Vol. XXXVII No. 33; Oct. 24, 2007
Editor: Gayla Marty, brief@umn.edu

Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_10242007.html.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
--Rochester campus will celebrate its grand opening Oct. 25.
--Gift from Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to UMTC will support stadium and scholarships.
--Public engagement: The U is helping Minnesota vineyards develop new industries.
--People: New Duluth Medical Research Institute director, new MMF VP for development, and more.

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

THE U'S ROCHESTER CAMPUS will celebrate its grand opening Oct. 25 with a public reception and tours of its state-of-the-art classrooms and interaction-friendly common spaces. The new campus is located in the heart of a revitalized downtown area, with a major partner--Mayo Clinic--a short walk away. Read more and link to video in "Downtown digs."

A GIFT FROM THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY to UMTC, announced Oct. 19, includes $10 million for the new Gopher stadium and $2.5 million to a matching endowment fund for scholarships that will promote American Indian educational opportunities. Read the news story.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SPOTLIGHT: Minnesota's 2007 grape harvest is in, and the crop and its prospects are bigger than ever. The U's Department of Horticultural Science has always been devoted to applied research and outreach. Now, a century of grape breeding and public engagement is helping to develop a new Minnesota crop and related industries--grape growing, wine making, and agritourism. Read more in "From the grapes to the glass."

PEOPLE: The founding director of the Duluth Medical Research Institute is Mustafa al'Absi; the Minnesota Medical Foundation's new VP for development is Patricia Porter. Read about these and more appointments and awards in People.

CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

THE NEW COURSE GUIDE SYSTEM IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR UMM AND UMTC spring 2008 undergraduate- and graduate-level courses, including UMTC courses offered at UMR. UMD will begin using the system for fall 2008 courses, including its courses offered at UMR. The new guide is designed to give students more information for making registration decisions. Instructors and department scheduling staff can include course descriptions, syllabi, instructor photos and bios, and short video clips and transcriptions. Departmental scheduling staff can access the new system through PeopleSoft; instructors can log in for UMTC or UMM.

U OF M 2007 RETENTION SUMMIT will provide campuses an opportunity to share information while developing a framework to meet U graduation and retention targets. Keynote speaker will be James Anderson, VP for student success and vice provost for institutional assessment and diversity, State U of New York, Albany. Oct. 30, Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center, UMTC. See the schedule. The registration deadline has closed, but limited space is available; contact Leslie Zenk, Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education, zenklr@umn.edu.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: JOSIE R. JOHNSON HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD. Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 22. In honor of Johnson's lifelong contributions to human rights and social justice, the award recognizes one faculty or staff member and one student who, through their principles and practices, exemplify her standard of excellence in creating respectful and inclusive living, learning, and working environments. Call 612-624-0594 or see the Johnson Award.

DIRECTOR, U-WIDE OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL COMPLIANCE: This position is now posted. Applications should be submitted by Nov. 26. See the description and apply online.

CAMPUS FORUMS ON CREATING A VISION FOR THE NEW COMMUNITY AT UMORE PARK: Faculty, staff, and students are invited to share ideas for developing a community of 20,000-30,000 people on 5,000 U-owned acres in Dakota County over 25-30 years. Nov. 8, 8-10:30 a.m., North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center; Nov. 9, 8-10:30 a.m., theater, Coffman Union. Register online or by calling 612-626-3976.

THE THIRD ANNUAL MINNESOTA NANOTECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE, hosted by the Center for Nanostructure Applications, will include presentations on nano energy, devices, sensors, and materials, with top researchers from around the country and the U, a poster session, and a reception. Nov. 13-14, Radisson University Hotel. Free, but registration is required--by Oct. 29 to exhibit in the poster session and by Nov. 8 to attend the workshop. See the schedule.

MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM AUTUMN EVENTS include Pumpkin Fest (Oct. 27-28); a screening of Bill's Big Pumpkins, about a Buffalo, Minn., pumpkin grower (Oct. 28, 2 p.m.); Ar-BOO-retum (Oct. 31); AppleHouse and a naming contest for the new U apple (through October); and Scarecrows on Parade (through Nov. 1). See the MLA.

Crookston:

CAMPUS LEADERS RETURN TO CHINA Oct. 26-Nov. 3 to continue conversations and build relationships with Zhejiang Economic and Trade Polytechnic (ZETP) and Zhejiang Forestry U in Hangzhou. Currently, under an agreement with ZETP, UMC faculty teach and help develop courses in agriculture business management and information technology management, and Chinese students may attend UMC to complete a B.S. degree. The group traveling will include Chancellor Casey, assistant professor Jingpeng Tang, career and counseling services director Don Cavalier, and international programs director Kimberly Gillette. See a summary of the visit last summer.

URBAN FORESTRY PROGRAM, approved by the regents Oct. 12, is a new emphasis in the UMC horticulture program, joining production horticulture and environmental landscaping. See the news release.

FALL CONVOCATION guest will be Virgil Benoit, area history expert and professor of French at the U of North Dakota. Minnesota sesquicentennial pins will be given to those who attend. Oct. 24, 10 a.m., Kiehle Auditorium.

Duluth:

UNITED NATIONS DAY forum will feature local experts speaking on aspects of UN work: Katherine Fuller, reference librarian, UMD Library; Paul Sharp, head, political science; Bert Minewagen, Citizens for Global Solutions; and Michael Zlonis, physician, St. Luke's Hospital. Oct 24, 10:30 a.m.-noon, lounge, Kirby Student Center. An information table with a DVD on the UN is available 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in front of the bookstore, and a literature display is in the library foyer. All free and open to the public. Hosted by the Alworth Institute for International Studies.

"REPRESENTATION, CURRENCY, AND CULTURE: Exploring the Social and Symbolic Functions of Money," presented by assistant professor of composition Ken Marunowski, will focus on the European Union. Oct. 25, 3:15 p.m., fourth floor rotunda, Library. Free and open to the public.

QUARTETTO GELATO, an international virtuoso ensemble, will perform music by Ravel, Brahms, Rossini, Piazzolla, and Weber as part of the Department of Music's Ovation Guest Artist Series. Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m., Weber Music Hall. All seats reserved; advance purchase recommended. See event information.

Morris:

THE VIENNA BOYS' CHOIR will perform medieval, contemporary, and experimental music as part of the UMM Performing Arts Series. Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m., Morris Area Concert Hall. See the news release.

Rochester:

U HOMECOMING will be celebrated at UMR with a social and dinner featuring head UMTC baseball coach and author John Anderson. Nov. 1. See more information.

Twin Cities:

UMTC HAS BEGUN A YEARLONG STUDY OF ATHLETICS PROGRAMS as part of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I athletics certification program. Areas of study will include academic integrity, governance, commitment to rules compliance, and commitment to equity and student-athlete well-being. Associate VP for internal audits Gail Klatt will head the committee responsible for the study, which will include administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, student-athletes, and the community. This is the only higher education certification program that focuses solely on athletics. The U's first certification was completed in 2001. Read the news release.

A PRELIMINARY DRAFT OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REVISED LIBERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM will be presented by the Council on Liberal Education in four public forums, Nov. 6, 8, 13, and 15. Feedback and comments are requested and encouraged. See the draft and schedule and give comments.

U WOMEN OF COLOR (UWOC) FALL WELCOME will feature a panel of women of color addressing the topic, "Weaving the Tapestry: Building a Vibrant Community Across Cultures." Oct. 31, 9-11 a.m., Mississippi Room, Coffman Union. The UWOC Tapestry Award winner will be announced. Space is limited and registration is requested: e-mail uwoc@umn.edu. For more information, contact uwoc@umn.edu or 612-625-1105.

FREE FLU SHOTS: Flu season is here. Protect yourself and reduce the spread of flu around campus. Get a free flu shot and a cookie. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Oct. 25, W120 Boynton; Oct. 29, Java City in Weaver-Densford Hall; and more dates and locations scheduled in November and December. See the full schedule and locations.

MINNEAPOLIS STREET CLEANING began Oct. 23 and will continue for five weeks. Watch for temporary No Parking signs to avoid ticketing and towing. Get more information.

RIVER ROAD CAFÉ IS NOW OPEN in the new Education Sciences Building, 56 East River Road. The Dunn Bros Coffee location, on the north end of the ground floor, facing the river, is open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. See the UDS announcement.

ST. ANTHONY PARK 2007 HOME TOUR, adjacent to UMTC in St. Paul, will include homes that have historic or architectural significance or have recently been remodeled. Tickets $15, $12 in advance. Oct. 27, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. See the St. Anthony Park community site.

A DISCOVERY OF COSMIC PROPORTION--a gap in space 1 billion light years across--is the next topic in the 2007-08 Headliners series, featuring astronomy professor Lawrence Rudnick. Nov. 1, 7 p.m., Continuing Education and Conference Center, St. Paul. $10. See Headliners.

"THE LOW-WAGE WORKER: LEGAL RIGHTS, LEGAL REALITIES," a symposium of the Minnesota Law Review, will feature interdisciplinary scholars on domestic work, immigration, collective action by low-wage workers, community organizing, workers' centers, the history of low-wage workers, the international human rights implications of denying labor protections to undocumented workers, legislative efforts to regulate big-box retailers, social class definition, and the economic effects of minimum wage laws. Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Law School. Free to all U students and faculty. Registration is required only to buy lunch. See more information.

MINI-BIOETHICS SCHOOL topics will include the complicity of health care professionals in interrogation, human embryonic stem cell research, and preparation for pandemics. Tuesdays, Nov. 13-27, 6-8 p.m., Mayo Auditorium. See more information and registration.

MORE EVENTS include "Staging Thirst: Environment (In)Justice and Dancing Unrest" (Oct. 24); "Early Modern Religious Cartographies in the New World" (Oct. 25); Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation, an exhibit of contemporary Native American art from the U.S. west, northwest, and Pacific (preview Oct. 25, exhibit Oct. 26-Jan. 13); University Theatre's The Crucible (Oct. 26-Nov. 3); Battle in the Barn: Faculty and Staff Day at Gopher Volleyball (Oct. 27); Field Trip: Knowing Fall and Winter Plants (Oct. 28); Breakthrough Series: DIABETES (Oct. 29); "White Girls Behaving Badly: Reality TV and Gender Politics Post 9/11" (Oct. 29); Schulz and Peanuts biographer David Michaelis (Oct. 30); "Between Prairie and Sea: The Mississippi River as a Continental Transportation System" (Oct. 30); "More and Better: Preventing a 2010 Workforce Meltdown," the inaugural event in the U's Strategic Leadership Insights series, with Edward Gordon (Oct. 31); and "The Global Biofuels Debate: Science, Policy, and Ethics" in the Lecture Series on Law, Health, and the Life Sciences (Oct. 31). 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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