1. Academic Senate approves major in peace studies

The University Academic Senate today approved an interdisciplinary major in peace studies. The major must now be approved by Provost John Pauly before being offered beginning in fall 2012.

According to the program proposal, the peace studies major will offer, “an interdisciplinary curriculum that addresses the causes of social and political conflict and explores the methods of resolving conflict within and between nations and transnational groups. Students analyze such topics as the processes of peace-building, power, justice, human rights, and social and economic development, among many others.”

The peace studies major will require 36 credit hours, including six foundational courses and six electives. The electives must be chosen from three focal areas – peace-building; power, justice and human rights; and social and economic development – with two courses in each area. Various courses in multiple disciplines meet the elective requirements.

Michael Duffey, associate professor of theology, said he expects the peace studies major to have 25 students in each of the next four years. He based his estimate on the fact that 59 students have completed the interdisciplinary minor in Justice and Peace since 2006. In addition, he said, 13 students have designed individualized majors in Justice and Peace Studies through the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences.

The entire proposal is available online.

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2. Petition to save student aid available for signing

Marquette University Student Government passed legislation on Thursday, Nov. 17, calling upon Congress and the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction (”Super Committee”) to refrain from making further cuts in federal student aid. Recent congressional budget deals have already cut $30 billion from federal student aid programs. This is of concern to MUSG because more than 90 percent of Marquette University students receive help through the university’s aid programs and outside sources of assistance.

A higher education coalition, consisting of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, of which Marquette is a member, and 61 other higher education associations, has developed a petition in support of Federal Student Aid that will be sent to Capitol Hill. The short video, “Pell Yes!,” provides more information and statistics on the importance of student aid.

MUSG encourages all students to sign the petition on the Student Aid Alliance website to express their support for saving further student aid from potential cuts.

Further information can also be found on the Office of Public Affairs’ website.

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3. Last day to complete HRA questionnaire

Today, Nov. 21, is the last day employees can complete the questionnaire for the second part of the two-part Health Risk Assessment. The questionnaire must be completed in one sitting and takes approximately 10 minutes. Employees must have their biometric numbers from their screenings available, as the numbers are required for the questionnaire.

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4. Submit requests for fall 2011 review sessions and final exam classrooms

Final Exams are Monday, Dec. 12 through Saturday, Dec. 17. To reserve classroom space for fall 2011 review sessions held prior to exam week, or to request a larger or additional final exam classroom, complete the online Review/Exam Request Form. Contact Marie Hegerty, associate registrar in the office of the registrar, for more information.

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5. Some hours of operation change for Thanksgiving break

Some hours of operation will change over Thanksgiving break. Buildings and services with special hours of operation for Thanksgiving break include:

Raynor Memorial Libraries
Wednesday, Nov. 23 – 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24 and 25 – closed

Rec Center
Tuesday, Nov. 22 – 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 23 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday to Sunday, Nov. 24 to 27 – closed

Rec Plex
Tuesday, Nov. 22 – 5:45 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 23 – 5:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 24 – closed
Friday, Nov. 25 – 5:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 26 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 27 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Alumni Memorial Union
Tuesday, Nov. 22 – 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 23 – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 24 to 26 – closed
Sunday, Nov. 27 – 4 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.

Help Desk
Wednesday, Nov. 23 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday to Sunday, Nov. 24 to 27 – closed

Spirit Shop
Tuesday, Nov. 22 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 23 – 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thursday to Sunday, Nov. 24 to 27 – closed

Union Sports Annex
Tuesday, Nov. 22 – 4:30 p.m. to midnight
Wednesday to Saturday, Nov. 23 to 26 – closed
Sunday, Nov. 27 – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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6. $20,000 Teaching Enhancement Award applications being accepted

The submission guidelines for the 2012-13 Way Klingler Teaching Enhancement Awards are now available. Applications are due Dec. 2, 2011.

This annual award is given to a team of two or more faculty to develop, implement and evaluate a specific teaching project. One award of up to $20,000 will be given to the selected project team for one fiscal year. The award fosters improvement in student learning within specific courses or clusters of courses. Projects for 2012-13 that feature innovations that promote high-impact educational practices — such as undergraduate research, collaborative/interdisciplinary projects and capstone courses — are of particular interest.

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7. Sorby and Wadsworth to screen part two of Alcott documentary

The final installment in the Louisa May Alcott series will be held Tuesday, Nov. 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. in the Herzfeld Activity Center at the Betty Brinn Children’s Room on the first floor of the Milwaukee Public Library’s Central Library.

This presentation will feature the second half of the 2008 American Masters documentary and discussion of Harriet Erisen’s biography, “Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women,” led by Drs. Angela Sorby and Sarah Wadsworth, associate professors of English. Cake will be served to celebrate Alcott’s 179th birthday, which was Nov. 29, 1832.

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8. AMUW hosting Annual Advent Reflection Luncheon

The Association of Marquette University Women will host its annual Advent Reflection Luncheon on Thursday, Dec 1, at 11:30 a.m. in the Monaghan Ballroom in the AMU. All alumni, faculty, staff and friends are invited to share in this seasonal reflection led by Dr. Kristina Ropella, Eng ’85, professor and chair of biomedical engineering and past recipient of the AMUW Nora Finnigan Werra Faculty Achievement Award.

This event is $20 per person and registration ends Wednesday, Nov. 23. To register, contact Alumni Engagement and Outreach at 8-7441 or AMUW.

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9. Spring 2012 classroom assignments posted

Spring 2012 classroom assignments are posted in CheckMarq. Instructors can access CheckMarq to review classroom assignments during a review period until Wednesday, Nov. 30. Faculty who need larger final exam rooms and/or review sessions can request classroom space from the Office of Registrar during the review period.

Faculty should submit the online form to request a classroom change or a classroom for spring review sessions.

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10. Integrative Neuroscience Center holding colloquium

Dr. Mitch Roitman, professor in the department of pharmacology at University of Illinois-Chicago, will present “Phasic Dopamine Signaling as an Interface Between Metabolism and Motivation” for The Integrative Neuroscience Research Center. The presentation will take place Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 3:30 p.m. in Schroeder Complex 256.

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11. Weekly Meditation Hour available this week

The Marquette Contemplative Community, which works to support the interests of those surrounding the university, holds a weekly meditation hour open to students, faculty and staff every Wednesday, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., in the Joan of Arc Chapel. The meditation hour will be available this Wednesday, Nov. 23, during Thanksgiving break. Those interested can stay for some or all of the meditation. Instructions are available.

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12. Brew City Stomp Down tickets available

The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Marquette will present “Brew City Stomp Down” Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Riverside Theater. The show will feature Marquette’s DJ Poizon Ivy and talented step crews from across the Midwest.

Tickets are $20 and will be sold starting Friday, Dec. 9, at noon, and can be purchased online, at the Riverside and Pabst Theater box offices or at 414-286-3663. Ticket sales run Monday through Friday, from noon until 6:30 p.m. Contact Brew City Stomp Down for more information, or visit Twitter for event updates.

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13. Smoking prohibited within 25 feet of university buildings

Smoking is prohibited in all university buildings and within 25 feet of all building entrances and balconies to comply with Wisconsin Act 12, “Smoke-Free Wisconsin,” as well as to support campus health and safety. The university’s smoking policy also prohibits smoking in parking structures and university-owned vehicles and prohibits designating any indoor location as a “smoking area.”

Voluntary compliance is emphasized. However, anyone observing someone who is smoking in a no-smoking area is encouraged to courteously inform the smoker that he/she is in violation of the university’s smoking policy. Repeated violations by employees may be subject to the university’s progressive disciplinary policy; by students to the university’s student code of conduct.

Those who do smoke should also make sure they properly dispose of their cigarette butts in the receptacles provided throughout campus.

The Employee Wellness Program and Raynor Memorial Libraries have resources available. For more information, contact Steve Duffy, associate vice president of administration, at 8-6897.

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