News Briefs

Putting on the pressure Nursing students Susan Bernardo (right) and Jenny Gates (center) check the blood pressure of a patient at the head-to-toe health screening held April 20 at the Iowa City-Johnson County Senior Center. The event, sponsored by the Visiting Nurse Association, was organized by Jenny Castle, a third-year UI nursing student. Other University participants included pharmacy students, UI Health Care, and Health Iowa (Student Health Services). Photo by Rex Bavousett.

May longevity awards given

In July 2000, Staff Council implemented a service recognition program, the Longevity Award. Longevity Award winners receive a certificate and letter of appreciation from the President’s Office, issued during their anniversary month and distributed by their Human Resources unit representative.

Award recipients, as of May 2001, and their current department, are:

25 years of service
Barbara Bane, pathology; Sydne Carlson, dietary services, UIHC; Edward Heffron, ophthalmology; Susan Kinley, University Book Store; Pauletta Kipper, internal medicine; Ann Muilenburg, pediatrics; Warren Paris, Hospital Graphics

30 years of service
Michael Ferrel, Hospital Information Systems

35 years of service
Betsy Rediger, dietary services, UIHC



Open wide

The staff open house of the Hospital Dentistry Institute, Merle L. Hale Clinic, will be held on May 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. on the fifth floor of the Pomerantz Family Pavilion. The University community is invited to attend.

The agenda includes official ribbon cutting, staff tours, and rededication of the Merle L. Hale Clinics, the John C. Montgomery Conference Room, and the Donald B. Osbon Residents Room. Drs. Hale and Montgomery will be attending the ceremony. Refreshments will be served.

The new clinic is on level five of the Pomerantz Family Pavilion and can be reached via the walkway from JPP or Elevator L in the Pomerantz Family Pavilion. The new clinic will officially open to the public on May 14.

The Hospital Dentistry Institute provides family dental care as well as dental care in its specialty divisions, including oral and maxillofacial surgery; maxillofacial prosthetics; and orthodontics. The Oral and Maxillofacial Service is widely recognized for its outstanding residency program, one of the most competitive in the country.



Budget issues monitored on web site

Because of slower than anticipated growth in state revenue, both Gov. Tom Vilsack and leaders of the state legislature have proposed reductions in fiscal year 2002 budget recommendations for much of state government, including the Board of Regents universities.

A new University web site, www.uiowa.edu/president/budget, will provide information about various issues related to the budget as well as budget messages from President Coleman that most faculty, staff, and students have already received by e-mail. The site will be updated as additional information becomes available. The most recent update was April 27.

Although the governor and the legislature have not reached agreement on the specifics of how to reduce the FY 2002 budget, it appears that the University will have to cut about $19 million out of the portion of its operating budget that is state-appropriated. Additional spending cuts may be required depending on how much the governor and legislature agree to put in the salary bill, which funds salary increases for state employees.



Time to pack your lunch?

Just a reminder that hours of operation for Hillcrest Market Place and Burge Dining will change this summer. The last meal at regularly scheduled hours will be dinner on May 11. Burge Dining will reopen on June 4, with regular dining hours until July 27. Hillcrest Market Place will reopen on June 10, to coincide with the first of the University-sponsored summer sports camps. Hours will change from week-to-week, and dining will not be available on all weekends. In addition, the Hillcrest menu will be limited and lines may be longer.

Both dining facilities will open with regular serving hours and their complete menu beginning with breakfast on Aug. 27.



Energy curtailment changes to be discussed at May 23 meeting

This summer will mark the University’s fourth season of energy-saving curtailments, and due to a variety of circumstances, the most aggressive to date. In return for a more favorable energy rate from MidAmerican Energy, the UI agrees to reduce its electrical usage when called upon between June 1 and Sept. 30. Much of this energy saving is achieved by shutting down equipment campuswide, including cooling and ventilation equipment, lighting, and office equipment.

Anyone with responsibility for facility or building issues, even if in attendance at last year’s meeting, should plan to attend the upcoming Energy Curtailment Program informational meeting at 3 p.m., May 23 in Macbride Auditorium. For more information, visit www.uiowa.edu/~fusfsg/utils/curtailment.htm, or call (33)5-5071 or (38)4-0794.



Walk it off with UI Wellness

Join UI Wellness on May 16 for a walk to celebrate National Employee Health and Fitness Day.

Participants are encouraged to join in the walk for as much or as little time as their schedule allows. Participants will be eligible for prizes, including a $75 gift certificate to Subway for the department/area with the most participants.

There are two walking locations to choose from: At UIHC there will be a sign-in table at the main entrance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. At Hubbard Park, across from the IMU, there will be a sign-in table from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, e-mail uiwellness@uiowa.edu.