UCLA Today: archive March 13, 2001

BUREAU – School of Engineering – Dean A.R. Frank Wazzan of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science has announced he will step down July 1, 2001, after 15 years as dean. … UCLA Medical Center – At the request of Chinese heart specialists, a six-member cardiac surgery team from the UCLA Medical Center has left on a humanitarian mission to help save the lives of adults suffering from heart problems there. … The College – UCLA's Center for Jewish Studies has received a $500,000 challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to continue the center's effort to revamp its offerings.

PLAN TO REVAMP GE CURRICULUM UNDER REVIEW
Faculty and administrators are examining an innovative proposal to simplify, reduce and at the same time enhance the 1983-designed general education (GE) curriculum that students take in the College of Letters & Science.

ASUCLA TURNS PROFIT
Financially ailing ASUCLA has finally received a bit of good news: Figures for the first six months of fiscal year 2000-'01 show the organization earned a net income of $2 million, a dramatic turnaround from last year's $225,000 loss for the same period.

VOLUNTEERS ASK STATE LEGISLATORS FOR SUPPORT
Ten new members of the State Legislature representing the Los Angeles area and 24 of their legislative colleagues and staffers received a personal visit in Sacramento last week from more than 80 UCLA volunteers, who fanned out across the capital to urge support for UC and UCLA.

DATELINE UC SYSTEMWIDE – Research Partners – The University of California has successfully completed its first year of collaboration with its long-time partner, the Complutense University of Madrid, to promote research collaborations between their faculties. … Lawmakers for higher ed – In recognition of their distinguished service and dedication to higher education in California, state Sen. Joseph Dunn (D-Garden Grove) and Assembly Speaker Robert M. Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) were honored as "Legislators of the Year" March 6 by the Alumni Associations of the University of California. … Teaching Abroad – The Universitywide Office of the Education Abroad Program is searching for study center directors for Chile and Brazil for 2002 and 2003 to serve two-year appointments.

DID YOU KNOW? – More thatn 40 foreign languages are taught at UCLA, from standards such as French and Spanish to the more exotic Uzbek, Bashkir and Zulu. Students also can choose from nearly 50 ancient languages, including Mycenaean Greek, Etruscan, Phoenician, Medival Welsh and Old Church Slavic.

GRANTS FOR BORDER-CROSSING
Seven research collaborations were chosen last year to receive the first grants offered in support of border-crossing research and scholarship.

INDIAN QUAKE HOLDS WARNING FOR LOS ANGELES
California's hidden earthquake faults may be capable of producing events of even greater magnitude - and even greater destruction - than previously thought, according to Jonathan Stewart, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering.

YESTERDAY, TODAY & TOMORROW – In Pursuit of Justice – In honor of the work of activists Erin Brockovich and Ed Masry, Universal Pictures and UCLA have established a program to help students pursue studies in environmental and social justice. … Mayoral Contest – The six leading Los Angeles mayoral candidates will square off during a final debate hosted by UCLA March 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Royce Hall. … Newly Named – The Department of Film and Television has been officially renamed the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media.

STAFF ASSEMBLY LEADER PRESIDES OVER BUSY LIFE
President of UCLA Staff Assembly Susan Townsley's "behind-the-scenes" activities are so numerous and influence so many lives that a backstage status hardly befits her.

ARTSBRIDGE'S PATTY WICKMAN
Patty Wickman has devoted her life to art. Now she wants to spread her zeal to those around her.

15 SECONDS
Douglas Blackall, Co-director of Transfusion Medicine, UCLA Medical Center, and Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

NAMES AND FACES
Honors: Dawn Upchurch, Michael Phelps, Lee Cooper
Kudos: Harbor-UCLA Research and Education Institute, Dan Urman
Appointments: Anand Kumar, Kenneth Philipson, Cynthia Ann Telles, Michael Welch.

BRUIN WALK AND BEYOND – Change of Behavior – A UCLA study found that HIV-infected youth participating in an AIDS intervention program voluntarily cut their high-risk sex by 82% and lowered their drug use by a third. … Treat for Book lovers – UCLA's Clark Library, located in Los Angeles' historic West Adams District, is holding a series of free "Book Lover's Tours" March 31 and April 11 at 2 p.m. … Identifying Stem Cells – Scientists from UCLA and Stanford University have improved techniques for identifying elusive and highly valuable stem cells at the genetic level. … A look at Ritalin – The first-ever study of the prescription drug Ritalin's safety and effectiveness in treating preschoolers with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) will soon be underway at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and five other research centers nationwide.

POPULAR CULTURE 101
Just about everything the public perceives about the legal profession - people glean from pop fiction, according to law Professor Michael Asimow.

CENTER STUDIES IMPACT OF NEW MEDIA ON ARTS
Looking at the impact of new technologies on the arts is something researchers at the UCLA LeRoy Neiman Center for the Study of American Society and Culture have been doing over the past nine months.

OFF THE SHELF
"Africa and the West: A Documentary History From the Slave Trade to Independence" and "Phoenix Eyes.

COMMUNITY BULLETINS – Support for care Givers – The Staff and Faculty Counseling Center is forming an Elder Care Support Group. … Long-Term Care – Beginning April 1 through June 30, all public employees, including UC employees and other non-CalPERS members, retirees, spouses, parents and parents-in-law, will have another opportunity to apply for long-term care (LTC) coverage. … Save a Tree – In support of campuswide recycling, ASUCLA has introduced a pilot paper- recycling program that requires the support of the entire campus community to ensure its success. … Protect your Estate – Find out ways to ensure that your assets are properly distributed to your heirs in a free financial seminar sponsored by University Credit Union at noon March 14 in the Faculty Center.

WEB WATCH – Without leaving your computer, you can activate your BruinCard, make deposits for purchase, view recent transactions, check your balance and get a complete listing of businesses where BruinCard is accepted. All at the BruinCard Online Cars Office: www.bruincard.ucla.edu

EXTENSION TEACHES CYBER-SKILLS TO EMPOWER ANGELENOS
A group of Los Angeles residents - some of whom have never before clicked a mouse or peered into a monitor - have found a path leading to potential careers in information technology...

POST-GENOMIC ERA POSES NEW CHALLENGES
The complete genome sequence of humans and many other species provide a new starting point for understanding our basic genetic makeup and how variations in genetic instructions result in human disease or other individual variations.

A HAZY VICTORY FOR CLEAN AIR
In an eagerly awaited decision, the court upheld the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) tough new standards for air pollution under the federal Clean Air Act.

WHAT'S ON MY MIND: EVEN LIBERALS SHOULD SUPPORT HAVING ROTC ON CAMPUS
I'd like to point out, however, why even people with more liberal and anti-military attitudes should support ROTC...

CLOSEUP:
"MASTER OF OSCAR SHOW ENTERTAINS WORLD
When 1 billion viewers worldwide settle in to watch this year's Oscar show with its elegantly futuristic set and towering Oscar sculptures, Cates will once again be backstage for the record 10th time as producer of one of the world's most-watched shows.