Monday, Apr 11, 2011

The College of Business and Pi Sigma Epsilon are conducting focus groups to better understand how students make choices regarding study abroad. All business majors are eligible - those who have studied abroad and those who haven't. All participants will recieve a $10 gift certificate to Panera Bread. Contact Rayanna Bockenstedt at rbockenstedt@yahoo.com for more information or to sign up. Focus groups will take place in CBB 319. Monday, April 11: 1 to 2 p.m. - freshmen who have studied abroad; 2 to 3 p.m. - freshmen who have not studied abroad. Tuesday, April 12: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. - sophomores who have studied abroad; 11 a.m. to noon - sophomores who have not studied abroad; 2 to 3 p.m. - juniors who have studied abroad. Wednesday, April 13: 1 to 2 p.m. - juniors who have not studied abroad. Thursday, April 14: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. - seniors who have studied abroad; 11 a.m. to noon - seniors who have not studied abroad.

Donate old, used cell phones to Seeds of Hope, a local nonprofit organization that serves victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Drop-off locations include Le Comics (2225 College St.), The Runner’s Flat (120 Main St.), Pacific Sunwear (Crossroads Mall) and 235 LAT. The phones will be taken to Seeds of Hope Monday, April 25. No need to do anything special with the phone. If available, please include the battery and charger. The phones need not be in working order. For more information, email Jessica Lorenz jm4946@uni.edu.

The fall 2011 course in Applied Writing (620:105g/ English 4775/5775) builds professional skills in workplace communication. Prerequisites can be waived. For more information, email prof-writing@uni.edu.

Looking for meaningful work experience? The Academic Learning Center is seeking writing coaches with outstanding writing skills, a passion for excellence and a desire to help others succeed. All majors are welcome to apply. Writing coaches complete a training course to receive College Reading and Learning Association tutor certification. The job requires 10 hours per week with a flexible schedule. A position description and application are available on the UNI Job Board, #182. For more information, email Deanne.Gute@uni.edu. Applications will be accepted until Monday, April 18.

The Federal Government is one of the largest employers in the U.S. With a unique hiring process, getting hired for a government job creates challenges not faced in other fields. Learn about available job opportunities, job-search strategies and federal resumes from 3 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 12, in 009 GIL. For more information, contact Isabela Varela isabela.varela@uni.edu.

The UNI Freethinkers and Inquirers will host a 24/7 Service Week during the week of April 14 through 20 to encourage people to give back to the community. UNIFI will sponsor a service project each day and invites anyone interested in helping to sign up at http://service.unifreethought.com.

The number for requesting research help and other information about Rod Library resources and services via text message has changed to 250-4100. Research help can also be requested through other channels such as chat, email, telephone and in person, as described at http://www.library.uni.edu/ask-us-research-help.

UNI Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a campus organization open to all students. The next events will be held at 8 p.m., Monday, April 25, in the West Gym. There will be a guest speaker, a fun activity and prize drawings, including an iPodTouch. For more information, visit "Uni Fca" on Facebook or email unifca@teamfca.com.

UNI Advocates for Alzheimer’s is hosting a QUASH fundraiser at the Cedar Falls Cold Stone Creamery from 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, April 12. Enjoy a tasty treat while raising money to benefit and support the Alzheimer's Association's research efforts.

Under sponsorship of UNI's Sustainability Council, the 2011 Sustainability Forum will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Thursday, April 21, in the Ballroom, MAU. All UNI community members are invited to learn about current campus sustainability initiatives and discuss how we as a campus can continue to leave a smaller footprint. Contact Eric O'Brien at 273-7207 or eric.obrien@uni.edu with questions.

Graduating seniors - Stop by MoJo’s between 6 and 8 p.m., Thursday, April 14, for free pizza and a gift from the UNI Alumni Association. You could win an iPAD just for attending. While there, sign up for the Alumni Association and get cool stuff.

The UNI PR Campaign Methods class will host the Troop-A-Palooza Carnival from 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, April 17, at the Cedar Falls High School gym located at 1015 Division St. The event features a meal, games and chances to win prizes, such as hotel stays, pool passes and more. Admission is $5 and includes a meal ticket. Purchase tickets at the door on April 17. Visit http://www.wix.com/girlscoutseiwi/troopapalooza or contact troopcarnival@gmail.com for more information.

A self-defense seminar will be offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Monday, April 18, in Old Central Ballroom, MAU. Men and women are welcome to the first hour of this seminar, which will focus on safety and education, targeted toward college-age individuals. The second hour is for women only and will focus on learning self-defense skills. This event is free and refreshments will be provided. Wear comfy clothes and shoes. For more information, contact Anti-Violence Advocates at uniava@gmail.com or Staci Chananie-Hill at stacich@uni.edu.

QUASH, the Quest to Unravel Alzheimer's Scavenger Hunt, is back for 2011. Gather a team of two to four people to challenge your body and mind in a campus-wide event at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 16. Each QUASH team is asked to raise $100 per participant to benefit and support the Alzheimer's Association's research efforts. Register today at www.QUASHnow.org.

Perhaps the ultimate way to go green is to grow a garden. Rob and Tammy Faux of Genuine Faux Farm, Tripoli, will discuss how people can change gardening habits at 7 p.m, Tuesday, April 12, at the University Museum. Learn to use environmentally friendly approaches and how gardening plays a role in efforts to achieve a sustainable future.

The first candidate for the position of Associate Provost for International Programs will be on campus from 3 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, in 244/245 SEC. Craig Klafter will give a short presentation on his vision for internationalizing UNI, followed by a question/answer session. All members of the campus community are invited.

The fifth annual College of Humanities and Fine Arts Graduate Research Symposium will be held from noon to 5 p.m., Friday, April 15, in the Great Reading Room, SRL. The symposium will begin with a keynote lecture by Bruce Robbins, Old Dominion Foundation Professor in the Humanities at Columbia University, who will be followed by half-hour presentations of work by seven graduate students from communication studies, English, and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). The event will conclude with remarks by Dean Joel Haack at 5 p.m. and his presentation of awards to the top three presenters. This event is free and open to the public. 

Joyce Benner will speak at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, in the Ballroom, MAU. This event is sponsored by the Student Organization Speakers Fund and is hosted by the student organization UNI Right to Life.

Reinier H. Hesselink, professor of Japanese history, is very familiar with the area in Japan devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Hesselink will give a slideshow-lecture presentation about three communities on the Iwate coast, Miyako, Yamada and Taro. Hesselink's presentation will include some history of Iwate prefecture and an analysis of a previous comparable disaster that occurred almost 1,200 years ago. The presentation will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 20, in 115 SRL. There will be an opportunity to donate funds to a UNI account established by the history department for the purpose of providing relief to these communities.

Educator, speaker and trainer Luann Alemao (http://www.laanda.com/) will speak from 5 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, at the John Deere Auditorium, CBB. Alemao will discuss communication clarity (http://www.laanda.com/communicationclarity.html). This event is free and open to the public. The event is sponsored by the UNI chapters of the American Marketing Association and Pi Sigma Epsilon. For more information, contact Rachael Tiby at rachael.tiby@gmail.com or Zach Riesberg at zachriesberg@gmail.com.

Visiting artist Heather Armstrong will present an oboe recital at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 14, in Davis Hall, GBPAC, with faculty artist Korey Barrett, piano. Armstrong is assistant professor of oboe and music theory at Luther College. She holds doctor of musical arts and master of music degrees from the Eastman School of Music. Armstrong is a member of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony and also performs with the La Crosse Symphony. This event is free and open to the public.

The Vagina Monologues are based on V-Day Founder/Playwright Eve Ensler's interviews with more than 200 women. Performances will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 14, and Saturday, April 16, in the GBPAC. With humor and grace the piece celebrates women’s sexuality and strength. Through this play and the liberation of this one word, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives. All proceeds go to Planned Parenthood and to the V-Day 2011 spotlight campaign. Admission is $10, $7 with a nonparishable food item (to be donated to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank).

The Northern Iowa Wind Symphony will offer a spring concert as part of the Spotlight Series at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 15, in the Great Hall, GBPAC. For tickets, call 273-4TIX.

The UNI Suzuki School will present the Northern Iowa Junior Orchestra spring concert at 6 p.m., Sunday, April 17, in Davis Hall, GBPAC. This event is free and open to the public.

International Dance Theatre will perform at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 16, and 6 p.m., Sunday, April 17, in Lang Auditorium. See musical theater numbers like the Bottle Dance from "Fiddler on the Roof," The Farmer and the Cowman from "Oklahoma" and El Tango de Roxanne from "Moulin Rouge."  Tickets are $3 for students and $6 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased from any member of International Dance Theatre, at the door or reserved by calling Daniel Wells at 273-3560. For more information, email daniel.wells@uni.edu.

The Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra will offer a spring concert at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 20, in the Great Hall, GBPAC. This event is free and open to the public.