1. Education consortium to benefit area Catholic schools

The Greater Milwaukee Catholic Education Consortium today announced a $600,000, three-year gift from the Stollenwerk Family Foundation. The consortium, consisting of Marquette, Alverno College, Cardinal Stritch University, Marian University, and Mount Mary College, provides academic resources and professional expertise for the 132 Catholic K-12 schools serving more than 33,000 students in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

“For more than a century the archdiocese’s Catholic schools have provided a strong, values-based education for the children of southeastern Wisconsin,” said John Stollenwerk, chairman of Allen-Edmonds Shoe Corporation and a member of Marquette’s Board of Trustees. “With fewer religious now available to teach in these schools, one of our priorities is to retain the mission and identity of the Catholic schools, which now serve a growing percentage of non-Catholic families.”

A portion of the Stollenwerk gift was designated to finance the GMCEC institutional coordinator, a position filled by Jennifer Maney. Maney, who will have an office in Marquette’s College of Education, earned her Ph.D. in educational policy & leadership from Marquette.

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2. Arts & sciences dean finalist added

Dr. Tim Machan, professor of English at Marquette, will interview this week for the dean of the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts & Sciences position. His university-wide open forums, for the entire Marquette community, are tomorrow, Jan. 27, 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. in AMU 227, and Wednesday, Jan. 28, noon to 1:30 p.m. in AMU Ballroom B.

The search committee for the arts and sciences dean has also added Dr. Diane Michelfelder, provost and dean of the faculty at Macalester College, St. Paul, Minn., as a finalist. Michelfelder will visit Marquette Jan. 29-30. Her open forums for the entire Marquette community are Thursday, Jan. 29, 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. in Raynor Library Beaumier Suites B & C, and Friday, Jan. 30, noon to 1:30 p.m. in AMU 157.

Dr. Al Rivero, chair of the search committee, said, "When the process started last fall, the committee considered having up to five finalists visit campus but decided to avoid extending the process far into the spring term and move forward with three excellent finalists. Now that two finalists have accepted offers elsewhere, the committee is exercising the option of restoring the field of finalists and honoring the posting of the position as open until filled. All finalists have been reminded of this possibility, which proved to be an important step given the unpredictable nature of leadership searches."

"This is the most difficult environment for leadership searches that we've seen in a long time," said Dr. David Mead-Fox, senior client partner at Korn/Ferry International, which is assisting the arts & sciences committee. "Talented professionals seizing opportunities in hand before their candidacies run their course in other searches are not uncommon in tough economic times." Mead-Fox has assisted Marquette with five leadership searches, including the provost search process in 2007-2008.

Candidate CVs and cover letters are available at https://www.marquette.edu/klinglerdean/candidates.shtml.

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3. More than $4 million allocated for merit raises

Marquette’s fiscal year 2010 budget will include approximately $4.4 million in the salary compensation pool for merit raises for faculty, staff and administrators.

“Obviously the global economic downturn is affecting Marquette — in our fundraising, our return on investment and our planning,” Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., said. “At the same time, our conservative budgeting and investment practices and our continued attention to both cost-saving and revenue possibilities mean that we are stable financially as we look to the start of a new fiscal year.

“Especially at times such as these, it is important that we acknowledge the contributions of our faculty, administrators and staff,” he said. “We want to continue to attract — and retain — talented people. Our FY 2010 budget was built with that concept in mind, as well as the determination to keep the tuition increase down and add funds for student financial aid.”

The general merit pool allocation will be given to deans and vice presidents for distribution as adjustments to base pay. The salary increase does not reflect additional university contributions to benefit costs, including health insurance, retirement and tuition remission. Salary increases are awarded strictly on merit, based on annual performance reviews. The allocation of funding for merit raises does not mean employees will automatically receive raises.

Each July and August, the university collects information from departments and offices around campus that helps in forecasting revenue for the next fiscal year. The information includes student enrollment forecasts, suggested tuition rates, and economic conditions. Senior administration then examines the budget data related to forecasted expenses for the next year, including nondiscretionary costs such as utilities and debt payments. After evaluating projected expenses, an amount is set aside for the salary pool.

Chuck Lamb, vice president of finance, said this annual analysis means conditions can change from year to year. “We have contingencies built in for changing economic conditions,” he said. “Lower enrollments, higher utility and other nondiscretionary costs and other factors obviously can have an impact on university finances.”

In conjunction with this year's merit raises, salary changes for employees who work on a 12-month basis will take effect on July 1. Union employees will receive increases effective Sept. 1 in accordance with negotiated contract settlements.

Employees with employment arrangements of less than 12 months will receive increases as follows:
Staff and administrators: July 1
Graduate assistants: Aug. 1
Faculty: Aug. 16
Part-time faculty: Sept. 1

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4. Free tickets available for speech by Nobel Prize winner

Free tickets for the Mission Week keynote address by Dr. Shirin Ebadi are available in Brooks Lounge, AMU. Ebadi, the first Muslim woman and first Iranian to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, will present “Human Rights and the Consequences of Faith,” Thursday, Feb. 5, at 4 p.m. There is a limit of two tickets per Marquette ID for Ebadi’s address. Beginning Jan. 27, remaining tickets will be made available to the general public.

The schedule for this year’s Mission Week, Feb. 1-8, “iAct: Consequences of Faith,” is available online.

In addition to Ebadi’s keynote address, other highlights will include:
• All-University Mass, Sunday, Feb. 1, 4 p.m., Gesu Church — Rev. Douglas Leonhardt, S.J., associate director of the Office of Mission and Identity, will
serve as the presider and homilist.

• President’s Address, Feb. 3, 3 p.m., Monaghan Ballroom, AMU — Marquette President Robert A. Wild, S.J., will deliver his annual address to faculty and staff.

• William R. Burleigh Media Ethics Lecture, Feb. 4, 4 p.m., Monaghan Ballroom, AMU — “‘Media Ethics’ Is Not A Contradiction,” with Clarence Page, a Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist from the Chicago Tribune.

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5. Assessment self-study report for focused visit posted online

A comprehensive self-study report, “Assessment of Student Learning at Marquette University” for the March 2-3 Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association focused visit, has been posted online.

The report is the product of a seven-month self-study process. Sections cover the development of student learning assessment from 2004 through 2008, the current status of the program, and how core and institutional assessment provide evidence that a culture of assessment is developing. The report also identifies Marquette Assessment System strengths, areas for improvement and actions to be taken in the next five years.

Dr. Peggy Bloom, vice provost for undergraduate programs and teaching, encourages faculty and staff who work directly with students to be familiar with the report prior to the March 2-3 site visit.

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6. Former Milwaukee County judges to speak at Law School

Former Milwaukee County Judges Michael Brennan and John Franke will be guests for “On the Issues with Mike Gousha” Thursday, Jan. 29, at 12:15 p.m. in Sensenbrenner 325.

Brennan and Franke will share their insights on the judiciary as they return to careers as trial lawyers with the Milwaukee law firm of Gass, Weber and Mullins. They will also discuss their respective decisions to leave the bench to pursue new challenges.

Register online.

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7. Proposals for Simmons funds due this week

The submission deadline for proposals to the Edward D. Simmons Religious Commitment Fund is Saturday, Jan. 31, for grants for the 2009-2010 academic year. The fund finances small projects to provide seed money for programs and events that deepen the religious nature of Marquette. These modest grants usually range between $500 and $2,500.

This year, proposals that are interdisciplinary and interdepartmental, as well as proposals that recognize Marquette’s Centennial of Co-education, will receive special consideration. The quality and creativity of the proposals, however, will still be the major determining factors for the grants.

More information is available online, by scrolling to the bottom of the page.

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8. Nursing in Peru is subject of Soup with Substance

Dr. Darlene Weis, associate professor emerita of nursing, will present “Experiencing Nursing in Peru” at Soup with Substance on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from noon to 1 p.m. in AMU 227.

A light meal of soup, bread and water will be served.

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9. Colloquium to address documentary practices of sexual assault

The Department of Social and Cultural Sciences will hold a colloquium Friday, Jan. 30, at 3:30 p.m. in Lalumiere 171. Dr. Sameena Mulla, assistant professor of social and cultural sciences, will present “Home, Harm and Healing: Forensic Documentation as New Kinship Technology,” looking at the way family and home are figured as simultaneously healing and harming in the documentary practices of sexual assault forensic intervention.

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10. Course design and D2L applications to be presented

The Center for Teaching and Learning and Information Technology Services will present “Course design and D2L applications” Thursday, Jan. 29.

The presentation is part of a D2L e-teaching workshop series focusing on a variety of course design and multimedia resources to enhance teaching in D2L. A certificate is presented to participants who complete all seven sessions. The e-teaching workshops are offered every semester, so it is not necessary to attend all seven sessions in one semester.

Additional sessions this semester will include:
Feb. 12 — “Teaching blended and online courses in D2L”
Feb. 26 — “Digital imaging and scanning in D2L”
March 19 — “Video and audio production in D2L”
April 2 — “Technology, podcasting and visual literacy in D2L”
April 16 — “Special topics: promising new technology for teaching”
April 30 — “Project presentations of D2L enhanced courses”

All sessions are in Raynor Library 320H, from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Register with Dr. Dave Buckholdt, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, or Jon Pray, associate vice provost for educational technology.

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11. Graduate School of Management holding information sessions

The Graduate School of Management will hold information sessions covering curriculum, admissions requirements, application process and other information in February. Each session begins with a 5:30 p.m. reception before the 6 p.m. presentation:

Monday, Feb. 2, 5:30 p.m. — Waukesha MBA Program, at MRA, the management association, N19 W24400 Riverwood Dr., Waukesha.

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 5:30 p.m. — On-campus MBA and MS programs, College of Business Administration Executive Center, Straz Hall, second floor.

Wednesday, Feb. 4 — Executive MBA program, College of Business Administration Executive Center, Straz Hall, second floor.

To RSVP or for more information, call 8-7145 or e-mail.

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12. Study abroad fair being held Wednesday

The Office of International Education will host a study abroad fair Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second floor of AMU. The fair is an opportunity for the Marquette community to speak with program representatives and OIE staff as well as learn about the programs offered by Marquette, including new summer, faculty-led programs.

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13. Reduced price tickets available for men’s basketball game

All Marquette faculty and staff members, as well as their family and friends, are invited to the men’s basketball Staff/Faculty Night game against the University of Connecticut on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. Faculty and staff can purchase regularly priced $25 tickets for $20, and $15 tickets for $10.

Enter “marquette” as the special offer code and enter your university e-mail address in the “create an account” section on the right side of the next screen.

For more information, contact Brian Bowsher, assistant director of marketing, at 8-3040.

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14. Senior speaker nominations due Feb. 6

Nominations for senior speaker at May Commencement are now available for all eligible seniors interested in speaking at graduation. Nominations are due Friday, Feb. 6.

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15. Diversity Advocate Network orientation scheduled

The Division of Student Affairs Diversity Committee will host a Diversity Advocate Network orientation Thursday, Feb. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Raynor Library Beaumier Suites. The Diversity Advocates Network consists of administrators, faculty and staff who support, mentor and advocate for students from underrepresented groups on campus.


RSVP to Julie Murphy, coordinator for new student programs, at 8-5769 by Monday, Feb. 9.

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16. Sidewalk closing next to Abbottsford Hall

The sidewalk on the east side of 13th Street between Wisconsin Avenue and Abbottsford Hall will be periodically closed from Thursday, Jan. 29, to Thursday, Feb. 5, for work on Zilber Hall. Pedestrians should use the west sidewalk and follow instructions by construction personnel.

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