Vol. XXXVIII No. 2; Jan. 16, 2008
Interim editor: Pauline Oo, brief@umn.edu

Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_01162008.html.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
--Civil Service staff may get help paying for retirement health care costs.
--UPlan Fitness Rewards program includes gym membership savings
--People: U researcher first woman to chair American Chemical Society's chemical toxicology division; dentistry school dean emeritus dead; and more.

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

CIVIL SERVICE COMMITTEE (CSC) CONSIDERS HEALTH CARE SAVINGS PLAN: A year ago, civil service staff member Kathy Soupir attended a retirement seminar sponsored by the Office of Human Resources (OHR). One of the topics that caught her attention was how to pay for retirement health care costs. She learned that the Teamsters union contract had a new benefit called the Health Care Savings Plan. Now the CSC and OHR are considering a similar plan for civil service employees with more than 10 years of service and 200 hours of accrued vacation time. Read more in "A proposal for postemployment health care costs."

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH IN 2008: The Employee Wellness Program can help you stay motivated to achieve your fitness and nutrition goals. Under the new UPlan Fitness Rewards program, an employee who exercises eight times a month at a participating fitness center can receive a membership dues reimbursement of up to $20 per month. And, for the third consecutive year, UPlan members who complete or repeat the online UPlan Wellness Assessment can earn UPlan Wellness Rewards for their participation in Health Connections. Read more in "Here's to your health in 2008."

PEOPLE: Cancer Center researcher Lisa Peterson is the first woman named chair-elect of the American Chemical Society's Division of Chemical Toxicology; dean emeritus Erwin Schaffer died Dec. 25--he was 85 and had served the U and dental profession for more than 60 years; interior design professor Denise Guerin received the 2007 American Society of Interior Designers Distinguished Educator Award. Read about these and more awards and appointments in People.

CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

GOV. PAWLENTY RELEASED HIS BONDING RECOMMENDATIONS Jan. 14, which included $225 million for bridges statewide, $70 million for the Central Corridor light rail line, and $129 million for the U--$40 million for HEAPR and the balance for U-recommended projects (Science Classroom Building, UMD Civil Engineering, UMM Gateway Center, and Folwell Hall), except the Bell Museum. Read President Bruininks's statement and learn more about the U's capital request.

LAST CALL TO REGISTER: LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING AND RECEPTION. Get an insider's preview of the U's 2008 capital bonding request and learn how to share your story to support the U. A light dinner buffet will be served. Jan. 23, 5:30-8 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center. Just before the event, UMD and UMM will hold sessions specifically for their alumni and friends, 5:15-6:15 p.m. Register by Jan. 17; see the Legislative Network or call 612-626-1417. Also register for district meetings for meet-and-greet with legislators. See schedule for meeting dates and locations.

JAN. 11 REPORT BY HUMPHREY INSTITUTE confirms the role redistricting plays in fueling further polarization between political parties. Former Vice President Walter Mondale and former Governor Arne Carlson, advisory board cochairs of the Institute's Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, have proposed the creation of a nonpartisan, independent redistricting commission to redraw the state's district boundaries and oversee the U.S. Census count in Minnesota every decade. Read the Redistricting Reform Report to learn more about the Mondale/Carlson proposal.

U RECEIVES $150,000 FROM XCEL ENERGY for algae-to-biofuels research with Metropolitan Council. The research team is studying specific types of algae consisting of up to 40 percent oil. Extracted oils can be used to produce biodiesel, while the remaining wet biomass can be processed into bio-based products. Funding will support a pilot system to produce algae for the development and improvement of harvest, extraction, and conversion processes, as well as the collection of data necessary for further research and development. The gift comes on the heels of a recent announcement that five U research projects will receive more than $4.5 million from the Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL QUALITY FAIR. Best practices and projects-in-process will be highlighted. Posters this year include how to bring researchers together for collaboration through Speed Dating and how to engage students in the classroom with Click technology. Keynote address by U of Kentucky president Lee Todd, Jr. Chance to win 1 of 45 door prizes and iPhone grand prize. Jan. 31, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center, UMTC. Register by Jan. 24 to reserve a free box lunch.

FREE COMPUTER TRAINING: University Technology Training Center (UTTC) has online, self-paced learning materials to upgrade your computer skills. Topics include Gopher Messaging, Microsoft Office 2007, Moodle, M Key, myU Portal, NetFiles, UMChat, UMCal, and WebVista 4. See UTTC Tutorials.

Crookston:

"POWER OF A DREAM" SERIES KEYNOTE by Max Siegel, Global Operations president for Dale Earnhardt Inc., will be held in celebration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. Free; donations will be accepted to support scholarships through the Black Student Association. Jan. 17, 6 p.m., Kiehle Auditorium. Reception to follow. Read the news release.

SEN. KLOBUCHAR will kick off her northwest Minnesota tour at UMC with a discussion on rural health care. Jan. 15, 7:40-8:30 a.m., Bede Ballroom A. Read the news release.

Duluth:

UMD LAUNCHES ALL-U Ph.D. PROGRAM IN INTEGRATED BIOSCIENCES (IBS) that's set to begin in September 2008. The program will be one of three in the nation, and it will offer a dynamic new integrative approach to the field of biology. Professor and head of biology department Matt Andrews is founding director. The program represents more than six years of planning and the collaboration of 60 scientists and faculty members. Joint administration and teaching by UMD Swenson College of Science and Engineering, Medical School-Duluth, College of Pharmacy-Duluth, UMD Natural Resource Research Institute, UMD Large Lakes Observatory, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Duluth. Read the news release.

BOB NIELSON IS NEW BULLDOGS FOOTBALL HEAD COACH. Nielson will continue to serve as UMD's director of intercollegiate athletics, a position he has held since the 2003-04 season. Before becoming athletic director, Nielson spent five seasons as the Bulldogs football head coach (1999-2003), posting the best winning percentage in school history. Nielson will replace Kyle "Bubba" Schweigert, who coached the football team for the past four years. Read the news release.

Morris:

UMM-SPECIFIC SESSION to be held prior to the annual U Legislative Briefing Jan. 23, 5:15-6:15 p.m., Minnesota Room, McNamara Alumni Center. The session will outline UMM's 2008 Gateway Center Project request. Questions, contact Christine Mahoney at mahoneyc@morris.umn.edu or 320-589-6398. RSVP required by Jan. 17; call Melissa Weber at 320-589-6414.

Artwork from UMM studio art faculty--those who have made contributions to the studio art program over the past 47 years--will be on exhibit Jan. 24-March 14 in the Humanities Fine Arts Gallery. Opening reception Jan. 24, 7-9 p.m.

Twin Cities:

U PORTION OF CENTRAL CORRIDOR LIGHT RAIL. The Met Council will host a public update meeting Jan. 28, 7-9 p.m., Prospect Park United Methodist Church, and a listening session Feb. 6, noon-2 p.m., Shepherd Room, Weisman Art Museum. The U will host its own session Jan. 29, 5-6:30 p.m., 2nd Floor, McNamara Alumni Center.

WANTED: English conversation partners for international graduate students. The Center for Teaching and Learning is looking for individuals who can commit one hour per week for one semester; times are flexible. Training is provided. If interested, contact Caroline Rosen at mrozl001@umn.edu or 612-625-3017.

FACULTY AND STAFF WITH CHILDREN in kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to an open house at Pratt Community School, 66 Malcolm Avenue S.E. (Prospect Park). At 185 students, Pratt is the smallest school in Minneapolis, but it is at or near the top in all standardized tests and has very engaged parent and community involvement. Jan. 26, 9:30-11:30 a.m. See Pratt school or call 612-668-1122.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: PRESIDENT'S STUDENT LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE AWARDS, which recognize accomplishments and contributions made by outstanding student leaders at UMTC. Awards will be presented at a banquet May 5. For more information on the award, e-mail Heather Mead at hmead@umn.edu. Online nominations will be available after Jan. 22 at the Student Unions and Activities Office.

CALL FOR JURAN FELLOWSHIP AWARD PROPOSALS. All U doctoral students may apply. Proposals due March 7. information session will be Jan. 30, 11:30 a.m., 324 Coffman Memorial Union. Food will be served. For more information or to RSVP, contact Meg Preston at 612-624-3225 or pres0139@umn.edu.

SCIENCE TRIVIA EVENT with questions ranging from biology 101 to science fiction and current events; hosted by Bell Museum and Doomtree MC Dessa. Gather a group of up to five friends and compete for gift certificates, Bell memberships, and other prizes. Jan. 16, 8 p.m., Nomad World Pub, Minneapolis. Preregistration is recommended; call 612-624-1897.

"CONSTRUCTION ZONES AND SPRAWL" will feature assistant professor of geography Brenda Kayzar and Tim Peterson, director and curator of Franklin Art Works discussing modernism and urban sprawl issues. The talk will revolve around New York-based artist Nicola Lopez's installation "Construction Zone," which illustrates how technological growth and sprawl are shaping our landscape. Jan. 19, 5:30 p.m. Franklin Art Works, 1021 E. Franklin Ave.

COMMUNITY FORUM: "A Nursing Perspective on Health Care Reform." School of Nursing Grand Rounds and the Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership are bringing together several nurses to share their thoughts on what is true health care reform. Ideas generated at the forum will be shared with political candidates, policy makers, and the public. Jan. 31, 4-6 p.m., Town & Country Club, St. Paul. For more information or to register, see Densford Center.

MORE EVENTS include "Physics Circus" by U's Physics Force (Jan. 17), "Web of Science vs. Google Scholar Smackdown" (Jan. 17); Cafe Scientifique: "Is Minnesota at a Climate Crossroads?" (Jan. 18); feminist blogging with author Jessica Valenti (Jan. 18); "From Every Voice" concert commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Jan. 20); and "The State of Minnesota's Republican Party and Conservative Movement" (Jan. 22). 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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