Provost's Wednesday Briefing -November 20, 2019

You're Invited to Participate in a First Year Experience Dialogue

The Bringing Theory to Practice grant team invites the campus community to participate in the first of a series of three dialogues about creating a signature learning arc at EMU. The first session will focus on the first year component of a signature learning experience, while dialogues in January and February will focus on the mid- and end-points, respectively, of the arc. We wish to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including but not limited to students, faculty, staff, and administrators from both EMU and Washtenaw Community College, as well as local employers and alumni, to design a purposeful and meaningful first year experience. This project is being supported through an Amplifying, Disseminating, and Increasing the Public Reach of Research and Practice (AMP) grant from Bringing Theory to Practice.  We look forward to  

Please pass this invitation along to others you work and/or collaborate with either inside or outside of the university who would be interested in contributing to this dialogue. We hope you can join us for this important conversation on Friday, November 22, 2019 from 10 am – noon in the Student Center room 310A.  Please RSVP online at your earliest convenience.

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.  At the end of the academic year, a special "Thank-An-Eagle" event will take place to recognize all of the Eagles who made a positive contribution to our students’ experience. 

Reminder: Vote to Name Eastern Alum CNN’s Hero of 2019

Eastern marketing alumnus Zach Wigal was named one of the "Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2019."  As the founder of Gamers Outreach, Zach "makes sure that children who can't leave their hospital rooms during long-term medical treatment can play video games while they recuperate."  His portable game-equipped GoKarts, which can easily be wheeled into patients’ rooms, are now in more than 150 hospitals across the nation.  Once named to Forbes' 30 under 30 list, Zach also hosts an annual Gamers for Giving event that raises money for the Autism Society of America.  

The ten finalists all received $10,000 to support their good works and the public may now vote to determine which one will become CNN’s Hero of the Year, which comes with a $100,000 prize.  Read more about this accomplished Eagle here and consider casting your vote today. 

Last Call: Apply for the Social Justice Research Fellowship

[email protected] is delighted to announce the Kirk and Sharon Profit Social Justice Research Fund, a $3500 award for an individual or team of Eastern full-time lecturers, tenure track and/or tenured faculty to engage in public research focused on issues of justice (racial, gender, religious, economic, etc.). This award may also include some limited travel funding. The 2020 fellowship is in collaboration with EMU's Center for Jewish Studies. Read more [PDF] about this public scholarship project and Submit your application for the Social Justice Fellowship by November 22, 2019.  

Research and Statistics Resources for Graduate Students

This past week, graduate students received an email from the Graduate School inviting them to join an open and free Canvas course shell containing resources for research and statistics. Please encourage your students to join the shell and explore the resources available to them.  Offered over the next few weeks are a series of workshops which may be helpful for students presenting at the 2020 Graduate Research Conference. 

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.

Professor Gregg Barak Receives Praxis Award

Dr. Gregg Barak, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, has been selected by the American Society of Criminology Division on Critical Criminology and Social Justice (DCCSJ) as the recipient of the 2019 Praxis Award.   

The DCCSJ Praxis Award recognizes an individual whose professional accomplishments have increased the quality of justice for groups that have experienced class, ethnic, gender, racial and sexual disparities in policing and punishment. This award honors unique achievements in activism, commitment, persuasion, scholarship, service and teaching in areas that have made a significant impact on the quality of justice for underserved, underrepresented, and otherwise marginalized populations.

Please join us in celebrating this accomplishment.

EMU Women’s Association Poinsettia Sale

The EMU Women’s Association is holding its annual poinsettia sale to fund student scholarships. In addition to poinsettias of various sizes and colors, garlands and wreaths are also available for purchase. Read more about the EMU Women’s Association and place your orders by Friday, November 22.  For more information or contact Jackie Wrosch at 734.487.2516.

The Susan Martin emu House Offers Overnight Accommodations for Guests to Campus

Did you know that Eastern Michigan University has a fully furnished guest house on campus?  The Susan Martin emu House is available to rent for special guests of the University. The fully furnished two bedroom house is conveniently located at 526 St. John’s Street, near the residence halls and Pray Harrold.   Over the years this house has hosted visiting scholars and artists in residence and has also served as temporary transitional housing for incoming employees.  If you are looking for accommodations for your special guests, this is a great place on campus to call home away from home.     

For more information, including rental rates and availability, please contact William Pollard at 734.487.4600.

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

Deadlines

• November 22 – Social Justice Fellowship applications due
• November 20 – Academic Service-Learning/Community Based Seminar applications due
• December 16 – EMU-FT Full-Time Lecturer Distinguished Teaching Award nominations due
• December 16 – Part-Time Lecturer Distinguished Teaching Awards nominations due
• January 20 – Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Award nominations due
• January 31 – Faculty Research Fellowship (FRF) and Sabbatical Leave Awards applications due