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Lawrence premiere of 'Only Good Indian' to benefit film, media studies

The Lawrence premiere of “The Only Good Indian,” a new feature film by KU filmmaker, Kevin Willmott, at 7:05 p.m. Nov. 6, will benefit KU’s Department of Film and Media Studies. The same night, a 9:40 p.m. screening will kick off the initial theatrical run of the film.

Half the proceeds from the ticket sales for the premiere at Liberty Hall in Lawrence will go to KU Friends of Film to support the Department of Film and Media Studies. Willmott, associate professor of theatre and film, produced and directed the film. Matt Jacobson, associate professor of theatre and film, was director of photography, and Bob Hurst, assistant professor of theatre and film, was supervising sound editor. Click here for more on the film, which was screened at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Haricombe to host forum on state of the libraries at KU

Lorraine J. Haricombe, dean of libraries, will host an open forum on the state of the libraries at from 3:30-5 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Alderson Auditorium at the Kansas Union. During the forum, Haricombe will cover highlights from the past year, provide an overview of an ongoing service quality assessment and share the libraries’ strategic directions for the coming year. The event is open to the public. Questions may be directed to Rebecca Smith, KU Libraries communications and advancement director, at 785-864-1761 or rasmith@ku.edu.

Unclassified Senate offering brownbag with interim provost Nov. 12

Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Danny Anderson will take part in a brownbag lunch presentation and question and answer session with unclassified staff Nov. 12. The presentation, sponsored by Unclassified Senate, will be held at noon Nov. 12 in the Big 12 Room of the Kansas Union. It is free and is open to KU employees of all classifications.

University Career Center to host education career fair Nov. 4

The University Career Center is sponsoring its 10th annual Education Career Fair from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 in the Kansas Union ballroom. The event is open to students and professionals interested in learning more about career opportunities in education. Attendance is free, and there is no pre-registration required.

Candidates in all areas of PK-12 education, including speech-language pathology, special education, school social work, counseling, administration and school psychology, are welcome and encouraged to attend to explore job opportunities and to network with school administrators from more than 40 school districts from Kansas and Missouri and from across the country. Metropolitan areas that will be represented in addition to those from the Kansas City area include Omaha and Lincoln, Neb.; St. Louis and Columbia, Mo.; and Wichita.

More information about the event, including a list of participating schools, is available at www.kucareerhawk.com/edfair or by calling 864-7677.

Unclassified staff evaluation policy updated

Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Danny Anderson has approved a revision to the policy on annual evaluations of unclassified staff. The new policy requires a formal, written performance evaluation for all unclassified staff at least once a year and offers employees a chance to have input in the process.

Units should develop their own evaluation processes, forms, submission requirements and internal deadlines within those set by the university. Human Resources and Equal Opportunity has evaluation form templates available on its Web site, SPECIFIC URL, and will provide guidance in the development of forms, as well as information sessions for supervisors and employees. Evaluations are required to include

• Reviews by the supervisor of the employee’s position description and/or any changes

• An opportunity for a written self-evaluation by the employee in advance

• A written evaluation of the employee’s performance based on the position description

• Establishment, with employee input, of written goals and/or objectives for the coming year

• An overall rating of the employee’s performance

The revisions are based on the recommendations of Unclassified Senate and a University Governance subcommittee. The policy is available at KU's policy library.

New policy for retiree rehires implemented

Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Danny Anderson has approved a policy regarding the rehiring of retired KU employees. It applies to all Lawrence campus retired faculty and staff who seek employment with KU.

The policy was developed to comply with case law and Internal Revenue Service rulings, which require a “bonafide separation from service” for accessing retirement funds.

As noted in the policy, “sixty calendar days is the minimum period which must elapse between the effective date of the retirement and the date that a retiree may be rehired." The effective date of retirement will be dependent upon the mandatory retirement program in which the employee participates.

The policy also states that a retiree cannot be rehired for the exact position from which he or she retired. Departments must also submit a letter of request through the proper administrative channels before filling a vacancy with a retiree. Departments may request that a retiree be hired in a temporary position, not exceeding 999 hours in a calendar year, without conducting a search or, if a search is conducted, in a regular position not to exceed two years. Extensions must be requested through the proper administrative channels.

The entire policy is available at KU's policy library.

Rock Chalk Chant named one of ‘8 wonders of Kansas Customs’

KU’s world-famous Rock Chalk Chant was elected one of “8 wonders of Kansas customs” in a contest organized by the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The foundation listed several well-known state customs and asked residents to vote for those they found most representative of Kansas. KU’s chant joined other customs such as clicking your heels three times in reference to the “Wizard of Oz,” ordering a treat at one of Kansas’ 38 soda fountains and using natural material for fencing, such as post rocks. To see all winners and finalists, visit http://www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/

Lied Center announces funding to support programming

The Lied Center of Kansas has announced funding for the 2009-10 season from the National Endowment for the Arts, Mid-America Arts Alliance and the Kansas Arts Commission.

The funds will be used to support performances of the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Pilobolus Dance Theatre, Kronos Quartet and two school-only presentations of “Stellaluna,” performed by King Cole Theatricals. Funds will also be used to support educational residency activities with performing artists.

The performances are:

Ferocious Beauty: Genome, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange — Nov. 7

Pilobolus Dance Theatre — Feb. 5

Stellaluna — March 12

Kronos Quartet — April, 13

Select performances this season are presented in part by the Kansas Arts Commission, a state agency; the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

English faculty to reprise poetry reading

Three faculty members in the English Department will reprise a poetry reading at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 12, at the Central Court in the Spencer Museum of Art.

“NewWork, a Late Afternoon Poetry Reading” will feature Joseph Harrington, William J. Harris and Kenneth Irby, all associate professors of English. The event is sponsored by the Spencer Museum and is free and open to the public.

Harrington is the author of the critical study, “Poetry and the Public” and his creative work has appeared in “Otoliths,” “Fact-Simile,” “With+Stand” and elsewhere. Excerpts from his book, “Things Come On (an amneoir)” have recently appeared in “Hotel Amerika,” “Cricket Online Review” and “P-Queue.”

Harris is the author of “Hey Fella Would You Mind Holding This Piano A Moment” and “In My Own Dark Way.” Beyond his work appearing in 50 anthologies, he has recently published poems in African American Review, Locuspoint and The Mochila Review and has a booklet, “Personal Questions,” forthcoming from the bilingual Roman publisher, Leconte.

Irby’s recent books include “In Denmark,” “Studies” and “Ridge to Ridge.” One of his poems was chosen for The Best Poetry of 2004 and he is presently putting the finishing touches on his “Collected Poems,” which will be published by North Atlantic Books.

Midwest Cancer Alliance adds new partner in Salina

Salina Regional Health Center has joined the Midwest Cancer Alliance Clinical Trials Network.

The alliance fosters collaboration among hospitals, including Goodland Regional Medical Center, Promise Regional Medical Center, Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center, Hays Medical Center, Stormont-Vail HealthCare, St. Francis Health Center and KU Hospital. Collectively, the members strive to enhance cancer care across the region.

As the only cancer alliance in the Heartland, the Midwest Cancer Alliance provides strong support to community oncologists. Patients have access to cutting-edge clinical trials, innovative prevention, early detection and survivorship techniques, cancer screenings and the delivery of comprehensive care right in their own communities.

The Midwest Cancer Alliance strengthens the link from the KU Cancer Center’s research laboratories to community-based oncologists across the area by pushing new discoveries out to partner sites through clinical trials.

In addition to accelerating the translation of cancer research discoveries to alliance members, Midwest Cancer Alliance members have access to second-opinion and consultation services through on-site tele-oncology, allowing patients to be seen by an oncologist at the KU Cancer Center without having to travel. For more information about the Midwest Cancer Alliance, visit www.midwestcanceralliance.org