Writers return to campus to discuss their craft

Morris Panych, Wayson Choy and Ian Weir are among the acclaimed
Creative Writing Dept. alumni returning to campus next month for
a series of noon-hour seminars. A fiction-writing seminar Feb. 6
at the Green College Coach House features Choy, author of The
Jade Peony
, Genni Gunn and Murray Logan. Drama is the focus
of the Feb. 13 seminar, also at the Coach House, with Panych and
Joan McLeod. Screenwriting is the topic Feb. 27 at the Royal Bank
Cinema in the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, with Weir and
Dennis Foon. The seminars are free and begin at 12:30 p.m.

  • Contact: Asst. Prof. Linda Svendsen, Dept. of Theatre,
    Film and Creative Writing, 604.822.2712

Contemporary India focus of research position

A new academic chair at the university will focus on issues in
contemporary India. The Asa and Kashmir Johal Chair of Indian Research
will enhance teaching and research on India in the social sciences,
law and humanities. It is named for Asa Johal, a former member of
UBC’s Board of Governors, and his wife Kashmir, who funded the chair
along with a matching grant from the university. The chair will
be based in the Centre for India and South Asia Research in the
Institute of Asian Research.

  • Contact: Gavin Wilson, Public Affairs Office, 604.822.2130

Safer by design

Personal security co-ordinator Paul Wong is a criminologist with
a flair for design. Using principles of crime prevention and environmental
design, Wong evaluates the safety of public spaces by looking at
the position of stairwells and windows, lighting, landscaping, and
control of growth of bushes and trees. Wong works with security
advisory committees, planning departments, students, the RCMP and
other members of the campus community to improve personal security
and public safety at the university.

  • Contact: Paul Wong, Parking and Transportation/Campus
    Security, 604.822.6210

Measday appointed Science dean pro tem

David Measday has been appointed dean pro tem of the Faculty of
Science effective Jan. 1, 1998. Measday, a physics professor and
associate dean in the faculty, will serve as dean until Aug. 31,
1998, or until a new dean is appointed. He takes over from Barry
McBride who resigned as dean following his appointment to the position
of vice-president, Academic and Provost.

  • Contact: Prof. David Measday, Faculty of Science, 604.822.3820

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