Culture Journey Community Assembly set for May 16
The university will conduct a Culture Journey Community Assembly via Zoom from 9-10 a.m. May 16 to discuss what the Culture Change Values Identification Working Group has discovered thus far to promote culture change at U-M. Featured speakers include President Mary Sue Coleman and Provost-Elect Laurie McCauley. Topics will include how: the group is identifying values that will be foundational to promote culture change at U-M; culture change partners are connecting across campus; culture change work is progressing; people can engage in next steps along the journey. The Zoom link is umich.zoom.us/j/93148425394. The assembly will be recorded and shared for those who cannot attend, and it will include a Q&A session for the U-M community to share ideas, feedback and questions. Share input during the live event, or ahead of time by May 6 using this form.
Gabriella Scarlatta recommended for provost at UM-Dearborn
Gabriella Scarlatta, UM-Dearborn’s interim provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs for the past year, is being recommended for the position permanently. Her five-year appointment is effective July 1, pending Board of Regents approval. She has been a faculty member for more than 25 years. Scarlatta said her goals include continuing the expansion of practice-based learning opportunities and fostering collaboration across academic units to create new interdisciplinary programs for enhancing skills needed in a 21st century workforce. A professor of language, culture and communication, she has chaired that department and co-chaired the Department of Humanities, has been a member of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters’ Executive and Curriculum Committees, worked as a faculty representative on the Lecturers’ Employee Organization university bargaining team on multiple occasions, and was active on Faculty Senate. Her U-M accolades include the Women and Gender’s Studies Outstanding Research Award and a Council on Global Engagement honor from UM-Ann Arbor. Read more about her appointment.
Carbon Neutrality Acceleration Program Grants taking proposals
A new round of funding through the Graham Sustainability Institute’s Carbon Neutrality Acceleration Program will provide up to $50,000 or up to $200,000 over one or two years for high-impact faculty research that will dramatically reduce net carbon emissions. A total of $1.25 million will be awarded this funding cycle. This funding opportunity for U-M faculty from the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses targets research, scholarship and engagement efforts that will create critical knowledge and propel innovations to accelerate the transition to carbon neutrality. Projects should explore and advance big ideas with the potential to radically reduce emissions. The LOI deadline for Level 1 grants (up to $50,000 for one year) is May 11, with proposals due June 3. The pre-proposal deadline for Level 2 grants (up to $200,000 for two years) is June 3, with proposals due Oct. 3. More details can be found at graham.umich.edu/carbonneutrality/grants.
Board of Regents to meet May 19; livestream available
The University of Michigan Board of Regents is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. May 19 at Fairlane Center South on the campus of UM-Dearborn. Members of the public will also be able to watch a livestream of the meeting at umich.edu/watch/, but those wishing to make comments during the meeting must attend in person. An agenda will be posted at noon May 16 at regents.umich.edu/meetings/agendas/. To offer public comment at the meeting, sign up before 9 a.m. May 18 at regents.umich.edu/meetings/public-comments/form. People with disabilities who need assistance should contact the Office of the Vice President and Secretary of the University in advance at 734-763-8194. For more information, go to regents.umich.edu.
Nominations open for Distinguished University Innovator Award
Nominations are being accepted for the Distinguished University Innovator Award, which honors faculty members who have made important and lasting contributions to society by developing novel ideas and insights through their research, and then translating them to practice. The award was established in 2007 by the Office of the Vice President for Research and is supported by endowments from the U-M Office of Research and the Stephen and Rosamund Forrest Family Foundation. It is open to current members of the tenure/tenure track, research or clinical faculty or a team of up to three faculty members. The award comes with a $5,000 honorarium for the individual recipient or to be shared by team recipients. Nominations will be accepted until June 10, with the announcement of the winner expected in early September. For more on the award and how to submit a nomination.
— Compiled by James Iseler, The University Record
