UConn gets grant for multimedia education
The University has received a $27,672 grant from the state Department of Higher Education to train teachers and students to use digital video and other multi-media tools in class presentations. The grant, available under the federal Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Grant Program, was awarded following a review by an independent panel of teachers, college faculty and education professionals.

The grant proposal, titled "Virtual Reality in the Science Classroom: An Intensive Workshop for Teachers to Develop Multimedia Materials," will enable 24 middle and high school teachers from six school districts to participate in a semester-long workshop on multimedia technology. As teachers master these tools, they will instruct their students how to make presentations about scientific experiments using images, video clips, text and equations.

Health Center groundbreaking held
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday to mark the start of construction of the $35.7 million academic research building at the UConn Health Center. The 11-story building and adjacent transgenic animal facility will provide space for biomedical research. The center also will specialize in cancer research, cardiology, infectious diseases and neuroscience. The project is slated to be completed by spring 1999.

Professor pleads innocent to charges
Chemistry Professor Edward Kostiner has pleaded innocent to charges that he stole gold from the University then exchanged it for a watch and cash. His case was continued until April 8. He is charged with two counts of larceny.

U.S. News goofed on rankings
Just days after releasing its 1997 graduate school rankings, US News and World Report announced an error in calculating the job-placement rates for law schools, causing 33 of the top 50 law schools to be ranked incorrectly.

As a result, UConn's School of Law is now tied for 35th of the 179 accredited law schools a drop of three places since the survey was announced but still up three places from last year's ranking.

Alum hired as assistant soccer coach
Former women's soccer All-American Karen Ferguson '93 has been named assistant women's soccer coach. She replaces Wendy Logan, who was named head women's soccer coach at Ohio University. Ferguson spent the last two years as an assistant coach at Boston University.

Alumni Association seeking nominations for student group
The UConn Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the Student Alumni Association (SAA). The student group has become a vital organization of undergraduates interested in developing networking ties with alumni, representing the alumni association at functions, and gaining the knowledge and insight necessary to become future alumni leaders.

If you know any freshmen, sophomores or juniors who would represent the University in a positive manner, can communicate effectively and possess leadership skills, call Robbyn at the alumni office at 486-4233.

Students volunteered in city during Spring Break
Seven UConn students skipped the beaches to explore the realities of an inner city during Spring Break.

The students lived and volunteered in Hartford. They served food at a soup kitchen, visited a center for people with HIV, tutored neighborhood children, worked at homeless shelters and constructed a Habitat for Humanity house. The Urban Plunge was sponsored by UConn's Center for Community Outreach and St. Thomas Aquinas Church.