Work a Day With Children
UMB faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in “Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” on April 24, 2003. The day was created in an effort to familiarize children with the workforce, but more importantly, to emphasize the importance of education.
In addition to witnessing a day in the life of their parents’ work, workshops and presentations in various university-oriented fields will be given in an effort to raise awareness of the many options available to those interested in a future at the university.
Faculty and staff interested in participating should register with Denise McNair in the department of Human Resources by Friday, April 18.
New Appointment for Director
According to a memo sent out by Paul J. Fonteyn, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Castellano B. Turner has been appointed as the interim director of the William Monroe Trotter Institute from the Study of Black Culture. Turner has had accomplished academic career, having published dozens of journal articles, book chapters, research reports, and book reviews in the field of psychology. His research on family planning among African Americans, which focuses on race, and self-esteem as it relates to achievement, culture, and mental health is well known in Massachusetts and beyond.
The university is pleased to have Turner in this position.
First UMass Police Cadets Graduate
According to The Campus Chronicle, on April 1, 15 police cadets were sworn in at the Massachusetts Room of the Mullins Center. The cadets were the first graduating class of UMass Amherst. The program was initiated by Police Chief Barbara O’Connor.
Requirements of cadets included passing both a physical exam and academic test, as well as being a current college student with a 2.5 minimum GPA.
The cadets graduated after completing 100 hours of training.
Technology Increases Voting
An article in The Chronicle of Higher Education cited several examples of student voting increasing once online voting systems were put into place. Universities listed as having voter participation after implementing online voting included Emory University, Boston College, Carnegie Mellon, and Clemson University. In fact, Boston College’s votes in student government elections increased from 1,500 to 4,000 after online voting became an option.
Revenue Rally
A rally to encourage state representatives to raise revenues in lieu of cutting the state budget will be held Wednesday, April 30 at the Statehouse. The event will be taking place from 10am to 5pm. Anyone interested in obtaining more information can call 617-499-9443 or visit www.cutnomore.org.
Guggenheim Award
184 artists, scholars, and scientists have been awarded fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim memorial Foundation. The total awards amount to $6,750,000. The awards are given to nominees based on past achievement and potential for new achievement. Previous recipients include Joyce Carol Oates, Charles A. Ryskamp, and Edward Hirsch.
Meeting on Academic and Student Affairs
On Tuesday, April 22, a meeting will take place on the Committee on Academic and Student Affairs. The meeting will commence at 8am in the 26th Floor Board Room of One Beacon Street, Boston. The meeting is taking place at the request of the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Meeting on Committee of Administration
A meeting will be taking place on Thursday, April 24 in the Board Room, located at on the 26th Floor of One Beacon Street in Boston. The meeting is taking place at the request of the Chair of the Board of Trustees. The meeting will be concerning the Committee of Administration, Finance and Audit.