February 20, 2003

1. U president vows to protect educational quality
2. Work and teens: it's a good thing after all
3. U offers summer fun for kids
4. Vet Med opens first satellite clinic
5. Kids need books!
6. New alumni discounts for career services and continuing education
7. Morris buildings and landscape make history
8. U of M Happenings
9. Links

U IN THE NEWS

U president vows to protect educational quality
This week, Governor Tim Pawlenty recommended a $185 million cut to the University over the 2004-05 biennium, or approximately 15 percent of the University's biennial state appropriation -- the highest reduction to the U's budget ever.

Calling the cuts deep and painful, University president Robert Bruininks said, "Higher education is critically important to our state. A strong, quality, higher education system improves our quality of life and is key to Minnesota's future prosperity."
To put the reduction into context, $185 million represents the total amount of state support for the College of Biological Sciences, the College of Liberal Arts and the Institute of Technology for two years.

"This is a historic budget reduction," said Bruininks. "It will require very difficult decisions, reductions, and additional costs to students. Those decisions will have an impact on thousands of real people--our faculty, staff, and students and their families--and it simply will not be business as usual here."

To manage the reductions, the University will aggressively reduce costs, seek new sources of revenue, and may have to eliminate some programs. "Raising tuition will not be our first course of action; however, given the size of the budget reduction, additional tuition increases are almost inevitable," said Bruininks, who also said it is too early to speculate on the size of an increase.

Pawlenty recommended transferring funds that support University health professional programs such as the Medical School from the tobacco endowment to the tobacco tax. Specifically, an estimated $21.5 million of tobacco tax revenues in fiscal year 2004 would be allocated to support health professional education and training. Bruininks said it was critical that the state maintain its commitment to a strong medical school and other University health professional programs and to the role they play in the health of all Minnesotans.

Bruininks said that he is committed to maintaining excellence at the University. "Minnesotans have high expectations for the University, and we are absolutely committed to protecting our core mission and a quality educational experience for students."

For more information or to get involved in advocating for the University at the legislature, see www.umn.edu/govrel.

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Work and teens: it's a good thing after all

University of Minnesota sociologist Jeylan Mortimer shows that adolescent work experiences can provide many benefits to teens. The findings are presented in her book, Working and Growing Up in America, released this month.

Contrary to other studies of working teenagers, a new study by University of Minnesota sociologist Jeylan Mortimer shows that adolescent work experiences can provide many benefits to teens. The findings are presented in her book, Working and Growing Up in America, which was released this month by Harvard University Press.

Mortimer surveyed about 750 St. Paul students over 12 years from the beginning of high school through their mid-20s. Mortimer concluded that high school students who work at part-time jobs fare better in many ways than students who don't have jobs. Part-time jobs gave students increased confidence and time management skills, helped them to explore vocational options, and enhanced future academic success.

In addition, she found that high school students who work part time learn skills for coping with job-related stress that will benefit them as adults, and that meeting more adults on the job can provide a buffer for tensions with parents at home.

Earlier studies of teens suggested that paid work might lower grades and lead to behavior problems. But in this study, parents and teens agree that working during school can help teens manage time and prepare them for later work challenges. Moderate work--limited to 20 hours a week or less--is better for teens than more time-consuming work, Mortimer said.

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U offers summer fun for kids
Soon after University students head home in May, a bevy of young people will start converging on campus for weeklong summer day camps offered through the U's summer youth program. Beginning June 11 and continuing to August 22, more than 2,700 metro-area kids ages 5 to 15 will participate in activities ranging from tennis and fly-fishing to chemistry and magic.

“Parents love the program for its structure and recreation,” says Todd Tratz, program manager. "And kids enjoy the wide variety of opportunities that a Big Ten university has to offer—like world-class pools and climbing walls."

The program, which will be celebrating its 10th anniversary year, is very popular because of its affordability and wide selection of classes. Every year the camps fill. About 75 percent of the participants enroll for more than one week of camp and many kids return year after year. This year, 18 departments and colleges will be offering classes.

The program is a win-win for everyone, says Tratz. Area families get quality activities for their children, recreational facilities at the U are used during down time, and University students get jobs staffing the programs. Summer youth programs are completely self-supporting and generate income for the U.

Registration for this summer's program has begun, and classes fill quickly. For more information or to get registration forms, see www.recsports.umn.edu/youth.

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Vet Med opens first satellite clinic
The University's College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) recently launched its first specialty services satellite clinic. Based at the South Metro Animal Emergency Care Center, located in Apple Valley, the clinic gives area residents convenient access to veterinary specialty care.

Dr. Greg Anderson and technician Darcy Quammen of the U of M College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) are available for surgery consultations at the CVM's first satellite clinic, located in Apple Valley.

"Veterinarians and their clients rely on our Veterinary Teaching Hospital and its staff to provide advanced care for complex cases and patients with highly specialized needs," said Jeffrey Klausner, dean, College of Veterinary Medicine. He says the launch of the satellite clinic improves access for clients who, until now, had to bring their pets to the college's Veterinary Teaching Hospital in St. Paul for specialty services.

The satellite clinic service, which the CVM hopes to replicate in other locations, currently provides a board-certified, small-animal surgeon on site once a week to conduct surgical evaluations and procedures. However, major surgeries will continue to be performed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Appointments at the satellite clinic are only by referral from a client's primary veterinarian. For questions or for more information, call 612-625-8755, or see www.cvm.umn.edu/vth.

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Kids need books!
Join Goldy Gopher and Clifford the Big Red Dog March 2-8 in collecting new books for young readers being tutored by University of Minnesota students. The U's Book Drive for Kids, now in its third year, provides children with books of their own to help develop their literacy skills and a love for reading.

How can you help:

• Stop by any Barnes & Noble store in Minnesota or the new University of Minnesota Bookstore (opens March 3) in Coffman Memorial Union on the Twin Cities campus and purchase books (K-3 grade level) for donation at a 10 percent discount.
  
  
• Call your local Barnes & Noble bookstore and make a donation of preselected book packages.
  
  
• Order books online through the U of M Bookstore: www.bookstores.umn.edu
  
  
• Send a check to the U of M Foundation, McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55440. Please note Literacy Initiative Fund #5192 on the memo line.
  

Meet Goldy and Clifford at special book drive events:

• Sunday, March 2, 3-4:30 p.m. Kickoff party: Galleria Barnes & Noble, Edina.
  
  
• Sunday, March 2, 4-5 p.m. Kickoff party: Miller Hills Mall Barnes & Noble, Duluth.
  
  
• Saturday, March 8, 1-3 p.m. at the U of M Bookstore in Coffman Union.
  

Events will include storytelling, refreshments, and fun for the whole family.

The book drive is sponsored by the College of Education and Human Development Alumni Society, University of Minnesota Literacy Initiative, University of Minnesota Duluth Alumni Association, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, University of Minnesota Bookstores, and media sponsor MPLS.ST.PAUL Magazine.

For more information, call Raleigh Kaminsky at 612-626-1601, or see www.education.umn.edu/alum, which includes a listing of participating stores.

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New alumni discounts for career services and continuing education
In response to alumni interest in lifelong learning, the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) and College of Continuing Education (CCE) are now offering UMAA members discounts on career services and continuing education courses.

Members can now receive $100 discounts on the CCE’s professional development business courses; 30 percent discounts on its Career and Lifework Center job transition workshops and individual career consultations; and varying discounts on enrichment programs, such as Compleat Scholar courses and weekends, U of M Elderhostel learning vacations, Great Conversations events, and the Split Rock Arts program’s weeklong summer retreats (see more information about the Split Rock Arts program in the Happenings section below).

"We want our alumni to be connected to the U for a lifetime and this partnership with CCE is one way for us to support that goal," said David Sailer, UMAA associate executive director for membership and marketing. "These value-added discounts are especially timely, given the number of people who are seeking career changes in this challenging economy."

To further support alumni job seekers, the UMAA and CCE are also sponsoring a free U of M Alumni Employment Expo on Wednesday, April 23, 1-7 p.m. at the McNamara Alumni Center on the Twin Cities campus. All alumni and University seniors can view displays, gather information, and meet representatives from top Twin Cities businesses during an informative day designed to help them in their career planning and job searches.

For more information about specific discounts, see www.alumni.umn.edu/ccesavings. Additional information about the U of M Alumni Employment Expo is available at www.alumni.umn.edu/expo or call Libby at 612-626-4795.

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Morris buildings and landscape make history
History abounds at the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM). The West Central School of Agriculture (WCSA) and Experiment Station, a residential agricultural high school, which occupied what is now the UMM campus from 1910-60, has been entered on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district.

A photo of the Girl's dormitory (left) and an ariel view of the WCSA and Experiment Station, c1925, which is now part of the Morris campus. (Photos courtesy Stevens County Historical Society).

"The WCSA and Experiment Station signified a very important trend in national agricultural education that took place in early 1900s and certainly met a need for improving agriculture in this country prior to the adoption of agricultural education in public school systems," said Lowell Rasmussen, UMM associate vice chancellor for physical plant and master planning.

"This district is one of the best-preserved agricultural high school campuses in the country, and it has important associations with progressive education and research efforts in our agricultural history," said Dennis Gimmestad, who is a preservations officer for the Minnesota Historical Society and a UMM alum. "The University added contemporary buildings to the campus edges while preserving the historic core as the heart of its liberal arts community."

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U OF M HAPPENINGS

Race, education, and civil rights
A three-day conference on race and education hosted by the U will kick off on Friday, Feb. 21 at 5:30 p.m. with a keynote address by University of Texas law professor Gerald Torres on "Race, Power and Education: Finding the Democratic Potential in American Life." A reception will follow at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m., a panel of distinguished experts will discuss "Dr. King's Legacy in Politics, Civil and Human Rights, Social Justice and More." The events will be held in Memorial Hall at McNamara Alumni Center on the Twin Cities Campus and are free and open to the public.

Presidential inauguration set for Feb. 28
Robert Bruininks will be inaugurated as the University 's 15th president on Friday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. in Northrop Memorial Auditorium, with a reception to follow in the Great Hall, Coffman Memorial Union. The ceremony and reception is free and open to the public. It will also be broadcast on U campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and at the University Center Rochester. The inauguration coincides with Founders Week, Feb. 23 to March 1. To view the ceremony live through streaming video, and for a complete list of inaugural and Founders Weeks event information, see www.umn.edu/inauguration.

Dr. Ruth: Sexually Speaking
Dr. Ruth Westheimer will present "Sexually Speaking," on Sunday, March 2, at 4 p.m.at the Great Hall in Coffman Memorial Union on the Twin Cities campus. Ticket prices are: $36 for general admission; free for students with college ID. Tickets must be picked up or ordered in advance at Hillel, 1521 University Ave. S.E., 612-379-4026. A fund-raiser, dinner with Dr. Ruth, is at 6 p.m.; $250 per person. All funds raised will support Hillel programming on campus. Cosponsors include University of Minnesota Housing and Residential Life, Boynton Health Service, and the Minnesota Daily.

Vegetables and bioterrorism
Is our food supply at risk? The answer is maybe. If you want to know more, attend the Center for Plants and Human Health Forum, "Fresh Vegetables and Potatoes as a Vector for Bioterrorism," on Friday, Feb. 21, 1:30-3 p.m., 120 Molecular and Cellular Biology Building on the Twin Cities campus. Professor Ted Labuza, food science and nutrition, will discuss ideas and suggestions for preventing food bioterrorism. Free and open to the public.

20th anniversary Split Rocks Arts program
The Split Rock Arts program, the U's summer series of residential workshops in creative writing and visual arts, will offer 38 weeklong workshops taught by renowned practicing writers and visual artists for people with all levels of interests, backgrounds, and skills. The program is held on the U's Duluth campus overlooking Lake Superior, and at the Cloquet Forestry Center. Online registration begins March 1, and phone or fax registration begins March 17. For a complete listing of workshops and registration information, see www.cce.umn.edu/splitrockarts, or call 612-625-8100.

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LINKS

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