March 20, 2003

1. President Bruininks speaks to U community on war
2. Contact your legislators to support the U
3. An aspirin a day may keep colon cancer away
4. U clinic provides health care for the uninsured
5. Center for Spirituality and Healing promotes mind-body medicine
6. Slowing down to the speed of life
7. "Boot camp" for nonbusiness majors
8. Distinguished Teaching Awards honor U faculty
9. Unisys donates supercomputers to U
10. U of M Happenings
11. Links

U IN THE NEWS

President Bruininks speaks to U community on war
On March 18, University President Robert Bruininks sent a message to the University community reiterating that, while the University takes no position on the conflict in Iraq, it will honor one of its most deeply held values: the freedom to engage in passionate dialogue. He also encouraged compassion for those members of the University community who are called, or will be called, into military service.

Below is the complete text of President Bruininks' message:

To all faculty, staff, and students:

With military action in Iraq appearing more imminent each day, I want to provide you with my thoughts on preserving the University of Minnesota's sense of community during what may be a difficult time.

The University has a long tradition of open dialogue and engagement in the civic life of this country. It is likely that members of our community will have differing points of view about this issue and will, consistent with our tradition, express those views publicly and vigorously. While the institution will take no position on the issue of conflict in Iraq, the freedom to engage in passionate dialogue about important questions is among our most deeply held values and we will continue to honor that value.

We are committed to ensuring that the University is a place where many different viewpoints can coexist and can be heard. This is a safe place--both physically and intellectually--for all members of our community and it will remain so.

We should also not forget that some members of the University community are directly affected by this pending war. More than 100 of our faculty, staff, and students have been called into military service and more are likely to be called as time passes. We hope and pray for their safe return so they may take up their roles as our students, teachers, colleagues, and friends.

Sincerely,
Robert H. Bruininks
President

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Contact your legislators to support the U
The University of Minnesota is at a financial crossroads and needs your help. Governor Tim Pawlenty's proposed budget for the 2004-05 biennium calls for a $209 million reduction in state funding for the University, which would be the largest cut in the U's 152-year history. Now is a critical time for legislators to hear your support for the University.

You can find your Minnesota legislators at http://capwiz.com/umn. Both the House and Senate are developing their own budget proposals for the state and setting target numbers for higher education.

While the University is poised to be a partner in solving the state's budget problem, it is important for the future of Minnesota that the University continues to receive adequate state funding. Below are some points to stress when you contact your legislators. Always begin your message by stating that you are a constituent.

• The University's value to the state, our economy, and our quality of life is extraordinary. For the second year in a row, the University has been recognized as one of the top three public research universities in the country. U research improves the health of Minnesotans and is the economic engine that generates thousands of new jobs each year.
  
  
• Even in a time of fiscal crisis, the core budget of the University must be preserved. We cannot afford to let our highly ranked programs falter, student educational experience decline, our most talented faculty leave, or our research infrastructure wither.
  
  
• The Board of Regents and President Bruininks must have maximum flexibility in managing the University's budget. The University is already looking at a combination of strategies to address the budget problem and its leaders need to have the freedom to best determine solutions.
  

For more information on contacting your legislators and the legislative session, see www.umn.edu/govrel. To learn about other ways you can advocate for the U, see www.alumni.umn.edu/legnetwork or call 1-800-UMALUMS.

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An aspirin a day may keep colon cancer away
A seven-year Dartmouth Medical School study, led locally by the University of Minnesota, shows that a daily dosage of aspirin can be effective in reducing the risk of colon adenomas, the benign tumors that can develop into cancer if left in the bowel.

Timothy Church, associate professor in the University's School of Public Health and a member of the University of Minnesota Cancer Center, is principal investigator for Minnesota and an author of the paper.

"Research findings show that low doses of aspirin protect against the precancerous polyps," said Church. "So there is good reason to believe aspirin probably reduces rates of colorectal cancer itself. This will be particularly valuable for people who are at increased risk for cancer because they have had colon adenomas (polyps) or because they have previously been treated for colorectal cancer."

The randomized, double-blind study looked at more than 1,100 patients with previously diagnosed colorectal adenomas. Some patients received aspirin while others received a placebo.

Overall, those treated with a daily dose of low-dose aspirin found their risk of polyps reduced 19 percent and their risk of advanced lesions reduced by more than 40 percent. A companion study, conducted among patients with a history of cancer of the colon or rectum, tested a regular aspirin tablet (325 mg) against placebo. It showed even larger reductions in the occurrence of adenoma--about a 35 percent reduction.

Although aspirin is generally a safe drug, it can have adverse effects for some individuals. Before embarking on a daily aspirin regimen, you should check with your doctor. Regular screenings, perhaps including colonoscopies, are still important.

The University of Minnesota Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. To learn more about cancer, visit the University of Minnesota Cancer Center Web site at www.cancer.umn.edu. For cancer questions, call the Cancer Center information line at 1-888-CANCER MN (1-888-226-2376) or 612-624-2620 in the metro area.

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U clinic provides health care for the uninsured
The University opened the Phillips Neighborhood Clinic earlier this month to provide high-quality, affordable health care to uninsured and underinsured people living in one of the most economically distressed neighborhoods in Minneapolis.

In Phillips, the percentage of uninsured people and those who receive insurance through state-funded programs is significantly higher than in either Minneapolis as a whole or in Hennepin County. That disparity is likely to increase given the current economic downturn and anticipated cutbacks to state-funded health insurance programs, according to John Song, medical director of the Phillips Neighborhood Clinic and assistant professor in the Center for Bioethics at the University of Minnesota's Medical School.

"We all have a responsibility to promote the health of all our neighbors, but this responsibility is greater for those of us who work and learn at a publicly funded university," says Song. "This clinic and the service we will provide is a part of our fulfillment of this responsibility."

The clinic, run by University student volunteers who are studying to become health professionals, offers patients basic health screening, acute medical care services, physical therapy, and referrals to other health care providers. Interpreters are on site for clients who do not speak English, and no one is denied care for inability to pay. The clinic is open on Monday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m.; longer hours may be offered in the future.

"The Phillips Neighborhood Clinic is the result of a three-year, collaborative process of identifying needs, working with the community, and building relationships," says Eric Meininger, clinic coordinator. "It is truly a student-driven initiative, informed by the voices of our community." The clinic is a partnership between the University's Academic Health Center, Community-University Health Care Center, Center for Health Interdisciplinary Programs, and Oliver Presbyterian Church.

For more information about the Phillips Neighborhood Clinic, which is located in the Oliver Presbyterian Church at 2647 Bloomington Ave. S., call 612-724-1690 or see www.phillips.neighborhoodclinic.com.

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Center for Spirituality and Healing promotes mind-body medicine
From massage and acupuncture to herbal supplements and yoga, the ever-growing popularity of alternative therapies is causing health care systems and institutions who train health care providers to rethink the role of integrative medicine in patient care.
The University's Center for Spirituality and Healing, established in 1995 to advance this growing health discipline, has quickly become a nationally recognized leader in integrative medicine. The center trains future health care providers in mind-body medicine and conducts research critical to establishing a scientific body of knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

In 1999, the center began offering the nation's first graduate-level minor in complementary care and healing practices. Months later, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded the center the first university-based $1.6 million grant to build and support a health sciences curriculum in CAM.

Today, lectures in CAM topics are integrated into the curriculum in the Medical School, the School of Nursing, and the College of Pharmacy, and more than 25 graduate minor courses are offered in topics such as Reiki healing, Tibetan medicine, and clinical aromatherapy.

The center facilitates community access to integrative health care services through University and community partnerships that meet the needs of patients, and University faculty and staff. For example, the Inner Life of Healers program trains health care professionals to be attentive to their self-care so they can better treat patients.

To learn more about the Center for Spirituality and Healing, see www.csh.umn.edu or call 612-624-9459.

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Slowing down to the speed of life
Stressed out? Psychologist Joe Bailey, a community-based faculty member of the Center for Spirituality and Healing and coauthor of Slowing Down to the Speed of Life, offers these tips for creating more balance in your life.

Listen deeply to your self and to others
Listening to yourself means taking time to learn who you truly are and how to trust your inner wisdom. Listening deeply to others creates a connection that allows for true communication and for depth and ease in all relationships.

Live in the moment, fully
Living in the moment allows you to be present with your family, your work, and in all aspects of your life. A scattered mind full of interruptions speeds us up, stresses us out, and lowers our efficiency.

Trust in your innate wisdom
Our innate wisdom is a built-in guidance system to what is truly important. It helps us set clear priorities. When we trust, we can relax into the present moment; when we don't trust, we fill our heads with worry, stress, and confusion.

Forgive yourself and others
We create a negative experience for ourselves when we fill our minds with resentments, judgments, and guilt. Forgiveness allows us to let go of the past. Willingness to choose forgiveness is all that is needed to start a new life and new relationships, even with those we know well.

Joe Bailey's new book, Slowing Down to the Speed of Love (McGraw-Hill, Contemporary Books) will be released in September 2003.

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"Boot camp" for nonbusiness majors
This summer, the Carlson School of Management, consistently ranked among the top business schools in the nation, will offer a new, noncredit business certificate program to undergraduates and recent grads who wish to add business knowledge to their education portfolios. For more information, see www.carlsonschool.umn.edu/csba.

The Carlson Summer Business Academy is an intense, four-week “boot camp” designed for liberal arts and other nonbusiness majors. Its goal is to provide students with a competitive edge in the job market. Students who successfully complete the academy will be able to combine their depth and breadth of knowledge in the liberal arts or other nonbusiness areas of study with a firm understanding of fundamental business principles.

The academy is open to college juniors, seniors, and recent graduates; individuals who have recently entered the job market but feel limited by their lack of familiarity with business fundamentals; and individuals who are considering an MBA but are unsure about making a two-year commitment to a graduate program.

Led by top Carlson School of Management faculty, the class sessions will explore marketing, operations management, accounting, finance, and information technology. Upon completion of the academy, students will receive a certificate that verifies achievement of basic competency in these fundamental areas of business. Students will also receive career advice, learn how to present themselves effectively to potential employers, and get brought up to date on the basics of resume preparation.

Jerry Rinehart, assistant dean and director of undergraduate programs at Carlson School of Management, is faculty director for the academy. For additional information, call 612-624-2545.

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Distinguished Teaching Awards honor U faculty
Sixteen University of Minnesota faculty will be honored for excellence in teaching when they are inducted into the U's Academy of Distinguished Teachers at a special ceremony on April 21, 3:30 p.m., at the McNamara Alumni Center on the Twin Cities campus.

Eight faculty will receive the Morse-Alumni Award for their contributions to undergraduate education, and eight will receive the University’s Graduate-Professional Teaching Award for their contributions to graduate and professional education.

This year's Morse-Alumni Award recipients are:

• Jon E. Anderson, associate professor, statistics, Division of Science and Math, U of M, Morris
  
  
• Robert J. Brooker, professor, genetics, cell biology and development, College of Biological Sciences
  
  
• Thomas R. Chase, associate professor, mechanical engineering, Institute of Technology
  
  
• Lisa Disch, associate professor, political science, College of Liberal Arts
  
  
• Andrew Elfenbein, professor, English, College of Liberal Arts
  
  
• Josephine Lee, associate professor, English, College of Liberal Arts
  
  
• Kent R. Mann, professor, chemistry, Institute of Technology
  
  
• Leslie R. Meek, associate professor, social science, U of M, Morris
  

This year's Graduate-Professional Teaching Award recipients are:

• Francesca Cuthbert, professor, fisheries, wildlife, and conservation biology, College of Natural Resources
  
  
• Sara Evans, professor, history, College of Liberal Arts
  Ilene Harris, professor, medical education, Medical School
  
  
• Marc Jenkins, professor, microbiology, Medical School
  
  
• Frances Lawrenz, professor, curriculum and instruction and educational psychology, College of Education and Human Development
  
  
• John Mowitt, professor, cultural studies and comparative literature and English, College of Liberal Arts
  
  
• Christine Teyssier, professor, geology and geophysics, Institute of Technology
  
  
• Donald Uden, professor, pharmaceutical care and health systems, College of Pharmacy
  

As lifetime academy members, the award recipients will provide leadership to the University community by serving as mentors, advisers, and spokespersons for the University's mission.

The Distinguished Teaching Awards are sponsored by the U Senate Committee on Educational Policy, the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, and the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.

To attend the ceremony, register online at www.alumni.umn.edu/distinguishedteaching.

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Unisys donates supercomputers to U
Two new supercomputers recently donated to the U’s Digital Technology Center (DTC) will enhance research in many fields, including biological sciences, chemistry, fluid dynamics, genomics, and geophysics. The computers, valued at $2.4 million, are a gift from Unisys Corporation.

The supercomputers will be used in the DTC Supercomputing Institute and the DTC Laboratory for Computational Science and Engineering (LCSE). The donation was made possible through the assistance of Intel Corporation and Microsoft Corporation, in partnership with Unisys.

In the LCSE, faculty will use the equipment in their research to visually represent intensive scientific computations. "We will use the equipment as the 'electronic brain' that connects networks of data to draw images of the phenomena we are studying," said Professor Paul Woodward, LCSE director. "This might be pictures of giant stars, thunderstorms on earth, or the movement of river sediments. We will be able to visualize digitized data and manipulate it to look at it in different ways."

"This gift will give us the opportunity to undertake interesting new projects because the Unisys systems are significantly different from other supercomputers," said Andrew Odlyzko, DTC director and U assistant vice president for research. "They run on a Windows operating system and are ideal for projects involving large amounts of data and complex data structures."

The DTC was established in 1998 to help Minnesota reclaim a leadership role in the digital technology industry. It integrates research, education, and outreach in the areas of digital design, computer graphics and visualization, telecommunications, data storage and retrieval, multimedia, datamining, scientific computation, and other digital technologies.

The gift from Unisys counts toward Campaign Minnesota, the University-wide fund-raising campaign that ends on June 30. Raising new funds for research is one of the campaign's main priorities.

For more information about Campaign Minnesota or making a donation to the University, see www.campaign.umn.edu or call 612-624-3333.

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U OF M HAPPENINGS

Go Gophers! Go Bulldogs!
A number of University of Minnesota intercollegiate athletics teams are in postseason play this week. From the Twin Cities campus, women's basketball is in its first game of the NCAA Tournament; men's basketball plays the initial round of the National Invitation Tournament; men’s wrestling competes in the NCAA Championships; and women's swimming and diving also enter NCAA National Championships. The Twin Cities and Duluth women's hockey teams play in the NCAA Women's Frozen Four, hosted by UMD, and both men's hockey teams are in WCHA post season play. For more information, go to
www.gophersports.com or www.umdbulldogs.com.

Chinese dancing at UMM
The Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company will perform Friday, March 21, 7:30 p.m. in the Edson auditorium on the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) campus. Melding ancient Chinese and modern dance forms, the performance will include founder and choreographer Lily Cai's interpretation of four classical Chinese dances. For ticket information, call 320-589-6080 or see www.mrs.umn.edu/events/Headliners/NewsAndEvents.html.

West Nile Virus: "Can Our Birds Be Saved?"
Patrick Redig, director of the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, will present a lecture about the impact of West Nile Virus on raptors and other birds on Sunday, March 23, 2 p.m. at the Raptor Center in St. Paul. The lecture is free for Raptor Center members. The cost for nonmembers is $5 adults and $3 children ages 10-18. For more information, call 612-624-4745 or see www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu.

UMD to hold discussion on the future of affirmative action The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD), will hold a panel discussion on "What's in Store for Affirmative Action--Important Aspects of the University of Michigan Case Before the Supreme Court" on Monday, March 24, 4 p.m., 120 Campus Center. The event, sponsored by the UMD Center for Ethics and Public Policy, is free and open to the public. For more information, call Tom Powers, UMD Department of Political Science, at 218-726-8697, or email at tpowers@d.umn.edu.

UMC to host MACT*FEST 2003
The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC), will host MACT*FEST 2003, the biennial theater festival of the Minnesota Association of Community Theatres, April 2-6. The festival will include productions by 18 Minnesota community theater companies, theater workshops, and networking opportunities. MACT*FEST will be held in the Kiehle auditorium. Tickets are $10 per session (each session includes two or three plays); an $85 festival package includes all plays and workshops, an opening night reception, a Saturday night party, and the Sunday awards brunch. For more information, call 612-721-5851 or see www.MACT.net.

"Classes Without Quizzes"
The College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences (COAFES) is hosting its second annual "Classes Without Quizzes," a series of mini-seminars on topics such as managing the threat of bioterrorism, renewable energy, revitalizing rural communities, changes in Minnesota's weather, and eating to reduce heart disease. The event will be held on Saturday, April 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost is $20 for the general public, $15 for UMAA members, and $10 for high school or U of M students. Preregistration is requested by March 30. For more information, call 612-624-1745 or see http://alumni.coafes.umn.edu/forum.

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LINKS

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