News in brief

Submissions for KU directory due June 17

University departments are being asked to update their entries in the administrative offices section, or "white pages," of the 2009-10 KU directory by June 17.

Department representatives should review relevant sections of the 2008-09 directory and note all references to their department. They should then photocopy all relevant pages and mark deletions, additions and other updates in red ink, and be sure the department or division central e-mail address is included.

For changes to individual listings in the “blue-bar” pages, faculty and staff members should contact their department’s personnel-related staff representative.

The name, phone number and e-mail of the department representative submitting the changes should be included on the pages and sent by e-mail or campus mail to Evie Rapport at University Relations, erapport@ku.edu, by 5 p.m. June 17.

For more information, contact Rapport at 4-8869 or erapport@ku.edu.

Department of Art changes name to Department of Visual Art

The Department of Art has been renamed the Department of Visual Art. It will reside in the recently created School of the Arts.

The change will be effective July 1. Approved degree programs in "Art" will become degree programs in "visual art."

Humanities and Western Civilization honored for work in peace, conflict studies

Humanities and Western Civilization's Peace and Conflict Studies program is one of two recipients of the Tom and Anne Moore Peace and Justice Awards for 2009, given by the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice. The other awardee is Rebecca Woodman of the Kansas Capital Appellate Defender Office. The awards were presented at a public potluck dinner and ceremony from April 23 at the Union Pacific Depot. Humanities and Western Civilization offers an undergraduate minor and a graduate certificate in peace and conflict studies.

Instructional Development and Support offers help in podcast, streaming course materials

Instructional Development and Support can help faculty members podcast audio and video streams for fall courses and is offering to help prepare material over the summer. The office can help prepare short video clips streamed through Blackboard, audio podcasts that reach students via RSS feeds or simply narrated PowerPoint slide shows that students could view through Blackboard prior to class.

Faculty can make an appointment with IDS staff to help structure materials and take advantage of available technology. Those who don’t have audio or video equipment can borrow it, and IDS will teach them how to use it. For more information, call 864-2600 or visit www.ids.ku.edu.

Graduates, staff receive grant for writing research

Zanice Bond de Pérez, doctoral student in American studies, and Moira Leigh Ozias, master’s student in social welfare, received a $750 grant from the International Writing Centers Association. The grant will help fund 10 interviews to discover how students’ personal histories with writing have shaped their experiences as academic writers at KU.

Ozias is the assistant director of the KU Writing Center, and Bond de Pérez is a writing specialist for graduate and international students. They intend the results of their research to improve writing curricula and to help KU writing instructors better serve students.

Bond de Pérez and Ozias’ research project is titled “Writer Outsider: Student Narratives and the Search for Social Justice.”

The KU Writing Center is open to Lawrence campus students and community members who want advice and coaching about their academic and professional writing. The center is based in Wescoe Hall with satellite locations throughout campus. The Edwards Campus in Overland Park also has a satellite location.