The University Record, May 6, 1997

Briefings

Medicare Part B reimbursement rates for retirees increase
The Medicare Part B premium reimbursements to U-M retirees for 1997 will increase to match changes in Medicare Part B premiums. The increase becomes effective in the April 30 reimbursement payment. Reimbursement checks are mailed quarterly, on the last work day of April, July, October and January. Each check covers the prior three months. For retirees who receive Social Security, the Medicare Part B premium is deducted from Social Security payments.

The new rates are:
Retirees who retired prior to January 1, 1970, receive full reimbursement---$43.80 per month, or $131.40 per quarter.

Retirees who retired after January 1, 1970, receive approximately 70 percent reimbursement---$30.89 per month, or $92.67 per quarter. To arrange direct deposit of the funds, contact the Payroll Office, 764-8250.

Questions? Call the Benefits Office, 763-1214 (Main Campus) or 764-6584 (Medical Campus).

May Regents' meeting is moved
The May 15 Regents' meeting, originally scheduled to be held on the Flint campus, will instead be held at 1 p.m. on North Campus in the Johnson Rooms, Lurie Bldg. Public Comments will begin at 4 p.m. in the same location. The meeting will continue at 9:30 a.m. May 16 in the Regents' Room, Fleming Administration Bldg. The June 12 Regents' meeting will be held in the University Center Bldg. on the Flint campus.

Mileage reimbursement rate changes
The reimbursement rate for the use of a personal automobile while on University business increased to .31 per mile, effective April 1. If you have any questions, contact the Accounts Payable and Travel Office at 764-6253 or send e-mail to travel.office@umich.edu.

Ann Arbor will be getting a new area code---734---at the end of 1997
On Dec. 13, "optional" dialing will begin for this new area code, which means someone calling you long distance can reach your phone number by dialing either the current area code---313---or the new one. The optional dialing period will end July 25, 1998, when the change becomes mandatory. After that date, long distance calls to our area can only be made by dialing the new area code.

The city of Detroit and all Detroit zones will remain in the 313 area code.

This means Dearborn will keep the 313 area code. Also continued in the 313 area code will be Detroit, the Grosse Pointes, Lincoln Park, Allen Park, Melvindale, Dearborn Heights, Redford, Taylor, River Rouge, Hamtramck and Harper Woods. The rest of what is currently 313, including Washtenaw County, will be assigned the new area code.

Additionally, Ameritech reports that parts of Oakland County will have a new area code---248. The optional dialing period begins (Sat.) May 10 and will end Sept. 13 when 248 officially becomes the new area code. The boundaries for the new 248 area code are not precisely the same as existing county lines. Basically, Oakland County will have the 248 area code. It also will be assigned to some small areas of northern Washtenaw and Wayne counties, southern Genesee and Lapeer counties, and western Macomb County. A small percentage of people who live in the northeast and northwest borders of Oakland County will keep the 810 area code.

Benefit Reimbursement Account cutoff dates are May 14, May 19
To guarantee reimbursement in their May paychecks, Benefit Reimbursement Account participants should submit claims to the Benefits Office (Central Campus), Wolverine Towers G-405, 3003 S. State, by May 14 for bi-weekly pay periods or May 19 for monthly pay periods. The cutoff dates also are available on the Benefit Office home page---http://www.umich.edu/~benefits---under "Your Taxes & Benefits."

Sign up for `YoHA Course Community' Mini-Grants Program
All faculty who teach undergraduate courses are invited to join the "Year of Humanities and Arts (YoHA) Course Community" to augment the humanities and arts content in innovative ways. The goal of the mini-grants of $500 to $2,000 is to enhance courses already scheduled for 1997-98. Examples of such enhancements include: purchasing tickets for students to attend local performances, films, or concerts; improved course materials; field trip expenses; support of a visit by an artist, scholar, or community leader; and support for course project creation or presentation.

Applications will be accepted by e-mail. Deadline for submission is May 27, 1997.

Detailed guidelines are available from the Web, http://www.yoha.umich.edu, by sending an e-mail request to yohainfo@umich.edu, and your department chair. Questions? Call 763-1290.

TIAA-CREF offers Inflation Linked Bond Fund
TIAA-CREF has a new Inflation Linked Bond Fund, available as of May 1, designed to provide a return on investment that will always be a few points ahead of inflation. Bonds offer low investment risk, and traditional bonds are based on a fixed principal and interest rate. Inflation indexed bonds are adjusted every six months to track the Consumer Price Index for Urban Areas.

The Inflation Linked Bond Fund invests in inflation-indexed bonds issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, as well as inflation-indexed securities issued by corporations, foreign governments and other entities. The fund also will invest in money market instruments and other short-term securities.

Participants who are risk averse, those who are approaching retirement and wish to protect their accumulations but still desire a modest return, and retirees who wish to stay ahead of inflation may be interested in this fund. The fund is offered to basic or SRA account investors.

TIAA-CREF participants who wish to sign up for this account or request more information should call TIAA-CREF, 1-800-842-2776. If you are not a retirement plan participant, call the Benefits Office, 763-1214.

Learn about changes in Postal Service fees and regulations
The United States Postal Service will implement new regulations and fees this summer that will impact postal budgets. Mail Service will host a free, informational seminar 9 a.m.-noon June 17 in the Kuenzel Room, Michigan Union, to update departments on these changes. Topics to be covered include fees for address corrections and other endorsements, automation updates and how they are affecting the University, and internal processing costs. For information, send e-mail to kathivt@umich.edu. The "sold out" 9 a.m.-noon May 22 session will be broadcast live on UMTV.

Application due date for New Century Fund for Diversity is extended
The application due date for the President's New Century Fund for Diversity has been extended to June 3. Project awards will be announced on July 18. For information, send e-mail to newcentury@umich.edu.

Record establishing advisory group
The University Record is seeking nominations of individuals to serve on an advisory group for the newspaper.

Formation of the group is a result of focus groups held in 1996 through which we gained valuable insights about how the Record is viewed by the campus community. The advisory group will provide an opportunity to continue these discussions. Group membership will be broadly representative of the University
community. Members will serve two-year rotating terms, with some members initially serving one year.

Members will meet three to four times per year for a half-day and will focus on "big picture" issues related to the Record, such as general areas the publication should cover and prioritizing issues and general topic areas and how well the Record is serving various audiences within the community. We anticipate holding the first meeting in mid-summer.

If you would like to be considered for membership, or know of someone else who might be interested, please contact Jane Elgass, 647-1841, or send e-mail to jrelgass@umich.edu.

New Social Work curriculum is focus of public forum
The School of Social Work will host a public forum to discuss its new curriculum at noon May 15 in the Fauri Room, Frieze Bldg. The new two-year curriculum, to be implemented this fall, will give students more specialized knowledge of how to practice particular types of social work in specific kinds of settings. For more information, contact Robin Little, 763-6339.

New exhibits open at the Museum of Art
Beginning Sat. (May 10), the Museum of Art will display "The Museum Collects: 20th Century Works on Paper (Part II)." This selection features nearly 20 American and European works in a range of printmaking processes, including woodcut, hard- and soft-ground etching, aquatint, drypoint, mezzotint and others. Fred Sandback's yarn sculptures fill the Apse May 17-Sept. 28. For information, call 764-0395.

Research opportunities available for minority high school students
Minority high school students can explore potential careers in medicine or biomedical research by participating in the Minority High School Summer Research Apprentice Program funded by the Medical School. Students in the program work with Medical School investigators on clinical or basic research projects ranging from high-tech computerized brain imaging to biostatistical analysis. Apprenticeships are available for minority students enrolled in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Willow Run high schools during the 1996-97 academic year. Applications are due May 15 for the June 30-Aug. 22 program. For information, call 764-8185.

Resource guide for seniors is available
The Turner Geriatric Clinic is selling copies of Where to Turn, A Guide to Washtenaw County Programs and Services for People Over 60. The $10 resource guide includes new services, notes changes in existing programs and adds information about concerns that have surfaced since the previous version was published. The guide is available by calling 764-2556.

Metal spikes forbidden at Radrick Farms
In an effort to minimize traffic damage to greens, Radrick Farms Golf Course will no longer allow metal spike golf shoes. Golfers may purchase a set of softspikes in the golf shop for $4.

Gospel music will fill Hospital lobby
The Gifts of Art Program presents the All City Dance Company, featuring dancers from Community, Huron and Pioneer High Schools, at 12:10 p.m. Thurs. (May 8) in the Floor 1 University Hospital Lobby. The Business and Finance Diversity Choir, under the direction of Alex Cave, will perform at 12:10 p.m. May 15 in the same location.

Geology, morel classes offered
Dave Thomas of Washtenaw Community College will present a program on "Glacial Geology" 7-9 p.m. May 22 and 1-4 p.m. May 24 at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The $40 class will discuss how geology explains the origin of the habitats of local plants and animals. Ellen Elliott Weatherbee will lead a group to the Upper Peninsula for a "Morel Foray." Weatherbee will share tips on how to find morels, poisonous look-alikes and recipes. The $135 trip will take place May 29-June 1. For information, call
998-7061.

Enroll the kids in Theatre Arts Camp
The Michigan Union is now enrolling children ages 7-15 for the 1997 Summer Theatre Arts Camp, a three-week, half-day program that allows children to participate in all aspects of a complete theatrical production. The three sessions begin June 16 and are age-specific. Discounts are available for children of University staff and for enrolling more than one child. For more information, call 764-7585.

Applications available for Prostate SPORE Grants
The Comprehensive Cancer Center requests applications for funds available from the Prostate SPORE Grant. The grant focuses on applications that are directed toward understanding mechanisms involved in prostate cancer development or toward the cure of prostate cancer. Support is available for a one-year period beginning Aug. 1. Funding of up to $50,000 per year is available for faculty, and funding of up to $5,000 per year is available to students. Deadline for submission is July 1. For application forms, call 763-3455 or send e-mail to bardell@umich.edu. For information, call Ken Pienta, 647-3421, or Christine Fierek, 763-3455.

Fulbright senior scholar awards competition is open
Applications for the 1998-99 Fulbright senior scholar awards competition are due Aug. 1. Opportunities for lecturing or advanced research in virtually all disciplines in nearly 130 countries are available. Awards range from two months to a full academic year. Basic eligibility requirements include: U.S. citizenship, a Ph.D. or comparable professional qualifications, college teaching experience for those who wish to lecture, and foreign language skills for some countries, though most lecturing assignments are in English. For information, call Pat McCune, 936-6480, or send e-mail to phmccune@umich.edu.

Celebrate Mother's Day at Gardens
On Sun. (May 11) treat Mom to the fresh blush of redbuds and dogwood, the early nod of trillium, Virginia bluebells, bloodroot, and spring beauty, when the Matthaei Botanical Gardens celebrates Wildflower Day at the peak season of the Helen V. Smith Woodland Wildflower Garden. Garden tours will be offered at noon and 2 p.m., a slide presentation will be held at 1 p.m., and sip tea on the terrace at 3 p.m. For information, call 998-7061.

Clowes is keynote speaker for Gunn Research Conference
The Moses Gunn Annual Research Conference will be held 7:45 a.m.-2 p.m. May 22 in the Towsley Center. Keynote speaker Alexander W. Clowes, chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Washington, will present "Matrix Metalloproteinases and the Arterial Disease---Studies of Proteolytic Balance Using Cell-Based Gene Transfer." For information, call 936-7995.

M-Fit programs offered at Ice Cube
The M-Fit program is offering fitness classes at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube Fitness Center this spring. Two Women's Body Shaping classes will be offered. One class meets 7-8 p.m. May 21-June 4, the other meets 9-10 a.m. May 22-June 12. Aerobic classes also will be be offered throughout the spring. For information, including specials on memberships, call 998-8700.

Seniors can discover their `Creative Self'
The Turner Clinic is presenting "Discovering Your Creative Self," a hands-on creative series on six Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-noon May 13- June 17 at the Genesis of Ann Arbor, 2309 Packard Rd. The class is an opportunity for seniors to enhance their lives by exploring creative ways to express themselves. For information about this $30 class, call 764-2556.

Better Living to be performed at Trueblood
The Group Theatre of Michigan will present Better Living by Canadian playwright George F. Walker at 8 p.m. May 17 and May 21-24, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 18 in the Trueblood Theatre. Preview performances will be presented at 8 p.m. May 14 and 15. Tickets for previews are $8, $5 for students.
Tickets for other performances are $12, $7 for students. For information, call 764-0450.

Access to Special Collections Library is limited in May
Access to the holdings of the Special Collections Library will be restricted during May due to installation of a sprinkler system. Most materials will be available with 24 hours' notice in alternative reading spaces. For information, call 764-9377.

Volunteers needed for Family Housing Language Program
Those interested in volunteering as conversation or classroom partners with the Family Housing Language Program should attend a meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wed. (May 7) in the Family Housing Community Center, 1000 McIntyre. For information about the program, call 764-8463.

Volunteer for Cancer Survivors' Day
Volunteers in many capacities are needed for the Cancer Survivors' Day Celebration and Town Hall Meeting June 1 at the Morris Lawrence Building, Washtenaw Community College. For information about volunteer opportunities, call 936-9583.

Join a Brighton or Grass Lake vanpool
If you live in the Brighton or Grass Lake areas you can join the Vanpool program and commute to work with others from your town in a 15-passenger van. The program is available to regular and temporary full-time employees for a monthly fee of $65 by payroll deduction. For information, call 764-3429.

Sign up the kids for `Camp Adventure'
The Department of Recreational Sports will accept registration for "Camp Adventure" beginning at 8:30 a.m. May 14 at the North Campus Recreation Building. The camp is offered for children 6-12 years of age 9 a.m.-noon as three two-week sessions beginning June 16-July 25. The cost is $110 per session. For information, call 763-4560.

MOMENTUM goes over goal
MOMENTUM, the Medical Center's fund-raising campaign launched in 1992, has exceeded its $250 million goal.

With component goals of $85 million for facilities and endowment for research and education, $115 million for ongoing programs and $50 million in bequests, the MOMENTUM campaign has strengthened the infrastructure and contributed to the broad overall financial stability of the Medical Campus.

The Medical School's endowment nearly doubled during the campaign, resulting in 100 new endowments since 1991 including 34 scholarships and fellowships, 35 professorships, 32 endowed research funds and 13 endowments for special purposes.

"The success of the MOMENTUM Campaign can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of faculty, staff and committed volunteers who worked together with generous donors to achieve a partnership for excellence unsurpassed in Medical Center history," says Barbara Cope, interim director, Medical Center Alumni and Development Office.

Improved telephone and data service delivery process on the yay
An improved process for delivering telephone and data services to the University is under development, with implementation expected to begin July 1. The process is currently being refined by the Information Technology Division's (ITD) Service Delivery Improvement Project (SDIP) Team.

The SDIP Team was established last fall in response to feedback from members of the University community who said that ITD needs to improve how it provides telephone and data services, including access to the Internet. Since it was formed in November, the SDIP Team has been collecting information and designing the new service delivery process to better serve ITD's customers.

Anticipated results include filling orders faster, automating parts of service delivery that are now handled manually, providing customers with the capability to place orders via the Web, and contacting customers prior to installation.

Comments about SDIP issues can be sent to the team through e-mail at itd.sdipcore@umich.edu. For more information about SDIP, look on the Web at the URL: http://www.itd.umich.edu/itd/sdip/

Sports' buildings business offices hours change
The following are "summer hours" (May 6-Sept. 1) for recreational sports buildings business offices:

CCRB: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon. and Wed.; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues., Thurs. and Fri.; 763-3084.

IMSB: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; 763-3562.

NCRB: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri.; 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Wed.; 763-4560.

Workshops are for social service pros
Turner Geriatric Services is sponsoring "Making the Invisible Visible: Addressing the Life Issues of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Older Adults" 9-11 a.m. May 16 in Room 2445, Turner Geriatric Clinic. The workshops will help social service agency professionals gain knowledge and understanding of the special issues facing older lesbian, gay and bisexual adults. Register before Fri. (May 9) by calling 764-2556.

Stone will present Waggoner Lecture
Alan Stone, the Touroff-Glick Professor of Law and Psychiatry at Harvard University, will present the Waggoner Lectureship on Ethics and Medicine at 4:15 p.m. Wed. (May 7) in the Maternal and Child Health Center Auditorium. Stone will speak on "Physician-Assisted Suicide: Where Do We Stand?" Stone is a nationally known scholar who has authored numerous books and articles. He also is a past president of the American Psychiatric Association. For information, call 764-2220.

Artist Lawrence to speak at U-M-Dearborn
Artist Jacob Lawrence, whose paintings have depicted aspects of the experiences of African Americans in the 20th century, will discuss his work 3-4:30 p.m. May 15 in the Lecture Hall C, School of Management Bldg., U-M-Dearborn. Lawrence, who studied at the Harlem Arts Workshop in the 1930s, has had numerous solo exhibitions in galleries across the country since the 1940s. Works from his "Migration" series, depicting episodes in the large-scale movement of African Americans from the agricultural South to the industrial North earlier this century, were the first paintings by an African American to be included in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

Workshops offered for entrepreneurs
The U-M-Flint Center for University Outreach is hosting three workshops in May for local entrepreneurs. The first two workshops will focus on writing a financial plan for a small business. The first will be held 9 a.m.-noon Sat. (May 10) in the Riverview Room, Harding Mott University Center, and the second will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 17 in the Happenings Room, University Center. There is a $20 fee for the combined workshops. The third workshop, $5, will be held 8 a.m.-noon May 31 in the Happenings Room. "Giving Effective Presentations: Can You Sell Your Ideas?" will cover how to give effective presentations that will sell your company to potential investors. For information, call (810) 767-7181.

Learn about native plants in the Arb
The Nichols Arboretum is sponsoring a workshop, "Enhancing our Sense of Place: The Value of Landscaping with Native Plants," 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 17. Using the resources of the Arb, the workshop will provide information for those interested in using native plants in their garden. Instruction includes clues for proper identification, growth and maintenance requirements, and the benefits of landscaping with native plants. A slide presentation will supplement a field study in the Arb. For information about the $30 session, call 763-5832.

May 8 is deadline to submit events for Welcome to Michigan '97 program
On Aug. 30, new students' residence hall move-in will kick off the Welcome to Michigan '97 program. This year, the program will run Aug. 30-Sept. 7. If your unit would like to include an activity or event in the Welcome to Michigan program, submit an on-line event information form, http://www.umich.edu/~orient/, or call 764-6413 to receive a paper form. Deadline is Thurs. (May 8).