Briefs

A big score outside Kinnick Iowa senior Colin Cole, a defensive tackle on the 2002-03 football team who signed a contract last month with the Minnesota Vikings, mingles with fans and signs autographs outside Kinnick Stadium before the spring scrimmage on April 19. Despite wet weather, several thousand Hawkeye fans showed up at the annual event to get a sneak preview of next year’s squad. Photo by Tim Schoon.

UI fares well in rankings

The University continues to maintain and gain recognition for its academic programs. In new graduate-program rankings by U.S. News & World Report, 15 UI programs are ranked among the top 10 in the nation and another 12 are in the top 20. All told, 42 UI graduate programs were ranked among the nation’s best.

The programs that ranked among the top 10 include:

• audiology (1), speech pathology (1), printmaking (2), social psychology–doctoral (4), paleontology–doctoral (7), and Master of Fine Arts (10) in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences;

• physician assistant (2), physical therapy–master’s and doctoral (3), rural medicine (4), and primary care (9) in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine;

• nursing services administration (1), gerontology (2), and nursing–master’s (8) in the College of Nursing;

• rehabilitation counseling (3) in the College of Education; and

• health services administration (10) in the College of Public Health.

For a complete list of rankings, see www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/rankindex_brief.php.

Council on the Status of Women accepting applications

The Council on the Status of Women is accepting applications from faculty members, P&S and merit staff, and students to fill the following 20 vacancies (terms begin September 2003): 5 one-year terms, 5 two-year terms, and 10 three-year terms. (Student positions are one-year, renewable terms.)

The council offers members a rare opportunity to work with interesting people committed to women’s issues across campus and to learn how University policies are created and revised in response to concerns. The council meets monthly from September to May to discuss issues of concern to UI women, to investigate potential barriers within the University community that may impede women’s full development, to compile reports and position statements for circulation to the UI president and other University officials, and to carry out social action that removes barriers and facilitates women’s progress toward reaching their full potential.

Applications are due May 12. To receive an application form, visit the council’s web site at www.uiowa.edu/~csw or contact Janice Simmons-Welburn, j-simmons-welburn@uiowa.edu, (33)5-5867. The council welcomes and encourages representation of people from diverse backgrounds.

Catalyst Award nominations

The Office of Affirmative Action is accepting nominations for the fifth annual Catalyst Awards. The awards honor diversity-related best practices and recognize individuals and departments that promote the development of an inclusive, diverse campus community.

A minimum of two Catalyst Awards are given each year—one to an individual and one to a department or unit. Award recipients receive a $500 cash award and will be honored at a campuswide reception scheduled for Oct. 9.

Nomination forms are available on-line at www.uiowa.edu/~oaa/nominating_form.htm. Self-nominations are welcome. The deadline is May 1.

For more information or to receive the nomination form by mail or fax, contact the Office of Affirmative Action, (33)5-0705 (voice), (33)5-0697 (text), or affirm@uiowa.edu.

Celebrate health and fitness day

UI Wellness will celebrate National Employee Health and Fitness Day with a campus walk on May 21.

There are two walks to choose from: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at UIHC (sign-in table in Atrium Lobby); or noon to 1 p.m. at Hubbard Park (sign-in table in the park).

Refreshments and incentives will be provided, and participants will have an opportunity to register for a chance to win one of four $25 gift certificates to Running Wild. No rain date will be scheduled.

Participants are encouraged to join in the walk for as much or as little time as their schedule allows. Route information will be available on the day of the walk at the sign-in location. If you are unable to make it, go to www.uiowa.edu/hr/wellness/index.html, print a map, and take a walk on your own.

Porter to read from new book

Horace Porter, chair of the African American World Studies Program, will read from his new book, The Making of a Black Scholar, at 8 p.m. on May 2 at Prairie Lights Books.

The free reading is part of the Live from Prairie Lights series and will be broadcast live on WSUI AM 910. The book, recently published by University of Iowa Press, traces Porter’s personal journey from a rural Georgia house without electricity or running water to the Ivy League and The University of Iowa.

Porter also is the author of Jazz Country: Ralph Ellison in America and Stealing the Fire: The Art and Protest of James Baldwin.

Submissions sought for WOW

The deadline for organizations or departments wishing to have an event listed in the WOW! Weeks of Welcome calendar for the beginning of the 2003-04 academic year is May 16.

The calendar will inform students about events and programs taking place in the first two weeks of school. Submissions should include the event’s name; a description (15 words maximum); time, date, and place; sponsoring organization; and contact information, including a name, phone number, and address. Only one submission from each organization will be accepted.

Send submissions to Kim Spurlin, Office of Student Life, 145 IMU or kimberly-spurlin@uiowa.edu.

Web site offers info on SARS

University of Iowa Health Care has developed a web site that provides up-to-date information on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The site, www.uihealthcare.com/news/sars, is designed to answer basic questions about SARS and link to resources with additional information.

Although there have been no confirmed cases of SARS reported in Iowa, Robert P. Kelch, vice president for health affairs, says it is prudent to be prepared.

“Our faculty, staff, and students travel around the world in their work, and many international scholars come to Iowa every year,” he says. “We think it is very important to provide accurate, up-to-date information for members of the University community who may be planning a trip abroad.”