9:30 – 10:30: Education
Presidents’ Hall

Importance of the Arts in K-12 Education

Speakers: Carl Flink, Artistic Director, Black Label Movement; Chair, Department of Theatre Arts and Dance; and Nadine Jette Sween Professor of Dance, University of Minnesota

Due to ongoing budget challenges across the country and the emphasis on “quantifiable” testing, arts programming is increasingly the target of budget cutting in our K-12 and higher education systems. Flink contends that arts education is necessary in order for young people to understand what it is to be human and to become a constructive citizen in society. He will engage us in developing strategies to counter political positions that are dismissive of the arts in education.

10:45 – 11:45: The Arts
Presidents’ Hall

A French Cabaret
Speaker: Andrea Leap, Performer

Among many pages listing Leap’s acclaimed credits in light opera, theatrical venues, and choral societies here in the states and abroad, the one that stands out as promising real fun is to experience her as a French cabaret performer, a role she perfected moonlighting in Parisian piano bars. Enjoy!

11:45 – 12:15

Business Meeting

12:15 – 1:15

Luncheon

Headlines/Viewpoints: Fellowships Room
Technology: Minneapolis Room

1:15 – 2:15: Political World Landscape
Presidents’ Hall

Can We Avoid Tax Havens?
Speaker:  Dr. Robert Kudrle, Professor, Orville and Jane Freeman Chair in International Trade and Investment Policy, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota

The international Occupiers Movement is demonstrating on behalf of the 99% of the world who live on a small portion of the world’s wealth. Some of the remaining 1% use tax havens, such as the Cayman Islands, to shield their money from taxes.