Tuesday, Mar 8, 2011

Categories: NEWS RESOURCES SPECIAL EVENTS LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS PERFORMING ARTS EXHIBITIONS AND FILMS CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS EMPLOYMENT HOURS WELLNESS AND RECREATION DINING SPECIALS	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.

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.

NEWS

MAINFRAME ACCESS IMPACTED

In the early morning hours of Friday, March 11, the effort will begin to convert to the new student records system. There could be some performance impacts on all current mainframe systems; however, all systems will be available. Plan your system access accordingly and know what to expect. Before 9 a.m., March 11, access to the current mainframe SIS may be slow and at times may be intolerable. By 9 a.m., performance should improve, although there may be occasional slowdowns. All activities impacting the current mainframe SIS should be completed by 1 p.m. on March 11. This activity will be repeated in late May or early June and again before going live the weekend of Aug. 12.

ACCESS TO NEW SIS SYSTEM

Beginning at 11 a.m., Friday, March 11, ITS will conduct the first conversion of student records to the new SIS system. All currently released functions of the new system will be unavailable during this conversion. This includes admissions and financial aid functionality, as well as course catalog and schedule of classes maintenance. The only feature that will remain available is the online application for admission. The MyUNIverse portal will not be impacted by this outage, although features accessing the new SIS system will be disabled. Access to these areas will be restored by 7 a.m., Monday, March 14.

CAMPUS SEVERE WEATHER SHELTER LOCATIONS

The height of the tornado season in Iowa is approaching. Every UNI building has areas designated as “Severe Weather Shelters." Make sure you know where the designated areas are in your building. The locations of emergency shelter areas for each academic building are at http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/ehso/tips/shelters.shtml.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2011 REGENTS STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARDS DUE APRIL 8

Regents Staff Excellence awards are presented annually to those P&S employees from Regents institutions who have made outstanding professional contributions during their careers. Any Regent employee may nominate a deserving P&S employee for this award. Winners will be announced at Convocation and the P&S Meet the Pres event in the fall. To review the guidelines and submit a nomination, visit http://www.uni.edu/pscouncil/activities/awards.

TIMECARDS - SPRING BREAK

March 12 is the pay period cutoff for the March 31 monthly and March 23 biweekly paydays. To be included in these paychecks, the timecards for the week ending March 12 must be approved by 10 a.m., Thursday, March 17, which is during spring break. Make sure timecards are submitted and approved to meet the deadlines for these paydays. Any timecards submitted and approved after 10 a.m., Thursday, March 17, will be included in the next payday.

BLACKBOARD LEARN 9 IS HERE

The current version of UNI eLearning, WebCT CE8, is being phased out and all academic courses will transition to Blackboard Learn 9.1 for fall 2011. The new system offers many new features to enhance teaching and learning. Details about training opportunities and course migration instructions will be announced after spring break.

REACHING FOR HIGHER GROUND: COMMUNITY AFTER 9/11

Last year, UNI launched a new campus and community project, "Standing on Higher Ground." The project, now referred to as "Reaching for Higher Ground," strives to engage the campus community and community at large in discussions, while building a stronger campus community. The 2011-2012 project, "Reaching for Higher Ground: Community After 9/11," will focus on the theme of community. A series of signature events will promote civil discourse around the Sept. 11 attacks. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to incorporate this project and common theme into their classes and special events during the next academic year. For more information or to share your interest and projects, contact higherground@uni.edu or visit www.uni.edu/higherground.

UNI's Earth Day celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, April 21, on the Maucker Union Plaza. The rain location will be the Ballroom, MAU. UNI departments, student groups and community groups are encouraged to participate. Tables are limited, so sign up early. Register by Friday, April 1, at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=o5e7oecab&oeidk=a07e3eyj83u0648171d.

FACULTY RENTAL OF ACADEMIC APPAREL FOR SPRING 2011 COMMENCEMENT

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.

QUIDDITCH CLUB NEEDS A FACULTY ADVISER

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.

REACHING FOR HIGHER GROUND MINI-GRANTS

The Reaching for Higher Ground committee is seeking proposals from faculty, staff and students for mini-grants ranging from $250 to $1,000 that focus on this year's project, "Community After 9/11." Grants must support activities and programming that reflect the mission and values of the Reaching for Higher Ground project during the 2011-2012 academic year. The deadline for submission is Monday, April 11. For more information and an application, visit www.uni.edu/higherground/mini-grants.

NOMINATIONS FOR MWONE UNIQUE ACADEMIC ADVISING AWARD

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.

LAC SURVEY RESULTS

Liberal Arts Core survey results are available at http://www.uni.edu/vpaa/documents/LACRSCsurveyresults.pdf. Three hundred LAC survey responses were received, which included more than 90 pages of comments. Thanks to all who participated in the survey. The LAC-RSC is currently reviewing and analyzing the data to determine next steps in the review and revision process. In the meantime, you can view the raw data on the LAC-RSC Web page. Comments or questions may be directed to LAC-RSC co-chairs Susan Hill (susan.hill@uni.edu) or Ginny Arthur (virginia.arthur@uni.edu).

NISG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITIONS

Encourage students to apply for an executive director position in the NISG Walrath-Goldsmith administration. Positions include directors of public relations, governmental relations, diversity and student life, administration, chief of staff and Webmaster. Applications are available at www.uni.edu/studentorgs/nisg/government/nisg-open-positions and must be submitted by 5 p.m., Friday, March 11.

RESOURCES

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL TRAINING

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/.

ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT SESSION

As part of President Allen's focus on enhanced efficiency and accountability, the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Council will sponsor an informational overview session on ERM and what it means to UNI from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Monday, March 21, in the CME. Gary Langsdale, university risk officer at Penn State University, will discuss ERM in higher education and specifically why it's important to UNI. The session is open to anyone; however deans, directors, department heads and others responsible for management functions at UNI are encouraged to attend. Registration is not required, but seating will be limited to approximately 100. If you have questions, contact Jan Hanish, chair of the ERM Council at jan.hanish@uni.edu or 273-3526.

SPECIAL EVENTS

RELAY FOR LIFE

Bank Night will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, in Ballroom C MAU. Turn in any cash or checks (made out to the American Cancer Society) that you or your team members have received. Anybody can turn in money. You must raise $75 collectively, online and offline, by this date to be guaranteed a T-shirt. Relay For Life is Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9. Join a team at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=32596 and join the worldwide movement to end cancer. For more information, contact Sarah McCarty at mccartys@uni.edu.

UNI FORENSICS WILL HOST SPEECH SHOWCASE

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.

QUASH - QUEST TO UNRAVEL ALZHEIMER'S SCAVENGER HUNT

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 on 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.

SWISHES FOR WISHES (3-ON-3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT)

The Iowa Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Cedar Valley Committee will host a 3-on-3 basketball tournament to raise money for children with life-threatening illnesses, from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 2, at the WRC, in the upper rec gyms. Registration is $40 per team with a minimum of three and a maximum of four players per team. Registration includes a tournament T-shirt, double elimination 3-on-3 and the opportunity to join the three-point contest. To register, visit www.swishesforwishes.com. A late processing fee of $20 will be charged for teams registering after March 23. Organized by Campaign Methods class.

FEED THE NEED APRIL 7

Have a meal plan and find yourself not using all your meals each week? Thursday, April 7, is the perfect day for you to give up a meal swipe to feed someone in need. Sign up Wednesday, March 9, through Thursday, March 10, at the Rialto and Piazza. The money saved by giving up a meal will benefit those in need. Look for RHA Social Justice and Sustainability members wearing rain boots and holding umbrellas at the entrances to the dining halls March 9 and 10 to sign up and Feed the Need.

LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS

E. PATRICK JOHNSON PERFORMANCE AT UNI INTERPRETERS THEATRE

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.

MTV'S ANDREW JENKS

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.

MONARCH BIOLOGY, CONSERVATION NEEDS AND THE MONARCH JOINT VENTURE

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.

PAT/HISTORY CLUB LECTURE

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.

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.

TURKISH CERAMIC ART PRESENTATION AND EXHIBITION

David Evans, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty at Buena Vista University, will give a presentation about Turkish ceramic art from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 12, at the Turkish American Society of Iowa Center, 1402 Main St., Cedar Falls. The presentation will be followed by an exhibition and traditional Turkish food will be served. Sponsored by the UNI Turkish Student Association, this event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact kenanb@uni.edu.

PERFORMING ARTS

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE, KAJI-DAIKO & WEST AFRICAN DRUM ENSEMBLE

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.

IOWA HIGH SCHOOL BANDS CONCERT

Ronald Johnson and S. Daniel Galyen, School of Music, will coordinate a concert of visiting Iowa high school bands featuring Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Urbandale High School in a Great Hall performance at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 10. This event is free and open to the public.

EXHIBITIONS AND FILMS

COLLEGE ON $10 PER WEEK

College on $10 per week? Yes, it was possible in 1933. The University Archives staff has developed an illustrated historical essay based on a small collection of photographs taken by student Leroy Blumer during the Great Depression. To see what student life looked like in those days, go to "Snapshots from 1933" at https://www.library.uni.edu/collections/special-collections/snapshots-1933.

MOVIE SHOWING: 'BIG BUCKS, BIG PHARMA'

The film "Big Bucks, Big Pharma" examines the role of drugs and marketing in health care issues and will be shown at 7 p.m., Monday, April 4, in the CEEE auditorium. This film is part of the Sustainability Film Series; a panel discussion will be held after the film. For more information, contact jcallana@uni.edu.

CAB MOVIE - HARRY POTTER

Come see the final chapter of the Harry Potter film series with Campus Activities Board. The film begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione leave Hogwarts behind and set out to find and destroy the Horcruxes - the secret to Voldemort’s power and immortality. Showings are at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Thursday, March 10, in the Ballroom, MAU. Free popcorn and soda will be provided.

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

COMMUNITY AND INEQUALITY: MOVING TOWARD RACIAL JUSTICE IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Register now for the conference, Community and Inequality: Moving Toward Racial Justice in Local Communities, sponsored by UNI Public Policy, UNI Political Science and the Waterloo Commission on Human Rights. The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, April 15, in the Georgian Lounge, Commons. Todd Swanstrom, University of Missouri, will speak on the impact of inequality on community decisions and community life. Gregory Squires, George Washington University, will speak on housing discrimination, in particular the use of new media to exclude people of color from housing. Admission to the keynote addresses is free. Registration for the full day conference, including lunch, is $15. For more information, contact the Public Policy office at 273-2910 or allen.hays@uni.edu.

FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH

Throughout the month of April, the Office of Student Financial Aid will sponsor five Food and Finances workshops covering a variety of topics: investments, purchasing a car, purchasing a home, choosing benefits at work and the psychology of money. These events are open to faculty, staff and students. Faculty, please encourage students to attend. If you plan on having a large number of students attend, contact Liz Hoium in the Office of Student Financial Aid at 273-6395. For a list of speakers and times, visit http://www.uni.edu/finaid.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS

ITS-ET and the GLOBE and STORM programs will offer a science and inquiry-based professional development program that aligns with the Iowa Core, starting with a two-week workshop July 17 through 29. Applications are being taken for the IMPACT (IMPacting Achievement with Collaborations and Technology) program. Encourage teachers you work with to visit the program website at http://www.uni.edu/ietti/impact/about_impact/. For more information, contact Doreen Hayek at doreen.hayek@uni.edu or 273-7300.

EMPLOYMENT

MERIT VACANCIES

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

P&S VACANCIES

Vacancies at the P&S level include research associate, support services coordinator/user consultant and assistant football coach. To view the complete job descriptions, visit http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/hrs/employ/ps/index.asp

HOURS

MAUCKER UNION BUILDING HOURS FOR SPRIING BREAK

Maucker Union building hours for spring break are at http://www.uni.edu/maucker/hours/hrs-bsp.shtml. For a complete list of services available in Maucker Union during spring break, visit http://www.uni.edu/maucker/hours/.

CHANGES IN LIBRARY HOURS DURING SPRING BREAK

There will be no extended checkout for reserve materials during spring break. All youth books (seven-day) checked out Saturday, March 5, are due Monday, March 21. Patrons may check out materials and enter the building until 10 minutes to closing time. Library online resources are available 24/7; if off campus, there will be a prompt to enter your CatID. http://www.library.uni.edu/about-us/hours-maps/exam-holiday-interim-hours#spring

SPRING BREAK HOURS OF OPERATION AT CHATS

Chats will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, March 14 through March 18. Chats will be closed Sunday, March 20, reopening at 7 a.m., Monday, March 21. During spring break, the menu includes a reduced bakery selection, two sandwich choices and one salad entrée choice. Prexy's and Essentials will be closed during spring break, reopening, Monday, March 21, with normal hours of operation.

WELLNESS AND RECREATION

EATING AND EXERCISE SUCCESS

Find fitness and health success by identifying pitfalls in diet and exercise habits with this six-week series. The series consists of a 15-minute food log review, nutrition education and a 45-minute workout. This class will take place from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Register today at www.uni.edu/wellrec or in 101 WRC.

HALF-PRICE FITNESS CLASSES

Starting Tuesday, March 8, sign up for any fitness class and pay half price. Class fees start at just $10. Excludes: Women on Weights, R.A.D., Ballroom Dance, Zumba, Zumba Circuit and Eating and Exercise Success. Sign up at www.uni.edu/wellrec or in 101 WRC.

INTUITIVE EATING WORKSHOP

Are you a chronic dieter? Would you like to learn how to eat when you're hungry and stop when you're satisfied? WRS will sponsor a six-week Intuitive Eating Workshop from 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning March 23. Participants will learn how to reject a diet mentality and practice the principles of intuitive eating. Cost is $25. To register, call Joan Thompson at 273-2137.

BLOOD CHEMISTRY PROFILES

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.

WRS MARCH E-NEWSLETTER

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.

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.