Clinton's proposed research budget increased
President Clinton's proposed budget for fiscal year 1998 includes an increase of $1.6 billion for research and development, for a total of $75.5 billion. Of that, $13.3 billion is proposed for university-based research.

The budget stresses the administration's intent to use science and technology to solve problems. Included are education, information distribution, emerging diseases, the environment, food safety and water quality, jobs and national security.

The budget will strengthen university-based research by $289 million, up by about 2 percent.

Budget increases for information distribution include a three-year, $300 million Next Generation Internet initiative, which will connect 100 universities and labs at speeds 100 to 1,000 times faster than today's Internet with the ability to transmit voice, video and virtual reality.

Blood drive on February 18-21
The UConn Blood Drive will be held next week in the ROTC Hangar.

The hours: Tuesday from noon-5 p.m.; Wednesday from noon-8 p.m.; Thursday from noon-5 p.m.; and Friday from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Free lunch will be provided. To make an appointment, call (800) 448-3543.

Health Center offers cancer software
The University Cancer Center at the UConn Health Center is offering a new, user-friendly computer software program called CancerHelp that provides a variety of cancer-related information. The program is available to anyone interested in learning more about the disease.

For more information, call (860) 679-2100.

Waterbury campus to host banquet
The Waterbury campus is planning a reception and dinner honoring area Day of Pride honorees in conjunction with Black History Month. Former Day of Pride recipient David Ushery 89, a reporter with WABC-TV in New York City, will be the featured speaker February 28.

The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 and the awards program to follow at the Courtyard Marriott in Waterbury. Tickets are $30.

Sign up for Community School of the Arts
Sign up now for Community School of the Arts classes brought to you by the Division of Extended and Continuing Education.

Classes are located on the Depot Campus. They include offerings in music, art, theater and other specialties. For a free course catalog, call 486-1073.