Picnic tables with solar-powered charging stations available
Two picnic tables with shaded outdoor seating and solar-powered charging stations will provide the University of Michigan community new outdoor locations to charge electronics on campus. Made possible by the U-M student group “Students for Clean Energy” through the Planet Blue Student Innovation Fund, the tables include power and USB receptacles. They are located at the Life Sciences Plaza near Palmer Commons and the south side of the Beyster Building aside the new North Campus Grove.
Nominees sought for Distinguished Diversity Leaders Award
Nominations are being accepted for the ninth annual Distinguished Diversity Leaders Award, which recognizes individual staff members and staff teams that have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in supporting diversity at the university. Co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost and University Human Resources, the DDLA provides a monetary prize — $1,000 for individuals, $2,500 for teams — to be used toward professional development activities. Staff members on all campuses and in the U-M Health System are eligible. The award recognizes the exceptional contributions of staff. A full list of previous awardees, nominees and a sample of a winning nomination can be found at myumi.ch/LR8DQ. Nominations for the award will be accepted through Oct. 9.
NSF award to help researcher study work in knowledge economy
U-M researcher Silvia Lindtner has received one of the first Convergence awards from the National Science Foundation. Lindtner, assistant professor of information, School of Information, will receive one of the 23 inaugural awards for work to address societal challenges pertaining to work at the human-technology frontier. The amount awarded is $99,185. Lindtner also is an assistant professor of art and design, Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design. Her research focuses on the culture and politics of making and technology entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on transformations in work, labor and the tech industry. Her research shows how making has drawn broad attention, from politicians, policymakers, investors and tech enthusiasts alike.
Quiet rooms debut at University Hospital
Working with patients and families, University Hospital has created two new quiet rooms on floors five and six — Rooms 5011 and 6011 — for family members and other visitors who want a quiet space to rest and gather their thoughts. The rooms were established with support from the University Hospital administration and the Office of Patient Experience’s Patient and Family Centered Care team. Molly White, administrative director for the Office of Patient Experience, said families have reported that having a quiet space to occasionally step into while still remaining close to their loved ones would help reduce stress.
U-M Flint to use grant to increase rural health care providers
UM-Flint recently received a federal grant to further prepare nurse practitioners to care for patients in underserved rural areas. The $1.2 million Advanced Nursing Education Workforce grant will help develop and evaluate partnerships between the U-M Flint School of Nursing and several rural medical clinics and centers. Director of Graduate Nursing Programs Constance Creech said over the next two years, 30 nurse practitioner students will be chosen to be part of the federal grant. They will receive specialized education to care for rural populations as well as financial support to allow them to complete clinical placements in rural areas in Michigan.
— Compiled by Safiya Merchant, The University Record
and Elisse Rodriguez, Public Affairs
