The President’s E-Newsletter sent out on Wednesday, February 25, announces the creation of the Innovation and Re-Investment Fund and describes in detail the process for requesting support for new initiatives and existing programs. In this edition of the e-newsletter, I'll focus exclusively on the beginning of an important new chapter in the life of the University. First, a brief bit of background.

Here’s the complete text of the announcement:

In this edition of the e-newsletter, I'll focus exclusively on the beginning of an important new chapter in the life of the University. First, a brief bit of background. In May 2014, I asked the Board of Trustees to approve a comprehensive plan for better aligning the mission of the University with our available resources. One element of that plan was a set of spending reductions in administrative and academic areas of the University. Those reductions began to be implemented this year and have played a critical role in strengthening UE's fiscal foundation.

A second component of the plan was to encourage and stimulate members of the campus community to think creatively about new programs or initiatives (or existing programs with additional support) that could make UE an even stronger institution. Such encouragement, the board recognized, must include financial support. To that end, the board approved the creation of an Innovation and Re-Investment Fund. It has now been established and will support awards over a two-year period that will likely total in excess of $1 million.

Programs Task Force -

To determine how resources from the Innovation and Re-Investment Fund will be allocated, a Programs Task Force (PTF) has been formed to solicit proposals and make recommendations for program support. The PTF, which is chaired by Vice President for Enrollment Services Shane Davidson, includes members from the faculty, staff, administration, and student body. Specifically, the PTF will determine whether proposed programs represent good investments of University financial resources.

Here's how the process will work:

Faculty, staff, or administrators proposing support of new or existing programs should complete an electronic application that can be found on AceLink at acelink.evansville.edu/areas/programstaskforce. The proposal must include (a) a description of, and rationale for, the program; (b) estimated resources needed (e.g., personnel, operations); (c) time frame for development and implementation of the program; (d) proposed budget for the program; (e) specification of ways to assess program effectiveness (e.g., metrics, results, and outcomes); and (f) plan for program sustainability beyond the period covered by funding from the Innovation and Re-investment Fund.

The PTF will review proposals and make one of the following recommendations: to fund at the level requested; to fund, but at a level higher or lower than requested; to revise and resubmit the proposal; or not to fund. The PTF will then forward its recommendations to me, at which point final decisions about program support will be made.

Some additional details regarding how the process will work are included in the box below. If you have questions about the Innovation and Re-Investment Fund, or how to proceed, please contact Shane Davidson at sd10@evansville.edu.
I began by noting that the creation of the Innovation and Re-Investment Fund is a critical step forward for UE. We must begin to think in terms of possibility – and this fund aims to provide the resources necessary to turn possibilities into realities.

Innovation and Re-Investment Fund: Time Frame, Deadlines, and Additional Information:

In its approval of a process for encouraging innovation and re-investment, the Board of Trustees stipulated that funding would be made available in two fiscal year allocations (FY 2015 and FY 2016). Accordingly, the Programs Task Force has established the following deadlines for consideration of proposals: 

Year One (January 2015 - December 2015):

Round One: April 1, 2015
Round Two: September 15, 2015

Year Two (January 2016 - December 2016):

Round One: March 1, 2016
Round Two: September 15, 2016

Additional Information:

1. The primary responsibility of the Programs Task Force (PTF) is not to create or manage programs; rather, it is to use information provided by those proposing new or strengthened programs to determine (1) which programs are most worthy of investment, and (2) how much of an investment is indicated.

2. With regard to new academic programs, such proposals would come to the PTF only if start-up funds were needed; the responsibility of assessing the academic quality or impact of a proposed new academic program rests with the Curriculum Committee of the faculty. Not all proposed programs need such funding, so they wouldn't be considered by the PTF. Academic departments, the Curriculum Committee, and the PTF can work together in a synergistic way for proposed new academic programs that might have great potential but lack funding. For example, if a department or school wanted to create a new academic program but needed start-up funding to make it possible, it could seek funding from the PTF that would strengthen its case before the Curriculum Committee should such funding be made available.

3. The intent of the Innovation and Re-Investment Fund is to encourage investments in new and existing programs that have the potential to benefit the University, not to restore lost program funding or positions (except in the instance in which such restorations create new opportunities for programmatic and revenue growth).

4. Those submitting proposals should indicate how the program will be sustained through revenues it generates rather than being absorbed into the operating budget of the University.

5. Faculty, staff, or administrators submitting proposals for new or existing programs should complete an electronic application that can be found on AceLink at acelink.evansville.edu/areas/programstaskforce.

OTS will be performing an upgrade to our IP Telephony system on Thursday, February 26, beginning at 8:00 pm. We don’t anticipate any outages to phone systems across campus except for two expected reboots of the IP phones themselves as their firmware is updated. We expect the upgrade to take a total of 4 hours to complete. Please contact the helpdesk at 2077 or help@evansville.edu should you experience any issues after the upgrade has been completed. 

Interested in law? Contemplating law school? Or just know the opener to SVU like the back of your hand? Join UE’s chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, for our call-out/informational meeting, Thursday, February 26, from 4:15-5 p.m. in Schroeder School of Business Building, Room 272. ALL MAJORS WELCOME. Come learn about PAD's history as well as networking opportunities. Refreshments will be served. Don't miss out! We hope to see you there!

Questions: kc203@evansville.edu or rr118@evansville.edu

The goal of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (#NEDAwareness Week) is to put the spotlight on the seriousness of eating disorders and to improve public understanding of their causes, triggers and treatments. This year the National Eating Disorders Association is focusing on the importance of early intervention and recognizing the diverse experiences of people personally affected by disordered eating. Too often, signs and symptoms are overlooked as insignificant behaviors when in fact many of these are early warning signs of eating disorders. UE Counseling Services is pleased to offer an online screening tool if you are concerned about food or your exercise habits, with additional resources listed to provide support. Call Counseling Services at 488-2663 with questions or concerns.

The University of Evansville Department of Theatre proudly presents Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa, opening Friday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m., in Shanklin Theatre. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 21, 26, 27, 28, and at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 22 and Mar. 1.

Written by one of Ireland’s most important playwrights, this poignant tale garnered the 1992 Tony Award for Best Play. Inventively told through the eyes of an adult harkening back to memories of his youth, the play centers on the daily life of the five Mundy sisters. On the verge of the Industrial Revolution, the opening of a nearby knitting factory threatens their simple home-based livelihood in the bucolic County Donegal. In contrast to their worries about the future, the family’s first wireless radio allows the sisters to experience a spirit of freedom and an opportunity for expressiveness that was previously missing in their traditional Irish Catholic household. This lyrical story is rich in its portrayal of the complex kinship of sisters and the authenticity of family life.

Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $13 for senior adults, students, and UE faculty and staff. UE students may obtain one free student rush ticket beginning at 12 noon on the day of the performance they wish to attend. Tickets may be purchased by calling (812) 488–2031, Monday through Friday, 12 noon to 5 p.m. 

All May graduates should attended Commencement Central to finalize their graduation plans. On Monday, March 2, it will be located upstairs in the Ridgway Center from 4-6:30 p.m. On Tuesday, March 3, it will be outside the Bookstore from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Attend either session and it only takes a few minutes, although Monday's session is usually a little longer due to a larger turnout. You will meet with the Registrar, Alumni, and Career Planning offices as well as purchase your cap and gown and/or announcements if desired. The Josten's ring rep will also be present to discuss your class ring options too. Prizes and food will be offered as well. Mark your calendars today! 

The Department of Music welcomes guest artist Todd Gaffke to campus this Friday for an afternoon masterclass and an evening recital. Gaffke is currently assistant professor of saxophone at the University of Akron, and he enjoys a diverse career as a performer and educator. He has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and Europe, performing a variety of modern compositions for or involving saxophone, as well as classics and transcriptions of works originally composed for other instruments. His playing has brought him wide acclaim and numerous awards, and he is also a very talented jazz musician, having performed at several jazz festivals and with the Harry James Orchestra. For his UE appearances, Gaffke will be accompanied by his University of Akron colleague, pianist Deborah Yasutake. The masterclass will occur in Wheeler Concert Hall at 5:00 p.m., and the recital will follow in Wheeler at 7:00. Both events are free and open to the public.

The Department’s Epsilon-Upsilon Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the national collegiate music fraternity, will give an all-American recital in Wheeler Concert Hall this Sunday, March 1, at 6:00 p.m. Chapter members will perform a diverse program that will include selections ranging stylistically from art music to popular song by composers ranging from John Corigliano to John Williams to George Gershwin to Billy Joel. Also on the program will be two works composed by Department of Music students and fraternity members Ian Murrell and Matthew Banks. The concert is free and open to the public.
 

Students wishing to reside in one of the residence halls for 2015-16 should plan to attend one of the information sessions about the residence hall selection process. Meetings will be at 4:00 pm and 9:30 pm in Hyde 126 on Tuesday, March 3, and Thursday, March 5.

More information about the housing selection process can be found online at http://www.evansville.edu/residencelife/whereWillYouLive.cfm

Join us this Saturday evening, February 28, to watch two Spanish-language movies by the director who recently won the Oscar for Best Director and best film. The first movie will be screened in Hyde Hall 202 at 4:30 pm, and the second one in Room162 in Schroeder School of Business Building at 7:00 pm.  For more information please contact Francis Prexl-Orti (fp21@evansville.edu) or Dr. Lorena Andueza (pa55@evansville.edu) 

There will be free HIV Testing at the Health Center on February 27. To make your confidential appointment call 488-2033. 

Students who have received Federal Direct Loans while attending UE and plan to graduate, withdraw, or transfer are required to attend a Loan Repayment Counseling Session. The Office of Financial Aid will hold the first of three sessions this semester on March 2 from 6:00-6:30 p.m. in Ridgway University Center, Eykamp 251. Future sessions will be held on April 29 at 2:00 p.m. and May 8 at 11:30 a.m. in Eykamp 251. 

Returning students interested in living on-campus can log into WebAdvisor and submit a housing contract for 2015-16. Once logged into WebAdvisor, select “Housing and Meal Plan Registration” under the Housing and Meal Plan section. Housing contracts should be submitted by March 6th. More information on the returning student housing selection process can be found online at http://www.evansville.edu/residencelife/whereWillYouLive.cfm

Mark Davis, associate professor of biology and faculty athlete representative, has been appointed to the national NCAA research committee. The committee consisting of 10 members from across the country evaluates, supervises, and coordinates the NCAA’s research activities. Research areas include: mental health issues, physical well-being concerns, and best educational practices along with other association matters. They also make recommendations to the NCAA Executive Committee regarding expenditures of funds for research projects and propose research topics in intercollegiate athletics to the Managements Councils of the association. 

Phil Plisky, assistant professor of physical therapy, along with members from the UE/ProRehab Sports Residency Program conducted injury prevention screenings for the Milwaukee Brewers Major League Baseball team in Arizona over the weekend.  The testing was implemented last year and the team saw a dramatic reduction of time-loss injuries last season going from 22nd in the league in lost player days to 2nd.  The screening involves specific tests developed and researched by Plisky and an algorithm to categorize injury risk developed by Plisky and Kyle Kiesel, professor of physical therapy and Department Chair.  This injury prevention model is used by a wide variety of high school, college and professional sports teams.  Plisky and Kiesel are currently part of a team conducting their second large research project utilizing the testing and algorithm to reduce injuries in the US army.  

The University of Evansville women’s basketball team (11-15, 6-9) is back at home on Friday, Feb. 27 to host the Indiana State Sycamores. The tip is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind.

The Purple Aces are having Dollar Night on Friday as tickets, soda and popcorn will all be available for just $1. It is also Service Night as the local police, fire, and EMS Department members will receive free tickets courtesy of ProRehab. Evansville women’s basketball will also be holding an Alumni Gathering at Backstage Bar & Grill after the game. Appetizers will be provided and there will be a cash bar. There is a kid friendly area for those under 21 years of age. UE Athletics will honor the service members and alumni at halftime.

The Aces enter this game after a loss at Northern Iowa on Sunday. Guard Sara Dickey led UE with 10 points in the game and is just two points shy of 500 this season. Dickey will become only the second player in program history to have two, 500 point seasons as a Purple Ace.

On the stat sheet, Evansville’s Dickey (19.2 points per game), forward Mallory Ladd (14.6) and Hart (10.2) are all averaging double figures. Dickey also has the most assists (62) as Hart has totaled a team-best with 43 steals for UE this year. Ladd is notching a team-high 0.9 blocks per game. Forward Sasha Robinson is securing 8.0 rebounds per game, a team-high. UE is averaging 62.2 points and 33.1 rebounds per game. The Aces make 40.0% of their field goals, 34.7% of threes, and 64.7% at the free throw line.

Indiana State (16-10, 6-9) has lost three games in a row including a 76-61 defeat at Drake on Sunday. The Sycamores also lost at UNI 64-29 on Friday night last weekend.

Statistically, Mahan paces the Sycamores with a team-best 12.0 points and 6.5 rebounds. Guard Travecia Franklin leads Indiana State with 61 assists. Guard Natasha Zurek has more steals than any of her teammates with 49. Indiana State is averaging 61.8 points and 38.2 rebounds per game. The Sycamores shoot 37.1% from the floor, 27.5% beyond the arc and 64.5% at the charity stripe.

Evansville is projected to finish fourth in the MVC preseason poll, their highest projection since 2008-2009. Indiana State was voted fifth in the MVC preseason poll. Dickey was named to the MVC preseason team. The Sycamores didn’t have any players highlighted on the league’s preseason team. Evansville is guided by fourth year head coach Oties Epps as Indiana State is led by first year head coach Joey Wells.

The Sycamores lead the all-time series 32-15 including a 67-52 home win against UE earlier this season.

Tickets can be purchased over the phone at 812-488-ACES (2237), in person at either the Carson Center or Ford Center ticket office, or online via Ticketmaster.com. 

Junior Egidijus Mockevicius posted his 17th double-double of the season while D.J. Balentine scored a team-best 16 points as 10th-ranked UNI earned a 68-57 victory on Wednesday evening at the

Mockevicius hit 4 of his 8 attempts to score 10 points while posting 10 boards. Balentine went 6-of-14 from the field to post 16 for UE (19-10, 9-8 MVC). Three Panthers (27-2, 16-1 MVC) finished in double figures, led by Deon Mitchell. He scored 17 on a perfect 5-5 day from the floor. Paul Jesperson (11) and Seth Tuttle (10) also posted double figures.

Northern Iowa came out on fire. Deon Mitchell nailed a triple in the first possession as the Panthers opened up a 13-4 advantage hitting five of their opening eight attempts and 3 out of 4 from outside. The Aces hit a pair of early shots, but four turnovers in a row helped the Panthers gain the early edge.

Their edge reached double figures for the first time at the 12:48 mark as Wyatt Lohaus made it a 4-for-5 start from outside for UNI and gave them an 18-8 lead. Up 21-10, the Panthers allowed UE to make a run as they committed five turnovers in a span of 1:28. Evansville scored the next four to get back within seven before Paul Jesperson scored five quick tallies to push the lead up to 12 at 26-14.

As the first half started to wind down, the Aces made their way back in it. They got within seven points at 28-21, but with just over a minute remaining, a quick spurt by the Panthers saw them take their largest lead at 36-22. Following a missed UE free throw, UNI hit back-to-back triples to go up 36-22. The Aces hit a late bucket to trail by 12 at the break. Balentine had 10 to lead UE in the first half while Jesperson recorded 11. Mockevicius posted 8 rebounds and 3 blocks in the first 20 minutes of play.

Out of the break, a field goal put UNI back up 38-24 before Balentine hit the first triple of the game for UE. The lead for the Panthers reached 17 at 44-27, but the Aces would fight their way back. A 13-1 stretch saw the Aces cut the deficit to just five at 45-40. Evansville hit four out of five shots at one points while the Panthers went cold, going 0-2 with three turnovers.

UNI regrouped, registering the next eight tallies to go up 53-40. Inside the 7-minute mark, Seth Tuttle dunked it to put the Panthers up 60-44. It capped off a 15-4 stretch after UE got within five. They would not give up that edge over the final minutes as they finished off the victory.

Evansville finished with a 25-24 rebounding edge while shooting 47.7%. UNI finished the day at 52.3%. The Panthers also finished with a strong 26-13 edge in points off turnovers.

On Saturday, Evansville will play its final regular-season home game versus Illinois State. Heritage Federal Credit Union is sponsoring the game as tickets are just $10. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 812-488-ACES.

The Coach’s Box radio show with University of Evansville baseball head coach Wes Carroll airs this Thursday, Feb. 26 at 5:00 p.m. on WUEV 91.5 FM.

The show will feature Coach Carroll, and pitching coach Cody Fick as well as Director of Marketing and Event Management Dustin Hall, WUEV General Manager Tom Benson, and Assistant Sports Information Director Mike Radomski.

The group will discuss the team’s previous winning weekend against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the buildup to a road game next Tuesday at #1 Vanderbilt.

Evansville (4-2) had their home weekend series with Oakland cancelled due to unplayable field conditions.

The Purple Aces will visit #1 ranked Vanderbilt on Tuesday, March 3.

The program airs live on WUEV 91.5 FM and online at http://www.evansville.edu/wuev/
 

Bill Hadley, a University of Evansville alum from the class of 1969, will hold a book signing at the final home game of the season for the Purple Aces basketball team on Saturday, February 28. His book - Winning the Big Try - chronicles the 1964-1965 championship season. The book signing will be next to the UE Bookstore Kiosk at the Ford Center beginning at noon.

Also for that same game, a special discounted rate is being offered to UE Alumni. $8 for adults/ $5 for children 17 and under. Tickets must be pre-ordered through the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at www.uealumnionline.com/2015MBBAlumniPromo.

Deadline to order tickets is Thursday, February 26.

The bookstore is offering a 20% discount to alumni in the bookstore on Friday, February 27, or at the game Saturday. For more information on the book, visit www.BigTry6465.com.
 

A great week at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship was capped off by an announcement on Tuesday that saw the Purple Aces women’s swimming and diving team rank fourth in the nation in GPA while the men also garnered CSCAA All-America Team honors.

The College Swimming Coaches Association of America announced its Scholar All-America Teams and the University of Evansville women checked in at #4 on the list with a 3.55 GPA. Clemson, Eastern Illinois and Ball State were the top three. It also marked the top effort in the Valley.

Not only were the women honored, but the men did a solid job on their own, posting a 3.03 cumulative team GPA to also garner the accolade.

“I am very excited about the ranking for both the men and women. As a program we want to represent UE in the highest of lights,” said 2015 MVC Coach of the Year Rickey Perkins. “To show that we have true student-athletes who strive to be competitive in classroom just as much in athletic competition. It is truly an honor to be surrounded by such a remarkable group of student-athletes.”

An unbelievable 12 student-athletes on the women’s side finished with GPA’s above 3.50. Leading the way for the ladies were Kasey Rein, who has a 3.936 GPA while Abby Smith is at 3.9. Samantha Montgomery is just behind with a 3.888. Evansville’s women have won the award each semester since the spring of 2009.

For the men, they are back on the list after missing the rankings last spring. Five Purple Aces finished the fall with a GPA of 3.50 or above with Everett Plocek leading the way. He stands at a perfect 4.0. His efforts helped Evansville land back on the list with a cumulative GPA of 3.03.

The Team Scholar All American Award is presented to college and university swimming and diving teams, who have achieved a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The award is presented twice annually, once in the fall semester and again in the spring to recognize teams achieving a 3.0 in the semester coinciding with the NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA/CCCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.

This completes a stellar week for the program as the women took fourth place at the MVC Championship while breaking eight school records. Rickey Perkins garnered his fourth MVC Coach of the Year award. It is an impressive feat for the leader of the program, who has taken it to heights not seen before in the Division I era of UE athletics.

On Wednesday, Evansville's group of Michaela Kent, Mackenzie Powell, Danielle Freeman and Abby Smith set the school mark in the 200 medley relay to open the tournament in Wednesday's final. The quartet swam a time of 1:43.50 to finish in second place while posting the best time in school history. The second school record of the opening day for UE came in the 800 free relay. Freeman was part of the record-breakers once again, joining Michelle Tipton, Maja Magnusson and Jessi Hildebrand as the group registered a 7:35.42.

Thursday saw Smith, Montgomery, Freeman and Tipton set another mark in the 200 free relay. They posted a time of 1:33.06, which is also the best-even MVC time.

On Friday, three more school records went by the wayside today including the 200 free as Tipton posted a 1:48.35. Freeman earned the new school mark in the 100 fly with her time of 55.63. In the 400 medley relay, Kent, Powell, Montgomery and Tipton registered a time of 3:47.87. On Saturday, two more school records fell.

Tipton set the 100 free time with a 50.00 while taking second in the event. Tipton was at it once again as she was one of four to break the 400 free relay mark. Joining her was Montgomery, Smith and Freeman as they swam a 3:23.95.

Next week, the men take their turn as they compete in the Mid-American Conference Championship. Set for March 4-7, the event will take place in Geneva, Ohio.
 

Due to unplayable field conditions, the University of Evansville baseball weekend series against Oakland has been cancelled.

The Purple Aces (4-2) will play at #1 Vanderbilt next Tuesday, March 3. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Hawkins Field.

UE is back at home on Friday, March 6 for a weekend series against Western Illinois. The four game set begins with the series opener at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. The teams will then have a doubleheader on Saturday, March 7 at 1:00 p.m. and the series finale on Sunday, March 8 at 1:00 p.m. All games will be held at Braun Stadium in Evansville, Ind. 

Faculty and staff can now pick up their tickets for this Friday's Women's Basketball game (2/27) and Saturday's Men's Basketball game (2/28). Saturday's Men's game will also be the final home game of the season and senior day.