Phi Alpha Delta to Hold Spring Informational Today

The UNO chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, a pre-law, international fraternity, will host its Spring Informational at the Milo Bail Student Center (MBSC) today, Feb. 1.

Anyone is welcome to attend this event, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center State Room. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn more information about membership in the fraternity, including member benefits, chapter information, networking opportunities and more. Refreshments will also be provided.

The mission of Phi Alpha Delta is to advance integrity, compassion and courage through service to the student, the school, the profession and the community.

For more information, contact Robin Quarles at rquarles@unomaha.edu.

Retirement Reception Today for Stella Cameron

The university community is invited to a retirement reception for Stella Cameron, accounts payable clerk of Accounting Services, from 2 to 5 p.m. today, Feb. 1, in the Milo Bail Student Center Chancellor's Room. Cameron is retiring after 24 years of service with the university.

For more information, contact Teresa Carlson at tcarlson@unomaha.edu or 402.554.4937.

UNO Celebrates Black History Month with Events

February is Black History Month UNO is celebrating with three events being held on campus throughout the month. All of the events will take place in the Milo Bail Student Center (MBSC) Nebraska Room.

Black History Month began in 1976 when President Gerald R. Ford expanded Negro History Week, which was created in 1925 by Carter G. Woodson, a historian from Harvard University.

The first of the three events is a public forum discussion called "The Beauty of Blackness," which looks at the overlaps and divisions between the concepts of female beauty and blackness. Read more.

Buffett Early Childhood Institute Candidate to Visit the University of Nebraska

The first of four finalists for the position of founding executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute will visit the University of Nebraska this week.

Carla A. Peterson will visit the University of Nebraska today through Thursday, Feb. 1-2. Open forums for faculty, staff and members of the public who are interested in meeting her and hearing about her vision for the Buffett Institute will be held today at 4 p.m. at the Van Brunt Visitors Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 313 N. 14th St., and on Feb. 2 at 3:30 p.m. in 412 Roskens Hall, at UNO. Each forum will be followed by a reception.

Peterson has worked with early childhood programs for more than 35 years, and has held leadership and teaching positions in public and private agencies serving young children who are typically developing and who have disabilities. She has worked with programs operated by public schools, Head Start grantees, and private child care providers. Read more.

UNO Police Academy Student Group Seeks Community Liaison & Faculty Advisors

The UNO Police Academy Student Group is currently searching for two advisory positions: Community Liaison and Faculty. Qualifications for each are highlighted below.

Community Liaison Advisor
*Capable of being a role model and mentor to college students who are interested in law enforcement.
*Volunteer their time to train and/or teach cadets in practical scenarios (traffic stops, arrest & search, handcuffing and building search).
*Able to help cadets build skills such as leadership, character and teamwork.
*Provide academic resources assistance (resume writing, interviewing, communicating).
*Assist with any interesting field trips to Douglas Corrections Center, Omaha Police Department and other area law enforcement facilities.
*Able to provide networking opportunities for UNO Police Cadets.

Faculty Advisor
*Knowledge of criminal justice system.
*Capable of being a role model and mentor to college students who are interested in law enforcement and criminal justice system.
*To help cadets get involved in or volunteer for police-based community events and projects.
*Able to help cadets build skills such as leadership, character and teamwork.
*Provide academic resources assistance (resume writing, interviewing, communicating).
*Assist with any interesting field trips to Douglas Corrections Center, Omaha Police Department and other area law enforcement facilities.
*Wants to interact with UNO Police Cadets.

Meetings take place every week on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Interested candidates should contact Datrell Morgan (dlmorgan@unomaha.edu/402.554.2368) or the Academy unopolicecadets@gmail.com.

UNO Exercise Physiology Lab and Fitness Center Cholesterol Test

Know your numbers: High cholesterol is one of the leading risk factors for all types of cardiovascular diseases. Have your cholesterol screened for $25 at the UNO Exercise Physiology Laboratory and Fitness Center today. Call 402.554.3221 for an appointment.

Feb. 6 Session on Dealing with Difficult Students

If you are dealing with difficult students, this Monday, Feb. 6, session was planned with you in mind. Join Center for Faculty Development guest speakers for an interactive 60-minute workshop from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Chancellor's Room.

* Do you have students that argue about course requirements?

* Are you concerned that one of your students may need help due to difficulties outside of the classroom?

* Do you have students that regularly arrive late for class, leave early or come and go multiple times during a class session?

At the workshop, faculty members can learn classroom management techniques, share classroom experiences, talk about student mental health issues and find out about services available to UNO students.  

The discussion will be led by Connie Schaffer - College of Education; Cathy Pettid - director of Counseling Center/University Division; and Mike Hansen - College of Education.

To register, contact the Center for Faculty Development at 402.554.2427 or unofacdev@unomaha.edu.

Fourth Annual Student Research and Creative Activity Fair Next Week

UNO Office of Research and Creative Activity (ORCA) is bringing back its annual Student Research and Creative Activity Fair for a fourth year.

Every year since 2009, the ORCA has helped students share their research and creative activity with the UNO and Omaha communities. This year the event will take place on Friday, Feb. 10, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center (MBSC).

Nearly 150 student applications of a diverse nature, including posters, presentations and performances have been submitted for this year's fair. Read more.

Nominations Sought for 2012 CCSW Awards

The Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women (CCSW) seeks nominations for its Outstanding Achievement Award, Community Service Award and Scholarship Award. These awards recognize individuals and organizations at UNO and in the metropolitan community who have brought attention to women's issues, advanced women's issues and/or gender equity issues.

This year's recipients will be honored Wednesday, March 28, at the CCSW Awards Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center (MBSC) Ballroom. Tickets will go on sale at the MBSC Business Office closer to the date.

CCSW will also honor a student scholarship award winner at the luncheon. To apply UNO students must meet the following qualifications: be an undergraduates who will graduate after fall 2012 and student must show significant contributions towards: (1) addressing improving the status of women or gender issues at UNO in their academic work or activities and/or (2) have academic excellence in fields where women are underrepresented.

The criteria for each award, scholarship, and its past recipients are available online at http://www.unomaha.edu/ccsw/awards.php. All nominations must be returned electronically by Friday, Feb. 17, to: mdown@unomaha.edu.

For additional questions, contact CCSW co-chairs Elizabeth Kraemer at 402.554.4202 or ekraemer@unoalumni.org or Renae Rust at 402.554.2559 or rrust@unomaha.edu.

Green Tip of the Week

Computers 101
Screensavers don't save energy. To really use less energy, try putting your computer on sleep and/or stand by mode. During the day, also set computers to go to sleep automatically during short breaks.

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