The Observer, September 15, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 3
Brief Case
Case distinguished as a great place to work
The Employer's Resource Council (ERC) has honored Case for the third year in a row with a NorthCoast 99 award.
The award recognizes "the 99 great workplaces for top talent in northeast Ohio," reads a letter announcing the award. The ERC evaluates compensation, benefits, health, safety, training, education, diversity, community service, recruitment, retention, and employee communication.
The ERC is the largest employer's association in northeast Ohio. As a winner, Case will appear in a special section of Inside Business.
Outdoor art scene growing
Cleveland's outdoor art – murals, fountains, sculptures – is impressive. And it's growing. Two new projects are set to begin at the Great Lakes Science Center and in the Flats.
Allan and Ellen Wexler, two artists from New York, are planning to build their creation around the base of the new wind turbine at the Science Center. It will include two pedestrian pathways coming from a plaza at the base of the turbine that mimic shadows of the turbine at noon and 3 p.m. on the spring and fall equinoxes. There will be a sculpture on the plaza that can be used as a bench. The project is being called "Windworks."
At a traffic circle at Quigley Road and West 14th St. in The Flats, Michael Murphy, of Ohio, is planning an abstract sculpture. The 14-foot-high piece will feature aluminum poles supporting aluminum panels in different shapes. The sculpture will appear to be abstract from most angles, but from a chosen point it will appear as a hand facing upward, with a hovering lotus blossom above.
"In Cleveland, there is a bigger art scene than you would expect," said Case undergraduate student Aabha Jain. "I think the outdoor sculptures are a great addition to the city. They're interesting and they add character."
Case recognizes anniversary of September 11 attacks
The Institute for Global Security Law & Policy at Case School of Law organized events to mark the five-year anniversary of the Septempber 11 attacks.
The institute's director, Amos Guiora, led a moment of silence at 9 a.m. Afterward, 3000 flags were planted at the corners of Euclid Ave. and Adelbert Rd., next to Amasa Stone Chapel, to honor the victims.
Richard Rawlins, the deputy director of Ohio's Counter-terrorism Office, highlighted how Ohio has been affected by the events of September 11 in the School of Law Moot Courtroom.
Directors from the School of Law Academic Centers took part in a roundtable discussion about how September 11 has affected their specific area of law.
However, some students feel like there isn't always enough heart in the displays. "I'm from the NY metro area, and I ride on the volunteer first aid squad in my town about 10 minutes outside midtown," said Larissa Shnayder, a junior. "Every year, my squad goes to Ground Zero for the ceremonies on September 11, and every year I have missed it because I've had a prof that wouldn't excuse me. People here do things like put their flags up at half mast and make displays, but no one really understands."
The Advocate lists Case as one of top 100 LGBT schools
The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students gives Case Western Reserve a 10 out of 20 "Gay Point Average" for Case's support and services for LGBT students.
Case earned points for having an LGBT and ally student organization (Spectrum), a Safe Zone initiative, a thriving social scene, domestic partner benefits for employees, and counseling and support groups, among other things.
The university stands to make up some points in the future, including points for adding an LGBT resource center, providing themed housing, and offering scholarships to LGBT students.
The top three descriptors of the LGBT campus environment, according to the book, are "conservative, civil, and friendly."
Case's "GPA" is lower than other UAA institutions; New York University scored 17, Emory 14, Carnegie Mellon 13, and Rochester 11. Brandeis, University of Chicago, and Washington University in St. Louis did not make the top 100.
University prepared for possible avian flu pandemic
Case hosted "Preparing for an Avian Flu Pandemic at Case Western Reserve University" on Sept. 6 in Ford Auditorium.
The program helped to increase campus awareness about avian flu. It highlighted the preparations the university is making for the event that a pandemic occurs. Speakers mentioned how the university would help students, faculty, and staff if the disease were to hit campus. The program also mapped what the effect would be on Cleveland and its neighbors.
Students are generally not concerned. "I think people are worrying themselves unnecessarily about a stupid avian flu that's not going to happen," said junior Carolyn Heine.
