Calendar

July 29
·   Women’s Golf Classic at Minakwa Golf Club in Crookston
July 29-30
·   Faculty/Staff Technology Camp: WebCT for Intermediate Designers
August 3-7
·   Summer Start
August 6
·   29th Annual Conference on Aging
August 7
·   ServSafe Recertification (CAL)
August 10
·   Football and Volleyball Players Arrive
August 13
·   Soccer Players Arrive
August 14-17
·   Crookston Ox Cart Days
August 15
·   UMC Ox Cart Days Ice Cream Social
August 16
·   Children's Theater:  "Snow White Goes West"
August 19, 21
·   ServSafe Certification (CAL)
August 20
·   Resident Advisors (RAs) Arrive on campus
August 25
·   Faculty and staff on 9-month appointments return
·   Campus Welcome Breakfast
·   Higher Learning Accreditation Presentation
August 28
·   UMC home football vs. St. Cloud State
August 29
·   Transfer Student Orientation
·   Residence halls open for returning students
August 30
·   New Student Orientation
·   Residence halls open for new students
September 1
·   Labor Day
·   New Student Orientation
September 2
·   Classes begin

News Items

Crookston Named One of 18 Regional Extension Center Locations
On July 21 the University of Minnesota Extension Service announced the 18 Minnesota communities that will serve as regional Extension centers. The community locations are: Albert Lea, Andover, Brainerd, Cloquet, Crookston, Farmington, Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Hutchinson, Mankato, Marshall, Moorhead, Mora, Morris, Rochester, Roseau, St. Cloud and Worthington.

Last spring, in response to budget reductions and requests from counties for more flexibility in how they contract for Extension services, the University announced that Extension would be shifted to a regional system. This allows counties the choice to contract for the specific programs, services, positions and satellite offices that they want.

Each of the regional offices will house 5-10 University of Minnesota staff, who will be part of the statewide system that provides educational programs and services that address critical issues in Minnesota.  Five of the new regional centers – Cloquet, Crookston, Morris, Rochester and Grand Rapids – maximize the use of existing university facilities, which was among the criteria for selection. These regional centers will build strong program connections with University faculty and their research, and they will have a wealth of resources and expertise to draw upon on behalf of the communities they serve. 

More information, including specifics of the staffing and office location of the Crookston Regional Extension Center on the UMC campus, is forthcoming.  The centers are scheduled to be operational by January of 2003.  “I am excited about the possibilities for new partnerships between UMC and Extension,” said Deb Zak, Northwest District Extension Director, University of Minnesota Extension Service.

Summer Start Set for Aug. 3-7
Nearly 50 incoming new students are scheduled to attend UMC’s Summer Start, set for August 3 through 7.  Summer Start is an optional program offered to introduce new students to college life at UMC.  Students register for Computer Applications (CA) 1010 “Introduction to Computer Technology,” a one-credit introduction to technology course required of all new students.  In addition to receiving academic credit, students live in campus residence halls and participate in outside social programs to help make the transition to college easier. 

Rae French will be coordinating Summer Start (in place of Kami Mattson) with the help of student assistant Cameron Brauer.  Bruce Brorson will be teaching “Introduction to Computer Technology.”

Conference on Aging to be Held at UMC Aug. 6
UMC will be the host site for the 29^th Annual Conference on Aging on Wednesday, August 6.  The theme of the event is “Celebrating our Seniors—Our Greatest Natural Resource.”  Many workshops dealing with topics of interest for seniors will be offered at the conference and two intensive workshop sessions will be offered for social workers on the topics of vulnerable adult issues and of rate setting for housing with services.  Former Minnesota State Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe will present the keynote address:  “Utilizing Our Greatest Resources.

Upcoming Capital Equipment Inventory
To meet federal guidelines for approved property systems, Inventory Services will be inventorying capital equipment on the UMC campus (including the Northwest Research and Outreach Center) and would like to begin Monday, August 4.  We will be conducting a room-to-room physical inventory of all capital equipment assigned to campus departments at that time and my expectation is that it will involve most of the week.   

Our plan is to scan barcodes on equipment in all rooms of all buildings on the first phase of the inventory.  The second phase of the inventory will be conducted some weeks after the initial pass-through, as we follow up by asking specific questions pertaining to unlocated equipment items of staff. 

Dennis Blackmore and Chris Nicholls of Inventory Services will be conducting the inventory.  Both of  these people will be identifiable by UM picture badge and UCard.   The only assistance we will require in the initial phase of the inventory will be key access to all rooms in all buildings that might house University capital equipment.

Please notify your staff and alert the various departmental contact people.  We will work with you and them to minimize any disruption to normal schedules.  If you have any questions, please contact me at 612/626-8217 or return email to me at the above address.  Thank you for your cooperation.
--Luke Madsen, U of M Inventory Services Manager

Facilities Management Project Updates, Key Inventory
Progress for the new Student Center has slowed because of higher than expected costs.  Twin Cities Facilities Management is considering several options in order to decrease the cost of construction.  In a couple weeks we are hoping to know the final plan.

Starting August 4 through September UMC Facilities Management will be conducting a key inventory.  Our goal is to cross reference our key/lock records and provide added security to the campus facilities.  This inventory is mandatory for all University faculty and staff members.  All employees are to enter there own keys online using the easy to fill out web system at <www.umcrookston.edu/Facilities/NutsNBolts/>.

Reminder: All scheduling of rooms and vehicles must be done online using the S.U.R.E. System:  <www.umcrookston.edu/Facilities/sure/>. 

Anyone having troubles using the SURE System or Key Inventory System please contact Jim Myers via e-mail (ujfm002) or phone ext. 8483.  Jim is also available at the FM office. 

I hope everyone is having a great summer and looks forward to new changes on campus.  If you have any questions please e-mail me at kfreberg@mail.crk.umn.edu  or call ext. 8490.
--Kent Freberg, Director, Facilities Management

Campus Wireless Network Changes Require New Image Load
As usual at this time of the year, a new software image load for campus notebook computers is under development.  Major changes include wireless configuration changes.  Any faculty and staff members who make use of wireless connectivity are encouraged to back up their files and bring their notebook computers to the Computer Help Desk in Kiehle 131 for a reload during the week of August 11-15.  If you do not make use of wireless, your existing software image load will continue to work on the campus network. 

As a reminder, it is always helpful to get into the habit of making backups on a regular basis.  If you need assistance with making a backup, please stop by the Instructional Technology Center in Kiehle 143.
--Peg Sherven, UMC Computer Help Desk

UMC Library Adopting New System
The UMC Library will soon be using a new library system called “Aleph.”   Aleph will replace PALS, which was the library system that has been used for the past twenty years at UMC.

The four campuses of the University of Minnesota (Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and the Twin Cities) are the first libraries in Minnesota to migrate to Aleph.  All of the PALS libraries, including all of the libraries in Minnesota from the state colleges, technical colleges, and community colleges, will be using Aleph in the near future. 

To take a sneak preview of the new system go to: <http://umnlib.oit.umn.edu/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b&local_base=crkpub>
--Owen E. Williams, Director, Library Services

More Grades Submitted System-wide on Time on the Web
Web grading for spring semester at the University of Minnesota was an overwhelming success, the (Twin Cities) Office of Enrolled Student Services reports. An average of 93 percent of grades on each campus were submitted by the posted deadlines: 97.7 percent at Morris, 97.2 percent at Duluth, 91.1 percent on the Twin Cities campus, and 86 percent in Crookston.

For the Twin Cities campus, this was the highest percentage of on-time grade submission in recent history.

As of June 11, 98.2 percent of all grades system-wide had been entered: Crookston, 97.5 percent; Duluth, 99.3 percent; Morris, 99.7 percent; Twin Cities, 97.8 percent.

Due to the excellent submission rate, the first run of the deans' lists for the Twin Cities campus resulted in the inclusion of 1,200 more names than in previous terms.

The Student Records Training Team (SRTT) supported the Web grading application through the Student Records help line and the SRTT e-mail account. For the five days before the Twin Cities grade submission deadline, they staffed the e-mail and phone until 7 p.m.

During extra hours, two to five calls were received per hour. The most frequently asked questions:

• A class had not been set up with instructor/proxy access for grading, or access was not set to "approved" in PeopleSoft.
• The correct section had not been set up for grading (lecture as opposed to discussion/lab) in PeopleSoft.
• Plus (+) and minus (-) were not appearing on grades through the upload process. This problem has since been corrected in the Web grading application.
• Problems using Mac computers and the Netscape browser. While a recent "Tools" upgrade in PeopleSoft should alleviate these problems, PCs and Internet Explorer are still the recommended computer and browser for Web grading.
• Specific due dates and times. Grades are due by midnight of the third business day after the last final exam.
• "Submitting" grades versus "saving" grades. While an incomplete grade roster can be saved, only a completed grade roster can be submitted for posting. Also, there was some confusion as to whether a grade of Incomplete could be entered: Yes, it can.
• The grade roster was not available, even thought the instructor/proxy was correctly set up in PeopleSoft.

Some frustration was expressed about the new system, but most users were complimentary, citing ease of use, clarity of the training materials provided on the Web and on paper, and response time.  With nearly 180,000 grades submitted by the deadlines, most users were able to enter grades without problems, requiring no calls or e-mail requests for support.
-- Reprinted from The Record, News about admissions, records, and student systems. July 2003, Vol. 27, No. 7

Amendments to University Hospitality Expense Policies Effective July 15, 2003
A new policy supplement that applies to hospitality expenses has been approved for issuance to University faculty and staff. The purpose of the supplement is to provide definitive guidance on the allowability of certain expenditures that are commonly incurred in fundraising, donor relations, and faculty/staff recruitment and retention activities.  The policy covers all sources of funds managed by the University, and will also be applied consistently by the U of M Foundation in relation to vice presidents' allocations (which are paid directly by the UMF).

The policy supplement is effective immediately and should be applied to all future planned or actual activities and expenditures covered by the supplement.  The supplement has been added to the University policy web site as an appendix to policy 3.16.2, Hospitality and Special Expenses. You can view the supplement at the policy web site.  The location is:  process.umn.edu/groups/ppd/documents/appendix/hosp_supp.cfm

Development of this policy supplement included extensive review and consultation with President Bruininks, the vice presidents and chancellors on his executive committee, the University's Executive Tax Committee, the Department of Audits, the U of M Foundation, and a number of collegiate and departmental representatives.  Further communication about the information contained in the policy supplement will occur over the summer and fall with the Twin Cities deans, coordinate campuses, the faculty Senate Committee for Finance & Planning, and the various foundations.

For general questions on the new supplement please contact the University Financial HelpLine at (612) 624-1617.  For assistance with transitional payments for expenses incurred prior to issuance of the supplement, or if you have any comments or suggestions on the new guidance, please feel free to contact me.
--Mike Volna, Associate Vice President and Controller

Welcome to Ronald Del Vecchio and Thanks
Ronald P. Del Vecchio has joined the faculty of UMC as professor and program manager for the Equine Industries Management and Animal Industries Management programs.  He holds master’s and Ph.D. degrees in reproduction physiology from Texas A & M University, and a B.S. in animal and veterinary science from the University of Rhode Island.

He comes to UMC from Louisiana State University where he earned the rank of professor in the Department of Animal Sciences.  Ron has previously served as Research Scientist for Agriculture Canada, Brandon, MB, and as an Instructor at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon.

His office will be in UTOC 100F, where Dawn Sherwood was previously located.  Please join me in giving Ron a warm UMC reception as he begins preparation for a busy and successful fall term.

Let me also take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Dawn Sherwood.  She has served UMC very well during her time here, including as interim manager of the Equine Program last year.  She now heads to Lincoln, NE, where she will enter a Ph.D. program in ruminant nutrition.  In addition, I’d like to thank Associate Professor Lyle Westrom, who has managed the Animal Industries Management Program and simultaneously provided leadership to our Ag Education Program during its first critical years.  Lyle will continue to be active in the animal science area, but now will be able to put more energy toward growing Agricultural Education at UMC. 

Once again, please welcome Ron Del Vecchio to our team.
--Richard Nelson, Director, Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources

Thank You from Retiring Business Office Staff
Thanks to everyone for making our retirement party on June 20 such a wonderful day.  Our years at UMC have been filled with many good memories.  A special thank you to our coworkers in the Business Office.  We will miss our many good friends at UMC.
--Betty Murphy and Gail Hasbrouck

Accolades

A group of UMC faculty and administrators traveled to Brazil in early July to discuss possible educational collaborations.   Richard Nelson, director of the Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Assistant Professor Aziz Rahman, Assistant Professor Steve Shirley, and Don Sargeant (above right), chancellor emeritus, met with Vincente Nogueira (above left), president of Uniao Fioneira de Integracao Social (UPIS) and Associacao International de Educacao Continuada (AIEC) to discuss ideas for cooperation on international distance delivered baccalaureate education. 

The group also discussed the development of a study abroad experience in Brazil for students attending all four campuses of the University of Minnesota.  Students would learn about Brazilian business, food production, and environmental issues and gain a first-hand look at the country’s diverse culture.  Tentative visits include Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia and adjacent rural districts, and the Amazon region.   UMC faculty and staff have had prior contact with UPIS in technology training and other collaboration discussions.  

Special Dates

Marriages

Brenda (Sivertson) Dale, student personnel worker in financial aid, married Richard Dale on Thursday, July 3.

Rebekah (Stortroen) Seeger, information technology professional, married Grant Seeger on Saturday, July 12, in a ceremony held in UMC’s Kiehle Auditorium. 

Birthdays

• August 5 - Sue Dwyer

• August 11 - Val Uttermark

• August 15 - Judy Neppel

• August 16 - Trish Ramstad

• August 17 - Dennis Magsam

Reminder:  Faculty and staff are encouraged to share well wishes for birthdays, anniversaries, births, etc. with the rest of the campus.  Please send items for this week’s special dates via e-mail to Andrew Svec at asvec@mail.crk.umn.edu and/or Sue Dwyer at sdwyer@mail.crk.umn.edu. Thanks.

Farewells

George Marx, professor of dairy science for the Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC), and his wife, Karen, were the guests of honor at a reception held Tuesday, July 29, in Brown Dining Room.  Marx, who is retiring, has had a distinguished 39-and-a-half year career at the NWROC. Congratulations!

Kami Mattson, director of UMC’s First Year Experience, has accepted a job as student services coordinator at the University of Wisconsin—Marshfield/Wood County.  She begins her new responsibilities on Friday, August 1.  We wish her the best of luck!

David Arscott, research assistant professor of natural resources, has accepted a position with Stroud Water Research Center, in Avondale, PA.  He begins in early August.  We wish him and his family the best.

Dan Gabrielson, a student enrolled in UMC’s Bachelor of Manufacturing Management program offered in the Twin Cities, was killed in Iraq on July 9, when the convoy he was traveling in was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade about 120 miles north of Baghdad. Two other soldiers were wounded in the attack, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.  Gabrielson was member of and repaired construction equipment for the 652nd Engineer Company, based in Ellsworth, Wis., and was riding in the last vehicle in the convoy during the attack on the 88th Regional Support Command, of which the company is a part.

George Nornes, of Climax, MN, died July 28 in the Twin Cities two weeks after having a severe stroke.  Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, in Climax.  George was a teacher at the Climax High School and the Agassiz Valley Vocational School in Crookston before working as a recruiter for UMC’s agriculture programs during the 1980s and 1990s.  He was also very active with the former Red River Valley Winter Shows.

Bulletin Schedule Resumes Weekly Status August 20
The UMC Weekly Bulletin will resume weekly publication on Wednesday, August 20, 2003.  Deadline for submission for that edition is noon on Tuesday, August 19.   Please submit all items for Summer News to Sue Dwyer at sdwyer@mail.crk.umn.edu and/or to Andrew Svec at asvec@mail.crk.umn.edu. 

UMC Insight
UMC Insight, the weekly radio show about UMC, airs on KROX Radio 1260 AM Saturdays at 8:45 a.m.  Tune in Saturdays during the summer to hear special topics related to natural resources and nature-related recreation hosted by John Loegering, assistant professor of wildlife ecology, and Dave Arscott, research assistant professor of natural resources.

UMC Insight files are also available via the Web at:  <http://www.umcrookston.edu/newsevents/insight/02-03/index.htm>

UMC Bulletin
The UMC Bulletin is posted at:
<http://www.umcrookston.edu/campusinfo/wkbulletin/bulletin.htm>

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