- Features: When racism literally makes you sick; Can clothing change the world?
- People: The U of M Medical School and the Van Andel Institute have received $6.2 million to study aging’s role in Parkinson’s; and more.
When racism literally makes you sick
Certain statistics haunt Minneapolis pediatrician and internal medicine hospitalist Nathan Chomilo (MD ’09). “As a Black person, my risk of dying of COVID is somewhere around 1 in 1,350,” Chomilo says. “And as a Black man, my risk of dying at the hands of cops is 1 in 1,000 in my lifetime.” As the son of a pharmacist from Cameroon and a nurse of Norwegian descent, Chomilo says he felt “pretty sheltered” from overt racism as a mixed-race Black boy growing up in Minnesota. He traces the beginning of his “deeper awareness” of racial dynamics to medical school.
Can clothing change the world?
Clothing changes both as a reflection of society and sometimes as a predictive force for what is to come, as in the case of the burgeoning field of wearable technology—the one that goes beyond smartwatches and that will likely soon envelop far more than our wrists. A uniquely balanced lab at the University of Minnesota offers a glimpse of the rapidly growing field of wearable technology.
People
The U of M Medical School and the Van Andel Institute have received $6.2 million to study aging’s role in Parkinson’s; the U of M Twin Cities has received $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Education to expand programming aimed at improving academic experiences and outcomes for Asian American and Pacific Islander students; University of Minnesota startup BlueCube Bio brought home the grand prize at the 2020 MN Cup startup competition; U in the News features highlights of U faculty and staff cited in the media. People
New University of Minnesota System recruitment campaign launches
The University has launched the 2020-21 system recruitment marketing campaign, “Discover the University of Minnesota for You.” This digital-only campaign will show prospective students and their families how they can find their best fit at one of our campuses. It features real students from across the system and will complement the recruitment efforts of each campus. The campaign’s fall phase targets high school seniors, inspiring them to apply. The spring phase will target high school juniors, encouraging them to request information, take a virtual tour, and more. The campaign was developed in partnership with the System Enrollment Council and admissions leadership from each campus. Explore the campaign, which includes videos and podcasts.
Training to prevent the spread of COVID-19
It is everyone’s responsibility to maintain safe and healthy workspaces. University Health and Safety has developed training for faculty and staff about best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus. You will receive a link to the training from [email protected], starting on Sept. 26. All University employees are expected to complete the 10-minute training by Oct. 21. Please note: all employees who are able to work from home are expected to do so through at least Dec. 31.
Give where it matters most to you
In October, your gift to your favorite U of M cause could count toward both the 2020 Twin Cities Community Fund Drive and the systemwide Driven fundraising campaign. Current University priorities include COVID-19 relief and research, student emergency support, and racial justice initiatives—or support a college, campus, or program that’s most meaningful to you. Hear from U of M faculty, staff, and retirees who have seen firsthand the power of their gifts at work.
Due Nov. 6 - 2021 Outstanding Community Service Awards nominations
The Office for Public Engagement is now accepting nominations for the University of Minnesota 2021 Outstanding Community Service Awards. Established in 1999, the systemwide awards recognize faculty, staff, students, and University-affiliated community members who have made significant, demonstrable contributions to the public good.
IAS Residential Faculty Fellowships applications open
Applications are open for Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) Residential Faculty Fellowships for 2021-22. Faculty fellows spend a semester in residence at IAS, where they benefit from the cross-fertilization of ideas as part of a close interdisciplinary community of scholars. All regular faculty systemwide are eligible except those who have been IAS fellows within the last five years. Applications are due Nov. 9.
What is email spoofing? A look at how the University prevents email scams
As a large University, the U of M is often the target for phishing and email scams, but there are preventive measures in place to protect you and your data, one of which is an outgoing email requirement called DMARC. DMARC prevents attackers from using the University brand to spoof emails for phishing, scams, and other cybercrimes. Learn more about how the University prevents email spoofing from an IT expert.
Upcoming changes to Google Drive
In October, Google will make two changes to Google Drive. 1) Starting Oct. 6, sharing specific folders in shared drives will be made available. 2) Starting Oct. 13, any file that is put into a Google Drive trash will be automatically deleted after 30 days. These changes may take up to 15 days to appear systemwide, and no action is required. Contact Technology Help with questions.
Faculty development webinars, workshops, courses, and clinics
TeachingSupport@UMN is promoting a slate of faculty development offerings available to University instructors and TAs. These Teaching Support offerings are designed to help improve both the instructor and student experience for fall courses. Visit the Webinars, Workshops, Courses, and Clinics page to review and register for CEI and ATSS offerings for October.
Teaching with Writing 2020-21 series
Writing Across the Curriculum has announced the 2020-21 Teaching with Writing (TWW) series, featuring interactive workshops, panels, and a short course that focuses on online assignment design and assessment. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, TWW events have moved online and are now available at no charge to U of M faculty and staff systemwide. Learn more and register for the TWW series.
Oct. 22 - Info session: Promotion and tenure dossier review for community-engaged faculty
Faculty members who conduct community-engaged research and/or teaching and who are approaching the promotion and tenure process are invited to attend an information session (register) about the University's Review Committee on Community-Engaged Scholarship. An initiative of the Office for Public Engagement and the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs, the Review Committee on Community-Engaged Scholarship is composed of tenured professors from diverse disciplines and professional fields.
Online leadership development program for individual contributors
Discover your leadership potential and build your skills through the online Leading on All Levels leadership program. Whether you manage projects informally or lead the work of others on teams, this course will help you learn about your strengths and use them to advance your leadership journey at the University. This six-session, remote learning course begins on Nov. 2.
U of M featured virtual events
Sept. 30 - Resilience Part I: First Principles
Oct. 5, 12, 19: Mini Medical School: A Focus on Global Health
Oct. 7 - Author Alison Bechdel
Oct. 9 - Be Here Now: Self-Care During a Pandemic
Oct. 9 - The Ethics of Underfunding: Changing the Narrative about Native American Health Care
Oct. 10 - Swing Out Solo Jazz Dance Class
Oct. 13 - IEM Otto Schmitt Distinguished Lecture
Oct. 14-15 - Minnesota Gathering for Person-Centered Practices
Oct. 15 - Marriage Equality in Minnesota
Fifty-two Crookston student-athletes earn D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award
The University of Minnesota Crookston athletic department had 52 student-athletes earn the 2019-20 Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievement Awards. The D2 ADA recognized 15,318 student-athletes from 201 institutions for the 2019-20 season.
Learn about our nation's food supply and how it was disrupted during COVID-19
The global supply chain is a highly sophisticated grouping of production, distribution, and transportation systems. This video primer introduces how the web of supply and demand influences the movement of products and how COVID-19 impacted the nation’s production and distribution capacity.
Recognized for prolific research
Denni Arli, assistant professor of marketing, was recently named one of the most productive research scholars. A study published in Marketing Intelligence and Planning examined the journal’s scholarly output over the past 37 years. Arli ranked 11th. Since earning his PhD in 2012, Arli, whose research focuses on consumer ethics, consumer religiosity, and social marketing, has had 65 research studies published.
Plants in peril
Associate Professor Briana Gross and Professor Julie Etterson, both with the Department of Biology, along with student researchers, are studying some rare plants that only grow in a few places in the world—one of which is the shores of Lake Superior. The team wants to determine how these plants are handling rising temperatures. If the plants can’t adapt quickly enough, they will become extinct at that location.
Oct. 10 - Aquaculture event
Aquaculture is a fast-growing industry around the world, but the U.S. has been slow to embrace this area of agriculture. Sea Grant Great Lakes Aquaculture Day will include panel discussions and presentations on aquaculture, as well as a cooking challenge. Registration is required for this free event, which begins at 8:30 a.m.
Homecoming 2020 and 60th anniversary
U of M Morris invites the University community to join in this year's virtual Homecoming and 60th anniversary celebration: “Looking Back, Leading Forward: @HOMEcoming 2020.” The experience launches Oct. 5 and continues through Oct. 10. Virtual events are offered in weeklong, on-demand, and live formats and include a recognition of 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award winner James “Jim” Odden ’71.
Student teaching during a pandemic
This fall, teaching candidates are learning to adapt to unique challenges in the classroom with help from alumni like Scott Gonnerman ’92. Read more about Gonnerman and student teacher Kari Didier '21 in the Stevens County Times.
UMR Career Pathways: The Business and Leadership of Health Care
UMR alum Nicole Vang’s capstone included serving as a White House intern addressing health disparities and youth engagement in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Vang recalls that her capstone “taught me to challenge myself, by not just speaking about change, but making change happen.” She now works for Medtronic, where she sees firsthand the development of new health care technologies that alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life.
Racism and health impacts discussed at DEEP event
With a long-standing Rochester-based collaboration, the School of Nursing and UMR share core values of diversity, inclusion, and equity. On Sept. 17, UMR’s Andrew Williams (assistant vice chancellor for student success, engagement, and equity) was a guest speaker at the annual DNP Enhancement and Enrichment Programming (DEEP) event, providing a presentation entitled "Pathologies of Power, Racism, Anti-Blackness and the Search for Healing Justice.”
From the ashes
U of M physicians Renee Crichlow and Andrea Westby both practice in North Minneapolis, an area that was hit particularly hard by some who used the largely peaceful George Floyd protests as cover for acts of vandalism and destruction. While their longtime clinic in the area was damaged, both say they understand the profound anger of their community over systemic racism and the cost it has exacted on people of color. The duo penned this article in the immediate aftermath of events.
School of Public Health launches Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation
The University of Minnesota School of Public Health has launched a reimagined center devoted to developing and improving ways for people to be happier and healthier as they age. The new Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation (CHAI) seeks to foster interdisciplinary, community-engaged approaches to support students, researchers, and the community when addressing critical issues related to aging.
The Gopher Equity Project
The Gopher Equity Project, a University of Minnesota Twin Cities diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative for undergraduate students, has officially launched this week. Faculty and staff are asked to strongly encourage students to participate by taking the online training, joining discussion groups, and continuing to educate themselves starting with a curated list of resources. This effort is one step in creating a positive campus climate for all students to thrive and succeed.
Nursing and pharmacy students work together to provide flu shots
This fall approximately 60 nursing and pharmacy students are participating in the student-led flu clinics, which are part of the longstanding interprofessional Immunization Tour course. A collaboration between the College of Pharmacy and School of Nursing, the course is offered to pharmacy and nursing students to learn about, plan, and implement influenza immunization clinics.
The Dudley Riggs collection
Dudley Riggs made a mark on the Twin Cities before passing away on Sept. 22 at the age of 88, particularly with the Brave New Workshop improvisational comedy club that he ran for 39 years. Along with many warm memories, he also leaves behind a treasure trove—his papers in the U of M Libraries’ Performing Arts Archive.
Oct. 1 - The Weisman and WAM Shop reopen
The Weisman Art Museum is eager to welcome visitors back when they’re ready to visit. Gallery spaces will reopen Oct. 1 with important safeguards in place to help protect both visitors and staff. No reservations are required for entry; face coverings are required for all over the age of 2. Admission is free. Plan your visit and get more info on new COVID precautions at the museum.
Oct. 8 - ‘What's Next? Roundtable Series’
The College of Liberal Arts “What's Next? Roundtable Series” will bring you together with community leaders seeking to answer the question: “What’s next for us to eliminate institutional and systemic racism in society in the wake of George Floyd’s death?” The first roundtable, "Money Talks: Leveraging the power of business and philanthropy in pursuit of racial justice," takes place Oct. 8, 11 a.m.
Campus Club membership special
The Campus Club is open and membership is just $10. If you’re spending time on campus for work or school this fall, consider joining and get access to dine-in, takeout, and delivery options. The club is located on the 4th floor of Coffman Union.