Falcon chick named Big Flappo Jr. after campus fan favorite hawk
The peregrine falcon chick that recently hatched in a nesting box on the roof of North Quad has a large wingspan to live up to a new name: Big Flappo Jr. The winning name was selected from dozens of suggestions through a recent online naming contest after the U-M community was invited to participate. The original name Big Flappo, one of U-M’s unofficial campus mascots, is a fan favorite red-tailed hawk whose presence in Ann Arbor over the years has made it a minor celebrity. A campaign was launched on social media at the beginning of the naming contest by members of the U-M community to name the peregrine falcon chick after Big Flappo, resulting in the winning name of Big Flappo Jr. This is the sixth year the university has hosted an online naming contest for falcon chicks. Big Flappo Jr. hatched in early May and was banded in early June. The bands help the Michigan Department of Natural Resources identify the falcon’s pedigree after it has flown away to its new home. The DNR has advised the public that if they come across the chick on the ground — which happens from time to time when they are learning to fly — to call 989-313-0283.
U-M expanding opportunities to reserve canopies for outdoor activities
Reservation availability for the outdoor canopies around campus has expanded. Campus canopies, installed to provide individual students additional space for studying, rest, and eating between classes, are available for reservation from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (for four-hour maximum time blocks) Monday through Friday for U-M departmental meetings and student organization meetings. Currently, the last day a reservation will be accepted is Aug. 13. There are two canopies located at the Michigan Union and one at Ingalls Mall North on Central Campus and one at Gerstacker Grove on North Campus. For information about how to reserve a canopy and rules regarding their use.
Zoom supports new DEI-related features in latest update
U-M faculty, staff, and students can now take advantage of new features in Zoom video conferencing that support an inclusive campus environment. The features are part of the latest version of Zoom (version 5.7.0), which was released June 21. Among the new enhancements, members of the U-M community now have the ability to display their gender pronouns as part of their display name in meetings and webinars. Meeting participants and webinar attendees can now request the host enable Live Transcription, anonymously, avoiding interrupting the host to request this verbally or through chat. Additionally, hosts and co-hosts can now share a screen across all active breakout rooms in a Zoom meeting. ITS launched U-M Zoom as a videoconferencing service in March 2020. Zoom releases updates frequently, and additional tips and features are available on the ITS website. To take advantage of these new features and enhancements in Zoom, members of the U-M community should update their Zoom app to version 5.7.0 or newer. This version is currently available to most individuals with a U-M account; the features will be available to individuals with HITS-managed CoreImage devices at a later date.
University awarded President’s Award by GIS software company
U-M has been given the President’s Award by Esri, a software company that provides geographic information system mapping and spatial analysis software and services. U-M is the first education institution to receive the award since its inception in 1989. Peter Knoop, app programmer/analyst senior in LSA Technology Service, accepted the award via a virtual speech July 12. According to Esri, the President’s Award is “the highest honor given for an organization, recognizing one annually that uses data-driven decision-making to impact the world in a positive way.” Esri is recognizing U-M “as a leader in enabling and supporting its community through the implementation of a large-scale, campus-wide GIS.”
Human Research Protection Program awarded full AAHRPP accreditation
The university’s Human Research Protection Program has been awarded full accreditation by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, affirming its commitment to safeguarding human research participants. The HRPP, coordinated by the Office of the Vice President for Research, is responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of participants in research conducted or reviewed by U-M. The university has maintained AAHRPP accreditation since 2008. AAHRPP is an independent accrediting organization that uses a peer-driven evaluation and education process to ensure institutional HRPPs establish and maintain rigorous standards of protection for human research participants. AAHRPP conducted a virtual site visit for U-M in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as part of its assessment, their team interviewed several faculty and staff to evaluate how teams practice ethical and regulatory-required human subjects protections. In granting the full accreditation, the AAHRPP Council’s representatives noted that the university met all of the AAHRPP evaluation criteria and also demonstrated appropriate documentation of its self-assessment activities.
Stamps Gallery reopening to public in limited capacity
The Stamps Gallery has been welcoming public audiences back to the gallery in a limited capacity since June 25. It previously was only open to valid M‑Card holders. The gallery will be open from 11 a.m.‑4 p.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The first hour each day is reserved for visitors with an increased risk for severe illness. All visitors are encouraged to reserve time at Stamps Gallery via Eventbrite prior to arrival, as this will help gallery staff monitor occupancy levels and facilitate a safe and socially distanced viewing experience. Walk-ins are welcome, pending capacity limitations. Learn more and make reservations at stamps.umich.edu/stamps-gallery/gallery-covid-19-policies.
— Compiled by Jeff Bleiler and James Iseler, The University Record
