Renowned American author Kurt Vonnegut will address the Case Western Reserve University community in an exclusive talk sponsored by the Case College Scholars Program at 4 p.m. February 4 at Severance Hall.

Vonnegut, best known for his novel "Slaughterhouse-Five" (1969; film, 1972), combines science fiction, social satire and black comedy to examine the horrors and absurdities of 20th century civilization.

His works include "Player Piano" (1952), "Cat's Cradle" (1963), "Galapagos" (1985), "Bluebeard" (1987) and the autobiographical "Fates Worse than Death" (1991).

Tickets, which are $10 for Case faculty and staff and $5 for students with a valid university ID, are available on a first-come, first-served basis through the Severance Hall Ticket Office at 216-231-1111.

To learn more, go to http://www.case.edu/events/vonnegut.

A Common Reading Selection Committee, charged by the Provost's Office and composed of faculty, staff and students, is seeking recommendations for a common reading assignment for next year's incoming first-year students.

Recommended books, which can be fiction or nonfiction, should appeal to young adults; address issues relevant to new college students; prompt inquiry, refection and discourse; differ from usual high school reading assignments; and be available in paperback.

Works by contemporary authors are preferred so that the writer may be invited to speak on campus.
To recommend a book, e-mail orientation@ess.case.edu with the title, author(s) and a brief rationale (one to three paragraphs) stating why the work would make a good common reading assignment.

All suggestions must be received by Monday, January 26. At the beginning of February, the committee will release a final short list of books under consideration. Campus input will be sought again before the committee makes the final selection.

For further information, contact Mayo Bulloch, committee chair, at 216-368-5230 or mayo.bulloch@case.edu.

Other committee members include James McGuffin-Cawley, engineering; Judy Oster, English; Susan Hinze, sociology; J. Mann, chemical engineering; Timothy Beal, religion; Gail Reese, university libraries; Lara Kalafatis, alumni relations, programs and events; Julie Amon, undergraduate studies; Judith Olson-Fallon, Educational Support Services; and students, Teresa Evans, Johnson Wei, Shaan Ghandi, Jennifer Mohler and Brian Taylor.

The Cleveland Orchestra will give an exclusive concert celebrating the students, faculty, staff, trustees and friends of Case Western Reserve University at 8 p.m. January 23 in Severance Hall.

A reception at 6:30 p.m. precedes the concert.

Shuttles to Severance Hall will be available beginning at 6:10 p.m. from Veale Garage, Wade Commons, the West Quad and the corner of Bellflower Road and Ford Drive.

Tickets, which are $10 for Case faculty and staff and $5 for Case students, are available on a first-come, first-served basis through the Severance Hall ticket office. Students must submit a valid Case ID to purchase tickets.

E-mail caseconcert@case.edu with questions or go to http://www.case.edu/events/ccc.

Effective January 1, Case Western Reserve University's automobile mileage allowance will increase from 36 cents per mile to 37.5 cents per mile.

This new rate is consistent with the current Internal Revenue Service mileage allowance.

To learn more, contact Frank Basich 216-368-6092.

Registration for Case Western Reserve University's winter/spring English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes begins from noon to 5 p.m. January 9 in room 431 of Yost Hall.

ESOL classes are free and begin the week of January 12. The last class at Case for the 2003-2004 academic school year is April 26.

Ongoing registration continues at 5 p.m. on Mondays in room 435 of Yost and at noon on Fridays in room 431 of Yost. Due mostly to holidays, there will be no registration on January 19, February 13, February 16, April 9, April 12 or April 16.

A photo ID (passport, visa, etc.) is required for registration.

ESOL classes are sponsored by the Cleveland Municipal School District and Case Office of Adult Continuing Education. Case's department of Human Resources also provides support.

To learn more, call 216-368-6703.

An Einstein Bros. bagel shop will open December 17 in the atrium of Nord Hall at Case Western Reserve University. The shop will serve breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays.

Dining services in the basement of Tomlinson Hall will close for remodeling after lunch at 2:30 p.m. December 16. The area will reopen January 12 with extra seating and additional food concepts, as well as a new design.

During the renovations, the Faculty Dining Room in Tomlinson will remain open and feature an extended menu. The Silver Spartan Diner, Biomedical Research Building, Charlie's Place and other dining services also will continue to be open.

For a complete listing of dining services and hours of operation, go to http://www.case.edu/diningservices.

Charity Choice nears completion

Glennan nominations due Jan. 22

Grantwriting workshop slated