Author: Brynn Boyer

UMW, and UMW Blogs in particular, is being heralded in Richard Demillo’s new book Abelard to Apple: The Fate of American Colleges and Universities as a space of great educational ferment, to quote from George Leef’s review of the book here. In fact, Leef’s review not only examines more popular open education mainstays like MIT’s Open Courseware, but spends a bit of time discussing the role of networked culture in re-imagining the future of higher education:

Open courseware is not the only way online learning is going to change higher education. DeMillo observes that whereas the traditional college class involves the broadcasting of information from the professor to (doubtfully alert) students, blogs involve rich connection networks where students and instructors interact and share their questions and information.

In that regard, DeMillo points to a little-known school where there is great educational ferment: “At the University of Mary Washington, learning takes place in the digital spaces engineered by Jim Groom and his band of Edupunks. At UMW, learning takes place in blogs.”

And when highlighting the importance of a networked culture for the future of learning at institutions UMW is highlighted as a model. UMW Blogs provides more than open resources and lectures on the internet, it also enables the ability to interact and share ideas and resources that helps bridge the gap between institutions of higher learning and the web.

James Bacon, proprietor of the Bacon’s Rebellion blog that focuses on all things Virginia, not only gave UMW kudos in for its work with UMW Blogs in his post on the DeMillo book, but also points out what remains the most important lesson of UMW Blogs. The open publishing platform is not remarkable because it is single-handedly transforming higher education (such an assertion would be absurd), but rather it is how this platform embodies “the process of experimentation” that is still in its infancy when it comes to the future of higher education. To Mary Washington’s great credit, it has been on the bleeding edge of innovation in this regard for more than seven years.

Image credit:  Ethan Hein’s “Hyperbolic orthogonal dodecahedral honeycomb”

Plans are moving forward for the University of Mary Washington Foundation’s construction of a $14 million-plus select-service hotel in the second phase of the Eagle Village mixed-use development across U.S. 1 from the Fredericksburg campus of the University of Mary Washington. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2012.

The five-story hotel, to be located between Giant Food and the Eagle Village Executive Offices, will feature 93 studio rooms or suites, several meeting and conference rooms for public use, and a 24-hour food and beverage service for guests. The 66,500-square-foot facility also will include an indoor pool and a fitness center. In addition, the building will house approximately 1,600 square feet of retail space, possibly a day spa, according to Jeff Rountree, CEO of the UMW Foundation and President, Eagle Property Holdings, LLC.

Construction will begin when demolition of the shopping center north of Giant is complete. The hotel is expected to open by fall 2013. Currently, the Foundation is negotiating the franchise agreement for the hotel brand, which will be announced once the agreement is finalized in early May.

The university’s gift policy is as follows:

Receiving Gifts From Vendors:

Vendors sometimes seek to express their appreciation for the University’s business by offering gifts, food, meals and invitations to parties. This can especially be true during the holiday season. The University’s Policy states that such offers are inappropriate and consequently are not accepted by the Purchasing and Central Stores staff. We strongly encourage all UMW faculty and staff to abide by this policy.

The University is a member of the National Association of Educational Buyers and endorses and supports its Code of Ethics.  In keeping with that Code and the Laws of the Commonwealth, and in the spirit of a professional public entity, the employees of the University cannot accept gifts of any kind from vendors.  The University, as an Agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and its employees are subject to the Virginia Comprehensive Conflict of Interests Act as well as the Virginia Public Procurement Act.

We greatly appreciate your understanding and support of this policy.   Vendors can best convey their appreciation by continuing to promptly provide high-quality goods and excellent, reliable services at the best possible prices.

Giving Gifts

Gifts are allowed to be given only if the reason for giving the gift supports the mission of the university and UMW is in compliance with IRS and state regulations.  Read the Gift Giving Policy and Procedures on the Accounts Payable website before making any gift purchases.

For more information, visit http://adminfinance.umw.edu/ap/gift-giving/.

On December 15, Associate Professor of Middle East History Nabil Al-Tikriti participated in a panel discussion about the U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq.  The discussion was hosted by the Voice of Russia radio program, and the other participants included Mohammed Ahmed, Executive Director of the Ahmed Foundation for Kurdish Studies and Phebe Marr, historian and author of The Modern History of Iraq.  The two-part program can be accessed here.

Congratulations to Jason Harrington, network analyst expert in Network and Communications Services, who has been selected as an Excellent Eagle Employee by the Staff Advisory Council. To thank him for such a wonderful job, Jason will have a reserved parking spot of his choosing from Tuesday, January 3 through Tuesday, January 31.

Here is what one of Jason’s co-workers said about him:

“Jason received his CCNA, or Cisco Certified Network Associate Certification in September 2011.  Typically, only 40 percent of test takers pass the CCNA on the first attempt.  Jason did. He continues to excel in his role here at UMW.  He is currently completing configuration of the router, switches, packet shaper, firewall, DNS/DHCP Appliance and Voice Over IP equipment for the Dahlgren Campus.  Professional services to configure these devices would be a major expense.  Jason’s excellence has saved us money and put us well ahead of schedule.”

To nominate someone who you believe is an Excellent Eagle Employee, just send an email to Dre Anthes (aanthes@umw.edu) with Excellent Eagle Employee in the Subject Line.  In your email, be sure to include the person’s name, department, work location (with the most convenient parking lot), and of course, the reason why you believe they should be recognized.  Please spread the word to other employees about this wonderful opportunity to recognize a co-worker(s).