Peer Portfolio

SPY VS. SPY: Four University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (see University Record July 6, 1999) students studying the American Revolution have found a unique way to compile data from the rich reserve of original war documents stored at the school’s Clements Library. They have created a Web site (http://www.si.umich.edu/spies/) that reveals the secret messages sent and methods used by spies on both sides of that war. Visitors can read the original letters, find out what happened to them and the people involved, and view maps showing routes the letters took. One example is a letter from Rachel Revere sent by a friend to her husband, Paul, after his famous Midnight Ride. Only the friend turned out to be a spy, who gave the letter to the British and kept the money Rachel also had entrusted him to deliver to her cash-strapped husband. Messages from Benedict Arnold and George Washington are also included.

PLANS FOR ARAB UVA BRANCH SCRAPPED: After a year of negotiations, the University of Virginia (See Inside UVA Aug. 20, 1999) has decided not to go forward with plans to open a branch of the university in the Arab nation of Qatar. According to UVA President John T. Casteen III, planners could not bring the project into compliance with American accreditation standards while also meeting the needs of the school’s partner in the project, the Qatar Foundation for Science, Education and Community Development. A strong interest in expanding internationally remains, however. So, the school is considering other possibilities in Qatar, such as developing a partnership through a consortium of universities or establishing several stand-alone programs.

SWEATSHOP SURVEILLANCE: The University of Wisconsin at Madison (See Wisconsin Week Aug 25, 1999) is joining Boston College, Georgetown University, Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to monitor working conditions among the makers of licensed university products. This pilot program is designed to create cooperative relationships between universities and licensees to help ensure fair labor practices are being maintained. The universities are currently working out the details of which companies will be monitored and by whom. ¶