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Thursday, Nov 10, 2011

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UNI Online is a compilation of notices to be distributed to faculty and staff. The deadline for submission is noon, the day before publication. UNI Online is distributed on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Submitted items must be sponsored by a UNI department, program or organization. No commercial or personal announcements are allowed. Announcements must have news, not opinion content. News items may be submitted via the UNI Online Submission Form.

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NEWS

TOWN HALL MEETINGNEW

President Allen will hold a University Town Hall meeting from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the Commons Ballroom. The president will present campus and budget updates, reaffirm strategic priorities and address questions. The entire campus community is invited. If you have any questions about this meeting, contact the president's office at 273-2566. The Town Hall will be webcast live at http://univnia.adobeconnect.com/townhall/. The event will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing.

SEVERE WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENTSNEW

Announcements regarding cancellation of classes and/or reduced university operations are made via UNI Alert, local radio and TV stations, the UNI home page (www.uni.edu) and Facebook. The local TV stations also list closings and delays on their websites. See http://www.uni.edu/resources/weather for more information.

COE - DID YOU KNOW?NEW

Nearly 17,000 alumni educators teach worldwide. The College of Education has approximately 34,000 alumni around the world. More than 12,000 alumni educators teach in Iowa.

UNI IN THE NEWSNEW

Justin Holmes, political science, was quoted in a story in the Des Moines Register: http://preview.tinyurl.com/76vgv32.

Chris Larimer, political science, was quoted in a story in the Omaha World Herald: http://preview.tinyurl.com/7a75cnx and was a guest on IPR's "The Exchange" http://preview.tinyurl.com/7w2wyly.

Alan Czarnetzki, earth science, was a guest on Iowa Public Radio's "The Exchange" on Nov. 3. http://preview.tinyurl.com/7b6372s.

BLOCKED EMERGENCY EXITSNEW

Access to emergency exits should never be blocked or hindered. Winter is a few short weeks away, and with it comes the inevitable snow and ice. Snow and ice accumulation may block or compromise the opening of exit doors or the building's path. If you discover an emergency exit blocked or compromised by ice or snow, immediately contact Physical Plant Dispatch at 273-4400.

SAFETY REMINDERS

As the weather turns colder, here are a few reminders from the UNI Environmetnal Health and Safety office. Replace the batteries in smoke detectors and ensure they are working properly. Replace any detector 10 years or older. Make sure you also have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home. Do you have a power generator? If you lose power and utilize a home generator, always operate the generator outdoors. Any questions can be directed to the university fire and safety specialist at 273-2004.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2012 TOWN HALL MEETING ON DIVERSITY

Under the sponsorship of the President's Diversity Council, the next Town Hall Meeting on diversity will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the afternoon. Exact time and details will be announced soon. The entire UNI community is invited to recognize the ongoing efforts on this campus and to continue a dialogue about future goals and priorities. For more information, contact diversity@uni.edu.

WELLNESS AND RECREATION

FREE BLOOD CHEMISTRY PROFILENEW

A Blood Chemistry Profile (BCP) screening will be held from 7 to 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the WRC. Employees enrolled in a university health insurance plan are eligible for one free BCP per academic year. Spouses and UNI students may sign up for a $20 fee. To schedule an appointment, contact Human Resources at 273-2423.

OPPORTUNITIES/RESOURCES

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK EVENTS

International Education Week (IEW), an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange, will be Nov. 14 through 18.  A kick-off ceremony will take place from noon to 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14, in the University Room, MAU with opening remarks from Gloria Gibson, a keynote speaker, Nicholas Chizek, as well as dance and musical performances, appetizers and refreshments. Also, learn the basics of the game cricket, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the UNI-Dome. For the complete list of events, go to http://www.uni.edu/internationalprograms/.  

GREEN HOLIDAYS OPEN HOUSE FOR FACULTY, STAFFNEW

All UNI faculty and staff are invited to a Green Holiday Open House from 2 to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Georgian Lounge, Commons. Learn green entertaining options for office or home, decorate cookies, assemble trail mix, and create a relish tray. There will be door prizes. Bring your own mug for hot chocolate.

CEDAR VALLEY DISCOVER DIVERSITY DISCUSS BOOK CLUB

The Cedar Valley Discover Diversity Discuss will meet from 4:30 to 5:50 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14, at the UNI Museum to discuss "The Rope Walk" by Carrie Brown. Unlikely friends on the edge of adolescence try to help a dying man with costly results. All are welcome and you need not have read the book to attend.

YOUR BENENFITS AT WORK

Want to explore your benefits? Check out the latest benefits newsletter at http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/hrs/benefits/documents/bn_benefits_at_work.pdf. The newsletter can also be found by visiting the benefits home page.

UNI ELEARNING TIP: ONLINE TESTING OBSTACLES AND TIPS FOR AVOIDING THEM

Working with online delivery of tests in Bb Learn 9 may seem daunting, especially for faculty who were used to the Web CT interface. ITS-ET makes several recommendations to assist faculty in tweaking this Bb Learn 9 Assessment tool for a more effective experience for both faculty and students. To learn more, visit http://www.uni.edu/elearning/faculty-resource/tips/online-testing-obstacles-and-tips-avoiding-them.

RECEPTION FOR JON BUSE

Jon Buse, dean of students, is leaving UNI to take a position at Kirkwood Community College. Say goodbye and thank Buse for his many years of service and commitment to UNI, at a reception from 2 to 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14, in the Commons Lounge and Porch. There will be a short program beginning at 3:15 p.m.

FIRST-YEAR CORNERSTONE INFORMATIONAL/INTEREST MEETING

Interested in learning about what has been going on in UNI's First-Year Cornerstone course or interested in possibly teaching this class in academic year 2012-2013? Come to an informational meeting on this course, and learn how to get involved. There are four times to choose from: noon to 1 p.m. or 3 to 4 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14, in the Elm Room, MAU; 2 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15 in the Elm Room, MAU; or 2 to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the Presidential Room, MAU.

WORKSHOP ON STUDENT ASSESSMENT PILOT (SALG)

UNI is piloting the online Student Assessment of Learning Gains (SALG) this fall. Faculty can still participate by giving the SALG in addition to the standard classroom assessment or as their sole assessment.  Faculty members should discuss their interest in giving the SALG with their department head. A workshop on developing a SALG assessment will be led by Robert Dise, history, from 2 to 3 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14; noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15; and from 4 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30. All workshops will be held in 134 ITTC. For more information, contact alisa.weeks@uni.edu or visit the “Student Assessment” section on the provost’s website.

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT -- CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES

Student Outcomes Assessment: Classroom Assessment Techniques is an interactive workshop that demonstrates easy ways to find out how well your students are learning. The techniques can be used across disciplines in all kinds of classes.  The workshop will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 11, in the Presidential Room, MAU. The facilitator will be Virginia Arthur, provost's office. Bring your lunch. Cookies and drinks will be provided.

BB LEARN 9 INSTRUCTOR/DESIGNER RESOURCE

Are you aware past eLearning Tips are available in an eLearning Tips Archive? ITS-ET recommends you visit the archive to review tips missed previously. Tips address information of which all Bb Learn 9 instructors and designers should be aware of, as well as questions and issues most addressed by the UNI eLearning support team. Visit the eLearning Tips Archive at http://www.uni.edu/elearning/faculty-resources/tips.

PANTHER SPEAKERS - FREE WEBINAR ON WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION

UNI's Panther Speakers program is offering a free webinar at noon, Wednesday, Nov. 16, open to faculty, staff and students. "Problems? Probably Perception," presented by Nichole Johnson, communication studies, discusses how communication issues that occur in the workplace often have to do with assumptions. This presentation will explain how perception can be “blamed” for many problems in the workplace, and tips to improve perception. Space is limited. Register today at www.uni.edu/pantherspeakers.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

For upcoming lectures, conferences, performing arts or athletic events, please visit the UNI Calendar of Events.

EMPLOYMENT

The latest faculty, staff and student job openings at UNI can be found on the UNI Employment website. Referrals are encouraged.

WELLNESS & RECREATION

Fitness classes, intramural sports, outdoor recreation opportunities.