A. S. Connection Connecting Academic Staff to Useful Information

Fall 2016

JOIN THE ACADEMIC STAFF COMMUNICATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE The members of the Academic Staff Senate Communications Subcommittee encourage academic staff to become members of the subcommittee to help carry out our mission statement, below. Please email commun-sub@uwm.edu or our Chair, Abigail Amissah-Arthur, if you want to participate. The Academic Staff Senate Communications Subcommittee supports the UWM academic staff community by disseminating information on topics and opportunities of particular relevance to academic staff and creating opportunities for exchange, learning, and mutual support across campus.

A few things about the subcommittee for your consideration:

• Your participation is 100% voluntary and you can bow out at any time (although we do appreciate a consistent effort to attend meetings).

• We meet on the second Wednesday of every month in Lubar Hall N456 at 1:30pm.

• What to expect: At meetings (aside from our agenda and discussion/brainstorming) you can volunteer to take on follow-up tasks related to the subcommittee’s endeavors for example, writing or editing an article for our newsletter and working to organize and implement professional development workshops and other events that build community among academic staff.

BLACK & GOLD SPIRIT DAYSBlack and Gold Spirit Days are coming soon! Black and Gold Spirit Days are designated days when the campus celebrates its UWM pride. Sponsored by the UWM Alumni Association, this celebration encourages employees to wear black and gold, decorate in Panther colors and compete for prizes by participating in fun campus activities. Departments who participate at any level can compete for Panther Participation Pizza Prize and departments/offices who participate in many activities can vie for Most Spirited Office. Both come with a Pizza Shuttle Pizza Party for 20. Leading the charge are Spirit Liaisons who motivate their offices to don and decorate in black and gold and organize participation in the activities in the week leading up to and including each Spirit Day. The UWM Alumni Association is seeking spirited employees to serve as Spirit Liaisons and equips all Spirit Liaisons with Spirit Kits and plenty of support. If you’re interested in being Spirit Liaison for your office or learning more, go to www.spiritdays.uwm.edu.

SPIRIT DAYS:

October 6, 2016

November 4, 2016

March 3, 2017

June 14, 2017

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Reflections WITH DONNA GENZMER Director of the Cartography and Geographic Information Science Center (GIS) and a Non-teaching Academic Staff

Donna has been at UWM for 36 years as an employee and four years as a student: “The biggest change I have seen during my career is the transition from manual cartography to 100% digital maps.” Whereas some people in the field lament the loss of the pencil on paper, she has embraced the improved visualization capabilities that the digital form allows.

GIS is a technique that can be used in multiple disciplines from archaeology (e.g., to figure out what needs to be excavated first) to public health (e.g., where should clinics be moved to deal with outbreaks of the Ebola virus) to transportation (e.g., where should bus stops be placed to serve the public better).

How does Donna keep up with her ever-changing field? She attends webinars and attends conference workshops, reads papers, and attends graduate student presentations at the end of each semester.

Even though Donna is a native of Milwaukee, she is not a big fan of winter, since it gets in the way of her gardening. One of the things she loves about the city is the celebration of the various ethnic backgrounds. She specifically mentioned the “Folk Fair” international culture celebration that used to be much bigger than it is now.

What advice does she have for other employees? “Find a mentor and be a mentor.” She thinks that mentoring makes strong connections that help everyone. She makes it a point to welcome new employees, so that when they have a question they won’t hesitate to ask her. Donna said, “If I help someone, that improves that person, but it also elevates me in a way. We all win.”

UWM HOMECOMING 2016Homecoming is back at UWM this October! The campus is hosting 20 exciting events and looking for a great turnout among academic staff. The festivities begin with the Homecoming Kickoff, Tuesday, October 4, from 12-1pm in the Union Concourse. All academic staff are encouraged to attend and wear their black and gold. The Kickoff will feature entertainment from the Peck School of the Arts and the Cheer & Stunt Team, free food from Halal Guys and UWM gear giveaways. Other Homecoming highlights include the UWM Fall Awards Ceremony & Reception, Wednesday, October 5, 2-4pm in the Union Wisconsin Room, which honors faculty and staff who have made, or continue to make, valuable contributions to our university. The excitement continues with Black & Gold Spirit Day and Harvest Fest on Thursday, October 6. Harvest Fest, 10am – 2pm at the KIRC, will feature an artist fair, farmer’s market and food truck options. On the lawn outside KIRC, academic staff can enjoy games, a pumpkin carving competition, exercise sessions, music and more. The week culminates on Saturday, October 8 with the 12th Annual Panther Prowl 5K Run/Walk at 10am and a Food Truck Festival from 10:30am – 1:30pm featuring Meat on the Street, YellowBellies, Gouda Girls,

Hardwood Café and Sweet Perfections Bake Shoppe. In honor of UWM’s 60th Anniversary, the Prowl, which raises money for student scholarships, will feature a special award for the 60th place runner, special race bibs and giveaways at the Alumni Association table.

Rachel Flessner, Race Director for the Panther Prowl and Chair of the Homecoming Programming Committee, says that this year’s Homecoming celebration will build on last year’s excitement and makes students’ time at UWM a time to remember.

“With Homecoming, we’re hoping to create memories for them so they look back on their time at UWM and remember these fun experiences.”

For more information about the Panther Prowl, go to uwm.edu/pantherprowl. For more information on Homecoming, go to uwm.edu/homecoming.

ACADEMIC STAFF Committees Awards Committee. Makes recommendations on campus wide awards for academic staff. Establishes mechanisms for nomination, interprets criteria, and selects final candidates to be recommended for awards.Contact: asawards-list@uwm.edu

Codification Committee. Reviews and makes recommendations to the Academic Staff Committee and the Senate concerning all proposed additions and changes in existing academic staff personnel policies and procedures, committee bylaws, and operating rules in order to assure clarity and consistency of language.Contact: ascod-list@uwm.edu

Hearing and Appeals Committee. Per UWS and ASPPP, serves as the hearing body for academic staff complaints, grievances, and appeals including appeals of non renewal, layoffs, and dismissal for cause. Contact: ashac@uwm.edu

Instructional and Research Academic Staff Review Committee. Formerly the Category B Academic Staff Review Committee. Reviews probationary instructional and research academic staff members and makes recommendations to deans and division heads concerning promotion to indefinite appointment.Contact: cbasrc-list@uwm.edu

Nominations Committee. Prepares the slate of nominees for membership on all academic staff committees (except the Nominations Committee) as well as all other committees requiring elected or appointed academic staff members.Contact: nomcomm@uwm.edu

Non-teaching Academic Staff Review Committee. Reviews probationary non-instructional academic staff members and makes recommendations to deans and division heads concerning promotion to indefinite appointment.Contact: ntasrc@uwm.edu

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Academic Staff Senate. Official governance body for the academic staff. Represents academic staff interests to our campus administration, UW System administration, and the Board of Regents.Contact: assenate@uwm.edu

Communications Subcommittee. Supports the academic staff community by disseminating information on topics and opportunities of particular relevance to academic staff and creating opportunities for exchange, learning, and mutual support across campus.Contact: commun-sub@uwm.edu

Economic Benefits Subcommittee. Currently developing its purpose and scope.

Instructional and Research Academic Staff Subcommittee. Formerly the Category B Academic Staff Subcommittee. Considers topics of particular concern to instructional and research academic staff.

Legislative Subcommittee. Considers how best to pursue topics of concern to academic staff with the Board of Regents, legislators, and the Governor and other elected officials.

Non-Instructional Academic Staff Subcommittee. Formerly the Category A Academic Staff Subcommittee. Considers topics of particular concern to the non-instructional and non-research academic staff.Contact: category-a@uwm.edu

Orientation Subcommittee. Recently switched from a standing committee to a subcommittee of the AS Senate. This group is currently developing its mission. In the past, the standing committee would educate new and continuing academic staff on matters related to academic staff appointments and shared governance by preparing materials and conducting educational workshops.Contact: orientation@uwm.edu

CELEBRATING UWM’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY UWM’s Founders Day is Sunday, September 25 and marks the 60th anniversary of the first day of classes at UWM. According to planners, though, no worries if you miss it, the celebration is taking place all year long.

60th Anniversary planners said it was a challenge to mark this major milestone with just a one-day celebration, so they decided to plan various activities and events throughout the 2016-2017 academic year.

“It’s important to celebrate anniversaries and milestones so you can take stock of all that’s been accomplished -- and that’s a lot over the past sixty years at UWM, most recently being named one of the nation’s top research universities,” said Lynn Wilk, University Relations and Communications.

Wilk said another challenge for planners was coming up with a theme that could fully encompass the impact and accomplishments of the university over the past sixty years.

“Our impact through educating, researching, advancing, creating, innovating, problem solving, serving – it’s quite major and far-reaching,” said Wilk.

After much debate, “60 Years of UWM” was deemed the official theme of the 60th anniversary celebration, which will allow planners to highlight UWM’s numerous accomplishments and contributions throughout the anniversary year.

Although UWM doesn’t officially turn 60 until Sunday, September 25, 2016, State Fair goers started the celebration at UWM Day at the State Fair on August 7 where the 60th logo was unveiled.

On Thursday, September 15, a special 60th Anniversary video was unveiled at the Chancellor’s Plenary along with further details about the 60,000 hour challenge, an chance to celebrate and challenge ourselves around civic

engagement with opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni and retirees to complete 60,000 hours of community engagement.

A media campaign will hit the week of Founders Day along with the unveiling of the book selection for a 60th Anniversary read. Members of the campus community (faculty, staff, students, retirees) as well as alums, community partners, neighbors and members of the general public are invited to participate. Various discussion groups, panels, and events will take place focusing on the book selection.

A photo archive of UWM throughout the decades will also be unveiled online on Founders Day with a place for anyone with a UWM connection to share their special memories. There will also be an opportunity to make a scholarship donation in recognition of the 60th Anniversary.

“We hope everyone finds a way to take part in the 60th Anniversary celebration in some way or another throughout the year,” said Wilk.

To get involved in the 60th anniversary, contact Lynn Wilk at lcwilk@uwm.edu

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INTERESTED IN A SLICE OF UWM HISTORY?

Check out the UWM Post Newspaper

digital collection

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UNIVERSAL DESIGN TIPUSING TEXT DESCRIPTIONS FOR GRAPHICSGraphics can be of great benefit on a web page. Providing illustrations, icons, animations, or other visual cues that aid comprehension can be especially useful to individuals with certain reading disabilities, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, or cognitive disabilities. However, individuals who are blind need equivalent text descriptions for non-text information. An “Equivalent Text Description” or alt text for any particular image is essential to provide meaning and clarity for otherwise inaccessible information.

The key principle is that computers and screen readers cannot analyze an image and determine what the image presents. Text must be provided to the user, which presents the content and function of the images within your web content.

Alternative text can be presented in two ways:

• Within the alt attribute of the image element.

• Within the context or surroundings of the image itself.

For more information, check out the WebAIM Website. For tips about writing Equivalent Text Descriptions and for examples, check out this ACCESS-ed Website Resource.

“Design for People with Disabilities is Better Design for Everyone”

PERSONS WITH DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH – OCTOBER“Right Footed” documentary and panel - Tuesday, October 18, 2016, 7-9:30pm, Union Fireside Lounge.

October is Persons with Disability Awareness Month. It is a time to expand knowledge, understanding, and awareness of individuals with disabilities, the history of disability, and the disability rights movement. One of the events being held on campus is a screening of the documentary “Right Footed” on Tuesday, October 18. The film and panel discussion are 7:00-9:30pm in the Union Fireside Lounge.

“Right Footed” is a documentary about “Jessica (who) is also the world’s only armless airplane pilot, a mentor, and an advocate for people with disabilities.”

This film highlights her compelling story as she navigates through life without arms due to a birth defect. Directed by Emmy Award winning filmmaker Nick Spark, the film follows her during a two year period while she becomes an advocate for disability rights in the U.S. and abroad.You can preview the film trailer at http://rightfootedmovie.com/.

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FALL 2016 CAMPUS CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS ARTICLEHispanic Heritage Month is Thursday, September 15 to Saturday, October 15, 2016 and recognizes and celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Thursday, September 29 the Roberto Hernández Center will host the panel discussion, “The Importance of the Latino Vote,” 6-8pm in Union 191. Participants will have the opportunity to register to vote. The Roberto Hernández Center hosts the Latino Diversity Festival, Thursday, October 13, 10:30am – 1:30pm in the Union Concourse. This free event informs UWM students and staff about the diversity within the Latino community on campus and will include tables featuring samples of food, music, images, cultural items and informational posters from 10 countries. For more information about these and other Hispanic Heritage Month events, contact Alberto Maldonado, donpepe@uwm.edu.

In celebration of National Coming Out Day (Tuesday, October 11), the LGBT Resource Center is hosting an open forum for students to share coming out experiences through storytelling, slam poetry, song, dance, and other media, 6-9pm in the Union Fireside Lounge. For more information, contact Sarah DeGeorge, peerout@uwm.edu.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and LGBT History Month, Lyrical Sanctuary is partnering with the LGBT Resource Center and Roberto Hernández Center on Wednesday, October 12, 8-10pm in the Union Fireside Lounge to host spoken word artist Denice Frohman, whose work focuses on the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and the “in-betweenness” that exists in us all. For more information, contact Michaela Murry, sociocul@uwm.edu. Wednesday, October 12 also kicks off the 31st Annual Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival (October 12 – 23) featuring films by, for, and about the LGBT+ communities. Various times, locations and prices. See https://uwm.edu/lgbtfilmfestival for the full schedule. Sponsored by UWM Department of Film,Video, Animation, and New Genres in the Peck School of the Arts. For more information, contact Carl Bogner, lgbtfilm@uwm.edu.

The Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) presents Black Lives Matter, hosting Black Lives Matter co-founders Alicia Garza and Patrisse Cullors on Thursday, October 13 at 7pm in the Union Wisconsin Room. UWM is also offering a number of complementary programs to build and extend the dialogue. These include “Black Lives Matter? A Multimedia Conversation on Hip Hop, Violence and Systemic Racism,” “Black Lives Matter 101: A History and Dialogue,” “Black Lives Matter: An Interactive Art Experience,” and “Know Your Rights! Training.” DLS tickets are $10 for the campus community and sales begin Monday, October 3 before opening to the public on Thursday, October 6 (Free for UWM students). Sponsored by the UWM Student Association, Student Involvement and Sociocultural Programming. For more information about the Distinguished Lecture Series and related programming, go to dls.uwm.edu or contact Claudia Guzmán, guzmanc@uwm.edu.

For a listing of many campus events please check the Sociocultrual calendar at: http://uwm.edu/studentinvolvement/events/category/sociocultural/

BOOKMARK THE SOCIOCULTURAL CALENDAR

FOR EASY REFERENCE

GROUP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDThe purpose of the award is to support the professional development and growth of academic staff as a group. The award is to support events, speakers, projects, workshops etc. Usually, winning proposals have a campus-wide or profession-wide impact and be critical to the mission and vision of the UWM. The maximum funding amount is $3000 and deadline for application is usually the first week of May. The award is managed by the Academic Staff Awards Committee.

For 2016-17, the following group projects and people were funded. Please watch out for announcements on workshops and related events associated with the awards.

Contact Email Address Title Activity DatesAbigail Amissah-Arthur amissaha@uwm.edu Support-Motivate-After-Restructuring Group workshop held on August 22, 2016

Janet Padway jpadway@uwm.edu WWHEL To be announced

Michael Doylen doylenm@uwm.edu Libraries To be announced

Dylan Barth djbarth@uwm.edu Symposium To be announced

Jennifer Hayes jrhayes@uwm.edu Mindfulness Series begins in October 2016

Tatiana Joseph josepht@uwm.edu Supporting CLD students To be announced

Robert Longwell-Grice robert@uwm.edu Adult Graduate Student Workshop To be announced

James Schmidt jds99@uwm.edu AS Learning Breaks To be announced

Murali Vedula mvedula@uwm.edu When trust goes up Group retreat held on August 11, 2016

The A.S. Connection team consists of the following members of the Academic Staff Communications Subcommittee:

Abigail Amissah-Arthur (Chair), Carrie Arnold, Jean Creighton, Alexander Foundos, Jason Kantrowitz, Gina Lukaszewicz, Abbi Nye, Nicole Palasz, Cindy Petrites,

Leah Schreiber Johnson, Mingyu Sun, and Beth Traylor. If you would like to join this committee, please contact Abigail at amissaha@uwm.edu.

UWM COLLEGE OF NURSING HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE Wednesday December 7, 2016 Cunningham Hall G40

The 6th Annual Holiday Boutique raises money for the College of Nursing’s Study abroad programs in Kenya and Malawi where our UWM nursing students bring supplies to vulnerable families and children.