The Wisconsin Week Wire — July 11, 2007
Top News
Chancellor’s statement on proposed Assembly budget
Chancellor John Wiley has released a statement on the budget proposed by Republicans in the state Assembly.
Big Ten Network to launch Aug. 30
The new Big Ten Network officially launches in prime time at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, also marking the inaugural telecast of Big Ten Tonight, the network’s signature studio-based news, information and highlight show.
Research
Mother of pearl: Classic beauty, remarkable strength
A new study by a UW–Madison professor and colleagues describes unexpected elements of nacre, also known as mother of pearl, that may offer clues into how the material forms.
Soil particles found to boost prion’s capacity to infect
The rogue proteins that cause chronic wasting disease exhibit a dramatic increase in their infectious nature when bound to common soil particles, according to a new UW–Madison study.
Study: Internet users had a better handle on politics in 2004
As candidates and pundits look to the Internet in the 2008 presidential campaign, a UW–Madison study shows that Web users during the last election cycle had a more thorough understanding of presidential politics than users of other media.
Features
Engine industry master’s program graduates its first class
Ten students make up the first graduating class of UW–Madison’s master of engineering in engine systems program.
On Campus
Events calendar
Police, firefighters take over Ogg Hall for emergency exercises
Ogg Hall, the vacant high-rise residence hall that is awaiting demolition, is the site of emergency training exercises involving UW–Madison police officers and city of Madison firefighters this week.
Five finalists named for continuing studies director
Five candidates have been named finalists for the position of vice provost for lifelong education and director of the Division of Continuing Studies.
Faculty mentor young scholars on summer projects
This summer, four middle school students, mentored by faculty, will complete individual projects as part of the Young Scholar grant program.
Campus forum to focus on imaging in undergraduate admissions
The Office of Admissions invites the campus to its Campus Forum on Imaging in Undergraduate Admissions, which will address the implementation of an application and document-imaging program. The previously paper-based operation will become electronic and streamlined this fall — all application materials will be captured electronically and linked to a student’s ISIS record. From there, admissions counselors and others at the university will be able to retrieve and view application materials with a single click. The change will impact many schools, colleges and units on campus, so two forums have been scheduled to discuss the project. The forums are scheduled for 2–3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, in Room 1106 of Mechanical Engineering, and from 11 a.m.–noon on Monday, July 23, in Room 2080 of Grainger Hall. Both forums are open to everyone; reservations are not required. For questions about the forum, contact Karen Mittelstadt.
Orientation and New Student Programs invites program announcements
Orientation and New Student Programs invites events announcements for the fall Wisconsin Welcome Web site. This year, new students will be able to select and create their own Wisconsin Welcome calendar based on program submissions from around campus. The site will open on Wednesday, Aug. 15. All student organizations and campus units may submit information about a meeting, program, open house or event related to orientation and transition for posting on the Web site. Wisconsin Welcome orients new students to the community from Friday, Aug. 31–Friday, Oct. 12. To submit a call for programs, visit New Student Programs or Wisconsin Welcome.
Milestones
Bacteriologist tabbed for prestigious NIH research award
Richard Gourse, a professor of bacteriology and an expert on the critical early steps of gene expression, has received a prestigious MERIT (Method to Extend Research in Time) award from the National Institutes of Health, which provides research funding for up to 10 years.
Community
‘Operation Quit Tobacco’ helps 300 Wisconsin soldiers, veterans
More than 300 Wisconsin troops and veterans have enrolled in Operation Quit Tobacco, which provides military personnel with free medication and coaching on how to quit.