Recent Events

May 9, 8 a.m. | Humphrey Forum

Senator Terri Bonoff represents District 44 in the Minnesota Senate, which includes parts of Minnetonka, Plymouth and Medicine Lake. In the 2010 Session, she passed legislation creating the Commission on Service Innovation, which is drafting a strategic plan for a structural redesign of the delivery of government services in Minnesota. In the 2011 Session, she was the Chief Author of the consolidation of OET, which passed into law and is now being implemented. Find more information here: http://bonoffmaynine-eorg.eventbrite.com/

May 7, 9 a.m. | Cowles Auditorium

With a DFL-controlled House, Senate and Governor’s office, it’s generally assumed that taxes and spending will go up. The question Republicans are asking is, how much will spending increase by and which taxes will be raised? The debate is classic: the argument in favor of investment and services versus the argument against big government and higher taxes. Minority leaders Senator Hann and Representative Daudt will share their concerns with the pending DFL tax and spending plans and discuss the alternatives they are offering. Find more information here: http://hannanddaudt.eventbrite.com/

May 6, 5:30 p.m. | McNamara Alumni Center

This year’s Humphrey Public Leadership Awards will honor several remarkable individuals and institutions that have taken extraordinary measures to advance human welfare in the context of globalization. Award winners include António Guterres, the former Portuguese Prime Minister, who now serves as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chair and former CEO of Carlson; the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition; and alumna, Trista Harris, executive director of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice. Register at: z.umn.edu/leadershipawards

May 6, 1 p.m. | Cowles Auditorium

The Humphrey School's Social Policy and Policy Analysis Area, the Cowles Chair for the Study of Public Service, University of Minnesota Sociology Department, Council on Crime and Justice, Second Chance Coalition, the Robina Institute, and the Roy Wilkins Center present a screening and discussion of the documentary, Pull of Gravity. Following the sceening, Josh Page (Sociology) and Joe Soss (Cowles Professor for the Study of Public Service) will moderate a roundtable discussion with the filmakers and community activists and academics working on issues of re-entry. Find more information here: http://pullofgravityminnesota.eventbrite.com/

May 2, 4 p.m. | Humphrey Forum

Join us to hear Ember Reichgott Junge speak about her new book Zero Chance of Passage: The Pioneering Charter School Story and her experiences and reflections on the pioneering legislation and with the charter school movement. There will be a panel discussion after her presentation with respondents: Al Fan, Executive Director, Charter School Partners; Karen Seashore, Professor, College of Education & Human Development, University of Minnesota; Ted Kolderie, Senior Associate, Education Evolving; and Denise Johnson (Moderator), Star Tribune Editorial Writer. Please RSVP here: http://reichgottjunge.eventbrite.com/#

May 2, 12 p.m. | Cowles Auditorium

From the Civil War and World War II through recent times, fear of attack and insurrection has fueled efforts to suspend or circumvent our system of checks and balances and our Constitution's protections for individual liberties. This tension escalated after 9/11 and most recently resurfaced in discussions about the use of pilotless drones overseas to assassinate individuals (including American citizens) and, potentially, to conduct operations within the United States. How can Congress play a meaningful role in supporting the defense of the country while conducting its responsibilities for oversight and for exercising its powers -- where appropriate -- to share in the setting of US national security policy? U.S. Congressman Tim Walz is currently serving his fourth term representing Minnesota’s First Congressional District; moderated by Larry Jacobs. Find more information here: http://walzforum.eventbrite.com/.

May 1, 3:30 p.m. | Cowles Auditorium

Fact is endangered by attacks on reliable institutions responsible for gathering and reporting data on employment and the probable costs and consequences of proposed legislation. Kathleen Hall Jamieson is the Elizabeth Ware Packard Professor of Communication at the Annenberg School for Communication and Director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Find more information here: http://attackonfact.eventbrite.com/

April 30, 4 p.m. | Humphrey Atrium

Hubert Humphrey was one of the most prolific lawmakers of all times, authoring well over 1,000 pieces of legislation, including the bill creating the Peace Corps and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Humphrey's consistently cheerful and upbeat demeanor and his forceful advocacy for liberal causes led him to be nicknamed "The Happy Warrior" by many of his Senate colleagues and political journalists. The Humphrey Happy Hour strives to bring together the school community to share in Humphrey’s legacy of camaraderie and good cheer. Come enjoy snacks, beverages, and great conversation. Students, faculty members, staff, advisory board members, and alumni are welcome! A special thanks to our sponsors: HSOCA, the Recruitment and Retention Working Group, and the Dean’s Office. This special Humphrey community event will feature a school-wide talent show. For more information or to participate in the talent show, contact Jonathan Truong, truo0108@umn.edu. Find more information here: http://april30hhh-happyhour.eventbrite.com/

April 30, 12 p.m. | Humphrey Forum

Is justice blind? Vesla Weaver reveals racial disparities in the American criminal justice system and their implications for undermining full democratic citizenship. Professor Christopher Uggen, one of the country's preeminent sociologists studying America's criminal justice system, will moderate the discussion. Moderated by Chris Uggen, Department of Sociology. Find more information here: http://justiceanddemocracy-rss.eventbrite.com/

April 29, 2:45 p.m. | Johnson Great Rm Memorial Hall McNamara Alumni Center

The University of Minnesota is hosting the regional meeting of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) on April 29, 2013. The NAE will hold its regional business meeting for members, beginning with lunch, and then be followed by a symposium opened to the public, including local industry personnel, other faculty and students. Six University of Minnesota faculty members will present on "From Grand Challenges to Grand Solutions: Moving from Knowledge Generation to Real World Action." A wine and light Hors d'Oeuvres reception will follow the symposium. Reservations are requested. RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/a/umn.edu/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dENLM3ptNk9XelpBSVUta2JublM5Wnc6MQ#gid=0

April 29, 12 p.m. | Cowles Auditorium

Putting health reform in place by 2014 will usher in a host of popular changes from greater aid to purchase insurance to new programs to encourage wellness. There may also be unintended impacts of reform that will challenge patients, medical providers, insurers, and policy makers: individuals and employers may face “sticker shock,” Minnesota’s nation-leading insurance system may be disrupted by government action, and providers may face more intense pressure to improve care and lower costs. Panels will be moderated by Professor Larry Jacobs. RSVP here: http://lookingaheadmnhealthreform.eventbrite.com/

April 25, 1:30 p.m. | 125 Nolte Library

In 2011, the U.S. Department of Labor proposed to change regulations that have governed children's work and physical presence on farms in the United States since the 1970s. Graduate student, Megan Roberts, describes a large sample of these comments for their strongly pro-child sentiment, while Professor Deborah Levison places them in the context of human rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the recent decline in child/youth experience of work in America. Find more information here: https://events.umn.edu/026554

April 25, 12 p.m. | Humphrey Forum

Cam Winton is the only Independent candidate in the Minneapolis Mayoral race. How does his experience and vision for the city differ from those of his DFL counterparts? Come hear some of his ideas in a conversation moderated by Professor Larry Jacobs.

April 24, 12 p.m. | IonE Seminar Room R380, Learning and Environmental Sciences Building, St. Paul

As an increasing number of communities and universities work to advance the priorities of sustainability and resilience, their collaboration can yield wide-ranging benefits. This presentation, Professor Carissa Schively Slotterback will highlight the Resilient Communities Project (RCP)—a new and innovative model of education and community engagement intended to build long-term capacity to produce sustainable solutions and resilient institutions. RCP facilitates a yearlong partnership between the University of Minnesota and a Minnesota community, matching University expertise with local projects to produce on-the-ground sustainability outcomes and meaningful practical experience for students. The presentation will explore RCP's work during its inaugural year and further prospects for making the University more engaged, more interdisciplinary and more strategic in responding to critical challenges in Minnesota communities and beyond. Find more information here: http://environment.umn.edu/news_events/events/frontiers.html.

April 23, 2 p.m. | Cargill Building 105

Come hear Dr. Scheraga speak on the Obama Administration's plans for Climate Change adaptation. Refreshments to follow in the atrium

April 23, 12 p.m. | Cowles Auditorium

Candidate Barack Obama criticized President George Bush's unilateral steps on detention, domestic surveillance, and other programs. President Obama has modified some Bush policies but has sustained and expanded executive power in the national security realm. Can Congress and the Courts reassert some checks on presidential action while maintaining the security of the country? New York Times reporter Scott Shane will join Vice President Walter Mondale to discuss the scope and constitutionality of Obama's policies. Co-moderated by Vice President Walter Mondale and Professor Larry Jacobs, Humphrey School. Find more information here: http://anewimperialpresidency.eventbrite.com/

April 22, 6 p.m. | Cowles Auditorium

Voices from Laos will visit 12 cities in April, beginning on April 4th at the United Nations headquarters in New York and ending on April 30th in Washington, DC, on the anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Our stop at the University of Minnesota will underscore the important role that students and future policymakers can play in keeping alive the history of the Vietnam War-era bombings and creating a safer future for the people of Laos. Find more information and register for the event here: http://voicesfromlaosuminn.eventbrite.com/v

April 22, 9 a.m. | Cowles Auditorium

With a DFL-controlled House, Senate and Governor’s office, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk and Speaker of the House Paul Thissen are in a unique position to influence the budget process. While Minnesota may be in a better position than it was during the previous budget cycle, leadership from both houses face significant challenges in crafting the budget for the upcoming biennium. In addition to exploring the numbers in the new budget, we’ll take a look at the DFL leadership’s philosophies that drove those numbers. Convened and moderated by former Speaker Steve Sviggum, this event will be followed by a budget forum on May 7th with Minority Leaders Senator Hann and Representative Daudt. Moderated by Former Speaker Steve Sviggum. Find more information here: http://bakkandthissen.eventbrite.com/

April 19, 11:30 a.m. | Appleby Hall 103

Presenters: Professor Karen Seashore, Romina Madrid, and Abigail Felber-Smith, Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD), University of Minnesota. Universally improving student learning outcomes remains a challenge to K-12 educational systems. Approaches to improving schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas most often focus on school-centered approaches such as improving school culture, teaching and learning, and leadership practices (Muijs, et al., 2004). Less attention has been given to the effects of community on student engagement, development, and learning. While conversations about school-community relations are ratcheting up, empirical evidence of how involved stakeholders define their communities and consequently, how they approach this work is limited.