September 11, 2024

Civic Responsibilities at the University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota is deeply committed to upholding academic freedom, freedom of expression, and the right of every individual to share their views within our community. With this right comes the responsibility to ensure that others can also speak, study, teach, work, and learn without interference. See the Civic Responsibilities page to learn more, including campus-specific guidelines.

Managing election stress

The election season can bring stress and uncertainty. Employee Assistance Program provider Lyra Health offers help with coping and self-care strategies for election-related stress. All events and resources are available to benefits-eligible employees, their spouses, and their children or dependents.

2024-25 Wellbeing Program year

The 2024-25 Wellbeing Program year is underway. To receive a discount on your 2026 medical insurance rates, earn 8,000 points (or 10,500 points for employee and spouse) by Aug. 31, 2025. Spouses who are covered under the medical plan can also participate by earning at least 2,500 points. Learn about Wellbeing Program resources.

2024 Academies for Excellence nominations

The Academies for Excellence recognizes outstanding faculty in the areas of scientific research, educational scholarship, clinical practice, and team science. The deadline to submit nominations is Oct. 14.  

Request for proposals: Global Engagement Grants

The Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility is requesting proposals for Global Engagement Grants, funding that supports novel approaches to global health designed to promote sustainability and equity. These grants range from $1,500 to $15,000; faculty, staff, and graduate students are welcome to submit a proposal. The deadline is Oct. 28.

New discovery offers hope for a path forward in degrading PFAS chemicals

By the time several per- and poly-fluoralkyl substances (PFAS) compounds (“forever” chemicals) were publicly linked to cancer and developmental health issues, they were already ubiquitous in our environment. New research led by Larry Wackett’s lab and collaborators may help assuage fears that PFAS chemicals will exist in perpetuity. Not only did his team identify a biological system capable of degrading the compound, they also discovered it may be more common than previously thought.

Beef industry can reduce emissions by up to 30 percent

New research from the U of M’s Institute on the Environment and The Nature Conservancy outlines actionable steps the U.S. beef industry can take to reduce greenhouse gases and identifies emission hotspots along the entire supply chain from the farm through processing.

Fantastic fruit

Matthew Clark knew his team at the U of M Arboretum Horticultural Research Center had found a winner when they created the Clarion grape, introduced to growers in 2023 as a new dry white wine grape. “Plant breeding is about discovery,” says Clark, who assumes leadership of the U of M’s acclaimed fruit breeding program this fall. “The real joy comes from experiencing new flavors and textures for the first time that meet the vision you had when choosing the ‘parents.’”

Talking ag education with the U of M

The demand for agriculture education programs is growing exponentially in classrooms across Minnesota. Associate Professor Amy Smith answers questions about the current state of agriculture, food, and natural resource education. See more editions of "Talking with U of M."

Research Brief: Sweeping global study charts a path forward for climate-resilient agriculture

A sweeping global research review co-written by U of M professors examined the links between climate and agriculture. The study reveals the likelihood of an emergent feedback loop in which, as climate change puts more pressure on the global food supply, agriculture adopts practices that further accelerate climate change. The authors also identify new agricultural practices that have the potential to greatly reduce climate impacts and stabilize our food supply in the decades to come. See additional recent Research Briefs.