Message from the Dean: Transforming Students
Dear Members of CLAS:
Two weeks ago I had an opportunity to attend a retirement celebration and festschrift for a former chair of the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Illinois, Robert Switzer. Bob had been an active faculty member in the Department for over forty years. Because our work had overlapped over the years and I had spent a sabbatical leave in his laboratory, I knew quite a number of his students and post-docs who were in attendance for the all-day conference and celebratory dinner. Perhaps the greatest tribute to Bob was that four of his former undergraduate thesis students had traveled from as far away as Washington to attend the event. While it was a great pleasure to hear some “hard core” enzymology, microbiology and physiology presented by Bob's former students and colleagues, it was an even greater pleasure to reflect on the impact that academics have in setting the climate in which all sorts of work is done far into the future. When the mentorship has been both rigorous and at the same time humane, that training seems to be reflected by one’s students 10, 20 or 30 years later in interesting ways. Remarkably few of Bob’s students had continued in the same area of their doctoral training, suggesting they were imbued with independence of thought by their mentor. All of his students seem to have gained a clear vision of what constitutes good scientific work. Furthermore, they all seem to have learned that pursuing answers to hard questions is very much fun, no matter how challenging.
Not every faculty member, of course, has a chance to gather such an adoring group around for such a special occasion; nevertheless, I would like to suggest that each of you in important ways has the potential of transforming the students you work with in your teaching and in your research and scholarly endeavors. Don’t forget it, even if they do not get or take the opportunity to come back to tell you thanks! It seems that our particular profession gives each one of us a much greater influence on the nature and character of our society in the future than most other professions do, implying a crucial stewardship role for each of us.
Jim Hageman
Interim Dean
Religious Literacy: What Americans Need to Know
Stephen Prothero speaks for the Colorado Center for Public Humanities Lecture Series
The second talk in the Colorado Center for Public Humanities' "New Visions of the American Scholar" lecture series was delivered by Stephen Prothero, chair and professor of religion at Boston University, last Thursday, Oct. 4 in the Tivoli Turnhalle. Speaking to a full crowd about religious literacy in America, Prothero discussed the importance of understanding religion in contemporary society, especially in light of what he contends is an overall American ignorance for their religions and world religions alike. He talked about the economical and cultural impact of religion: turning elections, motivating peacemakers and terrorists, and ultimately acting as a force of good and evil. He argued that one can't understand great works of literature, art, history or philosophy without a basic knowledge of religion, and suggested that religion, not theology, be taught in schools. "We're disempowered as Americans when we can't challenge ideas," Prothero said.
Catch the third installment of the series on November 1 at the Lab at Belmar in Lakewood when Patricia Limerick, a history professor at CU-Boulder, presents "Dale Carnegie for the Academic: How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Wider World, while Still Retaining a Degree of Scholarly Good Standing." (more information)
NEW! Shorter URLs for CLAS Departmental Web sites*
When you print or speak the URL for your department, you can now use this friendlier format: www.cudenver.edu/yourDepartment (where "yourDepartment" = the current representation for your department in the existing URL).
Examples:
www.cudenver.edu/ges (for Geography and Environmental Sciences) www.cudenver.edu/polisci (for Political Science)
Entered into the browser, these alias URLs instantly re-route visitors to the existing longer addresses that start with http://thunder1.cudenver.edu/clas/
Please note: There is actually only one location on the Web (the longer address), therefore no changes to software settings are required.
*Applies only to department/unit sites hosted on the thunder1 server.
Questions: Contact Teri Hoyer, CLAS Webmaster.
Background Check Policy Revision
Now Includes All Student Employees
After careful deliberation, the chancellor, vice chancellors and deans have decided that, in the interest of campus safety, the UCDHSC background check policy will be expanded to include all student employees. The revised policy is effective October 1. Student employees covered by the revised policy include student assistants, research assistants and teaching assistants. The revised policy also clarifies that all employees are required to disclose final convictions for any misdemeanors or felonies.
To request a background check, please have the applicant complete the UCDHSC background disclosure and authorization form and fax to 303-315-2721. Human Resources will e-mail you once the background check is complete. (Information: Revised Policy)
If you have any questions about the policy or procedures for requesting a background check please contact Human Resources at 303-315-2700.
School of Public Affairs Hosts Education Policy Events
Oct. 16 & 19: Everyone Welcome!
During October SPA is focusing on education policy by holding a number of free events with state and national leaders in the field. They invite everyone to join them for the following policy-related events:
Higher Education Policy in Colorado: CU Regents Michael Carrigan & Pat Hayes with moderator Prof. Gabriel Kaplan
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 16
Time: 5:30 pm
Place:
1380 Lawrence St., 14th floor, Chancellor’s Conference Room
RSVP by Monday, Oct. 15: spa@cudenver.edu Subject Line: Regents
30 Years in Education Policy: Lessons Learned in the Trenches: With NCES Commission Mark Schneider
Date: Friday, Oct. 19
Time: 3:30 – 5 pm
Place: 1380 Lawrence St., 14th floor, Regents Conference Room
RSVP by Wednesday, Oct. 17: spa@cudenver.edu Subject Line: NCES
Signature Area Foci Decided
During the CLAS Chairs’ Retreat on August 13, 2007, Chairs agreed to focus upon five issues derived from the College’s Strategic Plan:
1. Emphasize “problem-focused learning”
2. Develop/enhance linkages and connections
3. Create an environment for scholarship
4. Recruit and retain minority faculty
5. Implement “diversity across the curriculum”
For details, visit the Strategic Planning page of the CLAS Web site. If you have questions, please contact Brenda J. Allen.
Comprehensive Review Dossiers
Due in the Dean's Office on Monday, Oct. 15
Please note that faculty undergoing comprehensive review need to turn in their complete comprehensive review dossiers to Tammy Stone by October 15.
Classified Staff Coaching Sessions
Reminder: Due Monday, Oct. 15
Chairs are required to hold a minimum of one coaching session per year with the classified staff they supervise (there is no cap on how many additional coaching sessions held). As part of this, chairs should send a copy of the front page of the performance management plan showing the date of at least one coaching session mid-year to Tammy Stone by October 15.
Outstanding Graduate Students for Fall 2007
Award nominations due Friday, Oct. 26
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is currently soliciting nominations for the Outstanding Graduate Student Awards for the college. Departments may submit one individual to each of two categories: Master's (MA, MS, MHUM, MSS, MIS) and Ph.D. Nominating packets are due in the Dean’s office by 5:00 on Friday, October 26, 2007.
Packets must include the following items:
- A nominating letter from the department that clearly spells out why this student stands out above the norm (e.g., publications, grants, service to community or profession).
- A clear statement by the student detailing their accomplishments and plans for the future.
- A transcript
- Additional supporting letters from faculty may be included
- A current curriculum vitae
- Where applicable, include FCQs for teaching
Additional supporting letters and other materials may be included.
Please be aware that this award is competitive across the college, so it would be useful if you can provide information that helps us compare students from one field with students in another. One example is to include the quality of journals if the student has publications, or the scope of a meeting (regional, national, international) if the student has meeting presentations.
Please contact Associate Dean Tammy Stone if you have questions.
CU Distinguished Professor Awards
Call for Nominations
President Hank Brown solicits nominations for selection of the 2008 Distinguished Professors. This title is awarded to recognize the outstanding contributions of CU faculty members to their academic disciplines. For a description of the nomination process, see the Administrative Policy Statement.
Nominations should be made through the departmental chair, and must be approved by the dean and provost.
President’s Awards for Outstanding Graduate and Undergraduate Leadership
Graduate-Level Programs
President Hank Brown has announced the creation of an annual award of $15,000 to recognize the graduate level programs (including graduate level programs in the professional schools) whose students demonstrate consistent, extraordinary achievement at the national or international level. There will be a second-place award of $5,000. The annual award symbolizes the premium the University of Colorado places on the teaching, research, creative work and service that foster quality graduate and professional education.
Selection of the outstanding department or program will be made by the President of the University of Colorado from nominees submitted by the chancellors of the three campuses. Primary consideration will be given to objective measures of student success as demonstrated by licensure examination results and other objective criteria for achievement. Each chancellor may nominate up to three graduate programs or professional schools for consideration annually. For complete information on the award and application, please refer to these guidelines.
Undergraduate Academic Departments and Programs
President Hank Brown has announced the creation of an annual award of $15,000 to recognize undergraduate academic departments or programs (including undergraduate programs in professional schools) whose students demonstrate consistent, extraordinary achievement at the national or international level.
There will be a second-place award of $5,000. The annual award symbolizes the premium the University of Colorado places on the teaching, research, creative work and service that foster quality graduate and professional education.
Selection of the outstanding department or program will be made by the President of the University of Colorado from nominees submitted by the chancellors of the all three campuses. Primary consideration will be given to objective measures of student success as demonstrated by nationally or internationally recognized criteria for achievement and by standardized assessments, where available and appropriate and other objective criteria for achievement. Each chancellor may nominate up to three academic departments or undergraduate programs for consideration annually. For complete information on the award and application, please refer to these guidelines.
2008 Diversity and Excellence Grant Proposals
Due November 2
Diversity & Excellence Grants are designed to provide assistance for projects initiated by faculty and/or staff that promote diversity and inclusion on the campuses. Multiple awards of up to $5,000 each will be made. Funding will be granted for one year; however, projects demonstrating progress may be re-submitted for consideration for one additional year of funding. (Information)
Faculty on the Move
Brenda J. Allen, Communication Professor and Associate Dean for Long-Term Planning & Initiatives, conducted a workshop on “Empowerment for Women Leaders” at the Academic Management Institute’s conference in Vail (October 4-5).
Events
Department of Economics Seminar: Kerwin Charles
Friday, Oct. 12
3:30 - 5:00pm
Lawrence Street Center, Conference Room, Suite 450
Affiliation: Department of Economics, University of Chicago
Title of Paper: "Race and Conspicuous Consumption"
Student Life Lecture: Voices from Darfur
Wednesday, Oct. 17
11:30 am
Tivoli Turnhalle
Survivors of the genocide in Sudan's western region of Darfur will share their stories to the Auraria campus as part of the Save Darfur Coalition's Voices from Darfur campaign.
Poetry Festival, hosted by the Copper Nickel
Thursday, Oct. 18
5:00-9:00 pm
King Center Black Box Theater
Friday, Oct. 19
12:00-5:00 pm
King Center Black Box Theater
Reception & Exhibition Opening
Friday, Oct. 19
7:00-10:00 pm
The Lab at Belmar
404 S. Upham Street, Lakewood
Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Brown Bag
Friday, Oct. 19
Noon-1:00 pm
1020 9th Street Park
The discussion will address the place of feminist pedagogy in today's university classroom. we especially invite students and instructors to attend this discussion facilitated by Michelle Comstock.
Copper Nickel hosts Nick Arvin
Thursday, Oct. 25
3:30 pm
King Center Concert Hall
Department of Economics Seminar: Stephan Weiler
Friday, Oct. 26
3:30 - 5:00 pm
Lawrence Street Center, Conference Room, Suite 450
Affiliation: Department of Economics, Colorado State University
Title of Paper: "The Impact of National Park Designation"
UCDHSC Fall Open House
Sunday, Oct. 28
11:30-2:30 pm
PE/Event Center
New Visions of the American Scholar Lecture: Patricia Limerick
Hosted by The Colorado Center for Public Humanities
Thursday, Nov. 1
6:30 pm
The Lab at Belmar
4004 S. Upham Street, Lakewood
Patricia Limerick is the Faculty Director and Chair of the Board of the Center of the American West and Professor of History at the University of Colorado at Boulder
Presentation: "Dale Carnegie for the Academic: How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Wider World, while Still Retaining a Degree of Scholarly Good Standing" (more information)
IN THIS ISSUE:
Message from the Dean
New Visions of the American Scholar Lecture Series
Shorter URLs
Background Check Policy
SPA Hosts Education Policy Events
Signature Area Foci
Comp Review Dossiers
Staff Coaching Sessions
Outstanding Grads
Distinguished Professors
Awards for Graduate and Undergrad Programs
Diversity & Excellence Grants
Faculty on the Move
Events
ARCHIVES:
Past issues since Jan 21, 2007.
USEFUL LINKS:
Campus News (PostExpress archives)
The CLAS Deans' Notes is a weekly newsletter
for college faculty and staff.
EDITOR:
Katy Brown
303.556.6663
Katy.Brown @cudenver.edu