Good morning, colleagues. I hope you had a good break during Thanksgiving weekend. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.

Kudos

George Hanson, Electrical Engineering, and Michael Weinert, Physics, received a grant from the National Science Foundation in collaboration with the University of West Virginia for their project titled, “EFRI NewLAW: Magnetic Field-free Magneto-optics and Chiral Plasmonic with Dirac Materials.” Funded by the Division of Emerging Frontiers & Multidisciplinary Activities, the UWM portion of this four-year grant is $716,679. Congratulations, George and Michael!

Regents Meetings

We continue our meetings this week with members of the Board of Regents (we recently met with Regent Jan Mueller). Today we meet with Regent Mike Jones and Tuesday we meet with Regents Brian Steil and Tracey Klein. The prime focus of these Chancellor-led meetings is to collaborate with area and liaison regents on our research excellence, student success, and community engagement initiatives.

Panther News

The Milwaukee Men’s basketball team claimed the championship in its very own “Black & Gold Shootout” after coming back from 19 points down to beat Elon at the buzzer on a shot by Jeremy Johnson, 72-71!

The Week

Monday

I start the Monday morning with my usual one-on-one meeting with Robin van Harpen. We also continue our planning with the School of Freshwater Sciences on curriculum and research collaboration with other System campuses. The Chancellor’s Cabinet meets, and I’m attending a UWM Foundation Board planning meeting. I also attend the meeting with Regent Mike Jones. I have my weekly meeting with my staff and I end the day with a CEMAT co-chair meeting and a meeting with Scott Emmons and Rob Yeo on a new degree program that will be presented to the Board of Regents next week.

Tuesday

The day is mainly occupied with meetings with Regents Brian Steil and Tracey Klein. I also meet with my direct reports and end the day with a budget meeting.

Wednesday

Wednesday is another day of meetings – these include Peter Sands, Marija Gajdardziska-Josifovska, Ron Cisler, Phyllis King, and Dev Venugopalan. I also have my one-on-one weekly meeting with the Chancellor.

Thursday

I’m attending the Academic Planning and Budget Committee meeting, followed by a CSRG (System-wide) video conference meeting. I have also meetings with Katie Miota, Alan Shoho, and Dave Clark (this meeting includes the L&S Associate Deans).

Friday

I start the day with a Provost video conference where the discussion will focus on the reorganization of the two year colleges. I will then attend the UWM Campus Annual Faculty and Staff Holiday Social (see below), and I have a meeting of the UWM IT Advisory Council.

Announcements

Public Health Presentation

On Public Health presents a film screening and panel discussion of MILWAUKEE 53206 on Wednesday, November 29 at 5:30 p.m. in Zilber 119.

Lunch and Learn

“How to Build a Service-Learning Course and Syllabus” will be offered on Thursday, November 30 from 12-1:30 p.m. Join us for a panel discussion where faculty will share tools, challenges, and successes from their own experiences designing and implementing a service-learning course at UWM. A complimentary lunch will be provided and you will have an opportunity to network with others who are incorporating service-learning in their courses. Please register.

Intersex Stories: Not Surgeries

Pidgeon Pagonis, recognized by the White House as an LGBT Champion of Change, will speak on Thursday, November 30 at 6 p.m. in the Union Ballroom. Sponsored by the Student Association, LGBT Resource Center, and LGBT Studies. Get your tickets now!

Annual Faculty and Staff Holiday Social

WANTED: Urban cowboys and cowgirls to saddle up and ride on over to the annual faculty and staff holiday social on Friday, December 1 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Pounce’s Honky-Tonk (UWM Union Ballroom). REWARD: Snacks, fun, games, and music. Prizes for best attire. RSVP today!

We’ll be collecting crossword books, mini puzzles, and number games for the Clinton Rose Senior Center. Please be generous. Questions? Contact Lynn Wilk (lcwilk@uwm.edu).

Data Visualization Workshop

UWM Libraries’ Data Services Librarian Kristin Briney leads a Data Visualization Workshop on Friday, December 1 from 12-1 p.m. in the UWM Digital Humanities Lab.

Support for Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF)

The spring 2018 SURF deadline is December 1. Through the SURF program, UWM faculty and research staff can apply to provide hourly support for undergraduates to work as research assistants. More information.

2018-2019 Common Read

The Student Success Center and Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning invite nominations from the campus community for the 2018-2019 Common Read. For full consideration, please submit titles by December  4.

The Common Read will be selected by a committee of faculty, staff, and students. If you’re interested in joining this committee, please fill out this brief survey by December 1.

Alumni Employees Workshop

Join us for the annual Holiday Bags & Tags Workshop on December 6 at the Studio Arts & Craft Centre. Make bags and tags for holiday gift giving at this festive lunchtime holiday break. Sponsored by the Panthers@Work at UWM Professional Development Committee and the UWM Alumni Association.

Center for 21^st Century Studies (C21)

C21 has multiple internal funding opportunities for interdisciplinary projects via its new C21 Collaboratory. Proposals are due December 11 for spring 2018 funding.

Promote Summer Courses

Teaching an online course this summer? Promote your courses on the Online Summer Courses website!

Canvas Interface Feedback Session

CETL is looking for instructors to provide feedback on the Canvas interface on November 30.

Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance

The Affordable Care Act Marketplace Special Enrollment Period runs from November 1-December 15.  UWM, the City of Milwaukee Health Department, and the non-profit Covering Wisconsin are hosting another health insurance enrollment fair for students (public welcome) from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28 in the Union Fireside Lounge. Walk-in enrollment help is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students and community members can also make an enrollment appointment online. Appointments take about one hour. Individuals who want to enroll for health insurance coverage for 2018 should bring the following information:

• Social security numbers (*or document numbers for legal immigrants)
• Employer and income information for every person in the home who needs coverage (pay stubs or W-2 forms)
• Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of the household

Covering Wisconsin provides more information and a calendar of additional local enrollment sessions in the community through December 15.

Other

Congratulations to the French men’s tennis team for winning (for the 10th time) the Davis Cup, when they beat Belgium in the final over the weekend.

Take care,

Johannes