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Despite the snow and the cold, it is Spring Semester on the academic calendar. Student returned to classes January 22.

If you enjoy a hamburger, fries, and a diet soda? A recent U of M study should make you think twice if you want to avoid metabolic syndrome. Click here for the details.

Research by the Numbers: The U of M was the ninth-highest public research university in terms of federal research expenditures, with $595 million in 2006, the latest year for which figures are available. The U was 10^th in 2005 but 8^th in 2004. For more number crunching, click here.

Can algae become the next generation of bio-fuels? U researchers know it can be done, and are searching for ways to make it viable. Click here for a UMNews feature

In an interesting psychology study, two U researchers recently found that a belief in free will reduces the probability of cheating. Belief in fixed outcomes or predestination seemed to limit honesty. Click here for details.

Finally, the School of Public Health wants your help spreading the word. They've started a public service announcement contest they hope will attract amateur filmmakers. Click

Paul Shambroom: Picturing Power

here to find out more.

Upcoming events

The authors of the smash hit cookbook Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day will be reading and signing books at the U of M Bookstore on February 6 from 4-6 p.m. - UMAA members get a 10 percent discount on authors' series books -- click here for details.

The annual mainstage offering from the U's dance program, Dance Revolutions, runs for three days at the Rarig Center, February 8-10

A preview party for Paul Shambroom: Picturing Power is planned for February 8 at the Weisman Art Museum. UMAA members get discounts on Weisman membership, click here for details. The exhibit opens February 9 .

Cafe Scientifique, the Bell Museum's happy hour discussion forum on science and culture tackles The State of Our Climate: Policy and Global Warming   this month at the Kitty Kat Klub in Dinkytown. The discussion is free. Drinks and food are on your own.

Sports

The Gopher wrestling team, a perennial national power, is getting healthy just in time for the Big Ten Schedule.

With Station 19 in the foreground, the TCF Bank Stadium is finally beginning to rise skyward. Steel frames are barely visible dcirectly behind the building and to the right, just in front of the old warehouse with the green top.

The biggest meet of the year is Friday when Minnesota hosts rival Iowa at Williams Arena at 7:30. (Click here for tickets.) The Gophers also host the Big Ten wrestling meet March 8-9. That will be the second Big Ten meet held in Minneapolis in March, as the women’s indoor track and field championships. Tickets for either event are available here.

The Gopher Women’s basketball squad celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 7. A free sports clinic in the Sports Pavilion precedes the Gophers’ showdown with Illinois next door in Williams Arena. Click here for info.

TCF Bank Stadium

After months of surface preparation work, the first steel is beginning to rise from the site of TCF Bank Stadium. Click here to see a time lapse

Trent Tucker

video (Windows Media) of construction so far. Check back, as new images will be added twice a month.
Click here to see an article on “green” elements being incorporated into the construction.

Alumni Association News and Events 

The 2008 Legislative Briefing was held at the McNamara Alumni Center janaury 23 to help educate and motivate U supporters. Click here for a write up and to see video of the event.

The Alumni Association National Board weighed in on the Central Corridor Light Rail proposal. While strongly supporting light rail through campus, the board passed a resolution opposing constructing tracks on Washington Avenue at street level. Click here for more and to read the resolution.

Trent Tucker, former Gopher and NBA star, will highlight the Alumni Association's Senior Send-Off, a free party to welcome graduates to the ranks of alumni. Read more about the event and Trent Tucker here.

MinneCollege in Florida, a half-day of lectures by and discussion with top U experts was attended by more than  150 people in Naples, Florida, on January 26. Click here to see a slide show of images.