Joe Braun, a senior systems administrator at the Institute for Social Research, enjoys hiking and exploring, has written hiking guides for three national parks and is also a talented photographer.

On Oct. 31, 1914, the Michigan Marching Band formed a block “M” while performing at Harvard Stadium. Read about some of the other things that happened in U-M history during the week of Oct. 26-Nov. 1.

Short news items from around the University of Michigan.

In a year marked by a global pandemic, national recession and international travel restrictions, undergraduate enrollment at U-M’s Ann Arbor campus increased slightly this fall compared to last fall.

UM-Flint physics professor Christopher A. Pearson has been named the inaugural dean of the Flint campus’ new College of Innovation and Technology. He begins his duties Nov. 1.

UM-Flint will launch Urban Institute for Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice, focused on social justice in the Flint area and the result of ongoing discussions in the community over the past decade.

Black patients and people with type 2 diabetes or kidney disease and living in high-population density areas are associated with higher risk for COVID-19 hospitalization, a new U-M study shows.

A joint study that seeks to document Michiganders’ experiences with the novel coronavirus found Michigan residents have endured long recovery and reduced employment because of COVID-19.

The President’s Commission on Carbon Neutrality’s carbon accounting subgroup focuses on bringing together otherwise disparate emissions data — U-M energy sources, the commission’s internal analysis teams, and utility firms.

Arnold Monto, a leading epidemiologist at the School of Public Health, will serve as acting chair of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting.