I am writing to let you know about a planned reorganization within central administration. I have decided to combine our existing University Relations and University Development operations to form a single unit, University Advancement. I am pleased to announce that Michael Andreasen, our vice president for development, has agreed to expand his role to oversee this new portfolio as vice president for advancement. Michael will work quickly to integrate the components into the advancement model and secure operational efficiencies, as well as continuing to lead our development activities.

The University of Oregon's Student Recreation Center reopened at 9:45 a.m. today (Tuesday, April 2) – in time for the 10 a.m. PE classes – after being closed overnight due to flooding that was reported shortly after 9 p.m. Monday.

The building's fire sprinkler system mistakenly activated in the vicinity of the climbing wall, causing major flooding. The water was removed overnight and affected infrastructure – including electrical equipment, an elevator and the fire suppression system – were dried and tested before the rec center was reopened.

Once upon a time, roller derby was more about theatrics than athleticism.

Not anymore.

Today’s derby is flowing, fast-paced and full-contact – as Ariel Ogden can attest. The marketing coordinator with Theatre Arts skates with the Eugene team, Andromedolls, part of the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association league of amateur skaters competing at a regional and national level.

Great leaders know themselves and pay close attention to the impact they have on others.

So says Suzanne Rotondo, a leadership expert and executive coach who will provide training for University of Oregon officers of administration at an upcoming forum.

The OA Strategic Leadership Forum 2013, April 15 or April 17, is titled: “Emotional Intelligence…How the Best Leaders Build, Maintain and Even Restore Trust in Times of Change.”

The Center for the Study of Women in Society recently announced the UO faculty and graduate students who will receive research grants for work related to women and gender during the 2013-14 academic year.

The center awarded more than $70,000 in graduate student and faculty research grants. Nine UO graduate students will receive awards ranging from $2,000 to $16,000, while six faculty scholars will receive awards of up to $6,000.

The Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA) has granted its official seal of approval to the Northern Great Basin Prehistory Project, making the University of Oregon's summer field school one of nine RPA-certified programs in the United States and the only one in the Pacific Northwest.

Jointly sponsored by the Society for American Archaeology, the Society for Historical Archaeology, the Archaeological Institute of America and the American Anthropological Association, RPA establishes and upholds rigorous, universal standards for archaeological research and ethics.

University of Oregon student Edith Gomez will join Gov. John Kitzhaber, Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney and others Tuesday morning (April 2) when the governor signs into law the state's so-called tuition equity bill.

1. Where in the world were you?

I was in Costa Rica from Aug. 26 to Sept. 16. I was involved in a two-prong project, interviewing scholars and activists for my book and filming politicians, historians, and activists for an independent film project. Most of our interviewing took place in San Jose, the capital. Some of our interviews involved travel to areas in the highland coffee country and the west coast national park areas.

2. What work were you doing there?

There will be plenty of opportunities for women in computer science to foster connections this year – inside and outside the university.

The Computer and Information Science department’s Women in Computer Science group (WICS) will focus on fostering those connections with a number of programs.

Project HATCH, a K-8 outreach program, returns for another year, beginning Winter Term.