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Past Issues
Editor's note: A reminder to readers that Brief is moving to an e-mail format beginning September 10. Next week's issue on September 3 will be the last printed version of Brief. This change is part of a larger communications redesign effort that will provide improved access to information for all faculty and staff. (See the summer 2003 issue of Kiosk at www.umn.edu/urelate/kiosk for details.) University Relations is committed to ensuring that employees without regular access to e-mail will continue to receive the information provided in Brief. If you are such an employee, check with your supervisor about how you will have access to Brief. Contact Jason Sanford at sanfo012@umn.edu or 612-624-8520 if you have any questions.
On August 19, Teamsters Local 320 delivered to the University a "notice of intent to strike." While this does not mean that these employees will actually strike, if a strike is called, it could begin anytime between August 30 and September 17. The University is continuing its efforts to resolve the issues with the Teamsters and further mediation is scheduled for August 27–29. There are about 1,400 Teamsters on all campuses. For more information, see www.umn.edu/ohr.
The Board of Regents will appeal the Court of Appeals decision in a case challenging the U's presidential selection process, citing its responsibility to be accountable to the people of Minnesota for choosing the U's president. On August 19 the court ruled that the board's closed meeting in November 2002—used to keep the names of semifinalists for the position of president confidential—violated Minnesota's open meeting law. According to Mark Rotenberg, U's general counsel, in addition to appealing, the board will also seek renewal of a court order protecting the confidentiality of certain presidential candidates until the judicial review process has concluded.
U of M, Morris, has been named one of the top three public liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its 2004 rankings of America's Best Colleges. Morris was the only public college in the Midwest to achieve this status. In addition, Crookston was again ranked among the top three colleges in the category "Top Public Midwestern Comprehensive Colleges—Bachelor's." Duluth ranked number eight in the category "Top Midwest Public Universities with Master's Degrees." Under specific programs, the Twin Cities campus tied at #14 for best undergraduate business program, and the management information system program ranked #4; in addition, the Study Abroad program was highlighted for special recognition. Duluth ranked #3 for its undergraduate chemical engineering program.
Former U football coach Jim Wacker died August 26 at his home in San Marcos, Texas, after a long battle with cancer. He was 66. Wacker, known for his upbeat attitude and fun-loving demeanor, coached the Golden Gophers from 1992 to 96, compiling a 16-39 record. Wacker demanded academic excellence of his teams and took Minnesota to the top of the Academic All-Big Ten Team selections three straight years.
U staff and faculty—including student employees—are reminded that non-employment-related downloading or sharing of copyrighted music and movies on University equipment is not acceptable. Employees may be subject to disciplinary actions. For more information, including background on the escalating technological and legal issues between Internet users and copyright owners, such as recording artists and the motion picture industry, see www.umn.edu/oit/P2P-staff.
The Twin Cities campus will host the National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Grants Conference November 9–11, at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome. The conference will feature speakers addressing all aspects of the NSF grants process. For complete information about the conference, including registration, see www.research.umn.edu/conferences/nsf.
The Southern Research and Outreach Center (SROC) in Waseca will host an open house on September 11, 4–8 p.m. Supper will be served. For more information, contact any local Extension office or the SROC at 507-835-3620.
CROOKSTON—New student orientation runs August 29 through September 1. Highlights include the Student and Faculty Convocation on August 30, 3:30 p.m., Kiehle Auditorium; "Meet Crookston Through Service," an introduction to service learning through volunteer activities across the city of Crookston, on September 1; and keynote address and Common Reading Program discussion with Michael Dunphy on September 1, 7 p.m., in Brown Dining Room. Fall semester classes begin September 2. For full schedule information, see www.crk.umn.edu/FYE/Orientation.
DULUTH—UMD was named one of the 40 best college towns in North America in the September issue of Outside magazine. According to the editors, to make the top 40 honor roll, a school must, "Turn out smart grads with top-notch academic credentials, have a healthy environment ethos, and an A+ sense of adventure." The magazine gave special mention to UMD's Natural Resource Research Institute—which has opportunities for quality study in the fields of forestry, mining, and ecology—and the Outdoor Recreation Department.
Alec Habig, assistant professor of physics, is one of 200 international scientists participating in the MINOS neutrino experiment at the Soudan Underground Lab in Soudan, Minnesota. Data-taking with the 6,000 ton detector began August 14. Physicists will use the MINOS detector deep in the Soudan Mine to explore the phenomenon of neutrino mass. To view photos, please visit www.fnal.gov/pub/presspass
/press_releases/MINOS_photos.
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MORRIS—NBC news correspondent (and embedded reporter during the Iraq War) Fred Francis will open the annual Convocations Series on September 29, 7:30 p.m., in Edson Auditorium. Other convocation speakers will be: Coleen Rowley, FBI whistle-blower, who will speak on "Doing the Right Thing at All Cost…Ethical Decision Making" on October 27; Randall Kennedy, who will speak in advance of Black History Month on January 20; Jean Kilbourne, who will speak during Women's Week on "Deadly Persuasion: Advertising and Addiction" on February 24; and Chris Eyre, who will speak during World Touch Cultural Heritage Week on "From Smoke Signals to Skins" on March 22. For further information, contact CAC Convocations, Office of Student Activities, at 320-589-6050.
Ranked as one of the world's leading jugglers and described by New York magazine as "poetry in Moschen," visionary performing artist Michael Moschen will open the 2003–04 Performing Arts Series on September 20. For series tickets and additional information, call the Office of Student Activities at 320-589-6080 or see www.mrs.umn.edu/stuorgs/CAC/Arts.
ROCHESTER—UMR, along with the Mayo School of Continuing Medical Education and the Association of Southeast Minnesota Nurse Practitioners, conducted a new continuing education program for nurse practitioners and physician assistants on August 25–26. The program focused on subjects related to immigrant health care, diabetes, radiographic interpretation, smoking cessation, and numerous cardiovascular diagnostic and management conditions. More than 250 people were registered for this first-ever jointly sponsored program between the three organizations.
TWIN CITIES—The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission will decide next month whether to designate 33 properties near the U, including century-old fraternity and sorority houses, as historic landmarks. Most of the Greek houses, located either on or near University Avenue S.E. between Oak Street and Interstate 35W, were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many of the Greek organizations on campus oppose the move, saying that historic designation would make upkeep more expensive.
The Campus Club reservation number has changed; the new number to call when making reservations for Thursday dinners, chef's lunches, or hot breakfasts is 612-626-7788. For more information, see www.umn.edu/cclub.
The U's GLBT office has compiled a calendar of GLBT/queer events of interest to the University community. The calendar can be downloaded at www.umn.edu/glbt/PDFs/2003-
04QofMCalendar.pdf. Due to budget considerations, the GLBT office will not be printing the calendar.
The Minnesota Marketplace, located on the ground floor of Coffman Union, will begin offering Famous Dave's BBQ sandwiches this fall. In addition, Coffman has the only Chick-fil-A in the state of Minnesota. Marketplace hours are Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m., and Friday, 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
The Bistro West Restaurant, located in the Humphrey Center, was renovated over the summer to offer more menu options to customers. Bistro West will reopen September 2. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Events: Where is the closest place to catch the bus? Do I need a contract to get in the carpool lots? These questions and more can be answered at the annual Transportation Fair on September 2, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., outside Coffman Union. The fair will continue on September 3, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., in St. Paul outside the St. Paul Student Center. The goal of the fair is to inform all students, faculty, and staff about alternative forms of transportation, including busing, biking, walking, and carpooling. For more information, please call Parking and Transportation Services at 612-626-PARK (7275).
"Art Moves: 2003 Department of Art Faculty Exhibition" will mark the opening of the new Katherine Nash Gallery in the new art building in the heart of the West Bank Arts Quarter. The exhibition runs from Sept. 2 through October 22. A public reception marking this inaugural exhibition will be October 11, 8–11 p.m. For more information, call Nick Shank at 612-624-6518.
Lecture: Lisa Tannock, acting instructor, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, will speak on "Lipoprotein Retention in Diabetes Complications" on September 2, 5–6 p.m., in Room 114, LHI Educational Center. For more information, call 612-624-4620.
See more Twin Cities events online at events.tc.umn.edu.
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