Home > Brief > Archive > Brief (4-25-2007)

Vol. XXXVII No. 15; April 25, 2007
Editor: Gayla Marty, brief@umn.edu

Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_4252007.html .

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TRANSFORMING THE U: Although student research took center stage on inauguration day April 20, Morris's fifth chancellor, Jacqueline Johnson, stole the show with a lighthearted and inspiring address to the campus and community audience, which included regents and other U dignitaries. "Suddenly, the middle of nowhere has become the middle of everywhere," she said. "As the world turns from expendable sources of energy to renewable ones, the heartland, the prairie in all its beauty, takes on new meaning." Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Johnson_inaugurated_at_UMM.html .

DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARD WINNERS: Twelve faculty members from three U campuses took top honors April 23 for teaching. A closer look at three of them--Maria Damon, Tom Molitor, and Patricia James--gives insight on what makes a great teacher at both the undergraduate and the graduate and professional levels. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Teachers_at_the_top.html .

OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNERS: At the end of a workday, U staff and faculty members such as Brenda Reeves in the Twin Cities and Barbara Elliott in Duluth bring their talents into the community for another shift. This year's five Outstanding Community Service Award winners have made long-lasting changes in centers for youth in trouble and homeless, programs to prepare low-income high school students to take college admission tests, governors' committees, advocacy related to autism, and many more arenas. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/Office_for_Public_Engagement/Energy_givers.html .

PEOPLE: Rep. Steve Sviggum (R, Kenyon) has joined the Humphrey Institute as a senior fellow; UMTC entrepreneurial management junior Erick Boustead has been named the U's first Udall Scholar. Read about these and more U awards and appointments at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/people.html .

CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS NAMED. The Senate and House have both passed versions of the higher education bill, and the Higher Education Finance Conference Committee met for the first time April 23. After reconciling differences in the bills, they will present a bill to the governor for signature. Senate conferees are senators Pappas (DFL, St. Paul, chair), Latz (DFL, St. Louis Park), Michel (R, Edina), Robling (R, Jordan), and Sheran (DFL, Mankato). House conferees are representatives Rukavina (DFL, Virginia, chair), Atkins (DFL, Inver Grove Heights), Brynaert (DFL, Mankato), McFarlane (R, White Bear Lake), and Welti (DFL, Plainview). Support the U's request through the Legislative Network, http://www.supporttheU.umn.edu .

CONFERENCE ON COSTS AND BENEFITS OF RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH (RCR), sponsored by the Office of Research Integrity, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and hosted by the U, will feature experiences of four major research universities that have confronted costs and benefited from RCR programs. May 31-June 1. See http://www.research.umn.edu/events/rcr_conference/about.html , or contact Carol Foth, fothx001@umn.edu or 612-624-1854.

TEL GRANT PROGRAM EXHIBIT: The U community is invited to learn about projects funded by the 2006 Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) Grant Program, sponsored by the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and the Office of Information Technology. Recipients and development team members will present the project outcomes in a public poster session. See a list of recipients and project titles at http://dmc.umn.edu/grants/2006/awards06.shtml . Refreshments will be served. April 27, 1-3 p.m., President's Room, 333 Coffman Union.

A CELEBRATION TO HONOR Jerome "Jerry" Staiger, assistant director for radiation protection in the Department of Environmental Health and Safety and 40-year staff member at the U, upon his retirement. May 4, 3-6 p.m., second-floor atrium, Hasselmo Hall (formerly BSBE). The U-wide community is invited; RSVP requested (but not required) to RPD@umn.edu .

THE U WILL RETURN TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE after UMC faculty voted no last week to provisions impacting them in the most recent contract offer. UMD faculty voted yes to provisions impacting them in the same contract. U administration and the University Education Association (UEA) have been working toward the first three-year contract for UMC faculty members, who unionized in August 2005. More than 20 negotiating sessions have been held to date. For more information about the negotiations, see http://hr.umcrookston.edu/info.htm .

Crookston:

UMC'S DEVELOPMENT OFFICE is working to raise $50,000 in 50 days in support of Golden Eagle athletics. Matching funds will be available for giving during the 50-day campaign. See http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story517.html .

FIFTEEN STUDENTS FROM TAIWAN'S Nan Kai Institute of Technology (NKIT) are visiting UMC April 23-May 5, to be joined next week by NKIT president Kuo-Ming Wang. The students are enrolled in two-year programs in mechanical engineering and business English and have the potential to transfer credits for enrollment at UMC. See http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story515.html .

FAREWELL GATHERING for associate vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management Pamela Holsinger-Fuchs will be April 26, 4-6 p.m., Bede Ballroom. See http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story512.html .

Duluth:

A RECEPTION TO HONOR vice chancellor for academic support and student life Bruce Gildseth will be held today, 2-4 p.m., Griggs Center. Gildseth is retiring after 30 years of service, a period when enrollment has grown from 6,500 to 11,200 students. He has led UMD's work with the Minnesota Council for Quality for a decade, earning its Minnesota Gold Award. For the next academic year, he will serve on a special assignment in the chancellor's office to continue leading the campus retention initiative. See http://www.d.umn.edu/news/2007/April/04.html .

LATIN AMERICAN AWARENESS EVENT will include keynote speaker Marjorie Agosin, an award-winning poet and human rights activist. Today, 7 p.m., ballroom, Kirby Student Center. See http://www.d.umn.edu/mlrc/hlc/html/events.html .

"PRIVILEGE, POWER, AND DIFFERENCE," a keynote speech by Allan Johnson, is next in the Social Justice Film Series. April 26 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Rafters, Kirby Student Center. See http://www.d.umn.edu/umdoeo/diversity/upcoming.html .

VIDEO+ANIMATION+GAMES SYMPOSIUM, held by the Visualization and Digital Imaging Lab, will showcase technologies and feature demonstrations, hands-on video production, and presentations by industry professionals. April 27, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., ballroom, Kirby Student Center. See http://www.d.umn.edu/vdil/news .

Morris:

NEARLY 175 YEARS OF COMBINED SERVICE and dedication to UMM will be recognized during the annual Faculty and Staff Recognition Dinner, when five longtime staff and faculty members mark their retirement at the end of this academic year: Llea Anderson, vending supervisor; Gordon Harstad, building and groundsworker; Jooinn Lee, professor and chair, Division of the Social Sciences; Joan Reicosky, instructor of accounting; and Dennis Templeman, associate professor of anthropology. April 26. See http://www.morris.umn.edu/ummnews/View.php?itemID=2982 .

Rochester:

CONVERSATION ON ENERGY will draw several hundred local leaders from business, industry, renewable energy, environment, and conservation to talk about how Minnesota and the nation will meet growing energy needs. Sponsored by the U and ConocoPhillips. April 26, 6:30 p.m., Radisson Plaza Hotel, 150 S. Broadway. See http://www.ur.umn.edu/uns/36454 .

UMR RECEIVED THE COMMITMENT AWARD at United Way's 2007 Celebration of Caring and Sharing this month. UMR's participation rate was 78 percent, with an average gift of $344. See http://www.uwolmsted.org .

Twin Cities:

EMERGENCY RESPONSE: Information about UMTC's safety, security, and emergency preparedness resources is online at http://www.safety.umn.edu . Also, in light of events last week, faculty and staff are urged to become familiar with the free, confidential counseling resources available on campus. Read more at http://www.mentalhealth.umn.edu .

THREE PUBLIC FORUMS ON THE TWIN CITIES CAMPUS MASTER PLAN--last published in 1996--will be part of the first phase in a process to update the plan. Members of the campus and campus-area community are invited to participate in identifying key issues and questions that should be addressed. Today, 3-4:30 p.m, 33 McNeal Hall, St. Paul; April 30, 1-2:30 p.m., Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center; May 1, 10-11:30 a.m., Mayo Auditorium.

HIGHLIGHTS OF UMTC PARTICIPATION IN A STUDY OF JUNIOR FACULTY will be presented in the second of two programs by Arlene Carney, vice provost for faculty and academic affairs. The Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) at Harvard University asked junior, tenure-track faculty at institutions across the country to assess their experiences regarding promotion and tenure, the nature of their work, policies and practices, and the general climate, culture, and level of collegiality on their campuses. The U's participation is part of ongoing strategic positioning efforts to address recommendations in the May 2006 task force report on faculty culture. May 7, 1-2 p.m., 2-215 Carlson School of Management. (Note date change.) Sign up by contacting Cheryl Johnson, caj@umn.edu .

NOMINATIONS FOR 2007 COLLEGE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION (CCE) Distinguished Teaching Awards are due May 14. The annual $2,000 honorarium recognizes outstanding teaching and/or academic leadership through CCE. Request nomination materials at 612-625-0238. For specific information about award criteria or the nomination process, contact Kay Cooper, kcooper@cce.umn.edu or 612-625-1206.

HUBERT H. HUMPHREY PUBLIC LEADERSHIP AWARDS for 2007 will honor former ambassador to NATO and Humphrey Institute dean Harlan Cleveland, civil rights leader and former U regent Josie Johnson, Sit Investment Associates chair and Minnesotans' Military Appreciation Fund cofounder Eugene Sit, and former Missouri senator and ambassador to the U.N. John Danforth. Dinner and program May 16. See http://www.hhh.umn.edu/news/headlines/headlines2007/danforth.html .

A CELEBRATION OF MULTICULTURAL GRADUATES will kick off the UMTC commencement season April 28, 1-3 p.m., Ted Mann Concert Hall. See http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/news_details.php?release=070423_3298&page=NS .

"PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS FOR HUMAN RESOURCES: Designing and Implementing Effective Policies," a CIDRAP Business Source interactive Web seminar, will cover planning issues including policy development, employee communications, and tabletop exercises. Speakers are leading experts in the fields of infectious diseases/public health, human resources, and labor and employment law. Free for U staff, faculty, and students. April 27, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 5-125 Moos Tower. For details, see https://events.tc.umn.edu/event.pl?oid=401400 or contact palensky@umn.edu .

"THE TWO FACES OF PANDEMIC RISK COMMUNICATION: Alerting People Now and Helping Them Cope When It Happens" wlll feature risk communication consultant Peter Sandman. May 8, 7-9 p.m., Mississippi Room, Coffman Union. Free, but register by May 1. See http://cpheo.sph.umn.edu/cpheo/events/sandman/home.html .

"DESIGN AND ITS PUBLICS: CURATORS, CRITICS, AND HISTORIANS," an international conference hosted by the U, will include 14 of the most celebrated design thinkers from the United States and Europe. April 27-28. See http://www.design.umn.edu/go/project/DAIP07 .

NEW CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE LEADERSHIP, an initiative to develop leadership models for complex global leadership across sectors, will be launched with "The Age of Integrative Leadership: A Conversation With David Gergen and Bill George." May 3, noon-1:30 p.m., Ted Mann Concert Hall. Register by April 30. See http://www.carlsonschool.umn.edu/cil or call 612-624-8913.

SAVE THE DATE: NINTH ANNUAL CSBU STAFF DAY for civil service and bargaining unit employees will be June 6, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., front plaza, Coffman Union, Minneapolis; and south area (Carter and Eckles avenues), St. Paul. Evening event 6:30-8 p.m. at the Coffman location. Lunch, gifts, music, and information tables. You must bring an invitation to pick up a gift and enter the raffle. Watch for more information in Brief in mid-May.

INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY EVENTS this week include "Story and Psyche," with memoirists Carlos Eire, Alice Kaplan, and Andre Aciman in the series, "Who's Got the Story? Memoir as History/History as Memoir" (readings today, panel discussion April 26); 10th anniversary celebration of Voices From the Gaps, a Web-based transnational academic community (April 26); Still Present Pasts: Korean Americans and the Forgotten War exhibit (through June 3) and events including a birthmother panel (April 28); and many more. See http://www.ias.umn.edu/calendar.php?view_month=4_2007 and http://mnstillpresentpasts.org .

MORE EVENTS include former Ecolab CEO Allan Schuman in the Leading for Tomorrow series (April 26); a roundtable on "Human Rights, the Burden of Disease, and International Tobacco Control" (April 27); Mark Seeley on "Minnesota's Weather History: Stats, Stories, and Future Scenarios" in the SCImagine! series (April 27); MFA exhibitions at the Nash Gallery (reception April 27, show through May 17); The Arabian Nights (through April 28); Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956-1966 (closes April 29); Center for Lung Science and Health's special scientific program (April 30); "Biofuels: Economic Prospects and Environmental Implications" symposium (May 1); and "Paying for Minnesota Roads and Transit," the 18th annual Transportation Research Conference (May 1-2). SEE THESE AND MORE TWIN CITIES CAMPUS EVENTS ONLINE at http://events.tc.umn.edu. .

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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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