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Vol. XXXVIII No. 26; August 27, 2008
Editor: Adam Overland, brief@umn.edu
Inside This Issue
--New investment option for faculty retirement.
--People: Former dean of Humphrey Institute John Brandl died Aug.
18; and more.
Campus Announcements and Events
University-wide | Crookston |
Duluth | Morris | Rochester | Twin Cities
THE FACULTY RETIREMENT PROGRAM WILL INTRODUCE A NEW INVESTMENT OPTION called "target retirement funds" beginning Sept. 2. Target retirement funds are hybrid funds that gradually and automatically shift to more conservative investments over time as the investor's expected retirement date nears. For more information, call Securian at 651-665-3670 or see faculty retirement plans.
PEOPLE: Former dean of the Humphrey Institute John Brandl died August 18; longtime Regents Professor Vernon Ruttan died Aug. 18; Steven Goldstein has been named the new president and CEO of the University of Minnesota Foundation; new postdoctoral fellows for 2008-09 are Robyn Autry and LaRose Davis, with Patina Mendez continuing through a second year; Louis Mendoza joined the University's Office for Equity and Diversity as associate vice provost; Jackie Millslagle has been appointed associate vice chancellor for academic administration at UMD. Read about these and more awards and appointments in People.
CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
"U PROFILES" IS PART OF A NEW AND OCCASIONAL SERIES THAT BRIEF will publish about the talents and contributions of University of Minnesota employees, both on and off the job. This inaugural profile features Randy Croce, a video producer in the labor education service at Carlson's Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies. For more information, read "Work made visible."
UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS WILL BE WRITING THE BOOK--literally--on pesticide applications to control mold in buildings. The Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education (PSEE) of University of Minnesota Extension has received a $35,000 grant to produce the manual that will be used by professionals in cleaning everything from too-tightly-sealed homes to large-building cooling towers. Many states have expressed interest in adopting the manual upon its completion in 2009. PSEE is a division of System Academic Administration.
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT NAMED UMC a "Best Public College" for the 11th consecutive year. This fall, UMC offers students new options in criminal justice, biofuels and renewable energy technology, and urban forestry. For more information, see the news release.
UMC's GOLDEN EAGLES AND THE NFL are preparing for the second annual NFL Youth Flag Football League starting Sept. 6, Ed Widseth Field. The outreach program is open to those in grades three and four and will be coached by the Golden Eagles team. For more information, see Golden Eagles.
FACULTY AND STAFF AT CROOKSTON focused on a week of preparation and planning Aug. 18-22, before the beginning of fall semester. UMC chancellor Charles Casey addressed the faculty and staff during a luncheon on this year's "momentum" theme for opening week. For more information, see the news release.
UMD's NEW FRESHMAN SUCCESS PROGRAM, "Welcome Week and Bulldog Bash," kicks off its inaugural year Aug. 29. The program is designed to help all freshmen with their transition to the college and the community. The campuswide effort involves more than 100 faculty, 150 staff members, 175 student leaders, and 2,200 freshmen. For a complete schedule of events, see Welcome Week and Bulldog Bash.
UMD's DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING was recently ranked fourth in the nation for best undergraduate chemical engineering programs (public and private) by the recently released U.S. News & World Report issue of "America's Best Colleges." UMD ranked 10th among top Midwest public universities with master's programs and 45th overall among all Midwest universities with master's programs (both public and private). For more information, see the news release.
UMM WAS REPRESENTED AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR Aug. 26 in "The Environment and Great Outdoors" panel by Lowell Rasmussen, vice chancellor for finance and facilities; David Fluegel of the Center for Small Towns; and student Tynell Kocer. Morris will staff a general information booth at the fair on Aug. 29. For more information, see environmental panel.
UMR WILL CELEBRATE MINNESOTA'S SESQUICENTENNIAL, the grand opening of UMR Student Services, and Beautiful U Day on Aug. 28., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Events throughout the day include guided tours of UMR and a ribbon cutting ceremony. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, see the schedule.
MORE THAN 230 FACULTY ARE NEW TO THE TWIN CITIES CAMPUS THIS YEAR. Through three days of orientation, they began to get to know the U and each other. The enhanced orientation program is now in its third year. For more information, read "New Twin Cities faculty get a U welcome."
FIFTEEN THOUSAND MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE Republican National Convention next week. To maximize the U's resources, a helpful Web site was recently launched and sent out to reporters.
A WORKSHOP FOR THE SPOUSES AND PARTNERS OF RECENTLY RELOCATED NEW FACULTY AND STAFF, entitled "Conducting a Job Search in the Twin Cities" will be held Sept. 25, 9-11:30 a.m., 318 Donhowe. RSVP by Sept. 19 to 100 Donhowe. For more information, contact Mary Everley.
THE U WILL OPEN A NEW STATE-OF-THE ART OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH FACILITY along the banks of the Mississippi River. Public tours will be available Sept. 19, 3-5 p.m., St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. For more information, see SAFL.
MORE THAN 1,000 M KEYS WILL BE REPLACED DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT that leads to premature failure. The M Key establishes a user's identity through a two-factor authentication system, increases security, and reduces risk. The defective devices have been identified as those with serial numbers (located on the back) beginning with the letter "E." Anyone who currently has a device that needs to be replaced will receive e-mail notification. For more information, visit M key.
DISABILITY SERVICES WILL GO GREEN WITH INSTRUCTOR ACCOMMODATION LETTERS this fall. The improved process for communicating student accommodations will send individualized letters electronically to students with disabilities. Students will be able to forward these letters to faculty and TAs. For more information, see Disability Services, or call Linda Wolford with questions at 612-624-1403.
ERGONOMIC EVALUATION SCHEDULING through the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS) is changing. DEHS has posted a new self-assessment tool on its Web site designed to help people adjust or self-correct their own workstations. For more information, see the self-assessment tool at Office Ergonomic Guide.
THE RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTER ON COMMUNITY LIVING in the University's Institute on Community Integration has received renewed 5-year, $4.25 million funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, to continue as the designated national center for community living and employment of persons with developmental disabilities. For more information, see the Research Center.
THE UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY TRAINING CENTER offers in-person and online learning opportunities for all University faculty, staff, and students, to help make the most out of technology. For more information, see "Training the University..."
COURSE RESERVES FOR FALL 2008 are offered by University Libraries to help instructors provide course materials, publications, and other information resources to their students. Print and Web-based services are available. For more information, see Reserves, or contact Jerrie Bayer at 612-624-8530.
THE OFFICE FOR UNIVERSITY WOMEN OFFICIALLY CHANGED ITS NAME TO THE WOMEN'S CENTER Aug. 1. Founded in 1960, the Women's Center has a rich history of serving the needs of women faculty, staff, and students at the U. For more information or to request a workshop, visit the Women's Center or e-mail women@umn.edu.
U RENT-A-GURU HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY RELOCATED IN 152 Shepherd Labs. U Rent-A-Guru will continue to offer carry-in computer consultation and support services designed to help customers solve short-term computer problems. E-mail ucs@umn.edu or call 612-624-4800 for more information.
THE U OF M BOOKSTORE WILL CELEBRATE THE FOURTH ANNUAL College Colors Day, Aug. 29. U students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to show their U spirit by wearing maroon and gold and stopping by the Bookstore at Coffman Memorial Union or the St. Paul Student Center to enter to win a $100 gift card.
UNIVERSITY STORES WILL HOST ITS 23rd ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE Sept. 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m, Radisson University Hotel, 615 Washington Ave. Lunch served 11 a.m.-1 p.m. More than 50 vendors and U departments will be showcasing their products and services, available either through University Stores or U-Wide Contracts.
MORE EVENTS include New Student Convocation (Aug. 27); "Washington Week" broadcast from the University of Minnesota (Aug. 29); "to the bind" (Aug. 31); panels on American politics and policy (Sept. 1); luncheon with Germany's ambassador to the USA on "The Future Transatlantic Agenda" (Sept. 3); Field Trip: Birds in the City (Sept. 5); Cafe Scientifique: Tiger Moths, Mimicry, and the Mating Game (Sept 9). SEE THESE AND MORE TWIN CITIES CAMPUS EVENTS.
Published by Internal Communications in the Office of 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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