Vol. XXXVII No. 9; March 7, 2007
Editor: Gayla Marty, brief@umn.edu

Editor's note: The next issue of Brief will be published March 21. The deadline is noon on Thursday, March 15.

Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_3072007.html .

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

TRANSFORMING THE U: The code of conduct for U faculty and staff--revised at the same time as the student code in December--may be the most important U regents policy, says Tom Schumacher, director of the Office of Institutional Compliance. Schumacher talked recently about the code of conduct, about "sea changes" since the first code was written in 1996, and about ways faculty and staff can use it during a period of transformation. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/The_core_of_who_we_are.html .

ELEVEN 2007-09 McKNIGHT LAND-GRANT PROFESSORS will be recognized by the Board of Regents March 9. The award supports junior faculty at a crucial time in their careers. One of them is Christophe Wall-Romana, UMTC assistant professor of French and Italian, whose field of cinepoetry brings poetry back to life for a new generation. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Poetry_for_a_new_generation.html .

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT: Lisa Loegering, service-learning assistant director at UMC, kept hearing community requests for mentors to Crookston kids. In response, she wrote a grant proposal that in 2004 launched UMC Mentoring and Caring. Now she trains and supervises a growing number of students as mentors. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/Office_for_Public_Engagement/ Mentor_for_mentors.html .

PEOPLE: Marvin Marshak named UMTC faculty director of undergraduate research; Graham Candler will receive the 2007 Thermophysics Award; and more. See http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/people.html .

CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

STATE OF THE U ADDRESS, postponed due to weather March 1, will be rescheduled. Watch for updates at http://www.umn.edu/pres/stateoftheu.html .

2007 OUTSTANDING TEACHING AWARD WINNERS will be honored at a ceremony April 23, McNamara Alumni Center, UMTC. (Appointments are at UMTC unless otherwise noted.) The Morse-Alumni Award recipients for outstanding contributions to undergraduate education are Praveen Aggarwal, marketing, UMD; Jay Bell, soil, water, and climate; Thomas Hoye, chemistry; Patricia James, postsecondary teaching and learning; Ned Mohan, electrical and computer engineering; Paula O'Loughlin, political science, UMM; and Joel Samaha, sociology. Outstanding Contributions to Postbaccalaureate, Graduate, and Professional Education Award recipients are Maria Damon, English; John Day, neurology and pediatrics; Ruth Lindquist, adult and gerontological health; Thomas Molitor, veterinary population medicine; and Bruce Wollenberg, electrical and computer engineering. Register now to attend the reception. See http://www.alumni.umn.edu/distinguishedteaching.html .

THE BOARD OF REGENTS will meet March 8-9. Agenda items include strategic positioning reports on transforming the undergraduate experience, the role of clinical sciences for the U, and equity and diversity initiatives; a report on the student interest survey; and recognition of McKnight Land-Grant Professors. See http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/news_details.php?release=070306_3192&page=UMNN .

NAMES OF FOUR CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARD OF REGENTS, recommended by Gov. Pawlenty, were forwarded by a joint legislative committee Feb. 27 to the full legislature: for the Fifth Congressional District, incumbent Peter Bell; for two at-large seats, Linda Cohen of Minnetonka and incumbent Cynthia Lesher; and for the student seat, Venora Hung, Law School. Election is scheduled in a joint convention of House and Senate, March 8, 6 p.m., House Chamber.

SUPPORT THE U DAY AT THE CAPITOL WILL BE MARCH 28. Hundreds of U supporters including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and volunteers from across the state are expected to attend. Noon rally in the rotunda; 12:45 p.m. lunch in the Great Hall; 1 p.m. optional meetings with legislators. Sign up at http://www.supporttheU.umn.edu .

NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR to the United States Knut Vollebaek and U.S. ambassador to Norway Benson Whitney visited the U March 6 with a delegation from Norway. They focused on student exchange and met with college representatives about specific initiatives. See http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/news_details.php?release=070301_3183&page=UMNN .

A NEW SERIES, THE U FORUM ON RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS, is sponsored by the Office of the VP for Research. The inaugural event will be "From Leviathan to Peer Review: Social Science and Institutional Review Boards," presented by J. Michael Oakes. The event is designated to satisfy the awareness/discussion component of the Responsible Conduct of Research continuing education requirement. March 21, 4-5:30 p.m., 25 Mondale Hall. See http://www.research.umn.edu/events/research_ethics.html .

THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMITTEE (CSC) will have five vacancies for terms that begin July 1: one for UMC, one for UMD, and three for UMTC. The CSC has 15 members. All civil service staff who have held temporary or continuing appointments of at least 50 percent time for at least two calendar years are eligible. For first consideration, apply by March 30; applications will be accepted until interviews are held the week of April 16. The search committee will recommend a slate of candidates to President Bruininks in May. See http://www.umn.edu/csc or contact search chair Mary Berg, bergx017@umn.edu or 612-627-4131.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL GRANTS for faculty, administered through the Office of International Programs, will increase in number and dollar amount; the average award for individuals will be $1,000-$1,500. Deadline is April 2 for activities beginning May-August. Apply using the new online system at http://www.international.umn.edu/funding/travelgrant .

ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR THE SPRING TEACHING-AND-LEARNING CONFERENCE, April 23, is now open. "Enhancing Student Learning: Conversations About Research and Practice" is sponsored by the Academy of Distinguished Teachers, UMTC Center for Teaching and Learning, and UMTC Digital Media Center, with support from the Bush Foundation. See the program at http://www.adt.umn.edu/conference07 . Free, but registration is required. Register at http://www.irr.umn.edu/adt/adtconference07/register.cfm . For more information, contact Karen Zentner Bacig, kbacig@umn.edu or 612-624-5082.

SPRING BREAK is March 12-16. UMM and UMTC will be closed March 16 for a floating holiday.

Crookston:

"DIET AS THE ULTIMATE KEY TO VIBRANT HEALTH AND HEALING," a one-day seminar, is sponsored by the Lake Agassiz Sustainable Farming Association and the Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership. March 15, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Student Center. Speakers will include Agri-Dynamics founder Jerry Brunetti, Crookston physician Debra Bell, and veterinarian Paul Detloff. $20 on-site registration includes lunch of organically grown foods. See http://www.regionalpartnerships.umn.edu/index.pl?id=4114&isa=Category&op=show .

UMC STUDENTS WILL "PAY IT FORWARD" on this year's spring-break bus tour to work on service projects in six U.S. cities. March 9-17. See http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story475.html .

Duluth:

LIFE IS A DREAM, by Pedro Calderon de la Barca and directed by guest Rachel Katz-Carey, will run March 8-10 and 20-25, 7:30 p.m., Marshall Performing Arts Center/Dudley. Tickets $13 adults, $10.50 seniors, $6.25 students. See http://www.d.umn.edu/theatre .

SECOND ANNUAL UMD STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION, presenting the best of student work in print, interactive, identity, experimental typography, applied graphics, and Web design, runs through March 11, Tweed Museum of Art. See http://www.d.umn.edu/tma/exhibitions/sdocomp.html .

COLON CANCER will be the next topic in the Doc Talks series, presented by Robert Cormier, biochemistry and molecular biology. Sponsored by the U of M Medical School Duluth. March 13, 7:30 p.m., 142 School of Medicine. Free and open to the public. See http://www.med.umn.edu/duluth/research/doctalks/home.html .

Morris:

U-WIDE STANDING COMMISSION ON GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER (GLBT) ISSUES was welcomed in a public reception March 6. The commission, formed in 2004, includes work groups for student issues, employee/employment issues, systemwide issues, and alumni and community relationships. UMM representatives on the commission are vice chancellor for student affairs Sandy Olson Loy (cochair); Queer Issues Committee cochairs Lori Koshork and Argie Manolis; media services technician Ron Kubik; and student Blair Jasper. For more information about the commission, contact coordinator Ross Neely at neely010@umn.edu or 612-626-3064.

"DIVERSITY AND CIVILITY: WILL IT HAPPEN IN OUR GENERATION?" is the theme of the 34th Annual World Touch Cultural Heritage Week, March 19-24. Events will include the film Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World (March 19), 3K Peace Run (March 20), Grammy Award winner Bill Miller (March 22), and more. See http://www.morris.umn.edu/ummnews/View.php?itemID=2547 .

INFORMATION ABOUT CHANCELLOR JOHNSON'S INAUGURATION, April 20, is now posted. See http://www.morris.umn.edu/ummnews/View.php?itemID=2611 .

Twin Cities:

SKIN CANCER PREVENTION: To check a worrisome mole or other spot, get a free screening from a U dermatologist via Telemedicine. Free sunscreen and face-wash samples. Students can have a picture taken and age-progressed to see what over-exposure to the sun will do by age 55, then receive a $25 travel voucher from STA. March 7, Great Hall, Coffman Union, or March 8, Minnesota Commons, St. Paul Student Center. Telemedicine screenings, noon-1 p.m.; photos 10 a.m.-4 p.m. See http://www.bhs.umn.edu/saveyourskin .

TONY DIGGS EXCELLENCE AWARDS: Celebrating U Student Group Contributions. The deadline for nominations has been extended to March 9. The award allows faculty, staff, and students to recognize student groups for excellent work. See http://www.sao.umn.edu/groups/excellence .

"NUTRIGENOMICS: SCIENCE, REGULATION, AND POLICY," presented by José Ordovas, Tufts U, is the final program in the 2006-07 Lecture Series on Law, Health, and the Life Sciences. Today, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., St. Paul Student Center theater. Free and open to the public. See http://www.lifesci.consortium.umn.edu/news_and_events .

MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA music director Osmo Vänskä will make his concert debut with the U of M Symphony Orchestra in a performance featuring six students and their Minnesota Orchestra counterparts. March 22, 7:30 p.m., Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. Tickets $2.50; students free with student ID. See http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/news_details.php?release=070301_3182&page=UMNN .

"RELEVANT RISK, REVOLUTION, AND REVISITING ROSE: Causes of Population Levels and Social Inequalities in Health" is the topic of a forum to examine appropriate methods for measuring population health and health inequalities, to describe the relationship between risk factors and social inequalities in coronary heart disease, and to look at population health strategies that achieve the largest benefit. March 23, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Coffman Union theater. Free, but registration is requested. See http://www.cpheo.sph.umn.edu/cpheo/healthdisparities/home.html .

MARCH MADNESS: Get discounted tickets to favorite Minnesota attractions at the Coffman Information Desk. See http://www.coffman.umn.edu or 612-624-4636.

MORE EVENTS include exhibit opening event for "Law and Order: The Career and Legacy of Minneapolis Mayor Charles Stenvig" (today; exhibit runs through May 7); "Rwanda and Darfur: A Comparative Analysis" (March 8); a public lecture by visiting Kenyan-born collage artist Wangechi Mutu (March 8); Cantus in Concert: "A Sound Like This," with Robert Bly (March 10); Café Scientifique discussions on nature and nanotechnology (March 13) and the biology of contraception (March 20); "Shared Space: Reconciling People, Places, and Traffic" (March 19); Lesa Clarkson on "What We Know About Teaching African American Students" (March 20); and GradFest 2007 (March 21). SEE THESE AND MORE TWIN CITIES CAMPUS 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 the editor at brief@umn.edu . All Twin Cities event submissions are handled through the events calendar at http://events.tc.umn.edu .

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