Message from Dean Howard

Connecting with First Year Students

The Fifth Annual Undergraduate Experiences Symposium held at St. Cajetan’s on October 2 focused on the question, “How do we improve the first year experience for undergraduate students at UC Denver?”  This is a question that clearly resonates with the faculty and staff of this institution.  Ninety-two participants dedicated the better part of a Friday to listen to the insights of a leader in the field of the first year experience, Dr. Scott Evenbeck of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and to discuss the recommendations of the Foundations of Excellence Final Report: The Path Toward Excellence for First Year Students.  There is not space in this short message for a detailed account on the discussions that took place or the recommendations that emanated from the breakout groups; for that information, watch for a report from Assistant Vice Chancellor John Lanning, who did a nice job of organizing the symposium.  Instead, I am going to focus my comments on the need to build a sense of community among the students of UC Denver.

Let me begin by stating the obvious--the faculty and staff of UC Denver care about teaching.  While it is true that this is a research university that is moving toward larger classes, the faculty and staff remain concerned about the student experience, especially the first year experience, and remain committed to providing students with a first-rate education.  Part of that quality educational experience is helping students connect with UC Denver, with the faculty and staff, and with each other.  Forging such connections is difficult in an urban campus in which many students live off campus and in which faculty members often live far from campus, as well.  However, there are some simple steps that we can take that may help.    

Faculty Mentors

First, faculty members should be encouraged and rewarded for engaging in mentoring activities.  CLAS advisors do a wonderful job of helping our students navigate the intricacies of an undergraduate degree program, but advisors are not well positioned to offer career advice or information on graduate programs.  Moreover, our students want opportunities to develop relationships with faculty members. Mentoring programs, especially mentoring programs aimed at first year students and new majors, can do a great deal to build a sense of community, connect students to UC Denver, and enhance retention rates.

Introductory Courses

Another simple step that may help students connect is to encourage our best teachers to teach at the introductory level.  Students come to UC Denver with high expectations—for themselves and for the faculty teaching them.  While we often meet those expectations, all too frequently our best, most experienced faculty members teach only upper division courses.  The inspiration they could bring to first year students who are questioning their choice of major, their choice of career, and their choice of college is lost.  This is not to say that we should consign our best teachers to introductory courses; rather, we need to recognize that high quality teaching at the introductory level is critically important in a university that values its students and we should encourage our best faculty members to rotate through introductory courses.

I consider the Fifth Annual Undergraduate Experiences Symposium to have been a success, but the fact is that most of the faculty and staff of CLAS were not present to participate in the proceedings and learn from the presentations and discussions.  However, everyone will have an opportunity to read the report on the symposium that will be prepared by Dr. Lanning.  I strongly encourage all of you to do so.

With all best wishes,

Dan

New! TODAY! Islam in American Culture: "Journey Into America" Film Viewing

Today, Thursday, Oct. 15, 11:30am -1:30pm at Starz FilmCenter

Today, at Starz FilmCenter on the Auraria campus, the Colorado Center for Public Humanities will be screening the documentary film "Journey Into America" as the third event in the “Islam in American Culture” series. The screening will be followed by a discussion with two of the research fellows involved in making the film, Jonathan Hayden and Frankie Martin. Colorado Public Radio film reviewer and CAM faculty member, Howie Movshovitz, will be introducing the film and facilitating discussion afterward.

The film was produced at American University’s School of International Service, as one of Akbar Ahmed’s projects. Professor Ahmed is Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University.

In "Journey Into America," Professor Ahmed and his team venture out into the American heartland to explore how Muslims fit into contemporary American society after 9/11. In the process of interviewing a range of Muslims and non-Muslims, Professor Ahmed also examines some of the significant overlap between Islam and the foundational ideals of the United States. For instance, he travels to Monticello, among other places, to explore Jefferson’s meditations on the Koran. (More information)

The film premiered at the Islamic Society of North America convention and has since been shown at a number of festivals, including the Culture and Cultures International Film Festival in Toulouse, France, and the El Sawy International Film Festival in Cairo.

Visit the Colorado Center for Public Humanities website for a description of the “Islam in American Culture” series.

New! 2009-10 Dissemination Grants

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is providing support to its faculty for engaging in activities that promote their research activities and enhance the profile of the college and university.  The CLAS Dissemination Grant program is designed to provide tenure-track and tenured faculty with funds for disseminating research via publication (page and other publication charges), travel to support presentations at professional meetings, website design related to communication of research results, or other scholarly dissemination venues.  Applications will be due 11/06/09 to Associate Dean Laura Argys. Obtain application here.

New! Copper Nickel Halloween Party / Fundraiser

October 27, 6:00 - 10:00 pm at the Living Room

Join COPPER NICKEL for a Double Feature Halloween Party/Fundraiser on Tuesday October 27 from 6-10pm at The Living Room, a neighborhood wine bar, 1055 Broadway, Denver. Everyone who comes will get a copy of COPPER NICKEL 12, and if you already have one, we'll mail it to a person of your choosing (bring your address book). Cover is $5 with ANY student ID or $10 without. A Happy Hour stretches from 6-7pm with a spread of appetizers, followed by a B-Movie Voiceover contest (think Mystery Science Theater 3000) and a costume contest with prizes from Mod Livin'! Prizes for costumes will be given in the following categories: *Best DOUBLE FEATURE (a costume combining two or more figures or a couples costume) *Best LITERARY CHARACTER *Best SUPERHERO / POP CULTURE ICON *Best TRADITIONAL HALLOWEEN COSTUME *CHEAPEST costume. Costumed readers can win in more than one category. Prizes will be comprised of smart modern gifts from Denver's own Mod Livin' and subscriptions to COPPER NICKEL. So, join us for a night of smart fun in one of Denver's newest watering holes. (More Information)

New! Eligibility for Benefits due to Qualifying Life Events

Recently we have heard from several faculty and staff members who have lost health insurance coverage due to a spouse’s job loss.  If you or an immediate family member experiences a “qualifying life event,” you may be eligible to enroll in University of Colorado benefit plans.   Examples of qualifying events include change in marital status, change in number of dependents, change in employment status, and retirement.  For additional information and instructions on how to submit required documentation, please contact PBS at (303) 735-6500 or visit this website.

New! Travel Study Classes

Please share with your students

Department of Anthropology

"Field Experiences in Sustainable Development and Health"
The Department of Anthropology annual field school "Field Experiences in Sustainable Development and Health" is accepting applications. This is an intensive four week introduction to field research techniques, sustainable development and questions of health in tropical Ecuador. We are partnering with a local foundation (Yachana Foundation), the Yachana eco-lodge and an alternative high school in our efforts to better understand sustainable development and health in rural South America. For more information, please contact Dr. John Brett (303-556-8497) or Dr. Jean Scandlyn.

The brochure and application can be found on the study abroad website.

A short video slide show produced by one of last year's students can be found here.

Department of Communication

"Nobel Cause: Peace and Justice in Guatemala"
Maymester Travel Study Course: May 15-June 5, 2010
Professor: Dr. EJ Yoder
Program brochure available here

"Narratives of New China: Engagement and Exploration"
Maymester Travel Study Course: May 15-June 5, 2010
Professors: Drs. Barbara Walkosz and Lisa Keränen
China program brochure available here

New! Outstanding Graduate Student

Call for Nominations

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is currently soliciting nominations for the Outstanding Graduate Student from the College. Departments may submit one individual to each of two categories:  Masters (MA, MS, MHUM, MSS, MIS) and Ph.D.  Nominating packets are due electronically in the Dean’s office by Noon on Monday, October 26, 2009 and must be students eligible to graduate this semester.

Packets must include the following items in electronic form.  Paper applications will not be reviewed:

1)      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)
2)      A clear statement by the student detailing their accomplishments and plans for the future.
3)      A transcript
4)      Additional supporting letters from faculty may be included
5)      A current Vitae
6)      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 to 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 submit to Mary Coussons-Read.

New! CLAS Advising Welcomes Two New Team Members to Office

The CLAS Advising Office would like to introduce two new staff members to the CLAS Advising team. Please help us welcome Tracy Jacobs and Sneha Parikh Hamilton to the CLAS Advising team.

Tracy Jacobs is the new Program Assistant I. Tracy has two bachelor of arts degrees in Film and Video Studies and Communication Studies from the University of Michigan. She also brings to the operation three years of higher education experience. Her recent experience working at Columbia University's Philosophy department has been instrumental in her smooth transition into her role and her genuine appreciation for a urban campus and its diverse students. Tracy's five years of experience working in the publishing industry Random House/Doubleday Broadway & In Style Magazine has set a positive foundation for her ability to work within a multiple-tasked operation and has contributed to her skill to effectively manage the logistical and communication responsibilities related to the graduation certification process, new student enrollment, probation and suspension, student data and information, and front office procedures and operation. Tracy is serving on the new CLAS web page development committee.

Sneha Parikh Hamilton is our new academic advisor assigned to students with last names that begin with "F, G, & H". She will also serve as an academic liaison for the Anthropology, Geography/Environmental Sciences and Math departments. Sneha has a bachelor of science degree in Animal Physiology Neuroscience and bachelor of arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego. She also has a master of arts in Education with a specialization in Counseling and Guidance from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. Sneha brings over five years of experience in academic advising and student academic services, which further contributes to the outstanding team of academic advisors within the CLAS Advising Office. Sneha recent experience at the Colorado School of Mines was instrumental in providing her with some extensive background in developing and implementing programs for first-year students. Sneha's passion for students is among her strengths. Sneha will be serving on the Disabilities Awareness committee within the College.

New! Faculty: RSVP Online for Fall Commencement

2009 Downtown Fall Commencement Ceremony

Saturday, December 12, 2009, at 9:00 a.m.
Colorado Convention Center
Don your regalia and enjoy a continental breakfast at
7:30 a.m. in Meeting Rooms 301/302/303
RSVP by registering online (whether you own regalia or not) at

OR by linking through the main UC Denver website
under <academic life> <graduation>

If you have further questions or need assistance, please contact Heather Hunt, Events Coordinator via email or 303.315.5815.

Whether you need to borrow regalia or already own regalia, please take a few moments to register for the fall commencement ceremony and related activities.  Doing so greatly assists the Commencement Office with planning and will ensure you receive an invitation to the reception at the Chancellor’s home in the spring, as well as, occasional email updates and reminders pertinent to fall commencement.

Please note: once you have completed your registration, you will receive an email confirmation that contains links making it easy to add the selected commencement activities to your calendar.

New! Dental Club Students Touch Community

The UC Denver Pre-Dental Club volunteered for this year's Colorado Mission of Mercy (COMOM) dental clinic on September 11-12. COMOM brings portable dental stations to large public areas where they provide free dental screenings and services to those who attend.  Held at the Adams County Fairgrounds, over 300 patients participated.  Because COMOM serves patients on a first come, first served basis, patients get in line 12 (or more) hours before the clinic opens. 

To aid in the comfort of the patients, the UC Denver Pre-Dental Club brought bottles of water and blankets to those that were in line all night.  Students walked the line early in the morning answering questions that patients had and ensured that everyone was comfortable during the long wait. The volunteering event was organized by the club's Co-President Steven Tanner.  Student Parvin Movaffagh volunteered by making phone calls to obtain donated blankets.  She was able to get nearly 150 blankets from the American Red Cross. The students worked closely with Pamela Dinkfelt, Ph.D. (COMOM Director) to organize the club's volunteering efforts. 

Combined, the UC Denver Pre-Dental club contributed over 140 hours during the 2009 COMOM event.   They plan to participate in all future COMOM events as an annual club activity.

New! Crisis of Inclusion White Paper

Crisis of Inclusion Report Released: “The Crisis of Inclusion in Higher Education: A White Paper,” outlines the seriousness of the problem in Colorado and offers recommendations for addressing it, particularly at urban institutions. The report is the product of a symposium held Feb. 12, 2009 in Denver and includes perspectives shared by university faculty and staff, education policymakers, and community organizations. Janet Lopez (Director of P-20 Education Initiatives at UCD) and Philip Joseph (Associate Professor of English and Director of the Center for Public Humanities) wrote the paper over the summer, using notes from the symposium, the keynote address by Dr. Lingenfelter, and supplemental research. If you are pressed for time, you can get a strong sense of the white paper from reading the Executive Summary and the Concluding Remarks (paper is attached).

While there are no simple solutions, the report suggest redoubling efforts in six areas to address the problem. This includes that higher education institutions should:

• Increase outreach to students, families, high schools, community colleges and community groups as an essential element of any effort toward a more inclusive academic environment;

• Invest in faculty training and incentives to improve teaching methods, raise the level of student engagement and increase the likelihood of academic success;

• Actively pursue a diverse faculty to provide role models for students and to create a more dynamic learning environment on campuses;

• Offer robust financial aid packages that lessen the amount of student loan debt incurred by students;

• Facilitate greater access to student groups, student peers and faculty mentors to help students adapt to the academic environment, especially if they represent the first generation of their family to attend college; and

• Enable university employees to advocate effectively for inclusion as a value for society as a whole. Whenever public policies interfere with the university’s ability to educate a diverse population, the report said, “those who work within the university should feel entitled, even obligated, to make the contradiction apparent.”

Colorado Center for Public Humanities website

Joseph and Lopez also have an op-ed, "What Students Face at the ‘Race’ Finish Line" in Colorado Higher Ed News based on the Crisis of Inclusion white paper. Read it here.

CLAS Educational Policies and Curriculum Committee Updates (EPCC)

The Fall 2009 meeting dates for the CLAS Educational Policies and Curriculum Committee (EPCC) are:October 16, November 20, and December 18 (tentative – may not meet). Policies/procedures, general information, and forms for course and curriculum development can be found here.

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. Future deadlines are November 6 and December 4.

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 – November 13 or December 11.

Our Catalog edit deadline dates have been moved up to mid-November, so any changes you’d like to see reflected in the 2010-2011 Catalog will need to be submitted to the EPCC using the October deadlines.

Digital Story Workshop

October 22-24

There is a lot you could do to reduce health disparities among Latinos in Colorado. The key is developing video production skills to tell your stories.

FREE VIDEO MAKING WORKSHOP FOR HEALTH WORKERS

9am-5pm, October 22-24, 2009 at Denver Open Media

Organized by Marty Otañez, Assistant Professor, Anthropology Department, University of Colorado, Denver

View more informationhere.

Please register early; enrollment limited to ten participants.

For more information, contact: Marty Otañez, marty.otanez@ucdenver.edu, 303 556 6606

Semana GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ

October 20-22, 2009

For the UC Denver community, Professor Andrés Lema-Hincapié is hosting a week of cultural activities centering on the author Gabriel García Márquez´s works and life. The prestige of this event will be increased by a visit from an internationally known scholar, Colombian Professor Conrado Zuluaga, who will deliver public lectures, lead short seminars, and hold informal talks in English and Spanish at UC Denver, the University of Denver, and Cherry Creek High School. Other activities include: oral presentations on García Márquez by students from our B.A. and M.A. programs; public readings in English and in Spanish by students of García Márquez´short stories; viewings of documentaries and films inspired by his works; and a closing reception to thank the visiting scholar. Program details will be available in early October. All UCD faculty and students are encouraged to participate in this event. Following are the titles of Professor Conrado Zuluaga’s Public Presentations in Spanish:

-- “García Márquez periodista: Bogotá, Cartagena, Barranquilla” (Lecture)
-- “Cien años de soledad, el sabio catalán y la tradición literaria del Quijote” (Lecture)
-- “Cine y literatura en García Márquez” (short seminar of 4-6 hours for faculty and UCD students)

View full schedule here. Contact Professor Andrés Lema-Hincapié for more information.

CLAS in the Spotlight

Customers upset to learn SIGG bottles not BPA-free: Company issues ‘Voluntary Exchange’
KMGH CH 7 (ABC), 10.9, 4 p.m.
(Video is located to the right of text story)
Department of Chemistry Chair Mark Anderson is interviewed about the chemical bisphenol A.

Assistant Professor of Sociology Stacey Bosick received $500 in YUMP funds to support her participation in the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Criminology, November 4-6, 2009 in Philadelphia.

Chair of Integrative Biology Leo P. Bruederle co-authored a scientific note in the journal Madroño that documents the first record of Carex conoidea, the openfield sedge, in Colorado.  This sedge was observed at Meyer Ranch Park (Jefferson County Open Space) west of Denver, while Bruederle was conducting fieldwork with colleagues from  the University of Michigan, USDA Forest Service, and Denver Botanic Garden.  Although Carex conoidea is widely distributed in northeastern North America, this is only the third record for this species from the southwest.

Professor of Communication Sonja K. Foss conducted two teleconferences on "Generating and Refining Research Ideas" for the Text and Academic Authors Association on October 5 and October 12.  In these teleconferences, she discussed various methods for generating research ideas but focused on the generative method, in which the scholar begins with a curious text or data.

Design for all nations: Cultures combine in architectural elements
The Advocate, 9/23
Philip Joseph, professor of English at UC Denver and director of the Colorado Center for Public Humanities, organized a series on Islam and America this fall. A previous lecture series on religious practices in America had raised questions on how Muslims are surviving and adapting in the American context, so Joseph took a look into the matter.

In her role as Director of the National Communication Association Forum (NCA-F), Assistant Professor of Communication Lisa Keränen, along with the NCA-F advisory board, has received $13,000 in funding from the National Communication Association (NCA) to support programming that promotes high quality public deliberation. This year, the group is sponsoring a program with Dr. Benjamin R. Barber, author of Jihad vs. McWorld and Strong Democracy, and hosting a town hall on the politics of professional associations at the annual convention of the NCA. Future efforts involve launching a Public Deliberation Conferences Initiative, which entails hosting biennial conferences that merge local practitioners and deliberative researchers. For more information about the NCA-F, visit this website.

Events

Islam in American Culture: Journey into America
(a documentary film)by the Colorado Center for Public Humanities
Thurs, Oct. 15
11:30 - 1:30 pm
Starz Film Center
with Jonathan Hayden and Frankie Martin, Ibn Khaldun - Research Fellows in American University's School of International Service
(More information)

Health and Behavioral Sciences Colloquium Series
Dr. Margaret Lock, McGill University, Montreal
Friday, Oct. 16
4:00 pm
Title: "Divining the Future: Genetic Testing for Susceptibility Genes"
St. Cajetan's Cathedral

STEMapalooza
Friday, Oct. 16 - Saturday, Oct. 17
Colorado Convention Center
(More Information)

Semana GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ
Tuesday, Oct. 20 - Thursday, Oct. 22
(More information)

Philosophy Fall Lecture Series
Mitzi Lee, Associate Professor, CU Boulder
Wednesday, Oct. 21
2:30 - 4:00 pm
Title: "Justice and the Law in Aristotle's Moral Theory "
Honi Haber Library, Plaza Bldg M108A

Experiential Open House
Hosted by the Disability Resources Office
Try out assisitive technology, interpreting services and learn about accommodations.
Thursday, Oct. 22
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
North Classroom 2514
(More information)

UC Denver Open House
Sunday, Oct. 25
11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Auraria Events Center

Copper Nickel Halloween Party / Fundraiser
Tuesday, Oct. 27
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
The Living Room
(More information)

CLAS Masters Speaker Series
Professor Emeritus of Economics, Suzanne Helburn
"The Economy, Simple Lessons on Avoiding Such Catastrophes and How We Have Failed"
Friday, Oct. 30
2:30-4:30 pm
Baerresen Ballroom, Tivoli 320A

Islam in American Culture: Islam and the Contemporary Novel
by the Colorado Center for Public Humanities
Tuesday, Nov. 3
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Tivoli Turnhalle
with Laleh Khadivi, the award-winning author of the novel, The Age of Orphans(Bloomsbury, 2009)
(More information)

Economics Fall Seminar Series
Hani Mansour, University of Colorado Denver
Friday, Nov. 6
3:30 pm
Title: "The Career Effects of Graduating from College in a Bad Economy: The Role of Workers' Ability"
Lawrence Street Center, Room 450

Philosophy Fall Lecture Series
Candice Shelby, Associate Professor at UC Denver
Wednesday, Nov. 18
2:30 - 4:00 pm
Title: "Shifting Conceptual Spaces "
Honi Haber Library, Plaza Bldg M108A

Robert Glennon
Unquenchable: America's Water Problem and What to do about it
Thursday, Nov. 19
7:00 pm
Tivoli Turnhalle
Contact Gregory DeAngelo for more information

IN THIS ISSUE:

Message from Dean Howard

Journey into America

Dissemination Grants

Copper Nickel Fundraiser

Qualifying Life Events

Travel Study Classes

Outstanding Grad Student Nominations

New Staff in Advising Office

Fall Commencement

Dental Club Students

Crisis of Inclusion

EPCC Updates

Digital Storytelling

Semana Garcia-Marquez

CLAS in the Spotlight

Events

ARCHIVES:

Past issues since Jan 21, 2007.

USEFUL LINKS:

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