— October 26, 2006 —

Contents

  1. Attend Benefits Information and Wellness Day Monday
  2. Athletic Director to retire Dec. 31
  3. All Souls service planned
  4. Renewal Task Force seeks new ideas
  5. Monthly power lunches scheduled
  6. Groups sponsor programs on constitutional amendment on marriage
  7. Honors Program hosts faculty development information session
  8. Shoo the flu!
  9. Manresa plans women's spirituality discussion
  10. Colloquium features math professor
  11. Women host Villanova in Big East Soccer Tournament 
  12. Men's basketball to host Haunted Hoops Scrimmage tomorrow
  13. University Events

1. Attend Benefits Information and Wellness Day Monday

Take advantage of free health screenings. Talk to insurance representatives. Get help in using MyJob to verify information and lect benefits.

Employees and their spouses are invited to attend the Benefits Information and Wellness Day on Monday, Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Monaghan Ballroom of the Alumni Memorial Union. Refreshments and door prizes will be offered.

ALL faculty and staff will need to access MyJob, the online employee information resource, to verify personal, emergency contact and beneficiary information during the annual enrollment period, Oct. 30 – Nov. 17.  In addition, faculty and staff wishing to maintain or modify their medical or dental benefits and/or wanting to participate in the university-sponsored Flexible Spending Accounts for health care and/or dependent care MUST enroll online.

If you have any questions regarding access to MyJob, please contact the IT Services Help Desk at 8-7799; for questions on the content of MyJob, contact Human Resources at 8-7305.

Back to Top

2. Athletic Director to retire Dec. 31

Bill Cords, Marquette athletic director since July 1987, has announced his decision to retire effective Dec. 31.

At a press conference Tuesday, Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., praised Cords for his “amazing ability to recruit great coaches” and for “running a program of unquestioned integrity.”

“Bill Cords cares deeply about our student athletes,” Father Wild said. “His concern for our student athletes and his attention to their needs both on and off the court have helped create athletic programs that are not only successful in terms of wins and losses but, most importantly, are successful in helping young men and women succeed well as students and as human beings.”

Cords guided Marquette’s transition from independent status to conference affiliation, including, in 2005, a move to the Big East Conference. During his tenure, Marquette expanded its Division I sports offerings, added and improved athletic facilities and maintained student athlete graduation rates at least 15 percent higher than national averages. Cords was honored nationally as the 1999 NACDA/Continental Regional (Central) I-AA/I-AAA Athletic Director of the Year.

Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Crean said Cords allowed his coaches to coach with both their head and their heart. “He brings a mentorship, he brings an energy, he brings an enthusiasm, he brings a pure toughness for doing the job and giving them (the coaches) an opportunity to succeed,” Crean said. Calling Cords a “second father, a true friend and a partner,” Crean said he valued Cords’ leadership and guidance. 

Cords contrasted the attention he received Tuesday, with coverage from all four local television stations and radio stations as well as daily and campus newspapers, with his first press conference at Marquette when there was no radio or TV coverage and only one newspaper reporter present. He acknowledged university administrators, coaches, the athletic staff, student athletes, donors, season ticket holders and fans for their “great support.”  

Cords said he expected Marquette’s athletic programs to “get better” in the future. “We have the best head coaches we’ve ever had here,” he said, citing many of them by name. He said he wanted to be remembered for ensuring that “every time our students step into an arena of competition, they have a great chance to win.”

In retirement Cords and his wife will split their time between Milwaukee and Red Lodge, Montana. He said he will keep his Golden Eagles tickets.

Associate Senior Vice President Steve Cottingham will serve as interim athletic director at least through the summer.

3. All Souls service planned

All members of the Marquette community who have lost a family member in the past year are invited to attend a prayer service on Tuesday, Nov. 2, in the Chapel of the Holy Family on the second floor of the Alumni Memorial Union.

This ecumenical prayer service of remembrance will involve hymns, readings and an opportunity for quiet prayer and reflection. All faculty, staff, administrators and students who lost a loved one in the past year are welcome to attend, as well as their spouses, family members and friends.

If you have any questions, please contact Laura Krenz in the Office of Mission and Identity at 8-1794 or e-mail her.

4. Renewal Task Force seeks new ideas

Efforts led by the Renewal Task Force (RTF), which is working across campus to reduce expenses and reallocate resources, saved Marquette $549,000 in fiscal year 2006, according to the Office of Administration.  Since fiscal 1999, the task force has saved a total of $8.4 million.

One example of savings identified by the RTF committee last fiscal year includes Undergraduate Admissions which generated annual savings of $35,000 by directing potential applicants to use the on-line registration and informational resources.  Another example involves the use of university cell phones.  Cell phone plans were reviewed and optimized based on usage patterns and the implementation of an electronic distribution of bills has reduced cell phone costs by approximately $50,000 annually.

For fiscal year 2007 the task force, chaired by Kathy Lang, chief information officer, is planning to focus not only on financial savings but also on quality enhancements.  Quality enhancements include process improvements that allow the university to be more productive, new services to better support students and faculty, and the elimination of tasks that are no longer necessary.

All members of the university community, including faculty, administrators, staff and students, can influence the task force’s work.  All ideas will remain confidential.  To submit an idea of how the university can improve quality, reduce expenses or make the university work more efficiently, please contact Dr. Toby Peters, associate vice president for administration, by e-mail or call 8-1463.  Ideas can be about your own work area or any area of the university.

5. Monthly power lunches scheduled

Network with professionals in various career fields. Hear real stories and experiences from experts representing diverse cultures. Get a free lunch (soup, salad, or sandwich buffet for attendees).

Each month will feature a panel of professionals representing various career fields and the cultural heritage of that particular month’s celebration. Topics covered will include career information specific to each professional’s area of expertise and a focus on real experiences including stories of challenge and success.
 
The monthly sessions will be held from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the Career Services Center Seminar Room on the first floor of Holthusen Hall.

The lunch on Tuesday, Oct. 31, will include speakers talking about American Indian Heritage. They are: Carol Sample, principal of Spotted Eagle High School; Karl Lusis, owner of Standing Stone Design, LLC; and Charilty Schwingle, All Nations Wellness Center supervisor at Ignace Indian Health Center, Inc.

Dates and topics for future power lunches are:

  • Thursday, Nov. 30: Arab Heritage
  • Wednesday, Jan. 31: Celebrating Civil Rights Activists
  • Wednesday, Feb. 28: Black/African American Heritage
  • Friday, Mar. 30: Women in Diversity                          
  • Wednesday, April 25: Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage

More details, including a list of panelists, may be found online.

This monthly program is a collaborative effort between the Career Services Center and the Office of Student Development’s Intercultural Programs

Back to Top

6. Groups sponsor programs on constitutional amendment on marriage

The College Republicans and College Democrats will host "The 2006 Election Debate: The Proposed Marriage and Civil Unions Amendment" on Monday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium.

Panelists will include: Dr. Christopher Wolfe , professor of political science and a
member of the Wisconsin Coalition for Traditional Marriage; Rick Esenberg, adjunct faculty in the Law School; Mike Tate, campaign manager for Fair Wisconsin; and Scott Moss, assistant professor of law.

The panel is co-sponsored by Students for a Fair Wisconsin and the Gay/Straight Alliance.

Also on Monday, University Ministry and the Manresa Project are sponsoring a dialogue on "Defining Marriage in Wisconsin" at 5:30 p.m. in room 227 of the Alumni Memorial union.

The dialogue is part of Crosswalks, a forum where people of faith practice respectful dialogue on various issues of spiritual and public importance. Soup will be provided at the event. E-mail for more information.

The question regarding marriage in Wisconsin that will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot is: "Shall section 13 of Article XIII of the constitution be created to provide that only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state and that a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state?"

Back to Top

7. Honors Program hosts faculty development information session

Marquette faculty are invited to a Wine and Cheese Reception on Monday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m. in the lower level of the Raynor Memorial Library (Beaumier Suite) to learn more about a grant awarded to the University Honors Program from the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS). Speaking at the event will be Tony Peressini, director of the University Honors Program, Heather Hathaway, associate dean in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, and Michael Vater, associate professor of philosophy.

The grant enables the Honors Program to increase the number of faculty designing and teaching courses offered in the contemplative practice track of the program’s second-year seminars. Through this initiative, the Honors Program will be able to expand the number of courses featuring contemplative pedagogies at Marquette.

The ACLS grant will initially support a faculty retreat in May 2007 focusing on the role and incorporation of contemplation in the traditional academic classroom. The conversation from that retreat will be continued through monthly meetings designed to share ideas, discuss challenges and revise courses. Finally, the grant will also enable the Honors Program to host a university-wide lecture series on topics relevant to contemplative pedagogies and including such speakers as Fr. Thomas Keating and Parker Palmer.

Faculty are invited to learn more about the grant on Nov. 6 and to hear about opportunities for faculty development and participation. Application information will also be distributed.

RSVPs are appreciated. Please call 8-7516 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you don't get the chance to respond, feel free to attend at the last minute.

8. SHOO the FLU!!!

In conjunction with the Visiting Nurses Association of Milwaukee, Marquette University’s annual “SHOO The FLU” drive will take place on campus from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 30, in the first floor lobby of the Alumni Memorial Union (AMU) and on Tuesday, Oct. 31, in room 227 of the AMU.

The flu shot is a great preventive measure for all who want to remain healthy and lessen illness throughout the academic year.   

The cost, payable in cash or by check, is $25.

Check your insurance.  Marquette’s EPO plan covers the entire cost of flu shots for staff members, their spouses and dependents; the PPO plan covers 80 percent of the cost of flu shots for staff members, their spouses and dependents.  Just retain your receipt to submit for reimbursement. 

Medicare-part B and Medicaid cards will also be accepted.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call Student Health Service at 8-7184 or the Center for Health Education and Promotion at 8-5217. 

Back to Top

9. Manresa plans women's spirituality discussion

Several women have expressed a desire to have a discussion group among women on campus about issues of spirituality. 

The Manresa Project invites you to attend the first opportunity to do this on Friday, Oct. 27, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Raynor Library Conference Room. You are welcome to bring your lunch.  Beverages will be provided.

Please read the article "Measure of Success” by Dorothy Bass and Mark Schwehn in the June 27, 2006, edition of Christian Century for our topic of discussion.  You may access the article through the library or online. The library will also assist you if the link is not consistent in connecting you.
 
When the proquest appears, click on "Jump to text".  Library staff can assist you if you have difficulty.

Back to Top

10. Colloquium features math professor

Dr. Sonja Stimac from the Department of Mathematics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will discuss “On Ingram’s Conjecture” at a colloquium tomorrow, Oct. 27, at 4 p.m. in room 401 of Cudahy Hall. Refreshments will be served beginning at 3:30 p.m. in room 342.

Dr. Stimac is also on the faculty at the Graduate School of Economics and Business at the University of Zagreb in Croatia. Her speech will discuss how the use of symbolic dynamics can give some insight into the structure of the inverse limit spaces of tent maps with critical points that approach periodic points.

The colloquium is sponsored by the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science.

Back to Top

11. Women host Villanova in Big East Soccer Tournament

The Golden Eagles women’s soccer team clinched a first round bye in Big East Conference Tournament and earned the second seed in the American Division.

Marquette will host the no. 3 seed of the National Division, Villanova, on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 1 p.m., at Valley Fields.

Admission for the game is free for Marquette students with an ID. Admission for others is $5 for adults, $3 for youth and $2 per individual for groups of 15 or more. Concessions, including hot dogs, soda and candy, will be $1.

Back to Top

12. Men's basketball to host Haunted Hoops Scrimmage tomorrow

Marquette’s men’s basketball team will host “Haunted Hoops” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, at the Al McGuire Center.

Activities include “trick-or-treating” for children 14 years old and younger wearing a costume, games and prizes.  The evening will conclude with a team scrimmage and autograph session.

The event is free and open to the public.  Doors open at 7 p.m.

Back to Top

13. University Events

Visit the all-university online Calendar of Events for a complete listing of all upcoming events in the next week.

Back to Top

 

News Briefs is published Mondays and Thursdays, except in summer when only the Monday edition is published, and as news warrants by the Office of Marketing and Communication for Marquette faculty and staff. The deadline for the Monday edition is noon Friday. The deadline for the Thursday edition is noon Wednesday.

Comments? Questions? Is there news you would like to share? E-mail, call 8-7448, fax 8-7197 or send your note in campus mail to News Briefs, Office of Marketing and Communication.