The Wisconsin Week Wire — March 26, 2008
Top News
Health sciences premises to be smoke-free
UW–Madison has strengthened its tobacco-use policy: Starting Wednesday, April 2, all facilities and grounds that are adjacent to or within the boundary of UW Hospital and Clinics will be entirely smoke-free.
Professor enhances math, science education
Talk with Terry Millar long enough, and it’s bound to happen: The mathematics professor will begin drilling you in math.
Research
Study shows compassion meditation changes the brain
A new UW–Madison study suggests that we can train ourselves to be compassionate through meditation.
Features
Child care centers give parents peace of mind
Ten years ago, professors, research assistants and students had no options for infant care on campus. When Lynn Edlefson came to UW–Madison, creating those options was her No. 1 challenge.
UW–Madison class mines archival treasures
UW–Madison historian Ned Blackhawk would argue that there has never been a more fertile time to be a researcher of Native American history.
On Campus
Events calendar
Employee Matters
Office unveils new resources for keeping information, computer users secure
The Office of Campus Information Security has announced a new Web site to address the growing risk of data exposure that UW–Madison and other institutions face.
Used book sale starts today
The Friends of the UW–Madison Libraries’ semiannual used book sale begins today in Room 116 of Memorial Library.
Showcase highlights best practices
Registration is still open for Showcase, the free annual event that gives campus staff members an opportunity to share best practices and learn from one another.
Forum explores ‘pro-poor rewards’ for ecosystem protection
An ecologist will discuss “From Timber to Palm Oil: Effects of Bornean Land Use Change on Carbon Emissions, Rural Livelihoods and Biodiversity” in a public lecture on Monday, April 7.
Founder of carbon-offset firm to speak
The free public lecture “Environmental Justice and Climate Change” will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, in 1121 Mosse Humanities.
Register now for Crazylegs Classic
Former Badger football player Ron Dayne will be the grand marshal at this year’s Crazylegs Classic on Saturday, April 26.
Next phase of Administrative Process Redesign begins
The next phase of the campus’s broad-based effort to improve business practices and provide customer satisfaction is under way, with guidance and training from a corps of campus experts.
From stained glass to stem cells, science shines
UW–Madison will offer a science smorgasbord to the public at the sixth annual Science Expeditions on Saturday, April 5.
Tickets still available for Wisconsin Film Festival
Order your tickets now for the 10th Wisconsin Film Festival, to be held Thursday, April 3–Sunday, April 6, in locations around Madison.
Committee hosts 80th annual student art show
The Wisconsin Union Directorate Art Committee will host its 80th annual student art show in April.
New database shows ‘Wisconsin Idea in Action’
A new searchable online database called the Wisconsin Idea in Action, which documents hundreds of examples of UW–Madison’s service to the state, made its campus debut this week.
Visual Culture Center reaches across academic fields
In just a few years, the Visual Culture Center has developed and presented a robust program of courses, research initiatives, presentations, lectures and conferences in a field of study that is the new kid on the academic block.
Milestones
Williams named vice provost for diversity, climate
Damon Williams has been named vice provost for diversity and climate, UW–Madison’s chief diversity officer. He will start on Aug. 1.
Vice provost for faculty and staff named
Steve Stern, Alberto Flores Galindo Professor of History, has been named vice provost for faculty and staff.
Four faculty members honored with Hilldale Awards
Four faculty members are recipients of 2008 Hilldale Awards, which annually recognize excellence in teaching, research and service.