[Vision2020] The UI Friday Letter for April 11, 2008

Fri Apr 11 05:54:22 PDT 2008

Copied and pasted below is the UI Frida Letter for April 11, 2008.

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University of Idaho

Office of the President

Moscow, Idaho 83844-3151

Phone: 208-885-6365

Fax: 208-885-6558

The Friday Letter

A Newsletter for University of Idaho Alumni and Friends

April 11, 2008

Dear Friends,

In the last few weeks, University of Idaho faculty have been awarded two 
grants from NASA and the National Science Foundation that total more than 
$1.2 million. Both grants target the study of our water resources, one of 
the University's strategic research areas.

Research professor of geography Vladimir Aizen and his team use the rivers 
and mountains of central Asia as their laboratory. They now have four active 
research projects that total more the $2 million in funding to study 
climate, glaciers and water resources. Aizen's most recent grant, $885,000 
from NASA, will allow the team to research the impact of climate change on 
water resources and land surface degradation in the Pamir Mountains and Amy 
Dariya River Basin. The researchers use satellite and glacier ice-coring 
technology to gather information on the possible social and economic impacts 
of climate change in the region.

A $336,000 grant from the National Science Foundation will allow the 
University to expand its undergraduate research opportunities in water 
resources. Professor of soil fertility and water quality, Bob Mahler, will 
use this grant to initiate a nine-week summer research experience for up to 
10 students. Participants will select a water resources project and work 
under the supervision of faculty, both in the lab and in the field, to gain 
first-hand insights into scientific procedures. The goal of the summer 
research experience is to inspire the students to proceed into graduate 
study and to enter sustainable water resources careers.

Another new summer program that starts this year is the University's Summer 
Reading Program. All incoming freshmen will be asked to read a book selected 
by a committee in order to provide a common experience for all new students. 
I hope our faculty, staff and the entire University community also will 
participate to make this a shared experience for all of us. Dozens of titles 
have been submitted for consideration, and I'll let you know what book is 
selected in the hopes of influencing your summer reading.

Tim White

President

Here's the latest news from the University of Idaho:

The Idaho Board of Education approved a 5 percent student fee increase for 
the 2008-09 academic year at the University of Idaho. In-state undergraduate 
students will pay $4,632 for the year, an increase of $222. Out-of-state 
undergraduate tuition will remain the same, but fees will increase $222 for 
a total of $14, 712. Graduate students will have a $262 fee increase for the 
year  to $5,212 for in-state students and $15,292 for nonresident students.

Thanks to the generosity of the Idaho Community Foundation, more 
limited-income and first-generation students will be able to attend the 
University of Idaho. In a ceremony on the Moscow campus this week, the 
foundation presented the University with a total of $52,500 in grants. 
Approximately $30,000 is designated for the Student Academic Success 
Program; approximately $22,500 is designated for need-based scholarships. 
The funds will help an estimated 15-20 limited-income students and 
first-generation students - those who are the first in their family to 
attend college -to have the opportunity to pursue a degree at the University 
of Idaho.

Next Friday, April 18, Vandal fans and families can preview this fall's 
football season by attending the 2008 Silver and Gold Scrimmage and Vandal 
Rally at the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center. The rally starts at 5 p.m. on the 
Kibbie's north concourse and includes a hearty meal, no-host bar, and a 
short program featuring President Tim White, Athletic Director Rob Spear, 
Head Coach Robb Akey, Alumni Director Steve Johnson, players from the 1998 
Humanitarian Bowl victory, Joe Vandal and the cheer squad.  Tickets to the 
rally are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at 
the Ticket Office, (208) 885-6466. The scrimmage starts at 7 p.m. and is 
free and open to the public. Don't miss this opportunity for an exclusive 
sneak peak of the exciting football season ahead! For more details, visit 
www.VandalGameDay.com or call (888) 884-3246.

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Footnote:

Nineteen women from Moscow and Pullman have created an exhibit of shrines to 
honor artists who have inspired them.

"Homage to Women Artists" -- a project of the Palouse Chapter of the Women's 
Caucus for the Arts -- will open Friday, April 11 at the Above the Rim 
Gallery with an artists' reception from 5 to 7 pm.  The show will run 
through May 31.

The participating artists are Sue Benier, Val Boydo, Linda Canary, Tina 
Carlson, Michelle Carr, Gail Cochran, Louise Colson, Marcia Lehman-Kessler, 
Laurel Macdonald, Pamela Overholtzer, Linda Puccio, Gerri Sayler, Melissa 
Rockwood, Jennifer Rod, Debi Robinson-Smith, Mel Siebe, Ruby Valentine, 
Ellen Vieth and Nara Woodland.

The Above the Rim Gallery is located at 513 South Main in Moscow.  Hours are 
Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 6 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday 
noon to 5 pm.  For more information, contact Gerri Sayler 
(birdhouse at moscow.com).

Seeya at the exhibit, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

Came a tribe from the north brave and bold . . .

"Here We Have Idaho"
http://www.tomandrodna.com/HWHI.mp3

"I-D-A-H-O Idaho Idaho Go Go Go"
http://www.tomandrodna.com/Vandals.mp3