Deaths
Robley Cook Williams, professor emeritus of biophysics, died. Jan. 3 in Oneonta, N.Y., at the age of 86.
Starting out as an astrophysicist, Williams became fascinated by virology and the nascent field of biophysics, carrying out pioneering studies of the structures of viruses. He joined Berkeley's faculty in 1950, using the electron microscope to investigate the structures of biological objects: bacterial cells, viruses, nucleic acids and protein molecules.
Williams was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1955. That same year he and professor Fraenkel-Conrat accomplished the first reconstitution of a virus, separating it into its constituent protein and nucleic acid components. When they mixed these molecular components back together, intact and biologically active virus particles resulted. This finding prompted the Vatican to point out that life had not been created in these experiments, merely reassembled.
Williams retired in 1976, when he was awarded the Berkeley Citation for his many services to the university, including his roles as department chair and associate director of the Virus Laboratory. He helped organize the Biophysical Society, serving as its first president in 1958.
Around Cal
Running Strawberry Rapids
Thanks to this winter's drought-breaking monsoon rains, Strawberry Creek just north of Golden Bear Center looks white enough to raft on. Amazingly, Physical Resources reports no damage on campus from the lengthy downpour other than the occasional leak.
Awards and Honors
Bruce Baldwin, curator of the Jepson Herbarium, has received a five-year National Young Investigator award from the National Science Foundation to research systematics of California tar plants and their relatives, the Hawaiian silver sword alliance.
Michael Buckland, professor in the School of Library and Information Studies, has been named Special Interest Group member of the year by the American Society for Information Science in recognition of his leadership in reviving the Special Interest Group in the Foundations of Information Science.
William Cooper, professor in the graduate school, School of Library and Information Studies, received the triennial research award from the Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group for Information Retrieval at its conference in Dublin, Ireland.
Fulbright grants for 1994-95 have been awarded to 34 scholars affiliated with the UC system, accounting for more than a third of the state's 98 Fulbright grantees. Each year, roughly 1,000 of the nation's scholars are awarded Fulbright grants to lecture or conduct research abroad.
This year's Fulbright scholars from Berkeley are Donald DePaolo, geology; Robert Lipton, medical sciences; Gary Martin, anthropology and archaeology; Robert Rice, geography; and Ruth Schmidt, linguistics.
Eugene Haller, professor of materials science and mineral engineering, has received the Max Planck Research Award from the Max Planck Institut and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany.
Thomas Jukes, professor emeritus of integrative biology, has received two awards: for distinguished scientific achievement from the American Council on Science and Health, and the Distinguished Scientist Award from the Center for Study of Evolution and the Origin of Life at UCLA.
Robion Kirby, professor of mathematics, has received the National Academy of Sciences Award for Scientific Reviewing and a prize of $5,000. The academy cited Kirby for his "list of problems in low dimensional topology and his tireless maintenance of it. Several generations have been greatly influenced by Kirby's list."
David Messerschmitt, professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences and chair of the department, has been recognized by the University of Michigan Engineering Alumni Society as an outstanding alumnus. He received the Merit Award, given annually to exceptional alumni of the 10 departments within Michigan's College of Engineering.
Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli, professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences, has received the 1995 Graduate Teaching Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for his excellence in graduate teaching, curriculum development and research guidance in computer-aided design of electronic circuits.
Glenn Seaborg, University Professor of Chemistry and Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory associate director at large, has received the first annual Explorers Club Award for Exploration in Science.
Ella Wheaton, staff ombudsperson, has received the 1994 Service Excellence Award from the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds.
Staff Enrichment
Employee Development And Training
For more information, for copies of the 1994-95 Employee Development and Training catalog or for information on how to enroll in classes, call 642-8134.
Operational Planning: The Basis for Budget Development and Control
Feb. 6, 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Feb. 13, 8:30 am-noon, Room 24, University Hall
Learn how to formulate departmental goals and objectives, relate these to higher levels of strategies and goals, identify means to measure whether or not departmental objectives are met, develop departmental action plans and monitor/control operational actions and budgets to meet objectives.
Career Panel of Student Affairs Officers
Feb. 7, 12:15-1:30 pm, Room 24, University Hall
This informal meeting will feature student affairs officers discussing their job responsibilities, professional skills, career paths and educational backgrounds. Career panels are designed for employees interested in moving into the classification under discussion.
Creating and Using Flow Charts
Feb. 14, 9-11 am, Room 24, University Hall
Flow charts provide visual paths that a service or product follows and/or should follow. They are used to identify, clarify and improve business processes and can provide data for analysis, problem-solving and decision-making.
Skills Seminar for Analysts
Feb. 15 and 22, 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Room 24, University Hall
This workshop will look at the analytic process, from defining a problem to recommending solutions. Through case studies, exercises and discussions you will follow the analytic process and practice skills essential in an analyst's job.
Health*Matters
For information, a complete program flyer or to enroll, call 643-4646.
Weight No More!
Thursdays, Feb. 2-Mar. 9, 12:10-12:55 pm, $40
This six-week healthy eating program promotes weight loss and healthy weight maintenance through lifestyle change. Adopt a low-fat, balanced diet, incorporate exercise into your life, break the yo-yo diet cycle.
Vitamins C, E and Beta Carotene: "The Antioxidants"
Feb. 15, 12:10-12:55 pm, Tan Oak Room, ASUC Student Union, free
Myths, Truths and Unknowns. Professor Gladys Block, from the School of Public Health and a nationally recognized expert on antioxidants, will discuss how these nutrients can help protect us against cancer, heart disease, cataracts and even aging; what medical experts still don't know; and the recommended safe dosages for disease prevention.
Stress-Reducing Strategies
Thursdays, Feb. 16-March 2, 12:10 -12:55 pm, free
Identify and define your sources of stress, develop a personal action plan for coping, learn relaxation techniques.
Computers at Work
Feb. 16, 10:30 am-noon, free
Learn about health issues related to computer use, design a user-friendly workstation, practice exercises to relieve computer-related aches and pains.
Fidelity Offers Private Investment Counseling
Fidelity Investments is offering private, on-campus investment counseling for employees Feb. 6, 7 and 24, March 7 and 8, April 11 and 12, May 11 and 12, and June 8 and 9. Call 1-800-771-3374 during business hours to schedule an appointment.
Campus Memos
Memoranda mailed to deans, directors, department chairs, and administrative officers issued on the chancellor's mailing lists. For copies, contact originating offices.
Nov. 18: UCB Laser Safety Program, from Joseph Cerny, vice chancellor for research.
Nov. 22: Employment Delegations-Changes in Staff Hiring Procedures from Carol Christ, the vice chancellor and provost, and Leroy Bean, acting vice chancellor--business and administrative services.
Nov. 28: Installation of New Parking Lot Signs on Campus, from Leroy Bean, vice chancellor--business and administrative services.
Nov. 29: Professor in the Graduate School Implementing Guidelines, from Carol Christ, the vice chancellor and provost.
Dec. 1: Assisting Students in Crisis, from Chancellor Tien.
Dec. 6: New International and Area Studies Master's Program, from Richard Buxbaum, dean of International and Area Studies.
Dec. 8: Announcement and Guidelines for Submission of Proposals for NSF Graduate Research Traineeships, from Joseph Cerny, vice chancellor for research.
Dec. 9: Appointment of Professor Genaro Padilla as Acting Vice Chancellor of Undergraduate Affairs, from Chancellor Tien.
Dec. 9: Academic Salary Scales for 1994-95, from Carol Christ, the vice chancellor and provost.
Dec. 20: Partial Fee Remission and Student Health Insurance Plan Premium for Eligible Graduate Students, from Leroy Bean, acting vice chancellor--business and administrative services, and Joseph Cerny, vice chancellor for research and dean of the graduate division.
Dec. 20: Family and Medical Leave Act; Personnel Office Gopher; Calendar, from Leroy Bean, acting vice chancellor-business and administrative services.
Jan. 3: Deadline for Obtaining New Permanent Resident Cards, from Richard Buxbaum, dean of international and area studies.
Jan. 3: Policy on the Requirement to Submit Proposals and to Receive Awards for Grants and Contracts Through the University, from Joseph Cerny, vice chancellor for research.
From Office of the President
Settlement Reached on 1991-92 Salary Increases For Academic Employees
A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the academic employees of the University of California who are not members of the Academic Senate and who are not exclusively represented by a collective bargaining agent, and who had their promotion and merit salary increases eliminated for the 1991-92 academic year. In settlement of that action, a tentative agreement has been reached, subject to approval by the court. The settlement provides that class members shall be paid the 1991-92 merit awards that were eliminated, minus attorneys' fees and applicable deductions.
The settlement is described in detail in a Notice of Pendency of Class Action, Proposed Settlement, Opt-Out Rights, Objection Rights and Hearing. All those who have been identified as members of the class covered by the settlement should have received copies of this notice. If you have not received this notice, and you believe you should be included in the class as someone whose 1991-92 merit award was eliminated, you should contact the appropriate dean or equivalent officer immediately. If you object to the university's determination following your discussions with the dean or equivalent officer, you may appeal the university's determination pursuant to the grievance procedures set forth in Academic Personnel Manual section 140.