Proactive health aid: The Miller School’s Bernard Roos, left, and the College of Engineering’s Herman Cheung are collaborators on a new automated system that would allow patients to report their health and related symptoms via telephones.

Here’s how it would work:

Patients who sign up for the service would get an automated call to their cell or home phone each day, and depending on what condition they have, would be read a script of health-related questions to which they would give either a yes or no answer. The system would also alert patients to take their medications or perform other prescribed daily routines such as testing their blood pressure or blood glucose levels.

Opposites Attract They have been called everything from the quintessential Beltway power couple to America’s favorite odd couple. And on issues ranging from taxes to the economy, they both agree to disagree. Mary Matalin and James Carville are a husband-and-wife team on opposites ends of the political spectrum—Matalin, a Republican strategist who served as former assistant to President Bush and counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney, and Carville, a Democratic strategist and former senior advisor to President Bill Clinton.   On Tuesday, the couple shared a stage at the University of Miami’s BankUnited Center, giving their impressions on everything from the campaign strategies of presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain to how the upcoming election will play out. Their talk, “All’s Fair: Love, War, and Politics,” was part of Decision 2008: A Dialogue for Democracy, a University-wide series of events focusing on key issues surrounding the presidential campaign.   Above: Carville relates a humorous story about the couple’s relationship, while Matalin watches and listens. After their talks, the couple answered student-submitted questions that were read by UM President Donna E. Shalala.

Using data-mining technology, the system would also record and store information entered by patients, and a built-in fail-safe feature, triggered by an answer that indicates a potential health problem, would immediately route the patient to an on-call nursing service or physician.

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Executive MBA program named best in Florida
The Executive MBA (EMBA) program at the University of Miami School of Business Administration is ranked the No. 1 Executive MBA program among those of Florida business schools in the Financial Times’ annual EMBA rankings. The school’s EMBA program—offered at the Coral Gables campus, across Florida, and abroad—is ranked No. 33 among programs in the Americas and No. 76 among EMBA programs worldwide. The school’s research ranking, which is a measure of the caliber of its faculty, is No. 31 among all programs worldwide, up from No. 47 in 2007.

“The research ranking earned by the school is particularly noteworthy,” said Barbara Kahn, dean of the school. “As part of our vision to achieve global preeminence, the school has been enhancing its world-class faculty with aggressive recruitment. That shows up not only in the rankings but in the classroom, where our students benefit by learning from and collaborating with some of the best minds in their fields.”

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Bascom Palmer ranks No. 1 in Ophthalmology Times
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the Department of Ophthalmology for the Miller School of Medicine, has earned recognition as the best overall ophthalmology program in the country in the 2008 Ophthalmology Times Best Programs survey.

By gaining the top spot, Bascom Palmer has unseated the Wilmer Eye Institute at the The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, which had held that top ranking for all 12 prior years the annual survey was conducted.

This comes shortly after Bascom Palmer was ranked No. 1 in ophthalmology by U.S. News & World Report for the seventh time in 14 years. Ophthalmology Times also ranked Bascom Palmer No. 1 for its residency and clinical (patient care) programs. It tied with Duke Eye Center at Duke University for third place for its research program.

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‘Buzz’ Words After delivering the University of Miami’s second annual Adrienne Arsht Distinguished Speaker Series in Ethics lecture on Monday, longtime business leader, thinker, and author in business ethics Bowen H. “Buzz” McCoy, center, spends time with UM President Donna E. Shalala, left, and Arsht. McCoy, former partner at Morgan Stanley, spoke on “Finding Your Voice: Living in Dante’s World.” He gave his speech to an audience of UM trustees, deans, faculty members, administrators, and students at the McLamore Executive Education Center at the School of Business Administration. During his speech, McCoy talked about how literature can be a useful source to form one's values, passion, and purpose. He also shared three components—authenticity, trust relationships, and renewal of public trust—of a vision for leadership. The speaker series, part of the UM Ethics Programs, is made possible by the generosity of Arsht, a University trustee, philanthropist, community leader, and longtime UM supporter, whose most recent gift of $5 million will promote key initiatives across the institution.

2009 Faculty Learning Community: call for applications and nominations
The Office of the Provost is pleased to invite applications and nominations for the 2009 Faculty Learning Community (FLC). The topic of this FLC will be Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) Literacy. The FLC program is the focus of the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, part of the SACS accreditation process. FLCs will give faculty members the knowledge, skills, and pedagogical support to improve their teaching and enhance the learning environment.

The University regards FLC membership as an acknowledgement of excellent, innovative, and effective teaching. It is open to all tenured and tenure-track University faculty who are engaged in undergraduate teaching. Those selected will be FLC Fellows. They will have a one-course teaching reduction in the Fall 2009 semester and receive a $1,500 research and educational fund to support their FLC work. The FLC Fellows will meet during the Spring and Fall 2009 semesters; participate in weekly discussions, workshops, and in a virtual community; and will be expected to incorporate ICT literacy concepts into an existing or new course.
 
For a full program description and application form, visit www.miami.edu/sacs and click “Faculty Learning Community” on the left hand navigation bar. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, November 21.

Fall 2008 Commencement
The University invites all faculty members to join the Class of 2008 and participate in the academic procession as UM honors its graduates on Thursday, December 18 at 10 a.m. at the BankUnited Center. All graduate and undergraduate degrees, including the School of Law, will be conferred at the ceremony. Visit www.miami.edu/capandgown to order your regalia by Friday, October 31. To R.S.V.P. for the ceremony, e-mail commencement@miami.edu. If you are attending as a doctoral advisor, please indicate so in your e-mail.
If you need further information regarding commencement, call 305-284-1821 or e-mail agillespie@miami.edu.

Know someone who should be recognized at commencement?
The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is soliciting nominations for students graduating this December and participating in commencement to be recognized at the ceremonies. Nominate graduates who have distinguished themselves in one or more of the following areas:
scholarship, citizenship, leadership and character, athletics, a unique story or accomplishment.
For more information, and to download the Student Profile application packet, visit www.miami.edu/commencement or call 305-284-1821. The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 7, at 5:00 p.m. in room 21-T or electronically to agillespie@miami.edu.

An Alliance to Fight ALS Over the years, the ALS Recovery Fund has been a steadfast, generous Miller School ally in the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Last Thursday, Walter G. Bradley, Miller School professor and chairman emeritus of neurology, left, Alejandra Perez, and ALS Recovery Fund board member Jose Perez, participated in a reception at the University of Miami Hospital’s Seminar Room honoring a $1 million gift from the fund that partially endowed a chair for Bradley. The ALS Recovery Fund has several signature fundraising events annually, including the Jose A. Perez Golf ALS Classic at Doral, the ALS Recovery Fund 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk, and the Ice Cream Festival at Dolphin Stadium. The golf tournament was named after Perez's father, who was diagnosed with ALS in 1991 and passed away from the disease in 2001. Read more

Participate in the blood drive and get a T-shirt and Subway sub
The Community Blood Bank is giving away a T-shirt, a Subway sub, and a gift pack to those who donate blood at the Patti and Allan Herbert Wellness Center on Monday, November 3 and Tuesday, November 4, between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. All donors can preregister at www.cbcsf.org. For more information, call 786-261-7866.

Tuition remission available for business certificate program
Starting in January, the UM School of Business Administration will offer a Certificate Program in General Business. This weekend program provides an opportunity for professionals who seek an advanced business education but are not currently looking to complete a full MBA degree program. Students may take one or more courses for credit but must satisfactorily complete all required coursework to earn a certificate. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree to enroll in these certificate programs. To find out more, please call 305-284-2510 or visit www.bus.miami.edu/index.html. To download an application, click here.

Zumba Move and Groove for Charity
Enjoy a three-hour Zumba charity event on Saturday, November 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Patti and Allan Herbert Wellness Center. Zumba is a high-energy, calorie burning, Latin-dance fitness class that anyone can do (no experience necessary). You do not have to be a Wellness Center member to participate and all proceeds will go to support the UM Rotaract Club in their effort to rebuild an elementary school in Peru. The advance registration fee is $15 for students and $20 for all others; the cost is $20 and $25 respectively on the day of the event. The registration fee includes a T-shirt for men and a racer-back top for women. To register, go to the Wellness Suite Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. For more information, call 305-284-5433. 

Big Man on Campus Russell Maryland, A.B. ’90, former defensive lineman for the Miami Hurricanes and the first overall pick in the 1991 NFL draft, gives the thumbs-up signal to the hundreds of people lining the parade route along Stanford Drive during the University of Miami’s Homecoming 2008 parade last Friday. Maryland served as grand marshal for the parade, which also featured President Donna E. Shalala; Jackie Nespral, A.B. ’89, president of the UM Alumni Association; Sebastian the Ibis; the Band of the Hour; cheerleaders; and 20 colorful floats. Almost 3,000 alumni from around the country came to South Florida to join current students, faculty, and community members in celebrating this year’s homecoming festivities.

Merage fellowships available to immigrant students
The Merage Foundation for the American Dream offers students who have immigrated to the United States and have become citizens of the U.S. or who hold a Permanent Resident Card on track to becoming a U.S. citizen and have also completed three full years of undergraduate work (enrolled and expecting to graduate no later than the summer 2009) the opportunity to compete for Merage Foundation Fellowships. Students selected are eligible for $10,000 stipends per year for two years, awarded by the Merage Foundation. Faculty and staff are asked to encourage outstanding students to apply for this fellowship opportunity.

The application can be downloaded through the foundation Web Site and all applications and letters of recommendation must be submitted in a sealed envelope to the attention of Liana C. Mentor, assistant director of programs, Office of Academic Enhancement, Pearson Residential College, Suite 134 by Friday, November 7 before 5 p.m.

R.S.V.P. for Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program information forum
The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program is hosting an information session for prospective applicants from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11 at the CAS Art Gallery, located in the Wesley Center on Stanford Drive. The 30-credit program taught by leading faculty members offers convenient evening class hours. The number of credits taken each semester is flexible, and courses are offered in all semesters. To confirm attendance, e-mail mals@miami.edu or call 305-284-6731. For more information, visit www.as.miami.edu/mals.

Dialogues in Research Ethics Series event tomorrow
Paul Braunschweiger, professor and chair of the UM Animal Care and Use Committee, will present "Promoting Integrity in the UM Animal Care and Use Program" as part of the Dialogues in Research Ethics series on Friday, October 31 at 12 p.m. in the Clinical Research Building, first-floor conference room. Lunch will be served. No R.S.V.P. is required. For more information, call 305-243-5723, e-mail ethics@miami.edu, or visit www.miami.edu/ethics.

Bouncing back: Junior Genny Mayhew and the rest of the UM women's volleyball team hope to rebound at home after dropping consecutive matches for the first time this season. Halloween Hurricanes Volleyball this weekend Be in the stands tomorrow, Friday, October 31, when the Miami Hurricanes take on the ACC-rival Duke Blue Devils in volleyball action. Match time is 7 p.m. All kids 12 and under dressed in their favorite Halloween costume will receive free admission and free Halloween candy. On Sunday, don't miss more ACC action as the Hurricanes take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Match time is scheduled for 1 p.m.  The first 100 fans through the gates will receive a free Hurricanes Volleyball water bottle. For more information, visit www.hurricanesports.com. Women’s basketball exhibition On Friday, October 31, attend a women’s basketball exhibition matchup between the Miami Hurricanes and the Mike White All-Stars. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the BankUnited Center. All kids 12 and under will receive free Halloween candy and are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite Halloween costume. For more information, visit www.hurricanesports.com.

Online Course: Developing a Realistic Budget Proposal
Developing budgets for grant or award applications? Attend a computer-based learning (CBL) activity to assist in identifying the do’s and don’ts of budget planning. Examine the process of preparing a realistic budget for a grant application, as well as ensuring that the budget follows UM and funding agency standards.
For more information and to participate, visit ULearn.miami.edu. For assistance, e-mail ResEDU@med.miami.edu.

Sponsored Programs Roundtable Series: ‘The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Cost Transfers’
Learn how to reduce the need for cost transfers and how to properly document them at this bimonthly meeting that provides a forum for administrators and staff to discuss topics of interest related to sponsored programs. The event occurs Thursday, November 6 at the Batchelor Building, Baxter Conference Room, from 12 to 1 p.m. To register, visit ULearn.miami.edu. For more information, e-mail ResEDU@med.miami.edu.

In the Garden Gala this Saturday
Attend the kick-off event of South Florida’s fall social season–the In the Garden Gala benefit for Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center on Saturday, November 1. This year's event, which will be at the Grand Ballroom at the Miami Beach Convention Center and includes 1,000 philanthropic, community, and business leaders from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, will raise more than $1.5 million for cancer research.

A highlight of the gala is the presentation of the Caroline W. Halpern Award, given to an individual or family with a proven record of exceptional generosity through volunteerism in support of Sylvester. The 2008 award will be presented to Joan and J. David Scheiner. Individual tickets are priced from $500. To learn more about underwriting opportunities, sponsorships, or to purchase a table and tickets, call 305-243-9088 or visit www.sylvester.org. 

PMP exam preparation course begins November 17
Register now for this fast-paced course designed to fully prepare attendees for the Project Management Institute's International Project Management Professional (PMP) exam. The course utilizes the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and covers all areas of the PMBOK and more. Students will work through sample exam questions and will be assigned homework for further reinforcement of topics presented in class. Registrants receive a PMBOK guide, class workbook, and examination preparation guide. The PMP Exam Cram is also included. This course will be held at the Blue Lagoon Office Complex and enrollment can be made by calling 305-284-2150 or by e-mailing mmaduro@miami.edu. The course costs $1,995.

The University proudly presents A Dialogue for Democracy, a dynamic calendar of events focusing on issues pertaining to the upcoming presidential election that will engage, educate, and entertain members of the UM community and general public. Today, Thursday, October 30 Elections: Real and Unreal. Attend the screening of a documentary and a fictional film that take a distinctive look at the election process, both real and unreal. The screenings are free and open to the public and take place at Bill Cosford Cinema. First, attend Street Fight at 7 p.m.; this documentary takes a look at the 2002 mayoral race in Newark, New Jersey, which included dirty tricks, police assaults, and threats to anyone who voted against the incumbent. Afterward, attend a screening of The Last Hurrah at 8:30 p.m., starring Spencer Tracy, Jeffrey Hunter, and Bob Sweeney in a story about the celebrated mayor of a New England city who is about to begin his fifth and likely last campaign. These screenings are part of the Presidential Film Series and presented by the School of Communication. October 31-November 2 “Migrants and Migration: Immigration and Notions of Citizenship in a Changing World.” This interdisciplinary conference includes sessions, roundtables, and interactive programs featuring global immigration experts. Speakers include professors and immigration officials from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Madrid, and institutions throughout the United States. Sponsored by Africana Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, History, International Studies, and Latin American Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences; the Joint Program on Law, Public Policy, and Ethics at the School of Law; the Haiti Research Group-CLAS; and the Interuniversity Institute for Research and Development. Events occur on October 31 at 4 p.m. in the School of Law, room E352, and November 1 and 2 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Glasgow Hall, School of Architecture. Wednesday, November 5 through Saturday, November 8 “Race, Ethnicity, and Place.” This annual interdisciplinary conference fosters dialogue on a range of issues related to the racial and ethnic transformation of places. Spearheaded by UM geography professor Tom Boswell and associate professor Ira Sheskin, this year’s conference will feature workshops, poster sessions, paper submissions, panels, and lectures for theoreticians, practitioners, and students from across the country. Visit rep-conference.binghamton.edu for event locations and registration information. Presented by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Open Enrollment continues through
Friday, November 7
Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll in medical, dental, flexible spending, and short-term disability benefits for coverage beginning January 1, 2009.  It is important that you actively enroll in your 2009 benefits during Open Enrollment. If you had coverage in 2008 but do not elect coverage for 2009 via myUM, you’ll be placed in the Aetna HRA plan. Take the time to review the literature, attend the annual Benefits Fair, and also attend an information session. The decisions you make now could have a significant impact on you and your family's well-being. Below is a list of useful links for Open Enrollment.  You can also find helpful information at www.miami.edu/benefits/2009.

• Open Enrollment Guide
• Medical Premiums
• Medical Plan Examples
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Dental Premiums
• Calendar of Events

If you have questions about any of your UMatter benefits, visit www.miami.edu/benefits/ask and complete the online form.

Through November 3 Festival Miami. Celebrate another year of Festival Miami, the beloved annual music extravaganza now in its 25th year, with an exciting and innovative lineup of concerts. For more information on Festival Miami, click here.

Friday, October 31 through Sunday, November 2 The Exorcist. Arguably the scariest motion picture ever made, The Exorcist was unleashed on an unsuspecting American public in 1973. The film quickly became a nationwide sensation, leading to religious boycotts, fainting, and a huge box office return. Oscar nominee Linda Blair plays Regan MacNeil, a 12-year-old who is possessed by the devil. After exhausting all other practical options, Regan’s mother, Chris (Ellen Burstyn), acknowledges the supernatural nature of her daughter’s condition and recruits Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) to stage an exorcism. Aided by the mysterious Jesuit exorcist Father Merrin (Max von Sydow), Father Damien must confront not only the supernatural phenomena in front of him, but also his own inadequate faith. Admission is $6 for all University of Miami alumni, faculty, and staff, and is free for students. General admission is $8. The film screens on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m., and Sunday at 8:30 p.m. For more information visit, www.cosfordcinema.com.

Friday, October 31 through Sunday, November 2 Night of the Living Dead. George Romero’s 1968 film is a low-budget, homegrown classic that has since become one of the most influential horror films of all time. The plot is simple: seven people secluded in a Pennsylvania farmhouse face relentless attacks by reanimated corpses seeking to eat their flesh. The group tries to keep their sanity as the living dead keep trying to enter the house. Radio news reports tell of the plague taking over the eastern United States, while the ever-decreasing band of survivors rapidly loses ground in the battle to both keep peace with one another and stay alive. Admission is $6 for all University of Miami alumni, faculty, and staff, and is free for students. General admission is $8. The film screens on Friday at 9:15 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m., and Sunday at 5 p.m. For more information visit, www.cosfordcinema.com.

Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2 The Lost Boys. This 1987 film follows the story of newly divorced mother, Lucy, as she moves her sons to her father’s house in Santa Clara, California—“the murder capital of the world.” Her teenage son, Michael, quickly falls in with the town’s bad kids: a bike-riding, Jim Morrison-worshipping gang of blood-sucking vampires. Her younger son, Sam, and his buddies, the Frog brothers, are the only ones who recognize the signs of vampirism in Michael, and they plot to battle the legions of the night before they take over the entire town. Starring Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Jason Patric, Dianne Wiest, Barnard Hughes, Kiefer Sutherland, and Jami Gertz. Admission is $6 for all University of Miami alumni, faculty, and staff, and is free for students. General admission is $8. The film screens on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Sunday at 6:45 p.m. For more information visit, www.cosfordcinema.com.

Thursday, November 6 LoweDown Happy Hour. Don’t miss a guided tour of the newly installed and renowned Palley glass collection. Cocktails provided by Bacardi and Barefoot Wine and Bubbly. The event is $10 admission; Lowe members are admitted for free. The reception runs from 7 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, November 8 through 22 Vernacular Photography in Miami: This Is Wynwood. UM presents an exhibition of contemporary vernacular photography at the Wynwood Project Space. In October, the Department of Art and Art History distributed disposable cameras to residents of Wynwood. The cameras were returned to a drop-box at the gallery, the film was developed, and the resulting images constitute the exhibition. The exhibition presents Wynwood through the eyes of those who live and work in the neighborhood. An opening reception takes place Saturday, November 8 from 6 to 9 p.m., with a closing reception on Saturday, November 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit is curated by Carsten Meier, a photographer who exhibits internationally and who joined the art department in 2008. For more information, e-mail logan@miami.edu or visit www.vernacular-photography.com.

Sunday, December 7 Choral Studies Program Holiday Dinner. The Choral Studies Program at the Frost School of Music presents its 16th annual Holiday Dinner. The gala banquet is filled with music to celebrate the holiday season, with more than 200 talented student singers accompanied by harp, brass, and percussion performing throughout the evening and creating a musical night to remember. The event takes place at the Treetop Ballroom at Jungle Island (Parrot Jungle), Watson Island, beginning with a reception at 6:30 p.m. The dinner and program begin at 7:30 p.m. For reservations, call 305-284-4162 or e-mail littacecchi@miami.edu.

November 12 through 22 The Winter's Tale. Jealousy, rage, intrigue, love, revenge, and comic mishaps abound in one of Shakespeare’s most intriguingly plotted plays. The king of Sicily suspects his best friend of having an illicit love affair with his wife, the queen. In a fit of jealous revenge, the king orders his wife to prison and sends his infant daughter into exile in Bohemia. Covering a span of 16 years and culminating with one of the most stunning and surprising endings in all of Shakespeare's dramas, The Winter’s Tale — with its unique blend of tragedy, farce, fairy tale, and romance — is a timeless affirmation of the power of forgiveness, love, and redemption.