Posted on May 15, 1998

Peter V. Minorsky, visiting assistant professor of
biology, has had a manuscript titled “Latitudinal Differences in Coconut Foliar
Spiral Direction: A Re-evaluation and Hypothesis” accepted for publication in the Annals
of Botany.

Seth N. Greenberg, Gilbert Livingston Professor of
Psychology, has co-authored a paper with A. Inhoff and R. Radach (both of Binghamton
University) titled “Does Recognition of Words During a Fixation Progress in a
Strictly Serial Order?” It was presented at the fifth European Workshop on Language
Comprehension in Marseille, France, recently. The authors argue that eye fixations during
reading are, in part, a response to higher-order structuring of text done
“online” while one reads. Data reported at the conference includes the work
performed by Union undergraduate Rachel Seely, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology.

Amanda Leamon, assistant professor of French, recently
presented a paper titled “'Moi e(s)t un(e) autre,' or The Mirror has Two
Faces: Discovering and Recovering the Self in Tahar Ben Jelloun's L'Enfant de
Sable,” at the 20th Century Literature conference in Louisville, Kentucky. She also
presented a paper titled “'Je suis l'Autre': Smoke and Mirrors in the
Autobiographical Fiction of Blaise Cendrars,” at the Northeast Modern Languages
Association conference in Baltimore.

Posted on May 15, 1998

May 1, 1998

1. The minutes of April 22, 1998 were approved.

2. Brad Lewis presented a revision of the policy on practica. The AAC
approved the practica allowing up to two course credits in practica (1/3 credit for each
term's practica – the current guideline) without an accompanying recitation
course. The new catalogue descriptions are attached. The burden of registering a practica
for credit is on the student; the Performing Arts department will be asked to ensure that
students are repeatedly notified of the policy.

3. The proposal of the Committee on Liberal Arts & Technology was
referred for discussion to the Freshman Preceptors and to the GenEd Board. Dean Lewis will
report back to the AAC.

4. Seth Carrier reported on the Union Scholars Program. The students in
the program have asked for an emphasis on continuity for the group after the freshman
year. This might include a seminar in subsequent years, a weekly discussion, or weekly
meal. They also would like greater visibility on campus for the program. Other suggestions
include upperclassmen to mentor new Scholars, to make more explicit the expectations for
the sophomore independent study, to note U.C.S. on the commencement program, and to invite
faculty members to present for discussion their areas of research to the scholars during
the junior or senior year. The suggestions were referred to the Academic Vice President.

5. Linda Stanhope reported for the Subcouncil on Tenure Line Allocation
that data collection has been slower than expected and thus will not be able to submit a
completed report to the AAC for adequate consideration. Consequently, the AAC will receive
the report during the summer and discuss it in September so that those departments to
which lines are allocated can begin their searches in the fall term.

6. The Subcouncil on the Calendar reported on their progress. There are
still many constituencies that must be consulted. Furthermore, membership on the
subcouncil should be broadened.

Posted on May 15, 1998

Wondering about that blood pressure? Have it checked at the annual
Health Fair on Thursday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Reamer Campus Center.

Sponsored by the College's Health Services, the fair is an
opportunity to meet with representatives of area health care organizations. Among those to
be represented are Capital Region Association for Eating Disorders, CareNet, AIDS Council
of Northeastern New York, Planned Parenthood Health Services, Lupus Northeast New York
Chapter, Samaritan Counseling Center, Civale Chiropractic, U-Med, and Brattleboro Retreat.

The Health Fair is free and open to the public.

For more information, call ext. 6120.

Posted on May 15, 1998

Members of the campus community are planning to join the Healthy Heart
Program of Schenectady in a 15-minute fitness walk with employees of other area
organizations on Wednesday, May 20, between 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

Walkers will start at Silliman Hall and finish at Veteran's Park on
State Street.

College walkers will receive Union painter's caps (while they last)
and coupons for free classes at the YWCA.

Individuals, departments and teams are encouraged to walk. Those who
cannot participate in the walk but would like to allocate 20 minutes to personal fitness
may complete a “pledge form” at Human Resources. For more information, call ext.
6108.

Posted on May 15, 1998

“The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat As Performed
by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade”
by Peter Weiss opens on Wednesday, May 20, at 8 p.m. in Yulman Theater.

It is directed by Prof. William Finlay.

The play is based on two historical truths: the infamous Marquis de Sade
was confined to the lunatic asylum of Charenton; and the revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat was
stabbed to death in a bathtub by Charlotte Corday at the height of terror in the French
Revolution. But the play-within-a play is not historical drama. Rather, it is concerned
with the problem of revolution. Among the questions it raises: Are the same things true
for the masses and for their leaders? And where, in modern times, lie the borderlines of
sanity?

The play runs May 20 through May 23, and May 27 through May 31.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Admission is $7, $5 for students and seniors. For more
information, call ext. 6545.