Sigma Bulletin, December 10 - December 16, 2007

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

A. DEAN'S UPDATES

Read today's Dean's Updates (Topics include visits by Dr. Guanglei Hong and Dr. Stephen Raudenbush; All School meeting; custodial staff breakfast; University-wide communications procedures in case of threats) by clicking on this link:

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

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

See today's Announcements (Sigma publication dates; MIFA/Fall Middle School Individual Events Tournament) by clicking on this link:

http://sitemaker.soe.umich.edu/education.announcements/

C. CALENDAR

- December 11: Presentation by Dr. Guanglei Hong of the University of Toronto (and an alumna of the SoE doctoral program) on "Reading Instructional Time and Homogeneous Grouping in Kindergarten: An Application of the Marginal Mean Weighting Method," 12:00 noon, Tribute (Room 1322). Please feel free to bring a lunch--water, fruit, and cookies will be provided.

- December 11: 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.

- December 11: Labor Economics Seminar: Isaac McFarlin on "Help or Hindrance: The Effects of College Remediation on Academic and Labor Market Outcomes," 2:30 - 4:00 pm, Lorch 301.

- December 12: "Climate Change and Higher Education: Leadership to Achieve Climate Neutrality," will be broadcast from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm EST by the Society for College and University Planning, an SOE affiliate. This webcast will be filmed and streamed live over the Internet. There will be opportunities to submit text questions during the broadcast. Moderated by James Gorman, Science Editor of The New York Times, this program explores steps that colleges and universities are taking to respond to climate change, and will provide models and ideas that are transferable to other higher education institutions, corporations and communities. Presenters are: Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University; Billy Parrish, Co-founder and Coordinator, Energy Action Coalition, and Dave Newport, Director of the University of Colorado at Boulder Environmental Center. More Details and Registration: http:// www.nytimes.whsites.net/knowledgenetwork/learning/scup- climatechange.html. Please call 734.998.6966 for further information.

- December 12: Dissertation Defense by Hala Ghousseini on "Learning with Routines: Pre-Service Teachers Learning to Lead Classroom Mathematics Discussions," 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm, Dean's Conference Room (Room 1211).

- December 12: Dissertation Defense by Britany Affolter-Caine on "Going Beyond Traditional Consortia: Exploring the Collaborative Process Among Traditional Private Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Engaged in Inter-Institutional Consortia That Promote Curricular Joint Ventures," 1:30 pm Brownlee (Room 2327).

- December 12: Dissertation Defense by Marie Kendall Brown on "A Mixed Methods Examination of College Students' Intercultural Development," 10:00 am, Brownlee (Room 2327).

- December 13: Dr. Steve Raudenbush (University of Chicago) will present a paper he has just completed entitled, "Advancing Educational Policy by Advancing Research on Instruction," 2:30 pm, Tribute (Room 1322). This paper, to appear in the American Educational Research Journal, is based on his 2007 lecture on the occasion of being presented with the AERA award for Distinguished Contributions to Education Research. Coffee and cookies will be provided.

- December 13: All-School Meeting about the Teacher Education Initiative (TEI), Tribute (Room 1322), 10:00 am - 12:00 noon. Detailed updates about progress in core areas of TEI work, a projected time- line for the Initiative, and discussion of our strategies for change. Plus: The TEI is launching a Request for Proposals. Please come and find out about the many areas in which we need help and learn how you can propose or join a project that will contribute directly to our collective work.

- December 13: Excel I Workshop presented by John Moje for SoE staff only. Workshop is sponsored by the SoE Staff Development Committee and is limited to the first 30 people who register. Please email Bonita Kothe (bkkothe at umich.edu) to reserve a seat and indicate whether you will bring your own laptop. Whitney Auditorium (Room 1309), 10:00 am - 11:30 am.

D. LOOKING AHEAD

- December 17: Geometry, Reasoning and Instructional Practices (GRIP) open house, 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm, Room 530 SoE.

- December 17: Dissertation Defense by Tehani Collazo on "Transnational Experiences and Personal Histories: Engaging Young- Adult Students in Academic Literacy Practices," 1:00 pm, Tribute (Room 1322).

- January 4: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Professor David Harrison, Penn State University, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Room 4212 SoE. For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

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

- January 11: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Panel Session on "Academic Leadership in the 21st Century" with Provost Teresa Sullivan, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dean Deborah Loewenberg Ball, Dean of the School of Education; Dean Janet Weiss, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs-Graduate Studies and Dean of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies; Tom Finholt, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, School of Information. 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Room 4212 SoE. For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

-January 13: Winter Reception. Michigan Information Tech Center, 1000 Oakbrook Drive #100, Ann Arbor, 3:00-6:00 pm. RSVP to Marti Dalley at (734) 763-4061 or dalleym@umich.edu by January 7, 2008.

- January 17: IRB on the Road with Cindy Shindledecker, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon, Room 1350 SoE. Additional information forthcoming (appointment hours vs. open hours).

- January 18: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Professor Raanan Lipshitz, University of Haifa, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Room 4212 SoE. For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

- 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 pm - 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.

- January 22: IRWG Winter 2008 Speaker Series on Changing Perspectives on Sexual Violence and Harassment. Toni Abbey, Wayne State University, on "Sexual Assault on College Campuses: What is Alcohol's Role?" 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 2239 Lane Hall. Event is free and open to the public. For more information visit http:// www.umich.edu/~irwg/.

- January 25: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Professor Martin Ruef, Princeton University, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Ross School of Business (location TBA). For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

- January 28: IRWG Winter 2008 Speaker Series on Changing Perspectives on Sexual Violence and Harassment. CRLT Players, Relationships and Boundaries in the Academy: Exploring Sexual Harassment Through Theatrical Dilemmas, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Rackham Amphitheatre. CRLT Players perform vignettes regarding sexual harassment in the academy and the workplace, along with a facilitated audience discussion. Event is free and open to the public. For more information visit http://www.umich.edu/~irwg/. - January 30: IRWG Winter 2008 Speaker Series on Changing Perspectives on Sexual Violence and Harassment. Paula Ross-Durow, IRWG Researcher, "Adolescent Sexual Harassment of Peers: A Predictor of Sexual Assault?" 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm, 2239 Lane Hall. Event is free and open to the public. For more information visit http://www.umich.edu/~irwg/. - February 1: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Professor John Hollenbeck, Michigan State University, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Room 4212 SoE. For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

- February 8: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Professor Rebecca Henderson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Ross School of Business (location TBA). For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

- February 14: IRB on the Road, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon, Room 1350 SoE. Additional information forthcoming (appointment hours vs. open hours).

- February 15: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Professor Kim Elsback, University of California-Davis, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Room 4212 SoE. For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

- February 18: IRWG Winter 2008 Speaker Series on Changing Perspectives on Sexual Violence and Harassment. Louise Fitzgerald, University of Illinois--Urbana Champaign, "Sexual Harassment in Higher Education and the Workplace," 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 2239 Lane Hall. Event is free and open to the public. For more information visit http://www.umich.edu/~irwg/. - February 19: IRWG Winter 2008 Speaker Series on Changing Perspectives on Sexual Violence and Harassment. Perry Silverchanz, U-M Substance Abuse Research Center, "Sticks and Stones (and Queer Jokes): What are the Consequences of Heterosexist Harassment?" 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm, 2239 Lane Hall. Event is free and open to the public. For more information visit http://www.umich.edu/~irwg/. - February 22: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Professor Brian Uzzi, Northwestern University, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Ross School of Business (location TBA). For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

- February 25 - 27: 2008 Michigan School Testing Conference, Kensington Court Hotel. Further details to follow.

- March 7: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Professor Joe Porac, New York University, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Ross School of Business (location TBA). For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

- March 12: IRWG Winter 2008 Speaker Series on Changing Perspectives on Sexual Violence and Harassment. Isis Settles, Michigan State University, "Women Working in a Man's World: Sexual Harassment, Workplace Climate, and Work Outcomes for Women in Male- Dominated Fields," 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 2239 Lane Hall. Event is free and open to the public. For more information visit http://www.umich.edu/~irwg/.

- March 14: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Professor Jeff Edwards, University of North Carolina, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Room 4212 SoE. For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

March 14: Retirement program and reception for Marvin Peterson, 1:30 pm - 6:00 pm, Michigan Union.

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

- March 20: IRB on the Road with Cindy Shindledecker, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon, Room 1350 SoE. Additional information forthcoming (appointment hours vs. open hours).

- March 21: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Likert Award Winner (TBD), 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Room 4212 SoE. For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

- March 27: IRWG Winter 2008 Speaker Series on Changing Perspectives on Sexual Violence and Harassment. Amy Young, IRWG Researcher, "The Silent Epidemic in Women's Health: Adolescent Sexual Assault," 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 2239 Lane Hall. Event is free and open to the public. For more information visit http:// www.umich.edu/~irwg/.

- March 28: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Professor Isabel Fernandez- Mateo, London Business School, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Room 4212 SoE. For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

- April 2: Education Policy Initiative (EPI) Seminar Series, Susanna Loeb, Stanford University, "Teacher Labor Supply Decisions and Effectiveness in the Classroom." 4:00 pm - 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 3: IRWG Winter 2008 Speaker Series on Changing Perspectives on Sexual Violence and Harassment. Lilia Cortina, U-M Women's Studies and Psychology, "Workplace Harassment and Incivility: What's Gender Got to do With it? " 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 2239 Lane Hall. Event is free and open to the public. For more information visit http://www.umich.edu/~irwg/. - April 4: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Professor Cristina Gibson, University of California-Irvine, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Room 4212 SoE. For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

- April 11: Winter 2008 Interdisciplinary Committee on Organizational Studies Seminar Series. Professor Don Hambrick, Penn State University, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Room 4212 SoE. For additional information contact Paula Kopka, 936-1525 or pkopka at umich.edu.

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

- April 17: IRB on the Road with Cindy Shindledecker, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon, Room 1350 SoE. Additional information forthcoming (appointment hours vs. open hours).

- April 26: SoE Commencement, Hill Auditorium, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm reception to follow on Ingalls Mall.