Great Dane Ride Along Program

In an effort to broaden the scope of the University Police Department�s (UPD) community policing initiatives, the Great Dane Ride Along Program has been created. The concept was put into action by UPD Chief J. Frank Wiley and head football coach Bob Ford. The Program will bring together officers of UPD and members of the University�s football team. The players will ride on regular patrol with the officers in two hour shifts.

�The program will expose the students to some of the problems University Police Officers face every day and at the same time will expose the officers to some of our student-athletes,� Ford said. �This is one of those things that only good can come from.�

According to Wiley, both the players and the officers are excited about this opportunity and so far, approximately 60 players have volunteered to participate in the program. He added that special planning will be used to ensure that the program will not interfere with the players� academic schedules. University Police officers assigned to Quad Liaison duties will coordinate the department�s efforts. The program took effect after spring break.


Senate to Discuss Division I on April 7

The Executive Committee of the Senate has received a recommendation from its Educational Policy Council (EPC) to move the University�s athletic competition from its current National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Div. II level to NCAA Division I. Faculty will be invited to attend the Senate meeting on Monday, April 7.

The EPC recommendation came after approval of the proposal in January of the University�s Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Board.

Proponents of the issue have said that the move to Division I would provide national visibility to the athletic program, consistent with the national reputation of Albany�s academic and research program; and that it would assist in student recruitment and development. They also point out that Albany�s transition from NCAA Division III to Division II athletics has gone smoothly academically and athletically in the past two years.

Little opposition has been expressed at IAAB and EPC open hearings on the matter. In this issue (page 4), however, professor of mathematics Edward Thomas argues against the wisdom of the proposal.


Graduate/Post-Graduate Fellowships

The New York State Senate is again offering graduate/post-graduate fellowships for 1996-97, designed to provide talented individuals with an intimate knowledge of New York State Government. Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled full-time in pursuance of an advanced degree. Each fellow receives a stipend of $22,575 and is eligible for certain benefits and options.

In addition, the Senate sponsors the Richard J. Roth Journalism Fellowship, for applicants in pursuit of journalism/public relations careers; and the Richard A. Wiebe Public Service Fellowship.

For application forms and more information, contact the campus liaison officer, Joseph F. Zimmerman of the Graduate School of Public Affairs, at 442-5378 or 439-9440. E-mail address is: [email protected].


Final Four Candidates for Academic Affairs

The search for the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs has narrowed to four candidates, according to Frank Thompson, dean of the Graduate School of Public Affairs and chair of the search committee for the post.

The first visit of a candidate is today, April 2, when Samuel Gorovitz, professor of philosophy at Syracuse University, meets the faculty at an open reception/forum from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Terrace Lounge of the Campus Center. A similar reception/forum will occur on the Downtown Campus from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Rudolph Room in the basement of Husted Hall. Along with meeting with President Hitchcock and touring the campus, Gorovitz will be in Albany from April 1-3.

The same schedule will apply to the next candidate, Daniel M. Fogel, professor of English, vice provost for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School at Louisiana State University on Thursday, April 3. His entire Albany visit runs April 2-4.

The following week will host the interview of Judy L. Genshaft, the current Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, a post she has held since 1995 after serving three years as dean of the School of Education. A professor of psychology, she will interview from April 9-11.

The fourth candidate scheduled for interviews is Risa Palm, professor of geography and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oregon. She will be in Oregon April 13-15.

Times and locations for faculty receptions/fora for the final two visits were not finalized at Update press time.