Fall 1999
1999, the 90th aniversary of our department at the University of Minnesota (see page 3) has been another busy and productive year for the department and the University. After four years of planning and hard work, we launched the semester system this fall. All of the planning seemed to pay off, because once classes started, everything has flowed smoothly. As I write this we are completing the tenth week of classes&emdash;the end of the term on the quarter system. We have almost five weeks of classes to go yet, so we will soon find out if students and faculty have the stamina to complete a 15-week semester plus final exams. Because of the conflicts with the State Fair, the fall semester started on September 7, which means that final exams run until December 23 to complete the semester before the holiday break.
One of the biggest challenges for the University was to find enough classrooms, partly because of the new schedule, but also because a number of classrooms were temporarily lost due to major remodeling and construction underway throughout the campus. Another challenge was the need to implement a totally new registration system for semesters because the old one was not Y2K compatible. But solutions were found, in some cases just in time, and instruction is underway. Next year should be much smoother as some of the construction projects are completed and more space becomes available.
The University recently announced a major Capital Campaign with the goal of raising $1.3 billion to enhance programs. Private giving provides an important supplement to public funds and grants to help achieve excellence in our activities. We have identified a substantial boost to scholarship and fellowship funding and a named professorship in Bioengineering for Water Resources as priorities to enhance our programs. See page 4 for more information. The campaign comes as the University approaches its sesquicentennial celebration next year.
Dr. Charles Muscoplat was named Dean of the College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Vice President for Agricultural Policy, and Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, replacing Dr. Mike Martin who left in the fall of 1998. Dr. Muscoplat began his duties in September. He has spent much of his career in industry, most recently as Vice President for Medical Affairs at MGI Pharma Inc. We look forward to working with Dr. Muscoplat and the new ideas that he brings to the College.
On a sad note, Professor Emeritus W. Forrest Bear passed away in March of this year. He will be remembered for his enthusiasm and commitment to students.
We hope the coming year will be a good one for you, and please stay in touch or stop by for a visit if you can.
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
This page is part of the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department web at http://www.bae.umn.edu/