Home > Brief > Archive > Brief (3-28-2007)

Vol. XXXVII No. 11; March 28, 2007
Editor: Gayla Marty, brief@umn.edu

Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_3282007.html .

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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TRANSFORMING THE U: President Bruininks emphasizes the importance of institutionalizing change and engaging in a sustained commitment to excellence as the U strives toward top-three status. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Concerted_effort.html .

A TWO-WAY STREET FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE: Workshops on children's mental health--held at UMTC and delivered by ITV and the Internet to 35 sites statewide--are generating interest that is growing faster than the planners dreamed. The March 29 workshop on attachment theory is expected to draw more than 1,000 researchers, clinicians, parents, and other health professionals. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/Office_for_Public_Engagement/Two_way_street.html .

CAPA CELEBRATES: Who are academic professionals and administrators--also known as P&As--and what do they do? Read six very short profiles by Pam Stenhjem, professional development and recognition representative on the Council of Academic Professionals and Administrators (CAPA). Also, P&A staff are invited to CAPA's annual event in their honor, April 20, noon-2 p.m., UMTC; register by April 11 to assist the planners. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/Council_of_Academic_Professionals_and_Administrators/ Highlighting_PA_workforce.html .

PEOPLE: The U's inaugural class of postdoctoral fellows is Zenzele Isoke, Patina Mendez, and Ludwin Molina; new UMTC basketball coach is Orlando "Tubby" Smith; seven faculty and staff members' projects have been named for grants from the President's Initiative on Children, Youth, and Families; new AHC Center for Interprofessional Education director is Gwen Wagstrom Halaas. Read about these and more U appointments and awards at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/people.html .

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CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

ROCHESTER CAMPUS CHANCELLOR SEARCH COMMITTEE is now soliciting applications and nominations. Committee chair and VP for research Tim Mulcahy urges members of the U community to nominate candidates. Applications and nominations will be reviewed beginning April 13 and accepted until position is filled. Submit nominations and application materials electronically to UMRChancellor@academic-search.com . For details about preferred and required qualifications and UMR, see http://www.r.umn.edu and the external search firm Web site, http://www.academic-search.com .

STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: The higher education bill has passed on the Senate floor and continues to work its way through House committees this week. Both the House and Senate are likely to vote on the capital bonding bill by the end of this week. Support the U's request through the Legislative Network, http://www.supporttheU.umn.edu .

EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR "KEEPING OUR FACULTIES IV: Recruiting, Retaining, and Advancing Faculty of Color" is March 29. Join an estimated 400 professors, administrators, human resources professionals, and students at this national symposium, April 12-14, UMTC. One-day registration is also available. See http://www.cce.umn.edu/conferences/kof .

FACULTY INTERESTED IN EXPLORING ADMINISTRATIVE CAREERS are invited to attend the second of two presentations to explore the experiences, challenges, rewards, and career paths of faculty now in U administrative roles; this session will focus on women. April 4, 3-5 p.m., 401 Walter Library, UMTC. To sign up, contact Cheryl Johnson, caj@umn.edu , Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE U-WIDE ADT CONFERENCE ON TEACHING AND LEARNING AND THE DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARD CEREMONY, APRIL 23, McNamara Alumni Center, UMTC. The conference topic is "Enhancing Student Learning: Conversations About Research and Practice," sponsored by the Academy of Distinguished Teachers; see the day-long program at http://www.adt.umn.edu/conference07 . The ceremony will follow, 3:30-6 p.m.; see http://www.alumni.umn.edu/distinguishedteaching.html . Both events are free, but registration is required.

MORE THAN 75 STAFF MEMBERS FROM 12 DEPARTMENTS volunteered to help families completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the second annual Minnesota College Goal Sunday last month. The project assists low-income students and those without a college-going tradition. Read more in the March issue of The Record at http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Services/News_Events_and_Activities/Record.html .

THE U'S INITIATIVE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT (IREE) is now part of the Institute on the Environment. See http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/news_details.php?release=070320_3217&page=UMNN .

SPLIT ROCK ARTS PROGRAM, with weeklong and weekend workshops at UMTC and the U's Cloquet Forestry Center, will feature 39 options in three disciplines, June 17-Aug. 3. See http://www.cce.umn.edu/splitrockarts .

Crookston:

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER FOR THE CLASS OF 2007 will be the Hon. Russell Anderson, chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, May 5, 2 p.m., Lysaker Gymnasium. See http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story491.html .

BUSINESS ACTIVITIES DAY will draw area high school students to campus for 10 business-related contests. Today, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. See http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story487.html .

Duluth:

NEW DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR FRESHWATER RESEARCH AND POLICY is Randall Hicks, professor and head, Department of Biology. Hicks is an environmental microbiologist whose current research focuses on the Great Lakes and northern Minnesota watersheds. See http://www.d.umn.edu/news/2007/March/06.html .

THE BULLDOG WOMEN'S HOCKEY TEAM took second place in the national championship March 18, losing to the U of Wisconsin-Madison. See http://www.umdbulldogs.com/womens/hockey/index.php?sect_rank=3&story_id=3191 .

"MAKING WHITENESS VISIBLE," a film by Shakti Butler, will be screened as part of the Social Justice Film Series, sponsored by UMD's delegation to the Seventh Annual White Privilege Conference, Black Student Association, Instructional Development Services, and Diversity Commission. March 29, 11:30 a.m., Rafters, Kirby Student Center. See http://www.d.umn.edu/umdoeo/diversity/upcoming.html .

"FEMINISM, PRIVILEGE, AND THE POLITICS OF ACCOUNTABILITY," a keynote speech for Women's History Month, will be presented by women's studies professor and author Ann Russo. March 29, 7 p.m., 200 Chemistry. A reception will follow. See http://www.d.umn.edu/news/2007/March/14-A.html .

TECHFEST 2007 will feature 25 booths with faculty, staff, and students demonstrating the latest in technology and learning and teaching trends at UMD. Refreshments and door prizes. March 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., ballroom, Kirby Student Center. See http://www.d.umn.edu/news/2007/March/16.html .

Morris:

HIGH SCHOOL, UMM, AND ALUMNI MUSICIANS will perform at the 29th annual Jazz Fest, March 29-31. See http://www.morris.umn.edu/ummnews/View.php?itemID=2546 . Call 320-589-6080 for tickets.

THE FIFTH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ON SMALL TOWNS will focus on opportunities for collaboration between learning institutions and community revitalization initiatives. June 5-6. See http://www.morris.umn.edu/services/cst/symposium/2007 .

Twin Cities:

SUPPORT THE U DAY AT THE CAPITOL IS TODAY. There's still time to join hundreds of U supporters including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and volunteers from across the state. Noon rally in the rotunda; 12:45 p.m. lunch in the Great Hall. Catch a bus to the Capitol on the south side of Coffman Union or at the St. Paul Student Center. See http://www.supporttheU.umn.edu .

UMTC MAINTAINED ITS STANDING among U.S. public research universities in the 2006 report, published last week, of the Center for Measuring University Performance, at Arizona State U (formerly located at the U of Florida). UMTC ranked in the top tier in eight of the nine measures, which relied on 2004 and 2005 data and thus do not reflect strategic positioning efforts over the past two years. See http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/news_details.php?release=070320_3216&page=UMNN .

TWO MAJOR GRANTS were announced March 19. With $6 million over five years from the U.S. Department of Defense, UMTC will lead a six-university effort to use biology to advance quantum physics and electronics. Nearly $1 million over three years from the Bush Foundation will support the Writing Enriched Curriculum, part of the Baccalaureate Writing Initiative. See http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/news_details.php?release=070319_3208&page=UMNN (biology) and http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/news_details.php?release=070319_3212&page=UMNN (writing).

A CELEBRATION OF TEACHING AND LEARNING will feature Stephen Brookfield, Distinguished University Professor, U of St. Thomas, an international expert on teaching, critical thinking, discussion methods, and adult education. Other activities will include the UMTC campuswide Teaching and Learning Poster Fair and an interactive theater presentation on mentoring teaching assistants. April 16, 12:30-3 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center. Sponsored by the Bush Foundation with support from the Center for Teaching and Learning. Register at http://www.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/celebration .

CONSTRUCTION FOR THE EAST GATEWAY DISTRICT began March 25 with road work on University Avenue between Oak Street and Huron Boulevard. The Hawkeye Lot will close May 15, and the Huron Boulevard parking complex will close July 1. See http://www.umn.edu/pts/stadium.htm .

A NEW JAVA CITY ECOGROUNDS COFFEE VENUE opened in the Hay Loft Cafè, part of the College of Veterinary Medicine's Ben Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center, the renovated dairy barn at 1964 Fitch Av., St. Paul. See http://www.umn.edu/dining and http://www.cvm.umn.edu/about/facilitieslibrarymuseum/pomeroycenter/History.html .

THE FIFTH ANNUAL RACE FOR JUSTICE 5K fun run and walk, organized by the Law School, will be held April 15, starting at Nicollet Island. Race-day registrations welcome. See http://www.law.umn.edu/current/raceforjustice_2007.html .

A CONFERENCE ON "MANAGING INCIDENTAL FINDINGS IN HUMAN SUBJECTS RESEARCH: From Imaging to Genomics" will present recommendations from a National Institutes of Health-funded project to develop standards. Many national experts will speak. May 1, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center. Advance registration is strongly encouraged. See http://www.lifesci.consortium.umn.edu/conferences/incidentalfindings.php .

McKNIGHT SUMMER FELLOWS will talk about their research: origins of the Lebanese national idea, 1840-1920 (Carol Hakim); the "wayward press," the public sphere, and a theory of press criticism (Kathy Roberts Forde); and migration, tourism, and the reconfiguration of Maya life in modern Mexico (M. Bianet Castellanos). Today, 4-5:30 p.m., 140 Nolte Center.

PLANT SALE, sponsored by the College of Biological Sciences Greenhouse and Plant Biology Phytograds, will be April 4-5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Paul Student Center.

MORE EVENTS include "Countdown to Apartheid in Israel/Palestine," with human rights activist Jeff Halper (today); "Time and Language" by Anatoly Liberman (March 29); Betrayal of Democracy: Ethiopia screening (March 29); public reception for MFA exhibition at the Nash Gallery (March 30); You Suck: A Love Story author Christopher Moore (March 30); 11th Annual Symposium in Romance Studies (March 31); "Beyond Marriage: Building New Alliances Around the Politics of Sexuality" (March 31); fourth annual free 7 Days spring concert (April 1); Sen. Amy Klobuchar in the first in a series of public forums on "Connecting With Government" (April 2); W. E. Petersen Symposium, "Cross-breeding of Dairy Cattle" (April 2); "Dying When You're Rich, Dying When You're Poor," by Carlos Gomez, M.D., U of Virginia, in a School of Nursing annual lecture (April 3, registration requested by March 30); and "A River Runs Through All of Us" a symposium inspired by the Mississippi (April 4). (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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