Announcements of interest

 GUEST HOUSE EXPANSION NOW COMPLETE 

The Guest House expansion project is now complete and ready for booking. An open house is scheduled for Monday, March 5 from 3-6 p.m. The new Fort Douglas Ballroom is a 350-seat meeting space that features 12-foot-high ceilings, spacious reception areas, a catering kitchen, and outdoor patio with a fireplace. In addition, 50 new sleeping rooms include more double-queen rooms, kitchenettes, and hospitality suites. Additional parking has been added along with a new lobby, hot breakfast serving area, and a new fitness room. The Guest House now has 180 hotel rooms and 30,000 square feet of meeting space located throughout the Fort Douglas area. Call the Guest House at 801-587-2980 for more information.

DOCENTS NEEDED AT UMFA: DEADLINE IS MARCH 3

The UMFA is looking for art and culture loving staff and faculty to serve as weekend docents. The UMFA depends on a dedicated docent team to fulfill its mission and guide thousands of visitors through its halls. Docents have the opportunity to delve deep into art history and the UMFA’s exhibitions, gain valuable communication skills, and earn rewarding community service experience. Application deadlines are due March 3 and training begins March 10. Interested staff and faculty may contact the UMFA volunteer coordinator at 801-585-9875.  

ATHLETICS SEEKING SPORTS MEMORABILIA

Athletics is looking for sports memorabilia donations (primary and Olympic sports only, not intramural or club sports): game programs, media guides, ticket stubs, jerseys, helmets, photographs, and other gear.  For more information, contact Kate Sturgeon or call 801-581-3510. 

In addition, the U’s 2011-12 spring sports (men and women’s tennis, softball, baseball) calendars are now available for download into Outlook, Entourage, or other mainstream calendar programs. Link here for all schedules. Check back for the 2012 football schedule, set to go online in early March.  

SILENT SPRING AT 50: THE LEGACY OF RACHEL CARSON 
17th Annual Stegner Center Symposium

Friday and Saturday, March 9-10
University Guest House & Conference Center
Early registration discount ends Feb. 15
Symposium information here

Rachel Carson’s classic book Silent Spring, published in 1962, became one of the foundational texts of the modern environmental movement. It exposed the dangers that pesticides and other toxic chemicals posed to human and environmental health, and led to a transformation of U.S. laws governing those substances. Carson was attacked by the chemical industry in ways that were remarkably similar to today’s attacks on scientists for exposing the dangers of climate disruption. Unlike the climate debate, however, which involves thousands of scientists around the world, Carson stood largely alone against this assault. The 2012 Stegner Symposium will honor her legacy with two days of talks, panel discussions, and a keynote by Sandra Steingraber titled Rachel and Me: Silent Spring, Fracking, and the Birth of the Environmental Human Rights Movement. Steingraber is an authority on environmental links to cancer and human health, and is author of the book Living Downstream: An Ecologist’s Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment. Download the symposium program brochure here.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 

Alicia Suazo

Annual Pete Suazo Social Justice Awards
Deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 29

The Suazo awards honor the life of the late State Senator Pete Suazo by recognizing the work of individuals and organizations who dedicate themselves to the goal of social and economic justice. Nominees may be individuals, programs, agencies, organizations, or community leaders (public or private), who have shown initiative and leadership in furthering the cause of social and economic justice for all people. For additional details check online, contact Irene Maya Ota, or call 801-581-8455. 

FACULTY, TELL YOUR STUDENTS!
Now accepting on-campus undergraduate housing applications

It’s time for students to sign up to live in apartments and residence halls for the 2012-2013 academic year. Housing and Residential Education is now accepting online applications for undergraduate, single-student housing. Did you know that students who live on campus have—on average—higher GPAs and are more likely to graduate?  If you know a student who wants the benefits of no commute to campus, a dedicated and supportive community of staff and other students, fresh meals prepared for them, and comfortable rooms, tell them about Living the Life, Living on Campus at the U! Returning students have expanded options to choose from in Benchmark Plaza and Shoreline Ridge, as well as the new Donna Garff Marriott Honors Residential Scholars Community. The new, state-of-the-art facility will house 309 honors students and surround them with great spaces and easy interaction with faculty who will teach courses and have offices in the building. The Marriott Honors building opens in August. Encourage a student you know to live on campus. It’s the best option for students who want to fully engage with their college experience. For more information, check online, contact the housing office, or call 801-587-2002.