Home > Brief > Archive > Brief (6-13-2007)

Vol. XXXVII No. 20; June 13, 2007
Editor: Gayla Marty, brief@umn.edu

Editor's note: Brief summer publication dates are June 27, July 11 and 25, and August 8 and 29. The deadline for submissions is noon on the Friday before publication.

Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_6132007.html.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
--Transforming the U: Tuition reform plan unveiled during regents meetings June 7-8.
--Five new regents professors are Frank Bates, Richard Leppert, Elaine Tyler May, Matt McGue, and Peter Reich.
--The U has joined the Google Book Search Project to digitize up to 1 million selected volumes.
--Conference and visiting child care services allow faculty and staff to combine professional and family opportunities.
--Civil Service Committee leadership transition begins.
--People: 2007-08 Fesler-Lampert Chair in Urban and Regional Affairs; new shared conductor for UMTC School of Music and SPCO; inaugural holder of the nation's first academic endowed chair in sexual health; and more.

Campus Announcements and Events
University-wide | Crookston | Duluth | Morris | Twin Cities

TRANSFORMING THE U: A tuition reform plan, unveiled before a review of the proposed 2007-08 budget during the Board of Regents meetings June 7-8, would soften the burden of tuition for students systemwide. Four main components are (1) establishing a 13-credit band at UMC, UMD, and UMM, similar to UMTC's; (2) setting tuition at UMD and UMM lower than at UMTC; (3) reducing nonresident and nonreciprocity tuition rates for undergraduates at UMD and UMTC; and (4) seeking a change in the reciprocity agreement with Wisconsin. A public forum on the budget--including the tuition reform recommendations--will be held today, and final action will be taken at a special meeting of the board June 27. Read more about the plan and highlights of the Board of Regents meetings at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Bruininks_unveils_tuition_reform_plan.html.

FIVE NEW REGENTS PROFESSORS are Frank Bates, chemical engineering and materials science; Richard Leppert, cultural studies and comparative literature; Elaine Tyler May, American studies and history; Matt McGue, psychology; and Peter Reich, forest resources. The appointments, approved by the Board of Regents June 8, bring the number of regents professors to 25, with the goal of increasing the number to 30 by 2010. Read the news release at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/news_details.php?release=070612_3366&page=NS.

THE U HAS JOINED THE GOOGLE BOOK SEARCH PROJECT, along with 11 other Midwest universities, in a groundbreaking agreement to digitize selected volumes. Among the distinctive U collections that may be included are Scandinavian history, literature, and culture; forestry; bees and beekeeping; and the history of medicine. The contract is for six years with the option to renew; by digitizing up to 1 million U volumes, the value to the U could reach $60 million. Other participants include Harvard, Oxford, and Stanford universities. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/U_joins_the_Google_Book_Search_Project.html.

CONFERENCE AND VISITING CHILD CARE SERVICES IN THE TWIN CITIES AND BEYOND: Now faculty and staff visiting UMTC, and UMTC faculty and staff attending conferences or overnight meetings across the United States or in the U.K., can find child care that allows them to take the kids along. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/Office_of_Human_Resources/Bring_the_kids.html.

CIVIL SERVICE COMMITTEE leadership transition for 2007-08 has begun with Cathy Marquardt, chair; Susan Cable, vice chair; and Karen Lovro, treasurer. Read a report from the outgoing chair, Peg Wolff, at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/Civil_Service_Committee/A_new_year_begins.html.

PEOPLE: The 2007-08 Fesler-Lampert Chair in Urban and Regional Affairs is professor of restoration ecology Susan Galatowitsch; Mark Russell Smith has been named to a new, shared position as conductor for the UMTC School of Music and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; the inaugural holder of the world's first academic endowed chair in sexual health is Eli Coleman, director of the Program in Human Sexuality. 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:

NEW CHINA CENTER DIRECTOR, beginning July 1, will be Yongwei Zhang, currently professor of geography, assistant VP for research and economic development, director of international programs and affairs, and director of university programs in Asia at Missouri State University. See http://www.chinacenter.umn.edu/news/zhang_announce.html.

THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN MINNESOTA will be the subject of the Minnesota Affordable Housing Symposium for architects, builders, designers, planners, realtors, human service providers, housing providers, policy makers, researchers, and concerned citizens. June 19-20, Continuing Education and Conference Center, UMTC. Sponsored by the College of Design. See http://www.cdes.umn.edu/ce/conferences or call 612-626-9068.

SUMMER INSTITUTE IN ADOLESCENT HEALTH, "Engaging Youth: Working Together With Parents and Families," is designed to share secrets for success from schools, clinics, and youth programs in urban and rural communities, workplaces, and more. July 30-Aug. 1. Registration deadline: July 16. Conference Center B, Minnesota Department of Education, Roseville. Sponsored by the School of Nursing's Center for Adolescent Nursing and several cosponsors. See http://cpheo.sph.umn.edu/institute/adolescenthealth.

THE UNIVERSITY NORTHSIDE PARTNERSHIP and U-wide involvement in the local foods movement are two features in the summer issue of M, a quarterly publication for more than 400,000 U alumni, friends, faculty, and staff. See "An urban agenda for the 21st century" and "Eating close to home" on the story list at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/M_magazine.html.

THE SPRING/SUMMER ISSUE OF SOURCE, the University of Minnesota Extension magazine, includes information about Minnesota's wine tourism trails, reaching out to military kids, the new zone planting map, tips for planting in tough areas, and more. See http://www.extension.umn.edu/source .

GUIDELINES FOR U OF M EXTENSION NAME CHANGE are available online, including a one-page Fast Guide in PDF format. The name of the extension service was changed to University of Minnesota Extension with approval by the regents last December. See http://www.extension.umn.edu/guidelines.

A MAZE GARDEN AND "ART TO A-MAZE" ART WALK will feature a collection of 15 juried outdoor art installations. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen, June 16-Sept. 30. See http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/whtsnw/press%20releases/release2_20_ArtToAMaze.htm.

Crookston:

NEW DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS, beginning in July, will be Kimberly Gillette, currently at Minnesota State U, Moorhead. See http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story538.html.

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENTS FOR ATHLETICS FUND-RAISING begin June 14. Everyone is welcome. See http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story541.html.

UMC WILL HOST THE WEST POLK COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE, a fund-raiser for cancer research and survivors, June 15, 6 p.m., through the night until June 16, 6 a.m. See http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story544.html.

Duluth:

THE 2007 RECIPIENT OF THE BIENNIAL AWARD FOR GREAT LAKES SCIENCE, presented by the International Joint Commission (IJC) of Canada and the United States, is Gerald Niemi, director of the Center for Water and the Environment at the UMD Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI). The award recognizes Niemi for his leadership in the Great Lakes Environmental Indicators (GLEI) project and acknowledges him as an outstanding scientist whose research has had a positive influence on environmental quality and the health of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem. See http://www.nrri.umn.edu/default/newsrelease/jniemiaward.htm.

THE 16TH ANNUAL EDUCATORS' INSTITUTE will offer workshops in a concentrated one- or two-day format for teachers of all levels. Many courses satisfy teacher licensure renewal and may be applicable to concentrations in the M.Ed. program at UMD or to degrees at other institutions. Courses are taught by UMD faculty and currently practicing Minnesota educators and are offered on an undergraduate, graduate, or noncredit basis. July 9-20, UMD. Sponsored by UMD Continuing Education and the College of Education and Human Service Professions. Early registration is encouraged. For more information, call Beth Ruark, 218-726-6682, or Marge Erickson, 218-726-6819, or see http://www.d.umn.edu/goto/educatorsinstitute.

Morris:

FINAL APPROVAL FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A BIOMASS PLANT AT UMM was given by the Board of Regents Facilities Committee June 7. The campus expects to heat up to 80 percent of its buildings using the greenhouse-gas-neutral biomass plant, replacing natural gas with local corn stover. Construction will begin in July and is scheduled to be completed in spring 2008. See http://www.morris.umn.edu/ummnews/View.php?itemID=3493.

A COMMITMENT TO REDUCE AND EVENTUALLY ELIMINATE CAMPUS GLOBAL WARMING EMISSIONS, made at a summit of higher education leaders in Washington, D.C., June 12-13, was adopted by more than 250 campus leaders, including Chancellor Johnson. The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment is the first effort by a major sector of society to set climate neutrality as a target. See http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.

Twin Cities:

CAMPUS CONNECTOR RIDER ALERT: The transitway between Oak Street and 23rd Avenue S.E. closed June 4--nearly a month before the previously announced date of July 1. The Campus Connector route now diverts around the stadium construction. Stops have relocated permanently to (1) along the transitway on the north side of the Wildcat Lot and (2) on Oak Street adjacent to Mariucci Arena. See the map at http://www.umn.edu/pts/stadium.htm.

CSBU STAFF-DAY GIFT PICKUP: Civil service and bargaining unit staff who did not pick up their gift June 6 can pick it up with their invitation card or University staff ID card (not a necktag departmental ID) June 18-22, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at one of the following locations: Minneapolis: first floor hallway, Scott Hall, East Bank; St. Paul: 203 Kaufert Labs. You must pick up your gift on the campus where your department is housed. After June 22, e-mail wendy@umn.edu.

THE U CARD OFFICE IS BUSY--FACULTY AND STAFF ARE ASKED TO VISIT ON MONDAYS during the summer, when traffic is slower than other days, or call before stopping by, 612-626-9900. The U Card Office issues more than 7,000 cards to incoming first-year, transfer, and graduate students during orientation programs from June through August. See http://www.umn.edu/ucard/umtc/tcget.html.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE ADA COMSTOCK DISTINGUISHED WOMEN SCHOLARS LECTURE SERIES are being accepted until June 21. The series acknowledges and honors the scholarly accomplishments and leadership of distinguished women faculty. Eligibility is limited to tenured women faculty employed at UMTC for at least five years who have achieved significant accomplishments and honors such as the Distinguished Women Scholar's Award, Regents Professorship, McKnight Distinguished Professorship, and Fulbright Award. For more information about the award and nomination process, see http://www.academic.umn.edu/wfc/ada or contact Karen Zentner Bacig, kbacig@umn.edu or 612-624-5082.

DISCOUNTS AT THE STUDENT UNION INFORMATION DESKS include pre-sale tickets for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at the Great Clips IMAX theater (first show July 10) and to the Pompeii exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota (opens June 27). Coffman Union and St. Paul Student Center, http://www.coffman.umn.edu/info and http://www.spsc.umn.edu/info.

U OF M SHOWBOAT PLAYERS AND THE MINNESOTA CENTENNIAL SHOWBOAT present Sherlock's Last Case, June 15-Aug. 25. See http://showboat.umn.edu/sherlock.html.

MORE EVENTS include the "Women Scientists in Leadership Roles" national conference (June 13-17); "Flashback: Norwegian Landscapes in Retrospect," an exhibit at the Bell Museum (opening reception June 14, continues through Aug. 12); "Beyond Checklists: Developing and Implementing Business Plans for Pandemic Influenza" (June 15); Bike-in at the Bell (June 16); Curiosity Camp: Geology Tour of the Twin Cities (June 18); "After Hours," an exhibit of work by Department of Art staff, and an exhibit of art from the Lost Boys of Sudan (June 19-July 13, public reception June 22); "Interface of Ethnicity and Nationality in a Diverse Society" (June 20); "Remind All the Children," the Third Biennial Givens Children's Literature Symposium (June 21); Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus (June 22-23); Schaefer Prairie, a lecture/demonstration by professor Ed Cushing (June 24); and Rep. Jim Oberstar on transportation (June 25). 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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