ACADEMIC AFFAIRS — With the announcement of Liz Hitch, VP of academic affairs, moving into the position of interim president of UVU in a few weeks, it has caused a shift of other positions within the academic affairs office. Karl Worthington will be interim vice president of academic affairs as Hitch fills her interim presidential duties. Also, there is a new hire for VP of academic administration, Dr. Mohammed A. El-Saidi, who comes to UVU from Tarelton State University – Central Texas.

HEALTH INSURANCE CONCERNS — According to a survey released by Reuters on Thursday, more than eighty percent of Americans think the U.S. health system needs either fundamental change or a complete overhaul. The Harris Interactive poll found that access to care, better coordination between different health providers and better flow of health information were among respondents’ chief complaints. Another poll found that health insurance costs have doubled for Americans since 1996.

WARDROBE MALFUNCTION — A federal appeals court has thrown out the $550,000 indecency fine against CBS for Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” that occurred in the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show. In challenging the fine, CBS said that “fleeting, isolated or unintended” images should not automatically be taken as indecent.

Business – The new iPhone 3G went on sale on July 11. This newer version is cheaper, at $199 compared to the original iPhone of $599. It is predicted that 8 million will be sold this year, a number estimated to grow to 29 million in 2009.

Is university status influencing your decision to come to UVU?

Community Action Services is looking for volunteers to teach youth about mountain biking. Volunteers will be responsible to help with workshops once a week and scheduled bike rides on occasional Saturdays. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, complete a background check, and own a bicycle. For more information, contact Jennifer Nibley, (801) 373-8200 ext. 237. Applications are available online at www.communityactionprovo.org

What is the role of a regional state university? Provide quality academic learning opportunities for students through programs at the certificate, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. To encourage responsible citizenship, emphasis is placed on engaged teaching and learning as well as scholarly work, research, creative achievements, career and technical education, and community and professional engagement.

Christopher Kirsch, a UVU professor in geography and Latin American history, was killed on Father’s day by a fatal stabbing by his son.