Watch Out for Pickpockets
Campus police have issued an alert that several people on campus have been the victims of a team of pickpockets. The suspects appear to be an African-American man and woman in most of the cases, police said. In some cases there is a third person, usually a man.
One of the common themes is the woman appears to stumble and hurt her ankle. When someone goes to help, the woman's partner uses the distraction to remove items from the helper's purse or pocket, police said.
Police recommend keeping purses zipped or latched shut and suggest wallets be carried in a front pants pocket or an inside jacket pocket. Carrying cash separate from a wallet is also a good idea.
People who become the victim of a theft are urged to report the crime even if the loss is small. This helps police agencies track crime trends.
Four Lectures Highlight Math Week
The Mathematical Sciences Research Institute and the Department of Mathematics are sponsoring several lectures in conjunction with National Math Awareness Week, April 22 through 27.
According to MSRI director T.Y. Lam, the theme for the week is "Mathematics and Decision Making," aimed at getting people to think about how many decisions in daily life--from choosing clothing according to weather predictions to choosing our stock portfolios--are influenced or driven by mathematics.
The week's events include:
* Monday, April 22, 4:10 to 5:30 p.m.--"Network Economics: Mathematical Models of the Evolution of Telecommunications," presented by Hal Varian, dean of the School of Information Management and Systems. 10 Evans Hall.
* Tuesday, April 23, 4:10 to 5 p.m.--"How Long Does It Take to Make Up Your Mind? An Introduction to the Mathematics of Decision Problems, Computational Complexity and Other Sundry Topics," presented by graduate student Gerhard Paseman. 1015 Evans Hall.
* Wednesday, April 24
2:10 to 3 p.m.--"Numbers and Newspapers," presented by graduate student Steve Hillion. 1015 Evans Hall.
4 to 5 p.m.--"Mathematical Models for Portfolio Management," presented by Andrew Rudd, chief executive officer of Barra. MSRI Lecture Hall, 1000 Centennial Drive.
* April 22 through 27--Library display: "Mathematics and Decision Making." 100 Evans Hall.
All events are free and open to all. For more information call the institute at 642-0143 or the mathematics department at 642-6550.
Wellness Lectures: Call for Abstracts
Faculty are invited to submit abstracts and applications to participate in the 1996 Wellness Lecture Series sponsored by the California Wellness Foundation and the Office of the President.
The 1996 lectures should address policy implications or service issues, including clinical or personal recommendations or strategies for improving the health of Californians through prevention and other wellness efforts.
Application forms are available from the Sponsored Projects Office. Completed forms, including an abstract of two pages according to the instructions on the forms, are due Wednesday, May 8, in the Office of Health Affairs at the Office of the President.
Six applicants among the nine campuses will be chosen as distinguished lecturers, entailing the preparation of a paper and presentation of an hour-long lecture next fall.
The award carries a $3,000 prize, with an additional $1,000 for research and editing assistance.
Presidential Election
The Clinton presidency and the upcoming presidential election is the topic of a free panel discussion Thursday, April 18, at 8 p.m. in 155 Dwinelle Hall.
Nationally known observers of the Washington scene will be on hand for what's expected to be a lively discussion of the state of the nation on the eve of the 1996 presidential election.
The discussion will be moderated by Gerald Lubenow of the Institute of Governmental Studies.
T.Y. Lin on Bridges
Internationally known engineer and educator T.Y. Lin will illuminate the history of bridge building in a presentation at Lawrence Hall of Science Wednesday, April 17, beginning at 7:30 p.m. His talk, "Bridges: From Stone to Steel," is recommended for ages 12 and up.
A 30-year member of the civil engineering faculty and a pioneer in the development and use of prestressed concrete, Lin will present the art and science of handling and joining large pieces to produce bridges of all types.
Slides of creative projects and imaginative proposals by Lin and his colleagues, including strait crossings joining the continents, will illustrate how the world could be united by bridges.
After the talk, Lin will join participants for a reception within the hall's "Invention Adventure" exhibition.
Tickets are $15, available at the door or by calling 642-5134.
Hire a Youth
There's still time to hire a Berkeley youth this summer through the joint campus and city summer youth employment program, which will run from July 1 through Aug. 31. Each year, the program brings local youths to campus for eight weeks to work in various departments. For about $1,000 (20 hours/week for eight weeks), departments can provide participants with valuable summer jobs and learning opportunities. Interested departments should contact Eric Zarate at 643-6781 or ericz@uclink2.
Homes for Sale
University Terrace is sponsoring two open houses for prospective home buyers. The four-acre compound in central Berkeley includes townhouse/condominium units, primarily with two to three bedrooms, available for sale to faculty, career staff and retirees of Berkeley, UCSF, Office of the President and Lawrence Berkeley Lab. Prices begin at $149,000.
Open houses have been scheduled for April 14 and 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. both days. University Terrace also will sponsor a booth at Cal Day, Saturday, April 13.
The compound is situated on a one-block area bordered by California Street, Addison Street, Allston Way and Jefferson Avenue. For more information, call 204-9342.
Survey Due
The Faculty and Staff Housing and Transportation Survey recently was sent to all full- and part-time faculty and staff via campus mail. Survey recipients who have not already done so are asked to complete the questionnaire and return it by Friday, April 26.
The survey is a collaborative effort of Physical and Environmental Planning, Office of Student Research, Parking and Transportation Services and Housing and Dining Services.
The survey has been conducted approximately every five years since 1970, yielding results that provide vital information for housing and transportation planning.
The results give planners and administrators information to identify trends, help evaluate existing housing programs, determine changing patterns in transportation and parking, and set directions for future actions and programs to better meet campus and faculty and staff needs.
Results of this year's survey will be reported in an upcoming issue of Berkeleyan.
Questions or requests for a replacement survey should be directed to Sharon Pangburn, 643-5311.
Faculty Grants
The Service-Learning Center is accepting applications through April 19 for fall 1996 minigrants. Cosponsored by the Office of Educational Development, the Instructional Minigrant Program makes funds available to faculty who integrate community service activities into the academic curriculum.
For information and assistance in developing a grant proposal, email Andrew Furco at furco@uclink4, or Kendra Jones at kpjones@uclink3.