February 13, 2013 Faculty-Staff CU-Boulder Today

In this Issue

CU’s anti-violence production of ‘The Tempest’ to tour Colorado schools

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s highly praised school anti-violence tour continues in spring 2013 with a new program based on “The Tempest” that focuses on themes of vengeance and forgiveness.

Created in conjunction with the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado Boulder, CSF’s “Twelfth Night” anti-bullying tour has now been seen by more than 22,000 Colorado schoolchildren. That inaugural program examined the problem of bullying through the character Malvolio.

An apology from Desire2Learn CEO John Baker

Dear CU-Boulder Faculty and Students,

I, and the team here at Desire2Learn, deeply regret the recent outage experienced on your campus. We take full ownership and we understand the impact the outage had on your ability to teach and learn. It was unacceptable. We are working with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) in every way possible to ensure we improve the learning experience and to rebuild trust.

Warming climate likely cause of pinyon pine cone decline

Creeping climate change in the Southwest appears to be having a negative effect on pinyon pine reproduction, a finding with implications for wildlife species sharing the same woodland ecosystems, says a University of Colorado Boulder-led study.

Frog lessons: More biodiversity equals less disease

Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder have been on a frog hunt.

They’ve spent three years scouring hundreds of California ponds in search of amphibians with mangled, grotesque deformities. Sometimes, the frogs have misshapen legs. Sometimes, they have extra sets of legs sprouting where they don’t belong. And sometimes, they have no legs at all.

By cataloging the deformed frogs — and the toads, newts and salamanders that share their homes — the researchers have made an important discovery: more diversity equals fewer deformations.

Community Notes

Alumni Association Award Nominations

You’re invited to recognize a deserving Buff by nominating her or him for one of the 2013 CU-Boulder Alumni Association Awards, which honor alumni, faculty and staff from the Boulder campus. These awards are one of the university’s longest-standing traditions. Award nominations are due by Tuesday, Mar. 26. A ceremony honoring awardees will take place Thursday, Oct. 24 in conjunction with Homecoming weekend.

Public reading with Nathan Englander

CU-Boulder and the University of Denver welcome the critically acclaimed author and translator, Nathan Englander, who will be doing a public reading and signing from his recent book "What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank" on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in UMC room 235. Englander’s reading is free and open to the public but as space is limited RSVPs are appreciated

Shakespeare's 'As You Like It'

Though widely considered to be part of Shakespeare’s comic canon, "As You Like It" also takes a walk on the dark side. Playing in the University Theatre Feb. 15-24.

Losing Ground discussion: Equality Since the Civil Rights Era

An eye-opening conversation on why the disparity gap has significantly widened since the Civil Rights era on issues of health, education, criminal justice, poverty, etc. Following 18 months of intensive research, national news investigators from I-News Network have uncovered startling new data that shows how equity and racial attainment have plummeted for communities in Colorado and on the national front. Light refreshments will be provided. Sponsored by I-News Network and CU’s Center for Multicultural Affairs and Community Health.

Environmental Justice discussion series: Rebuilding Nicaragua

Interested in environmental and international social issues? Come hear about how the people of Boulder and Jalapa, Nicaragua created Friendship City Projects, a partnership that has brought clean water to destitute rural communities, empowered women through co-op programs and fostered educational programs. Join us Wednesday, Feb. 20 in Dennis Small Cultural Center, UMC 457 from 2-3 p.m.

Customer Service Seminar

Would you like to sharpen your customer service skills? This 2 hour seminar will give you practical skills in providing good customer service every time. Learn to handle irate customers while maintaining a positive attitude and more.

Website: http://hr.colorado.edu/training/Pages/seminars.aspx