Dear Campus Community,
I hope you are having a productive and enjoyable summer! As I near the end of my second year at UMD, I would like to thank you for your continued support and for the outstanding work you do every day on behalf of our students and to further our research and public engagement mission. There have been several administrative changes at UMD over the past two years, and many of you have been involved in helping shape my Chancellor's Cabinet team. While other changes in the vice chancellor areas may be announced within the next few months, I wish to share the following updates.
Bill Wade is stepping down as Vice Chancellor for Advancement on July 31. He will take on a new assignment as a major donor development officer and will continue to oversee temporarily the operations of the KUMD radio station. We will celebrate Bill's dedication to UMD at a special campus reception on September 7, with a formal invitation in August. During his tenure at UMD, Bill has overseen university relations, alumni, development, KUMD, and intercollegiate athletics. His many accomplishments and contributions to UMD will be highlighted in future communications regarding the September 7 reception.
After looking closely at the campus organizational structure, I have decided to make the following changes to improve administrative efficiency, effectiveness, and excellence:
• The Vice Chancellor position that Bill Wade held will be eliminated.
• Lucy Kragness has been promoted to Chief of Staff/Associate to the Chancellor, and in this role she will assist me with a wide range of operational issues and projects to ensure the effectiveness of the Chancellor's office and of all units reporting directly to the Chancellor.
• The Development and Alumni offices will continue to work together as an Office of Advancement. Advancement, Athletics, and External Affairs will report directly to the Chancellor with operational oversight and assistance from Lucy Kragness.
• A national search to refill the Director of External Affairs position will begin this month.
Many of you have already met Mike Seymour, who began July 2 as the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations. Please join me in welcoming Mike to campus.
I appreciate how well the campus community has come together to provide a smooth transition for me and for my new administrative team. Working together, we will continue to make significant progress on the Strategic Plan and provide the excellent academic experience that our students expect and deserve.
Sincerely,
Chancellor Lendley C. Black
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Chancellor's Announcement: Faculty Fellow for Strategic Planning
Dear Campus Community:
I am pleased to announce that Dr. John A. Arthur has been chosen to be the new Chancellor's Faculty Fellow for Strategic Planning effective August 1, 2012. Dr. Arthur is well qualified to take our planning initiatives to the next stages of implementation and to provide a faculty perspective to the Chancellor's Cabinet. Dr. Arthur is a professor of sociology-anthropology and is the founding director of the African and African American Studies Program. He has been a faculty member at UMD since 1993, and he has served in several administrative positions including as department chair and as director of the Study in England program. He has a Ph.D. in sociology from Pennsylvania State University, a master's degree from the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, Canada, and a law and sociology degree from the University of Science and Technology in Ghana.
Dr. Arthur will work closely this fall with Dr. Denny Falk, the outgoing Faculty Fellow. I would like to recognize the outstanding work of Dr. Falk over the past two years. He assisted me in each phase of creating the strategic plan and was a tireless advocate for an inclusive planning process. He has also made several other contributions to my administrative team. I would also like to thank Professor John Hamlin, Instructor Michael Mullins, Associate Professor Joyce Strand, and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Andrea Schokker for assisting me with the selection of the new Faculty Fellow.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Arthur on his new appointment and in thanking Dr. Falk for his many contributions to UMD.
Sincerely,
Chancellor Lendley C. Black
I am pleased to announce that Dr. John A. Arthur has been chosen to be the new Chancellor's Faculty Fellow for Strategic Planning effective August 1, 2012. Dr. Arthur is well qualified to take our planning initiatives to the next stages of implementation and to provide a faculty perspective to the Chancellor's Cabinet. Dr. Arthur is a professor of sociology-anthropology and is the founding director of the African and African American Studies Program. He has been a faculty member at UMD since 1993, and he has served in several administrative positions including as department chair and as director of the Study in England program. He has a Ph.D. in sociology from Pennsylvania State University, a master's degree from the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, Canada, and a law and sociology degree from the University of Science and Technology in Ghana.
Dr. Arthur will work closely this fall with Dr. Denny Falk, the outgoing Faculty Fellow. I would like to recognize the outstanding work of Dr. Falk over the past two years. He assisted me in each phase of creating the strategic plan and was a tireless advocate for an inclusive planning process. He has also made several other contributions to my administrative team. I would also like to thank Professor John Hamlin, Instructor Michael Mullins, Associate Professor Joyce Strand, and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Andrea Schokker for assisting me with the selection of the new Faculty Fellow.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Arthur on his new appointment and in thanking Dr. Falk for his many contributions to UMD.
Sincerely,
Chancellor Lendley C. Black
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Statement from the University of Minnesota Duluth on the Un-Fair Campaign
Statement from the University of Minnesota Duluth on the Un-Fair Campaign
Contacts: Chuck Tombarge, University News Service, (612) 624-5551
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (07/03/2012) --The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) has indefinitely suspended its membership in the Duluth-area Un-Fair Campaign pending a change in the campaign's emphasis and creative approach. The campaign's recent public service announcement (PSA) and its focus on white privilege are divisive and have alienated some UMD alumni, supporters and others in the broader community.
At UMD Chancellor Lendley C. Black's request, the controversial public service announcement was pulled from the campaign's website on June 28 (it had not been aired publicly). Representatives from the 18 partners of the Un-Fair Campaign met on Monday, July 2. While they reaffirmed the group's fundamental goals to promote racial equality and create a constructive dialogue about eliminating racism, they also recognize the messaging and creative emphasis has been divisive. A subcommittee has been formed to reassess the messaging. The partners will reconvene on July 17 to discuss whether to change the creative direction.
UMD continues to advance its strategic goal of creating a positive and inclusive campus climate for all by advancing equity, diversity and social justice (http://www.d.umn.edu/chancellor/planning/). UMD also remains committed to collaborating with area educational, civic and social service agency colleagues on productive approaches to these challenging issues.
Contacts: Chuck Tombarge, University News Service, (612) 624-5551
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (07/03/2012) --The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) has indefinitely suspended its membership in the Duluth-area Un-Fair Campaign pending a change in the campaign's emphasis and creative approach. The campaign's recent public service announcement (PSA) and its focus on white privilege are divisive and have alienated some UMD alumni, supporters and others in the broader community.
At UMD Chancellor Lendley C. Black's request, the controversial public service announcement was pulled from the campaign's website on June 28 (it had not been aired publicly). Representatives from the 18 partners of the Un-Fair Campaign met on Monday, July 2. While they reaffirmed the group's fundamental goals to promote racial equality and create a constructive dialogue about eliminating racism, they also recognize the messaging and creative emphasis has been divisive. A subcommittee has been formed to reassess the messaging. The partners will reconvene on July 17 to discuss whether to change the creative direction.
UMD continues to advance its strategic goal of creating a positive and inclusive campus climate for all by advancing equity, diversity and social justice (http://www.d.umn.edu/chancellor/planning/). UMD also remains committed to collaborating with area educational, civic and social service agency colleagues on productive approaches to these challenging issues.
Friday, June 22, 2012
UnFair Campaign
The City of Duluth is dealing this week with one of the worst natural disasters in the history of our region and state. As are all people in Duluth, we are currently focusing our attention on dealing with this crisis and beginning to repair our community.
Still, we have received calls and emails expressing concern about the University of Minnesota, Duluth's (UMD) participation in the Un-Fair Campaign. We understand that the recent Un-Fair Campaign public service announcement (PSA) is divisive and has alienated some people. That's concerning to us as a public institution whose goal it is to provide a welcoming environment for all people.
While we fully support the foundations and principles of the Un-Fair Campaign, we feel the PSA is divisive and we do not agree with the creative strategy. UMD expressed displeasure to the partnership that the PSAs were aired without a chance for our review. We will continue to discuss our concerns with the partnership and will require review of all future campaign materials and efforts to ensure they foster constructive dialogue and do not alienate people in our community.
Contrary to some media and blog reports that suggest UMD is the sole sponsor of this PSA, the fact is that UMD is one of 18 community partners in the campaign working toward a common mission: "To raise awareness about white privilege in our community, provide resources for understanding and action, and facilitate dialogue and partnership that result in fundamental, systemic change toward racial justice." Other campaign partners include the City of Duluth, St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services, the NAACP, the YWCA and the University of Wisconsin, Superior, as well as others.
As a community, we believe it is critical to have a serious discussion about diversity and racial equity. Duluth has had a difficult and long history of challenges regarding racial equity and justice that we have not entirely overcome. For example, in spring 2010, an African American woman studying in a campus residence hall was the subject of other students' racist comments on social media. Other people of color on campus shared similar concerns and experiences. Such concerns led to an on-campus summit that led to the formulation of our Campus Change process that continues today.
Still, we have received calls and emails expressing concern about the University of Minnesota, Duluth's (UMD) participation in the Un-Fair Campaign. We understand that the recent Un-Fair Campaign public service announcement (PSA) is divisive and has alienated some people. That's concerning to us as a public institution whose goal it is to provide a welcoming environment for all people.
While we fully support the foundations and principles of the Un-Fair Campaign, we feel the PSA is divisive and we do not agree with the creative strategy. UMD expressed displeasure to the partnership that the PSAs were aired without a chance for our review. We will continue to discuss our concerns with the partnership and will require review of all future campaign materials and efforts to ensure they foster constructive dialogue and do not alienate people in our community.
Contrary to some media and blog reports that suggest UMD is the sole sponsor of this PSA, the fact is that UMD is one of 18 community partners in the campaign working toward a common mission: "To raise awareness about white privilege in our community, provide resources for understanding and action, and facilitate dialogue and partnership that result in fundamental, systemic change toward racial justice." Other campaign partners include the City of Duluth, St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services, the NAACP, the YWCA and the University of Wisconsin, Superior, as well as others.
As a community, we believe it is critical to have a serious discussion about diversity and racial equity. Duluth has had a difficult and long history of challenges regarding racial equity and justice that we have not entirely overcome. For example, in spring 2010, an African American woman studying in a campus residence hall was the subject of other students' racist comments on social media. Other people of color on campus shared similar concerns and experiences. Such concerns led to an on-campus summit that led to the formulation of our Campus Change process that continues today.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Michael P Seymour Chosen for Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations
UMD Chancellor Lendley C. Black has announced the appointment of Michael P. Seymour as Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations beginning July 2, 2012.
Seymour brings more than twenty years of experience in Minnesota higher education to UMD. He has taught at the technical college, community college and university levels before entering administration where he has served as dean, chief information officer, chief financial officer, chief academic officer and chief of student affairs. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Finance and Operation at Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College in Anoka, Cambridge and Coon Rapids, Minn. Seymour has served in a series of positions with increasing responsibility at Anoka-Ramsey Community College beginning in 1997.
"We are especially pleased to bring Mike Seymour to Duluth," said Chancellor Black. "His administrative accomplishments in financial planning and management are impressive. He is committed to diversity, academic quality and collaboration. Mike will be an outstanding addition to my administrative team."
Seymour has been a Vice President at Anoka-Ramsey Community College since 2002. Originally from Escanaba, Mich., Seymour earned two undergraduate degrees and a Master of Science degree in Career and Technical Education from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. He is a candidate for a doctorate degree in Adult and Higher Education at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D.
Seymour is a tireless contributor to the community, having served on boards of the Emma B. Howe YMCA, the Anoka Area Kiwanis Club and the Coon Rapids Lions Foundation. He looks forward to serving the community in Duluth. He is the proud husband of Karla Seymour and father to daughter Tori (17) and son Tyler (13). As time and youth athletic events allow, the family retreats to their cabin in northern Wisconsin.
Seymour brings more than twenty years of experience in Minnesota higher education to UMD. He has taught at the technical college, community college and university levels before entering administration where he has served as dean, chief information officer, chief financial officer, chief academic officer and chief of student affairs. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Finance and Operation at Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College in Anoka, Cambridge and Coon Rapids, Minn. Seymour has served in a series of positions with increasing responsibility at Anoka-Ramsey Community College beginning in 1997.
"We are especially pleased to bring Mike Seymour to Duluth," said Chancellor Black. "His administrative accomplishments in financial planning and management are impressive. He is committed to diversity, academic quality and collaboration. Mike will be an outstanding addition to my administrative team."
Seymour has been a Vice President at Anoka-Ramsey Community College since 2002. Originally from Escanaba, Mich., Seymour earned two undergraduate degrees and a Master of Science degree in Career and Technical Education from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. He is a candidate for a doctorate degree in Adult and Higher Education at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, S.D.
Seymour is a tireless contributor to the community, having served on boards of the Emma B. Howe YMCA, the Anoka Area Kiwanis Club and the Coon Rapids Lions Foundation. He looks forward to serving the community in Duluth. He is the proud husband of Karla Seymour and father to daughter Tori (17) and son Tyler (13). As time and youth athletic events allow, the family retreats to their cabin in northern Wisconsin.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Gender Neutral Restroom Strategy
April 27, 2012
To: UMD Campus Community
From: Chancellor Lendley C. Black
Subject: Gender Neutral Restroom Strategy
I am writing to provide an update on progress on Goal 2 of the UMD Strategic Plan, which is to create a positive and inclusive campus climate for all by advancing equity, diversity, and social justice. To further Goal 2, the campus has developed the following action plan relating to gender neutral restrooms on campus:
Immediate steps
• Provide two gender neutral restrooms on the third floor of the Kirby Student Center above the bus hub.
• Ensure all new capital construction projects include at least one gender neutral restroom.
• Ensure all major building remodel projects includes at least one gender neutral restroom.
• Clarify and explore changing University of Minnesota standards as they relate to gender neutral restrooms.
• Develop a communication plan identifying where the gender neutral restrooms are located, as well as lactation rooms and changing tables.
Short Range Steps
• Include at least one gender neutral restroom in the planned Heller Hall renovation project.
Medium Range Steps
• Include at least one gender neutral restroom in the planned renovations of the following buildings currently on the campus six-year plan: Cina Hall, A.B Anderson Hall, Humanities, Marshall W. Alworth Hall and Voss Kovach Hall.
Long Range Steps
• Include at least two gender neutral restrooms in the expansion and renovation of Kirby Student Center.
The campus community is invited to provide feedback to each of the strategies, with all suggestions discussed and explored. I would like to thank the Multicultural Center Student Leadership Council Unit Change Team, the GLBTQA Commission Unit Change Team and the Commission on Women Unit Change Team for providing the foundational work and advocacy for this strategy.
To: UMD Campus Community
From: Chancellor Lendley C. Black
Subject: Gender Neutral Restroom Strategy
I am writing to provide an update on progress on Goal 2 of the UMD Strategic Plan, which is to create a positive and inclusive campus climate for all by advancing equity, diversity, and social justice. To further Goal 2, the campus has developed the following action plan relating to gender neutral restrooms on campus:
Immediate steps
• Provide two gender neutral restrooms on the third floor of the Kirby Student Center above the bus hub.
• Ensure all new capital construction projects include at least one gender neutral restroom.
• Ensure all major building remodel projects includes at least one gender neutral restroom.
• Clarify and explore changing University of Minnesota standards as they relate to gender neutral restrooms.
• Develop a communication plan identifying where the gender neutral restrooms are located, as well as lactation rooms and changing tables.
Short Range Steps
• Include at least one gender neutral restroom in the planned Heller Hall renovation project.
Medium Range Steps
• Include at least one gender neutral restroom in the planned renovations of the following buildings currently on the campus six-year plan: Cina Hall, A.B Anderson Hall, Humanities, Marshall W. Alworth Hall and Voss Kovach Hall.
Long Range Steps
• Include at least two gender neutral restrooms in the expansion and renovation of Kirby Student Center.
The campus community is invited to provide feedback to each of the strategies, with all suggestions discussed and explored. I would like to thank the Multicultural Center Student Leadership Council Unit Change Team, the GLBTQA Commission Unit Change Team and the Commission on Women Unit Change Team for providing the foundational work and advocacy for this strategy.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Open Forum on Campus Governance on April 10, 2012
Dear Campus Community:
Please join me and the Executive Committee of the Campus Assembly for an open forum on campus governance on Tuesday, April 10, from 1:30 - 3:00 in the Kirby Ballroom. This forum will be an opportunity for faculty, staff and the student leadership to come together and discuss our campus governance structure and processes. I have enjoyed my meetings this semester with many of you, and I appreciate hearing the different opinions and perspectives you have expressed regarding shared governance. I believe our next step is to have an open discussion about these various perspectives and to move forward in a collaborative way toward the structure that best serves us in the future.
I would like to focus on two questions: What about our current structure needs to be changed? What governance system will best facilitate the achievement of our new strategic vision and goals?
The purpose of this forum is not to reach a final decision about needed changes. That will have to be done through our current governance process. Our purpose is to take a major step forward toward clarifying the issues and deciding what needs to be done in order to facilitate change.
I look forward to seeing you at this important forum.
Thank you,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
Please join me and the Executive Committee of the Campus Assembly for an open forum on campus governance on Tuesday, April 10, from 1:30 - 3:00 in the Kirby Ballroom. This forum will be an opportunity for faculty, staff and the student leadership to come together and discuss our campus governance structure and processes. I have enjoyed my meetings this semester with many of you, and I appreciate hearing the different opinions and perspectives you have expressed regarding shared governance. I believe our next step is to have an open discussion about these various perspectives and to move forward in a collaborative way toward the structure that best serves us in the future.
I would like to focus on two questions: What about our current structure needs to be changed? What governance system will best facilitate the achievement of our new strategic vision and goals?
The purpose of this forum is not to reach a final decision about needed changes. That will have to be done through our current governance process. Our purpose is to take a major step forward toward clarifying the issues and deciding what needs to be done in order to facilitate change.
I look forward to seeing you at this important forum.
Thank you,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
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