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February 1, 2001
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CCSW Surveying Women at UNL A Chance to Tell Your StoryWhat is it like to be a woman at UNL? The Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women is gathering the stories of women students, staff and faculty about their experiences (positive and negative) as members of this community. What have your colleagues, classmates, supervisors and instructors done to make you and other women feel welcomed and valued? What subtle messages have you experienced that lead you to feel less important or valued than males in your classes, unit or department? What university policies have contributed to or detracted from making this a supportive environment for women? How have your colleagues, classmates, supervisors or instructors shown respect for your contributions and those of other women? In what ways have they demonstrated a lack of respect or recognition of those contributions? Have you or has anyone you know experienced harassment, discrimination or stereotyping because of their gender? Where are the "shining stars" on campus that can be models for others to emulate in their treatment of women? There are three ways you can share your stories with the Commission, depending on your need for confidentiality: You can send an email to Jan Deeds jdeeds1@unl.edu. State clearly if you are willing to have your name disclosed. Answer any or all of the questions above, or describe your experiences in any way that is comfortable for you. You can send an anonymous letter to Jan at the Women's Center, 340 Nebraska Union, City Campus 0446. You can attend one of four open forums and give a brief report on your experiences. Volunteers will take notes about participants' statements, and will include your name only if you give permission. The scheduled forums are:
This information will be compiled and presented to the chancellor, who has asked us to get an accurate picture of the climate for women at UNL in order to make UNL a better place for women students, faculty and staff. Community Climate Survey Moves ForwardThe first goal of the Comprehensive Diversity Plan for UNL is to "Create a campus climate where tolerance and respect are encouraged and modeled, so everyone enjoys equitable opportunities for professional development and personal fulfillment." In an effort to work toward that goal, the Office of Equity, Access and Diversity Programs and the Bureau of Sociological Research are developing a plan to periodically assess perceptions about the campus community. Linda Crump, director of Equity, Access and Diversity Programs, hopes that the effort will respond to a need that she often hears expressed. "This series of surveys will be a good first step in benchmarking where we are as a community and measuring our progress." Interim Chancellor Harvey Perlman expressed the need for a positive environment at the January Deans and Directors meeting, "One of the best things we can do right now is to think about ways to enhance the positive interactions in our community in the broadest possible sense." The survey process, which is still being developed, would establish a baseline of community perceptions in the spring of 2001, with annual followup surveys through 2005. The baseline data would be used to inform discussions about future community building activities on campus. Shades of Leadership Seeks NominationsNominations are due Feb. 16 for Shades of Leadership, an annual recognition ceremony that honors students, staff and faculty who have exemplified leadership qualities in areas concerning students of color. These individuals make significant contributions, going above and beyond the norm, to create an atmosphere conducive to the needs of minority students at UNL. Shades of Leadership also recognizes minority students who have achieved significant academic accomplishments while successfully balancing the role of student leader. All UNL students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the Lincoln community, are invited to nominate persons who deserve such recognition. A panel of members from the university community will evaluate all nominees. The top five selected student leaders and one faculty/staff member will receive an award on April 12. All nominees will also be recognized at the award ceremony. To nominate an individual, contact William Olubodun, wolubodun2@unl.edu, or Fax (402) 472-8140, or pick up information at Student Involvement, 200 Nebraska Union. HSS African American Heritage Dinner Feb. 16Harper-Schramm-Smith Residence Hall will host a special dinner to celebrate Black History Month from 4:30 to 6:15 p.m. on Feb 16. A soul food dinner will be served and special entertainment will be provided in the dining hall. Performances will include: Darryl White (UNL School of Music/ Jazz Trumpet), Southview Christian Church Children's Choir, These Hands (sign language performance), Camisha Brown (soloist), and more. University faculty, staff, students, and the public are invited. For more information contact Janet Prochaska at 472-1069. Mail and Distribution Services WorkshopMail and Distribution Services will be holding workshops to offer campus departments suggestions on how to most cost-effectively mail documents. The workshop meets from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Feb. 14 in the East Union and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15 in the Nebraska Union. If you would like more information before then, contact Mark Porter at 472-7029 or e-mail mporter3@unl.edu. Law College Hosts Diversity Law Day Feb. 3The number of minorities entering the legal profession is rising; still, only 7 percent of the nation's lawyers are people of color and fewer than one in 25 attorneys is African American. The University of Nebraska College of Law hopes to improve those numbers through its annual Diversity Law Day, part of National Minority Law Student Recruitment Month. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 3 at Ross McCollum Hall, East Campus Loop and Fair Street. The free program is open to students of color who desire to learn more about law school. For more information, call the Law College's admissions office at (402) 472-2161. The program will provide information about preparing for law school, the LSAT and the admission process, the Law Library, financing a legal education and career opportunities. Guests can participate in a mock class and visit with law students, faculty and alumni. National Minority Law Recruitment Month at the University of Nebraska is part of a campaign funded by the Law School Admission Council to raise awareness of minority recruiting issues at law schools. The effort comes on the heels of setbacks to affirmative action in states like California and Texas that have reduced minority representation in entering law school classes. Diversity Law Day is cosponsored by the UNL Office of Multi-cultural Affairs and the College of Law's Black Law Students Association and Multi-Cultural Legal Society. International Honorary PBD Seeks NominationsThe UNL chapter of Phi Beta Delta, the international honor society, is seeking nominations for student and faculty/staff members. The society recognizes the scholarly achievements of students who have studied abroad, international strudents and visiting scholars as well as faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves in an international context. Requirements for membership are: students who have demonstrated a strong international commitment through academic work, study abroad, student exchange and/or cross-cultural activities (undergraduate students with a grade poiint average of at least 3.25 and graduate students matriculated in a degree program) and faculty/staff who have made a significant contribution to the university's international programs. You may request a nomination form by calling 472-5358. Nominations are due by Feb. 21 and should be sent to Phi Beta Delta, c/o International Affairs, 420 University Terrace 0682. National GLBT Hate Crimes Hotline AvailableHave you been harassed, threatened or attacked at school, work, or home because you are perceived to be or are gay, lesbian, bi or trans? Help is available by calling or emailing The National GLBT Hate Crimes Hotline at 1-800-616-HATE, 24 hours/day, or visit, http://www.HATE-CRIME.org. A non-profit, toll-free hotline is available to help you with anti-gay incidents. The National GLBT Hate Crimes Hotline is answered by trained volunteers. It offers information, documentation, and referrals. They can help you if you have been threatened or attacked, or if you feel you were discriminated against, harassed, or hurt some other way. Regardless of where you live, you can also tell them about what is happening to you online. You can also use your computer and email to directly help in the effort stop hate violence - and support others who have survived such incidents. To volunteer or get more information, go to http://www.HATE-CRIME.org or email HCDN-subscribe@egroups.com.
Free Retirement Planning Seminar Feb. 27What is "Aging in Place?" Find out the answer and discuss other topics including Roth IRAs, pension plans and social security benefits at a free retirement planning seminar at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the UNL Clifford Hardin Center. Also, find out "What to Expect;" "Financing Heath Insurance," "Retirement," and "Long Term Care." Diane Rolfsmeyer, a certified financial planning professional, will answer these and many other retirement questions. Call the Credit Union, 472-2087, to reserve your seat for this free seminar. Seating is limited. Open Meeting for VC Research Candidate Feb. 7The first candidate for the position of vice chancellor for research will visit UNL Feb. 6, 7 and 8. An open meeting with faculty has been scheduled from 3:30 - 5 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Wick Alumni Center Great Hall. The candidate is Prem Paul, associate vice provost for research at Iowa State University. Paul will give a 15 minute presentation and the opportunity for discussion and questions will follow. All interested persons are invited to attend. Fluorescent Tube Replacement Process IlluminatedEnvironmental Health and Safety wants to remind everyone about the new handling procedures for burned-out fluorescent light bulbs. With the exception of Alto bulbs (identified by green ends), burned-out light tubes must be immediately placed in a box (preferably from the replacement bulb), the box must be sealed with tape, and the box must be placed in the fluorescent light tube accumulation area for the building. The box must also be labeled with this exact wording: "Universal Waste - Mercury Containing Lamps." The box must be dated with the earliest date that an unwanted tube is placed in the box. Alto tubes can be placed in the trash. Call the Recycling Office at 472-6099 when a box is full, or if you don't know the location of your building's accumulation area. Better yet, leave changing light bulbs to Facility Management personnel who have been trained in proper handling methods. A fact sheet pertaining to fluorescent light tubes is available on the EHS Web Site at http://bifrost.unl.edu/ehs. Student Leadership Nominations Due Feb. 9Nominations are now being taken for the 2000-2001 Student Leadership Award for Juniors. This award recognizes the wide variety of student leadership on our campus and the valuable contributions to campus and the Lincoln community made by our student leaders. The Student Leadership Award for Juniors is given annually to one male and one female student who meet stated criteria and who have made notable leadership contributions at UNL. The award is intended to recognize outstanding efforts in academic, co-curricular and/or extra-curricular activities and involvements. Recipients are awarded a scholarship with an approximate value of the cost of resident tuition and fees during the student's senior year at UNL. Semifinalists for this award receive book scholarships, and all finalists and semifinalists will be recognized at an April 6 awards banquet. Nomination forms are available at the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, City and East Campus Student Involvement Offices, and the ASUN Office. Please contact Student Affairs at 472-3755 if you would like to have nomination information mailed to you. The nomination deadline is Feb. 9. Your help in honoring outstanding student leadership is greatly appreciated. Feb. 2 Is Degree Application DeadlineFeb. 2 is the deadline for applying for a degree to be received on May 5. A $25 non-refundable degree application fee must the accompany the Application For Degree form. The fee applies only to the term indicated on the application and is not transferable to another term. Applications are to be filed at the Graduation Services Office, 109 Canfield Administration Building. Graduate Award Deadline Feb. 9Nominations are being accepted for two graduate assistant awards sponsored by the Nebraska Alumni Association and a graduate education award co-sponsored by the association and the UNL Graduate College. The 2001 Graduate Research Assistant Awards, Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards and Excellence in Graduate Education Award will be presented at the Graduate College Awards Banquet in April. The awards consist of a cash stipend and an inscribed memento. Students, faculty, administrators, staff, parents, alumni and friends of the university are encouraged to submit nominations. Forms were mailed to faculty earlier this month and also are available through the alumni association, 472-2841.The deadline for submissions is Feb. 9. Chemical Sewage Disposal List AvailableEnvironmental Health and Safety has posted a list of aqueous chemical solutions that can be disposed down a sanitary sewer. Restrictions apply and some solutions will need to be neutralized and/or diluted before disposal. The list, which is in effect until Aug. 1, is available on the EHS Web Site at http://bifrost.unl.edu/ehs (select Subject Index, and then Waste Management) or by calling EHS at 472-4926. The Sewer Disposal List is applicable only at UNL facilities in Lancaster County. 4 Planets Visible at Student Observatory Feb. 2The UNL Student Observatory will be open to the public from 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 2 for viewing of the brightest attractions of the evening sky: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and the moon, and rare glimpse of the innermost planet - Mercury. There is no charge for admission to the observatory. Children of all ages are welcome. The early February sky contains some striking solar-system sights. As twilight falls on Feb. 2, the moon, Jupiter and Saturn will form a close prominent group high in the sky, Venus will be shining brilliantly in the southwest, and elusive Mercury can be seen in the western twilight. Mercury is a much smaller world than the earth and is always hard to see since it is so close to the sun. This is one of the best times to see it in 2001. Mercury will only be visible from 6 to 6:30. "More than 99 percent of the world's population has never knowingly seen Mercury" said UNL astronomer Martin Gaskell. "This is your chance to become part of the other 1 percent." The biggest attractions of the evening will be the ever-beautiful ringed planet Saturn. The telescope will reveal the beauties of Saturn's rings, activities in the clouds of stormy Jupiter, and craters on the moon. All phenomena visible will be explained in detail by a UNL astronomer. The observatory is unheated so it is important for visitors to dress very warmly. The Student Observatory is located on the roof of the Stadium Parking Garage, 10th and T streets. Parking is available on the roof of the garage near the observatory. The observatory will not be open if the sky is totally cloudy. The next public night will be on March 2. Human Resources Creating Professional Development OppsIn a few weeks, the Department of Human Resources will be announcing a new web page that will serve as a clearinghouse for staff training and development opportunities across campus and three new and expanded professional development series for staff and managers. Two of these series - the NU Leadership Development Series and the Managing @ UNL Series - build upon and transform the long-standing SuperSeminar Series into a more comprehensive resource for those in supervisory and managerial positions by expanding to include a greater diversity of topics. The third series, the NU Professional Development Series, covers some of the same topics but is designed specifically for those not in supervisory or managerial positions. Both the NU Leadership Development Series and the NU Professional Development Series are based on the concepts and materials developed by Developmental Dimensions International. DDI leadership training is used by thousands of organizations worldwide to strengthen leadership talent, including a number of institutions of higher education and more than 400 of the Fortune 500 companies. The Managing @ UNL Series will initially cover the same topics offered in the SuperSeminar II Series with the addition of an Environmental Health and Safety Supervisory Training workshop. This summer, additional courses that focus on specific university policies, procedures, guidelines and resources will be added including a session on dealing with absenteeism and a quick but thorough review of University HR policies in general. For more information, call Human Resources at 472-3101. Nebraska Agriculture Technologies Conference Feb. 7By Dan Moser, IANR News and Publishing New technologies are being introduced at record pace in today's agricultural industry. A February conference will help producers and agribusinesses explore these technologies. The inaugural Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association Conference and Trade Show is scheduled Feb. 7 in Kearney at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center. Participants will have 20 presentations from which to choose. Grant Mangold, technology editor for Successful Farming magazine, is the keynote speaker. Presentations will address a variety of precision agriculture issues, wireless broadband Internet access, open-source software issues, handheld computers, site-specific on-farm research, and agricultural intelligence information available on the Internet. "This conference was designed to facilitate interaction and idea exchanging among Nebraska producers and agribusinesses interested in using technology to enhance the profitability of their respective operations," said Dave Varner, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension educator. "This conference is a great opportunity for agriculturalists to learn and share with each other." Advanced registration and the annual Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association membership dues is $50 if received by Feb. 3. Conference brochures with a complete program listing and further registration details are available at local Extension offices. The conference is sponsored by the Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association, the Nebraska Microcomputer Association, and NU's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, of which Cooperative Extension is a division. For more information, contact Varner at (402)540-9315 or <dvarner1@unl.edu>. Tuition Remission Is Popular BenefitIf you want to take a university course - for professional development or just for fun - you may be eligible to take classes for as little as $1 per credit hour - a savings of up to $120 per credit hour. Eligible employees must hold a full-time regular position for at least the first 30 days of the semester and be in pay status on the first day of the semester. Retired employees may also utilize this program. Specifically, the program pays for all but $1 of resident tuition for up to 15 credit hours in a 12-month period. Program participants are responsible for certain minor fees including application, registration and technology fees. Employees using tuition remission for graduate classes must be able to show that the courses taken are job-related or the dollar value of the tuition remission will be treated as taxable income. Courses can be taken at UNL, UNO, UNMC or UNK, and must be taken for college credit, although employees may choose to audit a class rather than take it for a letter grade. Program participants use the same registration procedures as other students and are subject to all institutional enrollment policies. Employees are asked to try to schedule classes so they do not interfere with normal work schedules. When that is not possible, employees may work with their department to see if it is possible instead to rearrange their work hours. Time away from work that is not made up is charged to vacation time. Copies of the Tuition Remission Application Form and more detailed information about this program can be found on-line at http://www.unl.edu/unlhr/ hrhomepage.html. For more information, call Human Resources at 472-3101. EHS Listserv AvailableThe UNL Environmental Health and Safety Information listserv is now available. The listserv was created to distribute announcements regarding new EHS services, programs, and documents; and to provide a forum for the UNL community to discuss environmental, health, and safety issues. The listserv is specifically targeted to supervisors at UNL who bear significant EHS responsibilities. UNL EHS will post new information to the listserv as it becomes available. Members are asked to post questions regarding problems or concerns they are having. The listserv is set to "digest" mode, so that a maximum of one message will be sent to members each day. To subscribe, please send an email message to listserv@unl.edu. In the message field of the email, enter SUBSCRIBE EHSINFO. |
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