Flu shot clinics scheduled for employees 50 and older
What you need to know about the Adverse Weather Policy
Southern Historical Collection celebrates 75 years
Nominations open for student Chancellor's Awards
Mindfulness program useful for stress, chronic pain and headaches
PlayMakers to visit 'Copenhagen'
Library user survey
Lego: building blocks of the plastic universe
Go for a hike on Lincoln's birthday

Flu shot clinics scheduled for employees 50 and older

The N.C. Division of Public Health has relaxed the distribution restrictions on flu vaccine, and healthy University employees ages 50 and older -- as well as those who regularly come into contact with people in high-risk groups -- can now schedule flu shots to be given at the University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (UEOHC).

The following dates still had spaces available as the "Gazette" went to press:

Jan. 19, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3:45 p.m.;

Jan. 20, 1 - 4 p.m.; and

Jan. 21, 1 - 4 p.m.

Eligible employees should visit the Department of Environment, Health and Safety web site (ehs.unc.edu) and click on the "2004 flu shot" link to schedule an appointment.

Vaccinations will be given at the UEOHC on the first floor of the Ambulatory Care Center on Mason Farm Road. Employees who are not members of the State Health Plan will need to pay $20 by cash or check at the time of vaccination.

It is not too late to get a flu shot; flu season lasts through March. Vaccination of eligible employees can reduce the risk of flu for everyone.

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What you need to know about
the Adverse Weather Policy

January's mild temperatures are a good reminder of how unpredictable winter weather can be in the Triangle. It's almost certain that some ice and snow will arrive eventually, so it's a good idea to brush up on the University's Adverse Weather Policy.

The University has several ways of disseminating information to the campus community. Employees can:

Call the Adverse Weather Hotline at 843-1234, a special line with recorded information and announcements about schedule delays or closings;

Check the University's home page on the web, www.unc.edu ;

Listen to broadcasts on the University's Traveler's Information System, 1610 AM;

Check the details of campus parking lots and Chapel Hill Transit at the Department of Public Safety's web site, www.dps.unc.edu; and

Check listings on local radio and television stations.

Once you find out the status of the University, here's how to interpret what the adverse weather conditions mean:

Condition I -- offices open, classes in session;

Condition II -- offices open, classes not in session; and

Condition III -- University closed.

To learn more about the University's adverse weather policies, see hr.unc.edu/Data/SPA/leave/adverseweatherleave.

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Southern Historical Collection
celebrates 75 years

A new display in Davis Library through Jan. 31 showcases a selection of the scholarly works and commercial productions that have drawn upon the resources of the Southern Historical Collection, as well as facsimiles of a few of the unique treasures that are safeguarded at the collection. Two related exhibits -- "Southern Sources: An Exhibition Celebrating Seventy-Five Years of the Southern Historical Collection" (Melba Remig Saltarelli Exhibit Room) and "Staff Favorites from the Southern Historical Collection" (Manuscripts Department) -- may be seen in Wilson Library from Jan. 13 through March 31.

The Southern Historical Collection, one of the largest archives anywhere of manuscript material documenting the American South, has been at the center of inquiry into the region's history and culture for 75 years.

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Nominations open for
student Chancellor's Awards

Nominations for the Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Student Activities and Leadership, honoring some 18 different areas of accomplishment, are due Feb. 7. Nomination forms are available online at www.unc.edu/chancellorsawards/nom.

For further information, call Kathy Sutton (966-4045). The awards will be presented April 11 at 3 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Frank Porter Graham Student Union.

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Mindfulness program useful for stress, chronic pain and headaches

The Mindfulness Program for Stress Reduction, sponsored by the Program on Integrative Medicine and the University Headache Clinic, begins its winter series of eight classes -- plus an extra day of "mindfulness" -- on Jan. 27. Classes are held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

The program trains participants to slow down, recognize the warning signs of stress reactions and stay focused and relaxed in ways that enhance the body's natural adaptive abilities and the mind's ability to choose healthy responses. Participants learn mind-body awareness, meditation, and stretching as a foundation for a variety of stress management techniques.

Classes are held at the UNC Wellness Center in Meadowmont. Cost is $245 for University employees and includes all materials. Financial assistance is available for some individuals.

For more information and to register, call Becky Coble (966-8586) or e-mail rcoble@med.unc.edu.

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PlayMakers to visit 'Copenhagen'

PlayMakers Repertory Company's production of "Copenhagen," by Michael Frayn and directed by Drew Barr, will open at the Center for Dramatic Art on Jan. 19. It will run through Feb. 13.

In 1941, at the height of the Second World War, German physicist Werner Heisenberg traveled to the occupied Danish capital of Copenhagen to meet his mentor, Niels Bohr, considered by many to be the father of modern atomic physics. Their conversation may have been a crucial moment in determining the outcome of the war. Playwright, screenwriter and novelist Frayn reconstructs this meeting of a great teacher and his student and reminds us that Heisenberg's celebrated Uncertainty Principle applies to all aspects of existence. "Copenhagen" is the recipient of many awards, including the 2000 Tony Award for Best Play.

Ticket prices are $10 - $40, depending on the day of the week of the performance. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m.

For tickets, call 962-PLAY (7529); for more information, see www.playmakersrep.org.

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Library user survey

The University is conducting a library-user survey to assess usage of the libraries' various services. The survey will be conducted in person and electronically during two-hour time periods at randomly selected times through June. The library staff asks users to participate if requested. The data being requested in the survey is critical for continued funding. All responses are confidential.

For more information, e-mail Samira Collins (scollins@unc.edu).

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Lego: building blocks of the plastic universe

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center broke open the boxes for a new exhibit at the end of 2004: the Lego Laboratory. There are advanced Lego sets for the first-time builder to learn the basics of physics and engineering and also sets for even the most experienced expert in Lego construction.

For families with younger children, the early simple machines station has big blocks and simple directions for cars, cranes and other fun machines. For advanced builders, the robotics station will keep you challenged.

Lab hours are 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 - 4 p.m. on Sundays.

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Go for a hike on Lincoln's birthday

Johnny Randall, assistant director for conservation at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, will host a trek on Feb. 12 -- the Charles Darwin Birthday Hike at Mason Farm Biological Reserve. It turns out the 16th president and Darwin shared their Feb. 12, 1809 birthdays, and in addition to showcasing the products of natural selection that inhabit the reserve, Randall might just quote a few appropriate lines from "On the Origin of the Species" as he goes.

Preregistration is required by calling 962-0522. Fee is $9 for the public, $7 for garden members.