Briefs

The many faces of Cambus, 1970s-style

After reading our front-page story last issue, Carol Casey sent fyi a copy of this page from an art student’s sketchbook. Casey, who was Cambus’s first-ever full-time employee, says the page is her most endearing tangible memorabilia from her time running the business side of things as Cambus Coordinator from 1974 to 1979.

“Dan [O’Connell, an MFA art student] suggested we give the buses some personality,” says Casey, who now works in Facilities Management—Design and Construction. “I don’t remember if we asked permission or just waited to see if we would have to ask forgiveness. Either way, it did happen. Faces were added to the front of the buses. And I have not regretted it. I did draw the line at the protruding tongue, planned as an extra piece of sheet metal bent and applied to the front end and bumper. I didn’t want to have to deal with it contributing to an accident or specifically causing an injury.”

Tech award submissions due

Nominations are due April 15 for the President’s Instructional Technology Innovation Award, which recognizes creative use of technology in teaching and includes a $3,000 cash prize.

Any UI faculty, staff or student may nominate someone, and self-nominations are encouraged. Full instructions and criteria are available at http://at.its.uiowa.edu/atac/awards2/index.shtml.

If you have questions regarding this award, please contact Molly Langstaff at (33)5-5461 or molly-langstaff@uiowa.edu.

It’s intellectual!

The University of Iowa has adopted a new policy on intellectual property. You may read the new policy at www.uiowa.edu/~our/opmanual/v/30.

The new policy applies prospectively to inventions or copyright works disclosed after March 1, 2005.

The handling of inventions and copyright works made prior to this date will be governed by the former policy.

Staff Council calls for award nominations

Staff Council is accepting nominations for three staff awards: the University of Iowa Outstanding Staff Award; the Board of Regents Staff Excellence Awards; and Staff Council Awards for Staff Excellence in Service to The University of Iowa.

Instructions and forms are available at www.uiowa.edu/~stafcnsl. Nominations are due to the Staff Council office, 606 JB, by April 8.

For more information, contact Sara Nichols at (38)4-0517 or sara-nichols@uiowa.edu.

13 elected to serve on UI Staff Council

University of Iowa staff members have elected 13 new members of Staff Council. Staff Council represents professional and scientific and special services staff members who are not covered by a bargaining unit. The new councilors begin their three-year terms in April.

Administrative/Academic

• Michelle Wiegand, political science
• Sarah Tallman, research services administration
• Christine Anderson, grant accounting
• Ann Sopher, purchasing
• Al Young, benefits
• Nancy Davin, pediatrics
• Duncan Stewart, library administration
• Kathleen Renquist, department administration.

Special Services (merit supervisory exempt/confidential)

• Kathy Klein, Graduate College
• Mary Heath, field experiences.

Professional-Research

• Sara Nichols, nursing—bone health study
• Yiannis Papelis, NADS and simulation center
• Jeff Wasson, hygienic laboratory/air quality.

‘Refusenik’ to be Levitt lecturer

Irshad Manji, a self-styled Muslim Refusenik and author of the book What’s the Matter with Islam Today?, will discuss how moderates can reclaim the soul of Islam in a lecture, April 21, 4 p.m., in the Main Lounge of the Iowa Memorial Union.

Admission to the lecture, the College of Law’s 2005 Levitt Lecture, is free and open to the public.

Don’t forget!

This year’s Staff Appreciation Week is May 18-25. Financial support for staff recognition projects may be available through UI WorkLife and Staff Council. Units can qualify for grants up to $200. For more information, visit www.uiowa.edu/hr/oe/worklife/RnR.

Response from UI community assists tsunami relief effort

More than 200 UI faculty and staff donated a combined total of $12,134 in aid to areas of Indonesia, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa hit by December’s tsunami. Most of the donations came from voluntary payroll deductions in February.

The University’s Office of Human Resources posted an option on its self-service web site in February to let UI employees designate a one-time deduction from their payroll checks for tsunami relief efforts. The deductions could be earmarked for one of three charitable organizations: the United Nations Association, the Red Cross/Red Crescent, or United Way International. By the end of the period, 222 individuals had made donations, which ranged from $5 to $1,000.

UI employees and students, as well as others, still have time to make donations. More information about relief organizations and tsunami-related news and activities at the University is available at www.uiowa.edu/~ournews/tsunami/index.

Mini Medical School to cover stem cell issues

A new, four-session Mini Medical School will address issues surrounding stem cell research and gene therapy, among other topics.

Sponsored by the Carver College of Medicine, the sessions will run 7-9 p.m.  April 5, 12, 19, and 26 in the Prem Sahai Auditorium in the Medical Education and Research Facility.

The course is free of charge and open to the public, but limited to the first 250 registrants. Additional information and registration is available at www.medicine.uiowa.edu/minimedicalschool or by calling (33)5-8886.

Planning for Iowa State Fair

The Univeristy will use its booth at this summer’s Iowa State Fair (Aug. 11-21) to celebrate the upcoming Year of Public Engagement. To sponsor a booth exhibit, interested campus units should submit proposals online by April 15. For more information, visit www.uiowa.edu/statefair/exhibitors or contact Chad Ruback at (33)5-8595 or chad-ruback@uiowa.edu.