NEWS BRIEFS: Wednesday, October 9, 1996

UA to hold safetyUA to hold safetyforum today A safety forum is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Weather permitting, it will be held on College Green. Chief of Police Operations Maureen Rush, Director of Transportation and Mail Robert Furiss, and Transportation Manager Ron Ward will attend the event, according to Fine. Fine also said University President Judith Rodin, Provost Stanley Chodorow and Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum will make appearances midway through the forum. "It is supposed to be an informal forum where students can ask questions in a nonconfrontational atmosphere," Fine said. – Shannon Burke Beavers to head Afro-American Studies English Professor Herman Beavers was recently appointed new director of the Afro-American Studies Program, succeeding John Roberts, former professor of Folklore and Folklife. Beavers, an expert on 19th and 20th century African American literature and gender issues, has taught at the University since 1989. Currently, he is teaching "African-American Poetry," an English class which is also cross-listed in the Afro-American Studies Program, and "American Fiction." Beavers has degrees in multiple disciplines including creative writing, Afro-American studies and sociology. These diverse interests are reflected in his published works, which include a book of his own poetry. Beavers has served on several University committees, including the Committee on Pluralism. Former director Roberts now teaches at Ohio State University. – Ali Feen