JUNE 2, 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Engineering professor part of research team awarded $1 million grant for spinal cord injury research

Dr. Brian Schmit, professor of biomedical engineering, is a member of a research team with Medical College of Wisconsin professors that was awarded a $1.02 million grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Division to study new imaging-based tools that would help physicians better and more accurately predict the return of neurological function in patients with spinal cord injury.

The grant is a renewal of a previous $450,000 exploratory grant from the VA to the same research group to explore the viability of diffusion MRI imaging in spinal cord injury to better evaluate injuries and improve ability to predict recovery.

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2. Law School professor Mitten named president-elect of Sports Lawyers Association

Matthew Mitten, professor of law, was named president-elect of the Sports Lawyers Association and will serve a two-year term beginning in May 2015.

Mitten's appointment was made at the association's 40th annual conference, recently held in Chicago. With more than 1,700 members, the Sports Lawyers Association is the leading organization of professionals dedicated to the practice and teaching of sports law in the United States.

Mitten has been a member of the Law School faculty and director of Marquette's National Sports Law Institute since 1999. A leading sports law scholar and Olympic sports arbitrator, Mitten served on the Court of Arbitration for Sport's ad hoc division to resolve athlete-related disputes at the recent Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Founded in 1989, the National Sports Law Institute is the first institute of its kind associated with an American law school and remains the leader in its field.

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3. Faculty encouraged to register fall service learning courses, apply for Problem Solver Seed Grants

Faculty who plan to integrate service learning into their courses for the fall 2014 semester are asked to register with the Center for Teaching and Learning Service Learning Program by completing a short survey. Additionally, the Center for Teaching and Learning Service Learning Program offers Problem Solver Seed Grants for faculty and community partner teams interested in creating innovative service learning opportunities. More information about the mini grants and the application can be found online.

Faculty interested in learning more about service learning as a high-impact pedagogy or who would like to brainstorm models of integration are invited to contact Kim Jensen Bohat, director of the Service Learning Program, at (414) 288-0250.

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4. Applications available to join Marquette delegation to El Salvador

Marquette will send a delegation to the University of Central America in San Salvador, El Salvador, for the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the killing of six Jesuits and two women at the University of Central America. Delegates will attend on-campus events throughout the fall semester and travel to El Salvador Wednesday, Nov. 12, through Monday, Nov. 17. Travel is fully funded through the support of the Merkel Family Foundation. To apply, click on the appropriate application below.

• Student application
• Faculty/Staff application

The application deadline for students, staff and faculty is Wednesday, June 30.

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5. Marquette Athletics Backyard BBQ is July 1

The Marquette community is invited to a Backyard BBQ on Tuesday, July 1, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Central Mall. Attendees will have the chance to meet Men's Basketball Head Coach Steve Wojciechowski, Women's Basketball Head Coach Carolyn Kieger and student-athletes from various sports. The event will feature face painting, bouncy houses and tailgate-style food.

Register online or by calling (414) 288-7431 by Wednesday, June 25. Tickets are $15 per person before the June 25 deadline and $18 per person after. Children 6 and under receive free admission.

For questions or special needs, contact University Special Events at (414) 288-7431.

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6. TIAA-CREF representative on campus this week for confidential financial counseling

A TIAA-CREF consultant will be available to faculty and staff for individual, confidential financial counseling sessions from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, in the AMU, 362; Wednesday, June 4, in the AMU, 362; and Thursday, June 5, in the AMU, 231. Employees can discuss their personal financial situation with a TIAA-CREF consultant, as well as how to achieve financial goals by investing in financial solutions such as mutual funds, brokerage, life insurance and annuities.

To schedule an appointment, call (800) 732-8353.

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7. Commuter Value Pass deadline is June 20

The deadline to participate in the Commuter Value Pass payroll deduction program is Friday, June 20. Formerly known as the Easy Pass, the Commuter Value 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 $201 per quarter and can be deducted before taxes. Sign up in the AMU, Union Station, for passes that will be good during July, August and September.

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8. Rec Plex summer swim classes begin today

Registration for Rec Plex summer swim lessons is now open. Swim lessons for children will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings beginning Monday, June 2.

Various classes are offered:

• Levels 1-6, Introduction to Water Skills through Swimming and Skill Proficiency
• Tiny Tots and Wee Folks, for children 6 months to 6 years old, designed to encourage water adjustment skills and develop basic swimming skills
• Private and semi-private lessons, available for children and adults, with a minimum of two swimmers required for semi-private lessons

Registration for all lessons must be done at the Rec Plex and cannot be completed over the phone. The cost is $40 for members and $46 for non-members for group classes. Enrollment is limited. All sessions have a minimum number of spaces that must be filled in order to offer the class, and classes may be combined to accommodate these requirements. Payment must be made at the time of registration, and a liability waiver must be completed before a child or minor can participate in the program.

Questions can be directed to John Kratzer, Rec Plex general manager, at (414) 288-7778.

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9. Take advantage of on-campus summer dining options

There are four different places on campus to eat this summer. Each location offers unique menu options and hours:

• The Brew Bayou is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the AMU, first floor. It is a traditional coffee house offering Simply To Go carryout sandwiches, salads, bakery items and snacks.
  
  
• The Lunda Room is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the AMU, second floor. It is a casually elegant white tablecloth restaurant that offers a seasonal menu, as well as a soup and salad summer buffet. Cash, Marquette Cash and credit cards are accepted.
  
  
• McCormick Hall is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., noon to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Menus vary daily and feature a made-to-order station, pizza and salad bar.
  
  
• Tory Hill Café is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Eckstein Hall, and offers soups, salads and sandwiches.

Menus are available online.

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10. Discounted Six Flags tickets available for employees

Employees can purchase discounted Six Flags Great America tickets, which are valid for any regularly scheduled operating day through Nov. 2. Tickets cost $42 with a $8.99 processing fee per order, and can be purchased online. Enter "MARUNIVGM" for the username and "SixFlags6" for the password.

For more information, contact Peter Kovochich, coordinator of training and special projects in Human Resources, at (414) 288-1560.

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