News briefs
Committee to review, analyze response to PATRIOT Act

05 February 2003

Chancellor Berdahl has established the USA PATRIOT Act Steering Committee to oversee a review and analysis of the campus’s response to the act and related legislation. The act allows federal law-enforcement officials investigating terrorism to seek a court order requiring educational institutions to release information, and provides similar and other types of access to federal agencies in the research arena.

The steering committee’s co-chairs are Academic Senate Chair Catherine Koshland and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Paul Gray, who say the campus is taking steps “to ensure that our legal obligations under the USA PATRIOT Act are thoroughly reviewed and that the campus complies with its provisions, while at the same time [protecting] the rights of our students, faculty, and staff.” To that end, two work groups have also been established, one to review campus policies and procedures governing the disclosure of information maintained in administrative and student records, and another to advise on research compliance.

The Steering Committee hopes to complete its review and send recommendations to the Chancellor by June 1.

March 7 deadline for Letters & Science faculty awards
Members of the campus community are invited to nominate faculty for the 2003 L&S awards for Distinguished Research Mentoring and Distinguished Faculty Advising of Undergraduates. These awards for exceptional service will go to one faculty advisor and five research mentors chosen from the five L&S divisions: Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and the Undergraduate Division. Winners will each receive $2,000 and be honored in a College ceremony next fall. Nominations must have the endorsement of the department chair and be received by March 7.

For guidelines and nomination procedures, visit research.berkeley.edu/distinguished or contact Terry Strathman at 642-3795, or strath@uclink.berkeley.edu.

A chorus for your Valentine
A quartet from UC Choral Ensembles, a Berkeley student group, will travel up to half a mile from campus to serenade your sweetie on Valentine’s Day. A 15-minute “Valentine’s Day Gram” can be purchased for $40 for “delivery” between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Feb. 13, or 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Feb. 14. A rose and a card will accompany the melody. Time slots must be purchased by Wednesday, Feb. 12. For information, call 642-3880.