UM-Dearborn campus sees summer campus improvements
From additional parking to a new native plant garden, several campus improvements took place over the summer at UM-Dearborn. Projects include several totally rebuilt pedestrian bridges, completing work on the new $90 million Engineering Lab Building, expanding parking and adding new dasher boards and glass to the UM-Fieldhouse for the 2018-19 ice hockey season. The campus’ “contemplative garden” received a major rehab, and a native plant garden was installed as well. For more information, visit myumi.ch/L31X8.
SACUA approves student voting challenge motion
The Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs recently approved a resolution declaring the Faculty Senate’s endorsement of the Big Ten Voting Challenge. The nonpartisan voting challenge aims to increase the number of eligible student voters across the country and encourage participation at the polls for all elections. The resolution states the Faculty Senate also endorses the 90 percent pledge, which is a motivational tool within the challenge to encourage universities and their sub-units to ensure 90 percent of their eligible students are registered to vote. The resolution states that “faculty are critical to establishing a culture of civic participation on a university campus, and … a culture of civic participation is in accordance with the mission of a public university to contribute to the common good.” Along with endorsing the challenge and the 90 percent pledge, the resolution states the Faculty Senate encourages the faculty of each campus of the university to promote voter registration and voter turnout among eligible students.
U-M interprofessional clinic team named “Sepsis Heroes”
The U-M team behind an interprofessional clinic aimed at keeping intensive care patients healthy after discharge was recently honored as Sepsis Heroes by the Sepsis Alliance. Opened in March 2018, the University of Michigan Post ICU Longitudinal Survivor Experience Clinic offers timely and thorough follow-up care to ICU patients, who may experience cognitive, physical and emotional symptoms after they come home from the hospital. To avoid hospital re-admission, U-M PULSE takes a holistic, multidisciplinary approach — a social worker, physician and clinical pharmacist work collaboratively to address a range of patient needs. The Sepsis Heroes award honors the team for their innovative efforts to improve the care of sepsis survivors. Patients do not need a referral to be seen at the clinic. To schedule an appointment with U-M PULSE, call 734-647-9342 and request an appointment with Jakob McSparron.
Campaign promotes kindness and gratitude to improve well-being
Improved mood, stronger trust among co-workers, and enhanced creativity are a few of the benefits suggested in MHealthy’s “Be Kind. Be Well.” campaign. The communications were unveiled at the Sept. 28 “Be Well in the Big House” event, and continues through October. Research supports that engaging in kindness and gratitude practices can have positive effects on individuals and workplaces, said Kelcey Stratton, program manager for resiliency and well-being services in the Office of Counseling and Workplace Resilience. Resources to help faculty and staff incorporate gratitude into their day-to-day work are available on the MHealthy site. This includes a downloadable kindness pledge and gratitude cards. For more information, visit myumi.ch/LBbrq.
School of Public Health launches new fellow program
The School of Public Health has partnered with the Peace Corps to launch a Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program within the Department of Nutritional Sciences. The program offers discounted tuition for returned Peace Corps volunteers who are pursuing a Master of Public Health degree in nutritional sciences. The department plans to accept one Coverdell Fellow each year, and fellows will receive a 50 percent tuition award per year, which would apply to in-state or out-of-state tuition. In addition to SPH, several other U-M schools and colleges offer Coverdell Fellowships, including the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, the School for Environment and Sustainability, the School of Information, the School of Social Work, and the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design.
— Compiled by Safiya Merchant, The University Record
