The Massara Report

Greetings:

My name is Steve Massara, and I am the current student body president/regent for UNO. After the first installment of my report in February, I decided it would prudent for me to continue my educational quest. I am here to represent the interests of you, the student, in any capacity possible. That is why this month's topic will revolve around my administration's proposed smoking ban on campus. 

After fielding numerous student complaints and seeing the impact of smoking on campus every day, we decided to take a stand this semester. Obviously, health concerns are a consideration for those allergic to the carcinogenic components in smoke, but the aesthetic factor is also a major concern. I encourage you to walk down any major corridor on campus and examine the tremendous amount of litter caused by smokers. The university pays employees to engage in the labor-intensive task of picking up cigarette butts. This problem becomes so bad that large beds of mulch must be replaced annually due to this unsightly litter. It is obvious that the current smoking "compromise" is not working and needs to be amended.

Student Government sponsored a forum in February discussing the topic of banning smoking on campus. I thank those who attended and voiced their opinions. Notes were taken, and you have my solemn vow that I will include your ideas in my forthcoming proposal. To briefly preview the concept, Vice President VaShawn Smith and I are proposing a ban on smoking on the main corridor of campus running from Kayser to Durham. Several designated smoking areas on peripheral sidewalks would provide a more constrained enforcement opportunity. 

I realize it will be a battle, and enforcement will be difficult, but I feel the compromise I am currently working on will encompass the concerns of all parties. It is important to note that the student body comprises only a third of the campus community. Our voice is strong, but we must focus it sharply.

I intend to work closely with faculty and staff representatives to forge a positive outcome for all parties involved. I entreat you to let me know how you feel about this or any other topic. Please do not hesitate to surf our new Web site at http://sguno.unomaha.edu/ for more information. We meet at 7 p.m. Thursdays in the Milo Bail Student Center and always love to have visitors. 

You may also contact me at any time at smassara@mail.unomaha.edu or 554.3578. Thanks for reading!

Films to Be Focus of "Shorts Night" March 22

The UNO Religious Studies Program will celebrate the short film art form by hosting "Shorts Night" Wednesday, March 22. The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. in 306 Arts and Sciences Hall. 

The five featured short films and their run times are as follows:

- Tiffany Shlain's "The Tribe," 18 minutes;

- Nash Edgerton's "Fuel," 17 minutes;

- Ari Sandel's "West Bank Story," 20 minutes;

- Gail Maurice's "Smudge," 12.5 minutes; and

- David Napier's "The Art of Farewell," 7.5 minutes.

For more information, call 554.2628, or send an e-mail to religion@unomaha.edu.

GLBTQ Dialogue March 22

Students, faculty and staff interested in making UNO a safe environment for members of the GLBTQ community are invited to participate in a campus dialogue Wednesday, March 22. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to noon in the Milo Bail Student Center Gallery Room.

Those interested in attending are invited to bring their lunch. For more information, contact Sharon Ulmar at 554.2872.

Medical Expert to Headline ABC Breakfast March 22

Dr. Peter Salgo will focus on a variety of timely medical issues during his appearance at UNO's Academy, Business and Community (ABC) Breakfast Speaker Series set for Wednesday, March 22. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 72nd and Grover streets. The doors will open at 7 a.m. for a breakfast buffet. Tickets are $12.50 each and may be purchased by calling 554.2981.

Dr. Salgo – a medical correspondent, professor and practicing physician – has published on a number of topics, including drug pricing schedules in the United States compared to those of other western nations, the current progress of fetal surgery, plastic and cosmetic surgery, and the effects of AIDS on its victims and the health care system. Recently, he has been active with CNBC's "America's Vital Signs," having written, produced and anchored four broadcasts a week.  In addition, he has served as a correspondent for WCBS-TV News on medical news and education issues for the past decade.

Dr. Salgo received his education at Columbia University and the Columbia University College of Physicians. Currently, he practices anesthesiology and internal medicine at Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, and teaches anesthesiology and internal medicine at his alma mater.

The ABC Breakfast Speaker Series is celebrating its 31st season in 2005-06.  It is one of the nation's longest running speaker series. 

For more information, call 554.2981, or visit the Web at http://www.unomaha.edu/~abc/. 

Tickets On Sale for Cesar Chavez Celebration

The 2006 Cesar Chavez celebration at UNO is set for Friday, March 24, at noon in the Milo Bail Student Center (MBSC) Ballroom. Tickets are currently on sale in the MBSC Business Office. The cost is $10 for faculty and staff, $5 for students and $15 for the general public.

UNO student Jorge Gomez will host the event. He is a member of the Association of Latin American Students and Sigma Lambda Beta, a national Latino fraternity. 

The keynote speaker will be Marty Ramirez, a mental health practitioner with the University Health Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Musical entertainment will be provided by the South Omaha Arts Institute under the direction of UNO alumnus Marcos Mora.

The event will commemorate the life of Chavez, who advocated for better wages and working conditions for the nation's farm workers.  In 1952, he began the National Farm Workers Association to strive for equal rights for agricultural workers.

Chavez died April 23, 1993, at the age of 66 and was posthumously awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994. The U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative first class stamp bearing his image in 2003.

For more information, call 554.2711.

Communication Workshop to Offer Career Advice March 23

Students will have the opportunity to meet with communication professionals at an interactive career development workshop Thursday, March 23, at UNO.

The "Window of Opportunity" workshop will feature professionals from advertising, public relations, broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, event planning, and training and development. The session will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Dodge Room.

The professionals will offer advice on résumés, portfolios, tapes and other materials students may have. Students may bring items for critique and will have the opportunity to talk one-on-one or in small groups. Students may come and go as they please.

The participating professionals are as follows:

- Zachary Baehr, editor, Bellevue Leader;

- Allen Beckner, news director, KPTM-Fox 42;

- Jeff Carney, assistant managing editor, Omaha World-Herald;

- Brian Daugherty, national sales manager, KETV-Channel 7;

- Kristine Gerber, president, Eventive Marketing;

- Patricia Harrold, president, Career and Life Mentoring;

- Alexandra Hayne, editor, online edition, Omaha World-Herald;

- Christine Kasel, editor in chief, Omaha Magazine;

- Joan Lukas, president, Leslie Kline Lukas & Associates;

- Mike May, director, training and development, MUD;

- Tom Stanton, news director, KFAB;

- Don Trouba, account supervisor, Anderson Partners;

- Anne Walsh, director, employee communications, Union Pacific Railroad; and

- Kristin Zagurski, reporter, Omaha World-Herald.

Michelle Perone, manager of the UNO Career Exploration and Outreach Office, also will be available to critique résumés.

Information on communication, student organizations and internships will be available. Snacks will be provided.

The event is sponsored by the Public Relations Student Society of America, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Ad Club.

For more information, contact Sherrie Wilson at 554.3677.

ZTA to Host Benefit Kickball Tournament March 25

The Gamma Mu chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha will host its 10th annual Kick Out Cancer Kickball Tournament to raise money for breast cancer research and education Saturday, March 25. The event will be held at the UNO Soccer Field located west of 64th and Pine from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The day will include raffles, game-day style food and kickball. Teams of 10 or more are sought to participate. The registration fee is $50 per team. All participants must be 16 or older. 

There is no fee to attend as a spectator.

"Last year we were able to raise more than $1,000 that went straight to breast cancer research and education," said Rachel Moser, Zeta Tau Alpha's fund-raising chair. "We had 10 teams participate, and everyone had a blast."

For more information, contact Karen Speckmeier at 660.7309 or kspeckmeier@mail.unomaha.edu.

OAA to Host Movie Night March 31

The Organization for the Advancement of the Arts (OAA) and the UNO Film Society will host a free movie night for all interested UNO students Friday, March 31.

"Dr. Strangelove" will be screened at 7 p.m. in Eppley Auditorium. For more information, contact the OAA at unooaa@mail.unomaha.edu.

SPO to Host Benefit Concert April 3

The Student Programming Organization (SPO) has announced plans to host a concert featuring The Rocket Summer to benefit the "UNO to UNO Hurricane Relief Project" Monday, April 3.

The free concert, featuring pop/rock bands The Rocket Summer and Epic Hero, will be held in the Milo Bail Student Center Nebraska Room and Ballroom from 7 to 10 p.m. The doors will open at 6 p.m.

While the concert is free to UNO students and the public, SPO is asking for an optional donation, the proceeds of which will go to the University of New Orleans.

"We have had the UNO to UNO containers at most of our events," said TJ Jones, the student director of SPO, "but we thought we should plan a show that would put the spotlight on the fund-raiser."

Hailed as one of Alternative Press Magazine's "100 Bands to Know in 2006," The Rocket Summer is the piano/guitar driven, pop/rock brainchild of multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter Bryce Avery.

Since the release of his first album in 2003, Avery has toured as The Rocket Summer with Something Corporate, Hellogoodbye, Reliant K, Mae, Sugarcult, Jimmy Eat World and The All American Rejects, among others.  His newest CD, "Hello, Good Friend," was released in May 2005. 

"UNO to UNO" was set up in the fall 2005 following Hurricane Katrina's destruction of New Orleans. The project is raising money to help those in the Louisiana UNO community who lost so much rebuild. The fund-raiser will conclude in May at the end of the academic year.

For more information, contact Erin Cron at 554.2711 or ecron@mail.unomaha.edu.

Nominees for Student Employee of the Year Announced

The nominees for the 2006 Student Employee of the Year at UNO have been announced.  They are listed below.  All nominees will be honored at a campus reception set for Wednesday, April 12. 

- Angela Aday, Landscape Services

- Samantha Alba, University Library/Circulation

- Traci Berry, UNO Department of Black Studies

- Carol Casper, Undergraduate Admissions

- Kalpana Chaudhary, Information Technology Services

- Beth Flynn, Aviation Institute

- Kimberly Gallion-Exum, Goodrich Scholarship Program

- Eriko Horii, University Library/Cataloging

- Shannon Jackson, College of Communication, Fine Arts & Media/Dean's Office

- Rebecca S. Lance, Center for Faculty Development/Service Learning Academy

- Amy M. McAlpine, UNO Department of Chemistry

- Jennifer McQuinn, Cashiering/Student Accounts

- Jessica O'Neel, Campus Recreation

- Amanda Sendgraff, Honors Program

- Yuki Setoguchi, University Library/Acquisitions

- Laura Wapelhorst, MavCard Services

To R.S.V.P. for the reception, contact Emily Muckerheide at 554.2321 or emuckerheide@mail.unomaha.edu.

University of New Orleans Student to Speak at UNO

A student from the University of New Orleans will discuss what life on her campus is like post Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in a series of events set for April 13-14 at UNO.

Chevita Phifer will be the keynote speaker at UNO's annual Greek Week Banquet Friday, April 14. The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom.

The UNO Greek Week Planning Committee has adopted the UNO to UNO Hurricane Relief Project as its philanthropy during Greek Week 2006, which is set for April 10-14. In the fall of 2005, UNO students, faculty and staff launched the "UNO to UNO Hurricane Relief Project," a sustained fund-raising effort aimed at providing relief to their colleagues at the University of New Orleans.

All funds raised by the Nebraska UNO during the course of the year will be earmarked for a recovery fund established by Tim Ryan, chancellor of the Louisiana UNO, for members of his university community who lost everything.

Throughout Greek Week, students will be selling raffle tickets and "UNO to UNO" bracelets, as well as hosting a silent auction. 

Phifer will be honored at a reception Thursday, April 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Student Organizations and Leadership Programs Office.  All interested UNO faculty, staff and students are invited to attend.

The 2006 Greek Week Banquet is the culmination of a week of competitive events in the Greek community.

For more information, call 554.2711.

Maverick Watch

Go Mavs! Support your Mavericks by attending their home events. At home this week:

Wednesday, March 22

- Baseball vs. Wayne State (Neb.)

The Ballpark at Boys Town, 137th and West Dodge Road

2 p.m.

Thursday, March 23

- Baseball vs. Washburn

The Ballpark at Boys Town, 137th and West Dodge Road

2 p.m.

Friday, March 24

- Baseball vs. University of Mary

The Ballpark at Boys Town, 137th and West Dodge Road

2 p.m.

Saturday, March 25

- Baseball vs. Central Missouri State

The Ballpark at Boys Town, 137th and West Dodge Road

11 a.m.

- Baseball vs. University of Mary

The Ballpark at Boys Town, 137th and West Dodge Road

2 p.m.

For more information about UNO Athletics, visit the Web at http://gomavs.unomaha.edu/.

SHS to Host Men's Health Day March 21

Student Health Services (SHS) will host a Men's Health Day Tuesday, March 21, at UNO.

Cholesterol and blood sugar tests will be available for $15. PSA testing will be available for an additional $15. Free information on healthy eating, cardiovascular disease, hair loss, testicular cancer and depression also will be available. Attendees can earn Mav Tracks points and enter for free giveaways.

SHS is located on the first floor of the Milo Bail Student Center. For more information, call 554.2374.

Fitness Center to Offer Screenings This Week

The Fitness Center will offer a free blood pressure screening Tuesday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the main entrance to the Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Building.  The event is open to all students, faculty and staff.

The Fitness Center also will offer a cholesterol screening Thursday, March 23, from 7 to 11 a.m. in the HPER Exercise Physiology Lab. The test requires a 12-hour fast.  The cost is $15, and results will be ready for participants when they leave.

Those interested should sign up in advance by calling 554.3221 or stopping by the office in 103 HPER.

Call for Quilt Entries

The International Quilt Study Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is seeking original quilt or quilted garment entries in conjunction with "ReGenerations," a juried exhibition open to all University of Nebraska students. The event will be held March 1-3, 2007.

For details, visit the Web at http://quiltstudy.org/symposium.

For more information, contact Jonathan Gregory at jgregory@bigred.unl.edu or 402.472.7232.

Ecoutez! Continues March 21 with Flutist Dora Seres

The 2005-06 Ecoutez! series at UNO continues Tuesday, March 21, with a performance by flutist Dora Seres. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. The doors will open 30 minutes prior to the concert.

The Ecoutez! series is committed to bringing the highest caliber of established performers and emerging artists to the metropolitan area, said Roger Foltz, a professor of music at UNO and coordinator of the series. The word "ecoutez" is French for "listen." KVNO Classical 90.7 FM is the media sponsor for the series.

A native of Hungary, Seres is a distinguished recitalist who has performed in Boston, Switzerland, Japan, Vienna and Hungary. She is also principal flutist with the Hungarian Radio Orchestra. Seres won first prize in the 2005 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. She graduated from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. 

Individual tickets to the March 21 concert are $15. All students are admitted free of charge with a valid ID. Phone reservations for student tickets are recommended.

For more information, call 554.3427.