June 15, 2022

Mileage reimbursement rate increase

Effective July 1, mileage reimbursement rates are increasing from 58.5 cents per mile to 62.5 cents per mile for business use of a personal vehicle. The new rate will be in Chrome River on July 1. Mileage expenses incurred prior to July 1 will be paid at the lower rate. Expenses must be in accordance with University policy. 

Increase in U Card replacement fee

After being approved at the June Board of Regents meeting, the replacement fee for U Cards will increase from $25 to $30 beginning July 1. Other campus ID badges including temporary access cards, as well as Gopher GOLD transaction fees, will also increase. This change is systemwide.

Apply by July 22: Minnesota frontline worker bonus pay

Eligible frontline workers can now apply for a one-time payment of up to $1,500 from the State of Minnesota. Applications are open until July 22. See if you qualify and apply at frontlinepay.mn.gov. 

ECoach pilot: Can messages and nudges influence student success?

The University of Minnesota has been exploring the benefits of tailored messages, study tips, and reminders delivered to students in a timely manner through ECoach. The goal of the pilot is to explore the tool’s potential to personalize the education experience in large gateway classes. See the results and lessons learned from the ECoach pilot, which has just completed its third semester, having engaged more than 3,000 students to date.

 

The world's first spatial university

Hundreds of faculty have spatial themes as the core of their research, teaching, or outreach. And many more faculty, staff, and students are interested in using spatial approaches. A new publication, Building the Spatial University, co-written by authors from across the University, discusses the concept of the spatial university as part of the broad growth of spatial science and the need for spatial infrastructure in colleges and universities. 

UMN Headlines: June 2022

The June installment of the “UMN Headlines” video series features highlights from around the University of Minnesota System, including tech transfer successes, Fulbright awards, a new Childhood Nature Studies major, discoveries in energy storage and renewable fuel production, a national security research partnership, student successes, and more. See past episodes here.

Research on needs of LGBTQ older adults reveals progress over the past 30 years

While Minnesota is generally seen as a great place to age and live well, not all communities experience the same level of support. One such group is LGBTQ older adults, who came into adulthood at a very different time in the U.S. than today’s young adults and have unique experiences and needs as they age. To gain insight into these experiences, the University of Minnesota’s Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program and Rainbow Health conducted research for the 2022 LGBTQ Aging Needs Assessment.  

Research Brief: How wolf personalities can alter wetlands

Can wolf personalities change ecosystems? According to the latest research from the Voyageurs Wolf Project, they can. Observations from the field indicated that some wolves were much better at ambushing and killing beavers and, in turn, altered more wetlands than other wolves. Additional recent Research Briefs include “Estimating chemical dispersant exposure for Deepwater Horizon oil spill workers” and “Rating service before tipping leads to smaller tips.”  

June 28 - PEAK Initiative town hall

The U of M System PEAK Initiative (Positioned for Excellence, Alignment, and Knowledge) continues to progress, with the first phase of implementation to begin in fall 2022. PEAK senior leaders will hold a town hall via Zoom, noon-1 p.m., to answer questions and talk more about the work. Register for the town hall and submit your questions.