- Nov. 1-30 - Benefits Open Enrollment.
- Awards and Recognition: School of Public Health receives $4.7 million to lead workforce consortium; and more.
Nov. 1-30 - Benefits Open Enrollment
Benefits Open Enrollment is available in MyU from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30. During this time, employees can change medical or dental plans, enroll in an FSA, increase or decrease disability coverage, make changes to additional life insurance, or add or remove eligible dependents. View the Open Enrollment website to learn what action can be taken (including a special additional life insurance opportunity), or register for the Nov. 1 Open Enrollment employee webinar.
Awards and Recognition
School of Public Health receives $4.7 million to lead workforce consortium; College of Veterinary Medicine researchers were recently awarded a $732,000 grant for studying chronic wasting disease; Marti DeLiema has been awarded a $200,000 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant; Cara Santelli has received the 2022 "Post Tenure" Outstanding Geobiologist Award; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.
New International Institute for Biosensing funding opportunity
The Office of the Vice President for Research has launched a new funding opportunity focused on biosensing to support a broad spectrum of applications, including food safety, agriculture, the environment, health care, animal health, national security, and water quality. The International Institute for Biosensing will bring together an international coalition of experts from academia, nonprofits, industry, and government agencies to create a collective global effort to identify and overcome technical barriers for advancing biosensing research. Letter of intent due Nov. 18; full proposal due Dec. 15.
Last call for faculty and staff participation in bulk email study
The University is inviting faculty and staff feedback about bulk email from the U of M through participation in a bulk email study (IRB approved). Over the course of two months, participants would receive many typical bulk email messages as links to read within your browser. Feedback will be used to help improve bulk email practices.
Research Brief: Individuals experiencing food insecurity likely to binge eat when food is available
Young adults experiencing food insecurity may be prone to binge eating in times when food is available, according to a new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Additional recent Research Briefs include “Floating duckweed on ponds stimulates increased greenhouse gas emissions” and “Evidence for possible animal origin of the COVID-19 omicron variant.”
Talking Halloween safety with U of M
The spookiest night of the year is almost here. While most are hoping for treats instead of tricks, there are important safety considerations to keep in mind before heading out for the evening. See more editions of "Talking with U of M," a resource where faculty answer questions on current and other topics.
Five alumni awarded during homecoming
The University of Minnesota Crookston’s 2022 Alumni Awards Celebration was held Oct. 7 during homecoming and five alumni were honored. Dave Dufault ’85 was presented the Outstanding Alumni award; Carolina Diaz-Alfonso ’08 was given The Abbey [Promise] award; and Kathy Mans Nielsen ’89, Dave Venem ’85, and Jamie Zelinsky Quenzer ’11 were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.
Kiehle Building up for naming review
U of M Crookston’s Kiehle Building was placed on the U of M System list in 2022 for meeting the 75-year sunset provision required of honorary namings and is currently up for review. A committee was formed to review the building’s name and honoree, David Litchard Kiehle, for whom the building was named in 1912, and provide a recommendation to either change the name of the building or keep it. The committee recommends keeping the name. The public is invited to offer input via a naming review survey.
Exhibit: ‘Dia de los Muertos’
An art exhibit is part of the UMD Day of the Dead celebration through Nov. 4. UMD students installed sculptures in the Multicultural Center, on the second floor of Kirby Student Center, for their annual ofrenda. Events are sponsored by the UMD Latinx/Chicanx Student Association, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and art education students.
Gym and rink renamed
On Oct. 18, the newly named “Mick McComber Gym” and the “Richard Haney Multipurpose Rink” recognized two of UMD’s past Recreational Sports Outdoor Program directors: Mick McComber and Richard “Dick” Haney. The sports and health center was originally built in 1953 and called The Health and Physical Education Building. It was the second building on the current campus site.
Ulrich awarded inaugural Deborah L. Swackhamer Early Career Award
Bridget Ulrich was awarded the inaugural Deborah L. Swackhamer Early Career Award at the 2022 Minnesota Water Resources Conference. Ulrich is an Aqueous Geochemist at the Natural Resources Research Institute, Duluth. She focuses on topics like the use of biochar materials in water treatment applications and the development of analytical instrumentation and tools for evaluating contaminants of concern.
U of M Morris highlighted by CERTs
The U of M Morris Intercultural Sustainability Leaders program was recently highlighted by Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), which connects individuals and communities in Minnesota to the resources they need to identify and implement community-based clean energy projects.
Holiday Host Program relaunches
International Student Programs has relaunched its Holiday Host Program. This is an opportunity for U of M Morris employees to host international students for a Thanksgiving celebration or an event, activity, or holiday during winter break. Learn more and sign up for the program using the Holiday Host website.
Nov. 1 - 2022 Celebration of Scholarly Accomplishments
This year's Celebration of Scholarly Accomplishments reception will be held in Oyate Hall, 4:30-6:30 p.m. It will feature displays recognizing some of the scholarly work produced at U of M Morris over the past year. The exhibit will remain open in Oyate Hall on Nov. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Study names Rochester sixth among small college towns across the U.S.
Recognized in the Star Tribune, Rochester has been named the sixth best small college town in the U.S. by Preply education services based on three factors: economic opportunities, cost of living, and social environment. With its proximity to Mayo Clinic in downtown Rochester, the U of M Rochester provides opportunities for students headed into health careers to live and learn in the heart of the medical world.
Beyond the Nest alumni podcast: ‘I’m a True Believer in Mentorship’
In this episode of UMR’s alumni podcast Beyond the Nest, 2016 Rochester graduate Hawa Ali chats with UMR student success coach Jenn Hooke. Ali discusses the importance of mentorship throughout medical school and shares advice for students pursuing medicine. Presently, Ali is an otolaryngology head and neck resident at Mayo Clinic. Beyond the Nest is distributed via Apple, Google, Spotify, and Podbean.
Nov. 15 - State of the Campus: Maroon and Bold
In this annual community event, UMR Chancellor Lori Carrell and a panel of guests will share “Maroon and Bold'' Innovations as the U of M Rochester moves onward to lead transformation in higher education. UMR’s State of the Campus event will take place at the Historic Chateau Theater in downtown Rochester, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Final days to donate to the Community Fund Drive
The University’s 2022 Community Fund Drive continues through Oct. 31. Please consider participating by donating to causes you care about through payroll deduction or a one-time donation. Visit cfd.umn.edu to make your donation.
Seeking campus bus rider input
Parking & Transportation Services is looking for feedback on the campus bus service. Fill out a confidential survey and learn more at Parking & Transportation Services.
Article sparks Ukrainian connection
When University of Minnesota psychology student Safia Dockter began writing and speaking about the atrocities of the Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, it helped her process what was happening to the country where her mother was born and where she still has relatives. What she didn’t know then was how quickly her words would turn into action for one little girl.
Carlson School alumni branch out with side hustles
What happens when the side hustle takes off? A lot of fun, it turns out. Carlson School alumni share stories of building something from nothing, using hard work, ingenuity, and passion. From pies to butter, plants to art, and a minor league baseball team, see how these side hustles work.
Helping others help themselves
Eli Krumholz (BA ’11, PhD ’17), the director of software development and electronics at start-up medical device company Abilitech Medical, has an insatiable curiosity. At Abilitech Medical, Krumholz channels his curiosity into projects that range from robotic motion control systems to wearable sensors, both of which contribute to creating innovative, technologically advanced products that make it possible for patients with upper-limb weakness or injury to use their arms for everyday activities.
U of M Libraries Open Access Week celebration continues through Oct. 30
This year's International Open Access Week theme is "Open for Climate Justice." This week, U Libraries is featuring research profiles of climate scientists from across campus and highlighting services and agreements in place to help U of M researchers publish openly.
Nov. 2-3 - Advanced Manufacturing Minneapolis Innovation Zone
Join the University of Minnesota at Advanced Manufacturing Minneapolis at the Innovation Zone, an interactive experience with the latest in technology advancement from the U of M Medical School, College of Science and Engineering, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, Bakken Medical Devices Center, and more. Register using the "UMN" coupon code for a free expo pass or 50 percent off a full access pass.
UMTC featured events
Oct. 26 - Northrop presents Kyiv City Ballet
Oct. 27 - In Defiance: Philosophers on Confronting Evil
Oct. 27-28 - Resilience in Development: Pathways to Multisystem Integration
Through Oct. 30 - Spooky Science: Mysteries of the Deep
Nov. 4 - First Fridays: Dressed to Move and Impractical Sports
Nov. 16 - Our Choices, Our Voices: Stemming the Tide of Climate Change
Through Nov. 19 - Plastic Rapt: A History of Designing Forever