Math Day '98 is Nov. 12

By Andrew Washburn, Public Relations

More than 1,200 students from 89 Nebraska high schools will compete in Math Day '98 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and 10 individuals will walk away with a share of $34,000 in total scholarship prizes.

The day-long competition will be held at NU's City Campus Nov. 12 and is sponsored by NU's Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

The competition promotes the mathematical sciences via two team contests and one individual competition. All students will begin the day with a multiple-choice, preliminary examination called PROBE I (Problems Requiring Original and Brilliant Effort) from 9 to 10 a.m. on the second floor of the Nebraska Union. The top 50 PROBE I scorers will then move on to the challenging PROBE II essay examination, where the top 10 individuals will be awarded a share of $34,000 in four-year scholarships to the university.

The two different types of team competitions divide schools into four classes (similar to the A, B, C and D classifications for athletics). The first team competition adds each school's top scores on the PROBE I examination to determine each team's totals.

The second is the double-elimination Math Bowl tournament pitting three-member teams from each school against each other. The championship rounds will be from 3 to 4 p.m. in Kimball Hall. The top two teams in each class will receive trophies.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln wanted to ensure a good representation from the entire state, so financial assistance was offered to schools more than 150 miles from Lincoln to help them make the trip.

Last year's winners of the team PROBE I competition were: Creighton Prep (class A); Lincoln Pius X (B); Nemaha Valley (C); and Brownell-Talbot (D). The top score in last year's individual competition was recorded by Nick Benes of Lincoln Pius X.

For more information on Math Day '98, contact Lori Mueller in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at (402) 472-4319 or by e-mail at lmueller@math.unl.edu.

Search Committee for HRFS Dean Announced

Fourteen people have been appointed by Richard Edwards, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Irv Omtvedt, vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as members of a search committee to fill the deanship of the College of Human Resources and Family Sciences.

"Finding and attracting an outstanding dean of the college requires an enormous effort, both in identifying strong candidates and in attracting them to UNL," Omtvedt said.

Richard Durst, dean of the College of Fine and Performing Arts, will chair the committee.

Other members are Richard Bischoff, assistant professor, family and consumer sciences; Roger Bruning, Velma Warren Hodder Professor, educational psychology, co-director; Nebraska Center for Instructional Innovation; Timothy Carr, assistant professor, nutritional science and dietetics; Sheran Cramer, associate professor, family and consumer sciences; Pat Crews, professor, textiles, clothing and design; Keith Parker, associate professor, sociology; Kathleen Prochaska-Cue, associate professor, family and consumer sciences; Brad Reynolds, undergraduate student, dietetics major; Marilyn Schnepf, associate professor and chair, nutritional sciences and dietetics; Carol Thayer, professor and extension education, South Central Research and Extension Center; Wendy Weiss, associate professor, textiles, clothing and design; Susan N. Williams, extension educator, Southeast District; and Pauline Zeece, associate professor, family and consumer sciences.

In addition, Omtvedt and Edwards said, a member of the community and an additional undergraduate student will be added to the committee.

Karen Craig, current dean of the college, has announced her plans to retire at the end of the academic year.

The committee will recommend finalists to the two vice chancellors with the hope that an appointment can be made by summer 1999.

Staying Focused Subject of Nov. 5 Lecture

The American Business Women's Association Network Chapter will present an educational evening "Staying Focused," with guest speaker Susan Scott from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Nebraska Center for Continuing Education, 33rd and Holdrege St.

Being a professional woman takes a balancing act. What are your priorities? What should they be? How should you manage communication breakdowns? When and how do you intervene in interpersonal conflicts? Or even better, how do you prevent the conflicts?

Staying Focused is designed to provide an opportunity to: evaluate your priorities; understand differences; communicate your needs to others; prevent or intervene in interpersonal conflicts; reduce guilt and have fun.

Since starting her business in 1982, Scott, a Lincoln, Nebraska-based consultant, has trained throughout the continental United States, Hawaii and in Canada. Her clients for training in supervisory, management and leadership skills, communication, customer service, conflict management, and team building have included: Aliant Communications, Digital Equipment, Inc., ISCO Environmental Division, the Hawaii Attorney General's Office, Security Federal, MDS Harris, Hyland Brothers Lumber Co., Campbell's Soup, Telex Communications, the National Bank of Commerce and U.S. West Inc.

Scott has a B.A. from Creighton University and an M.Ed. from South Dakota State University. She has held leadership positions locally, regionally and nationally with the American Society for Training and Development. She is a 1989 recipient of the Lincoln YWCA Tribute to Women; is in the 1994-1996 National Directory of Who's Who for Business and Professionals and is a long distance runner with more than 40 marathons under her feet. Scott is one of three who have completed all 21 Lincoln Marathons.

The cost of the workshop is $10, paid in advance; $15 at the door. Call 434-7515 for more information.

Holiday Closedown Dates

The semester break runs from Dec. 24, 1998 to Jan. 1, 1999. The last working day of the year is Dec. 23. The first working day of 1999 is Jan. 4. It will not be necessary to take an annual leave day this year to accommodate the semester holiday.

Lexis/Nexis Workshop Offered Nov. 5

An open workshop sponsored by the University Libraries, "Finding Company Information on Lexis/Nexis," presented by Tracy Bicknell-Holmes, business librarian, University Libraries, will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Electronic Scholarship Center, Room 18, Love Library.

During this hands-on workshop, participants will develop skills and knowledge that will help them find company information on Lexis/Nexis. Focus will be placed on the "Company Library" with special emphasis on selecting files and successful search strategies. Skills learned will apply to a wide range of activities including job hunting and research for class assignments in business or marketing.

The workshop limit is 16 participants. To register call Barb Turner at 472-2545.

Theology for Lunch Program Nov. 13

The Theology for Lunch brown bag lunch series will continue at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 13 with "Local Issues," presented by Coleen Seng, a member of the Lincoln City Council. The series, open to all, meets in the Nebraska Union. Check kiosks for room location. The theme for the series is "Religion in Politics: Local to Global."

The Theology for Lunch series is sponsored by the Program in Religious Studies in cooperation with St. Mark's Episcopal Church, the Lutheran Student Center and United Ministries in Higher Education. For more information call 472-7008.

High School Football Finals at Memorial Stadium

The state high school football championship games will be played at Memorial Stadium Nov. 19-21. Following are the scheduled kickoff times:

• Thursday: 11 a.m., Class D3 (six-man); 7 p.m. Class D2 (eight-man).
• Friday: 11 a.m., Class D1 (eight-man); 7 p.m., Class C2.
• Saturday: noon, Class C1; 3:30 p.m., Class A; 7 p.m., Class B.

Admission for each game is $5 for adults and $4 for high school students.

'Kick in a Can' for Food Bank Oct. 31

The 15th annual "Kick in a Can" food drive is scheduled for the Nebraska vs. Texas game Oct. 31. Volunteers from Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Alpha Phi Omega will be stationed outside Memorial Stadium to collect food donations from fans. The drive is co-sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

The University Bookstore also is sponsoring a special promotion from Oct. 24-31. For each food item donated, a 20 percent discount will be offered on all "Club Red" items. The discount offer is available at both City Campus and East Campus University Bookstore locations.

Fans who forget food donations can "Kick in a Buck." All proceeds will be used by the Food Banks for hunger relief efforts in the state. Most needed items include peanut butter, tuna, canned fruits, dry milk and pasta. For more information contact Alpha Phi Alpha, 571-1905; the Food Bank of Lincoln, 466-8170 or the Omaha Food Bank, 341-1915.

Before and after the game, the "world's largest grill," used by the Johnsonville Brats company, will be in the parking lot of the Lincoln Journal Star 15 10th and P streets. Fans can purchase a grilled Johnsonville brat, a soft drink and chips for $3 with $2 donated to the Food Bank. This promotion, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. on, is co-sponsored by B&R Stores, Russ's and SuperSaver Stores'

Maier Presentations Highlight Text Studies Series

Text Studies presents Carol Maier, director of the Translation Program at Kent State University, in a roundtable discussion, lecture and poetry reading on Nov. 13 and 14.

The Text Studies Roundtable, "What's a Good Translation?" will be at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 13 in 228 Andrews. Speakers will be Maier and Manfred Jacobson, Modern Languages and Literatures. The moderator will be Harriet Turner, Modern Languages and Literatures.

At 5 p.m. Nov. 13, Maier will present a public lecture, "Constructing María Zambrano's 'Razón poética'/'Poetic Reason' in English," in the Nebraska Union.

A poetry reading/Velada poetica, will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 14 at Crane River, 200 N. 11th St. Participants will include Maier, Diane Marting of the University of Florida-Gainesville, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln students. Host will be Turner, chair of Modern Languages and Literatures.

Maier, professor of Spanish at Kent State University, focuses her teaching and research interests on translation, translation theory, contemporary Peninsular Literature, contemporary Spanish American poetry and Hispanic women writers. She is an award-winning translator of the novels of Rosa Chacel.

Her list of awards was enhanced in 1996 when the Modern Language Association of America presented her translation novel, Memoirs of Leticia Valle, with the Aldo and Jeanne Scaglione Prize for Outstanding Translation of Literary Work.

Maier has published translations of seven books. Her translation of a second Chacel novel, Unreason, is forthcoming from University of Nebraska Press. Besides translating, Maier edits books and has published many articles and reviews.

Her Nebraska visit is sponsored by Text Studies, an interdisciplinary initiative within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Degree Grade Rosters Due Dec. 4

Degree Grade Rosters identifying Dec. 19 degree candidates will be mailed to the faculty on Nov. 23. The deadline for returning the rosters to the Records Office is Dec. 4.

4-H to Collect More Pop Tabs

The 1998-99 University of Nebraska 4-H Action Team has decided to again sponsor a statewide pop tab drive to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Omaha.

Many counties across the state helped the action team collect 3 million pop tabs worth $3,000. The tabs were presented to the Ronald McDonald House in Omaha during the ExpoVisions in July, said Sandra Stockall, 4-H Action Team adviser and youth specialist at NU's West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte. The tabs are the richest part of aluminum cans.

The Ronald McDonald House, which is near the NU Medical Center, is an inexpensive home away from home for families of children undergoing medical transplant procedures. Families staying are asked to pay only $7.50 nightly. The proceeds from the recycled pop tabs will be used to offset the house's operating costs.

The 4-H team has set a goal of 5 million tabs for the continuation of the drive, Stockall said. Annually the Ronald McDonald House receives nearly $7,000 in pop tab donations.

Stockall said the tab collection is an excellent public-service opportunity for junior leaders and 4-H clubs of any size and encourages them to "get busy and start collecting pop tabs."

Representatives from each 4-H club should take collected pop tabs to their local Cooperative Extension office before Super Bowl week in January and ExpoVisions in July.

Anyone needing more information should contact Sandra Stockall at (308) 532-3611, Amanda Bergquist at (308) 824-3452 or Jody Harper at (308) 382-9480.

Four-H is part of Cooperative Extension in NU's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

'Delightful' Nurseryman Is Final Arboretum Lecturer

When the price of the catalog is "10 stamps or one box of chocolates, "it's clear this is not your standard mail-order nursery. But Plant Delights' 25,000 customers are well aware of that.

Owner Tony Avent, whose North Carolina nursery specializes in hostas, rare perennials and native plants, will be speaking about "The Plants and Their People" at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at Metropolitan Community College, Fort Omaha Campus. This is the last in the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum's lecture series honoring its 20th anniversary.

Famous for his hostas, Avent has hybridized and made available 200 varieties and is in the process of evaluating 800-1,000 more. Their down-home names, "Out House Delight," "Elvis Lives," "Barney Fife" and "Bubba," are coupled with upscale prices of $25 to $50 for some of the rarer hybrids. He also sells "Amorphophallus titanum, the plant made famous for its 15-foot flowers, which have a putrid scent" for $200.

But neither the names nor the prices discourage Plant Delights' mail-order customers. "Hard-core gardeners are passionate people," Avent says, and they're tired of the "typical plants being offered year after year by garden centers and most mail-order catalogs."

Avent's talk about "the people behind the plants-the explorers, nursery people, and gardeners who have brought us our finest garden and landscape plants" is free to Nebraska Statewide Arboretum members and $5 for non-members.

A chartered bus ($10 per person) will leave Lincoln at 6 p.m. from the Nebraska Center for Continuing Education, 33rd and Holdrege streets, where ample parking is available at no charge. For more information about the lecture, bus reservations or the NSA call 472-2971.

And yes, Avent does get chocolates. He received over 2,000 boxes last year.

Human Resources Q&A: Family/Medical Leave Explained

Question: Can you explain how family/medical leave works? If I am on paid sick leave, is that also considered family/medical leave?

Answer: Depending on the length and the reasons for your leave, your sick leave may be counted as family/medical leave. The issues surrounding family/medical leave can be confusing. The university's ís policy states that in a 12-month period eligible employees are granted 12 weeks of family/medical leave for any of the following reasons:

• To address a serious health condition of the employee's child, parent, or spouse;
• To address a serious health condition of the employee;
• To address maternal/paternal concerns associated with the birth of a child, adoption, or foster care; or
• In association with a death in the immediate family.

Family/medical leave is not about whether a person is paid. It is about the ability to take time away from work without fear of loss of the job. University staff may choose to take the leave as unpaid, or they may choose to use accrued sick or vacation leave to continue to receive pay as may be applicable to the situation for which the leave is being taken. However, even for someone who does not have accrued sick or vacation leave, unpaid family/medical leave of up to 12 weeks will still be granted to eligible employees for any of the above reasons. Faculty may work with their departments to arrange for paid or unpaid family/medical leave.

It may be helpful to think about family/medical leave as an umbrella policy. Under that umbrella, one may take leave that is paid or unpaid. Whether family/medical leave is officially requested, the university considers leave taken for any of the above purposes as family/medical leave and the time taken will be considered as part of the 12 weeks for which you are eligible.

When you need more than five days away from work for any of the above reasons, you should complete a Request for Family/Medical Leave. This enables your department to keep track of such leave and it ensures that you will receive all the benefits associated with family/medical leave.

So the answer to your question is "it depends." If your sick leave is longer than five days and if it is for one of the reasons listed above, then it is also considered family/medical leave.

Your questions about family/medical leave may be directed to Human Resources at 472-3101.