Multimedia Features

  1. October 9, 2023

    Godbots

    As generative artificial intelligence apps such as ChatGPT gain popularity, so have religious chatbots. In this video, Webb Keane, George Herbert Mead Distinguished University Professor of Anthropology and professor of anthropology in LSA, talks about what he calls “godbots,” and the danger of giving moral authority to artificial intelligence.

    Read a Q&A with Webb Keane about godbots
  2. October 6, 2023

    Begob

    Phboto of the sculpture Begob

    Created by Alexander Liberman, this steel sculpture, titled “Begob,” sits on the east side of the Lurie Engineering Center on North Campus, It was a gift of the College of Engineering class of 1945 and NROTC classes starting in 1942. The proportions of the piece reflect what Liberman describes as “…the two crucial elements for a sculpture to be successful. First, the use of scale. In America, sculpture must compete with the size of our country and our buildings. … Secondly, the sculpture must have a distinct form. The form created by the repetition of shapes; it is this repetition that gives the object a sense of rhythm.” The Record periodically highlights pieces of public art at U-M.

    Browse an online listing of public art at U-M
  3. October 4, 2023

    President’s Residence renovations

    A photo collage showing rooms that were part of the President's Residence renovation.

    These photos show some of the rooms and features that were part of a 16-month renovation of the President’s Residence, the oldest building on campus. The 14,000-square-foot home on South University Avenue will reopen this month, after undergoing work that blended historic preservation with contemporary updates while improving the home’s accessibility. (Photos by Roger Hart, Michigan Photography)

    Read more about the President’s Residence renovation
  4. October 3, 2023

    Aging in politics

    Recent developments have raised questions regarding the role of politicians’ age in political matters. How long politicians should stay in office based on their age continues to be the subject of much debate. In this video, Christian Fong, assistant professor of political science, examines public perceptions about the influence of aging in the political sphere.

    Read a Q&A with Christian Fong about aging in politics
  5. October 2, 2023

    2023 DEI Summit

    Photos of David Banner, andré douglas pond cummings, and Rapsody

    This year’s DEI Summit will kick off Oct. 9 with a community assembly featuring, from left, David Banner, Grammy-winning hip-hop artist, producer and social activist; andré douglas pond cummings, author and professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; and Rapsody, Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist. “Truth Telling: The Kinship of Critical Race Theory and Hip-Hop” will celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and highlight its intersection with critical race theory.

    Read more about the DEI Summit
  6. September 27, 2023

    Blooming sustainability

    Nicholas Dowgwillo, 2D media studio coordinator at the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, points out some of the plants being grown at the Stamps Sustainable Materials & Color Garden. The garden, conceived and built by Stamps faculty, staff and students, allows Stamps creatives to source plants for natural art practices, creating accessible opportunities to cultivate plants used for materials, natural dyes and papermaking. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)

    Read more about the Stamps Sustainable Materials & Color Garden
  7. September 25, 2023

    Tips for staying healthy

    In this video, Chief Health Officer Robert Ernst talks about how flu and COVID-19 vaccines can help the campus community stay healthy. U-M will be offering the updated COVID vaccine as supplies become available. A COVID vaccine clinic is scheduled for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 26 in the East Hall South Atrium, with more expected in October. AS it becomes available, the COVID vaccine will be offered at clinics along with the seasonal flu vaccine.

    Read more about the flu and COVID vaccine
  8. September 23, 2023

    Zumba like a Wolverine

    Photo of people doing Zumba on the field at Michigan Stadium

    MHealthy instructors lead a Zumba class on the field of Michigan Stadium at “Be Well in the Big House” on Sept. 21. The event offered U-M faculty and staff the opportunity to join in a variety of health and wellness activities both on and off the field of the Big House. (Photo by Jaime Crawford, JC Sports Photography)

  9. September 22, 2023

    Earthfest fun

    Photo of a woman with a dinosaur puppet at Earthfest as an other person looks on.

    From left, LSA undergraduate students Minh-Thu Nguyen and Joseph Coleman provide information about the U-M Museum of Natural History to Earthfest visitors Sept. 21. Earthfest is U-M’s annual celebration of environmental initiatives across the university. About 40 student organizations, university units and local nonprofits were on the Diag, sharing opportunities to learn about and get involved in sustainable operations, environmental advocacy, research and environmental justice.
    (Photo by Scott Soderberg, Michigan Photography)

  10. September 20, 2023

    Holistic admissions

    A study by Michael Bastedo, professor of education in the Marsal Family School of Education, found that universities and colleges that have adopted holistic admissions practices tend to be fairer to students from many different varying high schools and neighborhoods because schools are highly stratified in this country. The study found that contextualizing high school grades and test scores may allow institutions to identify students from diverse backgrounds with strong academic achievement who will graduate.

    Read more about this study