fastWEB is that students, faculty and staff who initiate a scholarship search will automatically create an electronic mailbox for themselves. As "new" scholarship opportunities arise that match your eligibility, the information will be automatically forwarded into your electronic mail box.

For additional information or questions regarding fastWEB please contact Geri Larsen at 2-0558 or glarsen2@ccmail.unl.edu.

'Life in the Blender' Subject of Nov. 3 Talk

"Life In The Blender," blending traditional with non-traditional aspects of family, home and career, will be the subject of a discussion led by Sharon Kuska, College of Architecture, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 3 in 338 Nebraska Union. The talk is sponsored by the Women's Center. Call 2-2597 for more information.

Talk with the Webmasters at Nov 9 'Cruising' Session

The next "Cruising the Internet" session, "Talk with the Webmasters," will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 in the East Union. The session will examine what's involved in putting up a Web page, as well as promoting it and maintaining it.

Sponsored by Communications and Information Technology, no registration required. Call 2-5630 for more information.

Halloween Laser Show Premieres at Planetarium

Get ready for a bright spooktacular laser experience as Mueller Planetarium announces a special Halloween laser light show. From "Ghostbusters" to "Monster Mash," the planetarium staff have created striking images and graphics choreographed to rock'n roll Halloween favorites. These Halloween shows will be presented this weekend (Oct. 28-29) at 3:30 p.m. in the planetarium. Tickets are sold 30 minutes before showtime in the Planetarium lobby.

Admission is charged for the programs. Adults are $5, college students with I.D. are $4, and children under 12 are $2. For more information call 2-2641.

New Media Center Releases Fall Schedule

Computer software classes are offered in November by the New Media Center. To register, call 2-0600 or send email to nmc@unlinfo.unl.edu

These sessions are offered to faculty and staff at no charge: Adobe Photoshop I, which covers the basics of Photoshop and image editing; Adobe Photoshop II, which covers additional image editing techniques not covered in Photoshop I; Adobe Premiere, which covers the basics of Premiere and video editing; Adobe Persuasion/Microsoft Powerpoint, packages that are popular for multimedia presentations and can incorporate sound, images and video; and Authorware I, an easy-to-use yet powerful tool for creating interactive lessons. This three-hour course will result in creating a simple lesson. November classes are as follows:



Events Offer Strategies for Integrated Studies

The Comprehensive Education Program Advisory Board will sponsor two events to assist faculty with Integrated Studies Courses. "A Dialogue about Critical Thinking," with Jim Eison, is scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 8 in the Nebraska Union. Eison, founding director of the Center for Teaching Enhancement at the University of South Florida, and a panel of faculty will discuss strategies they use to develop critical thinking skills in their students.

"Incorporating Writing and Oral Expression" is scheduled from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 14 (with a repeat on Nov. 15) in the Selleck Hall private dining room. A panel of faculty who have experienced the ups and downs of using writing and oral expression in their classes will share "lessons learned." Assistance in writing Integrated Studies proposals will be available at this session. Contact the Teaching and Learning Center, 2-3079, for more information or to register.

Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis Is Dec. 2

The Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis is a nationwide fund-raising event. Campus Recreation is coordinating a team from UNL. The 1995 Jingle Bell Run is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 2 at the south side of the State Capitol.

Race options include a 5-mile run, a 2-mile walk/run, and a 1-mile Candy Cane run/walk for children 12 and under. All entrants receive official JBR shoelaces, gloves and jingle bells. Participants may solicit donors for which the Arthritis Foundation awards prizes depending on the amount collected. Donations can be submitted with entry forms to Campus Recreation, or contact the Nebraska Arthritis Foundation at 421-3311.

To enter the Jingle Bell Run, complete an entry form available at Campus Recreation and return it by Nov. 16 with a check for the appropriate amount (make checks payable to UNL -- JBR will receive one check for all entrants). Return entries to: Jingle Bell Run, Attn.: Kara, 55 CRec, 0232. Campus Recreation will pick up race packets from run officials. They will be available in either 32 CAB or 55 CRec. On race day, packets will be available on the north side of the start line on the Capitol lawn. The entry fee is $7.50 per person. An entire family may be entered with one form.

Buffalograss Seed Included in Time Capsule

In conjunction with the U.S. Golf Association's centennial this year, a time capsule will be buried at Golf House, headquarters of the USGA, in Far Hills, N.J., containing items symbolizing golf in the 1990s. The capsule will be opened at the bicentennial in 2095.

One item to be included is Cody buffalograss seed, developed by Terry Riordan and the University of Nebraska Turfgrass Team. Buffalograss has had a major impact on providing the industry with an alternative turfgrass species for roughs and out-of-play areas.

Writers Round Table to Discuss Home Pages

The UNL Writers Round Table will meet from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 3 for a brown bag meeting in the Nebraska Union. The discussion topic will be "Building Your Unit's World Wide Web Home Page." UNL public relations writers are encouraged to attend. For more information call Deb Eisloeffel at 2-8320 or e-mail dbe@unlinfo.unl.edu

Reception for Ross Oct. 31

The Vice Chancellor for Research will host a reception in honor of Daniel J. J. Ross from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in the Wick Center Great Hall. Ross has been appointed Director of the University of Nebraska Press effective Nov. 1.

Centrex Recycling. Just Do It.

If you haven't already received it, your 1995-96 Centrex directory should be on your desk soon. To recycle your 1994-95 Centrex, cut off the plastic binding and put in the trash, then put all the paper in your office paper recycling basket.

EAP Sessions Examine Caregivers of Elderly

The Employee Assistance Program will sponsor brown bag sessions for those who care for elderly loved ones at noon Nov. 6 in the East Union and noon Nov. 20 in the Nebraska Union. A representative from Lincoln Information for the Elderly (LIFE) will provide options regarding resources and support for elderly members of the community as well as for those who care for them. The meeting will consist of a presentation of services LIFE provides as well as an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns. For more information, contact the EAP at 2-3107.

TCD Clothing Exhibit Fit for the Occasion

A costume exhibit featuring the historic costume collection of the Textiles, Clothing and Design Department in the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences will run Nov. 5 through Dec. 21 in the Textiles, Clothing and Design Gallery on East Campus. The opening reception will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Home Economics Building, East Campus. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Human Resources on the Move

The Department of Human Resources has moved to 32 Canfield Administration Building and the Benefits section has been moved to Room 128, 501 Building. In conjunction with this move Greg Clayton, director, Risk Management and Benefits will be located in 128, 501 Building and Jim Yankeck, employee relations specialist, will be in 407 Canfield Administration Building.

The phone numbers for Employment (2-2120 and 2-2121) and Benefits (2-2600) will remain the same. The phone numbers for Greg Clayton (2-8044) and Jim Yankeck (2-5250) also will remain the same.



Back to menu

For questions regarding these Scarlet pages, contact:
dtaurins@unlinfo.unl.edu
(402) 472-8518, Fax: (402) 472-7825