News Briefs

An artistic perspective on mental illness Installation artists and collaborators Bruce Scherting and Marguerite Perret look over Diagnostik, currently on display at the Medical Musuem on the 8th floor of the John Colloton Pavilion at UIHC. Scherting is an exhibit designer for the Museum of Natural History and teaches in the Museum Studies Program, and Perret is a visual artist who also works at the University Libraries. They combined artifacts, documents, and photographs from the Medical Museum collection with original artwork and artifacts to explore the history of mental illness and its treatment. The exhibit is on display through May 4. Photo by Rex Bavousett.

The walls come tumblin’ down Demolition of the 103-year-old southwest wing of Seashore Hall began in late December. Offices, classrooms, and the psychology library vacated the wing in November, 1999, when concerns about structural safety surfaced. The wing had long been on the list of University buildings slated for eventual demolition and replacement. Photo by Kirk Murray.

University adds weather hotline

The University now has a toll-free weather hotline for students, faculty, and staff who live outside the local calling area in Johnson County. The toll-free number is 1-866-527-1234.

For students, faculty, and staff who live in Iowa City, Coralville, and other local calling areas, the hotline number is 335-1234.

The University stays open even in inclement weather. However, classes may be canceled in cases of extreme weather. Students, faculty, and staff members should use their best judgment in deciding whether they can safely travel to campus.

In those instances when travel seems inadvisable, faculty members are encouraged to contact their departmental office. Staff members should call their supervisor to alert them of their absence from work.

In particular, the following University departments always remain open and in operation even in severe weather: Residence Services, Facilities Services Group, Public Safety, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and the University of Iowa Dental Clinic.



Helm writes historical resource

For 50 years anthropologist June Helm studied the culture and ethnohistory of the Dene, "The People," the Athapaskan-speaking Indians of the Mackenzie River drainage of Canada’s western subarctic. Helm, a professor emerita of anthropology, has written The People of Denedeh: Ethno-history of the Indians of Canada’s Northwest Territories.

The volume, published by the University of Iowa Press, is a collection of essays, field notes, archival documents, essays, and notes from collaborators, and narratives by the Dene.

The book is available at local bookstores or by calling 1-800-621-2736.



‘Green’ and global: lecture series kicks off

Scholars and environmentalists from Canada, the Czech Republic, India, and Nicaragua will visit campus this spring to discuss "A Challenge for the 21st Century: Economic Development and Environmental Protection." Their talks are part of the International Programs’ Distinguished Lecture Series, which kicked off with a lecture by a prominent Nicaraguan environmentalist, Richard Alvarado at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 in the Terrace Room of the Iowa Memorial Union.

Upcoming lectures include:

• Feb. 22: "Resources, planning, and the global community: Can we avoid wars over resources?," presented by Rosalie Bertell, founder and past-president of the International Institute of Concern for Public Health in Toronto.
  
  
• March 22: "Globalization, environment, and freedom: An Indian perspective," presented by researcher, analyst, and activist Leo Saldanaha.
  
  
• April 12: "Environmental challenges to Central and Eastern European economies in transition," presented by Bedrich Moldan, director of the Environment Center at Charles University in Prague.

For more information, call (33)5-0351.



Cram, Bishop honored

The University of Iowa Council on Disability Awareness (CDA) presented the 2000-01 CDA Achievement Award to Ellen Cram, associate director of nursing, intensive and surgical services. Cram was honored at the CDA Achievement Award ceremony on Jan. 24 on the Sunporch of the IMU.

Also honored was Jeff Bishop. Bishop, a former assistive technology specialist for ITS, was recognized for his years of service in providing assistive technology services to members of the University community.



We know you’re out there

There’s a great way to spread the word statewide about outreach services provided by the University. University Communications and Outreach has created a database, now available on the web, of outreach programs. The Community Partnerships and Outreach database is at www.uiowa.edu/outreach.

Individuals and departments that provide outreach programs to the people of Iowa, including summer camps, health clinics, and research and consulting services, can make their presence known by sending program information to add to the database.

To list programs or to update program information, contact Jane Hoshi, (38)4-0017, jane-hoshi@uiowa.edu, or Cindy Smith (38)4-0000, cindy-smith@uiowa.edu.



Nomination deadline approaching

Feb. 8 is the deadline for returning Staff Council nomination forms. Professional and scientific and merit supervisory exempt/confidential staff received the nomination forms in campus mail. They can be used for self-nomination or to nominate others for Staff Council. For more information, contact Kristin Baum, (33)5-3600 or
kristin-baum@uiowa.edu.



Philosophy to sponsor Damasio talk

Antonio Damasio

The spring 2001 Gustav Bergmann Lecture will be given by Antonio Damasio, the M. W. Van Allen Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Neurology at The University of Iowa.

His lecture, "From emotion to consciousness," will be held at 8 p.m., Feb. 6, in the Terrace Room of the Iowa Memorial Union, and is sponsored by the Department of Philosophy.

Damasio is known throughout the world’s scientific community for his work in the neurobiology of the mind. He is the author of the international bestseller Descartes’ Error and more recently The Feeling of What Happens, which was named a New York Times Notable Book in 1999 and in December 2000 it was listed among the New York Times Noteworthy Collection of recently released paperbacks.

Damasio is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, the European Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

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