June 15, 2000/ Volume 19, Number 23
News Bureau | Calendar | II Info | II Archives
- Treating AIDS victims complicated by patients' desire for information
- A new study finds that for people living with AIDS or HIV, the conventional wisdom about "more information being better than less," doesn't always apply.
- Productivity, not profits, rises with increasing use of part-time workers
- The use of "contingent" workers in the United States has increased labor productivity but not necessarily employer profits, according to a wide-ranging study by scholars at the UI and other institutions.
WILL-FM Concert in the Park is June 24 ... Workshops offered by credit union ... UI department of theater presents Summerfest 2000 plays ... Hosts needed for to share time with Japanese college students ... Booth space still availableat state fair
A new study finds that for people living with AIDS or HIV, the conventional wisdom about "more information being better than less," doesn't always apply.
While all of these people are coping with a great deal of uncertainty in their lives, some of them may opt for a total "retreat" from gathering and processing information as their course of action, while others may take an "information holiday" in order to put some distance between them and the information. Still others may become information sponges, trying to soak up as much as they can.
Thus, instead of behaving like one monolithic block, these "information seekers may have multiple goals and may choose multiple routes to those goals," said lead researcher Dale Brashers, a professor of speech communication at the UI.
The fact that people living with HIV and AIDS have different information needs "must be taken into account in developing treatment programs," Brashers said.
Brashers and his research team also have found that uncertainty is not always a negative thing. Some people learn to adjust to chronic uncertainty, some learn to plan in smaller time increments and some learn "to accept uncertainty as a natural rhythm of life."
According to Brashers, uncertainty management may involve negotiating a desire for information at the same time one is managing anxiety or fear; seeking confirming or disconfirming information; choosing information-rich environments -- such as support groups or AIDS service organizations -- for information seeking; and avoiding these situations if new information might lead to negative or stressful beliefs. These complexities "compel us to more completely examine the nature of communication in uncertainty management."
Some of the people using avoidance strategies reported becoming overwhelmed with the quantity and negativity of the information they were receiving. Others reported retreating from support groups because they could no longer bear to watch the progression of the disease in others. Some felt that information on the Internet was questionable, while others felt that the stress associated with being diagnosed with HIV affected their ability to process information.
On the other hand, there are many people with AIDS and HIV who do seek information, often from multiple sources; such sources include doctors, nurses, others with HIV or the Internet. For these information seekers, "Information used to understand and treat symptoms and to diagnose opportunistic diseases associated with HIV seemed most important to psychological well-being," Brashers said.
The results of the study, which was funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research, appear in the latest issue of Communication Monographs. The research involved 33 people in six focus groups from an AIDS clinical trials unit. Composed primarily of gay men, the groups represented the HIV spectrum from more- to less-advanced disease stages.
The use of "contingent" workers in the United States has increased labor productivity but not necessarily employer profits, according to a wide-ranging study by scholars at the UI and other institutions.
One of the most striking changes in recent years has been the emergence of part-time, on-call, free-lance and other workers. Collectively known as "contingent" workers because they work under terms that differ from regular full-time employment, they constitute the fastest growing segment of the labor market. As many as 40 million Americans now work under such arrangements.
The nature and implications of contingent work are the subject of a book to be published by the Industrial Relations Research Association, whose national office has moved to the UI Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations.
"During the 1990s, the hallmark features of the labor market, including long-term mutual attachments of a firm and a worker, have been fading," notes Marianne Ferber, UI professor emerita of economics who is co-editing the book. "There is a good deal of disagreement not only about the extent of the changes in employment arrangements, but about their advantages and disadvantages for workers, employers and the economy."
Thirty researchers have contributed to the upcoming IRRA book, and their research papers draw a number of conclusions, including:
The researchers further found that in some sectors, such
as electronics manufacturing and insurance, employers are retaining or returning
to full-time employment contracts to keep skilled personnel and to improve
service and stability.
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At a meeting at the College of Medicine at Peoria, UI trustees decided May 31 and June 1 to start over on a search for a new chancellor at the Springfield campus and heard that the computer operating systems at the three campuses are so outdated and cobbled together that they are on the verge of collapse.
One of the first noteworthy decisions came when board Chair William Engelbrecht announced that the current search for a new Springfield chancellor will be abandoned and that a new search will begin. New criteria will be developed by the trustees, along with UI President James J. Stukel and leadership of the UIS Senate, according to a statement from the trustees' office.
The search for a new chancellor to replace Naomi Lynn, who announced she was retiring last fall, resulted in a field of four finalists who were to be interviewed May 4 in Chicago. But the interviews were canceled when Gov. George Ryan suggested the pool of candidates should be expanded to include those who have nonacademic backgrounds.
In the statement from the trustees, Engelbrecht said there has been "miscommunication" among all concerned in the search about the criteria for candidates, and that all agreed it would be best to start over.
Lynn has agreed to stay on until an interim chancellor is appointed. The president will appoint a new search committee.
The computer hardware and software and networking systems that keep the UI running and that are used for everything from admissions to payroll are so outdated and expensive to maintain that they put the campuses in serious jeopardy, according to a team of experts studying the issue.
Manila folders and 3-by-5 cards hold too much of the important data that should be accessible immediately by computer, according to Tom Glenn, associate dean of the UIC College of Engineering and project coordinator for the team. For example, Glenn said, when potential students call to find out whether they've been admitted, it takes two to three weeks sometimes to answer the question. That information should be available instantly online, he said.
In addition, there are 121 systems used at the three campuses with very few of those capable of sharing information electronically. Glenn said it is very expensive to maintain these old customized systems, and that the people with the expertise to keep them functioning are due to retire within the next five years.
As for the computer systems used for administration of the three campuses, most are 15 to 30 years old. And most were developed in-house or were purchased systems that were heavily modified, according to Richard Mendola, associate vice president for Administrative Information Technology Services.
"We simply haven't had a level of investment to allow information technology to remain current," Mendola said. "The investment in (applications) has not been sufficient to keep it 'safe,' let alone contemporary. In remodeling and renovation terms, our roof is about to collapse."
Craig Bazzani, vice president for business and finance, told the trustees he wants them to have a realistic picture of how expensive the project will be. The team working on the plan has met with several product vendors with systems capable of solving the problems, and he asked for authority to hire a firm and a specialized lawyer to negotiate a contract with the vendor they select.
At the July meeting Bazzani will bring more details about the project, and proposals for ways to finance it. He estimates he'll be seeking board approval for a contract in September.
"It's an unavoidable commitment the university must make," Bazzani said.
Architects also presented a plan for the redesign and expansion of the UIC Pavilion, but trustees asked the architects to take it back to the drawing board.
"It's too glitzy and glossy," Trustee Kenneth Schmidt said of the design. "It looks like a fast-food restaurant and is not at all sensitive to the historic neighborhood."
The project is expected to cost about $6.5 million and provide an additional 8,000 square feet and the renovation of an existing 14,000 square-foot area.
When the discussions turned to issues of decision making and power to enforce decisions, Elliot Kaufman of UIC reminded the trustees that power within the university does not lie with the faculty.
"We advise. We consult," Kaufman said. "Shared governance is a commitment to listening with mutual trust and respect. Why not consult a pool of knowledge?"
Trustee Gerald Shea asked the speakers if they thought faculty members should become members of the board of trustees. Kaufman, who is chair of the University Senates Conference, said senates from each campus would like a representative to sit at the trustees' table and join discussions. But Kaufman suggested that could be a topic for another day.
Other business
Interim Chancellor Sylvia Manning is expected to be the next chancellor of the UI's Chicago campus, pending approval by the UI Board at its July 19-20 meeting.
She has been serving as interim chancellor since September when Chancellor David Broski resigned. Prior to the move to Chicago, she was the UI vice president for academic affairs.
"Sylvia Manning stepped in and did a superb job shepherding the campus during this past academic year," President James J. Stukel said. "Dr. Manning has a brilliant and decisive management style that is an excellent fit for an urban campus on the fast track to tremendous success."
Manning said she felt deeply honored to be named UIC chancellor.
"The extraordinary combined talent of the 12,000 of us who work here can realize UIC's ambition to become the premier public urban research university," she said.
Sinfonia da Camera, under the direction of Ian Hobson, performs Jacques Ibert's "Divertissement," Copland's "Appalachian Spring" and Charles Gounod's "Petit Symphonie."
The opening act will be young musicians from Chicago's Academy of Irish Music. Flutist Noel Rice, a native of Ireland, and 10 of his students will perform.
For more information and/or a map, call WILL at 333-0850. If it rains, the concert will be June 25, with a 5 p.m. performance by Sinfonia da Camera only. For weather updates, tune to WILL-AM (580) or -FM (90.9/101.1 in Champaign-Urbana).
June 22: College funding: Is higher education out of reach?
July 20: 403(b) retirement: Will your retirement savings stand the test of time?
Aug. 17: Annunities: Plan for a bright retirement
All workshops begin at 7 p.m. at the Credit Union, 2201 S. First St., Champaign. Reservations are required. Call 333-8047 or e-mail jheimbur@uiecu.org.
Summerfest opens at 8 p.m. June 16 with "Barefoot in the Park" in the Studio Theater of Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. The three evenings of theater will then proceed in rotation Wednesdays through Sundays until July 30.
For a complete schedule, call the ticket office, 333-6280, or go to www.kcpa.uiuc.edu/kcpa/.
Sixty-five Japanese students will be staying on the UI campus for three or four weeks in late July and early August while they study English at the UI institute.
Hosts -- either families, couples or single people -- are needed to spend a few hours a week with one or more of the students, so students can practice their English while sharing activities such as meals, shopping, or movies.
Anyone interested in being a host should call Joy Garling Prud'homme or Anna Kasten at 333-6598.
The Office of Academic Human Resources, Suite 420, 807 S. Wright St., maintains listings for faculty positions. More information is available in that office during regular business hours. Faculty job opportunity information is updated weekly and can be found on the AHR Web site at: http://webster.uihr.uiuc.edu/ahr/jobs/index.asp. The Employment Center lists the academic professional positions available on all UI campuses at www.uihr.uillinois.edu/jobs.
faculty
Agricultural and Consumer Economics. Assistant professor, financial management and markets. PhD or equivalent in agricultural economics, finance, business or economics required. Available: negotiable. Contact Gary Schnitkey, 244-9595, schnitke@illinois.edu. Extended closing date: Sept. 15.
Economics. Lecturer. PhD in economics and 2 or more years' teaching experience at the college level required. Available: Jan. 6. Contact Marsha Davis-Hubert, 333-0120 or davishub@illinois.edu. Closing date: Sept. 15.
Political Science. Assistant, associate or full professor, American politics. Senior candidates should have demonstrated excellence in research and teaching, as well as strong analytic skills. Junior candidates should be methodologically well trained and demonstrate excellence in research and teaching. PhD required. Available: Aug. 21, 2001. Contact Peter Nardulli, 333-3880. Closing date: Sept. 22.
Political Science. Assistant, associate or full professor, comparative politics. Senior candidates should have demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching. Junior candidates must demonstrate potential for excellence in research and teaching. Available: Aug. 21, 2001. Contact Peter Nardulli, 333-3880. Closing date: Oct. 2.
Psychology. Assistant professor, cognitive psychology. PhD required with excellence in research and teaching. Available: Aug. 21, 2001. Contact Gregory Murphy, 333-8158, glmurphy@illinois.edu. Closing date: Oct. 10.
Psychology. Assistant professor (quantitative psychologist). PhD required. Candidates should have interest in one of the substantive areas of psychology, as well as strong background in mathematics and statistics and outstanding record of research and scholarship in quantitative approaches. Available: Aug. 21, 2001. Contact Lawrence Hubert, 333-6593. Closing date: Nov. 15.
Psychology. Rank open, full-time tenure-track position in developmental psychology. PhD required. Primary criteria will be excellence in research and teaching. Available: Aug. 21, 2001. Contact Cynthia Fisher, 333-3545. Closing date: Oct. 10.
Psychology. Assistant, associate or full professor in social psychology. PhD required. Available: Aug. 21, 2001. Contact Ed Diener, 333-4804, e-diener@illinois.edu. Closing date: Oct. 2.
Psychology. Assistant professor, industrial/organizational psychology. PhD required. Seeking candidates who are psychologists with strong substantive interest related to world of work and work organizations. Exact area of research is open. Primary criteria is excellence in research and training. Available: Aug. 21, 2001. Contact Fritz Drasgow, 333-0632. Closing date: Oct. 10.
Psychology. Assistant professor (community psychologist). PhD required, but need not be a clinical psychologist. Should be comfortable working in research-oriented clinical psychology program. Candidates at higher levels may be considered. Available: Aug. 21, 2001. Contact Julian Rappaport, 333-8547. Closing date: Oct. 1.
Psychology. Assistant professor. Seeking candidates in any area of basic or theoretically motivated applied research in perception, visual cognition, attention or action/motor control. PhD required. Senior candidates with exceptional records may apply. Primary criteria will be excellence in research and teaching. Available: Aug. 21. 2001. Contact Arthur Kramer, 244-1933. Closing date: Oct. 15.
UI Library. Reference librarian and assistant/associate professor, library administration. MLS or equivalent degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program required; JD from an ABA-accredited program preferred. Available: immediately. Contact Janis Johnston, 333-2914. Closing date: July 31.
UI Library. Associate university librarian for services and associate professor, library administration. Master's degree in library science from an ALA-accredited program or the equivalent required. Must have 5 years' experience in library service programs, including design and coordination of library services. Available: Aug. 21. Contact Joyce Lowder, 333-8168. Closing date: July 17.
Veterinary Bioscience. Assistant professor. DVM or equivalent degree from an accredited institution as well as PhD required. Demonstrated success in pharmacological research is required. Specialty board certification in the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology preferred. Available: Sept. 1. Contact Gary Koritz, 333-7981. Closing date: Aug. 1.
Vice Chancellor for Research, Office of. Associate vice chancellor for research. Tenured or tenure-track UIUC faculty member. Must have an understanding of the research mission in higher education and knowledge of existing and emerging research strengths at UIUC, and a demonstrated record of success in securing external support for research. Available: Aug. 21. Contact search committee chair, 333-0034, judyhans@illinois.edu. Closing date: June 23.
academic professional
Administrative Information Technology Services. Director, administration and financial management. Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline and a minimum of 5 years' financial management experience. Master's degree preferred and/or CPA, MBA designations and relevant experience in higher education. Available immediately. Contact Susan Nelson McLain, 333-8635 or aitshr@uillinois.edu. Closing date: June 26.
Administrative Information Technology Services. Data specialist. Bachelor's degree required and a minimum of 5 years' experience and strong evidence of continuing growth in responsibility and technical skills directly related to strategic data planning. Available immediately. Contact Susan Nelson McLain, 333-8635, aitshr@uillinois.edu. Closing date: July 3.
Administrative Information Technology Services. Specialist, quality assurance (1 or more positions). Bachelor's degree required and two years' experience in QA testing or related area. Available: immediately. Contact Susan Nelson McLain, 333-8635, aitshr@uillinois.edu. Closing date: July 10.
Alumni Association. Assistant to the president and chief executive officer. Bachelor's degree with 2 years' (or equivalent) of business management experience required. Available: July. Contact Carolyn Pater, 333-1475. Closing date: June 26.
Animal Sciences. Research specialist in life sciences. Bachelor's degree required. Master's in biological or related sciences preferred. Available: July 1. Contact Janice Bahr, 333-2900, j-bahr@illinois.edu. Closing date: June 21.
Anthropology. Coordinator, media selection and production. Bachelor's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience required. Available: July 17. Contact Michael Lewis, 244-0058. Closing date: July 3.
Audits, Office of University. Specialist, information technology data analyst (60 percent). Bachelor's degree required, preferably in the fields of computer science, accounting or business administration. Three years' professional experience in IT, with substantial data analysis experience. Available immediately. Contact Richard Traver, 333-0900, rtraver@uillinois.edu. Closing date: June 30.
Broadcasting, Division of. Art director. Baccalaureate degree in graphic design or related field required; graduate degree preferred. Must have 3 years' experience in graphic design or related field. Available: Aug. 28. Contact Valerie Gadbury, 333-1070. Closing date: July 21.
Broadcasting, Division of. Creative specialist (50 percent appointment). Bachelor's degree required (graduate degree preferred) with considerable academic training in the field of meteorology. Available: July 21. Contact Ed Kieser, 333-0850. Closing date: July 5.
Center for Advanced Study. Assistant or associate director. Master's degree required; PhD preferred. Candidate should possess excellent communication skills, interest and understanding of interdisciplinary academic programs, experience in higher education and knowledge of UIUC campus or comparable institutions. Available early fall semester. Contact William Greenough, 333-6729, wgreenou@illinois.edu. Closing date: July 7.
Crop Sciences. Senior research specialist in agriculture. PhD in biology, biochemistry, crop science, plant pathology or related field and training and experience in molecular biology, plant tissue culture, soybean hairy roots and the soybean cyst nematode required. Available: July 21. Contact D.A. Lee, 333-9462. Closing date: June 16.
Curriculum and Instruction. Visiting/media specialist. Bachelor's degree required in parenting education, human development, communications, English, education, library science or a related field. Master's degree preferred. Available: immediately. Contact Dianne Rothenberg 333-1386, rothenbe@illinois.edu. Closing date: June 20.
Foundation, UI. Director of development research. Bachelor's degree required (advanced degree preferred). Minimum of 3 years' experience in development or development research, preferably in higher education, experience in prospect management. Available: immediately. Contact Ron Herman, 244-0471. Closing date: July 15.
General Engineering. Program director for network coordination and marketing. Bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline required. Experience with commercializing technology is critical. Available: July 21. Contact Raymond Price, 333-2730. Closing date: June 19.
Grants and Contracts Administration. Coordinator of sponsored project compliance. Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 27 credit hours in accountancy, computer science and/or operations research required. CPA and/or advanced degree preferred. Available: July. Contact Katherine Williams, 333-4880, kayw@illinois.edu. Closing date: June 30.
Information Technology and Communication Services. Media/communications specialist (marketing and design; 50 percent). Bachelor's degree in communications, business, marketing or related field with an emphasis in graphic design; 3-5 years' professional communications experience. Available: Aug. 21. Contact Robin Goettel, 333-9448, goettel@illinois.edu. Closing date: June 30.
Intercollegiate Athletics, Division of. Assistant varsity coach (strength). Bachelor's degree and 2 years' experience in strength and conditioning required. NSCS certification required. Available: immediately. Contact Jim Zielinski, 244-5989. Closing date: July 7.
Intercollegiate Athletics, Division of. Assistant ticket manager. Bachelor's degree required in athletic administration or related field. Available: immediately. Contact Cheryl Cain, 333-3470. Closing date: June 27.
McKinley Student Health Center. Director. PhD or master's degree(s) in business, hospital administration or related field required; medical degree preferred. 3-5 years' experience in an upper-level administrative position in a comparable environment essential. Available: immediately. Contact Susan Y. Maul, 333-0161. Closing date: July 17.
Molecular and Integrative Physiology. Visiting research specialist (life sciences). Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, molecular biology or related science with laboratory and course work in related areas required. Available: immediately. Contact Benita S. Katzenellenbogen, 333-9769. Closing date: June 30.
Psychology. Academic adviser (1 or more positions). Master's degree in counseling or a related field required. One year of advising and familiarity with the UI required. Available: June 20. Contact Barbara Hartman, 333-0630, blhartma@illinois.edu. Closing date: June 20.
Public Affairs, Office of. Assistant to the associate chancellor for public affairs. Bachelor's degree with 5 years' experience in administration or advanced degree and 3 years' experience. Available: Aug. 1. Call 333-5010. Closing date: June 19.
Student Financial Aid, Office of. Management methods analyst (PC and Web). Bachelor's degree is required; experience with programming, systems analysis and design is essential. Available: immediately. Contact Chairperson, Consultative Committee, 244-2024. Closing date: June 16.
Student Financial Aid, Office of. Management methods analyst (programmer). Bachelor's degree is required; a computer science or a related degree is preferred. Experience with programming systems analysis and design, and report development is essential. Available immediately. Contact Chairperson, Consultative Committee, 244-2024. Closing date: June 16.
Supercomputing Applications, National Center for. Resource and policy analyst (1 or more positions). Bachelor's degree required, plus 3 years' experience in accounting, resource allocation and financial analysis. Available immediately. Contact NCSA Human Resources, Search 7124, 333-6085, career@ncsa.uiuc.edu. Closing date: June 14.
UI Library. Research programmer (support specialist). Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 1 year's experience in computer systems implementation and support. Demonstrable knowledge and experience with current microcomputer, workstation, networking technologies and client server technology. Working knowledge of Intel-based PCs and allied hardware; DOS, Windows 95/98, or Windows NT/2000 operating systems; network components; and general-purpose application software. Available immediately. Contact Joyce Lowder, 333-8168, jlowder@illinois.edu. Closing date: July 1.
Veterinary Pathobiology. Veterinary research specialist. Bachelor's degree in microbiology or other discipline in life sciences required. Must have experience culturing pathogenic bacteria. Master's degree preferred. Available immediately. Contact R.M. Weigel, 244-1365. Closing date: June 15.
staff
Personnel Services Office is located at 52 E. Gregory Drive, Champaign. For information about PSO's Employment Information Program visit the Personnel Services Office Web site at www.pso.uiuc.edu. To complete an online employment application and to submit an exam request, visit the online Employment Center at www.uihr.uillinois.edu/jobs.
Karen M. Dohme, 51, died June 9 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. She worked at the UI as an account technician II in University Payables. She worked for the UI for 21 years, joining the staff in 1985. Memorials may be made to St. John's Cemetery, Broadlands.
Paul J. Hight, 82, died June 1 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Coles County. Hight retired from the UI in 1981 as a carpenter with the Division of Operation and Maintenance after 22 years. Memorials: First Baptist Church of Arthur.
Susanne C. Allen Joyce, 61, died May 28 at Meadowbrook Manor, Naperville. Joyce worked for 18 years as chief library clerk at the UI Library. Memorials: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Attention: Memorial/Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9956, or Josh Gottheil Memorial Fund, 509 E. Holmes St., Urbana, IL 61801.
James Empson Peters, 45, died May 30 at Carle Foundation Hospital,
Urbana. Peters was the associate head for undergraduate programs in the
department of mechanical and industrial engineering. He joined the department
as an assistant professor in 1981 and was promoted to professor in 1991.
In addition, he served the department as the associate head for graduate
programs. Memorials: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Champaign.