President Likins named to Diocese's panel

The Catholic Diocese of Tucson leaders hope to regain the trust of Tucsonans with the help of a six-person panel, including UA President Peter Likins.

The diocese settled 11 lawsuits last month for an estimated $11 million after allegations of sexual misconduct by Diocesan priests surfaced.

Likins and five other Catholics will begin working with the diocese to prevent child molestation from occurring in the future.

The panel was appointed by Bishop Manuel Moreno Friday and will begin meeting Monday. They will discuss revamping both the hiring system and methods for investigating abuse claims that arise.

Dr. Jose Santiago, chief medical officer and senior vice president of Carondelet Health Network and University of Arizona adjunct professor of psychology, is the head of the committee.

Maria Teresa Velez, associate dean of the UA Graduate College, was named to the panel.

Retired dean found dead

After his wife reported him missing Tuesday afternoon, a retired UA dean was found dead on Wednesday morning less than a mile from his home.

John Sevier, 67, was the former dean of the UA College of Engineering and Mines.

Sevier was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about eight years ago and had become more confused lately, taking a turn for the worse about 10 days before his death, said Sevier's wife, Peggy.

She said that after retiring from UA about three years ago, Sevier generally stayed around the house.

"He was in failing health for a while, but he's never left the property alone," she said.

However, Sevier could still take care of himself and Peggy Sevier had only planned to be gone for a couple of hours when she left on Tuesday, she said.

It appeared that Sevier had cleared a place to rest and had taken off his shoes and glasses, Berry said.

The police were told that Sevier had a bad back and had a hard time walking, Berry said.

A neighbor saw Sevier walking at 1 p.m. Tuesday near North Soldier Trail and East Roger Road.

Apartment searching made easy

A housing fair is scheduled to take place on the UA Mall for students in need of off-campus housing.

The fair will take place tomorrow and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Mall and comes in the wake of a housing cap that will displace some upperclassmen from residence halls.

There will be representatives from more than 30 apartment complexes, management companies and local businesses present to give out information and answer questions.

Off-Campus Housing Services is located in the Student Union Memorial Center in Room 404.

Bra-a-thon to lobby for women's rights

Amnesty International is organizing a bra-a-thon on the UA Mall to generate support for a group that fights against the discrimination of women.

Amnesty is asking people to write messages on new or used bras to U.S. Congressman Jon Kyl. The messages will be delivered to Kyl asking him to support the Convention to Eliminate all forms of Discrimination Against Women.

The Bra-a-thon is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today on the UA Mall. Extra bras will be provided for anyone who wants to send a message but cannot spare a bra.

The United States is the only industrialized nation that has not ratified CEDAW. It is approximately seven votes short of being ratified.

New director appointed to Poetry Center

A former senior partner of a San Francisco marketing firm was appointed the new director of the UA Poetry Center.

"I'm honored that I have been selected," said Gail Browne, the new director of the center.

"This is a particularly dynamic time to join the Poetry Center team, as it prepares to launch the next phase of the fund-raising campaign for the new facility," Browne added.

The UA Poetry Center was founded in 1960 by Ruth Stephan and was dedicated by Robert Frost.

The Center recently reached halfway in a fund-raising campaign for $4.5 million to build a new landmark facility.

Browne was appointed by Charles M. Tatum, dean of the College of Humanities.

"We feel extraordinarily fortunate to have found a person with Gail Browne's remarkable blend of experience and talents," Tatum said.

Browne was named the outstanding student in English in 1974 at California State University where she graduated summa cum laude. She also holds a master's degree in 20th century English from University of California Los Angles.

Browne worked as a marketing strategist and senior partner at Browne-Zukow Associates, which she founded.