Vol. XXXVII No. 26; Sept. 5, 2007
Editor: Gayla Marty, brief@umn.edu

Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_9052007.html.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
--AFSCME strike scheduled to begin today.
--New regents professor profile: Elaine Tyler May, American studies and history.
--Center for Excellence in Children's Mental Health director seeks community perspectives in building U research agenda.

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

AFSCME STRIKE IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN TODAY. The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees represents about 3,100 clerical, technical, and health care workers across the U. The U has worked to ensure as little disruption as possible during the strike. Classes will be held as scheduled, and teaching, research, and outreach will continue. Links to information are posted on the U of M home page, MyU Portal, and Office of Human Resources site. See updates and more information about what to do during a strike, information for students, settlement offer information (PDF), and information for non-striking employees (including student employees and graduate assistants).

REGENTS PROFESSOR PROFILE: ELAINE TYLER MAY, professor of American studies and history, grew up in the political ferment of the 1960s and, as an exchange student in Japan in 1968, developed a thirst for understanding American history. She has written several acclaimed books and is a leading scholar on 20th century American family history. Read more about May in "A contemporary view of history," the final profile in a series on five new regents professors, who will be recognized by the Board of Regents Sept. 7.

THE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH'S first full-time director, Joel Hetler, brings years of community experience to his new position. Hetler wants to give public engagement a stronger role in setting the research agenda and to shorten the time from research to practice. Read the public engagement spotlight, "Children's mental health leader is back to campus."

CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

THE BOARD OF REGENTS WILL MEET SEPT. 6-7. Action items will include a revised Minnesota-Wisconsin tuition reciprocity agreement and appointments of the UMR chancellor, the VP for scholarly and cultural affairs, and the associate VP and dean for international programs. Also on the agenda: a review of the U's 2008 state bonding request and reports on responding to needs of student military veterans, addressing student mental health needs, and plans for UMore Park. See the agenda and docket.

NOMINATIONS FOR McKNIGHT LAND-GRANT PROFESSORSHIPS are invited by the Graduate School and the Provost's Office. The program provides two-year awards to junior faculty through an annual competition with the aim of strengthening the faculty for the future. Applications are due in 314 Johnston Hall, UMTC, Sept. 28. See nomination information.

THE GRADUATION PLANNER IS NOW ONLINE. The planner is a new tool for undergraduates on all U campuses. Students will use it to explore majors and minors, make a four-year plan, and work with advisers to stay on track. To preview how it will work for students and advisers, see the Graduation Planner tutorial and quick-start guides.

THE WARRIOR TO CITIZEN CAMPAIGN is a statewide, grassroots citizen effort to provide enduring support to returning soldiers and their families. The campaign is being organized through the U's Center for Democracy and Citizenship at the Humphrey Institute, UMTC. Partners include employers, students, clergy, legislators, teachers and other professionals, and veterans and their families. See the center's site for more information.

SUMMIT OF SAGES: REGISTER NOW. This year's summit, on the theme of social justice, will feature sages Afaf Meleis, Rosemarie Reger-Rumsey, Cheryl Robertson, Gene Thin Elk, and Bill Thomas; guest speakers will be Maya Angelou, Jean Watson, John Howe III, Linda Olson-Keller, and Cathy Wurzer. Sponsored by the Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership. Oct. 14-16, Crowne Plaza Hotel, St. Paul. Early-bird registration through Sept. 10. Registration for specific events is available; discounts for groups of three or more. Register online at Summit of Sages.

PUBLIC LISTENING SESSIONS ON CREATING A VISION FOR UMORE PARK will be held this month on education (Sept. 17), environment (Sept. 19), energy (Sept. 20), health (Sept. 25), interdisciplinary opportunities (Sept. 26), and transportation (Sept. 27). UMore Park is a 5,000-acre property, owned by the U, in Dakota County. The goal is to create a vibrant, culturally rich, new community of 20,000 to 30,000 people over a 25- to 30-year period. All sessions will be held 5-7:15 p.m. at locations in Rosemount. A light meal will be served, so registration is requested. Call 612-626-3976 or register at UMore Park.

FLOOD EMERGENCY AND CLEANUP resources from the U are available. Click on "Recovering From Disaster" at U of M Extension.

THE BIG TEN NETWORK, a first-of-its-kind partnership among the 11 Big Ten universities and a major television provider, launched Aug. 30. It aims to provide nationwide and rural access to Gopher athletics; coverage of more sports, including baseball, soccer, gymnastics, volleyball, and wrestling, in addition to football and basketball; a dramatic increase in coverage of women's sports; and non-sports programming to showcase academic breakthroughs, renowned faculty, current students, and honored alumni. Read more in Big Ten Network kicks off coverage.

Crookston:

UMC is among the "Best in the Midwest" in The Princeton Review 2008 survey of college students. Strong academics as well as increasing diversity and international programs were cited. See the news release.

AN ANONYMOUS DONOR contributed to endowments for the UMC Baseball ($1,400) and Mark Olsonawski Football ($2,100) scholarships. See the news release.

NORTHWEST MINNESOTA LOCAL INITIATIVES ENERGY MEETING: Community-based energy potential will be the focus of a meeting hosted by the Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership. Learn about recent legislation, including the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007 and the Dispersed Generation Study, and find out what role your community could play in generating dispersed renewable energy. Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Thief River Falls. Free; registration required for lunch. See more information.

Duluth:

BULLDOG BASH 2007 continues for new students through Sept. 8. Games, workshops, art, and informational events help students connect with the faculty and staff and get to know UMD resources. Activities included Taste of Tweed, an introduction to the Tweed Museum of Art, Sept 4; Multicultural Center welcome and open house, Sept. 6, 2-4 p.m., 268 Kirby Student Center; and "Respect Yr Mama," music and conversation with Shannon Murray and Dave Cuomo, Sept. 7, 7 p.m., UMD Rafters. Everyone is welcome. See the event schedule and more information.

PROJECTED ENROLLMENT for fall 2007 is 10,700, including 2,700 new students (2,225 freshmen, 475 new transfer students). A total of 3,020 students (87 percent of incoming freshmen) will live on campus. More than 45 percent of entering freshmen are from the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, with notable increases from several non-metro areas. UMD continues to draw 10 percent of its new students from Wisconsin, with increases from other states. See the news release.

THE COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, DULUTH'S new senior associate dean is Randall Seifer, professor and chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Science. Seifer replaces Stephen Hoag, who will continue on the faculty. See Seifer's bio and the college site.

Morris:

UMM is also among the "Best in the Midwest" in The Princeton Review 2008 survey of college students, and was named an America's Best Value College. Outstanding professors, financial assistance, and campus atmosphere were cited. See the news release.

NATURAL CONSTRUCTS, the first exhibit of the season in the Humanities Fine Arts Gallery, features the work of Iowa artists Timothy Frerichs and Brian Roberts, who use the natural world as the inspiration for their work. Through Oct. 13; reception Oct. 11, 7 to 9 p.m.

Rochester:

NEW UMR LOCATION IN DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER: See details about the new location--including maps, directions, transit and parking information, floor plans, and construction information. Students will continue to have access to the fitness center, the writing area in the Learning Center, and the Goddard Library in the old location at University Center Rochester.

Twin Cities:

TRANSIT AND PARKING: See guidelines on getting to the U. Metropasses for faculty and staff have been reduced from $64 to $45 to make busing more affordable. See also Parking and Transportation.

MAROON & GOLD FRIDAYS: HELP CELEBRATE U SPIRIT AND PRIDE when you wear maroon and good on Fridays in a tradition sponsored by the U of M Alumni Association (UMAA). Office or department representatives can serve as Goldy Gopher's ambassadors. Register one or more person to attend a kickoff where they will receive a laminated sign and toolkit, meet Goldy and members of the U of M Cheer Team, learn more about U spirit, and register for a drawing for free lunch delivered by Goldy on a Friday. The kickoff is Sept. 14, noon-1:30 p.m., Memorial Hall, McNamara Alumni Center; lunch provided. Register by Sept. 12 by calling 612-626-0425 or see Maroon & Gold Fridays.

CAMPUS CLUB FALL HOURS begin this week: lunch in the server, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; menu-service lunch, 11 a.m., RSVP 612-626-7788; and bar menu and beverage service, Monday-Wednesday 2-8 p.m., Thursday-Friday 2-9 p.m. Learn more about the Campus Club.

DINKYTOWN AND CEDAR-RIVERSIDE BUSINESSES ARE OPEN. With traffic changes due to the I-35W bridge collapse, they offer convenient places to eat, socialize, and run errands over the lunch hour for U faculty, staff, and students.

CENTER FOR HEALTH TRAJECTORY RESEARCH (P20) SEMINAR SERIES theme this year is clinical trial methodology. One continuing education unit of credit will be offered at each seminar. The first topic will be "Modeling Longitudinal Trajectories of Emotional Distress in Dementia Caregivers," presented by David Roth, professor of public health, U of Alabama-Birmingham. Sept. 6, noon, 3-125 Mayo Auditorium. See the schedule.

TURF AND GROUNDS FIELD DAY will highlight the latest research, education, and outreach related to green industries serving parks, public spaces, golf courses, cemeteries, and more. Sept. 13, display and trial gardens, St. Paul. Early-bird registration through Sept. 7; lunch is included. See Field Day.

MORE EVENTS include the Transportation Fair at the St. Paul Student Center (Sept. 5); Minnesota Cup Final Awards Reception (Sept. 6); Pipaashaa (Extreme Thirst), an exploration of environmental damage on underserved populations by Ananya Dance Theatre (Sept. 6-9); Small World Coffee Hour (Sept. 7); Funk at the Fred (Sept. 7); "Documenting China: Contemporary Photography and Social Change" (opens Sept. 8); Allianz HopeDay Festival with Gopher athletes, coaches, children with life-threatening illnesses, and their families (Sept. 9); "The Future of Science" in Café Scientifique (Sept. 10); Compleat Scholar fall sampler (Sept. 11); and Encyclopedia of Shamanism author Christina Pratt (Sept. 12). 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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