The State Building Commission has reviewed a plan to provide about $11 million statewide to upgrade classrooms throughout the UW System. The funding would upgrade about 95 classrooms statewide, installing video projectors, audio playback machines, multimedia computers, VCRs, laser disks and audiovisual controls, among other things. About half the money is earmarked for the Madison and Milwaukee campuses. UW-Green Bay would get $232,000, which would be applied toward equipment and a seating-area reconfiguration of ES 114 to make the lecture hall more learning-friendly.

UW System President Katharine Lyall is using the phrase "brain gain" to position Wisconsin's public universities for the 21st century. In recent public statements and in her column in the Wisconsin Ideas newsletter (distributed on campus Friday) the President outlines the potential for UW System institutions and their graduates to rebalance the state's economy in favor of higher-wage, higher-skill jobs. While expressing appreciation for increased funding in the tentative 1999-2001 budget, Lyall has also noted that forecasts for the 2001-03 biennium are less optimistic in terms of overall state spending. A refocusing on the UW System's role in "brain gain" and as a primary driver of the state's Knowledge Age economy will be central to continued success.

For complete descriptions and to connect to the following databases (and many others), go to the page on the library's website: "Online Databases by Title With Description" at http://www.uwgb.edu/library/databases/title.html Examples include: Alt-Health Watch, America: History and Life, Biographies Plus, CCH Tax Research Network, Congressional Universe, Environmental Knowledgebase, Ethnic NewsWatch, GenderWatch, JSTOR and Statistical Universe. Another site of interest should be the "resources under evaluation" web page at http://www.uwgb.edu/library/dept/auto/trials.html This page, updated frequently, lists databases the library is considering for purchase. The Cofrin Library welcomes both feedback on the products listed, and suggestions on database purchases. If you're interested, contact collection development librarian Joan Robb at ext. 2384.

A new color photocopier is located in the library on the third floor across from the Circulation Desk. Copies are 75 cents per page; the cost is deducted from your Passport card or guest card (the machine doesn't accept coins). It is described as being easy to use. Ask at the Circulation Desk if you need assistance.

The Circulation/Reserve area has been remodeled to include the InterLibrary Loan (ILL) office. The new office, located behind the Circulation desk, creates a more user-friendly and efficient environment by combining the locations for ILL, Circulation and Reserves (collectively known as Access Services). To accommodate the remodeling, the Art Slide Library has moved to CL 307, behind the Reference Desk.

Cofrin Library Room 304 is now being used for both library instruction and as a new general-access computing lab for students. When classes are not in session, students can use the computers in this room for library research, word processing, e-mail, and other programs. The reference area computers are set up to access the library catalog, Internet and e-mail. A student lab consultant is available in CL 304 to answer questions about Microsoft applications. Reference librarians will continue to help users in the reference area with research and library questions.

If you're wondering about the big crane outside the Cofrin Library, it's an ongoing masonry repair project aimed at making the structure more air- and water-tight. A major and not unappreciated side effect has been improved insect control. Those who remember the fly infestations of a few years ago can see the change since the first phase of the Library exterior project was finished more than a year ago. (Quick entomology lesson: the flies, not house flies but cluster flies, are common to open field environments and during autumn are attracted to the east and south sides of tall buildings where they seek entry for the winter. They are annoying but not disease-carrying.) Building details are important. Wood Hall was the favorite fly hangout until the late 1980s, when the original corten steel exterior was covered with sheathing and the most severe problem migrated to the library. Until now.

This just in: The Phoenix Bookstore has scored its first European sale via the Web after a UW-Green Bay fan in France found the catalog page online. The Bookstore reports sales to all 50 states since the Web catalog went up at http://www.uwgb.edu/bookstore/ about a year ago. No e-commerce yet (that's an expensive step still in the planning stage) but customers are directed to 1-800-321-UWGB where friendly sales associates help them complete (and maybe even lengthen) their shopping lists. No word yet on whether the UW-Green Bay Phoenix look has caught on as Parisian high fashion.

If you've seen different locations listed for the Faculty Senate meeting this Wednesday (Oct. 20), the correct location is the World Unity Room on the lower level of the Union. The meeting starts at 3 p.m. The Compelling Idea is expected to be the primary action item.

Members of the UW-Green Bay Learning in Retirement group, one of the first and most successful such organizations in the state, will be represented at the first-ever statewide meeting for LIR-type groups this Wednesday (Oct. 20) at UW-Madison. Success stories from around the state, Elderhostel updates, and the possibility of a state LIR network will be discussed. The UW-Green Bay group is coordinated through the Office of Outreach and Extension.

The faculty/academic staff Bible study will meet weekly, Fridays from 12:00 - 12:50 in IS 1146. The group is studying the book of Galatians. All UW-Green Bay employees who are interested are invited to participate. Contact Theresa Adsit for more information.

Director of Upward Bound: full-time, 12-month academic staff appointment; apply by Nov. 1 to Michael Stearney; Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Accounting: tenure-track position starting August 2000; apply by Nov. 15 to Karl Zehms; Assistant Professor of Humanistic Studies and History: tenure-track position starting August 2000; apply by Jan. 14 to Jerrold Rodesch; Assistant Professor in Human Biology: tenure-track position starting August 2000; apply by Nov. 19 to Joe Mannino.

Greg Aldrete's book Gestures and Acclamations in Ancient Rome was published in September by Johns Hopkins University Press. It was selected to be part of their "Ancient History and Society" series. The book is a study of how speakers and audiences interacted and communicated with each other at the many public rituals that were the center of political and social life in ancient Rome.

Elizabeth Ament, COA, is listed as one of the instructors for a UW System-assisted project aimed at giving school art teachers a chance to develop their technology skills. Based at UW-Stout, the program features college faculty sharing techniques with K-12 educators on using the Internet as a teaching tool, digital-imaging processes and how to build a website. Ament's area is the Internet and art.

Victoria Goff, COA, presented a paper, "Not Ashamed to be Mexican: the History of La Raza newspaper and magazine, 1967-1977," at the annual convention of the American Journalism Historians Association, which was held this month in Portland, Oregon.

Peter Kellogg, HUS, was recognized with a Mayor's Civic Award during a community awards banquet Oct. 4 in Green Bay. A total of 10 individuals and organizations were honored. Kellogg got the "New Faces of Green Bay Award" for his work with Coalition to Promote Respect and improvement of relationships among the city's diverse populations.

LOG ONline is prepared for University of Wisconsin-Green Bay faculty and staff by the Office of Marketing and University Communication. To submit a Brief, a Publication, a news item, an announcement, or just plain feedback, UW-Green Bay employees can call ext. 2626 or e-mail us at Log@uwgb.edu.