Message from Dean Howard

Program and Administrative Assistants

Few faculty members ever really master the bureaucratic maze that is the modern university.  We are spared this chore, and free to concentrate on our scholarship and teaching, in large measure because Program and Administrative Assistants assume this burden for us.  We appreciate their efforts; indeed, Program and Administrative Assistants are often among the most respected members of a department or program.  Nevertheless, it is a challenging job, particularly at a newly consolidated university that shares a campus with two other institutions of higher learning, something that was brought home to me last week, when I attended a Program and Administrative Assistants meeting.   

At the meeting, we discussed issues ranging from problems with communication and policy changes, to strategies for effective interactions with AHEC.  There were many remarkable aspects of the meeting, but the most impressive to me was the professionalism of the group and the shared dedication to the faculty and students of CLAS. This is a straight-talking group that is not timid about letting me and other administrators know exactly what irks them.  But, it is clear that the concerns they have about such matters as changes in policies and forms (changes that do call for better consultation), are driven by a commitment to the institution and a keen understanding of the central role that PAs and other staff members play in the functioning of the college and the university.

Early in my career as a faculty member, I learned to pay attention to my department’s program assistant and to other staff members who understand the inner workings of universities.  It is a lesson that continues to serve me well.

With all best wishes,

Dan

NEW! Iraq, Six Years Later

Events on March 11 and 12 to Mark the Six Year Anniversary of the U.S. Invasion of Iraq

ART: Eyes Wide Open: An Exhibition on the Human Cost of the War
To be shown on the UCD main quad on Wednesday, 11 March, from 10:00 AM—2:00 PM, this exhibit includes a pair of boots for every Colorado soldier killed during the war, hence marking the human cost of war. The boots are surrounded by informational placards and signs to help viewers make sense of the exhibit. We will also feature Iraq War veterans reading personal statements about their experiences with the war. This event is co-hosted by the Colorado chapter of the American Friends Service Committee and the Colorado Center for Public Humanities at UCD.

CONVERSATION: “Lessons from Iraq and The War on Terror”
To be held on Thursday, 12 March, from 11:30 AM—1:00 PM  in room 320 of the UCD Tivoli Student Union, this moderated conversation will feature Steve Recca, Director of the Center for Homeland Security, and Michael Swartz, author of War Without End.  Their conversation will be moderated by State Representative Joe Rice (House District 38). Representative Rice is a veteran of the Iraq War and also an alumnus of the UCD School of Public Affairs. Following their spirited exchanges, ample time will be reserved for dialogue with the audience, so come with your questions about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Pakistan and other failing states, rogue agents, black-market nuclear weapons, or other questions about the War on Terror. This event is hosted by the Colorado Center for Public Humanities at UCD.

If you have questions about these events, please contact Stephen Hartnett , 303.556.2778.

Presented by the Colorado Center for Public Humanities

NEW! Stimulating Research

The signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the economic stimulus package) has provided an infusion of money into research agencies and tremendous opportunities for obtaining research funding.  The focus for the newly available funds is to allocate them quickly, and to have them spent quickly – within 2 years. The strategies at the agencies are still evolving but there are indications that to some extent they will use existing mechanisms for allocating the new money, and focus on extending funding to existing projects, funding equipment purchases and building and renovation projects and new and innovative research projects that can be completed quickly.  Details regarding some of the federal research opportunities can be found in the attached document.

If you would like to pursue any of these opportunities or need information contact Carol Achziger, CLAS Grant Development Coordinator, or Laura Argys, Associate Dean of Research and Creative Activities.

NEW! Call for 2009-2010 CLAS Research Innovation Seed Program Proposals

CRISP grant proposals are invited from all tenured and tenure-track faculty to provide funding to facilitate and support research activities in CLAS.  Proposed projects should result in new research projects accompanied by searches for external funding and plans for proposals or publication. Details of the program, submission requirements, allowed expenses, and required activities can be found in the attached document and the deadline for submission is April 10, 2009. The college has committed $50,000 to this program to be expended during the 2009-2010 academic year.  Recipients will be notified by May 1, 2009.

The college anticipates making approximately 7-10 awards. Proposals must include a description of the research project, budget, budget justification and anticipated outcomes.  Note that an essential aspect of the CRISP application is developing and documenting a relationship with the Office of Research Development and Education to identify potential funding sources, and the college will help facilitate this process. 

Please contact Laura Argys with any questions you might have regarding the announcement, the program, or submission.

NEW! Educational Policies and Curriculum Committee (EPCC) Deadlines

The CLAS Educational Policies and Curriculum Committee (EPCC) will meet two more times in the spring semester: Mar. 20, and Apr. 17. Policies/procedures, general information, and forms for course and curriculum development can be found on this website.

EPPC Fall 09 Submission Deadlines:

1. Proposals for New Degree Programs or New or Revised Minors, Certificates or Options within Majors should normally be submitted electronically to Jill Hutchison in the Dean’s Office at least 14 days prior to the scheduled EPCC meetings for consideration. The next deadlines are March 6 and April 3.

2. All Course Proposals should be submitted electronically to Beverly Andes in the Dean’s Office at least 7 days prior to the scheduled EPCC meetings for consideration – by March 13 or April 10.
 

NEW! Calculus the Musical

Friday, March 13
4:00 pm, North Classroom Rm. 1130
Admission is free

Calculus the Musical presents the concepts of calculus in a fun and comedic way. The musical uses parodies of songs from genres such as opera to hip hop to explain concepts like limits and the power rule. Hosted by the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. Performed by the Know Theatre of Cincinnati.

For more information, please visit http://calculusthemusical.com
(Promotional flyer)

NEW! Language Enrichment Classes (non-credit)

There’s still room – register now!

Do you have a trip planned this summer for which you need conversational language training with helpful vocabulary and phrases?  Consider taking one of our D3 enrichment language classes that have been postponed to allow for additional enrollment.  

Chinese
Tuesdays and Thursdays
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
March 31 – May 7

Spanish (section 1)
Mondays and Wednesdays
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
March 30 – May 6

Spanish (section 2)
Tuesdays and Thursdays
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
March 31 – May 7

Location:
All classes will meet on the Auraria Campus (rooms will be announced to students via email)

Cost: $220 for the course

Instructional Materials will be provided

Register online:
www.cudenver.edu/clas/enrichment

Please contact Kuan-Yi Rose Chang with questions.

NEW! Chinese Cinema in Beijing and Denver

Please share with your students (flyer)

This summer course will study the cultural, social and historical conditions that have shaped Chinese cinema over the last two decades, with a focus on films produced since 2000 that portray the city of Beijing, China’s capital. It’s two courses: one that is on campus and runs June 1-12, and one that is a travel study course to Beijing for the second half of June. 

Weeks 1-2 (CHIN/ENGL 3300): A study of urban cinema focusing on Beijing, the Chinese capital.  The course will introduce students to basic concepts of film criticism while exploring the medium of film as a primary mode of cultural representation and political resistance for Chinese artists.  Through readings, lectures, screenings, and class discussions, we will learn about contemporary Chinese culture and society and learn about the many tensions underlying the nation’s transformation.

Weeks 3-4 (CHIN/ENGL 3995): After a full-day orientation in Denver, students will be in Beijing, exploring the urban landscape of the city and considering how this particular space corresponds to its depiction in film.  Through field trips, excursions, assignments, informal presentations and group discussions, we will deepen our study of contemporary China and rethink the films screened in Denver. 

Cost: $2500 includes lodging, most lunches, a first and final day banquet, excursions, transportation to excursions and student international health insurance. 

Application deadline: March 6, 2009. 

Contact the faculty: tiel.lundy@ucdenver.edu or lynn.kalinauskas@ucdenver.edu or visit http://studyabroad.cudenver.edu

NEW! 12th Annual Research and Creative Activities Symposium

April 24, 2009, 10am - 3pm

Please encourage your undergraduate and graduate students to submit for presentation
-- poster presentations of student or student-faculty generated research findings
-- exhibitions of all forms of artwork
-- interactive or streaming media presentations (max. length: 12 minutes)
-- video presentations (max. length:  12 minutes)
-- performance presentations (max. length: 12 minutes)
-- literary readings (max. length: 12 minutes)

Please see the attached document for more information.

NEW! Community Outreach Programs

In an effort to publicize the University's contributions to Colorado communities and to garner support across the state for the work that we do, President Benson has initiated a web-page project to highlight faculty, staff, and student engagement in outreach programs and activities.

The site will contain:
-- A monthly story that highlights one outreach program.  These stories will rotate between campuses.
-- An interactive Colorado map that allows users to click on state regions to pull up pages that list the outreach programs.  For each program there will be a short paragraph describing the work and a link to the program's web page.

Eventually this web-page will include:
-- A system-wide database on faculty expertise;
-- Sections focusing on K-12, Community College, and Military outreach; and
-- A gateway for businesses, government entities, community organizations, etc., to be directed to appropriate offices and people at one or more campuses.

What is needed now:
-- A list of each department’s outreach programs, with contact information.
-- A short paragraph describing each program.
-- Photos or other graphics related to any of the programs.
-- A sample page can be found here. (Although the current outreach map is divided into counties, the final version will be by region.)

Please send this information to Teri Bokn ASAP.

Celebrate Copper Nickel's 11th Issue

Copper Nickel, the journal of art and literature published by the Creative Writing program, will publish its 11th issue and celebrate five years of publishing on Friday, March 13th, from 6-10pm at The Laboratory of Art and Ideas at Belmar, 404 S. Upham Street, in Lakewood. (Press release)

Maymester and Summer Deadlines and Policies for Syllabi

Click here for the Maymester deadlines and policies

Click here for Summer deadlines and policies

CLAS ACT Grant

Due March 13 in the Dean's Office

The Dean and Associate Deans of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at the University of Colorado Denver are pleased to announce the 2009-2010 CLAS Advancing Curricula and Teaching (ACT) grant. 

CLAS ACT funding is designated to further develop a campus environment which supports and encourages approaches to teaching and learning that advance goals of the CLAS Strategic Plan for 2008-2020.  

Proposals must be related to either or both of the following objectives from the strategic plan: a) infusing diversity into the curriculum, or b) problem-focused learning. 

The college intends to award a maximum of 10 proposals.  CLAS ACT awards of up to $3,500 are available. For more details on the grant, including deadlines, click here.

CLAS in the Spotlight

Congratulations to the following faculty for having received full or part funding for a CLAS Dissemination grant:

John Brett, Anthropology
Greg Cronin, Biology
Paula Fomby, Sociology
Sonja K. Foss, Communication
Laurel Hartley, Biology
Stephen Hartnett, Communication
David Hildebrand, Philosophy
Xiaojia Hou, History
Andres Lema-Hincapie, Modern Languages
Alberto C. Sadun, Physics
Stephanie A. Santorico, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Christoph Stefes, Political Science
Bradley Stith, Biology
Diana Tomback, Biology
David Tracer, Health & Behavioral Sciences
Amy Vidali, English
Sara Yeatman, Health & Behavioral Sciences

Please see this document for more detailed information on the projects.

An article written by Sharon Araji, chair and professor of sociology, was accepted for the winter issue of Child and Youth News, a newsletter of the American Sociological Association Section on Children and Youth. (Newsletter)

This just in: Laura Argys
Rocky Mountain News, 2/25
Laura Argys, professor of economics, has been named associate dean for research for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at the University of Colorado Denver. Argys has been with UC Denver for more than 15 years and most recently served as chair of the Department of Economics.

People on the move: Laura Argys
Denver Post, 2/25
The University of Colorado Denver has named Laura Argys, professor of economics, as associate dean for research for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

People on the move (scroll to ‘Smart-Girl’)
Denver Post, 2/18
The nonprofit organization elected Edric Starbird, managing partner of Starbird & Associates, as board chairman; Mary Coussons-Read, associate dean for research and curriculum in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Denver, vice chairman; Abby Ferber, professor of sociology and of women's and ethnic studies at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, programs chairwoman; Kevin Kearney, chief executive of Point-of-View Survey Systems, marketing and development chairman.

For 150 years, the Rocky has been a scrapper
Associated Press, 2/27
Professor of History Tom Noel was interviewed about the closing of the Rocky Mountain News by the Associated Press. The article was picked up by dozens of newspapers and online news sites across the United States.

EVENTS

Modern Languages Film Series"Bolivia," by Adrian Caetano
Tuesday, March 10
12:15 - 2:30 pm
Plaza Bldg, Room 118P

Eyes Wide Open: An exhibit on the human cost of the Iraq War
Wednesday, March 11
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Quad in Front of St. Cajetan's

Lessons from Iraq and the War on Terror
Thursday, March 12
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Tivoli Student Union, Room 320

Copper Nickel Release
Friday, March 13
6:00 -10:00 pm
The Laboratory of Art and Ideas at Belmar
404 S. Upham Street, Lakewood

Calculus the Musical
Friday, March 13
4:00 pm
North Classroom Rm. 1130
Admission is free

Women's History Month: Listen to Our Voices
Thursday, March 19
Noon - 2:00 pm
Sharon Araji, Professor and Chair of Sociology
Title of Talk: "Listen to Our Voices" -- a 1 hour film on domestic violence and child custody, followed by discussion
Location: Alumni Conference Room, Lawrence Street Center , 14th Floor
Info: 303-315-2144 or sharon.araji@ucdenver.edu

Women's History Month: Marjorie Levine-Clark
Monday, March 30
1-2:15 pm
Marjorie Levine-Clark, Associate Professor of History and Director of Women's and Gender Studies
Title of Talk: "Femininity, Masculinity, and Body Images in Historical Perspective"
Location: King Center 318
Info: 303-556-2896

IN THIS ISSUE:

Message from Dean Howard

Events: Iraq Six Years Later

Stimulating Research

CRISP Call for Proposals

EPCC Deadlines

Calculus the Musical

Language Classes

Chinese Cinema Class

Research and Creative Activities Symposium

Community Outreach Programs

Copper Nickel 11

Deadlines and Policies

CLAS ACT Grant

CLAS in the Spotlight

Events

ARCHIVES:

Past issues since Jan 21, 2007.

USEFUL LINKS:

CLAS Event Calendar

CLAS News

Faculty Resources

Staff Resources

Campus News

The CLAS Deans' Notes is a bi-weekly newsletter
for college faculty and staff.

EDITOR:

Katy Brown
303.556.6663
Katy.Brown @ucdenver.edu