Message from Dean Howard
Semester Reflection
With final exams beginning in the second week of May, now is a good time to reflect on the events of the semester and to say a few words about the coming academic year. The semester began with a scramble to add sections to a variety of courses, especially English Composition courses, as the enrollment of the university surged. Although the enrollment increase strained the resources of the college, we were able to meet the needs of our students through help from Provost Rod Nairn and the noteworthy efforts of individuals such as English Department Chair Nancy Ciccone, Associate Dean Tammy Stone, and Course and Curriculum Coordinator Beverly Andes. We expect to see further increases in enrollment next year as the economy continues to falter and UC Denver increasingly becomes a university of first choice for students. To accommodate this growth the college plans to add sections to courses as needed, and we will work with faculty to increase caps in courses when it is pedagogically sound to do so and when the students will fit comfortably into the classroom assigned to the course.
An important factor in UC Denver becoming a university of first choice for undergraduate students has been the consolidation of the Downtown Campus with the Anschutz Medical Campus. Undergraduates with an interest in health science careers think it makes sense to attend a university that includes a medical center because of enhanced opportunities for involvement in both biomedical research and health-related clinical activities. Validation of this thinking occurred this semester with the inception of the LABCOATS program, which provides 40 undergraduate students with opportunities to engage in research with biomedical scientists on the Downtown and Anschutz campuses. Other benefits of consolidation were evident in the many collaborative grant proposals submitted this semester that involved faculty from both campuses, the opening of a Writing Center branch on the Anschutz Campus, and the mixing of faculty from both campuses on a variety of search committees.
Other notable events that took place in CLAS this semester include: the completion of the work of the Alternative Track Task Force (the policy statement on the clinical teaching track was vigorously discussed at the Dean’s forum last Friday); the ongoing work of the Differentiated Loads Task Force; and, the very successful Research and Creative Activities Symposium that took place in the North Classroom atrium last week. Although the latter event was a university-wide event, CLAS was extremely well-represented by its undergraduate and graduate students. Congratulations to everyone who participated and high fives to undergraduate research award winners: Jamie Carpio (faculty advisor Assistant Professor Charles Musiba, Anthropology) and Dustin Neel (faculty advisor Associate Professor Timberley Roane, Integrative Biology).
Congratulations are also due to two UC Denver faculty members who are finalists for Colorado Book awards this year—Associate Professor of English Jake Adam York for A Murmuration of Starlings and Assistant Professor of History Thomas Andrews for Killing for Coal.
Despite the challenges associated with a frail economy, CLAS continues to move forward thanks to strong support from our Chancellor and Provost, but especially due to the dedication and talents of our faculty and staff. Thanks to all of you for making this college one of the best places in higher education at which to work and study.
With all best wishes,
Dan
NEW! CLAS Diversity Council Celebration
The New CLAS Diversity Council invites everyone to an open house celebration to introduce the council to the campus community.
When: May 7, 1:30-4 pm
Where: North Classroom Atrium
Light refreshments will be served
NEW! CLAS Dean's Awards Reception
Friday, May 8
Join us for this year's Dean's Reception on Friday, May 8. All faculty and staff are invited to attend. The outstanding faculty, staff and student awards will be presented.
North Classroom Atrium
9-9:30 am: Continental Breakfast
9:30-11:00 am: Awards presentation
Please RSVP to Teri Bokn by May 6 if you will attend.
New! CLAS Advancing Curricula and Teaching Grants 2009-10 Announced
Amanda Weaver, Geography and Environmental Science “Homegrown: A Problem-Based Learning Project on Local Food Production and Distribution.”
Ronica Rooks, Health and Behavioral Sciences “The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning through Problem-focused Research.”
John Brett, Anthropology “Developing an Undergraduate (3000 Level) Problem-based Course on Urban Food Systems & Sustainability.”
Nancy Ciccone, English “Curriculum Development and Re-design of the Course, History of the English Language”
Lisa Johansen, Biology “Training the Next Generation of Molecular Biologists. Let’s do it right and know we’re doing it right.”
Suzanne Stromberg, Communication “Advancement of Service Learning Curriculum”
Diana White, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, “Using societally-based problems to explore the role of mathematics across diverse cultures throughout history”
NEW! Green Festival, May 2 & 3
Free Pass
This weekend is the Green Festival at the Colorado Convention Center. To attend for free, download this pass.
Open Enrollment for 2009-10
PBS has announced that open enrollment will take place April 27, 2009 through May 22, 2009 at 5 PM, MDT. As in years past this is a firm deadline, and no late enrollment will be permitted. The web application will open on May 7. There are no major changes to benefit programs this year; rates will be announced in early May.
Those who do not complete the open enrollment application will be re-enrolled in their 2008-2009 benefit programs, with the exception of health and dependent care flexible spending programs. If you plan to enroll in flexible spending programs, you MUST complete the open enrollment application by 5:00 PM MDT on May 22, 2009.
Plan details will be available soon and will be posted on the PBS website. Please be sure to check your e-mail for future communication regarding plans, rates, and enrollment deadlines.
Sexual Harassment Training
Faculty and staff must complete online course regarding preventing sexual harassment
Sexual harassment in the workplace is bad news for everyone. Knowing what constitutes sexual harassment is an important step toward prevention.
Chancellor M. Roy Wilson has mandated that all UC Denver faculty and staff -- classified staff as well as exempt-professional staff -- must participate in sexual harassment training. The focus is information and resources to enable you to recognize behaviors and situations that constitute sexual harassment.
Many of you may have already satisfied this requirement. If the Human Resources Management System (HRMS) lists you as having taken this course since July 2000, you have met the training requirement and do not need to take it again. Please review your training summary in the CU portal. Please log in using your same login and password that you use to log into your computer or to check your UC Denver e-mail. Once logged in:
--click on My.Training tab
--click on “click here for SkillPort”
--click on “CU Learning Programs” on the left side under “My Shortcuts”; list of classes will appear on right side
--scroll to the bottom for “Preventing Sexual Harassment”
--click on course then “play”
If you have questions, contact Human Resources at 303-315-2700.
CLAS in the Spotlight
News Feature: Killing for Coal
Colorado Public Radio, April 21, 2009
A Colorado author has a fresh look at hate Ludlow Massacre and what he calls "America's deadliest labor war." KCFR's Mike Lamp talks with UC Denver historian Thomas G. Andrews.
Local Professors Compare Wildfires, Epidemics
ABC Channel 7 News, April 29, 2009
Loren Cobb, a visiting faculty member in the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, and Professor Jan Mandel, also from Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, were interviewed on how they can apply their wildfire modeling to the swine flu epidemic.
Greg Cronin (Acting Chair, Biology) presented sessions about Green Careers at the Go Green Fair at the CEC Middle College of Denver. He spoke with 16-18 year olds about the opportunity to make any career path ‘green’, and shared information about the new Sustainability minor in CLAS.
Greg Cronin (Acting Chair, Biology) will be playing bass with guitarist Joshua Abeyta at the CLAS Diversity Council Open House next Thursday.
Nathan J. Derieg (M.S., 2007, Biology), Akanita Sangaumphai (B.S., 2006, Biology), and Leo P. Bruederle (Chair, Biology) published a paper entitled “Genetic Diversity and Endemism in North American Carex section Ceratocystis” in the American Journal of Botany. Their research examines the influence of Pleistocene climate change on genetic diversity in three North American endemic species.
Laurel Hartley (Asst. Prof, Biology) attended the National Association of Research in Science Teaching conference in Garden Grove, CA in April. Dr. Hartley presented her work entitled "Are students prepared to understand ecosystem carbon cycling: why it's important and how principled reasoning can help."
Tom Noel: Gregory Lode saved the rush
Denver Post, April 19, 2009
Tom Noel: History's survival tips
Denver Post, April 5, 2009
Stanley Payne, Professor of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences had a book published called Finite Generalized Quadrangles with co-author Joseph A. Thas.
Richard Reading (Adjunct Professor), who is Director of Conservation Biology for the Denver Zoological Foundation, has co-authored a paper entitled “Migration and movement patterns of cinereous vultures in Mongolia” published in Falco. This research, which is supported through funding from Earthwatch, will help scientists better inform managers about cinereous vultures, which are vulnerable to extinction.
Timberley Roane (Associate Chair, Biology) and co-author Raina Maier (University of Arizona) published three chapters as part of the 2nd edition of the Environmental Microbiology textbook released by Academic Press earlier this year (R.M. Maier, C.P. Gerba and I.L. Pepper, eds). The chapters, entitled Microorganisms, Microscopic Techniques, and Microorganisms and Metals, reflect Roane’s research on microorganisms in metal-contaminated environments.
Rick VanDeWeghe, Associate Professor of English, has just had a book released called Engaged Learning by Corwin Press.
EVENTS
Copper Nickel's 5th Anniversary
Friday, May 1
5:00 - 10:00 pm
Matter Studio
2134 Market Street
Philosophy Department Speaker Series, Final Talk of the Semester
Tuesday, May 5
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Chad Kautzer, Assistant Professor, presenter
"The Terror of Freedom: The Contemporary Relevance of Hegel's Critique of the French Revolution"
Philosophy Dept, Honi Haber Library
UCD Plaza Bldg, M108
RTP Prep Meeting
Tuesday, May 5
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
NC 5018 (Dean's Office Conference Room)
Contact: Mary Coussons-Read
CLAS Diversity Council Open House Celebration
Thursday, May 7
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
NC Atrium
Dean's Awards Reception
Friday, May 8
9:00 - 11:00 am
North Classroom Atrium
RSVP by May 6 to Teri Bokn
Lecture: Paul Chaat Smith
Associate Curator, Smithsonian
National Museum of the American Indian
Presented by the Ethnic Studies Student Organization
Thursday, May 14
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Tivoli Multi-Cultural Lounge
Info: 303-315-3616
Commencement
Saturday, May 16
9:00 - 11:00 am
Auraria Field
Commencement Reception
Saturday, May 16
11:00 am
Tivoli Turnhalle
IN THIS ISSUE:
Message from Dean Howard
CLAS Diversity Council Celebration
Dean's Reception
CLAS ACT Grants Announced
Green Festival
Open Enrollment
Sexual Harassment Training
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