Sigma Bulletin, September 17 - September 23, 2007

A. DEAN'S UPDATES
B. CALENDAR
C. LOOKING AHEAD

A. DEAN'S UPDATES
Read today's Dean's Updates (Topics include Fundraising and Free New York Times) by clicking on this link:

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/soe.dean/updates&mode=single

B. CALENDAR

- September 17: CRLT North Fall 2007 Engineering Programs on “Research on Best Practices in College Teaching,” 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Johnson Rooms of Lurie Engineering Center. For more information and to register, please visit: www.engin.umich.edu/teaching/crltnorth/currentworkshops.html

- September 17: Talk by Mourad Ezzine, Education Sector Manager, World Bank, “Education Reform in the Middle East and North Africa,” 12:00-1:30 pm, School of Social Work Building Room 1636. Sponsored by the International Institute and the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies.

- September 17: Dissertation Defense by Mark Garrett on "The Influence of Financial Pressure on Academic Administrators' Selection of Management and Resource Allocation Strategies,” 3:00 pm, Brownlee (Room 2327).

- September 17: Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor, Columbia University; Co-director, National Center for Children and Families, “School Readiness: Closing Racial and Ethnic Gaps,” 3:00 pm. 6050 Institute of Social Research, 426 Thompson Street. Refreshments available at 2:45 pm.

- September 18 through April 8: Each Tuesday, community members from SoE can join colleagues at Yost Arena's noontime public skating http://www.umich.edu/~yostice/public_skate.htm. All are welcome regardless of skill, grace, or the lack thereof. The cost is $2.00 for admission and $1.00 for skate rentals.

- September 19: Energy Day, for undergraduates and graduate students-includes Industry Fair, featuring displays by over 20 companies, 11:00 am- 2:00 pm, Mason Hall, as well as scavenger hunt, poster competition, car expo, dinner and speaker event..
More information, including maps to the various locations, can be found on the MMPEI web site at: www.mmpei.umich.edu/energyday/index.html. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Shelly Sherman at sacs at umich.edu.

- September 19: English Language Institute's Fall 2007 Speaker Presentation -- Tom Scovel, San Francisco State University, 500 E. Washington Street, Conference Room B, 12:00 noon - 1:15 pm. Brown bag discussion session regarding various issues in language pedagogy and applied linguistics.

- September 21: Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies (ICOS) Speaker Series, Marshall van Alstyne, Information Systems, School of Management, Boston University, on “Diffusion, Network Structure, and Information Advantage,” 1:30 pm (sharp)-3:00 pm; Room 4212, School of Education. Dr. van Alstyne has been using data on eMail to do innovative work on the movement of information within firms and its effects on productivity . His findings on how information affects productivity and on the value of novelty and diversity of information break new ground in testing conjectures about how these variables might be related.
Background Reading Available:
(1) Aral, Sinan, Brynjolfsson, Erik and Van Alstyne, Marshall W., "Productivity Effects of Information Diffusion in Networks"
http://ssrn.com/abstract=987499
(2) Aral, Sinan and Van Alstyne, Marshall W., "Network Structure & Information Advantage"
http://ssrn.com/abstract=958158

C. LOOKING AHEAD

- September 24: The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) Fall 2007 Seminar Series on “Leading Discussions in the Social Sciences and Humanities,” 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, CRLT Seminar Room, 1013 Palmer Commons. To register please visit http://www.crlt.umich.edu, where you will find detailed descriptions of each program (look for Fall Seminars under News and Events). You may also call 764-0505 or email crltseminar at umich.edu to register for any of the events.

- September 26: Second language interest group involving faculty and students, 5:00 pm, Expresso Royale, at corner of South and East University. To stimulate conversation and sharing, participants are encouraged to read an article that Nick Ellis and Diane Larsen-Freeman wrote last year for Applied Linguistics: Ellis, N., & Larsen-Freeman, D. (2006). Language emergence: Implications for applied linguistics? Introduction to the special issue. Applied Linguistics, 27(4), 558-589.) One of the goals in convening the interest group is to think about developing a proposal for a conference on campus next year in connection with the 60th anniversary of the journal, Language Learning.

- September 27: Dewey Lecture, presented by The Ginsberg Center on “Off-Kilter: Adventures in Surplus Practice & Surplus Theory” by renowned historian and cultural activist John Kuo Wei Tchen, 4:00 - 6:00 pm, (Alumni Association Building), 200 Fletcher Street. Following Tchen's talk, respondents will be Ray Silverman, Director of the Museum Studies Program and Professor of Afro-American and African Studies and History of Art, and Amy Stillman, Associate Professor of American Culture and Musicology and former director of UM's Asian Pacific Islander American Studies program. A reception will follow the event.

- September 28: The Ginsberg Center presents a discussion with John Kuo Wei Tchen (renowned historian and cultural activist) on “Being There: Glimmers (& Illusions) of What Can be), 9:00 am - 10:30 am, 2239 Lane Hall (Corner of State and Washington Streets).

- September 29: Fall Faculty/Staff reception, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Dean's Home.

- October 1: The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) Fall 2007 Seminar Series on “How Good Instruction and Assessment Can Motivate Students,” 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm, CRLT Seminar Room, 1013 Palmer Commons. To register please visit http://www.crlt.umich.edu, where you will find detailed descriptions of each program (look for Fall Seminars under News and Events). You may also call 764-0505 or email crltseminar at umich.edu to register for any of the events.

- October 2: The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) Fall 2007 Seminar Series on “Getting Ready for an Academic Career: Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) Conference,” 11:30 am - 5:10 pm, Ballroom, 2nd Floor, Michigan League. To register please visit http://www.crlt.umich.edu, where you will find detailed descriptions of each program (look for Fall Seminars under News and Events). You may also call 764-0505 or email crltseminar at umich.edu to register for any of the events.

- October 4: CRLT North Fall 2007 Engineering Programs on “Effective Lecturing,” 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Johnson Rooms of Lurie Engineering Center. For more information and to register, please visit: www.engin.umich.edu/teaching/crltnorth/currentworkshops.html

- October 5: Michigan Mathematics Education Leadership Conference, 8:30 am -
3:30 pm, School of Education Building. Theme: "Meeting Higher Expectations in Mathematics Education: Capitalizing on University-School Partnerships as Resources." Arthur F. Coxford Memorial Lecture will be given by Hyman Bass, Roger Lyndon Collegiate Professor of Mathematics and Mathematics Education. To register, go to www.mctm.org. Registration cost is $50 for MCTM members; $85 for non-members. Includes materials, refreshments, and lunch.

- October 9, October 16, October 23, October 30, November 6, November 13 (must attend all sessions): The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) Fall 2007 Seminar Series on “Training for Multicultural Classroom Facilitation,” 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm, CRLT Seminar Room, 1013 Palmer Commons. To register please visit http://www.crlt.umich.edu, where you will find detailed descriptions of each program (look for Fall Seminars under News and Events). You may also call 764-0505 or email crltseminar at umich.edu to register for any of the events.

- October 11: Ed Studies Colloquia: Holly Craig, Professor of Education, University of Michigan on “The Black-White Achievement Gap: Language Matters,” 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm, Brownlee (Room 2327).

- October 13: Fall Gathering, TBA.

-October 15: Knight Commission Faculty Summit on Intercollegiate Athletics in Washington, DC. The general sessions from 8:30 -10:30 am-which includes School of Education Associate Professor Jan Lawrence, Director for the Faculty Perceptions of Intercollegiate Athletics Survey, reporting on survey results from 8:30-9:15 am--and from 1:00 -2:30 pm will be accessible via live webcast on www.knightcommission.org. Please register for this free webcast at knightcommissionsummit@widmeyer.com. Breakout sessions will be available via podcasts after the event.

- October 15-16: “The Role of Engaged Universities in Economic Transformation: A Regional Conference based on the National Academies Study, 'Rising Above the Gathering Storm.'” Speakers include Charles Vest, President, National Academy of Engineering; Richard Synder, CEO, Gateway Computers, and others. Rackham Auditorium. To register, go to http://www.urcmich.org/events
For more information, see brochure at http://www.soe.umich.edu/downloads/euctc.pdf

- October 15 - 17: SCUP's 2007 North Central Regional Conference, "Our Campus-My Space," University of Michigan. To learn more visit: http://www.scup.org/regions/nc/2007/call.html

- October 17: CRLT North Fall 2007 Engineering Programs on “Developing a Productive Relationship with Your Research Advisor,” 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Johnson Rooms of Lurie Engineering Center. For more information and to register, please visit: www.engin.umich.edu/teaching/crltnorth/currentworkshops.html

- October 18: SCUP's Planning Institute - Step I, Campus Inn, Ann Arbor, MI. To learn more visit: http://www.scup.org/profdev/pi/step1/

- October 18: David Angus International Travel Award Deadline; SOE Mini-Grant for Student Initiated Research Deadline. Detailed procedures for submitting your electronic application can be found on the SOE website as well as deadlines for subsequent rounds of competition. Further questions should be directed to Becki Spangler ( spangler@umich.edu).

- October 19: Rackham International Students Fellowship Deadline. This award is for international students who will be in their second or third academic term during Fall 2007 and are actively pursuing a degree in any Rackham program. There are 20 awards of $7,500 for 2007/08. Students must be nominated by their department. Departments may nominate up to two students. For complete information and application please go to:
http://www.rackham.umich.edu/financial_assistance/ and click on Rackham Administered Fellowships.

- October 20: Graduate Information Day, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, SOE.

- October 23: CRLT North Fall 2007 Engineering Programs on “Research and Scholarship in Engineering Education: Poster Session,” 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, Atrium of the Duderstadt Center. For more information and to register, please visit: www.engin.umich.edu/teaching/crltnorth/currentworkshops.html

- October 24: SCUP's Campus Sustainability Day V webcast. To learn more visit: http://www.scup.org/csd/5/

- October 24: Education Policy Initiative (EPI) Seminar Series, Jacob Vigdor, Duke University, "Reflections on No Child Left Behind." 4:00-5:30 pm, Room 1110, Weill Hall (corner of State and Hill) EPI is a program of coordinated activities at the Ford School's Center for Local, State and Urban Policy (CLOSUP), designed to bring the latest academic knowledge to issues of education policy.

- October 25: The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) Fall 2007 Seminar Series on “CRLT Players: (dis)Ability in the Classroom,” 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, CRLT Seminar Room, 1013 Palmer Commons. To register please visit http://www.crlt.umich.edu, where you will find detailed descriptions of each program (look for Fall Seminars under News and Events). You may also call 764-0505 or email crltseminar@umich.edu to register for any of the events.

- October 31: The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) Fall 2007 Seminar Series on “Using IT to Foster Student Understanding: Creative Uses of PowerPoint and Collaborative Notetaking,” 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm, CRLT Seminar Room, 1013 Palmer Commons. To register please visit http://www.crlt.umich.edu, where you will find detailed descriptions of each program (look for Fall Seminars under News and Events). You may also call 764-0505 or email crltseminar@umich.edu to register for any of the events.

October 31: SOE Dissertation Finishing Grant Deadline; Rackham One-Term Dissertation Fellowship Deadline. Detailed procedures for submitting your electronic application can be found on the SOE website as well as deadlines for subsequent rounds of competition. Further questions should be directed to Becki Spangler ( spangler@umich.edu).

- November 3: Conference, “Reflexive Research: Ethical Dilemmas of Qualitative Research Relationships in the Social Sciences.” For more information, go to http://www.soe.umich.edu/events/ethics/ or email Amy Carpenter Ford at amycar@umich.edu. To register for this (free) event, go to http://sitemaker.soe.umich.edu/soe.registration/ethicsregistration.

- November 8: Ed Studies Colloquia: Donald Freeman, Director, Teacher Education (title to be announced), 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm, Brownlee (Room 2327).

- November 8: The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) Fall 2007 Seminar Series on “Applying Real-World Multicultural Issues to Promote Problem Solving in STEM Courses,” 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm, CRLT Seminar Room, 1013 Palmer Commons. To register please visit http://www.crlt.umich.edu, where you will find detailed descriptions of each program (look for Fall Seminars under News and Events). You may also call 764-0505 or email crltseminar at umich.edu to register for any of the events.

- November 15: The Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) Fall 2007 Seminar Series on “Winter Course Planning: Making Student Presentations Effective,” 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, CRLT Seminar Room, 1013 Palmer Commons. To register please visit http://www.crlt.umich.edu, where you will find detailed descriptions of each program (look for Fall Seminars under News and Events). You may also call 764-0505 or email crltseminar at umich.edu to register for any of the events.

- November 19: Education Policy Initiative (EPI) Seminar Series (Co-Sponsored with the National Poverty Center), Caroline Hoxby, Harvard University, "The Effects of New York City's Charter Schools on Student Achievement." 4:00-5:30 pm, Room 1110, Weill Hall (corner of State and Hill) EPI is a program of coordinated activities at the Ford School's Center for Local, State and Urban Policy (CLOSUP), designed to bring the latest academic knowledge to issues of education policy.

- January 8: MAC Information Night, 5:00 pm -7:00 pm, Whitney Auditorium (Room 1309).

- January 22: Education Policy Initiative (EPI) Seminar Series (Co-Sponsored with the National Poverty Center), Cecilia Rouse, Princeton University, "Can Educational Outcomes be Improved in Community Colleges? Recent Evidence from Two Randomized Studies." 4:00-5:30 pm. Location: TBD. EPI is a program of coordinated activities at the Ford School's Center for Local, State and Urban Policy (CLOSUP), designed to bring the latest academic knowledge to issues of education policy.

- March 18: MAC Information Night, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Whitney Auditorium (Room 1309).

- April 2: Education Policy Initiative (EPI) Seminar Series, Susanna Loeb, Stanford University, "Teacher Labor Supply Decisions and Effectiveness in the Classroom." 4:00-5:30 pm. Location: TBD. EPI is a program of coordinated activities at the Ford School's Center for Local, State and Urban Policy (CLOSUP), designed to bring the latest academic knowledge to issues of education policy.

- April 15: MAC Information Night, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Whitney Auditorium (Room 1309).