6th Annual “$martMoney Week” November 8-13

This year, Rachel Ramsey Cruze, daughter of personal money-management expert, Dave Ramsey, will be on campus on Monday, November 8, 2010 to present to the 2010 $martMoney Week Financial Literacy & Education Summit in the Ponderosa Room. There are 225 students from eight area high schools and members of the area Home School Association registered to attend. Her topic will be Finding Your Financial Peace: Lessons about handling money for teens. The theme of this year's High School Summit is: Invest in Yourself.

In the afternoon, Rachel will be talking to college students about setting patterns today that will provide financial peace tomorrow. This presentation will be for the $martMoney Week's Chancellor's Event from 3:30 - 4:30 in the Ponderosa Room of the Student Union.

New this year is a collaboration of the UNK Residences. They will be providing three sessions next week for UNK students.  These are:

This schedule for this year's 6th Annual $martMoney Week can be viewed on the website: www.unk.edu/smartmoney.

- Mary Rittenhouse, Director of the Center for Economic Education 

ADP Activities Engage Students, Faculty, and Staff in Discussions of Current Issues

The purpose of the American Democracy Project (ADP) at UNK is to promote both civic and political engagement among students, providing opportunities across campus for individuals to be involved in the democratic community through volunteering, advocacy, voting, and service learning (from the ADP web site).

To continue its efforts in supporting this purpose, UNK’s ADP is hosting three activities in the next two weeks.

November 10, 2010 - E.N. Thompson Forum: China Rising
Each year, the ADP is pleased to advertise and support the E.N. Thompson Forum held at UNL, with a simultaneous broadcast at UNK in the Communications Center Room 101. Globalization is the topic for the lectures in this year's series. The lectures explore the complexities of globalization, as well as "revisit globalization's promise."

The third E.N. Thompson Forum for 2010-2011 will take place on Wednesday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m., with the Charles and Linda Wilson Dialogue on Domestic Issues between Chuck Hagel and Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yesui entitled "China Rising: Good News or Bad News for U.S. Workers, Consumers and Investors?"

For more information regarding the speakers or the E.N. Thompson Forum, see the E.N. Thompson website at http://enthompson.unl.edu/#hagel.

November 12, 2010 – Times Talk: "Media and the Midterm Elections: A Saner Analysis"
Since October of 2008, the ADP has been hosting Times Talks to facilitate discussion of current issues across disciplines. The next Times Talk on November 12 will feature an election postmortem entitled "Media and the Midterm Elections:  A Saner Analysis" with Joan Blauwkamp and Diane Duffin from the Political Science department. The Talk will be at 12:15 in the Fireside Lounge of the Nebraskan Student.

November 16, 2010 - Health Care Forum
A timely topic for civic and political engagement is Health Care Reform. The ADP hosted a Health Care Reform Times Talk last week, and the conversation will continue with the Health Care Forum from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on November 16 in Copeland Hall Room 142. Students in ECON 410, Health Care Economics, will make a presentation and allow time for questions and discussion at the end of the evening.

- written in collaboration with John Anderson, Coordinator of the American Democracy Project at UNK 

UNK's C.I.A. Recognizes Disability Awareness Week

In cooperation with the Academic Success Offices, students from the Collegians for Integration and Accessibility (C.I.A.) organization are pleased to announce Disability Awareness Week activities for November 15-19. This year’s activities are especially significant as this is the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disability Act, ADA. Activities are presented in observation of Disability Awareness Week, as well as to continue to raise awareness about disabilities on the UNK campus.

Students have been planning these special events for several months. The guest speaker, Mr. Jeff Krull, is a UNK alumnus, who will speak about his work, travel, and life experiences with a disability. Additionally, several of the activities feature current UNK students speaking out about how their own disabilities have affected their lives and their educational experiences. David Brandt, Assistant Director of the Academic Success Offices, says, “The students that will be presenting during the week should be applauded.  It takes a great deal of strength to stand before your peers and discuss the challenges you face and how you have come to be who you are. I hope the UNK community comes out to support them and be a part of this week’s worth of educational activities.”

The schedule of activities includes:

For more detailed information about each scheduled event, see the 17th Annual Disability Awareness Week Schedule.

The Offices of Academic Success seek to provide equal access for all students to the opportunities available at UNK, and they assist all students in achieving the greatest success possible in their educational endeavors.

- written in collaboration with David Brandt, Assistant Director of Academic Success 

International Education Week Events Explore Benefits of International Experiences

During International Education Week 2010, November 15-19, the International Education Offices and the International Studies Program are hosting events to celebrate international experiences and heighten awareness of available opportunities.

The week's festivities begin on Monday, November 15, at 12:15 p.m., in Ponderosa Room E of the Nebraskan Student Union, where Matt Mims (Counseling and School Psychology) will share stories and pictures from the UNK Faculty/Staff Development Trip to Shijiazhuang and Beijing, China in June of 2010. The faculty/staff development opportunity was part of UNK's partnership with Hebei Normal University in Shijiazhuang, a city of 9.6 million people. Bring a lunch and enjoy Dr. Mims' descriptions of the sites, people, and food of China!

On Tuesday, November 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the International Studies Program is hosting an International Studies Fair in the Ponderosa Room of the Nebraskan Student Union, with free food. The theme of the fair is “How to Make Internationalization of the Curriculum Work for YOU!!!” Displays will include:  

On Wednesday, November 17, at 12:15 p.m., the International Friendship Program will host a panel discussion in Ponderosa Room E of the Nebraskan Student Union. The discussion with UNK international students and community members who participate in this program (including Mayor Stan Clouse) will explain how the program works as it connects international students to community members for the purpose of friendship, communication, and cultural sharing. Participants will share about the value of this program for students, individuals and families, and Kearney as a whole. Food will be provided.

On Thursday, November 18, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Study Abroad Office and the AIS (Ambassadors of International Study) are hosting a Study Abroad Fair in Ponderosa Room A of the Nebraskan Student Union, with international appetizers. The fair will feature study abroad destinations and international appetizers. Past study abroad students will be present to give firsthand accounts of their experiences abroad. The event is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about study abroad at UNK.

All activities are free and open to the public.

- written in collaboration with Bonnie Payne, International Outreach Coordinator,
Carol Lilly, Director of the International Studies Program, and
Ann Marie Park, Coordinator for UNK Study Abroad & Exchange Programs 

Library - In Brief Online  

Government Documents wins “spotlight” from GPO 

Written by Jon Ritterbush, Electronic Resources Librarian
ritterbushjr@unk.edu 

The library’s Government Documents collection and services have received national recognition by the Government Printing Office in its Depository Library Spotlight for November 2010. The Calvin T. Ryan Library serves as one of two Federal Depository Libraries for Nebraska’s Third U.S. Congressional District, an area spanning 62,879 square miles and larger than 30 states in the United States, including Georgia and Michigan.

In addition to providing access to a wide array of documents published by the federal government, the library also collects official publications of the State of Nebraska, as well as government information from local and international sources. The library’s RSS feeds include lists of new government documents in physical and online formats, as they are added to the library catalog. Some new government documents are also featured in the New Book Display on the library’s main level.

Honors Program Director Search Suspended 

The search for the Director of the Honors Program has been suspended, with an anticipated re-establishment of the internal search process in the spring to seek a permanent Director beginning fall 2011.

Dr. Gary Davis has agreed to continue as Director through the spring semester 2011. 

Thanks go to the members of the search committee who dedicated significant time and energy to this task:

• Debbie Bridges (Chair)
• Dennis Potthoff (COE)
• Diane Duffin (CNSS)
• Larry Carstenson (CBT)
• Martha Kruse (CFAH)
• Mary Sommers (Financial Aid)
• Dusty Newton (Admissions)

- Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs

UNK NeSIS Project Team Recognized for Outstanding Service

In late 2007, the University of Nebraska campuses and the Nebraska state colleges began discussions to collaborate on software acquisition efforts for a new student information system, eventually leading to a combined procurement effort. After months of reviewing products, selecting the Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise Campus Solutions application, traveling and training, and working with project team members from the other campuses as well as the software consultants, the UNK NeSIS Project Team has completed the first phase of the implementation process.  

Congratulations and many thanks are extended to the UNK NeSIS Project Team, as well as the staff members in their respective offices, all of whom worked diligently to build and learn a new system, while maintaining a high quality of service to our students and campus community:

• LeeAnn Amm, Admissions
• Linda Johnson, Graduate Office
• Renee Besse, Financial Aid
• Lisa Neal, Institutional Research
• Jolene Berg, Finance
• Andrea Childress, ITS
• Amy R Hammond, Registrars
• Launa Donohue, Admissions
• Kimra Schipporeit, Registrars
• Mitch O'Neill, ITS
• Kay D Liibbe, ITS
• Megan M Fryda, ITS
• Deb Schroeder, ITS
• Shirley Vetter, International Admissions
• Susan Garrett, International Admissions
• Cyndi Schroeder, Registrars
• Brandon Hammond, ITS
• Dylan Evans, ITS
• Paul Swenson, ITS 

The work of this group is greatly appreciated, as is reflected in the UNK Faculty Senate Resolution of November 4, the Staff Senate Recognition of Excellence Award for November 2010, and the University of Nebraska Board of Regents Resolution of September 10. 

We echo the Board of Regents Resolution with our thanks and "deep appreciation and gratitude to the many employees across all campuses who worked long hours on top of their regular jobs, who traveled to the implementation site for two years, who routinely worked nights and weekends to meet critical go-live deadlines, and who invested their imagination and energy in solving problems."

- Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs 

Undergraduate Student Research Showcased at Annual Fall Symposium

Original projects...Extraordinary students, this year's Fall Student Research Symposium was Sunday, October 24 at the Nebraskan Student Union.

Congratulations to the student researchers and their mentors for their outstanding work!

Presenters included students who did research as part of the Summer Student Research Program or as Undergraduate Research Fellows, as well as students who worked directly with a faculty member on a research project.    

The Fall Student Research Symposium provides an opportunity for students to showcase research and creative work accomplished outside of the classroom. A survey of leading institutions in Nebraska and other states noted that UNK students report more involvement in out-of-class research than their peers in other institutions.  

For more information on any of the UNK research programs, visit the Undergraduate Research Web site at http://www.unk.edu/ugr/.

 - written in collaboration with John Falconer, Director of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity,
Susan Campbell, Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, and
Dianne Holcomb, Assistant Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs 

Recognition  

2010-2011 Department Chairs

- Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs

News from Information Technology Services

• EASI – Access to PC computer, UNK wireless, Blackboard, and Qualtrics
  ITS continues to improve access to campus systems with the EASI (Electronic Access to System Information) authentication system that allows users to log in to several applications with a single username and password.
  
  On Monday, November 8, users will begin receiving email notifications with information about the expiration of their EASI password and a prompt to complete an enrollment process. After completing the enrollment process, users will be able to reset EASI passwords any time, without ITS intervention, and regardless of platform--works for both PC and MAC.
  
  The enrollment process involves a challenge/response system for verification. PC users will only have to complete the challenge questions. Mac users will have to go to the EASI website and click on the “Don't Know Your Password” link.
  
  Step by step instructions and FAQs are available at http://www.unk.edu/offices/its.aspx?id=52383.
  
  Things to remember about using the EASI system:
  • For faculty and staff, the EASI username is the portion of the email address before the "@" sign, and the EASI password is the domain password used when turning on desktop windows computers or connecting to UNK wireless.
  • All EASI passwords will expire every 90 days. When passwords are about to expire, users will receive email notification beginning 15 days prior to the password expiration date and continuing daily until the password is reset.
  • Remember, ITS will never send an email asking you to provide your email password or any other UNK account password.
   
• Internal Email List Policy
  At the beginning of the semester, ITS developed a policy to describe and govern the activity of the email lists at UNK, including employees@list.unk.edu, announce@list.unk.edu, faculty@list.unk.edu, and a list for students. For information regarding each of these lists and usage guidelines, see the Internal Email List Policy.

- written in collaboration with Deb Schroeder, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Information Technology Services

Prospective New Lecture Series to Feature UNK Faculty Research and Scholarship

On Tuesday, November 9, at 4:00 p.m. in Copeland Hall Room 131, Tom Martin will present the "What's Wrong With the World:  Ideals vs. Social Norms in a Time of Crisis" as the first in a prospective Faculty Lecture Series highlighting current research and conference papers. Faculty members interested in an opportunity to inform or update the campus community of their scholarly work should contact the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs.

- Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs

 Items to Note for Faculty and Faculty Committees

• **NOTE FOR SPRING 2011 ADVISING **
  Portal (188GS) and Capstone (388GS) course descriptions have been prepared for your use in advising students for Spring 2011 registration. The descriptions are posted on the General Studies website at http://www.unk.edu/academicaffairs/generalstudies.aspx?id=53803. 
   
• Academic Affairs Committee 
  The link to the CAP ("Course Approval Process") information is located on the Academic Affairs Committee page. CAP is the electronic approval system that allows department chairs to initiate course proposals (create, alter, inactivate, or discontinue). Worksheets for both the creation of new courses and the alteration of existing courses are available on the CAP website for faculty members to use as they gather the information department chairs will need to submit requests. Department chairs initiate program proposals (create, alter, or discontinue) using a paper form, which is available on the Academic Affairs Committee page, along with instructions.
  
  The schedule of Academic Affairs deadlines for the 2010-2011 academic year is available on the Academic Affairs Committee page. The page also contains a committee roster and a link to the approved Academic Affairs minutes. Department or program chairs needing to make curricular changes should be aware of these deadlines and instructions.
   
• Faculty Handbook 
  The online Faculty Handbook contains the most current policy information. The purpose of the handbook is to gather the documents and policies that inform and guide critical decisions, including the Collective Bargaining Agreement (2009-2011) and the Guidelines for Evaluation, Promotion, and Tenure. 
  
  ** NEW ** The constitutions from the College of Business and Technology and the Library have been updated. Both constitutions were recently revised and approved by the Board of Regents.
   
• Faculty Senate
  To keep faculty informed and in the spirit of shared goverenance, the 2010-2011 Faculty Senate Roster is posted on the Faculty Senate home page. The page also contains links to meeting agendas and packets, meeting minutes of both the Faculty Senate and the Faculty Senate committees, and the Faculty Senate Constitution and Bylaws.
   
• General Studies 
  The General Studies website contains a description of the new General Studies Program effective for students entering UNK in the Fall of 2010, as well as a list of the courses approved during the 2009-2010 academic year. 
   
• Graduate Council 
  The Graduate Council webpage contains information regarding changes to graduate courses or programs, as well as a list of the 2010 Graduate Program Committees.  
   
• WI/CD Committee 
  The WI/CD Committee has posted a schedule of deadlines for the fall semester on the WI/CD Committee page. The page also contains instructions for applying for WI or CD designation, as well as a committee roster, agendas, and minutes. These resources are provided for those wishing to offer courses as WI or CD. 

Deadlines Approach for Various Opportunities 

 Calendar of Events within the Academic and Student Affairs Division

Edited by Kim Elliott, Coordinator of Academic Publications 

A Publication of the
Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
University of Nebraska at Kearney
905 West 25th Street
Kearney, NE 68849
Phone: (308)865-8209 

For questions or submissions,
contact the Coordinator of Academic Publications at 8935 or academicpublications@unk.edu.