Provost's Wednesday Briefing - March 4, 2020

Phi Kappa Phi Earns Circle of Excellence Gold Status

Congratulations to EMU’s chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society on achieving Circle of Excellence Gold status.  This award recognizes those chapters that have exhibited outstanding performance because of the efforts of their volunteer chapter officers. We extend our appreciation to the Phi Kappa Phi students and their faculty advisory Professor William Marino, Jr.  This honor is a testament to the EMU chapter’s commitment to excellence in academics!

You’re Invited!  EMU’s Graduate Research Conference

The Graduate Research Conference (GRC) is a campus-wide celebration of graduate student scholarly/creative activities at EMU. Students, staff, and the wider community are invited to attend presentations of graduate student scholarship. The GRC will occur from 8am-4pm on March 20th, 2020 on the third floor of the Student Center.  There will be more than 160 students presenting through poster and oral presentations.

Swoop’s Food Pantry March Madness – Score Points and Help Students

The fourth annual Swoop’s Pantry March Madness competition is underway and Round One donations will be accepted through March 13.  Please consider engaging in some fun collegial competition and help your team take home a trophy!

Here are the assigned teams:

Team 1: McKenny

Team 2: Student Center

Team 3: Halle Library & Honors College

Team 4: Convocation/Athletics & Fletcher

Team 5: Welch & Boone & King

Team 6: Pierce & Hover

Team 7: Dining & Physical Plant

Team 8: DPS & CAPS/Psych Clinic

Download the point breakdown [PDF] and rules [PDF] for the competition and help your team reach the overall goal of 10,000 points over the course of three collection periods.

If you would like to donate an item not currently listed on the point breakdown or have any questions about the competition, please visit the Swoop’s Pantry webpage or send an email to [email protected].

Thank-an-Eagle Program

We encourage you to share with students a university-wide program called Thank-An-Eagle (formerly known as Thank-a-Teacher). This program provides an opportunity for students to thank an instructor, staff member, coach, graduate assistant, or mentor who has helped them during their time here at Eastern. Students submit a message of gratitude online and the Faculty Development Center and Provost Office deliver each message in the form of a letter to the person thanked.  On April 17, a special "Thank-An-Eagle" event will take place to recognize all of the Eagles who made a positive contribution to our students’ experience. 

Last Call: Tell Your Teaching Story and Win a $1,000

The Liggit Family and Friends Teaching & Learning Partnership Scholarship endowment annually awards $1,000 to an instructor-student pair who exemplify an outstanding example of an effective teaching and learning partnership. Applicants will describe how each contributed to the process of creating this partnership in learning.

The $1,000 award will be split between the instructor and student. The student need not be enrolled the semester the award is given.

All tenured and tenure-track faculty, full- or part-time lecturers, and adjunct faculty are encouraged to apply. The student may be an undergraduate or graduate and must be in good standing with all university policies. The winner of the Teaching and Learning Partnership will be announced on April 17, 2020 in conjunction with the Thank-an-Eagle Celebration from 9:30–10:00 a.m. Download the Application [PDF] today and submit by March 6th, 2020.

Eastern’s Theatre Presents: [Something Between]

WALLS: a border, a shelter, a barrier, a fence. Do they…embrace or expel; separate or secure; protect or punish? Do they distinguish “we” from “us/them”? Is it something to erect or raise. Whether real or imagined, however created or defined, the implications are as far-reaching and multifaceted as any “wall” itself. In this original Devised Theatre piece, made up of writings, music, movement and art, conceived and collectively created by the soliciting texts from multiple voices (students, faculty, alumni, of all disciplines), the performance troupe explores notions of [Something Between].

March 6, 7 at 7 p.m.
March 8 at 2 p.m.

Sponberg Theatre - Second Stage Series

This Devised Theatre piece with various artists is directed by Amy Johnson and intended for mature audiences.  Get your tickets today!

The George Liepa Sigma Xi Annual Speaker Series Endowed Fund Presents Dr. Stefan M. Pasiakos

This year's George Liepa Sigma Xi speaker is Dr. Stefan M. Pasiakos, a Nutritional Physiologist and Deputy Chief of the Military Nutrition Division at the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine.

An internationally-recognized expert in human muscle physiology, dietary protein, and amino acid metabolism, Dr. Pasiakos leads a multi-disciplinary research program to define protein requirements and develop targeted dietary and pharmacological strategies that sustain health-readiness and enhance performance for service members.

The event is Thursday, March 19, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium with a dessert reception immediately following.  For more information download the flyer [PDF] or contact the Graduate School at 734.487.0042 or [email protected]. This event is free and open to the public.

Apply to Become an Academic Service-Learning Faculty Fellow

Full-time tenure track faculty and full-time lecturers are encouraged to apply for the Fall 2020 cohort of AS-L Faculty Fellows. This seminar program exposes, engages and informs faculty on the study, research and application of integrating service and/or community into courses, curriculum, and scholarly and/or creative activity. For many faculty, the seminar becomes a point of access to practicing experiential pedagogy and to the value and impact of collaborating with the community. The seminar provides a one-course release for the fall 2020 semester and requires faculty to participate in a weekly seminar. The time and day will be coordinated based on accepted faculty schedules. Applications are due by March 30, 2020.

Academic Service Learning Presents the Summer Seminar Series: Enhanced Community Based Practice

All faculty are invited to attend the AS-L Summer Seminar Series. This year, the series focuses on AS-L syllabus construction, materials, and assessment, evaluation, and research.  The workshops will be held from 10:30 to noon on May 21, May 28, and June 4. Lunch will be provided and a stipend of $100 will be paid to those fellows who attend all three seminars.  Applications are due by March 13.  Space is limited, so be sure to register early!  For more information download the flyer [PDF] or email [email protected] with any questions.

The College of Arts & Sciences invites Nominations for the Second Annual Outstanding Contribution to Interdisciplinarity Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize a colleague who has made a sustained contribution to interdisciplinary teaching, scholarship, curriculum development, programs and/or activities. The individual must be a full-time faculty member or full-time lecturer in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Department Heads, School Directors or faculty may nominate a candidate. The letter of nomination should outline how this person has made contributions to interdisciplinarity in the areas listed above for a sustained period of time. The letter should include, not only the effort put forth by the candidate, but his/her impact on students, programs, the college or the university as a whole. In addition to the nomination letter, please include the vita of the nominee. 

The award winner will be selected by a CAC subcommittee and will be announced via email at the end of the winter semester.   The winner will be formally recognized at the College Meeting in August.

Please submit your nomination letters by March 20, 2020 to [email protected]

You’re Invited! Qualitative Researchers Networking Mixer

Join your colleagues at the Tower Inn, 700 Cross Street, on Thursday, March 5 from 4-6 p.m. for a networking happy-hour mixer hosted by Eastern’s Office of Research Development and Administration (ORDA).  This event is a great opportunity for anyone interested in meeting other faculty involved in qualitative and mixed-methods research.  RSVP to Jennifer Glass at [email protected].

ORDA Weekly Updates

As you may know, the Office of Research, Development, and Administration publishes weekly updates to keep the campus community informed on a wide array of internal and external funding opportunities. Please consider visiting ORDA’s website today to see what opportunities exist for funding your next research endeavor.

Optimize Eastern Hosts Showcase for Student Projects

On March 6, Optimize Eastern, a social innovation community that supports student-led social impact projects, will host its second annual showcase event.  During the showcase project teams will pitch their ideas and receive funding for their work to transition to the action phase.  Some of this year’s projects include:

• An evidence-based social skills program to help children with autism spectrum disorder develop appropriate social skills through a peer-mediation model;
• A Detroit nonprofit organization for youth development through mentoring, university visits, and tutoring; and,
• A subscription box for those with dementia with daily activities to keep their brain as sharp as possible.

The showcase will be held on March 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Eastern’s Honors College.  We hope to see you there!

Eastern Hosts Invention Convention

The campus community is invited to witness the invention projects of K-12 students from Washtenaw County on March 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the McKenny Ballroom.  More than 50 prototypes being showcased by the student groups have resulted from the months of hard work and guidance from their school teachers and other mentors from the community.  Outstanding projects from this event will compete for the nationals at the Invention Convention Michigan at the Henry Ford in April.

Easter has committed to be the regional hub for Invention Convention Michigan, bringing and opportunity for Washtenaw County students to participate in the invention process that is not limited to STEM fields.  Eastern is also offering resources and training for teachers and students who might be interested in participating in this unique program next year.   

Invitation to Faculty: Join us at Eastern’s Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremony

Faculty participation in commencement helps create a more memorable occasion for students and their families by demonstrating our sincere conviction in the value of an EMU degree, and honoring our graduates accordingly.

The Spring 2020 commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center

• 9:30 a.m. College of Health and Human Services, College of Business and College of Engineering and Technology
• 1:30 p.m. College of Arts and Science and College of Education

All commencement participants must attend the ceremony in academic dress. If you do not own regalia and need to rent a cap and gown, you must place your order by Friday, March 20.

As always, your department head or school director will serve as primary point of contact for commencement participation. If you plan to attend the ceremony, please inform your head or director by Friday April 17, 2020, to allow for seating and other necessary arrangements.

Please visit Eastern's Commencement Ceremony webpage for the most updated information on the ceremony.  We hope to see you there! 

Part-Time Lecturer Professional Development Seminar Summer 2020

Part-Time Lecturers who have at least two complete semesters of teaching experience at EMU are invited to this summer seminar geared towards those who want to move from A-level to B-level or to build on their current B-level expertise.  In addition to improving teaching and learning, this seminar will also include support in career development and scholarly opportunities. The seminar goals are to:

• Give participants a "teaching toolbox" -- new or improved strategies for active learning within the classroom.
• Enhance self-awareness so that participants develop more effective teaching and research strategies.
• Develop an action plan for participants' teaching/learning methods and career trajectories.
• Build collaborative relationships with other seminar participants and with the Faculty Development Center.

Facilitated by Dr. Peggy Liggit and Kim Pavlock, the format of the seminar will include readings, research design, group discussion, active learning exercises, including sharing successful practices experienced in your teaching. Participants will attend three 3-hour sessions during the Summer I, 2020 semester. The group will meet Friday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. on May 15, May 29 and June 12.  A $300 honorarium is given to participants who have 100% attendance and complete the action plan by the deadline.

Applications will be accepted through April 3, 2020 and must have the support of the PTL’s Department Head or School Director. 

Save the Date: Women in Philanthropy at EMU 10^th Anniversary Celebration

Women in Philanthropy at EMU invites you to celebrate their 10^th anniversary on Thursday, May 21 in the Student Center Ballroom.  The spring member meeting will begin at 8 a.m. The 10^th anniversary celebration, open to everyone on campus, will follow at 8:30 a.m.  We hope to see you there!

Coronavirus Updates

As you know, the university is closely monitoring the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus Covid-19.  For the most up-to-date information, please visit EMU’s University Health Services webpage.

First class of Administrators Trained in Facilitative Mediation and Communications Leadership Techniques

When you next see Kathy Stacey, Julian Murchison, Colleen Croxall, Marianne Laporte, Chris Herman, or Beth Kubitskey, please commend them for taking five Fridays to complete the Supreme Court's approved civil facilitative mediation training (MCR 2.411).   They developed intensive skills related to persuasive communications, navigating difficult conversations, and creating a collaborative and strong team-based environment. 

Reminder: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the Psychology Clinic have Moved

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has moved from Snow Health Center to its new home in the Campus Wellness Center, on the northwest end of campus. The new location is at 1075 N. Huron River Drive, adjacent to the new IHA Health Center @ EMU.

In addition, the Psychology Clinic, formerly located at 611 W. Cross Street, has moved to the Campus Wellness Center. With the move, the Psychology Clinic will be known under a new name, the "EMU Community Behavioral Health Clinic". The EMU Community Behavioral Health Clinic is a teaching facility operated by the Eastern’s Department of Psychology. The clinic aims to provide convenient and affordable psychological services to area residents. For further information, please see the clinic website.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].  

Deadline Approaching for Student Enrollment in Duo Authentication

Effective Monday, March 9, 2020, all EMU student accounts (current students, former students and alumni) must enroll in Duo.  No action is required for currently enrolled EMU Duo users such as student employees. More detailed information is available on the I.T. Duo page or by submitting an I.T. Help Desk request.

CPR and AED Training Available

Faculty and Staff are encouraged to participate in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification training.  Reserve your spot at an upcoming training by emailing Katherine Wilhoff, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, at [email protected].

March 19, 8:30 a.m. – noon
April 20, 1:30 – 5 p.m.
May 15, 8:30 a.m. – noon
June 16, 1:30 – 5 p.m.

All trainings will be held in 300 Halle.

Be sure to bookmark the EMU Today site to keep current with all the news and events taking place on campus!

Events

• March 6 - Invention Convention, 10:30 a.m., McKenny Ballroom
• March 6 - Optimize Eastern Showcase, 6 p.m., Honors College
• March 19 - George Liepa Sigma Xi speaker Dr. Stefan M. Pasiakos, 7 p.m.,  Student Center Auditorium
• March 27 – Undergraduate Symposium
• May 21 – Women in Philanthropy 10^th Anniversary Celebration, Student Center Ballroom @ 8:30 a.m.

Deadlines

• March 6 – Tell Your Teaching Story Scholarship applications due
• March 13 – AS-L Summer Seminar Series applications due
• March 30 - AS-L Fellow Applications due
• April 3 – Women’s Commission Scholarship applications due