Calendar

March 9
·   W.O.W. Event:  Wax Hands
·   Great Conversations Series:  "Design of Everyday
    Life"
·   W.O.W. Event:  Play "Little Shop of Horrors"
March 9-11
·   UMC Music-Theater Department presents "Little
    Shop of Horrors"
March 11
·   UMC Hosts High School Basketball Tournaments
March 14-18
·   Spring Break
March 15
·   Crookston Chamber Education Career Day
March 21
·   International Dinner Series "Japan Land of Rich
    Traditions"
March 22
·   Center for Sustainable Development Discussion
·   Third Sustainability Seminar presented by Okey
    Ukaga
·   Terrific Tuesday "Resume and Mock Interviews"
March 23
·   W.O.W. Event:  Neo Print/Wacky Candy
·   W.O.W. Event:  Grand Theatre Movie Night
March 25
·   Floating Holiday, no classes, offices closed
March 28-April 1
·   Blood Drive Sign-up
March 28
·   International Dinner Series "Brazil More Than Soccer,
    A Rising Star"
March 30
·   Spring Convocation
·   W.O.W. Event:  Minnijean Brown Trickey -
    Desegregation Speaker
April 1
·   Service Learning Community Dialogue
·   Women's Retreat "Evening Escape"
April 2
·   Faculty/Staff vs. Students Slow Pitch Softball

News Items

UMC Awards Reception and Program Invitations
The UMC Awards ceremony will take place this year on Tuesday, April 12, beginning at 6 p.m. with a reception in the Rotunda, followed by the ceremony in the Kiehle Auditorium.  Many departments give out awards to honor the outstanding students in their area.  This year we would also like to have the opportunity for the parents of these students to attend if they are able.  To help with this we will be printing parent invitations.  Each department that has given out an award in the past will be asked to send out invitations to the parents letting them know the honor that will be received by their son or daughter.  These should go out as soon as you receive them so that the parents can make arrangements to attend.  If you would like to give out an award and have not done so in the past you can contact the chair of the awards committee, Eric Burgess to be added to the agenda.

Great Conversations Series Continues March 9
 
The Great Conversations series continues Wednesday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. in 220 Dowell Hall.  The conversation “Design of Everyday Life” is free and open to the public.  Join Wendy Pradt Lougee and Henry Petroski, two leading thinkers, discuss how curiosity and research can unravel the extraordinary stories behind ordinary objects.

The event is sponsored by UMC Concerts & Lectures.  For further information, visit the “Great Conversations” website at <www.cce.umn.edu/conversations/>.

Little Shop of Horrors at UMC
March 9, 10, and 11

The musical “Little Shop of Horrors” will be presented by the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) Music-Theater Department Wednesday through Friday, March 9, 10, and 11.  Performances will begin nightly at 8 p.m. in Kiehle Auditorium.  Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and children, $1 for UMC students (with FREE admission for UMC students on Wednesday, March 9).

The two-act musical comedy revolves around the character Seymour who works at a skid row flower shop.  In order to promote business, Seymour purchases a new plant that for some reason has a magical power to attract customers.  The only problem is that the plant eats blood in order to grow, and eventually is not satisfied by the few drops of blood Seymour is able to feed it by pricking his finger.  The plant eventually turns into a man eating talking monster determined to take over the world.  The play is based on the book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken and is produced by special arrangement with Music Theater International.  The UMC Music-Theater Department acknowledges a generous grant from the UMC Concerts and Lectures Committee for this production.

The UMC student cast includes Joshua Clark as Seymour, Jeana Kunkel as Audrey, Dave Reiners as Mushnik, Dan Webster as Orin, Sasha McCarger as Chiffon, Kelsey Herrboldt as Crystal, Marquita Sivertson as Ronnette, and Kevin Osmondson as The Voice of Audrey II.

Crookston Chamber Education Career Day March 15

The annual Crookston Chamber Education Career Day will be held on Tuesday, March 15.  This event has been held on the UMC campus for about 17 years and is organized by the Crookston Chamber Education Committee.  Again this year we are expecting about 400 high school juniors attending from 7 to 10 area high schools.  More than 40 local and area occupational speakers will be addressing the students in two occupational sessions that the student attends.  The opening speaker this year is Dr. Massey, our CEO.  The schedule for the morning of the 15^th is as follows:

All available rooms on campus have been scheduled through Facilities & Operations and there will be committee members helping direct the students between sessions.  Thank you to admissions, to those who have committed to speak from campus, and to those who have helped with campus organization.  Please welcome the students and their counselors to our campus.

--Jason Tangquist, Chamber Education Committee Chair

UMC Printing & Design Schedule
Patti Tiedemann (designer) and John Zak (photographer/designer) will be out of the office March 11-18.  If you need design work done or photos taken, please contact them on the 21^st of March.  Thank you.

Spring Break Sale at UMC Bookstore through
March 18
Enjoy savings at the UMC Bookstore, 109 Robertson Hall, as follows:

• 25% off UMC flip-flops, UMC beach towel, “pink” clothing (lettering or color)

• 25-30% off t-shirts

• 35% off sweatpants

• 40% off clearance

The UMC Bookstore is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Center for Sustainable Development Discussion March 22
As many of you know, we have been working on a feasibility study looking into what a Center for Sustainable Development might look like on the Crookston Campus of the University of Minnesota.  We've had a series of meetings with various folks and Delore Zimmerman facilitated a forum on 10 February.  This effort is envisioned as a campus-wide, interdisciplinary initiative and everyone is welcome to join in the discussions.

For your calendar; please put down 22 March from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Brown Dining Room.  Delore Zimmerman will facilitate our second forum.  In addition, each department head will give a 5-minute overview of what sustainability means to them and how they view the concept from the perspective of their department.  There will be a free lunch by going through the line.  Please call or email Sue Legare at 8129 by 19 March with a reservation so we will know how many to expect for the preparation of handouts and the seating arrangement.

Also, at 3 p.m. in Youngquist Auditorium that day, Okey Ukaga, Executive Director of the Northeast Regional Sustainable Partnership will present the 3rd Sustainability Seminar.  His topic will be, "Sustainable Development in Northeast Minnesota and how do you know how you're doing?"

Thanks and let us know if you have any questions.  Hope to see you there.
--Dan Svedarsky and Brent Sorenson

Self Defense Class March 29 and March 31
Attention Faculty, Staff and Students – FOR WOMEN ONLY

UMC is sponsoring a self-defense course in conjunction with the University of North Dakota.  This is a 4-hour self-defense session from 6 to 10 p.m. that will be offered on March 29 and March 31.  For more information please go to <http://www.und.edu/dept/womenctr/impactintro.htm>.  You can also click on the video to see how serious UND and the IMPACT-U program are in promoting personal safety for women.  THIS IS A SERIOUS SELF-DEFENSE taught by experts.  All the instructors are certified by the Bay Area Model Mugging Corporation of San Francisco, CA.

Please send me an email with your preferred date if you are interested in attending.  The event will be held in the UMC Gym.  The class is limited to only 18 people per class so space is limited please contact me ASAP if you know for sure you can attend.
--Chris Przemieniecki, Director of Intramurals

University of Minnesota Crookston Training Services Courses

March-April 2005

U of M Training Services will be on campus the end of March and beginning of April to provide our campus with a variety of training.  In order to participate and ensure the classes will be held, those interested need to register with Training Services in Minneapolis.  Please see the attached flyer for the courses available and contact information for registering.  Thank you.

--Jana Hodgson, Business Affairs

Generations Getting Involved March 31
Do you know all you want to know about the various generations - Builders, Boomers, Busters, and Millennials?  Ever wondered how their experiences and attitudes play out in community life?  Are you looking for insights into getting others involved in your committees and groups?

"Generations Getting Involved" is a new leadership program from the University of Minnesota Extension Service that focuses on understanding the different experiences, values, and attitudes of the four generations in the U.S. today.  Learn about and reflect on the formative experiences and characteristics of each generation - from "Builders" and "Boomers" to "Busters" and "Millennials."  This program will help you gain insights on your own generation and provide information on how to get more generations involved in your groups.  It's interesting, interactive, fun!

Like other kinds of diversity, generational diversity can play a role in community life.  Since people of different generations have different experiences, values, and attitudes, there can be a lack of awareness or misunderstandings when various generations work on community activities and issues together.  Learning more about what each generation brings to community life can help all get along better, lead to more involvement and leadership and, ultimately, stronger communities. 

On Thursday, March 31, "Generations Getting Involved" will be offered on at the Golden Link Center in Crookston at 9:30 a.m. and at the Pennington County Courthouse Meeting Room at 1:30 p.m.  The presenter for the program will be Jody Horntvedt, Regional Extension Educator in Leadership and Civic Engagement.  For more information and to register, contact the Extension Regional Center, Crookston, at 1-888-241-0781.  Or check the Extension web site at www.extension.umn.edu, under "Community" and "workshops" for more details.

Service Learning Community Dialogue April 1
Each fall and spring, the Office of Service Learning invites community agencies, organizations, and individuals, as well as faculty members, to a Community Dialogue.  The purpose of the dialogue is to brainstorm ideas for potential service-learning projects that assist the community while enhancing courses at UMC.  Ideas that aren’t appropriate for service-learning projects may be considered for community service projects or service projects for Meet Crookston Through Service or National Youth Service Day.  It is helpful to have faculty representing each of the departments who are familiar with the content of their department’s courses.  This spring’s Community Dialogue will be held Friday, April 1, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Otter Tail Power’s Community Room.  Please mark your calendar if you are interested in attending.
--Lisa Loegering, Assistant Director of Service Learning

U and Your Economy Workshop Shares Information to Strengthen Local Communities
(Crookston April 7)
Minnesota communities will have a new tool available to them to assess opportunities and foster economic and community development. The University of Minnesota Extension Service will introduce the new tool, called retail trade analysis (RTA) reporting, at five workshops beginning March 10 through April 14.

The introduction of the RTA tool is part of a workshop offered by Extension entitled U and Your Economy. The workshop is designed to aid business and community leaders in understanding long term economic and demographic shifts, such as changes triggered by the baby boom generation. In turn, those leaders can help to prepare and position their communities for the future.

RTA reporting utilizes sales tax data from a community to determine the viability of several retail categories within that community. “The RTA report can pinpoint retail opportunities,” says Michael Darger, who leads Extension’s community economics programs. “Business people and economic development officials can use these measures to determine the need and feasibility of new or expanded retail businesses,” Darger adds. The report separates sales tax revenues into 13 retail categories including building materials, automotive, food, apparel and furniture.

Featured workshop speakers include Tom Stinson, Ph.D., Minnesota state economist; Laura Kalambokidis, Ph.D., speaking about Minnesota’s Approach to Business Taxation; and Steve Taff, Ph.D., will discuss Land Use, Development and Your Changing Tax Base. Stinson’s presentation — Baby Boom Retirement: A Looming Fiscal Crisis? — will describe the fiscal impact the baby boom generation will have on public revenues and the tax system in Minnesota.

Customized RTA reports will be available to Minnesota communities in March. RTA reporting was first demonstrated by Kenneth Stone, professor emeritus of economics and Extension economist at Iowa State University. He developed the retail trade analysis program to help business people and city officials determine the strengths and weaknesses of their retail sectors. Stone was the first academic in the U.S. to conduct studies of the economic impacts of shopping malls, discount department stores and “big box” building materials stores. After reviewing the RTA tool at the U and Your Economy event, Extension staff will present a program entitled: Success Strategies for Small Stores. Based on Stone’s research, these practical strategies can provide small retailers ideas about co-existing with larger mass merchandisers.

The workshop locations are in Marshall (March 10), Owatonna (March 24), Grand Rapids (March 31), Crookston (April 7) and St. Cloud (April 14).  Each event is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and prices to attend range from $30 to $50. For more information about the U and Your Economy event visit the Web at:  <www.extension.umn.edu/uandeconomy>.  Or contact Joan Sigmundik, phone 612.624.7714 or email sigmu001@umn.edu.

Extension is the primary outreach arm of the University of Minnesota. Extension’s goal is to help Minnesota communities make informed decisions by providing applied economic research and facilitating strategic planning. For more information about Extension, consult <www.extension.umn.edu>.

University Vehicle Usage
When using University vehicles, please make sure to do the following:

• Make (and confirm) reservation on the SURE system

• Pick up keys in our office

• Upon entering the vehicle, record starting mileage, date, driver, budget, and place on the white card in the pocket

• Close and lock garage door (this is very important and is not being done very often)

• Vehicle should already be filled with gas so you should not have to worry about that

• Upon returning the vehicle, please top off gas tank as close to UMC as possible, even if tank is over half full

• Record ending mileage on the white card

• Drop keys off either in our office or through the key drop

We have been having issues with tanks being returned only half (or less than half) full.  Please be courteous to your fellow drivers and fill the tank upon returning to the University.  Please use the Voyager card to fill the tank, if you can not get the card to work, personal money can be used and you will be reimbursed.  With the Voyager card, the pin number varies with the gas station that you go to, some need the last 4 digits, some need the last 5, and some need all 6, please try all of those combinations if your first try is not successful.  Also, if all of that does not work and you absolutely do not want to use your own money, the gas station can call the order in using the 800 number on the back of the card.  Thanks for your cooperation!
--Michelle Ramstad, Facilities & Operations

Thank You
The MN Red River Valley Development Association would like to thank UMC Dining Services, UMC Media Services, UMC Computing Services, and the UMC Music and Theater Department for their help as the Association hosted the 67^th Annual Honor Banquet in Brown Dining Room on Saturday, March 5.  About 125 people attended the event which honored 18 Valley Farmers and Homemakers from the 14 northwest Minnesota counties for their efforts to improve and sustain the quality of life in northwest Minnesota.

Four young adults – Joshua Hein, Lake Park-Audubon HS; Angela Shubert, Crookston HS; Miguel Diaz, Pelican Rapids HS and Paul Jensen, Stephen, now a sophomore at U of M-TC campus – each received $500 scholarships for their leadership efforts in their schools, communities and churches.  Hein will be attending UMC in the fall and Shubert is Marilyn Grave’s daughter.  Congratulations to them.

UMC is a very nice place to hold an event of this kind and to work with people who are so willing to help.  Thank you.
--MN Red River Valley Development Association
Patti Malme, Treasurer

VolunTEAM Update

Chaperones for BASHED Annual Youth Retreat:  This annual youth retreat invites 100+ teens from Polk County to attend a weekend of learning leadership skills, communication skills, conflict resolution, team building and information on risky teen behaviors.  We are looking for chaperones for this three day, two night event.  We would prefer chaperones that enjoy dealing with active teens.  Chaperones will be assigned to a group during the day time - they will accompany their group to learning sessions to attend to participation and any behavior problems.  Chaperones will be assigned to a cabin with 6-8 teens for sleeping hours.  Chaperones must be willing to deal with positive and negative behaviors of the teens, as well as correct any negative or inappropriate behaviors.  Bus transportation to the event will be provided.  For more information, contact D’Anne Johnson at 218-281-3385 or djohnson@pcphealth.org.
Childcare:  Five or 6 childcare providers needed Tuesday, April 5, from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. at the Crookston Family Service Center. (The Head Start building, formerly Carmen School).  Activities are already planned, you just need to show up!
Childcare:  Five or 6 childcare providers needed Tuesday, April 12, from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. at the Crookston Five or 6 childcare providers needed Tuesday, April 5, from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. at the Crookston Family Service Center. (The Head Start building, formerly Carmen School).  Activities are already planned, you just need to show up!
Help with Kids’ Activities:  Assist with activities at the “Big Wheels Farm Festival,” Tuesday, April 26, from 5:45 to 7:30 p.m. at the Crookston Family Service Center. (The Head Start building, formerly Carmen School).  Activities are already planned, you just need to show up!

If you’re interested in learning more about the Crookston VolunTEAM, please contact Lisa Loegering in the VolunTEAM office (112 Dowell) at 281-8526 or loege005@umn.edu.  Or, simply visit <www.volunteam.org>.
--Lisa Loegering, Assistant Director of Service Learning/Crookston VolunTEAM Coordinator

Special Dates
Birthdays:
March 12 – Dave Hoff

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 Sue Dwyer at sdwyer@umn.edu.  Thanks.

UMC Insight
UMC Insight, the weekly radio program about UMC, airs on KROX Radio 1260 AM Saturdays at 8:45 a.m.  Tune in Saturday, March 12, to hear an exciting interview hosted by Liz Tollefson, Office of Development & Alumni Relations.

UMC Insight files are also available via the Web at:  www.UMCrookston.edu/newsevents/insight/04-05/index.htm

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

Publication Information:
The UMC Weekly Bulletin is published by University Relations weekly September through May.  Copy deadline is noon on Tuesday of each week.  The Weekly Bulletin is produced by Sue Dwyer, word processing specialist.  Please send items for the bulletin electronically to Sue Dwyer at sdwyer@umn.edu.

Disability accommodations will be provided upon request for all events.  The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

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