Past Issues

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1. Top Stories

PRESIDENT BRUININKS EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE GOVERNOR'S $76.6 million capital budget proposal, which funds less than half of the $155.5 million in state bonding the U is seeking. "After the devastating budget reductions the U experienced last year, I am deeply disappointed in this recommendation," he said. The U seeks funding for critical health and safety projects, renewal of old and outdated classrooms and buildings, and critical infrastructure projects, such as new roofs and ventilation systems. MORE:
http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=1114 . For additional information on the U's capital request, see http://www.umn.edu/govrel . For information on supporting the U's capital request, see http://www.supporttheu.umn.edu .

NOMINATIONS FOR THE PRESIDENT'S EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM are being accepted through Feb. 13. The program develops leadership skills of U staff. P & A, civil service, and bargaining unit staff from all campuses are eligible. The 2004-05 program will accept up to 25 participants, who will devote up to 8 hours a week on program activities. A list of past and current participants, more information, and applications are available at http://www.umn.edu/ohr/pel .

GENEVA SOUTHALL, a longtime music professor and chair of the U's Department of African American and African Studies, died Jan. 2 at her daughter's residence in Iowa City after a long illness. She was 78. A musical memorial service will be held Jan. 25, 6 p.m., at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis. MORE: http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=1098 .

2. News and Announcements

THE OFFICE FOR UNIVERSITY WOMEN SEEKS NOMINATIONS for the following annual awards recognizing the contributions of U women: the Mullens/Spector/Truax Women's Leadership Award, the Rusty Barcelo Award, the Civil Service/Bargaining Unit Award, and the Sharon L. Doherty Award. The deadline for all nominations is Feb. 27. Awards will be presented at "Celebration of U Women" on April 22. Award descriptions, criteria, and nomination materials are available at http://www.umn.edu/women . For questions and more information, call 612-625-2385 or e-mail women@umn.edu .

THE PULSE SURVEY--an ongoing U-wide effort to "take the pulse" of U employees--will kick off in February. The online survey will ask a variety of questions about faculty and staff job experiences and perspectives on the U as a workplace. The survey will be administered on a regular schedule in the years ahead to track employee attitudes, perspectives, and satisfaction levels. Further details about the survey will be provided in the coming weeks. Faculty and staff are encouraged to complete the survey and may do so on work time.

NEW ONLINE SERVICES FOR EMPLOYEES--including statements on employee reimbursements and flexible spending account reimbursements--are available through the Human Resources employee self-service Web site at http://hrss.umn.edu/index_html . Social Security numbers are also being eliminated from all pay statements beginning in February as a result of growing concern about possible theft of the numbers. Contact the HRMS/Payroll call center at 612-625-2016 with questions.

3. Campus Events and Information

U-wide Event:
U OF M ALUMNI ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING will be Jan. 22, 5:30-8:30 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center, Minneapolis. The event is free and open to the public and will feature President Bruininks and U supporters from around the state. Reservations are required and can be made online at http://www.supporttheu.umn.edu or by calling 612-625-9174. MORE: http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=1117 .

Crookston:
SEVERAL UMC FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS WERE HONORED at the 62nd annual Crookston Area Chamber of Commerce awards dinner Jan. 12. The chamber's Business Entrepreneur Award, recognizing a local business that exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit, was presented to Larry Leake, assistant professor of aviation, and his wife, Ellen, owners of the Willow and Ivy gift store. Jerry Knutson, associate professor of biology, received the Partners in Education Award, presented to an individual who has made significant contributions to Crookston's educational system. The Chairman's Award for Service to the Community was presented to Pam Holsinger-Fuchs, director of UMC's Office of Student Activities and Service Learning, and her husband, Tom Fuchs.

THE 29TH ANNUAL AG-ARAMA, a winter competitive event that focuses on agriculture and natural resources, will be held Jan. 31. An awards ceremony will be held at 2 p.m., along with a dedication of public art by Minneapolis-based artist Susan Warner. A related alumni social is set for that day 5:30-7 p.m. at the Irishman's Shanty of Crookston, followed by a campus dance at the Crookston Armory from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. For more information, see http://webhome.crk.umn.edu/clubs/agarama .

Duluth:
THE ANNUAL UMD NIGHTWALK FOR CAMPUS SAFETY will be held Feb. 2, 5-6:30 p.m. Participants will meet inside the Kirby Plaza bus hub entrance at 5 p.m. and are encouraged to wear warm clothing and to bring flashlights. The purpose of the nightwalk is to walk together, observe all outside areas of the campus, and make recommendations for possible future campus improvements. Everyone is welcome.

THE TWEED MUSEUM OF ART will present "Sue Johnson: the Alternate Encyclopedia" Jan. 27 through March 28. The show examines the way nature is pictured, described, and archived by combining Johnson's own prints and paintings with natural history specimens, manufactured goods, and toys. The opening reception and lecture on Jan. 27, 6 p.m., is free and open to the public.

Morris:
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AWARDED $176,009 TO UMM under the Grants to Combat Violent Crimes Against Women on Campuses Program. UMM was one of only 10 new programs funded this year. The program provides opportunities for higher education institutions to partner with police, prosecutors, members of the judiciary, victim advocates, health care providers, and other related groups in order to reduce violent crimes against women on campus. MORE: http://www.mrs.umn.edu/alumni/universityRelations/news/view.php?id=90 .

SUE DIETER '86 HAS BEEN NAMED PUBLISHER of the Morris Sun Tribune, effective Jan. 26. Sue replaces longtime publisher Jim Morrison, whose departure ends the Morrison family's 105-year ownership of the newspaper.

Rochester:
THE U'S CENTER FOR ANIMAL HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY held the workshop "FSIS Rule to Reduce Listeria Monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products" on the Rochester campus Jan. 20. The workshop was designed to help local meat and food processors better understand and implement new governmental operational directives.

Twin Cities:
FACULTY AND STAFF WHO WILL BE AWAY FROM THE TWIN CITIES during the next academic year and would like to rent their homes to new U faculty or staff can contact the Relocation Assistance Program (RAP) for assistance at rapland@umn.edu or 612-626-0775.

FACULTY AND STAFF CAN RECEIVE DENTAL CARE at affordable reduced rates at the School of Dentistry, whose dental clinics provide a full range of dental services including all dental specialties (braces, crowns, oral surgery, root canals, dentures, and more) and cosmetic services. Treatment is provided by experienced dental and dental hygiene students, dental residents, and faculty members. The clinics accept all U dental insurance. To make an appointment or for more information, call 612-624-8400.

JOHN GEER will speak on "Negative Campaigning in the 2004 Presidential Election" Jan. 22, 3:30-5 p.m., 215 Humphrey Center. Geer is the author of the forthcoming book, Attacking Democracy: A Defense of Negativity in Presidential Campaigns.

JULIA HEIMAN will speak on "Recent Developments and Controversies in Female Sexual Dysfunction Research" Jan. 23, 12-1 p.m., 2-520 Moos Tower. Lunch will be provided. Heiman is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington, Seattle.

"HEALTHY LIVING: WELLNESS AND AWARENESS" symposium will be Jan. 24, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The symposium focuses on different aspects of healthy living and how they relate to people's mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Cost is $40 for Arboretum members and $50 for nonmembers and includes gate admission, continental breakfast, and handouts. For registration or more information, call 952-443-1422 or e-mail education@arboretum.umn.edu .

A DISCUSSION ON "QUEER COMMUNITIES--ECONOMIC STATUS AND CLASS" will be held Jan. 28, 12-1 p.m., 319 Coffman Union. The discussion will be facilitated by Susan Raffo, editor of the anthology Queerly Classed: Gay Men and Lesbians Write about Class.

SEE MORE TWIN CITIES EVENTS ONLINE at http://events.tc.umn.edu

Brief is compiled by University Relations at the University of Minnesota. Please send comments, questions, or submissions to Jason Sanford, editor, at sanfo012@umn.edu All Twin Cities event submissions are handled through the events calendar at http://events.tc.umn.edu

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