February 10, 2023  |  News & Events, Provost's Updates, Timely Announcements

Good afternoon, colleagues. Here is this week’s update from Academic Affairs.
2030 Feature of the Week
The Student Centric and Moon Shot for Equity Action Team continues their important work on the numerous efforts related to the Student Centric Framework actions. Some highlights include the awarding of 795 retention grants, further development of the coordinated care model (Support U), and SET re-organization around career focus to better match students and opportunities.
Enrollment Management Feature of the Week
Dual Enrollment: Nationally, Wisconsin is far behind in delivering college credit opportunities to high school students. By taking college courses in high school, students can reduce the overall cost and time for earning an undergraduate degree. For institutions like UWM, providing these opportunities can encourage students to apply and attend UWM. UWM’s Office of Dual Enrollment (ODE), first opened in January 2019, has greatly increased UWM’s footprint in area high schools; we are now offering UWM courses in 17 regional high schools (up from one) and to 1700 students (up from about 600). Just as important, ODE is committed to equitable dual enrollment, developing two scholarship funds to assist students who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity, and working particularly hard to build out opportunities in Milwaukee Public Schools. Check out ODE’s new office in Mitchell 173!
KudosThe Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) has renewed their support for UWM’s ArtsECO program with a three-year, $850K grant. ArtsECO is a collaboration between the Peck School of the Arts and the School of Education and supports teaching through the arts, placing a particular emphasis on social justice and the concept of developing teachers as changemakers. Kudos to both schools!
The Center for 21st Century Studies’ most recently edited volume, The Long 2020, was published by University of Minnesota Press in 2023. The volume includes 25 stunning chapters, including one by Cary Costello (Sociology), and was edited by former C21 Director Richard Grusin (English) and former C21 Deputy Directory Maureen Ryan. Congratulations, Cary, Richard, and Maureen!
Kaushal Chari (Lubar College of Business), Phyllis King (Academic Affairs; Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology), and Matthew Friedel (UWM’s Business Innovation Incubator; School of Information Studies) were named by BizTimes Milwaukee as Notable Leaders in Higher Education. Congratulations, Kaushal, Phyllis, and Matthew!
In the News
Jerry Kaster (Professor Emeritus, School of Freshwater Sciences) was featured on a segment of PBS’s Adelante where he discussed Laguna Bacalar.
Director of the Center for Water Policy Melissa Scanlan was featured in The Gazette to discuss the legal, economic, and political feasibility of diverting water from the Mississippi River to the arid West as water scarcity becomes more severe. The story went out on the AP wire.
Milwaukee Athletics
The Horizon League announced that it has finalized an agreement with Barbasol to become the title sponsor of the 2023 Horizon League Basketball Championships. The opening rounds of the 2023 Barbasol Horizon League Basketball Championships will start on campus with first round games set for Tuesday, February 28 followed by quarterfinal matchups on Thursday, March 2. The action shifts to Indianapolis March 6-7 as eight teams – four men’s and four women’s – will advance to Indy and look to #REACHtheHORIZON at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center.
The Week in Retrospect
A big part of the week was the Board of Regents meeting in Madison. Early in the week, I met with the University Committee to provide updates and I gave opening remarks at the UW System Online Report feedback session for UWM. At the Provosts Council meeting on Wednesday, we heard updates on the Administrative Transformation Project (ATP) that involves shifting from our PeopleSoft system to Workday in 2024, finalized the draft guidelines for new program proposals, and heard a report from the Council of University of Wisconsin Libraries on our foundational undergraduate library resources (our Michael Doylen was one of the presenters). On Thursday, the Education Committee approved our new PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Bachelor of Architecture programs. There was also a presentation on international students and ChatGPT. After the Friday morning session of the Board of Regents, I am returning to Milwaukee to provide updates at the Associate Deans meeting.
Announcements

  • Tragic Earthquake in Turkey and Syria
    The massive earthquake this week devastated parts of Turkey and Syria, caused an unthinkable number of deaths, and created a humanitarian crisis for survivors. It is touching many members of the UWM community through connections with family and colleagues. For those wishing to help, here is one of several useful sites with information on relief efforts.
  • Online Program Council
    The OPC will meet on Friday, February 17 from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Teams. Agenda topics include presentations on mental health services for online students, community building in the School of Information Studies, a spotlight on partnerships, and Sarah Riforgiate, Interim Director for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, provides an update on the OPID Digital Pedagogy Group. If you have not previously attended an OPC meeting, please email Laura Pedrick (lpedrick@uwm.edu), Executive Director of UWM Online, to be added to the meeting.
  • Keep the Heat On!
    With last week’s frigid temperatures, just a reminder to keep your heat on. While it may be tempting to turn it off while you’re away to save money, a lack of heat in the home can lead to significant damage that could cost much more than you saved. The Milwaukee mandate is 67˚F. If you have questions or concerns about off-campus living, please contact the Off-Campus Resource Center (formerly Neighborhood Housing Office) through rent-offcampus@uwm.edu or (414) 229-6999.

Campus Events

  • Academic Adventurer Series
    On Friday, February 10 at 3 p.m. in the American Geographical Society Library, Alison Donnelly (Geography) will present a talk, “Monitoring Downer Woods by People and Satellites.” More information.
  • Darwin Day
    The Department of Geosciences invites you to Darwin Day, celebrating Charles Darwin’s 214th birthday, at the Greene Geological Museum on Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Volunteer for Valentine’s Day!
    Join the Community Engagement and Experiential Learning Office at the Lloyd Barbee Montessori School on February 14 from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. for Bring Someone You Love to School Day! Students will help create valentines in the hallways with kindergarteners and their families. Learn more and sign up.
  • Length of Service Awards
    UWM’s Length of Service Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, February 14 at 2:30 p.m. in the UWM Student Union Wisconsin Room. Chancellor Mone will lead the in-person ceremony honoring the 2022 and 2023 recipients for their hard work and dedication. A reception will take place immediately following the ceremony. A list of recipients is posted on the Length of Service Awards Ceremony webpage.
  • Cupid’s Constellations
    Be swept away by stunning images of the cosmos as you listen to tales of love, such as the story of Andromeda and Perseus, on Tuesday, February 14. The program will include an indoor stargazing session of the night sky followed by the opportunity to ask questions. Information and registration.
  • Under African Skies Series
    Experience stars, stories, and cultural perspectives across the expansive African continent. Every Wednesday from February 8-22, a different guest speaker will talk about their country, culture, and connections to the night sky. Information and registration.
  • LACUSL Speaker Series
    Jorge Coronado (Northwestern University) will present, “Indigeneity and Writing: Rethinking Indigenismo in Early 20th Century Latin America,” on Thursday, February 16 at 2:30 p.m. in the American Geological Society Library. More information.
  • Support U Workshops
    The Dean of Students Office invites all faculty and staff to attend the workshop, Support U: Fostering a Culture of Support at UWM. The 90-minute workshops will be held in person in the Lubar Entrepreneurial Center (LEC) Instructional Space. Information and registration.
  • Career Fairs
    There are three Career Fairs being held in the coming weeks for UWM students. All events will take place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Student Union Wisconsin Room. Please share the information.
  • Getting to Know OAIR
    The Office of Assessment and Institutional Research (OAIR) will host a workshop, “Getting to know OAIR,” for UWM faculty and staff on Thursday, March 2 from 12-1 p.m. via Teams. OAIR will provide an overview of their office staff, mission, and redesigned scope, review the OAIR website, and highlight reports and dashboards that can inform institutional planning, policy formation, and decision-making. RSVP here.

Something Different
Another balloon that went astray . . .
Take care,
Scott

Scott GronertInterim Provost