February 17, 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 Revising Curriculum Action Team is incorporating feedback from the fall 2022 listening sessions into a revised proposal. The team gave a presentation to the Faculty Senate on February 16 and anticipates a revised proposal this spring. The fall 2022 proposal can be found on the team page on the 2030 website.
Enrollment Management Feature of the Week
The Spring 2023 progress report campaign launched this week for all undergraduate courses. Instructors received an invitation email entitled, “Action Requested: Submit Your Progress Reports.” This four-week campaign allows instructors to provide timely updates on their students’ academic performance and participation. These reports are shared not only with the student but also with their support team on campus. Academic advisors and coaches conduct outreach and provide resources to students based on instructor feedback. The more reports a student has, the clearer the picture of their overall performance becomes. Contact navigate-support@uwm.edu with questions.
Kudos
Junjie Niu (Materials Science and Engineering) was recently awarded a $380,200 grant for a new project entitled, “Engineer workforce development in clean energy and clean water,” by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Through this project, select STEM students will receive paid internships in the fields of clean energy and clean water. Congratulations, Junjie!
Gina Seegers-Szablewski (Geosciences) was the main author of the 12th edition of the classic textbook, Environmental Geology. Gina’s contributions to this textbook are significant and begin with the cover photo, which she took herself. Well done, Gina!
The Week in Retrospect
Early in the week, I had a Chancellors Enrollment Management Action Team meeting focused on data from the FY22 freshmen recruitment cycle. The highlight of Tuesday was the Length of Service Ceremony that celebrated our outstanding employees with service from 5 to 45 years. It was a great event that showcased the dedication and commitment of our faculty and staff.  On Wednesday, our new Provost, Andrew Daire, was on campus for some onboarding meetings including one with the Academic Leadership Council. The Thursday storm pushed things online including an update meeting from the schools and colleges involved in the realignment, a meeting with the Chair of the University Committee, Mark Schwartz, and the Faculty Senate meeting, where I presented updates and a report on the School/College realignment. On Friday, I met with colleagues from MATC to continue our plans for aligning Froedtert Scholarships at the two institutions.
Announcements

  • Call for Applications
    The Story Experience Fellow Program—hosted by C21 and led by Anne Basting (English) in collaboration with Ben Trager (CCBLLR), Sarah Wadsworth (Marquette), and Andrew Kim (Marquette)—received funding through the President’s and Chancellor’s Challenge: A Crosstown Collaboration to Address Poverty. Students facilitate storying in partnership with community groups across Milwaukee in this year-long program, which will be accepting applications for the 2023-2024 cohort starting February 15. Application.
  • VOTE!
    The 2023 Spring Wisconsin Primary is Tuesday, February 21. Polls are open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. More information.
  • Federal Appropriates Requests
    For faculty or staff who have federal relations appropriations requests for the upcoming year, we are asking that you complete the data collection form by February 23. If you have questions, contact Chief Government Relations Officer Keri Duce (klduce@uwm.edu).
  • America Saves Week
    Join colleagues in learning to create greater financial security by attending free webinars. Individual counseling sessions are also available. Find all opportunities on the UW System America Saves Week website: www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/americasaves/.
  • Career Fair Info for Faculty
    The Center for Student Experience and Talent created a resource for faculty to use and share with students in their courses on Canvas. The website includes a brief blurb on the career fairs, a link to an instructional video on how to register and view employers in Handshake, and a downloadable flyer.
  • Donate Reading Glasses for Veterans
    Student Experience and Talent (SET) is collecting donations of new reading glasses for Milwaukee Stand Down. The event provides homeless and at-risk veterans with resources related to housing, health and wellness, legal assistance, and a broad range of social services. Veterans will have an opportunity to get clothing donations at the event. Reading glasses are one of the most needed items. They can be easily found at Walgreens and CVS. If you would like to donate, you can drop off the glasses at Union room E153. We can only accept new reading glasses. If you have questions, please contact zgarrity@uwm.edu.
  • Update Your Tech Skills
    UWM TechTraining offers free technology training courses for faculty and staff. Dive deep into Microsoft Teams, Excel, and much more! The spring 2023 TechTraining course schedule is now available.

Campus Events

  • Science Bag
    February shows for UWM Science Bag continue. “Genes and Environment: Adapting to Changing Conditions,” will be presented by Michael Carvan (Freshwater Sciences) Friday, February 17 and Sunday, February 19 in Lapham N103. The program is free, family-oriented, and open to the public. More information.
  • French Film Festival
    The 26th Annual Festival of Films in French opens on Friday, February 17 and runs through Sunday, February 26 in the Student Union Cinema. Favorites return including Tuesday Night Silent Film with live piano accompaniment, the Wednesday environmental film, which travels to Madagascar, and a Quebecois political drama. More information.
  • Open Government Webinar
    Join Collen Ference-Burke (Public Records Custodian), Derek Webb (Records Officer), and Jennifer Herzog (University Legal Counsel) for a virtual presentation on the basics of fulfilling legal and policy requirements for open government as they apply to records and meetings. The presentation will take place via Teams on Wednesday, February 22 at 10:30 a.m. There will be ample time for questions and the session will be recorded. Meeting link.
  • TRIO Mural Reception
    UWM TRIO Student Support Services is sponsoring a celebratory reveal reception for its unique and inspiring mural. Scheduled for Wednesday, February 22, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in Mitchell Hall 133, the reception celebrates inclusive belonging at UWM. Well-known local muralist Tia Richardson will describe the creative process involving UWM TRIO students’ feelings about their sense of belonging that inspired her design. This event is being held in recognition of National TRIO Day, Saturday, February 25. Light refreshments will be available.
  • NTASRC Workshop
    All probationary Non-Teaching/Non-Research Academic Staff, as well as their supervisors, are encouraged to attend the Spring 2023 presentation of, “Preparing Your File for Indefinite Status,” on Thursday, February 23 at 9 a.m. via Teams. Join the Teams meeting. Contact Chair Eric Dietenberger (epd@uwm.edu) with questions.
  • Nourishing Trust Symposium
    On Thursday, February 23 from 1 – 2:30 p.m., the first roundtable conversation of C21’s Nourishing Trust Symposium will focus on “Trust in Context” and explore the role of history in understanding current food and land justice efforts. The roundtable will feature Laura Manthe (Oneida Nation), Adrienne Petty (William & Mary), and Jayson Porter (Brown), and will be co-hosted as on online webinar with the Milwaukee Turners. Information and registration.
  • On Public Health
    The Zilber School of Public Health is excited to host an in-person panel discussion with C21 Director Anne Basting and Deputy Director Nicole Welk-Joerger about the unique methodologies they used to develop C21’s current programming: Nourishing Trust on Thursday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m. More information.
  • Race, Justice, Power!
    UWM’s Honors Equity Team, a student organization of the Honors College, and its co-sponsors, the Inclusive Excellence Center and Student Involvement, invite students and community members to the Honors House room 196 on Friday, February 24 at 11:30 a.m. for the first ever “Race, Justice, Power!” Undergraduate Research Conference to promote antiracism at UWM by confronting systemic racism through multidisciplinary scholarship.
  • Great Lakes Freshwater Symposium
    Join water research colleagues from Canadian and American universities for a free, virtual Great Lakes Freshwater Symposium: The Impact of Phosphorus Rules on Local Water on Tuesday, February 28 from noon – 1 p.m. Anya Janssen (Center for Water Policy) will present key takeaways from the recent statewide conference on phosphorus policies. Information and registration.
  • National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
    In recognition of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, the UWM Psychology Clinic, Roger’s Behavioral Health, and the UWM Student Health and Wellness Center are hosting an informative virtual panel discussion with professionals in the field of eating disorders on Wednesday, March 1 at 3 p.m. You can attend this live Zoom event by scanning the QR code on the poster.
  • Mosaic Leadership Panel
    All employees are invited to attend a panel discussion with campus leaders entitled, “Moving Forward: Reflecting on Advancement Journeys – Part 2,” on Thursday, March 2 at 10 a.m. in the Student Union Fireside Lounge. The panel is open to campus and is being held as a hybrid event. Information and registration.
  • 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 [there are several being offered] will be held in person in the Lubar Entrepreneurial Center (LEC) Instructional Space. Information and registration.

Something Different
It was snowy yesterday, but nothing compared to this!
Take care,
Scott

Scott Gronert
Interim Provost