Weekly Bulletin

Upcoming Sports Luncheon speakers announced

Women's basketball coach Joanie O'Brien and men's basketball coach Steve Lappas will be the featured speakers at the Weekly Sports Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at noon in 1009 Lincoln Campus Center.

At the Wednesday, Jan. 9 Sports Luncheon, women's gymnastics coach Dave Kuzara and hockey coach Don Cahoon will discuss their teams at noon in the Top of the Campus.

The cost of each buffet lunch is $6.50 per person. Call 5-4289 for reservations

Calendars and planners for 2002

Office and Classroom Supplies is not stocking year 2002 calendars and planners, according to manager Sam Welson. These items are now readily available at comparable prices through University contract vendors such as Corporate Express and can be easily purchased using a ProCard or purchase order. By encouraging departments to purchase dated items directly, OCS will not have any overstock to dispose of in the spring, as has been the case when buying calendars and planners in bulk quantities in the past. This will reduce not only the overall cost, but also the burden on the Waste Management program. Departments needing assistance contacting Corporate Express or other office supplies vendors can call Eileen Sousa, OCS customer service representative, at 5-3071.

Molecular Genetics and Microbiology seminar

William Britt, professor of microbiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, speaks on "Herpes Virus Tegument Protein Intracellular Trafficing and Virus Assembly" on Friday, Dec. 14 at 12:15 p.m. in the MGM Seminar Room, S5-310 of the Medical School in Worcester.

Christmas, New Year's observed as state holidays

Most University offices will be closed on two upcoming state holidays: Christmas (Dec. 25) and New Year's Day (Jan. 1).

Holiday mail schedule

Mail Services will deliver all mail by noon on Monday, Dec. 24 and Monday, Dec. 31. There will be no afternoon pickups on these days. Mail Services will, however, be open for business during regular business hours.

Office that plan to be closed during the holidays should notify Mail Services as soon as possible.

Questions should be directed to Richard Clarity, manager of Mail Services, 306 Goodell, at 5-2488.

Aging and muscle function study

The Muscle Physiology Laboratory is looking for men and women between the ages of 65 and 85 to participate in a study of aging and muscle function. Men and women in good health and free from disease that may affect muscle function are eligible to participate. Financial compensation will be provided for those who complete the study.

If you are interested and would like more information, call Ted Towse or Ian Lanza at the Muscle Physiology Laboratory, 5-5305.

Mileage rate going up

Effective Jan. 1, the reimbursement rate for the use of personal cars on University business will increase from 34.5 cents to 36.5 cents per mile. The new rate is consistent with the rate set by the Internal Revenue Service, according to Stephen W. Lenhardt, vice president for Management and Fiscal Affairs and treasurer.

Final fall semester grades due Jan. 2

Final grades for fall semester are due in the undergraduate, graduate and Continuing Education registrars' offices by noon on Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Winter session dates listed

Winter session begins Wednesday, Jan. 2 and runs through Thursday, Jan. 24.

The last day to add or drop courses with no record is Thursday, Jan. 3. From Jan. 4-14, students may withdraw from classes with a record of "W."

Retirement reception for Michael Schwartz

Michael Schwartz, School of Education undergraduate program director and University certification officer, is retiring Dec. 31 after 28 years of campus service.

A reception in his honor will be held Thursday, Dec. 20, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the University Club.

Friends and colleagues are invited to attend. RSVP by Dec. 14 to Joyce Putnam, School of Education, 125 Furcolo Hall (japutnam@educ.umass.edu; 5-2002). Gift contributions, made payable to University of Massachusetts/Education, may be sent to Joyce Putnam.

Classes end, finals begin

The last day of classes is Friday, Dec. 14. The Reading Period is scheduled for Dec. 15-16 with final exams beginning Monday, Dec. 17 and continuing through Saturday, Dec. 22.

The snow day for exams is Monday, Dec. 24.

Need a post-holiday exercise program?

The Exercise Science Department is looking for subjects to participate in a 10-day training study looking at the effects of aerobic exercise on carbohydrate and fat metabolism.

Women between the ages of 18-39 who currently do not exercise but want to start, want to lose weight, and don't smoke, are eligible to participate. Participants will receive a complete health and fitness assessment, including a bone density scan, fitness testing, diet analysis and body fat analysis.

The study starts in mid-January.

Contact Steve at 665-0137 or by e-mail (sblack@excsci.umass.edu).

Notify Chronicle of circulation changes

Departments and offices may adjust the number of Chronicles they receive by calling 5-4818 or sending a request by e-mail (campus.chronicle@urd.umass.edu).

Changes in delivery locations or new addresses for units should also be reported to insure accurate and timely delivery.

Proposals for academic technology grants

Proposals are being solicited from faculty and staff to demonstrate the use of electronic technologies and telecommunications for the delivery of courses and related academic services across the University system.

Each submission should describe a deliverable component using technology that will improve the academic experience of students. The grants are intended to encourage innovative uses of technology through pilot initiatives and will not provide funding for established initiatives. Each proposal must be a multi-campus collaborative project that includes significant participation from two or more campuses.

The maximum grant is $20,000 for projects involving three or more campuses.

The grants are sponsored by the President's Office, the campuses and the Information Technology Council.

Proposals should include a cover page listing the project title, principal investigator and title, other participants and titles; mailing addresses, e-mail addresses and phone numbers of all participants; campuses and disciplines involved; total amount of funds sought from each campus; and a concise project summary (250 word limit).

In addition to the cover page, proposals are limited to five pages (minimum of size 12 font). Only the first five pages will be considered if more than five pages are submitted.

All participants must provide a letter indicating their level of participation in the project. No participant will be considered part of the project without a letter of support.

The application deadline is March 27 at 5 p.m. Materials received after the deadline will not be considered. Awards will be announced in May.

Send proposals to Information Technology Grant Proposals, Attn: Tad Jackson, director of Academic Information Technology, UMass Information Technology Services, 100 Venture Way, 2nd floor, Hadley 01035.

More detailed information is available online (www.umassp.edu/itc/pdgrants/pdgrants.html).