October 8, 2018  |  News & Events, Provost's Updates

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

Kudos

Dean Scott Emmons (Peck School of the Arts) received the 2018 Distinguished Citizen – Professional in the Arts from the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee. The award is intended to honor a professional musician or arts administrator of many dimensions who has demonstrated significant achievements in their area of professional expertise and in their commitment to community. Congratulations, Scott!

Colleen Galambos (Endowed Chair in Applied Gerontology in Social Work) has been asked to serve on an ad hoc committee under the auspices of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that will examine how isolation and loneliness impact health outcomes in older adults aged 50 and older, particularly among low income, underserved, and vulnerable sub-populations. Well done, Colleen!

For a second year in a row, the Electa Quinney Institute has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This $1.1 million grant is a partnership with EQI, Milwaukee Public Schools, and the Indian Community School to promote and support Native American educators in STEM-focused fields. Congratulations, Margaret Noodin, Patricia Nájera, and Maurina Paradise on sustained efforts to support underrepresented students at UWM!

Bravo to Assistant Professor Cheryl K. Baldwin (Administrative Leadership) and Alyssa Motter (Dance MFA candidate) for their upcoming presentation at the International Transformative Learning Conference next month at Columbia University. Their paper has been awarded the Jack Mezirow Living Theory of Transformative Learning Award for conference papers that make an outstanding contribution to the understanding of transformative learning theory, research, and practice.

Congratulations to Department of Social Work and the Zilber School of Public Health on the launch of the Master’s in Public Health and Master’s in Social Work Coordinated Degree Program! This interdisciplinary program will produce graduates uniquely positioned to address critical community health issues.

From the Academic Staff Committee

The Academic Staff Committee is proud to announce that changes to Chapter 104 of the Academic Staff Personnel Policies and Procedures have been approved. This chapter governs Academic Staff appointments (i.e., appointment types – fixed-term, probationary, or indefinite – and employment contract requirements). These changes were made to reflect the changing landscape of UWM and the needs of the campus to serve both its students and its employees. The main changes to this policy were to: 1) more clearly define the different forms of fixed-term appointments, 2) provide greater job security for long-term academic staff employees on fixed-term contracts, and 3) provide alternatives for administrators during times of fluctuation in enrollment and budgets. This policy no longer requires a fixed-term academic staff member to be converted to a probationary contract after three years of service at greater than 50%. Rather, these employees would be converted either to a probationary contract or a fixed-term renewable, multi-year, or rolling horizon contract. These fixed-term contracts provide greater job security for the academic staff member but allows for a degree of flexibility for administrators. Training sessions will be delivered at the beginning of the Fall 2018 term to assist Deans, Division Heads, Supervisors, and HR personnel in implementing this new policy. Questions can/should be directed to the Academic Staff Committee or the Secretary of the University’s Office.

Milwaukee Athletics

Congratulations to the Milwaukee men’s soccer team for claiming possession of the “Chancellor’s Cup” with a 1-0 victory over Green Bay in overtime September 29. That makes two impressive victories in cup games this fall, adding to the “Milwaukee Cup” the Panthers kept possession of after defeating Marquette 2-1 September 19.

The Week

Monday

I have meetings with Robin Van Harpen, UC chair Kristian O’Connor, Kanti Prasad, and Nigel Rothfels, plus a meeting on the C21 Collaboratory program. CEMAT meets, and I’m attending a board meeting of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

Tuesday

I’m making remarks at the On the Table Convening (see Announcements, below). I have regularly scheduled meetings with Bob Greenstreet, Stephen Schmid, Ron Perez, Nancy Nelson, and Margaret Noodin. I’m also attending the Academic Staff Senate meeting.

Wednesday

I’m making welcome remarks at a Partners for Health deans breakfast for retired faculty, I have regular meetings with Joely Urdan and Brett Peters, my weekly meeting with the Chancellor, and will also attend a meeting with the Chancellor with the AAUP.

Thursday

I have a regular meeting with Val Klump and Tim Grundl, an APBC meeting on financial targets, a meeting with Associate Deans, an ISS executive sponsor meeting, and a meeting on Foxconn partnerships.

Friday

I have meetings with my direct reports and I have an afternoon meeting on the new budget model. In the evening, I’m attending the Alumni Awards event and on Saturday, I’m participating in PantherProwl (see below).

Announcements

Panther Prowl – Online registration ends tomorrow!
Don’t miss the 14th Annual Panther Prowl 5K Run/Walk THIS Saturday, October 13 at 10am! Register online through October 9 or in person day-of-race. All proceeds benefit UWM student scholarships.

From the Career Planning and Resource Center

The Exploring Majors Fair will be held on October 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Union Ballroom. Faculty and staff representing all UWM majors, minors, and certificates will be available to speak with students who are undecided or looking to add another academic program to their current major. Contact Lauren Lessac at Lpeyton@uwm.edu if you have questions.

Asian Studies Brown Bag

Professor David DiValerio (History Department and Religious Studies Program) will give a talk titled, “Meditative Retreat in Tibetan Buddhism: Questions and Sources,” on Thursday, October 11 at 12 p.m. in Garland Hall 104. All students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to attend.

From the College of Letters & Science

On October 8, PBS will premiere its four-hour mini-series, The Circus: Big Tent. Big Dreams. This documentary features several Wisconsin experts, including Associate Professor of History, Nigel Rothfels. As part of his 2002 book, “Savages and Beasts: The Birth of the Modern Zoo,” Rothfels interviewed circus historians about the use of animals in circus shows. He speaks in the documentary about the connections between circuses and the animal trade.

Religious Studies Fall Presentation

Journeys to Complete the Work: NAGPRA in Milwaukee,” this year’s Religious Studies Student Organization’s annual fall presentation, will be taking place Thursday, October 11 at 5:30pm in Bolton Hall 150.

Security Training

Just a reminder that the annual Information Security Training for faculty, staff, and student employees has begun, it will remain open through October 31.

The UWM Food Center and Pantry Campus-Wide Fall Food Drive
The UWM Food Center and Pantry campus-wide Fall Food Drive runs October 1– 31. Donate non-perishable goods to collection boxes in over 30 buildings across campus. You can also volunteer to help collect, inventory, and shelve food throughout the month. Email: foodassist@uwm.edu to get involved and find out more.

From the English Department

The UWM English Department hosts a panel discussion on creative writers working in nonprofit careers on Tuesday, October 23 at 7 p.m. at the Hefter Conference Center. Five writers and artists will discuss their work in the community, followed by a reading of their own creative work and a reception.

UWM Libraries: James Madison Lecture

Dr. Andrew J. O’Shaughnessy, Vice President of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation and Saunders Director of the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies, presents, “‘The Illimitable Freedom of the Human Mind’: Thomas Jefferson’s Idea of a University,” on Thursday, October 11 at 4:30 p.m. in the Golda Meir Library.

On the Table

UWM is proud to serve as “super host” of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s On the Table event. The Office of Global Inclusion and Engagement is seeking attendees and table hosts for campus conversations from 8 – 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 9. Email V/C Joan Prince to confirm your participation.

When Your Word Becomes Law

The Non-Instructional Academic Staff subcommittee is proud to sponsor its annual Academic Staff Learning Breaks workshop for UWM faculty and staff. Join Patricia Clason (Center for Creative Learning) on October 10 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in NWQ G570 as she presents from her Successful Living Seminars, “When Your Word Becomes Law.”

Free Flu Shot Clinic

UWM will be offering an on-site clinic for free flu shots through the Well Wisconsin Program. For full details and registration, please visit the Flu Shot Clinic information page. If you need accommodations, please contact the Benefits Office at benefits@uwm.edu or 229-5353.

Employee Appreciation Day

November 1 is Employee Appreciation Day at the UWM TechStore! Special offers include an additional $50 OFF MAC education price or $25 OFF IPAD education price. Add AppleCare to your iPad/Mac purchase for a FREE UWM logo sleeve. Purchases must be made on November 1. Pre-order by October 19 to ensure availability. Offer available for personal sales to UWM employees and students. The UWM TechStore is located in the UWM Panther Shop in the Student Union. Sign up for our newsletter!

Rhetorical Leadership Lecture

Dr. Victoria Gallagher (North Carolina State University) presents this year’s annual Rhetorical Leadership lecture entitled, “The vMLK Project: Crafting a Necessary (Digital) Space to Explore Rhetorical Leadership and Civic Transformation,” on Friday, October 12 at 3 p.m. in Curtin 175.

Other

Here’s a (bike) safety tip.

 

Take care,

Johannes

Johannes Britz
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs