OED News

Colleagues,

As I write this, the sun is shining, students are enjoying the warm weather on Northrop Mall, and the University has settled into summer: a less frenetic--although no less busy--time for us all.

This summer is offering some new challenges, and I'm sure that the University's budget situation is as much on your mind as it is on mine. Balancing our newly-reduced budget means that life in the future will look a bit different for all of us, and our all-staff meeting on July 15 will be devoted to discussing the specifics of this different future.

This will be an important conversation, one that will help us to ensure that our individual and collective commitment to equity and diversity at the University continues to move forward. With each of you doing the excellent work that you do, I have no doubt that it will.

Our meeting on July 15 will also be an opportunity for us all to formally welcome our new colleagues from the Graduate School Diversity Office, who officially joined OED as of July 1. The GSDO staff is already well-known to many of you, and I know that you'll be as excited as I am for all of us to work together to further the University's equity and diversity goals.

I look forward to seeing you on July 15. In the meantime, enjoy your summer, and don't hesitate to be in touch at barcelo@umn.edu.

Best,
Rusty

Posted by oednews at 1:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

An OED all-staff meeting to discuss the recent University budget cuts and ramifications for OED is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in 402 Walter Library. All OED staff are expected to attend; those unable to attend should consult their supervisor. Contact Barb Chapin with questions about the all-staff meeting.

Posted by oednews at 2:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The relocation of the GLBTA Programs Office, MCAE, and the Women's Center from Klaeber Court to Appleby Hall is scheduled for the week of July 13-17, with normal operations resuming during the week of July 27-31. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses will remain the same for all staff members of the three units. For more information or questions about the move, contact Eric Schnell.

Posted by oednews at 3:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Patti Neiman, OED's student development specialist, is one of thirteen recipients of the 2009 President's Award for Outstanding Service. The award is presented each year in the spring and recognizes exceptional service to the University, its schools, colleges, departments, and service units. According to the award description, "recipients of this award have gone well beyond their regular duties and have demonstrated an unusual commitment to the University community." Patti and her fellow recipients were honored at a reception in June at Eastcliff, the residence of the President of the University. Congratulations Patti!

Posted by oednews at 4:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Brown Bag Workshop Series for OED staff continues over the summer, with workshops scheduled for July and August. The July workshop, presented by EOAA staff, will focus on "Religious Accommodation at the University of Minnesota," and will be held on July 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in 140 Nolte. The August workshop, on August 13 from noon to 1:30 in 140 Nolte, will be facilitated by Patti Neiman and will utilize the Clifton StrengthsFinder, which measures the presence of 34 "talent themes." Participants will learn about their own strengths and how they play out in the workplace. To participate in the August workshop, please RSVP to Patti by August 1st. For more information about the OED Brown Bag Workshop Series, contact Naomi Farabee.

Posted by oednews at 5:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jody Gray, who holds dual appointments in the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence and the University Libraries, has been invited to serve for a two-year term on the American Library Association's Diversity Committee beginning July 1, 2009. The charge of the committee is "to analyze and address the impact of diversity issues and trends on the profession, and the relevance and effectiveness of library leadership, library organizations and library services to an increasingly diverse society." Gray is an academic progress associate in MCAE, serves as the Libraries' diversity outreach librarian, and also works closely with the Circle of Indigenous Nations and the American Indian Cultural House. Congratulations Jody!

Posted by oednews at 6:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Lillian H. Williams Award. Juan Moreno, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist in the University of Minnesota Extension Service, and the staff of the Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC), a division of the Academic Health Center, were presented with the Williams Awards at the annual EOAA Liaisons Conference held on May 14, 2009. The Williams Award is named in honor of Lillian H. Williams, the founding director of the University's Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action office, and was established in 1986 to recognize University units and individuals who exemplify Ms. William's spirit and commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action. Visit the 2009 Williams Award web site to learn more about the work of this year's winners.

Posted by oednews at 7:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The application period for the Scholarly Excellence in Equity and Diversity (SEED) Awards is now open. The SEED Awards program honors outstanding diverse undergraduate students who are currently registered for full-time study at any of the University of Minnesota's campuses. SEED Award recipients (the 2008 recipients are pictured at right) are diverse students who demonstrate impressive achievement and leadership in academic performance and community outreach and activism. Eight to twelve SEED Awards, ranging from $1000 to $3000, will be awarded at the 2009 Equity and Diversity Breakfast on November 19, 2009. The deadline for submitting a SEED Award application is September 25, 2009. Complete information and application instructions are available on the SEED Award web site.

Posted by oednews at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

An article in the May 16, 2009 Star Tribune focused on the Coon Rapids Middle School's visit to the U of M campus through OED's Kids on Campus program, coordinated by Tex Ostvig. The article is available online; Kids on Campus is mentioned on page 2 of the article.

Posted by oednews at 9:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On May 12, the Women's Center sponsored a lecture by Twin Cities financial adviser and author Ruth Hayden (pictured at right), which was covered by MinnPost. The article referred to the standing-room-only crowd and noted that "interest in the event... is indicative of how women are feeling about their financial future -- scared." Read the article online.

Posted by oednews at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For a complete listing of OED events, visit the OED equity and diversity events calendar.

September 1-2, 2009
Multicultural Kickoff
175 Willey Hall
Sponsored by the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence

October 4-9, 2009
Discover Exceptional Women 2009
Appleby Hall
Sponsored by the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence

November 13, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
Minnesota OUT! Campus Conference 2009
McNally Smith College of Music
Sponsored by the GLBTA Programs Office

November 19, 2009, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
University of Minnesota Equity and Diversity Breakfast
McNamara Alumni Center
Sponsored by the Office for Equity and Diversity

Posted by oednews at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)