Distinguished Diversity Leaders Award for staff returns, nominations sought
After a three-year pause, the Distinguished Diversity Leaders Award has returned. Nominations are now being accepted through Oct. 4 for the 2023 award cycle. The awards recognize staff members who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to fostering diversity in its broadest sense at the University of Michigan. As many as 10 awards for individuals and five awards for teams will be presented. Recipients will receive written recognition and money to use for professional development activities or training. Individual recipients will receive $1,000. Teams will receive $2,500 to share. This award is made possible by the Office of the Provost, Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office, and University Human Resources to celebrate progress toward creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. Learn more and submit a nomination.
Biosciences Initiative seeks applications for Ideas Lab workshop
Applications are being sought for the Biosciences Initiative’s 2023 Ideas Lab. Approximately 25 applicants from across a broad range of disciplines will be selected for a three-day workshop titled “Biological Systems on the Edge,” in which they will explore nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change. Inspired by the National Science Foundation’s Ideas Lab model, the U-M Ideas Labs are dedicated to the pursuit of groundbreaking ideas that address challenges in the biosciences. They emphasize the discovery of key opportunities and the creation of interdisciplinary teams to tackle these complex issues. This year’s workshop will be Oct. 15-17. The application deadline is Sept. 11. The Ideas Lab Leadership Team selects the workshop participants, and typically three to five research teams develop and then receive funding to pursue their ideas that emerge during the workshop. The Biosciences Initiative encourages U-M faculty from across the natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, data and information science, business, public policy, humanities, architecture and planning, and more to apply. The initiative particularly welcomes applications from junior faculty and members of underrepresented groups. Learn more and apply.
U-M announces self-imposed football sanctions
The athletic department announced Aug. 21 that it is self-imposing sanctions in an ongoing NCAA matter related to its football program. Included in the self-imposed sanctions is a three-game suspension for head coach Jim Harbaugh, to be served during the opening three regular-season games of the 2023 season. The sanctions are in addition to previously imposed recruiting restrictions. “While the ongoing NCAA matter continues through the NCAA process, today’s announcement is our way of addressing mistakes that our department has agreed to in an attempt to further that process,” said Warde Manuel, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. “We will continue to support Coach Harbaugh, his staff, and our outstanding student-athletes. Per the NCAA’s guidelines, we cannot comment further until the matter is resolved.”
UM-Flint earns Gold-level veteran-friendly status again
For the ninth year in a row, UM-Flint has received Gold-level status as a veteran-friendly school by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. The gold ranking means the university has achieved at least six of seven program criteria: established a process for identification of current student veterans; created a veteran-specific website; offered an active student veteran organization or club; provided veteran-specific career services, resources, advising or outcome monitoring; employed an on-campus veterans’ coordinator or designated staff point of contact; developed a system to evaluate and award academic credit based on prior military training and experience; and monitored and evaluated student veteran academic retention, progress and graduation rates. “We are extremely honored to serve our military and veteran students and their families in the pursuit of their academic goals,” said Helen Budd, program manager for the university’s Student Veterans Resource Center. “Our military-connected students bring exceptional leadership skills to the campus community, and they are highly respected by their civilian peers for their contributions to group projects.” Read more online.
Michigan Medicine extends back-to-school supply drive through Sept. 8
Michigan Medicine’s annual back-to-school supply drive, supporting homeless youth and other students and families in need across Washtenaw County has been extended through Sept. 8. This is the 10th annual drive dating back to 2012. Over the past nine drives, the organization has collected and distributed more than 1,000 cases of supplies and nearly 3,000 backpacks to the community. This year, the drive will directly support five local agencies: The Education Project, Ozone House, Community Action Network, Faith in Action and House by the Side of the Road. “I’d like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to all of our teams for what they do to advance health and learning, in service to our community, Michigan and the world around us,” said Tony Denton, senior vice president and chief environmental, social and governance officer. Departments are encouraged to identify one or two team members to coordinate collections in their area for drop-off at the North Campus Research Complex, Dock 90, accessible from Huron Parkway, just south of Plymouth Road. Click here for a list of needed items.
— Compiled by James Iseler, The University Record
