Campus update 3/29/2024

 Dear colleagues, 

We finally got our taste of winter this week. I hope you all had a chance to enjoy the snow a bit. As we near the last month of the academic year, I have a variety of updates for you from across campus. 

Chancellor Search
I am excited to welcome Dr. Charles Nies as our next chancellor, effective July 1, and am confident in his ability to lead UMD forward. One of my top priorities now is to work with Dr. Nies to support a smooth and successful leadership transition.

I want to give my sincere appreciation to the search committee members for their work in this process. I am grateful for the leadership from co-chairs Lori Carrell, University of Minnesota Rochester chancellor and our own Lisa Erwin throughout this search process. The campus engagement was strong in both the chancellor and president searches and I appreciate your interest and investment in this critically important process. 

Academic Program Array Analysis (APAA)
We are on track with our timeline this semester for APAA. Upon completion of the data and narrative review last semester, each college was provided program-specific feedback. The departments are working with their deans on review and this action planning will continue through the semester. Visit the APAA website for more information. 

Chancellor’s Council for Campus Culture (4C)
The 4C group has been working collaboratively and effectively this semester to prepare recommendations by the end of the semester. To date, they have:

• analyzed the campus climate survey, 
• advocated with University leadership to share the survey results with the UMD community to enhance the input received in the data, and
• reviewed past reports and recommendations (2017-2023) to improve campus climate. 

The group is preparing to hold listening sessions in April to provide an update to campus about this work, to listen to students, faculty, and staff campus climate concerns, and to share draft recommendations.

Engagement Survey
We have received results of the fall 2023 engagement survey. I encourage each unit to review and discuss their report and utilize the variety of tools and resources available from the Office of Human Resource to help interpret results and identify improvement areas. Overall we had a strong response rate of 80% for staff and 56% for faculty. I appreciate your participation in this survey, which helps us improve the work experience in order to pursue our mission effectively and increase faculty and staff satisfaction.

Development
I want to express my gratitude to Susan Taylor, from the U of M Landscape Arboretum, for extending her time and talents to UMD as our interim development leader this academic year. As originally planned, Susan completes her time with us today. I am pleased to announce that beginning Monday, Jan Sickbert will serve as our interim executive director of advancement. Jan served as associate vice president of college and campus programs at the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) until her retirement in December 2023 and worked with UMD for 15 years in that capacity. We are fortunate to welcome her back. Alumni Relations will be moving to the new advancement unit and I’m energized by the potential synergy and good outcomes for UMD in the new alignment.

PEAK
The PEAK implementation continues. This project has sound principles and a foundation of building a continuous improvement mindset and toolkit. The changes have not been without difficulty. We really appreciate all of the staff who have worked hard to find success within these changes. We continue to work with the operation centers and the PEAK office to build a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities on each side and to improve our work within those roles. We expect to continue to use these principles for ongoing efforts here at UMD.

Reminders and closing:
April is a busy month every year, and that is particularly true this year. There are many great events coming up and two I will highlight here are the faculty and staff awards and years of service recognition event on Tuesday, April 23 at 3 p.m. in the Kirby ballroom. And, my favorite event of the year, commencement on Saturday, May 4. I hope to see you around and at these events. 

I am very thankful to the campus community who will, no doubt, put in extra time between now and the end of the semester. We are almost at another finish line and this part of the year can be both overwhelming and inspiring. As we graduate another brilliant class this year, please be sure to take time to engage in the variety of events on campus and enjoy time with our campus community. 

Thanks for your continued support of UMD and our students,

Dave McMillan

Interim Chancellor

Faculty, Staff and Years of Service awards - April 23, 2024

 

Dear faculty and staff, Please save the date to join us for the Faculty, Staff, and Years of Service Awards ceremony. Tuesday, April 23, 2024 3:00 - 4:00 pm Kirby Ballroom Refreshments will be served Awards include: Undergraduate Faculty Advisor Award Graduate Faculty Advisor Award Outstanding Staff Awards Outstanding Staff Team Award Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Public Service Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Research/Creative Activity Faculty & Staff Years of Service Awards for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40+ Horace T. Morse - University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our UMD employee community! Note: to make disability-related accommodations or dietary requests, please contact Carlee Williams at cwillia1@d.umn.edu or 218-726-6202 at least two weeks prior to the event. Sincerely,

Dave McMillan Interim Chancellor

Presidential Finalists - Feb 13, Feb 15, Feb 20

 

Dear campus community,  At the Board of Regents meeting on Friday, the Regents selected finalists for the next University president. The three finalists will visit all five campuses over the next two weeks. Our first visit will be Tuesday, February 13.  I encourage everyone to attend these sessions and take the opportunity to engage with each of the finalists.  Tuesday, February 13 - James Holloway, Ph.D 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Duluth Campus Forum Kirby Ballroom, Kirby Student Center Link to livestream. 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Duluth Open House Kirby Ballroom, Kirby Student Center Thursday, February 15 - Laura Bloomberg, Ph.D 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Duluth Campus Forum Weber Music Hall Link to livestream. 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Duluth Open House Romano Gymnasium Lobby Tuesday, February 20 - Rebecca Cunningham, M.D.  11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Duluth Campus Forum Weber Music Hall Link to livestream. 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Duluth Open House Romano Gymnasium Lobby In addition to the in-person events, the Board of Regents is also accepting comments and feedback, as they have throughout the process, on the Presidential Search website. Thanks in advance for your participation in this important search.  Sincerely,

Dave McMillan Interim Chancellor

Leadership update

 

Dear colleagues,  I hope the semester is going well for you. I sure feel the rush and energy of the spring semester. I am writing today with an important update that brings with it some mixed emotions.  After nearly 13 years of service to UMD and a very successful career in student affairs, Dr. Lisa Erwin, our vice chancellor for student life and dean of students, has informed me of her intent to retire this coming July. Lisa is a passionate, dedicated, tenacious, and steadfast leader for this campus. She is a respected leader across the U of M System and an extremely valued member of my leadership team. In 2022, her work was recognized by receiving the U of M System President’s Award for Outstanding Service.  She has earned respect and accolades within her field and with colleagues across the nation. Lisa earned two distinguished awards from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators with the NASPA Pillar of the Profession in 2016 and the Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean in 2021. Lisa continuously thinks about students and student outcomes. She has mentored and impacted many students over her time here at UMD and in her previous work before coming to UMD. She embodies student success in everything she does. Under her leadership, UMD launched the Student Life Wellbeing Initiative which connected Student Life programming across all areas to support student mental health and overall wellbeing. Lisa also worked with colleagues on the physical facility transformation of student-centered spaces including, the Ven Den, Superior Dining, Kirby Student Center, Richard Haney Multipurpose Rink, and the transportation hub. Her impact, thoughtful planning, strategic vision, and genuine care for our students will be felt for years.  Please join me in congratulating Lisa on her career, her incredible impacts to this campus, the U of M system, as well as our students. Congratulations to Lisa on her well-deserved retirement! I will provide future updates on the leadership transition as they take shape over the semester.   Sincerely,

Dave McMillan Interim Chancellor

Have a great winter break!

Dear students, faculty, and staff, Just a quick note as we wrap up the fall semester. I hope you all have a great winter break and are able to unplug, relax, and reenergize over the semester break.  To our students who graduate this semester: congratulations! We wish you the very best and are grateful that you’ve shared this part of your journey with us. Remember, you’re always a Bulldog. This video is a little winter greeting from Champ, who was pretty excited that we at least had a little snow earlier in the semester. For a captivating high definition version of Champ’s greeting, you can watch it online here. Thank you for a great end to our academic year.  Sincerely,

Dave McMillan Interim Chancellor

Update on Chancellor's Council on Campus Culture

 

Dear colleagues, Earlier this fall, I explained to campus that I would not be restarting the search for a senior level DEI officer but rather wanted to utilize the climate survey results as a basis for a group to examine the climate challenges UMD faces and what next steps might best serve this campus in addressing those issues. The Office of Equity and Diversity recently made the climate survey results available to UMD leadership. As we wrap up the fall semester and head into the new year, you can expect to hear more about survey results for your division or college from your vice chancellor or dean.  The Chancellor's Council on Campus Culture (4C) has been formed to lead survey analysis for the campus climate survey results. Here is the membership and charge for this group. These council members represent divisions, colleges, and commissions from across our campus community and bring a diversity of experiences that includes each of their valuable efforts to make UMD more inclusive. This group will have its first meeting in early January. During the spring semester, I expect they will provide opportunities for you to engage with the survey results and shape their recommendations for the actions and organizational change UMD must undertake to realize our goal to “advance equity, diversity, inclusiveness, and social justice within the campus community.” Sincerely,

Dave McMillan Interim Chancellor

Event Reminders: Town Halls and End of Semester Buffet

 

Good afternoon colleagues, Just a quick reminder for a few events happening next week: December 5: End of Semester Buffet (featuring a breakfast for lunch menu): 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Kirby Ballroom If you would like to bring a donation for Champ's Cupboard, some specific needs are: peanut butter, canned fruit and meat, soups (preferably non-chicken noodle), cereal, beans, noodles, international and gluten-free items. December 6: Town halls: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.        Kirby Ballroom; in person town hall 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.          Virtual town hall; please sign up on this registration link The town halls will provide updates to key campus initiatives and allow time for discussion. To help facilitate that discussion, you may submit questions ahead of time. Please note that similar questions will be grouped together and questions will be taken in person as well. Note: to make disability-related accommodations or dietary requests, please contact Carlee Williams at cwillia1@d.umn.edu. Thank you and I hope to see you next week. Sincerely,

Dave McMillan Interim Chancellor