Editor: Roy Summerford. Contributing editors: Bob Lowry, Janet McCoy, Mitch Emmons and Richarde Talbot.

The AU Report is published by the Office of University Relations at Auburn University. Issues appear every two weeks during academic quarters.

Official distribution by campus mail includes full-time faculty and staff at campus offices. Copies also are mailed to trustees and officials at AU at Montgomery.

Deadline for receiving items is noon on Tuesday before publication. Direct inquiries, suggestions and items to 23 Samford Hall, Auburn University, Ala. 36849-5109. Telephone 334/844-9999.Electronic mail:summero@mail.auburn.edu

The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled in a 6-2 opinion that Robert Lowder and James Tatum must be reseated on the AU Board of Trustees because Gov. Fob James' appointees were never confirmed by the state Senate.

In a split decision issued Friday, May 9, the high court ruled that James' appointees, Albert McDonald of Huntsville and Phil Richardson of Montgomery, were "qualified" to become trustees, but could not join the board until Senate confirmation -- as requi red by the Alabama Constitution.

James had relied on an advisory opinion last year by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to appoint and seat Richardson, a now-retired insurance company executive, and McDonald, a former state senator and agriculture commissioner to the board.

Sessions' opinion said the James' nominees could be seated without Senate confirmation because a "reasonable time" had passed since the expiration of the 12 year terms of Lowder and Richardson in 1995.

But the Supreme Court disagreed, saying, "In this case, appointments of successors have not been made; therefore, the constitutionally allowed holdover period has not been terminated."

The tribunal, in a majority opinion written by Justice Gorman Houston, ruled in a lawsuit originally filed by Lowder, Tatum and state Sen. Charles Langford, D Montgomery.

Justice Harold See wrote a dissenting opinion -- joined by Justice Perry Hooper -- that supported James' position.

In its decision, the Supreme Court affirmed a decision by a Lee County Circuit Court judge, who said McDonald and Richardson could not serve on the board because they had not been confirmed. But it overturned the Lee County ruling that said Lowder and Tat um were also disqualified.

"Auburn University wants a clearly defined resolution to this issue since it involves the uni-versity's governance, however the university is not a party to that process," AU said in a statement. "This issue is among the governor, the Alabama Senate, the courts and the individuals interested in serving Auburn University as trustees."

Faculty to get first look at new Internet tools

Auburn faculty, staff and students will get a chance to sample the latest innovations in Internet communications during Faculty Web Day, May 20, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in Foy 213.

Among the innovations will be AUStudy, an Internet tool developed by Information Technology Services staff to simplify the process for faculty to place course materials on a web page.

Faculty Web Day will provide an opportunity for faculty to showcase how they are using technology as an instructional tool, said Cathy Ramey of Client Support Services in the Division of University Computing.

"This will be an opportunity for non-users to take a peek at what the Internet is all about," she added. Visitors will also be eligible for prizes that will be awarded
during the event.

Client Services will also assist faculty wanting to use the new AUStudy to post
materials on the Internet.

Mike Stewart, leader of a University Computing team that developed AUStudy, said the software will eliminate most of the technical steps in Internet postings for faculty.

With AUStudy, a faculty member will have a standardized form with which to put a syllabus on line. The form will guide the faculty member through the process, one step at a time. Students will be able to reach the syllabi database through the AU PASSpor t feature on the AU web page.

Students who register for a class will be able to go to class the first day with a syllabus and the correct textbooks, check reading assignments and announcements during the quarter and pull up information or materials the professor wants to distribute be tween classes.

The syllabus feature is 95 percent complete and should be available in the next few weeks, said Stewart.

The first feature of the program to go on-line is a media database in which faculty may store or draw from digitized images for instructional use.

Discrete Mathematics Professor Chris Rodger named Graduate Faculty Lecturer

Christopher Rodger, Alumni Professor in the AU Department of Discrete and Statistical Sciences, has been named Auburn's Graduate Faculty Lecturer for 1997.

Rodger will present a public lecture, "Discrete Mathematics Today," at 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, in Chemistry Building 151. His topic, presented for a general audience, will examine in basic terms the role of discrete mathematics in the current technolog ical revolution.

"Many people do not realize how much their lives are touched by discrete mathematics," said Rodger. "I plan to talk about how discrete mathematics is used all around us in applications ranging from compact disks to smart cards or even a golf tournament."

Discrete mathematics involves the uses of separate or discrete numbers, rather than a continuum with fractions, and provides the basic language for technology such as computers, he explained.

An internationally cited researcher in his field, Rodger was nominated by his department and selected by a graduate faculty committee based on his accomplishments as a researcher and teacher.

The Graduate School and the College of Sciences and Mathematics will host this year's lecture.

"Dr. Rodger epitomizes the concept of the accomplished faculty member in graduate education," said Graduate School Dean John Pritchett. "He is at the forefront of research and achievement in his field and has brought a number of exceptionally bright grad uate students into the field. He has been a significant contributor to the quality of the graduate program at Auburn."

Sciences and Mathematics Dean Stewart Schneller said Rodger is highly regarded internationally as well as within the college. "I am delighted that Dr. Rodger is being recognized for his pioneering work, which is attracting worldwide attention to himself and to Auburn University."

Kevin Phelps, head of the Department of Discrete and Statistical Sciences, cited Rodger's international reputation, research and teaching in nominating him for the award on behalf of the department. "In nominating Dr. Rodger, I feel that the total body of his work and the impact he has had on graduate education makes him an ideal candidate for this award," said Phelps.

Nomination letters also came from the University of Queensland in Rodger's native Australia and three Canadian universities -- Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, McMaster University in Ontario and the University of Manitoba.
The holder of a Ph.D. from the University of Reading, England, Rodger was a 1995 winner of the Hall Medal, which is presented annually by the Institute of Combinatorics and its Applications to the top mathematicians internationally in its field.

Rodger, who has been a member of the AU faculty since 1982, has co-authored three books on algebraic coding theory and design theory, contributed chapters to three other books and produced more than 90 papers and articles for refereed publications.

The advisor for all students in the applied discrete mathematics curriculum, which he and a colleague developed, Rodger was named advisor of the year in the College of Sciences and Mathematics in 1994.

He introduced the Master of Applied Mathematics degree in 1987, assisted in developing an introductory course in error-correcting codes and restructured the course on discrete mathematics for computer scientists.

One of his former doctoral students, S.J. Stubbs, is now a department head at Huntingdon College, one is employed by the National Security Agency and four others are on university faculties.

Guide lists AU among 100 Best College Buys

Another national publication has joined the growing list of magazines and colleges guides in honoring Auburn University for providing academic excellence at an affordable cost.

Auburn was named one of the 100 best college buys in the United States by The Student Guide to America's 100 Best College Buys, published by John Culler & Sons of Camden, S.C.

Within the past year, Auburn has received similar acclaim from U.S. News and World Report, Money Magazine, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine and The Guide to 101 of the Best Values in America's Colleges and Universities.

The 100 colleges and universities selected for the publication were culled from nearly 1,800 institutions, said publisher John Culler. "Our research has shown that a prospective student could save $30,000 to $50,000 or more on a quality college education ," he said.

In its commentary about Auburn, the publication said AU "has developed into a premier comprehensive university, offering outstanding, economically accessible instruction to its undergraduate, graduate and professional students."

The publication has special praise for Auburn's core curriculum, saying it provides students "with a common set of experiences, developing analytical and communication skills, and encouraging the understanding of culture and the natural world."

It added that the core curriculum "has brought national attention to Auburn University as an institution recognized for high academic quality."

Patent lawyer to discuss strategies copyright protections, violations

Patent lawyer Murray Spruill of Raleigh, N.C., will be at Auburn on May 21 to discuss strategies for achieving publishing and intellectual property protection goals. He will speak at 1 p.m., in Foy 203.

"This is a session that every faculty member and student involved in research should benefit from," said Jan Thornton, director of Industrial Programs and Technology Transfer. "Mr. Spruill will address some of the consequences of publishing on the proces s of obtaining patent protection and how poorly planned disclosure of certain information may harm patenting efforts."

Among topics in Spruill's presentation are: Requirements for patentability and what determines the "novelty" of a development; what constitutes a printed publication; discussions about emerging communications technologies and strategies for protecting in tellectual properties during conferences and other public presentations; disclosure and the prior use standard; and the potential effect of publications by others.

Teleconference to examine state of public education

Harvard University educator Professor Charles Willie will headline a May 29 teleconference at AU that will address the state of public education.

The conference, "In Black & White: The State of Public Education in America and Alabama," will explore such issues as equity funding, the of higher education in teacher education, the status of K-12 in Alabama, vouchers and privatization in education, int egration, curriculum content and development, youth violence and parental involvement. The two-hour program will begin at 4 p.m.

Renee Middleton, conference coordinator and director of human resources in the AU College of Education, says the conference at the AU Hotel and Conference will be uplinked via satellite for free distribution statewide.

In addition to Willie's presentation, the conference will feature a panel discussion by Alabama Lt. Gov. Don Siegelman; Ann Jolly, a special services teacher and former Alabama Teacher of the Year; William Smith Jr., chairman of Royal Cup, Inc., and educa tion reform advocate; Ethel Hall, vice president of the state Board of Education; and Richard Kunkel, dean of the AU College of Education.
Contact Middleton at 844-4446 or e-mail: dufficf@mail.auburn.edu .

CIO search adds three candidates from AU campus

Two external candidates for chief information officer at Auburn have withdrawn from consideration and three internal candidates have been added.

Donald Stewart of George Washington University and Cliff Woodruff of Salisbury State (Md.) University informed the search committee last week that they have accepted jobs at other institutions and are no longer candidates for the Auburn position. Another candidate of the original five finalists withdrew just before the names were made public.

Added to the list of finalists are James Stone, executive director of AU Telecommunications and acting CIO; Nicholas Backscheider, advisor to AU Telecommunications; and Bruce Lewis, executive director of AU's Division of University Computing.

College of Business Dean Wayne Alderman, chair of the search committee, said the committee met last week and picked three more finalists to bring the number back to five. "The committee was prepared to go ahead after one dropped out but when two others w ithdrew, we did not want to go with just two candidates," he said. "The committee wanted the five best candidates, and when we went back to the list for more names, the three at the top were on campus."

Telecommunications and University Computing fall under the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Check with the dean's office in the College of Business for time and location.

The open forum for Stone will be Wednesday, May 14, for Lewis on Thursday, May 15, and for Backscheider on Thursday, May 22.

Remaining candidates are John Scott Bryan, executive director of Information Technology Resources at Radford University in Virginia, and James Scanlon, director of information technology at Santa Clara University in California. Bryan interviewed last wee k, and Scanlon is scheduled for an open forum on Monday, May 19, from 3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m. in Broun Hall Auditorium.

Forestry's Thompson to retire next April

Emmett Thompson, the only dean the School of Forestry has had since its founding in 1984, has announced that he will retire in April 1998.

Provost Paul Parks has named a 12-member committee headed by Human Sciences Dean June Henton to seek a replacement.

"We hate to lose Dean Thompson," said Parks. "He has been a fine leader for the School of Forestry and a very effective administrator."

Parks said the advance notice may enable the university to search for and select a new dean without having to name an interim dean. "Our hope is that we can identify a new dean who can continue the level of quality service that has characterized the scho ol under the guidance of Dean Thompson," he added.

Joining Henton on the search committee are Forestry faculty members John Bliss, Kathry Flynn, Glenn Glover, Graeme Lockaby and R.C. Tang; Harry Cullinan of the Pulp and Paper Research and Education Center; Ralph Mirarchi of Zoology and Wildlife Science; Paul Turnquist of Agricultural Engineering; James Smith of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System; Forestry staff representative Evelyn Bennett; and Forestry student representative Jayme Sellers.

Search starts for new Liberal Arts dean

A 14-member committee of faculty, staff and students has been appointed by AU Provost Paul Parks to make recommendations for the next dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

Parks named Tim Boosinger, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, to head the panel.

"The search committee has the important role of identifying and recommending candidates for the deanship who are qualified to continue the excellence of the college and build upon this excellence for the future," Parks said.

Although no timetable has been set, Boosinger said he thinks the process will be complete by next spring.

Until a dean is named, associate deans Rebekah Pindzola and John Heilman will oversee the daily operations of AU's largest college.

"While the search for a new dean is under way, Dr. Rebekah Pindzola and Dr. John Heilman will provide joint leadership to the College of Liberal Arts," said Parks.
"Based on their service as associate deans under Dean Gordon Bond and their performance as acting deans during the past few weeks, I have every confidence they will continue to maintain effective guidance for the college during the coming academic year."< P> Bond, who was dean of the college for five years, died March 27.

Committee members are: Leah Atkins, director emeritus of AU's Center for the Arts and Humanities; Mary Helen Brown, professor and chair of the Department of Communication; Cal Clark, a professor in the Department of Political Science; Jim Fitch, a profess or in the Department of Communication Disorders; Evelyn Foster, assistant to the dean in the College of Liberal Arts; Linda Glaze, Foreign Languages and Literatures; Jim Hansen, History; Gregory Kowalski, Sociology; Patricia McAdams, Theatre; Phil Shevli n, Chemistry; Tom Smith, Music; and Lauryn Rucki, president of the college's student organization.

College of Business retains status in top 130 programs

The American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business reaffirmed accreditation of the AU College of Business' bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs and granted accreditation to its accounting programs.

Of 1,200 U.S. colleges and universities offering undergraduate business degrees, only 315 are accredited by the AACSB. Of the more than 700 graduate programs, 313 are accredited, while only 130 accounting schools are accredited by AACSB.

"This achievement recognizes Auburn as one of only 130 business schools in the United States that has attained both business and accounting accreditation," said Dean Wayne Alderman. "This achievement demonstrates the quality of our programs, students and faculty."

To achieve accreditation, business and accounting programs must meet a wide range of quality standards covering curriculum, faculty resources, admissions, degree requirements, library and computer facilities, financial resources and intellectual climate.< P> During the AACSB accreditation process, AU was visited and evaluated by business school deans, accounting educators and corporate representatives.

St. Louis-based AACSB is a not-for-profit organization made up of more than 800 educational organizations and corporations. It is the primary accrediting agency and service organization for U.S. college business schools.

Eick named director of risk management

Christine Eick, formerly risk manager at Georgia State University, has been named director for risk management and real estate at AU.

Eick holds a bachelor's degree from Clemson University and a master's degree in risk management and insurance from Georgia State. Prior to joining the Georgia State staff in 1993, she worked for five years as an insurance loss control representative and four years as a loss control consultant.

Working within the Office of the Controller, the risk management director identifies and eliminates or minimizes potential financial, real estate, physical and human losses for the university. The director is also responsible for managing the university' s self insurance programs and coordinating AU's commercial insurance policies.

College of Businss honors alumnus Thomas Lowder

Thomas H. Lowder, a Birmingham real estate executive and developer, has been named the 1997 Distinguished Alumnus of the Auburn University College of Business.

The annual award is the highest alumnus honor granted by the college. The 1996 award was presented to Wendell Starke of Atlanta, a top executive of INVESCO, Inc., and a member of AU's first MBA class.

A native of Montgomery, Lowder was honored at the Honors Day Banquet hosted by the AU Business Advisory Council last Thursday. Lowder served two consecutive terms on the council, from 1987 until 1993.

Lowder, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Colonial Properties Trust, received a bachelor of science degree from AU in 1972, graduating with honors.

Following graduation, Lowder worked in the Montgomery area as a project superintendent for Lowder Construction Co., but soon moved to Birmingham to assume management of several commercial, development, leasing and sales of office, retail and multi-family developments.

Under Lowder's direction, Colonial Properties has in its 72-property portfolio more than 5.7 million square feet of retail space, 1.3 millon square feet of office space and about 13,657 multi-family units.

Lowder is former president of the Alabama Chapter of the Realtors National Marketing Institute, where he received the Certified Commercial Investment Member designation. He is also president of the Supporters Board of the University of Alabama at Birmingh am Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Breeden Awards are presented to 20 faculty

AU recently presented Daniel F. Breeden Faculty Enhancement Awards to 20 faculty members in recognition of outstanding teaching.

The awards include grants of a few hundred dollars to $1,000 and are funded by an endowment established by Breeden, an Indiana industrialist and 1957 Auburn graduate, to recognize and enhance high-quality teaching at Auburn. Breeden, who was awarded an h onorary doctorate from AU in 1983, established the endowment during the recently concluded Campaign Auburn fund drive.

Some awards are supplemented by the members' colleges.

The awards were first presented last year to three faculty members.

Four of this year's awards were joint awards shared by faculty who worked together on projects to enhance teaching in their school or department, said Carol Daron, assistant provost for undergraduate studies.

Recipients of Breeden Awards for 1997 are Kathleen McClelland, English Department; Garnetta Lovett, Art; Jim Bradley, Human Odyssey; Catherine Solheim, Family and Child Development; Sarah Stanwich, Accountancy; Peter Stanwich, Management; and Mary Miller- Goodman, Agronomy & Soils; Tom Martinson, Geography; Jeff Sibley, Horticulture; Holly Stadler, Counseling & Counseling Psychology; Darla Twale, Educational Foundations, Leadership & Technology; Ming Kuo Lee, Geology; Avery Abernethy, Marketing & Transportation; Lousie Katainen, Foreign Languages & Literatures; and Charles Spindler, Political Science; Mary Cameron of Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work and Patricia Whang and Frances Kochan of Educat ional Foundations, Leadership & Technology.

Symphonic Band concert set for May 19 at Auburn High School

The AU Symphonic Band will perform a free concert at 8 p.m. Monday, May 19, in the Auburn High School auditorium.

The band, a select group of 70 musicians, will be performing the final program of a five-city tour of central and south Alabama. The band is conducted by Johnnie Vinson, professor of music and director of bands at AU.

"The concert will have an wide audience appeal for people of all ages," said Vinson.

The concert will feature works by composers Gustav Holst and Aaron Copland, selections from the "Star Wars" motion pictures.
Greg Bryne, an assistant professor of percussion and assistant director of bands at AU, will be the featured soloist on "Concerto for Marimba," by Brazilian composer Ney Rosauro. Rick Good, associate professor of bands and low brass instructor, will cond uct Jan Van der Roost's "Rikudim," a collection of four Israeli folk dances set for band.

Special guest conductor will be Russell Logan, band director at Auburn High School, who will conduct the Russian march, "A Slavic Farewell."

AU to observe Family Day for employees

Thursday, June 5, is being set aside for AU's first annual "Family Day" for the university's faculty and staff, and their immediate families.

Albert Snipes, chair of the Family Day organizing committee says the event is aimed at showing AU's "appreciation to the many employees who have given their talents, dedication and loyalty in making Auburn the great university that it is."

The event has been scheduled from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., although a site has not been announced. Snipes says donated door prizes will include gift certificates, toys, clothing, exercise equipment, tools and trips.

AU has about 5,000 fulltime employees with an average of nine years of continuous service. About 4,000 are expected for Family Day.

Williams chronicles history of Alabama Press Association

A book covering the 125-year history of Alabama's most significant -- and everyday - happenings as chronicled by state newspapers has been written by an AU faculty member.

Ed Williams, an associate professor in the Department of Journalism, has written a history of the Alabama Press Association, the oldest business organization in the state.

The Press of Alabama: A History of the Alabama Press Association is a 432-page, 13 chapter volume that includes not only state history, but a history of newspapers.

"I have heard from my counterparts who have seen the book, and they tell me it is the best in the country," said APA Executive Director Bill Keller.

Keller said the book will be a reminder to all who have been affiliated with the APA "of our heritage, our history and what the association has meant to the newspaper industry. And, we can appreciate the courage and foresight of earlier members."

APA member asked Williams in 1994 to undertake the APA project, and he spent the next two years traveling the state to interview journalists and research papers, libraries and the files of the APA.

"Newspapers have meant a lot to whatever progress we've made in this state," he said. "The APA was in the forefront of progress in the state. The APA pushed for local taxes for education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, pushed for a statewide c hamber of commerce, opposed censorship and upheld strong shield laws to protect reporters.

"One of the most enjoyable parts of doing the book was talking to the older newspapermen and women in Alabama because they all had such interesting stories to tell," Williams said.

"The interviews of senior newspapermen and women were the most interesting and helpful, especially Jimmy Mills, who will be 97 years old this year," he said. "He is the oldest newspaperman in Alabama and was editor of the Birmingham Post and late r the Birmingham Post -Herald."

Mills was responsible for the landmark Supreme Court decision in Mills vs. Alabama which, until 1966, forbade Alabama newspapers from publishing election day editorials. Mills challenged that law in 1962 during a bitter change of government election and was arrested and charged with violating the Alabama Corrupt Practices Act.

Williams says he also enjoyed his interview with Bertie Parish, who at 81 years old is still in the newspaper business with the Clayton Record in Barbour County. "Her parents were publishers before her and both are in the APA Hall of Honor, which is housed at Auburn University.

"Mrs. Parish told me of her memories of her parents who published the paper during the depression, he said. "She told me bartering for newspaper subscriptions was very common, exchanging dozens of eggs, syrup and sugar cane for newspaper subscriptions."< P> As a starting point, Williams relied upon a history written by L.O. Brackeen, former director of public relations at AU, who wrote History of the Alabama Press Association, 1971-1951 and his revised edition in 1959.

Distinguished University Professor Wayne Flynt, who teaches Southern history at AU, has recommended the book to students researching topics in the state.
"I think the Alabama press has had such a tremendous influence on Alabama," he said. "There is so little known about the APA and what is known is piece meal. This book is a marvelous contribution to how opinion is made in the state."

Activities to honor former AU Presidents

Three former presidents of AU will be honored in activities on Thursday, May 22.
Presidents Emeriti Harry Philpott, Wilford Bailey and James Martin, and their wives, will be the guests of honor at a Presidents' Day reception from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. at the Auburn Alumni Center. The public is invited to the reception, which is hosted by the Auburn Alumni Association.

The former presidents and their wives also will be honored earlier that day at a meeting of the Auburn Rotary Club for members and their guests. AU President William Muse will introduce the three former presidents, who will make brief remarks.

Philpott served as AU's president from 1965-1980; Bailey from 1983-84; and Martin from 1984-1992. Bailey and Philpott have lived in Auburn since their retirement, and Martin moved to his family farm near Hartselle following his retirement.

Program chairman Herb White, who worked under all three presidents as executive director of University Relations, said the Rotary Club had been working with university, Alumni Association and community leaders to develop a suitable activity to honor the f ormer presidents.

"Auburn University has been fortunate in having the kind of leadership that not only built a strong university but also maintained strong ties with the community," said White. "These leaders brought a standard of service to the presidency of the universi ty that continues to this day."

The only other living former AU president, Hanly Funderburk, resides out of state. Funderburk recently announced his retirement from Eastern Kentucky University, where he has been president since 1984.

Achievements

The local district of the Boy Scouts of America has selected AU President William Muse as the recipient of its 1997 Distinguished Citizen award. Muse will be recognized at a banquet on Tuesday, May 13, at the Saugahatchee Country Club. The banquet will begin at 6 p.m., and tickets are available through the Saugahatchee District, Chattahoochee Council of the Boy Scouts at 826-9189.

Edward Morrison, an associate professor of anatomy in the College of Veterinary Medicine, has received the 1997 Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence. The award is sponsored by Exton, Pa.-based Pfizer Animal Health. Morrison's work focuse s on the olfactory system and how it relates to the growth of replacement nerve cells.

More than 100 friends, colleagues, business leaders and former students attended a tribute and roast Saturday for Marketing and Transportation Professor James Adams at the AU Hotel and Conference Center. Adams is retiring at the end of spring q uarter after a 26-year career at AU. Friends of Adams also established a James W. Adams Scholarship, payable to the Auburn University Foundation. Marketing and Transportation associate professor Daniel Butler said donors hope to initially establish a $10, 000 scholarship.

A paper on teaching engineering and management principals has earned two AU faculty members the 1997 Thomas C. Evans Instructional Unit Award from the American Society for Engineering Education. P.K. Raju of Mechanical Engineering and Chetan San kar of Management were presented the annual award for their paper titled "Teaching Real World Issues to Engineering Students Through Case Studies."

Mary Jo Wear of the AU Office of International Programs has been named Tutor of the Year by the Lee County Literacy Coalition for her service as a volunteer tutor in the community improvement program.

Joe Pittman and Marilyn Bradbard of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies have been named new co-editors of the journal Family Science Review , and Carmel White, also of Human Development and Family Studies, is se rving as the managing editor. The journal is published four times a year, focusing on professional applications and scholarly inquiry of family science.

Conner Bailey of Rural Sociology and John Bliss of Forestry received one of 11 grants given nationwide in the rural development program area of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Research Initiative Competitive Grant Program. Thei r project, "Collaboration for Sustainable Development: Activists, Agents, and Academics in Alabama," will involve research and outreach activities in the field of sustainable rural development.

Robin Jaffee of the Department of Theatre was one of 33 people chosen to exhibit their work at the U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology National Conference in Pittsburgh in March. Jaffe's work, "Shopmade Acoustical Panels," was chosen for the bien nial juried exhibit of theatre technology from a body of applicants throughout North America. The projects are also featured in the publication accompanying the exhibit.

Campus Roundup

Noted clothing designer to speak at AU
New York-based apparel and home furnishing designer Alexander Julian will present a public lectures at AU on Wednesday, May 14. Julian, the 1997 Grisham Trentham Lecturer in Human Sciences, will speak on "The Colourful World of Design" at 10 a.m. in the AU Conference Center auditorium. He is the first American clothing designer to design his own exclusive fabrics and has received numerous awards from this work, including being the youngest designer ever inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame.

WWII fighter pilot to read from autobiography
Charles Dryden, a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, will give a reading of his autobiography Thursday, May 22, at Pebble Hill. Dryden, who retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, will speak at 4 p.m., reading from his book, A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman. The book deals with his experiences as a pilot engaging enemy aircraft over Pantelleria, Sicily, in his P-40 fighter aircraft.

Tax conference set for May 20-21
AU will host the second annual Auburn Tax Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 20-21, featuring comprehensive updates on tax laws. Topic areas will include a comprehensive tax update with emphasis on individuals and businesses. Session topics include payroll tax concerns, charitable remainder trusts and retirement and fringe benefit planning. Among the speakers will be Daniel Black, regional director of appeals for the Southeast region of the Internal Revenue Service in Atlanta. For information, ca ll 844-4012.

International relations scholar from India to speak
Ram Pal Kaushik, a leading Indian international relations scholar, will deliver two public lectures at AU next week. A member of the Indian government's University Grants Commission and chairman of the Center for American and West European Studies at Jaw aharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, Kaushik will speak at Pebble Hill on Monday, May 19, on "Higher Education in Modern India," following a 4 p.m. reception in his honor. On Thursday, May 22, Kaushik will speak on "Indo American Relations" at 4 p.m. in Eagles Nest South, atop Haley Center.

Symposium on Southern history set for this week
The Department of History will sponsor a graduate symposium, "New Perspectives on Southern History," on Friday, May 16, at Pebble Hill and Saturday, May 17, at Foy Union. Graduate students from across the nation will present their research, and several S outhern historians will critique the graduate presentations and participate in a roundtable discussion. For information, call 844-4360.

Consultant to discuss disability issues
Consultant and attorney Jeanne Kincaid will present a series of sessions on disability issues in higher education Friday, May 16, at the AU Conference Center. The program includes separate sessions for admissions counselors/academic advisors, students wi th disabilities, AU faculty, employment supervisors, and AU students. For registration information, call 844-4794.

Family activities slated for June 5
June 5 has been designated Family Day on the Auburn campus. Personnel Services will host a Family Day street carnival for AU faculty and staff and their families from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Biggio Drive south of the Coliseum will be closed for the free activities, which will include musical entertainment, games, booths and demonstrations. Food will be available and prizes will be awarded.

Aquatic biologist to speak May 23
Aquatic biologist Robert G. Wetzel will present a public seminar, "Coupling atmospheric ozone depletion to nutrient cycling and productivity in fresh waters," at 1 p.m., Friday, May 23, in Conference Center Room I. Wetzel, Bishop Professor of Biology at t he University of Alabama, has published textbooks and approximately 300 peer-reviewed articles in aquatic biology, particularly nutrient dynamics. The seminar is sponsored by the AU Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and is co hosted by the Department of Zoology and Wildlife, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, and School of Forestry. For more information, call Gene W. Kim at 944-4767.

Staff Council to discuss salary issues
The AU Staff Council will hold its spring meeting at 3 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, in Pharmacy Auditorium. Agenda items include committee reviews and a discussion of salary issues.

Rodriguez art works on display at Behind the Glass
"Working Parts," an exhibit of three-dimensional works by Teresa Rodriguez, will be shown at Behind the Glass, 168 E. Magnolia in Auburn, through June 1. Rodriguez is art designer for Research Information in the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. T he works on exhibit are narrative constructions with collage, mixed media and found objects.

Program to provide summer supervision for older children
The Employers Child Care Alliance, of which AU is a member, is offering a summer program for children, ages 10-14, of employees. Called "Bridges," the program is designed for children who are too old for and/or balk at regular child care but need a super vised program of activities this summer. The AU Department of Family and Child Development worked with the Child Care Alliance to develop curriculum for the program. To reserve space for your child or get more information about the "Bridges" program, ca ll the Child Care Alliance at 749-8400.

Volunteers sought for child development study
The Child Development Study Program in the Department of Psychology seeks volunteers for a study involving children, ages 6-11, and their parents. Participating parents will complete questionnaires, and the children will take part in one lab procedure. Participants will be compensated up to $70 for their time and effort. Contact Mona El-Sheikh or graduate assistants at 844-6905.

Marriage & Family Therapy Center offers help
If you or your family are having marital, child, family, drug, alcohol or related problems, AU's Marriage and Family Therapy Center can help. Call 844-4478.

Blue Cross/Blue Shield representative to visit
AU's Blue Cross/Blue Shield representative will return to campus on May 13, June 17, July 15 and Aug. 12 from 10 a.m.-noon in the Payroll and Employee Benefits Office, Ingram 212. No appointment is necessary.

Tax-deferment options increased
Auburn University employees have additional flexibility to increase or decrease their salary reduction for tax deferred annuities under the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996. Previously, federal law prohibited employees from entering into more tha n one salary reduction agreement for tax deferred annuities each year. Tax deferred annuities enable workers to put money in certain types of investments for retirement and reduce current taxes in the process. Under the new law, AU will allow an employe e to make one more salary reduction agreement this year. Salary reduction agreements must be received by the Payroll and Employee Benefits Office the month before the effective date of the change. For additional information, call 844-4183.

Forms required for employees to take classes
Employees planning to enroll in AU courses for credit must submit an approved UPO 200 (Request to Enroll in University Course Work) each quarter of attendance. The completed and approved UPO 200 should be sent to University Personnel Services. Forms may b e acquired from departments or Personnel Services.

Payroll & Benefits head recommends generics
Ronald Herring, director of Payroll and Benefits, has issued a reminder to employees that, for participants in the university's health insurance plan, the cost of generic prescription drugs is $5 per prescription, versus $15 for brand-name drugs. Herring recommends that patients ask their doctor to prescribe generic brands when those brands are available.