New to University Council

Thomas J. Malesky, Ed.D. �74, former chief of the Bureau of Educational Finance Research and an associate in educational finance for the State Education Department, has been named the newest member of the University Council.

Malesky, from Schuylerville, also has a long history in New York State public school education, serving as principal of the Schuylerville High School and superintendent of the Redwood School District near Potsdam. Prior to that, he was an instructor at Knickerbocker Jr. High School in Troy.

Also a former assistant engineer in the private sector for General Electric, Malesky was a Cohoes High School and Siena College graduate who went on to get both his M.S. and doctoral degrees in education from the University.

He is married to C. Ina Sherman and has four adult daughters.


Criminal Justice Spruces Up a Lab

The School of Criminal Justice has a newly refurbished and equipped computer lab, located in Draper 216. Dean David Bayley extended thanks to faculty members Colin Loftin, Trudy Bonsell, Jack Reed, John McCluskey, and Audie Lawrence for making it possible.


New Electronic Databases for Library

On April 1, the University Libraries will offer four new Research Databases via ADVANCE, the online catalog. H. W. Wilson Company�s Humanities Abstracts, General Science Abstracts, Reader�s Guide Abstracts, and Social Sciences Abstracts are now part of the basic subscription package to OCLC�s FirstSearch products. These databases will be accessible on April 1 by arrowing on the ADVANCE "Research Databases" screen to "Research Databases by Subject" or "Research Databases by Name." Pressing ENTER will provide either subject screens or name screens from which individual database selections can be made. These titles are familiar to library users as printed and bound indexes; the electronic versions expand coverage to abstracts of articles.

On trial on the Libraries� Web page until May 16 is one of the most popular research databases in the country: LEXIS/NEXIS UNIVerse. Users are asked to comment on the usefulness of this relatively expensive database by completing a brief questionnaire after using LEXIS/NEXIS UNIVerse.

To gain access, point your Web browser at _https://www.albany.edu/library/_ - then click on "Lexis/Nexis trial" at the bottom of the first page. Searching this amazing file produces full-text journal and newspaper articles and other information resources on the following topics: Top News; Biographical Information; General News Topics; Reference & Directories; Company News; General Medical & Health Topics; Industry & Market News; Medical Abstracts; Government & Political News; Accounting, Auditing, & Tax; Legal News; Law Reviews; Company Financial Information; Federal Case Law; Country Profiles; U.S. Code, Constitution, & Court Rules; State Profiles; and State Legal Research.


Spring Additions to Library

As of April 1, 1998, all of the indexes, full-text sources, and electronic journals identified on the Libraries� Web pages will become accessible to University faculty, staff, and students from their homes through the Internet service provider of their choice (e.g., AOL, CompuServ, AlbanyNet).

Database vendors require that only bona fide members of the campus community may have access to their products. In the past there was no method for verifying a remote user�s relationship to the University. Now there is: when attempting to access a restricted database from off-campus, users will be asked for the last nine digits of their library barcode (bottom right corner of the SUNY Card) and the first three letters of their surname. Further instructions will be available online on the appropriate Web pages.

Also beginning on April 1, the University Libraries will introduce a new online service that will allow Albany faculty, staff, and students to renew their own books electronically through the Libraries� ADVANCE online catalog. Choose "Search," then "Library Services," and "Patron info." Instructions for accessing the catalog remotely are available at the University Library and Dewey Library Reference Desks; other questions about this new service will be answered by a call to the Circulation Department at 442-3569.


Fund for Missing Student Established

As of March 23, sophomore Suzanne Lyall was still listed as missing by University and State Police. Another search of the 300 acres near the University was conducted, but to no avail, according to authorities.

The FBI has reviewed information in the case and will be issuing profiles to local authorities.

In the meantime, a Suzanne Lyall Fund has been established by Saratoga National Bank and the parents of the missing student. Those wishing to contribute may send checks to the fund, c/o Saratoga National Bank, P.O. Box 3086, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.