Ted Kennedy Jr. to Speak at Disabled Student Services Gala

Since losing one of his legs to cancer in 1973 at the age of 12, Kennedy has devoted much of his time working as an advocate for the civil rights of people with disabilities. He has lectured throughout the world about his experiences with cancer and his views about how to approach life with a disabling condition.

Kennedy now works on the research faculty of the Yale University School of Medicine and Law and as director of the New Haven Lead Safe Home and Community Health Project. In addition, he is finishing his third year of law school at the University of Connecticut School of Law. After he completes his degree, he will continue his career in disability and public health law.

“Since the Office’s inception, more than 600 disabled students have graduated and gone on to become productive citizens of the world. For many, the support they received from our office has meant the difference between staying in school and not staying in school and we are very proud of that,” said Nancy Belowich-Negron, director of the Office of Disabled Student Services.

There are many other programs planned for this remarkable celebration. It began with the Sophie Tucker Benefit, held this past April. The event was a huge success and raised more than $9,200 to launch their fund raising campaign. Upcoming events will include special Women’s Luncheon programs featuring women with disabilities as speakers. There will also be a Congratulatory Book which will benefit the Disabled Student Scholarship Fund. In addition, the Silver Anniversary Commission will also be identifying distinguished disabled alumni and honoring them at the Gala Dinner. Nominations can be made by contacting Belowich-Negron at 442-5490.

LISA JAMES

University Police Department Trains Albany Police Officers in Bike Patrol

The six Albany Police Department officers were trained during the summer in two phases. Part of that training was done by UPD officers Scott Neff and Bill Yankowski. Neff is one of only two certified cyclist instructors in New York state.

The high-tech vehicles the officers were trained to use are uniquely suited for the urban landscape. At a press conference announcing the training, Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings said, “In our ongoing effort to embrace the essence of the community policing philosophy we are expanding our thinking from traditional tools of law enforcement. We are taking into consideration the needs of our neighborhoods and adapting our approach to meeting the needs the citizens have communicated to us. By experimenting with non-traditional tools we are demonstrating our commitment to creative problem solving.”

Albany Police Chief Kevin Tuffey said, “These officers will fill the gap between the foot patrol officer and the quick response available in the motor units.”

Kilcullen added that the UPD is looking to do a training course on campus for both UPD officers and local police departments. UPD currently has 10 bicycle officers on campus.

Scott Neff, an officer in the University Police Department, won gold and silver medals at the U.S. Law Enforcement Mountain Bike Championship held recently in Lewiston, Vermont. He won a gold medal in urban obstacle and a silver in dual slalom. More than 100 officers competed and the competitions were divided between rookies and veterans. This was Neff’s second year participating in the contest.

“I was very surprised by my performance and will probably compete again next year just to make sure this was no fluke,” Neff said.

LISA JAMES

Pulitzer Novelist Speaks at Page

Skidmore College English Professor Steven Millhauser, winner of the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for his novel Martin Dressler: The Tale of an American Dreamer, will read from his work on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. at Page Hall on the University’s Downtown Campus.

Millhauser earned recognition for his fresh approach to childhood and adolesence in his first two novels, Edwin Mullhouse:The Life and Death of an American Writer (1972), which won the Prix Medicis Etranger Award in France for best foreign novel, and Portrait of a Romantic (1977). He also has published three short story collections.

Millhauser’s reading is part of the Fall schedule of visiting writers organized by the New York State Writers Institute. He has been a member of the Skidmore College faculty since 1988.

Human Resources Advances
Now to Meet Employee Needs of the Future

In order to improve services and the efficiency of their delivery to the campus, the Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM) has completed an evaluation of each sub-area under its administration. Steven Beditz, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Management, stresses that the change is not so much for today as for the new millennium.

“Why is the world changing so much?,” says Beditz. “Technology, I think, is the main reason. In addition, everyone’s access to vast quantities of information has affected the rate of change in almost all dimensions of our lives. As that rate accelerates, it becomes incumbent upon a successful organization — or organism, for that matter — to be able to sense and respond to the environment changing around it.”

As a result, OHRM has steadily improved its technology profile, helping it cope with change and the demand for services and information. “What hasn’t changed much in recent memory,” said Bediz, “is how we’re organized around new business practices and this advance in technology.

“The reorganization is designed to help us not only cope with these changes, but to exploit the technology and react as quickly as possible to unpredictable demands and changes in the business environment. It’s a strategy, as opposed to a more traditional plan. The bottom line, however, is customer service: faster, friendlier and as technology compatible as we can make it.”

In the area of choosing advanced computing systems to handle OHRM’s Personnel Data Systems, complete knowledge of the functions and cross-functions of all major areas within OHRM — Payroll, Fringe Benefits, Classified Service Employment, Professional Service Employment, and Sponsored Funds — is now necessary.

Beditz said this need has also entailed a reorganization in order to integrate services across sub-areas or employee types, including the redeployment of positions.

Beditz said that Nikki Vaughan Maczko, former director of Sponsored Funds Personnel, has been named Associate Director of OHRM, with the responsibility across all units for management and development of services. “The Associate Director is empowered to represent all OHRM functions and serve as acting director in my absence,” said Beditz.

“Nikki will provide the requisite knowledge and familiarity of all OHRM units when she leads the Office’s project team that will replace our Personnel Data Systems. I am certain her presence will enable us to form a close fit between our software and the data requirements of the control agencies and System Administration. That in turn will ensure a seamless migration to our new system.”

Beditz also announced the appointment of Sandra Gersowitz as Director of Sponsored Funds Personnel. Gersowitz has extensive career experience in contract management and human resources administration, most recently with the State Department of Social Services and the State Council on Children and Families. In addition, Denise Szelest, most recently in Plant Department fiscal management but previously with OHRM’s Fringe Benefits area, will return as Payroll Manager.

Beditz said that OHRM has undertaken a review of the current employment process wit the guidance of Sharon Dawes, director of the Center for Technology in Government. “This review has resulted in the parallel projects of forms-review, redesign, and reduction, and of hiring process-review and simplification,” he said.

“The forms used in making employment transactions have been reduced from nine to three, and can be downloaded from the OHRM home page on the Internet. Prospective job seekers from anywhere in the world will find our current vacancy announcements on the home page as well.

“In the near future, the forms will be virtual and interactive, and the sign-offs electronic. The status of a request will be instantly determinable, eliminating the need for the originating department to hunt down the paperwork if it’s been delayed somewhere.

“We also will shortly be hiring a Recruitment Coordinator whose main function will be to assist hiring departments in facilitating the process, from the creation of a position description, to placing an advertisement, to coordinating with other offices, such as Affirmative Action, that are also stake-holders in the process. We will explore resume tracking and skills inventory software as well. And Rod Mason now heads up an expanded Personnel Services unit, responsible for the entire array of activities except for benefits, employee relations and payroll.

“From an employee perspective,” said Beditz, “we are doing all we can to make our services more easily accessible.”

Turn-out Urged for Heart Walk

President Hitchcock this year has been named the chair of the American Heart Walk, which drew about 100 University representatives last year to Colonie Town Park and raised close to $6,000.

This year, the event takes place at Siena College on Saturday, Sept. 27, beginning at 9 a.m., and even greater support is being urged for a relentlessly important cause.

“The American Heart Walk is the Capital Region’s major fund-raising event to fight the country’s number one killer — heart disease and stroke,” said the President. “As chair of this year’s Walk, I invite all members of the University at Albany community to join me and hundreds of our neighbors to participate in the 1997 Walk at Siena College.

“Those who have participated in the past will tell you that it is a most satisfying and enjoyable time, with music, food, mementos, and a spirited camaraderie that distinguishes this important medical fund-raiser.”

Each walker is asked to collect a minimum of $50 in pledge contributions, and the University’s goals this year are 130 walkers and $7,500 raised. Divisional captains should have contacted employees of the University by now.

“If you haven’t been contacted,” said the President, “please call campus coordinator Bob McFarland in my office at 442-5400 to receive information and a pledge packet.

“I look forward to being with you at Siena on Sept. 27 and helping the University at Albany make a difference in the battle against heart disease and stroke.”