October 11, 2001
Peer Portfolio
DR. DRAG RACE: A University of Arizona professor of chemistry and geo-sciences is likely the fastest researcher in the field. M. Bonner Denton, driving a modified 1959 Berkeley, set the land speed record for sports cars with a qualifying run of 267.555 mph. She followed that with a run of 260.459 mph. The previous record of 246.511 had stood since 1993.
FREE-WHEELING: Students, employees and visitors to the University of Wisconsin will be able to ride the campus bus service for free throughout the current academic year. The free rides are part of a trial program that officials hope will encourage people to leave their cars at home. Officials already encourage the campus community to use public transportation to get to campus. The university buses provide service to areas on campus where the Madison Metro system doesn’t travel. Previously it cost 50 cents to ride the campus buses.
NOT SO FREE-WHEELING: Starting this week, University of California police began issuing citations to bicyclists, skateboarders, rollerbladers and people on scooters who roll through pedestrian-only areas of campus. The policy is part of a broader effort to improve pedestrian safety on the campus.
HELPING HANDS: One hundred fifty University of Cincinnati faculty, staff and administrators were on hand recently to help students move into the residence halls. The crew of volunteers offered friendly greetings, provided directions, and even helped with some of the heavy lifting it takes to get a college student in place on campus.
READING, WRITING, RENOVATING: It’s a twist on the “three-Rs” but officials at Michigan State University are hopeful that 38 renovated classrooms will have a positive impact on education at the institution. Twenty-nine of the upgraded classrooms were ready for business when school started earlier this fall. The $1.7 million project included the installation of a “technology cart” complete with a computer, VCR and video projection system.
