|
Past Issues
House passed a bill Jan. 28 to resolve state's budget shortfall for current fiscal year through $468 million in cuts, including a $25 million recurring cut for the U. Senate passed a bill Jan. 23 calling for $383 million in cuts, accounting shifts, and spending of reserves. Onetime reduction to the U would be $20 million. Gov. Pawlenty has given legislature until early February to pass a bill that would address the current shortfall.
President Bruininks has approved a budget reduction allocation plan in light of the short time to implement forthcoming legislative cuts and to plan for potentially larger cuts in next biennium. Plan is based on "worst case scenario" of a $25 million recurring cut this fiscal year. Last week, U leaders learned of amount they would have to reduce in their college or unit budgets and were advised to manage cuts by reducing administrative expenses and operating costs, extending schedules for some investments, and examining activities that may be deemed less essential to core mission of units and the U.
Bruininks gave overview of the U to Senate Higher Education Budget Division Jan. 23. Bruininks also discussed the impact of potential budget cuts to higher education, including greater tuition costs for students. Linda Baer, MnSCU senior vice chancellor, also presented to the committee.
About 400 alumni, friends, and 12 legislators
attended the U's legislative briefing Jan. 21. Bruininks, Regent Hogan, and U of M Alumni Association president Deborah Hopp reviewed challenges for 2003 legislative session and stressed the importance of advocating the U's value to decision-makers at the capitol. Displays at the event featured U programs, facilities, and research projects that have impacted Minnesota communities.
In December, Board of Regents approved raising monetary levels for establishing endowed academic positions. Change will take effect July 1. Amount required to endow a professorship will increase from $500,000 to $1 million and for a faculty chair, $1 million to $2 million. Also, new $500,000 level for faculty fellow will be added. "When the current levels were established, they were sufficient to fund the salary lines of most positions," said Judy Kirk, U of M Foundation executive VP. "However, because of the financial realities of the salaries needed to compete and attract excellent faculty in today's market, these levels may no longer be sufficient." In Big Ten, endowed chair levels range from $1 million to $5 million.
Finalists for U Board of Regents will speak at
U of M Alumni Association Regent Candidate Forum Feb. 6, 4:30–6 p.m. (reception at 3:45), Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building. Free and open to the public. RSVP by Feb. 3; call 1-800-UM-ALUMS or 612-624-2323.
U plays an important role in creating businesses and helping them grow, said Bruininks at Jan. 22 seminar "The Business of Creating Businesses and the University's Involvement" sponsored by The Collaborative, a local organization serving emerging market companies, entrepreneurs, and investors. Bruininks spoke about U resources that help create high-tech start-up companies, including improved patents and technology marketing operations.
President's inauguration Web site with ceremony details, including fun facts and other Founders Week events, is at www.umn.edu/inauguration.
College of Continuing Education has launched U Reads, recommended reading list program with the help of "some of the U's leading minds." For more information or to request a poster or bookmark, see www.cce.umn.edu/ureads.
Nomination deadline for 2003–04 President's Emerging Leaders Program is Feb.14. Yearlong program is open to P&A, civil service, and bargaining unit staff; participants devote up to 8 hours a week on program activities. For more information, see www.umn.edu/ohr/chrd/emergingleaders or call Kate Schaefers at 612-626-0769.
CROOKSTON—Crookston Area Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 13 presented the UMC student body with 2002 Chairman's Award "for exemplifying the Spirit of Crookston through outstanding volunteer service to the community."
Career Services and Students in Free Enterprise will sponsor first Winter Job and Internship Fair for UMC students and alumni Jan. 29, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Bede Ballroom. Representatives from 20 companies are expected to attend the event.
Junior Ryan Tripp placed 3 out of 8 finalists in business opportunity contest at North Dakota's biggest economic development conference, "Marketplace of Ideas." Students from North Dakota and northwest Minnesota were asked to design new and innovative business and self-employment plans. Tripp's plan, "Tripp Dock and Lift," was based on a business he started in high school.
|
|
DULUTH—Nationally recognized U of Iowa sociology professor Kevin Leicht will speak on "The Future of Affirmative Action" Feb. 7, 2 p.m., Weber Music Hall. Talk will focus on core issues of the national affirmative action debate. Event is free and open to the public; reception will follow.
UMD Health Services received a certificate of accreditation by Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc., for passing a series of rigorous and nationally recognized standards for providing quality health care.
MORRIS—UMM is only Minnesota college listed among Top 100 best buys in U.S. public higher education in recent issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. UMM ranks 9th in least amount of average debt its graduates accumulate before graduation and 27th in student-faculty ratio at 14:1; consistently low ratios have placed UMM in previous Kiplinger's college surveys as one of 11 schools "where everyone knows your kid."
Several UMM students will participate in the American College Theatre Festival in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Besides attending workshops and productions, students Tiffany Roufs, Margaret Dobie, and Alex Jarvis have been selected to compete for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.
"Small Matters of Great Importance" exhibit Feb. 8
in HFA Gallery will feature 60 works of art by Amy Bouse, Mary Lou Stewart, Richard Johnson, Steve Wilson, Lisa Johannes, and Marlene MacCallum. Gallery hours are M–Th 9 a.m.–8 p.m., F 9 a.m.–
6 p.m., and Sa 1–5 p.m.
ROCHESTER—U ethics instructor and author Carol Bly will speak at 2003 University Center Rochester Visiting Scholars Series Jan. 30 at 10 a.m., Hill Theater. Bly is a past recipient of the Minnesota Humanities Award for Literature.
TWIN CITIES—U Legislative Calling Nights will be every Tuesday night mid February through mid May, 5–8 p.m.; dinner and training will be provided. If you are interested in joining other U supporters, call 612-626-8371 or e-mail benne069@umn.edu.
Veterinary Teaching Hospital opened its first satellite specialty services clinic at South Metro Animal Emergency Care Center in Apple Valley. Clinic, which the college hopes to replicate in other locations, provides a board-certified, small-animal surgeon on Tuesdays. Specialty clinic "is an important step in enhancing access to our services and better meeting our clients' needs," said CVM Dean Klausner.
U Bookstores Computer Store in Williamson Hall is having a clearance sale on printers, modems, software, Zip drives, keyboards, PDA's , and other peripherals. Last day to place order is Feb. 14; store will close for good Feb. 27, 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 612-625-3854.
Human Resources is sponsoring Weight Watchers
10-week At Work Program Feb. 19–April 23. Open house will be Feb. 5, 12:15 p.m., 240 Donhowe. For more information, call Toni at 612-624-4153.
Events: U's Research and Training Center Public Policy Forum will show "We Watch the City: Stories in the Shadow of 9/11," documentary on New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and those who support them, Feb. 4, 10:15–11:45 a.m., Ramsey County Public Library. o "Birds, Mosquitoes, and Tents Oh My!: A Decade of Tropical Expeditions" slide show will be Feb. 5, 7 p.m., Bell Auditorium. Admission is $7 ($4 Bell members); call 612-624-9050. o School of Music world music concert series will feature Ragamala Music and Dance Theater with music ensemble, Speaking in Tongues, Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m., Ted Mann Concert Hall. Tickets are $6–$23; 612-624-2345.
Lectures: McKnight Summer Fellows presentations—"Social Classes and Political History of Alalakah, circa 1450 BCE," "A Pagan Landscape: Constan-tinople and the Bosporus Before Constantine," and "The Landscape of Egyptian Monasticism"—will be Jan. 30, 3:30 p.m., Nolte Library. o "Deep Play, Dissolution, and Ecstasy: The State of Painting" by Philadelphia artist Jackie Tileston will be Feb. 6,
7 p.m., West Bank Program Hall, Willey Hall. Lecture is part of her Feb. 5–7 residency with art department.
Announcements: Kathryn Brown is new VP and chief of staff. She has held interim position since July. o June Nobbe, Leadership Programs director, will serve as interim associate vice provost of the Office for Student Affairs, position previously held by Brown.
o Joe Massey, head of Wood and Paper Science Department, will hold quarter-time appointment as assistant vice provost for faculty development.
|
|
Return to: University Relations : U of M Home
