Library introduces new interface for archival finding aids
Researchers who use the University of Michigan’s Finding Aids site for descriptions and other information about archival collections are in for a new, improved user experience. The library’s homegrown system has been replaced with ArcLight, an open-source system widely used by academic libraries and archives. Finding aids describe the contexts of archival collection boxes or folders, and help researchers discover and request the materials relevant to their work for viewing in designated reading rooms. The new site is cohesive, consistent, accessible and mobile-friendly, and allows users to more easily search across all collections or limit their search to just one. Searches also will produce more related items, since ArcLight will match keywords rather than exact phrases only. Users then can filter those results by repository, collection, creator, date, names, place, subject and format. They can also restrict a search to only those materials that are digitized and available online. Access the Finding Aids website at findingaids.lib.umich.edu.
UM-Flint to host spring commencement ceremonies on April 29-30
UM-Flint will celebrate its April and August graduates during the Spring Commencement ceremonies April 29-30 at the Riverfront Conference Center. More than 800 students are eligible to participate. Both undergraduate and graduate students will be awarded degrees during four ceremonies involving the university’s six schools and colleges. The schedule for commencement is:
- College of Arts & Sciences, 11 a.m. April 29.
- School of Management and College of Innovation & Technology, 1:30 p.m. April 29.
- School of Nursing, 11 a.m. April 30.
- College of Health Sciences and School of Education & Human Services, 1:30 p.m. April 30.
In addition to messages from UM-Flint Chancellor Deba Dutta and Sonja Feist-Price, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, the 1:30 p.m. April 29 ceremony will feature special remarks from Phil Hagerman, CEO of Skypoint Ventures, Forum Health and co-founder of Diplomat Pharmacy. Hagerman will receive an honorary doctorate in recognition of his service to the Flint community and the university.
BOOST seeks applications for research development support
The Bold Challenges Initiative is seeking applications for its BOOST program, which supports U-M faculty teams that want the ability to produce highly competitive proposals in response to large-scale external funding opportunities within the next two to five years. This cohort-based program centers around priority university and funder themes and will nurture effective teams with structured activities and deliverables. Each team accepted into the program will receive staff support from a research development professional and up to $75,000 to conduct activities such as preliminary research, gathering background data and information, holding team meetings, inviting speakers, and connecting with external partners including industry and community groups. BOOST applications are open to teams of cross-disciplinary researchers that are working towards a research challenge that aligns within one of the Bold Challenges research themes for 2023. Learn more about BOOST and apply online.
Michigan Medicine launches Health Equity/Health Disparities Research Scholars Program
The Michigan Medicine Office for Health Equity and Inclusion and the Office of Faculty Affairs & Faculty Development have introduced the Health Equity/Health Disparities Research Scholars Program. Applications are now available for the inaugural cohort of scholars for the 2023-24 academic year. The program is designed to assist early-career faculty in incorporating HEHD research into their professional work. For those with an interest in disparities and inequities but little to no research background, this program could be an excellent opportunity to gain basic exposure to needed knowledge and skills. Scholars will be individually paired with a research mentor. HEHD research is designed to examine whether patients are being treated differently by the health system based on specific attributes such as gender, race or ethnicity, ability status, income gradient and sexual orientation. Learn more about the program and apply online.
Clark Commons open with adaptable work spaces at Shapiro Library
The Stephen S. Clark Commons is now open on the third floor of the Shapiro Library, transforming 37,500 square feet with open sight lines, enhanced natural lighting, zoned spaces equipped with whiteboards, mounted screens and computer stations. The all-new furnishings are flexible and adaptable to accommodate a range of work styles and methodologies — consultative, collaborative, groups large and small, and independent. With construction completed, the bridge between Shapiro Library and the Hatcher Graduate Library now connects the Clark Commons to the Stephen S. Clark Library on the second floor of Hatcher. Read more about Clark Commons’ opening.
In some U.S. schools, 1 in 4 students report misusing prescription stimulants
U.S. middle and high schools with the most students taking prescription stimulants to treat ADHD also had, overall, the highest percentage of students who misused prescription stimulants within the past year. The University of Michigan-led study highlights a significant association between ADHD stimulant therapy in schools and prescription stimulant misuse, said Sean Esteban McCabe, professor of nursing and principal investigator on the study. At some schools, 25% or more of kids reported misusing prescription stimulants in the past year — meaning they used the medication without a doctor’s orders or nonmedically, such as for recreation or to stay awake. This is the first large study to examine the prevalence of prescription stimulant misuse and correlating factors in U.S middle and high schools, McCabe said. Read more about the study.
— Compiled by James Iseler, The University Record
