Opening Available for Resident Directorship of UMass/Baden-Württemberg Exchange Program
Applications are now being accepted for a resident director of the University of Massachusetts Baden-Württemberg Exchange Program for 1999-2000. Candidates must be tenured members of the UMass faculty, with a doctorate, fluent in German, and experienced in graduate and undergraduate advising. Some acquaintance with the German university system is advisable. Interested persons are invited to submit their curriculum vitae to the Baden-Württemberg Program, International Program Office, William S. Clark International Center, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003. Additional information is available from Stefanie Bergmann in the same office, at 413-545-2710 or email at sbergman@ipo.umass.edu. Applications must be received by March 12.
Profs. Jones, Bassanese play roles in Caravaggio Exhibit at BC
Art Prof. Pamela Jones was one of a team of curators developing the exhibit, "Saints and Sinners: Caravaggio and the Baroque Image," which opened Feb. 1 at Boston College. She also contributed an essay, "The Power of Images: Paintings and Viewers in Caravaggio's Italy" to the exhibit catalogue. Caravaggio's painting, "The Taking of Christ," which has left Ireland only twice since it was rediscovered in 1990, is a centerpiece of the exhibit. Prof. Fiora Bassanese of the Modern Languages Department will speak at the affiliated interdisciplinary symposium, "Religious Culture in Caravaggio's Italy," on the topic of Veronica Franco, a 17th century Italian courtesan and writer, on March 20 at Boston College. The exhibit will run at Boston College through May 24.
Sustainability Clinic Draws Interest from Across the Campus
Creating a more sustainable community at UMass Boston was the topic explored by approximately 45 faculty, staff and students at a Sustainability Clinic sponsored by the Urban Harbors Institute on Jan. 28. Several fundamental principles of sustainability include reducing consumption, cutting waste, the efficient uses of energy (as well as consideration of renewable vs. fossil fuels) among others. According to Richard Delaney, director of the Urban Harbors Institute, the clinic gave participants a chance to find out about sustainability efforts already underway, such as the Procurement Department's efforts to get recycled paper for University business cards, and the Facilities Department's trial plan to use recycled carpeting. An ad hoc committee was formed to meet again and work out an action agenda to share with the rest of the University. "Everyone, in their capacity can play a role in tailoring more sustainable activities," says Delaney. "I thought the clinic was a terrific success."
Promoting Learning through Student Engagement is
Theme of CIT Conference
The Center for the Improvement of Teaching (CIT) sponsored its yearly Conference on Teaching and Transformation on Jan. 29. The conference presenters were all UMass Boston faculty from across the curriculum and from a range of colleges and disciplines. Sessions focused on a range of teaching and learning issues, and offered participants the opportunity to consider ways in which learning can be promoted through student engagement. Several presentations explicitly dealt with the challenges and benefits of building diversity into courses. The rich array of presentations is best illustrated by some of the session titles: "Beyond Spell-Check: Strategies for Advancing Novice Writers Understanding of Revision," "Implementing Innovative Teaching Strategies," and "Intersections of Race and Class in Teaching and Learning." Over 115 faculty, staff, and students registered for this year's conference. CIT is planning a number of forums and luncheon series discussions for the Spring. Watch for flyers announcing these events. For more information about CIT, contact Prof. Vivian Zamel, acting director of CIT for spring 1999 at 7-6740 or Jackie Cornog, CIT administrative assistant at 7-6767.
New Director of Institutional Research and Policy Studies joins University Community
Jennifer Brown joined the campus community on Jan. 11 as director of institutional research and policy studies. Brown comes to UMass Boston from the Connecticut State University system, where she served as executive officer for academic affairs and research, with responsibility for institutional research among other duties. Trained as a sociologist with an area of interest in demography, she received her undergraduate degree from the University of Reading in Berkshire, England, and her Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut.
Seminar on "New Water Wars" to Be Held March 31
Sandra Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project in Amherst, will present a special seminar, "The New Water Wars: Food Security, Ecosystem Health, and the Politics of Scarcity" on March 31 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in Lipke Auditorium. Postel is the author of Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity, published by W.W. Norton. Last Oasis is the foundation for the final film program of the PBS series, Cadillac Desert, which aired in 1997. There will be a luncheon/discussion with Postel prior to the seminar. For more information, contact Roger Wrubel, director, Environmental Studies Program, at 7-5778. The seminar is sponsored by the Undergraduate Environmental Studies Program along with the ECOS Department and the Urban Harbors Institute.
Technology and Higher Ed Expert Steven Gilbert Leads Workshop March 17 -19
A Feb. 8 luncheon with Steven Gilbert, noted expert and president of the TLT Group, the teaching, learning and technology affiliate of the American Association of Higher Education (AAHE) was attended by approximately 40 representatives of higher ed institutions in New England, where guests learned more about Gilbert's model for meeting organizational and technological challenges. UMass Boston will also host Gilbert's upcoming three-day workshop, March 17-19, which is expected to draw between 200 and 300 participants who wish to learn more about the TLT model, which includes engaging faculty, students, staff and administrators in looking at institutional planning and implementation of academic uses of technology. The AAHE recently adopted UMass Boston's Learning Center as a national model for university teaching and learning centers. As a result, Anthony Martin, Learning Center director, traveled to Minnesota in January to give a workshop on setting up similar centers at other universities.
Biology Prof. William Hagar Recognized at Urban
Scholars Middle School Science Fair
Prof. William Hagar was thanked for 15 years of support he has offered students in the Urban Scholars Middle School program, and for serving eight years as a judge at their Science Fair, on Feb. 13. Hagar was presented with a plaque along with testimonies from Mike Benway, middle school coordinator for the Urban Scholars Program, Chukwuka Okafor, a UMass Boston biochemistry student who teaches in the Urban Scholars Program, and Carleton Johnson, a 30-plus year veteran teacher at South Boston High School, all of whom have worked with and been influenced by Hagar's dedication to science education. Although Hagar was surprised and pleased by the recognition, he shared credit with his colleagues for their involvement with science education, noting their enthusiasm for the sciences and the impact it has on students and fellow teachers. "Although they say I have affected them, I think we all affect each other," Hagar said.
WUMB Presents Wednesday "Live at Noon" Series, and
Holds a Record/CD Sale
Stop by the Ryan Lounge Wednesdays at noon, and enjoy live performances by local singer/songwriters courtesy of WUMB 91.9 FM Radio's "Live at Noon" series. The concerts, broadcast live, began Feb. 17 when the featured artist was Kris Delmhorst, followed by the Feb. 24 performance by The Steaks. In March, "Live at Noon" will feature Kyle Shiver (3/ 3), Mica Richards ( 3/ 10), Lucy Kaplansky (3/24) and Ken Batts (3/ 31). Concerts are co-sponsored by the Offices of Enrollment Services and Communications, and Student Affairs. Mark your calendars for WUMB's second record and cd sale to benefit the Boston Folk Festival. The sale, which will be held Saturday (9a.m. to 5p.m.) and Sunday (noon to 5p.m.), March 20 & 21 in McCormack Cafeteria. More than 20,000 used records and CDs will be available at reduced prices. Collectibles, new CDs, and tapes will also be available. The cost of parking will be reduced on Saturday and free on Sunday.