January 12, 2009

Inside this Issue

From the Chancellor
Featured Events & Activities
Around Campus

From the Chancellor

Welcome to the beginning of the 2009 Spring Semester.  A special welcome to students new to the University of Minnesota, Crookston.  For those of you returning from semester break, I hope the time was one to share with family and friends.  I also want to acknowledge the arrival of our new international students from Korea.  I had the opportunity to be at the airport in Minneapolis as they arrived from Chicago on their way to Grand Forks and Crookston.  I’m happy to see everyone on campus and the energy and excitement each of you bring.

Fall Semester included many significant accomplishments and events.  I’m confident the same will be true for Spring Semester.

For those arriving back on campus I’m sure you notice the significant amounts of snow that have accumulated over the past three weeks.  I want to recognize the great work Facilities Management staff members have done in plowing and removing snow and clearing sidewalks.  We appreciate all the work you do.

Please mark your calendars for the January 15 celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday in Kiehle Auditorium from 12 – 2 p.m.  This will be the first campus-wide event scheduled for the new open time period each Thursday.

We don’t have much new to report about the state budget and the potential impact on the University of Minnesota, Crookston.  I expect some information regarding preparation of our 2009-2010 budget soon.  I would suggest you follow news reports about comments from the Governor and legislative leaders regarding the state budget situation.  At the same time I understand it may be several months before final decisions will be made about the budget.  I recognize the uncertainty this causes for all of us and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.

I want to remind everyone that as of January 1 the University of Minnesota, Crookston is tobacco-free.  Please support this decision to create a healthy place to learn, work, and live.

Have a great semester.

- Chuck

Charles H. Casey, Chancellor
University of Minnesota, Crookston

Featured Events & Activities

Spring Semester 2009 Classes Begin, Monday, January 12

“Honoring the Dream,” the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thursday, January 15 – noon, Kiehle Auditorium

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, Monday, January 19 – campus offices closed, no classes

High School Knowledge Bowl, Thursday, January 22 - 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Kiehle 116, Kiehle Auditorium, Centennial 1108, Brown D

Ag-Arama, Friday, January 30, 2009, & Saturday, January 31

Seventh Annual Winter Job and Internship Fair, Wednesday, February 4 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bede Ballroom, sponsored by Career Services and SIFE

High School Knowledge Bowl, Thursday, February 5  - 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Kiehle 116, Kiehle Auditorium, Centennial 1108, Brown D

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 –

Reminder:  As of January 1, 2009, the U of M, Crookston has gone tobacco-free.  Learn more.  Students, faculty, and staff who would like information on cessation resources may contact Laurie Wilson, 281-8587; Vicki Svedarsky, 281-8583; or Stacey Grunewald, 281-8512.

“Honoring the Dream,” a special presentation on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will be held Thursday, January 15, in Kiehle Auditorium beginning at noon. The presentation, led by Thomas Williams, director of diversity and multicultural services, is free and open to all students, faculty, and staff.  The public is welcome.  This presentation is the first to be featured in a new two-hour common block of time, held each Thursday from 12 to 2 p.m.  The goal is to build a stronger campus community by improving communication, engaging students, faculty, and staff in important issues, providing opportunities for training, and conducting campus business.  Learn more.

Academic Affairs –

New faculty and staff joining the U of M, Crookston Spring Semester 2009 include:

• Adel Ali, Ph.D., professor and new department head for the Math, Science, and Technology Department, joins the faculty after serving as a professor and director of the School of Computing at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) in Hattiesburg.
• Fathollah Bagheri, lecturer, economics
• Emily Elbom, teaching specialist, composition
• Jacqueline Friesen, farm animal attendant, Agriculture Department
• Melvin Landry, Jr., teaching specialist, business (online)
• Marsha Marsh, teaching specialist, business (online)
• Lynette Neppel, teaching specialist, sociology
• Kristie Walker, Ph.D., lecturer, golf and turf management, comes from Purdue University.  She has a strong background in soil science and has done research involving nitrogen applications on turfgrass species.
• Rob Proulx, M.S., lecturer, agronomy
• Eric Proulx, lab services coordinator, Agriculture Department
• Stephen Pzynski, teaching specialist, managerial finance (on site at Hennepin Technical College, Anoka)
• Noah Vander Elst, food service worker
• Eddie Walker II, teaching specialist, psychology

Student Affairs –

As of Monday, January 12, 25 new international students hailing from Taiwan, Nepal, Korea, and China have joined the student body on campus. 

Space is still available for two study abroad classes:  GBUS 3190 “Topics in Business Study Abroad: Norway” and GNED 3000 “Global Seminar,” which includes a trip to China.  Faculty are encouraged to ask advisees to consider adding one of these to their spring registration.  The courses will run throughout the semester and end with a capstone experience in the host country immediately following spring semester for three weeks in May.  Contact Rae French at 281-8339 or rfrench@umn.edu for more details.

The 34th Annual Ag-Arama is scheduled for January 30-31.  This popular annual event serves as a showcase for current students in a variety of program-specific contests and as a draw for agriculture and natural resources alumni to return to campus.  A full schedule of events is available online.

Finance & University Services -

Progress on the construction of the new apartment-style residence hall continues.  Nearly all external walls are in place, and installation of roof trusses is scheduled to take place in the next two weeks, followed by roofing and shingling.  Installation of plumbing and electrical systems is expected to begin in the next two weeks as well.

Notice to proceed has been issued for a project to install a sprinkler system in Dowell Hall over the summer.  The project will be funded with HEAPRA (Higher Education Asset Preservation and Renewal Accounts) dollars.  Work is scheduled to begin on May 11 with substantial completion by August 19.

Center for Adult Learning –

The Center for Adult Learning (CAL) has been selected to act as the student support call center for the University of Minnesota Digital Campus.  Because of the volume of online growth and a desire to provide the services needed to deliver an exceptional student experience, the Digital Campus requested proposals to operate a call center and answer questions related to topics such as student resources, admission and administrative processes, policies, and academic programs, along with e-mail and phone support for initial inquiries.  CAL at the U of M, Crookston was awarded the contract to serve in this capacity because of its demonstrated track record in these areas.  This six-month contract is based upon the expansion and initiatives of online education growth within the U of M system and the Digital Campus.  Prospective students will be served from inquiry to point of contact per campus for application while in the recruitment process.  Once students have been directed to a program, the program unit, college, or campus will handle the student support and admission responsibilities working toward matriculation and registration.  CAL will launch the call center on Monday, January 12.  The Digital Campus has 18 degrees available online along with non-credit professional development activities. More information is available at www.digitalcampus.umn.edu.   

Development & Alumni Relations –

An Alumni Social held in conjunction with Ag-Arama is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Irishman’s Shanty in Crookston.  All alumni are welcome.

All Northwest School of Agriculture and U of M, Crookston alumni and friends are invited to attend the annual Arizona Social, Friday, February 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ViewPoint Resort in Mesa, Arizona.  Anyone planning to attend is asked to contact Sue Dwyer at 218-281-8401 or sdwyer@umn.edu. 

University Relations –

UMC Printing now has the capability to laminate posters or other documents up to 38” wide.  For details and pricing, contact Linda Wilkens at 218-281-8403 or lwilkens@umn.edu.

Athletics –

Golden Eagles Women’s Basketball player Megan Eul (F, 5-11) a freshman from Rosemount, Minn., was recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as the top free-throw shooter in Division II Women’s Basketball in games through January 4, 2009.  She was 25-25 when the rankings last came out on December 14 and is currently 32-33 (97%) in games through January 4.  Eul’s perfect streak was snapped on January 3 when she went 0-1 from the line against Southwest Minnesota State in the Golden Eagle’s 76-73 victory over the Mustangs.  

Chancellor Casey; Cleon Melsa, faculty athletic rep; Stephanie Helgeson, athletic director; and Natasha Kuhle, assistant athletic director, will attend the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Convention in Washington D.C.  January 13-17.

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

Accolades

The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) hosted a reception in late December for students who worked with David DeMuth, Ph.D., associate professor of physics, on a collaborative effort with AURI the to develop a web-based communications portal for members of Minnesota's Renewable Energy Roundtable (MNRER).  Students involved with the project include Mark Belanger (graduated May 2008), John Boucha, Ryo Iwasaki, Kyle Johnson, Jarrod Lanctot, and Trevor Lewis.  Alumnus Andrew Sheppard ’04, currently a graduate student at the U of M, Twin Cities, also worked with the project.  The project involved students in the design and implementation of the portal.  Located at www.mnrer.org, the portal is being used by MNRER members as an information, news, and networking portal for members of the MNRER and for individuals interested in renewable energy topics. 

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.