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Tuesday, Mar 1, 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.

= New items.

RESOURCES

INTERNAL GRANT FUNDINGNEW

New seed funding is available from the Grow Iowa Values Fund resources provided to UNI for late-stage product or process development with the greatest potential for commercialization. Proof-of-concept projects will be considered but priority will be given to projects closer to commercial application. Priority will be given to projects in Iowa’s targeted clusters: bioscience, information technology (including educational technologies) and advanced manufacturing. Up to $10,000 is available for expenses such as summer salary, student wages, equipment and supplies during an award period of April 15 through June 30. No time extensions will be granted. Proposals are due by 5 p.m., Friday, March 25. The RFP, cover page and budget template are at www.uni.edu/osp/2011-grow-iowa-values-fund.

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL TRAININGNEW

Appraising performance is more than just a single event. It begins with setting goals, coaching year round, documenting performance (good and bad), and writing and conducting an appraisal without bias. Performance appraisals can be an important tool for motivating employees and inspiring quality work. Learn how to approach and follow through with the performance appraisal process. Two sessions will be offered this spring, Thursday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 23. For details and registration instructions, visit http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/hrs/training/.

SPSS SHORT COURSE AND STATISTICAL CONSULTINGNEW

A free hands-on short course using SPSS will be held from 2 to 3:15 p.m., Friday, March 4, and from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, in 110 WRT. The class is suitable for beginners. The Department of Mathematics provides assistance to faculty, staff and students through its Statistical Consulting Lab. For assistance or to RSVP, contact Mark Jacobson at 273-7172 or jacobson@cs.uni.edu. For more information, visit www.cs.uni.edu/~jacobson/SCL/.

READING & LEARNING CENTER PRESENTATIONSNEW

Are your students struggling with assignments and exams? The Reading & Learning Center offers class presentations on reading, learning, studying and time-management strategies. Contact Gina Burkart, the Reading & Learning coordinator, to arrange a class presentation at gina.burkart@uni.edu.

DRUPAL OFFICE HOURSNEW

Drupal office hours will be offered by ITS-Educational Technology and the Office of University Relations from 3 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, in ITTC 108.  Faculty, staff and students can get help with any UNI Drupal website. Drupal experts will be on hand to help answer theming, site-building and content-editing questions.

NEWS

UPDATE ON PRESIDENT ALLENNEW

President Allen is home recovering from his surgery. The surgery was successful in eliminating the cancer. He had a few complications from the surgery that delayed the recovery process, but he's on track for a full recovery. President Allen is looking forward to returning to his office soon and appreciates all the supportive messages he's received.

SPRING COMMENCEMENT UPDATENEW

There will be three Commencement ceremonies for spring 2011: COE and Continuing Education and Special Programs will be at 7 p.m., Friday, May 6; CHFA and CNS will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 7; and CBA and CSBS will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 7. All ceremonies will take place in the McLeod Center. Following each ceremony, a reception for the graduating students, their families and UNI personnel will be held in the UNI-Dome. For more information, visit http://www.uni.edu/registrar/spring-2011-commencement-story.

FACULTY RENTAL OF ACADEMIC APPAREL FOR SPRING 2011 COMMENCEMENTNEW

Spring 2011 Commencement ceremonies will be held Friday and Saturday, May 6 and 7, in the McLeod Center. To make a reservation for rental apparel, contact Tricia Johnson Welter at patricia.welter@uni.edu. The deadline for reserving apparel for the ceremony is Friday, March 11.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARDSNEW

The Sustainability Council is seeking nominations for the UNI Creating a Responsible Environment (CARE) awards. You are encouraged to nominate a student, faculty or staff member, student organization, or department for their efforts in demonstrating outstanding commitment to sustainability. Nomination information is at www.uni.edu/sustainability. The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 8. Award winners will be recognized at the annual Sustainability Forum on Thursday, April 21. For further information, contact jan.hanish@uni.edu.

NOMINATIONS FOR MWONE UNIQUE ACADEMIC ADVISING AWARDNEW

MidWestOne Bank has funded one $1,000 UNIque Academic Advising Award for a UNI faculty member. Candidates for this award will have demonstrated evidence to the quality of their academic advising by facilitating student progress toward academic/career goals, use and dissemination of information sources or referrals, participation in adviser-development programs and perception by colleagues of advising or advising-administration skills. All tenured (including department heads), tenure-track and non-tenured faculty who have been employed at UNI for at least three years are eligible. To download a nomination form and for detailed information, visit http://www.uni.edu/provost/resources. Nominations can be made by faculty, staff and students and are due by Monday, March 21, to the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, SRL, in print or sent electronically to coleen.wagner@uni.edu.

COE HOT TOPICS WEBINARNEW

COE's Hot Topics Webinar "Legal Issues: Truth is Stranger than Fiction" is archived at www.uni.edu/coe/webinars. Tim Gilson and Dewitt Jones, educational leadership, discussed how educators can manage potential legal issues in education today.

UNI IN THE NEWSNEW

Chris Larimer, political science, was part of a panel on IPR's The Exchange. http://tinyurl.com/68hp56y

Iowa Board of Regents leadership had a guest opinion published in the Des Moines Register about budget cuts. http://preview.tinyurl.com/4rpwhcf

QUIDDITCH CLUB NEEDS A FACULTY ADVISERNEW

Since September, a group of students has been playing the game Quidditch. The group is trying to become a student organization and is seeking a faculty adviser for the club. If you are interested in becoming the faculty adviser, contact the club's president, Tyler Stoppelmoor, at tystopps@uni.edu.

FAMILY WEEKEND DATE CHANGENEW

The date has been changed for Family Weekend 2011. Family Weekend will be celebrated Friday through Sunday, Sept. 23 through 25. Homecoming is Saturday, Oct. 8.

UNI DISCLAIMER IN GUEST OPINION PIECESNEW

Faculty and staff submitting guest editorials to newspapers must include the university disclaimer. "The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by the University of Northern Iowa."

CAMPUS-WIDE CLIMATE/DIVERSITY SURVEY

All students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to share their opinions and experiences about the university’s culture and attitudes. To complete the survey, follow the link sent to you in the e-mail invitation from Provost Gibson. The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete and is strictly confidential. All responses will be aggregated, and no individually identifying information will be disclosed. Please plan to participate in this important process. The survey is available through Friday, March 4. If you have any questions, contact kristin.moser@uni.edu or call Kristin Moser at 273-3103.

VOLUNTEER FOR UP WITH FAMILIES

Up With Families needs 150 volunteers to help the weekend of April 9 and 10 at the Ramada. The weekend is a chance for families who have a child or children with a disability to get away together as a family and have a fun and relaxing time. For more information, contact Katie Hooper at hooperk@uni.edu.

UPDATING ONLINE DIRECTORYNEW

The UNI Online Directory (http://www.uni.edu/directory) is a source for current faculty and staff contact information. To verify or make any changes to your home and/or office contact information, log in to MyUNIverse > Update My Personal Information. This information is sent directly to Human Resource Services via e-mail and will be updated within four working days.

HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES WEBSITE REDESIGNED

Human Resources Services has redesigned its website. The site has been reorganized and expanded to include HR related announcements and detailed information, forms, supporting resources and frequently asked questions. In addition, new in-depth sections have been added for new employees, supervisors and employee development. This website is updated weekly to provide current information and can be viewed at http://www.uni.edu/hrs.

SDS NEWSLETTER FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

Check out the Student Disability Newsletter for Faculty and Staff. In this month's newsletter, read about the recent changes in the SDS office, recent movie trends regarding disabilities and more at http://www.uni.edu/sds/FacultyStaffNewsletter.shtml.

SPECIAL EVENTS

VEHICLE AUCTIONNEW

UNI is selling two vehicles at a public auction. There will be a 2004 Dodge Stratus 4-door sedan (74,993 mi.) and a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport (63,553 mi.). More sale information is available at www.publicsurplus.com or http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/obo/fixedassets/pubsale.shtml. You can also contact Vince Heuer at 273-3527 or vince.heuer@uni.edu for bidding instructions. UNI Surplus is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month at the Warehouse.

LIBRARY BOOK SALE

Come to the Rod Library lobby to purchase best sellers, children's books, fiction, nonfiction and more. Hardcover books are $2 each and paperbacks are $1. Pick up as many as you like and pay at the circulation desk. Keep checking back - new items are added often.

STUDENT READING ASSOCIATION BOOK FAIR

Need new books? Check out the selection at SRA's Scholastic Book Fair from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 28, through Thursday, March 3, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, March 4, in the SEC Lobby. Books for all ages at great prices.

UNI PROUD MEETINGS

UNI Proud is UNI's oldest LGBTQ student organization. All students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome. Weekly meetings are held at 7 p.m., Tuesdays, in the Presidential Room, MAU. For more information, contact Ellie Hail at proud@uni.edu.

WOMEN'S & GENDER STUDIES OPEN HOUSE AND SUSAN ALBEE MEMORIAL

To celebrate Women's History Month, Women’s & Gender Studies will host an open house from 3 to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 3, in 225 SAB. As part of the open house, a memorial program celebrating the life of Susan Albee, an instructor in sociology and Women’s & Gender Studies from 1989-2007 who recently passed away, will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the foyer, SAB.

U.S. CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY AT UNI

UNI students, faculty and staff are invited to attend a U.S. Citizenship Oath Ceremony at 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 4, in the Ballroom, MAU. More than 50 people will become new American citizens during this ceremony. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Mark Grey at 273-6496. This event is sponsored by the Office of the Provost; the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; and the Iowa Center for Immigrant Leadership and Integration; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; and the U.S. District Court for Northern Iowa.

UNI FORENSICS WILL HOST SPEECH SHOWCASENEW

The UNI Speech and Debate team will host its annual national showcase from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 23, in Lang Hall Auditorium. This year's speech and debate team has won more than 100 individual and team events at 20-plus tournaments. Students from UNI's regionally and nationally competitive speech team will perform events they will take to nationals. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Katherine L. Lavelle at 273-7200 or katherine.lavelle@uni.edu.

SAVE THE DATE RELAY FOR LIFENEW

Relay For Life, Imagine A Whole New World Without Cancer, will be celebrated Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9, in the McLeod Center. Join a team today at relayforlife.org/uni and join in the worldwide movement to end cancer. For more information, contact Sarah McCarty at mccartys@uni.edu.

PERFORMING ARTS

NO SHAME THEATRENEW

UNI's No Shame Theatre is a performance venue for anyone who has something to perform: songs, plays, stories, stand-up and poetry. There are three rules. The performance must be under five minutes, 100 percent original and physically harmless. The doors open at 9:30 p.m., and the show begins at 10 p.m., Friday, March 4, in 108 CAC.

GUEST ARTIST RECITAL: CORY MIXDORF, TROMBONE

Visiting artist Cory Mixdorf will present a trombone recital at 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 2, in Davis Hall, GBPAC. Mixdorf has been an active performer and educator in the Atlanta area since his appointment as assistant professor of trombone at Georgia State University in 2009. He holds a B.A. from UNI, as well as Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees in trombone performance from Indiana University. This event is free and open to the public.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE, KAJI-DAIKO & WEST AFRICAN DRUM ENSEMBLENEW

The UNI Percussion and West African Drum ensembles will offer a spring concert at 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, in Davis Hall, GBPAC, along with UNI’s Taiko drum ensemble, Kaji-Daiko. This event is free and open to the public.

'ON THE VERGE'

"On the Verge" tells the story of a trio of female Victorian-era explorers who embark on a journey that takes them into Terra Incognita – the last undiscovered, unexplored piece of the globe. Trekking through landscapes that resemble the highest peaks of the Himalayas and the darkest corners of the rainforest, the ladies eventually find themselves not only traveling the globe, but also traveling through time. For tickets, visit or call the Strayer-Wood Theatre box office at 273-6381. The performances are at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, March 3 through 5, and at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 6, at the SWT.

FRENCH ART-SONG RECITAL

The UNI Voice Division will present a recital of French art songs at 8 p.m., Friday, March 4, in Davis Hall, GBPAC. This event is free and open to the public.

GUEST ARTIST RECITAL: MATTHEW COLEY, PERCUSSION

Visiting artist Matthew Coley will present a percussion recital at 6 p.m., Thursday, March 3, in Davis Hall, GBPAC. Coley is a marimba, percussion and dulcimer artist specializing in contemporary solo and chamber music and concert. He performs regularly as a soloist throughout the U.S. and Europe, and has performed as a soloist with the San Francisco Sinfonietta, Millennium Chamber Players, Moldavian Philharmonic and Tele-Radio Orchestras. This event is free and open to the public.

LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS

CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDE EDUCATION PRESENTATION

Jekow Olieny, a UNI student from Maiwut, South Sudan, will speak at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, in 2 SAB. Olieny will share images and short videos and answer questions on the background and significance of the recent vote for independence in South Sudan, the world’s newest nation. Co-sponsored by UNI-STAND.

LECTURE: "TRANSNATIONAL MIGRANTS IN THE NEW IOWA"

Mark Grey, Iowa Center for Immigrant Leadership and Integration, will discuss recent immigration trends in Iowa at noon, Tuesday, March 1, in 9AB CME. He will also discuss the broader implications for the state and its people, including the transformation of how Iowans see themselves. This event is sponsored by the Forum for National and Transnational Identities, which seeks to bring together faculty, staff and students with an interest in national identity, nationalism, transnationalism, race, ethnicity and immigration. To join the forum and to be placed on its mailing list, contact Konrad.Sadkowski@uni.edu.

TURKISH CONSUL GENERAL TO SPEAK ON TURKISH-AMERICAN RELATIONSNEW

Fatih Yildiz, consul general to the Turkish Consulate in Chicago, will speak on Turkish foreign policy and Turkish-American relations from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 3, in 115 SRL. A reception in his honor will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., in the Great Reading Room, SRL. Yildiz will also meet and talk to Turkish-American community members of TASIOWA later in the evening. Yildiz's biography is at http://www.chicago.cg.mfa.gov.tr/AmbassadorsBio.aspx.

EARTH SCIENCE SEMINARNEW

Adam Hoffman, assistant professor of environmental chemistry at the University of Dubuque, will present  "Minding One’s Ps and Qs: The Role of Internal Phosphorus Loading on Water Quality" at 4 p.m.,  Monday, March 7, in 125 LAT.

PAT/HISTORY CLUB LECTURENEW

Kenneth Atkinson, philosophy and world religions, will present "Queen Salome Alexandra: Jerusalem's Forgotten Ruler and the Mysterious Women of the Dead Sea Scrolls" at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, in 115 SRL. The event is free and open to the public.

MTV'S ANDREW JENKSNEW

Listen to award-winning filmmaker Andrew Jenks from MTV's "World of Jenks" at 9 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, in Lang Hall Auditorium, as he gives a perspective on young success and the changing youth culture through media. Jenks uses clips from his work to present this one-of-a-kind story. Preceding his presentation, Jenks will sponsor a bone marrow donor registration.

PROVOST GIBSON TO SPEAK ON LEADERSHIP

UNI Provost Gloria Gibson will discuss her views on leadership from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m., Thursday, March 10, in the State College Room, MAU. The lecture is free and open to the public. For information, call Leadership Studies at 273-6898 or e-mail YLA@UNI.edu.

CURRENT RESEARCH ON WOMEN (CROW) FORUM

The next CROW Forum will be held at noon, Monday, March 7, in 109A CME. Phyllis Baker, Women’s & Gender Studies, and Kevin Leicht, University of Iowa sociology, will present “Economic Development and Women’s Life Chances." All faculty, staff, students and community members are invited. Feel free to bring your lunch.

E. PATRICK JOHNSON PERFORMANCE AT UNI INTERPRETERS THEATRENEW

Author and performance studies artist E. Patrick Johnson will visit UNI as part of the Hearst Lecture Series at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, in the Interpreters Theatre, 040 LNG. He will perform "Pouring Tea: Black Gay Men of the South Tell Their Tales," a solo act based on the narratives in his book "Sweet Tea." The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and advance reservations are suggested. Call 273-2217 or visit www.epatrickjohnson.com.

SUSAN DOUGLAS VISITS UNI

Susan J. Douglas, author of "Enlightened Sexism: The Seductive Message That Feminism’s Work Is Done" will visit UNI on Tuesday, March 8, for a book discussion at 11 a.m., and a reception at 2:30 p.m., both in the CME lobby. Douglas will give a public lecture at 3:30 p.m., in the Ballroom, MAU.

MONARCH BIOLOGY, CONSERVATION NEEDS AND THE MONARCH JOINT VENTURE NEW

Priya Shahani from the Monarch Joint Venture Project at the University of Minnesota St. Paul will discuss the biology, conservation challenges and recent efforts by Monarch Joint Venture partners to better understand population trends at 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 9, at the Tallgrass Prairie Center. For more information, contact Ryan Welch at rwelch@uni.edu or 273-3828.

PARTICIPATORY PRESERVATION: HEIRLOOM PLANTS IN A CHANGING WORLD

Join Jenna Sicuranza and Shanyn Siegel of Seed Savers Exchange for a discussion about the important role heirloom plants play in plant genetic resources conservation at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, at the University Museums. Located in Decorah, Seed Savers Exchange is a nonprofit, member-supported organization that saves and shares the heirloom seeds of our garden heritage.

NAVY GOES GREENNEW

Chief Armaun Bartee and Petty Officer Issachar (Izzy) Lane, U.S. Navy, will discuss plans to decrease dependence on oil and obtain 50 percent of our energy needs from non-fossil-fuel sources within 10 years. The sources include biofuels, solar panels, wind turbines and geothermal power. This lecture will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 26, at University Book & Supply.

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

RURAL AGING CONFERENCE

The Iowa Consortium for Aging Programs and UNI's gerontology program will host the Rural Aging Conference on Thursday, April 7. For more information or to register, visit www.uni.edu/csbs/ruralaging. Registration is limited to 120 participants. Contact Josie Davie (daviej@uni.edu) with questions.

CHANGE LEADERSHIP

UNI's Leadership Studies will host a workshop on stages of change from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m., Thursday, March 3, in the State College Room, MAU. Workshop leaders are Molly Schmidt, manager of training and development at Veridian Credit Union, and Gerri Perreault, UNI Leadership Studies. Participants will have the opportunity to assess where they are in the change process. Schmidt and Perreault will discuss the different stages of change that individuals and organizations may be involved in.

EXHIBITIONS AND FILMS

'MARKS OF PROCESS: UNI DEPARTMENT OF ART ALUMNI AND THE STUDIO PAINTING TRADITION'

An invitational group exhibition features new work by Erin Anfinson (B.A. '01), Mikel Bisbee-Durlam (B.A. '00), Michael Boyd (B.A. '59), Danielle McCullough (B.A. '02), Marcus Payzant (B.F.A. '06), Robert Riseling (B.A. '63 and M.A. '66), Darrell Roberts (B.A. '97) and Ken Steinkemp (B.A. '70). The exhibition is free and open to the public.

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH FILM

In conjunction with Women's History Month, Women's & Gender Studies will show the film "The Codes of Gender: Identity & Performance in Pop Culture" at 5 p.m., Thursday, March 3, in Room 324, LIB.

WELLNESS AND RECREATION

WRS IRONMAN TRIATHLON CHALLENGE

Looking for motivation to exercise or a new fitness incentive challenge? It's not too late to register for the WRS Ironman Triathlon Challenge. For more information, visit www.uni.edu/wellrec/.

WRS MARCH E-NEWSLETTERNEW

The Wellness & Recreation Services March newsletter is available at www.uni.edu/wellrec. Follow the link on the home page to check out updates on WRS events and programs, along with wellness tips and articles.

BLOOD CHEMISTRY PROFILESNEW

Wellness and Recreation Services will offer Blood Chemistry Profiles (BCPs) from 7 to 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 23, in the Rod Library Browsing Room. One free BCP per academic year is available to UNI employees who qualify for insurance benefits. With a BCP screening, blood is drawn to test for 23 components, including total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, blood sugar, iron, etc. Employees who wish to also have a prostate test or complete blood count test can do so for an extra $10. A thyroid test is available for an additional $5. Pay by cash, check or payroll deduction. Students, retirees and spouses may sign up for a BCP for $20. Call 273-6119 to schedule.

DINING SPECIALS

MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH

During March, National Nutrition Month, weekly nutrition information and healthy options will be available in the 23rd Street Market, Biscotti's and Prexy's. Eat right with color.

EMPLOYMENT

MERIT VACANCIESNEW

Current merit vacancies can be viewed at http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/hrs/employ/merit/employee.asp.

P&S VACANCIESNEW

Vacancies at the P&S level include University Apartments coordinator, activities coordinator, academic support specialist and Professional & Scientific (P&S) employment coordinator. To view the complete job descriptions, visit http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/hrs/employ/ps/index.asp.