Posted on Jan 19, 2001

Stephen Schmidt, associate professor of economics, has published two papers. The first, “Market Structure and Market Outcomes in Deregulated Rail Freight,” appeared in the January issue of the International Journal Of Industrial Organization. It shows the effect of concentration of the rail freight industry on rates and market power of firms. The second, “Incentive Effects of Expanded Federal Mass Transit Formula Grants,” will appear in the spring edition of the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management. It predicts the effects of funding increases in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21) on the provision of city bus services.

Yana Hashamova, assistant professor of Russian, presented a paper, “The Taboo of Western Wealth: Fulfilled Dreams or Nightmares” in a panel organized by the Russian and East European Studies section at the MLA national conference recently in Washington.

(Faculty and staff may submit For the Record items to caseyc@union.edu.)

Posted on Jan 19, 2001

Community Hospice of Schenectady has scheduled volunteer training at the Hospice office, 1411 Union St., during winter term. Classes will be Tuesdays and Thursdays (Feb. 13 through March 1) from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Hospice office (1411 Union St.).

Orientation sessions are Monday, Jan 22, at 6:30 p.m. in Bailey Hall 100, and Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. in the Hospice office (Volunteers need attend only one orientation session.)

The many Union students, faculty, and staff who volunteer for Hospice, which provides support to dying patients and their families, have found it to be a truly rewarding experience, according to Karen Williams, counselor for health professions programs.

For more information, call Sharon Hext (ext. 131) or Bonnie Kriss (ext. 132) in the volunteer office at Hospice (377-8843). They can also be e-mailed at: shext@stpetershealthcare.org or kriss@stpetershealthcare.org.

Posted on Jan 19, 2001

Jazz pianist Tim Olsen, assistant professor of music, will present a recital of jazz standards and original compositions on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at noon at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall (2nd and State St., Troy). This lunchtime concert is free and open to the public.

Posted on Jan 19, 2001

Nov. 6, 2000

1. The minutes of the October 30, 2000 AAC meeting were corrected and approved.
2. In order to avoid a current conflict in the schedule the AAC approved the motion that beginning in the Fall term, the Monday, Wednesday, Friday academic day will begin five minutes earlier, at 8:20 a.m. Therefore, all classes will start five minutes earlier. In addition, all evening classes will begin five minutes later.
3. The committee met with Professor Susan Niefield (Chair of the Mathematics Department) to discuss the department's external review.
4. Dean Rosenthal presented a brief report on activities of the GenEd and Writing Board.
5. The committee confirmed the policy that if computer science majors take 37 courses, they will not be charged for the extra course beyond the normal 36 courses.
6. Emily Burns brought up the possibility of dean's list students taking a fourth class for free. This was tabled until the winter term.

Jan. 8, 2001

1. The minutes of the Nov. 6, 2000 AAC meeting were corrected.
2. Dean Bob Balmer reported on the Engineering “challenge.”
3. The AAC discussed academic credit issues with the Turkey Virtual Term Abroad.
4. Dean Rosenthal reported on the activities of the Writing Board concerning some proposed WAC changes. A discussion was tabled until the next meeting.
5. The AAC will draft a letter to the faculty requesting suggested improvements in the trimester calendar.

Posted on Jan 19, 2001

Arnaldo Cohen, the distinguished, Brazilian-born pianist whose command of piano sonority, technical wizardry, and original interpretations have won him international acclaim, will perform Sunday, Jan. 21, at 3 p.m. in Memorial Chapel.

This performance is part of the 2000-2001 Union College-Schenectady Museum Concert Series and the second appearance by Cohen in the series. The concert will feature Chopin's Four Ballades, Brahms' Variations and Fugue on a theme by Handel, Op. 24, and Bach/Busoni's Chaconne in D Minor.

Cohen was the first prizewinner at the 1972 Busoni International Festival in Italy. His work has won praise from such notables as Yehudi Menuhin, one of the conductors he has collaborated with. He has also worked with conductors such as Kurt Sanderling, Kurt Masur, Klaus Tennstedt, and Edo de Waart.

He has performed with such orchestras as the Royal Philharmonic, the Philharmonia, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, and the Santa Cecelia Orchestra of Rome. Also a seasoned chamber musician, Mr. Cohen has performed with the Amadeus Piano Trio and with the Lindsay Quartet, Chilingirian Quartet, Orlando Quartet, and Vanbrugh Quartet.

After a triumphant recital in London's Wigmore Hall, Cohen made his New York debut in the 1996-97 season at the Frick Museum, and has performed at the Tisch Center for the Performing Arts of the 92nd Street Y to critical praise.

Tickets, at $15 ($7 for students), are available in advance at the Schenectady Museum (382-7890) and at the door. For information, call 372-3651.