October 23, 2024
Inside This Issue
- Returning congestion and transit reductions lead to lower job accessibility nationwide.
- Awards and Recognition: Genevieve Melton-Meaux has been named to the National Academy of Medicine; and more.
Top News
Returning congestion and transit reductions lead to lower job accessibility nationwide
Access to job opportunities declined in large U.S. cities as economic and transportation conditions have continued to evolve in the COVID era, according to new research from the Accessibility Observatory at the U of M’s Center for Transportation Studies.
Awards and Recognition
Genevieve Melton-Meaux has been named to the National Academy of Medicine; College of Veterinary Medicine researchers are contributing to a $765,000 USDA grant–funded project to enable genetic insights that could enhance horse health; the Multiple Pathways to Teaching Office has received a $500,000 Collaborative Urban and Greater Minnesota Educators of Color Grant; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.
U-Wide News
New video - ‘Faculty Reflections on Fostering Political Discourse’
In the video “Classroom Conversations: Faculty Reflections on Fostering Political Discourse,” U of M faculty and instructors describe ways that they promote student engagement in voting, democracy, and respectful dialogue across political divides. Additional resources are available at Teaching During the Election Season.
Discovery aims to improve the design of microelectronic devices
A recent study is providing new insights into how next-generation electronics, including memory components in computers, break down or degrade over time. Understanding the reasons for degradation could help improve efficiency of data storage solutions.
Research Brief: Rising carbon dioxide and nitrogen pollution may jointly threaten biodiversity
Though it’s well documented that nitrogen pollution decreases the richness of plant species and that rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are driving climate change, scientists have been unable to determine if rising carbon dioxide levels influence plant diversity or modify the negative effect of nitrogen pollution on diversity. Results from a decades-long field study in Minnesota reveal the dangerous impact of rising carbon dioxide and nitrogen pollution on grassland biodiversity. See additional recent Research Briefs.
Nov. 4 - First-Gen Week keynote
In recognition of National First-Gen Week, the First-Gen Institute will host a keynote by Jason Wallace titled "‘Part of Your World?’: Rethinking Belonging for First-Generation+ Institutional Actors in Higher Education." This keynote will explore the complexities of belonging for first-generation+ students, faculty, and staff in higher education. Register for the Zoom link. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Crookston
NWROC in Crookston gets new weather station
This summer, the Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC) in Crookston installed a new weather station in partnership with Minnesota Agricultural Weather Network and North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network, which led to the modernization of reported weather data on NWROC’s website. The weather station is located on NWROC’s north farm on the west side of Hwy 75 N. Weather data is available at nwroc.umn.edu/weather.
Hanson is first Golden Eagle in program history to be named NSIC Golfer of the Week
After winning the University of Sioux Falls Invitational, Golden Eagle senior Clara Hanson (Grand Forks, ND) was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Golfer of the Week, becoming the first Golden Eagle in program history to receive the honor. Hanson shot a 72 during the first 18 holes and a 76 during the final round. The total of 148 was a career best and one of the lowest scores during a 36-hole tournament in program history. Her 72 score in the first round is tied for second lowest in program history.
Duluth
‘Bugs ‘n Birds’ study underscores importance of insects
Buzzing, biting, or just plain annoying, insects are summer pests to us. But insects are the main course for Minnesota’s flying insectivores. Cross-disciplinary research from UMD’s Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) explores the availability of food sources for declining species of bug-eating birds. “They’re understudied and under-appreciated,” says Amber Ulseth, a NRRI aquatic ecologist who helped sift through a year of terrestrial insect data.
Oct. 28 - Haunted Maze
Students on the Duluth campus are creating a spooky seasonal event with a Haunted Maze, hosted by the Hmong Living in Unity and Balance. The event is free. 5-8 p.m., Kirby Rafters.
Morris
The Outsider opens U of M Morris Theatre season
The comedic hit The Outsider is the opening production in the 2024-25 U of M Morris Theatre season. It’s a timely and hilarious nonpartisan comedy that skewers politics and celebrates democracy. Tickets are available online and at the door.
Oct. 26 - Ballets with a Twist makes its Minnesota debut in Morris
Chancellor Janet Ericksen will host the Minnesota debut of New York–based Ballets with a Twist as part of the University of Minnesota Morris's 2024-25 Performing Arts Series. Suitable for audiences of all ages, the fun and fast-paced show transports theatergoers through time and around the world with original choreography, music, and costume design.
Rochester
Senator Klobuchar visits UMR
On Oct. 18, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar visited the University of Minnesota Rochester, expressing support for the College-in-3 initiative. During her visit, Klobuchar engaged with UMR leadership, local partners, and students, highlighting UMR’s prototype designed to address critical health care workforce needs. Klobuchar's appropriation bill language and sponsorship helped fuel the momentum for the program's expansion into a nonprofit consortium with dozens of campuses spanning multiple accreditation regions.
UMR hosts Discovery Days events
University of Minnesota Rochester’s Office of Admissions recently welcomed over 50 prospective students and their families to campus for Discovery Day events. Attendees had the opportunity to explore UMR resources, meet with Mayo Clinic partners who provide internships and employment opportunities for UMR undergraduates, and participate in campus tours. The event showcased UMR’s distinctive offerings and the vibrant community for future health care professionals.
Twin Cities
Reminder: Donate to the Community Fund Drive
The University’s 2024 Community Fund Drive is underway. Every October, the fund drive allows faculty and staff on the Twin Cities campus to support a variety of organizations that work to improve communities and people’s lives. You can contribute to the causes you care about in the community or at the University through payroll deduction or a one-time donation. The campaign runs through Oct. 31.
Pets are part of the family
The University of Minnesota has long offered care for underserved communities across the Twin Cities through two successful student-run free clinics, one focused on human medicine, and one focused on veterinary medicine. Now, through a pioneering pilot program, the College of Veterinary Medicine is collaborating with the Medical School and other groups to develop a One Health clinic that will offer these communities care for companion animals and their families in a single setting.
Star Wars in Ojibwe
The iconic galaxy far, far away has been brought closer to Ojibwe speakers. An Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) version of Star Wars: A New Hope has been released in a groundbreaking project. The film features alum Aandeg Muldrew (MA ’22, linguistics) and current linguistics PhD candidate Dustin Morrow (BA ’21, MA ’23, linguistics, Ojibwe language teaching certificate) as the voices of renowned characters Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, respectively. The film will be available to stream on Disney+ and will premier on campus on Nov. 14, 6 p.m., Coffman Union.
Growing coffee, planting equality
Amanda Eastwood Chávez’s (BA ’05, MPH ’11) career has taken her to Mexico, Nicaragua, Tanzania, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom. Today, she’s living and working in Peru, with her husband and twin babies, as the head of strategic partnerships for a company that provides tools to make the coffee supply chain more equitable. The coffee industry is the perfect match for Eastwood Chávez to fulfill the motto she lives by: “To educate, inform, and empower those around me to go forth and succeed.”
Featured events
Oct. 24 - Exhibit opening: Disembodied Reembodied
Oct. 25 - GenAI : Implications in Pedagogy, Practice, and Policy
Oct. 28-Nov. 1 - Dark Reflections: A Scholarly Series on Horror, Folklore, Death, and the Macabre
Oct. 29 - The Expansion of Social Control in China: What Is Continuing and What Is New After Covid
Oct. 29 - Natural History, the Curious Institution: An Evening with Evolutionary Biologist and Poet Brandon Kilbourne
Oct. 31 - How to Move from Conflict to Convergence with Mariah Levison and Robert Fersh
Nov. 1 - When Law, Ethics & Medicine Collide: Physician Duties When Law Restricts Reproductive Health Care
Nov. 1 - A Honey Bee Jamboree for Marla
Nov. 2 - Ragamala Dance Company: Children of Dharma
Nov. 7 - Sustainability Coffee Chat: Food Security on Campus