Calendar

• June 18-24  Elderhostel Session I

• June 18-24 Youth Career Conference

• June 23-24  NWSA All School Reunion

• June 24  Opera On the Farm, “The Tender Land”

• June 26-29 ITC 4-day Interactive Courseware Camp (novice level)

• July 9-15 Elderhostel Session II

• July 9-13 Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership)

• July 10-13  ITC 4-day Interactive Courseware Camp (intermediate level)

• July 15  UMC Teambackers Golf Classic, Minakwa Golf Club, Crookston

• July 23-29 MAST (Minnesota Agricultural Student Trainee)

• August 17-20 Crookston Ox Cart Days

• August 18 U of M Sesquicentennial Celebration Ice Cream Social at UMC Gazebo

• August 23 Conference on Aging

• August 25-27 New Student Orientation

• August 28 Fall Semester Classes Begin

Admissions Report

Early enrollment indicators are very positive for Fall 2000.  New students confirming attendance at Academic Advisement and Registration are 18% ahead of last year.  This is expected to provide an increase of +50 new high school students (NHS).  We are also expecting +45 more sophomores from the NHS enrolling last fall.  Contracts received for Residential Life are one month ahead of last year. Overall undergraduate enrollment is expected to increase by 100 students.

--Russ Kreager

UMC Space Use Update

The Space Committee has presented its recommendations.  We are now ready to prioritize and begin the relocation of space for faculty and staff to enhance our teaching and services at UMC.   This is an ongoing process.  Some of the changes can be completed by the opening of fall semester.  Some will occur during the semester break.  Other changes will occur in two years upon completion of Kiehle.

To initiate the process, two committees have been established.  One committee will plan for the transition out of Kiehle to allow for its renovation and construction and out of UTOC (Institutional Relations, Development and Communications) to allow for the growing academic needs in UTOC.  The other committee will design Hill 4 primarily as a CEE multipurpose technology room.   Members of the Kiehle transition committee are Judy Neppel (chair), Del Roelofs, Curt Almlie, Andrew Svec, and Kent Freberg.   Members of the Hill 4 design committee are Jane Sims (chair), Bill Peterson, Bruce Brorson, Matt Hertzog, and Dan Lim.

--Don Sargeant

Computing Services Update

Dial-in access to UMC will be switched to new equipment within the next few weeks.  The new phone number to dial is 281-6081, but it will not be in full service until 6/15.  The old number, 281-2687, will also continue working for the next few weeks.  Most of the time before 6/15 the new line will be under testing.  The existing 281-2687 number will no longer be in service approximately 7/1/2000.  Please call the Help Desk at 282-8000 if you have difficulty getting through so your login activity can be tracked. 

Halstad Internet accounts (formerly MEANS)
We are attempting to issue these accounts ONLY to users who commute to UMC (where it's long distance to call in directly).  Please understand that this is an effort to cut costs and offer the service to those intended.  The new dial-in system is intended to take care of the needs of staff and students who live in Crookston.

Retirees are able to pay for a year's worth of Internet service (July 1 through June 30) for $40.20.  Please contact Peg Sherven for more information.

--Don Medal and Peg Sherven

UMC Facilities Update

This is a busy summer for the personnel in Facilities Management.  There are multiple projects in progress and several others planned.  This update on the progress of the projects gives some indication of the effort being expended by our employees.  Others are doing some of the work with the support and assistance of our personnel as is required to insure successful completion of each project in a timely manner.

• Gazebo – the concrete foundation is complete.  The riser and ramp work is yet to be completed.  The gazebo company, Yoder Gazebos, erected the gazebo on campus June 7 and 8, 2000.  The remaining site work will be completed by mid August.
• Water main – the water-main installation from Fisher Avenue to McCall Hall is complete at this time.     The remaining water-main structure will extend to the Northwest corner of the Mall near the Library.  The underground portion of the project will be complete by mid June with the clean up and site work to be completed after that time.  
• Skyberg Window Instillation – new windows are being installed throughout Skyberg Hall.  The work is to be completed by mid June.
• County Road Construction – the county road north of the campus is being totally reconstructed.  A majority of the roadbed and base is complete.  Concrete curb and gutter is currently being installed north of the campus.  The bituminous overlay will be installed mid June with seeding and sodding to follow.  
• Parking Lot Extension – the current parking lot west of Robertson and Kiehle is being expanded.  The site preparation is taking place now.  The timelines for completion and use of the lot will be dependent on the Kiehle construction project.  
• Air Conditioning Installation – air conditioning equipment is currently being installed in the newly constructed Early Childhood Education and Development Center.  The completion of this project is scheduled to be next week. 
• Landscaping and Beautification – the site work required to finish the grounds adjacent to the Early Childhood Education and Development Center is planned to start in early June.  

The next edition of this newsletter will provide an update on these projects and information on those yet planned.  

-Kent Freberg

Housing Update

Residence Halls are filling quickly for this fall.  Over four hundred students have been assigned  on campus housing.  Several youth groups will be visiting and residing on the campus over the next month.  Youth leadership groups, career institutes, and athletic camps will make for a busy summer environment on the campus.

Summer projects include:  replacement windows in Skyberg, selected apartment renovations in Lee and Brink, painting and carpet replacement in areas in Skyberg and McCall, and furniture replacement.

--Gary Willhite

Enterprise Systems Update
Payroll and Benefits “Go Live” on June 26.

Everything is on schedule for the PeopleSoft payroll/benefits system implementation.  This implementation is the final piece of the new human resource system that replaces seven existing systems that are 10 to 30 years old.   Testing of the new payroll and benefits application is going very well and no major obstacles or problems loom on the horizon.

Backup plan is in place.  Although the July 12 paycheck is planned to be the first check from the new system, we have made plans to produce checks from the old payroll system in the unlikely event the implementation is delayed by a problem, or if something goes wrong.  While no implementation is perfect, we expect this one to proceed much more smoothly than the student system implementation, mainly because the payroll/benefits product is much more mature and more time is available for testing and validating data (no semester conversion or Year 2000 deadline).

The improved pay stub will provide more information about deductions and benefits in a much more easily understandable way. Further information about the changes in paychecks and benefits will be sent in the coming weeks. 

For more information on the payroll implementation or other Enterprise issues please visit this Web site: 

http://www1.umn.edu/enterprise/esp/implementations.shtml
--Jeff Sperling

UMC Youth Career Conference June 18-23

Career-minded youth from across Minnesota are attending UMC’s Youth Career Conference on June 18-23. Students in grades 9 and 10 will explore careers in agricultural, food and environmental fields. In a full week of events, they will identify individual interests and talents, research career requirements and attributes, learn to connect with mentors, and model work practices. They will also tour northwestern Minnesota and North Dakota businesses and organizations to get a close-up view of people working in various careers. The conference is hosted by UMC’s Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Center for Continuing Education, and is co-sponsored by the University of Minnesota Extension Service.  Tuition scholarships were provided by the Minnesota Higher Education Summer Enrichment Program.

--Jane Sims

NWSA All-School Reunion June 23-24
The Northwest School of Agriculture Board of Directors will host an all-school reunion June 23-25.  The schedule is listed below.  All events will take place in Sahlstrom Conference unless otherwise noted.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2000

• 8:05 a.m. UMC Campus Video

• 9:00 Tour, Grand Forks

• 9:00 Golf, Minakwa Course

• 7:00 p.m. All-School Gathering, Northland Inn

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2000

• 8:00 a.m. Registration - UMC Conference Center

• 10:00 Choir Practice, Gazebo

• 11:00 Campus Tours

• 11:30 Luncheon\Pig Roast

• 1:00 p.m. Harris Peterson Gazebo Dedication

• 2:00 Class Meetings

• 3:00 Class Pictures (1930, 1935, 1940, 1945)

• 4:00 Class Pictures (1950, 1955, 1960, 1965)

• 5:30 Buffet Dinner

• 6:30 Meeting and Program

• 8:30 Barbershop Singers

--Ardis Thompson

UMC Is Home Base for the NW MN Health Care Purchasing Alliance 

The 1999 session of the Minnesota Legislature has provided $100,000 to UMC to organize a Health Care Purchasing Alliance in NW Minnesota.  The UMC and Extension-sponsored Civic Health Initiative was designated as the organizing agency because of its record of engaging active citizenship.  Community information meetings held October 1999 involved more than 100 citizens from the seven county area to be served by the Alliance.  Volunteer leaders came forward to organize a Board of Directors and University Attorney Greg Brown provided technical assistance with incorporation. 

The Board is now designing and marketing a product with a target date of January 2001 for offering a new option for health care coverage, especially designed for small business, farmers, manufacturing, non-profits, and government entities.  Lori Bergland Olson has been hired to coordinate the effort.  Barbara Muesing is principal investigator for the grant. 

--Barbara Muesing

UMC Represented on the NW MN Regional Partnership Board

The NW Minnesota Regional Partnership is a new venture for the University of Minnesota.  It’s one of five Partnerships funded by the Minnesota legislature to combine citizen leadership with the research and education resources of the University to foster long-term sustainability in the region.  UMC faculty/staff serving on the Board are:  Stephan Davis, Barbara Muesing, and Liz Valdez.  Extension Educators serving are Hans Kandel and Mary Nell Preisler.  The Board has met three times, and soon will begin a search for an Executive Director. 

--Barbara Muesing

Teambackers Golf Classic Set for July 15

The tenth annual UMC Teambackers Golf Classic will be held this summer on Saturday, July 15.  Tournament sponsors are being sought with proceeds going to the support of UMC athletic scholarships.  We have the potential of raising $5,000 in net income from the tournament.  The best part is that the tournament offers a super opportunity for a great deal of enjoyment.

This year all entrants will receive a shirt to signify their participation.  A Hole-In-One Contest provides a chance to win a new car. 

The tournament will utilize a Texas Scramble format with five golfers on each team.  Golfers may set up their own teams, but must use the following criteria:

1.       The five-member team handicap must equal 80 or more for 18 holes.

2.       Not more than two members of the team can have 18-hole handicaps of 10 or less.

Individuals who wish to play in the tournament, but who are not included in one of the preestablished teams, will be assigned to teams made up by the Golf Committee.  Both men and women are invited to participate.  If you do not have a handicap, one will be established for you.  Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m.  Tournament orientation will start at 10:45 a.m.  The actual competition will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a shotgun start. 

Registration cost remains at $65 per golfer.  Included in the fee are green fees, shirt, prizes, old fashioned picnic, and contribution to the Scholarship Fund.  The first 90 golfers who pay their registration fees will be eligible to play.  Registration fees must be paid by July 11, 2000. 

If you would like additional tournament information, you may contact Curt Almlie (calmlie@mail.crk.umn.edu) at the Alumni Center at 218-281-8436, Marv Bachmeier, UMC Athletic Department at 218-281-8415, or Laura Lyczewski, tournament committee member at 218-281-1774. 

--Curt Almlie

Lon Boike Named New Athletic Director
     Lon Boike has been named the new athletic director at UMC. He replaces Brad Kerr, who resigned March 7.  Boike will become UMC’s fourth athletic director. He begins his new duties on July 17 as UMC begins its third year as a provisional member of NCAA II and second season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
     Boike is currently the athletic director at Clarke College (Dubuque, IA) NCAA III institution. A native of Clara City, MN, he received his Associate of Arts Degree in 1981 from Willmar Junior College. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology, Health and Coaching from Southwest State University (’84) and obtained his Master of Arts Degree in Physical Education, Health and Recreation from Northern State University (’86).
     Boike was named coach/associate athletic director in 1989 at Clarke College, where he served as the head women’s basketball coach for seven seasons, head volleyball coach for six and served as head softball coach during the 93-94 seasons where he holds the school record for most wins in a season at 25. He was named the college’s athletic director in 1993. Prior to his tenure at Clarke he coached baseball/basketball at Becker H.S., (MN) 1986-87, taught and coached at Audubon H.S., (MN) 1987-88 and was named athletic director/basketball coach at the College of St. Teresa in 1988-89.
     Boike has been responsible for the expansion of the Clarke College athletic program to include new facilities for athletes and other students and developing a Kinesiology program. In addition, during Boike’s stay, the college has won 23 Team Championships and this past season was named the recipient of the 99-00 NIIC All-Sports Trophy, which is presented annually to the member institution whose intercollegiate athletic program compiles the best combined overall finish in the league’s 10 sponsored sports. Boike was also instrumental in the college’s selection to host the 1999 Molten Division III Men’s Invitational Volleyball Championship, and in the formation of the annual Clarke College Holiday Basketball Tournament. He is also the president of the NIIC (Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference).
     He presently serves on the NCAA III Interpretations and Legislation Committee and is currently a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, Development Directors and NCAA III Athletic Administrators.
     Lon and his wife, Chris, have two children, Alec 6, and Sydney, 3.

A press conference will be held Tuesday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m. in Sahlstrom Conference Center 131 on the UMC campus to announce the new athletic director and head women’s volleyball coach.

--Stephanie Reck

Opera On the Farm Set for June 24

The University of Minnesota School of Music Opera Theater will present Aaron Copland’s opera “The Tender Land” on Saturday, June 24, at 7 p.m. on the Lou Schafer Farm, located 2 miles northwest of Red Lake Falls, Minn., on County Road 13.  Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.  Concessions, memorabilia, and horse-drawn wagon rides will be available before the performance.

The admission price will be $5, with children 8 years and younger attending free of charge.  Tickets for the opera are available at several local businesses including Scott’s Music in the Columbia Mall, Grand Forks; Montague’s Flower Shop, Crookston; Kezar Music in Thief River Falls; and Thompson’s Hardware, the Red Lake County State Bank, and the Minnesota Extension Office, all in Red Lake Falls.  Bleacher seating will be available.  Lawn chairs and blankets are also allowed.  Shuttle bus service will be provided from various locations in Red Lake Falls.  Free parking will be available at the Schafer Farm.

This tour of Opera on the Farm will serve as the kickoff event of the state-wide celebration of the U of M’s sesquicentennial.  The performance in Red Lake Falls is part of a summer tour, which will also include performances in six other communities.  The first performance will be in Lanesboro, Minn., on June 11, and will serve as the official kickoff of the U’s sesquicentennial year.

Read more about the Opera on the Farm.

Faculty and Staff Accolades

• The following faculty and staff were honored for distinguished service at the annual faculty and staff recognition celebration, held May 18:  Carol Larson, building and grounds worker, Outstanding Community Service Award; Lynette Mullins, assistant professor of communications, Distinguished Teaching Award; Neal Benoit, maintenance carpenter, Outstanding Civil Service/Bargaining Unit Award; and Pam Holsinger-Fuchs, director of student activities and service learning, Distinguished Professional and Administrative Award.
  
• Melissa Hower-Moritz has been promoted to the rank of associate professor.  The official announcement was presented at a ceremony held May 23 on the U’s Twin Cities campus.  Hower-Moritz will begin her seventh year at UMC this fall.
  
• Yvonne Hanson, principal secretary for the Minnesota Area Extension Office, has been selected Employee of the Semester by the UMC United Staff Association.  The award was presented at the annual faculty and staff recognition celebration, held May 18.
  
• Ardis Thompson was named the Outstanding Member of the Valley Ridge Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals for 2000.  The award was a highlight of Administrative Professionals Week in Crookston.  Ardis has been a member of the Valley Ridge Chapter for five years and has been employed at UMC for 35 years.

UMC Summer News Schedule

UMC Summer News, the monthly summer publication of the UMC Bulletin, will be published electronically to the website (http://www.umcrookston.edu/campusinfo/wkbulletin/bulletin.htm). 

If you would prefer a hard copy that would be mailed to you, please call 218-281-8380 or email me at asvec@mail.crk.umn.edu and leave your name and summer mailing address.

Publication schedule for the remaining issues of UMC Summer News:

• Copy deadline for the July 2000 issue is 12 noon on Monday, July 3.  Published July 3.
• Copy deadline for the August 2000 issue is Monday, August 7.  Published August 8.

The UMC Weekly Bulletin will resume weekly publication for the 2000-2001 academic year on Tuesday, August 29.  Copy deadline will be Tuesday, August 29, at 12 noon.

--Andrew Svec 

Attachments (All Are MS Word Documents)

• UMC Budget Update 
• Questions and Answers about your July 12 Paycheck 
• Summary Report on Open Positions at UMC 

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