JHU moves up to No. 7 in annual 'U.S. News' rankings

In the year 2000 annual "Best College" rankings compiled by U.S. News & World Report and released Aug. 20, Hopkins took a leap from its 14th place ranking in both 1999 and 1998 to land at a tie in spot No. 7 among national universities.

Hopkins, which shared the honor with Duke and the University of Pennsylvania, last ranked in the top 10 in 1996, when it placed 10th.

Other major shifts included the top spot, now held by CalTech, which moved up from ninth place to dethrone Harvard, Princeton and Yale, which shared the No. 1 ranking last year. Harvard is now No. 2, followed by MIT; Princeton and Yale, tied at 4; Stanford at 6; Hopkins, Duke and Penn at 7; and Columbia at 10.

According to the magazine, a change in methodology contributed to the changes.

JHHS and Hospital send medical supplies to Turkey

The Johns Hopkins Health System and Hospital on Aug. 21 sent a shipment of $25,000 worth of medical supplies to Turkey to assist the relief effort for the victims of the earthquake in Izmit and the surrounding area.

The shipment, sent directly to the American Hospital in Istanbul, included such needed items as suture kits, surgical gloves, antibiotics and small electronic medical equipment. The American Hospital is directly involved with the relief effort and received the more critically injured victims on the day of the earthquake.

Deniz Ozkok-Easton, international relations manager of the Turkish Division of JHHS International, says Hopkins became involved because some medical facilities in outlying areas of the earthquake have been overburdened.

"Their stocks were quickly depleted," Ozkok-Easton said. "Being internationally renowned, we need to reach out to the international community, especially in their time of need. We are in the business of helping people."

Owens & Minor Distributors, a medical supply company and a Hopkins vendor, has matched the Hopkins contribution.

JHMI to open satellite parking at Eastern High School

Effective Tuesday, Sept. 7, the old Eastern High School parking lot, now owned by the university, will operate as JHMI's third satellite parking facility. The lot, at 33rd Street and Ellerslee Avenue across from Memorial Stadium, holds 750 vehicles.

Hours of operation will be 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. Shuttle services will be provided every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the day. Improvements to the site include upgraded lighting, new paving and a canopied waiting area.

All current and off-site permit parkers may switch parking assignments to the Eastern High School lot starting Sept. 7. For further information, stop by the Parking Office in the 550 Building or call 410-955-5333.

Construction of new Caroline Street garage to begin

Groundbreaking for a new 1,500-space Caroline Street garage on the JHMI campus is tentatively scheduled for November. Completion is expected to take 16 to 24 months.

According to Colene Y. Daniel, health systems vice president for corporate and community services, several initiatives will need to take place before and during construction. Up to 400 staff members who have signed up for on-site parking since January 1997 will have to be relocated off campus during construction. These individuals will be given three months of free parking at one of the satellite lots and will be among the first offered parking in the new garage. Letters will be sent to those being relocated off campus.

Additionally, current Caroline Street surface lot parkers, if they are not selected for off-site parking, will be reassigned during construction to another facility on campus.

Informal 'Latin lunches' are planned on Homewood campus

For students and faculty with an interest in Latin America, Mondays might just be the day to reserve lunchtime. Beginning this semester, a group of faculty and students will meet for two hours each Monday to discuss all things Latin American.

The lunches were the idea of Margaret E. Keck, professor of political science and director of the Program in Latin American Studies, who wanted a way for those who are interested in Latin America--but not necessarily majoring in that field--to come together for informal discussions.

The lunches will begin Sept. 13 and meet from noon to 2 p.m. in Conference Room A in the cafeteria in the basement of Levering Hall. Attendees should bring their own lunches; there is no charge. For more information, call Keck at 410-516-7536 or e-mail questions to plas@jhu.edu.

Garland Hall elevator to be out of service six weeks

From the first week of September to mid-October, the elevator in Homewood's Garland Hall will not operate due to major repairs. Offices in Garland Hall are advised to accommodate visitors who cannot use stairs by meeting them on the first floor of the building, or in another building if possible. Disabled individuals who require personal meetings with offices in Garland Hall are encouraged to give prior notice to arrange accommodations.

For assistance in arranging accommodations for disabled visitors, contact Yvonne M. Theodore, university coordinator for disability services, at 410-516-8075. For additional information, contact Joseph Martin of Plant Operations at 410-516-8060.