The demolition phase of the Richards Hall renovation project (below) is continuing, according to Barry Shull, project manager with facilities planning and construction. The project's scheduled completion date is August 2000. Resurfacing of the Ed Weir Track and infield (right) should be completed in mid-September 1999. The $2.25 million project involves laying 'Mondo,' a sheet rubber product used at recent Summer Olympic games. Woody Haecker, facilities planning, is project manager.

Seeking Synthesis in the Discipline

Human Rights/Diversity Is New Area of Concentration

By Gabi Volgyes, Public Relations

Graduate students in political science have a unique opportunity coming this fall. They will have the option of seeking an area of strength in Human Rights and Human Diversity, a new interdisciplinary concentration that will be offered through the College of Arts and Sciences. This concentration will include classes, research grants, speakers from countries around the world, and internships in various countries.

This "Human Rights Initiative," as it is referred to, sprung from the Kennedy Committee which met under history chair Dane Kennedy to revise the existing International Studies program. Once the change had been suggested, another committee was headed by politicals science Professor David Forsythe to develop the proposal. Dean Brian Foster accepted the initiative, and the project began to come together.

"This really came out of the desire to establish truly first-rate, nationally ranked program in the area," Forsythe said, adding that "at the university we have a lot of expertise and a lot of talent. We wanted to build on that in a way consistent with the department and university creed of creating quality programs by pooling our resources."

Forsythe is especially excited about the university's unique approach to the study of human rights. "Unlike the programs at other schools, this program is not based in the law school, and it's not taking a legalistic approach. Instead, we're paying attention to the international standards of human rights as well as the tremendous diversity out there. We're trying to find out if there's a synthesis between human rights and human diversity. And because of that, there are already applications coming in for the program."

Lloyd Ambrosius, professor of history, says the new area of strength recognizes the nature of the world as much more transnational and multicultural. He says that "the revised curriculum will give greater attention to these multiple dimensions of world affairs."

Professors from different departments from around the university will work to build the program and offer students new opportunities. For example, five professors have recieved fellowships to create or revise graduate courses for the summer. The topics are extremely wide ranging, and include such topics as the African Diaspora; International Child and Family Rights; Gender and International Law; and Cultural Diversity.

The past activities of the initiative have included speakers from around the world, the sponsorship of NU presenters, the development of graduate internships and grants for graduate research. These activities were initially made possible through the support of the Ford Foundation, which gave the project a $50,000 grant from its "Crossing Borders: Revitalizing Area Studies" program. However, with the newest round of allocations coming in soon, the next year could hold many new opportunities for the program.

During April, the "Human Rights Initiative" is sponsoring two visiting speakers. Aram Yengoyan from the University of California-Davis spoke April 9 on "Indigenous Peoples in Asia." Leon Gordenker, who comes from Princeton, will speak about "Democracy and International Organizations" at 2 p.m. April 27 in the Nebraska Union.

The summer of 1999 will see the revision of the graduate courses offered, as well as a summer workshop, faculty grants, and summer research grants and internships for graduate students in New York, Prague and Zimbabwe. If larger grants come through, including another from the Ford Foundation, the program could be extended to the undergraduate level, and would be expanded to include more opportunities.

Human Rights and Human Diversity is an interdepartmental network and set of activities geared primarily toward faculty and graduate students. It is rooted in the College of Arts and Sciences but also involves the Law College, the College of Business, and the Teachers College.

Tornadoes No Surprise to Avid Weather Watchers

Last week's severe weather and tornadoes across southeastern Nebraska were not a surprise, and in fact may be a taste of things to come this spring, according to Professor Ken Dewey, a research climatologist at the High Plains Climate Center.

El Niño (an anomalous pool of warm water in the Pacific Ocean) was a major weather news maker a year ago. However, a La Niña (an anomalous pool of very cool water in the Pacific Ocean) is making itself felt this year and it is one of the strongest in recent times. Dewey said it is expected to persist through spring and hold a strong influence on spring weather patterns across the Great Plains and into the Midwest.

Recent scientific publications have pointed out that there is usually an above-normal amount of tornadoes in the Midwest and as far west as the eastern portion of the Great Plains during La Niña springs. Noting this, Dewey examined the tornado data records from 1960 through 1998 for of Nebraska and compared the data to the most recent La Niña springs in order to anticipate how active the severe-weather season might be in Nebraska.

His research indicates six of the seven most-recent La Niña spring seasons saw above-normal numbers of tornadoes in of Nebraska. La Niña springs averaged 34 percent more tornadoes than normal in Nebraska during the April through June time period. In fact, one of the most active tornado seasons on record was the La Niña spring of 1975, which saw 38 more tornadoes than normal during the April through June period in Nebraska (1975 also saw the devastating tornadoes of May 5 that ravaged eastern Nebraska, including Omaha).

Although it is impossible to anticipate where this spring's tornadoes may occur in Nebraska, Dewey said it appears that eastern Nebraska has the best chance of having an above-normal number of tornado occurrences. Although weather patterns are influenced by many factors in Nebraska, including La Niña, Dewey said his findings present overwhelming evidence that there is an increased likelihood of above normal amounts of tornado activity this spring.

He said these findings are not being issued as a warning, but instead as a "heads-up" first-alert that this just might be one of the most-active spring severe weather seasons on record. He said it would be wise for all Nebraskans to familiarize themselves with tornado safety and their tornado preparedness plans both at work and at home.

There may be a silver lining in these predicted storm clouds, however. State climatologist Al Dutcher said La Niña springs are often followed by drier-than-normal summers in Nebraska. Dewey said an active and intense spring weather pattern may be shortened in length if the anticipated drier-than-normal pattern develops later this summer.

Further information about Nebraska's severe weather can be found at the newly created Nebraska Weather and Climate Web site created by Dewey at the High Plains Climate Center http://hpccsun.unl.edu/nebraska. This Web site contains tornado facts and myths, tornado data, and tornado photographs for the state of Nebraska

Mackenzie to Head Plant Science Initiative

By David Fitzgibbon, Public Relations

Sally Mackenzie, professor of agronomy at Purdue University, has been named leader of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Plant Science Initiative, a new program aimed at enhancing NU's capabilities in plant molecular biology. She will assume the post this summer.

Mackenzie will become the first leader of a research program to expand basic knowledge of plant development with an eye toward practical outcomes. For example, the research may lead to genetically engineered plants with improved disease and stress resistance and higher commercial value.

The George W. Beadle Center for Genetics and Biomaterials Research contains one of the few public facilities in the country capable of introducing genes into soybeans and wheat. The Plant Science Initiative is unique in structure, bringing together scientists from NU's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Arts and Sciences.

"This is an area of science where the University of Nebraska can stand out," said Darrell Nelson, dean and director of the Agricultural Research Division. "It can have an impact upon the profitability and competitiveness of our agricultural producers."

At Purdue, Mackenzie teaches two genetics classes while researching cytoplasmic genetics, plant mitochondrial biology, plant genomics and plant-nematode interactions. She said she is pleased with the quality of NU's facilities and people.

"I have been quite impressed with the commitment expressed to me by UNL's faculty and administrators to see the Plant Science Initiative established as a premier research endeavor addressing some of the most exciting and rapidly emerging areas of plant science," Mackenzie said. "The excellent faculty currently working in the plant sciences at UNL, complemented by the several new faculty planned for the Plant Science Initiative, position us very well nationally."

Nebraska Chancellor James Moeser said Mackenzie brings an exciting research and teaching dimension to the initiative.

"Dr. Mackenzie is an outstanding research scientist and a brilliant teacher," he said. "She will be a magnet for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and other faculty who will want to be at Nebraska, because this is where the most significant research in plant signaling will be taking place. When I talk about building cathedrals of excellence, this is the first example."

Mackenzie earned her bachelor of science from University of California at Davis (1981) and her doctorate in plant genetics from the University of Florida at Gainesville (1986). She was a teaching assistant and did her postdoctoral research at Florida and began her career at Purdue as assistant professor in 1988. She was promoted to associate professor in 1993 and professor in 1997.

Just before she joins the Nebraska faculty, Mackenzie will receive the Agricultural Research Award, the highest research honor of the Purdue School of Agriculture.

20 Percent of College-Age Women Affected

Eating Disorders Specialist Works to Dispel Myths

By Tricia Akerlund, University Health Center

"If you couldn't measure weight, you wouldn't be so concerned," Arnold Anderson told students, faculty and staff April 9 in his presentation "Healthy at Any Weight: Facts, Myths and Motivations." Anderson, director of the Eating Disorders Unit at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, said society has a preoccupation with body image. His talk outlined an evidence-based approach for the diagnosis of eating disorders and development of preventative measures against them.

Nationally, approximately 20 percent of college-age women meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder. If these numbers are applied to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2,145 women on campus suffer from some form of an eating disorder.

Like many diseases, eating disorders have predisposing features and participating or sustaining factors, Anderson said. These predisposing features increase one's vulnerability for developing an eating disorder. The greater the number of factors, the higher the probability an eating disorder will develop. Such factors include social norms, family mood disorders, gender, age, personality, negative media images, sexual orientation and instance of sexual abuse.

Precipitating factors help sustain an eating disorder. This may include comments, teasing and/or criticism regarding weight from peers or family members, and major life changes, like starting college. The combination of these factors can result in active dieting without any health rationale, Anderson said. While predisposing and precipitating factors help in the formation of an eating disorder, sustaining factors, like an increased feeling of control, help to fuel its continuation, Anderson said. He said, "In individuals who don't have a sense of control, often an eating disorder is a critical sense of control."

Anderson also hoped to dispel some common myths regarding body image, fad diets and exercise. From the 18th century until the 1920s, "thin was not in" according to Anderson. Today, the desire for thinness has resulted in an influx of misleading information and "quick fixes." He pointed to such "fitness follies" as the popularity of no-fat or low-fat foods and diet sodas. He also theorizes that 90 percent to 95 percent of dieting is a result of misleading information or a preoccupation with appearance.

Anderson's method for treatment of eating disorders focuses on education, psychological counseling, normalizing weight for the individual and establishing normal eating behaviors.

If someone has or knows of someone with an eating disorder, they can contact Counseling and Psychological Services in the University Health Center at 472-7450, where they also can find out more about Anderson and his work.

Anderson's visit was co-sponsored by Counseling and Psychological Services and Pfizer.

New Journalism Building to Carry Andersen Name

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will recommend that the Security Mutual Life building be named Harold and Marian Andersen Hall in honor of Harold and Marian Andersen of Omaha. Terry Fairfield, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation, announced April 9 the intention to name the building after the Andersens.

The building, at 200 N. Centennial Mall in downtown Lincoln, is the future home of the university's College of Journalism and Mass Communications.

The Andersens are longtime supporters of the university and co-chairs of Campaign Nebraska, the foundation's comprehensive fund-raising effort that has attracted more than $500 million in private support. The NU Foundation announced plans to purchase the building in May 1996.

Former publisher and chairman of the Omaha World-Herald Co., Harold Anderson became a trustee of the NU Foundation in 1962. Following her father, C. Wheaton Battey, one of the first trustees of the NU Foundation, Marian was elected a trustee in 1974. In 1984, she became the first woman to be elected chairman of the NU Foundation board of directors. Seven years later, Harold was elected chairman.

Both Phi Beta Kappa graduates of Nebraska, the Andersens have been recognized for their many diverse civic and community efforts. In addition to their service to the NU Foundation and the university during the past 40 years, the Andersens have made more than $1.5 million in gifts to the NU Foundation and have attracted more than $1.9 million to assist in purchasing the building.

Erected in 1957, the Security Mutual Life building has more than 47,000 net square feet. Once renovated, the building will have four floors of offices, conference rooms, computer laboratories, as well as a printing and publishing area. Large storage spaces also will be available to properly keep and maintain sizable media equipment.

The College of Journalism and Mass Communications has resided in Avery Hall for nearly 25 years. It occupies 19,000 square feet of space in the building, but with student enrollment in the college topping 900, severe overcrowding prompted the purchase of the new building.