News in brief
LEADERSHIP
Two named to Board of Regents
Gov. Tommy G. Thompson plans to appoint his former administration secretary, James R. Klauser, to the UW System Board of Regents. The governor also plans to reappoint Gerard A. Randall, Jr. Both appointments would be effective May 1. Randall, first appointed in 1994, currently is the board’s vice president. Senate confirmation is required.
News release: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/news/pr_detail.asp?prid=429
COMMUNITY
Perkins default rate lowest in nation
The university has the lowest default rate for the Perkins Loan among the top 100 colleges and universities that participate in the federal student aid program.
UW–Madison’s default rate on the federal student loan was 1 percent during the 1999-2000 academic year, according to the January 2001 issue of The Greentree Gazette, a magazine that covers the business of higher education.
“The reason we are No. 1 is simple — our former students repay their Perkins student loans better than the alumni of any other school (in the top 100 by loan volume) in the country,” says Steve Van Ess, director of the university’s Office of Student Financial Services.
The magazine reviewed the top 100 colleges and universities with the highest Perkins Loan volume in the country. UW–Madison ranked 8th in total loan volume, with $7.9 million in Perkins Loans distributed last year.
Funding for the Perkins Loan is provided by the federal government. Institutions of higher education loan out the money and collect the payments.
Van Ess credits the high repayment rate to the fact that UW–Madison students generally do well in their studies and find meaningful employment upon graduation. He also praises his office’s student loan servicing unit and the Bursar’s Office for what he describes as an “excellent job” of billing and collecting on Perkins Loans after students leave the university.
“The Bursar’s Office and the student loan servicing unit of Student Financial Services work hard to maintain good communications with borrowers,” says Cathie Hanlon, university bursar. “This effort pays off in helping students understand the importance of staying current on their loan repayments.”
Achieving a low default rate is important for postsecondary educational institutions, Van Ess says, as it is one of the measures the U.S. government uses to determine whether a school will be allowed to continue to participate in federal financial aid programs.
A low Perkins Loan default rate is especially important in that the program is actually a revolving loan fund where all collected dollars remain on campus to be loaned again to future students, Van Ess says.
Business School offers Executive MBA Scholarship
Andrew J. Policano, dean of the School of Business, has earmarked a partial scholarship for its fall 2001 Executive MBA program for a UW–Madison employee. This opportunity for 75% EMBA funding is open to any interested UW–Madison employee, with department approval. This is the second time the campus scholarship has been offered.
The Executive MBA program is a rigorous two-year program, designed for mid- and upper-level managers. It meets on Fridays and Saturdays every other weekend for two school years. The EMBA program admits 30-35 students each fall.
The deadline for applications to the Executive MBA Program is June 1, 2001. It is recommended, however, that applicants start the process promptly. All applications will be reviewed by the EMBA Admissions Committee. For further information, contact Constance Rieben, associate director, 265-2034, or crieben@bus.wisc.edu.
ON CAMPUS
Feingold to speak on African affairs
Senator Russell Feingold will speak Friday, Feb. 9, 4:30- 6 p.m. in 5120 Grainger on “Perceptions and Misperceptions: Americans’ Understanding of Africa.” The Wisconsin Chapter of the Fulbright Association is sponsoring the event in collaboration with the International Institute.
For further information, contact: 262-3724, or http://axle.doit.wisc.edu/~mceniry/.
Scholars examine Jewish equation
What makes something “Jewish”? Five UW–Madison scholars will attempt to solve the equation, “What = Jewish x?” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the Memorial Union.
Over the centuries, cultures have been enriched by the literary, intellectual and artistic accomplishments of the Jewish people, and many of these works are recognizably Jewish in character. Teachers and scholars from different humanities disciplines will address the question of what makes an artwork or a musical composition or a historical event or a work of literature specifically “Jewish.”
The four speakers are Pamela Potter, music, “What is Jewish Music?”; Douglas Rosenberg, dance, “What is Jewish Art?”; Judith Kornblatt, Slavic Languages, “What is Jewish Literature?”; and David Sorkin, history, “What is Jewish History?” Steven Nadler, director of the Center for Humanities and professor of philosophy and Jewish studies, will moderate the session.
Check “Today in the Union” for the room number. The event is sponsored by the UW–Madison Center for the Humanities, in conjunction with the George L. Mosse/Laurence A. Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies. Information: 263-3409, info@humanities.wisc.edu.
Conservative politician is first speaker of the spring
Leading black conservative Alan L. Keyes will speak at the Wisconsin Union Theater in Memorial Union Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Keyes, a former Reagan administration official, is a two-time presidential candidate and a two-time U.S. Senate Republican nominee.
Keyes served as the president of Citizens Against Government Waste from 1989-92 and founded the National Taxpayer Action Day and the Declaration Foundation.
Keyes’ lecture is sponsored by the University Book Store, Associated Students of Madison, College Republicans, Chadbourne Residential College, Pro-Life Action League and the Distinguished Lecture Series, one of 10 Wisconsin Union Directorate student committees that develop, coordinate and promote more than 800 events annually at UW–Madison.
Free tickets will be available at the Union Theater Box Office for UW–Madison students and Wisconsin Union members Wednesday, Feb. 7; one ticket per ID.
Remaining tickets will be available to the public Friday, Feb. 9.
Other upcoming DLS speakers include Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, gay rights activist (Feb. 27); Jeffrey Wigand, “Insider” tobacco scientist, rescheduled for March 7; Ralph Nader, Green Party presidential candidate, April 17; and Afeni Shakur, activist and mother of the late Tupac Shakur, April 22.
Information: Mark Reischel, 262-2216, mjreisch@students.wisc.edu.
Ancient crystals and early earth
Zircon crystals, the oldest know terrestrial materials, are giving science a new window to the early Earth. A recent study of a zircon dated at 4.4 billion years old by geochemist John Valley revealed evidence that the young planet was far cooler than previously believed and that oceans and continents were emerging at a time when, according to conventional wisdom, the Earth was simply a ball of magma. Valley will discuss the background of the study and its implications for altering our picture of a nascent Earth in a talk entitled “Zircons are Forever: Evidence for Liquid Water on Earth 4.4 Billion Years Ago” Friday, Feb. 23, at 3:30 p.m. in AB20 Weeks Hall.
TECHNOLOGY
In-class tech help offered for students
The Student Peer Training program accepts special requests from teaching faculty and staff who are using technology in their courses.
SPT staff will come to classes and offer instruction in a variety of programs. There is no charge for this service as long as registered UW–Madison students are the primary learners. Information: 265-4615, peertrng@doit.wisc.edu.
DoIT provides advice on instructional tools
Whether you have a question about on instructional tools, a brown bag presentation or a grant, Learning Technology and Distance Education (LTDE) has the answer. Instructional experts are available to assist you in course design or understanding WebCT. Their “Technology for Teaching and Learning Events” programs, in cooperation with the New Media Center, offer a variety of presentations, brown bags and hands-on sessions. To learn more, visit: http://www.wisc.edu/learntech/
COMMUNITY
Committee endorses lake path plan
The Campus Planning Committee has endorsed recommendations designed to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety on the Howard Temin Lakeshore Path.
The CPC gave its unanimous approval on Jan. 25 to the recommendations developed by the Lakeshore Path Advisory Committee. John Harrington, professor of landscape architecture and CPC member, briefed the committee on the proposal.
The key recommendations call for retaining the unpaved portion of the popular campus transportation route along Lake Mendota and preventing further erosion.
Construction along the 3.7-mile lakeshore path is scheduled to begin in spring 2001. Strand Associates, Inc. and Ken Saiki Design are consultants on the project. Keeping the lakeshore path separated for bicyclists and walkers near Picnic Point is a top recommendation.
In other CPC-related action, Chancellor John Wiley announced he is stepping down from the committee after more than a decade, explaining that the demands of his schedule as chancellor prevent him from continuing to serve. Wiley first began chairing the committee while serving as dean of the graduate school under former Chancellor Donna Shalala.
Wiley has appointed Phillip R. Certain, dean of the College of Letters and Science as the new committee chair.
For a complete listing of the committee’s recommendations, visit http://www.news.wisc.edu/wisweek/ view.msql?id=5409.
NOTABLE
Search group named for international studies dean
A committee has been named to coordinate a search to fill the post of dean of international studies and programs.
David Trubek will resign as dean of international studies effective July 31 to become director of the Center for World Affairs and the Global Economy at UW–Madison.
After receiving applications and nominations and reviewing candidate materials, the search and screen committee will interview candidates. A list of finalists will be forwarded for consideration to Chancellor John Wiley.
Professor Mark Beissinger, Department of Political Science, will chair the committee. Members are professor Richard Burgess, Department of Oncology and University Committee representative; Gregory Iaccarino, Academic Staff Executive Committee and a career services professional; assistant professor Heinz Klug, Law School; associate dean Mary Ann Fitzpatrick, College of Letters and Science; professor Lewis Leavitt, Department of Pediatrics, Waisman Center; Adam Goldstein, student representative; Candace Pharo, academic department supervisor, Department of Biological Systems Engineering; Susan Huber Miller, academic staff representative, School of Business; professor Kenneth Shapiro, director, International Agriculture Programs; professor Linda Hunter, Department of African Languages and Literature; associate professor Thongchai Winichakul, Department of History.
Building commission approves BioStar funds
On Thursday the State Building Commission approved the release of $710,000 as part of the BioStar program. The funds will be used to relocate two ROTC units from 1402 University Ave. The existing building will be torn down to accommodate an addition to the biotechnology center.
In other action, the commission approved $499,000 for adding a locker room and equipment area for women’s hockey to the Camp Randall Memorial Sports Center. The commission also approved an Educational Sciences Building asbestos abatement project at an estimated total project cost of $979,000.
New telescope is lecture subject
The promise of a major new astronomical observatory, the Southern African Large Telescope or SALT, will be the subject of a public lecture Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Space Place, 1605 S. Park St.
The free 7 p.m. talk, to be given by astronomy professor Kenneth H. Nordsieck, will describe the capabilities and science programs for the 10-meter telescope that, when completed, will be the largest optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere.
The telescope is being constructed by a consortium that includes UW–Madison and is scheduled for completion in 2004. Once built, the telescope will permit scientists to peer deep into the universe, observe as many as 100 objects at a time and gather critical new insights into the menagerie of objects that populate the cosmos.