Portland State University Magazine Fall 1991

Information on-line The successful telephone registration of students for fall term classes is the most visible sign of the University's new Student Information System, often referred to as Banner. The touchtone telephone system is just one part of Banner, a software product that makes student informa– tion-registration, classes, grades, and advising-immediately accessible via computer to key facu lty, staff, and advisers. Preparations for this on-line capability included the loading of more than 270,000 student records into the system. This fall students were able to add or drop classes, confirm schedules, and pay tuition by credit card-all by phone. In the future, students will be able to use the phone system to check their grades. New students are still required to complete enrollment procedures with the Admissions office before they can use the touch-tone system. Following Portland State's lead, all state system universities, except OHSU, have purchased the basic Banner product. Portland State was the first OSSHE institution to have touch-tone registration. Middle East Center nationally recognized PSU's Middle East Studies Center and the Middle East Studies Center at University of Washington have been jointly awarded Title VI National Resource status for the 1991-93 academic years by the U .S. Depart– ment of Education. "The federal grant monies allo– cated to the PSU Center total more than $150,000," said Grant Farr, direc– tor of the Middle East Studies Center at Portland State. "Over a three-year period this will help support basic run– ning costs and student-oriented programs." According to Farr, identification as a National Resource is a prestigious accomplishment. "It recognizes the University's expertise and commit– ment in the area of international studies," he said. Only 11 other centers in the country hold Title VI status. In 1992, the PSU Center will hold the annual meeting of the Interna– tional Middle East Studies Associa– tion, drawing more than 1,500 , participants from around the world. " A mind, body debate In our society we often assume social and psychological problems lie behind the bizarre behavior of the mentally ill. We see a defect of the mind rather than a physical ailment. But what about metabolic and biological ailments? Is this mind, body split confusing and does it detract from the delivery of appropriate care? These questions will be posed by a panel of three distinguished experts during the free public symposium, "Mental Illness or Brain Disease: Why Do We Split the Body and the Mind?," Nov. 14 at 5:30 p.m. in room 75 lincoln Hall. The panel includes Nancy Andrea– sen, M.D., Ph.D., professor of psychiatry at University of Iowa; David J. Rothman, Ph.D., professor of social medicine at Columbia Univer– sity; and John Searle, Ph.D., professor of philosophy at University of Califor– nia, Berkeley. Hugo Maynard, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and urban studies at PSU, will serve as moderator. The symposium is part of the series "Humanities Present: Current Ethical Issues in Debate," and is sponsored by PSU Honors Program and Oregon Health Sciences University Western Mental Health Research Center. A companion workshop for profes– sionals entitled "Questions of Inter– professional Ethics and How They May Conflict in the Mental Health Arena" is offered Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will involve vis iting expert David Rothman as well as local professionals. Registration is $65 ($55 for students) and includes lunch. For workshop registration call 725-4832. Season for daring dance For seven years PSU's Contemporary Dance Season has brought innovative and risk-taking performance artists to Portland. This season's roster con– tinues that tradition with the opening production "Sarrasine," Sept. 27-29. On U.S. tour from Britain, "Sar– rasine" was created by London writer Neil Bartlett and composer Nicholas Bloomfield. An exotic music theater production, it is loosely based on the Balzac story about La Zambinella, a legendary eunuch-singer who enter– tained audiences in 18th and l 9th– century Europe. The role of La Zambinella is enacted by three performers-two men and a woman. The season continues Oct. 18-20 with the San Francisco dance-perfor– mance ensemble Contraband; Brussels dancer/choreographer Wim Vandekeybus on Nov. 29-Dec. l; Dance Exchange and Dancers of the Third Age on Jan. 24-26; and Margaret Jenkins Dance Company on April 10-12. PSU's Contemporary Dance series has expanded its performance schedule this year. In addition to the 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday produc– tions, a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. is added, all taking place in Lincoln Per– formance Hall. Individual tickets– $12 genera l, $8 students and senior adults-are available through the PSU Ticket Office, SW 5th and Mill streets, 725-3307. PSU 3