Message from Dean Howard

UC Denver Shines in October

I woke up this past Sunday to the announcement that KCFR (Colorado Public Radio) would broadcast the Radio Drama Readings of The Thin Man done by students in the College of Arts and Media at UCD over the course of the coming week.  The announcement caused me to reflect on the various ways in which UCD reached out to the public this October.  The Radio Drama readings were the culmination of several weeks of activities associated with One Book, One Denver that were jointly sponsored by the Department of English, the College of Arts and Media, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Provost’s Office.  The Department of English played a particularly prominent role by sponsoring the film series associated with the reading program, which concluded with a showing of the classic film, The Thin Man, on October 28 at the Starz Film Center.

Another noteworthy literary event on campus, the Women Writing West Symposium, also owed much to the English Department, particularly to Associate Professor Jake York.  Over the course of three days in October, students, faculty, and the public had the opportunity to listen to readings and engage in conversations with eight of the leading women writers in the country.  The readings and discussions were marvelous and the symposium ended with a launch party, at the Denver Press Club, for the 10th volume of the Copper Nickel, a student-run literary journal that is provocative, enjoyable to read, and worth every penny of its modest subscription price. 

Not to be outdone with regard to engagement, science and mathematics faculty members in CLAS worked with faculty from the College of Engineering and the School of Education and Human Development to sponsor STEMapalooza, a two day event held in the Colorado Convention Center October 24-25.  The event grew out of the current crisis in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.  The United States is simply not training enough students in these disciplines to meet the needs of the high tech industries of the 21st Century.  At STEMapalooza, students could visit exhibits and talk to scientists, engineers, and mathematicians about opportunities in various fields and the training necessary to take advantage of these opportunities.  At the same time, representatives from education and industry met to discuss pipeline problems and ways of improving STEM education at all levels.  One of the highlights of the event was a luncheon that featured talks by Chancellor Wilson, Governor Ritter, and Nobel laureate Tom Cech. 

I want to thank all of the faculty members who take valuable time away from their teaching and research to organize and/or participate in outreach efforts, such as those described above.  Your efforts are appreciated by the Dean’s office, but more importantly you efforts enrich the city and state and make Denver a better place in which to live, work, and raise children. 

With all best wishes,

Dan

NEW! Official STEMapalooza Thank You

Dr. Mark Anderson, Chair of Chemistry, wants to thank all the faculty, staff and students of CLAS for participating in STEMapalooza last week. "The event was a big success with nearly 6,000 people attending. It could not have been as successful as it was without everyone's participation," Dr. Anderson said.

NEW! Academic Policies and Calendar

The Academic Policies and Calendar are available now to insert in spring 2009 syllabi.

New! News from the Office of Research, Development and Education

October Edition of Research Horizons and Grant Deadlines

The Office of Research, Development and Education has announced that its October 2008 edition of Research Horizons is now available. The list of grant deadlines is available in the newsletter, organized by discipline. It's also available in the attached spreadsheet.

New! Century Scholars Program

Deadline: November 15, 2008

The Office of International Affairs has announced an opportunity to participate in a global seminar with three months of international research support on topics related to “The University as Innovation Driver and Knowledge Center”.  University administrators may also be eligible for this award as are practitioners in fields pertaining to university partnerships, innovation, entrepreneurship, economic development, science and technology partnerships and translation, health, energy security, the environment, quality of community life, regional issues, health and needs of children and elderly, and k-12 education. (Information)

New! Sustainability Workshop

November 14, 2008
12:30 – 3:00 PM
Tivoli Zenith Room 640
Sponsored by: CLAS Dean’s Office

Purpose: To gather CLAS faculty to discuss sustainability research, projects, service-learning/internships, grants, related  courses, publications and faculty interest in contributing to the CLAS Signature initiative and Minor in Sustainability.

NOTE: Seats Are Limited, so please RSVP to Laurel Dodds, Managing Director of Signature Areas, by Friday, November 7, 2008

Phone: 303-352-3728

Full invitation with additional information

New: Colorado Center for Public Humanities Presents "Jewish Comedians, Jewish Renewal"

Thursday, Nov. 6

The Colorado Center for Public Humanities concludes its fall series ("Bad
Religion") on Thursday evening, November 6, with a discussion of Jewish comedians and contemporary Jewish identity. Is America too Jewish? Or are Jews an endangered species? In "Jewish Comedians, Jewish Renewal," Daniel Itzkovitz, associate professor of English and Jewish Studies at Stonehill College in Boston, and Shawna Friedman of the Rose Community Foundation in Denver, explore how popular Jewish comedians like Larry David, Sarah Silverman and Adam Sandler are raising new questions of Jewish identity in American culture.

The event takes place on Thursday, November 6, at the Laboratory of Art and Ideas, 404 S. Upham St., Lakewood, CO. The evening begins with a reception at 6pm, followed by the Program at 6:30. (Information)

New: Women's and Gender Studies hosts Michael Kimmel for Guyland Presentation

Thursday, Nov. 13

The Women's and Gender Studies Signature Area will host Michael Kimmel, whose study shows that the guys who live in “Guyland” are mostly white, middle-class, totally confused and cannot commit to their relationships, work or lives. Although they seem baffled by the riddles of manhood and responsibility, they submit to the “Guy Code,” where locker-room behaviors, sexual conquests, bullying, violence and assuming a cocky jock pose can rule over the sacrifice and conformity of marriage and family. Obsessed with never wanting to grow up, this demographic, which is 22 million strong, craves video games, sports and depersonalized sexual relationships. (www.guyland.net)

The event is on Nov. 13 at 4:00 pm in room 119 of the Science Building. (Information)

New: Travel Study Program in Ecuador

Please share with your students

How do local populations retain the strengths of their culture and preserve their environment, yet create viable economic opportunities within an increasingly impoverished country? Questions of sustainability, whether of development, livelihoods, agriculture, or natural resources are topics of major importance generating concern and receiving attention from many sectors internationally, ranging from policy forums to university classrooms. This course will be a 4 week field-based course in which students will engage directly with issues of sustainability in the rainforest community of Mondaña, Ecuador. The course will be conducted during winter break, 2008-9 (December 15 - January 16). (Information)

New: Writing Center Workshop Announcement

Creating Effective Writing Prompts

A writing prompt assists students in completing all aspects of the given assignment. Prompts serve to advance student learning and strengthen assessment. This presentation will describe key features of designing an effective prompt and present a variety of examples. The workshop is open to graduate students as well as faculty and instructors.

Wednesday, Nov. 12
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
The Writing Center (NC 4014)
Reserve a seat now

CLAS Educational Policies and Curriculum Committee (EPCC)

The CLAS Educational Policies and Curriculum Committee (EPCC) will meet one more time in the fall semester on November 21. Policies/procedures, general information, and forms for course and curriculum development can be found on the faculty resources web page.

EPPC Fall 08 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 deadline is November 7.

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. The next deadline is November 14.

November and December External Grant Deadlines

November and December External Grant deadlines can be found in the attached spreadsheet.

CLAS in the Spotlight

Dr. Mike Green appeared in an episode of "Evolve" on the History Channel. This segment included Dr. Greene's collaborative research with Dr. Deborah Gordon (Stanford University) examining the role of chemical communication in the non-hierarchical regulation of work in ant societies. Dr. Greene's research revolves around how ants are able to produce, perceive and act upon chemical information cues. (View video)

The Colorado Center for Public Humanities event on Oct. 23 of the Transcendence Gospel Choir was covered by the Denver Post.
(View video)

Last year's first edition of Pinnacle received an Excellence Award from the University and College Designers Association for its cover illustration.

EVENTS

The Colorado Center for Public Humanities presents
Bad Religion: Jewish Comedians, Jewish Renewal
Thursday, Nov. 6
6:30 - 8 pm
The Laboratory of Art and Ideas
404 S. Upham St., Lakewood, CO
Info:

Karen Knaus, Chemistry
Presentation to the Science & Math Signature Area
Friday, Nov. 7
2:00 pm
Dean's Office Conference Room

Ibero-American Film Series presents:
Familia Rodante (Rolling Family), by Pablo Trapero
Wednesday, Nov. 12
12:15-2:30 pm
Plaza Bldg, Room 118 P
Info: Andres Lema-Hincapie

Creating Effective Writing Prompts Workshop
Wednesday, Nov. 12
1:00 PM - 3:00 pm
The Writing Center (NC 4014)
Reserve a seat now

Women's and Gender Studies presents
Michael Kimmel: Guyland
Thursday, Nov. 13
4:00 pm
Science Bldg 119

Social Justice Signature Area Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 13
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Plaza M-108, Philosophy Conference Room

Sustainability Faculty Workshop
Friday, Nov. 14
12:30 - 3:00 pm
Tivoli Room 640
Info: Laurel Dodds, RSVP by Nov. 7

IN THIS ISSUE:

Message from Dean Howard

STEMapalooza Thanks

Academic Policies and Calendar

News from the Office of Research, Development and Education

Century Scholars Program

Sustainability Workshop

Jewish Comedians, Jewish Renewal

Guyland Presentation

Travel Study Program: Ecuador

Writing Center Workshop

EPCC Update

External Grant Deadlines

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.

MANAGING EDITOR:

Katy Brown
303.556.6663
Katy.Brown @ucdenver.edu