For the Record

ANNOUCEMENTS

Global Environmental Health and Security Initiative
UW–Madison announces a research initiative on global environmental issues. The initiative will bring together faculty and graduate students with expertise related to global environmental studies, human health and international security. Funded with seed money from the International Institute, and coordinated through the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment, this three-year initiative will begin in fall 2004 with a faculty-graduate research seminar on global environmental change and a year-long speaker series featuring visitors as well as contributors from UW–Madison. The initiative will culminate in a final conference on global environmental change, security and human health. Those interested should contact Clark Miller, miller@ lafollette.edu. E-mail lharris@geography.wisc.edu to be added to an e-mail list.

French Classes Offered
“Business French for Novices” is a noncredit, online course for those interested in learning about cultural aspects of doing business in a French environment. It also emphasizes starting to read, write and listen to French in a business context. The class begins June 14 and the fee is $175. “French for Reading Knowledge” provides an overview of grammar and vocabulary, and sufficient translation practice to begin reading independently. The noncredit course is taught in an informal atmosphere and prepares students for the French reading knowledge exam (included in the fee). The course meets 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 17-July 27, on campus. Individual sessions with the instructor provide further support. Fee is $160. Both classes are taught by Irene Geller Lugassy, Divion of Continuing Studies and a native French speaker. 262-4873, igeller@dcs.wisc.edu.

Study Needs Participants
A study of cognitive and emotional functioning in adults ages 25-60 is being conducted in the PATHS Lab at the psychology department. The study explores the ways in which individual differences in personality factors such as impulsiveness and sociability affect performance on behavioral tasks. Participation involves completing questionnaires, performing computerized tasks, and undergoing a confidential interview. A brief phone screening is required. Testing involves one session of two and a half to three hours, and can take place evenings or weekends. Qualifying participants receive $35. Information: Christie Matts, 263-2791 or cwmatts@wisc.edu.

Continuing Education Catalog
The Summer 2004 UW–Madison Continuing Education Catalog is available. The catalog describes hundreds of noncredit courses in aging, alcohol and other substance abuse counseling, art, communication, dance, desktop publishing, fitness, public management, history, human services, languages, mediation/dispute resolution, music, nonprofit development, publication design, theater and drama, travel/study, video production, women’s studies, and writing and editing. Catalog is available by calling 262-1156, by e-mail at info@dcs.wisc.edu, at http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/classes/classtoc.htm and at Dane County public libraries.

AWARDS

Nominations Sought for Graduate Student Mentors
The Graduate Student Council is accepting nominations for Graduate Student Mentor Awards to recognize fellow graduate students who have helped others. Mentoring qualities vary by situation and department. For example, a good student mentor in the sciences and engineering would likely be helpful and knowledgeable around the lab. A mentor in social sciences or humanities may be helpful in navigating a database or finding good source materials for research. A good teaching assistant mentor might help a grad student new to teaching with strategies on surviving the first week of teaching while managing his or her own class load. Deadline for nominations is Wednesday, April 21, by 5 p.m. in 408 Bascom Hall. Information: 262-0201, GSC@bascom.wisc.edu, http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/gsc/mentorawards.html.

Student Affairs Awards
The Student Affairs Peer Recognition Awards recognize a student affairs employee who has done an outstanding job in providing services or programming to students in support of the primary purpose of the division and the university. Visit http://www.studentaffairs.wisc.edu/ for details.

GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS

IRP-USDA Small Grants Program
The Institute for Research on Poverty and the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide small grants for research on poverty and food assistance programs during 2004-05. The deadline for application is May 3. Guidelines: http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/irp/smgrants/guidelines.htm. 262-6358, evanson@ssc.wisc.edu.

Tinker-Nave Research Grants
All graduate students in all departments are eligible for this award. There are no citizenship restrictions. Awards will fund four- to eight-week periods of research in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Iberian Peninsula. Information and application: http://polyglot.lss.wisc.edu/laisp/new/funding/naveguide.html.