For the Record

GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS

Knapp Bequest Committee
The Kemper K. Knapp Bequest Committee is soliciting proposals for special projects taking place in the 2003-04 academic year. For details, see http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/secfac/knapp/Call.htm.

Brittingham Visiting Scholars
The Brittingham Foundation’s visiting scholars grants bring distinguished visitors to the classroom to introduce advanced undergraduate students to those working “in the field” who can contribute directly to the knowledge and skills students will need upon graduation. Budgets of up to $2,500 will be considered for each project; up to four awards will be made for 2003-04. Departments should forward their proposals for the 2003-04 academic year to Virginia Sapiro, associate vice chancellor for teaching and learning, 117 Bascom Hall, by Friday, March 14.

Proposals may be sent by attachment to sapiro@bascom.wisc.edu. If submitted in hard copy, three full copies should be delivered. Announcements of awards will be made around the first week of April. For information, contact Sapiro at the above e-mail address or 262-5246.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

When Classwork and Religious Observances Conflict
Mandatory academic requirements should not be scheduled on days when a religious observance may cause substantial numbers of students to be absent from university functions. For the spring semester, the policy specifically identifies Passover (April 17) and Good Friday (April 18) as such days. Jewish holidays and observances begin at sunset on the evening preceding the given date (e.g., Passover Eve day, April 16), and some holidays are celebrated over more than one day. Due to the university’s multicultural community, there are bound to be conflicts between mandatory academic requirements and religious observances other than those listed. Major religious observances celebrated by Muslim and Buddhist students, such as the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha (Feb. 12), also occur during the academic year. A listing, though not exhaustive, of religious holidays is available at http://www.interfaithcalendar.org. A copy of the listing can be obtained from the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty, 262-3956, 133 Bascom.

A student’s claim of a religious conflict should be accepted at face value. A great variety of valid claims exist for religious groups, and there is no practical, dignified and legal means to assess the validity of individual claims. State law mandates that any student with a conflict between an academic requirement and any religious observance must be given an alternative means of meeting the academic requirement. The law also stipulates that students be given means by which they can conveniently and confidentially notify an instructor of the conflict. Make-ups may be scheduled before or after the regularly scheduled requirements. Instructors may set reasonable limits on the total number of days claimed by any one student. Occasionally, students may not fully understand the necessity for prior notice, and under these circumstances we urge you to be as flexible as possible. Our policy seeks to be sensitive to the individual needs of students. Advise your teaching assistants of this policy.

On a different but somewhat parallel topic, please use fairness, compassion and sensitivity when you or your TAs are approached by a student requesting class time off due to a family emergency. Demonstration of your understanding in such a circumstance may be important to the student in getting through the crisis.

Spring Semester Calendar

Eid al-Adha*	Feb. 12
Spring recess	March 15-23
Last day to drop courses (undergraduates, specials, guests and professionals)	March 28
Passover (first day)*	April 17
Good Friday*	April 18
Last day to withdraw without academic penalty for undergraduate and special students	April 18
Last day for graduate students to drop courses	April 18
Easter	April 20
Last class day	May 9
Study day	May 10
Summary period	May 11-17
Commencement Ceremonies
Doctoral/professional commencement	May 16
Master’s and bachelor’s commencements	May 17–18

Regardless of the date of the commencement ceremony, the official date of degree conferral on the diploma will be Sunday, May 18.

*In accordance with Faculty Document 488a, faculty are asked not to schedule mandatory exercises on these dates.

Alliant Energy/Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Awards
The Professional Development and Recognition Committee of the Academic Staff Assembly requests nominations for the Alliant Energy/Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Awards. Up to four $3,500 awards will be provided to faculty or teaching academic staff at UW System schools within the service area of the Alliant Energy company. The awards recognize teaching of outstanding quality that leads to substantial intellectual growth in students. The PDRC will nominate two candidates for the Underkofler award. Nominations will be forwarded to the System selection committee, where the final selections will be made from the System applications. Submit nominations (eight complete sets) by Monday, March 3, the Office of the Secretary of the Academic Staff, 270 Bascom.

German and European Studies Opportunities Available
The Center for German and European Studies announces eight graduate fellowships for 2003-04. Applications are due Friday, Feb. 14. The center is also calling for preliminary proposals for research collaboratives for 2003-05. They are due Friday, Feb. 14. Information: http://daadcenter.wisc.edu.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Teaching Academy Partnership
The Teaching Academy announces a new professional development opportunity for future college and university educators. Anyone with a continuing academic connection to UW–Madison who is engaged in graduate or professional study for a career in higher education teaching (such as graduate students, teaching assistants, medical and veterinary residents, post-doctoral fellows, etc.) is eligible to be nominated to become a “Future Faculty Partner” of the Teaching Academy. Nominees should have a deep interest in and commitment to higher education teaching and should be willing to commit to one year (preferably two years) of involvement in the Teaching Academy. Through attendance at monthly meetings and participation in working groups, selected Future Faculty Partners can discuss teaching strategies and techniques with distinguished faculty and staff, and join them in addressing critical issues that concern teaching and learning in a university setting (such as interdisciplinary teaching, the impact of alcohol on teaching and learning, preparing doctoral students to teach at the college level, and much more). Completed applications are due on Friday, Feb. 28. No more than 12 partners are likely to be selected this year. Information and/or application: http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/teaching-academy/.

Returning Adult Student Awards Seek Nominees
Faculty, staff, students, and other members of the community can submit nominations for the Dean of Students Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Awards by Monday, March 3, to the Dean of Students Office, 75 Bascom. The awards recognize two returning adult undergraduates whose exceptional determination and perseverance have enabled them to pursue their academic work and contribute to the community through leadership and service. A nominee must be enrolled as a senior degree candidate and must have begun or resumed university work after a significant interruption (usually five years or longer) in her or his formal education. Information: Sybil Pressprich, Adult and Student Services, 263-6960, spressprich@dcs.wisc.edu.

Classified Employee Recognition Program Seeks Award Nominees
The Classified Employee Recognition Program rewards outstanding service to the public and students and other significant contributions to the university. Outstanding service may be evidenced by promoting the image of the department or university through continual extension of service and courtesy; consistently promoting excellence in him/herself and colleagues; exhibiting leadership and maintaining grace under pressure/deadlines/crisis situations; or initiating/recommending innovations in service or efficiency. Community service outside the university or outside of job responsibilities also weighs heavily, as does behavior or personality that makes the workplace more pleasant. All represented and non-represented permanent classified employees are eligible. Employees may not receive awards in consecutive years. Employees must show a commitment to the university through at least five years of service. The form and process was reviewed this year to improve the selection process. As a result, the process has been changed in two ways. First, the justification for the award has been put in questionnaire format to provide you with the opportunity to address each of the selection criteria. Second, the process now includes a reference check for the top two or three finalists in each of the categories to ensure the best candidate is selected.

Nominations must be made no later than Friday, Feb. 28. This year the form is available for completion on the Web and may be submitted electronically. The nominations also may be sent on paper using the questionnaire format to the Classified Personnel Office, 228 Peterson Building. To view the submission options, see http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/ohr/whatsnew.htm.

Undergraduate Projects Sought
Faculty and staff are asked to identify undergraduates whose exemplary work could be showcased at the Fifth Annual Undergraduate Symposium on Tuesday, April 22. The symposium celebrates undergraduate students’ achievements, creativity and service learning across all schools and colleges at UW–Madison. The submission deadline is Tuesday, March 4. Undergraduate students who are enrolled during the 2002-03 academic year are invited to apply. December 2002 graduates are also eligible. Applications for oral presentations, posters, art exhibits and individual or ensemble performances representing the humanities, biological sciences, physical sciences and social sciences are welcome. For information on the symposium and how to enter, visit the Morgridge Center for Public Service Web site: http://www.morgridge.wisc.edu/symposium, or Kerstin Schaars, kschaars@wisc.edu, 262-8446.

Anxiety Disorder Study
John Marshall, professor of psychiatry, is recruiting men and women to participate for a medication research study of generalized anxiety disorder. Study participation involves coming into the clinic for visits and taking the study medication on a daily basis. The study medication is investigational. It is being tested to determine whether it reduces symptoms, and to assess safety and tolerability. Some symptoms are excessive worry (about things you know you shouldn’t worry about); worrying about worrying too much; feeling restless or keyed up; difficulty concentrating; and problems sleeping. All study procedures are provided at no cost. Travel reimbursement is available. Information: Heather at hlbotts@facstaff.wisc.edu; http://www.psychiatry.wisc.edu/research/clinicaltrials.htm.

Subjects Sought for Study
John Marshall, professor of psychiatry, is recruiting subjects for a medication study. Participants must be experiencing recurrent depression symptoms, such as sleep disturbances, lack of motivation and changes in appetite. Information: 263-6171, http://www.psychiatry.wisc.edu/research/clinicaltrials.htm.

Children Wanted for Voice Study
The Department of Surgery is looking for participants for a study to develop a questionnaire for evaluating hoarse voices in children and teenagers, aged 2-18. No medications will be dispensed and no medical procedures will be performed. Children and parents or guardians will meet with the researchers for a 30-minute interview. Participants will be compensated with a McDonald’s coupon. If interested, e-mail telephone number to: kidsvoice@surgery.wisc.edu.

Exercise and Breast Cancer Study
Lisa Sanborn, kinesiology, is seeking volunteers for an exercise study looking at physical activity and physical fitness levels. The study involves three visits to the UW Sports Medicine Fitness Center and includes a diagnostic exercise test. Breast cancer survivors should be 50-69 years of age, post-menopausal, diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer, be at least three months post-treatment but not more than two years post-treatment, free from cardiovascular disease and free from any orthopedic problems. Information: 263-0854, lsanborn@education.wisc.edu.

Headache-Medication Study
A research group at the Medical School is testing a medication approved for migraine headaches to treat a related (but not identical) type of headache. The study requires one initial screening visit, completion of some brief questionnaires and one follow-up visit. Those involved in the study are eligible for modest financial compensation. The study is a randomized, double-blind study taking place at nearly 100 clinics around the nation, including at UW Hospital and Clinics. People with certain medical conditions or who are taking certain medications are not eligible. Those who do enroll in the study will be randomly assigned to receive a dosage of the medication or a placebo (an inactive pill). Neither the study staff nor the participants will know which treatment has been given, unless the study physician needs to find out for medical reasons. Those who are interested in participating should call UW Neurology Clinical Research Center, 262-7175.