Winter schedule: Brief will not publish on Dec. 23, 30; Jan. 6, 13.
- Board of Regents December meeting highlights.
- Jan. 14 - Annual Legislative Kickoff Breakfast.
- Features: A port in the storm; Be the voice of the user: An interview with Simon Ozbek.
- Awards and Recognition: Melissa Anderson has been elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; and more.
Board of Regents December meeting highlights
Systemwide HR and financial leaders updated the Board of Regents during its December meeting on how the U of M’s budget has withstood challenges since July. Leaders also discussed cost-saving recommendations for the coming six months and considerations for next year’s budget. Additionally, academic leaders highlighted record-setting student retention rates and four-year and six-year graduation rates on the Twin Cities campus. Regents also received a report on the University’s research and technology commercialization work, reviewed proposed amendments to Board policies relating to alcohol sponsorship and licensee agreements, discussed public safety on and around the Twin Cities campus, and more. See the news release for more information.
Jan. 14 - Annual Legislative Kickoff Breakfast
Join President Joan Gabel and others for a discussion on the U of M’s 2021 legislative priorities, the upcoming legislative session, and how you can help the U of M succeed at the State Capitol, all during the U of M systemwide Legislative Kickoff Breakfast (register). 8-9 a.m.
A port in the storm
After winning the Food Network’s Food Court Wars in 2013 at Pimento Jamaican Kitchen’s Burnsville location, alumni Tomme Beevas resigned from his position at Cargill and opened a second location in March 2016: Pimento Jamaican Kitchen on Eat Street in South Minneapolis. A staple of feel-good, authentic Jamaican cuisine, Beevas has built a gathering spot for more than food. “My superpower is convening people who don’t normally get together,” he says. That’s just what Pimento became for organizers, donors, and those in need in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd on May 25.
Be the voice of the user: An interview with Simon Ozbek
When Simon Ozbek started his academic career he never could have imagined that it would take him all the way to NASA. Determined to unite his passions for psychology and creativity, he discovered the College of Design’s Human Factors and Ergonomics graduate program. Now a human factors engineer at NASA, Ozbek describes his journey into the field in this interview.
Awards and Recognition
Melissa Anderson has been elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; Dante Cicchetti and Megan Gunnar have received lifetime achievement awards from the Association for Psychological Science; the University of Minnesota Water Council has named seven new members; Brian Sick has been elected as a Distinguished Fellow for the National Academies of Practice; Minnesota Physician Publishing has featured several U of M Health Sciences experts in its “100 Most Influential Health Care Leaders” issue; the U of M Twin Cities has been named 11th in the top 20 wheelchair friendly campuses across the country; U in the News features highlights of U faculty and staff cited in the media.
Period 2 of Furlough and Pay Reduction Program starts Dec. 21
The Board of Regents has agreed to implement period 2 of the Furlough and Pay Reduction Program, from Dec. 21, 2020, to June 20, 2021. The program affects employees earning $60,000 or more. Furloughs and pay reductions are the same as announced in June. For some employees who were hired or saw certain status changes in period 1, furloughs/pay reductions will be based on their pay on Dec. 21.
OPE guidance for instructors, students on spring semester credit-bearing community-based activities
The Office for Public Engagement (OPE) offers guidance to faculty and students on how to navigate spring semester non-clinical, field-based activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The webpage is specific to teaching and learning activities based on the University's spring semester 2021 Restore Plan and addresses many issues, including the process for seeking exemptions for conducting off-campus experiential learning activities when such experiences cannot be conducted remotely. Individuals with specific questions and concerns not addressed by the website can email [email protected].
Promote student wellbeing in your teaching and learning
Faculty and instructors play an important role in promoting the mental health of students. Three things you can do: Build or revise your spring 2021 syllabus with the Provost’s Council on Student Mental Health resources in mind, participate in the Center for Educational Innovation’s six-week Teaching for Student Well-being Program, and attend the Dec. 16 webinar Trauma-Informed Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (12:30-2 p.m.).
IAS Research and Creative Collaborative funding available
The Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) is now accepting applications for 2021-22 Research and Creative Collaboratives, which offer up to $12,000 and administrative support. Collaboratives promote synergistic interdisciplinary activity that can be challenging within departmental and collegiate structures. Collaboratives are organized and directed by conveners (usually two to four people), who may be University faculty, students, or staff, or non-University community members; at least one must be a member of the University community. Applications are due Jan. 29. Learn more and apply.
Spring 2021 Grant-in-Aid competition
On Jan. 4, the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) will begin accepting applications to the spring 2021 Grant-in-Aid of Research, Artistry, and Scholarship program. This program promotes the research, scholarly, and artistic activities of faculty. Deadline to submit applications to approvers is Feb. 1; deadline for approvers to submit final applications to OVPR is Feb. 4.
Nominations due Feb. 26: U of M Community-Engaged Scholar Awards
The Office for Public Engagement and Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs seek nominations for the 2021 University of Minnesota Community-Engaged Scholar Awards. These annual systemwide awards recognize faculty or academic professional and administrative employees (P&A) for exemplary community-engaged scholarship in their respective field(s) of inquiry. Email Amber Cameron at [email protected] or call 612-624-1706 with questions.
Zoom cloud recordings: Delete or move files after one year
Effective Dec. 29, U of M Zoom recordings saved to the cloud that are more than 365 days old will be moved to Zoom’s trash folder. Recordings will remain in the trash folder—where they can be retrieved—for 30 days. Seven days before recordings are permanently deleted, Zoom will email affected people a list of recordings and a link to the Zoom page where the files can be managed. Learn details, including how to retrieve and store recordings you want to keep.
Secure U: Protecting your data and protecting U of M data
Learn from a University Information Security expert about the importance of securing your valuable data to protect yourself and others from malware, phishing scams, and other attacks, especially around the holidays.
Vaccine trials ensure they are safe and effective
As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, billions of people around the world await a safe and effective vaccine, which will be key to ending the crisis. Professor Joseph Koopmeiners explains how the typical three-phase clinical trial works and the ways researchers and the FDA are safely speeding up the development of COVID-19 vaccines.
Timber-based bridges offer a cost-effective, durable alternative
As Minnesota’s local road agencies grapple with the challenges of renewing an aging bridge infrastructure with limited resources, alternatives to bridges made with concrete and steel are needed. In a recent project, University of Minnesota Duluth Natural Resources Research Institute researchers found that timber-based bridges can be built more quickly than steel or concrete bridges for similar costs, perform well for 70 years or more, and help meet green building standards.
Challenges and opportunities for rural grocers
Rural grocery stores are Main Street anchors in more than 200 towns across Greater Minnesota. Most are small, independent businesses with owners who live in the same community as their store and who take great pride in their work. A new U of M Extension survey of rural grocers in Minnesota explores the unique opportunities, needs, and challenges facing these essential businesses.
Virtual fall Undergraduate Research Symposium
Over 100 undergraduates from all colleges and campuses have prepared recorded presentations of their research, scholarly, or creative work as part of the first-ever virtual fall Undergraduate Research Symposium. View and appreciate their incredible projects.
Jan. 4-15 - Teaching Enrichment Series
The Teaching Enrichment Series focuses on practical approaches to teaching and learning that instructors can implement in their classes this spring. Session topics include creating a learning-centered syllabus, increasing student engagement and motivation, collaborative peer review online, assessments and grading, and more.
Jan. 17 - 40th MLK Tribute Concert
The annual MLK Tribute Concert, sponsored by the Office for Equity and Diversity and the School of Music, is a multidisciplinary celebration intermixing the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with musical performances. Hosted and curated by U of M alumnus G. Phillip Shoultz, III of VocalEssence, the program celebrates 40 years of being in community. The virtual event begins at 3 p.m.
U of M featured virtual events
Dec. 16 - Mind-Body Trauma Care: Cultivating a Sense of Collective Winter Warmth
Jan. 5 - Teaching with Writing Online: A January Short Course
Grams combines love of trap shooting and natural resources
When the U of M Crookston announced the addition of trap shooting as a club sport in the spring of 2019, it seemed like a perfect fit. The sport was taking off at the high school level in Minnesota and the Golden Eagles already had many people interested in trap shooting right on campus. For Nick Grams, who was a senior at Belle Plaine High School, it was the ideal match. Crookston has provided him a chance to participate in a sport he loves while also pursuing his natural resources degree.
Sales students earn top awards
Joel LaChappelle and Morgan Hess, students in the Labovitz School of Business and Economics’ Professional Sales program, earned first and second place, respectively, in the RNMKRS (pronounced Rainmakers) fall sales competition. Their prospect was an IT manager in a police department who was actually an AI bot. The students competed against 2,177 students from 50 schools located in the U.S., Canada, and Germany.
Lifelong learners connect
After the pandemic forced an end to in-person classes, UMD’s University for Seniors wanted to ensure that its students could stay connected. The program, which is open to anyone 50 years and older, provided students with specialized training sessions on Zoom. In addition to offering educational opportunities, the program gives seniors a way to socialize and stay in touch with friends.
The value of pursuit and discovery
Corinne McCumber ’19 knows a rewarding opportunity when she sees one. As a research assistant for Distinguished McKnight University Professor of English Michael Lackey her junior year, McCumber began locating source materials for a couple projects, including an entry for the Dictionary of Literary Biography as well as a collection of Joanna Scott's interviews. When the opportunity came to interview the distinguished author for Lackey’s new book, Conversations with Joanna Scott, McCumber saw a chance to dig deeper into the complexity of Scott’s work.
Rochester’s Career Pathways: Public Policy and Global Health
UMR's innovative degree programs and integrated curriculum provide students with a foundational undergraduate education. Discover how Anjelica Montano navigated UMR’s many health career pathway opportunities with an individually planned capstone to prepare her for a Master of Development Practice degree with a focus on health interventions. Learn more about U of M Rochester’s Pathways.
Student gratitude for faculty and staff support during the pandemic
Resilience and supportive relationships are crucial to student success. In this video, UMR students talk about what they have appreciated the most about the support system provided at UMR during the pandemic and share their gratitude for faculty and staff.
Destination Medical Center 2020 program features UMR
UMR is a proud educational partner of Destination Medical Center (DMC) and was featured in its 2020 annual program. DMC Economic Development Agency Executive Director Lisa Clarke and Senior Director of Economic Development and Placemaking Patrick Seeb share highlights from the past five years, provide updates on current projects, discuss the impact of COVID-19, and reveal plans for the future that will enhance the UMR student experience.
Q&A with Jonathan Olaleye
By the time Jonathan Olaleye applied to the University of Minnesota, he had already taught himself how to code, built his own website, and assembled his own gaming computer. Now, he’s a first-year University Honors Program student in the College of Science and Engineering and the inaugural recipient of a full, four-year scholarship funded by a new collaboration with Minneapolis-headquartered digital payment solution Sezzle.
Student project informs remote island residents about COVID-19
Two Humphrey School students collaborated with several partner organizations to create and implement a COVID-19 information campaign for residents on Mfangano Island, in the eastern part of Lake Victoria about 10 miles off the coast of Kenya. And they did it all over Zoom.