Crookston Campus E-Update
an internal administrative news digest
February 12, 2008
Inside this Issue
Emergency Text Messaging with TXT-U – Register Today
Events & Activities
Golden Eagles Recruitment Strong
Undergraduate Research Funds Available
From the Chancellor
TXT-U is the University of Minnesota 's new emergency notification text messaging system designed to notify you via your cell phone about real emergency situations and campus closings. It is debuting at the Crookston campus today. I encourage you to visit www.UMCrookston.edu/TXTU to learn more and register today. Registration is optional, however, if you sign up by March 14, 2008, you will be entered into a drawing for a free iPod.
With TXT-U students, faculty and staff can sign up to receive text messages about critical campus safety information. This free service is offered as part of the U's goal to communicate emergency information quickly and in as many different ways as possible. Please note there is no charge to receive TXT-U messages. However, your cell phone carrier may charge you to receive text messages, so please check your plan.
Only U of M students, faculty and staff can register for TXT-U, but you can add more than one mobile device to your account when you sign up in order to register parents, friends, family or others. TXT-U is expected to be used infrequently and specifically for real emergency situations. Your information is private and will not be shared.
This is just one of several ways the University notifies the campus community about emergencies. Other alert tools include on-the-ground public safety personnel, e-mail and the Web site, www.UMCrookston.edu . Tone alert radios are also scheduled to be stationed around campus in the near future.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Director of Technology Support Services Jeff Sperling at sperling@umn.edu or 218-281-8373.
Please consider signing up for this new service today. Help us improve campus safety by being informed.
Chuck
– Charles H. Casey, Chancellor
University of Minnesota , Crookston
Featured Events & Activities
Alumni and Friends Social in Arizona , February 15 – Share memories, reminisce and find out what's new on campus. Gather at the Terrace Green at ViewPoint Resort, 640 North Hawes Road, Mesa, Ariz., from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Lunch served at noon for $13.50 per person.
Campus Preview Day, February 16 – The campus will welcome new and prospective students to campus for tours and interviews with faculty and staff. Families are encouraged to attend also to learn more about what the U of M, Crookston has to offer. Students can register online at www.UMCrookston.edu/visit or contact the Office of Admissions by calling 218-281-8569.
International Dinner Series begins March 3 – Join the fun and learn more about international food and customs during the International Dinner Series. Dates include Mondays, March 3, 10 and 24. All dinners in the series are held in Bede Ballroom in the Student Center . For more information, contact Rae French, study abroad coordinator, at 218-281-8339 ( rfrench@umn.edu ).
Women's Art: Women's Vision and International Women's Day, March 6 – Kick off Women's History Month by attending an informal reception with hors d'oeuvres at 5 p.m. in the International Lounge located on the first floor of the Student Center . The event is free and all are welcome. Visit the Web for more Women's History Month activities .
Teatro Del Pueblo presents Echoes from the New World, March 11 – Two young women re-tell the history of Latin America from a women's perspective in Kiehle Auditorium at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Visit the Web for more Women's History Month activities
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.
Around Campus
Academic Affairs – Crookston Student Research Projects proposals are due to the Academic and Student Affairs Office on February 15 at 1 p.m. To encourage undergraduate research on the Crookston campus, $28,000 in funding has been set aside for projects for summer and/or fall semester 2008. The process for awarding these funds is separate from the University-wide UROP. All proposals submitted for campus funding need to be approved by the appropriate unit head before being submitted.
The deadline for the next round of UROP is March 3. Details are online.
International Programs has two opportunities to send students, staff and faculty to Taiwan to help teach English. Both Vanung University and Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, located in Tao Yuan County near Taipei , Taiwan , have requested that the U of M, Crookston assist in their summer English camp. For the cost of airfare (about $1300), you can visit Taiwan . The tentative schedule is to work in small teams and teach English as a Second Language courses. Contact Kimberly Gillette , Ph.D., at 218-281-8442 or gillette@umn.edu for more information.
Students can schedule appointments with writing tutors via the Writing Center 's new electronic sign-up system. Schedule, cancel or reschedule 24/7 on the Web.
We are pleased to welcome Online Student Service Advisor Julie Sandman to the Business Department. She has taught business, advised students and worked with transfer students at a private business college.
Student Affairs and Enrollment – The Crookston campus has awarded 536 merit and specialty scholarships this academic year.
Retention rates are on the rise. Rates for freshman students from fall to spring this academic year has reached 86.5%. Conditionally admitted students showed a nearly 80% retention rate from fall to spring 2008, up about 10% over last year's numbers.
Please keep in mind that posters, flyers, table tents and other advertising and promotions may be displayed on campus for activities and events sponsored by university offices, centers, programs and officially recognized student organizations. Posters or promotions by businesses, companies, organizations or individuals must be co-sponsored by one of the above-named on-campus entities. This includes distributing information to residence hall rooms. For details, visit the Web.
Finance & University Services – Tim Norton has been appointed facilities manager in the Department of Facilities and Operations. Tim's previous position was with Anoka County as their director of facilities, and he also has previous experience with the University of Minnesota , Twin Cities campus. Tim will start his position on March 3, 2008.
The Office of General Counsel is drafting a proposed contract for submission to our preferred food service vendor. To assist our campus with the proposal, a food service consultant, Joyce Fasano, was on campus February 11 to assess facilities and operations and talk with various groups on campus.
Development & Alumni Relations – We welcomed more than 40 alumni, friends and faculty to the Ag Arama Alumni Social on January 26. On February 15, staff will join alumni at the NWSA/UMC Arizona Social at Terrace Green at ViewPoint Resort in Mesa , Ariz. from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. T he event will be hosted by Director of Development & Alumni Relations Corby Kemmer and will include greetings from U of M, Crookston Chancellor Charles H. Casey. Everyone is welcome. Please note that from February 27-29, Corby Kemmer will attend a national CASE (Council for Advancement & Support of Education) conference in Naples , Fla.
Total gifts to campus this fiscal year have surpassed $500,000. Thank you for your generous support, and please continue to consider the University of Minnesota , Crookston in your giving.
Thanks to all alumni and friends for your continued and enhancing support. Your financial assistance allows students enriched opportunities. A special thanks goes to Development & Alumni Relations staff members Sue Dwyer, Bill Tyrrell, Rose Ulseth, Amanda Munch and Juanita Lopez for their diligent work. You are appreciated!
University Relations – The Marketing & Image committee has issued a Request for Information to take the defined branding and marketing initiative established this year and project it out into a comprehensive 5-year plan. The goal is to identify a high caliber marketing firm to conduct an assessment of ongoing recruitment and strategies specifically geared for online students, international students, alumni and donors, student-athletes and prospective students' parents. Campus needs include the development and maintenance of promotional materials, messages and products for these audiences.
Printer Linda Wilkens will be on leave beginning February 12, 2008. As a result, the print shop will be open fewer hours (as noted below). Tyler Derosier has been appointed to support printing operations and serve campus needs. We appreciate your patience and support while we operate with reduced staffing.
Print Shop Hours:
Athletics – Golden Eagle recruitment is going strong: football has already signed 23 players for Fall 2008 and soccer has signed 3. Women's Tennis is in full swing, having opened at Minnesota State University , Moorhead on February 8. The home opener is February 16 at the Grand Forks Tennis Center .
Visit www.goldeneaglesports.com for schedules and cheer on the Golden Eagles in 2008.
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.
|
