External funds up 40% from last year
The Oct. 31 Faculty Senate meeting was anything but scary. Good news abounded: external funding is on the rise, searches are underway for new faculty and there is money to fill at least $1 million in support staff positions, the campus is forging ahead with its capital plan, and the campus plans to do away with the student computing fee.

Trustees pressed on pay raises
Sometimes working over the shouts of protesting faculty, staff and students, the Board of Trustees moved through the agenda at its Nov. 6 meeting, revising the University's alcohol policy and approved student fee increases for fiscal year 2004, among other things.

Sustainability efforts to be explored at five-campus meeting
The Academic Affairs Office in the President's Office and the five University campuses are jointly producing a conference on community, the environment and the interactions between the two Nov. 15 at the Worcester campus.

Young-Mason named Distinguished Professor
Nursing professor Jeanine Young-Mason has been appointed a Distinguished Professor by President William M. Bulger. The appointment was made following approval by the Board of Trustees at its Nov. 6 meeting on the Amherst campus.

Annual COMECC appeal kicks off
The annual Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employees Charitable Campaign kicked off with a breakfast for departmental coordinators Oct. 31 in the Lincoln Campus Center.

After 50-plus years, University Club tries on some new shades
Even longtime members of the campus community probably haven't seen the University Club get a fresh paint job before; staff in Facilities Planning guess it hasn't been done for more than half a century.

Durfee serves on the homefront
For military reservists, a call-up means squaring away personal affairs and ensuring their families will be cared for during the deployment. But when Capt. Peter Holmsten of the 439th Airlift Wing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee received word that he was being activated, his loose ends included finding a home for his collection of 33 bonsai trees.

Online giving introduced by Development Office
Giving to UMass Amherst got easier last month, when the Development Office made it possible for supporters of the campus to donate money through an online site.