Provost’s Office begins search to fill ombuds position
Working with the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs, the Provost’s Office has launched a search to fill the Faculty Ombuds position. The university’s current Faculty Ombuds — Bruno Giordani, professor of psychiatry, neurology and psychology, and an adjunct professor of nursing — is leaving the role after four and a half years to serve as the director of the Mary A. Rackham Institute. The position will be posted on the university’s job postings website through Feb. 2. Provost Martin Philbert will solicit input from school and college executive committees and has asked SACUA to encourage faculty colleagues to apply for the position.
University ranked No. 4 on Kiplinger’s ‘best values’ ranking
The University of Michigan is ranked No. 4 on Kiplinger’s list of 100 Best Values in Public Colleges, moving up one spot from last year. The ranking highlights colleges and universities that combine outstanding education with economic value. Since 2010, U-M has moved from No. 19 to No. 4 among public colleges. Kiplinger assesses value by measurable standards of academic quality and affordability. Quality measures include student SAT or ACT scores, admissions rates, the percentage of students who return for sophomore year, the student-faculty ratios and four-year graduate rates. Cost criteria include sticker price, financial aid and average debt at graduation.
Coulter Program seeks proposals
The U-M Coulter Translational Research Partnership Program, which funds collaborative translational research projects between engineering and clinical faculty co-investigators, is announcing its 2018 call for proposals. The deadline to submit proposals is Feb. 2. The goal of the program is to accelerate development and commercialization of new medical devices, diagnostics and other medical product concepts that address unmet clinical needs and lead to improvements in health care. For more information, go to bme.umich.edu/research/coulter or contact Coulter Program Director Thomas Marten at 734-647-1680 or tmarten@umich.edu.
Grant to aid youth math and science program at UM-Dearborn
UM-Dearborn has received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to implement an Upward Bound Math and Science Program for underrepresented youth. The program aims to encourage high school students to develop their potential to excel in math and science and to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Perry Boyd II, assistant director for outreach programs, will serve as director for the program, and is working with Robichaud Senior High School to select participants from grades 9-12.
Sale will return Inglis House to use as family home
The university has finalized the sale of Inglis House to a buyer who intends to use it as a family residence. The home is being purchased by Dan and Marlee Musser. The university administration recommended selling the property and the Board of Regents approved the sale in March, directing proceeds to be used to support students through a newly established Inglis Family Scholarship. The final sale price was $2.1 million for the house and a 4.5-acre parcel. An additional 4.6 acres of land has been added to the adjacent Nichols Arboretum.
U-M Exercise & Sport Science Initiative seeks 2018 proposals
The U-M Exercise & Sport Science Initiative, which aims to optimize physical performance and health for people of all ages and abilities, is announcing its 2018 call for proposals. The deadline to submit proposals is 5 p.m. Feb. 12. The initiative draws on expertise from a wide range of faculty across campus, Michigan Athletics and industry partners to interface, prioritize and conduct sport and exercise-related research and innovation. ESSI will award funding for projects that focus on one or more of the following Grand Challenge areas: wise wearable sensor technology; injury prevention, diagnosis and management; individualized augmented reality and virtual reality; sports and learning analytics; and improved physical activity across the lifespan. For more information on how to apply, go to essi.umich.edu/funding/. Email questions to Lisa Rabaut, ESSI managing director, at lisaraba@umich.edu.
University Record resumes comments for online stories
The University Record has resumed the commenting function for stories that appear on its website, following a service upgrade. Comments will be posted online after commenters log in with their U-M uniqname and password. Comments appear under the name of the person associated with that uniqname. Email addresses are not published. A link to the Record’s commenting guidelines can be found at the bottom of each story.
— Compiled by Safiya Merchant, The University Record; Elisse Rodriguez, Public Affairs; and the Office of Research
