ASU presidential candidate speaks about possibility of new medical school

One of the two candidates being considered for the ASU presidency spoke about the possibility of a new medical school on Tuesday.

"I think the first thing you would want to know is, can the state sustain two medical schools?" candidate Karen Holbrook said.

Currently, Arizona State University does not have a medical school.

Holbrook has a doctorate in cell biology and is currently the provost at the University of Georgia.

Holbrook questioned whether the Arizona Board of Regents was supportive of dedicating resources to a medical school.

A crowd of about 125 people, mainly faculty, gathered to hear Holbrook speak Tuesday.

Holbrook spoke on the retention of students, child care services and a variety of other topics.

Holbrook's two-day visit to ASU ended Wednesday.

The other presidential candidate, Michael M. Crow of Columbia University, is expected at ASU Friday and Saturday.

The board of regents is expected to make its selection March 15. Current President Lattie Coor has announced that he will retire June 30.

Faculty Senate passes grievance policy after long debate

After two years of debate, the Faculty Senate overwhelmingly passed a grievance policy Monday outlining how faculty can resolve problems.

The policy - which the senate passed 28-5 - calls for a "fair and equitable resolution of grievances without fear of prejudice or retaliation for initiating a grievance or participating in the grievance process."

It describes different options for resolution procedures ranging from using the Ombudsperson Committee to informally remedy situations to more formal hearing procedures.

The version the senate passed included several amendments made by Sen. Roy Spece in February, but other attempted amendments failed.

The document that passed Monday makes it clear that the Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure may choose private or university attorneys, said Sen. Robert Mitchell.

The senators who voted against the policy said university attorneys would have a conflict of interests if representing a faculty member.

Memorial services planned for deceased professor

Memorial services are planned for a deceased aerospace and mechanical engineering professor.

Karl M. Pattison, 80, professor emeritus of aerospace and mechanical engineering, died at his home Feb. 12, 2002. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.

The service will be held in the auditorium of the new Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Building at North Mountain Avenue and East Speedway Boulevard.

Pattison graduated from the University of Arizona in 1950 after fighting in World War II. He began teaching at UA in 1969.

In 1980 Pattison began teaching at AME full time. He retired in 1990 after a head injury that left him with speech difficulties and physical limitations.

His health declined even more recently, and he spent a short time in the hospital before returning to his home where he died.

Memorial contributions made to the AME department will go toward the senior design course.

Public lecture series to address issues surrounding brain science

Six 15-20 minute lectures in which UA researchers will discuss the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders are scheduled for next week.

The lecture series is titled "Brain Science 101" and will consist of leading University of Arizona researchers. It will be held in conjunction with National Brain Awareness Week, March 11-17.

The speakers plan to explain how the brain works.

They will also discuss recent breakthroughs on the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders that affect millions of people.

"Brain Science 101" will take place in DuVal Auditorium at University Medical Center, 1501 N. Campbell Ave., March 14, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

"Brain Science 101" is being presented by the Tucson chapter of the Society for Neuroscience and the Arizona Health Sciences Center.

Featured speakers include David Velenovsky, a research associate in the department of cell biology and anatomy; Dr. Naomi Rance, the chief neuropathologist at University Medical Center; Lee Ryan, an assistant professor of psychology; and Jonathan Flax, a research associate in the department of molecular and cellular biology.