News: A Newsletter from Academic and Student Affairs
Preparing Students for Careers and Citizenship
|
|
|
|
|
PeopleSoft Project Update: Progress Made and Changes to Come
During the fall, Undergraduate, Graduate, and International Admissions went live with their portion of the PeopleSoft system, and they began accepting students through the new system for the Fall of 2010. Financial Aid also began using PeopleSoft to work with students matriculating in Fall 2010.
The Office of Student Records has been converting data and working diligently to meet critical dates, including the registration of students for Fall 2010, the production of the Fall 2010 schedule, and the implementation of the DegreeWorks and R25 classroom scheduling software.
The Finance and Residential Life offices are working on the conversion and implementation of their portions of the system during the spring semester.
The team is making progress on the implementation of the new portal – called MyBlue. Students will use MyBlue in the place of WebEASI to access the system, and faculty will use MyBlue in the place of WebSMART. Students are receiving email messages in January with instructions for setting up a password for MyBlue. Training for support offices will begin at the end of January and training for faculty will be held in late February.
The current student information system (including Bogie, WebEASI, and WebSMART) will no longer be in use after the Summer of 2010. Students applying or registering at UNK through Summer 2010 will use the current system, but students applying or registering for Fall 2010 or later will use the new PeopleSoft system.
Visit the SIS Project Information site for updates and more information.
- written in collaboration with Kim Schipporeit, Registrar and UNK Lead for the SIS Project and
Deb Schroeder, Assistant Vice Chancellor for ITS and Change Management for the SIS Project
|
|
Academic Advising and Career Services Join to Form New UNK Office
Academic and Career Services is a newly formed office at UNK. The staff in Academic Advising and Career Services have always worked closely together to help students select majors and plan to achieve their career goals. The new office combines functions to provide more convenient service and better information flow to students, faculty and staff. Academic and Career Services will continue to provide the same services.
As the year progresses, the department will work to identify ways to better serve students, the UNK community, and the larger Kearney and Nebraska community. Your input is welcome as plans are made for the future. If you have questions, would like to schedule presentations, or get other information, please do not hesitate to contact the department. The office is in the Student Affairs Building, Room 140; the phone numbers are 865-8932 or 865-8501.
- Mary Daake, Director of Academic and Career Services
New Center for Teaching Excellence Director Beginning Spring 2010
Dr. Douglas Biggs has been appointed as the Director for the Center for Teaching Excellence beginning with the Spring semester. Dr. Biggs is an Assistant Professor in History. He has been actively involved in CTE initiatives since coming to UNK and has successfully implemented programs to improve teaching in his previous position. Dr. Biggs brings great passion and knowledge to the position and strong motivation to expand the services of the CTE.
- written in collaboration with Charlie Bicak, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
Writing Center News: Sentenceworks Pilot and Writing Across Borders Matinee
- UNK’s Writing Center is piloting a new technology, launched in July 2009, called Sentenceworks. This automated tool assists writers with over 100 grammar and punctuation rules. Anyone with a UNK or UNMC email address is pre-authorized to use Sentenceworks at no charge until May 2010. More information is available regarding the Benefits, Limitations, and Instructions for using this new resource on the Writing Center website.
- The Writing Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Office of International Programs, and Center for Teaching Excellence are sponsoring Writing Across Borders: Matinee and Discussion. This award-winning documentary explores English Language Learners and writing in American colleges and universities. Faculty, staff, administrators, emeriti, and other interested professionals are invited to attend one of two showtimes: Jan 26, Tue, 3:30-5:00pm, NSU 116 (OMA); or Jan 27, Wed, 3:30-5:00pm, NSU 116 (OMA). RSVPs appreciated but not required; to RSVP, contact Sarah (CTE).
- Amanda Granrud, Director of the Academic Success Offices and the Writing Center
Library - In Brief Online
By Dee Goedert, Head of Access Services
goedertd@unk.edu
Welcome to the New Year and the library during the following hours for this semester!
Monday – Thursday
|
7:30 a.m. – Midnight
|
Friday
|
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
|
Saturday
|
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
|
Sunday
|
2:00 p.m. - Midnight
|
The library is closed most holidays and breaks. Please, check our schedule for specific dates.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
By Rochelle Krueger, Curriculum Associate
kruegerr@unk.edu
It’s that time of year again…. What will your New Year’s resolution be?
No matter the resolution, chances are Calvin T. Ryan Library’s non-book collection will have something to help you attain your goals! Some examples by subject include:
Wellness: An exercise regime is a frequent new year goal.
Money management:
Spend time with your family AND meet fitness goals!
Come to the lower level of the library to browse these non-book materials! Happy New Year!
By Jon Ritterbush, Electronic Resources Librarian
ritterbushjr@unk.edu
NetLibrary is highlighting one eBook title per month with free access (the library owns many other eBooks as well). Just in time for New Year’s resolutions, this month’s selection is Ten Years Thinner: Six Weeks to a Leaner, Younger-Looking You, by Dr. Christine Lydon.
“Rooted in research and the author’s medical knowledge and background in nutrition and fitness, this serious and occasionally technical work eschews fad-diet trends for clear and in-depth explanations of Lydon’s recommendations. … Neither condescending nor dumbed down, this intelligent guide will make a worthwhile and refreshing addition to the fitness-and-nutrition genre.”—Library Journal
Ten Years Thinner will be available via NetLibrary to Calvin T. Ryan Library patrons throughout the month of January 2010. You may also want to check out the author’s website at TenYearsThinner.com.
Follow this direct link to access NetLibrary’s eBook of the Month, or from the library homepage (library.unk.edu), mouseover Research Tools and click on Databases & E-resources to access NetLibrary from the alphabetical list of resources. Each month’s featured eBook will appear on the NetLibrary website.
Stay tuned for future announcements on NetLibrary’s eBook of the month.
Recognition
| Outstanding Student Achievements |
| Family Studies Organization |
became affiliated with NCFR in spring 2009 under Alissa Kern's presidency |
| Family Studies and Interior Design Students |
attended the 71st Annual Conference for the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR):
President, Stacy Neal
Sarah Birnie Vice President of Non-Traditional Students
Sara McCarty, Vice-President of Traditional Students
and Blythe Wegener, Secretary
student Cristianne Palmer
|
Alissa Kern
(FSID graduate) |
"Growing a Student Affiliate Organization" presented at the 71st Annual Conference for the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) |
| Publications, Presentations, Service, and Honors |
| William Aviles (Political Sciences) |
“Policy Coalitions, Economic Reform and Military Power in Ecuador and Venezuela” published in Third World Quarterly, vol. 30, Issue 8, December 2009: 1549-1564 |
Jennifer Crosswhite
(Family Studies and Interior Design) |
"Starting a Student a NCFR Student Affiliate Organization" presented at the 71st Annual Conference for the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), part of four-part presentation entitled "Starting a Student Affiliate of NCFR and Keeping it Alive and Successful" |
Jennifer Crosswhite
(Family Studies and Interior Design) |
co-authored with J.L Kerpelman: "Coercion theory, self-control, and social information processing: Understanding potential mediators for how parents influence deviant behaviors" published in Deviant Behaviors |
Jennifer Crosswhite
(Family Studies and Interior Design) |
co-authored with J.L Kerpelman: "Critiquing the General Theory of Crime's empirical evidence: Does the evidence support the theory?" published in the Journal of Family Theory and Review |
| Keith Geluso (Biology) |
"Range expansion of the yellow-nosed cotton rat (Sigmodon ochrognathus) in southwestern New Mexico" published in Western North American Naturalist, 69:548-550, 2009 |
| Keith Geluso (Biology) |
co-authored with J.N. Mink: "Use of bridges by bats in the lower Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico" published in Southwestern Naturalist, 54:421-429, 2009 |
| Vani Kotcherlakota (Economics) |
co-authored with Beverly Frickel (Finance), Frank Tenkorang (Economics), and Bruce Elder (Economics): "The Effect of NAFTA on the Relationship between Exchange Rates and Trade and Investment in the U.S." presented at the Missouri Valley Economic Association meeting in Kansas City in October 2009 |
Wendy L. Mc Carty and Geraldine Stirtz
(Teacher Education) |
co-authored with Rosemary Cervantes, Educational Service Unit 10: "Demographic Tipping Point: Cultural Brokering with English Language Learners as Service- Learning for Teacher Candidates and Educators" published in the Journal of Applied Learning in Higher Education Volume I, Fall 2009
|
Tami Moore
(Family Studies and Interior Design) |
"Family Resource Management: Reality Check Using Case Family Assignments" presented at the 71st Annual Conference for the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) |
Grant Recipients
|
Kate Heelan
(HPERLS) |
$11,090 grant from the Lexington Community Fitness Initiative for "Evaluation and Implementation of Lexington Elementary Physical Activity Policy" |
Wyatt Hoback
(Biology) |
$42,318 grant from the Nebraska Games & Parks Commission for "Development and Testing of a predictive model of occurrence & density of the American Burying Beetle" |
Geraldine Stirtz
(Teacher Education) |
$10,912 grant from the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission Corp for National and Community Service for "Rural Corps of South Central Nebraska: An AmeriCorps Program" |
KrisAnn Sullivan
(Frank House) |
$500 grant from the Kearney Area Visitors Bureau for "KAVB - Teachers Time Out" |
Items to Note for Faculty and Faculty Committees
- Academic Affairs Committee
The link to the CAP ("Course Approval Process") information is located on the Academic Affairs Committee page. CAP, a new initiative of the Academic Affairs Committee, is an electronic approval system that has taken the place of the paper forms for course proposals. The new online system allows department chairs to initiate proposals, which then automatically route to the next levels in the approval process. The entire approval process can be monitored online. **NOTE** The paper process for making changes to programs will continue; the form and instructions for submitting program proposals are available on the Academic Affairs Committee page.
The schedule of Academic Affairs deadlines for the 2009-2010 academic year has been posted on the Academic Affairs Committee page. The page also contains a committee roster and a link to the approved Academic Affairs minutes. Department or program chairs needing to make curricular changes in the coming year should be aware of these deadlines and instructions.
- Faculty Handbook
In a continuing effort to provide faculty with the most current policy information, the Faculty Handbook has been revised and reorganized. The purpose of the handbook is to gather the documents and policies that inform and guide critical decisions, including the Collective Bargaining Agreement (2009-2011).
Please note that the Faculty Handbook is updated in an online version only; refer to the online handbook when looking for the most up-to-date versions of policies, including the new Guidelines for Evaluation, Promotion, and Tenure, which have recently been revised.
- Faculty Senate
To keep faculty informed and in the spirit of shared goverenance, the 2009-2010 Faculty Senate Roster is posted on the Faculty Senate home page. The page also contains links to meeting agendas, meeting minutes of both the Faculty Senate and the Faculty Senate committees, and the Faculty Senate Constitution and Bylaws.
- General Studies
Instructions have been posted on the General Studies website regarding the submission of courses for the new General Studies Program. The course submission page includes a document outlining the process for submitting courses to the General Studies Council, deadlines for Fall 2010, and information about the portal courses.
- Graduate Council
A webpage has been created for the Graduate Council. It contains information regarding changes to graduate courses or programs, as well as a list of the 2009 Graduate Program Committees and a link to important Graduate Faculty announcements.
- WI/CD Committee
The WI/CD Committee has posted a schedule of deadlines for the spring semester on the WI/CD Committee page. The page also contains instructions for applying for WI or CD designation, as well as a committee roster, agendas, and minutes. These resources are provided for those wishing to offer courses as WI or CD.
Deadlines Approach for Various Opportunities
| Undergraduate Research Journal - Student Deadline |
Wednesday, January 20
|
Submissions are due to department chairs - Guidelines available at http://www.unk.edu/ugr/ |
Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity |
| Undergraduate Research Fellows |
Friday, January 22
at 4:00 p.m. |
Spring semester applications - More information available at http://www.unk.edu/academics/gradstudies.aspx?id=38998 |
Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity |
| Undergraduate Research Journal - Department Chair Deadline |
Wednesday, January 27 |
Up to four of the submitted papers due to the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity (FNDH 2111) - More information available at http://www.unk.edu/academics/gradstudies.aspx?id=5442 |
Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity |
| Freshmen Scholarship Deadline |
Monday, February 1 |
All new freshmen must be admitted by February 1st to be considered
for academic scholarships. |
Admissions Office |
Pratt-Heins Faculty Awards
|
Monday, February 8
|
see Pratt-Heins Faculty Award
|
Tami Plugge, Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs |
Calendar of Events within the Academic and Student Affairs Division
| Date |
Event |
| October through January 10, 2010 |
MONA presents "Currier & Ives: Winter Wonderland" - Museum Hours Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| October through March 7, 2010 |
The Museum of Nebraska Art presents "Academia Invitational" - Museum Hours Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| January 11 through February 12 |
The Walker Art Gallery Presents Karen Kune, color relief prints - Gallery Hours Monday through Friday 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - contact John Fronczak at 308-865-8084 |
| January 15 |
Planetarium Show - 7:00 p.m. (with encore show at 8:00 p.m. if there is an overflow crowd) at the Planetarium in the Bruner Hall of Science - contact Kristie Mosher at 308-865-8277 or mosherk@unk.edu |
| January 18 |
Martin Luther King , Jr. Day - no classes, offices closed |
| January 20 |
“Story Presentation: A Unique Approach To Telling Folktales, Personal & Family Stories And Tales Of Historic Events”: A Workshop Presented by Beth Horner, Storyteller - 9:05 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Ockinga Conference Room - contact Julie Agard |
| January 21 |
informational session on this Field Study abroad summer class to Colombia (PSCI 456-Human Rights and Democracy in Colombia) - 4:00 pm in Copeland Hall Room 140 - contact William Avilés, Department of Political Science |
| January 22 |
Special Times Talk: Haiti Panel Presentation - 12:15 p.m. |
| January 22 |
Planetarium Show - 7:00 p.m. (with encore show at 8:00 p.m. if there is an overflow crowd) at the Planetarium in the Bruner Hall of Science - contact Kristie Mosher at 308-865-8277 or mosherk@unk.edu |
| January 26 |
Writing Across Borders: Matinee and Discussion sponsored by The Writing Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Office of International Programs, and Center for Teaching Excellence - 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Nebraskan Student Union Room 116 (OMA) - to RSVP, contact Sarah in the Center for Teaching Excellence at teachingcenter@unk.edu |
| January 27 |
Writing Across Borders: Matinee and Discussion sponsored by The Writing Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Office of International Programs, and Center for Teaching Excellence - 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Nebraskan Student Union Room 116 (OMA) - to RSVP, contact Sarah in the Center for Teaching Excellence at teachingcenter@unk.edu |
| February 1 |
Last Day to file for Spring Graduation |
| February 3 |
Federal Earmark Information Session regarding "congressionally directed" grants for projects - 10:00 a.m. in Room 310 of the Nebraskan Student Union - contact John Falconer, Office of Sponsored Programs |
| February 8 |
Senior Day |
| February 12 |
The Walker Art Gallery Presents Artist Talk/Reception: Professor Karen Kunc and UNL Master of Fine Art Students - 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building, Room 312 - contact John Fronczak at 308-865-8084 |
| March 1 |
Scholar's Recognition Day |
| March 26 |
Nebraska Cultural Unity Conference |
| April 5 |
Junior Day |
| April 8 |
Student Research Day - oral presentations and open viewing of posters from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Nebraskan Student Union |
Edited by Kim Elliott, Coordinator of Academic Publications
A Publication of the
Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
University of Nebraska at Kearney
905 West 25th Street
Kearney, NE 68849
Phone: (308)865-8209
For questions or submissions,
contact the Coordinator of Academic Publications at 8935 or academicpublications@unk.edu.
