Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_10182006.html .
Vol. XXXVI No. 34; Oct. 18, 2006

Editor: Gayla Marty, 612-625-0552, brief@umn.edu

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

THE PROFILE OF U CAMPUSES' CLASS OF 2010 IS THE BEST EVER and the most diverse, Senior VP and Provost Tom Sullivan reported to the Board of Regents Oct. 13. Total U-wide enrollment is 65,753. Sullivan also announced new campus graduation rate goals for cohorts graduating in 2012 and later: goals for UMM and UMTC are highest, aiming for 60 percent graduating in four years, 75 percent in five years, and 80 percent in six years. For more information, see http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Class_of_2010_shows_great_promise.html .

THE PROPOSED 2008-09 STATE BUDGET REQUEST, presented to the regents Oct. 13, makes strategic investments to address Minnesota's economic needs and help the U become one of the top three public research universities in the world. The $192.3 million investment plan asks for $123.4 million in state support, provides $23 million through internal reallocations, and generates the remaining $45.9 million through a 4.5 percent tuition increase for each of the next two years. The board will take action on the budget at its next meeting, Nov. 9-10. For more information, see http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=3365&from=umnnews .

WALK FOR GOOD HEALTH: Americans walk an average 3,000 to 5,000 steps a day. By increasing to 10,000 steps, you can get the 30 minutes of moderate physical activity recommended for general health. This fall, U employees statewide can enroll in the eight-week 10,000 Steps program to develop a simple, sustainable activity level tailored to personal needs. More than 2,200 have signed up already. If you're in the Twin Cities, accumulate steps in the 5,000-meter Jack's Run, Oct. 21, 11 a.m., Les Bolstad Golf Course. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/Office_of_Human_Resources/Walk_for_wellness.html .

PEOPLE: UMC Torch and Shield Award will be presented to Marv Bachmeier, Alan Dexter, William Hunt, and Linda Kingery Oct. 25; honors student Rebecca Mitchell is one of Glamour magazine's top 10 college women. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/people.html .

Transforming the U:

ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAMS, international partnerships, innovation, and leadership development could define the next stage in the evolution of the University of Minnesota, Crookston. University leaders participated in a forum on transforming the U at UMC Oct. 11. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Technology_and_collaboration_advance_UMC_vision.html

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (TLP) HEADS NORTH: This month, 23 UMD employees began a training program to improve processes from admissions to facilities management. The program helps participants to see their work from the perspective of those served. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/Office_of_Service_and_Continuous_Improvement/ TLP_heads_north.html .

CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

UMD WILL HOST A FREE, FULL-DAY SYMPOSIUM ON SOCIAL JUSTICE. Participants from all campuses are welcome. "Unraveling the Knot of Privilege, Power, and Difference" will feature author Allan Johnson, VP for equity and access Nancy "Rusty" Barceló, Duluth mayor Herb Bergson, breakout session workshops, and a screening and discussion of locally produced Bringing the Truth to Light. Oct. 30, ballroom, Kirby Student Center, UMD. The Department of Social Work offers CEU credits for attending. For more information, see http://www.d.umn.edu/umdoeo/diversity .

CLASSES WILL BE HELD ON ELECTION NIGHT, NOV. 7. Instructors are expected to make reasonable accommodations for students who can vote only during that time. Read more in the October issue of The Record, which is now online, http://www.onestop.umn.edu/onestop/U_Resources/News2C_Events2C_and_Activities/The_Record/ Record_200610.html .

A NEW BLOG, "SMART POLITICS," launched by the Center for the Study of Politics as part of the 2006 Elections Project, is written and maintained daily by center director Larry Jacobs and researcher Eric Ostermeier. For more information, see http://blog.lib.umn.edu/oster017/smartpolitics .

U OF M BREAKTHROUGHS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT will be the focus of the third annual Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE) research symposium. The half-day event is an opportunity for faculty and researchers to showcase groundbreaking work. Keynote speakers will be Doug Cameron, chief scientific officer for Khosla Ventures, and Don Shelby, WCCO news anchor. Nov. 28, McNamara Alumni Center, UMTC. Free and open to the public; register online. For more information, see http://www.umn.edu/iree/events.html .

NEW POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM is a U-wide, multidisciplinary effort to recruit promising scholars with strong potential to pursue future faculty positions, advancing the U's intellectual agenda and enhancing the cultural diversity of the U community. Up to three fellowships for at least one year will be awarded to begin in September 2007. Nominations will be accepted through Nov. 1, 2006; application deadline is Dec. 1. For more information, see http://www.grad.umn.edu/postdocfellowship .

SCARECROWS ON PARADE and apple tastings (through Oct. 31) and weekend family programs are among fall activities at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Goodbye_crows2C_hello_fall.html .

U OF M MOMENT radio spots with U experts this week will feature campaign signs and the persuasive power of color; the Minnesota Language Services Initiative; and the Immigration History Research Center's Web site as Encyclopedia Britannica's iGuide. For more information, see http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=3363&from=umnnews . Archives available at http://blog.lib.umn.edu/urelate/radio .

Crookston:

ENROLLMENT AT UMC IS UP, with 379 new freshmen and transfers this year compared with 312 last year. Online credit hours are also on the rise, up 10 percent over last year, Chancellor Casey reported to the regents Oct. 13. Read more at http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story374.html .

"ECOLOGY OF THE ASPEN PARKLAND: LIFE AT THE EDGE," a conference on ecotourism, will feature premier wildlife photographer Jim Brandenburg. Aspen parkland--the landscape of northwestern Minnesota and southern Manitoba--includes a mix of aspen groves, tallgrass prairie, wetlands, and wooded rivers and streams; its wildlife includes timber wolf, elk, white-tailed deer, black bear, sandhill cranes, and sharp-tailed grouse. Northwestern Minnesota is unique in North America for the intersection of three continental biomes: tallgrass prairie, deciduous forest, and the boreal component of coniferous forest. Oct. 23-24, UMC. For more information, see http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story367.html .

Duluth:

THE YING QUARTET, an award-winning sibling string ensemble, will perform as part of the 2006-07 Ovation Guest Artist Series. Today, 7:30 p.m., Weber Music Hall. All seats are reserved; advance purchase is recommended. For more information, call 218-726-8877 and see http://www.d.umn.edu/music/events/ovation/ying.html .

CRAZY FOR YOU, a high-energy comedy with music by George and Ira Gershwin, opens this week. Oct. 19-22 and 25-28, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 22, 2 p.m.; Marshall Performing Arts Center. For tickets, call 218-726-8561. For more information, see http://www.d.umn.edu/theatre/currentseason.html .

"CONSTITUTION MAKING AND CONSTITUTION KEEPING: BOTSWANA," by Alworth International Institute director William Henderson, will explore 40 years of Botswana's independence. Oct. 24, 7 p.m., fourth floor rotunda, UMD Library. For more information, see http://www.d.umn.edu/alworth/main .

Morris:

TODAY UMM IS TRYING TO BREAK A RECORD FOR THE LARGEST FOOD DRIVE by a non-charitable organization in a 24-hour period, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The campus community is invited to bring nonperishable foods, noon-11:59 p.m. Students will also "trick-or-can" for food throughout Morris, Oct. 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m. All collected food will benefit the Stevens County food shelf. Read more at http://www.morris.umn.edu/ummnews/View.php?itemID=1578 .

THE FIRST ANNUAL NORTHLAND BIONEERS CONFERENCE will feature UMM as a sponsor, partner, and interactive-workshop presenter. The "earth-honoring conference" is hosted by Northland Sustainable Solutions. Oct. 20-22, Minneapolis Community and Technical College. For more information, see http://www.morris.umn.edu/ummnews/View.php?itemID=1572 .

Rochester:

HOMECOMING BENEFIT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS: Leo Lewis, former Minnesota Viking and current U of M associate athletics director for student-athlete development, will talk about what the U is doing to improve athletes' graduation rates. Proceeds will benefit Rochester Area Alumni and Friends of the U of M scholarships. Nov. 1, 6 p.m. social, 7 p.m. dinner, Heintz Center, University Center Rochester. Register by Oct. 28. For more information, see http://www.alumni.umn.edu/HomecomingLewis06.html .

Twin Cities:

NATIONAL SECURITY EDUCATION PROGRAM (NSEP) information session for interested students will be given by a representative from the Institute of International Education, New York. NSEP fellowships for graduate students ($12,000-$30,000) and scholarships for undergraduates ($8,000-$20,000) support international study in areas critical to U.S. interests. Today, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 110 Heller Hall. For more information, see http://events.umn.edu/event?occurrence=398168;event=114707 .

BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY has a new documentary film unit, Bell Productions, developed by producing Minnesota: A History of the Land (2005). Upcoming projects will focus on Minnesota's prairie wetlands, Lake Superior, and the Mississippi River. "The Northern Forest" debuts on public television stations statewide tonight, 7 p.m. For more information, see http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Of_fire2C_felling_and_selling3A_Northern_forests_t.html .

TRAINING FOR GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING workshops coming up include "Hmong Funeral: A Key to Hmong Culture" (Oct. 25, 9-11 a.m., 402 Walter Library); "South Asian Community Seminar" (Oct. 31, 9:30-11:30 a.m., R385 VoTech); and "Communicating Across Cultures" (Nov. 28, 2-4 p.m., 110 Heller Hall). To register, see http://www.isss.umn.edu and choose "Register for Training for Global Understanding."

FALL 2006 MINI-MEDICAL SCHOOL: THIS ALL NEW, CANCER-FOCUSED four-class series is taught by leading faculty members and is designed to educate and update Minnesotans on health-related issues. Monday nights, Nov. 6-27, 6-8:30 p.m., Coffman Theater. $60. For more information, see http://www.ahc.umn.edu/minimed .

"SCRUBS, GLOVES, AND MICROSCOPES: A HANDS-ON EXPLORATION OF HEALTH CAREERS" for high school students in grades 9-12 will feature clinical lab science (Oct. 25), veterinary medicine (Nov. 16), and physical therapy (Jan. 26). Students will meet health care professionals and students and learn about the U, health careers, and necessary academic background to get into professional programs. For more information, see http://www.healthcareers.umn.edu/hcc/highschool/SGM.html .

HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARIES FALL OPEN HOUSE: Meet staff, sign up for library classes, test drive library resources, and find out how the libraries can help with your information needs. Refreshments, giveaways, and prizes. Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Diehl Hall. For more information, see http://events.umn.edu/event?event=113934 .

"THE LAW OF WAR AND ITS PATHOLOGIES," by George Fletcher, Columbia U, will be the John Dewey Lecture in the Philosophy of Law. Oct. 24, 12:15 p.m., Lockhart Hall (Room 25), Mondale Hall. Register at lawevent@umn.edu or 612-625-4544. See also http://www.law.umn.edu .

"'THE SOLITUDE OF SELF': WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS," a retrospective on the life and speeches of first-wave feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, will be presented by Karlyn Kohrs Campbell, professor of communication studies, as the Fall 2006 Ada Comstock Distinguished Women Scholars Lecture. Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m., Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center. For more information, see http://www.umn.edu/women .

MORE EVENTS include "Narrating Partition" in the South Asia Seminar Series (Oct. 18); "Partnership Networks and the Spread of HIV: Lessons From Uganda, Thailand, and the United States," by Martina Morris, U of Washington (Oct. 19); Young & Rubicam CEO Ann Fudge in the Carlson School's Inside the Boardroom series (Oct. 20); Collage Concert, the School of Music's annual ensemble extravaganza (Oct. 21); Chamber Music Society of Minnesota's first concert of the season, featuring Arnold Steinhardt performing with U faculty and staff (Oct. 22); "Beef on Steroids" seminar (Oct. 23); The Onion editor-in-chief Scott Dikkers discussing his new book, Destined for Destiny (Oct. 24); and local author Brandon Sigrist reading from his award-winning story in L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future, Vol. XXII (Oct. 25). SEE THESE AND MORE TWIN CITIES EVENTS ONLINE at http://events.tc.umn.edu .

NEWS RELEASES are posted daily at http://www.umn.edu/urelate/newsservice/home.php .

Published by University Relations at the University of Minnesota.

Please send comments, questions, or submissions to Gayla Marty, editor, at brief@umn.edu . 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 www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief.html. See also UMNnews, a U-wide Web publication, at www.umn.edu/umnnews .

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