1. Marquette studying freshman experience

Marquette is one of 20 four-year institutions selected to participate in a comprehensive, campus-wide self-assessment of the first year college experience during the 2008-09 academic year.

The Office of the Provost and the Division of Student Affairs are working with the Policy Center on the First Year of College, located in Ashville, N.C., whose Foundations of Excellence project involves a research-based self-study, including surveys of students as well as faculty, administrators and staff who work with first-year students. The self-study also involves a policy review and a comprehensive examination of current practices. The purpose of the study is to produce a plan of action for improvement campus-wide, with recommendations expected from throughout the Marquette community.

“We want to carefully assess what we are already doing successfully and determine what improvements we can make to maximize the experience of our freshmen,” Dr. Peggy Bloom, vice provost for undergraduate programs and teaching, said. “We know that both the curricular and co-curricular programming are important, not only to meeting student learning outcomes but also for retention and students’ sense of well-being and satisfaction.”

The steering committee for the project includes Bloom; Dr. Stephanie Quade, senior associate dean of student development; Dr. John Pustejovsky, associate professor of German; and Anne Deahl, associate vice provost for academic support programs. Nine task forces will also be formed to review the survey results and program findings and evaluate Marquette’s success in addressing each of the nine dimensions of the academic environment identified by the Foundations of Excellence in the First College Year:

• Philosophy/rationale of the first year that guides institutional policies and practices

• Organizational structures and practices that provide a comprehensive, integrated and coordinated approach to the first year

• Intentional curricular and co-curricular experiences in the first year based on the university’s learning outcomes and mission

• Making the first year a priority for faculty

• Facilitating transitions, beginning with recruitment and admissions and continuing through the first year

• Addressing the varied needs of first-year students

• Exposing first-year students to diverse ideas, world views and cultures

• Helping students understand the roles and purposes of higher education, both for the individual and society

• Conduct assessments and interact with other institutions to achieve ongoing improvement in the first-year experience

Established in 1999, the Policy Center on the First Year of College is a nonprofit research/policy center supported by the Pew Charitable Trust and the Lumina Foundation for Education. More than 100 two- and four-year institutions have participated in the project since its inception in 2003.

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2. District attorney and Yale law professor to discuss crime

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm and Yale Law School Professor Dan Kahan will discuss how to improve relations between law enforcement officials and residents in high crime neighborhoods at “On the Issues with Mike Gousha” tomorrow, Oct. 7, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. The program will take place in Sensenbrenner Hall 325.

Chisholm and Kahan will offer their perspectives on policing and prosecution, as well as take questions from Gousha, distinguished fellow in law and public policy at the Law School, and the audience. Kahan has written extensively about efforts in Chicago to reduce crime and respond to resident concerns. Chisholm has received recognition for his department’s attempts to engage the community.

Register online.

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3. George Cheney to speak about ethics and communication

The J. William & Mary Diederich College of Communication will sponsor the Diederich Visiting Scholar Program tomorrow, Oct. 7, at 4 p.m. in AMU 227. George Cheney, director of peace and conflict studies and director of the Barbara L. and Norman C. Tanner Center for Nonviolent Human Rights Advocacy at he University of Utah, will present “Just a Job? Communication, Ethics and Professional Life.” Cheney, an organizational communication scholar, will discuss how our approach to ethics frames how we deal with ethics in professional life.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Rose Richard, assistant dean of the Diederich College, at 8-3448.

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4. Information sessions to address business plan competition

Marquette’s Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship is accepting submissions for its 2009 Business Plan Competition. The center will host information sessions about the competition at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, and Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Straz Hall 265.

The deadline for submissions, which require completing an entry form and answering three questions, is Monday, Nov. 3. At least one member of a team must be a Marquette student, faculty member, staff or alumnus/a.

The competition provides a learning environment in which entrepreneurs develop their business ideas and receive feedback from faculty and experienced entrepreneurs, according to Tim Keane, director of the center and the Marquette Golden Angels Network. Following the deadline for entries, the submissions will be reviewed by a team of judges. The entrants accepted into the competition will be paired with an entrepreneurial mentor from the Golden Angels Network, a Marquette alumnus or another community entrepreneur to develop a more in-depth plan. Entrants will also participate in a series of workshops covering business model development, plan refinement and presentation skills.

The fully developed plans will be reviewed by a panel of judges who will select semi-finalists to participate in oral presentations. The winners, who will be announced at Marquette on April 15, 2009, will receive services, such as legal, accounting and public relations assistance.

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5. Dr. Julius Ruff to speak about relations with the French

Dr. Julius Ruff, professor of history, will present “The Ally We Love to Hate: Reflection on American’s Relations with the French,” Thursday, Oct. 9, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the AMU Henke Lounge.

The presentation is part of “The Last Lecture Series,” sponsored by the Honors Program, in which faculty members address a specific topic from the viewpoint of “If this were the last lecture of your career, what would you want to say?”

Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Maria Cooper, assistant director of the honors program, 8–7516.

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6. OIE to host election discussions, stress management workshop

The Office of International Education and the Maryknoll Global Concerns Office will present “U.S. Elections: Loving our neighbor in a shrinking world,” Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in AMU 425. The discussion will focus on how the United States’ foreign policy decisions affect other countries, with topics ranging from global climate change, migration and economic justice to HIV/AIDS, peace and security.

OIE and Student Health Service will hold a Stress Management and Relaxation Workshop from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, in AMU 407. The purpose is to show how to manage stress and stay healthy during exam week and beyond.

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7. Learn about physician assistant field at open houses

The Physician Assistant Studies Program in the College of Health Sciences will host open houses to provide information about the program:

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 3 p.m. – Tony & Lucille Weasler Auditorium

Thursday, Nov. 11, 5 p.m. – room 201 of the 1700 Building, 1700 W. Wells St.

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8. Biological sciences and chemistry to hold seminars

The Department of Biological Sciences will host a seminar Friday, Oct. 10, at 3:30 p.m. in Wehr Life Sciences 111. Dr. Tim Hales, professor of pharmacology and physiology at the George Washington University Medical Center, will present “Looking up from Beneath the Synapse at Cys-loop Receptors.”

The Department of Chemistry will hold a colloquium Friday, Oct. 10, at 4 p.m. in Todd Wehr Chemistry Building 121. Dr. Timothy Swager, professor of chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will present “Nakamoto Lecture: Polymer Electronics for the Creation of Chemical Sensors.”

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9. Reconciliation Service held tonight

Campus Ministry will sponsor a “Live in Love” reconciliation service today, Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Family, AMU. Rev. Doug Leonhardt, S.J., will preside. Stephanie Russell, executive director of mission and identity, will provide a reflection.

This reconciliation service is part of a series of services that take place the first Monday of each month.

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10. Flu shots available at walk-in flu clinic

The Marquette Neighborhood Health Center will provide flu vaccines at walk-in flu clinics beginning tomorrow, Oct. 7, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Marquette Neighborhood Health Center, 1834 W. Wisconsin Ave. The flu shot is available to anyone two years of age and older. Cost is $40 for those without insurance. No appointment is necessary, but the vaccines will be administered first-come, first-served.

Additional dates for walk-in flu clinics:

• Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Call the Marquette Neighborhood Health Center at 8-8458 for more information.

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11. Facing Sudan movie being shown Wednesday

The Darfur Action Coalition will host a free screening of the film Facing Sudan on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in Marquette Hall 100. Told through the eyes of ordinary Sudanese people, Facing Sudan is the story of the thousands of people who struggle to survive in refugee camps in the Sudan, and the world’s reaction to the atrocities and violence in that war-torn nation.

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12. Free depression screenings available Thursday

The Counseling Center will offer free depression screenings for students on National Depression Screening Day, Thursday, Oct. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Holthusen 205. Screenings are free and completely confidential. Students can learn more about depression and other mood disorders, complete a brief screening questionnaire, watch an educational video, and pick up additional information. Students will individually discuss the results of their screening with a mental health counselor. If appropriate, students may be referred for a complete evaluation.

More information is available on online or by calling the Counseling Center at 8-7172.

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13. Active Minds student group offering $5 yoga classes

The student organization Active Minds will host “Yoga of the Mind, Body and Soul” classes Thursday, Oct. 9, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Both classes will be held in the AMU Ballroom C. Cost is $5 at the door.

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14. Winter Flurry planning team application deadline extended

The application deadline for the Winter Flurry 2009 planning team has been extended to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10. Applications are available from the Office of Student Development, AMU 121.

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