Return to: U of M Home
Vol. XXXVIII No. 35; November 5, 2008
Editor: Adam Overland, brief@umn.edu
Inside This Issue
--U recognized as a Champion of Sustainability in
Communities.
--Open enrollment is online.
--People: The U Alumni Association honored 18 of the top
volunteers, groups, and events of the past year at a ceremony
during Homecoming Week; and more.
Campus Announcements and Events
University-wide | Crookston |
Duluth | Morris | Rochester | Twin Cities
THE U WAS RECOGNIZED AS A CHAMPION OF SUSTAINABILITY IN COMMUNITIES in the 2009 edition of the College Sustainability Report Card. The University's overall grade rose from a "B" last year to a "B+" this year--the highest grade among Big Ten schools. The U's full-page profile can be found on the GreenReportCard.org Web site. For more information, see the news release.
OPEN ENROLLMENT IS ONLINE. Employees can make changes to their benefit plans through Dec. 1. Elections can be made on the Employee Self-Service Web site. A narrated open enrollment presentation is available online at presentation. Call the Employee Benefits Service Center at 612-624-9090 or 1-800-756-2363 with questions about enrollment.
PEOPLE: The University of Minnesota Alumni Association honored 18 of the top volunteers, groups, and events of the past year at a ceremony during Homecoming Week. Read about these awards and appointments in People.
CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
THE U WILL UNVEIL INTERIOR DESIGN PLANS FOR THE new Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center (UROC) Nov. 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis. The University purchased the Plymouth Avenue building in February 2008 to house its many new and existing north Minneapolis research, outreach, and engagement activities; facilitate collaborations with community, city, and county partners; and make University programs and services more accessible to residents. UROC is a part of the office for System Academic Administration.STUDENT VETERANS APPRECIATION DAY will honor veterans on Nov. 12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Armory, East Bank, UMTC. There will be an opening ceremony, followed by a "meet and greet," and veterans resource fair. Rappelling from the Armory tower will be open to any student, staff, or faculty with valid U card from 10-11 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m. Free chili will be served while supplies last beginning at 11:15 a.m., and a program with keynote speaker and featured guests will begin at noon. All veterans and their family members, faculty, staff, students, and the public are invited.
E3 2008, THE MIDWEST'S PREMIER ENERGY, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE, will take place Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Paul River Centre. Presented by the University of Minnesota, E3 brings together renewable-energy enthusiasts from across the globe. Over 50 presenters will be speaking in 15 different breakout sessions, and the conference also features a poster session showcasing renewable-energy research at the U. Registration is required. Free transportation is provided from the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses. For a list of keynote speakers, presenters, breakout sessions, exhibitors, and more, visit the E3 2008 Web site.
THE CENTER FOR ADULT LEARNING will host a College in the High School (CIHS) workshop, Nov. 6, 3:30-6:30 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Student Center. The workshop is designed to give CIHS instructors the opportunity for discipline-specific interaction with UMC faculty, to promote CIHS instructor networking, and to comply with National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships standards. Over 900 students from 40 regional schools take part in the workshop through UMC.
IN COMMEMORATION OF VETERANS DAY, the Veterans' Support Club, Crookston VFW, and American Legion will host a series of events Nov. 11. A 7:55 a.m. call to colors at the flagpole on the campus mall is followed by the placing of a wreath at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial at the campus entrance. At 9 a.m., in Kiehle Auditorium, a program on the history of Veterans Day features guest speaker Alvin Killough, a Vietnam veteran and assistant professor of psychology. At 11 a.m., local veterans groups hold a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in southeast Crookston, just off Highway 2.
UMD WILL CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF ISLE ROYALE'S "WOLF-MOOSE RESEARCH PROJECT," the world's longest ongoing wildlife research project, with activities celebrating the island's role in biological research, environmental education, and outdoor recreation. "Family Night Assembly" will be held at Hartley Nature Center, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. Fortunate Wilderness, a film by George Desort, will be shown Nov. 6, 7 p.m., Marshall Performing Arts Center. 50 years of Wolf-Moose Research, a presentation by John Vucetich and Rolf Peterson, will take place Nov. 7, 7 p.m., UMD Marshall Performing Arts Center. For more information, see Isle Royale.
NINTH ANNUAL STORY HOUR-FAIRY TALES symphony orchestra concert, featuring music from Grieg's Peer Gynt and Ravel's Mother Goose with guest artists Lise Lunge-Larsen and Elizabeth Nordell, will be performed Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m., Weber Music Hall. Directed by Jean Perrault. Tickets are $8 adults, $7 seniors, $5 children, $3 students. For more information, see Fairy Tales.
"WORKING WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH ASPERGER SYNDROME" WORKSHOP will take place Nov. 11, 1-3 p.m., Library Rotunda. A presentation on Autism Spectrum disorder, presented by nationally known speaker and disability specialist Lisa King, will follow at 7 p.m., Kirby Student Center ballroom. Free and open to the public. For more information, see Asperger and Autism.
THE 2008 ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE UNIONS INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE entitled "Reach FARGO Beyond: The Crossroads of Change" will take place Nov. 6-8, Memorial Union, North Dakota State University. Director of student activities Dave Swenson is chairing the conference planning team. UMM presenters include Swenson, vice chancellor of student affairs Sandy Olson-Loy, assistant vice chancellor of student life Henry Fulda, sustainability coordinator Troy Goodnough, and student Ashley Gaschk. For more information, see Crossroads.
THE GREEN JOBS TASK FORCE has scheduled a public meeting to receive input on how Minnesota can attract new green jobs. Discussions will focus on programs, initiatives, and incentives the state legislature should consider during its 2009 session to help shape the state green jobs action plan. Nov. 7, 1 p.m., Humanities Fine Arts Recital Hall. For more information, see Green Jobs.
A FINE ARTS YOUTUBE FILM FESTIVAL is ongoing from Oct. 27 through Nov. 28. Visitors can view the online festival of original films created by students studying digital arts at UMR at UMR YouTube.
THE 16th ANNUAL KUEHNAST LECTURE will be held Nov. 5, 3 p.m., 335 Borlaug Hall, St. Paul. The lecture will also be available through UM Connect. For more information, see Kuehnast Lecture.
THE DEPARTMENT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN STUDIES will host a youth leadership conference titled "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants" to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the department and the historic Morrill Hall student takeover. The conference includes a panel discussion, inter-generational conversation, peer networking, cultural performances, and more. Nov. 7, theater, Coffman Union. For more information, e-mail Rose Brewer or call 612-624-9305.
NORTHROP DANCE PRESENTS THE ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET. The company, last seen at Northrop over 30 years ago, is critically and popularly acclaimed for its adventurous programming and its artistically versatile, technically astute and youthful dancers. Tickets are $65/52/42/33. Staff and faculty discounts and rush tickets are available. Nov. 8, 8 p.m., Northrop. For more information or for tickets, call 612-624-2345 or see dance.
NICKELODEON UNIVERSE, IN THE MALL OF AMERICA, WILL HOLD A "Party in the Park" on Nov. 9, 5 p.m. The family-friendly event will feature exclusive use of park attractions, rides, music, live entertainment, and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the University Pediatrics Foundation, which supports the U's Children's Hospital, Fairview and the Department of Pediatrics. Adults $80 ($45 is tax-deductible), children $30 (4 to 14 years), kids three and under are free. For more information, see Party in the Park.
THE SECOND IN A FIVE-PART SERIES OF 3M-SPONSORED SEMINARS for graduate students in technology and science programs, entitled "Incorporating and Securing Intellectual Property," will be held Nov. 10, 5-7 p.m. 2-206 Carlson School of Management. To register, e-mail Carlson. For more information, see 3M Seminars.
"GETTING THE GOOD NEWS OUT" workshop will focus on the ways in which the contributions and achievements of U alumni, faculty, and staff can be shared. The workshop will provide information on putting together nominations and publicizing awards such as the honorary degree, the Outstanding Achievement Award, the Award of Distinction, and the Alumni Service Award. Free, but registration is required. Nov. 12, 10-11:30 a.m. Mississippi Room, Coffman Union. For more information and to register, e-mail University Awards and Honors program director Vickie Courtney.
THIS YEAR'S BORCHERT LECTURE WILL FEATURE Michael Goodchild, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and professor of geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Goodchild will deliver the lecture "Geographic Information in the World of Web 2.0," Nov. 19, 2 p.m., theater, Coffman Union. The Geographic Information Science (GIS) Day poster session showcasing GIS-related research with poster presentations by students and faculty will take place from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and from 3:15-4:30 p.m. For more information, see Borchert Lecture/GIS Day.
THE BELL MUSEUM'S "MINNESOTA MINUTE" PROJECT WON AN EMMY AWARD from the National Television Academy's Upper Midwest Chapter in the Community/Public Service Campaign category. The "Minnesota Minute" is a series of one-minute video spots honoring Minnesotans who have worked to protect and restore the natural landscape. For more information and to view the videos, see Minnesota Minute.
MORE EVENTS include "Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think" (Nov. 5); "How Many Words? The History, Theory, and Implications of the So-Called" (Nov. 6); "Caveret" (Nov. 7); They Also Choose Minnesota (Nov. 8); "Blackface: Then and Now," a presentation by Greil Marcus (Nov. 10); Challenges and Perspectives in Music Leadership (Nov 11). 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.
Brief is published by e-mail and on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief.html.
Notice: Brief is the official University of Minnesota staff and faculty weekly news digest, featuring human resource, employee benefit, administrative, legislative, budgetary, event, and other pertinent information. You may choose to unsubscribe from Brief, but please be aware that if you do, you will not receive this up-to-date information, compiled and delivered directly to you, in any other University communications. To unsubscribe, visit http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Subscribe.html.