McCain Fires Up Late-Night Crowd After stumping for votes earlier in the day at a rally in Pennsylvania and at a town hall meeting in New Hampshire, Republican presidential candidate John McCain continued a campaign blitz of key battleground states with a visit to Miami last night, where he addressed thousands of supporters at a “Road to Victory” rally at the University of Miami’s BankUnited Center.   The event, which was open to the public and the University community, began with live performances from Latin musical groups, including Grammy-winning Cuban-American singer Albita. McCain arrived on stage at 12:40 a.m. this morning, quickly touting his plans on taxes, energy, foreign policy, and other issues. His opponent, Democrat Barack Obama, held a rally in the same venue on September 19.   Top: With his wife, Cindy, in the background, McCain begins his address to a near-capacity BankUnited Center audience. Above: A UM student is interviewed by a UMTV reporter during the rally. To view excerpts of the rally shot by UMTV, click here. More coverage of the rally will be posted on the UM home page.

With the election coverage expected to be the biggest broadcast event UMTV has ever produced, the students will go on the air live, from the University’s BankUnited Center, where the polls will have just closed, from The Rathskeller, and from two studios in the Frances L. Wolfson Communication Building. They will offer special reports focusing on the youth vote, the senior vote, the Hispanic vote, and the role of faith in politics.

“Everyone agrees this is a historic year, regardless of which candidate you support,” said Ellen Fleysher, faculty advisor and professor at the School of Communication. “We want to own a piece of that story by providing our viewers context and insight from a variety of disciplines, with the assistance of brilliant members of the University faculty who will be live guests on NewsVision: Election Edition.”

UMTV’s Election Night coverage airs tomorrow night from 7 to 8 p.m. and is available in the Coral Gables area on Comcast Cable’s Channel 96. You can also watch the show online at umtv.miami.edu.

Open Enrollment ends this Friday
Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll in medical, dental, flexible spending, and short-term disability benefits for coverage beginning January 1, 2009.  It is important that you actively enroll in your 2009 benefits during Open Enrollment. If you had coverage in 2008 but do not elect coverage for 2009 via myUM, you’ll be placed in the Aetna HRA plan. Take the time to review the literature; the decisions you make now could have a significant impact on you and your family's well-being. The Open Enrollment deadline is Friday, November 7. Below is a list of useful links. You can also find helpful information at www.miami.edu/benefits/2009.

• Open Enrollment Guide
• Medical Premiums
• Medical Plan Examples
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Dental Premiums
• Calendar of Events

Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez to address University on Friday
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez will address students, faculty, staff, and invited guests this Friday, November 7 at 2 p.m. in the auditorium at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
 
There is an ever-growing awareness that increased knowledge of our natural environment is critical to promoting our nation’s safety, welfare, and commerce. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez will address what the government is doing to meet some of the biggest environmental challenges of our time, including improved weather prediction, understanding and describing climate variability and change, and protecting marine resources. University President Donna E. Shalala will introduce Secretary Gutierrez.
 
R.S.V.P. for this event by calling the Office of the Dean at 305-421-4000.

Bachelor of General Studies information session
Attend an information session on the University of Miami’s Bachelor of General Studies, a part-time degree program designed specifically for the working adult. Learn about the many features of this adult-friendly UM degree, and meet the dean and advisors. The session takes place on Thursday, November 6 at 6 p.m. in Allen Hall, Room 101. Refreshments will be served. To R.S.V.P., call 305-284-2727 or e-mail cstudies@miami.edu.

UM Hospital: The Division of Hospital Medicine hosts an open house today.

Division of Hospital Medicine open house
The Division of Hospital Medicine presents an open house today, Monday, November 3, at 5:30 p.m. at University of Miami Hospital, Seminar Center. Join Pascal J. Goldschmidt, senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Miller School; William O’Neill, executive dean for clinical affairs and chief medical officer for the University of Miami Health System; Marc E. Lippman, professor and chairman of the Department of Medicine; and Anthony Degina, CEO of University of Miami Hospital, as they welcome the division’s new hospitalists. Refreshments will be served. Please R.S.V.P. to jjurado2@med.miami.edu or 305-243-1960.

2009 Faculty Learning Community: call for applications and nominations
The Office of the Provost is pleased to invite applications and nominations for the 2009 Faculty Learning Community (FLC). The topic of this FLC will be Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) Literacy. The FLC program is the focus of the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, part of the SACS accreditation process. FLCs will give faculty members the knowledge, skills, and pedagogical support to improve their teaching and enhance the learning environment.

The University regards FLC membership as an acknowledgement of excellent, innovative, and effective teaching. It is open to all tenured and tenure-track University faculty who are engaged in undergraduate teaching. Those selected will be FLC Fellows. They will have a one-course teaching reduction in the Fall 2009 semester and receive a $1,500 research and educational fund to support their FLC work. The FLC Fellows will meet during the Spring and Fall 2009 semesters; participate in weekly discussions, workshops, and in a virtual community; and will be expected to incorporate ICT literacy concepts into an existing or new course.
 
For a full program description and application form, visit www.miami.edu/sacs and click “Faculty Learning Community” on the left hand navigation bar. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, November 21.

Sponsored Programs Roundtable: ‘The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Cost Transfers’
Learn how to reduce the need for cost transfers and how to properly document them at this bi-monthly meeting that provides a forum for administrators and staff to discuss topics of interest related to sponsored programs. The event occurs Thursday, November 6 at the Batchelor Building, Baxter Conference Room, from 12 to 1 p.m. To register, visit ULearn.miami.edu. For more information, e-mail ResEDU@med.miami.edu.

Know someone who should be recognized at commencement?
The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is soliciting nominations for students graduating this December and participating in commencement to be recognized at the ceremonies. Nominate graduates who have distinguished themselves in one or more of the following areas:
scholarship, citizenship, leadership and character, athletics, a unique story or accomplishment.
For more information and to download the Student Profile application packet, visit www.miami.edu/commencement or call 305-284-1821. The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 7, at 5 p.m. in room 21-T or electronically to agillespie@miami.edu.

What’s new at Apple?
Come see the new products and software from Apple Computers. This two-hour session takes place on Friday, November 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and again from 1 to 3 p.m. Lunch will be served from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. for everyone who registers for either session. The event takes place at the Learning Center, room LC170. Registration is required. To register, visit www.miami.edu/iac and click the “Events” link.

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program information forum
The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program will host an information session for prospective applicants on Tuesday, November 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the CAS Art Gallery located in the Wesley Center. The 30-credit program is taught by leading faculty members and offers convenient evening class hours. The number of credits taken each semester is flexible and courses are offered in all semesters. To R.S.V.P. for the session, e-mail mals@miami.edu or call 305-284-6731. For more information, visit www.as.miami.edu/mals.

Learn about the undergraduate admission and tuition remission process
Employees and related qualified individuals interested in taking advantage of the tuition remission benefit should consider attending upcoming information sessions in order to learn about the admission policies and procedures for undergraduate degree programs.  Representatives from the Office of Admission, Office of Financial Assistance, and the Office of Benefits Administration will conduct the following sessions:

• Coral Gables campus:  Tuesday, November 11, from 12 to 1 p.m. in the University Center’s Flamingo Ballroom A
• Medical campus:  Wednesday, November 12, from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Retter Auditorium

Performance Improvement Management series offered
Performance Improvement Management is a highly interactive series of four sessions. The goal of the series is to set expectations for UM leaders and to develop the knowledge and skills required for effective employee performance management. Sessions begin on November 13 (PIM I) at the Max Orovitz Building training room. Individuals must complete each corresponding online CBL prior to enrolling and must register to receive credit. To register for the sessions, visit ulearn.miami.edu and follow the instructions to log on. For more information, call 305-243-3090 or 305-284-5110.

Register for the SPEAK test
The SPEAK test, required for all international teaching assistants to demonstrate ability in spoken English, will be given on Friday, November 14 at 2 p.m. in Allen Hall, room 102. For more information and to register for the test, e-mail alc.cstudies@miami.edu or call 305-284-4727. Students must be pre-registered to take the test by 5 p.m. on Thursday, November  13.  Photo identification is required on the day of the test.

Fall 2008 Commencement
The University invites all faculty members to join the Class of 2008 and participate in the academic procession as UM honors its graduates on Thursday, December 18 at 10 a.m. at the BankUnited Center. All graduate and undergraduate degrees, including those from the School of Law, will be conferred at the ceremony. Visit www.miami.edu/capandgown to order your regalia. To R.S.V.P. for the ceremony, e-mail commencement@miami.edu. If you are attending as a doctoral advisor, please indicate so in your e-mail. If you need further information regarding commencement, call 305-284-1821 or e-mail agillespie@miami.edu.

Tuition remission available for business certificate program
Starting in January, the UM School of Business Administration will offer a Certificate Program in General Business. This weekend program provides an opportunity for professionals who seek an advanced business education but are not currently looking to complete a full MBA degree program. Students may take one or more courses for credit but must satisfactorily complete all required coursework to earn a certificate. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree to enroll in these certificate programs. To find out more, please call 305-284-2510 or visit www.bus.miami.edu/index.html. To download an application, click here.

Online Course: Developing a Realistic Budget Proposal
Developing budgets for grant or award applications? Attend a computer-based learning (CBL) activity to assist in identifying the do’s and don’ts of budget planning. Examine the process of preparing a realistic budget for a grant application, as well as ensuring that the budget follows UM and funding agency standards. For more information and to participate, visit ULearn.miami.edu. For assistance, e-mail ResEDU@med.miami.edu.

PMP exam preparation course begins November 17
Register now for this fast-paced course designed to fully prepare attendees for the Project Management Institute's International Project Management Professional (PMP) exam. The course utilizes the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) and covers all areas of the PMBOK and more. Students will work through sample exam questions and will be assigned homework for further reinforcement of topics presented in class. Registrants receive a PMBOK guide, class workbook, and examination preparation guide. The PMP Exam Cram is also included. This course will be held at the Blue Lagoon Office Complex; enroll by calling 305-284-2150 or e-mailing mmaduro@miami.edu. The course costs $1,995.

Flexible Spending Account Lunch-and-Learn information sessions
WageWorks will be the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) administrator for 2009. FSAs are valuable benefits to you and your family. Learn how to get the most out of your Health Care and/or Dependent Care FSA next year. Remember, FSA pre-tax dollars can be used to pay for everyday expenses such as doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses, day care, and more. Topics include a discussion regarding approved health care and dependent care expenses, how to use the new WageWorks Visa debit card, FSA deadlines, how to file claims, and more. If you are interested in attending one of the sessions below, R.S.V.P. by e-mailing benefitsrsvp@miami.edu. Lunch will be served.

If you have questions about any of your UMatter benefits, visit www.miami.edu/benefits/ask and complete the online form.

Make your donation, be eligible for raffle prizes All UM employees who make an online donation to the University’s United Way campaign via myUM by Monday, November 10 will be automatically entered into a raffle for great prizes. The winner will be selected from a random drawing and will be announced in e-Veritas. Prizes include: two round-trip tickets on American Airlines; $100 Cane Express debit card; free parking for one year on the Coral Gables campus (Miller School campus pending); and President Donna E. Shalala’s personalized Hurricanes baseball 25-year reunion national championship jersey and ’08 Florida Marlins jersey as well as a Marlins visor. For information on making an online donation, visit www.miami.edu/unitedway. In-town vacation: A silent auction presented by Business Services features hotel stays at The Biltmore, left, and the Intercontinental Hotel, right, among other items. A brand new car: Honda Fit raffle Feeling the pinch at the pump?  Enter for your chance to win a new, fuel-efficient Honda Fit. The School of Education will be selling the $20 tickets for this community-wide raffle through today, Monday, November 3. Obtain tickets in the Merrick Building, room 312; e-mail mstevenson@miami.edu for complete details.  Participate in the Business Services online silent auction Excellent holiday gifts are now available at the Business Services silent auction Web site. Participating is easy, fun, and benefits the United Way. UM employees, staff, and students can browse auction items and take advantage of the opportunity to obtain great items such as airplane tickets, hotel stays, restaurant certificates, an mp3 player, cameras, and more. Act soon; bidding ends on Monday, November 10 at 5 p.m. United Way gift basket raffle Parking and Transportation and the UM Police Department are raffling off two gift baskets to benefit the United Way.  The raffle will be held Friday, November 7 at the Flipse Building at 12 p.m.; tickets are $3 and go on sale today. There are approximately 27 to 30 candy flowers in each basket, and it is approximately a $60 value. Editor's Note: e-Veritas will include submissions for United Way fundraising events or sales in the Monday edition only. Send items to e-veritas@miami.edu.

Campus politicking “We want to make visible that college freshman 2,000 miles from home who thinks he's the only person supporting McCain.” Harout Samra, a law student at the University of Miami and chairman of the Florida College Republicans, noting that John McCain supporters are evident among the more visible Barack Obama presence on college campuses. The Wall Street Journal October 25 Myths about autism “In the case of autism, the parts of the brain that are most affected seem to impact three areas of functioning.” Michael Alessandri, clinical professor of psychology and executive director of the UM-NSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, helps shatter common myths about autism, which many people think is a psychological disorder but is actually a biological illness that affects the brain’s growth and development. ABC NEWS October 23 Economy down, crime up “Particularly in Florida and other areas where the market has taken the hardest hits, I expect to see increasing property crimes and robberies for quite some time.” Amie Nielsen, an associate professor of sociology who researches criminal behavior, comments on how crime historically has gone up during times of economic slowdowns. Property crimes have been steadily rising in Florida for the first time in 16 years. The Miami Herald October 30

Today, Monday, November 3 Biology Departmental Seminars. Bradley Davidson, assistant professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of Arizona, presents "Deciphering the Blueprint for Chordate Heart Development."  The seminar will take place at 12:20 p.m. at the Cox Science Center, room 166.

Today, Monday, November 3 Department of Microbiology and Immunology Seminar. Alwi Shatry, assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, presents “Host Tregs and Allogeneic Marrow Transplantation” at 12 p.m. in the Rosenstiel Medical Sciences Building, room 3109.

Today, Monday, November 3 Project SHARE Seminar. The Developmental Center for AIDS Research and the Miami-Dade County Health Department present a seminar facilitated by Willy Prado, associate professor of epidemiology and public health. Prado will present on his successful randomized trials of a parent-centered intervention in preventing substance abuse and high-risk behaviors that can lead to HIV in Hispanic adolescents. The event occurs from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Rusty Pelican (lunch will be served). To R.S.V.P. and for further information, call 305-243-6430 or e-mail Tkuper@med.miami.edu.

Today, Monday, November 3 “Architecture as Cultural Industry: The Case of Rotterdam.” The closing decade of the 20th century witnessed the remarkable emergence and rise to fame of architecture and design firms in the Netherlands, especially in Rotterdam. In his lecture, Robert Kloosterman, professor of geography and director of metropolitan and international development studies at the University of Amsterdam, will focus on the city’s local culture, the unique role of Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas as a change agent, and the dynamics of the architectural clusters and practices. Presented by the Urban Studies Program and the School of Architecture, the event starts at 6 p.m. with refreshments, followed by the lecture at 6:30 p.m. in the Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center’s Glasgow Hall. The lecture is free and open to the public. More information, visit www.arc.miami.edu or call 305-284-5002.

Wednesday, November 5 “The Land Jesus and the Rabbis Walked” and information session on the Galilee Semester Program. Professor Mordechai (Motti) Aviam, distinguished archaeologist specializing in the Galilee region, Israel, will teach a mini-course from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the Merrick Building Auditorium titled “The Land Jesus and the Rabbis Walked.” The first of three lectures, these sessions are part of REL/JUS 314: The Rise of Judaism (unique lectures will be held on November 12 and 19 as well). Aviam is the faculty member who will lead UM's Galilee Semester Program at Ort-Braude in Karmiel, Israel during the Spring 2009 semester. An information session about the new UM Galilee Semester will occur earlier in the day from 12 to 1 p.m., at the Merrick Building, seminar room. To R.S.V.P., e-mail aberezin@miami.edu.

Tuesday, November 4 Cardiology Grand Rounds. Antony Y. Kim, assistant professor of medicine, pathology and pediatrics in the Department of Medicine at The University of Chicago, presents “Endocardial Thrombosis: Are All Endothelial Cells Created Equally?” The event occurs from 12 to 1 p.m. at University of Miami Hospital, South Building, first-floor seminar center, A and B. For more information, call 305-243-1998 or e-mail ytabraue@med.miami.edu.

Tuesday, November 4 D-CFAR Grand Rounds. The Miller School of Medicine Developmental Center for AIDS Research presents its Grand Rounds seminar “Immunopathogenesis of HIV Infection:  Current Concepts, Questions, and Investigative Approaches.”  The presenters are Savita Pahwa, physician, and Helena Schmidtmayerova, a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. The seminar will be held from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, third-floor auditorium.

Tuesday, November 4 Hospital Medicine Grand Rounds. The Division of Continuing Medical Education presents Shabbir Ezuddin, associate professor of radiology in the Division of Nuclear Medicine, who will discuss “Myocardial Perfusion and Metabolic Imaging” at 12 p.m. at Jackson Memorial Hospital Central Building, second-floor auditorium.

Wednesday, November 5 through Saturday, November 8 32nd International Conference: Miami Neonatology 2008. Hosted by the Division of Neonatology in the Department of Pediatrics, this conference will cover topics that are of primary interest to neonatologists, pediatricians, obstetricians, respiratory therapists, and nurses involved in the delivery of perinatal care. More than 500 physicians from over 26 countries specializing in newborn care will attend the conference. Guest faculty will include an international group of clinical investigators in the area of perinatal-neonatal medicine. The conference will be held at the Miami Beach Resort and Spa in Miami Beach. For more information, visit this Web site. For registration information, call 305-243-5808 or e-mail eravelo@med.miami.edu.

Wednesday, November 5 through Saturday, November 8 “Race, Ethnicity, and Place.” This annual interdisciplinary conference fosters dialogue on a range of issues related to the racial and ethnic transformation of places. Spearheaded by UM geography professor Tom Boswell and associate professor Ira Sheskin, this year’s conference will feature workshops, poster sessions, paper submissions, panels, and lectures for theoreticians, practitioners, and students from across the country. Visit rep-conference.binghamton.edu for event locations and registration information. Presented by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Wednesday, November 5 Marine Conservation Night. The Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament will host its annual Marine Conservation Night event at the F.G. Walton Smith Commons at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science on Virginia Key from 6 to 9 p.m. Marine Conservation Night is part of the ongoing effort by the tournament to educate the public on marine conservation issues and promote conservation awareness. This year’s guest speaker, Captain Dan Kipnis, director of the Florida Wildlife Federation and member of the South Florida Climate Change Task Force, will speak about the impact of global warming on the oceans.  The event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, November 5 “What the President Didn't Know: Lessons from the Cuban Missile Crisis.” Michael Dobbs, author of One Minute to Midnight, discusses his book at 7 p.m. at The Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies, Casa Bacardi. The event is free and open to the public, but seating capacity is limited. For more information, call 305-284-CUBA (2822).

Wednesday, November 5 2008-2009 Gail F. Beach Memorial Visiting Lectureship Series. Andreas S. Beutler, assistant professor of medicine and hematology/oncology for the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, presents "Chronic Pain: Gene Therapy to (Epi-) Genomics” from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Lois Pope LIFE Center, seventh-floor Apex Auditorium. For more information, call 305-243-7108.

Wednesday, November 5 Gifford Arboretum Meeting. The final arboretum meeting and educational program of the semester takes place at 7 p.m. in the Cox Science Center, room 166. Francisco Escobedo, professor at the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, will present "Tree Canopy in Miami-Dade County: What We've Got and Why It Matters." Find out about urban forests and how they improve our lives. Also learn about our tree family of the month, the Meliaceae or Mahogany family, and take a chance in our raffle. Meet tree-loving neighbors, grad and undergrad students, and professors, and enjoy free snacks.

Wednesday, November 5 Conversations About Cancer Seminar. Christine Savage, assistant professor, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, presents “Common Autoimmune Diseases” from 1 to 2 p.m. at Sylvester at Deerfield Beach, 1192 East Newport Center Drive, suite 240, Deerfield Beach. Reservations are required by calling 1-800-545-2292.

Wednesday, November 5 A Conversation With Cheryl Little. The School of Law Center for Ethics and Public Service presents The Lawyers in Leadership Award to Cheryl Little, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center. Refreshments will be served at 3:30 p.m. followed by the presentation and interview at 4 p.m. at the Alma Jennings Foundation Student Lounge. To R.S.V.P., call 305-284-3934.

Thursday, November 6 “Steroids in the Ovary: From Frog to Bedside.” Stephen Hammes, associate professor in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, will present this seminar. It takes place at 12 p.m. in the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Conference Room 6018. For more information, call 305-243-1078.

Thursday, November 6 “Of Ice and Microbes: A Brief Journey Through the Icy Worlds of Our Solar System.” The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science will host the next Harding B. Michel Biological Oceanography Lectureship featuring Jody Deming, professor of oceanography at the University of Washington. The lecture will take place in the Rosenstiel School Auditorium at 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, November 6 Lecture by Andrew G. Bostom. Attend a lecture by Andrew G. Bostom on his new book The Legacy of Islamic Antisemitism: From Sacred Texts to Solemn History. Bostom is an American scholar and associate professor of medicine at Brown University Medical School. The event occurs at the Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) and is part of the 28th Annual Jewish Book Festival. Admission is free with a valid ’Cane card. Regular admission is $7. Refreshments will be served. To RSVP, e-mail ccjs@miami.edu, call 305-284-6882, or fax 305-284-5274.

Friday, November 7 Seminar Series. Michael J. Smerdon, Regents Professor
of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, presents “DNA Repair in Chromatin: Searching for the Key to Get In” at 12 p.m. in the Gautier Building, room 118.

Friday, November 7 “Malnourished Minds: Integrative and Orthomolecular Treatments for Depression.” James Greenblatt, chief medical officer of Walden Behavioral Care in Waltham, Massachusetts, and a pioneer in integrative medicine, presents this lecture in the Medical Wellness Center at 1 p.m. There is a minimal registration fee. Contact Jason Torres at 305-243-4751 or e-mail Jtorres2@med.miami.edu.

Friday, November 7 Neuroscience Center Seminar Series. Michael J. Welsh, professor of molecular physiology and biophysics for the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, presents “Contribution of Acid Sensing Ion Channels to Normal and Pathological CNS Function” from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Mailman Center for Child Development, MCCD Auditorium, eighth-floor.  For more information, call 305-243-7108 or visit this Web site.

Monday, November 10 Department of Microbiology and Immunology Seminar. Daniela Frasca, research associate in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, presents “Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms for B Cell Defects in Aged Mice” at 12 p.m. in the Rosenstiel Medical Science Building, room 3109.

Tuesday, November 11 The Jay Weiss Center for Social Medicine and Health Equity Grand Rounds Series. Arthur Fournier, professor and associate dean, Office of Community Health, and vice chair, Department of Family Medicine at the Miller School of Medicine, will present “Service Learning in Global Health: What Medical Students Can Do” at 12 p.m. in the Rosenstiel Medical Sciences Building, third-floor auditorium. Lunch will be provided. For more information, e-mail Katie Houghton at Khoughton@med.miami.edu or visit www.jayweisscenter.org.

Wednesday, November 12 “Why Not Be Judgmental?” The Department of Philosophy presents its Friends of Philosophy Dialogue with Bradford Cokelet, assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Miami. Cokelet’s current research centers on the nature of and relations between virtue, rational agency, autonomy, and respect for persons, and he has side interests in Buddhism and Christian debates about sin and free will. His talk will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Room 110 of the Learning Center. For more information, visit www.miami.edu/phi, or call 305-284-4757.

Thursday, November 13 Orthopaedic Grand Rounds. James Weinstein, director of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice and professor and chairman at Dartmouth Medical School-Hitchcock Medical Center, will present “Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial,” the largest study funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. The presentation takes place from 7 to 8 a.m. at the Mailman Center for Child Development, eighth-floor auditorium. For more information, call 305-243-6566 or e-mail lfigueroa@med.miami.edu.

Sunday, November 16 through Wednesday, November 19 XXX Inter-American Course in Clinical Ophthalmology. The course, designed for practicing ophthalmologists in Latin America and the Caribbean, provides maximum emphasis on practical approaches to select clinical problems. In addition to the course material presented with simultaneous English-Spanish translation, more than 60 commercial exhibitors participate in an accompanying trade show. The course takes place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami. For more information, call 305-326-6110, fax 305-326-6518, or e-mail curso@med.miami.edu.

Thursday, November 6 LoweDown Happy Hour. Don’t miss a guided tour of the newly installed and renowned Palley glass collection. Cocktails provided by Bacardi and Barefoot Wine and Bubbly. The event is $10 admission; Lowe members are admitted for free. The reception runs from 7 to 9 p.m.

Friday, November 7 through Sunday, November 9 Frozen River. Courtney Hunt’s feature directorial debut is the powerfully unflinching story of Ray Eddy, an upstate New York trailer mom who is lured into the world of illegal immigrant smuggling when she meets a Mohawk girl who lives on a reservation that straddles the U.S.-Canadian border. Broke after her husband takes off with the down payment for their new doublewide, Ray reluctantly teams up with Lila, a smuggler, and the two begin making runs across the frozen St. Lawrence River carrying illegal Chinese and Pakistani immigrants in the trunk of Ray’s car. As the plot heats up, the stakes Ray and Lila encounter get higher and the danger, more real. Frozen River is more than a somber meditation on lives in peril, it’s a complex portrait of women from different walks of life struggling to find their ethical bearings in a harsh, unforgiving, and corrupt world. Admission is $6 for all UM alumni, faculty, and staff, and is free for students. General admission is $8. The film screens on Friday at 8:30 p.m., Saturday at 2, 5:30, and 9 p.m., and Sunday at 3:30 and 7 p.m. For more information visit, www.cosfordcinema.com.

Friday, November 7 through Sunday, November 9 The Exiles. The Bill Cosford Cinema hosts the exclusive Miami screening on 35mm film of the restored release of The Exiles. Selected for the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival, The Exiles is an incredible film chronicling a day in the life of a group of 20-something Native Americans who left reservation life in the 1950s to live in the district of Bunker Hill in Los Angeles. Bunker Hill was then a blighted residential locality of decayed Victorian mansions, sometimes featured in the writings of Raymond Chandler, John Fante, and Charles Bukowski. The structure of the film is that of a narrative feature, the script pieced together from interviews with the documentary subjects. Admission is $6 for all UM alumni, faculty, and staff, and is free for students. General admission is $8. The film screens on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2, 5:30, and 8:30 p.m. For more information visit, www.cosfordcinema.com.

Saturday, November 8 through 22 Vernacular Photography in Miami: This Is Wynwood. UM presents an exhibition of contemporary vernacular photography at the Wynwood Project Space. In October, the Department of Art and Art History distributed disposable cameras to residents of Wynwood. The cameras were returned to a drop-box at the gallery, the film was developed, and the resulting images constitute the exhibition. The exhibition presents Wynwood through the eyes of those who live and work in the neighborhood. An opening reception takes place Saturday, November 8 from 6 to 9 p.m., with a closing reception on Saturday, November 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit is curated by Carsten Meier, a photographer who exhibits internationally and who joined the art department in 2008. For more information, e-mail logan@miami.edu or visit www.vernacular-photography.com.

Sunday, December 7 Choral Studies Program Holiday Dinner. The Choral Studies Program at the Frost School of Music presents its 16th annual Holiday Dinner. The gala banquet is filled with music to celebrate the holiday season, with more than 200 talented student singers accompanied by harp, brass, and percussion performing throughout the evening and creating a musical night to remember. The event takes place at the Treetop Ballroom at Jungle Island (Parrot Jungle), Watson Island, beginning with a reception at 6:30 p.m. The dinner and program begin at 7:30 p.m. For reservations, call 305-284-4162 or e-mail littacecchi@miami.edu.

November 12 through November 22 The Winter's Tale. Jealousy, rage, intrigue, love, revenge, and comic mishaps abound in one of Shakespeare’s most intriguingly plotted plays. The king of Sicily suspects his best friend of having an illicit love affair with his wife, the queen. In a fit of jealous revenge, the king orders his wife to prison and sends his infant daughter into exile in Bohemia. Covering a span of 16 years and culminating with one of the most stunning and surprising endings in all of Shakespeare's dramas, The Winter’s Tale — with its unique blend of tragedy, farce, fairy tale, and romance — is a timeless affirmation of the power of forgiveness, love, and redemption.