November 4, 1998
Vol. 10, No. 10


FYI HomeUniversity of Utah


Administration acts on proposals concerning student privacy
    In a report to department heads, President Bernie Machen lists a variety of actions being taken in response to proposals of the Ad Hoc Committee on Student Record Privacy. David Pershing, senior vice president for Academic Affairs, is assigned responsibility for protecting student privacy without impeding "the constructive and proactive academic advising that is taking place," the president's report says. Offices with access to student records are reviewing their practices for compliance with University regulations. A set of rules is being written governing disclosure of student record information in cases when those who have access to information provide it to those who do not, and a training program is in planning for all who have access. Meanwhile, glitches are being removed from the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) to make a Web-readable list of grades and credits available to students and their advisers. Amendments to the Student Code and Faculty Code will specify sanctions for abuse of records.

    The ad hoc committee also recommended that users of student records be limited to sub-sets of records-such as a department being able to access only its own majors-and that students be able to obtain data on who has accessed their records. These measures are not possible with the version of PeopleSoft software now being implemented, but the University has asked PeopleSoft to include them in a future version.

New system replaces department numbers
    Organizational numbers have replaced the old department ID numbers because of the activation of the PeopleSoft human resources and financial systems. The old numbers should not be used because doing so will create confusion on campus orders and the like. A search tool to cross reference the old numbers with the new is located at www.personnel.utah.edu under "Personnel Action Notification," then "Department and Job Crosswalk Table." Direct questions to the PAN-IC Desk at ext. 5-5968, or Mike Winder, 5 1280.
Classes meet, but U supports Veterans' Day
    So that the semester schedule will work out right, the University will be open Nov. 11, and classes will meet, but the University will nonetheless play a central role in observances of Veterans Day. At 10:45 a.m., the Hinckley Institute of Politics will host a panel discussion in 255 OSH, "The Private Ryans Amongst Us: D-Day Through the Eyes of Those Who Were There." Another panel, "Chat with the Vets" (from five wars) will follow at 11:45 a.m. A Military Retreat Ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. at Stillwell Field at Fort Douglas, with participation by the U of U ROTC programs. At 7 p.m., the Utah National Guard 23rd Army Band will give its annual free concert in the Jon M. Huntsman Center.

    Marriott Library will have a veterans exhibit Nov. 2-13, and on Nov. 11, there will be displays of military equipment on the Marriott Library Plaza and at the Health Sciences Center. Also on Veterans' Day will be a parade in Magna, a ceremony in Memory Grove, and booths at the Salt Palace. For information, contact the U Office of Community Relations, ext. 5-3595.

Software training
    The Utah2000 Project is offering additional classes on using Windows 95, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Netscape. See www.acs.utah.edu/utah2000 under "training" for details.
Matsen sets Dec. 1 retirement
    Senior Vice President for Health Sciences John Matsen, also dean of the College of Medicine, has set Dec. 1 as the date for his previously announced retirement. A search committee to find a replacement has already been appointed. After taking a leave, Matsen will return to his faculty position in the Department of Pathology.

    During a six-year term as vice president, Matsen presided over a period of rapid growth and change in the health sciences, including creation of the Huntsman Cancer Institute, acquisition of the U of U Health Network, and endowment of 34 chairs. He is chairman of the board of ARUP, and the author of 336 journal articles.

New committees focus planning for 2002 Olympics
    With the 2002 Winter Olympics now only three years away, the on-campus effort to coordinate the U's role with the event has been reorganized into specific planning groups. Prof. Wayne McCormack, Law, continues as University Olympic Coordinator, and the goal remains the same: "to minimize disruption to the University campus while seeking to enhance the University's academic program through Olympic connections." Under McCormack are an executive committee and six relatively small topical committees. All report to the president and administration in an advisory capacity. Meanwhile, Associate Academic Vice President John Francis heads the 37-member Olympic Advisory Council, with representatives of student groups, the Staff Advisory Council, college deans, and Development, plus the 12 members of the executive committee.

    The topical committees are made up of faculty/staff teams drawn from areas relevant to the topic at hand, and all have established communication channels with their counterparts at the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. The topical areas are: operations (facilities, telecommunications, security, etc.); interns and volunteers; arts and culture; academic programs; University and community affairs; and medical services. The University and Community Affairs Committee will take actions to communicate the planning being done by all the committees to the campus population, alumni, neighbors, and other interested groups.

Oct. 8-9 tickets waived
Parking regs apply during class breaks
    Parking and Transportation Services waived about 300 citations issued Oct. 8-9, because many students did not understand that the University was open during fall break. The citations do not have to be paid, except for those issued for parking in handicapped zones, fire lanes, 24-hour reserved stalls, and the like.

    Fall break is no different than spring break, or the interval between terms in the winter and summer. Classes do not meet, but the University is otherwise open, and parking regulations apply. "If we did not enforce parking regulations during these periods, it would be difficult for the University, and especially visitors to campus, to conduct business in a normal manner," says Alma Allred, director of Parking and Transportation Services.

Crime report gives info on prevention, services
    Like all universities, the U of U is required by federal law to make public statistics about the number and type of crimes on campus. This information can be found in Safety at the U, a brochure that is available at campus information desks, in high use buildings such as University Bookstore, and at the Public Safety Office at 1735 E. South Campus Drive. Recent numbers and more detail are available at the Web site www.uupd.utah.edu. The figures indicate that theft is by far the most common crime. Bob Wilson, University Police chief, says the U of U numbers are low compared to most other urban universities around the country. Location in a large city is the single most important factor in determining crime rates, and most campus crimes are committed by people who are not students, staff, or faculty, he says.

    The publication also tells what to do if you are a crime victim, provides a directory of emergency services, gives safety tips, explains alcohol/drug policies, and summarizes the ongoing efforts to make the campus safe and crime-free. Crime prevention materials and non-judgmental substance abuse referrals are available at ext. 5-2677 (5-COPS).

Accepts campus orders
Chartwells begins new look for food services
    The now-privatized University Dining Services by Chartwells is instituting a variety of innovations designed to increase the quality and service of lower campus food service facilities. "We want this to be a showplace account," says Jim Fjelstul, Chartwells resident manager. Most visible will be the remodeling of the Union Terrace into a food court format with a variety of choices, including franchise options. The change of format will make the facility more efficient at peak and non-peak times, Fjelstul says. The remodeling will begin after fall semester, and will be done over two-years in phases, allowing the facility to remain open.

    Chartwells was unable to accept campus orders at first, but that is no longer a problem, Fjelstul says. Also still in place is the "Ute Points" option, wherein you pre pay into your account, and then use your University ID as a debit card for a fast, easy way to pay for food. (Visit the dining services office by the Deli to sign up.)

    Other innovations completed or in the making include two roving food carts on campus, new products in the Ballif Hall Trading Post and the snack bars, changes to the Panorama Room to make it more attractive to students, and ongoing staff training in customer service. "Food by Fax" lets you place an order to the Deli from your office and pick it up 10 minutes later. Customers are invited to use the "Let's Talk" forms to communicate complaints or suggestions.

MWC will be moniker for Utes' new league
    The intercollegiate athletics league of which the U will become a part July 1, 1999 will be called the Mountain West Conference. Other members are: BYU, Wyoming, Air Force, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, New Mexico, and Nevada-Las Vegas. Craig Thompson, currently commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference, will be commissioner of the new conference. The eight schools left the Western Athletic Conference because of loss of traditional rivalries, rising travel costs, and dilution of revenue.
Acquired clinics form Health Network, extend U of U service
    The eight clinics acquired by the Health Sciences Center from the Talbert Medical Group have been organized into the University of Utah Health Network under the Faculty Practice Organization. "Our goal is to make University medical care accessible within 15 minutes of your home anywhere along the Wasatch Front," says Abe Bakhsheshy, director of customer service. "Now more than ever, it is possible to draw upon the expertise and reputation of the University at all levels of care, rather than use it purely as a referral center."

    Patient satisfaction and service exceeding expectations for clients, including "internal" customers (employees and University people), are hallmarks of the new organization, says Patrick Thompson, chief executive officer. The Customer Service Department helps administrators and medical staff communicate with patients and their families, and promotes programs to increase employee satisfaction, while maintaining that customer service is the responsibility of everyone working in the organization. The locations of network clinics can be obtained by calling 887-2400, as noted in the advertisement on the back cover of the US WEST Dex Salt Lake City white pages telephone directory.

Management tip
Good supervisors have basic habits in common
    Successful supervisors tend to have seven "habits" in common, says the Practical Supervision newsletter. Try making these part of your management style: (1) Set. Goals. (2) Plan the details of how to make the goals reality. (3) Reward exceptional performance, daily if possible. (4) Ask for workers' ideas. (5) Support employees in difficult times. (Constantly seek and implement ways to improve procedures. (7) Seek ways to improve yourself.
Reminder...
    Buried somewhere in your IN box, or maybe in a jacket pocket, is your Campaign for Our Community charity drive pledge card and supporting materials. If you have been meaning to fill out the card and send it in, consider yourself reminded. If you need a card, call loaned executive Nate Gibby at ext. 5-1857.

Published by the Office of University Communications
Terry Newfarmer, editor, terry@unicomm.utah.edu ext. 1-7996, 308 Park Building.
Copyright © 1998 University of Utah