STATE UNIVERSITIES
CMU to offer Master of Public Health degree
A new Master of Public Health degree is to be offered this fall at Central Michigan University. The degree will enable public health professionals to engage in prevention programming and research activities designed to improve population health. It will focus on developing the skills and knowledge public health workers need to address new and emerging health issues such as alcohol and drug use, obesity and air pollution.
Eastern Michigan University names interim president
Donald Loppnow, who served Eastern Michigan University for 40 years as professor, provost and interim president before retiring in 2014, was scheduled to return to as interim president Jan. 8. Loppnow will serve in this role as Eastern conducts a national search for its 23rd president. The search is expected to be completed this spring.
Michigan Tech starts work on projects
Michigan Technological University has begun construction on projects included in a $24.3 million bond issue. Contracts totaling $6.3 million have been signed with 16 contractors locally, throughout the western Upper Peninsula, and in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Projects include building renovations, fuel tank upgrades and work to promote universitywide safety, such as updating fire alarm systems and elevators and a Web-based campuswide system of heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls.
SVSU board approves $12 million library renovation
The Saginaw Valley State University Board of Control in December approved spending up to $12 million to renovate SVSU’s Zahnow Library. Funding for the project includes a $1.5 million gift from the Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation in Saginaw. Saginaw Valley expects to receive additional private donations to support the renovation. The remainder of the project will be financed through existing funds reserved for campus construction and renovation.
PEER INSTITUTIONS
IU developing portable tool to diagnose concussions
Indiana University School of Optometry researchers studying concussion symptoms have devised a system that consists of eye-tracking goggles within a shoebox-sized device and a balance platform based on technology in Nintendo’s Wii gaming system. By comparing an athlete’s baseline numbers with tests after a high-impact blow, the tester can quickly determine whether the athlete suffered a concussion and should be withheld from competition. The researchers have received grants to pursue the project: $429,000 from the National Institutes of Health and a $120,000 award from the Indiana Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Fund.
