October 20, 2008

Inside this Issue

From the Chancellor
Featured Events & Activities
Around Campus

From the Chancellor

I’ve spoken and written before about the momentum we have developed for our campus.  Momentum happens when things pick up speed or increase velocity.  I’ve used the term to describe the improvements and gains we have made by working together toward the goals of our strategic planning.

With this in mind, I’m very pleased to report that together we have achieved a milestone in the history of this campus.  We’ve officially reached a record high enrollment of 1,207 degree-seeking students for fall semester 2008.  This is an increase of more than five percent over last year’s enrollment of 1,142.  Additionally, the number of incoming new freshmen increased to 276 this fall from 241 in the fall of 2007. 

These numbers are the result of the efforts of faculty and staff in every department and unit on campus, and they represent just what can be accomplished when we all work together—administration, faculty, staff and students.

But there are more reasons to savor this achievement.  Not only have we set an enrollment record, but we also have made significant strides in our student profile.  The percentage of our new freshmen graduating in the top 10% of their high school class increased significantly to 10.4% for fall 2008, compared with 7.5% for fall 2007 and 6.2% five years ago (2003), and 33% of this year’s freshman class graduated in the top 25% of their high school class, compared with 23.1% last year and 22.3% five years ago.  The average ACT composite score of incoming freshmen rose nearly a full point, and the average high school rank increased by nearly 5 percentage points.

This is all good news because it means these incoming students are better academically prepared, and we know students who are better academically prepared enrich the whole teaching and learning experience.  They also tend to complete their programs of study at a higher rate, which will help us meet our retention and graduation rate goals.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is known as the small campus offering big University of Minnesota degrees.  Our students appreciate the personalized attention and mentorship they receive from our faculty and staff, just as they benefit from our technology-rich environment, our commitment to diverse and global perspectives and our focus on applied learning.  We now must strive to offer the highest quality experience we can, even as we look ahead toward next fall’s entering class of 2013. 

Thank you for your efforts and for all you do.  Let’s celebrate this milestone and then keep looking ahead and working together.

Regents Meeting

Last week Senior Vice Chancellor Tom Baldwin and I attended the October Board of Regents meeting on the Duluth campus.  Included in activities was a tour of the campus.  The tour featured several new buildings added over the past decade.  All were impressive and have enhanced the academic programs and increased enrollment at that campus.

The Educational Policy and Planning Committee featured updates on strategic positioning from all four coordinate campuses.  The Crookston PowerPoint is available at www.umcrookston.edu/chancellors-office/speeches.htm.

The Friday Board of Regents meeting centered on President Bruininks’ comments regarding the state and national economic situation and the state Biennial Budget request for 2010-2011.  In his comments, the President stated he is asking VP Pfutzenreuter for a comprehensive review of all financial aspects of the University.  Topics are to include endowment earnings, property insurance, issuance of debt, grants and contracts, student enrollments, ability of students to obtain loans, rents and leases and gifts pledged.  He indicated that with times being tight it underscored the need for long-term planning, clear priorities and fiscal discipline.

The 2010-2011 budget request will be guided by the following principles:

• Maintain and enhance the U’s mission, quality and competitiveness
• Compensate, support and retain talented faculty and staff
• Improve access and affordability for students at all levels
• Increase productivity by reducing costs and improving service and efficiency

There are three major priorities in the 2010-2011 request:

• Core compensation for faculty and staff
• Scholarships for students from middle income families
• Research enhancement funds

The President stressed the following points:

• The importance of the University of Minnesota to the economy of the state
• The statewide reach of the University through its 5 campuses and multiple Extension Offices, Research and Outreach Centers, Area Health Education Centers and other facilities
• Record number of graduates
• Nearly $620 million in total research awards

It will take coordinated effort to gain legislative and executive support for the budget request.  The President asked for the assistance of everyone to obtain that support.

- Chuck

Charles H. Casey, Chancellor
University of Minnesota, Crookston

Featured Events & Activities

National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, October 20-24

Meet the Candidates Forum, Tuesday, October 21 – 7 to 10 p.m., Kiehle Auditorium

Fall Convocation, Wednesday, October 22 – 10 a.m., Kiehle Auditorium

Aviation Safety Program, Thursday, October 23 – 7 to 9 p.m., Youngquist Auditorium - sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team (FAAST) and the U of M, Crookston

Fall Retreat for the Minnesota Regional Development Organization, Monday, October 27, and Tuesday, October 28 – Youngquist Auditorium and Bede Ballroom

All-Campus Advisory Board Meeting/PIAC meetings, Wednesday, October 29 – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., meetings across campus by department, times may vary slightly by program

Torch & Shield Awards and Banquet, Wednesday, October 29 - 5 to 9 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center

U of M, Crookston Hosts Section 8A High School Volleyball Tournaments, Thursday, October 30 and Saturday, November 1 - October 30, at 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., November 1, at 7 p.m., Lysaker Gymnasium, Sports Center

Recognition of Accomplishment Breakfast for Faculty and Staff, Friday, October 31 – 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center, remarks from Chancellor Casey at 8 a.m.

Faculty and Staff Costume Lunch, Friday, October 31 – 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brown Dining Room, Sahlstrom Conference Center

Residential Life presents Haunted House: Death Lab, Friday, October 31 - 7 to 11 p.m., former Mr. Movies store, 1500 University Avenue, Crookston – admission $5, $4 with donated canned good

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) present the 28th Annual Red River Valley Craft Show, Saturday November 8 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Crookston High School – admission $1

For details on these and other events or to discover what's happening this week, visit UMC Today at www.UMCrookston.edu/umcnews or review our news page at www.UMCrookston.edu/umcnews/stories .

Around Campus

Administrative Affairs –

Robert Kvavik, Ph.D., associate vice president for system academic administration and senior vice president for planning at the University of Minnesota, will visit the Crookston campus Tuesday, October 21.  He will be joined by Orlyn Miller, director of capital planning and project management.  They will meet with Crookston campus administrators, faculty and staff to discuss capital building projects, campus master planning, academic analytics and e-education issues.

The Chancellor’s Office will sponsor a “Recognition of Accomplishment Breakfast” to acknowledge the efforts made to help the campus meet enrollment goals for the year.  It will be held Friday, October 31, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center.  The breakfast is free to all faculty and staff and to students who are S.O.S. leaders, resident advisors or executive officers in the Crookston Student Association. Chancellor Casey will offer greetings and remarks at 8 a.m.

Academic Affairs –

Connie Delaney, Ph.D., dean of the University of Minnesota’s School of Nursing, and Barbara Brandt, Ph.D., assistant vice president of the University of Minnesota’s Academic Health Center, will visit the Crookston campus Thursday, October 23, to discuss the possible collaborative development and implementation of an online bachelor of science degree in nursing, which could be offered through the U of M, Crookston’s Center for Adult Learning.

The U of M, Crookston’s aviation program and the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team (FAAST), will present an aviation safety program, "Evil Airspace--or How to Get Anything You Want from Air Traffic Control," Thursday, October 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. in Youngquist Auditorium.  The program features speaker Mark Schreier, a retired air traffic control specialist, who will talk about how interactions with air traffic control need not strike fear into the hearts of aviators nor should they necessarily inconvenience the savvy aviator.  The event is free and the public is welcome.  For more information, contact Mike Vivion (mvivion@umn.edu), chief pilot and teaching specialist, at 218-281-8114.

The U of M, Crookston will host the annual fall retreat for the Minnesota Regional Development Organization (MRDO) Monday, October 27, and Tuesday, October 28.  Sessions will take place in Youngquist Auditorium on Monday morning and in Bede Ballroom Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.  MRDO is made up of representatives from each regional development commission in the state of Minnesota.  These organizations serve as catalysts for strategic planning and development in rural communities.  With the recent grant award and designation of the Crookston campus as the Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center for Minnesota, this meeting will also involve U of M, Crookston faculty and staff, U of M Extension personnel and EDA administrators from Minneapolis and Chicago.

Student Affairs –

October 20-24 is National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week.  Events throughout the week will focus on helping students making responsible choices.  Visit www.umcrookston.edu/umcnews for details about events planned for each day.

A Meet-the-Candidates Forum, sponsored by U of M, Crookston and the Crookston Convention and Visitors Bureau, will take place Tuesday, October 21, from  7  to 10 p.m. in Kiehle Auditorium.  Local candidates running for school board, city council, and county commissioner positions, and candidates for Minnesota House Legislative District 1B are scheduled to attend.  Audience members will have the opportunity to submit written questions and to meet candidates following the event.

Fall Semester Convocation will be held Wednesday, October 22, at 10 a.m. in Kiehle Auditorium.  Marshall Johnson, Crookston Student Association President, will serve as master of ceremonies.  The featured speaker will be Jim Sims, athletic director at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls. The U of M, Crookston Choir will perform musical selections under the direction of George French, associate professor of music; Chancellor Charles Casey and Vice Chancellor Tom Baldwin will recognize student academic achievement; and fall season varsity coaches will recognize their respective teams and provide team updates.

Residential Life and the Residence Hall Association (RHA) will sponsor Haunted House: Death Lab, Friday, October 31, from 7 to 11 p.m., in the former Mr. Movies store at 1500 University Avenue, Crookston.  Recommended for ages 10 and up, the event is open to the public.  Admission is $5; $4 with donated canned good.  Proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, with canned food going to the local Care and Share.

Brenda Dale has been hired as a student personnel coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid.  She will be assisting students with financial aid counseling.  Her hours are 8 a.m. – 12 noon, Monday through Friday.  Contact her at bdale@umn.edu or extension 8564.

Development & Alumni Relations –

Recipients of the 2008 Torch & Shield Awards include Stephanie Helgeson, director of athletics, U of M, Crookston; Joy Johnson, vice president of planning and ancillary services, RiverView Health, Crookston; Rod Skoe, Minnesota state senator representing District 2; and W. Daniel Svedarsky, professor and department head, Natural Resources Department, U of M, Crookston. They will be honored Wednesday, October 29, at a special reception starting at 5 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center.  The awards program will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the banquet.  The Torch & Shield Awards recognize individuals who have provided leadership and who have aided in the development of the University of Minnesota, Crookston, the Northwest Research and Outreach Center and Extension. 

Cindy Bigger, ’79, is the newly-elected president of the University of Minnesota, Crookston Alumni Association.  Thanks go to past president, Kari Torkelson, ex. ’91, for her service and dedication.

Teambackers now boasts 195 members with nearly $100,000 raised in gifts, and the Faculty and Staff Fund Drive has exceeded $14,000 in support of academic scholarships for students.  Corby Kemmer, director of development and alumni relations, conveys his deepest gratitude to all donors, supporters, friends, alumni, faculty and staff, the community and region.  Today more than ever, private support is vital in strengthening this great institution. Please contact him at 218-281-8434 or ckemmer@umn.edu to discuss giving opportunities.

University Relations –

Karen Himle, vice president of the University of Minnesota’s Office of University Relations, and Jessica Mooney, assistant program director for University Relations, will visit and tour the Crookston campus Friday, October 24.  They will meet with Chancellor Casey and staff members of the U of M, Crookston’s University Relations Department.

Athletics –

Cassie Yates, senior setter for the Golden Eagles Volleyball Team, was recognized Friday, October 10, for having eclipsed the 3,000 career assists mark.  Currently with over 3,150 assists in her career, Cassie is third all-time at the U of M, Crookston and follows Jody Lundbohm, who recorded 3,620 assists from 1996 to 1999, and Jamie Wolff, who tallied 4,925 assists from 2001-2004.

The Athletics Department will sponsor the program “Been There, Done That” for student-athletes and other interested students Tuesday, October 21, at 7 p.m. in Bede Ballroom.  The program is presented by a group of students from the U of M, Duluth who have chosen to abstain from drugs and alcohol.  Members of the group present and discuss different scenarios from a peer, student-athlete perspective.

The U of M, Crookston will host Section 8A high school volleyball tournaments Thursday, October 30, at 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. and Saturday, November 1, at 7 p.m. Tournaments will take place in Lysaker Gymnasium in the Sports Center.

Visit www.goldeneaglesports.com for schedules and cheer on the Golden Eagles.

Accolades

The Otto Bremer Foundation recently awarded a $23,000 grant to the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of the Red River Valley.  RSVP, which is sponsored by and housed on the Crookston campus, received the grant to expand the RSVP Bone Builders Program into twelve communities in northwest Minnesota.  The program is an osteoporosis prevention/reversal exercise program.

Publication notes: The E-Update is published twice each month August thru April and once each month in the summer, May thru July. Issues are posted online.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this news update, please send them to urumc@umn.edu.