Jan. 12, 2011 FYI

The following projects will be submitted for funding to the Utah State Legislature in 2011. The projects have been reviewed and accepted by the Board of Trustees and State Board of Regents and will next be presented for approval to the State Building Board and the Utah State Legislature, which runs Jan. 24 through March 10.

Upgrade to the high-temperature water and high-voltage electrical infrastructure

The HPER mall is closed to pedestrian traffic to accommodate major repairs and replacement of leaking and deteriorating high-temperature water lines and construction of a new utility tunnel. Approximately $13.3 million in state funding is needed to complete the high-temp water project. Improvements will include increased automation and insulated pipes. The University relies on the high-temp water system for heating classrooms, offices, and research areas. The high voltage electrical upgrade will take a number of years to complete and will require more than $85.7 million. The University is requesting $50 million from the Legislature for upgrading the electrical system. With three substations on campus, most of the systems are more than 50 years old. Because state funding usually goes toward construction of new buildings, it’s hard to get funding for infrastructure. This reveals a major gap in the state’s funding structure. The money will pay for new wiring, equipment, duct banks, transformers, switches, etc. that provide the U’s power needs. It is not for capacity increases. Funding for increased capacity comes from “impact fees” assessed to new projects. The high-temp water and high-voltage system upgrades will be a three-to-five year project. The entire project will likely cost $99 million.

University Hospital/Primary Children’s Ambulatory Care Complex Parking

The ambulatory care complex was approved last year. It was not known how much parking would be needed in Phase I of the project, but it was known that there would be space required for parking. The building is a next step in the eventual decant of the approximately 650,000-square-foot School of Medicine (SOM) building so that it can be demolished. Many of the recently completed projects in that area have been constructed to allow for the SOM building to be razed. The new parking structure will provide approximately 400 parking spaces for the University and 800 spaces for Primary Children’s Medical Center. The structure will be built underneath the two buildings and into the grade of the hill so the east side will be at street level and the west will be three to four levels high. The parking structure will cost approximately $16 million.

University of Utah Health Care Medical Services Building

This project is somewhat unusual for the U because it is off-campus and usually the University’s off-campus clinical properties are leased. The new medical services building will consolidate three clinical units (dermatology, OB/GYN, and ophthalmology) currently located in separate clinics in various locations in Salt Lake County into a new 70,000-square-foot facility in a central location in the valley. The land will be purchased by the University. It is anticipated to cost $25.5 million.

Dee Glenn Smith Athletics Center Expansion

This expansion project will provide improved sports training facilities, athletic lounges, classroom support space, and an eating facility, which is an NCAA compliance requirement. The project will remove 25,000 square feet of the existing building by demolishing the northern portion of the facility. The new facility will be approximately 50,000 square feet. Its height will be similar to what now exists, but it will not be as high as either the Eccles Field House or the tennis facility. The building will be constructed farther east than the existing structure but will not go beyond the setback established by the tennis facility. This project is expected to cost $20 million, all with donated funds.

Linda Dunn

Michael Dunn

The Jan. 6, 2011 edition of The Salt Lake Tribune includes an article by Derek P. Jensen titled “Becker, Bell launch new push for civility.” The initiative, with strong support from Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Lt. Governor Greg Bell, is committed to increasing civility in our community. “…Public discourse has grown too acerbic, conversations too combative, and the state’s politics too polarized to be healthy,” say Becker and Bell. “A new Utah Civility and Community 2011 initiative is a call to action designed to restore decorum and a respect for divergent opinions throughout the state,” writes Jensen. And not a moment too soon. The events in Tucson just two days later have stirred Americans to begin a nationwide conversation about civility—or the lack of it—in our lives. Two U of U staff members, Linda Dunn, director of the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center, and her husband Mike Dunn, general manager of KUED are members of the committee that organized the new group. They graciously agreed to answer a few questions about this initiative.

FYI NEWS: How did the group get started and what are its goals?

LINDA DUNN: The Utah Civility and Community 2011 Initiative seeks to encourage and assist individuals, schools, civic groups, religious organizations, businesses, local communities, the media, and elected officials to set sustainable goals to be more civil, welcoming, inclusive, and caring and to act on those goals. The initiative is under the leadership of John Kesler and the coalition with notable support of Lt. Governor Greg Bell and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker.  The core of the coalition came from another working group called the Coalition for Service, Character and Service-Learning. Key educational, political and community leaders have come together to develop, support and  launch the initiative.

MICHAEL DUNN: Over the past many years, our public discourse has devolved from the thoughtful, respectful tone required to accomplish things and make meaningful change in society, to a decidedly more shrill, ugly, and divisive tone. The effect has been polarizing. Seeing the negative effects of this on our democracy, the civility initiative was created as a grass roots effort to urge our citizenry to be more civil, caring and inclusive. 

FYI: Why did you personally want to be part of this initiative?

LINDA DUNN: At the core of our civic values is the need for civility. The Bennion Center fosters lifelong service and civic participation by engaging the University with the greater community in action, change, and learning. The heart of our mission is to support others in developing their own views of the world—serving and expanding their own ideas, and then being able to live and work among people that may share the same views or may have radically different ideas. My hope is that the student leaders and volunteers that come through the Bennion Center will model the values of civility and literally “pass it on.”

MICHAEL DUNN:  At KUED our mission is to be “Utah’s best storytellers.” We are all about the narrative elements that shape and define our lives here in Utah. So we want to support anything that fosters and encourages meaningful discussion about our society both past, present and future. Without the mutual respect that comes from genuine civility, meaningful dialogue is stifled or sometimes avoided. We must talk to each other. And we must listen to each other. Only by sharing and considering viewpoints different from ours does our vision and empathy broaden.

FYI: What do you understand as the reasons for the decline of civility in recent years?

LINDA DUNN: As technology has progressed, our society has had more opportunity to communicate openly and publicly. This increase of communication has given us the opportunity to share widely a proliferation of inappropriate, indecent, and uncivil dialogue.  Between television political debates, sit-com mentality, and violent video games we have seen the behaviors that emerge from such a saturation of communication. In addition, stress is a large factor in people snapping, bring rude, and less civil towards each other. We certainly are living in a time that has provoked more stress and tension in individual people’s lives.

MICHAEL DUNN: This is a complex and difficult issue.  However, I really believe that our core nature is to be civil. Consider that our society was shaped and defined by conversations over backyard fences and in the public square. We may not agree with our neighbor. We can respectfully agree to disagree—and still be friends. But today most people function at a tempo and pace that does not allow for those interpersonal connections.  Instead we feed our electronic lifestyles with sound-byte information that we self-select and then shuttle through without deep reflection. And instead of considering different points of view, too many people insulate themselves and consume media and friends that only reinforce their opinions. 

FYI: What are a few things people can do to promote a more civil society?

LINDA DUNN: Launching a large scale campaign to raise awareness is an obvious step. It gives all of us the charge to figure out how we can participate and make an impact in our own arena. We are promoting civility at the U by providing education on the real issues that are affecting our community and society. And we’re teaching students how to communicate their ideas in an open and safe environment. We’re hosting public forums and dialogues and connecting students to these types of opportunities on a regular basis through our Hinckley-Bennion forum series and Monthly Service House dialogues. Creating opportunities for citizens to be reminded what it means to be a citizen is the responsibility of everyone.

MICHAEL DUNN: The genius of our democracy is the vibrant, unedited marketplace of ideas. We have the greatest nation on earth because of our tradition of being open, honest, and defenders of freedom. That kind of expression must continue to flourish. I believe it will as it is encouraged and championed by parents, teachers, leaders, and the media. We must model it in both our private conversations and our civil discourse. Respect, courtesy, and politeness must come back in vogue. We would do well to return to the ideal of conversations over that backyard fence. We must view dialogue and communication as an opportunity to learn and consider new ideas, develop relationships, build bridges, and not see communication as a threat to our closely held and sacrosanct beliefs.

Jason Perry named VP for government affairs

Jason Perry

Jason Perry has been hired as vice president for government relations. Perry left his position as Governor Herbert’s chief of staff to take the post. He replaces Kim Wirthlin who has held joint positions as vice president for government relations, and associate vice president for public affairs and marketing for health sciences. Wirthlin will return to her role with health sciences. Perry will be the University’s primary liaison with the Utah Legislature. Senior Vice President Dave Pershing noted, “We are confident that he will be an excellent advocate for the University.” Perry began in his new position Jan. 1, 2011. We wish him a warm welcome to the U.

U welcomes new American Indian Resource Center director

Matthew Makomenaw

Matthew Van Alstine Makomenaw joined the Office for Equity and Diversity as the director of the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) in December. Makomenaw, a member of the Odawa tribe (Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and Little Traverse Bay of Odawa Indians) has had extensive experience working with American Indian students in higher education. He was director of Native American Programs at Central Michigan University, an adjunct faculty member at the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, and served on the board of regents for the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College.  “My goal is to increase the recruitment and retention of American Indian students and to provide programs for everyone on campus so they will be able to learn more about American Indian culture and knowledge,” says Makomenaw.  “I believe that preserving native language, teaching history from a native perspective, understanding native values and teachings and service to native communities is a vital component to my identity as an American Indian.” We welcome Matthew to the U!

PTC’s Charles Morey to retire

Charles Morey

 Artistic director at Pioneer Theatre Company (PTC) since 1984, Charles Morey will leave the company in June at the end of the 2011-2012 season. He will have served 28 years in the position. Morey, who came to Utah from New Hampshire, has directed more than 80 plays and produced almost 200 for PTC. He also has written nine plays that premiered at PTC. Morey oversaw an operating budget that grew from $1.2 million to $4.9 million during his tenure, including a $5.5 million renovation that was completed in 2000. Under his leadership, PTC eliminated its long-term debt and operated within balanced budgets for 18 of the past 20 years. He signed the company’s first League of Resident Theatres contract with the national Actors’ Equity Union, and solidified PTC as one of the major regional theater companies in the nation. “His shoes will be very big shoes to fill,” says Raymond Tymas-Jones, associate vice president for the arts. Morey plans to focus on freelance directing and play-writing. “Who knows what will develop when I can think about what I’ll write next, as opposed to running a theater,” he says. We wish him the best.

RIVALRY WEEK 2010 BREAKS ALL RECORDS

Food collected:        

• U of U:            352,225 pounds    
• BYU:               182,824 pounds    

(Record amounts for both schools)

Money collected:     

• U of U:            $93,024 (up from $60,228 last year)
• BYU                $51,870

With the U of U boasting over-the-top numbers and a clean sweep of the Cougars, John Fackler, director of alumni relations, expressed his gratitude to all who were involved in this highly-successful endeavor aided by the support of many students, especially the Student Alumni Board and MUSS Board.

He had special thanks to Greg Anderson (Alumni Board) and his Community Service Committee who made so many things happen, including delivering a truckload of potatoes, which gave fresh food to many (and obviously helped with the weight count), and organizing a highly successful online auction. Fackler and alumni staffer Brynn Whitchurch were the chief organizers of Rivalry Week, aided by the support of many students.

Note: As this is the final year of the traditional November conference rivalry, the U plans to meet with BYU to discuss what will happen with the food drive in the future.

Go Utes!

From a report to the Academic Senate on Dec. 6, 2010 by Octavio Villalpando, Associate Vice President for Diversity

Recent accomplishments of the Office of Diversity include reinvigorating the American Indian Resource Center and increasing resources to support the success of under-represented students. The office has raised $3.5 million in private money to support diversity scholarships. A new research and assessment function provides data to aid departments and colleges in making decisions on diversity issues, and an improved communications program tracks their progress. The following statistics are examples of the status of diversity across campus based on programs of the Office for Equity and Diversity:

• Eighty-three percent of Utah residents are white.
• The largest ethnic group in Utah is Latino at 12 percent.
• Of Utah high school graduates in 2008, 12 percent were Latino.
• Fewer than 50 percent of Latino high school graduates enroll at the University of Utah.

In the last 10 years, the number of under-represented U students has doubled from 6 percent in 2000 to 12 percent today. Most of the growth is from Latino and Asian American students.

How is the U doing with specific populations?

PAC 12 campuses: In terms of ethnic and international student enrollment, the U is in the bottom third of all PAC 12 schools.

Faculty: About 10 percent of U faculty self-identify as faculty of color—the same percent as for the past 10 years.

Gender: As of fall semester 2010 there were five departments with one woman on tenure track and five departments with no women on tenure track. (These numbers change often.)

Staff leadership: The vast majority of staff leadership at the U is white.

Administration leadership: The U has three vice presidents who are white women; three associate vice presidents of color; and two assistant vice presidents, one dean, one associate dean, and three department chairs of color.

The following information was taken from an article by Brian Maffly in The Salt Lake Tribune, Dec. 20, 2010.

According to federal data, completion rates at Utah colleges and universities vary widely. The most common measures of student success are first-year retention—the share of students who started in 2008 and returned in 2009—and graduation, the percentage of students who earn a bachelor’s degree in six years (three years for community colleges).

4-year schools (graduation based on six years)

•  BYU

Retention: 84%

Graduation: 77%

• U of U

Retention: 85%

Graduation: 58%

• USU

Retention: 74%

Graduation: 56%

• Westminster

Retention: 75%

Graduation: 56%

• Weber

Retention: 72%

Graduation: 35%

• Dixie

Retention: 57%

Graduation: 35%

• SUU

Retention: 69%

Graduation: 43%

• UVU

Retention: 60%

Graduation: 18%

2-year schools  (graduation based on three years)

• CEU

Retention 48%

Graduation 28%

• SLCC

Retention 57%

Graduation 24%

• Snow College

Retention 52%

Graduation 49%

See the complete article at The Salt Lake Tribune.

We hope to be a catalyst to help businesses in the state create vibrant work environments that will be magnets for diversity.

James Oliver, Co-founder

With January being Bisexual Awareness Month its a perfect time to feature a new student-led GLBT Alliance at the David Eccles School of Business. Announced Dec. 8, 2010, the alliance encourages broad awareness of key academic and professional issues faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals in the workplace and in academic settings, and promotes the development of positive, productive work environments that enable organizations and those who work with them to realize the dynamic benefits of diversity. “We are honored to support this important grassroots student-run association founded and run by two socially conscious, entrepreneurial students,” said Scott Schaefer, associate dean of the business school. “The GLBT Alliance will be a vital source of knowledge and support not only for gay and transgender students, but for everyone who is or will ever be a co-worker, manager, employer, employee or friend of a GLBT individual—essentially everyone at the University. This organization is at the core of our overarching mission to empower our students to embrace their individuality and realize their potential.”

The initial impetus for the GLBT Alliance was a series of interactions its co-founders—second-year David Eccles School MBA student Marc Stillman and first-year student James (JJ) Oliver—had with generally thoughtful and well-intentioned individuals who have unwittingly made embarrassing or inappropriate comments. “While we detect no malice or homophobia, many of their statements indicate a lack of awareness about what the world is like from a personal and professional perspective for GLBT individuals,” said Stillman. “We have been extremely gratified by the unfailing support we have received from the David Eccles School of Business leadership and students and faculty from throughout the University in launching the GLBT Alliance.”

Alliance activities to date include leading a contingent of U of U students to the 2010 Reaching Out MBA Conference in Los Angeles in October 2010; and in early December, hosting a forum discussion on the experience of GLBT employees and managers in a variety of management situations. Read more about the new GLBT Alliance online.

As part of the ongoing efforts of the Office of Sustainability to make going green more than simply an idea, nine student-led projects were chosen by the Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund (SCIF) last semester to be implemented in 2011.  Students will work this semester and over the summer (depending on the project) to complete their project.

The program gives every student and faculty member the opportunity to apply for funding to make their green idea a reality on campus.  One project called “Restore the Core” is led by urban planning senior Paige Pitcher.  Pitcher, along with student groups in fine arts and architecture, will work to add more bicycle parking, install efficient irrigation in native plant beds, and add a ramp to make the space accessible to all students on campus. Projects like “Restore the Core” will increase student participation in extra circular projects and encourage students to stay on campus.  Sustainability is about more than just solar panels and hybrid cars and the SCIF is demonstrating this.  Projects relating to social justice issues, local food, mercury waste, and recycling will all begin this spring as a result of funding from this program. 

If you are interested in implementing your own green initiative, research, internship, or business relating to sustainability, the next deadline for SCIF grants is March 28, 2011. Information about how to apply can be found at the Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund program page.