News and Notes

University Chancellor J. Donald Monan received The New England Council's "New Englander of the Year" award along with Richard Neal, Massachusetts congressman, and Thomas Ryan, CVS Caremark Corporation president. The award was presented Tuesday night at the council's annual dinner at the Seaport Hotel/World Trade Center in Boston. "We are pleased to honor these outstanding recipients," James T. Brett, council president, told reporters. "From business and higher education to public service, these honorees are some of the most influential champions of the region whose contributions are making dynamic changes in the region's landscape."

ON CAMPUS Three new centers provide expanded academic resources Three new academic centers have been developed as part of the expansion under the University's Master Plan. These centers will further the University's goal of becoming one of the foremost liberal arts universities in the country. The Gloria L. and Charles I. Clough Center for the Study of Constitutional Democracy was made possible by a donation from Charles and Gloria Clough, and will examine constitutional democracy in the United States and around the globe. The Institute for Liberal Arts will combine the efforts of several liberal arts departments to create one comprehensive resource. The University Institute on Aging in the 21st Century will address issues that will arise in an aging America.

UNIVERSITIES Gift will allow Cornell to retain faculty in a competitive market Universities that seek to build premier faculties must first attract, then retain, academics, and the latter can often be as difficult as the former. "Some of our best people are being recruited by other universities," David Harris, interim provost at Cornell University, told reporters. "One of the most attractive things we can do in that situation is offer them an endowed professorship." Cornell will be able to offer more endowed professorships thanks to a $35 million gift from Andrew H. Tisch, a Cornell trustee, and his wife. The gift was given with flexible constraints to allow the university to direct the money as the need arises. "They know better than I do where the money is needed," Tisch said. "They live it every day."

Admissions directors, counselors discuss value of SATs and ACTs The National Association for College Admissions Counseling held its annual council last month, gathering university admissions deans and high school guidance counselors together to discuss college admissions. One of the most debated issues was the use of standardized tests, such as the SATs and ACTs, in the college admissions process. "If you cannot substantiate your use of standardized tests, why are you using them?" Philip A. Ballinger, director of admissions at the University of Washington, said to reporters. Others agreed that the tests are deeply flawed. "It's not just how they're used - they're bad tests," said Susan K. Tree, director of college counseling at Westtown School in Pennsylvania.

UNDER REPORTED New Bond girl is one genetic mutation above the rest Gemma Arterton, the 22-year old actress playing James Bond's female interest in the next installment of the spy-thriller series, was born with 12 fingers. Polydactyly, the condition of being born with more than 10 digits, runs in her family, the actress said. "It's my little oddity that I'm really proud of. People are really interested but repulsed at the same time," Arterton told reporters. The extra digits were removed by the doctor who delivered her, and left only small scars next to her little finger. "My dad had them, and my grandad," Arterton said. "I feel like we're one step ahead - a sign of things to come."