1991_05 The Daily Collegian May 1991

              Features
The Collegian • May 1,1991
Kauf f man contributes to anthology
•Articles to explore
the development of
American history
By Carrie Thomas-Good
Collegian Staff Writer
On the top shelf of a bookcase in Msrrffice,
several atomic models sit next to a scale-re¬
production of a human skull. On the wallin
back of his desk hangs a memo from Isaac
Asimov, whom he corresponds with regu¬
larly.
CSUF professor of chemistry, George
Kauffman, has been appointed a contributor
to the forthcoming American National Biogra¬
phy, a collection of articles describing and
assessing the lives and careers of people
who played significant roles in American
history and the development of American
society and culture.
Kauffman, winner of the Dexter Award, is
no newcomer to such a task. In recent years,
he has authored 14 books and more than 600
papers, reviews, and encyclopedia articles
on the history of science, chemistry and
chemical educations number of which have
been translated into foreign languages.
Kauffman's contribution to the 20-mil-
lion-word work will emphasize the research
of William Draper Harkins, who predicted
the existence of neutrons, and Thomas
Midgleyjr., whodiscovered tetra-ethel lead
and CFC's.
Kauffman, who holds the Guggenhiem
Fellowship, is still in negotiations regardi ng
the other scientists he will write about for the
publication.
Kauffman said that the reference book is
being published because "the strictly techni¬
cal aspects and theories of chemical facts—
while they are interesting — lack a certain
human dimension.
"When we do something in the laborato¬
ries, 1 like to find out about the human
beings behind the experiments."
Cassie Rooers/Th* Collegian
Chemistry professor George Kauffman has recent iy been appointed as a contributor to the forthoommlng American
National Biography, a book describing people who ployed significant roles in American history.
It was this desire to investigate the people
behind the experiments that made the ap¬
pointment challenging for Kauffman.
Kauffman is most noted for his desire to
involve students in research projects. Sev¬
eral of his students have co-authored publi¬
cations with him. "All things are intercon¬
nected. During the5Cs and 60/8 my students
and I were working on platinum metal
compounds. These metals are one of the
Soviet Union's great natural resources. From
our lab work, I became interested in Russian
Chemists."
Currently, Kauffman and chemistry 1A
students Anthony Colbert and Jeong Choi
are attempting to fry an egg by reacting
limestone with water.
"My research has always been an adjunct
of my primary interest, teaching, rather than
a goal per se. Most of my research projects
and publications have evolved from work
carried on in my regular classes. Thus the
majority of my technical publications bear
the names of students as co-authors," said
Kauffman.
Kauffman said that 53 of his former stu¬
dents are included as co-authors in 97 pa¬
pers.
"Since equipment and supplies have been
scarce and since my time available for re¬
search has been somewhat limited because
of heavy teaching loads, I haveattempted to
pursue a realistic research program consis-
tant with the functions and concerns of the
university.
"I feel that it is in original research that
students can bestdevelop the ingenuity and
practical application of principles that are a
must for a successful career, not only in
science but in any field calling for independ¬
ent thought," said Kauffman.
According to Oxford University Press,
who will be publishing the reference work.
The American National Biography promises
to be a definitive reference work of Ameri¬
can biographies for years tocome, for use by
students, youths, libraries, school teachers
and the general public."
Sikh: Indian minorities seek independence in Punjab
Continued from page 1
Dhillion.
Sikhs comprise about 2 percent
of the population in India, how¬
ever in the sta teof Punjab— where
most of the water and electrical
resources originate — they com¬
prise over 50 percent of the popu¬
lation. Hindus are a minority in
Punjab.
In Punjab, Sikhs have mobilized
for independence. Their efforts are
not recognized by the Indian gov¬
ernment.
In 1984, the military overtook
the Golden Temple, where about
30 Sikhs and other supporters of
Khalistan were stationed, near the
city of Amritsar. All the people in
the church were killed and much
of the temple's architecture made
of gold and other fine minerals was
taken.
Recount
Continued from page 1
(MORE). The numbers were ex¬
actly the same the second time
around,.
Administrative vice-presidential
candidate Nishan Majarian re¬
quested a recount, however his
request was denied because he
came in third place with a margin
of 86 votes behind Martin Ro¬
driguez (Unity /SRG).
'There was no point," said Ali¬
son Jesse, election committee
member.
An Indian student said though
his government had committed
atrocities on Sikh "extremists," the
killing went both ways. The mili¬
tary have committed a lot of atroci¬
ties, buta lot of innocent Hindus—
who are a minority in Punjab —
have been killed too." He said the
military's efforts were only a re¬
sponse to attacks by supporters of
the Khalistan movement.
In addition, thc student said there
are Sikhs in high government posi¬
tions. They are a very well-off
group in India and very respected,
too, and it's rragir that Hindus-
Sikh relations — which are histori¬
cally so strong —are being de¬
stroyed by the Punjab problem....
Though they are only 2 percent of
thepopulationin India, they are 12
percent of the military," he said.
"Indian students see these are
problems [but] we feel thatlndians
should stay united. ... there are
problems on both sides. We think
that the problems should be solved
within the constitutional frame¬
work. We hope to solve this
through dialogue."
Continued on page 4
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