News Briefs

Diana Reed has been named the new Hawkeye Marching Band Golden Girl, a position that carries a four-year scholarship. Like last year’s Golden Girl, Julie Canterbury, Reed is a native of Norwalk, Iowa. She is majoring in performing arts and business administration. In high school, Reed was president of the National Honor Society, captain of the varsity football and basketball cheerleading squads, captain of the dance team, and participated in vocal and instrumental music in high school. She has been twirling since the age of four and holds the National Show Twirling Champion, Miss Majorette of Iowa, and Miss Majorette of the North titles. Reed also is America's Junior Miss for Iowa. Photo by Tim Schoon.

University enrollment rose by 929 students

University enrollment rose by 929 students in the 2002 fall semester to a total of 29,697 compared with 28,768 in fall semester 2001, the Office of the Registrar announced. The number of new first-year students is a record—4,184, up from 4,005 in 2001.

Lola Lopes, associate provost for undergraduate education, says the University knew as early as last fall that the first-year class would be a record.

“We were able to plan for additional class seats and housing that we needed. I’m very pleased with how well the units serving undergraduates worked together to ensure access even in these difficult budget times,” she says.

For the census report, see www.uiowa.edu/registrar/profile/fall2002/census.htm.

Free tests, education features of faculty-staff health fair

University faculty and staff are invited to celebrate health and wellness by attending this year’s Faculty and Staff Health Fair from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Nov. 6 at the UI Field House.

The day provides an opportunity for faculty and staff to learn about health and wellness, the University health care plans, UI Family Care providers, and a variety of other health-related services on campus.

Free bone density screenings, blood pressure checks, and cholesterol testing will be available. There also will be free massages provided by the Shiatsu Clinic and School and FTS Therapeutic Massage.

The health fair’s sponsors are UI Wellness, University of Iowa Health Care, Staff Council, and the Division of Recreational Services. Additional sponsors include NuCara Pharmacy, University of Iowa Community Credit Union, and Pfizer.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please call Ruth Hurlburt in advance at (35)3-2314.

Turnitin tool to be tested

An on-line tool to help detect plagiarism by students will be tested this year in a pilot program. Called Turnitin, the tool gives instructors a course-specific password to the site. Students may use the password to submit papers in Microsoft Word format. The program gives them a receipt, which can be attached to the paper when it is turned in.

The test is being conducted by Academic Technologies in Instructional Technology Services, which has a trial site license. Instructors may go to http://norbert.its.uiowa.edu/at/plagiarism/turnitin_pilot.

Charity groups announce drives

The United Way of Johnson County has begun its fall campaign to raise funds for 39 local community agencies.

A letter from David J. Skorton, vice president for research and external relations, sent to faculty and staff in September, included materials for the campaign.

“Please join me in this opportunity to demonstrate the commitment of University faculty and staff to the welfare of those who need our help,” the letter said.

Contributions may be made by payroll deduction to United Way; Iowa Shares, a coalition of 25 nonprofit grass-roots organizations; and Community Health Charities of Iowa, which works with agencies providing public and professional education, patient, family, and community services in Iowa. Employees may arrange the contributions on-line through the Human Resources self-service site: http://hris.uiowa.edu/selfservice.