Reporter Volume 25, No.18 February 24, 1994 World Languages Institute expands Korean program The University at Buffalo World Languages Institute, part of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, has announced an overall effort to expand its program in Korean language and culture. It has also begun a six-week, on-site course in medical Spanish for employees of Buffalo Children's Hospital. This summer, the institute will introduce a three-year sequence of classroom courses in Korean language and culture, beginning with an intensive elementary Korean course and a course on Korean society and culture. A course in first-year Korean will begin in the fall. Currently, UB has 80 students enrolled in "Korean Language and Culture," a self-taught course offered through the interdisciplinary Asian Studies Program. The World Languages Institute also has established a fund through the University at Buffalo Foundation, Inc. that will accept charitable donations in support of the institute's language programs and activities. These donations, along with other resources, will be used to help support language-related professional and programmatic development and will serve as matching funds for federal and private foundation grant applications. The institute's program in medical Spanish at Children's Hospital will run from mid-February through the end of March. It is designed to assist medical personnel who communicate on a basic level with Spanish-speaking patients. This course is one of many non-credit programs the institute has conducted for local companies and organizations. They include "Japanese Language and Culture" and "Spanish for Business People." Each program is custom-designed to meet the linguistic and cultural needs of course participants. In addition to conducting non-credit programs, providing translation, interpretation and other services, the institute offers credit-bearing classroom and supervised self-instruction at UB in less commonly taught languages, including Arabic, Danish, modern Greek, Indonesian, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese. UB cheerleaders national winners The UB cheerleading squad jumped, yelled and pyramided its way to a first-place win in the all-female division at the National Cheerleading Association competition held in Dallas last month. The squad's award-winning performance will be shown on the Primetime television sports network later this year, says Coach Nancy Costantino. Judging criteria includes precision and creativity. The team, which placed fifth last year, bested more than 20 squads this year. Team member Shani Lewins was named one of 60 All-American cheerleaders. The UB team brought home a five-foot trophy; $1,000 from Cheerleaders Dance Team Co., a major supplier of cheerleading equipment and uniforms, and a $1,000 scholarship from the National Cheerleading Association for team members to attend next year's national cheerleading camp. Each member also will receive a special ring. Alumni unit to meet for panel discussion "Can Government Work in the '90s?" will be the focus of a panel discussion at a luncheon to be held by the UB Alumni Association at 12:15 p.m. March 10, in the Buffalo Hyatt Hotel. Panelists will include Sheila K. Kee, Erie County budget director; William C. Lyons, vice president of First National Bank of Rochester; James W. Pitts, majority leader of the Buffalo Common Council; Carl J. Calabrese, supervisor of the Town of Tonawanda, and Patrick H. NeMoyer, U.S. attorney. The discussion will be moderated by John B. Sheffer II, former state senator who is now a senior fellow at UB. Tickets for the luncheon are available at $10 for members of the UB Alumni Association and $12 for non-members. Reservations must be made by Thursday, Feb. 24, with the UB Office of Alumni Relations at 829-2608. Leadership topic of weekend multicultural conference "Leading in Unity: Empowering Men and Women of Color" is the title of a conference to be held this weekend at Buffalo State College. UB's Office of Student Multicultural Affairs is a co-sponsor of the event along with Buffalo State and Canisius College. Described as an effort to address issues concerning men and women of color in leadership, the conference will feature a women's program at Buffalo State College, and a men's program in the Student Union, North Campus, both Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The conference closes with a town meeting Feb. 27 from 1 to 6 p.m. in Canisius College. Other features include a fashion show emphasizing cultural fashions in the workplace, a networking session; and a marketplace highlighting people of color in business. All programs include transportation, conference materials and refreshments. Saturday's workshops include lunch and optional entertainment package and an additional cost. Conference fee is $5. Call 645-2732 or 645-2055 for additional information. CAC to sponsor Hunger Banquet in Student Union A Hunger Banquet, intended to demonstrate how disparities between indigent and affluent societies affect world hunger, will take place in the Student Union Friday, Mach 4. The annual banquet is sponsored by Community Action Core and The Princeton Review; all proceeds will be donated to City Mission, Friends of the Night and other local food agencies. All guests will be assigned to one of the following categories: 15%, 25% or 60%. The upper class (15%) will have eggplant parmigiana for dinner. The middle class (25%) will have rice and beans, and the lower class (60%) will have rice only. "We hope this will highlight the inequities in food distribution throughout the world," said Paul Lipton of the Community Action Core. The cost is $5 plus a canned good. Student admission is $3 plus a canned good. Tickets are available through the Community Action Core office in the Student Union or by calling 645-2375. The Princeton Review prepares more than 60,000 students a year for the LSAT, GMAT, GRE, MCAT, SAT and a host of other standardized tests. For more information, call 1-800-995-5565. Excellence in Teaching Awards for Graduate Teaching Assistants, 1993-94 Guidelines Nature of the Award Inasmuch as the University is committed to providing its students with high-quality instruction, the level of teaching provided by graduate student teachers is of prime importance. In the interest of encouraging graduate students who have developed exceptional competence in teaching he Graduate Student Association and the Graduate School have established the Excellence in Teaching Awards for Graduate Teaching Assistants. Eligibility The nomination is open to all current full-time graduate students who have been involved in teaching at the University at Buffalo for at least one semester. Nomination Process The nomination process will be conducted at the level. Nominations may be made by any member of the faculty. Academic deans will notify faculty of the date by which nominations and supporting materials must be received in the academic dean's office. Nominations must be received in the Graduate School (552 Capen Hall) by March 14, 1994. Criteria for Selection The following criteria will be used in the selection process: 1. Teaching Skills. The nominees must perform superbly in the classroom. Relevant criteria include mastery of teaching techniques and adaptation to student needs, interests, and problems. 2. Mentorship. The nominee must be concerned with the intellectual growth of individual students, evidenced by accessibility to them beyond the classroom. 3. Academic Standards and Requirements. The nominee must set high standards for students and help them achieve academic excellence. She or he must work actively with individual students to help them improve their scholarly accomplishments. 4. Evaluation of Student Performance. The nominee must evaluate student achievement fairly and competently. 5. Professional Growth. The nominee must be making satisfactory progress toward her or his degree. The nominee must be well prepared in the area in which she or he is teaching, evidenced by satisfactory progress toward the graduate degree. Supporting Materials. Nominations should include the following supporting materials: 1 Letter of Recommendation from Supervisor or Department Chairperson. A letter of recommendation from the nominee's departmental chair or direct supervisor (with the Chair's endorsing signature) that assesses in detail how the nominee's performance as a teacher fulfills the Criteria for Selection. 2. Statements of Endorsement. A maximum of three statements from students, colleagues, and/or faculty. These letters should offer persuasive evidence of the nominee's excellence as a teacher. Statements from faculty who have directly observed teaching are desirable. 3. Student Evaluations. Summary of SCATE reports or other student evaluations of the nominee's teaching should be provided. This award is not open to individuals on Lectureship appointments. Please submit six copies of all nomination materials to the Graduate School by March 14, 1994.