Read Brief on the Web at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief/Brief_9202006.html .
Vol. XXXVI No. 30; Sept. 20, 2006

Editor: Gayla Marty, 612-625-0552, marty001@umn.edu

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PRIVATE GIFTS TO THE U TOTALED $181 MILLION in fiscal year 2006, slightly ahead of last year's total and up 25 percent from 2004. Support of student scholarships was especially strong. The number of faculty and staff donors rose 4 percent to nearly 5,290 this year. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Gift_receipts.html .

THE NORTH AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE ON BIOFUELS DEVELOPMENT was presented by College of Biological Sciences dean Robert Elde at a European Union conference on bioenergy, in Norway, Sept. 13. His presentation included details about research at the U of M. Elde and a delegation of U faculty and staff also met with scientists at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences to review collaborative research projects and explore new opportunities. For more information, see http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=3272&from=umnnews and http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/Ethanol_fuel_presents_a_cornundrum.html .

PEOPLE: UMM's first campus sustainability coordinator is Troy Goodnough; U of M Alumni Association (UMAA) volunteers were honored Sept. 15, including Faculty/Staff Volunteer of the Year Debra Skaar, College of Pharmacy. Read more at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews/Faculty_Staff_Comm/people.html .

Transforming the U:

"A BLUEPRINT FOR CREATING THE INSTITUTE ON THE ENVIRONMENT for the University of Minnesota" was posted Sept. 15. The U-wide institute, dedicated to research on major environmental problems, will bring together multidisciplinary teams to work on global environmental issues with regional significance. Read the report at http://www.umn.edu/systemwide/strategic_positioning .

COLLEGE OF FOOD, AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCES (CFANS) dean candidate public forums this week will be held at the St. Paul Student Center Theater, 10 a.m.-noon, on the following dates: Sept. 22, Allen Levine, professor and head, Department of Food Science and Nutrition; Sept. 26, Curtis Richardson, professor of resource ecology, Duke University. For more information, see http://www.cfans.umn.edu/deansearch .

CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

University-wide:

"KEEPING OUR FACULTIES IV: RECRUITING, RETAINING, AND ADVANCING FACULTY OF COLOR" CALL FOR ABSTRACTS. Faculty and staff are invited to submit abstracts for the fourth national symposium in a series to be hosted by the U Apr. 12-14, 2007. The meetings address challenges in efforts to diversify the professoriate--one of the most important challenges faced by higher learning institutions. One-page abstracts will be accepted online through Oct. 31. For more information, see http://www.cce.umn.edu/kof .

A RECEPTION IN HONOR OF NANCY "RUSTY" BARCELÓ, the U's first VP for equity and diversity, will be hosted by the Office of the President. Faculty and staff are cordially invited to attend. Oct. 3, 3-4:30 p.m., A.I. Johnson Room, McNamara Alumni Center, UMTC. For more information, see http://www.academic.umn.edu/equity .

OCTOBER IS FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH, aimed to help educate students about strategies for managing their finances. To learn more, read this month's edition of The Record, now online at http://onestop.umn.edu/onestop/Contact_Us/News2C_Events2C_and_Activities/The_Record/Record_200609.html .

ENROLLMENT REPORT GRADING BASIS CHANGE: Beginning this semester, the grading basis--A-F, S/N, and AUD--will no longer appear on instructors' enrollment reports for courses on the A-F grading scale. Instructors will give all students a letter (A-F) grade; for those students who enrolled S/N, the computer will automatically convert the letter grade to an S (if it is C- or above) or N (if D+ or below). Courses in which all students are graded S/N will continue to submit S/N grades only. The change responds to a recommendation to the U Senate by the Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP) last spring. For more information, contact Tina Falkner, rovic001@umn.edu .

THE NEXT CIVIL SERVICE COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE AT UMD, Sept. 27, 9-11:30 a.m., Regents Room, Darland Administration Building. The meeting will be followed by lunch and a tour. UMD civil service staff are invited to the business session and asked to contact Linda Olcott at lolcott@d.umn.edu regarding seating availability. For more information about the CSC, see http://www.umn.edu/csc .

SUCCESSFUL MANAGERS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM is now open for registration. The program addresses the manager's role as a leader, helps participants to understand and address personal strengths and weaknesses, and equips them with tools to be successful as a leader. Learn more and sign up at http://www.umn.edu/ohr/leadership/seminar .

COMING SOON FROM UPLAN WELLNESS: This fall, U employees statewide can enroll in the 10,000 Steps® program from HealthPartners, sponsored by Health Connections. 10,000 Steps® encourages participants to set a fitness goal and then gradually work toward achieving the recommended 10,000 steps a day. More information about how to receive a free pedometer and register using the U's promotional code will arrive in campus and home mailboxes soon.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH GRANT applications are being accepted through Oct. 16. Assistant professors who have no independent national funding and are engaged in cancer-related research are eligible for grants up to $25,000. Research may include genetic mechanisms of cancer, molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and metastasis, development of novel therapeutic models and translational research, and cancer immunology and immunotherapy. For an application, contact micek003@umn.edu or 612-626-1926.

U.S. INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK 2006 WILL BE NOV. 13-17. All campuses, colleges, departments, and student organizations are encouraged to plan activities and events that highlight international education at the U. For more information, see http://www.international.umn.edu/IEweek .

2006 GUY STANTON FORD LECTURE, "Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Da Vinci," by Elaine Pagels, is free and open to the public; seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Oct. 6, 12:15 p.m., Ted Mann Concert Hall, UMTC. For more information, see http://www.grad.umn.edu/news/ford or contact gsfellow@umn.edu or 612-625-7579.

Crookston:

A PRE-VET OPTION in UMC's animal and equine industries management programs has been approved by the regents. Students can begin to register in the programs in spring 2007. For more information, see http://academics.umcrookston.edu/agri .

A VINEYARD AND WINERY TOUR for prospective grape growers was hosted by UMC and local nurseries and vineyards Sept. 14. The U's grape breeding program and private breeders are making progress in producing cold-hardy grapes, responding to intensified interest in grape production among farm families seeking crop diversification and to public support for locally grown products. For more information and photos, see http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews .

"ROCKIN' ON AND STILL GOING STRONG" is the theme for homecoming week, Sept. 25-30. For more information, see http://www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews/stories/story348.html .

Duluth:

GRAND OPENING OF THE NEW $12.4 MILLION SPORTS AND HEALTH CENTER ADDITION is today. Chancellor Martin will kick off ceremonies at 11 a.m., with activities throughout the day including guided tours, fitness classes and demonstrations, and free hotdogs, fruit, and veggie burgers. The 46,000-square-foot facility contains northern Minnesota's largest and most comprehensive athletic and recreational facilities. For more information, see http://www.d.umn.edu or http://www.umdrsop.org/facilities .

AUTHOR OF THE BEST-SELLING The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, Alexander McCall Smith, will speak on "The Very Small Things of Life," a talk about the books' setting in Botswana--a successful democracy with a stable economy, minimal corruption, and a reputation for facing the AIDS crisis. Sponsored by the Alworth Institute for International Studies. Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., Kirby Ballroom. For more information, see http://www.d.umn.edu/news/2006/September/12.html .

Morris:

A PILOT PROGRAM, "Lifelong Learning: Liberal Arts Courses for Seniors" in western Minnesota, will be developed with a new $5,000 grant from the UMTC Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to UMM Continuing Education Regional Programs and Summer Session (CERP). Osher institutes are located at 73 college campuses around the country. The pilot at UMM will be based on the Osher model, with volunteer instructors and facilitators leading courses attended by retired adults. For more information, see http://www.morris.umn.edu/ummnews/View.php?itemID=1157 .

THE UMM TELESCOPE IS OPEN FOR PUBLIC OBSERVATION, weather permitting, Sept. 22, Oct. 20, Nov. 3 and 10, and Dec. 8. For more information, see http://cda.mrs.umn.edu/~kearnsk/Telescope/PubObs.htm .

Rochester:

SIGNATURE SERIES 2006: THE BEST IN TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT will bring eight one-day courses from the UMTC management of technology (MOT) master's program to Rochester. The series explores unique concerns of managing and leading technology-based functions and organizations. Oct. 9-12 and Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., UMR. For more information, see http://www.r.umn.edu/Signature_Series_2006.htm .

Twin Cities:

SHOW YOUR U SPIRIT: Send one or two representatives from your office or department to the Maroon & Gold Fridays Kickoff for Goldy Gopher's Ambassadors. Free lunch, gifts, and a chance to meet Goldy and see the U cheer team. Sept. 22, noon-1 p.m. To register, see http://www.alumni.umn.edu/mgf .

GROUND BREAKING FOR HANSON HALL, the new building devoted to undergraduate education at the Carlson School of Management, will be held Sept. 28, 5:30 p.m. The event will begin indoors: join President Bruininks and other U and community leaders for a virtual tour and interactive display of the new building, followed by a ceremonial ground breaking. Register by Sept. 22 at http://www.csom.umn.edu/events ; see also https://www.carlsonschool.umn.edu/Page4429.aspx .

LEARNING ABROAD FAIR will host representatives from dozens of program cosponsors and partners. Faculty and advisers can get a close look at the breadth of opportunities available to undergraduates. Sept. 20, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., west end of the Washington Avenue Bridge. For more information, see http://www.umabroad.umn.edu .

STUDY ABROAD INFO SESSIONS FOR FACULTY AND ADVISERS are held the third Thursday each month. Learn more about education-abroad programs, advising issues, and upcoming opportunities. First session of the year will be "Programs in Spanish-Speaking Countries," Sept. 21, 9-10 a.m., 289 Humphrey Center. For more information, see http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/news .

SNEAK PREVIEW OF "TOUCH THE SKY: PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM BRANDENBURG" for U faculty, staff, students, and parents will be held Sept. 29, 3-4:30 p.m., Bell Museum, with free exhibit posters to the first 25 guests. For more information, see http://events.umn.edu/event?occurrence=396615;event=113995 .

"AGRICULTURE BIOTECHNOLOGY: THE NEXT GENERATION," a one-day conference on the life sciences revolution in food and agriculture, will feature Charles Muscoplat, VP for agriculture policy. Sept. 29, Science Museum of Minnesota. Register online at http://www.agrigrowth.org .

FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL will headline the 2006 Distinguished Carlson Lecture, with "Leadership: Taking Charge." Oct. 3, 12:15-1:15 p.m., Northrop Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public, but tickets are required (limit two per person); tickets will be available Sept. 26. For more information, see http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=3273&from=umnnews .

RESCHEDULED: Sonny Rollins concert Sept. 17 has been postponed to Oct. 31. Limited tickets are still available. For more information, see http://www.umn.edu/umato .

MORE EVENTS include "Our Ancestors the Sighted: Making Blind People French and French People Blind," by Catherine Kuldick (Sept. 20); "Songs in an Andalusian Key: Musical Style, Identity Politics, and Andalusian Nostalgia in Pop Music From Spain, North Africa, and Israel," by Lourdes Alvarez (Sept. 21); "Hidden Voices: The Lives of Queer Muslims," by activist Faisal Alam (Sept. 21); first Small World Coffee Hour of the year (Sept. 22); "American Fashion Transformed: Four Master Designers" of the post-World War II era (opens Sept. 23); "Design and Meaning: Community Design Practice" (Sept. 25); Supervisory Training Core Program (Sept. 26); and "Twenty Women in Science: Journeys in Academia," hosted by grad students in animal science (Sept. 27). SEE THESE AND MORE TWIN CITIES EVENTS ONLINE at http://events.tc.umn.edu .

UMTC 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 Gayla Marty, editor, at marty001@umn.edu . All Twin Cities event submissions are handled through the events calendar at http://events.tc.umn.edu .

Brief is published by e-mail and on the Web at www.umn.edu/umnnews/Publications/Brief.html. See also UMNnews, a U-wide Web publication, at www.umn.edu/umnnews .

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