NEBRASKA UNION EMPLOYEES Joni Rief, left, and Tammy Hennecke prepare espresso at the new Caffina Cafe in the remodeled northwest corner of the Nebraska Union. The cafe, which opened last week, serves Starbucks coffee.

Chancellor Elaborates on State of University Comments

Faculty Input Encouraged in Indentifying Institutional Imperatives

In the following article, Chancellor James Moeser responds to questions put forward by Gail Latta, associate professor of information services/libraries and president-elect of the Academic Senate. Latta posed the questions as a follow up to comments made by Moeser in his Aug. 21 State of the University Address.

Gail Latta: In your speech, you said, "Some new central funds will have to be identified for some institutional imperatives," and you mentioned Internet 2, a deficit in merit scholarship funds, medical benefits for graduate students, diversity, and possibly extending the faculty/staff tuition waiver to dependents. Why are these things essential?

Chancellor Moeser: First, I believe that Internet 2 will be an essential tool for our faculty to do research. Not joining Internet 2 would be the equivalent of deciding a century ago not to have telephone service, or a community deciding not to be on the railroad. Can you imagine what shape this university would be in if we had not connected to Internet 1? If we want to continue to be a research university, we have no choice. Similarly, we have no choice with the regard to red ink in our scholarship funds. To this list, I would add our obligation to continue to expand engineering offerings in Omaha.

Extending medical benefits for graduate students, on the other hand, is more of a judgment call. I consider it a moral imperative. It is also clear that we are less and less competitive for graduate students, so this also serves our institutional self-interest. Likewise, extending the tuition benefit to dependents of faculty and staff is also a judgment call. This has been a high priority for many faculty, and I favor it. However, if we are going to do it, we have to find the money somewhere.

The simple fact is that we are not receiving sufficient new funding to cover these necessities. So we have to reset our budgets in order to do them.

Latta: What do you envision the faculty role to be in helping finalize and prioritize the list of "institutional imperatives?"

Moeser: Many of the items on this list first came from faculty who responded in great numbers last spring to vice chancellors Edwards' and Omtvedt's request for input on strategic planning issues. We continue to welcome input from the faculty. Perhaps there are other matters that need to be added to the list. Some may wish to argue with the items we have listed. While the costs of a number of these items are still rather soft, this is our best thinking at the present time with regard to the absolute imperatives that we all face. Another matter yet to be determined is the timing of each of these concerns. In some cases, some expenditures may possibly be deferred past the next biennium, thus reducing the amount needed in the short term.

Latta: Later in your speech you said, "I believe we can identify funds for these needs . . . through the normal budgeting process." Could you be more explicit about that? Does that mean another reallocation?

Moeser: No, I do not envision another reallocation in the next biennium along the lines of the 4 percent reallocation that is taking place in this biennium. The deans and the vice chancellors, in identifying the above list of "unfunded imperatives," have agreed that it should be possible for us to identify sufficient funds to meet these needs by a general tax on all budgets in the range of .75 percent to 1 percent for each year of the next biennium. That is, as I pointed out in my speech, subject to two caveats ­ that the constitutional amendment to cap revenues does not pass and the general economy stays healthy and the state continues to provide a modest level of growth in our budget. If the revenue lid is voted in, or if the economy crashes, all bets are off.

Latta: Isn't the tax just the same as "reallocation" ­ just a change in terminology?

Moeser: No, there is an essential difference. For the reallocation, we identified up front a 4 percent reduction in all budgets. Then, we returned funds to academic units differentially, based on overall priorities and assessments of quality. In assessing the tax, we will collect the minimum amount necessary to take care of our unfunded imperatives. Not a dollar more. We have pledged to keep this amount as low as possible, in order to minimize the pressure on academic budgets. Another major difference between the tax and the reallocation is that the tax will only be used for campuswide needs­­no college or department will benefit at the cost of another.

Latta: Could you clarify the role of the faculty in helping to determine what if any cuts are needed in departmental or college budgets to pay the tax?

Moeser: I expect that faculty will have a role in the decision-making process within colleges as these academic units make whatever budgetary adjustments may be necessary. As I stated in my speech, I think the colleges need to be actively involved in assessing the quality of their own programs. And by that I mean the faculty should be actively engaged in that discussion, not just department chairs and deans. For non-academic budgets, I would like staff to have opportunities for input as well. All of us need to realize that the days of growing budgets to accommodate new programs or new thrusts are over. We are in a new era of trade-offs. For everything new or improved, we may have to relinquish something.

Latta: Will the administration be subject to the tax, too?

Moeser: Absolutely. I remind you that in the current reallocation, the non-academic areas contributed the most; academic programs benefited most, taking about 97 cents out of every dollar.

Latta: Could you be more explicit with regard to the impact of the proposed constitutional amendment to cap state revenues? What would be the impact on the Lincoln campus budget?

Moeser: If this lid passes, the University of Nebraska (system) budget would be reduced by about $20 million in the first year after passage. The Lincoln budget, which is approximately half of the university system, would therefore be reduced by about $10 million. Those figures are calculated on the optimistic assumption that all components of state government would be reduced equally ­ prisons, the state patrol, and others, along with higher education. Just to keep matters in perspective, our current reallocation redistributed (but did not eliminate) nearly $7 million over two years. This would be a $10 million cut in one year. I encourage everyone to become informed on this issue and, of course, to vote in November.

Latta: Why can't we use private funds such as the new Othmer Endowment to replace state funds to avoid any internal taxation or possible budget cuts?

Moeser: To do so would be contrary to the terms of the will and would constitute a major breach of trust with a benefactor. It would send a signal to all potential benefactors that their gifts could be diverted to replace state support, essentially drying up private support. No matter what comes to pass, we must guard this resource as an investment fund for excellence. We cannot and must not eat our seed corn.

NU Lands Grant to Address High-Risk Drinking

By Amy Cyphers, Public Relations

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has received a $700,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Medical Association to curb high-risk drinking among college students.

As a new member of the foundation's "A Matter of Degree" program, Nebraska joins nine other U.S. universities in a national effort to reduce high-risk drinking of alcohol among young people on and off campus. Linda Major, drug education specialist for the University of Nebraska, will coordinate the five-year project.

Winning the grant, said Major, means the university is poised to become a leader in solving one of the most dangerous problems on American campuses - high-risk drinking. The program aims to reduce alcohol abuse and its second-hand effects, which include drunk driving, violence, risky sexual practices, physical injuries and academic failure.

"High-risk drinking is a serious problem at virtually every college in the country," Major said. "This grant gives Nebraska a chance to be a pioneer in the effort to reduce dangerous drinking patterns and the negative consequences excessive drinking can have on and off campus."

The foundation program was launched in the fall of 1996 at the University of Colorado, the University of Delaware, the University of Vermont, Lehigh University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Iowa. Four new universities - Nebraska, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Louisiana State - officially were accepted into the program on Sept. 1.

James Griesen, vice chancellor for student affairs, said he is excited about the program's potential, based on the success of the other institutions in changing the college culture and attitudes toward excessive drinking.

"This is a great coalition of schools that are willing to acknowledge that high-risk drinking is a problem that needs new solutions," he said. "Past approaches to reducing dangerous drinking haven't worked, and these universities are determined to deal with the issue through innovative projects tied into the community. We want to change the culture and attitudes that influence high-risk drinking among students."

Students, faculty and staff have combined their efforts with state and community leaders, law enforcement agencies, local businesses, health professionals and the NU Parents Association in a project called "NU Directions." After a year of planning, both the campus and the community will work together on programs to control the number of liquor licenses near campus; eliminate risky alcohol marketing practices; increase student awareness of the risks of excessive and underage drinking; identify alternatives to high-risk drinking; and enforce laws related to the manufacture and use of fake IDs.

Major said the grant is unique because it relies heavily on involvement from community agencies, businesses and leaders to play an active role in changing attitudes about excessive drinking and promoting responsible drinking behaviors.

"High-risk drinking affects our whole community," said Major. "The grant gives us the opportunity to bring the campus and community together to address the issue."

NU Math Department Honored at White House

By Tom Simons, Public Relations

Due largely to its success in its decade-long efforts to recruit and nurture women graduate students, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Mathematics and Statistics will be honored Sept. 11 at the White House with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

The awards program, administered for the White House by the National Science Foundation, honors outstanding mentoring efforts or programs designed to enhance the participation of traditionally underrepresented groups. A $10,000 grant accompanies the 20 awards (10 to institutions and 10 to individuals), along with a commemorative presidential certificate.

"In 1988-89, I was concerned that we were going to go though the entire decade of the '80s without a woman getting a Ph.D. in our department," said Jim Lewis, professor and chair of the department. "I thought that was not defensible and that we had to put extra effort into finding successful women graduate students."

The extra effort paid off. Since 1994, the department has awarded 13 doctorates to women with two more on track to get theirs in December. Meanwhile, about half of the department's graduate students are now women. Lewis said the effort's effects also have been qualitative.

"The only graduate we've had to win an NSF postdoctoral fellowship is Jennifer Mueller, who's now studying at RPI (the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.)," he said. "She's an example of how our program got stronger when we started recruiting women students."

Assistant Professor Judy Walker, who coordinated the department's award nomination, will be at the White House ceremony to accept the award.

NU Speakers Bureau Has 15 Members

By Karen Underwood, Public Relations

Fifteen speakers with 40 timely topics highlight the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Speakers Bureau for the 1998-99 academic year.

The Speakers Bureau provides speakers for civic, community and professional organizations across the state at no cost to the organizations.

Speakers Bureau members have become the university's ambassadors, said Chancellor James Moeser. Last year, more than 100 presentations were given to more than 5,000 people in communities throughout Nebraska.

"We have so many experts and a wealth of knowledge to share," Moeser said. "I hope those in leadership positions in their clubs and organizations will take advantage of this free service."

Speakers Bureau members were chosen by the chancellor's cabinet to serve one-year terms. For more information about the service or to schedule a speaker through May 31, 1999, contact the Office of Public Relations by phone at (402) 472-2211 or by mail at 321 Canfield Administration Building, Lincoln, NE 68588-0424.

A list of members and a description of their presentations follows.

PETER BLEED, professor of anthropology In "The Archeology of Lincoln Pottery Works," Bleed tells what history and archeology have revealed about this turn-of-the-century kitchenware manufacturer. In "An Archeologist Looks At The Modern Antiques Trade," he explains what makes antiques authentic and where collectibles come from.

SIDNIE WHITE CRAWFORD, associate professor and chair of classics In "The Significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls," she tells the story behind the discovery of the most important archeological finds of the 20th century. In "Women in the Bible," she explains the impact the stories of women in the Old Testament have on the expectations of women at the end of the 20th century. In "Biblical Archeology," she uses slides and pictures to show how archeology illuminates and contradicts the biblical record.

A.L. "ROY" FREDERICK, professor of agricultural economics In "Are Nebraskans Overtaxed," he speaks on Nebraska's tax history, gives comparisons with other states and discusses how tax dollars are spent. In "Do State and Local Governments Overspend?," he discusses spending patterns of state and local governments and how they compare to other states in the region. In "Effects of National Policies on Nebraska Farming," he explains how the state will be affected after the "transitional" farm bill expires in 2002.

TIMOTHY GAY, professor of physics In "Why Isn't Nature Ambidextrous?," he provides an intriguing look at the origins of life on earth. In "Why Send Your Child to College?," he helps parents and kids sort through the maze of higher education options and considerations.

LEON HIGLEY, professor of entomology In "Bring Out Your Dead: Plagues Past, Present and Future," he explores the influence of insect-borne plagues on human history and the growing threat of such diseases in today's society. In "Lighting Strikes and Chemical Bites: Technology and Risk," he examines the nature of technology and risk, particularly in agriculture and biotechnology. In "Of Mites and Men: Insects and Human Societies," he demonstrates that the earth belongs to bugs.

DEBRA HOPE, associate professor of psychology In "Overcoming Anxiety and Phobias," she explains the latest techniques to manage the panic of public speaking, job interviews, high places, first dates, and other fears in everyday life. In "Psychotherapy: Does It Work?" she explains what types of therapy are effective, how to choose a therapist, and alternative treatments for psychotherapy. In "Stomp Out Stress," she shares a few simple coping techniques to help people manage stress.

EUREKA CAPRI DAYE, director of organizational development In "Shifting the Organizational Paradigm," she shares techniques organizations can use to enhance the process of change. In "Building Connections Through Diversity," she explains how to foster positive interaction among diverse people. In "The Art of Teaching Diversity," she shares a model on how to conduct diversity workshops.

RICARDO GARCIA, professor of curriculum and instruction In "The Art of Hispanic Storytelling," he tells how stories provide insight into Hispanic culture, values and beliefs. In "Workable Strategies to Reduce Prejudice," he offers practical solutions to cut prejudice in community, work and educational settings. In "Empowering People for the 21st Century," he offers techniques to help people thrive in the fast-paced world of the future.

JOHN HARRIS, special assistant to the vice chancellor for student affairs In "The State of Race Relations in America," he explains the current racial climate and the outlook for the future. In "Diversity: Moving Forward Together," he explores the possibilities for a unified America.

DON HELMUTH, associate vice chancellor for research In "From University Labs to Your Life," he shows samples of inventions developed by university faculty and staff. In "On the Cutting Edge," he offers an insider's look at some of the university's research projects. In "Giving a Boost to Nebraska Business," he shares success stories on how the university helps communities and businesses across the state with economic development.

JIM LOCKLEAR, director of the nebraska statewide arboretum In "Landscaping Nebraska-Style: Planting With a Sense of Place," he explains environmentally sound landscaping practices. In "Garden Treasures from America's Grasslands," he explains how professionals are taking plants from the wild prairie to the backyard. In "The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum," he explains the history and mission of this statewide network of public landscapes and arboretums.

DAVID LOOPE, professor and chair of geosciences In "Dunes and Dinosaurs: The Sand Hills Help Solve a Mongolian Mystery," he explains how climate changes in the Great Plains can help explain why so many well-preserved dinosaur fossils have been found in Mongolia's Gobi Desert.

REECE PETERSON, associate professor of special education and communication disorders In "Violence in American Schools," he explains the reasons and risk factors associated with escalating violence in American schools. In "Appropriate Discipline in Our Schools," he explains how to develop a plan for discipline in schools. In "Treating Emotionally Disturbed Children at School," he explains how schools can help emotionally disturbed children become productive community members.

KATHLEEN REES, associate professor of textiles, clothing and design In "Where Do Our Clothes Come From?" Rees explains the impact of the global clothing manufacturing industry on the U.S. market. In "Textile Winners and Losers Under NAFTA," she reviews the potential worldwide effects of the agreement. In "Textiles and Apparel in Chinese Economic Development," she tells how China is emerging as a world-class competitor and exporter of clothing.

WES SIME, professor of health and human performance In "Stress Hardiness in the Real World," he explains how to make stress work for you rather than against you. In "Recent Advances in Health Promotion and Sports Psychology," he offers tips for living a healthier lifestyle. In "Wide World of Opportunity: New Careers for the Next Generation," he shares success stories of students who have developed their own "dream" jobs.

Vote 6-2; Regents Miller and Skrupa Opposed

Regents on Record Opposing Lid Amendment

The following resolution was adopted by the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska Sept. 4. The vote was 6-2 with regents Drew Miller and Rosemary Skrupa voting against the resolution

The text of the resolution follows:

Whereas, the University of Nebraska has an historic obligation as a land grant college to make quality education accessible to all qualified citizens and has met this goal for nearly 130 years; and

Whereas, the University of Nebraska has an historic obligation to serve the citizens of Nebraska through programs that support economic and community development and has met this goal through a multitude of programs too numerous to mention; and

Whereas the University of Nebraska is making great strides in building quality education, research, and outreach programs to better position the citizens and communities of our state to grow and prosper; and

Whereas, independent analysis has determined that Initiative 413 would likely impose cuts in state support for the University of Nebraska, infringing on its ability to build quality programs to serve the citizens of Nebraska; and

Whereas, the cuts in state support imposed by Initiative 413 would shift an increased share of the cost if higher education onto tuition, contrary to the land grant mission of making quality education accessible to all qualified citizens;

Therefore be it resolved that the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska opposes the passage of Initiative 413 in order to retain its capacity to effectively serve Nebraskans in accordance with its historic mission.

Museum Web Site Is Student, Teacher Resource

By Tom Simons, Public Relations

Want to know how many bird species have been identified in your county, or how the Trenton stegomastodon was discovered in 1996, or how paleontologists preserve fossils?

All that and much more information on Nebraska's natural history is available to students and teachers on the University of Nebraska State Museum's World Wide Web site, http://www-museum.unl.edu/.

"Students and teachers can click on any of the specific research pages, such as vertebrate paleontology, and they'll find copies of the Museum Notes," said Marian Langan, the NU State Museum's education coordinator.

"There are copies of notes that pertain to the Ashfall fossil beds in northeast Nebraska, for example. What they'll probably be most interested in is how the fossils were discovered, but there's also information in there about how scientists preserve fossils once they're collected."

The museum and its Web site are concerned with more than just fossils, though. Besides vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, pages for the divisions of anthropology, botany, entomology, parasitology and zoology provide a rich source of information about existing species.

"A feature that would probably be great for a classroom project is that zoology has put together a searchable database listing their specimens," Langan said. "You can click on 'birds,' for example, and then you can search by county to see what species are found there and what year an individual species was collected in that county. The information is pretty general, but a student or teacher can always contact the museum if they want more information."

The Web site also has information about NU State Museum programs such as Wonder Wise, Museum Kids, gallery programs, Mueller Planetarium and rental information.

In addition to providing the public with a link to the museum's resources and faculty, the museum's Web site also is a gateway to other research institutions.

"Once you click into the research programs, the divisions have also put in some their favorite links, and some of them are just fun," Langan said.

Pork Industry Adapts to Demand for Ethnic Tastes, New Products

By Molly Klocksin, IANR News

From head to toe, pig parts help food processors and retailers meet changing consumer tastes and new-product demand.

"Some small processors are selling items they haven't sold before," said Dennis Burson, University of Nebraska meat specialist.

People of all ethnic and demographic backgrounds have always liked certain pork cuts, Burson said. Pork rinds--fried, seasoned pork skins puffed up like popcorn--became popular when then-President George Bush munched on them in the White House.

The newest taste trends are prompted by waves of Nebraska newcomers, especially Asians and Hispanics, Burson and area retailers say.

For example, many Hispanic-Americans ordered fresh ham with the skin on for Christmas last year, said Don Bruce, meat director for B&R Stores here. Typically, fresh hams are skinless.

Many Asian-Americans prefer sweeter-seasoned pork sausages than the garlic- and pepper-seasoned sausages preferred by German-Americans raised in Nebraska, Burson said.

"Ethnic tastes reflect where people come from," added the NU Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources specialist.

Many recent newcomers, like previous immigrant generations, prefer to shop at "mom and pop" ethnic grocery stores, where they're more likely to find familiar cuts of pork, sauces and seasonings, Burson said.

But others are finding what they need at mainstream stores.

For example, whole hog heads are popular among both Hispanic-Americans and older German-Americans for making head cheese, a luncheon meat that looks liked Swiss cheese, said Todd Buesing, assistant meat manager at Wal-Mart in Fremont, Neb.

"We have such a variety of customers now," he said.

Smart processors and retailers are making newer pork cuts available the way customers want them, Burson said.

"Why should we make (recent immigrants) adjust to our traditional products?" Burson asked. "Why shouldn't we produce the products they're used to from their ethnic traditions?"

The National Pork Producers Council is exploring potential niche markets by finding ways to sell pork to underserved consumers, said Jeff Ward, NPPC producer education director at Des Moines, Iowa.

For example, Ward said the council has been researching America's fastest-growing market segment, Hispanic-Americans. The organization also may study the market potential of other ethnic and demographic groups, such Asian-Americans and white collar workers, he said.

Some new pork products appeal to other consumer groups. For example, pet owners are snapping up barbecued pork ears marketed as dog chews, Burson said. They are made primarily from low-cost pork parts such as ears or tendons, and are smoked or dried with seasoning. Some Nebraska manufacturers are selling them successfully in Japan.

Another popular, relatively new pork product is spiral sliced ham, he said. These hams usually are flavored and marketed as easier to slice and more decorative.

Many traditional pork products, such as replacement heart valves or skin grafts for burn victims, can save lives, Burson said. Others allow people to lead normal lives, such as insulin for diabetes.

Other pork parts are used in food and industrial products such as gelatin, plywood adhesive, glue, plastics and cosmetics, he said. Pig hides can be tanned for leather, bristles can be sold for bushes, blood can be processed in some foods and fertilizer and glands can be used for pharmaceuticals.