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ForUM
Feb. 15, 2010 | Vol. 38, No. 21 
 
In this issue:
Campus Links
Recent UM Publications

Welcome to ForUM, the e-newsletter for University of Montana staff, faculty and administrators. ForUM is published weekly during the academic year except during scheduled academic breaks.



 Join In Celebration Of UM's 117th Birthday
 

UM will celebrate its 117th birthday with a party and the annual Charter Day Awards ceremony and reception Thursday, Feb. 18. Area and campus community members are invited to attend the events, which are free and open to the public.

The birthday party, featuring free cupcakes and a UM saxophone quartet, will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the University Center Atrium. The Charter Day Awards ceremony and reception to recognize exemplary campus and community members begins at 5 p.m. in the UC Ballroom.

The University holds birthday festivities each year to celebrate the anniversary of its chartering by the Montana Legislature in 1893 and to honor its dedication to excellence. Missoula Mayor John Engen will attend the Charter Day Awards ceremony to present an official proclamation of University of Montana Day.

For more information about the University's Charter Day events, call the UM Office of Alumni Relations at 243-5211.

 

 Charter Day Award Recipients Announced
 

UM Provost Royce Engstrom will preside over presentation of the following 2010 Charter Day Awards at the ceremony and reception Thursday, Feb. 18. The event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 5 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom.
  • Montana Alumni Award: Dianna Reber Riley. The award recognizes a former UM student for extraordinary service to the University. Riley, a 1988 UM graduate, served as a host parent for African- American students in the earliest days of the University's Black Studies program and was integral in organizing the fall 2009 40th reunion of the Black Studies program.
  • ASUM Student Service Award: John Blake. The award recognizes distinguished service and achievement. A UM junior majoring in international relations, Blake represented Montana and the UM student group he co-founded, Montana Equality Now, at the National Equality March in Washington, D.C.
  • Neil S. Bucklew Presidential Service Award: Robert Burke. The award recognizes Montanans who have been notable in their efforts to enhance the bonds between the community and the state and the University. Burke is a trustee emeritus of the UM Foundation and a University business alumnus. He has served as president of the Montana Bankers Association and as financial adviser for Ameriprise Financial Services Inc.
  • George M. Dennison Presidential Faculty Award for Distinguished Accomplishment: UM Professor Dan Pletscher. The award recognizes distinguished accomplishments that have brought significant recognition to UM at the regional and national levels. Pletscher, who directs UM's Wildlife Biology Program, joined the faculty in 1984. His research includes endangered species, predator/prey interactions, and strategies for conservation. He was featured in a 2007 New York Times article that focused on UM's ability to draw international graduate students to the wildlife biology program because of its instructors and Montana's intact natural laboratory that no other leading wildlife program can claim.
  • George M. Dennison Presidential Staff Award for Distinguished Accomplishment: Julee Stearns. The award recognizes distinguished accomplishment within the employee's work unit that brings excellence, merit, distinction or glory to UM. Stearns earned a master's degree in health and human performance at UM in 1999 and is now the health promotion specialist for Curry Health Center. As chair of the UM Tobacco Task Force, she leads the effort to create a tobacco-free UM campus beginning fall 2011.
  • Montana Faculty Service Award: UM Professor Donald Potts. The award recognizes dedication and unflagging commitment to UM and its faculty. Potts, who teaches watershed management in UM's College of Forestry and Conservation, joined the faculty in 1979. He became chair of the Department of Forest Management in 2007. He serves on the Faculty Senate and has chaired and served on the Academic Standards and Curriculum Review Committee and on the Executive Council of the Faculty Senate. He was appointed state climatologist in 2006.
  • Robert T. Pantzer Presidential Humanitarian Award: Kenneth Welt. The award recognizes those who make UM a more humane learning environment. Welt is a clinical psychologist and director of Curry Health Center's Counseling and Psychological Services. He is a founding member of the UM Crisis Intervention Response Team and a long-serving member of the Admissions Review Committee and the University Council on Student Assault.


 

 UM Commercials Win Addy Awards
 

Two UM commercials produced by Montana-based Chisel Industries won three awards Feb. 6 at the 2009 Montana Addy Awards Show and Dinner in Great Falls. The event was the first of a three-tiered national competition conducted by the American Advertising Federation.

UM's "Heritage" commercial took home two accolades: "Best of Show -- Electronic," as well as a Gold Addy. The "2009 Tunnel Run" commercial won a Silver Addy. Both entries will move on to the District XI Addy Awards competition in Boise, Idaho, next month to compete against winners from Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. District winners will go on to the national competition in Orlando, Fla., in June.

The University also won a Silver Award for "Heritage" in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VIII Communication Awards competition. UM representatives will accept the award Friday, Feb. 19, at the District VIII conference in Portland, Ore.

The commercials and other UM videos can be viewed online on the University's official YouTube channel.

University of Montana YouTube 

 Listen To MTPR Live Online
 

Montana Public Radio's new online stream is live.

"The new stream gives listeners, both near and far, a way to access the unique programs we have on Montana Public Radio," said Program Director Michael Marsolek.

The mountainous terrain makes getting MTPR's signal difficult in many locations. The station serves half the state, and the online stream is an alternative way to bring public radio to the residents of Montana. It also allows Montanans living far and wide to tune in.

"During the testing period, we've been tracking listeners around Montana and the world tuning to the MTPR stream," said William Marcus, the station's general manager. "They've been very enthusiastic about this new option for listening."

The station has gotten positive comments from listeners in Montana and from as far away as Paris and Missoula's Sister City in New Zealand, Palmerston North.

Montana Public Radio 

 Military Defense Attorney To Speak At UM
 

David Sheldon, a nationally known military defense attorney and UM alumnus, will present "Conscience of a Lawyer: Walking among the Lowest of the Dead" from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, in University Center Room 330. The event is free and open to the public.

After earning a juris doctor degree at UM in 1990, Sheldon began his career as a military defense lawyer in the U.S. Navy. In four years of service, he built a distinguished record representing officers and enlisted members before the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Military Review, the Court of Military Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sheldon launched his civilian career in 1994, earning a national reputation as an expert in military defense. As the lead military defense lawyer in numerous high-profile cases, he has successfully defended soldiers, sailors and airmen of every rank and stature.

Today he frequently provides comments and analysis on high-profile military cases for CNN, NBC, CBS and ABC television news and National Public Radio.

 

 Extended Learning Institute At UM March 11-12
 

The second annual Extended Learning Institute will be held Thursday and Friday, March 11-12, at UM. The institute aims to promote the exchange of knowledge, effective practices and research to online teaching and learning.

The event is free and open to all faculty, administrators, librarians, staff and technology personnel within the Montana University System. Participants are asked to register on the Extended Learning Services Web site.

Events will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Conference packets can be picked up at the registration table in the James E. Todd Building beginning at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, March 11.

The institute is sponsored by MUS and supports statewide eLearning strategic goals in the areas of faculty development, expanding online student services, developing collaborative online programs and fostering a community of practice for the new Montana Virtual Academy. The event is endorsed by Thomas Gibson, director of eLearning Business Development in the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

For more information, e-mail xli@umontana.edu or visit the Extended Learning Services Web site.

Extended Learning Services 

 Apply For Green Thread Workshop
 

The second annual Green Thread faculty development workshop will take place May 19-20 at UM. The workshop is part of UM's Green Thread initiative to weave issues of sustainability throughout the University's curriculum to enhance students' understanding of the interconnectedness of ecological, social and economic issues. The initiative is supported by the Provost's Office and the UM Excellence Fund.

The hands-on workshop guides faculty members through a series of exercises and "mini field trips" intended to strengthen systems-thinking and sense-of-place awareness.

Faculty members will receive a $500 stipend to cover participation in the workshop, as well as two short follow-up sessions. The follow-up sessions will be used to analyze the challenges and opportunities in the curricular development process and the actual modified course offerings.

Information about courses modified by participants who attended last year's workshop is available at Green Threads Academic Programs.

The workshop is soliciting a cross-disciplinary group. The deadline to apply is Friday, Feb. 26. For more information, e-mail lisa.swallow@umontana.edu or steven.schwarze@umontana.edu.

Green Threads Workshop Application 

 Van Safety Training Scheduled
 

Van Safety training is required to drive vehicles that can carry eight passengers or more for UM business. Registration is now open for spring semester training, which will take place at the University Center on the following dates:
  • Friday, Feb. 19: noon-3 p.m. in UC Room 326
  • Wednesday, March 3: 9 a.m.-noon in UC Room 332
  • Wednesday, March 24: 9 a.m.-noon in UC Room 332
To register for one of the four sessions, go to the Risk Management & Tort Defense Web site. For questions about the training or to find out when your certification expires, call Kathy Benson of UM Environmental Health and Risk Management at 243-2700 or Mike Sharp of UM Transportation Services at 243-2024.

Risk Management & Tort Defense 

 Faculty, Staff Award Nominations Due
 

Nominations for the following Faculty and Staff Awards are due by Friday, Feb. 26:
  • Academic Administrator Award
  • Distinguished Scholar Award
  • Distinguished Service to International Education Award
  • Distinguished Teaching Award
  • Graduate Assistant Teaching Award
  • J.B. Speer Award for Distinguished Administrative Service
  • John Ruffatto Memorial Award
  • Most Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award
  • Nancy Borgmann Diversity Award
  • Outstanding Faculty Advising Award
  • Outstanding Mentoring Award
  • Outstanding Volunteer Award
  • Tom Boone Town and Gown Award
  • Departmental Assessment Award
Nominations for the following Staff Awards are due Friday, Feb. 26:
  • Outstanding Service to the Campus Community Award
  • Outstanding Service to the External Community Award
  • Outstanding Service to Students Award
  • Outstanding Staff Awards
  • Outstanding Teamwork Award
The awards reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 22, in the University Center Ballroom.

More information about the awards and nomination forms are available on the President's Office Web site or by calling Char Bonebright at 243-2311 or e-mailing charlan.bonebright@umontana.edu.

President's Office 

 Go Green At Men's Basketball Game
 

The UM men's basketball team will host Sacramento State in the second annual Green Griz Game at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, in Dahlberg Arena.

The event is an effort by UM and the athletic department to bring the University's commitment to sustainability initiatives and environmental stewardship to Griz fans.

During the game, Griz fans can purchase a variety of Farm to College food items and receive a free soft drink if they bring their own refillable bottles. They also will have the opportunity by raffle tickets to win items from local businesses. Money raised from the raffle will go toward offsetting the carbon emissions of the game.

Montana Grizzlies 

 Vote For UM FLAT In NWF Competition
 

A video produced by members of UM's Forum for Living with Appropriate Technology (UM FLAT) is competing in the National Wildlife Federation's Chill Out competition for a chance to win national recognition and a $1,000 or $500 grant.

The two-minute video highlights the student-run demonstration home that illustrates the practicality of sustainable living with the goal of encouraging the development of efficient and affordable homes. Students, faculty and community members of UM FLAT also work together on class projects, applied research and green renovations and participate in community events and meetings.

NWF sponsors the annual Chill Out competition to encourage innovation and celebrate campus sustainability initiatives to combat climate change. The video with the most votes will receive national recognition and a grant to fund further sustainability initiatives.

To view and vote for the video, go to the UM FLAT Web site and click on "Chill Out." For more information, call Derek Kanwischer, project director, at 406-579-3244 or e-mail umflat@gmail.com.

UM FLAT 

 MUS Prescription Drug Plan Changes In July
 

Beginning July 1, 2010, the Montana University System will be implementing a new prescription drug plan called URx.

This week, an informational newsletter will be sent to the homes of all benefit-eligible employees. The newsletter contains very important information about why MUS is changing from CVS/Caremark to URx and explains the four simple steps an employee must do to take advantage of the new benefit design. In addition, it outlines a schedule of campus meetings that will be held during the month of February to help orient employees to the new plan.

To help managers and human resources liaisons understand why and how the plan was designed and give them information to answer employee questions, Human Resource Services will offer two opportunities to attend a special presentation Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the University Center Theater. The presentation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 2 p.m. that day.

More information is on the URx Web site.

URx 

 President Dennison's Office Hours
 

Each semester, President Dennison welcomes members of the campus community to meet with him to discuss issues and topics of their choice. Please call 243-2311 or e-mail prestalk@umontana.edu to make an appointment to meet with President Dennison during these times.

The president's office hours for spring semester are:
  • Tuesday, Feb. 16: 2-4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 24: 9-11 a.m.
  • Tuesday, March 2: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Friday, March 19: 1-3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 23: 9-11 a.m.
  • Thursday, April 8: 9-11 a.m.
  • Monday, April 12: 3-5 p.m.
  • Friday, April 23: 10 a.m.-noon
  • Tuesday, April 27: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.


 

 Faculty/Staff Socials
 

Socials will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. most Fridays during spring semester in the Davidson Honors College Lounge. Spring semester dates and event sponsors are:
  • Feb. 26: Continuing Education
  • March 5: International Programs
  • March 12: College of Arts and Sciences
  • March 19: Sponsor to be determined
  • March 26: President Dennison
  • April 9: Academic Affairs
  • April 23: Sponsor to be determined
  • April 30: President Dennison
  • May 7: Sponsor to be determined


 

 News About U
 

News About U Department of Mathematical Sciences Professor Bharath Sriraman gave a series of invited lectures in the doctoral seminar on "Mathematics -- Creativity -- Culture: Indigenous Profiles and Interdisciplinary Approaches to Innovation, Teaching and Learning," held Jan. 21-22 at the University of Tromso, Norway. He also was the invited speaker at the public philosophy forum on mathematical giftedness Feb. 6 at the Nordkalottkonferanse i matematikkdidaktikk in Tromso. Sriraman also was featured in the Feb. 8 issue of the University of Tromso news magazine.

National Native News aired a radio story Feb. 4 that was produced by Department of Radio-Television Associate Professor Denise Dowling. The story examined a five-year study being conducted by researchers at Salish Kootenai College. Families chosen for the study will eat a traditional diet for six months, and researchers will measure the impact on tribal members' health. National Native News airs on Public Broadcasting stations around the country.

 

 Publications
 

Books and Publications Bates, Sarah F. (co-editor). 2009. The Evolution of Natural Resources Law and Policy. An American Bar Association publication.

Sriraman, Bharath (with others). 2010. "Mathematics Achievement and Gender: A Case of 'No Difference' from Turkey." Commentary on J. Jacob's Feminist Pedagogy and Mathematics. In Theories of Mathematics Education: Seeking New Frontiers. Monograph 1 in the series Advances in Mathematics Education. Berlin/Heidelberg: Springer Science. pp. 455-466.

Sriraman, Bharath (co-author). 2010. "Androgyny-zing the Gender Debate in Mathematics Education." Commentary on J. Jacob's Feminist Pedagogy and Mathematics. In Theories of Mathematics Education: Seeking New Frontiers. Monograph 1 in the series Advances in Mathematics Education. Berlin/Heidelberg: Springer Science. pp.467-476.

 

Submissions must reach University Relations, 317 Brantly Hall, by noon Tuesday for inclusion in the following week's newsletter. Be sure to note that the submissions are for ForUM. E-mail submissions may be sent to campnews@mso.umt.edu. Items will be included as space permits. For more information, e-mail Brenda Day, ForUM editor.
phone: 406-243-2522
fax: 406-243-4520