February 23, 2009

Inside this Issue

From the Chancellor
Featured Events & Activities
Around Campus

From the Chancellor

The past two weeks have been busy with several meetings on and off campus.  I’d like to report on three including: 1) Compact/budget; 2) Board of Regents; 3) Northwest School of Agriculture and U of M, Crookston Arizona Social.

First, Vice Chancellor Tom Baldwin, Tricia Sanders, Andrew Svec, and I met with Senior Vice President Robert Jones and others on February 11 and presented the 2009-2010 UMC Compact.  We received Compact directions only a few days prior to our meeting so we will still need to submit a final Compact document later.  We felt our meeting went well with suggestions for more information on how the campus will respond to budget reductions. It’s unlikely there will be much money for new initiatives for the next year.  We will also need to develop a budget to meet a 5% and 8% reduction target.  We will continue to solicit input for suggestions of low priority areas or how we can improve efficiency and reduce costs.  We have compiled a list of ideas and suggestions that have been received over the past couple of weeks.  This list is available at www.umcrookston.edu/chancellors-office/budgetfinance.htm.

Second, during the February Board of Regents meetings a major topic was “How Students Pay for College Education: Present and Future.”  This is obviously an important topic for Crookston Campus students.  Several factors were identified that impact financial aid and accumulated debt for students when they graduate.   One number that caught my attention indicated that Crookston graduates have the highest average debt of the four campuses.  We will review this information and see what the factors are that lead to this result.

The President’s report to the Regents focused on the challenge in responding to the state budget situation.  In addition to a $75.5 million recurring cut (proposed) and a $2.5M recurring cut (passed in 2008 session), he discussed a $55M increase in required spending for a total budget challenge of $133M for 2009-10.  This is based on the November forecast of a state budget shortfall of $4.8 billion.  The looming challenge is an expected March forecast of a budget deficit of $6 to $7 billion.  This makes it all the more difficult to do our planning for the next year.

Third, Barbara and I traveled with Director of Development & Alumni Relations Corby Kemmer, to Mesa, Arizona, to attend the annual Arizona Social.  We had the opportunity to make visits with several individual donors and a lunch with nearly 100 alumni, family and friends of the Northwest School of Agriculture and University of Minnesota, Crookston.  Alumni Association Past President Dr. Kari Torkelson also attended the noon luncheon, where we were able to provide an update on campus initiatives and activities.  It was great to see so many familiar faces and listen to their stories about their experiences and appreciation for the education they received.

I expect the next several weeks will be very busy as the legislature develops proposals to respond to the state budget situation.  If you know any legislators, please take a few minutes to ask for their support for the University of Minnesota.

– Chuck

Charles H. Casey, Chancellor
University of Minnesota, Crookston

Featured Events & Activities

Dedication of Alseth–NWSA Board Room, Tuesday, February 24 - 11 a.m., Dowell Hall Room 116

Support the U Day at the State Capitol, Wednesday, February 25 – buses leave at 6 a.m. to arrive for the noon gathering at the Capitol

Hunger Banquet, Thursday, February 26 – 5:30 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center, $2 for students, $12 for adults - all proceeds will be donated to the Crookston Emergency Food Shelf.  Purchase tickets in advance by contacting Lisa Loegering, 218-281-8526

Theater Production: "Borderline Crazies," February 26-28 – 7:30 p.m. nightly, Kiehle Auditorium

Women’s History Month Ice Cream Social, Monday, March 2 – 12 to 2 p.m., Northern Lights Lounge, Sargeant Student Center

International Dinner Series: Germany, Monday, March 2 – 6 p.m., Bede Ballroom, advance tickets only, $12 per meal or $40 for the entire series, Contact Rae French, 218-281-8339

Spring Convocation Featuring Guest Speaker Minnesota State Auditor Rebecca Otto, Wednesday, March 4 – 10 a.m., Kiehle Auditorium

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

AQIP (Academic Quality Improvement Program) Presentation by Faculty and Staff from Dakota State University, Thursday, March 5 – 12:15 to 2 p.m., Youngquist Auditorium

State of the University Address by President Robert Bruininks, Thursday, March 5 – 3 p.m.,  live webcast viewing in Dowell Hall 220

Sustainability Fair Featuring Guest Speaker Linda Kingery, Executive Director of the Northwest Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, Thursday, March 5 – 2 to 4 p.m., International Lounge, Sargeant Student Center; 4 p.m. presentation in Prairie Room

International Dinner Series: Eritrea, Monday, March 9 – 6 p.m., Bede Ballroom, advance tickets only, $12 per meal or $40 for the entire series, Contact Rae French, 218-281-8339

Spring Break, Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20

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 –

On Thursday, March 5, faculty and staff from Dakota State University will discuss their experiences with AQIP (Academic Quality Improvement Program) from 12:15 to 2 p.m. in Youngquist Auditorium. AQIP utilizes a continuous improvement process and provides an alternative process through which an already-accredited institution can maintain its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. With AQIP, an institution has continuous quality improvement activities and accreditation becomes a continuous process.  All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend this session.

President Robert Bruininks will give his State of the University Address Thursday, March 5, at 3 p.m.  A question and answer period will follow his speech.  On the Crookston campus, plans are for the address to be available for group viewing in Dowell Hall 220.  The address will also be available via live video webcast online at www.umn.edu/pres/stateoftheu.html.

The U of M, Crookston Sustainability Committee has established a website at www.umcrookston.edu/sustainability that serves as an information clearinghouse for various activities, events, presentations, and reports pertaining to sustainability issues on the Crookston Campus.

Academic Affairs –

Brian Dingmann, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, will discuss his experiences as part of a curriculum integration site tour of Scandinavia on Tuesday, February 24 at noon in Bede Ballroom.  His site tour group explored study and learning abroad opportunities for the health sciences in Norway and Denmark.  This is a great opportunity for students to hear about options for studying abroad and for faculty to hear more about site visit possibilities.

Student Affairs –

Romantic weekend getaway plans take an unexpected turn when two very different couples end up "double-booked" for a friend's cabin at Lake Tahoe in Borderline Crazies, a comedy in two acts by Leo W. Sears.  The U of M, Crookston Theater Department’s production of Borderline Crazies is set for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, February 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. nightly in Kiehle Auditorium. Tickets are $6 and will be available at the door.  U of M, Crookston students who present their University ID will be admitted free.   Learn more.

The annual International Dinner Series begins Monday, March 2, with the featured country of Germany. Eritrea will be the featured country for the Monday, March 9 dinner; the Caribbean countries of Jamaica and St. Kitts will be featured Monday, March 23; and the series culminates with the annual International Dinner and Program Wednesday, April 1.  All meals will begin at 6 p.m. in Bede Ballroom. Advance tickets only, $12 per individual meal or $40 for the entire series. Purchase before March 2, 2009. Contact Rae French, 218-281-8339. The International Dinner Series is sponsored by U of M, Crookston International Programs, Learning Abroad, and the Multicultural & International Club (MIC).

Several events are planned in observance of March as Women’s History Month.  Events include a “Go Green Day” March 2, a sustainability fair featuring speaker Linda Kingery March 5, an evening performance by National Poetry Slam Champion Isis on March 11, a photo/voice display and Rachel Carson documentary on March 24, and a discussion of the book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv on March 31.    See a full schedule of events.

Minnesota State Auditor Rebecca Otto will be the featured guest speaker at the Spring Semester Convocation Wednesday, March 4, at 10 a.m. in Kiehle Auditorium.  Marshall Johnson, Crookston Student Association President, will serve as master of ceremonies; Chancellor Charles Casey will recognize student academic achievement; and varsity coaches will recognize their respective teams and provide team updates.

The Office of Diversity Programs plans to form a diversity council for the U of M, Crookston.  Any students, student organizations, faculty, or staff who would like to be a part of this council should contact Thomas Williams, director of diversity programs, 218-281-8580.

Finance & University Services -

Construction of the new apartment-style residence hall continues and is on schedule.  The majority of work on exterior walls and roofing should be completed within the next few weeks, and windows and wiring work is scheduled to begin soon.

Training on the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) for Crookston campus staff in the Business Office continued this week.  Report generation for various offices continues to be refined, and initial report generation and training for staff across campus has begun.  Staff members in the Business Office thank everyone for being so patient during this transition.

Development & Alumni Relations –

Last week Chancellor Casey and Corby Kemmer, director of Development & Alumni Relations, spent time in Arizona meeting with prospective donors and attending the annual NWSA & UMC Arizona Social.  Nearly 100 people attended the social, held Friday, February 20, at the Terrace Green at ViewPoint Resort in Mesa.  Special thanks to Sue Dwyer and Rose Ulseth of the Development & Alumni Relations Office and to alumni Lorraine and Al Love, who coordinated the event.

The 14th Annual Teambackers Fun Nite is set for Friday, April 24, at the Crookston Eagles Club. For tickets please contact Bill Tyrrell at 218-281-8436.  Ticket prices - $40 per person before March 31 and $50 per person after.  All proceeds raised support U of M, Crookston student-athlete scholarships.

University Relations –

Radio spots promoting the U of M, Crookston and its academic programs will air February 23 through March 6 on Z99 99.3 FM, a popular radio station in west central Minnesota serving Alexandria, Elbow Lake, Glenwood, Long Prairie, Parkers Prairie, and Sauk Centre.

Athletics –

The Western Equestrian Team ended the regular season tied with North Dakota State University (NDSU) for Regional High Point Team at a show held in Fargo, N.D., February 14 and 15.  Amanda Peterson, a junior from Rochester, Minn., finished out the season as the Western Regional High Point Rider and will automatically advance to the National IHSA Horse Show on April 23 – 26 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.  Several riders qualified to compete in the regional championship set for Feb. 28. Details here.

The Hunt Seat Equestrian Team closed out the regular season with a solid showing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison February 21 and 22.  The team claimed Reserve High Point honors on Saturday, coming in behind UW Madison, and took third place on Sunday.  Several riders qualified to compete in the regional championship this coming weekend at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.  Details here.

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

Accolades

The U of M, Crookston Turfgrass Team, comprised of students Kerry Fredrichs, Philip Holland, and Stephen Steigauf, placed 34th out of 83 teams in the Collegiate Turf Bowl, a competition among universities and colleges that is part of the annual conference of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).  The Collegiate Turf Bowl consists of an exam that challenges students to identify soils, turfgrass species, seeds, diseases, weeds, and insects, and to answer questions regarding turfgrass growth, development, and related financial management.  The exam also includes an essay section that poses questions on various aspects of the turfgrass industry.  This year’s conference was held February 2-7 in New Orleans.  

The U of M, Crookston Natural Resources Department was well represented at the annual meeting of the Minnesota Chapter of The Wildlife Society, held February 11-12 in Mankato, Minn. Attending were Dan Svedarsky, Ph.D., professor and department head, and John Loegering, Ph.D., associate professor and current president of the Minnesota Chapter.  Student Chris Waltz, a senior majoring in natural resources, received the Student Conservationist Award, the top student award given by the professional organization. This marked the eighth time in the last twelve years that a UMC student has earned the Student Conservationist Award.  UMC alum Brian Winter, ’78, received the Minnesota Award, the top professional award.

Agricultural business students Bille Jo Armbrust, Jacob Gerber, Joshua Lamecker, and Virginia Carrlson, along with Margot Rudstrom, Ph.D., associate professor, agricultural business, attended the College Conference on Cooperatives Thursday, February 19, through Sunday, February 22, in Minneapolis. The conference was designed to give college students a thorough understanding of agricultural and other cooperatives, the foundations on which they are built, and the career opportunities they offer.

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.