Norris Comments on Johnson Corruption Case for AP

Prince George’s County Councilwoman Leslie Johnson pleaded guilty last week to a single charge of conspiracy to commit evidence and witness tampering, making it clear that “she was a willing accomplice in her husband’s corruption,” the Associated Press (AP) has reported. Despite this development, Johnson did not immediately resign from office, a move UMBC public policy chair Donald Norris called “totally disgusting behavior on the part of a convicted felon.”

“Staying in office is like thumbing her nose at the public,” Norris commented. “There is absolutely nothing proper about what she’s doing, even though it’s legal.” The AP story on her conviction was picked up by the Washington Post, Washington Examiner and Fox News. Following outcry from the county council and broader public, Johnson has now resigned, a week after her guilty plea.

Norris also commented in a recent Washington Post article on the status of Maryland’s bill offering in-state tuition for some undocumented immigrants and the signature campaign challenging it.

Schaller in Baltimore Sun: “How the Government is Like Insurance”

Despite their differences, liberal blogger Ezra Klein and Bush-appointed former deputy treasury secretary Peter Fisher agree that the United States is essentially a large insurance conglomerate with a standing army, according to UMBC political science professor Thomas F. Schaller. In his latest Baltimore Sun column, Schaller writes: “So what does insurance have to do with government? Well, almost everything.” He ultimately argues, “Properly understood as a giant insurance company with a military behind it—a military that, again, is itself a form of insurance against various potential harms by outsiders—the federal government is thus both philosophically and operationally conservative.”

Christine Mallinson, Language, Literacy and Culture, on WAMU

Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay is only a 90-minute ferry ride from the mainland of Virginia and Maryland, but residents there speak a unique dialect of English.

Christine Mallinson, assistant professor of language, literacy and culture, shared her thoughts on the origin of the dialect and the reasons for its persistence with WAMU for a story entitled “Tangier Islanders Retain Unique Dialect.”

“Language is always changing and always developing and the Tangier Islanders have also come up with their own unique innovations and variations that make the dialect their own,” she says.

The story, which ran on June 27, can be read and heard here.

Appointment of Acting Dean, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences

From Philip Rous, Interim Provost

I am pleased to announce that Bill LaCourse has agreed to serve as Acting Dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, effective July 1, 2011. Dr. LaCourse will serve in this capacity until the search for the Interim Dean of CNMS is completed.

I would like to thank Dr. LaCourse for his willingness to support the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences by serving in such an important role during this transitional period.

Temporary Power Outages in Four Buildings at 2:30 p.m. Today (Friday, July 1)

From Terry Cook, Associate Vice President, Administration and Finance

During a periodic maintenance check, Facilities Management staff discovered the need to repair a transformer leak. This effort requires power to be shut down beginning at 2:30 p.m. today (Friday, July 1) in the following buildings:

• Math/Psychology – 30 minute outage
• Administration – 3 hour outage
• Sondheim – 3 hour outage
• RAC – 3 hour outage

Staff in these four buildings ONLY are granted administrative leave after critical work is completed as determined by the supervisor. Departments in these buildings in need of special support from Facilities Management may call Rusty Postlewate, assistant vice president for Facilities Management, at 443-610-6542.

Interim Dean, College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences

From Philip Rous, Interim Provost

Applications are invited for the position of Interim Dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences (CNMS) at UMBC. The Interim Dean serves as the chief academic officer of CNMS, directing the management and business functions of the college, and working with the chairs, faculty and staff of its five departments to promote their undergraduate, graduate and research programs.

The Interim Dean will lead a college with strong enrollments, a productive faculty and staff, a cadre of excellent undergraduate and graduate students, a strong research enterprise and growing ties to external supporters. The Interim Dean will need strong fiscal management skills, a commitment to strategic planning, familiarity with UMBC’s traditions of shared governance, the ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, department chairs and senior university leaders, an understanding of methods for advancing educational and research programs including raising public and private support. The Interim Dean will face specific challenges including ensuring the college’s financial stability; managing enrollments to ensure high quality educational experiences; developing clear criteria for faculty hiring that consider the inter-related factors of departmental needs, faculty retirements, space and start-up funding; supporting the development of research infrastructure; and increasing graduate student support. The Dean reports to the Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, and is a member of the university’s leadership team.

Candidates for the position must be tenured full professors in CNMS. Candidates should posses a strong record of teaching, research, and external funding that demonstrates academic excellence, as well as strong credentials in managing academic affairs. Desired qualities include a collaborative leadership style; a strong commitment to undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral education, and faculty research; an ability to work with faculty across the disciplines and with other senior administrators; and a commitment to diversity.

Applications should include a letter of interest, a 2-3 page statement of the candidate’s understanding of the role of the Interim Dean and the challenges facing the college, and a current curriculum vitae in the UMBC format. Applications should be submitted electronically to Cathy Allison, Office of the Vice President for Research (allison@umbc.edu) no later than noon on Friday, July 15, 2011. The search committee will be chaired by the Vice President for Research, Dr. Geoff Summers.

It is anticipated that the appointment will begin on August 1, 2011.

UMBC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Ed Stephenson Named Associate Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach

Ed Stephenson has been named associate head men’s lacrosse coach at UMBC, head coach Don Zimmerman announced.

Stephenson, who served as the head coach at Binghamton University since the program’s inception in 2001 until March of 2011, returns to Baltimore, where he was the first full-time assistant coach for the Retrievers from 1995-2000.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have Ed Stephenson return to UMBC,” Zimmerman said. “Coach Stephenson is a person of principle and strong character. He has proven himself to be one of the top defensive minds in the game of lacrosse and is admired and respected by his colleagues. His ability to relate to players both on and off the field is invaluable to their growth and development.”

Read the release at umbcretrievers.com.

Sarah Gardenghi Appointed Interim Director of English Language Institute

Sarah Gardenghi has been appointed Interim Director of the UMBC English Language Institute (ELI) effective August 1, 2011. She will replace Rebekah de Wit, who is leaving the ELI on that date.

Sarah has over 13 years’ experience in higher education, at Towson University, UMBC Training Centers and UMBC Continuing and Professional Studies (CPS). She served as Assistant Director for student services at the ELI since 2002, and most recently was appointed as Assistant Director for professional programs with CPS in 2011. Sarah’s colleagues at UMBC often comment on her passion for the work of the ELI, and for its students in particular. Her strong administrative, program development and educational background will be an asset to the ELI and the division.

Practices for Cultivating Healthy Relationships

July’s new relationship practice is “Deliver Feedback Effectively.” Click here for more information.

Welcome to UMBC! (9/15)

We invite all faculty and staff to join President Hrabowski and Interim Provost Rous in welcoming our new colleagues to the UMBC community.

This interactive event is a great opportunity to connect and get to know some of the remarkable people here at UMBC. You will learn more about UMBC’s vision and values, the new Performing Arts and Humanities building, and how to create opportunities to make a difference in our community.

The Gallery will feature a photography exhibit by Robert Fichter and Robert Freidus entitled “Italian Memorial Sculpture 1820-1940.” We welcome you to stop by the new Retriever Learning Center on the first floor of the Library before or after the event!

Co-sponsored by The Commons and Human Resources. Hors d’oeuvres will be served. Please arrive promptly at 2 p.m.

This event will be Thursday, September 15, 2-4 p.m., in the Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery (first floor).

Register by Friday, September 2, at umbc.edu/training.

Get a flyer with details at umbc.edu/hr/T&OD/schedule.htm