AASHE Membership Has Its Privileges With the environmentally responsible features of its new buildings, recycling initiatives, and many other measures to promote conservation and energy efficiency throughout the institution, the University of Miami is proving that it is serious about ensuring a greener future for generations to come. As a part of that continued commitment, UM is also a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), a membership-based organization of colleges and universities working to advance sustainability in higher education in the United States and Canada. Because all UM students, faculty, and staff are covered by AASHE membership, they have access to members-only resources on the association's Web site. To create an account, click on a locked resource or click on “Log In” in the left column of the AASHE Web site. At the log-in page, select “Create a new account,” then follow the directions to receive a password. Use your campus e-mail address as your username. One of the best ways to keep current on the evolving landscape of campus sustainability is to subscribe to AASHE Bulletin, a weekly compilation of the latest sustainability news, resources, events, and opportunities at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. To subscribe, go to: www.aashe.org/archives/bulletin.php (you can read archived issues here), or email info@aashe.org with a request to be subscribed. In addition to access to members-only resources, institutional membership also includes discounts to AASHE-sponsored workshops and events and opportunities for professional development and networking.

The center will benefit the local community by providing the knowledge and expertise necessary to mitigate hurricane damage and build stronger, safer buildings that can better withstand local weather conditions. The new material systems and technologies developed by the center will be transferred to the construction industry to repair structures in South Florida and around the world.

“Miami is an ideal location for a researcher interested in constructed facilities because the tropical weather puts a lot of demand on our structures,” says Antonio Nanni, professor and chair of the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering and a leading expert in composite materials.

To learn more, click here.

Two final information sessions scheduled on the new Retirement Savings Plan
Benefits Administration will hold two final information sessions regarding the new Retirement Savings Plan. Employees are strongly encouraged to attend one of these group meetings to learn:

• How the existing retirement plans and the new Retirement Savings Plan work
• How the new plan compares to your existing plan
• What resources are available to help you make your decision
• An illustration of the online election process

An information session will be held on Monday, March 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mailman Center for Child Development, eighth-floor auditorium, on the Miller School campus. A second session will be held on Tuesday, March 27 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Storer Auditorium on the Coral Gables campus.

All current employees (except as noted below) who will have completed at least one year of service at the University as of Thursday, May 31, 2007 have received their personalized Retirement Plan Decision Guide to their mailing address. Participants must decide if they wish to remain in their existing retirement plan or begin participating in the new Retirement Savings Plan. Each participant must make a retirement plan election by midnight April 6, 2007. Participants who do not make a plan election will remain in their existing plan. To make an election, log on to www.myum.miami.edu and enter your username and password. Select the "Employee" tab and "Benefits." The Retirement Plan Checklist will guide you through the election process. If you did not receive your Decision Guide or have any retirement plan questions, e-mail newretplan@miami.edu or call 305-284-6718.

Please note that the Retirement Plan Decision Guide was not produced for faculty receiving an 11 percent of pay contribution to the Faculty Retirement Plan since these plan participants will automatically remain in their existing plan.

Caplan's talk is titled "Good, Better, Best: Should We Improve Ourselves Through Biological Engineering?" The series is named for TotalBank Chair Adrienne Arsht, who last year donated $1 million to the University's Ethics Programs. It is one of the largest gifts ever to an ethics program in Florida.

There is no charge for the lecture, which is open to the public, but reservations are required. Please call 305-284-6486 or e-mail eventsmanagement@miami.edu to R.S.V.P.

To learn more, click here.

‘Well’ Said Jeff Novick, director of nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa in Aventura, gives a presentation on “Nutrition Matters: Myths and Lies About Your Health and Weight” last Friday at the Wellness Center. Novick’s keynote address was part of A Day of Wellness, a daylong conference presented by the School of Education and Miami-Dade County Public Schools to promote better health and wellness in our schools. Other UM presenters included School of Education Dean Isaac Prilleltensky and Arlette Perry, professor and chair of the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences. The conference also included a culinary demonstration by star chef Kris Wessel and a panel discussion on “Best Practices in School Wellness Initiatives.”

Tell the UM Libraries how you feel: Take the LibQUAL+ survey
The University of Miami Libraries and more than 200 other libraries throughout North America are participating in the 2007 LibQUAL+ survey. The Association of Research Libraries coordinates this survey of users’ opinions on library service quality. LibQUAL+ is unique because participating libraries are able to share aggregate data, which helps them to compare themselves with peer institutions. Your participation will help not only the University of Miami Libraries but other institutions across the country. To participate in the ten-minute survey or for more information, visit www.library.miami.edu/survey.

Blood drive on Monday
UM will be hosting a blood drive and bone marrow drive on Monday, March 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of the M. Christine Schwartz Center for Nursing and Health Studies on the Coral Gables campus.

Over the past two decades, Williams has been using state-of-the-art airborne and satellite sensing technology to study glaciers around the world. His research and that of his colleagues has taken on new importance as the Earth’s climate warms and its ice sheets melt.

To learn more, click here.

Espionage Film Festival runs March 28 to April 4
The School of Business Administration, School of Communication, Intelligence Awareness Organization, and The Cinematic Arts Commissions present the Espionage Film Festival, which features some of the best spy films from Hitchcock to James Bond. The festival kicks off with Casino Royale starring Daniel Craig on Wednesday, March 28. Admission is free with a valid 'CaneCard, and the films will be screened at the Cosford Cinema on the Coral Gables campus. For more information, call 305-284-4861. Films include:

Register for Communité Web Access class
Communité Web Access is free to all voicemail users, and a class on Web Access features and its interactions with the voicemail system will be offered on Friday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m in the Unger Building, room 311. The class will cover topics such as managing voicemail messages via the Communité Web Access page, creating Follow-Me rules, creating custom inbound call rules, receiving, viewing, and managing faxes, creating and using custom greetings, and more. To register, visit www.miami.edu/eus. To start using the service, visit www.voicemail.miami.edu. For brochures and system information, visit www.miami.edu/network. For assistance, call Telecommunications Customer Support at 305-284-6565.

MAIA hosts information session next week, launches new Web site
The Master of Arts in International Administration (MAIA) is hosting a question-and-answer session for prospective applicants on Thursday, March 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m, in the Memorial Building, room 104. MAIA is a university-wide professional international relations program that combines international relations theory with practice and coursework in administration, management, and economics. It is a 30-credit program that can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis, with core courses generally offered weekday evenings. To R.S.V.P., e-mail to maiaprogram@miami.edu or call 305-284-8783. For more information about the MAIA program, visit their new Web site at www.miami.edu/maia.

Forum Focuses on Engineers as Entrepreneurs
The 2007 M. Lewis Temares Entrepreneurship Forum, which will be held today, Thursday, March 22, is an interactive forum hosted by the College of Engineering Alumni Association that features entrepreneurs who started their professional lives with technical degrees and used those skills in the pursuit of entrepreneurial success. The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the BankUnited Center, Hurricane 100 Room, on the Coral Gables campus. For more information and to R.S.V.P., visit www.miami.edu/engineering/forum2007.

Fascinated by China? Begin building Mandarin Chinese skills
Beginning Tuesday, March 27 the University’s Intensive Language Institute Basic Chinese for Business and Culture course begins. The six-week evening course focuses on survival language skills in Chinese, including communication, comprehension, and cultural tips for successful interactions. Eligible UM employees can receive a 40 percent discount on tuition. For more information and to register, visit the course Web site or call 305-284-4727.

Game, set, match: Daniel Vallverdu earned his team-high 19th singles win of the season versus Rice last weekend. Men’s tennis this weekend The Hurricanes men’s tennis team continues their home stand with two matches this weekend. On Saturday, March 24 they host the Maryland Terrapins at 1:30 p.m. and on Sunday, March 25 they take on Boston College at 11 a.m. All home matches are played at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center on the Coral Gables campus. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.hurricanesports.com. Hurricanes football to wear newly designed uniforms The University of Miami will unveil new uniforms for the 2007 football season. The new uniforms, crafted by Nike, are similar to those worn for the past three seasons with a couple of minor aesthetic changes, including different striping on the front and back and wider jersey numbers. The Hurricanes will also wear black shoes, but the traditional white helmet with the split-U logo will remain unchanged. To learn more, click here.

Thursday, March 22 Jazz Concert. The Frost School of Music and WDNA 88.9 FM will host a benefit concert featuring the UM Jazz Vocal Ensemble I, directed by Larry Lapin, professor of jazz studies and director of the Studio Music and Jazz Vocal Program. Also, the Frost Symphony Orchestra will perform with special guest Kevin Mahogany, acclaimed jazz vocalist, at 8 p.m. in the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall on the Coral Gables campus. A $15 donation benefits UM and WDNA. For reservations and tickets, call 305-284-5813.

Sunday, March 25 Music for “Royalty and Empires.” The Frost School of Music Chamber Singers perform in concert along with the Frost Women’s Chorale and Frost Maelstrom. The event mixes a cappella singing with a chamber orchestra and features works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Britten, George Frederic Handel, Lili-Uokalani, Eleanor Daley, Josef Gregario, Aaron Copland, and more. Admission is free and the concert begins at 4 p.m. at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 1142 Coral Way, Coral Gables. For more information, call 305-284-4162, e-mail zmadi@miami.edu, or visit www.music.miami.edu/choralstudies.

Sunday, March 25 Dionne Warwick and Friends. Dionne Warwick has established herself as an international musical legend with nearly 60 charted hits and was the first African-American solo female artist of her generation to win a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Female Vocal Performance. Warwick is joined by Laura Bradley and Eugene Gray for a concert at the BankUnited Center at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at the BankUnited Center box office, at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 305-358-5885, or online at www.Ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.BankUnitedCenter.com.

Friday, March 30 Wildcat Rally 2K7. Attend a concert hosted by Nick Cannon, successful rapper, writer, comedian, and film and television star, featuring Ciara and Omarion. Ciara is a Grammy Award-winning American singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, and actress who made her debut in the summer of 2004 with the Billboard number-one single "Goodies." The event begins at 8 p.m. at the BankUnited Center. Tickets are available for purchase at the BankUnited Center box office, at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 305-358-5885, or online at www.Ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.BankUnitedCenter.com.

Thursday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 24 Golda’s Balcony. The Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies announces the co-production with GableStage of a play written by William Gibson and directed by Joseph Adler. The play features a one-woman dramatization of Prime Minister Golda Meir's darkest days as she led Israel through the Yom Kippur War in 1973. During the play, Meir looks back at her own history as well as the history of her country. Performances will be held at GableStage, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables, at 8 p.m., and will be followed by discussion sessions led by Haim Shaked, director of The Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies and an Israel Defense Force officer during the war. Tickets are $25 each. For more information, e-mail mschwartz@miami.edu or call 305-284-6882.