Vol. XXXVII No. 40; Dec. 19, 2007
Editor: Gayla Marty, brief@umn.edu

Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_12192007.html.

Editor's note: Brief now takes a winter break. The next issue will be published Jan. 9. The deadline to submit items is noon on Friday, Jan. 4.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
--Faculty tenure policy revisions lead U accomplishments of 2007.
--Board of Regents review: Increases in research funding; undergraduate education update.
--UMD Transformational Leadership Program: Developing emotional competence.
--People: New Law School dean; new directors for the BioTechnology Institute and Institute for Health Informatics; Tapestry Award winner; and more.

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

FACULTY TENURE POLICY REVISIONS, approved by the Board of Regents this year and implemented in October, are among the U's top accomplishments of 2007. In a process led by the faculty, the U gained a policy with criteria and standards more rigorous and explicit and with greater flexibility for work-life balance. Regents professor Tom Clayton, who chairs the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee, and vice provost for faculty and academic affairs Arlene Carney talked this month about the process and results. Read more in "Tenure policy revised in historic effort."

BOARD OF REGENTS: The U won $595 million in research expenditures and awards in 2006, an annual increase of 8.4 percent that moved the institution from 10th to 9th among public research universities, VP Mulcahy reported Friday. On Thursday, Vice Provost Swan delivered a report on undergraduate initiatives to the Educational Planning and Policy committee, including a demonstration of the Graduation Planner, one of several tools to encourage retention and timely graduation. At UMTC, graduation rates increased in 2007 to 44.9 percent in four years, 60.5 percent in five years, and 63.6 percent in six years. See the news release about research funding and read more about graduation rates; see also the December meeting materials, including video of the full board meeting Dec. 14.

UMD TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (TLP): EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE was the theme of a workshop for current and former participants in the UMD TLP last week. "Managing Yourself and Leading Others" will be followed by personal assistance and coaching to create and carry out a competency development plan. Read more in "Emotional competence and breakthrough leadership."

PEOPLE: New dean of the Law School is David Wippman, a leading scholar in international law and human rights at Cornell U; new director of the BioTechnology Institute is regents professor Ted Davis; director of the Institute for Health Informatics is Julie Jacko from Georgia Tech and Emory U; the 2007 Tapestry Award winner for promoting campus diversity is Silvia Álvarez, creator of a bilingual show on UMTC's RadioK. Read about these and more awards and appointments in People.

CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

STANDARD BUSINESS MILEAGE RATE CHANGES FOR 2008: The Internal Revenue Service announced the following changes, effective Jan. 1:
--The standard business mileage reimbursement rate for personal vehicle use on approved U business increases from 48.5 cents to 50.5 cents per mile. See the Rates section in Appendix P of the U policy, Traveling on University Business.
--The standard mileage rate for moving expenses decreases from 20 to 19 cents per mile.
--Business mileage incurred in 2007 but reimbursed in 2008 must use the 2007 mileage rate.
The Employee Expense Worksheet (UM 1612) accommodates changes to the mileage rates. See also Financial Policies.

U OF KENTUCKY PRESIDENT WILL HEADLINE THE SECOND ANNUAL QUALITY FAIR: Lee Todd, Jr., who developed a business plan to drive improvements at the U of Kentucky, will give the keynote address. Staff and faculty will present posters to share improvement projects for teaching, learning, research, and work. Best practices and projects-in-process will be highlighted. Prizes will be raffled throughout the day, with a grand prize iPhone. Jan. 31, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center, UMTC. Sponsored by the Office of Service and Continuous Improvement and the Improvement Liaison Group. Register and reserve a box lunch.

THE ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTER (AHC) ACADEMY FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING AND LEARNING confers upon four AHC faculty per year the highest recognition of excellence in the AHC educational mission. It includes a salary/teaching augmentation of $10,000 for five consecutive years. Nominations are encouraged from all AHC colleges and departments. Deadline: Feb. 22. Send to Sara Balick, U Senate Office, 424 Morrill Hall. See nomination requirements.

GRANT-IN-AID OF RESEARCH, ARTISTRY, AND SCHOLARSHIP for faculty members: The spring 2008 application deadline is Feb. 4. See the request for proposals.

FACULTY-LED SHORT-TERM STUDY ABROAD WORKSHOPS prepare faculty and staff members who are planning to lead or administer a short-term international program during the 2007-08 or 2008-09 academic year. Topics will include benefits and challenges, predeparture orientation, on-site support, health and safety, emergency procedures, group dynamics, and student conduct; presenters will include faculty who have led programs. Feb. 7, 9-11 a.m., West Bank (room to be determined); register by Feb. 1 by contacting Mandi Miller, mill3214@umn.edu or 612-625-8829. To request a one-to-one meeting about your faculty-led short-term study abroad program in addition to the workshop, call 612-626-9000. Sponsored by the Learning Abroad Center.

A LIST OF TIPS FOR HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE is now available. See the Office of Human Resources and download the tip sheet (PDF).

PLANT INFORMATION ONLINE (PIO), one of the world's largest database resources for botanical and horticultural information, is available free to the public. Sponsored by U Libraries and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. See the PIO.

MINNESOTA TIGER SUMMIT: PREPARING FOR 2010. The Technology Informatics Guiding Education Reform (TIGER) summit is an opportunity to be part of Minnesota's overall strategy to prepare health care providers to use interoperable electronic health records, soon to be required by law. Jan. 11, Earle Brown Heritage Center. See more information or register.

Crookston:

DELIVERY OF A CAREER-ORIENTED ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE, beginning in fall 2008, was approved by the regents Dec. 14. The program will offer a solid background in the social sciences and an interdisciplinary focus on human resource development skills geared for multiple employment settings. The B.S. offers emphases in industrial and production management as well as consumer service. Read the news release.

THE FIRST ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL HORSE SHOW was hosted by the equine science program Dec. 14. Students in riding classes showcased skills, knowledge, and horsemanship developed through the semester. Students in the training and showing class demonstrated skills and abilities in training young horses. See equine science, one of UMC's top majors.

AN ENDOWMENT TO HONOR the legacy of longtime Crookston resident and area baseball coach Jim Karn has been created by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. It will provide ongoing financial support for future generations of UMC baseball players. Read the news release.

Duluth:

HOLIDAY TWILIGHT TOURS AT GLENSHEEN HISTORIC CONGDON ESTATE include, on the first floor, a glimpse of a Congdon Christmas circa 1900 and, upstairs, a trip through time, with each room reflecting a decade, from the homemade charm of the '20s to the nostalgic kitsch of the '50s. Dec. 27-31, 2-6 p.m. See the calendar.

THE ALWORTH PLANETARIUM STAFF presents "Star of Bethlehem," a dark-sky presentation and discussion. Dec. 19 and 22, 7 p.m., Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium. Free and open to the public. See the planetarium.

Morris:

UMM JAZZERS WILL TOUR NEW ORLEANS during winter break, under the direction of James "Doc" Carlson. They will perform at the French Market, Jan. 17, noon; Jack's Brewery, Jan. 18, noon; and the Children's Museum, Jan. 19, 1 p.m. See the jazz ensemble.

"FROM MOLECULAR DYNAMICS TO HEDGE FUND MATHEMATICS: The Career of a UMM Physics Graduate" will be the title of the Joseph J. Latterell Visiting Alumnus Program Lecture by Jeff Ulrich, '95. Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m., 2950 Science Building.

Twin Cities:

SEARCH: DIRECTOR OF DISABILITY SERVICES. The Office of the Vice President and Vice Provost for Equity and Diversity has launched a national search for the next director of Disability Services, one of the nation's leaders in providing progressive services to people with disabilities. See the position description and application instructions; see also Disability Services.

OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS HOURS WILL CHANGE DEC. 31. Visit offices will be staffed Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and selected Saturdays during the academic year. Several online tools are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the "Ask Us" knowledge base, applications for admissions, and application status check. For more information, see Admissions.

OPEN HOUSE FOR 717 DELAWARE STREET S.E., which will house more than 20 offices of the Academic Health Center, including the Office of Clinical Research, will be held Jan. 16. A short program at 3 p.m. will be followed by refreshments and tours of the $36.5 million renovation until 5 p.m. For more information, call 612-625-4110; see also the construction update.

ORIENTATION PROGRAM AWARDS: The Office of First-Year Programs (OFYP) won awards in three categories at the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) Publication and Media Showcase this fall: outstanding Web site; outstanding multimedia/emerging technologies for the Pieces of the Puzzle diversity video on themes including respect and responsibility, wellness, interpersonal skills, violence and harassment, and U resources; and outstanding use of theme, applying the U's Driven to Discover campaign in the Gopher Guide and orientation materials. See OFYP or NODA or contact Bill O'Connor at oconn301@umn.edu.

GOLDY GOPHER MADE IT TO THE MASCOT FINALS with final competition for the top award against Zippy from the U of Akron. Voting has ended, and the winner will be announced at the Capital One Bowl Jan. 1 in Orlando. Goldy Gopher is part of the Spirit Squads in the Department of Athletics.

LAST CALL: MODEM POOL WILL CLOSE DEC. 31. Arrange for alternative home Internet service at special rates for U community members through UMart. If you need assistance or have questions, call 1-HELP (612-301-4357) or e-mail modem@umn.edu. See the ISP tab at NTS Data Services.

"WOMEN'S LIVES, WOMEN'S LEGACIES," an introductory legacy writing workshop, will be sponsored by the Center for Spirituality and Healing (CSH) as part of the Purpose Project. Jan. 15, April 3, or July 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. See the CSH.

SAVE THE DATE: "FROM EVERY VOICE" ANNUAL CONCERT in honor of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., will feature the Steeles gospel/soul quintet. Jan. 20, 4 p.m., Ted Mann Concert Hall. Free and open to the public. See event information.

MORE EVENTS include the Usability Lab open house (Dec. 20); Waste = Food in the Science on Screen series (Dec. 20); and "Spend Your Life Wisely," a talk by The Wealth Management Index author Ross Levin in the Carlson School's First Tuesday luncheon series (Jan. 8). 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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