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December 13, 2012
The popular press has locked on to the term "administrative bloat" in describing staffing changes over the past decade at institutions of higher education. Despite the fact that Purdue is among the leanest of its Big Ten and peer universities in the number of administrators per student and administrators per faculty member, Purdue has been used as an example, citing the 54 percent growth in "administrative employees." Although this number is accurate if defined properly, it is important to consider the context and clarify the definitions.
In the Spotlight
Campus offices and services will have reduced hours of operation during winter break at Purdue Memorial Union, Purdue University Libraries, and the France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center.
Faculty and staff news
The Purdue Board of Trustees will hold its meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday (Dec. 15) in Stewart Center, Room 326. The agenda is available here. News from the meeting will be included in Monday's issue of Purdue Today.
A new Web service called HR Help is now ready to use. HR Help lets employees send messages back and forth with Human Resources within a secure system.
West Lafayette campus employees, supervisors and business office staff should now contact the Human Resources Service Center (HRSC) for anything related to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
WorkLife Programs offers classes on a variety of topics designed to educate employees and improve their overall health.
This memo regarding the call for nominations for the 2013 Purdue University Dreamer Award is from Carolyn Johnson, director of the Diversity Resource Office. Nominations are due Jan. 11.
Research news
A steak slapped onto a hot barbecue will leave the meat with black grill lines that add flavor and aroma, but the chemicals contained in charred, seared and fried foods may over time kick-start the body's ability to add new fat cells and increase the risk of age-related diseases, a Purdue study shows.
James Clemens, assistant professor of biochemistry, has determined the function of a gene that when mutated leads to a genetic variation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease.
A five-year, multistate study involving Purdue Extension is aiming to find causes and preventions for childhood obesity in low-income preschoolers in rural communities, including two Indiana counties.
Here is a list of research studies that currently are looking for participants.
People
Dennis Depew, dean emeritus and professor in the College of Technology, has been named interim director of the Global Policy Research Institute.
Fred Whitford, coordinator of Purdue Pesticide Programs and an agricultural chemicals and transportation specialist, is the 2012 recipient of the Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence in Educational Service to the Rural People of Indiana.
General news
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Title IX, Purdue has recognized 40 individuals with the Title IX Distinguished Service Award for their significant contributions to the advancement of gender equity in education. Profiles on the recipients will be presented in Purdue Today each month. This month features Martha Oakley Chiscon, Barbara S. Clark, Sally Combs-Dunaway, Barbara Ivy Cook and Cheryl A. Cooky.
Family members of all ages would be wise to hang up their smartphones and hang out with family during the holidays, says a Purdue communication professor.
A council created by the state legislature has begun an effort to help agencies and the public better understand the need to prevent invasive plant species from getting established and spreading in Indiana.
A return to more normal U.S. corn yields in 2013 could send new-crop prices spiraling downward, but persistent drought in some of the nation's top corn-producing states could have the opposite effect, says Purdue Extension agricultural economist Chris Hurt.
As another year comes to a close, Purdue pop culture historian explains why there is so much interest in perennial countdowns and lists.
A leading tsunami researcher affiliated with the George E. Brown Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) says improved computational models helped in more accurately predicting the impact of a strong earthquake near Japan on Friday (Dec. 7).
Purdue sports
Boilermaker fans can show their support for the Purdue football team by displaying new posters created to commemorate the team's appearance at the Heart of Dallas Bowl on Jan. 1.
Registration closes at 5 p.m. Monday (Dec. 17) for Purdue's official tailgate/transfer packages for the Heart of Dallas Bowl on Jan. 1. Information about the packages as well as links for reserving a room at the team hotel or purchasing tickets are available at https://bowlpurdue.com/dallasbowl.
Purdue Athletics is offering a variety of ticket promotions for the Boilermakers' three men's basketball home games over the winter break period.
For more information on Purdue sports, go to www.purduesports.com.
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