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Vol. XXXIV No. 11; Mar. 17, 2004

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1. Top Stories
    Legislative update: Gophers-only stadium bill introduced.
    Regents preview factors for next year's budget; pass technology-transfer policy.
2. News and Announcements
    McKnight land-grant professors recognized.
    U graduate student wins Luce scholarship.
3. Campus Events and Information
4. Links

1. Top Stories

A BILL IN SUPPORT OF A GOPHERS-ONLY STADIUM at UMTC was introduced Monday at the legislature. While the capital request remains the top priority, the U supports this legislation. A 50,000-seat facility near Mariucci and Williams arenas would be financed with substantial private fundraising and a significant state contribution. For more information, see http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=1221&from=umnnews .

REGENTS MEETING LAST WEEK included a preview of the economic context for the next budget cycle, a facilities assessment that identified maintenance needs for the next decade, and approval of a policy to support the U's technology transfer activities by giving more small or early-stage companies the ability to license technologies developed by U researchers. For more information, see http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=1230&from=umnnews .

PRESIDENT BRUININKS will be a guest today on the Don Shelby Show, WCCO, 83.0 AM radio. Mar. 17, 3-4 p.m.

2. News and Announcements

McKNIGHT LAND-GRANT PROFESSORS for the two-year period beginning July 1 are Baoquan Chen, computer science and engineering, UMTC; Alec Habig, physics, UMD; Heiko Jacobs, electrical and computer engineering, UMTC; Jonathan Marchant, pharmacology, UMTC; Kristopher McNeill, chemistry, UMTC; Joachim Mueller, physics and astronomy, UMTC; Aaron Redish, neuroscience, UMTC; J. B. Shank, history, UMTC; and Kathleen Thomas, child development, UMTC. Recipients are awarded two years of research funding and a leave of one year. They were recognized by the regents Mar. 12. For more information, see http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=1200&from=umnnews .

GRADUATE STUDENT RICHARD HERMES WON A LUCE SCHOLARSHIP for a professional internship in Asia, one of 15 in the nation. Hermes is working toward a master of fine arts in creative writing at UMTC. For more information, see http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=1233&from=umnnews .

U CHIEF OF POLICE George Aylward will leave Apr. 2 to become director of security at Yale University. Assistant VP Hestness expects to make an announcement about future leadership within a few weeks.

A NEW WEB PUBLICATION, UMNnews, was introduced by University Relations Mar. 1. UMNnews will bring readers research and art updates, breaking stories, the latest U news and events, and expert faculty and staff commentaries on national and international issues. The site also serves as an online home for M, eNews, and Brief. See UMNnews at http://www.umn.edu/umnnews .

"EVEN MOTHER NATURE LOVES MAROON AND GOLD" postcards and notecards are still available. For more information, see http://www.umn.edu/urelate/mothernature .

FACULTY INTERACTIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM GRANTS promote faculty projects that involve a significant issue of public policy for the state or communities, and include interaction and engagement with Minnesota groups, agencies, or organizations involved with the issue. Deadline is Mar. 25. Sponsored by the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs. For more information, see http://www.cura.umn.edu/programs/FIRP/announce.html .

3. Campus Events and Information

U-wide:
"MINNESOTA WATER 2004: POLICY AND PLANNING TO ENSURE MINNESOTA'S WATER SUPPLIES" conference will feature regional experts and policymakers. Sponsored by the U's Water Resources Center and cosponsored by UMD's Sea Grant Program and Natural Resources Research Institute. Mar. 23-24, Radisson Metrodome, Minneapolis. For more information, see http://wrc.coafes.umn.edu/Water2004 .

Crookston:
FOUR FINALISTS for the UMC academic affairs vice chancellor position will visit and present public forums: Robert Aronstam, Guthrie Research Institute, Sayre, PA; Adenrele Awotona, Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA; Mark McColloch, U of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, PA; and Daniel Svedarsky, interim vice chancellor, UMC. Mar. 24-30. For more information, see http://www.crk.umn.edu/newsevents/notices03-04/VCAAfinalists.htm .

SPRING SEMESTER CONVOCATION will feature sociology professor, wildlife artist, and ecology award-winner Glinda Crawford and biology professor and author Richard Crawford, University of North Dakota. Mar. 24, 10 a.m., Kiehle Auditorium. For more information, see http://www.crk.umn.edu/newsevents/notices03-04/spring04convo.htm .

"PROTECTING OUR FOOD SYSTEM FROM INTENTIONAL ATTACK" workshop will be sponsored by Crookston Regional Extension Center, U of M Center for Public Health Preparedness, and U of M Center for Public Health Education and Outreach. Mar. 30, 1-5 p.m., Sahlstrom Conference Center. For more information, see http://safety.coafes.umn.edu/AgPHP .

Duluth:
BAEUMLER-KAPLAN HOLOCAUST COMMEMORATION Endowment Campaign announced an anonymous gift of $50,000. The endowment was established to ensure that lessons of the Holocaust are disseminated to the public, and especially young people, in the Twin Ports area. The annual program of speakers, films, art, and more will begin Apr. 13. For more information, see http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/holocaust/2004bkprogram.htm .

UMD UNIVERSITY FOR SENIORS, a life-long learning institute, will celebrate 15 years and dedicate a new center. Mar. 20, 5:30 p.m., Kirby Plaza, third-floor rotunda. For more information, see http://www.d.umn.edu/goto/seniors .

"DESIGN@UMD2" will showcase graphic design seniors' work. Apr. 2-16, M-F, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Oslund & Associates, Minneapolis warehouse district. Opening for professionals Apr. 2, 4-8 p.m. For more information, see http://www.design.d.umn.edu .

Morris:
UMM CHEMISTRY STUDENTS will present an on-campus dress rehearsal of "Science Sensations Showcase," a chemistry road show for Morris-area third-graders. Amazing feats of science are designed to generate enthusiasm for science among elementary-age students. Mar. 17, 7:30 p.m., Science Building auditorium. For more information, see http://www.mrs.umn.edu/alumni/universityRelations/news/view.php?id=115 .

31st ANNUAL WORLD TOUCH CULTURAL HERITAGE WEEK will kick off with diversity consultant, Hmong storyteller, comedian, and rap artist Tou Ger Xiong (Mar. 18). This year's theme is "Cultural Preservation Through the Indigenous Peoples of the World." Other guests and events will include film director Chris Eyre (Mar. 22), author Christina Garcia (Mar. 23), Mixed Blood Theatre's Daughters of Africa (Mar. 24), Japanese film Ringu (Mar. 24), a peace run (Mar. 25), poet Denise Sweet (Mar. 25), and a powwow (Mar. 27). For more information, see http://www.mrs.umn.edu/alumni/universityRelations/news/view.php?id=114 .

Twin Cities:
AS THE METRO BUS STRIKE enters its third week, spring break gave students a reprieve. Many employees continue to find alternative ways to get to work. "The Metro Transit bus strike has caused hardships for many U employees and students who routinely use the bus," said human resources VP Carol Carrier. "Many members of the U community have helped out by offering car pooling and other arrangements for colleagues stranded by the strike. We are all appreciative for that support." Watch for updates that affect parking and transportation at http://www.parkandtrans.umn.edu .

PARKING ALERT: High school and collegiate athletic tournaments at UMTC this month are expected to further limit parking. Faculty, students, and staff are urged to plan ahead, carpool, arrive early, and use the Fairgrounds Lot in St. Paul, which only rarely fills to capacity and costs $3.25 per day. High school girls' basketball tournaments are Mar. 17-18, boys' tournaments Mar. 19 and 24-27. College women's basketball tournaments are Mar. 20-23. For more information, look for parking rates, events, and hot topics at http://www.parkandtrans.umn.edu .

INSTALLATION OF THE CAMPUS COMPUTER NETWORK UPGRADE BEGINS MAR. 17. Five installation teams are at work; conversion to the new network begins in July. Installation does not affect service, but call 612-301-4357 (1-help) to report trouble. To register for building notifications, see http://www.umn.edu/nts/networkupgrade .

JOIN A TEAM FOR "RELAY FOR LIFE," a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Apr. 24, Fieldhouse. Pick up an information packet Mar. 23, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 3-6 p.m., Moos Tower, second floor (next to Java City). Registration deadline: Apr. 2. For more information, e-mail meyer004@umn.edu .

"RESPONDING TO GRADUATE-LEVEL WRITING" will feature a cross-disciplinary panel of instructors addressing ways to inspire effective revisions, working with students whose first language is not English, and strategies for coauthoring. Mar. 24, 2:30-4 p.m., 207a Lind.

PRERETIREMENT SEMINAR for Civil Service and represented bargaining unit staff will be presented by the Office of Human Resources. Employees age 55 and over have been sent information packets. Mar. 30, 1-3 p.m. or 5-7 p.m., 210-215 Donhowe. To register, complete the form in the packet or call Myron Guthrie at 612-624-8550.

HOST FAMILIES OR INDIVIDUALS are needed for college-age international students Apr. 4-7 while they attend orientation for the Minnesota Agricultural Student Trainee (MAST) program. Students will need room and board for three nights and transportation to and from the St. Paul campus. For more information, call Sue Rains-Johnson at 612-624-2732.

VOLUNTEERS FOR DENTAL CARE are needed by fourth-year dental students, who seek patients for the upcoming Central Regional Dental Board exam. Volunteers must not have had their teeth cleaned for two years; if selected, they will receive free dental care and possible compensation. For a free dental screening, call 612-625-9923.

TWO CHILDREN'S BOOKS selected for the 2004 U Reads list were The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, and The Wump World, by Bill Peet. The U's Kerlan Collection holds studies for other books by Van Allsburg and six sheets of studies for The Wump World. A sample will be on display in the case inside the plaza door of Andersen Library, Mar. 8-31. For more information about the Kerlan Collection, see http://special.lib.umn.edu/clrc/kerlan.html .

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH events continue with a lecture by Roe vs. Wade attorney Sara Weddington (Mar. 24), film series (Mar. 25 and 30), and poetry slam (Mar. 29). For more information, see http://www.umn.edu/women .

MORE EVENTS include a National Academy of Science lecturer on genetic dissection of cell wall structure and function (Mar. 19), Great Conversation on "Bioethics in the National Spotlight" (Mar. 23), book signing for Employment With a Human Face: Balancing Efficiency, Equity, and Voice, by professor John Budd (Mar. 25), feng shui lectures and seminars sponsored by the Center for Spirituality and Healing (Mar. 25-27), CNN anchor Aaron Brown on "World Events and the Media" (Mar. 27), MIT finance and economics professor Stephen Ross on "Behavioral Finance: The Closed End Fund Puzzle" (Mar. 30), and "Reframing the Public Dialogue About the Needs of Young Children" (Apr. 1, register by Mar. 29). These and many more events are posted on the events calendar at http://events.umn.edu .

Note from the managing editor: After several weeks as interim editor, Gayla Marty has agreed to take the reins as editor of Brief. She brings to the task many years of experience at the U and a keen understanding of news and issues important to faculty and staff. Brief is in good hands. --Ann Freeman, managing editor.

Brief is compiled by University Relations at the University of Minnesota. Gayla Marty, editor; Ann Freeman, managing editor. Please send comments, questions, or submissions to Gayla Marty at marty001@umn.edu . All Twin Cities event submissions are handled through the events calendar at http://events.tc.umn.edu .

To receive Brief as a text-only e-mail, contact Gayla Marty, editor, at marty001@umn.edu .

Notice: Brief is the official University of Minnesota staff and faculty weekly news digest, featuring human resource, employee benefit, administrative, legislative and budgetary, event, and other pertinent information. You may choose to unsubscribe from Brief, but please be aware that if you unsubscribe, you will not receive this up-to-date information, compiled and delivered directly to you, in any other University communications. To unsubscribe, visit http://www.umn.edu/urelate/brief/briefsub.php .