COLLEGE NEWS
- Jan. 12 deadline for Leopold meeting grants
- Deadlines & Reminders
COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
- Emotional intelligence: Inspiration for '96
INFOGRAZING
- Some farm-animal breeds face extinction
EXTERNAL VOICES
- Taking science to the public
MARGINALIA
- Hemp and haute couture
C O L L E G E N E W S
JAN. 12 DEADLINE FOR LEOPOLD MEETING GRANTS
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has a quarterly
grants program that supports conferences or workshops relevant
to the center's mission. Grants for up to $2,500 per proposal
are available. Proposals are reviewed by center staff, farmers
and representatives from potential user groups. Friday, Jan. 12,
is the first-quarter deadline for submission of proposals. Conferences
or workshops must take place at least 45 days after the notification
date, which is March 7 for this quarter. For complete details,
request a brochure from the Leopold Center, 209 Curtiss, 294-3711.
DEADLINES & REMINDERS
Jan. 3: Foreign travel grant applications due, 122 Curtiss
Jan. 5: Iowa Corn Promotion Board meeting on research funding,
Food Sciences Building, 9 a.m.
Jan. 18: College of Agriculture spring convocation, Lush Auditorium,
4 p.m.
Jan. 31: Ag Student of the Year nominations due, Iowa Agriculturist,
16H Hamilton
C O M M U N I C A T I O N S K I O S K
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: INSPIRATION FOR '96
Just in case you missed the news stories and debate about "emotional
intelligence," here's a recap that may serve as inspiration
for a New Year's resolution: Researchers are finding that emotional
intelligence -- the ability to get along with others and make
good personal decisions -- counts more than academic intelligence
in achieving a successful life. Daniel Goleman, a Harvard-educated
psychologist and behavioral reporter for the New York Times, says
emotional intelligence involves knowing one's own feelings and
using them to make good decisions; managing feelings to control
stress levels; motivating oneself despite persistent setbacks;
remaining hopeful; delaying gratification; empathizing and maintaining
rapport with others; and cooperating and handling feelings in
relationships. These skills are important even among talented
pools of high-IQ people, where workers who are cooperative, persuasive,
empathetic and can build consensus are consistently valued the
most. (Daniel Goleman, "Emotional Intelligence," Bantam
Books, 1995)
I N F O G R A Z I N G
SOME FARM-ANIMAL BREEDS FACE EXTINCTION
A United Nations report on domestic animal diversity shows that
873 breeds are "at risk," meaning fewer than 1,000 females
or 20 breeding males exist. The report contained the results of
a survey of 3,882 breeds of 28 species of mostly farm animals.
"The goal . . . was to assess the importance of biodiversity
to humankind and point out how we are losing biodiversity at a
truly alarming rate," said R.T. Watson, project chairman
and associate director of the White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy. Experts worry that farmers will have a shrinking
pool of breeds to draw on to keep up with changing environmental
conditions, pests and new diseases. (New York Times, Dec. 7)
E X T E R N A L V O I C E S
TAKING SCIENCE TO THE PUBLIC
"(Scientists) should seize opportunities to sit for personal
interviews and to submit letters or articles, geared toward the
general public, that shed light on current issues in which we
have expertise . . . We should ask to visit local schools and
civic organizations for discussions with students and parents,
and we should be prepared to address uncomfortable questions that
may arise about the role of science in modern life . . . None
of what I have suggested is familiar behavior or comfortable territory
for the typical scientist. But then, science is about challenging
the comfortable boundaries of knowledge. If science is to regain
significant public and legislative support, we must abandon comfort
and meet the challenge -- now." Richard S. Nicholson, executive
officer, American Association for the Advancement of Science,
writing in the Sept. 8 Chronicle of Higher Education.
M A R G I N A L I A
HEMP AND HAUTE COUTURE
Middle America is catching on to a trend that's becoming more
acceptable in other parts of the country: hemp clothing. Once
verboten because of its common origin with marijuana, the cannabis
plant, hemp fabric is now cited for its strength and ease of production.
Though Iowa doesn't have hemp specialty stores like those on the
coasts, more Iowans are ordering hemp clothes from mail-order
companies. A Virginia company, which imports its hemp products
from Europe, says hemp doesn't need pesticides, improves soil
and prevents erosion. (Des Moines Business Record, Dec. 4)