October 11, 2023

Inside This Issue

Board of Regents meets Oct. 12-13.
National study shows pandemic substantially changed commuting patterns, access to jobs.
Awards and Recognition: Announcing the recipients of the Innovation Impact Case Award; and more.

Board of Regents meets Oct. 12-13

At its October meeting, the U of M Board of Regents will discuss systemwide diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives for the current academic year. The Board is also expected to recognize faculty awarded the distinction of Regents Professor, receive a briefing on sustainable development goals, act on the President’s recommended 2023 Six-Year Capital Plan and 2024 State Capital Request, and more. Public comment is encouraged through the virtual forum. See the news release for more information.

National study shows pandemic substantially changed commuting patterns, access to jobs

Patterns of movement in cities, especially office job commutes, were substantially changed in 2021 by telework, economic change, and other responses to COVID-19, according to new research from the Accessibility Observatory. The most striking finding in the auto analysis was that limits on access to job opportunities, primarily due to morning traffic congestion, were almost entirely eliminated. The 50 most populous urban areas in the U.S. saw significant increases in access to jobs by driving during the morning peak.

Awards and Recognition

The Office of the Vice President for Research has announced the recipients of the Innovation Impact Case Award, which recognizes U of M research that has had significant impact outside of academia; the U of M has received a $16 million NIH grant to uncover the 'wiring diagram' of the brain; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.

Awards and Recognition

U-Wide News

President search: Listening sessions, virtual forum

The search for the University's 18th president will include community listening sessions in October as well as an ongoing Regents virtual forum. The Presidential Search Advisory Committee will hold listening sessions across the system in October for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. Listening sessions will take place Oct. 17 (Twin Cities), Oct. 18 (Morris), Oct. 19 (Rochester), Oct. 20 (Twin Cities), Oct. 23 (Crookston) and Oct. 24 (Duluth).

Changes to Google Workspace

As of Oct. 17, students will not be able to create new Google Shared Drives. Instead, students are encouraged to use Google My Drive. Shared drives can be created by a faculty or staff sponsor on behalf of student organizations and for purposes of academic or research collaboration.

Apply for the Technology Commercialization Early Innovation Fund

The Technology Commercialization Early Innovation Fund supports short-term projects that advance early-stage innovations. The program provides from $3,000 to $10,000 per project to advance the technology readiness of an innovation through a variety of means. Open to all U of M researchers and employees, including faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and staff. The application opens Oct. 16; submissions are due Dec. 15. An online information session about the program will be held Oct. 31, 11-11:30 a.m.

Research Brief: Identifying biosecurity to prevent CWD transmission

In a pioneering study, U of M researchers recently assessed the risks associated with the introduction of chronic wasting disease (CWD) to farmed deer herds in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The team used the results from this study and other research to develop and refine biosecurity information and recommendations, including a tool that deer farmers can use to evaluate and mitigate the risks specific to their farms. See additional recent Research Briefs.

Talking childhood ADHD with U of M

During attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) awareness month, University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development professor Damien Fair, who leads the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, shares considerations about what ADHD is in children, how it affects the brain, and how we can support those we know with ADHD. See more editions of "Talking with U of M."

Oct. 18 - Training: Explore Generative AI

Graphic reading Generative AI tools with 5 icons of various tools within the graphic

Instructors systemwide are invited to explore generative AI tools during an interactive webinar. Teaching Support staff will demonstrate generative AI tools and guide tool exploration. The focus will be on AI tools used for writing, course assistance, images, and research. None of the tools showcased are University-supported; however, it’s important for instructors to be engaged in the potentials and limitations of these emerging technologies.

Crookston

Spreading the word about STEM

young boys gather around an inflatable pool to test electric floating devices

U of M Crookston’s Center for Rural Education in Science and Technology (CREST) wants to inspire kids who otherwise may not have a chance to design robots and learn about technology in agriculture. CREST was established in 2022 to make science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education more accessible to underserved, underrepresented schools, home-school groups, and others in the area. Read about 34 middle school and high school students who spent a week on the Crookston campus this summer.

U of M Crookston names new health management director

Julie Hinders has been hired as the program director of health management. Hinders previously served as the master of healthcare administration program director and department chair of business and health services at Upper Iowa University.

‘Roots of the Red River Valley’ photo exhibit

A person harvesting sugar beats in the 30s

U of M Crookston has teamed up with Northland Community and Technical College to offer a close-up look at the 1937 sugar beet harvest as seen through the eyes of photographer Russell Lee. Photos are on display at both campuses as part of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

Duluth

Oct. 13-15 - Family weekend

polaroid images of groups of people visiting campus

Bulldog parents and families are invited to connect with students, experience programs unique to campus, and meet other Bulldog families during family weekend. Events include a volleyball game, a soccer game, and two men’s hockey matches, as well as a guided hike, indoor rock climbing, brunch, a tour of Glensheen, and discounted athletic tickets.

Oct. 14 - View the solar eclipse

The Marshall Alworth Planetarium will host a viewing event of the partial solar eclipse, when about 40 percent of the sun will be covered by the moon. The planetarium will provide solar telescopes and eclipse glasses. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Oct. 16 - Distinguished Visiting Speakers Series featuring Trachette Jackson

Trachette Jackson, University of Michigan assistant vice president for research - DEI Initiatives, will present the 2023 Distinguished Visiting Speakers Series talk. Her talk is titled “Mobilizing Mathematics for the Fight Against Cancer.” 7 p.m., 70 Montague.

Oct. 17 - Visual Culture Lecture featuring John O’Neill, graphic design

The next Visual Culture Lecture Series event will feature Professor John O’Neill, a disability advocate, author, and designer who brings awareness to ableism and disability rights. O’Neill teaches graphic design with a focus on user experience (UX) design and accessibility. He has presented nationally and internationally regarding graphic design, user experience, and web accessibility. 6 p.m., 120 Solon Campus Center.

Morris

‘A continuation of my upbringing’

U of M Morris’ Gavin Zempel wants to revive the Santee dialect of the Dakota language and build new connections to the culture. His research is a continuation of his upbringing. Learn more through this interview and video with Zempel.

Oct. 12 - Farmers Market and Jazz Ensemble

Local food vendors will offer their wares on the campus mall from 2 to 6 p.m. An evening of jazz featuring three jazz ensembles performing the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Herbie Hancock, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and more will take place at 7:30 p.m., HFA Recital Hall.

Oct. 26 - Chancellor inauguration

The University of Minnesota Morris will celebrate the inauguration of Janet Schrunk Ericksen as its seventh chancellor at 11:30 a.m., Edson Auditorium, Student Center. All are invited to attend. U of M interim president Jeff Ettinger, professor emeritus Gwen Rudney, and a Morris Campus Student Association representative will make remarks.

Rochester

Interim President Ettinger visits UMR

President Ettinger, Rocky the Raptor, UMR chancellor and others pose

UMR hosted Interim President Jeff Ettinger to share UMR’s focus on student success while providing the opportunity for him to engage with the vibrant Rochester community. In addition to a comprehensive tour, Ettinger’s visit included conversations with local leaders from Mayo Clinic, Destination Medical Center and the City of Rochester, community supporters, faculty, staff, and students. Ettinger shared, “I'm really impressed with the vision of UMR to be a key participant in solving the grand health challenges of the 21st century.”

UMR’s inaugural dining facility ‘The Perch’ opens

On Oct. 6, U of M Rochester opened The Perch, its first ever campus dining facility. Members of the UMR community gathered to celebrate the grand opening as UMR’s mascot, Rockie the Raptor, unveiled the space's new name. The name was selected by students, faculty, and staff. For this campus of Raptors, The Perch will be a place to refresh and refuel.

Twin Cities

Human Rights Initiative funding available

The Human Rights Initiative, a joint initiative of the Humphrey School and the College of Liberal Arts, seeks to support research that significantly impacts the grand challenges in human rights today. Submit one-year funding proposals for grants between $10,000 and $50,000 that promote scholarly and artistic activities of faculty and their students and that foster academic excellence in the field of human rights at global and local levels. Applications are due Nov. 1. Learn more about criteria, eligibility, and application guidelines.

Making mammograms more accessible

several people in front of a mamogram truck

Thanks to increased awareness about breast cancer and a slew of innovative new treatments, more women diagnosed with the disease are surviving longer than ever. This progress, however, comes with a glaring caveat: Women from historically marginalized communities—especially Black women—are still being left behind. In an effort to correct similar disparities in the Twin Cities, M Health Fairview trucks specially outfitted with mammography equipment are bringing cancer screening services to historically marginalized communities.

Advancing Black intellectualism

Essie Johnson at a 1995 meeting of the CGC

For the past 35 years, the Common Ground Consortium (CGC) at the University of Minnesota has taken a leading role in carrying on the tradition of Black intellectualism through supporting scholars and sharing perspectives and ideas. The CGC was established in 1989 initially to recruit and support Black graduate education students through their advanced academic journey. In recent years the CGC has expanded its impact.

SPH students, faculty, and staff build DIY air filters to donate to community

several people carry a newly made air filter device

During the fall Environmental Health Science Mixer, faculty, staff, and students helped to build inexpensive air filters to distribute to community members at no cost. Called Corsi-Rosenthal boxes, the air cleaners are useful for lowering the levels of infectious particles in the air that can transmit cold, flu, COVID-19, and other harmful pathogens.

‘My life has done a 180’

Kaitlin McKinley said she was done with education when she dropped out of high school at 16. “I got to a point where I really didn’t feel supported in school,” she says. But she knew she wanted more. Learn more about how this first-generation student went from dropping out of high school to embracing the U of M.

Brick by brick

Nothing gets the creative juices and fun flowing like a colorful pile of Lego pieces. Just ask the kids at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital. At a time when illness or injury can make life stressful, scary, and uncertain, Legos allow families to engage in some much-needed toy time.

Oct. 25 - UMNPrepared: Active Threat Awareness and Response Training

This Active Threat Awareness and Response Training (register), part of the UMNPrepared series offered by the Health Emergency Response Office in partnership with UMPD, will prepare you to respond to active threat scenarios by reviewing the choices to evacuate, hide, or, as an option of last resort, challenge the shooter. Noon-12:50 p.m., 3-110 Health Sciences Education Center.