UM hosts Day of Dialogue Oct. 27

UM's sixth annual Day of Dialogue is slated for Thursday, Oct. 27, at the University Center. The free daylong symposium brings campus and community members together for presentations, performances, workshops and exhibits that encourage dialogue about diversity.

Participants can explore topics such as race, gender, ethnicity, ability/disability, religion, sexual orientation, class, social hierarchy and privilege. Day of Dialogue events are created by UM students, faculty, staff and community members. 

UM faculty and staff are encouraged to participate, and campus supervisors are encouraged to allow release time for employees to attend.

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Journalist to address climate change in PLS lecture

Elizabeth Kolbert, one of the nation's leading science and nature writers and author of UM's 2011 First-Year Reading Experience selection, will present the next installment of the President's Lecture Series at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in the University Theatre. The lecture will be held in conjunction with Day of Dialogue events at UM.

Kolbert's book, "Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change," chronicles her journey to communities clearly affected by climate change, including those in Greenland, England, the Netherlands, Alaska and Vermont. The lecture, "'Field Notes from a Catastrophe': An Evening with Journalist Elizabeth Kolbert," will explore the book's disturbing message about the impending impact of climate change.

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UM business bureau wins publications awards

UM's Bureau of Business and Economic Research has earned three national Awards of Excellence in Publications for the Montana Business Quarterly, the Montana Kids Count Data Book and the Montana Manufacturers Survey.

The awards were presented by the Association for University Business and Economic Research, which recently held a conference in Indianapolis. AUBER is the professional association of business and economic research organizations at public and private universities and consists of 100 leading university-based economic research centers.

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International conflict expert to speak at UM

A leading expert on international conflicts and post-conflict transitions will speak Wednesday, Oct. 26, at UM.

Melissa Payson will present "Negotiating With Terrorists: A Firsthand Account of Discussions With Tribal and Religious Leaders in North Waziristan" at 7 p.m. in the University Center Theater. Sponsored by UM's Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center, the event is free and open to the public.

A veteran negotiator, Payson has spent the past three years talking with local leaders in North Waziristan on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan, a territory she calls the epicenter for global terrorism.

In her lecture Payson will discuss the anxieties and fears many tribal leaders in the area express concerning American military actions on the ground, views on ways to overcome current hostilities and workable options for stability and peace.

Project aims to raise awareness of sexual violence

UM's Student Assault Resource Center will raise awareness of sexual violence in the community by hosting the Clothesline Project, Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 24-26, in the University Center.

Organizers invite those directly or indirectly affected by sexual violence -- which includes rape, relationship violence and stalking -- to decorate T-shirts with personal messages and expressions of overcoming violence from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

T-shirts created during the Clothesline Project will be displayed during the Nov. 4 Take Back the Night Rally to illustrate that violence happens everywhere and to help survivors realize they are not alone.

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UDS hosts Food Day 2011 events Oct. 24

University Dining Services will participate in Food Day 2011 on Monday, Oct. 24. Food Day is the observance of a growing national movement that seeks to educate people about the current state of the American food system and inspire them to change their eating habits.

Activities will include special menus, free films and a soup tasting quiz game. Menus in the Food Zoo Dining Room and Casa Nina and The Patty Shack in the University Center Food Court will highlight items purchased from Montana farmers and ranchers through the UM Farm to College Program. 

A selection of free films addressing food production and sustainability issues will play throughout the day in the UC Food Court Commons.

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Grant program seeks proposals from area nonprofits

The School of Business Administration, in partnership with the Learning by Giving Foundation, is now accepting grant proposals from Missoula County nonprofit organizations.

UM business students enrolled in the Individual and Corporate Philanthropy course will distribute grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 to eligible nonprofits. The total amount of money available through the program is $10,000.

The goal of the course is to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the relationship between nonprofit and for-profit organizations, individual and corporate philanthropy and to take part in a philanthropic experience funded by the Learning by Giving Foundation.

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Day of the Dead steamroller printmaking set for Oct. 27

Art students from UM and community schools will gather outside the University Theatre from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, for the annual Day of the Dead Steamroller Print Project.

Using a steamroller as a printing press, artists will create giant relief prints, some as large as 4 feet by 8 feet, to be carried in Missoula's annual Day of the Dead Parade at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2.

Started in 2001 by students enrolled in printmaking courses at UM, the project has grown into one of the longest-running steamroller print events in the nation and also engages students from local schools and community artists.

UM's Diversity Advisory Council offers grants of up to $1,000 to help student groups host events and activities that promote diversity causes.

Grant proposals must be written by UM students. Events must promote and enrich diversity and impact both the campus and Missoula communities. Student groups who submit proposals must have sought and received partial funding from other sources. Two or more student groups may collaborate for a proposed diversity event.

Student groups most likely to receive funding educate and celebrate ethnicity and culture; enhance the link between language and culture; raise awareness of ability issues; broaden perspectives about gender, identity and orientation; offer new perspectives and world views; and invite other students and community members to view, engage and participate in both education and celebratory events and activities.

Proposals will be reviewed by a Diversity Advisory Council committee, and recipients and nonrecipients will be notified as quickly as possible.

The deadline to submit proposals is Friday, Dec. 16, and grants awarded must be used before July 1, 2012. Students may submit proposals online.

Staff Senate seeks feedback with survey

Staff Senate has developed a survey to gauge how it can best serve all UM staff. All staff members are asked to complete the online survey by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. Those without regular computer access will receive hard copies of the survey and are asked to return them to their department liaisons.

Feedback from the survey will help senators better represent and serve their constituents. Anyone with questions, concerns or issues related to taking the survey can email staffsenate@mso.umt.edu.