Wednesday, May 12, 1993

PRESIDENT SPEAKS:  There was a full house in the Theatre of the Arts
at noontime yesterday for the first general address by Jim Downey since
he took office as UW's president.  He spoke about the "humanist" tradition
and his vision of a university, not about immediate issues.  There was
thunderous applause when he finished, and there were no questions.  Frank
Thompson of the religious studies department did stand up to say that he
couldn't remember any occasion like this one in his 22 years at Waterloo,
and other audience members were murmuring the same thing.
   As the result of several requests, we will be publishing the text of
the talk in the Gazette, either May 19 or June 2.

VICE-PRESIDENTIAL FORUMS:  The second of the three candidates for 
vice-president (academic) and provost spoke yesterday afternoon and
answered questions.  She is Phyllis Forsyth of classical studies, who
told her audience that she's only interested in the "academic" half of the
job as presently constituted, and has made it clear to the committee she
won't accept the job with its full current responsibilities.  She also
spoke about "communication" and "consultation" and responded on topics
from the Edmonds case to faculty salaries.
   The first candidate, Jim Kalbfleisch, spoke Monday; the third, Garry
Rempel of chemical engineering, will face a similar audience at noon today
(Arts Lecture room 116).

PROVOST'S MEMO:  Following is the full text of the memo from provost Alan
George to department chairs and heads, dated yesterday:

   Effective today, the appointment of individuals not now on the UW
   payroll to faculty or staff positions will require my approval.  For
   the time being, such appointments will be made only where they are
   essential.  I also encourage you to limit discretionary spending and
   to delay, where possible, long term commitments until the financial
   situation becomes clearer.

   It is with regret that I take this step but, in the context of the
   circumstances outlined in my April 28 memorandum, it seems the only
   prudent course.  An outright hiring freeze, while simpler to 
   administer in many ways, would not at this time be in UW's best
   interest.

PhD THESIS:  The following announcement of a PhD oral examination was
received too late to appear in today's Gazette.
        Philosophy.  Gloria Lismer, "Whitehead's Theory of Prehensions". 
Supervisor, Prof. James Van Evra.  Thesis on deposit in the Arts Graduate
Office, ML 254, and available for perusal until May 14; oral defence to be held
Saturday, May 15 at 10:30 a.m. in HH 334.

                               Chris Redmond
                               Information and Public Affairs
                               credmond@watserv1     ext. 3004