Friends of the Library

"AT&T, we need Bill from the University of Redlands Library." With that, Regis Philbin, host of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" put in a call to associate librarian Bill Kennedy, head of the university's reference services. Who better to have as one of your phone-a-friends?

Redlands library assistant Susan Larose was in the hot seat for the $32,000 question when the call was placed. Bill had 30 seconds to answer the following: What weapon was made famous by an American hero killed at the battle of the Alamo? The choices: gattling gun, colt revolver, Remington rifle, Bowie knife.

Bill answered unhesitantly: "Bowie knife." "How sure are you?" Susan asked him. "100 percent sure," he said. And he was 100 percent right.

Four Redlands librarians were standing by when the show was taped the week preceding the air date, Oct. 3. Each contestant can use one of three "life lines" to call one of five friends for help with a tough question. Bill was responsible for subjects such as American history, sports and religion. Library director Klaus Musmann, who was charged with answering the phone, would have handled geography and world history. Librarian Jean Swanson had such varied assignments as mystery writing and arctic exploration. Library assistant Bruce Engelfried was prepared to respond to a number of popular culture questions. Susan's fifth friend was former Redlands librarian Jean Stackpole, who was on hand for everything from architecture to cooking.

Larose left the show $64,000 richer, more than enough, as Philbin quipped, "for a fabulous party for Klaus and the gang."

Physical Plant Survives the Summer
Physical Plant Director Fred Weck was so grateful to his 42-person staff for their support in completing $3.6 million in projects in 80 days this summer that he gave them a token of his appreciation to wear at a barbecue held in their honor Sept. 14.

The "We Survived the Summer of 2000" T-shirts were adorned with a bull's-eye and Out Wit, Out Last, Out Run! slogan, a takeoff of the "Survivor" craze, on the front.

On the back: We Survived the Summer of 2000

  • SLACKERS movie filming
  • 4 weeks of 100° F-plus heat
  • Power outages
  • Conference Program bookings
  • Unplanned cutting of water lines
  • Edison directed power brown-outs
  • Support Science Center move-in
  • Support Chili cook-off
  • Support High Speed Network
  • Manage move of faculty offices

University Develops Master Plan
The university's new master planning process that begins this fall will determine the look of the campus over the decades to come.

"The master plan developed in the early 1990s was a broad sweep that helped us to focus on aesthetics and to identify large building spaces for the construction of such facilities as the university center and science center," said Phillip Doolittle, vice president for finance and administration.

"We're still building on that vision but now need a detailed assessment of existing facilities and future space needs," he added.

Doolittle pointed out that the multi-year planning process doesn't mean that campus development is on hold.

Some projects are being dealt with early in the process, he said. For example, KPMG Consulting, Higher Education Practice, has been hired to conduct a needs assessment of student housing, looking at capacity, demand and lifestyles. Included in that assessment will be the feasibility of returning Williams Hall to full residential use and the possibility of building student apartments.

An important part of the master plan will be to consider a home for the school of business evolving from Whitehead College. If Williams were to return to residence hall status, then a new location for Whitehead's administration and the business programs needs to be identified.

Planning for the second phase of the Stauffer Center for Science and Mathematics is under way, as well as construction of a new fitness center.

Included in the larger master plan will be assessments for the future use of Hornby and Hentchke halls, as well as University Hall and the former ELS Center. Also taken into consideration will be parking and the development of the south side of the campus.

The process will parallel planning for the university's next major capital campaign, which will coincide with the centennial celebration in 2006-07.

Doolittle said planning will include widespread involvement of campus constituencies including students, faculty and staff, giving all the opportunity to voice ideas and concerns.

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Cortner Hall Reopens with a New Look
Cortner Hall residents, administrators and staff celebrated the $2 million renovation of Cortner at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 10. With master of ceremonies Phillip Doolittle and a performance by "Those Guys," the celebration included talks on Cortner Then and Now by trustee Larry Burgess '67 and Student Life Dean Char Burgess '69.

The summer renovation included new heating and air-conditioning, carpeting, tile flooring and windows, as well as new beds and other amenities. In addition, four rooms were added to increase occupancy to 108 students.

Cortner, one of the university's 12 residence halls, opened in 1949 for male students and was named in honor of George P. Cortner, the university's business manager from 1915-1946 and former mayor of Redlands.

Happenings On and Around Campus
  • Valerie Gilman, assistant professor of art and art history, has charged her students to create sculptural pieces reflecting their opinion on the 2000 election, pieces that might convince observers to agree with the creator's argument. The pieces will be installed around campus Wednesday, Nov. 1, with site cleanup by Monday, Nov. 13.
  • Celebrate the Outstanding Research Awards of 2000 with the Redlands American Association of University Presidents chapter. Those being recognized: Assistant Professor of History Jennifer Keene for "American Soldiers in the Great War"; Management & Business Professor James Pick for "Mexico and Mexico City: Studying Population and Economic Growth and Change;" and Associate Professor of Spanish Ivonne Vailakis for "The Trouble with Travels." The reception will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, in Gregory Hall, Room 161.
  • GIS Day 2000 will be held Wednesday, Nov. 15. "Building Connections Across Campuses with GIS" will demonstrate the diverse range of applications and ideas that can be explored through GIS. Events will be held from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and include a job fair panel, presentations on how GIS can be applied in specific fields of study and a movie night with the showing of "The District." For more information, visit http://cem.uor.edu/gisday.
  • The Faculty Interaction Program is sponsoring a trip to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles Thursday, Nov. 16. The bus will leave campus at 6 a.m. and return by 8 p.m. To reserve your seat, contact clinical professor Lily Rivera, ext. 3891 or rivera@uor.edu.
  • The university's chapter of Habitat for Humanity will join with employees for the build in Highland Sunday, Nov. 19. The student chapter participates in about three builds a month in 15-person teams. The chapter's 40-50 students show up at least once a semester. Peter Aguilar who heads up the university chapter and sits on Habitat's local board, asks that faculty, administrators and staff join the students on the Women's Build. Don't be turned off, guys, the build is open to men. Habitat created the Women's Build this year to attract more women to the effort. If you're interested in participating, contact Aguilar at ext. 2798.