Three regent candidates make their case at virtual forum
Candidates running for two seats on the University of Michigan Board of Regents talked about transparency, U-M’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, policing, tuition increases, systemic racism, support for regional campuses, and other topics Oct. 9 during an online candidate forum. Three of the 10 people in the race — incumbent Democratic Regent Shauna Ryder Diggs, and challengers Republican Carl Meyers and Green Party candidate Michael Mawilai — participated. Also seeking eight-year terms in the Nov. 3 election are incumbent Democratic Regent Mark Bernstein, Republican Sarah Hubbard, Libertarian James L. Hudler, U.S. Taxpayers candidates Ronald E. Graeser and Crystal Van Sickle, Libertarian Eric Larson and Natural Law candidate Keith Butkovich. The forum was organized by the Faculty Senate. The full Zoom video can be viewed.
U-M to retire BlueJeans effective May 1, 2021
In spring 2020, Information and Technology Services deployed Zoom videoconferencing to campus and later added large event support, captioning, and PHI-compliant Zoom for Health. Since then, adoption of Zoom has grown exponentially, while the use of BlueJeans has fallen significantly. Additionally, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams are available as part of the U-M academic collaboration suite at no additional cost and can be used as secondary videoconferencing options. Based on that trend and out of consideration for financial austerity measures, ITS has decided to retire BlueJeans effective May 1, 2021. All faculty, students and staff should begin using Zoom, Meet or Teams for all new videoconference meetings, and shift standing meetings from BlueJeans to one of the alternative platforms. The project website will be the central hub for disseminating and archiving project information, updates and resources. Email BlueJeansTeam@umich.edu with questions.
Taubman College offers undergraduate minor in real estate development
The A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning — in partnership with the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and School of Kinesiology — has launched a minor in real estate development, allowing undergraduate students studying in a variety of disciplines to supplement their major areas of study with broad knowledge of the fundamentals, formation, and finance of developments across the built environment. The minor offers a progressive approach to developing real estate and the built environment in the United States and worldwide. The 15-credit minor is currently available to students enrolled at Taubman College, the Ross School, and the School of Kinesiology. Learn more at studyrealestate.umich.edu.
Proposals sought for XR projects that transform teaching, learning
The Center for Academic Innovation is seeking proposals related to how extended reality tools — including augmented and virtual reality — can transform teaching and learning at the University of Michigan. The XR Initiative will fund projects up to $15,000 with content creation projects that include the design and development of new learning experiences, new software to support teaching and learning, or new digital assets. Innovative application proposals will receive in-kind support from the center so project teams have necessary access to tools and platforms. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 6. Visit the Center for Academic Innovation website at ai.umich.edu/academic-innovation-fund/#xr for more information.
Kelsey Museum to reopen to U-M community members
The Kelsey Museum of Archaeology will welcome back U-M students, faculty and staff beginning Oct. 20. In an effort to keep the density on campus low, the museum can only accommodate university community members at this time, and all visitors must have a valid MCard. In addition to its permanent galleries, Kelsey’s new special exhibition, “Randal Stegmeyer: Exposing the Past,” will be open. In accordance with university guidelines, the museum is operating its galleries at reduced capacity. Admission is free, but visits must be scheduled in advance through Eventbrite. Visit the museum’s website for more information about how to plan a visit.
William Davidson Institute to launch new Labor Practices group
Achyuta Adhvaryu, associate professor of business economics and public policy at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, and his work with Good Business Lab are proving the hypothesis that small improvements in worker happiness have a positive return on investment for companies. Adhvaryu’s work has found its place with the William Davidson Institute’s consulting services, in the newly formed Labor Practices group. The new practice area will add value to the work happening across WDI, and will enhance learning opportunities at the Ross School and U-M. Adhvaryu, along with the team at GBL, test innovative workplace policies via large-scale randomized control trials in real business environments, to quantify the impact of employee-oriented investments. Read more about their work.
— Compiled by Jeff Bleiler and Ann Zaniewski, The University Record
