March 28, 2022  |  News & Events, Provost's Updates, Timely Announcements

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

Reminder: Outside Activities Reporting

A reminder to fill out your Outside Activities Disclosure where applicable. Faculty, limited appointees, and academic staff required to submit a disclosure will receive an e-mail from “UWM eWorkflow Process Director” with a subject of “Outside Activities Reporting – Action Required” no later than Friday, April 1. Disclosure submissions are due by April 30.

Kudos

Carolyn Eichner (History; Women’s Studies) was awarded a Fulbright Research Fellowship to France (Paris) for 2022-23. The highly competitive and prestigious fellowship will fund research on her book project titled, “The Name: Race, Identity, and Gendered Citizenship,” which analyzes the relationships between personal names, identity, resistance, and state power. This is quite an honor, Carolyn. Congratulations!

Xiao Qin (Institute for Physical Infrastructure and Transportation) was appointed to a Transportation Research Board (TRB) committee that addresses safety and analysis. TRB is one of seven program units of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which provides independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conducts other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. Well done, Xiao!

Kimberly Blaeser (English; American Indian Studies) was a featured performer and panelist March 26 – 28 at UMass Amhurst as a part of a three-day series of events entitled, “The Future is Now: Art. Sustainability. Activism.” The programs connect artists, scientists, and changemakers addressing climate impacts on culture, the power of Indigenous knowledge, and how science and art communities can work together to address the pressing issues of our time. Congratulations, Kim!

Russel Cuhel and Carmen Aguilar (Freshwater Sciences), along with their team, accomplished the year’s first 24-station survey of the Milwaukee Area of Concern and coastal zone out to the wreck of the Prins Willem, three nautical miles offshore, thanks to UWM Research Assistance Funding. Water temperatures were 33-35F. The trip was not cut short by ice blowing in from Michigan on sudden NE winds. Well done, Russel, Carmen, and team!

In the News

Jen Kahn-Pettigrew (Social Work) was interviewed on WUWM’s Lake Effect on challenging ageism (program starts at minute 37).

Bob Beck (CIO; Political Science) joined Anthony Clark Arend (Georgetown University) for a discussion of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and international law.

Troy Skwor (Biomedical Sciences) was interviewed on TMJ4 about the Cronobacter bacteria that was linked to the recent recall of powdered baby formula.

Russel Cuhel and Carmen Aguilar (both Freshwater Sciences) discussed the positive effects of COVID closure on Milwaukee’s river-harbor-nearshore ecosystems on the CBS Channel 58 evening news.

Junjie Niu (Materials Science and Engineering) was interviewed on TMJ4 about water protection, and why farmers and homeowners alike should check the weather before using fertilizer.

Milwaukee Athletics

Bart Lundy has been named the head coach of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men’s basketball team. Lundy comes to UWM after a very successful nine-year run at Queen’s University in Charlotte, NC, posting a 30-4 record during the recently completed 2021-22 campaign. He took his program to the NCAA Tournament for the seventh year in a row this season, advancing all the way to the Southeast Regional Championship game. Welcome Bart!

The Milwaukee women’s soccer team will open the 2022 spring schedule with a home game on March 30. In addition to the game against North Shore, which is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff, the Panthers will host two other games and play five spring contests in total.

The Week

Monday

I start the week with my standing meeting with Robin Van Harpen, followed by a Board of Regents Meeting planning session, a Chancellor meeting, the Chancellor’s Executive and Expanded Cabinet meeting, my weekly check-in with Dave Clark and Kay Eilers, and my weekly staff meeting.

Tuesday

In the morning, I have a Coronavirus Management Team (CMT) Leadership meeting, my monthly meeting with Mark Harris and Rebecca Klaper, I’ll provide an Academic Affairs update to the Associate Deans, I have the bi-weekly CEMAT Leads meeting, and an executive sponsor update on the Financial Services Transformation Project. In the afternoon, I’ll attend a welcome meeting for Regent Brianna Tucker’s visit to our campus, my weekly meeting with Chancellor Mone, and I’ll attend the Dialogue Across Differences presentation.

Wednesday

Today, I have a Strategic Partnerships meeting, my one-on-one with Nancy Nelson, my monthly meeting with Tina Freiburger and Hope Longwell-Grice, my standing meeting with Nancy Frank, Mo Zell, and Ivy Hu, a Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin steering committee meeting, my bi-weekly meeting with Mark Harris, and a Regional Innovation Hub meeting with Chancellor Mone and MKE Tech Hub Coalition CEO Kathy Henrich.

Thursday

In the morning, I have another CMT Leadership meeting, the APBC meeting, my one-on-one with Tina Freiburger, and my monthly meeting with Joely Urdan. In the afternoon, I have my one-on-one with Nigel Rothfels, a meeting with CGS leadership, my monthly meeting with Kevin Hartman, and a meeting with campus AAUP leadership.

Friday

Today, I have a meeting regarding the AAS Collaborative Program, an L&S meeting, meetings with direct reports, and I’ll attend to administrative matters.

Announcements

Dialogue Across Differences

We invite you to the Spring 2022 Dialogue Across Differences: Bridging Understanding about Free Speech and Hate Speech on Tuesday, March 29 at 5 p.m. This dialogue is collaboratively planned and facilitated with UWM students. Student panelists will join Angela Lang for a constructive dialogue about free speech and the impact of hate speech on college campuses. This will be a space where different ideas and perspectives can be shared and heard. We encourage all members of the UWM community to attend either in person or virtually. Registration.

Lonely No More! Symposium

The first roundtable for C21’s Lonely No More! Symposium will take place virtually on Wednesday, March 30 from 1-2:30 p.m. This event will bring anthropologists and sociologists in conversation with Joan Johnson of the Milwaukee Public Library, speaking to social and physical infrastructures of loneliness, and spaces (including libraries) for connection. Advance registration required.

Free FAFSA Assistance

MCN is hosting a free FAFSA Assistance Day on Thursday, March 31 from 12:30-4:30 p.m. in Bolton Hall 120, 170, and 184.

Translation and the Afterlives of Literary Works

Join us on Friday, April 1 at 1 p.m. for a one-hour virtual event with Jennifer Croft, an award-winning writer and translator who will read from her unpublished novel in progress, “Amadou, a writer’s approach to creating a translation philosophy that engages literary translation theory and practice.” The reading will be followed by a conversation with UWM students and faculty interested in literary translation. Registration.

The UWM Planetarium: Constellations of the Zodiac

Delve into the astronomy and mythology behind the zodiac and learn how to find your zodiac constellation in the night sky. In this live, interactive show on Friday, April 1, from 7-8 p.m., the UWM Planetarium will explore the stories and science of the zodiac constellations with a focus on what makes this month’s constellation, Aries, unique. Due to the confined space of the planetarium, we strongly recommend that our visitors wear masks when visiting the planetarium, regardless of vaccination status. Tickets/Registration. For questions about this event, please email planetarium@uwm.edu

Game Night: The Deep Forest

The Honors College Equity Team welcomes all UWM students to join a collaborative, world-building game event focused on community-building, monstrosity, and decolonization on April 1 and 2. More information.

A Conversation with Jeb Bush

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush will deliver candid and informative remarks on Thursday, April 7 at 7 p.m. at UWM at Waukesha’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Governor Bush will apply his visionary understanding of current issues to share his perspective on the state of world affairs. UPDATED LINK: Reserve your ticket.

Academic Staff Professional Development

The Communications subcommittee is hosting a virtual Captioning Workshop on Friday, April 8 at 11 a.m. Attendees will gain an understanding of accessibility from a Deaf and Hard of Hearing standpoint; learn how to add captions to media on YouTube/Canvas; and learn the benefits of using captioned media in your instruction for all students. Registration.

Day of Giving

UWM is hosting its second annual university wide Day of Giving on Thursday, April 14 and is seeking volunteers to act as social media ambassadors to advocate on behalf of their respective programs. More information. Schools, colleges, and programs can request customized giving links by contacting Ana Myers (myersam@uwm.edu or 414-229-3017).

Branded Merchandise Day

Branded Merchandise Day is returning in person this spring! The event will take place on Monday, May 9 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the UWM Union Ballroom. All campus partners are invited to meet our local and regional licensed vendors and check out their latest products. The event is free, and lunch is included!

Student Union Renovation Updates

The Union Renovation Project has been in full swing throughout the current school year. To continue this great progress, it is important that we keep this timeline on track. To do so, the UWM Student Union will be closed to the public beginning Monday, May 23. We are confident that the doors of the Union will re-open by Fall Semester 2022. Resources and services affected by the closure will still be available for students either virtually or at a temporary location on campus. Find temporary location assignments. The renovation has entered an exciting phase as new spaces are beginning to take shape. Visit the Union Renovation website for weekly updates.

Global Connections

Global Studies seeks internationally focused internship leads. Many UWM faculty and staff work with globally connected organizations, institutions, and businesses, both internationally and locally. Many of these have internship programs or may be interested in hosting interns. Can you help make an introduction? If you have contacts, or an idea for an internship in your discipline, please contact us by completing our new online form or email cawolf@uwm.edu for more information.

Mindfulness Sessions

Are you interested in a mindfulness session for your students, faculty, and staff? Sessions are available and can last 15-30 minutes. You may want to do a mindfulness session before a staff meeting, a program or event, a big exam, or just anytime. Sessions are offered in-person or virtually, and they can be held in the meditation space in the Golda Meir Library if you’d like a location separate from your classroom or office. If you are interested, reach out to Adam Jussel (jussel@uwm.edu) to schedule.

UWM Running Group

Join UWM students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members for Tuesday and Thursday 6:30 a.m. running workouts. Whether you are just getting started or are a veteran marathoner, workouts are adjustable to meet your needs. For those who enjoy running marathons, UWM has a team and competes in the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon University Challenge. There are several people in the running group who train together for this annual event. Contact Helaine Hickson (helaine@uwm.edu) to be added to the running group email list and receive the twice-weekly workout messages.

Program Director Announcement 

UW-Milwaukee is seeking a full-time faculty member to fill the position of Program Director for the Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics (BSDA) and Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) degrees that are scheduled to start enrolling students in Fall 2022. This is not a full-time position but offers 1/9th of the selected Faculty member’s academic year salary in compensation up to a maximum of $12,000. The position is a 12-month appointment and open to all full-time faculty in the ranks of Assistant, Associate or Full Professors at UWM. See the full announcement for complete details.

Campus Cares

  • UWM’s Employee Assistance Program provides you and your immediate family members complimentary and confidential resources. Visit sowi.mylifeexpert.com and sign up with code SOWI for access to all these great resources.
  • Introduce some mindfulness into your classroom. Use the guided meditation or box breathing exercise on the mindfulness resources page at the beginning of class, or before a big assignment/exam.    

Other

I enjoyed watching the Friday night Saint Peter’s vs. Purdue game and Saturday night, there was another terrific women’s World Cup cricket match—India vs. South Africa.    Take care,   Johannes

Johannes Britz

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs