Manchester schools superintendent meets with parents over mask mandate
On Wednesday, Manchester Community Schools parents, staff members and some students met at the Manchester High School football stadium with superintendent Bradley Bezeau. They were there to discuss the division caused by the mask mandate issued by the Washtenaw County Health Department.
Annual U-M Depression on College Campuses Conference goes virtual
ANN ARBOR – This year’s Depression on College Campuses Conference at the University of Michigan will take place virtually on March 9 and 10. With the theme Addressing the Dual Pandemic: The Impact of COVID-19 and Racial Injustice on College Student Mental Health, the event focused on mental health on college campuses aims to highlight challenges students currently face. AdThe conference will present new research findings, programs and and policies that focus on the mental health of college students in the context of current event. Each year, attendees consist of a diverse group, including students, psychiatrists and psychologists, parents, academic advisors, counselors, health educators and more. Certified or Master Certified Health Education Specialists can receive up to 8.5 Category I contact education hours for attending the event.
U-M Clements Library in Ann Arbor accepting fellowship applications
"The Death of General Wolfe," over 240 years old and 8.5 feet in width, has been installed with new custom lighting on the oak-paneled walls of the Avenir Foundation Room at the University of Michigan William L. Clements Library. (Photo: Austin Thomason | Michigan Photography)ANN ARBOR – The William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan is now accepting applications for its fellowships through March 1. The library offers fellowships each year to help scholars access its world-renowned American history collections. Prior to the pandemic, public tours of the building designed by architect Albert Kahn were given only on select Fridays. The Clements Library is at 909 S. University Ave. on U-M’s central campus.
U-M Winter Term changes include mandatory weekly COVID testing of on-campus undergrads
The revised plan includes increased COVID-19 testing capacity, including mandatory testing for all students prior moving into university residence halls and mandatory weekly testing for undergraduate students who live, study or work on campus. The expanded testing plan includes weekly asymptomatic testing for the remaining students, faculty and staff on campus. For those quarantining off campus, testing will be expanded, and departure testing will still be required for undergraduates returning home, as was the case for the Thanksgiving holiday. While mandatory for undergraduates, departure testing is recommended for all other students. In addition to a reduction of in-person classes, density in U-M residence halls will be reduced by more than half.
University of Michigan Museum of Natural History reopens to students, faculty, staff
If you work or study at the University of Michigan and are a valid Mcard holder then you’re in luck. The U-M Museum of Natural History just reopened to students, faculty and staff with special hours on Fridays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Swipe your valid Mcard at the host desk. Wear a face mask anywhere on the University of Michigan campus including indoors and outside. The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is in the Biological Sciences Building at 1105 N. University Ave.✉ Like what you’re reading?
U-M pushes forward with anti-racism faculty hiring initiative on Ann Arbor campus
ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan is seeking to hire at least 20 new tenure-track faculty members on its Ann Arbor campus with scholarly expertise in structural racism and racial inequality as part of a new three-year hiring initiative. Funding for the faculty hires, research and scholarships affiliated with the initiative will be provided by the Provost’s Office. Additionally, the Provost’s Office will partner with the Office of Research and the National Center for Institutional Diversity to organize and support research and education under the initiative. The U-M Biosciences Initiative, in conjunction with the hiring initiative, will be filling four tenure-track positions this year. A selection committee of faculty members will review proposals by deans and groups of faculty submitted in January and will make hires.
University of Michigan awards staff three extra paid days off around holidays
ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan faculty and staff have something more to smile about this week. In an email to eligible faculty and staff on Wednesday, provost Susan Collins, chief financial officer Kevin Hegarty and associate vice president for human resources Richard Holcomb announced an additional three paid vacation days around the holidays. “This additional paid time off is one small way to recognize and express gratitude to our faculty and staff.”The additional days off are Nov. 25 and Dec. 23-24. Regular faculty and staff eligible for season days on the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses will receive the additional time off. University Human Resources will work with unions to see if there are applicable season days that can be used for these bargaining units.
University of Michigan architecture students, faculty create socially distanced courtyard
ANN ARBOR – On a typical fall day, art and architecture students are seen socializing and studying in the University of Michigan’s Art and Architecture Building courtyard. The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we gather, so students and staff at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning found a creative way to transform the popular space. (E.Bronson/Michigan Photography)The students and faculty designed the tables with support from Taubman College’s Digital Fabrication Lab and woodshop. Some classes are taught using the tables, which also offer an informal gathering space for groups wanting to socially distance. The outcome is informal, economical and droll.”Students and faculty at Taubman College and the Stamps School can book the tables through Oct. 29.
U-M police: Bicycle theft increasing in Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan Department of Public Safety & Security has reported a rise in bicycle theft on campus since the end of August. While investigations into several thefts are ongoing, DPSS released this list of precautions bike owners can take moving forward:Register your bicycle . Registering your bike (or personal electronics such as a laptop) with DPSS can help deter theft and assist in the recovery of stolen property. Report suspicious behavior near campus bike racks by contacting DPSS at (734) 763-1131 or 911. For more information, visit DPSS' Bicycle Safety and Security page.
University of Michigan Faculty Senate reverses no-confidence decision
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Faculty leaders at the University of Michigan have reversed a statement made last week regarding a motion of no-confidence in U-M President Mark Schlissel. After reviewing votes taken during a meeting last week, members of the Faculty Senate now say that the motion should have passed. During a Wednesday, Sept. 16 meeting, the motion was said to have failed because it did not receive a majority of votes in favor. GEO ended its strike on Thursday, Sept. 17, after a deal was struck between it and the university. The faculty senate has around 4,300 members, some of whom were not able to make the Sept. 16 meeting.
U-M to ramp up asymptomatic, saliva-based COVID-19 testing in October
ANN ARBOR – October will mark a new phase in testing on University of Michigan’s campus as the school works to keep outbreaks of COVID-19 at bay. The university has partnered with local startup LynxDx for saliva-based ‘surveillance testing.' Up to 6,000 tests are set to be conducted per week on asymptomatic individuals as part of the U-M COVID-19 Community Sampling and Tracking Program. LynxDx, a prostate cancer diagnostics lab spinoff founded by U-M professors and scientists, pivoted its work to address the global coronavirus pandemic. “Please sign up for this free COVID-19 testing program,” U-M President Mark Schlissel implored during his weekly campus community update on Sept. 18.
Independent report: Ex-University of Michigan provost had history of sexual misconduct
ANN ARBOR, Mich. An independent law firm hired to investigate allegations of sexual harassment by University of Michigans former provost has come to some disturbing conclusions. The University hired the law firm WilmerHale to conduct an independent investigation into the former provost. A man who worked lab employee in 2003 told university officials Philbert had fired him, while a woman coworker that Philbert was allegedly in a relationship with was not. The professor alerted multiple University officials. The report claims multiple women told the law firm they made efforts to avoid Philbert and one woman even quit her job because of his conduct.
Investigation reveals University of Michigan provost had history of sexual misconduct
ANN ARBOR, Mich. Former University of Michigan Provost Martin Philbert sexually harassed U-M students and employees during his time at the university, according to a report released Friday. Assembled by Washington DC-based law firm WilmerHale after a six-month investigation, the report details a long history of sexual harassment, engaging in multiple sexual relationships with subordinate employees and other misconduct by Philbert. Philbert was placed on administrative leave in January when the university learned of the allegations of sexual misconduct. Instances noted in the report include:A lengthy history of sexual harassment by Philbert towards graduate students and university employees during his time working at the university. Sexual relationships between Philbert and junior staff members or subordinate employees on university property during his time as dean of SPH.
Former University of Michigan official to retire from faculty amid probe
ANN ARBOR The former chief academic officer at the University of Michigan, who was removed during a sexual misconduct investigation, said hes retiring from the faculty at the end of June. Martin Philbert was fired as provost in March, weeks after being placed on leave. Philbert disclosed his retirement in a June 7 letter to President Mark Schlissel, the university said. The university has said the sexual misconduct allegations against Philbert dont involve students. He joined the university in 1995 as a toxicology professor and eventually became dean of the School of Public Health.
Concordia University Ann Arbor faculty, staff members record personalized messages for graduates
The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies. More than 80 members of faculty and staff from Concordia University Ann Arbor surprised its 164 graduates over the weekend with personalized video messages. While in-person graduation dates have been announced for December, graduates took part in a Virtual Degree Conferral on Sunday. Heres a message from school officials and how graduates can access their videos:May graduates, dont think you got lost in the shuffle! Visit cuaa.edu/known-by-name, click on the first letter of your last name, and scroll down to find your message from a CUAA faculty or staff member.