Paul Savory has accepted the role of Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for EE&O. Savory, an associate professor of industrial and management systems engineering, is also Director of Summer Sessions and co-coordinator for the UNL Peer Review of Teaching Project.

In December, Arnold Bateman accepted a position with NU Central Administration to link the four campuses by creating an integrated University-wide distance education program. The goal is to strengthen the ability of individual academic units to extend key programs to a wider audience of students throughout Nebraska and beyond, and to encourage curricular innovation for all students served by the University.

UNL’s first online Degree Completion Option is now available.  Starting in January, students can now apply for admission to receive a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science through distance education.  Applicants must meet minimum transfer requirements to UNL and CASNR prerequisite criteria.

The target population for this program is working adults, the fastest growing student population.  It is projected that students taking advantage of this degree option will boost career opportunities and advancement in occupations that involve the application of science in society.  For more information, please visit the Bachelor of Science in Applied Science, Online degree Completion Option.

The BSAS is just the start. Stay tuned as plans evolve to offer more degree completion options that are rooted in the academic tradition of UNL programs, but flexible enough to meet needs and demands of a newly defined working student population.

EE&O has ten Instructional Design Technology Specialists that provide instructional design support and consulting for faculty who are teaching at a distance in CEHS, CASNR, CBA, Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Journalism, and the UNL Libraries.  An additional three instructional designers support the Independent Study High School and special projects.

The specialists have offices in the colleges and departments they serve, and can help you:

• Think through how to transform a traditional on-campus class into a distance course,
• Identify technology solutions to particular teaching strategies you wish to use in your distance course,
• Show you examples of how others at UNL and elsewhere approach a particular activity or assignment, and
• Assist you with producing your distance course, or just help with developing certain elements.

For more information, please contact Marie Barber (mbarber2@unl.edu, 472-4354).

One of the best kept secrets on our campus is that UNL runs an independent study high school.  In its 80th year, the high school is fully accredited and offers 80 different courses.  We have a headcount of around 2,500 students - with some taking only a handful of courses and others pursuing a formal diploma.  Courses are offered in an asynchronous/online format with students proceeding at their own pace.  Students include home school students, US high school students seeking to supplement courses not offered at their local school, athletes and performers whose schedules do not allow them to attend a traditional high school, and international students seeking a US high school diploma (e.g., children of US diplomats and families living abroad).  Our students come from nearly all fifty states and from dozens of countries around the world. 

The high school is open to working with faculty on research projects – please contact Tim Ernst, Director of ISHS, at 472-4424 or ternst2@unl.eduto discuss opportunities.

In Fall 2008, Academic Conferences sponsored the 54th Annual Federal and State Tax Institute.  The institute provides current and comprehensive information on new legislation and rules related to preparation of federal and state taxes.  Over 850 accountants, financial planners, and bankers attended one of the eight events held throughout the state.

Academic Conferences has an experienced staff that can help coordinate and manage all levels of conference and meeting planning, registration, budget management, facility reservation, presenter arrangements, and event services.  For more information, contact Roméo Guerra 472-4424.

The Floyd S. Oldt Silver Pen was awarded to Sandi Jones, project assistant in Instructional Design & Development. The Silver Pen Award honors office/service employees who have demonstrated superior performance while employed at UNL and who have made significant contributions to the University community. Letters of support praise Jones for always being willing to help others and for motivating colleagues to work as a team. They also credit her for highlighting the positive and adding humor to the workplace. Sandi will receive $600, an engraved A.T. Cross Silver Pen, a certificate, and one year UNOPA membership.

The Floyd S. Oldt Outstanding Staff Award was presented to Pamela Hanks, project assistant in Marketing & Customer Service.  This award was created to recognize an outstanding UNL office/service employee who demonstrates distinguished service and contributions to the University community. Her nominator describes Hanks as someone who is known for her strong work ethic and dedication to the University. She has a desire to learn and the ability to teach or share what has been learned with others. Hanks is highly praised for her work in project management.  She will receive $1000, a personalized plaque, and a year’s membership to UNOPA.