September 18, 2017  |  News & Events, Provost's Updates

Good morning, colleagues. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.

Kudos

Michael Zimmer, School of Information Studies, and Director of the Center for Information Policy Research, is part of a six-institution collaboration for a groundbreaking study on big data ethics. The four-year project, PERVADE (Pervasive Data Ethics for Computational Research), was awarded a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation in August 2017. Congratulations, Michael!

Jeanne Gang, FAIA, American architect and MacArthur Fellow, and founding principal of Studio Gang, has been awarded the seventh Marcus Prize by UWM’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning. The Marcus Prize, a $100,000 award supported by the Marcus Corporation Foundation and administered by SARUP, is an architectural award offered worldwide to recognize architects “on a trajectory to greatness.” The award includes a cash prize to the recipient and supports a design studio at the school that will be collaboratively led by Ms. Gang. Congratulations, Jeanne!Kennan Ferguson, Political Science, has been appointed as the UW System representative of the University of Wisconsin Press Committee, the editorial board that oversees and approves the UW Press. Excellent news, Keenan!

Tiffany Kelly, Academic Advisor in African American Student Academic Services in the Office of Central Advising, is the incoming Vice President for Programs for the Wisconsin Academic Advising Association (WACADA). Tiffany Kelly also co-presented a session titled, “Tools of the Trade: Knowing What to Use and When in Advising,” at the 2017 WACADA Conference, with Gary Cooper-Sperber. Congratulations, Tiffany!

Enrollment Update

Preliminary numbers indicate that our new freshmen and new graduate student enrollments are up, however our new transfer student enrollments are down. We will have a full report available next week.

Staff Transition

I am sad to announce that Suzanne Abler, Interim Administrative Officer (UBR) in the Division of Academic Affairs and Assistant Dean for Business and Finance in the Zilber School of Public Health, has taken a new position as Assistant Dean for Business and Operations at the Ritchie School of Engineering at the University of Denver.  Suzanne started in Public Health in January 2013, and for the past year she has very ably served in an interim UBR capacity in my office. Her last day at UWM will be this Friday. Suzanne, you will be missed! Paul Klajbor, currently Interim Administrative Officer, General Education Administration and Assistant Dean, College of Engineering & Applied Science, will serve as interim Administrative Officer for the Division of Academic Affairs, phasing out of his role at CEAS. Welcome to Academic Affairs, Paul, and I am very confident that your knowledge base will serve us well!

Mobilization of National Guard

Wisconsin National Guard troops are being sent to Florida to assist with Hurricane Irma relief. Instructors are reminded that UWM is a Principles of Excellence signatory. Paragraph 2(e) helps explain an instructor’s role in accommodating short absences of Guard or Reserve members.

Freedom of Expression and Civil Discourse Series

The inaugural event takes place on Wednesday, September 27 in the UWM Ballroom from 10:30 a.m. to Noon. The opening panel will be moderated by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Clarence Page. Panel members will include UWM faculty member Dr. Blain Neufeld, Chris Ott (ACLU of Wisconsin), Rick Esenberg (Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty), Dr. Michele Bria (Journey House), and three UWM students. The panel will focus on the topic, “When Free Speech Collides with Impermissible Speech: A Civil Discourse.” All are welcome. A live stream opportunity will also be offered. For more information, please contact Dr. Joan Prince, Global Inclusion and Engagement at jprince@uwm.edu.

The Week

Monday

My Monday morning starts with the first meeting of the Search and Screen Committee for the Chief Enrollment Officer position, then I meet with Robin Van Harpen. I’m attending the Academic Staff Committee meeting, the Chancellor’s Cabinet meets, I have meetings with Mark Harris and my staff, and there is a CEMAT meeting. Agenda items include the Alumni Ambassador Program, a Summer Bridge Program update, and the NCHA Survey.

Tuesday

I’m attending an Associate Deans meeting, a UWM Libraries Executive Committee meeting, I have meetings with Michael Doylan and Joan Prince, and I’m attending the University Committee meeting.

Wednesday

I have a UWM Research Foundation Board meeting, I have meetings with Jim Hill, Kanti Prasad, Brett Peters, and I have my one-on-one with the Chancellor.

Thursday

I’m attending a meeting on GER requirements, the L&S Associate Deans meeting, there is a meeting with Regents Kline and Hall, I meet with Ron Cisler, and I’m attending the Faculty Senate meeting. I’m also attending part of the UW-System Common Systems Review Group meeting via videoconference.

Friday

Friday is mainly occupied by meetings and administrative work, including a campus space planning meeting and a budget model meeting.

Announcements

The Program in French and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies invite you to two conversations with award-winning Haitian author and activist Yanick Lahens: “Writing in Haiti & Telling Stories of Universal Truths” – September 22 & 23

Do you know of someone who made a significant contribution to Wisconsin? Here is an opportunity to nominate that person

Maker Faire Milwaukee – September 23 & 24: Enjoy the “greatest show on earth!”

Join the banned books week (next Monday) with Dr. Joyce Latham (faculty member in SOIS) and James LaRue

An international soccer night – inviting all our international students (and everyone else)!

YouTube video of our new basketball coach!

Support our basketball teams by buying your tickets now

Help us (UWM) build a donation base for the opening of a food pantry here on campus

Learn more about Office 365

More news on printing and copying on campus

The UWM Graduate School will honor its new fellows with a celebration on October 4 at 4:30 p.m. in the Golda Meir Library 4th floor conference center.

Read more about our students continued involvement with our green-campus efforts

Sign up for the 3rd annual Teaching and Learning Symposium that will take place on January 11, 2018. The theme is, “Intentionality and Impact: Facilitating success for all students.”

Learn more about our Open Access Publication Fund that is managed by the UWM Libraries

Other

It was not a good weekend for the Packers or the Springboks . . .
Take care,

Johannes

Johannes Britz
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs