New President Invites People to Internet Chats

Before taking up his duties last week, Robert C. Dynes, the University of California's 18th president, invited the UC community to participate in a series of informal conversations he intends to hold live via the Internet. The "Web chats" will begin this week.

Saying that he plans to travel around the state meeting as many faculty, staff, students, and alumni as possible, Dynes explained in his invitation that "during my first few days in office I want to take advantage of technology to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and share your ideas about the University's future...."

The first hour-long chat is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 8, starting at 4:30 p.m. and will focus on alumni issues. Faculty and staff issues will follow on Oct. 14 at 10 a.m.; and student issues will be central to the Oct. 15 talk at 11 a.m.

President Dynes' invitation and other statements to the UC community are at <www.universityofcalifornia.edu/newpresident/chatinvite.html> where there are also links to the Java plug-in necessary to participate. Transcripts of the chats will be posted to the same site.