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September 30, 1999
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NU Libraries Climb in Latest ARL RankingsBy Joan Giesecke, Dean of Libraries University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries has climbed 10 notches in the rankings made by the Association of Research Libraries. The 1997/98 rankings of the top 111 academic research libraries in the United States and Canada were reported in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Sept. 17. The UNL Libraries are now ranked 64th in the country. In 1992/93 the Libraries were ranked 74th in the country The improvement in the past five years reflects the support from the university and from the State for library resources and library operations. The ARL rankings are a resource-based index. The index takes into account the number of volumes in the library collections, the number of volumes added to the collections in the previous year, the number of current serial subscriptions, total operating expenditures, and the total number of permanent staff and librarians. The past five years have seen a number of changes in the libraries that are reflected in the ranking. The Libraries have added numerous electronic resources in addition to print volumes to support research and instruction on the campus. The Libraries have been able to upgrade the catalog software to a Web based version, allowing students and faculty to connect from the catalog records to full-text materials simply by clicking on the URL in the record. The student technology fee-supported lab area has opened and is well used. Additional equipment has been added in the public areas to meet the growing demand from students for access to both electronic and print resources. The new Electronic Text Center has been created and the Libraries are beginning to digitize older works from the collections in support of faculty instruction and research areas. The continued support of the university has made it possible for the Libraries to continue to provide resources and services to the campus, the community and to the state of Nebraska. Smith Names Panel to Develop Criteria for Program Evaluation, PrioritizationNU President L. Dennis Smith named a panel of 21 Nebraskans to determine criteria by which academic programs on the four campuses will be evaluated and prioritized. The appointment of the task force is the first step in a prioritization process that is designed to help the University of Nebraska identify academic programs of excellence on the four campuses, premier programs that have the opportunity for regional, national, and international recognition. The task force will not conduct the program evaluation; its charge is solely to determine criteria by which evaluation and prioritization will take place. Smith said prioritization will eventually fall to faculty, administrators, and governing board members. "It's important to clarify at the outset of this process that our goal in prioritizing programs is not to eliminate some of them," Smith said. "Rather, this is an attempt to identify academic programs on the four campuses that set the standard for the region and the nation and have the greatest opportunity to bring positive recognition to the University of Nebraska. It is possible that as a result of this process, some academic programs will be discontinued over time, but that is not the primary goal of this endeavor. Our goal, first and foremost, is to strengthen the University of Nebraska through a determination of what we do better than others." The panel is composed of faculty and administrators from the four campuses, two student representatives, and several members of the public including the former president of Nebraska Wesleyan University and a former member of the Board of Regents of the University. It will be chaired by Lee Jones, the NU's executive vice president and provost. Members from UNL are: P. Stephen Baenziger, professor of plant breeding; Brian Foster, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of anthropology; Gail Latta, associate professor of libraries and UNL Academic Senate president; Susan Rosowski, Adele Hall Distinguished Professor of English; and Andrew Schuerman, student regent. Other members are: William Berndt, vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean and professor of pharmacology, UNMC; Eric Brown, general manager of KRVN Radio, Lexington; R. David Clark, associate professor of chemistry and faculty senate president at UNK; Don Clifton, chairman of The Gallup Organization, Lincoln; David Dunning, associate professor of dental practice management and UNMC faculty senate president; Holley Hatt, student regent, UNK; David Hinton, dean of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service and professor of public administration, UNO; Rodney Miller, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Humanities, UNK; Douglas Paterson, professor of dramatic arts and UNO faculty senate president; Carol Pullen, associate professor of nursing/assistant dean of rural nursing education, UNMC; Rob Raun, farmer, former NU regent from Minden; James Scott, associate professor and chair of political science, UNK; Deborah Smith-Howell, associate professor and chair of communication, UNO; John White, president emeritus of Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln; and Lynn Zeigenbein, executive director of the Peter Kiewit Foundation, Omaha. Regents Bob Allen of Hastings and Charles Wilson of Lincoln, and businessman Ron Burns of Omaha will serve as ex-officio members of the task force. Rec Center Celebrates 10th AnniversaryThe campus community is invited to a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Lee and Helene Sapp portion of the Campus Recreation Center beginning at 4 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Center. Following the ceremony, a memorial to former campus recreation student worker Laura Cockson will be dedicated. Speakers for the anniversary celebration include Jim Griesen, vice chancellor for student affairs; Stan Campbell, rec center director; Bill Byrne, director of athletics; and Tom Osborne, coach emeritus (invited). Cockson, a student employee/facilities manager for Campus Recreation, was killed by a drunken driver. Members of her family, friends and Gamma Phi Beta sorority will help dedicate the memorial. The Campus Recreation project cost $14.9 million and was constructed in three phases. Funding sources included $9.9 million in facilities assessment fees on home football tickets and $5 million raised by the NU Foundation. Construction of the Cook Pavilion began in spring 1987 and was completed that November. It encloses a football field and in addition to serving as an indoor practice site for the Huskers is used for intramurals and other purposes. The Lee and Helene Sapp Recreation Facility was completed in August 1989. It features 89,000 square feet of recreation space consisting of racquet sports courts, a swimming pool, weight and conditioning rooms, basketball courts, a suspended track and offices. The Coliseum renovation, which opened in 1992, added 114,000 square feet of space with fitness and aerobic rooms, basketball/volleyball courts, child care rooms, a performance court for Husker Women's Volleyball, laundry rooms and lockers. The final phase of renovation, completed in November 1993 created labs and space in Mabel Lee Hall. Since its opening, the Rec Center has adapted to various changes and trends in fitness. For example, a stationary cycling room, a climbing wall and a circuit fitness room were added. A number of new employees were added to address needs such as fitness and wellness, training, informal recreation, nutrition education, injury care and prevention. To guage how far the recreation center has come in 10 years, walk by 1740 Vine St., the little stone building that now houses the American Mathematics Competition. This is where campus recreation used to have its offices. Recreational activities have existed at the university since 1883 when the first campus gymnasium opened on the top floor of University Hall. Career Connections '99 at Devaney Oct. 12Students from across Nebraska can learn, explore and schmooze at Career Connections '99: A Really Big Career Fair, occurring from from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Devaney Center. More than 150 employers and more than 70 graduate or professional schools will be represented at this event. Last year's Career Connections Career Fair attracted the participation of more than 2,000 students. Career Connections is coordinated by UNL Career Services and sponsored by the College Placement Association of Nebraska, a consortium of 26 schools from across the state. Additional support has been provided by the UNL Department of Athletics, UNL Graduate Studies Office and KFRX radio station. A workplace wardrobe style show, coordinated by SteinMart, also will be presented. Students at all academic levels can attend Career Connections '99, learning about and exploring different career fields and making contact with professionals in a variety of fields. For more information on Career Connections '99, contact Christina Fielder at cfielder1@unl.edu or at 472-8029. UAAD Sponsors Gaesser Lecture Oct. 5The UAAD Professional Development Committee will present Glenn Gaesser lecturing on "A New Exercise Paradigm: Fitness and Health at Any Size" at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 5 in the Nebraska Union. Gaesser will discuss why we are so obsessed with losing weight. The two most frequently cited reasons are self-esteem and health. While vanity may be the most powerful driving force for someone to lose weight, it is health that has been at the heart of the crusade to combat body fat in America. Gaesser provides evidence that, "when it comes to wellness, lifestyle factors are far more important than body weight." Gaesser is on campus as part of the Steinhart Lecture Series sponsored by the Office of Campus Recreation He also will present lectures on Oct. 4 as a part of this series at 2 p.m. in room 11 of the Home Economics Building and 7:30 p.m. in the Nebraska Union. Updated NU Course Equivalency Publication AvailableThe updated "University of Nebraska Undergraduate Course Equivalencies" guide is now available. The document is the university's official listing of courses that are considered equal for transfer of credit purposes between and among the three undergraduate campuses of the University of Nebraska - UNL, UNO, and UNK. It was last updated in August 1995, so numerous changes have been incorporated. The document also contains a listing of deleted and renumbered courses. The importance of improving the transfer process for undergraduates moving within the University of Nebraska became clear at the time that the Kearney campus was brought into the system. UNO and UNL had a transfer agreement on some courses, but it needed to be expanded and the process needed to be improved so that courses listed as equivalent were honored by all departments. The first edition of the document was officially adopted by the Board of Regents as the official listing of equivalent courses. Subsequent issues are assumed to have the same status. Pairs of courses that appear as equivalent in the document have been agreed to, in writing, by the department chairs in the departments where each course is located. The document and the process have been well accepted by the faculty and the advising staff. The document has been sent to chancellors, vice-chancellors, deans, department chairs, and advising offices. It is also available in campus libraries and residence halls. It is available on the web at http://www.uneb.edu/student s/equiv.htm. Additional copies are available and may be obtained by calling Beverly Kellison, research coordinator, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost,402-472-7108. Extension Videotape Deals with Lousy SubjectHead lice are a big problem for parents because many day care centers and schools have instituted a "no-nit policy". This means that children will not be allowed to attend if they have live lice or even lice eggs, called "nits", in their hair. When day care centers and schools send children home, parents miss work. This problem is compounded because head lice have become resistant to some of the treatments that have been used for many years. In Lincoln Public Schools alone, it is estimated that there may be 6000 cases of head lice annually. An 8-minute videotape that discusses head lice management is now available at the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County. This tape shows live lice (highly magnified), nits (lice eggs) and provides tips on inspection, treatments and prevention. The video features a combing demonstration using a metal lice comb. Parents faced with head lice treatments will find this videotape helpful. It can be an indispensable resource for day care centers, schools and other health and childcare professionals who work with families. The videotape can be purchased at the Lancaster County Extension Office for $10. Included with the purchase is a reproducible head lice management fact sheet and quick guide. Lincoln residents can watch this videotape on cable access channel 5 during September and October at the following days and times: Mondays: 11:30 a.m. & 10:30 p.m.; Tuesdays: 9 p.m.; Fridays: 10:30 a.m. & 9 p.m.; Saturdays: 12:30 p.m.; and Sundays: 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact the Lancaster County Extension Office. Distance Learning Sessions Continue Oct. 13The Distance Learning Group and the Teaching and Learning Center will sponsor "Ownership Rights to Distance Learning Courses: External Law and Institutional Policy," with Donald Uerling, at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 13 in the Selleck Hall private dining room. Future sessions include "Tuition Policies for Distance Learning Students," with Arnold Bateman, at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 10, and "Work Load and Recognition Issues: Faculty Perspectives," on Dec. 8, with a speaker to be announced. Both sessions will occur in the Selleck Hall private dining room To register, contact the Teaching and Learning Center at 472-3079 or e-mail teaching@unlinfo.unl.edu. First Tuesday Explores Internet Course for Child Care ProvidersThe Teaching and Learning Center is sponsoring the First Tuesday session from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5 in 205 Burnett Hall. H. Darlene Martin, University of Nebraska Northeast Research and Extension Center, Norfolk, will present "Steps in Developing an Internet Course/CD-ROM Course for Child Care Providers." Internet courses/CD-ROM courses are beginning to gain popularity in providing Cooperative Extension programming delivery. Offering training to child caregivers through Internet courses/CD-ROM courses provides a feasible method of reaching child caregivers who may not otherwise participate in conferences, workshops and other "traditional" training approaches. Although time-consuming to develop, Internet courses/CD-ROM courses will become more widely used as alternate methods of training in Nebraska. The Internet Course for Child Caregivers, like most of the Cooperative Extension training courses offered in Nebraska, has been developed by extension subject matter specialists and extension educators. To register for this session, contact the Teaching and Learning Center at 472-3079 or email us at teaching@unlinfo.unl.edu. ADA Supervisory Training in OctoberADA Supervisory Training will be conducted the first two weeks in October for all university personnel who supervise and/or hire staff. You can register for this mandatory training through the Accommodation Resource Center Website at http://ar.unl.edu. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has made the determination that employers will be held responsible for the training of all supervisory personnel concerning the employment and accommodation of persons with disabilities. The training sessions will last two hours. Anyone who supervises students should also attend this training. Some of the topics covered include: whether an individual has an impairment, essential job functions, pre-employment issues, reasonable accommodation, supervisor's responsibilities and questions a supervisor may ask. If you have any questions concerning the training, contact Karen Ketelhut at the Accommodation Resource Center, 472-5852. Scholarship in Society Series Focuses on Careers for Holders of Grad DegreesThe inaugural year of a speakers series sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies, Scholarship in Society, is aimed at modeling for existing graduate students the myriad of career possibilities available upon receipt of a graduate education. The Scholarship in Society series features speakers focused on scholastic and nonacademic careers. The series is free and open to the public. The series opened Sept. 22 with Desiree Beck, senior cryptologic mathematician at the National Security Agency. The remaining speakers are: Frank H. Wu, law professor at Howard University Law School, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 26, Wick Center. Wu joined the faculty of the Howard University School of Law in 1995, where teaches in the clinical program and courses such as civil procedure and federal courts. He has appeared on numerous national news television programs discussing civil rights and affirmative action, and his debate with Dinesh D'Souza on affirmative action at Brown University in October 1997 was televised to a national audience. Wu's area of focus includes affirmative action and the complexities of race. His upcoming book is titled Beyond Black and White. His lecture is titled "Civil Rights and Racial Justice: Why we need Affirmative Action Gregg Swift, a physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, will speak at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 23 in 215 Love Library, Great Plains Art Collection Gallery. Swift has worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory since 1981 on thermoacoustic engines and refrigerators, with emphasis shifting gradually from fundamentals to industrial collaborations. His lecture is titled "Thermoacoustic Engines . . . A Long Way From Superfluidity." John E. Echohawk, a lawyer and executive director of the Native American Rights Fund, will speak at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 30 in the Nebraska Union Auditorium. The Native American Rights Fund is a non-profit legal organization devoted to defending and promoting the legal rights of Native people. His lecture, "Contemporary Legal Issues in the Native American Community, "is co-sponsored with Native American Studies. Art Johnson, vice president for sales, internet services for U S West, will speak at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 10 in 215 Love Library. Johnson holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, and as vice president of sales at U S West is responsible for approximately 330 employees and $650 million in revenue in the five-state region of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa, He directs sales, support and services for U S West's medium- to large-sized customers. His speech is titled "Wired for Life." Claude M. Steele, chair and professor of psychology at Stanford University, will speak at 2:30 p.m. march 3 in the Nebraska Union Auditorium. Steele's research interests concern the processes of self-evaluation, in particular how people cope with self-image threat, and how group stereotypes can influence intellectual performance and academic identities. His lecture, "A Threat in the Air: How Stereotypes Shape Intellectual Identity and Performance," is co-sponsored with the Institute of Ethnic Studies and African American & African Studies. Antonio Flores, president of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, will speak at 2:30 p.m. March 7 in the Nebraska Union Auditorium. The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is a national association of higher education institutions representing over 200 colleges and universities that collectively enroll two-thirds of all Hispanics in higher education. His lecture, "The Role of Hispanics in the Future," is co-sponsored with Latino & Latin American Studies. William R. Ferris, chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, will close the series at 2 p.m. April 3 in the Nebraska Union Auditorium. Ferris is an anthropologist focusing on Southern Culture, a folklorist, filmmaker and academic administrator. The title of his lecture will be announced at a later date. Dorothy Hayden-Watkins, senior vice president of diversity for Hilton Hotels Corp., will speak at 2 p.m. April 14 in the Nebraska Union. Auditorium. Prior to joining Hilton, Hayden-Watkins was director of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission with oversight responsibility for the enforcement of federal laws prohibiting workplace discrimination. She participated in President Clinton's Government Reinvention Initiative, and also participated in the White House Conference on the President's Welfare to Work Initiative. She earned her doctorate in community and human resoiurces and a master's in administration and education from NU. Her speech is titled "Preparing for Careers in the 21St Century." For more information, contact Layton Brooks, Office of Graduate Studies, 472-5062. Teachings' Hidden Dimension Uncovered Oct. 4, 5The Teaching and Learning Center, the University Convocations Committee and the Department of Education Psychology are co-sponsoring the workshop, "The Hidden Dimensions of our Teaching," from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 4 in the East Union. A repeat session will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Nebraska Union. The workshop leader is Daniel Pratt, professor of Educational Studies, University of Vancouver. Each day we construct our own perspectives as we work with students in various ways to help them learn. Pratt will help people articulate their perspectives on teaching by identifying underlying commitments and assumptions about learning, teaching and knowledge that define our roles and responsibilities as teachers. At the end of the workshop, participants will have drafted an outline of their personal perspectives on teaching, including the identification of core beliefs, primary responsibilities, and common difficulties in teaching that they might use as the object of their reflection on practice. Individuals who are developing philosophical statements on teaching for personal portfolios, for promotion documents, or just for professional reflection will find this workshop particularly useful. Upon registration, you will receive a "Teaching Perspectives Inventory" to assist in developing your personal profile. Participants also may obtain the inventory in advance of the workshop from Sean Courtney, 472-5927. Inventories completed and returned to the Teaching and Learning Center by 4 p.m. Oct. 1, will be scored and results will be available for the workshop. This is not required for workshop participation, but it will provide more insights. To register for this session, contact the Teaching and Learning Center at 472-3079 or email teaching@unlinfo.unl.edu. Money for Nothing? Waste Minimization Grants AvailableLast year Environmental Health and Safety began an initiative to fund waste minimization projects. The initiative complements UNL's Waste Minimization Plan by helping faculty and staff purchase equipment that will either, 1: conserve natural resources or 2) minimize the volume or toxicity of wastes generated. Last year, EHS provided $2,578 for three projects that are expected to save UNL $15,000. Proposals are evaluated quarterly and the next submission deadline is Sept. 30. If you have an idea for a waste minimization project that could use funding, contact Dan Olsen of EHS at 472-4928 or dolsen@unl.edu. New And Pretenure Faculty Members Invited to TourAcademic Affairs and the Teaching and Learning Center will hold the 1999-2000 Grand Tour of UNL Resources that Support Teaching and Research session on Evaluation of Faculty: Requirements and Expectations from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Oct. 8 in the Nebraska Union. This session is designed for new and pre-tenure faculty members. Mary Beck, Animal Science, and Helen Moore, Sociology, representing Committee W of the AAUP, will describe the evaluation process, including requirements, expectation, and your role and responsibilities. This session will present valuable information to help with an early start documenting teaching, research and outreach in preparation for annual reviews. To register for this session, contact the Teaching and Learning Center at 472-3079 or email teaching@unlinfo.unl.edu. Forklift Training Oct. 27 and 28Forklift training will occur Oct. 27 and 28 on both City and East Campuses. This training is required under the new OSHA standard and consists of a classroom lecture, practical demonstration and driver evaluation. All who drive a forklift or other power lifter must have this training. Those persons who have already taken a forklift class need only take the practical and driving test. For more information, or to register, please call Environmental Health and Safety at 472-4925. Women in Educational Leadership Conference Oct. 24 and 25The 13th Annual Women in Educational Leadership Conference will be Oct. 24 and 25 at the downtown Holiday Inn. The keynote speaker on Oct. 25 will be Martha McCarthy, whose topic is "Recent Developments in the Law Governing Sexual Harassment in Schools." McCarthy is Chancellor Professor and chair of the Educational Leadership Program at Indiana University, and specializes in education law and policy. McCarthy has written or co-written books and articles on students' and teachers' rights, equity issues, church-state relations, curriculum censorship, education reform efforts, and characteristics of students and faculty in administrative preparation programs. The cost of the conference is $95. Fee includes the reception, keynotes, concurrent sessions, lunch and refreshment breaks. Walk-in registrations are welcome, although meals cannot be guaranteed. For more information, contact Marilyn Grady, 472-0974, or e-mail mgrady1@unl.edu.
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