Inside UNLV UNLV Publications

2-2007

Inside UNLV

Diane Russell University of Nevada, Las Vegas, [email protected]

Shane Bevell University of Nevada, Las Vegas

David Ashley University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Lori Bachand University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Grace Russell University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/inside_unlv See next page for additional authors Part of the Communication Technology and New Media Commons, Curriculum and Social Inquiry Commons, Health and Medical Administration Commons, Other Communication Commons, Other Education Commons, Other Environmental Sciences Commons, Other Public Health Commons, Sustainability Commons, and the Urban Studies and Planning Commons

Repository Citation Russell, D., Bevell, S., Ashley, D., Bachand, L., Russell, G., Peers, M. (2007). Inside UNLV. Inside UNLV Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/inside_unlv/25

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This Newsletter has been accepted for inclusion in Inside UNLV by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Authors Diane Russell, Shane Bevell, David Ashley, Lori Bachand, Grace Russell, and Mamie Peers

This newsletter is available at Digital Scholarship@UNLV: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/inside_unlv/25 Black History Overhaulin’ — OIT Style NSHE campuses join together to celebrate Black Project will provide state-of-the-art networking History Month. Page 2 technology to Carlson Education Building. Page 7

Health Planning Learn how to get the most out of your health plan. Page 3 News & Information for UNLV Insiders FEBRUARY 2007

Campus Happenings Corporate Challenge: Let the Games Begin Teams are forming for the annual city of Las Vegas Corporate Challenge. Corporate Challenge is a healthy way for employees to stay active in the community and to interact with colleagues outside the office. The 2007 games will begin March 29 with a torch relay, exec- utive relay, and parade of ban- ners. The games will continue for 12 weeks and culminate with awards being presented at the closing ceremonies June 16. More info: Ryan Lathrum iof the Wilson Advising Center is UNLV’s Corporate Challenge coordinator. Contact him at ext. 5-1997.

Who’s the Trashiest? UNLV Wants the Title From Jan. 28-April 7, UNLV is competing in the A rendering shows a northwest view of Greenspun Hall, now under construction along Maryland Parkway. Money RecycleMania for the building tops the NSHE list of capital improvement project needs being provided to the Legislature. event, a friendly competition among col- Greenspun Tops the List lege recycling programs that 7 UNLV Projects on UNLV project on the NSHE “finish” request list: provides the Legislative Request Lists • $21 million for furniture, finishings, and equipment for the Science and campus com- Engineering Building munity with a fun way to pro- By Diane Russell | Marketing & PR mote waste reduction. Campuses Requests for $61 million in UNLV project rankings on the NSHE capital request list: compete in different contests to construction-related funding for 1. $19.4 million for Greenspun Hall see which institution can collect seven UNLV projects are on two 9. $5.4 million for planning the replacement of Grant Hall the largest amount of recyclables lists being submitted to the Nevada 11. $4.8 million in planning money for the Harrah College of Hotel Administration per capita, the largest amount of Legislature by the NSHE. The legisla- 15. More than $5.9 million for planning for the undergraduate science total recyclables, the least amount tive session begins Feb. 5. teaching laboratory of trash per capita, or have the One request — for $21 million 21. $2 million for planning and some renovations to MPE highest recycling rate. for furniture, finishings, and equip- 30. $2.5 million for installation of sprinklers in the Carlson Education Building UNLV is competing in the Per ment for the Science and Engineering Capita Classic. You can participate Building — is on a list of “finish” by recycling everything, including: money being requested for eight proj- for the University of Nevada Health counting the separate request for • all paper, including shredded ects across the system. While projects Sciences System. The NSHE is mak- funding for the health sciences system • cardboard on that list are unranked, completion of ing a separate funding request for this — no one expects all of the requests • aluminum cans these unfinished projects is assumed to initiative, which would include money to be funded, Bomotti said. • plastic bottles be the highest NSHE priority for capi- for the renovation of the Shadow Lane “We don’t know how far down • toner/ink cartridges tal funding, said Gerry Bomotti, UNLV campus’ building B to support the the list the legislative funding will • steel/tin/scrap metal vice president for finance and business. School of Medicine and UNLV’s nurs- reach,” Bomotti said. “Many others, • alkaline batteries On the longer list — the NSHE capital ing programs as well as money for including the Nevada Department • reusable office supplies improvement projects list — UNLV proj- additional construction at Shadow Lane of Corrections, also are asking for More info: Contact Rebel ects are ranked Nos. 1, 9, 11, 15, 21, and as well as other locations in the state. substantial sums. Legislators will iRecycling at ext. 5-3760 or 30. A request for $19.4 million for com- With the system requesting more have to weigh requests carefully in visit recyclemania.org. pletion of Greenspun Hall tops that list. than $350 million in capital improve- order to determine which projects UNLV also is part of the planning ments at its various institutions — not are most needed.” Rebel Romance: Meeting Your Mate at UNLV By Shane Bevell | Marketing & PR the cashier’s office to engineering. Danny worked that I was a little scared to talk to him. It wasn’t until If you consider how many hours we spend at there, but was on vacation when I first arrived. I one day when he dropped his bus pass that we really work, it’s not surprising that some of our co-workers met him a few weeks later when our supervisor talked. I found out he lived near me so I offered to have found a little romance on campus. Inside UNLV introduced us. Nothing major occurred — just a drive him home since we all know the “joy” of pub- asked employees to submit stories about how they simple hello, nice to meet you, and goodbye. lic transportation. met their significant other while at UNLV. A week went by and I hadn’t seen him. Out of the After driving him home a few times, I began to blue one day he came by, but this time instead of say- take notice. I didn’t realize how much notice until First Impressions Can Be Deceiving ing hello he stood behind me, covered my eyes, and my supervisor suggested I hook him up with one Alyson Martinez, Mechanical Engineering asked, “Guess who?” I nearly punched his lights out of my single friends. Getting him to hang out was a Danny Kovene, Reprographics/Design Services I was so scared (working in an office of all women I met my fiance, Danny, when I transferred from and a man sneaks up behind you — not cool)! After > See romance, Page 

Inside UNLV | Page  5 Minutes With President Ashley Awards Revamped to Focus on Research

Last month President David Ashley announced It’s also important to note that grant funding changes to UNLV’s internal awards programs. provides resources through indirect cost recov- The new awards include the President’s Research ery. Increasing our grant awards also increases Award, which emphasizes cross-disciplinary resources for many activities that support research; the Research Development Award for research, such as lab renovations, equipment pur- individual research and creative activities; and chases, and research administration. the Research Infrastructure Awards for equipment and facilities enhancement. The old awards programs, in particular the Planning Here Ashley shares with readers more details Initiative Awards, were sometimes used as an ave- about these initiatives. nue to fund “basics” such as software and student lab equipment. They also funded non-academic How will the changes improve the awards process? David Ashley | UNLV President projects. How do the changes impact this issue? As I and others on campus began looking Our funding challenges were evident as I at UNLV’s internal grant programs, we recog- visited various departments in the last several nized that the money available was spread thinly Federal appropriations and competitive grant months. Clearly, there are significant infrastruc- among several smaller programs. In addition, we funding serve different functions at a university. ture needs across campus that we must remedy noticed that a number of projects became unsus- Appropriations can be very important for build- in order to aggressively pursue grant funding. tainable after the internal grant was finished. ing capacity, enhancing infrastructure, and creating As a direct result of those visits, we’ve allotted In restructuring the programs, we put the new areas of research. Ongoing research is more $750,000 in one-time monies to upgrade facilities university’s top priority — creating a research- appropriately supported by competitive, peer- or purchase equipment and materials. enhanced environment — at the center, and reviewed grants; these grants are critical to realizing As we move forward, the strategic plan- we’ve established concrete expectations for our goal of becoming a major research university. ning process will be key. As a campus we will the results. The President’s Research Award, These awards come from such sources as the identify the areas that can best help us reach for example, will seed collaborative, cross- National Science Foundation, National Institutes our goals. Then we will work with administra- disciplinary projects that are capable of produc- of Health, and the National Endowment for the tors to ensure that our resources support those ing submissions for national competitive grants. Humanities, which have rigorous peer-selection areas. Struggling to do more with no new Another program, the Research Development processes. That puts our work up against other resources is not a pathway to future excellence. Award, encourages peer-reviewed publications research institutions, so receiving the awards We must work jointly on creating a research as well as university-community collaborations. validates the strength of scholarship behind the culture and providing the infrastructure to proposals. This is key to raising our institutional support it. In the past several years, UNLV has received a reputation. The effects magnify from there. A large portion of its outside funding through fed- stronger reputation helps attract top students More info: Learn more about the new grant eral appropriations. Why is there now an empha- and professors, who then help UNLV advance its iprograms and download applications at sis on competitive awards programs? teaching and service missions. research.unlv.edu/services_grants.html.

Invent the Future Did You Know? Staff Donations Help • Bert Babero was the first black professor on the campus. Babero, a zoology professor, started in 1965 in the biology department. Students Put School First • Esther Langston was the first black female professor at UNLV. Langston, a By Lori Bachand | UNLV Foundation had to put school second to working social work professor, came to the university in 1971. She was also the first Stephanie Ramirez started her in order to pay for tuition.” black professor to receive tenure in the NSHE system. UNLV career with the usual must- Ramirez leveraged Nevada’s • Professor Roosevelt Fitzgerald was the first black professor in the depart- haves for an honors student: enthu- Guinn Millennium Scholarship with ment of anthropology and ethnic studies. He began in 1973, and also siasm, some college credits under additional money earmarked for served as the department’s chair. her belt, and a clear goal to complete top students. She received an award her degree. But she also had two from a privately funded scholarship • Professor Rainier Spencer established the NSHE’s first and only Afro- advantages not available to all stu- set up by HSBC Bank Nevada. American studies program. The minor was approved in 1998 and the B.A. dents: emotional support from two Joking about the advantage of in Afro-American studies in 2000. fellow undergraduates (her brother, having her father and brother with Mike, and their father, Miguel) and her at college, she said, “We were financial support through a privately the Ramirez triumvirate. My family NSHE Campuses Collaborate funded scholarship for academically has always had this bond. (My dad talented students. and brother) were on Black History Month Events Nearly every in the College By Grace Russell | Marketing & PR academic unit on “I have never had to put of Business, and A summit on ways to improve the college success rates of black students is campus has iden- school second to working in I was in sci- among the events commemorating Black History Month at NSHE campuses. tified scholarship order to pay for tuition.” ences, and when UNLV kicked off the monthlong celebration Feb. 1 at the Alumni or fellowship sup- I finally switched Amphitheater in front of FDH. There were speakers from each of the sister port as a priority — Stephanie Ramirez, majors to eco- schools, entertainment, and a dinner. Other UNLV events this month include in the $500 million scholarship recipient nomics, it seemed a Black Film Festival and a youth empowerment conference to introduce area Invent the Future like everything high school students to the university. campaign. As of fell into place.” The summit, which was held Feb. 2 at the CCSN Cheyenne campus, January, the campaign had raised Although they never took classes explored the state of blacks in higher education. It featured representa- more than $337 million in gifts and together — the trio was too com- tives from UNLV, NSC, and CCSN. gift intentions during its first five petitive — they challenged each “The summit brought all of the NSHE people together so that we could years; $22.7 million of these funds other for higher grade point aver- share information about issues that affect people of color,” said Odalys are designated for scholarships and ages. Mike and Miguel graduated in Carmona, UNLV diversity program coordinator. fellowships. December with degrees in finance Carmona and representatives from CCSN and NSC coordinated the “Many of our faculty and staff, as and management, leaving Stephanie month’s events. UNLV’s organizers included students, faculty, and profes- well as our alumni, choose to sup- solo for one semester. She’ll gradu- sional and classified staff. port the hundreds of privately funded ate with honors this May with what “Because this formula worked so well during Hispanic Heritage Month scholarships or fellowships at UNLV,” she calls an understanding of “the and Native American History Month, we decided to work together again said Deborah Young, director of schol- science of business” and hopes to for Black History Month,” Carmona said. “The collaboration lets us offer the arship and tribute giving. “They are join a bank or investment firm as a community more events on each of the campuses and throughout the valley.“ either in daily contact with students, research analyst. Committee member Michelle Jordan, coordinator of diversity initia- or remember a time when they were Stephanie Ramirez was one of tives for the Harrah College of Hotel Administration, said the events struggling students themselves, and the featured speakers at UNLV’s will do more than share the rich black culture with students and staff. it’s a meaningful gesture that they can annual scholarship luncheon on “By acknowledging Black History Month and other months set aside for make to directly help our students.” Feb. 1. underrepresented groups on this campus, UNLV is demonstrating its Ramirez said the scholarships commitment to diversity.” have played a significant role in her More info: To learn how to For a complete listing of events, visit facultystaff.unlv.edu. success. “I have enough support for idonate to UNLV scholarhips tuition and books, and I have never go to foundation.unlv.edu/give.html.

Page  | Inside UNLV Symbol of Perseverance Civil rights activist Myrlie Evers- Williams stressed the importance of perseverance and civic respon- sibility during UNLV’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Jan. 18. In her keynote address, Evers- Williams, the widow of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, said, “Don’t fall into the trap of giving up. Perseverance was one of the major components of the move- ment, and it was what has carried me through.” Evers-Williams waged a 30-year battle for justice in the 1963 death of her husband, an offi- cial with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), who was gunned down by a sniper in the driveway of their Jackson, Miss., home. In 1994, Ku Klux Klan member Byron de la Beckwith was convicted of Evers’ murder. It was the third time de la Beckwith had stood trial for the crime. Evers-Williams, who served as the first woman chair of the NAACP, also spoke about the importance of all citizens exercising their right to vote.

Employee Benefits Getting the Most Out of Your Health Plan How to Avoid Some another problem,” La Putt said. “The insurance company determines if the Common Mistakes Know Where to Go Remember hearing that three local hospitals Sunrise, Mountain View, visit was truly an emergency, not the — employee.” By Shane Bevell | Marketing & PR and Southern Hills — would no longer be available to UNLV employees? Well, that’s changed for one group of employees. Participants in the PPO Wellness Benefit Having health insurance is one plan regained some options, thanks to continued contract negotiations. thing. Knowing how to properly use Unfortunately, those hospitals will no longer be part of the HMO network Under the PPO plan, there is no your health insurance and which plan (except in case of emergency). For a complete list of all PPO and HMO co-pay and the plan pays 100 percent to choose is entirely different. Inside providers, visit www.pebp.state.nv.us/help/providsear.htm. Here’s a partial up to a maximum of $2,500 (your UNLV recently sat down with Pat list of where you can go: deductible does not apply) if you go La Putt, benefits manager, to discuss to an in-network provider. Among some common health insurance mis- • Boulder City Hospital other things, the wellness benefit cov- takes as well as the wellness benefit. • Desert Springs Hospital ers a physical exam, pelvic exam, “UNLV is unique in that it offers • North Vista Hospital X-rays, prostrate screening, well-child both an HMO plan and two deduct- • Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center examinations, immunizations, and ible levels in a PPO plan,” La Putt • St. Rose Dominican Hospitals skin cancer screenings. In order to said. Employees can choose between • Summerlin Hospital Medical Center access this benefit, employees need to an HMO plan, a low-deductible PPO • University Medical Center instruct their physician to bill the pro- plan, and a high-deductible PPO plan. • Valley Hospital Medical Center cedure as a routine preventive mea- • Sunrise Hospital (PPO participants only) sure so that the claim can be properly • Mountain View Hospital (PPO participants only) processed, La Putt said. • Southern Hills Hospital (PPO participants only) Under the HMO plan, preven- tive health services do not require a prior authorization but there is a $15 co-pay. The plan also offers various “The high-deductible is a major med- our office do the leg work and attempt educational programs that focus on ical plan,” she said. This plan has to resolve the issue so that you can preventive care and the management a lower monthly premium and no concentrate on doing your job.” of existing health conditions. co-pays. Employees pay dollar-for- dollar until they reach their $2,000 Confusing Language yearly deductible. There is often confusion related to “If you are fairly healthy, want a the in-network and out-of-network lower premium, and can withstand deductibles, La Putt said. For exam- the risk, then this might be the plan ple, there is a $500 deductible for in- for you,” she said. network visits and a separate $500 Common Mistakes Prescription bills can pile up deductible for out-of-network visits. When employees choose a health quickly. Avoid significant out-of- It is important to remember that plan, they often choose based solely pocket costs by asking your doctor the HMO plan doesn’t cover doctor on which plan has the lowest pre- or pharmacist if there is a generic visits if you are out of the Las Vegas mium, La Putt said. “It is important brand that can be substituted. area. The only medical bills from out to look at how you access care, how of the area that are covered are those you want to access care, and how Common Questions from Employees for emergency services. “That creates often you access care. Those factors La Putt said she often receives drive your out-of-pocket costs.” calls to find if particular doctors are Other Medical Benefits Make sure the doctor is still part of still in the network, and if not, how La Putt reminds employees that the network when scheduling appoint- to select a new one. She reminds the dental benefits are the same, ments. “The doctor’s contracts are dif- employees that while network pro- regardless of which plan you have, ferent than the plan year (July-June) vider directories are sent out once and that employees can get four for employees’ insurance coverage, La a year, the online directories are teeth cleanings each year. She also Putt said. “If your doctor is no longer updated more frequently. encourages employees to take advan- part of the network, you will pay out- There are also issues with bills not tage of their plan’s vision benefit. of-network costs, which are higher.” being paid, La Putt said. “Our staff is La Putt said another mistake is familiar with what the different plans More info: Visit hr.unlv.edu/ choosing the high-deductible PPO offer and what should be covered,” iBenefits/index.html or call plan without being fully informed. she said. “If you have a problem, let ext. 5-0924.

Inside UNLV | Page  Across Campus

Allied Health Sciences Business Faculty Collaborate on Students Prep for $100,000 Libraries Medical Imaging Projects Business Plan Competition Protect Your Privacy, Faculty in health physics are col- Students across Nevada are pre- Activate Your University Libraries PIN laborating with Nevada Imaging paring for the third annual Donald Library patrons now need a personal Centers/Amigenics to research vari- W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup information number (PIN) to perform self ous imaging-related areas. These Collegiate Business Plan Competition check-out and selected online functions. This projects include using a high-field to be held this spring in Reno. The new requirement began Jan. 29. magnetic resonance (MR) scanner to competition encourages students to Activating a self-selected numeric PIN can be done map an individual’s brain fibers in act on their entrepreneurial spirit online in seconds and offers privacy protection and reduces risk of order to determine abnormalities due and ideas while teaching them the identity theft. It also protects against someone checking out materials to head trauma, multiple sclerosis, process of creating a business. using your card and leaving you responsible for payment. and other neurological disorders. Participants compete for more “The PIN is an important step in protecting both our patrons’ pri- Another project is using MR than $100,000 in cash awards, includ- vacy and Libraries’ assets,” said Patricia Iannuzzi, dean of University imaging and spectroscopy to diag- ing a $20,000 grand prize. In addi- Libraries. “People want and appreciate security measures and the nose breast cancer. If successful, tion, the experience, exposure, and technology is in place to make activating a PIN easy and fast. We’re a new technique will be available prestige that accompany participa- expecting a virtually seamless transition to the PIN system.” for annual screenings without the tion make it an outstanding stu- Your PIN is necessary for self-checkout and such online functions as high radiation dose associated with dent opportunity. UNR, UNLV, and renewing books, accessing your patron record, and placing holds on mammography. Similarly, brachy- Sierra Nevada College have agreed materials. therapy prostate cancer treatment to participate so far. The competition Staff will be available in person and by telephone or instant messag- methods using MRI are being inves- can serve as a catalyst for bringing ing for those requesting assistance in setting up a PIN. Your RebelCard tigated. Functional MRI scans are higher education together with the ID will continue to be required for in-person checkout. currently being developed to diag- business community. For more information, visit library.unlv.edu. nose Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s The competition is open to all patients in the very early stages of faculty-sponsored, full-time and part- the disorders. time undergraduate and graduate An organization that serves people and many non-UNLV individuals students enrolled at any of Nevada’s of all ages who are homeless or at brought contributions to the college. Kinesiology Program Sets universities or colleges. Teams will risk for homelessness, Straight from College faculty members are Runners on Right Path fine-tune the art of brainstorming and the Streets operates entirely on dona- already organizing the project for The department of kinesiol- crafting a business plan; gain access to tions and with staff volunteers. next fall. ogy again hosted the Marathon networks of successful entrepreneurs, Children make up nearly 25 per- Educational Series to provide infor- lenders, and investors; and share in cent of Southern Nevada’s homeless mation for runners training for the team-building opportunities. population. Fine Arts Las Vegas Marathon. The series The website www.unlv.edu/ The college’s “Giving Project,” as it Sandy Duncan Heads consisted of six presentations on projects/bplan includes competition was called, was initiated by Patricia Glass Menagerie Cast exercise physiology, biomechan- details and business plan resources Markos, chair of counselor education. Sandy Duncan, star of stage and ics, injuries, nutrition, and race- as well as links to articles about this Marilyn Ford, assistant chair of cur- screen, will play Amanda in the day preparations. This series was year’s efforts and follow-ups on past riculum and instruction, and her son, Nevada Conservatory Theatre pro- hosted in collaboration with the UNLV finalists. Max Ford Hecker, an eighth-grader at duction of Tennessee Williams’ The organizers of the marathon, Las Becker Middle School, helped collect, Glass Menagerie this month. Vegas Track Club, Las Vegas Road sort, and distribute the donations. Williams’ lyrical and power- Runners, and the University of Education Max, who is a member of the Junior ful memory play tells the story of Nevada School of Medicine. Campus Community National Honor Society, applied his the Wingfield family — Tom, who On race day, students and fac- Helps Homeless and Needy participation toward the society’s is torn between his obligation to ulty from the athletic training edu- Education students, staff, and fac- community service requirement. his family and his deep desire to cation program worked with the ulty donated more than 90 blankets, The request for donations went escape; his domineering mother, physicians from the University of 200 pairs of socks, more than 100 out in late November and all items Amanda, a faded, tragic remnant Nevada School of Medicine to pro- toiletry items, and a variety of hats, collected were distributed dur- of Southern gentility; and his frail vide athletes medical care at the coats, and shoes to the nonprofit orga- ing the holiday season. The project sister, Laura. The Glass Menagerie finish line. nization Straight from the Streets. received coverage in the local media is one of the great masterpieces of American drama and winner of the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play. Duncan is one of the most versatile stars. One of her memorable perfor- mances was as Missy Anne Reynolds in the groundbreaking ABC minise- ries Roots (1977) for which she earned an Emmy Award. In 1970, she was named one of the “most promising faces of tomorrow” by Time maga- zine, and a year later starred in the television series Funny Face (later renamed The Sandy Duncan Show). Performances of The Glass Menag- erie will be Feb. 9-18. PAC February Offerings The Performing Arts Center wel- comes the Moscow Festival Ballet performing Swan Lake on Feb. 14 as part of the Charles Vanda Master Series. Leading dancers from across Russia form this company dedi- cated to staging new productions of timeless classics and led by legend- ary Bolshoi principal dancer Sergei Radchenko. On Feb. 24 the Performing Arts Center New York Stage & Beyond Series presents Forbidden Broadway’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. The latest in a series of Broadway spoofs from the creators of Forbid- den Vegas parodies the likes of Ethel Merman, Liza Minnelli, and Sarah Signing on for a New Era Brightman. Manami Ishikawa, a junior education major, signs the last beam to be placed in the new student union during the topping-off For ticket information, call ext. ceremony. Members of the campus community were invited to make their signatures a permanent part of the new union. 5-2787.

Page  | Inside UNLV Across Campus

Graduate New Policy to Allow Greater GA Stipend Flexibility To improve graduate assis- tant recruitment and retention, a new Graduate College policy will allow academic deans greater lati- tude in setting GA stipend levels. Through the new policy, which will take effect in fall 2007, col- leges and departments will still receive a set amount of funding for GAs, but they may choose to allocate that funding at varying levels, depending on their needs. For example, an academic unit may now choose to award fewer assistantships but raise the sti- pend levels. They will also have the flexibility to set the duration of the assistantship at one semes- ter, nine months, or 12 months. However, a minimum stipend amount — $10,000 for master’s- level students and $12,000 for doctoral students on nine-month contracts — must still be paid to all graduate assistants. “This new system is designed to give college deans and gradu- ate programs much greater flex- ibility to disperse graduate assis- Firing Up the Fans tantships in ways that are con- Fireworks explode inside the Thomas & Mack Center before the Runnin’ Rebels’ basketball game against Utah on sistent with the unique needs Jan. 3. The men’s team will play at home Feb. 7 vs. TCU and Feb. 10 vs. Wyoming. The women’s team has home and demands of particular dis- games Feb. 21 vs. BYU and Feb. 25 vs. Air Force. ciplines,” said Kate Hausbeck, senior associate dean of the Graduate College. “Ideally, this will allow graduate programs to During Vallen’s tenure, more than Cuban refugee with breast cancer, The development of eating become more competitive and 2,400 students graduated from and obtained proof of U.S. citizen- disorders is strongly linked to to recruit and retain outstanding the college. To recognize Vallen’s ship for a young person who had Western socio-cultural values graduate students. Nationally, dedication to the industry, the col- been smuggled into the country at of appearance, which prescribe some disciplines tend to pay lege has established an endowed the age of 11 and had lived here virtually unattainable physi- higher stipend levels to graduate professorship in his name. The unaware that she had been a U.S. cal ideals while stipulating that assistants, so it is important that professorship will bring distin- citizen since birth. one’s appearance is central to UNLV has the flexibility to offer guished industry or educational Through cases like these, law their social value. In American larger amounts with varying con- leaders to the college. students, under the direction of media, for example, young thin tract durations, as appropriate.” For ticket information, call professors David Thronson and females and muscular males Hausbeck said that faculty Judy Nagai at ext. 5-2934. Leticia Saucedo, learn to practice with perfect skin, hair, and teeth, already have the ability to set law while providing excellent dominate fashion media. These extramurally-funded graduate legal services to people and com- images convey the message that assistant stipends at higher lev- Law munities who need them. attaining that appearance will els, provided that the stipend is Students Touch guarantee social desirability. written into the grant proposal Lives, Gain Experience Although such advertising exists or contract. Extramural fund- Now in its fourth year, the Liberal Arts everywhere, they are particu- ing sources may be used to fund Immigration Clinic of the Professor Studies Factors larly strong in local media, where GAs on summer stipends as well. Thomas & Mack Legal Clinic has Influencing Eating Disorders billboards, club advertisements, represented clients from more Cortney S. Warren, a new assis- and even work uniforms of hos- than 25 countries in a wide vari- tant professor in psychology, has pitality employees communicate Hotel ety of cases. begun a collaborative effort with these values. Industry Notables to be For example, at the request of Valley High School to integrate Recognized at Vallen Dinner a prosecutor, the clinic obtained eating disorder prevention and The college will recognize hos- legal status for an undocumented research into school health cur- Sciences pitality industry executives for girl who helped the prosecution of riculum. After joining UNLV in Physics Taken to New Heights their contributions to education a violent crime of which she was the fall, Warren found almost no The department formerly at its third annual Vallen Dinner the victim. The clinic also repre- resources in the Clark County known simply as physics has a of Distinction on May 3 at the sents victims of human trafficking, School District to prevent or treat new name — the department of Mirage Hotel-Casino. primarily those forced into labor, eating disorders in local students. physics and astronomy. The college will honor Scott including a woman “sold” to a Las The project will develop and test The name change was Sibella as Alumnus of the Year. Vegas family for $3,000. an interactive eating disorder pre- approved by the NSHE Academic Sibella, who graduated in 1988, Clinic students overcame the vention and positive body image Affairs Council in November and is president and CEO of The deportation of a couple charged promotion program among eth- took effect Jan. 1. Mirage. In addition, each depart- with having lost their lawful sta- nically and racially diverse male Dean Ron Yasbin noted that the ment names an award recipient. tus for remaining outside the and female teenagers. change is part of several faculty This year’s honorees are: United States too long. The hus- Warren studies the influence member initiatives. Last year they • Peter C. Bernhard, chair- band had suffered a massive heart of socio-cultural factors on eat- also created graduate programs in man of the Nevada Gaming attack while on vacation in his ing disorders and body image. astronomy. The faculty has worked Commission home country and his wife stayed Eating disorders are among together to strengthen areas of • Guy R. Fieri, a 1990 alum and with him to provide care. The the most common yet serious expertise in physics, astronomy, host of Guy’s Big Bite on the clinic represented a 6-year-old girl psychological problems fac- and astrophysics, he said. Food Network, winner of The who had been abandoned by her ing Americans today. Estimates Professor emeritus Donna Next Food Network Star com- mother and diagnosed with can- suggest that about 5 percent of Weistrop, who has moved to petition, and CEO of Johnny cer, permitting life-saving surgery. Americans will develop anorexia Flagstaff, Ariz., since retirement, Garlic’s restaurants Another client is an airman posted nervosa or bulimia nervosa dur- deserves special congratulations • David Saxe, a 1993 alum and at Nellis Air Force Base attempting ing their lifetimes. Furthermore, for determination and leadership president and CEO of David to bring his wife and her children eating disorders are associated as do professors Steve Lepp and Saxe Productions to the United States prior to his with some of the highest mortal- Jim Selser for never giving up on The dinner event will feature next deployment abroad. ity rates and most debilitating these initiatives, the dean said. Jerome Vallen, founding dean of Students successfully obtained health consequences of any psy- the college, and his wife, Flossie. U.S. citizenship for a 72-year-old chological disorder. > See ACROSS CAMPUS, Page 

Inside UNLV | Page  Submit Your News Spotlight On Accomplishments E-mail entries to inside.unlv.edu. Items should be no more than 100 words.

> Keith Schwer > Frances Ohman (Law Library) was > Michele Sanders (English Kinesiology and Physical Education in (Center for Business named a classified employee of the Department) was named a classified Higher Education. The award ceremony and Economic month in the administrative category for employee of the month in the admin- was held at the association’s annual Research) was November. A library assistant III, she is an istrative category for December. An conference in Clearwater Beach, Fla., awarded the Thayne evening supervisor at the law library. She administrative assistant II, she per- where he also presented a paper titled Robson Award at the has worked at UNLV for a year and a half. forms a variety of duties, including “Kinesiology and Physical Education fall Association for handling travel reimbursement and Departments in University Tables of University Business > Yu Xu (Nursing) was the keynote managing graduate student registra- Organization.” and Economic Research (AUBER) speaker at the School of Nursing Research tion. She came to UNLV in 2003 to annual conference in Memphis, Tenn., in Day at Southern Illinois University at work at the UNLV Foundation and > Kim Hobbs (Theatre) was named a October. He is the second recipient of the Edwardsville in October. The title of his later transferred to English. classified employee of the month in the award honoring the late past president of presentation was “Cultural Competence administrative category for December. AUBER. To be eligible for the award, the in Nursing Education, Practice, and > Keith Spain An administrative assistant III, she person must have been an AUBER mem- Research: Substance and Rigor.” He (Reprograpics/Design serves as executive assistant to the ber for 15 years; must have served on the also made this presentation for the doc- Services) was named department chair and to the Nevada AUBER board of directors in a leadership toral nursing program at the Saint Louis classified employee Conservatory Theatre. She has worked capacity; must have provided outstand- University School of Nursing. He was one of the month in the at UNLV for 10 years. ing service to the organization; must of more than 25 invited scholars whose technical/service cat- have exhibited selfless, exceptional, and presentations were videotaped for current egory for December. A > Marion Ledwig (Philosophy) wrote long-term commitment to the association; and future doctoral students. duplicating operator “Common Knowledge in Game Theory,” and must be an economic and public pol- supervisor, he oversees the copy cen- which was recently published in The icy leader in their state. > Susan Summers (English) was named ter, quick-print area, and bindery. He International Journal of Knowledge, Culture, a classified employee of the month in the also operates sophisticated color copy and Change Management. She also is the > Michel Hugo (Film) has written Hell’s administrative category for November. machines. He has worked at UNLV author of the book Common Sense: Its Threshold, a book of fiction based on his- She is the office manager of the English since 1999. History, Method, and Applicability. (Peter torical events dealing with the treason department, serves on the Campus Lang, New York, 2007). and duplicity of several governments Community Campaign Committee for > Martin Dean Dupalo (Political during and after World War II. Published the Invent the Future campaign, coordi- Science) was recently awarded the > Patricia Iannuzzi (Libraries) deliv- by PublishAmerica, the book is available nates the information-sharing sessions Jefferson Award for public service ered the keynote address, “Changing this month. for administrative assistants, and heads locally for his continued efforts to Learning, Changing Roles: It Takes the Sneaker Patrol of lunchtime walkers. assist in the local community. He was a Village,” at the fifth Information > Donald Faulkner (Facilities An administrative assistant IV, she has also nominated for a fifth year to serve Literacy Conference at the Universidad Maintenance) was named employee of worked at UNLV for three years. on the city of Las Vegas Community Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez Libraries the month in the technical/service cat- Development Review Board, which in Juarez, Mexico, in October. The egory for November. A maintenance > James Woodbridge evaluates non-profit organizations for international event was sponsored by repair specialist I, he said he keeps all (Philosophy) co- block grant funding to meet the needs of the University of Juarez and the U.S. the buildings water tight as part of the authored (with Bradley the community. Consulate. The theme was Assessment roof shop. He has worked at UNLV for Armour-Garb) a paper and Evaluation: Key Elements to 15 months. titled “The Pathology > Robert Lucas (Custodial Services) was Information Literacy Programs. Topics of Validity,” which will named classified employee of the month included initiatives under way in Latin > Genie Burkett and Steven Trinkle appear in an upcoming in the custodial category for December. America and Europe, specifically, the (Music) performed a series of six concerts issue of the international A custodial worker II he has worked at “Bologna Process.” For more informa- for schools and libraries in the Reno area philosophy of science journal Synthese. UNLV since April 1991. tion, visit www.unesco.org/iau/he/ in November. The performances took bologna_process/index.html. place in Reno, Duncan-Traner, Verdi, > Susan Thompson (International > Tara M. Emmers-Sommer North Valleys, Minden, and Fallon. The Programs) has been elected to the board (Communication Studies) is first author > Erika Engstrom (Communication programs were funded by a grant from of directors of NAFSA: Association of of the article, “Love, Suspense, Sex, Studies) is co-author of “Always a the Nevada Arts Council with assistance International Educators. The world’s larg- and Violence: Men’s and Women’s Film Bridesmaid, Never a Bride: Portrayals from the National Endowment for the est professional association dedicated Predilections, Exposure to Sexually of Women of Color in Bridal Maga- Arts and private donors. to international education, NAFSA has Violent Media, and Their Relationship zines,” with Cynthia Frisby (University more than 9,000 members. The organiza- to Rape Myth Acceptance,” which is of Missouri, Columbia), which > Stephani Preston, Eileen Wells, tion seeks to increase awareness of and featured in the current issue of Sex appeared in the fall issue of Media Donald Sims, and Laura Tramposch support for international education and Roles. She is co-author on two chap- Report to Women. The study was the (Public Safety) recently were hired as exchange in higher education, govern- ters in the book Mass Media Effects subject of a Dec. 11 article in the Las UNLV police officers. Preston previously ment, and the community, believing that Research: Advances through Meta-Analysis Vegas Review-Journal. was a mounted deputy with the Geauga citizens with international experience (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates). She also County sheriff’s department in Cleveland and global awareness are crucial to U.S. is first author on the conference paper, > Karl Kingsley for 10 years. Wells came to UNLV from a leadership, competitiveness, and secu- “Do Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors (Dental Medicine) six-year stint as a state trooper with the rity. Thompson also is a recipient of the Differ Between Casually Dating and is lead author of the Florida Highway Patrol. Sims served as national Lily von Klemperer award from Seriously Dating Individuals?” That article “Transfection a Henderson police officer for one year NAFSA for her service and leadership in examination of relational factors of Oral Squamous and before that had worked in the build- the field of international education. and safer sexual practices was pre- Cell Carcinoma ing trade for 20 years. Tramposch had sented at the National Communication with Human served as a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police > William Calder (Thomas & Mack) was Association convention in San Antonio. Papillomavirus- Department officer for one year and also named employee of the month in the 16 Induces Proliferative and has worked as a personal trainer. She has custodial category for November. A facil- > John Massengale (Kinesiology) is Morphological Changes in Vitro,” pub- a bachelor’s degree in recreation manage- ity supervisor II, he has worked at UNLV the 2007 recipient of the Scholar Award lished in the May issue of Cancer Cell ment from UNLV. for 21 years this month. from the National Association for International.

> across campus Media Studies and soon-to-be-built on strategies that will ensure the stu- advisory board,” said Cloud. “It’s Continued from Page  Greenspun Hall are named. Among dents’ professional success and on an indication of the excitement that other high-profile members are: fundraising. the Hank Greenspun School and its Urban Affairs • Everette E. Dennis, national “We are extremely pleased that new director, Ardyth Sohn, are gen- New Advisory Board journalism scholar and found- people of this caliber were will- erating in the field of journalism Attracts High-Profile Members ing director of Columbia ing to be members of the national education.” The National Advisory Board University’s Media Studies of the Hank Greenspun School of Center Journalism and Media Studies, • Patricia LaLama, Emmy award- Inside UNLV welcomes comments and suggestions. chaired by professor emeritus Barbara winning national television Please e-mail inside.unlv.edu or drop a note to Cloud, recently held its inaugural reporter and producer and fre- Inside UNLV at mail code 1024. meeting and elected officers. quent CNN contributor Editor: Elected vice chair was donor • Carlos Sanchez, KBLR-TV Diane Russell, [email protected] Brian Greenspun, president of Las Telemundo general manager Writers: Lori Bachand, Shane Bevell, Mamie Peers, Grace Russell Vegas Sun, Inc. and son of Hank • David Poltrack, CBS television Photographers: Geri Kodey, Aaron Mayes Greenspun, the founder of the executive vice president for Inside UNLV is a monthly publication by the office of Marketing & Public Relations. Las Vegas Sun and the person for research and planning UNLV is an AA/EEO Institution. whom the School of Journalism and The board makes recommendations

Page  | Inside UNLV > romance Continued from Page  From Microforms to Marriage Christine Wiatrowski, Lied Library problem, though, because he is very Eugene P. Moehring, History Department shy and I’m very outgoing. So I com- I first met Gene on the third floor of the old library promised and asked him to come where I was working in the periodicals/microforms over to fix my computer (he’s a com- area. He was hunched over one of the old microfilm puter major). After coming over three readers, doing research. The old readers looked like a times to fix my computer, with some huge box and he was embedded in the depth of one, try- movies and meals in between, he ing to read the microfilm. He didn’t really look up much, finally kissed me. so I intruded and introduced myself as the new person Three years later, here we are. in charge of microforms. I asked him if I could call him We bought a condo together and by his first name. I think that he was a little taken aback are doing great. He still sneaks up but he said that it would be OK. I found out much later behind me sometimes, but now it’s that he was nocturnal and spent considerable amounts more romantic and less scary. of time at the microforms machines in the late evening. Since I worked days, our paths rarely crossed. Eugene Moehring and Christine Wiatrowski Ice Cream Social Leads (At occasional university functions) we engaged to Sweet Romance mostly in “small talk” about the library. I still didn’t see effort. Appreciative of the work I had done, he took me him much until the early 1990s when the history depart- to lunch. It was still all business. Nora Langendorf, ment bought the library more than a half million dol- Eventually he would come to the library, close to the Student Enrollment Services lars in materials, primarily microforms. He was depart- time he knew I was getting off work, and walk me to I met my husband, J.B., at an ice ment chair at the time and would occasionally come to my car. We started to go out for birthday lunches (his cream social held by Inter Varsity the library to discuss the collection. Because he was very and mine) and Christmas lunch for a few years. We here on campus in 1995 at the old concerned that the new microform resources would be enjoyed each other’s sense of humor. We started talking Moyer Student Union. We struck difficult for students to find, I worked on several access about marriage and on Oct. 1, 2000, tied the knot. He still up a conversation and found that tools to help them. This process took a lot of time and makes me laugh. we had a lot in common. We both served in the military (me Navy, him Air Force) before deciding to matriculate at UNLV. I had already an integral part of our lives as we Opposites Attract When idea, but I spent lots of time help- graduated in 1994 and returned to still keep in touch with lifelong ing her out just to get to know her my college family after teaching for friends we met here. Although J.B. Business Meets Art more. She is an artist and was look- a year in Budapest, Hungary. My did not finish his degree at UNLV, Paul Blonsky, Distance Education ing to make money creating unique hubby-to-be was a student in the he is a proud supporter along I met my wife, Heather, here at pieces of pottery for urns for family engineering program at the time. with me as a lifetime member of UNLV. I was getting my master’s pets. Her idea did not amount to Our first official date was at a foot- the UNLV Alumni Association. degree and I worked as a graduate much but our relationship sure did! ball game on Sept. 29 of that year I am a ‘triple’ Rebel as I work at assistant for the Business College We were married in June 2006. (UNLV vs. Hawaii) and the rest is UNLV fulltime and completed both at the Nevada Small Business history. my undergraduate and graduate Development Center, where I We married three years later in degrees here. UNLV will always helped people who wanted to start Blind Date on Valentine’s Day? 1998 and he continues to be my have a special place in our hearts a business. Heather came to me Tiffany Schmier, College of Education very best friend. UNLV has played and we will forever be Rebels. with an idea. It was not a great I met Jeff in Tonopah Hall back in 2001 when I was a freshman. He lived on the second floor and I lived Sparks Flew In More Than One Sense on the third. We were set up on a Sunny Gittens, Orientation and University Programs blind date on Valentine’s Day by I was fortunate to meet my husband, Tom, on campus. His company, his suitemate. I almost chickened Advanced Entertainment Services, provides the pyrotechnics during out and did not go. I mean it was Rebel basketball and football games. In August 1999, I hired Tom to pro- a blind date! He could have been vide the fireworks at Premier UNLV. Throughout the process of setting scary, ugly, etc. All I could think is, up the show we flirted on the phone. When the event was over, Tom “What am I getting myself into?” came to campus to pick up a copy of the commemorative photograph. How different my life would be It was the end of the workday so of course we went out to dinner. You now, though, if I hadn’t gone. could say the sparks were flying. We were married in November 2002, Who would have thought this have a 2-year-old daughter, and are expecting our second daughter in Vegas girl would meet her Montana- May. Seven years later Tom is still doing the fireworks at Premier. We born sweetheart at UNLV? Four Tom, Teagan, and Sunny Gittens celebrate our anniversary at this event each year. years later we were married and are expecting our first baby in July.

Tech Savvy Next, he outlined the best locations for data closets, the rooms that hold all the hardware and become the main point where all fiber connects. Overhaulin’ — OIT Style The upgrade reduces the number of these closets CEB to Get Top-Notch necessary to support current and future demands from six to two. Having fewer data closets will for data, voice, and video communications. make them easier to maintain, manage, and secure, Network Capabilities “We can handle it,” Greg Levitt, chair of the said Gray. department of curriculum and instruction, said of the Also, OIT staff collected a list of scheduled By Mamie Peers | OIT project with its attendant inconvenience. “Last year events from the Education College in order to It will raise a lot of dust, but when it’s done, it they uprooted all of our flooring to remove asbestos. minimize disruption. Clark County teacher test- will be worth it. When construction means we’ll have a safer place, ing is hosted in CEB, for example, and the sound The “it” is the total overhaul of the network or, in this case, a better connection to the community, of a screw dropping to the floor could disrupt the infrastructure in the Carlson Education Building. we’re ready to bear the dust and drilling.” environment. Project plans include reserving clean, The good news is that once the project is com- quiet spaces for critical activities pleted late this semester, state-of-the-art tech- Getting Rid of the Old CEB also will be converted to IP telephony, nology will enable professors in the building to There’s no way to avoid some inconvenience becoming the second building on campus to be explore new supporting environments for research, during the massive project, which is expected to entirely converted to the technology in which the teaching, and collaboration that the existing infra- cost about $500,000, according to OIT folks. data network is used for telephone calls rather structure can’t provide, said David Peers, manager “The conduit is clogged with six different cables, than using traditional phone lines. The new stu- of network development and engineering in the representing every era of networking standards,” dent union was the first. office of information technology (OIT). said Andrew Gray, OIT senior network engineer. Levitt said, “We look forward to May 2007 The bad news is that temporarily CEB — or He also noted that the current network equipment when CEB will be ahead of something. We envi- parts of it — will experience disruption. Crews cannot be monitored remotely, a condition that sion a time when our students create lesson will move through the building systematically, tak- delays technicians’ response to problems. plans here on campus, and then access the files ing down computer capabilities on one floor or Upgrade plans began many months ago when from classrooms in the Clark County School one section of a floor at a time. Gray toured CEB’s halls, surveying those who District. The crews will remove old cable and then drill work in the building to determine how each space “We would also like our professors to be four-inch holes in the cinderblock walls to accom- was used. He then estimated the number of net- near each other in the same building,” he said. modate the new cables and wiring between floors. work drops (1,344), the amount of electrical power “Collaboration is extremely important for all The existing network does not meet accepted net- needed, and the potential for disruption in every research and outreach communities, including work architecture, cabling, and equipment standards inch of the building. ours.”

Inside UNLV | Page  Campus Scene Photos by AARON MAYES | UNLV Photo Services

(Left) A stroll along the shaded walkways of the academic mall is one way to enjoy the campus greenspace. (Below) A student mixes pleasure and business at the Book-N-Bean.

Comfort Zones

By Diane Russell | Marketing & PR spring, and lends sanctuary to When you need to take a break the birds all year long. To me, it is for a few minutes to refresh your absolutely the most peaceful area mind, where do you go? on campus and gives me a quiet Readers cited a number of respite in an all too-busy day.” spots from the rock and min- eral display inside Lilly Fong — Susan Summers, Geoscience to a walkway lead- admin assistant in the ing from the area of the Bennett English department Professional Development Center up to a ridge near the soccer The Grove of Trees in front of fields. That latter spot, according the Beam Engineering Complex to campus life admin assistant Cy “It combines two things I look Vogt, always provides “ a splen- for when I need a break — a shady did view of the sky.” green space and pizza.” Other picks included: — Susan Jones, The North-South Academic Mall research associate in the landscape between FDH and Ham Fine Arts architecture and planning program “The area provides shade on a (Above) A pretty walkway in the northwest area of campus leads toward hot summer day, explodes with Tam Alumni Courtyard the soccer fields. (Below) Michelle Baker of educational outreach enjoys a color in the fall, glistens with the “Because it’s always pretty quiet view of the Xeric Garden, which she said is “hands down” her favorite place unfolding of new leaves in the and almost always shady and on campus. cool, the benches in front of Tam Alumni Center facing the mall.”

— Roberta “Bobbie” Studwell, professor and Law Library director

The Book-N-Bean “I can look out the window and see students walking by, and it’s near the library — another one of my favorite spots on campus.”

— Sabrina Tindal, wellness educator with student wellness

The Xeric Garden “The combination of colorful, flowering, drought-tolerant plants, rambling paths, and the birds attracted by the flowers and plant Lori Griffin, a geoscience under- cover make this a great place to graduate, describes the rock and stroll, take a couple of breaths and mineral collection inside Lilly Fong unwind for a few minutes.” Geoscience as a “must see” for anyone drawn to natural science. “It — Michelle Baker, is a dream for anyone interested in program coordinator geology.” in educational outreach

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