Vol. XXXVII No. 22; July 11, 2007
Editor: Gayla Marty, brief@umn.edu

Editor's note: Brief summer publication dates are July 25 and August 8 and 29. The deadline for submissions is noon on the Friday before publication.

Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_7112007.html.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
--New regents professor profile: Matt McGue, psychology.
--Transforming the U: Regents adopt 2007-08 budget, including tuition reform.
--Friends of Eastcliff annual garden party featured lawn and garden tips for 2007 from horticulturist Deb Brown.
--People: Prell and Lee are first Fesler-Lampert Public Humanities Award recipients; Elde and King named to governor's NextGen Energy Board; and more.

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

REGENTS PROFESSOR PROFILE: MATT McGUE, professor of psychology, is known around the world for his longitudinal studies on twins and adopted children. When it comes to adolescent substance abuse, intelligence, and aging, his findings are exploring the complex interaction between genetics and environment. Read more about McGue in "Getting at the root of human behavior," the second profile in a series on five new regents professors named in June.

TRANSFORMING THE U: The Board of Regents adopted the University's budget for the 2007-08 academic year on June 27. The $2.83 billion budget includes an ambitious tuition reform initiative that will keep next year's tuition increase below 2 percent for most undergraduates on U campuses. The regents' resolution does not include action on Wisconsin tuition reciprocity; the president will likely make a recommendation for the September meeting.

THE FRIENDS OF EASTCLIFF annual garden party showcased blooms ahead of schedule at the end of June. Deb Brown, longtime U of M Extension horticulturist, offered lawn and garden tips for this unusual growing year. Many faculty and staff members were among the guests sporting hats, which have become part of the garden party's tradition. Membership is open to everyone and helps to maintain the historic home of University presidents. Read more about the gardens of Eastcliff.

PEOPLE: UMTC professors Riv-Ellen Prell, American studies, and Erika Lee, history, have received the first Fesler-Lampert Public Humanities Awards, administered through the Graduate School; CBS dean Robert Elde and professor Rob King have been named to the governor's NextGen Energy Board; Mohamed Bakri, CLA-Twin Cities, '06, has won the Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholarship; professor Fadil Santosa will become director of the Institute for Mathematics and Its Applications in 2008; the new UMC volleyball coach will be Lee Anderson; UMC has named five alumni as 2007 Top Aggies. Read about these and more U awards and appointments in People.

CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

THE BOARD OF REGENTS meets today. Agenda items include updates and discussions on the U's internal audit plan; emergency preparedness; teaching and learning; the COACHE survey of probationary faculty; state and federal relations; and more. Action items include the collective bargaining agreement with University Education Association, Duluth and Crookston faculty. Chairs of the Civil Service Committee and the Council of Academic Professionals and Administrators will give reports and be recognized by the board. See the agenda and docket.

PLAN NOW TO NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR THE JOHN TATE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING. If you know an adviser who has made a difference in students' lives, consider nominating him or her for this award. Exceptional faculty advisers, academic advisers, and career advisers in all U units are eligible. Nominations may be made by students, faculty, or administrators, in coordination with collegiate deans' offices or (at UMC and UMM) the vice chancellors' offices. Guidelines for 2007-08 nominations will be available in September, but 2006-07 guidelines and other nomination materials may be reviewed now at John Tate Award, or contact Robin Matross Helms at rmhelms@umn.edu or 612-626-5598.

NEW U WEB STANDARDS AND TEMPLATES ARE NOW AVAILABLE. They include many updates made since the initial release in 2002. Web developers interested in discussing ongoing development of the U's Web templates are invited to join the WEB_TEMPLATE Listserv. See the Web Depot.

THE U'S "DRIVEN TO DISCOVER" MARKETING CAMPAIGN has won international awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the American Marketing Association.

SAVE THE DATE: THE SCHOOL OF NURSING'S SUMMIT OF SAGES, Oct. 14-16, will feature writer, educator, activist, and historian Maya Angelou.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 100 DISTINGUISHED NURSING ALUMNI. In celebration of the School of Nursing centennial in 2009, nominate one or more of the school's nearly 7,500 living alumni who have profoundly impacted families, communities, the school, or the nursing profession. Download the nomination form (PDF).

NATIONAL CHILDREN AND YOUTH GARDEN SYMPOSIUM, sponsored by the American Horticultural Society, will focus on new approaches to building and enhancing youth gardening programs. About 300 educators, garden designers, and community leaders are expected to attend; registration is open to the public. July 19-21, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. See "Widening the Circle."

DONATE BOOKS TO BENEFIT ANDERSEN HORTICULTURAL LIBRARY at the arboretum. Fall book sale will be Oct. 5-7; donations will be accepted through Sept. 21. Call 952-443-1405 or see the call for book donations.

Crookston:

REFRESHED UMC MISSION, approved by the regents, is now posted, along with the campus vision and core values. Revisiting the campus mission was one of the goals of UMC's strategic positioning process.

NEW FLAT-RATE TUITION STRATEGY, which makes all credits above 13 per semester tuition-free beginning this fall, has been adopted to shorten time to graduation and make UMC more affordable.

Duluth:

LARGE LAKES OBSERVATORY (LLO) IN A TV SERIES: UMD professors and students, working aboard the Blue Heron research vessel and in the LLO's X-ray fluorescence laboratory, will appear in the fourth episode of "Faces of Earth," a series this summer on Discovery's Science Channel. The ITRAX X-ray fluorescence core scanner at the lab, seen analyzing sediment cores recovered from African tropics, is one of only six in the world and two in the United States. The series will be Thursdays, July 23-Aug. 9; UMD will be featured Aug. 9. Read more about LLO in the series and the core scanner.

NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NRRI) has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a five-year project to provide long-term water quality data from the Great Lakes, including water quality changes and the impact of invasive species, excessive nutrients, and climate change. The UMD research group, led by research associate Euan Reavie, is part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists, government officials, and public representatives working on restoring and protecting the Great Lakes. Read more in the spring/summer issue of NRRI Now at NRRI News and Updates.

CONCERTS BY THE LAKE, featuring Jim Melde Big Band, will be held on the lawn of Glensheen, the historic Congdon estate, on Wednesdays, July 11-Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m. Prior to each concert in August, dance lessons will be offered at 6:30 p.m. The series, produced by Lori Melton, is part of the UMD Sieur Du Luth Summer Arts Festival. Tickets $5 all ages; $15 family of four.

UMD RECREATIONAL SPORTS OUTDOOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR Mick McComber has been elected Region V vice president of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) board of directors.

Morris:

TWO CHANGES TO UMM TUITION this fall will be lowering the required load for tuition banding from 15 to 13 credits and reducing the cost to align with rates at UMD and UMTC.

INTERIM VICE CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS for the 2007-08 academic year will be Roland Guyotte, beginning July 15. Guyotte is a professor of history and currently dean for the Division of Social Sciences. Leslie Meek will continue as assistant dean through 2007-08.

WEST CENTRAL SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE all-school reunion will include a full slate of activities and entertainment by alumnus Lowell Lundstrom, '57, and his wife, Connie. July 21. See the reunion schedule.

Rochester:

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2007 SIGNATURE SERIES, eight one-day courses on the best in technology management. Oct. 8-11: managing new product development for business growth; strategic cost management; conflict management; and corporate entrepreneurship. Oct. 29-Nov. 1: communication in a technical environment; managing intellectual property; managing innovation in a technological environment; and strategic management of techology. 415 University Square, 111 South Broadway, Rochester. See the series outline and details.

Twin Cities:

UMTC'S WIRELESS SERVICE is being replaced. Customer interviews to help define U wireless requirements are under way. Before vendor selection, finalists are participating in proof-of-concept test periods. The Wireless 2008 project Web site is now posted at Networking and Telecommunication Services (NTS) Data Services on the "Wireless" tab. Project updates are posted regularly.

TRANSITION FROM MODEM POOL TO ISP: Both the U modem pool and the 800 modem pool will be phased out in the next year. NTS vendor finalists for Internet service provision (ISP) have been selected and are awaiting approval and notification from University Purchasing. When available, new ISP service offerings may be purchased through Umart. Details about the transition from modem pool to ISP are being released as they are authorized. Watch NTS news and announcements.

CAMPUS FARMERS MARKET RETURNS TODAY for the third season, with produce, herbs, and flowers grown in the Twin Cities campus vicinity. Wednesdays, July 11-Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Church Street mall near Tate Lab of Physics. See the news release.

THE UDS NORTHROP GRILL MOVES TO THE CHURCH STREET MALL on farmers market days, beginning today. Menu includes local corn on the cob, grilled chicken sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and more. Wednesdays, July 11-Aug. 29. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The grill continues on Northrop plaza all other weekdays, weather permitting, until early fall, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. See dining locations and hours.

SUMMER AT NORTHROP: CATCH THE FINAL MONTH of free outdoor concerts. Selected dates through July 26, noon-1 p.m., Northrop plaza. See the concert schedule or call 612-624-2345.

LAST CALL: CSBU STAFF-DAY GIFT PICKUP. Civil service and bargaining unit staff day gifts are still available for CSBU employees. Contact wendy@umn.edu for more information.

MORE EVENTS include "The Identity Machine: Printing and Publishing in the Creation of the Knowledge Economy" (July 11); films from Japan and Taiwan in the Asian film series (July 11, 18, 25); guest chef Rachel Rubin of Thousand Hills Cattle Company at the Bistro West (July 12); The Girls Who Went Away author Ann Fessler (July 13); Rat Fest at the Bell Museum (July 14); Low and Paul Metzger in concert at the Weisman Art Museum (July 14) in conjunction with the exhibit "SAD: Illuminating a Northern View of Darkness" (through Sept. 23); Walk for Wellness with Germany's minister of health and get a free pedometer (July 16); Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., lecture and book signing (July 19); Agriculture Open House (July 19); Muddy Sunday volleyball benefit for U of M Habitat for Humanity (July 22); and "Completing Wreck" in the U symposium on time (July 25). 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. All Twin Cities event submissions are handled through the events calendar at http://events.tc.umn.edu.

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