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Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_2142007.html .
Vol. XXXVII No. 6; Feb. 14, 2007
Editor: Gayla Marty, brief@umn.edu

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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TRANSFORMING THE U: U RESEARCH faces challenges including funding and facilities, says VP Mulcahy, but the importance and broad strength of the U's research portfolio should not be underestimated. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Up_to_the_task.html .

REGENTS MEETING REVIEW: Recommendations for UMTC's Northrop Auditorium, a highlight of the Feb. 9 regents meeting, provided a vision for the future of the historic building and the campus as a whole. Other business included a record-setting month for gifts to the U, policy reviews, and reports including all-U honors. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Stage_set_for_Northrop_renewal.html .

CAPA UPDATE: The excellence and value of academic professional and administrative (P&A) staff are the focus of three current initiatives of the Council of Academic Professionals and Administrators (CAPA): (1) take a survey, (2) nominate a unit for the CAPA Outstanding Unit Award, and (3) plan to attend the annual P&A celebration April 20. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/Council_of_Academic_Professionals_and_Administrators/ Discovering_PA_excellence.html .

PEOPLE: The new director of the Raptor Center is Julia Ponder, former state legislator Steve Kelley has been appointed as a senior fellow at the Humphrey Institute, and more. See http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/people.html .

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CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Funding increases for science research and Pell grants were part of a resolution passed in the U.S. House of Representatives Jan. 31, with six of Minnesota's eight representatives voting yes. President Bush sent his proposed $2.9 trillion budget for fiscal year 2008 to Capitol Hill Feb. 5, so budgets for both fiscal years 2007 and 2008 are now before Congress. Read the U federal relations team's Feb. 7 update on prospects for higher education and the U at http://www.umn.edu/urelate/fedrel .

NEW INTERNET PASSWORD REQUIREMENT: E-mail notifications are being sent to all U accounts about a change to Internet password requirements. Instead of continuing indefinitely, passwords will now expire a year after they are set. The change results from an external security audit of U systems. You will be notified when you need to change your password. More information about Internet passwords and copies of notices are at http://1help.umn.edu/password.html .

UREPORT IS A CONFIDENTIAL reporting service for faculty and staff who are concerned about a possible violation of law or policy and are uncomfortable raising it through normal channels. Reports can be made on the Web or by phone, and follow-up is possible. See http://www.instcomp.umn.edu .

A LIST OF U-WIDE SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH is being updated. To list a program, send its title, description (max. 100 words), age range, sponsoring U unit, and contact information (URL, e-mail, and telephone number) to stok0086@umn.edu by Feb. 23 or as soon as possible. See the 2006 list at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Summer_youth_at_the_U.html .

ENTER U COMMUNICATIONS PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS in the Sixth Annual Maroon & Gold Awards competition, sponsored by the U of M Communicators Forum. Kickoff for more information is Feb. 20; to attend, register by Feb. 16. See http://www.umn.edu/umcf .

REMINDER: OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD NOMINATIONS are due Feb. 28. Awards recognize outstanding faculty, staff, and U-affiliated community members who have devoted time and talent to make substantial, enduring contributions to the public good and the well-being of society. Faculty and staff recipients receive a continuous salary award annually during their employment at the U. See http://www.engagement.umn.edu/awards .

Crookston:

AN ARTICULATION AGREEMENT WITH ROBESON COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Lumberton, N.C., was signed at UMC Jan. 31. Now Robeson students may complete an associate of arts degree in pre-criminal justice at their home institution, along with earning a private pilot's license, and then complete a minimum of two years at UMC to earn a bachelor's degree in law enforcement aviation. See http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story459.html .

"UP FOR DISCUSSION" is a new community book discussion series cosponsored by the U. Topics include energy, agriculture, trade, and sustainability. Thursdays, Feb. 15-March 8. See http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story452.html .

Duluth:

A $3 MILLION GRANT from the National Science Foundation to the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) will support a five-year project, "GK-12: Graduate Fellows in Science and Mathematics Education." It will place 10 graduate students in four Duluth area schools for 10 hours a week. The UMD students will come from three M.S. programs: integrated biological sciences, geological sciences, or applied and computational mathematics. See http://www.d.umn.edu/unirel/homepage/07/mathgrant.html .

THE 16TH ANNUAL SOUL FOOD DINNER will be presented by the Multicultural Center as part of the Black History Month celebration, Feb. 17, 6 p.m., ballroom, Kirby Student Center. Tickets $15 adults, $13 students, and $10 children (5-10); purchase in front of the bookstore through Feb. 16. See http://www.d.umn.edu/mlrc/msc .

THREE MINNESOTA GRAPHIC DESIGN PROFESSIONALS--Tony Litner, Jeff Ruprecht, and Jenna Akre--will hold a panel discussion as part of the Art and Design Lecture Series, sponsored by the Department of Art and Design and the Tweed Museum of Art. Feb. 20, 6 p.m., Tweed Museum. See http://www.d.umn.edu/tma/events.html and http://www.d.umn.edu/art .

Morris:

THE BLACK STUDENT UNION will host Darryl Van Leer, acclaimed one-man show actor, as part of UMM's celebration of Black History Month. Feb. 21, 7 p.m., Edson Auditorium. See http://www.morris.umn.edu/ummnews/View.php?itemID=2416 .

UNITEL COFOUNDER and president Ravi Randhava will speak on "The Role of Biomass in Transportation Fuels," Feb. 26, 7 p.m., Science Auditorium. See http://www.morris.umn.edu/ummnews/View.php?itemID=2469 .

Twin Cities:

"WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE UNIVERSITY?" a symposium on civic engagement and moral education, will address questions such as how academia should nurture students' commitment to improving the world. Sponsored by the MacLaurin Institute, Office for Public Engagement, Office for Student Engagement and Leadership, Program in Human Rights and Health, School of Public Health, and Institute for Diversity, Ethics, and Peace. Feb. 19, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center, UMTC. Read a preview at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Search_for_the_soul_of_the_U.html .

A TWO-YEAR HOUSING INSPECTION INITIATIVE was launched this month by the City of Minneapolis to ensure the safety of people in neighborhoods surrounding the campus. Inspectors will visit rental properties in the Cedar-Riverside, Marcy-Holmes, Prospect Park-East River Road, Southeast Como, and University District neighborhoods. They will look for working smoke detectors and safe electrical systems and make sure properties are not overcrowded. Renters who have questions or concerns about their off-campus rental housing should call the city's inspections division by dialing 311. The U also has resources for students with questions and concerns about off-campus housing. Call University Student Legal Services, 612-624-1001; same-day appointments are available in emergencies. See http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/news_details.php?release=070208_3152&page=UMNN .

WORKSHOPS FOR TENURED ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS: (1) "Promotion to Full Professor: Conceptualizing Your Dossier" will focus on the nuts and bolts of preparing a dossier and is designed for those who intend to pursue promotion to full professor in the next year or so. Feb. 26, 10 a.m.-noon, 401 Walter Library. (2) "Promotion to Full Professor: Long-term Planning for Your Future" will focus on big-picture issues of promotion to full professor and is designed for those planning to pursue promotion to full professor in two or more years. (3) A workshop tailored to the Academic Health Center faculty is being planned for later this spring. To sign up for a workshop, contact Cheryl Johnson at caj@umn.edu or 612-626-9545 a week in advance. Sponsored by the Office of the Senior VP for Academic Affairs and Provost.

HOSTS ARE NEEDED FOR COLLEGE-AGED INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS who will attend an orientation at UMTC-St. Paul, Feb. 19-21, March 26-28, or April 16-18. Hosts are asked to provide room and board as well as transportation to and from the orientation; the orientation schedule works conveniently around work schedules. Provide students with a reassuring welcome and make an international acquaintance without leaving home. To become a Twin City host for MAST International, contact Susan VonBank, svonbank@umn.edu or 612-624-3740, and see http://mast.cfans.umn.edu .

"LAW AND INEQUALITY: THE NEXT 25 YEARS," a Law School symposium, will include sessions on race and class, disability and employment, genetic discrimination, poverty and natural disasters, and international human rights standards. Feb. 16, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 25 Mondale Hall. Free and open to the public; 6.25 CLE credits available. See http://www.law.umn.edu/lawineq/symposium.html .

TIMBERWOLVES OWNER and Taylor Corporation chair Glen Taylor is the next speaker in the Leading for Tomorrow series. Feb. 22, 3M Auditorium, Carlson School of Management, 5 p.m. reception, 5:30 p.m. presentation. Registration requested by Feb. 19. See http://www.carlsonschool.umn.edu/page3296.aspx .

U ALUM, FORMER GOPHER, AND SUPERBOWL CHAMPION COACH Tony Dungy will speak at the U of M Alumni Association annual celebration, May 8. Tickets go on sale Feb. 22. See http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/news_details.php?release=070205_3145&page=UMNN .

GOPHER MEN'S GYMNASTICS: FACULTY-STAFF DISCOUNTS. Cheer on Coach Mike Burns and the men's gymnastics team when they meet Michigan at the Sports Pavilion, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. Show your U card at the ticket window the day of the event and get discount tickets ($3) for you and your guests. You're also invited to a reception after the meet in the pavilion club room, where you can meet the gymnasts and get their autographs. This special offer is available through a joint initiative of U governance and athletics that aims to build campus community. Watch for women's gymnastics (Feb. 24), men's basketball (Feb. 24), baseball (March 24), and softball (April 14).

MORE EVENTS include "Diversify Your Investment Plan" in the Brown-Bag Financial Series for U employees (today); 11th Annual Minnesota Pavement Conference (Feb. 15); visiting artist and Los Angeles Center for Land Use Interpretation founder and director Matthew Coolidge (Feb. 15); "Understanding School Readiness Gaps: SES, Race, and Ethnicity," by Katherine Magnuson, U of Wisconsin, in the 2007 McEvoy Lecture Series (Feb. 16); "Alphabet Soup" national college GLBTA conference (Feb. 16-18); "Armenians and Turkey's Lingering Past," a Nov. 29 discussion between Taner Akcam and Eric Weitz on TPT (Feb. 17); "The Search for Rational Religion in the Early Republic," by Kirsten Fischer, history, American Studies in the 21st Century Colloquium Series (Feb. 19); "In China's Shadow: The Crisis of American Entrepreneurship," by distinguished visiting attorney Reed Hundt (Feb. 20); "Educated Into Irrelevance: How the Humanities Degree Mis-prepares You For Life," by Emory U professor Mark Bauerlein (Feb. 20); and McKnight Summer Fellows Christophe Wall-Romana, Diane Willow, and Matthew Mehaffey (Feb. 21). SEE THESE AND MORE TWIN CITIES CAMPUS EVENTS ONLINE at http://events.tc.umn.edu .

NEWS RELEASES are posted daily at http://www.umn.edu/urelate/newsservice/home.php

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Published by University Relations at the University of Minnesota. Please send comments, questions, or submissions to the editor at brief@umn.edu . All Twin Cities event submissions are handled through the events calendar at http://events.tc.umn.edu .

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