October 19, 2009

Inside this Issue

From the Chancellor
Featured Events & Activities
Accolades

From the Chancellor

At the October Board of Regents meeting President Bruininks reported on the findings of the Future Financial Resources Task Force that he appointed earlier this year.  This report outlined some of the financial challenges facing the University.  It is a response by the task force to its charge:  “What will it take to finance the future of the University, and how can we achieve it?”

The report describes the new fiscal reality and identifies strategies to advance the excellence of the University of Minnesota in light of this reality.  The task force report will generate continuing discussions with the Regents over the next several months.

To help inform the Crookston campus community, I have presented the task force report to several groups and have asked supervisors to share the information in their departments and units.  The Crookston Campus will continue to be impacted by the state budget situation and will need to be prepared with its own response. 

Last week a campus forum on sustainability issues featured three speakers who provided their perspectives on energy issues.  Several small group meetings were also held to discuss other issues.  Thanks to Dr. Dan Svedarsky, sustainability coordinator, for planning the meetings.

The Crookston community United Way campaign is underway, and several individuals are providing leadership to raise dollars on the Crookston campus.  I encourage all faculty and staff to support the United Way campaign.  Locally, the United Way helps fund 37 programs that are dedicated to improving people’s lives in and around Crookston.  

On Sunday, October 18, I left for China with my wife Barbara.  We will be joined in Beijing by Dr. Jingpeng Tang, assistant professor of computer software technology, to celebrate the opening of the University of Minnesota office in that city.

We will then travel to Hangzhou with U of M Senior Vice President Robert Jones and Associate Vice President Meredith McQuaid to participate in a 30th anniversary celebration of the Zhejiang Economic and Trade Polytechnic (ZJETP).  The Crookston campus has been working with ZJETP for more than five years.  This work has involved faculty, staff, and student exchanges, curriculum development for ZJETP, English as a Second Language instruction, and other associated activities.

Currently, 15 students from China, including those from ZJETP, are studying on the Crookston campus.  We will meet with additional students who are preparing to enroll at the University of Minnesota, Crookston for the fall of 2010.

Establishing a personal as well as a working relationship is very important in developing and sustaining partnerships with international institutions.  Increasing our international student enrollment is part of the campus strategic plan to provide a global and diverse experience for students at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.

– Chuck

Charles H. Casey, Chancellor
University of Minnesota, Crookston

Featured Events & Activities

National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, October 19-23

GLBTA Community Awards and Recognition, Friday, October 23 – 1 to 3 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center

Organ Recital by George French, Associate Professor and Director of Music and Theater, Saturday, October 24 – 7:30 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 205 South Broadway, Crookston

Campus Visit by the Minnesota State Senate Capital Investment Committee, Tuesday, October 27

Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team (FAAST) Aviation Safety Seminar, Tuesday, October 27 – 7 p.m., Youngquist Auditorium, Agricultural Research Center

Thursday Commons: “Help Wanted” performed by Teatro del Pueblo, Thursday, October 29 – 12:15 p.m., Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center

Passport Drive, Tuesday, November 3 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Northern Lights Lounge, 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 –

Continuing on a growth trajectory, the University of Minnesota, Crookston has set record undergraduate enrollment for the second consecutive year.  According to official enrollment data, the number of degree-seeking students is reported at 1,310 for fall semester 2009.  That number bests last year's historic high mark and signifies an increase of 8.5% over fall 2008.  It also marks the third consecutive year the Crookston campus has recorded an undergraduate enrollment increase.  Total enrollment has also seen an increase from 2,199 last year to 2,279 this year.  Learn more.

The Minnesota State Senate Capital Investment Committee will visit the Crookston campus on Tuesday, October 27.  The group will arrive early evening and will attend a dinner on campus followed by a tour that highlights current and recently completed Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) projects.

Academic Affairs –

Faculty and staff are reminded of a new procedure regarding registration for spring 2010 courses:  online degree-seeking students who are officially admitted to an approved online degree program are given priority for registration in all online courses (designated by class sections E90, E91, E9X) during the spring semester registration period beginning November 9.  This will insure that place-bound students have the first opportunity to enroll in online classes.  Students who have not been admitted to an approved online degree program may register in any online courses beginning Monday, December 14, at which time all online courses will be open to all students on a space available basis.  

George French, associate professor and director of music and theater, will present a faculty organ recital on Saturday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 205 South Broadway, Crookston.   The concert is free; free-will offerings will be accepted.  The program will feature light classics and popular musical selections played on the 38-rank Schlicker pipe organ.

 

Student Affairs –

UMC’s Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) Awareness Program is sponsoring a week of events for National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, October 19-23.  On Monday, October 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Crookston Police Department  operated a driving course on the campus mall with student drivers wearing special alcohol simulation goggles.  Polk County Attorney Greg Widseth will discuss alcohol use and abuse and the law on Tuesday, October 20, at 7 p.m.  in Kiehle Auditorium.  On Wednesday, October 21, Sergeant Barb Erdman will demonstrate alcohol goggles with student volunteers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Northern Lights Lounge, Sargeant Student Center.  Be-Wiser, a game of myths and facts about alcohol, will be offered in Evergreen Hall Lounge at 8 p.m.  And on Friday, October 23, free mock cocktails will be offered in the Northern Lights Lounge from noon to 2 p.m.

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend the GLBTA Community Awards and Recognition on Friday, October 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Bede Ballroom, Sargeant Student Center.  During the program, staff from the U of M, Twin Cities GLBTA Office will present the “Breaking the Silence Award” to Yvonne Valgren, a UMC senior majoring in organizational psychology.  The award recognizes individuals and organizations that improve campus climate by addressing issues based on gender and sexuality across University of Minnesota system.  After the award presentation, the U of M, Crookston GLBTA Programs Office will present several other awards and recognitions for UMC community members who have dedicated many service hours and other resources in the name of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people, and their allies.  Light refreshments will be served.  Following the program, all are welcome to attend an open meeting where they learn more about GLBTA programs at the U of M, Crookston and contribute to planning the future of GLBTA services system-wide.  Questions or concerns can be directed to Kim Jorgensen, UMC GLBTA Program Coordinator.

The Thursday Commons event for October 29 will focus on Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month with the presentation of Teatro del Pueblo’s one-act play “Help Wanted.”  The performance will begin at 12:15 p.m. in Kiehle Auditorium and is free and open to the public.  “Help Wanted” tells the story of impoverished immigrants who came to Minnesota to seek a better life and to help their family.  This satirical piece demonstrates the plight of migrant workers whose labor is needed, but who risk harsh treatment and inequities when trying to fill this need.  Following the performance there will be a time for questions and discussion.  The event is sponsored by the Office of Diversity Programs.

International Programs –

The Learning Abroad Program will sponsor a passport drive, Tuesday, November 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Northern Lights Lounge, Sargeant Student Center.  The drive is open to anyone from the Crookston campus or from the Crookston community.  Each individual applying for a passport will need to provide:  a certified copy of his or her birth certificate; a $25.00 check or money order made payable to the Polk County Recorder (cash not accepted); and a $75.00 check or money order made payable to the U.S. Department of State (cash not accepted).  Passport photos will be taken and will cost $5.00 for UMC students and children under age 16, $10.00 for faculty, staff and the public.  Make checks or money orders for photos payable to the University of Minnesota, Crookston.  Passports may also be renewed at this drive.  For more information please contact Rae French, 218-281-8339.

Technology Services –

A planned information technology (IT) outage is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, from 2 a.m. through Sunday, October 25, at 7 a.m.  During that time many important University IT systems and applications will be unavailable for use, including PeopleSoft Financials, Student Registration, and approximately one-third of University e-mail accounts.  All applications are expected to be restored to service by 7 a.m. on Sunday, October 25.  The Office of Information Technology (OIT) is working on a plan to keep some of the University’s key applications running during this period--particularly those used by students and faculty. OIT will provide regular updates regarding this outage.  Learn more.

A second planned IT outage is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, from 5 a.m. to noon.  This outage is necessary so that OIT can resolve ongoing stability issues with the current configuration of the Cisco load balancer.  OIT tried to schedule this to coincide with the October 25 outage, but Cisco could not accommodate their request.  A list of services affected by this work as well as a timeline for completion is available here.

Development & Alumni Relations –

Minn-Dak President and CEO Harris Peterson, NWSA ’42, has made another significant gift to the U of M, Crookston.  His most recent contribution of more than $30,000 will fund a flag pole project on the campus mall.  The project is slated to begin next spring or early summer 2010.  Earlier this year, Harris made private contributions of more than $140,000 which created an endowed scholarship.  The Office of Development & Alumni Relations offers its sincere appreciation and thanks to Harris for his consistent and continued private support of the University of Minnesota, Crookston.   

To date, the Teambacker Fund Drive has garnered nearly 140 members and more than $90,000 in support of Golden Eagles athletic scholarships and program support.  To join Teambackers, please contact Bill Tyrrell at 218-281-8436. 

The Torch & Shield Awards Program will be held Wednesday, November 4.  Three individuals, Orlyn Miller, Jims Sims, and Erma Vizenor, and one organization, The Crookston Daily Times, will be honored with the award.  Donors will also be recognized for their lifetime and annual giving.  It is imperative that those who plan to attend please RSVP.  Contact Sue Dwyer at 218-281-8401.  Learn more about the award recipients.

Athletics –

Hunt seat equestrian rider Paige Marek, a freshman from St. Croix Falls, Wis., competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) recognized Amber Meyer, a junior from Paxton, Nebraska, majoring in hotel, restaurant, and institutional management, as the conference offensive player of the week for her conference-leading performances in NSIC play last week.  Learn more.

Campus and Community -

The U of M, Crookston has been selected to serve as a host site for a statewide initiative known as the Minnesota GreenCorps.   The Crookston campus was one of 56 applicants to be selected as one of twelve GreenCorps sites.  Alumnus Chris Waltz, ’09, has been appointed as the local government energy conservation specialist and will be trained for his role as part of a new generation of environmental professionals under the program.  Based on the Crookston campus, Waltz will work closely with the City of Crookston and the U of M, Crookston’s Center for Sustainability.  He will also assist local entities (city, county, school district, campus) in the conservation of energy involving the operations of their buildings and vehicles.  The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) coordinates the Minnesota GreenCorps, which is an environmental AmeriCorps program.  

The U of M, Crookston Aviation Program in cooperation with the Minneapolis Flight Standards District Office of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will host an FAA Safety Team (FAAST) Aviation Safety Seminar on campus Tuesday, October 27, at 7 p.m. in the Agricultural Research Center’s Youngquist Auditorium.  The topic of the seminar is “Getting Your Airplane and Yourself Ready for Winter and Light Sport (LSA) Briefing.”  This seminar is free and open to the public.  Credit will be offered for the Wings Program.  Registration is available online at www.faasafety.gov.

Accolades

Mark Hudon, campus security officer, recently received the Vigil Honor from the Order of the Arrow (OA), the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America.  The Vigil Honor is the highest honor the OA can bestow upon a member and is awarded for exemplary service to lodge, council, community, and Scouting.  Hudon has been involved with the Scouts for several years, earning the Eagle Scout rank at age 14 and then being elected to the Order of the Arrow (OA).   He has been active in the Sunrise River Chapter of Totanhan Nakaha Lodge, which serves Central Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, and, more recently, has served as assistant scoutmaster for Troop 41 in Crookston.  He also works with the local OA chapter.

A team of students involved with UMC’s Horticulture Club competed and earned third place honors overall at the 37th Mid-American Collegiate Horticulture Society (MACHS) Conference, held October 8-11 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  The team, comprised of Jennifer Zoch, Stepheni Tietje, Kristine Neu, and Jada Ellenberg with coach Theresa Helgeson, placed third overall just after Iowa State and Michigan State.  Additionally, Jennifer Zoch earned first place honors in individual knowledge and tied for first place in herbaceous identification.  Stepheni Tietje tied for second place in herbaceous identification.  Students Theo Lenneman, Michael Field, Nathan Peikert, and Katy Diers also attended the conference and competed as individuals. 

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

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