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Vol. XXXVII No. 39; Dec. 12, 2007
Editor: Gayla Marty, brief@umn.edu
Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_12122007.html.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
--Assessing U-wide interdisciplinary centers.
--Minding the digital gap between faculty and students.
--People: Pacemaker inventor Earl Bakken will receive an honorary
degree Dec. 13; kinesiology professor Maureen Weiss named 2008
chair of the Science Board of the President's Council on Physical
Fitness and Sports; and more.
Campus Announcements and Events
University-wide | Crookston |
Duluth | Morris | Rochester | Twin Cities
ASSESSING U-WIDE INTERDISCIPLINARY CENTERS: Doug Ernie is the
new, half-time associate dean in the Graduate School charged with
overseeing a process to monitor the growing number of U-wide
interdisciplinary centers in a way that facilitates their continued
development. Ernie, associate professor in the Department of
Electrical and Computer Engineering, brings interdisciplinary
experiences that include helping to build the MAST lab for
international research on earthquake-like forces applied to
large-scale structures, leading the UNITE project that delivers
courses to IT professionals, and working on the Graduate Fellowship
Committee. Read more in "Assessing
interdisciplinary success."
MINDING THE DIGITAL GAP: Technology surveys of faculty and students
conducted biannually at UMTC since 2001 document the true nature of
differences between the two groups. Most faculty members have used
technology in a course, while students are not as sophisticated as
many assume. But the most important theme to emerge is a strong
positive attitude toward educational technology. Read more in
"Mind
the digital generation gap."
PEOPLE: U alumnus Earl Bakken, '48, inventor of the pacemaker and
cofounder of Medtronic, will receive the Medical School's first
honorary doctorate Dec. 13; kinesiology professor Maureen Weiss has
been named 2008 chair of the Science Board of the President's
Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the group that reviews the
President's Challenge physical fitness program; the regents will
recognize McKnight Presidential Chair Gunda Georg, UMTC medicinal
chemistry, and McKnight Presidential Professors Robert Hecky, UMD
biological limnology, and David Wilkins, UMTC American Indian
studies. Read about these and more awards and appointments in
People.
CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
THE BOARD OF REGENTS WILL MEET DEC. 13-14. Agenda items include
updates on graduation rates, undergraduate initiatives, and U
research; reports on the student health survey and employer health
care trends affecting the U; and the state economic forecast. See
the
news release and the December agenda
and docket.
A POTENTIAL POST-EMPLOYMENT HEALTH-CARE SAVINGS PLAN (HCSP) BENEFIT
for civil service staff members is being evaluated by the Civil
Service Committee (CSC) and
Office of Human Resources. The HCSP is a public-employer-sponsored
program administered by the Minnesota State Retirement System that
allows employees to save pre-tax earnings to pay post-employment
medical expenses and health-insurance premiums. The CSC is
sponsoring forums to gather input and feedback. The first forum, on
the feasibility of setting up an HCSP benefit for U civil service
employees, was recorded and can be reviewed. The final forum
will be Dec. 17, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 2-137 Jackson Hall, UMTC,
with Web-viewing capability. See UMConnect or get technical support.
SAVE THE DATE: 2008 LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING. Join other University
supporters and President Bruininks in this annual event. You will
get an insider's preview of the U's 2008 capital bonding request,
generate enthusiasm with other U supporters, and learn how to share
your story in a way that will help the leadership and citizens of
Minnesota realize how the U touches everyone. Enjoy a light dinner
buffet and learn what you can do to support the U. Jan. 23, 5:30-8
p.m., McNamara Alumni Center. Just before the event, the U of
M-Duluth will hold a session specifically for UMD alumni and
friends, 5:15-6:15 p.m. See Support the U or call
612-626-1417.
SMALL GRANTS TO SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH (RCR)
CONTINUING EDUCATION awareness and discussion activities are
offered by the Office of the Vice President for Research. The next
deadline for applications is Jan. 30. See
more details.
CALL FOR STATEWIDE NOMINATIONS: 2008 HUMPHREY PUBLIC LEADERSHIP
AWARDS. The Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs gives four
publicly nominated awards each year--to two emerging or established
outstanding leaders, one Humphrey Institute individual or entity,
and one woman leader under 35--to recognize significant
contributions to the common good through public leadership or
service. Special consideration is given to those who have bridged
traditional divides such as party lines or geopolitical boundaries.
Nominees need not be from Minnesota. Deadline for nominations: Feb.
15. See the
news release.
MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM TRAILS ARE OPEN. They include 8.5
miles of cross-country ski trails and 1.25 miles of snowshoe
trails. Open daily, 8 a.m.-sunset. See more information.
THE UMC EMPLOYER RESEARCH TEAM conducted its second biannual
employer focus group and survey this fall to solicit employer
attitudinal and assessment data about UMC graduates. The data is
used to improve the student academic experience so graduates will
be prepared to enter the job market and pursue successful careers.
Regional employers, faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders
are members of UMC's Program Improvement and Advisory Committee.
Read more.
CONSTRUCTION OF A 76 X 180-FOOT CAMPUS ICE RINK began in November,
with plans to open after classes begin in January. The rink will
include benches, extra lighting, music, and eventually a warming
shed. Donations of ice skates of all styles and sizes are welcome.
Contributing to the effort have been associate vice chancellor
Peter Phaiah, Facilities Management, students in ag systems
management, and the Eagles hockey team. For more information,
contact Phaiah at phaiah@umn.edu or Lisa Samuelson at
samue026@umn.edu.
CORN COLLEGE involves in-depth, hands-on workshops designed for
corn producers featuring top extension and research specialists
from the U of M and North Dakota State U. Dec. 19, UMC, and Dec.
20, Minnesota State University in Moorhead. See Corn
College.
WINTER JAZZ CONCERT will include UMD Jazz Ensemble I, directed
by Ryan Frane, and UMD Jazz Ensemble II, directed by Scott Belck.
Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m., Weber Music Hall. Tickets $6 adults, $5
seniors, $3 students. See the Department of Music.
"UMD COACHES RADIO LUNCH," a live show with UMD hockey coach Scott
Sandelin, features UMD and opposing coaches talking about
game-of-the-week strategies, a ticket giveaway, door prizes, and an
all-you-can-eat buffet. Dec. 14, 11:30 a.m., Grandma's Sports
Garden. See the Bulldog Club.
HOLIDAY BRUNCHES AND TOURS OF GLENSHEEN HISTORIC CONGDON ESTATE are
offered every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday in December. See the
calendar.
UMD'S EMERGENCY TEXT-MESSAGING SYSTEM was tested successfully Dec.
4 when the campus closed early due to weather. Read more in
"Getting the
word out."
SIX SYMPHONIC WINDS STUDENT MUSICIANS were selected for the 2008
Intercollegiate Honor Band, hosted by the College Band Directors
National Association: Sara Friedrichs (alto saxophone), Jessica
Henry (French horn), James Jarvie (trumpet), Brian Kotila
(euphonium), Lisa Musielewicz (trumpet), and Joshua Nyquist (tuba).
They will represent UMM in a performance at the Minnesota Music
Educators Association Midwinter Clinic capstone event, Feb. 15,
Minneapolis Convention Center. See UMM Symphonic
Winds.
FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR JAMBOREE, Dec. 6, featured a variety of
presentations in posters, plays, games, displays, and performances
that showcased students' semester experience. Read more.
ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER OF THE ROCHESTER AREA MATH AND SCIENCE
PARTNERSHIP (RAMSP), in which Outstanding Educator awards were
presented to three area instructors, featured a keynote, "Math
Matters in Biology," by UMTC College of Biological Sciences
professor Claudia Neuhauser. RAMSP includes the area's 13 school
districts, higher education providers, Mayo Clinic, and IBM, and
prepares teachers to offer cutting-edge education in math, science,
and computers so students can meet the challenges of the 21st
century. The event was held Dec. 11 at the Plummer House.
A RECEPTION FOR PARENTS OF ROCHESTER AREA YOUTH in the U of M
Talented Youth Math Program (UMTYMP) was held Dec. 6. About 35 math
students, 10-14 years old, are active in the program that focuses
on algebra, geometry, and calculus. See UMTYMP.
COACHE SURVEY REPORT: In results published last week, UMTC was
named among top institutions in two categories--overall
effectiveness of policies and global satisfaction--of the
Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE)
study at Harvard. COACHE surveyed junior, tenure-track faculty at
institutions across the country, asking them 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 findings were reported
Dec. 5 in Inside Higher Education. See the story and
COACHE; see
also the survey and PowerPoint presentation given at UMTC at
Faculty
Development. For more information, contact vice provost Arlene
Carney at carne005@umn.edu.
THE OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS SEEKS A U STAFF MEMBER TO SERVE ON
THE STUDENT SERVICES FEES COMMITTEE. The committee reviews
applications and hears presentations from student groups who seek a
portion of the student services fee and makes recommendations for
the 2008-09 fee. Time commitment begins in February and continues
through the end of March; among the dates are two Saturday meetings
(Feb. 2, 7) and two late-afternoon meetings (Feb. 13, March 26). If
you have questions or are interested in serving, contact Amelious
Whyte, chief of staff, Office for Student Affairs, at awhyte@umn.edu or 612-624-2678.
ADVISE ALL NEW AND TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ARRIVING for
spring semester 2008 to visit International Student and Scholar
Services (ISSS) to complete federal requirements. New students are
allowed to arrive no more than 30 days before the start of the
semester, though many transfer students may not be required to
leave the United States and will arrive earlier. For more
information, see ISSS.
STADIUM CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: The last of 2,200 steel pilings was
driven into the ground Dec. 7; next, concrete beams will be set and
a slab poured to complete the foundation. Above-ground construction
will begin in January. Roadway configuration around the site was
completed this fall. The project, scheduled to open for the 2009
football season, is on time and on budget. See the stadium.
DISCOUNT TICKETS for the Pompeii exhibit at the Science Museum of
Minnesota, the Minnesota Zoo IMAX theater, Spirit Mountain, and
more are available at the student unions. See discount
tickets.
MORE EVENTS include a showcase of student design ideas for the Ford
assembly plant (Dec.
12); "Definition and Ideology in the New Rhetoric: I. A.
Richards, Richard Weaver, and Current Research on Definition," a
talk by David Beard, UMD (Dec.
13); "Promoting Critical Thinking in the Classroom" (Dec.
14); Graduate School commencement (Dec.
14); and "Re-Greening Cities" in Café Scientifique
(Dec.
18). SEE THESE AND MORE TWIN CITIES CAMPUS EVENTS.
Published by University Relations at the University of Minnesota. Please send comments, questions, or submissions to the editor at brief@umn.edu. The deadline for submissions is noon on the Friday before publication. All Twin Cities event submissions are handled through the events calendar at http://events.tc.umn.edu.
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