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Past Issues
Regents approved $2.3 billion for U's fiscal year 2003 operating budget June 14. The budget includes re-allocations, reductions, and a tuition increase to fund a $38.2 million budget challenge created by a state budget reduction of $23.6 million and new security, insurance, and software costs.
Budget also includes nearly $10 million in new investments in priority areas. "This budget effectively aligns new investments with our strategic priorities, including additional support for undergraduate education, the biological sciences, and new computer science faculty, while absorbing the cost of state cuts and new expenses as painlessly as possible," said Regent Reed.
New investments include $300,000 to improve undergraduate education by adding advisers, $1.6 million for 12 new computer science faculty members, $550,000 for biological sciences and nanotechnology, and $500,000 for writing-intensive courses. Tuition increases across all campuses will average 16%. Reductions include reducing faculty salary increases to 4% and college and unit budgets by 2%.
Regents discussed the presidential search process. "This is a process where we need to use all the resources at our fingertips to find the best person--man or woman--for the job," said Regent Reed in a special June 13 Board of Regents work session.
Regents will select a search firm by the end of this week and members of a presidential advisory group in July. Group's charge will be to review in depth the qualifications of applicants and recommend 4 or 5 semifinalists to the board. Reed said committee will likely have 3 faculty members, a student, a business leader, 2 people from the political arena, one from labor, a dean, an alumnus, and someone from the University of M Foundation. Regents hope to select new president by the end of the year.
Executive VP and provost Bruininks will be interim president effective no later than Aug. 1. "He is the obvious choice to see the University through an orderly and successful transition while continuing to advance the vision and priorities that have been set out," said Regent Reed. Bruininks, who has been 2nd in command for 5 years, had planned to step down June 30 to take a year-long sabbatical and then return to teaching. He is expected to serve as interim president for at least 6 months, until a permanent president is named. As provost, he oversaw the successful transition from quarters to semesters and the implementation of new technology systems for student services and human resources.
Bruininks will oversee preparations for the U's 2003 legislative request and fill the open positions of provost, VP for U Services, athletics director, and deans of Humphrey Institute, Medical School, and College of Natural Resources.
Don Sargeant will step down as UMC chancellor effective June 30, 2003. He will take a one-year leave to polish his technology skills and visit other technology-focused colleges and universities. He will then return to the faculty to further assist technology integration and development.
Regents approved a resolution to maintain but freeze annual $10 million subsidy to Twin Cities intercollegiate athletics for fiscal years 2003 and 2004. Board resolution reaffirmed support for the administration "to manage a financially sound program, committed to the well-being of all student-athletes, and consistent with the values and principles of the University."
UPlan offers "the widest array of access any employer has offered, nationwide," said senior VP Cerra to Regents Committee on Faculty, Staff, and Student Affairs June 13. Cerra reported that the U is "performing well" in its first year of self-insuring with $13.5 million in reserve and $21.4 million in expenses the first quarter (budgeted expenses were $24.8 million). U decided to self-insure June 2001 to have greater role in determining benefits and because of rising cost of state health plan premiums.
U is now in 2nd phase of plan. RFP was issued in February to health plan carriers for dental, life, and retiree medical benefits. In 2003, there will be 5 dental options through 2 carriers, Delta Dental and HealthPartners; 4 options will be traditional plans with variations on network size and annual benefit maximums; 5th option will be an indemnity policy with higher out-of-pocket costs but no limitations on provider network. UPlan life insurance will continue to be provided by Minnesota Life. More information on 2003 UPlan will be sent to employees by mid-July.
Campaign Minnesota has surpassed $1.3 billion goal with one year to go, but funds are still needed for student support and libraries and to meet individual campus and college goals. Campaign in final year will focus on raising $38.5 million for merit and need-based undergraduate scholarships, |
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graduate fellowships, and enrichment activities such as study abroad and research; $5 million for new library acquisitions, technology, and maintenance of special collections; and $100 million or more for campus and college goals. As of April 30, $1.327 billion has been raised; Campaign Minnesota is state's largest private fund-raising campaign and nation's 6th largest among public universities. For updated information or to make a gift, see www.campaign.umn.edu.
Finalists for director of Employee Benefits are Dann Chapman, U Health Programs interim director; Kathy Prondzinski, Watson Wyatt consultant; and Terry Koves, Land O'Lakes, Inc., compensation and benefits director. Public forums for Chapman and Prondzinski were June 17. Forum for Koves will be June 24, 1:15–2 p.m., 238a Morrill Hall.
Look for the summer issue of Kiosk, with a special pull-out section on places to eat and things to do on and around the TC campus, in your mailbox this week. Faculty-staff newspaper also features an article on President Yudof and interviews with U award recipients.
CROOKSTON--UMC will host the U of M Student Administrative Services Group June 19–20. Event involves training and business meetings for admissions, financial aid, registration, records, and administrative computing services staff from all U campuses.
Fiscal year-to-date Campaign Minnesota gifts and pledges designated to UMC total $667,438. "Thanks to the tremendous support of UMC alumni and friends the four-year total of gifts and pledges for UMC has now reached $5,166,272, with one year left of the campaign," said development director Michael Meyer. UMC campus-specific goal is $5 million.
DULUTH--School of Business and Economics (SBE) held dedication ceremonies May 15 for its new SBE Financial Markets Program and Wells Fargo Financial Markets Lab. Program provides students hands-on fund-management experience and real-world understanding of the financial market industry.
Beginning fall 2002, UMD Department of Art will be renamed UMD Department of Art and Design.
Minnesota Repertory Theatre opens its summer season June 19 with Arsenic and Old Lace. Play runs through July 18 in Marshall Performing Arts Center. Show times are 8 p.m. on June 19–22, July 5, 10, 11, 20, 25 and 2 p.m. on July 7 and 21. For tickets and more information, call 218-726-8561.
MORRIS--Head wrestling coach Doug Reese spent 3 weeks in the Caucasus mountain region of southern Russia teaching in the Department of Sport and Physical Culture at Karbardino-Balkaria State U in Nalchik. He also coached at 2 wrestling clubs in the Republic of Karbardino-Balkaria and Republic of Severnaya Ossetia, where this year's 3 world champions and silver medalist train.
ROCHESTER--Program in Translation and Interpreting started its first Introduction to Translation June 18, with sections in Spanish (live) and Somali (via ITV). The 3-credit courses, which will run through August, are led by CLA associate professor Bruce Downing.
TWIN CITIES--Mind Body Spirit Clinic will close Aug. 16. "The decision to close the clinic was difficult, but necessary in light of the difficult health care economy and inadequate reimbursements," said senior VP Cerra. The complementary medicine clinic is jointly owned by AHC and Fairview Health Services. AHC will continue to support Center for Spirituality and Healing, Cerra said.
During Freshman Orientation June 10–July 18, faculty and staff who need new or replacement U cards should visit the Rec Sports location (M–Sat., 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and M–F, 4–6 p.m.) instead of main office.
Events: Center for Spirituality and Healing and College of Veterinary Medicine will host hands-on healing demonstrations: Tellington Touch for Humans, June 19–22, 592 Mayo; Therapeutic Touch for Horses, June 20, 7 p.m. (horse race at 6:30 p.m.), Canterbury Park Racetrack and Card Club; and Tellington Touch for Pets, June 23, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Animal Humane Society, Golden Valley. To register, see www.csh.umn.edu/Education/ltj and www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/02tt.htm.
o Karla Kuskin, author of The Philharmonic Gets Dressed, will give Naomi C. Chase Lecture in Children's Literature June 25, 2:30 p.m., 120 Elmer L. Andersen Library.
o U Film Society will show Baran, a story about an Afghan boy who meets an Iranian girl, July 5–11, 7:15 p.m., Bell Museum Auditorium. See www.ufilm.org.
Announcement: Denise Guerin, interior design professor, received the Michael Tatum Excellence in Education Award from International Interior Design Association and Teknion, Inc., for outstanding contributions to interior design education.
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