NU Signs International Education Partnership Agreement on Water and Food Security

The University of Nebraska signed an international education partnership agreement focused on water and food security May 2 at the 2011 global Water for Food Conference at the Cornhusker Marriott in Lincoln.

The agreement, between the university's Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute and the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in Delft, The Netherlands, will enable Nebraska students to study abroad and bring students from developing nations to the university. Their studies will focus on agriculture and water resources management.

"The opportunity for international students to study in Nebraska – to see production agriculture at its best, to study the High Plains Aquifer, and to have as their field laboratory a state that is a global food producer will offer an unparalleled breadth of experience," said NU President James B. Milliken. "Nebraska students will benefit from renowned IHE programs in water management, environmental science, water engineering and other disciplines, gaining new insights into the global water agenda." Read more.
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May 6 Commencement Shuttle Bus Available

More than 1,700 students will receive degrees this Friday, May 6, during UNO's spring commencement ceremony. The event will begin at 2 p.m. at the Omaha Civic Auditorium, 1804 Capitol Ave. Faculty members should assemble no later than 1:30 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall.

Shuttle buses for faculty, staff and individuals participating in the platform party will depart from UNO in front of the Milo Bail Student Center (MBSC) at 1 p.m. Following the ceremony, the shuttle will provide transportation back to the MBSC.

This Week In Maverick Athletics

This Week In Maverick Athletics is a listing of the latest sports information. For a complete weekly update of UNO's in-season teams, click on http://www.unomaha.edu/enotes/2011/img/thisweekmavs0502.pdf.

HPER Pool Closing

The Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Pool will be closed starting Friday, May 6, at 1 p.m. and will remain closed for the month of May for routine maintenance and cleaning.

During the closure, all Campus Rec members and Masters Swimmers will have access to the Brownell-Talbot School Pool for free. All swimmers must show their MavCard to gain access. The dates and times can be found at: http://www.unomaha.edu/wwwocr/aquatics/poolhours.php

Supporting Faculty Teaching in a Digital Age Workshop

All faculty are invited to a two-day interactive workshop highlighting key principles of a digital learning environment. Participants will learn strategies to redesign course elements for the purpose of engaging students and improving learning. This is an interactive workshop in which participants are expected to bring a course syllabus and work collaboratively with colleagues to identify and discuss areas for improvement in their courses.

Dates/Times:  
Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 a.m. to noon
Thursday, May 12, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location:  
Milo Bail Student Center Dodge Room

To register, contact the Center for Faculty Development at (402) 554.2427 or unofacdev@unomaha.edu. For more information about the workshop, visit the workshop website.

Sponsors include: UNO's Center for Faculty Development, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Assessment, the Dual Enrollment Program, the UNO Assessment Committee, the University Committee on the Advancement of Teaching (UCAT) and Information Services Academic Computing.

UNO Budget Forum Tomorrow

UNO Chancellor John Christensen will host and lead a campus forum focused on the university budget this Thursday, May 5, at 10 a.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom. All members of the campus community are welcome to attend.

Christensen, Senior Vice Chancellor Terry Hynes and Vice Chancellor Bill Conley will again focus on UNO's part of the overall University of Nebraska system budget.

"We want to provide our campus community the most up to date information we have," Christensen said. "I would encourage everyone who can attend to take part."

Russ Smith, an associate professor in the School of Public Administration, will serve as the moderator for the forum. This will be the last budget forum for the academic year.

Call (402) 554.3502 for more information.

Tomorrow Night's Omaha Table Talk to Discuss 'The Myth of the Model Minority'

Omaha Table Talk is hosting a panel discussion on the topic dealing with the 'Model Minority.' Based upon the U.S. Census, Asians tend to do much better than other people of color. The question is why are there such conclusions related to Asian Americans' success in the United States? This session will help many to understand that there are many Asian communities and experiences.

Three different Asian Americans will share their observations and experiences this Thursday, May 5, at the Collaborating Center, 115 S. 49th Ave. The event, which runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m., is open to the public. Read more.

HPER Locker Renewals

Any Campus Rec member whose locker expires this spring and wants to renew needs to do so by this Friday, May 6. Non-renewals can clean out their locker and return the lock to the Control Desk to receive their $10 deposit back. Expired lockers will be cleaned out and contents removed on Friday, May 13.

For questions, stop by the HPER Control Desk or call (402) 554.2539.

Hosting Opportunities for UNO International Students

The International Studies & Programs (IS&P) Department at UNO is looking for individuals or families to host international students who are learning English and want a taste of American life.

Stays start at four weeks and can last six to 12 months. Monthly stipend provided to offset the cost of food and transportation. IS&P asks that students be allowed to participate as a member of your family. If your home is located within easy walking distance of UNO, someone from our office may visit your home.

For more information or if you are interested in hosting, contact Beth Maline at bmaline@mail.unomaha.edu or by calling (402) 554.2293.

Upcoming Fidelity Counseling Sessions

Fidelity representative Jason Cronick will be in Omaha this spring and summer for individual counseling sessions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on several days.

Available dates are:

- May 5

- May 24

- June 8

- June 29

- July 13

- July 28

To make an appointment with Cronick, call 1.800.642.7131.

Off-Campus Housing Announcement

University Housing will now coordinate off-campus housing resources and questions for UNO students and community members. Previously, this service was provided by the Milo Bail Student Center.

University Housing is working on a new website and additional resources that will be available to off-campus housing clients and UNO students in late summer 2011.

In the interim, any questions can be directed to:

Bill Pickett, director, University Housing
wpickett@unomaha.edu
(402) 554.4000
http://housing.unomaha.edu/index.php

Cellphone Research Study Seeks Couples

Do you love your cellphone as much as your spouse? If so you may be eligible to participate in a research study focusing on the uses of mobile communication in marriages. Couples who are interested in participating can contact Andrea Iaccheri at aiaccheri@unomaha.edu.

Green Tip of the Week

If Gardening This Spring

Create a garden that is wildlife-friendly with limited pesticides as well as has plants that create food and a reliable water supply.

The GreenUNO Task Force provides these tips. For more information, visit http://www.unomaha.edu/green/.