Calendar

December 20, 2000 - January 7, 2001
·   Semester Break
December 21
·   UMC Holiday Celebration
December 22
·   Grades due to Registrar
December 25
·   Christmas Holiday, campus offices closed
December 26
·   Floating holiday, campus offices closed
December 29
·   Basketball - UMC vs. U of M, Morris (Women and Men)
December 30
·   Basketball - UMC vs. Northern State (Women and Men)
January 1
·   New Year’s Day Holiday, campus offices closed
January 2
·   Floating holiday, campus offices closed
·   Basketball - UMC vs. Valley City State (Women and Men)
January 5 and 6
·   Hockey – UMC vs. Northland College, Ashland
January 7
·   Residence Halls open at 1 p.m.
January 8
·   Spring Semester classes begin
January 12
·   Basketball – UMC vs. Southwest State (Women and Men)
January 12 and 13
·   Hockey – UMC vs. University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
January 13
·   Residential Life Ski Trip
·   Basketball – UMC vs. Wayne State (Women and Men)
January 15
·   Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, no classes, campus offices closed

News Items

UMC Featured in Converge Magazine
Converge Magazine, a national educational technology publication, features UMC in its Dec. 2000 issue.  The focus of the feature is on UMC’s integration of notebook computers into the day-to-day curriculum.  Dan Lim, director of the Instructional Technology Center, also discusses four critical paradigm shifts experienced in the 8 years of technology immersion at UMC.  To see the online version of the article, go to http://www.convergemag.com and click on “Current Issue.” The feature is entitled “ThinkPad U: The E-volution of Education at UMC.”
--Andrew Svec, Director of Communications

UMC Holiday Celebration
The annual UMC Holiday Celebration is scheduled for Thursday, December 21, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in Bede Ballroom.  All faculty, staff, and other members of the campus community are invited and are welcome to bring a guest/spouse.  Refreshments and appetizers will be served.  Each person may bring a “white elephant” gift of “garage sale quality” to exchange.  The event is sponsored by the Chancellor’s Office and the United Staff Association.

Institutional Relations Name Change
Effective December 12, 2000, Institutional Relations has made a name change to University Relations.  The purpose of the name change is to be consistent with the University of Minnesota system.  Several months ago, the U of M campuses in Twin Cities, Duluth, and Morris made the name change, and it was felt that it would be important that we follow suit.  Thus, in addition to a new office location, there is also a name change.   

Personnel comprising the University Relations Department are Andrew Svec, Director of Communications; John Zak, Editor Media Services; Rose Ulseth, Office Specialist; Patti Tiedemann, Word Processing Specialist; Sue Dwyer, Word Processing Specialist; and Linda Wilkens, Duplication Equipment Operator.

We look forward to continuing to serve the University of Minnesota, Crookston in the best possible way.  We appreciate all comments and suggestions of how we can serve you better.  Following the start of the new year, an open house will be held in our new office spaces in Robertson Hall.  We will announce the date later.  Media Services and University Relations look forward to having you visit us in our new location.  Happy Holidays to Everyone!
--Curt Almlie, Director, Office of University Relations

Precision Agriculture Workshop Set for December 20
A group of fifteen precision agriculture practitioners from the region will attend the first meeting of the Precision Ag Learning Group at UMC on Wednesday, December 20.  The meeting will run from 8 a.m. to noon in Hill 15.  Professor Pierre Robert, Director of the Precision Agriculture Center at the U of M, Twin Cities will address the following topics:

• Organizational structure and goals of the consortium for site specific management
• What growers will gain by working with the learning group and what our expectations are of them
• Discussion of local research needs
• Development of a list of topics to cover in meetings and set up a meeting schedule
• Learning Group membership (producers, extension, agribusiness)
• On-farm experiments (broad discussion of protocols)
• Initial research goals: evaluation of multi-year yield maps and nitrogen response studies
• Discussion about this year's harvest
• Communication plan for the learning group-a listserv?

For more information contact Dr. Aziz Rahman, at UMC at 281-8103.

Campus Assembly Constitution Changes
Attached to this copy of the UMC Weekly Bulletin are the results of the UMC Campus Assembly Constitution and Bylaws changes ballot.  All proposed changes were adopted with the exception of 1-d.  A two-thirds vote is required for passage.  One more vote would be needed to adopt the change.

• Attachment

--Sharon Stewart

UMC Course Catalog Deadlines
In order for curriculum changes to be included in the new 2001-03 UMC Catalog (to be published this summer) the changes will need to be approved by the Curriculum Committee and Faculty Assembly by March 30th.
--Robert Nelson, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Trowbridge Named Interim Director of First Year Experience
The University of Minnesota, Crookston's Offices of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs are pleased to announce that effective January 15, 2001, Kami Trowbridge will be reassigned from her position in the Admissions Office to the position of Interim Director of First Year Experience. Kami’s experience on the UMC campus and her direction of the UMC Orientation program will allow planning and implementation of an effective “First Year Experience” for students entering UMC in the Fall of 2001.

The Director of First Year Experience will facilitate activities that promote the successful transition from enrollment through sophomore retention. The director will organize and collaborate with an advisory group that is composed of faculty and staff representing appropriate units of the campus, e.g. residential life, academic units, athletics, admissions, student life.  In addition, the director will assist the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in planning activities for students and faculty involved in the College in the High School program that facilitate students’ transition from high school to the college environment. 

Specifically the First Year Experience Director will:

• Plan and supervise an appropriate orientation program for all new students entering UMC
• Provide leadership to the development of a comprehensive first year experience that provides special attention and support for entering students with the goal of improving student success and retention.
• Utilize “best practice” models of successful first year experience programs to shape a UMC experience 
• Work with the academic units to select and target programs for initial and more intensive intervention to improve retention
• Develop an on-campus program on “College Preparation” that will be required of all College in the High School students and faculty.

--Robert Nelson, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and
Doug Knowlton, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Directory Update for Spring Semester
With the semester ending and various building projects or office moves beginning, faculty and staff are asked to review their information as it is listed in the UMC online directory at http://www.umcrookston.edu/faculty/direct.htm.  If the directory info needs updating, please send updated info to Andrew Svec at asvec@mail.crk.umn.edu.  An update to the printed faculty and staff directory may also need to be generated.  Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
--Andrew Svec, Director of Communications

UMC Printing Moves to Robertson Hall
Because of the move, there will be no printing available on Tues., Dec. 19, or Wed., Dec. 20, (and possibly longer depending on the status of electrical hookup).  Plans are to have completed our move to Robertson Hall by the end of the day on Wed., Dec. 20.  

Also note, UMC Printing offices will be closed for the holidays Dec. 25-Jan. 2.  We will reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001.

We hope to continue to work with all faculty and staff, and we welcome you to stop by our new office areas in Robertson.  In an effort to help make doing business with UMC Printing as convenient as possible, we have also set up a drop and pickup site in the UMC Library (since you will now have to go outside to Robertson Hall to drop off and pickup job requests).  We have arranged with Krista Proulx to have a shelf by her desk in the Library where you can drop and pick up items. 

When you drop items off, please e-mail both Sue Dwyer and Linda Wilkens that there is an item (or items) there so we'll know to pick it up.  Also, if you need your request by a certain time of the day, please mark that on the job request form.  If you would like to pick your completed jobs up yourself, we can also drop off the finished job at the Library site, and we will e-mail you so that you know it is there.  We will continue to make deliveries to campus offices on a daily basis. 

Thanks for using the services of UMC Printing.  We hope to continue working with faculty and staff at UMC and providing the highest level of service.
--Linda Wilkens, Sue Dwyer, and Patti Tiedemann, UMC Printing

Technology Workshops Over Semester Break
Thanks to the many faculty and staff who have signed up for the workshops offered over break. I have posted the workshop attendee lists at the ITC website for your reference.  I will update the lists each and every time someone signs up. It is posted at the ITC website  > Training > Winter Break Workshops.  Please note, the workshops from December 27-29 will be held in Dowell 103, while the January 3-5 sessions will be in Dowell 109.  

I am planning for some mini-sessions throughout the spring semester.  Besides follow-up sessions on WebCT 3.0 and web page updating, let me know if there any additional areas for training you think would be helpful.
--Dan Lim, Director, Instructional Technology Center

World Game at UMC Thursday, March 29, 2001
UMC’s Concerts and Lectures Committee is excited about the World Game, a major interactive global experience, scheduled for 6:30 to 10 p.m., Thursday, March 29, 2001, in Lysaker Gym.  For more information about the World Game visit http://www.worldgame.org/workshops/.

This interactive global issues seminar can accommodate up to 200 participants—students and faculty alike—and would make for an excellent supplement for course activities in almost any major at UMC.  We are looking for faculty who would be willing to include this activity as a course supplement or even include the event in their course syllabi.  If you have any interest in this great learning opportunity, please contact any member of the Concerts and Lectures Committee (visit our website: http://www.umcrookston.edu/people/org/concerts-lectures/).  

--Concerts and Lectures Committee

E-Business: A Vision and Strategy for the University of Minnesota
On Wednesday, December 13, I attended the bi-monthly ACASM Meeting in the Twin Cities where Associate Vice President Bob Kvavik presented the University of Minnesota' s e-business vision and strategy.  This is a very impressive "big picture" plan to electronically deliver all of the University's many assets to students, faculty, and the world.  Many of my questions about what the U was planning to do about web based end users’ needs were answered by his presentation and comments.  We can feel fortunate, indeed, to be part of such innovative and dynamic projects.  At UMC we will begin working with Kari Branjord and Eric Schnell again in January. 

If you have the opportunity to attend this presentation, I highly recommend it. As well, I was told that his PowerPoint presentation will be sent to ACASM members, and I will gladly forward it to any of you who are interested.

Note: the PowerPoint presentation is available for download here.
--Diane Moen, Chief Information Officer 

Drug-Free Campus And Workplace Compliance
Drug and alcohol abuse affects the health, safety, and well-being of all employees and students and restricts the University's ability to carry out its mission.  

Please review and familiarize yourself with the 2000-01 Drug-Free Campus and Workplace Compliance document, which contains information about drug and alcohol counseling, treatment and rehabilitation programs available to University students and employees.  The document also provides links to information about health risks and sanctions associated with the use of drugs and alcohol, and is available on the University of Minnesota Policy home page, at: http://www.fpd.finop.umn.edu/groups/ppd/documents/policy/Drug_Free.cfm --Mark G. Yudof, U of M President

UMC Purchasing/Travel Update Items
I've had a few questions regarding the items listed below lately and thought it would be a good time to provide an update on some purchasing/travel issues.  If anyone has further questions on any of the items, you should contact the identified contact person.  Thanks.  --Dean McCleary, Vice Chancellor for Finance

Note, this info is also available at the UMC Business Office Home Page.

University Purchasing Cards
A University Purchasing Charge Card may be issued to employees for small dollar purchases for University business.  These cards are for purchases of less than $2500 ($1,000 for sponsored funds) and are directly charged to a CUFS budget.  Employees do not need a purchase order to make purchases with the card.  This is a very convenient and efficient method of making University purchases.  Anyone who makes several purchases per month (office supplies, subscriptions, registrations, groceries, computer software, lumber, nuts and bolts, etc.) should consider the card. This card may not be used for travel or personal expenses.  See Sue Kreager for an application.

University Travel Cards
GE Capital MasterCards are available to approved University employees for University travel-related expenses.  Cards are issued directly in the employee name and account balances must be paid by the employee each month.  Only business related expenses are to be charged to the GE Capital MasterCard.  There is no annual fee charged to the employee account.  Employees use a PVA document Travel Voucher to obtain reimbursement of expenses.  See Gail Hasbrouck for an application.

University Calling Card
AT&T calling cards are available to employees who need to make University long distance calls from off-campus.  Charges are cross-charged back to the appropriate CUFS budget.  See Toby Solberg for application.

University On-Campus Gas Card
An internal gas card may be assigned to University employees in order to use the on-campus gas pump for fueling University fleet vehicles.  This is a convenient and economical option as the University purchases fuel in bulk at competitive rates.  This card needs to be strictly restricted to University employees and only used for fleet vehicles.  See Sharon Olson for application.

University Off-Campus Gas Card
The University currently uses a gas card (Voyager) for off-campus purchases of fuel for the University fleet vehicles.  A credit card is assigned to each fleet vehicle and is attached to the key ring.  This card can be used to purchase non-premium fuel at approximately 25 different gas companies (see brochure in glove compartment for listings).  In the event of a breakdown when traveling away from campus services, the fuel card can be used for emergency repairs (the brochure in the glove compartment lists an 800 customer service number).  When using the card, the employee must provide the 4-digit vehicle number (available on the card, on the key ring, and on the vehicle) and also the odometer reading.  Gas receipts should be kept in the card pouch.

University ID Card
University ID cards are issued to faculty, staff and students through the Registrar's Office.  As an identification card it is useful in verifying University employment when using the University contract rate in motels.  The card also serves as a library card at the UMC library and other University libraries.  Staff can put value on the card to be used at UMC Dining Services.  The card also offers an optional AT&T calling card feature.

Important Information about your W-2
It is critical that your home address on your pay statement is correct.  Your W-2 tax document will be mailed to that address.

You received a flyer in your November 15 pay statement informing you that your W-2 would be mailed to your home address in late January.  The flyer also gave you detailed information on how to correct your address via the Web. 

If the address on your paycheck or direct deposit statement is not your correct home address, you can correct it via the Web at your appropriate Web site:

Twin Cities http://onestop.umn.edu/                                      

Morris http://www.mrs.umn.edu/services/hr/  

Crookston: http://www.umcrookston.edu/people/HR/  

Duluth: http://www.d.umn.edu/umdhr/  

If you do not have access to a computer, the payroll representative in your department can assist you.  If you have questions, call the Employee HelpLine at (612) 626-4420 or (800) 698-8636 or send an email to marte004@tc.umn.edu.
--Carol Carrier, Vice President of Human Resources, U of M

Faculty and Staff Accolades

• Adonica Schultz, Lecturer in Composition here at UMC, was recently elected to the Hatton Community Theatre Hall of Fame in Hatton, North Dakota.  Congratulations, Adonica!
• Heidi Patterson has returned to UMC as Associate Director of Financial Aid.  We welcome her and her family back to Crookston!

Winter Equipment Rental
Portable ice fishing house and ice auger are now available to be rented from the Bede Information Desk!  We also have X-country skis, boots, and poles and sleds for your winter enjoyment!
--Pam Holsinger-Fuchs, Director of Student Activities and Service Learning

UMC Insight
UMC Insight will be aired Saturday, December 23, at 8:45 a.m. on KROX (AM 1260).  Tune in to hear holiday music from the UMC Choir and commentary from George French, Director of the UMC Choir. 

UMC Insight files are also available via the Web at http://www.umcrookston.edu/newsevents/insight/00-01/index.htm.

UMC Bulletin

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

Attachments

• Campus Assembly Constitution Changes 
  (Adobe PDF file)

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