13 SEPTEMBER 00

Proposed electronic communications policy

The Office of the President has notified the campus of the proposed policy on electronic communication, replacing Electronic Mail Policy and Business and Finance Bulletin IS-6 (Campus Communications Guidelines). The new policy is proposed for implementation in September.

The text of the proposed policy, and a table highlighting the points on which it differs from the Electronic Mail Policy, are available online at www.ucop. edu/ucophome/policies/ec. Hard copies will be located at the Human Resources front desk, 207 University Hall and the Doe Library reference desk. Questions should be addressed to employee relations specialists or the Academic Personnel Office.

Accommodation of religious creed

"It is the official policy of the university to permit any student to undergo a test or examination, without penalty, at a time when that activity would not violate the student's religious creed, unless administering the examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship which could not reasonably have been avoided. Requests to accommodate a student's religious creed by scheduling tests or examinations at alternative times shall be submitted directly to the faculty member responsible for administering the examination."

That is the university's official policy on accommodating needs of students when religion and academic instruction schedules conflict. To become more aware of potential conflicts, the dates of some prominent religious holidays this year have been put online at www.chance.berkeley. edu/planning/calendar.html.

Nominations for 2001 teaching awards

The Committee on Teaching announces the deadlines for the 2001 Distinguished Teaching Award Program.

The nomination process consists of two stages. Stage one requires a brief nominating letter from the department and information about the nominee's teaching; those candidates selected for further consideration are then asked to submit additional information in stage two. The deadline for 2000-2001 stage one nominations is Friday, October 6.

Stage two materials will be due early in spring semester, Friday, February 9.

Guidelines for the award are posted on the Web at http://uga. berkeley.edu/sled/dta-guidelines. html. For information, contact Michael Hardie at the Office of Media Services, 9 Dwinelle Hall, 643-9433, or hardie@uclink. berkeley.edu via e-mail.

Mandatory training in human subject protection

In response to the increasing pressure from Congress to tighten oversight of research on humans, the National Institutes of Health has announced that effective October 1, all investigators and key personnel conducting clinical research on NIH grants or contracts will be required to undergo training in the protection of human subjects in research.

Principal investigators on projects involving human subjects research and all personnel who are directly responsible for the design and conduct of the human subjects part of the project must be trained prior to working with human subjects. This includes key foreign and domestic personnel on subcontracts and consultants and applies whether or not these individuals are compensated from the award. Training is required only once during the project period.

The new regulation and frequently asked questions can be found at www.grants.nih.gov/ grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-00-039.html. For questions, contact Joyce Freedman at jbfreed@uclink.berkeley.edu or 642-8110.

Limitations on use of funds for parking

Campus departments are required to adhere to university policy and federal spending regulations when purchasing parking permits for university vehicles or when paying parking citations.

There is no restriction on using campus funds to purchase parking permits for university-owned vehicles. Federal funds may be used to purchase parking permits for university vehicles provided there is a direct benefit to the federal grant or contract. Federal or campus funds cannot be used to purchase parking permits for vehicles privately leased or owned by employees.

In certain circumstances, departments may purchase parking permits for volunteers, contractors, or other non-employees who are performing work on behalf of the university.

University funds (including federal and other sources) may not be used to pay for parking citations. This includes citations for vendors and visitors. Employees and all other operators are responsible for parking or moving citations they receive while using a vehicle on university business. This policy applies to both university and privately owned or leased vehicles.

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to Nichole Sparks at 643-6336.

Catalonian studies seeks applicants

The government of Catalonia and the Berkeley campus invite, as part of the Gaspar de Portola Catalonian Studies Program agreement, applications from faculty for scholarly visits to Catalan universities and research institutes.

The purpose of an exchange visit would be to interact with colleagues in Catalonia and to give lectures about one's own scholarly work. Complete information on this program is available at www.gencat.es/dursi/prof00.htm. Applications should be made through the dean of International and Area Studies, 260 Stephens Hall. Call 642-1140 or e-mail Gstern@uclink4.berkeley.edu for information. Applications are due by October 15.