UROP accepting applications for research mentors
The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program is currently recruiting research projects for the coming academic year. More than 1,200 undergraduate researchers will be available to work on faculty projects. UROP targets first- and second-year students and a cohort of community college transfer students, engaging them as research assistants on ongoing or new sponsor-driven research, projects and scholarly and creative activities. All work-study costs are covered by UROP and there is no cost to research mentors for participating in the program. Limited supplementary research funds are also available from UROP for research-related expenses. The application can be found at lsa.umich.edu/urop/. The application deadline is Aug. 26, however, UROP accepts applications though early September. For more information, e-mail Assistant Director Luciana Aenasoaie at lucianab@umich.edu.
U-M Police reports no index crimes for June
There will not be a Police Blotter in this month’s University Record because the U-M Police has reported zero index crimes for the month of June. This means there were no reported incidents of homicide, criminal sexual conduct, robbery, aggravated assault, arson, burglary or motor vehicle theft reported to U-M Police in that time. For June, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center reported sexual assault (1), intimate partner violence (1), stalking (1) and sexual harassment (2).
U-M among best college workplaces in the U.S.
The nation’s colleges and universities are major employers, and U-M is among the best, according to the results of the Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2016 Great Colleges to Work For survey, released July 18. This is the ninth consecutive year the university has been recognized. U-M received distinctions in the following areas: Job Satisfaction and Support – Provides insight into the satisfaction with job fit, autonomy and resources; Compensation and Benefits — Pay is fair and benefits meet the needs of employees; Facilities, Workspace and Security – Facilities adequately meet needs, the appearance of the campus is pleasing and the institution takes steps to provide a secure environment; Teaching Environment — Faculty members say the institution recognizes innovative and high-quality teaching; Tenure Clarity and Process — Requirements for tenure are clear, faculty members say. The Chronicle uses ModernThink LLC, a human capital consulting firm, to conduct surveys of faculty and staff at participating institutions.
UMHHS again lauded for excellence in information technology
For the second straight year, U-M Hospitals and Health Centers are a standard-bearer for excellence in information technology. UMHHC was recently named one of 2016’s Most Wired by the American Hospital Association Health Forum. The winners were recognized for their performance in adopting and implementing information technology to better serve patients and employees within the health system. “This recognition is a tangible example of the quality work our IT staff does on a daily basis,” said Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, UMHHC’s interim chief information officer. To secure this coveted honor, UMHHC Information Technology created secure mobile access to emails and other UMHS documents via the AirWatch app. The organization also encrypted outbound email messages containing patient health and other sensitive information and upgraded the MiChart electronic health records program with new features, fixes and enhancements.
A reminder about University Record deadlines
The deadline for copy and art submission to the print University Record now is noon the Tuesday prior to publication. However, to ensure inclusion in the issue, be sure to reach out in advance to pitch the story and to aid with planning purposes. For the Record email, the deadline is noon the day prior to publication. For more information about the print Record, contact Editor Jillian A. Bogater at jillibog@umich.edu; for additional information about the Record’s website and email, contact Online Editor Jamie Iseler at jiseler@umich.edu.
Bryce Pilz to head licensing at U-M Tech Transfer
Bryce Pilz was named director of licensing for U-M’s Office of Tech Transfer effective July 18. Pilz is returning to U-M Tech Transfer where he worked closely with the licensing staff as an IP attorney from 2006-11. Pilz replaces Robin Rasor, who left U-M after 15 years of service to assume the leadership of the tech transfer office at Duke University. Pilz was most recently affiliated with the Law School’s Zell Entrepreneurship and Law clinic, which he co-founded in 2011 mentoring upper-level law students representing startup companies on intellectual property, corporate and financing matters. “It’s a great position from which to make a huge impact because you get to touch every U-M faculty invention and figure out a way to get that into the hands of the public,” Pilz said. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1997 and law degree in 2000 from U-M.
Go Blue! U-M athletes ready for the Rio Olympics
A group of 23 competitors with U-M connections punched their tickets to the 2016 Olympic Games and Paralympics that start next month in Brazil. Twelve of them, including athletes and coaches, hail from the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs. In addition, Michael Phelps — the most-decorated Olympian of all time who trained, coached and attended classes at U-M for four years beginning in 2004 — will once again be part of the team. Also, Zach Burns, a returning sophomore and an Ann Arbor native, has been selected to represent the United States on the 2016 Paralympic Rowing Team this September. For a complete U-M roster for 2016 Rio Olympics, go to mgoblue.com/sports/olympics/spec-rel/2016-olympics-roster.html.
Results of water sampling on Ann Arbor campus now available
The university’s Department of Occupational & Environmental Health is proactively undertaking a drinking water sampling project throughout facilities on the Ann Arbor campus. In light of the water crisis in Flint and in other cities across the nation, the U-M administration feels it is prudent to assess the drinking water quality of our working and living environments. Water sampling results for approximately 40 Ann Arbor U-M buildings that have been tested for lead and copper levels in water are now available, and more will be posted as they become available. Learn more about the project at oseh.umich.edu/community/drinkingwater.shtml or view the results via an interactive map at private.www.umich.edu/~oseh/WaterMap/.
