News Briefs

GSI teaching orientation Jan. 3
The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) will host the Winter 2003 Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) Teaching Orientation from 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Jan. 3 on the second floor of the Michigan League. The program includes an overview of U-M resources for teaching and learning, an interactive theater presentation and workshops. The workshops are designed to help participants prepare for the first days of teaching, develop pedagogical skills, and network with GSIs, graduate student mentors and CRLT instructional consultants. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more information, call (734) 763-2396 or visit http://www.crlt.umich.edu.

Life Sciences Orchestra concert Jan. 12
The U-M Life Sciences Orchestra, made up of faculty, staff and students from the University’s medical and science community, will begin its third season at 2 p.m. Jan. 12 with a free concert at Pioneer High School, 601 W. Stadium Blvd.

The group, founded as part of the U-M Health System’s Gifts of Art program, will perform selections from Mozart’s ballet music for “Idomeno,” the Polovetsian Dances from “Prince Igor” by Alexander Borodin, the Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens, and Suite from “The Firebird” by Igor Stravinsky. The concert will be introduced by Dr. Lazar Greenfield, interim executive vice president for medical affairs, and will be led by director Laura Jackson, a doctoral student in the School of Music’s conducting program.

For more information, call (734) 936-2787 or visit http://www.umich.edu/~lsorch.

RRP conflict of interest program Jan. 13
The Research Responsibility Program (RRP) will present “Conflict of Interest” 5–7 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Towsley Center cafeteria (Room G1320). The presentation will be co-presented by Steven Goldstein, Ruppenthal Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering and associate dean for research and graduate studies, Medical School; and Elaine Brock, associate director of the Division of Research Development and Administration and director of the Medical School Office of Technology Transfer and Corporate Research.

RRP, sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research, is a series of information and discussion sessions on responsibility in the conduct and administration of research. The presentation will be repeated Jan. 27 at the same time and location.
For more information, call (734) 647-9085 or visit http://www.responsibility.research.umich.edu.

DPS offers holiday safety tips
The hectic holiday season can be a time when faculty, staff and students become vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. The Department of Public Safety offers the following safety tips for the holidays:

• Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of the car or visible through home windows
• Park the car or walk only in well-lighted areas
• Do not leave belongings unattended, even to open the car door or get a book from the
library
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
• Notify credit card issuers immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused
• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason; con artists may try various methods of distracting you with the intent of taking money or belongings
• Lock windows and doors when leaving the office, home or room even for a few minutes
• Report suspicious people or behavior immediately by calling 911
• Never drink and drive.

Work/Life can help with elder care
Most people don’t think of elder care at all—until they have to. Whatever the situation, the Work/Life Resource Center (WLRC) can help find services, programs and community resources, such as Meals on Wheels, diabetes support groups and in-home services.
WLRC also has a browsing library, which covers many elder care issues as well as financial and legal issues. For assistance with a specific situation, call Work/Life and an elder care specialist can arrange a one-on-one session.

Taking the proactive approach can be easier than having to make rushed decisions if a family member suddenly becomes ill. WLRC can hold a brownbag event focused on how to talk with someone about elder care issues. The WLRC is open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call (743) 936-8677 or e-mail wlrc@umich.edu to learn how departments can host a brownbag presentation.

Political Science dept. on the move
The Department of Political Science is relocating to the renovated Haven Hall before the start of winter term. The department spent two years at 611 Church St. The new address is Department of Political Science, 5700 Haven Hall, 505 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI. 48109-1045. The department telephone number remains (734) 764-6312.

Childproofing homes during the holidays
The U-M Health System offers the following tips for childproofing the home during the holiday season:

• Never leave medications on counters or places young hands can reach
• Vitamins can be toxic to children; keep them out of site
• Make sure medication is stored in child-resistant packaging
• Kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms are the most unsafe rooms in the house; lock up medications and household cleaners
• Holiday plants that may be poisonous include holly, mistletoe and the Jerusalem cherry; poinsettias rarely are toxic.

For more information, e-mail johnfm@umich.edu.

3 Institute for the Humanities events
The Institute for the Humanities will host three events in early January. At noon Jan. 7, Prof. Webb Keane will discuss “Religion, Culture, and the Colonies.” At noon Jan. 14, Mignonette Yin will discuss “Open Air Painting.” Yin’s exhibit, “Watercolors of Italy,” is showing through Jan. 24 at the Institute for the Humanities. The exhibit features Tuscan scenes Yin created during her years teaching in the University’s International Studies Program in Florence, Italy. There will be a reception for “Watercolors of Italy” at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 9. All events are at the institute on the second floor of the Comerica Building, 350 S. Thayer. For more information, call (734) 936-3518.

English language classes offered
The Family Housing Language Program (FHLP) is offering English classes for families of international students, faculty and staff. Registration for the winter semester is underway for child, teen and adult classes. Native speakers of English are needed as volunteer conversation and classroom partners. FHLP will host a volunteer information meeting at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Family Housing Information Center, 1000 McIntyre. For more information on the classes or meeting, call (734) 763-1440.

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