The UCF Report, Vol. 22 No. 19, April 14, 2000

              UCF researchers look for genetic clues
UCF's Molecular Biology and
Microbiology faculty are
working in genetic research,
making major contributions.
In life, single cells are the basis of everything
from man, to his sustenance, to diseases that
torment and kill him. UCF's Molecular Biology
and Microbiology faculty is focused on this microscopic world to foster hope in the face of devastators like cancer, malaria, spinal cord injury, neurological disorders, tuberculosis and Crohn's disease.
UCF is even putting a new face on tobacco as a
medium to produce insulin and vaccines and as a
source of a new plastic.
"Advances in technology have opened new
windows in biomedical research and have allowed
us to detect and measure things we haven't been
able to in the past... To unfold the mysteries of life
— the molecular basis of life processes," says
Associate Dean Robert Gennaro, of the College of
Health and Public Affairs. "It all goes back to
DNA."
Please see BIOTECHNOLOGY, page 7
Jacque Brund
During the President's Excellence Breakfast last week, M.J. Soileau, vice
president for Research, described some of the advances that UCF has
already made in the field of biotechnology.
Chancellor defends Board of Regents
The chancellor called on the
Legislature to conduct an
in-depth discussion before
modifying the educational
governing structure.
House and Senate proposals include the
elimination of the Board of Regents, the
state's governing board for the 10 public
universities that has existed since 1905.
In a statement, Chancellor Adam Herbert said
BOR accomplishments of the last decade provide
ample evidence for its continuation, not its elimination.
"We must not destroy a vital engine that is
currently one of Florida's strongest, most significant assets," Herbert said, adding that he welcomes
the opportunity for further discussion on the future
of Florida's school systems.
The text of Herbert's statement follows.
"Over the next four weeks the Florida Legislature has decided to consider proposed legislation
related to the governance structure for public
education. Every Floridian wants its government
leaders to identify and address critical statewide
problems after thoughtful consideration of the
challenges to be addressed and the alternatives
available to meet them.
"This legislative discussion regarding the
governance of public education will occur over a
very short time frame with 'extremely' limited
opportunity for public input or debate. There is
little time for the Legislature to receive feedback
from public school leaders, university and community college presidents or members of both the
Board of Regents and the Community College
Board. Of greatest significance, the potential for
debate informed by discussion, accurate data, and
expert testimony regarding the major changes
being proposed has been severely curtailed.
"In short, although few issues over the past
three decades have been more important, input on
and thoughtful consideration of this significant
legislation has been extremely limited as it proceeds through the legislative process.
"The significance, scope and dramatic changes
accompanying this educational governance
legislation are best illustrated by the impact on the
State University System. The two bills under
consideration propose the elimination of the Board
of Regents, the creation of individual campus
Boards of Trustees and the reduction of current
Please see CHANCELLOR, page 7
Computer whiz first
UCF student to win
top national award
Computer science student
Raymond Smith chosen as
a Goldwater Scholar.
A former high school track star and
computer whiz at UCF is one of 309
college students from across the country
to win a 2000-2001 Goldwater Scholarship, the
nation's premier award to undergraduates
concentrating in mathematics, the natural
sciences or engineering.
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and
Excellence in Education Foundation announced
that Raymond (Paul) Smith, 20, a junior majoring
in computer science and a member of UCF's
Honors College, has been tapped as a Goldwater
Scholar in competition among 1,176 applicants
who were nominated by the faculties of colleges
and universities nationwide. Smith's one-year
scholarship will cover the cost of tuition, fees,
Please see WHIZ, page 3
Next issue of The UCF Report is April 28 • Deadline is noon, April 19
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