August 16, 2010

Inside this Issue

From the Chancellor
Featured Events & Activities
Around Campus
Accolades

From the Chancellor

I began my official appointment as chancellor on September 12, 2005.  These five years have gone by quickly with more change than I ever could have imagined.  We are a different institution even though our mission has remained true – a mission to make a unique contribution through applied, career-oriented learning programs that combine theory, practice, and experimentation in a technologically-rich environment.

Looking back, since 2005 many new faculty and staff have been hired, bringing new skills, ideas, and strengths to the campus.  New facilities have helped to build our infrastructure.  We have dramatically increased the number of students from different cultures and places, adding to the diversity on campus.  And our students are better prepared and have higher aspirations.  Compared to five years ago, twice as many plan to go on to professional or graduate schools.

I could talk more about the changes of the past five years, but I’ve made my point that the University of Minnesota, Crookston continues a tradition of adapting to change – always emerging stronger and better.  My message is that change is not over, and my prediction is that the pace of change will continue to escalate.  So, even change is changing.

Looking ahead to the new academic year, this is my list of some priorities for the next year. 

Our new hires have remarkable professional backgrounds, and we anticipate great things.  We’ve invested in five tenure-track positions in the disciplines of business management, marketing, natural resources, agronomy, and sport and recreation management, and five non-tenure faculty positions further strengthen our academic programs.  High on my list for the year ahead is to do what I can to ensure that the talents of our new faculty and staff are nurtured to the fullest.  Their success is our success.

A second priority for the year ahead is to move forward on our application to participate in the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP).  We’ve decided to take this path after carefully reviewing our options for accreditation, and I want to thank Professor Bill Peterson and his team for their leadership.  They worked hard to get input from faculty and staff on the application to the Higher Learning Commission.  This path will be about the same amount of work as the 10-year accreditation process, but the advantage is we will have the opportunity to measure specific projects on an annual basis – projects we choose.

A third priority for the year is to support the work that resulted from the Campus Sustainability Committee, appointed in 2008, co-chaired by Associate Professor Martin Lundell and Student Chris Waltz.  Last year, Professor Dan Svedarsky assumed leadership for campus sustainability as director of the Center for Sustainability.  Dan’s experience is matched only by his passion for the subject.  Enthusiasm across the campus resulted in a Campus Climate Neutrality Plan with a long term plan for sustainability.

We’re excited that Otter Tail Power Company designated the Crookston Campus for their Campus Energy Challenge, announced last October when we dedicated Evergreen Hall.  A priority for the coming year is to build understanding of this program and commitment to meeting the challenge.  With help from Otter Tail Power representatives we have in place systems to reduce energy use and measure change in energy consumption.

A fourth priority is to continue to encourage and support grant-funded initiatives.  More faculty with terminal degrees means we have more intellectual capital to warrant favorable reviews of proposals, and we are making progress.  Since 2006, we have submitted thirteen proposals.  Five have been funded and three are waiting a decision.

In addition Professor Jack Geller took the lead for a federal grant supporting the EDA Center two years ago and a Blandin Foundation grant this year; Professor Adel Ali took the lead for a health informatics grant in cooperation with the Academic Health Center on the Twin Cities campus; and Professor Sue Brorson took the lead for a Department of Education grant.  It takes real commitment as well as an entrepreneurial spirit and marks a fundamental change in how we live our mission.  To all who have helped with grant funded initiatives, thank you.  You are responding to the current reality and looking for ways to serve the University’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and service.

These are just four priorities for the upcoming year.  They are important, and all are grounded on the premise that the quality of the student experience at the University of Minnesota, Crookston is the overriding reason why we are here.   Students come first.  Quality faculty and staff, quality improvement measures, sustainability, and research productivity are important as ways to ensure a quality student experience. 

Other factors, like the effect of the State of Minnesota’s budget situation on higher education, will certainly impact our year, and other priorities will likely emerge.  Still, as we begin the academic year, let’s focus our attention on our assets.  Here is a list of eight for starters, and I encourage you to add to the list.

One:  this is our third year of record enrollment – a third more students than 2006.

Two:  we have quality faculty and staff.

Three:  new on-campus and online degree programs have maintained momentum.

Four:  we have continued to invest in our facilities.

Five:  we have increased grants and other outside support.

Six:  our fundraising has been successful, allowing us to fund more scholarships.

Seven:  nearly 600 students will live on campus – a record number.

Eight:  we have strengthened our relationship with the community.

These assets represent our strengths.  Let me say that again because it is so important.  These assets represent our strengths, and to all of you who every day and in every way help to make this happen – thank you.

Here’s wishing you all an exciting, rewarding academic year.

– Chuck
Charles H. Casey, Chancellor
University of Minnesota, Crookston

Featured Events & Activities

Faculty and Staff Luncheon Followed by New Employee Introductions and Address by Chancellor Casey, Monday, August 16 – 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center

Faculty and Staff Golf Scramble, Tuesday, August 17 – 3 to 5 p.m., Minakwa Golf Club, Crookston, $12 per person

UMC Hosts Annual Ox Cart Days Ice Cream Social, Wednesday, August 18 – 2 to 4 p.m., Peterson Gazebo, Campus Mall

New Student Orientation and Check-In to Residence Halls, Friday, August 20 – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Students Check-In at Rotunda of Kiehle Building

New Student Convocation, Friday, August 20 – 3:15 to 4:30 p.m., Kiehle Auditorium

Fall Semester Classes Begin, Tuesday, August 24

Crookston Chamber of Commerce Welcome Back Picnic, Thursday, August 26 – 5 to 7 p.m., Brown Dining Room, Sahlstrom Conference Center

Monarch Butterfly Tagging Open House, Saturday, August 28 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Red River Valley Natural History Area

Crookston Chamber of Commerce Educators Luncheon, Thursday, September 2 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Minakwa Golf Club, Crookston

Thursday Commons: Campus Energy Challenge Featuring Speaker Bill LeBlanc, Senior Advisor, E Source, an Electric Industry Research Firm, Thursday, September 2 – 12:30 to 2 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center


For details on these and a comprehensive listing of other events or to discover what’s happening this week, visit UMC Today at www.umcrookston.edu/today or review our news page at blog.lib.umn.edu/umcweb/news.

Around Campus

Administrative Affairs -

The first Thursday Commons event is scheduled for Thursday, September 2, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center.  The program will include in-depth information about energy savings and the plans and timelines for Otter Tail Power Company Campus Energy Challenge activities set for fall semester.  Special guest speaker Bill LeBlanc, senior advisor for E Source, an electric industry research firm, will speak about the electric industry.  He is also president of the Boulder Energy Group and has more than 20 years of experience in strategic marketing, new product development, pricing, market research, and demand-side management as well as social marketing. He also founded and served for several years as president of the Association of Energy Services Professionals.  There are no classes scheduled on Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m., so make plans to attend this event.

Academic Affairs –

The Agriculture and Natural Resources Department has hired Brenda Miller as a lecturer in soil science and related areas.  She holds a Masters of Engineering from the University of North Dakota and has previously taught at UMC.

Daniel Sherman has been hired as a teaching specialist within the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department in a grant-funded position working with agricultural education through the Sparsely Populated Agricultural Education Program.  He will be working with the following high schools: Bagley, Clearbrook-Gonvick, Red Lake County Central (Oklee), and Lake of the Woods (Baudette).  He joins Amanda Fickes, who is in her second year working with the program and with ag education programs at Crookston High School, Fisher, Norman County East (Twin Valley), and Marshall County Central (Newfolden).  For more information about the Sparsely Populated Ag Education Program, contact Lyle Westrom.

Two adjunct faculty members have been hired to teach courses in the criminal justice program.  Wendelin Hume, Ph.D., received her doctorate in criminal justice and criminology from Sam Houston State University, and Daryl Kosiak earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota (UND) and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in criminal justice also from UND.

Student Affairs –

All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend the New Student Convocation on Friday, August 20, from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. in Lysaker Gymnasium.  New students and their families will be officially welcomed to campus and the Lisa Samuelson, director of student activities and the student center, will give the convocation address.  Immediately following the event new students, faculty, and staff will take a group photo in the green space immediately south of the Kiehle entrance.

Business Affairs -

Parking permits for the new academic year are now available at the Business Office in Selvig Hall.  Cost is $90 plus tax for an annual permit for all lots or $60 plus tax for a single semester permit.  Reserved parking permits are available in lots D, E, and F and cost $145 plus tax.  Faculty may elect to have the cost automatically deducted from their pay, and, new this year, students may place the permit fee on their student accounts.  Fines for not having a parking permit appropriately displayed by the second week of the semester have increased to $25.  Holds will be placed on student accounts after three unpaid parking tickets.

Facilities and Operations –

COMPASS—Computerized Operations Maintenance Purchasing Accounting System Software—is the system used to make work requests on campus.  The number to call to request a work order from Facilities Management is extension 4-2900 (direct 612.624.2900).  COMPASS is a software product specifically designed to manage customer requests and maintenance activities.  It has been used at the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities and Duluth campuses for more than ten years.  COMPASS allows better service to the campus by improved tracking and scheduling of work orders as well as cost savings through improved decision-making based on useful, easily accessible information.  It not only helps establish systematic work flow processes for improved consistency and reporting but also aids in preventive maintenance and in tracking labor hours.

Technology Support Services –

The University of Minnesota began a migration to Google Apps last year, and this summer the Crookston campus began moving faculty and staff to Google as well.  Technology Support Services staff have begun moving small groups of faculty and staff to Google Mail (Gmail) and will continue this process during fall semester.  Over the semester the Computer Help Desk will contact individuals to schedule a time to help move to Gmail.  We are currently developing strategies for a future migration from UMCal calendaring to Google Calendar, which is being adopted as the official U of M calendaring system.  Questions or concerns should be directed to Jeff Sperling, ext. 8373, or Thea Holen, ext. 8376.

Recently, the U of M Office of Information of Technology (OIT) updated the Securing Private Data, Computers, and Other Electronic Devices Policy that included a requirement of using a ‘standard’ level user account for daily tasks (i.e. email, web surfing) and restricted use of an ‘administrative’ level account only when necessary (i.e. installing software, printer drivers).  These changes became effective July 1, 2010, and UMC Technology Support Services (TSS) staff members have been working to comply with the changes in this policy. Very recently the Crookston campus received an extension to complete the transition to full compliance by July 1, 2011.  Because we now have more time, TSS staff will temporarily reinstate administrative user privileges to the entire campus to reduce disruption of work this fall.  During fall semester TSS will develop a schedule to slowly phase in the implementation of the new policies this upcoming academic year, completing the process before the end of classes for spring semester 2011.   As the campus moves toward full compliance over that time, TSS will share more details of the new policies and developing strategies to minimize the impact on the daily work of faculty and staff.

Library -

The UMC Library recently purchased a Fujitsu 6770 scanner.  This high-speed scanner allows for fast sheet feed scanning as well as having the ability to scan larger items up to 12” x 18” on the flatbed.  It is used primarily for the ongoing digitizing of archives for the UMC Library.  Anyone with questions should contact the library.

Development & Alumni Relations –

Congratulations to this year’s Outstanding Alumni, Jan Patenaude and James Clack, and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, Rick Spaeth, June Shaver, Ken Essay, and the 1982 Football team.  The Outstanding Alumni & Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Friday, September 24, during Homecoming Week.

This summer’s golf tournaments garnered over $11,000 for scholarships.  Thanks to all who worked and participated in the tournaments.  We look forward to next year.

Please consider becoming a Teambacker and making a scholarship donation in support of Golden Eagle student-athletes.  If interested, contact Bill Tyrrell at 218-281-8434.

Congratulations to Allen Dragseth, president-elect for the NWSA Alumni Association (NWSAAA) board, and special thanks to Charles Holmquist for his tremendous leadership, advocacy, and support during his time as NWSAAA president.

University Relations –

University Relations will host the annual Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social, part of Crookston’s Ox Cart Days, on Wednesday, August 18, from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Peterson Gazebo on the Campus Mall. Music will be provided by the Valley Fiddlers under the direction of Val Buchmeier, orchestra director at Crookston High School.  Along with the Valley Fiddlers, Author Gayla Marty will be reading and signing her new book, Memory of Trees: A Daughter's Story of a Family Farm.  Free ice cream will be served compliments of UMC Dining Services/Sodexo, and the Bookstore will be open until 5 p.m. offering free balloons for children, a special t-shirt on sale for $6.99, and reduced price tickets for the Minnesota State Fair.  The campus and community are invited to attend. 

Athletics -

The home opening women’s soccer game will take place Sunday, August 22, at 4 p.m. at the UMC Soccer Field.  The non-conference game is against Jamestown College.  Prior to the game there will be a Hawaiian luau cookout.

The home opening football game is set for Thursday, September 2, at 6 p.m. at Widseth Field on campus.  The game will be a non-conference game against the Mayville State University Comets.  The Athletics Department and Teambackers are excited to announce that Midcontinent Communications will give away two big-screen television sets during the game.  A 32” TV set will be given away to a student with a current student ID, and a 42” TV set will be given away to anyone with a paid admission or valid pass.  There will be no additional charge to be eligible for the drawings.  The drawings will be held in the 3rd quarter and you must be present to win.  

Campus & Community –

The public is invited to a Monarch Butterfly Tagging Open House on Saturday, August 28, hosted by the U of M, Crookston's Agriculture & Natural Resources Department and the Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC). The open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Red River Valley Natural History Area, located west of the campus.  Visitors to the open house will have an opportunity to capture and tag monarch butterflies while learning more about their amazing migration and contributing to a scientific study. For more information, contact Laura Bell, lab services coordinator, at 218-281-8131.

The Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (NWRSDP) Board meets in Moorhead on August 19, 2010.  Three new members will join the board, which is charged with connecting and enhancing regional and University resources to move toward a sustainable future in the region.  The NWRSDP will consider recommendation from the indicators work group to measure progress toward sustainability at the regional scale and at project/program scale.  After the meeting, the board will attend a performance of “Water, Water Everywhere,” a community puppet and mask theatre residency with the Heart of the Beast. 

Accolades

For the fourth consecutive year, the U of M, Crookston was named one of the best colleges in the Midwest according to The Princeton Review.  The Crookston campus is one of 152 institutions The Princeton Review recommends in its "Best in the Midwest" section of its Web site feature, "2011 Best Colleges: Region by Region," that posted August 2, 2010, on PrincetonReview.com.  Learn more.

Publication notes:  The E-Update is published twice each month August through April and once each month May through July.
Issues are posted online.

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

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