By Rebecca A. Doyle
University education, research and administrative activities reported over the summer stretched from outer space to office space, from South Africa to Maryland, and back home to Ann Arbor. For those faculty and staff who were away for the summer months, the Record offers its annual summer news roundup.
General Fund budget includes salary, tuition increases
The Regents approved a $671 million General Fund budget, which includes central funding for 2.5 percent of each unit’s operating budget to be allotted for merit-based salary increases. Provost Gilbert R. Whitaker Jr. explained that each unit would be asked to supplement the funds with resources of its own.
“It is expected that every unit on campus will do this, but the size of each unit’s contribution will vary depending on its finances and priorities,” he said. Whitaker noted that this procedure would allow units maximum flexibility in determining their own needs.
A 9.5 percent increase in tuition for graduate resident and undergraduate non-resident students and a 6.9 percent increase in undergraduate resident tuition were approved. Tuition and state appropriations provide the bulk of the General Fund.
Whitaker said that in crafting the budget, University officials “carefully considered alternative expenditure and tuition patterns, but the final decision was driven primarily by our belief that it is the quality of the institution that distinguishes the University of Michigan and that this quality will be best maintained by this budget.”
Tuition reimbursement cap lifted for staff taking U-M classes
The $600 per term cap on tuition reimbursement, as it applied to U-M staff taking U-M courses, has been removed. That means the amount of tuition refund for full-time staff members taking courses at the U-M will be up to 75 percent of the cost of in-state tuition for up to four credit hours per term or eight per fiscal year. The policy is effective for courses which began on or after Sept. 1. The $600 per term cap remains in effect for courses taken at other institutions.
Cornell named interim dean at School of Public Health
Richard G. Cornell, professor of biostatistics, was named interim dean of the School of Public Health for one year, effective Sept. 1. Cornell succeeds June Osborn, who elected not to complete her second term as dean. Whitaker said that Cornell “received widespread support from the faculty as well as the endorsement of the School’s Executive Committee.”
Samuels will lead School of Art
Allen J. Samuels, professor of art, was named dean of the School of Art, effective July 1, for a five-year term. Samuels has been a faculty member in the School since 1975, and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in basic and product design. In nominating him, Whitaker said “Prof. Samuels’ candidacy received very strong and widespread support, and I am very pleased that he has agreed to serve as dean.”
Mexican President Salinas receives honorary degree
President Carlos Salinas de Gortari was presented an honorary doctor of laws degree at ceremonies May 27. Regent Deane Baker read the degree citation, which said in part: “In recognition of your visionary leadership of Mexico, your devotion to public service, and your commitment to expanding economic opportunity at home and abroad, the University is proud to confer on you the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.”
MacArthur Fellowships awarded to two U-M faculty
Henry Wright, professor of anthropology and curator of archaeology at the Museum of Anthropology, and Stephen Lee, associate professor of chemistry, were among 31 recipients of fellowships awarded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Wright will receive a stipend totaling $305,000 and Lee will receive $204,000, both over a five-year period.
JOBNET simplifies the job hunt
Applicants for University jobs now can fill out one application and a skills sheet and submit them to any of the three Personnel Service Centers to be eligible for any posted positions for which they qualify. The applications are entered into an electronic job pool, providing a “one-stop shopping” approach to the job hunt. Applicants are still able to selectively bid on jobs and to submit their own resumes to the hiring supervisor at an interview.
Departments seeking employees will receive a JOBNET-formatted resume for each applicant whose skills match those required for the position.
Researchers capture monomer to polymer transformation
The first direct images of monomer molecules joining to form long polymer chains were recorded by U-M researchers David C. Martin and Jun Liao using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Their experiment was published in the June 4 issue of Science. Martin, assistant professor of materials science and engineering and macromolecular science and engineering, says the technique could help develop new polymers suitable for advanced visual displays and integrated optoelectronic circuits.
Moody heads SAIO
Beginning July 1, Charles D. Moody Sr. became executive director of the University’s South Africa Initiative Office.
“We are building arks, not just predicting rain,” says Moody of the effort to help provide Black South Africans with an opportunity for a better quality of life through education.
He plans to travel to South Africa three or four times annually, and eventually hopes to have a satellite office in South Africa.
Taylor to direct CP&P
Simone H. Taylor was named director of the Office of Career Planning and Placement. Taylor had been serving as the unit’s interim director.
Royster Harper, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, said that Taylor “is a stellar professional with a strong commitment to service to students and to the University. She knows her craft and she provides a continuity of excellent service within Career Planning and Placement.”
Botanical Gardens begins expansion project
Almost a full year ahead of schedule, the Botanical Gardens broke ground in June for its expansion projects. Patricia Hopkinson, acting director of the Gardens, credits the early start to the response to The Campaign for Michigan. The project includes expansion of the gardens, walkways, and construction of the Gateway Garden and a ramp that will connect it to the upper terrace, making the new garden wheelchair-accessible.
Regents enthusiastic about M-Quality
The Board of Regents expressed enthusiasm and support for the University’s M-Quality initiative as it was presented by Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Farris W. Womack and Provost Gilbert R. Whitaker Jr. at their June meeting.
“M-Quality is no different from what outstanding managers have done for decades,” Womack told the Regents. What is new, he explained, is the approach that focuses on those we serve.
The University has adopted the management approach, Womack said, “so that we can fully utilize the skills of our people.”
Spencer heads admissions
Theodore L. Spencer became director of undergraduate admissions Aug. 1. He had served as interim director since 1992, succeeding Richard Shaw. In his recommendation, Whitaker said that Spencer had “emerged from a national search as the candidate most capable of leading the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in the years to come.”
He served as associate director of admissions in 1989–92, and in that post was responsible for personalizing the recruiting process and managing the minority student recruiting program, which has experienced record increases.
BORIS, CARMEL go to Washington
Two robots designed by computer science and engineering students competed against robots from 13 other universities and corporations in the Artificial Intelligence Robotics Competition and Exhibition July 13–15 in Washington, D.C. CARMEL, a Cybermotion K2A robot, and TRC labmate BORIS (Box Organizing Robotic Intelligent System) participated in events such as finding a coffee pot sitting on a cardboard box, picking it up and returning it to the delivery area.
Duncan named Distinguished Research Scientist
Greg J. Duncan, professor of economics and a leading scholar on poverty and income dynamics, was named the Univer-sity Distinguished Research Scientist.
U-M, Maryland join to offer degree in survey methodology
The country’s first master of science degree in survey methodology will be offered this fall through a joint program of the U-M, the University of Maryland at College Park and Westat, Inc., a Rockville, Md., survey firm.
The program is funded by a five-year, $4.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation.
Though the program will be headquartered in College Park, students in Ann Arbor will be able to enroll in courses there and Institute for Social Research staff will be able to teach in the program using compressed video technology and high-speed telephone lines.
Offices with windows more than status symbol
Workers in offices with a view of nature are more enthusiastic about their jobs, less frustrated, have more patience and fewer physical ailments, according to Rachel Kaplan, professor of psychology and of natural resources. Kaplan’s study of windowless work areas vs. those with a view was reported at a June 27 meeting of the American Psychological Society in Chicago.
U-M experiment on space shuttle Endeavor in June
The space shuttle Endeavor carried into space late in June a 175-pound container of equipment to measure and record the activity of R-113 (a type of liquid freon) as it boiled in zero gravity. Herman Merte Jr., professor of mechanical engineering, designed the experiment to develop an understanding of the basic mechanisms that control what scientists call the nucleate pool boiling process.
The experiment was funded and administered by NASA’s Lewis Research Center.
Cellulose derivative may offer new way to fight cholesterol
A cellulose derivative of high molecular weight may be a safe new way to lower cholesterol levels, says Jennifer B. Dressman, associate professor of pharmaceutics. Dressman says the derivative increases the viscosity of material in the upper GI tract, interfering with the intestine’s ability to digest and absorb cholesterol. The research was funded by Dow Chemical Co., whose scientists developed the derivative. The University and Dow have applied for patents on the use of the substance as a cholesterol-reducing agent.
Researcher discovers how anti-malarial drug works
Artemisinin, used as a fever remedy in ancient China, has been recognized as an effective drug against malaria. Steven R. Meshnick, parasitologist at the School of Public Health, studied 638 malaria patients in Vietnam and confirmed the efficacy of the drug. His research revealed that the malaria parasite stores hemozoin from the hemoglobin of the host’s red blood cells. When artemisinin contacts the hemozoin, it converts it into a toxic chemical, releasing a free radical that kills the parasite.
Meshnick’s biochemical findings were reported in the May issue of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, and his clinical findings reported in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in March.
Building Services staff mobilize flood relief effort
The Building Services Flood Victims Relief Effort in July began collecting supplies to send to victims of the Midwest floods. Custodian Donald Paschel outlined the idea at a general staff meeting, and working with the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross, the group has collected goods from all over campus to ship to affected areas.
National kidney research data center moves to U-M
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a $9 million contract to U-M researchers to operate a national kidney research data center on campus. The United States Renal Data System (USRDS) center moved to Ann Arbor from Washington, D.C. July 1. The center collects, analyzes and distributes information on all aspects of kidney failure. Philip Held, professor of internal medicine and of health services management and policy, will continue to serve as USRDS director. Friedrich Port, professor of medicine and of epidemiology, is deputy director.
