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With much anticipation and eagerness, the UK Bernard M. Johnson Student Recreation Center will officially open this month. Ceremonies are slated for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The center broke ground in August 2000 and will provide the campus community a long overdue modern recreation and workout facility covering 87,000 square feet on two levels adjacent to the Seaton Center. The center was developed as a valuable tool to students: central to the educational mission of the university and promoting active, healthy lifestyle choices. It is viewed as a way to recruit and retain students and employees, develop students through leadership and employment opportunities, and promote wellness and fitness as a way of life.
"The Johnson Center is a wonderful, safe place for students, faculty and staff to come and make positive, healthy use of their leisure time," Campus Recreation Director Bill Pieratt said. "It will improve student satisfaction and morale, while also aiding in recruitment and retention." Constructed entirely with funds from student fees at a cost of $15.3 million, the Johnson Center provides numerous areas for activities. It houses two aerobics studios, a multi-purpose gymnasium with four basketball courts, an elevated jogging track (four lanes) and stretching area, a climbing wall, four racquetball courts and two levels of fitness/weight training. "This is a state-of-the-art facility," Pieratt said. "It provides generous amounts of natural light in a bright, inviting atmosphere. The amenities include the latest in fitness and recreation related equipment." The building was named after the "founding father" of the Department of Campus Recreation Bernard "Skeeter" Johnson. Johnson served as department director from 1969 to1982 after beginning his career at UK as an instructor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1946. Before joining UK, Johnson also received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the university. "A life-long promoter of physical education and recreation, Johnson's boundless enthusiasm and dedication touched and influenced the lives of countless students, faculty and staff," Pieratt added. "He was truly a fitness pioneer." Johnson died in 2001. Though mainly a student facility, the Johnson Center also is available to all faculty, staff, Donovan Scholars, retirees and VA employees on a year or semester membership basis. Free to students enrolled at UK or Lexington Community College, a yearly membership costs $150 for others. Fees for semester-long memberships are as follows: Faculty/Staff/VA
employees Retirees/Donovan
Scholars Memberships may be purchased in the Campus Recreation office, 177 Johnson Center, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. For more information on facilities and memberships, call 257-2898 or visit www.uky.edu/studentaffairs/campusrec. topCampus severe winter weather policy setIt takes a lot for the University of Kentucky to vary from its normal class schedule and operations. Severe winter weather does impact the Lexington area from time to time, raising the question, "How does UK decide whether classes meet as scheduled and offices remain open?" There's more to the decision than might be apparent at first glance. First, it's important to note that some operations at the university can never close, such as UK Hospital, residence halls and Physical Plant operations. Since major units of the university must remain open, the university makes every effort to ensure that all offices remain open and that classes meet as scheduled. While the public school calendar can be adjusted to add "snow make-up days" at the end of the spring term, this is not an option for UK. Senior Vice President for Administration Jack Blanton is responsible for making the decision when severe weather requires the cancellation of classes or the closing of some offices. "It is important that classes meet as scheduled for the many thousands of students who are on campus or in the vicinity, even though conditions may prevent some students, faculty and staff from traveling greater distances," Blanton said. He added, "Every employee is expected to make a diligent effort to meet classes or to fulfill job responsibilities with the understanding that personal safety is an individual decision." The UK Police Department provides information to the senior vice president concerning weather reports and road conditions. In addition, information concerning local business, industry and LEXTRAN bus service is considered. "We have officers traveling throughout campus and the surrounding areas before 5 a.m. when severe weather strikes, continually assessing road conditions," said Captain Henry Huff, acting chief of UK Police. "We also stay in constant touch with Lexington Police, Kentucky State Police and other authorities, as well as with our UK Physical Plant Division to monitor the condition of campus parking areas and sidewalks." Should conditions warrant, the announcements regarding the cancellation or delay of classes will normally be made by 6 a.m. through the local media. The most up-to-date and complete information can be obtained from UKTV Cable Channel 16, the UK Infoline at 257-5684, WUKY-FM 91.3 Radio or the UK Home Page on the Web at www.uky.edu. It is often difficult for the local media to present complete information, since they are handling hundreds of calls. UK officials suggest that you refer to Channel 16, UK Infoline, WUKY or the UK Web site to stay informed. topSusan L. Taylor to Speak at 2003 King Celebration
Susan L. Taylor, senior vice president of Essence Communications and editorial director of Essence magazine, will be this year's speaker at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day program Monday, Jan. 20, at Heritage Hall in downtown Lexington. The celebration gets underway at 7:30 a.m. with the ninth annual Unity Breakfast, sponsored by the Alpha Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. The annual Freedom March will begin at 10 a.m. from the Lexington Center. The holiday program, co-sponsored by UK and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, will follow at 11 a.m. in Heritage Hall with Taylor as the keynote speaker. Churches and businesses help support the annual event. Taylor, a fourth-generation entrepreneur, founded her own company, Nequai Cosmetics, which led to a part-time appointment as a freelance beauty editor at Essence at the age of 24. She subsequently moved up to editor-in-chief, a post she held for 19 years before becoming editorial director in 2000. Taylor oversees all editorial operations of the magazine and writes the popular "In the Spirit" column each month. She has helped make Essence the largest and most highly regarded magazine for African-American women in the world with eight million readers each month. She was the first African-American woman to win the Henry Johnson Fisher Award for lifetime achievement in the magazine industry in 1999, and in 2002, she was inducted into the American Society of Magazine Editors' Hall of Fame. Taylor is the author of three books: "In the Spirit: The Inspirational Writings of Susan L. Taylor," "Lessons in Living," and "Confirmation: The Spiritual Wisdom That Has Shaped Our Lives." The breakfast event is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the Patterson Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel Lexington. Speakers during the breakfast include UK President Lee T. Todd Jr., Fayette District Court Judge Pamela Goodwine, UK men's basketball Coach Tubby Smith, Eastern Kentucky University President Joanne Glasser, and the Rev. Kelly Flood. Tickets for the breakfast are $15 per person. Reserved tables of 10 may be purchased for $150 each. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 263-8819. If special accommodations are needed by attendees of the march or program, please contact Terry Allen at 257-8927 or tallen@uky.edu. topiPass offers faculty, staff low-cost Internet accessA new service now available to UK faculty and staff traveling worldwide permits employees to easily access the Internet for the price of a local phone call. iPass Managed Internet Access Service, offered by the UK Fiscal Affairs and Information Technology's Communications and Network Systems Division, provides the same simple and familiar interface to users each time they logon to the Internet. The iPass service provides access in thousands of locations in 150 countries and gives mobile professionals a reliable and cost-effective dial-up access system via a single client interface called iPassConnect. The service delivers secure global remote access across multiple networks through its exclusive settlement, authentication and security technology. Although not free, the iPass service virtually eliminates long-distance charges for employees accessing applications outside the range of their local dial-up connections. Usage areas and fees for the service are available at www.uky.edu/IS/CNS/iPass/. To obtain an account, you will need to fill out and submit an iPassConnect Account online order form to Communications and Networking Systems (CNS), accessible at download.uky.edu/iPass.html. After submitting the form, you will be contacted by CNS division personnel with account information. For more information about setting up an iPassConnect account, installation and setup, access the UK iPass Managed Internet Access service Web site at www.uky.edu/IS/CNS/iPass/. Staff Report topBriefsScience
meetings upcoming The registration deadline is Jan. 14. For more information on the program and registration, contact Monica Amarelo at (202) 326-6431 or mamarelo@aaas.org. The National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) will hold its annual meeting Feb. 23-25 at the Marriot at Metro Center in Washington, D.C. This year's program will feature such topics as granting legal rights to animals, the animal "guardians" issue, crisis management techniques, communicating with Congress, as well as present and upcoming legislative animal research issues. The registration deadline is Feb. 3. For more information, call (202) 857-0540, e-mail info@nabr.org or visit www.nabr.org. Opportunities
available for teaching abroad Submit briefs by e-mail to uknewseditor@email.uky.edu. topSports Car Club gives students funds for racecar project
The Central Kentucky Region Sports Car Club of America has donated $1,740 to the UK Student Chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers to help build a racecar used in student competition. The Sports Car Club earned the money conducting three autocross events at Commonwealth Stadium parking lot this past summer, said Ben Carr, UK vice president for Auxiliary and Campus Services. The club plans to conduct four events over five days in 2003. The check was presented by the car club's autocross organizers George Schweikle and Lee Bohon to engineering students Curtis Smith, Glasgow; Justin Haines, Glasgow; Nick Lewis Jr., Crestwood; and Thomas Raya-Guffin of Lexington. The UK student engineers raced in a Formula SAE racecar competition in Detroit, Mich., this year against other universities, but finished well back in the field when a fuel filter on the UK-built car became clogged. The students anticipate holding many fund-raising events to finance their next racecar. topStaff Senate begins regular meetingsSince its inception in July 2002, the University of Kentucky Staff Senate has been going through an organizational phase and is working on various tasks that will place the group in a position to be an effective and representative voice of the staff at UK. At the inaugural Staff Senate meeting, Paul C. Van Booven led the senators in their oath of office before President Lee T. Todd Jr. welcomed the newly elected senators and offered his advice and support for the organization. The senate voted to approve drafts of its constitution and by-laws. Executive committee officers were elected: chair, Bill Adkisson; vice chair, Mildred Bailey; secretary, Aimee Heald; treasurer, Kimberly Judd; and parliamentarian, Tyrone Gentry. Six standing committees - staff issues, public relations/communications, election, by-laws, staff trustee advisory and presidential advisory - were formed. The staff issues committee has been studying transportation issues and investigating the need for an employee ombud. The by-laws committee continues to implement changes to the by-laws to ensure smoother senate meetings. It also is working with the election committee to address the problems of precincts without senate representation and the senators who have resigned or transferred to different precincts. The election committee currently is preparing for the 2003 election, when the number of staff senators will double. The presidential advisory committee has made a positive impact addressing senator/supervisor relations. The staff trustee advisory committee, which regularly meets with Russ Williams, UK Staff Trustee, has developed a committee structure and is exploring ways to function and interface the Staff Senate with the Board of Trustees. The public relations/communications committee developed the Staff Senate logo graphics package, listserv and a Web site, which is located at www.uky.edu/Staff/Senate. Staff Senate meetings are open to the public and are held the second Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. in the William T. Young Library auditorium. Submitted topResearcher studies ways to cope with cancer, improve quality of lifeCancer affects not only the body but also the mind and spirit. Over the past several decades, research has shown that the profound physical and psychological problems experienced by cancer patients require specialized management. Models of care that address such issues have evolved into what is known today as palliative care, a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates standard medical treatment with intensive support for the physical, psychological and social needs of the patient. As survival rates for some cancers improve, an increasing number of patients have long prognoses. Such patients experience numerous problems that may be outside of routine cancer care, including chronic pain, functional impairments that require rehabilitation and psychological disorders, such as depression or sexual dysfunction. Research in cancer intervention and palliative care seeks to address the problems encountered by patients at various stages of disease. The development of a comprehensive model of supportive care would provide a coordinated approach for the treatment of unrelieved symptoms, psychosocial disturbances and functional impairments throughout the course of illness.
Several researchers at UK are studying ways to help cancer patients cope with their disease and improve their quality of life. Kristi Graves, postdoctoral researcher, Department of Behavioral Science, UK College of Medicine, is studying two interventions – group education programs and writing – in patients with lung and breast cancer. A control group will receive standard of care, as well as information on support services at Markey Cancer Center. The writing group will be asked to record their thoughts and feelings on paper for 20 minutes per day for three consecutive days, or once per week for three weeks. Research has shown that such written expression improves the physical and psychological symptoms of cancer patients. The education group will participate in six sessions featuring topics such as health education, relaxation techniques, coping skills and body image issues. Research has shown that education on coping skills enhances quality of life. The study will evaluate what programs work best and plan future programs to benefit cancer patients. For more information, e-mail kdgrave@uky.edu or call 323-6034. topNew online tool available to update campus directoryA new online tool will assist UK employees with updating their information from the yearly University of Kentucky Student, Faculty and Staff Directory and the online Campus Directory. UK Telephone Operations has created the Campus Directory Information Submission Form at www.uky.edu/IT/CustomerService/phoneform.php to assist in the addition, correction or deletion of personnel data in the Campus Directory. Once submitted, a copy of the user's request will be e-mailed to the UK e-mail address specified by the user. Submitted requests will take approximately two business days to process. Faculty and staff updating their Campus Directory information may also need to see their departmental administrator to update other University records. Students wishing to update their Campus Directory information should use the Web UK system at webuk.uky.edu. Submitted top
top‘Ask the Pharmacist’ to air on WKYT and KETCollege of Pharmacy faculty and Kentucky community pharmacists will be panelists on the upcoming call-in show "Ask the Pharmacist" scheduled to air from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, on WKYT-TV and WYMT-TV. The show will be rebroadcast statewide at 4 p.m. on Kentucky Educational Television (KET2) on Feb. 2 with viewers also provided the opportunity to call in medicine-related questions to a panel of pharmacists during this taped broadcast of the program. College of Pharmacy faculty members Holly Divine and Amy Nicholas, as well as community pharmacists John Anneken of Covington, Ky., and Stanley Scates of Lexington, will be among the experts answering callers' questions on medications during the one-hour program. "Ask the Pharmacist" has proven to be a popular community service program, averaging nearly 400 callers annually. Callers' questions have included requests for information on specific prescription drugs, possible adverse reactions or counteractions to mixing prescription and over-the-counter medications, medication underdosing, and more. Kristi Lopez top
topKHC contributes $300,000 to UK to research affordable-housing designUK President Lee T. Todd Jr. and Kentucky Housing Corporation Chief Executive Officer Lynn Luallen announced in December that the housing corporation will contribute $300,000 to the UK College of Architecture to establish the Affordable Housing Design Research Fund, which will help meet Kentucky's affordable-housing challenge through research and experimentation. The contribution is eligible to be matched by the Research Challenge Trust Fund.
One of the expected outcomes to this initiative is to offer housing providers a greater range of options in building, designing and developing affordable housing. These housing providers are often funded by grants from the Kentucky Housing Corporation. This initiative will provide an avenue by which UK, the housing corporation and the state's affordable-housing developers can work together on design concepts to better address Kentucky's critical housing and land-use needs. "The Affordable Housing Design Research Fund will generate ideas and models for creating cost- and energy-efficient, high-quality and affordable residential building techniques and technologies," said David Mohney, dean of the UK College of Architecture. President Todd said the project "will have a special emphasis on Eastern Kentucky using UK research and scholarly expertise to improve the lives of Kentuckians." "The bonus is that Bucks for Brains money will be applied to something as tangible as improving the quality of living for low- and moderate-income homeowners," Todd said. "This is the type of investment that can have a profound impact on Kentucky families - now and in the future," Luallen said. "Quality, affordable housing strengthens families financially and emotionally, thereby strengthening our communities. This is a quality-of-life investment, and we are thrilled to partner with UK on this important initiative." In the first phase of the project, a College of Architecture design and research team of faculty and students is developing housing prototypes for a site in Morehead in conjunction with Frontier Housing Inc., a non-profit housing organization that has helped Rowan County's low- and moderate-income families for more than 25 years. One member of the UK team, visiting professor Maryilis Nepomechie of Florida International University, is renowned for her work on affordable housing in Miami's Little Haiti, a neighborhood in the midst of a socioeconomic renaissance. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, Kentucky needs better affordable-housing design. These statistics, related to the "unaffordability" of housing, are from the Kentucky Housing Needs Assessment, released by the Kentucky Housing Corporation in October 2001: • Approximately two-thirds of low-income renter households faced high cost burdens and two-fifths faced extreme cost burdens. • Approximately 55 percent of elderly low-income renter households faced high cost burdens and about 25 percent faced extreme cost burdens. • Some regions of Kentucky had between 10 percent and 17 percent of their low-income owner households facing high cost burdens. High cost burden means people are paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs; extreme cost burden means they spend more than 50 percent. topSmoking cessation classes offered to help those with resolution to kick habitThe start of a new year often means resolutions to improve health. For smokers, this can result in the resolution to kick the habit. Quitting is not always easy, however. According to a recent UK study, over half of Fayette County's smokers have tried to quit in the last two years. Additionally, a study by College of Nursing faculty members found that 50 percent of Kentucky smokers have made at least one unsuccessful attempt to quit. "The majority of smokers want to quit, but it is important for people to understand the addictive nature of cigarettes. The nicotine in tobacco is addictive and the body responds when it doesn't have it," said Ruth Staten, associate professor, UK College of Nursing. Knowing what to expect in terms of cravings and recognizing situations that trigger the desire to smoke help smokers become nonsmokers. Smokers may feel edgy, hungry or tired, may gain weight, or may have a cough for a brief time after quitting because their bodies undergo a temporary healing process. "The physiological symptoms from withdrawal are enough to make people want to smoke again," Staten said. There are some things smokers can do to aid in the process of smoking cessation. Staten suggests brushing teeth frequently and chewing on crunchy fruits, vegetables or sugarless gum when the urge strikes to light a cigarette, or take deep breathes or a shower to relieve tension. Many people need extra help when they try to quit. The most proven way to quit smoking is to use medication such as nicotine replacement therapy combined with a cognitive behavioral intervention. Intervention may include individual or group therapy or reading literature about dealing with the habit of smoking. However, help is available for smokers who want to quit. The UK Markey Cancer Center and its Cancer Control Program sponsor free smoking cessation programs for the UK community and the public. The Cooper/Clayton Smoking Cessation program is a free, 12-week, group support program that uses research-based methods to help people stop smoking. Participants will learn how to pick a nicotine replacement product best suited for them and also will learn important relapse prevention strategies, nutrition, exercise and metabolism information. To register or for more information, call (800) 404-5579 or go to the Web site at www2.kcr.uky.edu/kcp/cooperclayton.htm. Walk-ins are welcome. topWebUK provides online course registration, add/drop
After a successful trial run, a new online registration system is now available to students at the University of Kentucky and Lexington Community College students for the spring 2003 semester. The system will be open to all students starting with spring semester add/drop on Jan. 8 on WebUK. "We are very pleased to be able to bring this new service to students in our ongoing efforts to provide more access and flexibility," Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission and Associate Registrar Michelle Nordin said. "This will allow students easier access to registration and add/drop." WebUK is now offering two new functions: registration and add/drop as well as a waitlist service. The waitlist allows students to place their names on a list for a closed class. If a space becomes available, the first student on the waitlist is automatically registered for the course. These additional capabilities of WebUK have been added to a continually growing list of functions that make accessing information easier for students. Functions and information already available online include: •View
and print class schedule; For more information or to use the system, go to webuk.uky.edu/. topRenovation of Parking Structure #1 underwayConstruction crews began work Jan. 6 to strengthen the slab of Parking Structure #1's second level, a project expected to be finished by late March or early April. UK Parking and Transportation Service closed the second level of the structure, at University and Cooper drives, in late November after consultants questioned whether the slab could support traffic. The other levels remain open. Ken Clevidence, associate vice president for Auxiliary and Campus Services, said about 370 spaces were affected by the closure. After the renovation is complete, officials will reopen the second level. However, planning calls for a second phase of renovation in which a small number of spaces will be sporadically closed off throughout the structure. This work, expected to take a year to finish, is intended to add 15 to 20 years to the structure's life. Staff Report topUK receives 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by SACS/COCThe University of Kentucky has received reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS/COC). The commission voted approval of the reaccreditation for UK for the period 2002-2012. The action was taken at the SACS/COC annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. The decennial accreditation follows a two-year UK academic self-study and a site visit by a 26-member SACS accreditation team. The UK self-study was guided by John J. Piecoro Jr., professor of pharmacy practice and science, UK College of Pharmacy. Piecoro said the university responded successfully to 30 recommendations from the visiting team. The recommendations addressed the accreditation criteria in areas such as the regular review of the university's mission; distance learning programs; advising and budget planning; documentation of faculty and teaching assistant qualifications; and a variety of policies and practices related to graduate education, student records, information technology, and resource and facilities planning. UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. appointed a committee on campus to address recommendations raised during the SACS review. "The university's successful response to the recommendations ensures a high level of quality in the delivery of programs and services to students and the citizens of the Commonwealth," Todd said. UK Provost Michael T. Nietzel expressed appreciation to SACS/COC for the reaffirmation of UK's accreditation. He also thanked everyone who had been involved in the "massive academic self-study at UK that involved thousands of hours of work." He added, "A periodic review of our academic progress is essential to our progress toward becoming a top-20 university by 2020." top
Operation Educate (OE) is a Human Resource Development function offering year-round courses to all UK faculty, staff and STEPS employees. The courses are free as one of the benefits of being a UK employee. Tutoring
Services Employees who volunteer to be tutors are enrolled in a comprehensive, five session training workshop offered through a partnership with Operation Read at the Carnegie Center. The training workshop is free for UK employees and is recognized by Literacy Volunteers of America as an official literacy and ESL training program. Operation Educate nearly always has a waiting list of employees who need either an ABL or ESL tutor. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact OE at 257-7911. All UK employees are invited to attend a brown bag informational session about Operation Educate's tutoring services from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, in 220 Scovell Hall. GED
Courses English
as a Second Language Meet
the Personal Computer Keyboarding Application/Résumé
Assistance If you have any questions about any of these services, visit the Operation Educate staff at 203 Breckinridge Hall or call 257-7911. Submitted top |
