Calendar

December 1, 2, 3, and 4
·   UMC Music and Theater Department presents "The
    Senator Wore Panty Hose"
December 1-22
·   Holiday Sale at UMC Bookstore
December 1
·   World AIDS Day
·   Rootbeer Floats Event
·   Women's Basketball - UMC vs. Augustana
·   W.O.W. Event:  Play "The Senator Wore Pantyhose"
December 2
·   Fostering Integrity in Research, Scholarship, and
    Teaching formerly called Responsible Conduct of
    Research (RCR) Training
·   Horseman's Association Spaghetti Supper
December 3
·   Ag Activities Day
·   Campus Preview
·   Campus Assembly
·   Winter Wonderland
·   Ag Industries Club Chili Feed
December 4
·   Men's Basketball - UMC vs. St. Scholastica
·   Women's Basketball - UMC vs. Ft. Lewis College
December 6
·   Magnificent Monday "Stress Management"
·   Crookston Student Association (CSA) Full Board
    Meeting
December 7
·   Pictures with Santa
·   "What's a Parent to Do?" Satellite Downlink
·   Terrific Tuesdays "Career Center Web Site
    Registration and Job Search Techniques" Workshop
December 8
·   Caroling by Early Childhood Development Center
    Preschoolers
·   "Hard Hat" Tours of new Student Center
·   Horseman's Open Ride Night
·   W.O.W. Event:  Grand Theatre Movie Night
December 9 and 10
·   UMC Poinsettia Sale
December 10
·   Spring Registration for new students
·   Campus Preview
December 10, 11 and 12
·   Light Up the Mall "Seasonal Celebration of Lights"
December 11
·   Women's Basketball - UMC vs. St. Cloud State
·   Men's Basketball - UMC vs. Minnesota State Mankato
December 12
·   Habitat Tour of Homes
December 13
·   Last day of instruction for Fall Semester
December 14-17
·   Final Exams
December 16
·   Mental Health Emergency Services Training
December 17
·   Residence Halls close at 4 p.m.
December 18-January 9
·   Semester Break

News Items

Letter from Vice President Robert Jones
Dear UMC Faculty and Staff:

I am taking this opportunity to thank you for your patience and understanding during this time of transition at the University of Minnesota, Crookston.  We are entering a new era in which the challenges of academic success will require creative and integrative solutions.  This era requires a high level of consultation with individuals and across disciplines and interests.  We value UMC as an integral part of the University of Minnesota System and as a provider of quality higher education options in Northwestern Minnesota.

As you know, we have put in place a transition team at UMC led by Joe Massey, Campus Executive Officer and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.  We have extended the commitment of the Twin Cities campus to join this effort by partnering with you to leverage resources and offer advice, counsel, support and outreach as the needs of the Crookston campus continue to evolve.  President Robert Bruininks and I plan to visit your campus in December and we hope to talk with many of you further about the goals and direction of UMC at that time.

Many of you have expressed positive and constructive feedback – feedback that is appreciated.  We also understand that some of you may have felt disenfranchised from the institution and its decision-making processes.  We want to work with you to promote a healthy, vibrant and engaged collegial environment that builds upon your unique strengths and successes.  We can assure you of a high degree of consultation as, together, we move Crookston forward as an integrated part of the overall University’s strategic position effort. 

We look forward to your input in this process and to seeing you in a few weeks.  Have a happy and safe holiday.

With sincere appreciation,
--Robert J. Jones, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for System Administration

UMC Music-Theater Department presents “The Senator Wore Pantyhose” December 1-4

The University of Minnesota, Crookston Music-Theater Department is presenting the two-act comedy “The Senator Wore Pantyhose” Wednesday through Saturday, December 1-4, at 8 p.m. in Kiehle Auditorium on the University of Minnesota, Crookston campus.  Tickets are available at the door for $5 adults, $3 students, and $2 UMC students.  Cast members include:  Leonard LaCoursiere, Victor Obisakin, Jake Rarick, Mark Gangler, Dave Reiners, Nicole Erickson, Jessica Cowan, Colley Cheneyon, Noelle Jarvis, and Natasha Kircher.

The show revolves around an “honest” Senator Gabby Sandalson who is running for president.  He and his slick campaign manager “Tom” arrive at the “Sluckup Inn” run by a weirdo antique dealer “Chauncy” in “Sluckup, Pennsylvania” to kiss babies, judge chili cook-offs, and do other typical campaign activities.  Since Gabby is far behind in the polls, Tom concocts a scheme in which Gabby appears to be having an affair with a woman in order to gain publicity.  Also arriving at the Inn are a couple of gangsters, a corrupt TV evangelist, “Nellie” the wayward single girl, and “Dawn Scoop Bother.”  As one can guess, the Sluckup Inn turns into a free-for-all in which two of the men are forced to impersonate Gabby’s real wife in order to get out of the mess.  The play is written by William Van Zandt and Jane Milmore.  For more information, please call George French at 218-281-8266.

PI Training December 2
The University’s Sponsored Projects Administration requires that PIs on all grant applications for external funding take a two-part training session called “Fostering Integrity in Research, Scholarship, and Teaching” (formerly called RCR – Responsible Conduct of Research.)  Part I of the training session is scheduled for broadcast via ITV to UMC on Thursday, December 2 from 9 a.m. to noon, in 4 Hill Hall.  There is no charge for the sessions, but pre-registration is required.  Please call the Office of the Vice President for Research at 612-624-0212 and indicate you are from UMC and will be in the ITV session.
--Richard Nelson, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Horseman’s Association Spaghetti Supper
December 2
UMC’s Horseman’s Association will host a spaghetti supper on Thursday, December 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. in Brown Dining Room, Sahlstrom Conference Center.  Tickets are currently on sale from any Horseman’s Association member.  Advance tickets:  adults $5, children $3; tickets at the door:  adults $6, children, $4.

The following activities will also take place at the dinner:

• pie toss – throw a pie at your favorite professor

• dime toss – try your skill at this game of luck

• raffle – lots of great prizes

• and much more!

Ag Activities Day December 3
Ag Activities Day will be held Friday, December 3, with registration and contests beginning at 7:15 a.m.  The schedule of events and contest locations are noted below.  For more information, please visit <www.UMCrookston.edu/ag/AAD/>.

Winter Wonderland December 3
The Fourth Annual Crookston Winter Wonderland will be held Friday, December 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the former North Country Business Products, 113 North Broadway.  The Crookston business community will stay open until 8 p.m. that evening with holiday specials and treats for the whole community.

A goal of the Crookston Student Association is to strengthen the ties between the community and the campus.  Winter Wonderland is an event that gets UMC students very active in the community.  UMC has a variety of displays with various activities for children and parents to take part in.

Ag Industries Club Chili Feed December 3
UMC’s Ag Industries Club will host a chili feed on Friday, December 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Crookston VFW.  Everyone is welcome!

Tours of the New Student Center December 8
“Hard Hat” tours of the new student center will be conducted on Wednesday, December 8 and the times are noon, 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00 and 2:30 p.m.  The tours are limited to 15 people per time and you should either stop by the Dowell Information Desk to sign up or respond to me via email to reserve a time.  The tours will meet at the atrium and will take about 20 minutes.  I am very excited about this beautiful new building and look forward to sharing it with you.
--Pam Holsinger-Fuchs, Director of Service Learning and Student Activities

Horseman’s Open Ride Night December 8
Join us from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 8 for Open Ride Night.  We are located on the north end of campus in the University Teaching and Outreach Center.  Cost is $3 for 10 minute ride.
--Nicky Overgaard, Equine Industries Management

Light Up the Mall December 10-12

The Third Annual Light Up the Mall “Seasonal Celebration of Lights” will kick off at 5 p.m. on the evening of December 10.  UMC student clubs and organizations are working on various light sculptures and displays.  The event is open to the public; canned good donations will be accepted for the local food shelf.  The light displays will run from 5 to 11 p.m. December 10, 11 and 12.

Emergency Mental Health Services Training December 16
A presentation for area agency and institutional personnel who encounter persons needing mental health emergency services is being held on the UMC campus on Thursday, December 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Hill 4.  Find out when and how to access area emergency resources.  Representatives from the Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Riverview Hospital and others will join us at the session led and organized by Northwestern Mental Health Center personnel.  The session is open to anyone, but pre-registration is required due to limited space.  Contact Stacey Grunewald or Laurie Wilson if you plan to attend.
--Laurie Wilson, UMC Counseling and Disability Services

Holiday Sale December 1 through 22
Shop the UMC Bookstore, 109 Robertson, for these holiday savings:

• 25% off* crew neck sweatshirts (including Mom), fleece jackets (full zip, ¼ zip) and vest, T-shirts, sweatpants (cotton/knit/flannel), hats, UMC sweatshirt blankets, selected hoods

• 20% off* children’s apparel, knit gloves, hats and scarves, selected hoods

• 15% off* UMC mugs and glassware, UMC CSI gold collection, miscellaneous UMC giftware

*excluding discounted (red tagged) items

The sale runs December 1 through December 22.  Receive a free UMC sipper with purchase of $30 in UMC clothing or giftware (while supplies last).

Information for Campus Press Releases
For the time being, I will be assisting on all press releases.  If you have information you would like to get out to the public, please send the information to me for release.

Vice Chancellor for University Relations, Robert Peterson, and I will work together on general campus-wide releases on a periodic basis to keep UMC in front of the public.  Please send all newsworthy information to me, let me know what audience it is intended for, and we will follow-up on it.

To help us make sure that your message reaches the appropriate audience(s), please consider these questions:

• Is the information for faculty/staff/students only?

• Is it a local community release for the Crookston/Grand Forks area?

• Is it the wider community of northwest Minnesota?

There may be instances where you would like it released to an even broader audience to reach potential areas of recruitment for example.  The more information you provide, the better we will be able to help you. We want to do the best possible job of getting news from UMC in the press.

Please let us know of events and information that are important to our campus.  Taking responsibility for the communications department is new to both of us, and we would like to make every effort to see to it that things are not overlooked.  You can help us by alerting us to information.  Thank you.  We look forward to working with you!
--Elizabeth Tollefson, Office of Development and Alumni Relations

Academic Year Calendar Recommendations
The UMC Calendar Committee has forwarded its recommendations to the UMC administration for the academic year calendars 2005-06 through 2009-10.

The recommended calendars can be accessed at my webpage at <http://webhome.crk.umn.edu/~nelson/> or directly from:

• Recommended Official 2005-2006 

• Recommended Draft 2006-2007

• Recommended Draft 2007-2008

• Recommended Draft2008-2009

• Recommended Draft 2009-2010

The following are the principles applied to each calendar: 

1. The fall semester has 75 instructional days.

2. Classes will begin on Tuesday, the week prior to Labor Day.

3. A faculty-staff in-service day will be held on the 2nd Friday in October (no classes).

4. Thanksgiving break will consist of Thursday and Friday (no classes).

5. The last day of fall semester classes will be on a Friday with finals held the following Monday - Thursday.

6. There will be a two-week semester break between the end of fall and the beginning of spring semesters.

7. Spring semester will consist of 73 instructional days  (2007-08 will have 74).

8. Spring break will coincide with the UM-Twin Cities break.

9. Spring classes will end on a Friday.

10. The spring semester will have a "study" day (no classes or finals) on the Monday of finals week.

11. Finals will be held from Tuesday - Friday.

12. Commencement will be on Saturday. 

On behalf of the Calendar Committee,

Paul Aakre, Agriculture Department
Paul Christensen, Student
Joan Ebnet, Student
Sue Jacobson, Natural Resources Department
Ken Johnson, Business Department
James Kanten, Student
Soo-Yin Lim-Thompson, Arts, Humanities & Social Science Department
Brent Melsa, Dining Services, United Staff Association
Meloni Rasmussen, Student Activities
Jason Tangquist, Athletics
John Zak, University Relations
Bob Nelson, Registrar (Chairperson)

United Way Update
There are 245 individuals who have not pledged to the United Way.  We, at UMC, can do much better than this.  I challenge those of you who have not pledged to fill in your pledge form and return it to the Business Affairs office.  You may send a check with your form or choose the payroll deduction option, with a minimum deduction of $1 per pay period (that’s only $.50 a week).  Help us reach our goal of $7,000.  The United Way really is an important charity that does much good in the community.  If you have misplaced your pledge form, feel free to contact Anne Burke, ext. 8610 or Dennis Magsam, ext. 8400.  Thank you.
--Dennis Magsam, Audio Visual Operations Manager

Purchasing Procedures
Please remember to follow the correct purchasing procedures before making purchases on campus.  Every purchase of goods needs a purchase order (PO, POT, bid) before the purchase is made.  This not only follows the purchasing procedures but also helps speed up payment to vendors.  Also, please make sure to write the purchase order number on the invoices you are sending over for payment.  Thank you.
--Jana Hodgson, Accounts Specialist, Business Affairs

Nominations Sought for Partners in Education Award
The Crookston Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee is currently seeking nominations for the Partners In Education Award (PIE Award).  The purpose of the Education Committee is to foster and promote a better relationship between the business and education communities in Crookston.

Guidelines:
The Partners in Education Award will be given to an individual who has made significant contributions to Crookston’s primary, secondary or higher, public or private educational system.  The award will recognize efforts in the areas of:

            Service/Volunteerism
            Leadership
            Community Relations
            Commitment
            Innovativeness
            Loyalty
            Monetary Contributions
            Promotion
            Interpersonal Relationships

Nominations:

• Nominations will be accepted from students, colleagues, individuals, groups, or organizations.

• Nominations to include name, address, references, and statement outlining detailed contributions made by the nominee.

• Nominations will be held in strict confidence.

Selection Process:

• The deadline for nominations is Friday, December 10, 2004.

• The Education Committee will evaluate each nomination and select a recipient.

• The award will be presented at the Chamber Annual Dinner, January 10, 2004.

Past Recipients:

            1987     Carrie Bang
            1988     Dr. Stan Sahlstrom
            1989     Chuck Rongen
            1990     Dr. Russell Sather
            1991     Nancy Melby
            1992     Dawn Newton
            1993     Doug Lithun
            1994     Dr. Don Sargeant
            1995     Douglas Oman
            1996     Jerome Dahlberg
            1997     Mary Ann Odland
            1998     Ardell Knudsvig
            1999     George French
            2000     June Shaver
            2001     Marshall Olson
            2002     Val Buchmeier
            2003     Roger Moe, Dave Kuehn
            2004     Jerry Knutson

To request a nomination form, contact Jason Tangquist, Chamber Education Committee chairperson at:  218-281-8424 or e-mail jtangqui@umn.edu.

Accolades
Mark E. Huglen’s essay “Variations of Kenneth Burke’s Identification/Division” has been recently published in the National Communication journal The Review of Communication 4.3-4 (2004): 43-54.  The essay was on display at the National Communication Association convention at Chicago in November at the Taylor and Francis booth.
 

VolunTEAM Update

Christmas Food Baskets:  Volunteers are needed to help deliver food baskets to those in need.  Meet at the Crookston Armory Thursday, December 16, at 1:30 p.m. to help sort food.  On Friday, December 17, 6 p.m., volunteers are needed to pack baskets.  On Saturday, December 18, 8:30 a.m., volunteers are needed to deliver baskets.  Help on any of the days is appreciated.  Please call Bonnie Holmquist at 281-5427 for more information.

An elderly woman needs eight storm windows put on her house as soon as possible.  All windows are on the ground floor.  For more information, please contact Lisa Loegering.

ECFE Tour of Lights:  Five or six students are needed to help serve refreshments after the Tour of Lights sponsored by Early Childhood and Family Education, Tuesday, December 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Carman School.  Please contact Lisa Loegering if you are interested in participating!

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

Community Events
Giselle Ballet
Saturday, December 4, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 5 at 2 p.m. in the Crookston High School Auditorium

Special Dates
Birthdays
December 5 – Liz Tollefson

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, December 4, to hear an exciting interview hosted by Mike Meyer, UMC Director of Development and 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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