Almanac

Ask Bucky

Actual questions from real people, answered by the friendly folks at the Campus Information and Visitor Center.

Q: What do the people driving trucks on campus labeled “Pipefitter’ do?
A: Pipefitter is another name for steamfitter. Pipefitters install and repair heating and air conditioning systems, and are employed by the Physical Plant Department within Facilities Planning and Management.

Q: Will my Hummer fit in the parking ramp?
A: The entrance heights of parking ramps differ, according to the Madison Parking Division. However, the entrance to the State Street/Campus Ramp on Lake Street is 6.9 feet. A Humvee sport utility vehicle, adapted from a military vehicle of the same name, has a maximum height of 77 inches, or 6.4 feet.

Your questions for CIVC can be asked in person at its office on the first floor of the Red Gym, 716 Langdon St. Or call 263-2400 or e-mail askbucky@redgym.wisc.edu.

Croxdale memorial planned
A testimonial gathering Wednesday, Sept. 18, will honor Judith Croxdale, professor of botany, who died in June. The gathering will be in the lobby of Birge Hall, 4:30-6 p.m. Information: 262-6802

Insurance rates updated
The 2003 Health Insurance rates for most employees are now available via the Employee Trust Funds Web site. To download a rate document in PDF format, visit: http://badger.state.wi.us/agencies/etf/ben/benl2p2.htm

Dual Choice Booklets will be distributed to employees in early October. Rates are included in the booklets. Information: enrollment@bussvc.wisc.edu

Did you know?
Bascom Hall, the central administration building on campus, was built in 1859. The building has been expanded three times, in 1897, 1906 and 1927, and it also had to be repaired after fire destroyed the dome that once graced its roof. Even without its architectural chapeau, Bascom today is a national historic landmark. For even more interesting facts, check out the new UW–Madison Fact Book. To get a copy, call University Communications, 262-3571.

UW-Madison firsts
The university was first to develop an artist in residence program, back in 1936. Today, the Arts Institute, Dance Program and others sponsor artists who teach, perform and create while in residence on campus for periods ranging from a week to a semester.

Mapping the weather
The September 2002 issue of National Geographic features a map, “A World Transformed,” depicting human impact on the Earth. The supplement was drawn with data provided by UW–Madison’s Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment and researchers Jonathan Foley and Navin Ramankutty. The map depicts the state of the planet in 2002, showing that no place on Earth is untouched by human activity.

Backward glance
From Wisconsin Week, Sept. 9, 1992: A team of scientists in the lab of Frederick Blattner has started sequencing the genome for E. coli, a first step toward more complex work that could lead to decoding the human genome. … The Molecular Biology and Molecular Virology Laboratory on Linden Drive is renamed for Robert M. Bock, UW–Madison’s longest-serving graduate school dean at 22 years. … Faculty and staff salary increases in 1992-93 will be just over 6 percent on average. … But a new study indicates that women faculty still earn 1.6 to 6 percent less than men in comparable jobs.