January 18, 2008

 

Winter Poem

 

once a snowflake fell

on my brow and i loved

it so much and i kissed

it and it was happy and called its cousins

and brothers and a web

of snow engulfed me then

i reached to love them all

and i squeezed them and they became

a spring rain and i stood perfectly

still and was a flower

               --Nikki Giovanni

 

In this edition:

 

A quick reminder: Monday, January 21, is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, an official University holiday. Classes begin Tuesday, January 22. See you then!

 

Honors news

 * Farewell to Grant

 * Tales to Tell: a celebration of study abroad experiences; rsvp by Feb. 1

 * What should I do this term?

 * Honors thesis grants: application deadline Friday, Feb. 1

College news

 * Registration deadline reminders

 * National Student Exchange: application deadline is Feb. 8

 * CLA internship grants: application deadline is Feb. 13

University news

 * Cross-cultural discussion groups for spring term

 * Cross-cultural leadership retreat; apply by Feb. 5

 * Auditions for Vagina Monologues Jan. 21-22

 * Galileo Project auditions now scheduled for Jan. 31

 * Awards for students, faculty, staff; nomination deadline Feb. 15

Hot courses

 * Advanced editing course has seats

Scholarships

 * Rotary scholarships info session Jan. 31

 * Sullivan scholarship for study abroad (deadline: Feb. 8)

 * CLA scholarships for continuing students (deadline: Feb. 15)

 * A.I. Johnson scholarship (deadline: Feb. 15)

 * Critical language scholarships for intensive summer study (deadline: Jan. 25)

Learning abroad

 * Learning abroad options for health sciences students

 * May term in Brazil

 * Summer study in Buenos Aires

Graduate/Professional programs

 * Penn State offers grad student award in Renaissance literature

 * Pre-med forum Jan. 26

 * Pharmacy admissions info session Jan. 28

 * DirecTrack to teaching: priority application deadline Feb. 1

Internships/Jobs

 * Peer mentors sought for Bridge to Academic Excellence Program

 * SMART Commons needs peer learning consultants

 * AmeriCorps/VISTA postions

 * Target business analyst internship

 * Student job with homeland security

 * Mark your calendars: job fair on Feb. 25

Special opportunities

 * College awareness day event in February

 * Four Humors Theatre: auditions for Romeo and Juliet 

 * Photographers & digital video artists: call for art work

 * Volunteer in Peru during spring break 

Lively links

 * The science and art of reading

 * Doris Lessing's Nobel Prize lecture

Events

 * Sunday: MLK concert

 * Tuesday: free lecture on NASA's Saturn mission

 * Tuesday: Work in progress with performers Geoff Sobelle & Trey Lyford

 * Thursday & Friday: U Bookstore readings

 * Discount tix for touring productions of Sweeney Todd and My Fair Lady

 

Honors news

FAREWELL TO GRANT

Today is Honors advisor Grant Schwartz's last day in the office. He has accepted a new position outside the University that will ultimately take him (this spring) to his dream city of Portland, Oregon. We'll miss all his amazing contributions to the program, and we wish him well in his new pursuits!

 

TALES TO TELL: A CELEBRATION OF STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCES
Have you studied abroad? Do you want to study abroad? Are you studying abroad right here? You are invited to share your stories, experiences, and advice at the first annual 'Tales to Tell' event hosted by Honors in the College of Liberal Arts and the University Honors Program. The event will be Thursday, Feb. 7, 5-6:30 pm, 135 Nicholson Hall (Fireplace Room). Free Food! Samosas and Curry! Prize for best picture and most compelling/funniest study abroad story. Please RSVP to honors@umn.edu by February 1. If you wish to participate in the photo or story contest, please attach either
one photo or a 50-150 word story to your RSVP. Space is limited! Any questions, please contact us through the above email or call the Honors Office at 612.624.5522.


WHAT SHOULD I DO THIS TERM?

If you're a senior and plan to graduate in spring or fall semester, be sure that everything is on track for completing your degree. If you have not met with your advisor recently, call the office to set up an appointment. The deadline to apply for spring semester graduation is Tuesday, February 5 (do this on-line via OneStop).

If you're a junior: if you have not done your junior-senior planning meeting yet, schedule it as soon as possible. If you plan to graduate in 2009 and have not had a "graduation balance sheet" meeting with your advisor, call to schedule an appointment to do so.

If you're a sophomore: if you have declared a major and have completed at least 40 graded credits, you can complete a junior-senior planning form (available in the office). If you have not yet declared a major, you must do so before registration for fall classes or you will have a hold on your record. If you have questions about this, contact your advisor.

If you're a freshman: continue exploring your interests if you have not yet determined the disciplines in which you might major. Look into study abroad and service learning opportunities for the future. Your advisor will be happy to discuss any of this with you.

 

HONORS THESIS GRANTS: APPLICATION DEADLINE FRIDAY, FEB. 1

If you are working on your honors thesis/project and have some out-of-pocket costs, consider applying for an Honors thesis grants; these grants (up to $500) can cover thesis-related expenses. To download a copy of the application, visit http://www.cla.umn.edu/honors/Thesis%20grant%20app%202006.pdf. The deadline for spring semester grants is Friday, February 1.

 

College news

REGISTRATION DEADLINE REMINDERS

Through Tuesday, Jan 29: you may add and drop classes, and change your grade base.

Through Monday, Feb. 4: you may add a class with instructor permission, drop a class, or change your grade base. Changes made during the first two weeks do not show on your record.

Through Tuesday, March 18 (note: this is the Tuesday of spring break): you may drop a class without permission; a "W" will indicate your withdrawal on your record. After March 18, you may drop a class using your "one-time-only late drop" option if you have not already done so. This must be done by the last day of classes (Friday, May 9), and requires a petition in the Honors office. You may also petition to drop after the deadline if you can document extenuating circumstances.

 

NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEB. 8

Apply soon for the fall 2008 or spring 2009 semesters of National Student Exchange. NSE lets you study at another college in the U.S. or Canada for a semester or a year. Choose from almost 200 schools and even more classes. Visit www.offcampusstudy.umn.edu/nse for details, or sign up for an NSE Info Session at www.cclc.umn.edu/infosessions.

 

CLA INTERNSHIP GRANTS: DEADLINE IS FEB. 13

The College of Liberal Arts offers $1,200 grants to select CLA undergrads doing unpaid internships. Apply for one if you have an internship this spring. Four general grants and various specialty grants are awarded. Find details and application instructions at www.cclc.umn.edu/clagrant or talk to CCLC. The application deadline is Wednesday, February 13.

University news

CROSS CULTURAL DISCUSSION GROUPS FOR SPRING TERM

Here is another opportunity to expand your cross-cultural experiences! Applications are now available for the International Students and Scholar Services's spring 2008 cross-cultural discussion groups. The discussion groups provide an opportunity for both
international and U.S. students to share experiences and personal thoughts in a relaxed and casual environment.. For more information and to apply please visit:
http://www.isss.umn.edu/programs/disgroup/default.html.

 

CROSS CULTURAL LEADERSHIP RETREAT

Application deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 5. This retreat is for international and U.S. students who want to learn to become more effective in international environments. This highly
interactive, high-energy retreat becomes a living laboratory of what it takes to work with people from vastly different cultures. You will meet other students, begin friendships with people from all over the world, and discover your own leadership potential. A cutting edge cross cultural leadership model, Personal Leadership, will be used to develop participants' cross cultural skill-set that is needed for professional and personal lives in the 21st century. Space is limited so hurry up and apply online
http://www.isss1.umn..edu/leadership/BRQ.lasso before February 5. If you have questions, please contact Thorunn Bjarnadottir at thorunnb@umn.edu.

 

VAGINA MONOLOGUES AUDITIONS JAN. 21-22

It's that time of the year again for the annual Vagina Monologues production, in cooperation with Eve Ensler's V-Day Foundation. Sponsored by MPIRG, the production will tour to five area universities to celebrate and re-claim The Vagina. Join us for auditions Monday and Tuesday (January 21-22) from 5-9 pm at the MPIRG office at the University Technology Center (1313 5th St SE, Suite 112 Mpls). Auditions will be informal, consisting of cold reads from the script and a brief set of questions. We are looking for women who are passionate about social justice, who are interested in forming a tight community through theatre, and who want to have fun in the process. Due to rules set out by the playwright, Eve Ensler, you are required to be affiliated with a university in order to participate as a performer in this production.. To help make the auditions go more smoothly, we ask you to e-mail (colle044@umn.edu) with a preference to a date (21st or 22nd) and a time period (eg. 5-7 pm). We will do our best to accommodate your preferences. However, we will be taking people who show up too, so no worries if you're not scheduled to audition. The rehearsal period will be brief--two and a half weeks until the show is performed at five area universities (usually in front of very packed houses!). Rehearsals will be in the evenings, and there will only be about a week where you will need to be there at each rehearsal. If you have questions, contact Eric Colleary at the above email.
P.S. We have a Facebook Event page too!
http://minnesota.facebook.com/event.php?eid=9613955980


GALILEO PROJECT AUDITIONS NOW SCHEDULED FOR JAN. 31

The Galileo Project will audition January 31 with callbacks February 1 in 10 Rarig Center. The production is being directed by Lisa Channer, new directing faculty member in the Theatre Arts department, as part of the University Theatre Subscriber series. It will be performed in the Xperimental Theatre April 25-27. Rehearsals begin March 24. The
project will be developed from a base of several sources:
• The play
Galileo by Bertolt Brecht
• The book
Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel
• The transcripts from Brecht's testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee
• The transcript of Galileo's confession before the Inquisition
• Articles and books about the contemporary schism (real and imagined) between science and religion
Professor Channer will be looking for a company of about 12 who are interested in this topic and are talented and creative actors, and will be happy to have a few assistant directors on the team too. For the January 31 audition, you should prepare one of the sides from the play by Brecht provided (on the door to 55, 580 or 510C Rarig). The entire
audition may not exceed 4 minutes. You may sign-up to audition in either monologue or pairs depending on what side you choose to prepare. So each 4-minute block may have a single name or two people listed. You may not sign up twice. "Prepare" means "as prepared as possible including the option to memorize and rehearse before auditioning." Callbacks will be on February 1 and instructions for these will be given out later. Sign-up sheets are posted on the Production Notices Bulletin Boards across from the tunnel (NE end of the basement level of Rarig). In order to audition for this production you must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 credits spring semester 2008. Students cast in this production cannot be in
The Wiz.

 

SHOWBOAT AUDITIONS & WORKSHOP

Auditions for the Minnesota Centennial Showboat will be held January 28, 29 with callbacks January 30. This year's production will be The Count of Monte Cristo, which will begin rehearsals April 28. Specific information and sign-up sheets are posted on the Rarig Production Notices Bulletin boards. Auditions for the Showboat company will be held in Studio A (506 Rarig). The Count of Monte Cristo is being directed by Peter Moore with olios directed by Vern Sutton. The Showboat will open June 13 and perform Tuesday-Saturday until August 25. For auditions you should prepare one short piece (no more than 1-2
minutes). It may be comic or dramatic, but should deal with elevated text (Wilde, Coward, Pinero, Shaw, Shakespeare, etc.).  In addition, you should prepare to sing a song accompanied by piano. Please bring sheet music with you for the accompanist.  Tape accompaniment is not acceptable. The entire audition may not exceed 4 minutes.
NOTE: Because these are paid positions, there are further eligibility requirements that must be met in order to be cast in the Showboat Company. These are posted and will also be available at auditions.
Audition workshop offered: Because Showboat productions demand a unique playing style, we are offering an audition workshop to provide some helpful information. Anyone is welcome to attend, but space is limited to the first 50 people who sign up. The workshop will be led by Vern Sutton, Olio Director, who will present ideas about auditioning for a musical theatre performance. Participants are encouraged to bring musical selections to
perform if they wish to be critiqued or coached as a part of the workshop. It will take place from 5:45-7:45 pm on Thursday, January 24, in the arena theatre in Rarig.

AWARDS FOR STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF: NOMINATION DEADLINE FEB. 15

The Office for University Women (OUW) requests nominations for these awards:
Sharon L. Doherty Award ($400 bookstore certificate): Twin Cities undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service concerning women's issues on campus and/or in the broader community.
Mullen/Spector/Truax Women’s Leadership Award ($1000): Honoring Patricia Mullen, Janet Spector, Anne Truax: University faculty or staff woman who has made outstanding contributions to women’s leadership development.
Civil Service/Bargaining Unit Staff Award ($1000): Twin Cities campus CSBU staff member who has made outstanding contributions to improve the work environment for CSBU employees. Deadline for submissions: 4:30 pm, Friday, February 15. For nomination forms and guidelines, visit http://www1.umn.edu/women/awards.html. For questions, contact OUW at women@umn.edu or 612.625.9837.

 

Hot courses

ADVANCED EDITING COURSE HAS SEATS

ENGL 5712 Advanced Editing (prereq 5711; credit will not be granted if credit received for: 5402) 78806 TTh 4:40-06:35 pm,  SmithH  121, 4 credits, instructor: Michael Tortorello. A disgruntled filmmaker once said, "Ninety-eight percent of the jobs in the world suck, and someone else always hogs the other two percent." To put that cheery adage another way, how can a hard-working student translate her affection for Beckett and Byatt into a career working with words and ideas? This hands-on seminar will chase an answer to that question along two tracks. First, the class will host more than a half-dozen professionals from the fields of book editing, author representation, journalism, market research, conservative blogging, and first amendment law. These experienced guests will bring real, raw texts from their working lives--articles, features, author pitches, and manuscripts--for the class to slice and dice. Second, using present-day print, the seminar will meditate on the practice and philosophy of editing. Did lousy editing help lead the U.S. into Iraq? Why do writers perpetrate fraud, and how can we catch them? If God didn't edit the Bible, who did? Finally, we'll explore the protocol of editing and the bastard craft of creative collaboration. Why did the dean of rock critics once edit in the nude? And why is it so hard to play well with others (see previous sentence)? These questions and more considered. If you are interested and have prior editing experience but have not had EngL 5711, please contact Beverly Atkinson, atkin001@umn.edu or Terri Sutton, sutt0063@umn.edu to discuss your preparation and ask for a permission number.

 

Scholarships

INFO SESSION ON ROTARY SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDY ABROAD IN 2009-10
Thursday January 31, 3:30-4:30 pm, 101 Walter Library. Learn about the world's largest privately funded scholarship program for international education! Representatives of Rotary International will discuss the Ambassadorial, Cultural Ambassadorial, and World Peace Scholarships. Opportunities are offered for study abroad in nearly 100 host countries, iincluding academic year scholarships, multi-year scholarships, and scholarships for 3-6 months of intensive language study and cultural immersion. Awards range from $10,000 to $23,000, depending on the type and length of the program. Some of the scholarships have language proficiency requirements. SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS, SENIORS, AND GRADUATES may apply. Must be citizen of a country with Rotary Clubs. Initial application is made through a Rotary Club in the applicant's hometown or place of current full-time study.  Apply this February for scholarships for the 2009-10 year!  For further information visit http://www.honors.umn.edu/scholarships/ or contact fellowship advisor Sally Lieberman, liebe001@umn.edu, 612.624.0399.


SULLIVAN SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDY ABROAD (DEADLINE: FEB. 8)

Applications are now available for the 2008-09 Katherine E. Sullivan Scholarship for Study Abroad. This scholarship provides full or partial support for a fifth year of undergraduate study in another country for outstanding students from any campus of the University of Minnesota. It is intended to support credit-bearing and usually classroom-based study
abroad that immerses the student in the host university as well as in the host culture, for a full academic year or equivalent. One to three scholarships will be awarded for 2008-09. Eligibility requirements: currently enrolled U of M undergraduate with senior status (at least 90 credits completed) by the end of Fall 2007, including at least 30 credits earned in residence at the University of Minnesota (any campus); GPA of 3.5 or higher; U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Further information and a printable application are available at
http://cla.umn.edu/honors/sullivan.htm. Application deadline: February 8.


CLA SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CONTINUING STUDENTS (DEADLINE: FEB. 15)

The deadline to apply for CLA Scholarships for Continuing Students is Friday, February 15. For more information, see http://scholarships.cla.umn.edu/continuing_students/. The online application is at: https://mycla.umn.edu/scholarship.php.

 

A.I. JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIP (DEADLINE: FEB. 15)

Applications for the A. I. Johnson Scholarship are available online (http://www.polisci.umn.edu/ugrad/scholarships.html); the deadline to apply is February 15. The A. I. Johnson Scholarship is available to all degree-seeking U of M-Twin Cities undergraduates with a sincere interest in public service and a strong desire to serve the public good. Interns must commit to completing 400 internship hours at a public service organization during the 2008-2009 school year. Scholarship amounts vary but tend to be quite generous (this year’s four recipients each received $10,000-$15,000!).

 

CRITICAL LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTENSIVE SUMMER LANGUAGE STUDY ABROAD
These U.S. government-sponsored scholarships support intensive summer language study in the "critical need languages," Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, or Urdu, at approved language institutes abroad. Applicants must be U.S. citizens; may be undergraduates (Freshman through Senior), graduate students, or recent college graduates. All fields of study are eligible. Some institutes have language prerequisites, but many are open to beginners. For information about the scholarship program, the list of eligible language institutes, and access to the online application, visit https://clscholarship.org/home.php. The deadline to submit the online application is January 25.

 

Learning abroad

LEARNING ABROAD FOR STUDENTS IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES

Wednesday, 1:30-2:30 pm, Johnston Hall B33. Get info about study abroad programs that focus on health and health science. Find event details at www.cclc.umn.edu/events

 

MAY TERM IN BRAZIL

This study abroad course will provide a first-hand experience in four critical sites for understanding the development of Brazil--one of the world's emerging powers--from colonial times until today. For more information, see http://igs.cla.umn.edu/abroad/Brazil.html.

 

SUMMER STUDY IN BUENOS AIRES

New summer option: Language and Culture in Buenos Aires (see http://umabroad.umn.edu/programs/AMERICAS/buenosAires/index.html). Participants can fulfill language requirements during the summer session. Students take two classes for 9–10 credits (1002/1003, 1003/1004, or 1004/3015) during the six-week term. Students live with an Argentine host family to increase their language learning. Volunteer opportunities available at no extra cost. Find dates and fees information, along with more information at the link above.

 

Graduate/Professional programs

PENN STATE OFFERS GRAD STUDENT AWARD IN RENAISSANCE LITERATURE

The English Department at Pennsylvania State University has announced the Josephine Berry Weiss Award, to be made to an outstanding graduate student specializing in English Renaissance literature. The Weiss Award, in conjunction with a teaching assistantship, makes available financial support of $30,000 annually, in addition to a full waiver of tuition. For more information about the graduate program see http://english.la.psu.edu/graduate/howtoapply.htm.

 

PRE-MED FORUM SATURDAY, JAN. 26

 

Pre-Medical Forum: In the Spirit of Healing. Saturday, January 26, 8 am-7 pm, University of Minnesota Medical School. Opening events at the Mayo Memorial Auditorium.

Are you interested in medicine? Interested in applying to medical school? Full of questions about the application process, MCATs, financial aid, & medical school in general? Just interested in getting a peak into different medical specialities? Regardless of where you are in your post-secondary education, if you are a minority student or are interested in medicine related to health disparities, under-privileged communities, or minority affairs, this conference has something for you. What will the forum entail? This year's PMF will provide preparatory information for anyone interested in a career in medicine. On Saturday, January 26, we have an entire day of conference events planned, closing with a dinner and evening social event. Attendees will:

•     Learn about the medical school admissions process.

•     Acquire strategies on taking the MCAT.

•     Be advised on crafting their personal statements.

•     Learn about dual-degree programs & research programs.

•     Meet & lunch with medical students and physicians.

•     Choose and participate in two different interactive workshops.

Our featured workshops will be in (subject to change) • Anatomy and

Physiology • Radiology • Infectious Disease • Pulmonology • Surgical

Suturing • Emergency Medicine • Cardiology • Holistic Medicine • Sports

Medicine • and more!

Registration fee is a low $35 in advance (yes, there are scholarships available) and seating is limited. Registration fee includes continental breakfast lunch & dinner! All information, including the registration form & schedule of events is available at our web-site:

http://student.med.umn.edu/snma/PMF/.  Please don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to learn about medical school, attend specialty workshops & mingle with other medical students & physicians.

 

PHARMACY ADMISSION INFO SESSION MONDAY, JAN. 28

Monday, January 28, 2-3 pm. The Admissions Coordinators for the College of Pharmacy hold sessions that provide in-depth detail on the admissions process and tips on putting together a competitive application. On the Twin Cities Campus, go to www.healthcareers.umn.edu/events to register for a Pharmacy Admissions Information Session.

 

DIRECTRACK TO TEACHING: PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE FEB. 1

DirecTrack to Teaching is designed for exceptional undergraduate students who hold promise as future educators (middle school/junior high, or high school teachers).

The program provides early admission to the College of Education and Human Development’s master of education (M.Ed.)/initial licensure programs, if specific program benchmarks are met. By promoting early exposure to the culture of schools and teaching, the program allows students to explore the teaching profession while completing an undergraduate degree. The application can be accessed via our DirecTrack website: http://cehd.umn.edu/Direct/ then http://cehd.umn.edu/Direct/DirecTrackApp.pdf. We are also hosting two upcoming information sessions to answer questions about the program and the application process. Both sessions will be held in RM 41 McNeal Hall, St. Paul Campus: Friday, Jan. 25, 2-3:30 pm; Monday, Jan. 28, 2-3:30 pm.

 

Internships/Jobs

PEER MENTORS SOUGHT FOR BRIDGE TO ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM

The Bridge to Academic Excellence Program is an academic program for new freshmen students at the University of Minnesota. Program participants will be students from diverse backgrounds who have little or no family college-attendance history (i.e. first generation).  The program begins with a six-week intensive academic component in June, 2008 and continues through the fall and spring 2008-09. Academic and social activities will help ensure student success at the University of Minnesota. Students who will be juniors and seniors in fall 2008 are eligible to apply for these paid positions. For more information and the application form, email Kit (cgordon@class.cla.umn.edu).

 

SMART COMMONS SEEKS PEER LEARNING CONSULTANTS

The SMART Learning Commons has three openings for Peer Learning Consultants for the spring semester on the Twin Cities campus. Students maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0 who have competencies in mathematics, chemistry, biology, statistics, economics, and/or applied economics are encouraged to apply. Interested students should refer to requisition 152686  at the U of M Job Site. Direct link: https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=68657. Questions regarding this posting may be directed to Bosu Seo at seox0024@umn.edu.

 

ADMISSION POSSIBLE: AMERICORPS/VISTA POSITIONS

Admission Possible in St. Paul, Minnesota, is selecting AmeriCorps and VISTA members for Fall 2008! Most applicants are recent college graduates or current seniors looking for opportunities starting next fall. We are excited each year by the quality applications we receive from all over, and with our recent recognition from the Princeton Review-–we were one of only 100 companies or organizations selected from across the country for their 2008 Best Entry-Level Jobs recognition–-we expect the competition for these positions to be especially strong this year!  We will select more than 40 new AmeriCorps and VISTA members to start in the fall.  The Priority Application deadline is 2/29/2008 and the Regular Application Deadline is 3/24/2008.  For more details on the specific positions and deadlines, please visit our website and click on the “Opportunities” tab in the left column or click right here: http://www.admissionpossible.org/AmeriCorps.html.
What is Admission Possible? Admission Possible is a seven-year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to helping promising low-income high school students in the Greater Twin Cities earn admission to college.  We provide our students with (1) SAT/ACT test preparation; (2) guidance in the college application process; (3) assistance in the financial aid application process; and (4) guidance in transition to college. We currently have 1,200 students in the program, in 15 high schools in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Robbinsdale, and St. Louis Park. Since our founding in 2000, we have succeeded in helping 98% of our students earn admission to college!

TARGET BUSINESS ANALYST INTERNSHIP

Target Headquarters seeks CLA students for its paid summer business analyst internship program. This executive training program gives interns the opportunity to complete a significant project while being mentored by Target professionals. Learn more and apply via GoldPASS--http://goldpass.umn.edu. Search on job #27947. Application deadline: January 30, 2008.

 

STUDENT JOB WITH HOMELAND SECURITY

The Office of Chief Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is currently recruiting a student for part-time employment, not to exceed fifteen hours per week. Interested students should submit the following: a current (unofficial) transcript copy, resume, and one-two paragraphs stating why the student would like a position with the Office of Chief Counsel, Immigration and Customs
Enforcement. Documents should be mailed to:  
                        Office of Chief Counsel
                        U.S. Department of Homeland Security
                        Immigration and Customs Enforcement
                        ATTN:  Bonnie Lindstrom
                        P.O. Box 11898
                        St. Paul, MN  55111
Closing date for receipt of transcript, resume, and paragraph(s) is February 1. Once a selection is made, a Federal employment package will be forwarded to the student for the required background investigation. Employment would commence 1–2 months from receipt of properly completed and cleared Federal employment documents. Please direct any questions to Bonnie Lindstrom, Mission Support Specialist, 952.853.2764.

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: JOB FAIR FEB. 25

Monday, February 25, 10 am-4 pm, Minneapolis Convention Center, downtown Minneapolis. Come to the biggest student career fair in Minnesota! Nearly 200 organizations will be there recruiting for hundreds of jobs and internships. Check the Job Fair site to see which organizations are attending. The Fair is free and open to all U of M undergraduates, graduate students, and recent alumni. To register for it, go to www.umjobfair.org, where you'll also find preparation tips and info about free transportation. BONUS: If you register and attend, you could win great prizes!


Special opportunities

COLLEGE AWARENESS DAY EVENT IN FEBRUARY

On February 19, 2700 third graders attending Minneapolis public schools will participate in the first-ever Minneapolis "I Know I Can" College Awareness Day. The event will bring over 200 volunteers into classrooms to share the significance of making college attendance an aspiration. Volunteers will read and discuss I Know I Can, a children’s book that introduces college awareness in a context that young children can understand. They will define college, discuss the benefits, and explain the pathway that students must take to turn their aspirations into a college degree. To sign up, contact Rachel Wax at 612.626.2044 or waxx0007@umn.edu. Only a small time commitment is required--one hour for the event and one hour for an information session. Minneapolis's "I Know I Can" College Awareness Day is the first step of the Minneapolis Promise, a cluster of coordinated efforts designed to eliminate barriers to post-secondary education for Minneapolis youth. Project Partners: Mayor R.T. Rybak, Minnesota College Access Network, Minneapolis Public Schools, RBC Dain Rauscher, University of Minnesota.

 

FOUR HUMORS THEATRE: AUDITIONS FOR ROMEO AND JULIET

Four Humors, who brought you Bards and Deviled Eggs, are mounting it's first non-company created production. Romeo and Juliet will be performed at Bedlam Theater in the first few weekends of May (official dates are pending) with rehearsals beginning in April.  There will be a small stipend.  All parts are open. Audition dates for Romeo and Juliet: Friday January 25: 4-8 pm; Saturday January 26: 11-4 pm; 5-8pm; Sunday January 27: Callbacks 12-6 pm. 10 Minutes slots; 1-2 Minute Shakespeare monologue (nothing from Romeo and Juliet); other piece (something that highlights you: i.e. song, juggling, story telling, another monologue, whatever you want). This piece should not last longer than 5 minutes. Email fourhumors@gmail.com for an audition time; please give us a one hour time slot that works for you and we will email back the specific time for your audition. 

 

PHOTOGRAPHERS & DIGITAL VIDEO ARTISTS: CALL FOR ART WORK

Chambers Burnet Art Gallery presents a juried exhibition featuring faculty and students from China's Beijing Film Academy and the University of Minnesota: “Why you belong: self in the 21st century.” Exhibition will be held May 2008 to July 2008. This is an open call for artwork that fit these criteria:

~Artists must be faculty or students at Beijing Film Academy or the U of M

~Present the theme of self and the 21st century

~All art must have been created in 2007 or 2008

~Media type must be photography or digital video

Submission deadline: postmarked March 31, 2008. For complete submission information, visit www.chambersminneapolis.com/whyyoubelong/

 

VOLUNTEER IN PERU DURING SPRING BREAK

Didn’t think it was possible for you to study abroad? Wouldn’t want to be away for an entire semester? Here’s your chance to go abroad and do something different this spring break—spend it volunteering at an orphanage in Lima. Volunteer projects vary by need and interest such as teaching English, playing with children, and working on labor projects (repair a swing set or paint a classroom, for example). Make a difference in a child's life; give love and attention to kids who need it the most. Application deadline is Feb. 1. For more info, contact Sarah Tschida at tschi066@umn.edu and visit www.umabroad.umn.edu/programs/wiv/volunteerGlobalVolunteers.
 

Lively links

THE SCIENCE AND ART OF READING

from The New Yorker: http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2007/12/24/071224crat_atlarge_crain?currentPage=all

 

DORIS LESSING'S NOBEL PRIZE LECTURE

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/2007/lessing-lecture_en.html

 

Events

SUNDAY: ANNUAL MLK CONCERT

Sunday, 4 pm, Ted Mann Concert Hall: The University of Minnesota hosts "From Every Voice," the U's annual concert in honor of the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The concert is sponsored by the Office for Equity and Diversity and the School of Music. This year's concert features gospel quintet The Steeles, one of Minneapolis' most popular musical acts. The concert is free and open to the public.

 

TUESDAY: NASA PRESENTATION ABOUT SATURN MISSION

Tuesday, 4 pm, 133 Tate Lab of Physics. Trina Ray from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory will talk about the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn.

 

TUESDAY: WORK IN PROGRESS WITH PERFORMERS GEOFF SOBELLE & TREY LYFORD

Tuesday, 7 pm, Thrust Theatre, Rarig, free. In this contemporary cabinet of curiosities, performers Geoff Sobelle and Trey Lyford (authors, producers, and performers of the award-winning vaudeville production all wear bowlers) unearth a museum of absence and artifact through highly physical techniques.  Drawing from the esoteric worlds of pseudo-science, medical anomaly, and spiritualism, Amnesia Curiosa conducts a surgical séance, exhuming a repository of familial ghosts, memory and wonder.

 

BOOKSTORE READINGS NEXT WEEK
Thursday, 2 pm: Novelist Geraldine Brooks, a winner of the Pulitzer Prize and former Wall Street Journal correspondent, will read from her new novel,
People of the Book.

Friday, 5 pm: Journalist Glenn Hurowitz will discuss his new book Fear and Courage in the Democratic Party.

 

DISCOUNT TIX FOR TOURING PRODUCTIONS OF SWEENEY TODD & MY FAIR LADY

Sweeney Todd will appear at the State Theatre February 5-10. Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece is set in darkest Victorian England and tells the infamous tale of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber who forms an enterprising business relationship with Mrs. Lovett, the proprietress of the downstairs pie shop. In this chilling and truly unique production--a vision of director and designer John Doyle--no one leaves the stage and the players are also the show’s musicians, with each of the actors playing at least two instruments. It’s a theatrical event that’s not to be missed!
My Fair Lady, Lerner & Loewe’s legendary musical at the Orpheum Theatre February 20– March 2, premieres in the United States direct from its 50th Anniversary London production and U.K. national tour. Starring are acclaimed British theatre actors Christopher Cazenove
and Lisa O’Hare who earned rave reviews for their dynamic performances as Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. Based on the Cameron Mackintosh/National Theatre of Great Britain’s award-winning London sensation and hailed as “the revival against which all others will be measured” this glorious, new production features one of Broadway’s most
beloved scores.
This $23 ticket offer to student, faculty, and staff members is available now. The 
Sweeney Todd offer expires on February 1, and the My Fair Lady offer ends February 18.
To order: For these and other special offers for the Hennepin Theatre
District, please visit this Web site often: www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/groupsales  (be sure to enter entire address). Enter your special password: studentoffers.