In April, the committee announced a summary of its findings, most notably the hiring of two African-American faculty members at the School of Arts & Sciences (which will bring the number from two to four), and the recommendation for a new major in comparative cultural studies that would offer concentrations in African, Asian, or Latin American issues.
While BSU members had pushed for the establishment of a black studies department, the committee concluded that a small freestanding program would lack political power and be unable to attract its "fair share of the fiscal pie" at Hopkins.
"In all good faith, we can't create something that will fail," said committee chair Mary L. Poovey, professor of English and acting director of women's studies.
BSU members were disappointed by the decision. "In a department with three primary focuses, how many resources can be devoted to black studies?" asks Kobi Little '94, past president of the BSU and an author of the "16 Demands." "There's no provision here for a thoroughgoing analysis of the African experience yesterday, today, and tomorrow."
Among the committee's other findings:
Several other Hopkins scientists also made Science Watch's top rankings. They include two who published with Vogelstein: Kenneth Kinzler, an assistant professor of oncology published nine hot papers last year, which puts him in second place on the list; and Stanley Hamilton, a professor of pathology and oncology, who earned sixth place for five hot papers.
Two Hopkins neuroscientists garnered hot rankings for publications on the role of nitric oxide as a neuro- transmitter: Solomon Snyder (third place, for eight hot papers) and David Bredt, formerly a post-doc in Snyder's lab and now an assistant professor at the University of California in San Francisco (fifth place, with six hot papers).--MH
Biomedical engineering at Hopkins also scored tops in the country, a ranking determined by engineering school deans.
Hopkins's School of Medicine won second place among research-oriented medical schools, following Harvard. Factors used to determine the ranking included scores on the Medical College Admission Test; faculty-to-student ratio; reputation, as determined by medical school deans and faculty, and directors of intern-residency programs; and the total value of NIH grants awarded. --MH
"When looking at past Spring Fairs, you try to see what worked and what didn't. And then you try to come up with something more creative than the last guy," explains co-chair Ted Tobin '95. "It's a challenge because the fair has accomplished a lot in the past, so expectations are high."
This year's Carnaval theme--made obvious at a glance by an enormous Brazilian flag that stretched the height of the MSE Library--blended South American and Caribbean culture. In addition to the regular assemblage of food, arts and crafts vendors, non-profit booths, entertainers, clowns, and amusement rides, the fair featured a tropical rain forest display and the Afro-Brazilian dance troupe Cambalacho.
Many of the 200 or so vendors who staked out their spots on the Upper and Lower Quads have been taking part in Spring Fair since it started back in 1972. "The first year it was pretty small," recalls perennial sausage vendor Dave Watson. "It rained a lot, and there weren't that many people, so we weren't sure if it was going to be successful. But the next year changed our minds. It was better organized, we made a lot of money, and we've been coming back ever since." -- BOC
As a consequence, furniture temporarily stored in a hallway must be clearly labeled, or it too will vanish. On the first floor of Gilman Hall recently, a large wooden desk bore the following sign:
Under which an anonymous wag wrote:
OK! OK!
I'm going! I'm going!
Soon there will be. The Johns Hopkins Medical Bookstore, recently leased to Matthews Medical Books, is being remodeled to make more efficient use of its space. The redesign will allow the store to expand its offerings from 3,000 titles to 15,000. In addition, the bookstore will be more comfortable and efficient, say bookstore administrators.
New computer terminals stationed throughout the store will allow customers to look up information about a book, such as how long it will take for an order to come in and when a new edition will be published. Customers will even be able to key in their orders themselves. A "high-tech center" will display the latest medical software, videos, and computerized reference guides. A coffee bar is even being planned.
For customers wanting to relax, reading areas featuring books by Hopkins authors will be equipped with sofas and comfy chairs. "Students used to lie on the floor and block the aisles," says operations manager Mary Crum. "We'd like to make it more comfortable for them."--MH
Commissioned by Carol Jean Young, a piano faculty member at the Prep, the painting was reproduced as a Limited Edition poster, and copies were sold at the Prep anniversary that took place at Peabody on April 16-17. The celebration included a Saturday Night Gala Concert that featured Baltimore-born opera and TV star Damon Evans, and it culminated in a free Festival on the Plaza that featured over 200 performers, ranging from chamber musicians to Mexican hat dancers.
The Peabody Prep is the nation's oldest and largest community music school.
Written by Sue De Pasquale, Melissa Hendricks, and Brendan O'Connor '95.