1. Register for All University Christmas Party by Wednesday

Join faculty and staff in sharing the spirit of the season at the All University Christmas Party from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, in the AMU Monaghan Ballroom. Departments and offices are asked to inform University Special Events of the number of faculty and staff attending from their area by Wednesday, Dec. 15. Call 8-7431 for more information.

2. Community Campaign goal exceeded by $20,000

The 2010 Community Campaign resulted in $275,405 in donations by 590 employees, exceeding the campaign goal by more than $20,000. The gift total was also an increase of more than $30,000 compared with last year’s campaign, which raised $243,090.

Gifts designated to Marquette University totaled $196,845; to the United Way of Greater Milwaukee $56,855; and the United Performing Arts Fund $21,705.

The Community Campaign gives faculty and staff the opportunity to make donations that support three priorities: Marquette itself (such as scholarship aid, Eckstein Hall, Discovery Learning Complex or a personal preference of the donor); the United Performing Arts Fund, which assists performing arts organizations in southeastern Wisconsin; and United Way of Greater Milwaukee, which supports local health and human service programs.

3. Consultant offers recommendations to address LGBT issues

In a report summarizing the meetings she held with university administrators, faculty and students in late October, Dr. Ronni Sanlo, senior associate dean of students, adjunct professor and program director for the master’s program in student affairs at UCLA, has recommended dozens of actions Marquette can take to “create the safe, welcoming, nurturing institution it wants to project and must provide.”

Sanlo visited Marquette in late October to “examine campus issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.” This is one of the initiatives the Office of the Provost and Office of Student Affairs took pursuant to the university’s commitment last spring to address issues of Catholic identity, academic freedom, shared governance and the needs of our LGBT students and employees.

Sanlo organized her recommendations around six themes — students, faculty, staff, senior administrations, the overall institution and resource center.

Dr. L. Christopher Miller, vice president for student affairs, and Dr. John Pauly, provost, said some of Sanlo’s recommendations had already been implemented, others are being planned and still others must be further studied. They noted that Sanlo was reporting participants’ comments, which in some instances were unsubstantiated.

In her recommendations for students, Sanlo called for suicide prevention efforts and training; ally training for professors and others regarding LGBT student issues; training for student organization leaders, their advisers and residence hall staff on diversity, inclusion and bullying; and support for LBGT student organizations. Miller said significant suicide prevention training and training for residence hall and student affairs staff is already in place. He said he is also investigating establishment of an ally/safe zone program, in addition to the Diversity Advocates program.

Faculty recommendations emphasized the need for dialogue with university leadership; the development of LGBT courses; and addressing bullying and harassment. Pauly noted a recent colloquium sponsored by the Department of Psychology and a faculty conversation with a member of the Board of Trustees, sponsored by the University Academic Senate, as examples of the types of discussions occurring around issues of academic freedom, shared governance, Catholic identity and the needs of LGBT faculty, staff and students.

Administrative recommendations include the need to “speak honestly and openly with faculty about the A&S deanship.” In addition, Sanlo said a qualified professional should be hired to direct LGBT work on campus as a single point of contact. She also called for development of a strategic plan for campus LGBT work.

The report cited various resources that could be used to conduct an assessment of LGBT needs at Marquette, including space for an LGBT center and a center director with a faculty appointment. Pauly said he has been working with the Gender Resource Task Force to identify priorities.

Overall institutional recommendations include establishment of an advisory Gender and Sexuality Task Force and a Student Affairs LGBT advisory board, as well as the addition of domestic partnership benefits and an extensive campus climate survey for diversity.

Copies of the full 31-page report are available from the Office of the Provost or the Office of Student Affairs.

4. Training sessions offered for Sharepoint upgrade

In preparation for a Sharepoint upgrade in January 2011, IT Services is holding several training sessions for site users and site owners prior to the upgrade. The upgrade to SharePoint 2010 has many improvements, including broader browser support, the ribbon interface and My Sites.

Training sessions are scheduled for site users:
• Wednesday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Friday, Dec. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 4, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 6, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Monday, Jan. 10, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Training sessions are scheduled for site owners:
• Wednesday, Dec. 15, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 16, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Jan. 5, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 7, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 11, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

All sessions are held in Cudahy 208. Registration is required.

SharePoint will be unavailable from noon Friday, Jan. 14, until 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 17, for the upgrade.

5. Easy Pass deadline is Wednesday

The deadline to participate in the Easy Pass payroll deduction program is Wednesday, Dec. 15. The Easy Pass offers unlimited Milwaukee County bus rides, including Freeway Flyers and special event shuttles, to the Bradley Center, Miller Park and other locations.

The program costs $210 per quarter and can be deducted before taxes to save money. Sign up between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in AMU Union Station for passes that will be good during January, February and March. Those who wish to drop must also do so in Union Station by Dec. 15.

6. Relay for Life registration fee reduced prior to winter break

Colleges Against Cancer is hosting Relay for Life, April 30 to May 1, on Marquette’s Central Mall. Participants will participate in games and activities while walking or running around a track to raise funds to fight cancer.

Team registration is available online. Teams registering before winter break will receive a discounted registration fee of $100. The registration fee for teams signing up after break is $150.

More information is available online and @MUCAC on Twitter.

7. Law School to hold information session

The Law School will host an information session for prospective students Friday, Dec. 17, at 11:45 a.m. in Eckstein 263. The session will provide information about admissions and financial aid, curriculum and intellectual and student life. A tour of the Law School will also be provided. No registration is necessary.

8. Have outgoing mail ready by Dec. 22

Employees should have all outgoing mail ready for pick-up by 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, to ensure that all mail is out before break. No mail will be picked up and no incoming mail will be processed or delivered Thursday, Dec. 23, through Sunday, Jan. 2, except those areas for which services have been previously arranged.