U of M Crookston Campus E Update an internal administrative news digest February 25, 2015

Transcription

1 U of M Crookston Campus E Update an internal administrative news digest February 25, 2015 From The Chancellor Go Golden Eagles! is a cheer I hope to hear loudly tonight in Lysaker Gymnasium! I am so very proud of all of our athletic teams this year and especially pleased that our women s basketball team was able to secure a home NSIC playoff game for the first time in Golden Eagle history. They are a terrific team, and I m very exciting to watch. I hope you will join me in rooting for them tonight. It should be a great game and lots of fun. I am so proud of so many things happening at UMC, and I recently was able to see that pride reflected in our alumni. Late last week and over the weekend I had the opportunity to visit with numerous alumni in Arizona at both the annual Arizona Social and during many informal visits. Our alumni were clapping as they learned about our new majors, about the academic accomplishments of our student athletes, about new facilities, and about our numerous high rankings. And, during the informal meetings, their pride was evident as I answered their questions about our many accomplishments. Our pride was further illustrated when several of us from UMC attended an AQIP Strategy Forum early last week in St. Charles, Illinois. You can read about our work in the Academic Affairs section below, but here I wanted to share with you experiences which, again, made me so proud of this institution. During the meeting, our UMC team had several opportunities to learn what is happening at other participating institutions. Most of them have been AQIP institutions far longer than we have, and they had much to share regarding their continuous improvement journeys. However, most of them discussed challenges related to a multitude of serious and difficult issues, including strained relationships with governing boards, steep enrollment declines, and difficult leadership transitions, to name only a few. As we discussed what we learned about their experiences, we shared a renewed sense of appreciation for the University of Minnesota and, particularly, our campus. The University of Minnesota system is strong and thriving. It is recognized world wide for excellence in teaching, research, and service. President Kaler and other senior leaders clearly recognize that our campus is a vital part of this system. Our Board of Regents is absolutely superb in overseeing the entire University, and our legislators are very supportive. While there always will be areas where we can improve, here at UMC our faculty, staff, and students are eager to work together to address issues and to make things better. We are all very fortunate and rightly proud of what is happening on this campus. Thank you for being a part of the greater UMC team. Working with you both collectively and individually and in the many dimensions of this university is a great privilege. I hope you are just as proud as I am of the University of Minnesota Crookston. Go Golden Eagles! Fred E. Wood, Chancellor University of Minnesota Crookston

2 Featured Events & Activities UMC Hosts Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC)/Sanford Health Women s Basketball Tournament Game, Wednesday, February 25 6 p.m., Lysaker Gymnasium, UMC Sports Center, admission: UMC students with UCard free, adults $10, seniors (65 and older) $8 What s on Wednesday (W.O.W.): Hypnotist Chris Jones, Wednesday, February 25 8 p.m., Kiehle Auditorium UMC Hosts Section 8A High School Boys Basketball Tournaments, Thursday, February 26 6 to 10 p.m., Lysaker Gymnasium, UMC Sports Center UMC Hosts 2015 Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, Monday, March 2 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bergland Laboratory and Ag Research Center International Dinner Series: India Monsoon Musings, Monday, March 2 6 to 8 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center, advanced tickets only, contact Rae French College Quiz Bowl, Tuesday, March 3 6 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center What s on Wednesday (W.O.W.): Hip Hop Violinist Josh Vietti, Wednesday, March 4 7 p.m., Kiehle Auditorium, free and open to the public Thursday Commons: Spring Convocation, Thursday, March 5 12:30 to 2 p.m., Kiehle Auditorium 4th Annual Clean Water for Everyone Dinner Sponsored by UMC Enactus, Thursday, March 5 6 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center, open to the public, $25 donation UMC Hosts Section 8A High School Girls Basketball Tournaments, Thursday, March 5 6 to 10 p.m., Lysaker Gymnasium, UMC Sports Center Service Learning Brown Bag Lunch Discussion on Assessment, Friday, March 6 Noon to 1 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center Kiddie Carnival, Friday, March 6 4:40 to 7 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center, free and open to the public Panel Discussion: Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives, Monday, March 9 3 to 4:30 p.m., Youngquist Auditorium, Ag Research Center, free and open to the public International Dinner Series: Korea East Meets West from Business to Culture, Monday, March 9 6 to 8 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center, advanced tickets only, contact Rae French Spring Break, March 16 20, classes excused, campus offices open For details on these and a comprehensive listing of other events or to discover what s happening this week, visit UMC Today at or review our news page at Learn more about events across the entire University of Minnesota system via Brief:

3 Around Campus Academic Affairs At its February meeting, the U of M Board of Regents approved UMC s Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education. It is important to note, however, that UMC cannot actively market or advertise this academic major until the campus receives approval from the Minnesota Board of Teaching (BOT). That approval process could take several months. What can be said is the Board of Regents has approved the major and UMC is preparing to seek BOT approval. Preparation consists of a rigorous approval process that demonstrates evidence of program development, curriculum and instruction, and assessment of student learning in meeting the BOT standards. UMC will offer AgEd courses only after BOT approval has been granted. Students can begin to take foundational courses before then, but there is no promise about timing or ultimate approval by the BOT. An intensive 2.5 day workshop, last week s AQIP Strategy Forum led the UMC team and teams from several other institutions through a series of exercises to develop an AQIP Action Project that will result in a quantum improvement in a key process. UMC s team consisted of Chancellor Fred Wood, Vice Chancellor Barbara Keinath, Director of Institutional Effectiveness Sue Erickson, CIO Jeff Sperling, Student Activities Director Lisa Samuelson, Business Department Head Kevin Thompson, and faculty members Rob Proulx and Jitendra Singh. The key process focal point selected was Knowledge Management. As input to this work, team members used feedback from Higher Learning Commission peer reviewers and their own understanding of UMC. Over the next several weeks, members of the UMC team will share details of the Action Project in many forums across campus. Through the work on the Action Project, they expect quantum improvements will be made in UMC s ability to make evidence based decisions to continuously improve its programs and services. Student Affairs Hip hop/pop violinist Josh Vietti will perform at UMC on Wednesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. in Kiehle Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. While Vietti is generally billed as a hip hop violinist, he also incorporates classical, gospel, country, pop and jazz into his performances and is highly interactive with the audience. At age 7, Vietti received a violin scholarship with virtuoso Mischa Lefkowitz of the LA Philharmonic and studied with him for over ten years. In 2011 Vietti performed live on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Since then, he has performed at hundreds of colleges across the country and has opened for artists such as Earth Wind & Fire, Ne Yo, Justin Moore, B.o.B., Fantasia, and Fabolous. This event is sponsored by S.P.A.C.E. (Student Programming and Activities for Campus Entertainment). Student Activities and student clubs and organizations will sponsor a fun filled late afternoon for children at the annual Kiddie Carnival on Friday, March 6, from 4:40 to 7 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center. The event is free and open to the public and will feature many activities for children (suggested age range of 2 to 8 years old) as well as fun prizes. In celebration of Women's History Month, UMC will host the panel discussion "Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives" on Monday, March 9, at 3 p.m. in Youngquist Auditorium, Ag Research Center. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Panel Participants include White Earth Nation Tribal Chairwoman Erma J. Vizenor, Ph.D.; Judge Anne Rasmusson and Judge Tamara Yon,

4 both of Minnesota s Ninth Judicial District; and Dr. Gloria A. Adjekum, a pediatrician for Altru. The event is sponsored in part by the Northwest Minnesota Women's Fund, along with the University of Minnesota Crookston's Center for Adult Learning, Office of Diversity, Student Activities, and Athletics. International Programs A longstanding tradition at the U of M Crookston, the International Dinner Series this year will highlight the countries of India, South Korea, and Brazil on March 2, March 9, and March 23, respectively, with the annual International Dinner and Festival set for Wednesday, April 1. All dinners begin at 6 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center. Tickets are available in advance only; please contact Rae French at or rfrench@umn.edu for pricing and availability. Learn more at of india korea and braz.html. Development & Alumni Relations The We Are Family Faculty and Staff Fund Drive, held February 9 23, raised $6,305 in gifts and payroll deduction pledges from faculty and staff as well as $2,500 in matching funds from Sodexo for a grand total of $8,805. When all payroll pledges are fulfilled, the Ramona Mendez Scholarship Fund will be at $19,143, with less than $6,000 remaining to endowment. Thanks to all who contributed. The annual Arizona Social was held on Friday, February 20, at the Terrace Green at ViewPoint Resort in Mesa, Arizona. The event attracted nearly 90 attendees including NWSA and UMC alumni along with former Chancellor Charles Casey, former faculty members Jerry Knutson, Chuck Habstritt, George Marx, and former staff member Butch Schleicher. The annual event was hosted by Chancellor Fred Wood and Corby Kemmer, director, Development & Alumni Relations. Special thanks go to Mary Lou Dostal from the Class of 1954 for serving as our Arizona contact for this special event and to staff members Sue Dwyer and Rose Ulseth for their wonderful efforts. Chancellor Wood and Director Kemmer also held numerous and successful donor and alumni personal visits while in Arizona. The Spring 2015 annual report edition of the Torch alumni magazine is now available online at Print copies will be distributed within the next two weeks. The annual report edition highlights the work of students, faculty, and staff over the previous year to provide a current snapshot of the U of M Crookston. Athletics The Golden Eagle Women s Basketball Team will be the No. 3 seed in the NSIC North for the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m. in Lysaker Gymnasium, UMC Sports Center. This marks the first time any UMC athletics team has hosted a home playoff game since joining the NSIC. The Golden Eagles will face the No. 6 seed Golden Bears of Concordia University, St. Paul. Admission is free for UMC students with UCard ID, $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (65 and older), and free for children age 5 and under. To view all game scores and upcoming athletic events, visit

5 The Upgrade a.k.a. The Enterprise Systems Upgrade Project (ESUP) The Upgrade is scheduled for Go Live in April, and to help employees prepare for the change, Training Services has created some short online courses about how to complete the new electronic timesheets and absence requests, which will replace paper forms. Links to these resources offered within the ULearn system will be sent via e mail from Training Services. All supervisors and employees are encouraged to take the training sessions. Almost everyone at the University will need to understand this new way of recording time and absence to ensure they are paid on time and can take vacation and other leave. (Only a few units will not be affected by this change: University Services, Auxiliary Services, the Veterinary Medical Center, University of Minnesota Duluth Facilities and Police, and University of Minnesota Morris Facilities and Police, which will continue using software other than PeopleSoft to report time and absence.) If you have any questions about The Upgrade or the online training, your local HR professionals can offer more details. The online training courses can be found on The Upgrade's Training & Education website. Click on Human Resource Systems and go to "Time Reporting" and "Absence Reporting." Here are other ways to prepare for this transition: Visit for more information. Find training at The Upgrade's Education & Training page. ( Get support from your network of Advance Team members. ( Sign up for The Upgrade Newsletter. ( Campus and Community The U of M Crookston will host the 2015 Annual Meeting and Conference of the Minnesota Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) on Monday, March 2, in Bergland Laboratory and the Agricultural Research Center. Founded in 1943, SWCS is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization that serves as an advocate for conservation professionals and for science based conservation practice, programs, and policy. The full schedule of events is available at For more information, contact Dan Svedarski, Ph.D., professor and director, UMC Center for Sustainability, University of Minnesota System President Kaler presented the U of M's biennial budget request before the Minnesota House Higher Education Committee on Wednesday, February 18, with additional testimony from Vice President for Health Sciences and Medical School Dean Brooks Jackson and Lyn Bearinger, nursing professor and faculty legislative liaison. The biennial budget request is posted online at budget.html.

6 At its February meeting, the Board of Regents approved a revised vision and strategy for UMore Park, which takes a market driven and market sensitive approach to future development. Regents also heard about the U's efforts through the establishment of the Office of University Economic Development to enhance and strengthen ties to business and corporate partners statewide. Additionally, the board reviewed a plan to diversify the U of M faculty, approved a revision to the U's biennial budget request, authorized a capital budget amendment to continue designing the UMTC Athletes Village project, and discussed academic support and performance of Gopher studentathletes. Learn more at leadership/u m take market drivenapproach umore park development. Accolades Royalty for the 40th Annual Ag Arama were named on Saturday, January 31. Crowned this year were King Justin Goodroad, a senior majoring in horticulture from Lindstrom, Minn.; Queen Emily Caldis, a junior majoring in animal science from St. Paul, Minn.; Princess Ashley Rohr, a junior majoring in animal science from Long Prairie, Minn.; and Prince Keith Yorek, a senior majoring in animal science from Little Falls, Minn. The royalty are selected through a rigorous application process involving the evaluation of student achievements and interviews by a panel of judges to help determine who best reflects the goals and spirit of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department. Student votes are also used to decide the winners. The 2015 True Grit Award was presented to Dylan Pratt, a senior majoring in animal science from Clarissa, Minn. The True Grit Award is an honor given to a student who best demonstrates the hardworking, persistent spirit of Todd Opsahl, a UMC student in , whose life was cut short by leukemia. Dani Johannesen, Ph.D., a lecturer in the Liberal Arts and Education Department, has an essay included in a recently published book. The listing is: Johannesen, Dani. "Your Best Friend's Wedding." Action, Influence, and Voice: Contemporary South Dakota Women. Ed. Meredith Redlin, Christine Stewart Nunez, and Julie M. Barst. Brookings, SD: South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, ********************* Publication notes: E Update is published twice each month August through April and once each month May through July. Issues are posted online at If you have any questions regarding the information in this news update, please send them to urumc@umn.edu. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.