January 29, 2008

Inside this Issue

Events & Activities
Negotiations with Food Service Vendor Underway
Position Created to Focus on Transfer Students
Safety at the U Top Priority
 

From the Chancellor

We are well into the spring semester as we close out January – and say farewell to the coldest month of the year. As mentioned previously, we are excited that student enrollment is up compared to last year. However, official numbers won't be released for a couple of weeks, as is our system practice. Several faculty members have said there are more students in their classes than in past semesters, which at times means moving to a larger room. This is great news for the campus.

We were also pleased to host alumni and friends to campus this past weekend for Ag Arama for a weekend of contests and socializing. It was a great time for students to showcase theirs skills in agronomy, animal science, horticulture and natural resources. It was also a time to re-connect with former classmates and mentors around campus.

New Transfer Counselor Position Created

Admissions continues to work hard (and smart) to increase applications for Fall 2008. To meet the recruitment goal of 145 transfer students for next year, a transfer counselor specialist position is being created. It is important to evaluate student transcripts in a timely way to provide personal service and give students the opportunity to choose the University of Minnesota, Crookston. This has been a big challenge for us in the past. This new position will also work with departments to develop strong relationships and agreements with two-year institutions.

Safety at the U

Safety and security issues on college campuses have received increased attention across the country, particularly after the Virginia Tech shootings last year. At the Crookston campus, safety is a top priority, and we continually re-evaluate plans and investment opportunities to ensure that we are fostering a safe and secure campus environment for students, faculty and staff. Given that crime statistics show that incidents are very low and generally involve disorderly conduct or alcohol violations, we have taken measures to also address some of these issues in particular. Here are some of the areas we have focused on:

TRAINING

• Executive leadership participated in emergency training. A campus forum last semester also provided emergency preparedness information for all faculty and staff.

• Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) training was delivered to key personnel.

PLANNING

• Operational Continuity Plans for each unit are in the final stages of completion and several other security planning measures will be in place soon. These will help ensure that we can continue essential services during a crisis. The next step is to update Emergency Plans for each unit.

• Each building has been assigned a primary building contact, and two alternates, to coordinate notification and needed responses for an emergency situation.

TOOLS & RESOURCES

• An emergency notification text messaging system, TXT-U, designed to notify individuals via cell phone about real emergency situations and campus closings will be accessible for sign up early this spring.

• Over the next few weeks, 20 tone alert radios will be installed to sound audio alerts and messages simultaneously inside campus buildings.

• Funding for an additional safety/security position will be requested from U of M administration in the 2008-09 budget.

• State-of-the-moment locks, keys and entry control devices have been installed in a majority of the residence halls. Additional interior and exterior security cameras were installed in Centennial and Skyberg halls and plans call for placing more in McCall Hall as well.

• Touch pad code systems and cameras were installed in the Technology Support Services computer center in Kiehle Building and the Business Affairs Office in Selvig Hall.

• Additional security cameras have been installed in the Early Childhood Center, Bergland Laboratory and Owen Hall.

• Additional lighting has been added along roads on the south and east side of campus.

• Five automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have been placed around the campus in addition to the existing one in the Student Center.

Efforts and investments will continue to be made to ensure a safe and secure campus environment. Special thanks to Tom Feiro, environmental health and safety specialist, for his leadership and commitment to campus safety and security.

Campus Notes

Early this month, we announced the decision to enter into negotiations with a preferred food service vendor for management of dining and catering services as well as the Eagle's Nest. We have been engaged in an evaluation of proposals from outside vendors during the past year, and I have decided to move forward with negotiating a financially sound contract that meets the needs of the campus community. If the vendor is unable to meet our expectations, we will remain a self operational dining service. Additional information is available online.

Final figures for the United Way Campaign show 93 individuals contributed $ $9,810 this year, which unfortunately is short the goal of $11,000. Thanks to all who share their resources with people in the community who need assistance.

As noted in last issue, we are headed to our budget meeting with central administration on February 19. I want to thank the many individuals who have provided background materials for the budget process.

Chuck

– Charles H. Casey, Chancellor
University of Minnesota, Crookston

Featured Events & Activities

University of Minnesota Quality Fair , January 31 – Faculty and staff from the U of M, Crookston will be participating in the second annual University of Minnesota Quality Fair in the McNamara Alumni Center on the Twin Cities campus. The fair features “quality improvement” projects either in process or that have been implemented. In addition, there will be speakers along with breakout sessions featuring different quality improvement topics.

Golden Eagle Basketball, February 1 – Golden Eagle Women's Basketball will play Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons at 6 p.m. followed by Golden Eagle Men's Basketball taking on the Dragons at 8 p.m. in Lysaker Gymnasium. Cheer the Golden Eagles on to victory!

Job and Internship Fair, February 6 – Students will have an opportunity to visit with employers at the annual job and internship fair taking place in Bede Ballroom in the Student Center from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Golden Eagle Hockey, February 8-9 – The Golden Eagle's will take to the ice against Finlandia University at 7:30 p.m. in the Civic Arena on Friday. They compete against Finlandia again on Saturday at 2 p.m. Go, Golden Eagles!

Alumni Social in Arizona , February 15 – Alumni and friends will gather at the ViewPoint Resort, 650 North Hawes Road in Mesa , Ariz. , to reconnect and reminisce. Lunch is Dutch treat and door prizes will be given away. Reservations are required by Feb. 8; please contact the Office of Development & Alumni Relations by calling Sue Dwyer at 281-281-8401 or 800-862-6466, ext. 8401 (sdwyer@umn.edu).

We look forward to seeing you. For more details 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.

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.