ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Awards
Digital accessibility compliance date extended to April 2027
The U.S. Department of Justice recently extended the deadline by which all public universities must meet updated accessibility standards for digital content — such as websites, course materials, videos, documents, social media posts, and applications — under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Regulations that were previously scheduled to take effect on April 24, 2026, are now scheduled to take effect on April 26, 2027, said Ravi Pendse, vice president for information technology and chief information officer, and Tami Strickman, executive director of the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office and special adviser to the president, in an April 21 message to the Ann Arbor campus community. “Our teams remain committed to providing guidance, resources, and support for the community. Together, we will maintain our momentum, building on our decades-long commitment to expanding the reach and impact of our research, teaching, service, and health care through a more inclusive, accessible University of Michigan,” the message read. Messages were also sent to the Dearborn and Flint campuses.
Information available about upcoming commencement celebrations
In addition to U-M’s main Spring Commencement ceremony May 2 at Michigan Stadium and the Rackham Graduate Exercises on May 1 at Crisler Center, schools and colleges, along with some departments and identity groups, will host separate graduation ceremonies, recognition events and receptions in the coming days. A webpage that addresses questions regarding parking, seating and prohibited items at Michigan Stadium is available. UM-Dearborn’s ceremony at the Fieldhouse will start at 9 a.m. May 2 to honor undergraduate students from the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters and the College of Business; 1 p.m. for undergraduate students from the College of Education, Health, and Human Services and the College of Engineering and Computer Science; and 5 p.m. for doctoral and graduate students. For more information on the Dearborn ceremonies, go to umdearborn.edu/commencement. The UM-Flint ceremonies are set for May 3 at Dort Financial Center with the ceremony for the College of Arts, Sciences & Education and College of Health Sciences beginning at 10 a.m. and the ceremony for the College of Innovation and Technology, School of Management and School of Nursing beginning at 3 p.m. For information about the Flint celebrations, go to umflint.edu/commencement/.
Promoting Democracy Teaching Series accepting applications
U-M faculty members are invited to apply for the Promoting Democracy Teaching Series, which offers programs and resources designed to help instructors across academic disciplines harness the momentum of each election season to promote civic learning and democratic engagement while improving their teaching practice. A collaborative partnership between the Ginsberg Center and the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, Promoting Democracy Teaching Series is offered during U.S. presidential and midterm election cycles. In advance of the 2026 midterm elections, a Promoting Democracy Course Planning Retreat will kick off the series from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Ginsberg Center. Applications for the 2026 Promoting Democracy Course Planning Retreat are open through May 15. To apply and learn more, visit the series website at ginsberg.umich.edu/teach-democracy.
— Compiled by Jeff Bleiler, The University Record
