University of Massachusetts Boston ScholarWorks at UMass Boston 1996-2009, University Reporter University Publications and Campus Newsletters 10-1-2004 University Reporter - Vol. 09, No. 02 - October 2004 University of Massachusetts Boston Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.umb.edu/university_reporter Part of the Higher Education Administration Commons, and the Organizational Communication Commons Recommended Citation University of Massachusetts Boston, "University Reporter - Vol. 09, No. 02 - October 2004" (2004). 1996-2009, University Reporter. Paper 141. http://scholarworks.umb.edu/university_reporter/141 This University Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by the University Publications and Campus Newsletters at ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. It has been accepted for inclusion in 1996-2009, University Reporter by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. For more information, please contact [email protected]. NEW SAN DIN FOR MAT ION A B· 0 U T THE U N I V E R SIT Y 0 F MAS SAC H U S .E T T S B 0 S TON THE UNIVERSITY ~ e or er UMASS® Volume 9, Number 2 October 2004 BOSTON UMass Boston Awarded $12.5 Million for Science Education Reform in Boston Schools By Ed Hayward The University of Massachu­ In addition to UMass Boston, setts Boston has received a $12.5 Northeastern and the Boston million grant from the National schools, the program includes sup­ Science Foundation for the Boston porting partners at Harvard Medi­ Science Partnership, a collaboration cal School, The College Board, and with Northeastern University and the Education Development Cen­ the Boston Public Schools on a five­ ter. The grant is the largest ever year science education reform pro­ awarded to UMass Boston re­ gram that will provide teacher train­ searchers. ing and innovative course develop­ "UMass Boston is proud to con­ ment, U.S. Senator Edward M. tinue its long history of work with Kennedy announced at a press con­ the Boston Public Schools through ference held on October 1. this partnership aimed at dramati­ The Boston Science Partner­ Senator Edward M. Kennedy joins officials and faculty members from UMass Boston, the UMass President's cally improving science education ship was designed to improve sci­ Office, Northeastern University, and the Boston Public Schools to announce a $12.5 million grant from the for the city's schoolchildren," said National Science Foundation for a five-year science education reform program. (Photo by Harry Brett) ence teaching and learning for Chancellor ]. Keith Motley. nearly 33,000 middle and high "This impressive partnership is Our schools are succeeding in im- cent of science teachers are not "Boston's public school students school students in the Boston Pub­ a significant breakthrough," Sena­ proving student achievement in 'highly qualified' under the No deserve the best science teachers lic Schools (BPS) through teacher tor Kennedy said. "It has the po­ reading and math, but science is an­ Child Left Behind Act. The available and those teachers de­ training, "inquiry-based" science tential to give our city schools much other story. Only 9 percent of 8th partnership'S plan can change all serve the best training a nd instruction, and ground-breaking greater liberty to offer world-class grade students score at the profi­ that over the next five years, and it preparation possible." engineering curriculum. science instruction to aU students. cient level in science, and 80 per- deserves our strong support." The grant is designed to build (Cont. on page 7) Motley Stresses Convocation Theme: Building One Community By Anne-Marie Kent From the Faculty and Staff sity, our urban mission, or any of The entire breakfast reflected Breakfast and the Keynote Ad­ the qualities that make us UMass an emphasis on teamwork and dress to the students, all convo­ Boston," added Motley. "How­ involving people from all areas of cation events on September 15 ever, I am challenging all of us to the university. Students Anad aimed to express this year's theme: let go of some of the old baggage Usman, Carolyn Coscia, and Tuan Building One Community. that has been detrimental to our Pham introduced a host of speak­ "We are a diverse place, development as a world-class uni­ ers at the event, which normally marked by our differences: dif­ versity, a university that needs to spotlights the chancellor. These ferent races and ethnicities, differ­ be removed from the shadow of introductions were not biographi­ ent nationalities and languages, relative obscurity in this city and cal sketches of speakers but rather different ages, beliefs, and inter­ state and continue its march to eloquent appeals for campus ests. We have different colleges, national prominence." causes, such as the graduate stu­ programs of study, departments, He challenged some 350 gath­ dent assembly, and international centers, and institutes. From all ered to let go of '''us-and-them' student issues with brief introduc­ these communities, we must build thinking, sniping, protecting little tions included in closing. Chan­ one community," announced kingdoms, and cutting each other cellor Motley also shared the po­ Chancellor Keith Motley in his down" and proposed working dium with Provost Paul Fonteyn first Convocation Breakfast constructively together. "We need and Vice Chancellor for Admin­ In a speech characterized by humor and conviction, Chancellor Keith speech to faculty and staff. to identify problems and work at istration and Finance Ellen Motley outlined his goals for the university at the Faculty and Staff "I'm not saying that we should solving them together, as one uni­ O'Connor. Breakfast held on September 15 in the Campus Center Ballroom. (Photo by Harry Brett) abandon our traditions, our diver- versity community." O'Connor presented goals in (Cont. on page 2) University Communications Non-Profit UMass Boston Organization I N THIS ISSUE 100 Morrissey Boulevard PAID Boston, MA 02125-3393 Boston, MA Page 3 Page 4 Permit No. 52094 UMass Boston welcomes an Faculty create an innovative influx of new leaders. new electronic field guide. Students. Faculty, and Staff Enjoy a Sunny Convocation (cont. from page 1) four areas. First, she suggested growing partnership with the hearted mood, trading jokes with that the strategic plan drive capi­ Dana-Farber Cancer Institute that Fonteyn and Motley before ac­ tal improvements. She announced brought Dana-Farber president knowledging the various goals and the reorganization of Facilities and Edward J. Benz, Jr., M.D., to cam­ appeals that he's heard in the stu­ the implementation of a Facilities pus as keynote speaker. dents' and vice chancellor's re­ action plan. She announced a With a nod to Amherst's sta­ marks. He went on to anticipate heightened focus on customer ser­ tus as "flagship" campus, the Pro­ the fourth "r" Chancellor Motley vice and announced the "launch­ vost wryly turned to UMass presi­ would add to "research, retention, ing" of the Campus Center, view­ dent Jack Wilson and said, "I'm and reputation": renewal, saying ing that building as a source of glad that you're visiting the battle­ "I view this as springtime at much-needed revenue for the uni­ ship of your flotilla." With a smile, UMass. I know it's a beautiful fall versity. The fourth goal had to do he added that the battleship is day and I understand the calendar. with creating better management "truly where all the action occurs, We've been through some difficult reporting and building better fi­ the ship that makes a difference ... " times, but this is springtime at nancial-planning tools. "This Wilson joined in the light- UMass." challenging agenda won't be com­ pleted quickly, but each of these goals speaks to accepted facets of performance in major research universities," said O'Connor. On the academic side, Provost Fonteyn presented an encouraging update. "We continue to hire outstanding faculty to build upon the teaching and scholarly tradi­ tions of UMass Boston," said Fonteyn, who noted that last year's 32 new faculty hires were "probably the most diverse cohort of faculty hired last year in the Top: Students enjoy the free food and activities offered on the plaza during the convocation student barbecue. United States." Fonteyn also wel­ comed new deans hired in the past Left: A student tries her hand at winning one of the prizes offered by Computer Services' "Spin the Wheel and Win" contest held during year: Lester Goodchild, Kenneth the "Tickets to Your Dreams" exhibit on the university plaza. The department gave away an Ipod, donated by Apple and won by Yemi Aiungi, eight flash drives, and smaller prizes of candy and pens as part of a contest coordinated by Kim Miller, assistant director of Sebens, Philip Quaglieri, Donna Computing Services. Students had to answer three questions correctly before spinning the wheel: "Where are the academic computer Kuizenga, Greer Glazer, and Trot­ labs located?," "What do you need to gain entry to the academic labs?" and "Who is the chancellor?" ter Institute Director Barbara Right: Two UMass Boston students compete on the fly at the Fest-Of-Us celebrations held on the front lawn of the Campus Center as part Lewis. He also highlighted the of the campus-wide convocation activities. (Photos by Harry Brett) Campus Center Is New Hub for Put Yourself on the Map! Opening-Week Activities The Urban Mission Coordinat- faculty and staff to display their ing Committee is conducting an work on posters and begin a dia­ New and returning students inventory of service, teaching, and logue on how members of the uni­ streamed into the Campus Cen­ research activities that faculty and versity community can connect to ter during UMass Boston's first staff undertake on behalf ofUMass each other and be a part of the week of classes, September 7 Boston.