Vol. XXXVIII No. 19; May 21, 2008
Editor: Adam Overland, brief@umn.edu

Read Brief on the Web at www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_05212008.html.

Brief publication calendar
Beginning today, Brief will be published every other week, according to the summer schedule. The weekly schedule returns September 10.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
--Board approves Retirement Incentive Option.
--State legislature and Pawlenty agree on a budget.
--People: President's Emerging Leaders for 2008-09; UMC instructor and chief pilot Michael Vivion received re-accreditation as a master certificated flight instructor; and more.

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

THE RETIREMENT INCENTIVE OPTION (RIO) WAS APPROVED by the Board of Regents May 9. Interested employees must apply for the RIO between May 15 and Aug. 1. Employee benefits counselors will present RIO information on the Twin Cities campus weekly throughout the period. The May 27 presentation will be available for those not on the Twin Cities campus via UMConnect. For more information, read RIO.

THE MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATURE AND GOV. TIM PAWLENTY agreed to a deal on May 18 to balance the state's $936 million budget deficit. The agreement includes reductions totaling $12.3 million to the University's state appropriation for the 2008-09 biennium--$6.15 million for the current fiscal year and another $6.15 for fiscal year 2009. In addition, the U faces a base reduction of $8.7 million beginning in fiscal year 2010. An agreement was also reached to fund the Central Corridor light-rail line in a supplemental bonding bill. The Board of Regents will vote on a final 2008-09 operating budget for the U at its June meeting.

PEOPLE: President's Emerging Leaders for 2008-09; UMC instructor and chief pilot Michael Vivion received reaccreditation as a master certificated flight instructor; Kenneth Gilbertson and Rajiv Vaidyanathan have each been awarded the 2008 University of Minnesota President's Award for Outstanding Service. Read about these and more awards and appointments in People.

CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

"TREEOLOGY," THE MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM'S 2008 showcase summer exhibition, is a salute to the power and beauty of trees. The arboretum is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and its partner the U's Horticultural Research Center is observing its centenary year. May 24-Oct. 12. Special events continue year-round. Free to members and visitors with paid general admission to the arboretum. For more information, see "Treeology."

THE ARBORETUM'S PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM presents "Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity Conservation: A Minnesota Response," June 5, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., MacMillan Auditorium. Cost is $40 and includes keynote, luncheon, and entrance to the arboretum. For registration and information, see "Public Policy."

THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE is accepting applications for the 2008-09 Policy Fellows leadership development program. From September to June, fellows meet monthly to explore fundamental aspects of leadership through presentations by local and nationally recognized experts. U staff statewide are eligible to apply. Application deadline is June 16. For more information, see leadership.

Crookston:

UMC HAS ADDED A CRIMINAL JUSTICE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE for students new to the field or currently employed, starting fall 2008. The Board of Regents approved the degree program and minor at its May meeting. For more information, see the news release.

Duluth:

THE FARMERS MARKET AT UMD/MARKET DAY AT THE PLAZA opens May 21, 2 p.m., Kirby Plaza (outside UMD Stores). The market runs Wednesdays until Sept. 24 and features live music; artist booths; UMD Stores sidewalk sales; locally produced vegetables, fruits, flowers; and more. For more information, see "Market Day."

UMD 2007-08 FACULTY AWARD RECIPIENTS ARE Matthew Andrews, biology, Chancellor's Distinguished Research Award; Thomas Isbell, theatre, Jean G. Blehart Distinguished Teaching Award; John Arthur, sociology-anthropology, Albert Tezla Teacher/Scholar Award. Outstanding Faculty Adviser Award recipients are Alison Aune, art and design; Kristelle Miller, psychology; Jennifer Schultz, economics; Lyle Shannon, biology; and Eileen Zeitz, foreign languages and literatures. For more information, see awards.

Morris:

"ICE CREAM AND LOLLIPOPS: CHILDREN'S ART FROM THE COMMUNITY," will exhibit May 22-23, at UMM's Humanities Fine Arts Gallery. The event invites area elementary school children to view art, hear stories, and enjoy ice cream and lollipops served by volunteers from the UMM Retirees Association. For more information, see "Ice Cream."

THE 35TH ANNUAL HENJUM CREATIVE STUDY INSTITUTE, a two-week summer program in arts, music, and technology enrichment at UMM, will be held June 16-27 for students ages 12 to 17. Registration forms without discounts or scholarships will be accepted through June 11. For more information, visit UMM Continuing Education.

Rochester:

UMR HIRED Cindy Holton to support the Biomedical Informatics and Computational Biology program, the Center for Allied Health Programs at UMR, and the fine arts programs. Also hired are Anne Lund who will support the chancellor and vice chancellor; Lacey Kennedy who will provide support for human resources; and Mary Beth Sancomb-Moran who will be UMR's first assistant librarian.

Twin Cities:

UNIVERSITY DINING SERVICES began its summer schedule on May 19. For specific restaurant hours, view the schedule online.

THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC'S PROFESSOR FERNANDO MEZA presents a master class featuring Kroumata, the world-renowned Swedish percussion ensemble, May 30, 3:30 p.m., Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall, Ferguson Hall. For more information, see School of Music.

THE WILSON LIBRARY SUMMER BOOK SALE will take place June 2-3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., in the library's basement. Thousands of used books for sale, all subjects. $2 per book on Monday, $1 per book until 1 p.m. on Tuesday, $5 per bag after 1 p.m. For more information, see book sale.

TENTH ANNUAL Civil Service/Bargaining Unit Staff Day will be June 4, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., in front of Coffman Union, Minneapolis, and in the green space at Carter and Eckles Avenues, St. Paul. A chance to meet coworkers, browse information tables, and listen to music. Lunch will be served. An evening event for second- and third-shift employees, 6:30-8 p.m., Coffman. Staff must bring the invitation card for gift and raffle. The card will be invalid if any changes are made to it, including address corrections.

GOPHER EXPRESS WILL HOST A STAFF APPRECIATION DAY for U of M staff and faculty on June 2. Free fountain soda at the Coffman Cube location, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free regular or iced coffee at the Gopher Express West location, 9-11 a.m. For more information, see Gopher Express.

THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION will need nearly 10,000 local volunteers to assist at the Sept. 1-4 event in the Twin Cities. Individuals age 18 and over may apply online before June 15. For more information, call Kjersti Duncan at 651-677-2008 or visit convention.

CONCEPT SCENARIOS FOR UMORE PARK, a 5,000-acre University property in Dakota County, and its companion Vermillion Highlands, will be shared with the U community at campus forums and open houses on June 16, 9:30 a.m., Coffman Union, and June 17, noon, Student Center North Star Ballroom. The forums will follow the June 12 Board of Regents meeting, where the concept scenarios will be presented for the first time. University faculty, staff, and student participation at the forums is encouraged through attendance and via UMConnect. For more information, visit UMore Park.

"EVOLUTION 2008," the joint annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Evolution, the Society of Systematic Biologists, and the American Society of Naturalists will be held June 20-24, on the Minneapolis campus. The meeting is the premier annual opportunity for sharing scientific research related to evolution. Registration fees are required. For more information, see "Evolution."

UPDATES ABOUT SUPPORT SERVICES being implemented and additional security measures that are being explored related to the recent sexual assaults on or near campus are described in a letter from U administration. For more information, see the letter.

MORE EVENTS include "Leading Global Projects and Virtual Teams" (May 22); Promotion and Tenure Workshop for Probationary Faculty (May 23); Field Trip: Frogs and Frog Calls (May 24); Medical Industry Leadership Institute Research Seminar (May 27); UMAA Annual Celebration (May 29); "Caring for a Parent With Memory Loss" (May 31); Great Conversations 2008: Revenge of the Right Brainers (June 3). 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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