10/11/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Phil Patton, UNI registrar, (319) 273-2283

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Note to editors: This story is a correction to the Oct. 10 Associated Press story regarding December commencement at the University of Northern Iowa.

UNI student government gives nod to December commencement

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- When the University of Northern Iowa administration began mulling ways to save money after recent budget cuts, they asked students if December commencement should remain a priority this year.

During an Oct. 10 meeting, the Northern Iowa Student Government said the December commencement ceremony should indeed be on the administration's priority list. In fact, the group voted to allocate about $13,000 to help fund the ceremony. Phil Patton, UNI registrar, said students were not asked to do that, only to tell the administration whether the ceremony should be a priority for the university. "The students told us yes, it should remain a priority, and then voted to help us make the ceremony happen," said Patton.

"This is a win-win situation," explained Renee Romano, vice president for Educational and Student Services. "We will have our December commencement ceremony as usual. The students told us it's a shame the university had to consider canceling commencement because of budget cuts. The students didn't have to do this, but it was important to them."

The December graduation ceremony will cost about $25,000. Close to 900 students will graduate in December, with approximately 750 of them planning to attend commencement ceremonies.

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10/11/01

News Brief

Following is a story lead and the University of Northern Iowa sources who can best address this topic. Feel free to contact the sources directly.

UNI professor says bacterium that causes anthrax is common

Michael Walter, an assistant professor in the UNI Department of Biology, says most of us have come into contact with Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax, a deadly disease that many Americans now fear will be spread via terrorist attacks.

"It's actually a common soil inhabitant," explains Walter. "Related strains are probably on your shoes right now, but in nowhere near a dangerous dose." Walter, working with natural enemies of Bacillus cereus (a

very close relative of Bacillus anthracis), is looking for ways to destroy B. anthracis.

Contact:

Michael Walter, assistant professor, Department of Biology, (319) 273-6490

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761