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Nov. 29, 2001
1. U of M case heard before U.S. Supreme Court
2. UMD engineering students "reel in" first place prize
3. Capital budget, redistricting to dominate 2002 legislative session
4. U of M Rochester to launch nursing degree program
5. Online gift shop soaring to new heights
6. Fabric pioneer's work exhibited at the U
7. U of M happenings
8. Links
U IN THE NEWS
U OF M CASE HEARD BEFORE U.S. SUPREME COURT
This week, the University of Minnesota made legal history. For the first time ever, the University presented a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The University's general counsel, Mark Rotenberg, defend its position in the case Raygor v. Regents of the University of Minnesota.
The issue presented to the court concerns the power of Congress in relation to that of state governments, Rotenberg explained.
"The Supreme Court took this case to decide an important constitutional issue of federalism: Can Congress require Minnesota to extend the time it set for filing state discrimination claims against the University in state court?" he said.
Last Feb., a unanimous Minnesota Supreme Court held that the plaintiffs' state law discrimination claims were barred by Minnesota's statute of limitations. The plaintiffs had filed their claims in state court 378 days after receiving a letter from the state informing them that they must bring their case against the University in state court within 45 days.
"We defended the Minnesota Supreme Court's decision that Congress cannot dictate to the states different time periods for filing state claims in state courts," said Rotenberg.
The case arose from allegations of age discrimination raised by two University employees who initially filed their charges in 1995. The University denied the allegations, and both the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights dismissed their charges. The merits of the original discrimination claims are not what the U.S. Supreme Court is considering, said Rotenberg.
Many governmental units and organizations signed on to briefs supporting the University's position, including the U.S. Justice Department, 24 states, the National Governors Association, the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the National Conference of State Legislators.
Rotenberg and his counterpart had one hour to argue the case in front of the nine justices. The court is expected to issue its decision within the next few months.
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UMD ENGINEERING STUDENTS "REEL IN" FIRST PLACE PRIZE
A four-member team of UMD industrial engineering students took first place in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers International Student Design Competition held Nov. 11 in New York City. The winning design was a fishing rod and reel controlled by simulated "sip and puff" technology that allows a quadriplegic person to accurately cast a fishing lure.
The student team included Mike Anderson, Charlie Fox, Steve Sobiech, and Joe Higgins and was supervised by David Wyrick, associate professor and head of the UMD Department of Industrial Engineering.
The UMD team was one of only 13 in the United States selected to participate in the international contest, which included participants from India and Japan. UMD students previously won their regional competition representing a seven-state area.
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CAPITAL BUDGET ON AGENDA FOR 2002 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
When the Minnesota Legislature convenes on Jan. 29, 2002, one of the dominant issues of the session will be the state's capital budget.
The legislature will consider the governor's recommendations for a capital budget and will ultimately present the governor with its budget to fund state construction projects. The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved the 2002 capital request to the legislature last month. The capital request, which includes funds for 12 prioritized improvement, renovation, and construction projects on all University campuses, totals $239.8 million over the biennium.
At this time, it is unclear how the reported state budget shortfall will impact the size of the bonding bills. Unlike operating funds, however, capital funds have the potential to quickly pump millions of dollars into the economy through new construction projects. The U is hopeful that lawmakers will look favorably at our record of completing projects quickly and on time when they consider this year's request.
Alumni, students, faculty, staff, and others are invited to learn more about the University's capital request at the 2002 Legislative Briefing, on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2002 at Memorial Hall in the McNamara Alumni Center. A free buffet and interactive display starts at 5:30 p.m., and the program starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Bob Burgett at 612-624-2323, or 800-UM-ALUMS, or Nicole Bennett at benne069@umn.edu, or visit www.umn.edu/govrel.
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U OF M ROCHESTER TO LAUNCH NURSING DEGREE PROGRAM
The University of Minnesota, Rochester, is addressing the national and regional nursing shortage by establishing a bachelor's degree in nursing beginning in fall 2002.
The nursing program will admit up to 30 students a year. Students will take all course work in Rochester from University of Minnesota faculty. Clinical training will take place at Mayo Clinic and Hospitals and other medical facilities in southeastern Minnesota. Students will earn a degree from the University of Minnesota, which has the oldest continuing university nursing program in the United States.
This expansion of the University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is a joint effort with the Mayo Clinic and the state legislature.
According to the American Hospital Association's June 2001 TrendWatch newsletter, 126,000 nurses are needed to fill vacancies in U.S. hospitals; 75 percent of all hospital personnel vacancies are in nursing.
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ONLINE GIFT SHOP SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS
The Raptor Center's Freedom Gift Shop went online Nov. 2. Accessible at www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu, the virtual shop offers more than 70 items featuring eagles and other birds-of-prey. Items can be ordered online and paid for by credit card on a secure server.
The Freedom Gift Shop began about 12 years ago, offering a few sweatshirts, mugs, and cards, largely purchased by Raptor Center volunteers, staff, and visitors. Today, its inventory includes nearly 300 items, from books, puzzles, and toys, to T-shirts, socks, and hats. An eagle adoption kit, which sells for $20, lets buyers sponsor one of six eagles. The online store includes 72 catalog items, as well as gift certificates and memberships.
The Raptor Center was established in 1974 within the College of Veterinary Medicine. It specializes in the medical care, rehabilitation, and conservation of eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons. Directed by Dr. Pat Redig, a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, the program treats an average of 800 birds a year, reaches approximately 250,000 people annually through public education programs and events, and provides professional training in raptor medicine and surgery for veterinarians from around the world. It is supported by private donations, grants, fees from educational programs and professional services, and gift-shop sales.
For more online shopping opportunities, check out the University of Minnesota Bookstores at www.bookstore.umn.edu.
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FABRIC PIONEER'S WORK EXHIBITED AT THE U
An exhibit of the archives of textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen will run at the U of M Elmer L. Andersen Library from Dec. 7 to Feb. 20. It will feature materials drawn from the Larsen Archives, which are held by the University Libraries. Almost all of the material in the exhibit will be on public view for the first time. The exhibit will coincide with exhibits of Larsen's work at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and The Goldstein: A Museum of Design on the St. Paul campus.
Beginning as a weaver, Larsen is credited with numerous fabric designs and pioneered the use of new materials, such as leather, mylar, nylon fishing line, metallic wire, and foil in creating new effects in textile designs. His clients included Pan American and Braniff Airlines, Sears Roebuck, Dansk, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Lever Brothers.
The University Libraries acquired the archives, which include more than 25,000 samples from more than 1,200 textile designs, after Larsen sold his company in 1997. The records also contain drawings and sketches, notes by designers, correspondence, invoices, and other documents that embody the history of Larsen and his company. Large collections of fabric samples were given to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Goldstein.
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U of M HAPPENINGS
Since Sept. 11, Pauline Boss has played a national role helping families and friends of victims deal with their loss and grief following the terrorist attacks in New York City. On Saturday, Dec. 1, the U of M therapist and professor of family social science will host "Ambiguous Loss: Reflecting on Sept. 11," a lecture and panel discussion at the Weisman Art Museum. The event begins at 2 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Karen Casanova at casan001@umn.edu.
Tune in to WCCO 830 on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. for "Beyond the U," a monthly radio show hosted by University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof and his wife, Judy. The hour-long, call-in show focuses on the University, current issues, legal affairs, politics, and the implications of new technologies, and can be heard the first Tuesday of every month.
The Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus, and Brass Choir will perform "Sounds of the Season" at the Ted Mann Concert Hall on Friday, Dec. 7. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Tom Donaghy at donag003@umn.edu
Students of the Dance Program and Cowles Chair Guest Artists will showcase their work the weekend of Dec. 7. This year's concert is a mixture of classic repertoire pieces and new works created just for U of M students. Performances are Friday and Saturday Dec. 7 and 8 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. All performances are at the Rarig Center's Whiting Proscenium Theatre. Tickets: $5-$13. For more information, contact the University Arts Ticket Office at 612-624-2345, or theatre@umn.edu.
Nearly 1,200 high school students from Minnesota and North Dakota will make their way to the University of Minnesota, Crookston, to participate in "Ag Activities Day." The annual event is set for Friday, Dec. 7. Students, members of 4-H clubs, and FFA chapters will compete in several contests including dairy judging, agricultural mechanics, and ag salesmanship. Contests begin at 9 a.m. The registration fee is $6 per student. For more information, or to register, contact UMC's Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources at 218-281-8101, or visit www.crk.umn.edu/ag/aad.
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LINKS
Hey Sports Fans! Check out sports news and schedules of the U's teams:
Gophers
Duluth Bulldogs
Morris Cougars
Crookston Golden Eagles
Campaign Minnesota: Learn more about this fund-raising effort to build excellence in every corner of the U.
University of Minnesota Alumni Association: Your membership makes a difference.
U of M Legislative Network: Read about the University's legislative request and how you can help.
University of Minnesota Systemwide Home Page
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© 2001 by the Regents of the University of Minnesota
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