News in Brief
COMMUNITY
Human subjects research passes federal scrutiny
After slamming the lid on human subjects research at eight other universities for infractions big and small, the federal agency that enforces federal regulations that pertain to volunteer subjects paid a much-anticipated site visit to UW–Madison this month.
But instead of shutting down research programs en masse, as has been the case at nearly every other university visited by auditors from the Office for Human Research Protections, the agency issued a report that, in many instances, was glowing by comparison to the reviews other universities received.
To be sure, the review was not without some negative findings. For example, some record-keeping issues and research involving prison populations was not reviewed with the help of a prisoner advocate as a voting member of the review board.
But the gist of the report was generally positive and included references to “a culture of respect” for the oversight process for human subjects on the Madison campus. The report acknowledged efforts over the past two years to “enhance (the UW–Madison) system for protecting human subjects…”
“We worked very hard in anticipation of the review,” says R. Timothy Mulcahy, an associate dean of the Graduate School and the chair of UW–Madison’s all-campus Institutional Review Board, the panel responsible for overseeing human subjects protection and policy on the Madison campus. “I think we were able to impress upon them the fact that we care a great deal about the ethical treatment and protection of human subjects, and that we provide effective institutional oversight of human subjects activities.”
The report was delivered Aug. 11 to Chancellor David Ward.
Transportation services revises pre-tax, flex rules
University employees who pay for parking through pre-tax payroll deduction are no longer be eligible for refunds if they cancel their permits, according to new guidelines from Transportation Services.
The policy change is based on proposed IRS rules and will mainly affect employees who cancel their parking permits at the end of the academic year, says Rachel Martin, coordinator of the university’s Transportation Demand Management program.
In other changes from Transportation Services, faculty and staff participating in the flex parking program will no longer receive pre-tax benefits when paying through payroll deduction, Martin says. This rule revision is also based on proposed changes to IRS guidelines.
More information about pre-tax benefits: 262-5650. More information about parking and transportation: 263-6666.
WisCard expands dining options
On-campus dining options for faculty and staff who have signed up for WisCard will now include the nearest University Residence Hall food service facilities during the academic year.
The Wisconsin Union created WisCard as a debit card program enabling participants to use their university ID to purchase food at Union delis and restaurants and goods and services at 15 other campus locations.
“Faculty and staff will be able to use the Campus Cash debit card in all University Housing food service facilities including dining rooms, coffee houses and carry out,” says Keri Robbins, marketing specialist with UW Housing. “By expanding the debit card service to faculty and staff, we hope to promote spontaneous meetings of faculty, staff and students in residence halls over meals, snacks or coffee.”
Opportunities to use WisCard go beyond food service. “With Campus Cash, faculty and staff can purchase software from the DoIT Tech Store as well as eat at any food service facility on campus,” says Jim Wysocky, Wisconsin Union information systems specialist who is working to further the reach of WisCard.
WisCard will continue to increase service features to cardholders, eventually including the ability to make payments to accounts online. For information or to open an account: 263-1964 or 262-1667.
ON CAMPUS
Lake flooding prompts forum on water management
Lake levels have dropped. Shorelines submerged two months ago are dry again. But we haven’t seen the last of flooding on Madison-area lakes, and in fact, development may bring more high water in the future.
So says Kenneth Potter, a professor who has organized a public forum, “High Stakes on the Yahara Lakes: The Future of Water Management in Dane County,” to be held Wednesdays in 1800 Engineering Hall.
“This year’s flooding showed how vulnerable we are to high lake levels, and episodes of flooding will likely become more common as development occurs in the watershed.” says Potter, a professor of civil and environmental engineering and environmental studies
Starting times vary for the sessions:
Sept. 13, 7 p.m. “Managing Yahara Lake Levels: Objectives, Opportunities, and Constraints” by Dane County public works director Kenneth Koscik and William Krug, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey.
Sept. 27, 8 p.m., “Boat Wakes and Shore Erosion,” Sue Jones, Dane County watershed management coordinator; and Chin Wu, assistant professor, civil and environmental engineering.
Oct. 11, 7 p.m., “Cycles of Management for Lake Mendota: Crisis to Crisis, or Hope to Hope?” Stephen Carpenter, professor, Center for Limnology.
Oct. 25, 7 p.m., “Water Management Begins in the Watershed,” Carolyn Rumery Betz, watershed planner, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; and Kevin Connors, Dane County conservationist.
Nov. 8, 7 p.m., “The Floods of 2000: You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” Potter and Roger Bannerman, environmental specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Nov. 15, 7:45 p.m., “Who Controls the Future of the Yahara Lakes?”
UW–Madison students can earn academic credit by attending. The forum is co-sponsored by the Institute for Environmental Studies and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. More information: 262-0040; kwpotter@facstaff.wisc.edu.
Staff invited to fall reception
The fall kick-off reception sponsored jointly by the Madison Academic Staff Association, the Student Personnel Association and the Latina/o Academic Staff Association will be Wednesday, Sept. 20, 4-6 p.m. at the Pyle Center. There will be free hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Please join these groups in welcoming new academic staff to the UW and for a brief ceremony recognizing recipients of the Student Personnel Association and the Academic Staff Excellence awards.
Economic briefing Sept. 22
Continued boom, steady as it goes, or bust? Learn the prospects for the economy in Wisconsin, the Midwest, the nation and the world at “Economic Outlook: 2001,” a daylong executive briefing sponsored by the School of Business.
Associate professor Chuck Krueger, who directs Economic Outlook, says participants will be able to review and discuss trends affecting business and markets with some of the most insightful economists in the country. After each briefing, speakers will respond to questions and comments.
The briefing is Friday, Sept. 22, at the Fluno Center for Executive Education. Fee: $295. To register: (800) 348-8964.
NOTABLE
Papermaker visits Ecuador
Making quality paper and books doesn’t vary with climate or geography. Tracy Honn, director of Silver Buckle Press, demonstrated that principle in Ecuador this summer.
Along the edge of Maquipucuna, a nature reserve in northwest Ecuador, live three small groups of women who make paper by hand out of plant materials from the surrounding forest. They use the paper to make stationery and greeting cards, which they hope to sell in the states and abroad.
Honn, who recently spent two weeks in Ecuador, advised the women on how to craft stationery, soon to be marketed on a Web site, http://www.ecocards. org. The Ecocard project is operated by the nature reserve to encourage economic development that is ecologically friendly.
“Papermaking on this small scale is popular,” says Honn. “It uses indigenous plant materials and promotes saving natural habitats by using them in a low-impact way. At the same time, they’re providing the possibility of real economic development for the people who live on this land.”
UW-Stevens Point anthropology professor Barbara Butler, who travels to Ecuador for her fieldwork, introduced Honn to the project. Butler’s family foundation helped purchase the land for the reserve and sponsored Honn’s trip. Other participants in the project came from the University of Georgia, Northern Iowa University and England.
Grant enhances graduate education
A $1.275 million Spencer Foundation award will enhance education research and graduate programs at the School of Education.
The grant, which will be spread over seven years, will provide fellowships to 12 students planning careers in education research. The Graduate School will contribute funding for eight additional fellowships for minority or disadvantaged students.
Based in Chicago, the Spencer Foundation has continuously provided funding for education graduate students at UW–Madison since 1994. The grants are intended to help offset a national decline in the resources allocated to education research.
“We are always grateful for financial support for our graduate students,” says Education Dean Charles Read. “But this grant is especially important because it gives us an opportunity to rethink our doctoral programs in education research, and to share ideas with other leading schools of education.”
In connection with the Spencer grant, Read says, the School of Education will continue its support of the Research Training Program for graduate students preparing for careers in education research. The program is open to all interested students – not just those supported by fellowships – and provides mentoring, interdisciplinary seminars and opportunities to conduct research early in the graduate career.
The training program, created three years ago, has involved 38 students from throughout the School of Education. Elizabeth Fennema, professor emerita of curriculum and instruction, directs the program.