Posted on Feb 19, 1999

Carol S. Weisse, director of Health Profession Programs, has published a paper,
“Psychoneuroimmunology, Emotions and Health: Fact or Fiction?” in a recent issue
of The Journal of Pre-Med Studies. The article addresses the impact of
psychoneuroimmunology research on the training of future doctors and discusses whether
doctors should be discussing the role of emotions in health with their patients.

Teresa Meade, associate professor of history, has received a fellowship grant
from the National Endowment for the Humanities for her project titled “Settlement and
Marriage on the Alta California Frontier, 1769 – 1860.” The fellowships are
intended to enable scholars to develop their ideas into books that can have a influence on
education and public programming, according to NEH Chairman William Ferris.

Posted on Feb 19, 1999

The line began to form around 6 a.m. last Friday, and by the time the College
Bookstore opened two hours later there were 30 people waiting for the latest shipment of
Beanie Babies, the stuffed toy that has become a favorite among collectors and kids.

Within a couple of hours, 580 of the plush collectibles had been sold, says Tim Porter,
assistant manager.

Over the past few years the Bookstore has moved about 9,000 Beanie Babies, Porter said.
And since sales are restricted largely to those with Union ID, most of those 9,000 are
staying within the Union family. One employee reports having a roomful of between 400 and
500 Beanies. Others suggest that is not at all unusual.

“The market may be getting saturated,” noted Porter. “We may be on the
downward side of the peak.” Which is not to suggest that they are not selling well.
On the contrary, the Beanies are still hugely popular.

“I've never seen anything like this craze in my 18 years with college
bookstores,” Porter said. “It's quite a phenomenon. We will continue them
as long as our customers still want them.”

Posted on Feb 19, 1999

With a record-breaking number of applications, staffers in Becker Hall are tackling
a “clerical challenge” to ensure that each of the more than 3,700 folders are
complete.

“We know we've broken a record (in applications) and the academic top end has
never been better,” said Dan Lundquist, vice president for admissions and financial
aid. “Now we need people on campus to help recruit these students.”

More complete descriptors of the applicant pool will be available “when the dust
settles” in a week or so, Lundquist said.

Posted on Feb 19, 1999

It appears that a relatively small number of employees will be affected by the
reorganization of Kaiser Permanente HMO, according to Eric Noll, associate director of
human resources.

Only 39 employees who have been using the downtown Schenectady facility — or
others that will be phased out in three to four months — will be have to go to
facilities in Rotterdam, Latham or one of the physicians operating locally through the
plan, Noll said.

Union has 132 employees enrolled in Kaiser Permanente, 272 in CDPHP, and 153 in Union
POS.

In other news from Human Resources, retirement planning seminars by Kuchner Capital
Management are set for Tuesday, March 9. Fidelity Investments will hold personal
counseling sessions on Thursday, March 4.

Seats are available for the April 24 bus trip to New York City. A waiting list has
begun for the Dec. 4 trip to Radio City Music Hall. The Red Sox v. Yankees game in Boston
has a waiting list of 20.

Also from HR:

— Discounts for Broadway shows are available through Human Resources.

— Buyers Edge brochures for discounts on major purchases are now available.

— Employee Recognition Luncheon is set for April 13.

— Friends or relatives interested in working as temporary employees should contact
Human Resources and mention your name.

— The Schenectady Business and Professional Women offer scholarship assistance to
women resuming their education.

Call ext. 6108 for details.