Monday, Jan 30, 2012

Beginning in August, University Relations made some changes to MyUNIverse News based on student feedback in a spring 2011 university communications audit. The changes addressed readability and content to reflect more university news. UR appreciates your feedback regarding the changes made to MyUNIverse News. Please complete this short survey. Responses are anonymous.

University Relations recently renamed the university Twitter feed to @northerniowa. Current followers don't need to make any changes and the same type of university information and tweets will continue to be shared. Faculty, staff and students who are not currently followers are encouraged to join @northerniowa to learn more about life at UNI.

Carol Petersen, current director of dining services, has been named interim executive director of residence, effective Jan. 23. She replaces Michael Hager who has been named UNI vice president for administration and financial services. Petersen has served in her current role since 2008. She has more than 25 years of professional experience in her field and serves as president of the Midwest Region of the National Association of College & University Food Service. She will serve until a permanent replacement is selected and will continue to supervise Dining Services.

Study abroad this summer in Turkey to experience a culture where east meets west. The highlights will include a free one-week tour of the country, a ten-day study at a university on the eastern coast, visiting ancient Roman ruins and Muslim mosques. Attend the information session from 3 to 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, in 009 GIL. For more information, email the Study Abroad Center.

You don't have to speak French to take your Capstone in the most romantic country in the world. Come find out more at the information session lead by the course leader, Anne Lair, from 3 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8, in 025 GIL. For more information, email the Study Abroad Center.

A training session for Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse will be held from 3 to 5:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 6, in 252 SEC. This training session is free, open to anyone and preregistration is not required. Sponsored by the Office of Teacher Education. For more information, email Melissa Heston or call 273-2236.

Learn how to write a business plan from 3 to 5 p.m., Feb. 15, in 33 BCS. Start a Business I workshop is a pre-requisite. Advance registration is required. Email JPEC or call 273-5732.

There will be a brown bag lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Feb. 8, in the Elm Room, MAU, for anyone who attended an Undoing Racism Workshop. This is an opportunity for UNI students, faculty and staff to meet and discuss what was learned at the workshops.

The UNI Campus Activities Board will host Ben Rosenbush, an acoustic artist who specializes in orchestral folk rock. He will perform from 8 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 31, in the Hemisphere Lounge behind Chats, MAU. Check out the special CAB Coffeehouse Series deal with Chats, and do some homework while you listen to this easy-going acoustic music. As always, CAB events are free for all students. 

Kindermusik, a part of the UNI Community Music School, will offer a 14-week spring Kindermusik session for little musicians and their caregivers Feb. 6 through May 18. Kindermusik classes include singing, dancing, instrument play-alongs and creative learning to stimulate all areas of child development. Evening and morning classes for infants (ages two to 18 months), toddlers (ages 1.5 to 3.5 years), preschoolers (ages 3.5 to 5.5 years) and multi-age classes for siblings (up through age 7), are available. Classes are held in 30 GBPAC. Please register before Feb. 5. For more information, email Tricia Freeman or call 415-9404.

UNI's Speakers Bureau is now taking requests for the spring semester. The Speakers Bureau will find your organization a faculty speaker for free. The 200+ topics range from motivation to politics and new topics are being added frequently. Some speakers are in high demand so be sure to get your request in soon. 

This semester the CHGE Student Book Reading Group will discuss Ismael Beah’s "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier," a 2008 memoir about the 11-year civil war in Sierra Leone and the scourge and rehabilitation of child soldiers. The discussion session will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 21, in 11 LNG. Copies of the book will be provided for a $5 deposit, which is refundable upon participation in the discussion. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Stephen Gaies. 

Want to give a group fitness class a try? Drop into one of the following classes for a free, one-time visit to try out the class: Spin: Sec.04, Ultimate X - Training: Sec.18 or 19; Hydro-Fit: Sec.35 or 37; Ultimate H2O X-Training: Sec.38; Aqua Zumba: Sec.39; Total Sculpt & Tone: Sec. 41; Machines, Muscles, & More: Sec. 45, 46, 47, 48; Pilates: Sec. 64 or 65. This offer is only available for the classes listed above. If you like the class and would like to keep attending, register online or stop in 101 WRC. or pick up a brochure to see more details about each of these classes.