NOVEMBER 21, 2011

IN THIS ISSUE

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. Course evaluations open Monday, Nov. 28

Course evaluations open Monday, Nov. 28, and run through Sunday, Dec. 11. Students who complete all evaluations will receive a $1 coupon to the Brew Bayou and be entered into a drawing for an iPad2. The online course evaluation system, MOCES, now has a mobile-friendly page for students who wish to complete evaluations on their mobile devices.

Course evaluations are used by Marquette to review classes and instructors, with the primary goal of improving the quality of both. Responses are private and confidential, and no identifying information will ever appear with a response. For additional information, including FAQs, the course evaluation schedule and a sample evaluation form, contact MOCES.

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4. 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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5. Amtrak shuttles available through Public Safety

Amtrak shuttles will be available to take students to the Amtrak Station Tuesday, Nov. 22. Shuttles run every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and leave from the reception area of DPS. Students should plan ahead, as shuttles only leave once per hour, and bring their luggage to DPS.

After 5 p.m., students in need of a shuttle should call 8-6363 to request a ride. Vans will be available to take students from any location to the Amtrak Station.

Amtrak shuttle service will also be offered Sunday, Nov. 27, beginning at 5 p.m. Students must call 8-6363 to request a ride.

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6. 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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7. 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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8. 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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9. MUSG roundtable discussion moves date

The MUSG roundtable discussion will take place Monday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Multicultural Center. This discussion was previously scheduled for Monday, Nov. 14. MUSG encourages students and student organizations to attend to create a more constructive campus discussion.

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10. Learn about teaching profession at College of Education open house

The College of Education Student Council will hold an open house today, Nov. 21, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Schroeder Complex 151. Students will discuss why Marquette teachers are in demand in the field and what makes an education major practical for students. There will be free pizza, as well as free bingo from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information, contact Jessica Burkard.

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11. Student news requested for hometown and social media

The Office of Marketing and Communication launched Read Media in September, an initiative focused on newsworthy student activities and achievements.

OMC uses a software program to send student news to geographically specific hometown print and online media. Students will also receive an email about the posting, and can share the information with their social networks.

Graduation and dean’s list announcements; national and university awards; and major projects and productions are among the stories that will be included. Students with ideas for newsworthy items should contact Amanda Gottheardt, communication office associate in OMC. Information will not be available to send for students with a FERPA block.

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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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