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Nov. 8, 2001
*Note corrected times for the University of Minnesota Marching Band's indoor concert. The performances will be Saturday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m. click
1. New electronic financial aid helps students
2. Board of Regents to act on Yudof's contract
3. Researcher finds bone marrow cells act like embryo stem cells
4. UMM female wrestler wins world cup
5. Genetically engineered fish subject of U of M study
6. UMD building named after "Mr. Taconite"
7. Finalists named for dean of Carlson School of Management
8. U of M Happenings
9. Links
U IN THE NEWS
NEW ELECTRONIC FINANCIAL AID HELPS STUDENTS
Officials from the University of Minnesota's Office of Student Finance are calling the switch to a Web-based financial aid process a success for students as well as the University. Last July, the University became one of the first schools in the country to offer electronic financial aid processing, a move the school hoped would make an often-complicated process easier for students and staff.
According to Nancy Sinsabaugh, interim director of Student Finance, "The move to the electronic aid process was a huge success. This is a victory for the University and our students, who ultimately reap the benefits."
By making financial aid processing available on the Internet, the University hoped to make applying for and accepting aid more convenient for students, improve aid delivery time, and eliminate problems associated with paper processing such as incorrectly filled out applications and lost letters. Statistics show that the school accomplished all of the above and more. Successes include:
--An 87 percent user rate. Of 16,785 eligible students, 14,615 used the Internet to accept, amend or decline their aid. Sinsabaugh and her staff had anticipated a 50 percent user rate.
--Increased convenience for students. Most students accepted their aid during non-office hours, because the University was able to keep the site running 22 hours a day, seven days a week.
-- A reduction in processing time from an average of six weeks to four days.
--Problems such as wrong addresses, incorrect information on forms, and handling delays were eliminated, which freed staff to help individual students instead of processing paper.
Rose Samual, a marketing and international business student, found that the new system went much more smoothly than the previous four times she had applied for aid. "I only had to visit the financial aid office once this year," she said. "During the little bit of contact I had with an employee there, I received friendly and expedited services, despite the stress that comes along with the beginning of the year. I give the University kudos for their good work. I am sure everyone else on campus does as well."
Sinsabaugh says that the benefits of electronic aid go beyond the campus. "Taxpayers will appreciate it, too," she said. "We're on track to save 1 million sheets of paper and $80,000 this year."
BOARD OF REGENTS TO ACT ON YUDOF'S CONTRACT
At its monthly meeting this Friday (Nov. 9), the Board of Regents is expected to act on a new contract for President Mark Yudof. While the terms of the contract will not be public until Friday, board chair Maureen Reed expressed confidence in Yudof when she presented his annual performance review in September.
"President Yudof has provided outstanding leadership to this institution through both exciting and difficult times," said Reed. "The board is pleased with his accomplishments in many areas including, undergraduate education and administrative and fiscal management, as well as his continued focus on academic priorities and insight on issues facing
public higher education."
Yudof's current contract, approved in July 2000, goes through 2003. In the past, the board has expressed a desire to provide incentives for Yudof to remain in Minnesota.
RESEARCHER FINDS BONE MARROW CELLS ACT LIKE EMBRYO STEM CELLS
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| "We are currently exploring the potential of adult stem cells to engraft long term."--Catherine Verfaillie |
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Stem Cell Institute (SCI) have demonstrated that the isolation and expansion of cells derived from adult healthy human bone marrow have characteristics much like embryonic stem cells. These first-time findings, published in the Nov. 1 issue of Blood, suggest that these adult stem cells may be an ideal source of cells for therapy of degenerative or traumatic disorders such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and vascular problems, or for therapy of single gene disorders such as hemophilia, Hurler's disease, or muscular dystrophy.
"Lab results clearly demonstrate the potential of adult bone marrow stem cells to differentiate beyond mesenchymal cells, into cells of the visceral mesodermal origin, such as endothelium," said Catherine Verfaillie, director of the SCI, and author of the research. "Further, there is preliminary evidence that these adult stem cells may be capable of differentiating into nonmesodermal cell types, such as neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes."
The results describe, for the first time, the isolation and laboratory culture of this adult stem cell population that can be expanded for more than 50 populations without obvious signs of differentiation or senescence (aging). Furthermore, the adult stem cells can readily have genes added with viruses that carry genes into cells, which should aid in genetic correction of a patient's own stem cells.
"We are currently exploring the potential of adult stem cells to engraft long term," said Verfaillie. "If they can, adult stem cells may be a much better source of cells than hematopoietic (blood producing) stem cells for gene therapy of congenital disorders characterized by enzyme deficiencies." It may be possible to use stem cells drawn from the bone marrow of of healthy donors, irrespective of age, and possibly the patient's own marrow, for treatments such as gene therapy.
Along with being director of the SCI, Verfaillie holds the Anderson Chair in Stem Cell Biology, Tulloch Chair in Stem Cell Biology, Genetics and Genomics, and the McKnight's Presidential Chair in Stem Cell Biology. Last December she was honored by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top innovators in science and technology.
UMM FEMALE WRESTLER WINS WORLD CUP
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| Katie Downing pinned her first four opponents in a total time of 5 minutes, 20 seconds. |
UM-Morris senior Katie Downing went to France excited that she had the opportunity to represent the United States in the 1st Annual Women's World Cup. Now Downing is returning to the United States as the lone American crowned as World Cup Champion, and the only wrestler who went undefeated throughout the competition at 149.75 pounds.
Downing, a senior majoring in history and social sciences, pinned the first four opponents, from Russia, Canada, China and Tunisia, in a total time of 5 minutes, 20 seconds. She then won by injury default over her opponent from Japan, and by a 9-4 decision over the French wrestler.
"This is huge," commented head coach Doug Reese. "I am so excited for Katie. She deserves this so much. She works so hard, makes so many sacrifices, and she is so focused. It is a real blessing to have her realize success at this level of competition. This is the victory she needed at this stage in her career."
The World Cup is a dual meet tournament with the best women's teams in the world, wrestling in a round-robin format. Individual wrestlers were honored based upon win-loss records during the tournament.
"Next to the world championships, this is the most prestigious event in the international calendar," said Reese. "It is an honor to be selected. Any time you represent your country in international competition, it is a thrill. This is the type of competition Katie needs to keep her focused on her ultimate goal -- the Olympics in 2004. This is a great first step."
There are about 10 women's wrestling programs in the nation now, according to Reese, but UMM organized the first women's wrestling program in the nation in 1994.
GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FISH SUBJECT OF U OF M STUDY
University scientists will soon be helping leaders in Thailand evaluate and regulate the environmental safety of genetically engineered organisms. This is the goal of a four-year, $425,000 grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) to the University's Institute for Social, Economic, and Ecological Sustainability (ISEES).
The AID grant will support the first scientific research on the effects of introducing tilapia--a fish that is a major food source in the region--that has been genetically engineered for growth enhancement. The work will evaluate the potential safety or risk to biodiversity from the introduction of the tilapia, large numbers of which are raised in fish farms in the United States and around the world. According to ISEES director Anne Kapuscinski, a professor of fisheries and conservation biology and principal investigator for the grant, the Thai government has discouraged several requests to introduce such fish, partly because of the absence of case-specific, risk-assessment data and insufficient capability to assess and control genetically modified organisms. Tilapia are not native to Thailand, but some have escaped into natural rivers and wetlands, where they have established feral populations.
The project will measure the likelihood that genetic material will flow from the genetically modified tilapia to the existing feral populations of the fish. The impact of the introduction on other fish populations will also be evaluated. Another project goal is to help officials in Thailand and neighboring countries increase their skills in science-based risk assessment, safety planning, and management of genetically engineered organisms.
"The ISEES program on governance of biotechnology has attracted domestic and international interest," said Kapuscinski. "This AID grant will enhance the international dimension of our biosafety research, graduate training, and outreach. Also, we expect the project to enhance Thailand's role as a regional biotechnology and biosafety leader with the capacity to share scientific and regulatory expertise and information with other nations."
UMD BUILDING NAMED AFTER "MR. TACONITE"
The University of Minnesota Duluth Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) officially dedicated its new Coleraine building as the C. W. Niemi Research Building.
For over 56 years, Clifford W. Niemi has dedicated himself to minerals research for the taconite industry, and is often referred to as "Mr. Taconite."
"It has taken a united effort by state, federal, industry, and University people to create the taconite industry, and now it will again take a united effort to revitalize this industry in the face of a global economy," said Niemi. In 1986, he advocated and facilitated the transfer of ownership of U. S. Steel's Coleraine research laboratory and its employees to the NRRI.
The NRRI fosters economic development of Minnesota's natural resources in an environmentally sound manner to promote private sector employment.
FINALISTS NAMED FOR DEAN OF CARLSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Two finalists for the position of dean for the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management have been named by the search committee. They are Lawrence Benveniste and David Blake.
According to Charles Muscoplat, chairperson of the search committee dean of the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, both candidates are qualified to lead the Carlson School of Management into the future.
"The search committee is pleased with the finalists for this important position," Muscoplat said. "Both candidates have extensive and impressive records as professors, researchers, and deans. I'm sure the University community as well as the general public will be as impressed with them as the committee is."
The finalists are participating in interviews with Carlson School constituencies including students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as various university administrators. Both must give public presentations entitled "Moving the Carlson School Forward: A Dean's Vision of the Future."
Benveniste's interviews and public presentation took place this week, Nov. 6 and 7. Blake's interviews and public presentation are scheduled for next week, Nov. 12 and 13. Muscoplat said the decision about who will be the new dean is expected by the end of November.
Benveniste has a Ph.D. in mathematics from University of California-Berkeley. He has held the US Bancorp chair in finance since 1996 and is currently the interim dean of the Carlson School of Management. At the University of Minnesota, he has served as finance professor, chair of the finance department, and associate dean of faculty and research. His previous faculty experience includes the Wallace E. Carroll School of Management at Boston College and the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He has also been on the staff of the Federal Reserve Board. His principal research is on initial public offerings of equity. Among his most cited articles is "How Investment Bankers Price and Place New Issues," in the Journal of Financial Economics. He has also done significant work on loan underwriting and securitization.
Blake has a Ph.D. in political science from Rutgers University in New Jersey. He is presently the dean at the Graduate School of Management at the University of California-Irvine (UCI). Prior to joining UCI, he was dean of the Edwin L. Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University and of the business schools at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and Northeastern University. He has been a professor and associate dean of the Katz School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh and a professor of political science at Wayne State University. He is an authority on business strategy, leadership, and management education and has been a business school dean for two decades. In 1996, he served as president of the AACSB-The International Association for Management Education, a professional association for leaders in management education. He has written extensively on the international political economy and multinational corporations.
U of M HAPPENINGS
The University of Minnesota Marching Band will perform its annual indoor concert at Northrop Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. and again on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children under 12. For more information, contact the ticket office at (612)624-2345.
The University Theatre is performing Tennessee Williams' classic play, "The Glass Menagerie." Performances begin Sunday, Nov. 11, at the Rarig Center and run through Sunday, Dec. 2. Tickets are from $5 to $13. For more information, contact the University Arts Ticket Office at (612)624-2345 or e-mail theatre@umn.edu.
A community forum called "Understanding September 11th," will explore the effects of the terrorist attacks on civil liberties, and will also address the experiences of Arab-American and Muslim communities in the United States. The forum will take place Monday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. The event, sponsored by the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change, and co-sponsored by the Walker Art Center and the U of M Institute for Global Studies, is free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://www.icgc.umn.edu/Events.htm.
New York Chamber Soloists will perform Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" at the Marshall Performing Arts Center at UMD on Tuesday, Nov. 13. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $10, with a $5 student rush. For more information, call the UMD music department at (218)726-8208 or e-mail mu@d.umn.edu.
Dr. Trinh T. Minh-ha--filmmaker, poet, literary critic, and Chancellor's Distinguished Professor in Women's Studies and Rhetoric at the University of California-Berkeley--will give this year's Barber Lecture in Literature at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, in Edson Auditorium at UMM. Her film, "Surname Viet Given Name Nam," has received many awards, including the Blue Ribbon Award at the American Film and Video Festival. The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, please e-mail Sarah Buchanan at buchansb@mrs.umn.edu.
UMD's Tweed Museum of Art presents an exhibit of 50 large-scale woodcuts by Neil Welliver, one of the country's most respected landscape artists. Welliver's large, multicolor prints feature the forests and rivers of the New England countryside; they represent a high level of craft and technique in terms of woodblock printmaking. The exhibit runs until Jan.13. For more information, visit http://www.d.umn.edu/tma.
Opening Nov. 18, "New Visions of the American Heartland," a new exhibition at the Weisman Art Museum, explores the Midwest’s cultural identity through commissioned works by four contemporary artists: Malcolm Cochran, Kerry James Marshall, Maya Lin, and Mary Lucier. An opening night preview and a chance to meet the contemporary artists is on Saturday, Nov.17, 7-11 p.m. Admission for the preview is $10, $5 for students, seniors, and WAM members. The exhibit is free and open to the public. It runs through March 24. For more information, e-mail Karen Casanova at casan001@umn.edu.
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