Month: December 2014

Campus Announcements

December 16, 2014

DIVERSE TRIO AT UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HONORED FOR INVENTIVE ACHIEVEMENTS
Faculty members in electrical engineering, medicine and metallurgical engineering have been elected as fellows of the National Academy of Inventors.

The three newly named fellows are:

– Cynthia M. Furse, professor of electrical and computer engineering and associate vice president for research
– David R. Hillyard, M.D., professor of pathology in the school of medicine and medical director for molecular infectious diseases at ARUP Laboratories, a nonprofit enterprise of the U.
– Jan D. Miller, Ivor D. Thomas Distinguished Professor of Metallurgical Engineering, College of Mines and Earth Sciences.

The honor is “accorded to academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society,” in the words of the academy.

The three Utah faculty members are among 170 new fellows of the academy. They will be inducted on Mar. 20, 2015, during the 4th Annual Conference of the National Academy of Inventors at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Deputy Commissioner for Patent Operations Andrew Faile will give the keynote address for the induction ceremony.

Cynthia Furse

David Hillyard

Jan Miller

Madsen BackmanTHE DOCTOR IS IN
Now seeing patients until 8 p.m.

University of Utah Health Care is pleased to announce that two of our clinics – Sugar House Family and Madsen Family – have extended their hours.

New hours:
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Schedule an appointment:
Sugar House Health Center: 801-581-2000, 1138 E. Wilmington Ave., Salt Lake City, 84106
Madsen Health Center: 801-581-8000, 555 S. Foothill Blvd., Ste. 301, Salt Lake City, 84112

The clinics accept most insurance plans and offer same-day appointments.

University Dental Clinic Opening – Open House and Free Screenings
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015 from 3-7 p.m.

The University of Utah School of Dentistry invites all university faculty, students and staff to attend an open house Thursday, Jan. 15 from 3 – 7 p.m. at the Ray and Tye Noorda Oral Health Sciences Building. Food, building tours and fun are available to all who attend.

The School of Dentistry’s new clinic is offering free dental screenings throughout January. To schedule a screening, please dial 801-58-SMILE (7-6453).

The new clinic offers complete dental care including:
• General pediatric and family dentistry
• Restoration and replacement
• Teeth Whitening

University health plans and most other insurances are accepted.

The Dental Clinic is located at 530 South Wakara Way, just east of the University Orthopedic Hospital.

FRONTLINE INVESTIGATES POLITICAL POWER OF THE NRA
Airs Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015 at 9 p.m.

In December 2012, 20-year-old Adam Lanza walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed 26 children and adults with a Bushmaster rifle before taking his own life with a handgun.

The tragedy shocked the nation, sparking an outpouring of grief and widespread calls from the public for politicians to “do something” about guns. The moment, it seemed, was gun control advocates’ to seize. But like many times before, they ran into intense opposition from a powerful political force: the National Rifle Association (NRA).

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FEED U – UNIVERSITY FOOD PANTRY
Feed U is the University of Utah’s new food pantry.  The pantry was created for students who sometimes struggle to afford groceries and offers non-perishable food items at no cost.  The pantry is supported by a collaboration of university offices including: Campus Store, Lowell Bennion Community Service Center, Center for Student Wellness, Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU) and Women’s Resource Center.

The pantry is located on the second floor of the Campus Store. The pantry is open during the spring semester on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For tracking purposes, a valid university ID will be requested in order to collect food.

Please email the pantry manager, Abby Reyes, at abby.reyes@utah.edu with questions or details on how to support the pantry through donations or a food drive.

 

EMPATHY, JUSTICE AND MORAL BEHAVIOR
Jan. 12 from 12-1:30 p.m.
Join the psychology department on Jan. 12 from 12-1:30 p.m., to hear from professor Jean Decety as he discusses how empathy, justice and moral behavior guide our decision-making. Decety said, “…empathy is often seen as a driving motivation of moral behavior and justice, and as such, everyone would think it should be cultivated. However, the relationships between empathy, morality and justice are complex.”

Decety is the Irving B. Harris Professor at University of Chicago. He runs the Social Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory there and is also director of the Brain Research Imaging Center at University of Chicago School of Medicine.

Location: Social and Behavioral Sciences (BEH S), room 712

 

LINDA K. AMOS AWARD NOMINATIONS REQUESTED

linda-amosThe 2014 Women’s Week Committee, Presidential Commission on the Status of Women and Office for Equity and Diversity request nominations for the 16th annual Linda K. Amos Award for Distinguished Service to Women. This award recognizes an individual staff or faculty member who has selflessly given time and energy to improve the educational and/or working environment for women at the university.

The nominee should represent the ideals and actions of Dr. Linda K. Amos, for whom the award was named. Amos was the founding chair of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women, was a professor of nursing and served for many years as dean of the College of Nursing and as associate vice president for Health Sciences. Throughout her career, she was the champion for improving the status and experience of women on campus. For more information, click here.

The award will be presented during the March 2015 Women’s Week Celebration.

Deadline for nominations is Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at noon. Please send nomination materials electronically to amos-award@utah.edu.

 

NOMINATIONS FOR FACULTY SERVICE AWARDS

The Distinguished Faculty Service Award honors one University of Utah faculty member each year for their demonstrated commitment to the campus community connection through a career of active, unpaid community service.

The award is given at the Bennion Center recognition luncheon in March, and the recipient is honored at University Commencement. Nominations are being accepted through Jan. 12.

If you would like to nominate a faculty member for they distinguished service, please click here. Please address inquiries to Dean McGovern.

A Healthier U

December 16, 2014

SETTING HEALTHY GOALS? GRAB YOUR HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK.

 

By Robin Marcus, P.T., Ph.D.
Chief Wellness Officer, University of Utah Health Sciences

OK, so there are some things that you might hate about your yearbook picture. The glasses, your hairstyle, those clothes! Take a look and see what you wish you could forget and do just that, forget it. Now, think about what you wish you could have back from those high school years. For me, it’s my wrinkle free skin, my endless energy, and that half-inch of height – three things that represent my health and how it has changed since my high school graduation.

Robin Marcus
Robin Marcus 2

You have probably heard some of the latest hype about how employee wellness programs often don’t live up to their promise of improving health. As we start the new year I have given a lot of thought to how we might make our wellness initiatives really work for all of our staff and faculty. It’s time to engage you to help us do this. My yearbook picture was really just to get your attention! Regardless of what 2015 resolutions you have or have not made, I am going to ask you to make just one more. Read this column each week and reply to my requests. Our team will do our best to make it pay off – stories, tips, fun facts and resources for your health and well-being. We promise to do more than just tell you to eat right and exercise.

For starters, tell us your story and win our weekly drawing – a massage, an exercise class, a fitness band and more. Email us a paragraph starting with this statement: “The best thing I did for my health this past year was…” We would love to feature you in our next column. You can even send a picture or two.

When I asked our senior leaders to complete this sentence, Dr. Ruth Watkins, senior vice president for Academic Affairs told me that the best thing she did for her health in 2014 was “to adopt a dog from Golden Retriever Rescue. Ben is a tireless walking partner, a great motivator to get moving on those early mornings when it would be tempting to sleep in, and a tremendous contributor to good mental health.” Dr. Vivian Lee, senior vice president for Health Sciences, dean for school of Medicine and CEO for University of Utah Health Care, said, “I adopted a mostly fish and vegetarian diet as a result of my kids hearing me describe a scientific talk I heard. Once they decided to go mostly vegetarian, we didn’t have much choice but to join them.” President David Pershing replied, “the best thing I did for my health this year was to make a commitment not to gain 10-15 pounds like so many presidents do after assuming the role.”

This week’s resource, if you don’t already know about it, is our very own University of Utah Health Care blog, HealthFeed.

Have a happy and healthy new year.

Contact me and submit your stories to wellness@utah.edu.

Deals & Discounts

December 15, 2014

Alabama StoryTWO-FOR-ONE PLAY TICKETS
The Pioneer Theatre Company is offering two tickets for the price of one for the world premiere of Kenneth Jones’ “Alabama Story.” A gentle children’s book with an apparent hidden message stirs the passions of a segregationist senator and a no-nonsense state librarian in 1959 Montgomery, just as the civil rights movement is flowering. Inspired by true events, “Alabama Story” puts political foes, star-crossed childhood friends and one feisty children’s author on the same page to conjure a Deep South of the imagination. This love letter to reading—a finalist in the 2014 National Playwrights Conference—coincides with the 50th anniversaries of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.

The play runs Jan. 9-24, 2015, on the following days:
7:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday evenings
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings
2 p.m. Saturday matinees

Click here for more information.

grizzliesGRIZZLIES GAME U SPECIAL
University of Utah Staff Council presents: Star Wars Night on Jan. 10. Come cheer on the Utah Grizzlies vs. Stockton Thunder with Star Wars entertainers roaming the arena. Fans are also encouraged to dress up for the event and anyone is able to receive this discount – so tell your friends.

U special: $17 center ice and $12 corner seats
Purchase your tickets here.

Username: university
Password: utah

Snowflakes SetRED BUTTE GARDEN ADVENTURES FOR KIDS
Visit Red Butte Garden on Jan. 10, 2015, for the Garden Adventures semi-monthly kids’ class. Kids ages 4 to 12 are welcome with a caregiver (registration cost not required for caregiver).

Jan. 10 from 10-11:30 a.m. – Scintillating Snowflakes: come learn how snowflakes form and why each is unique. Register online here or call 801-581-8454.

Pricing: garden members $5 / general public $7

 

FREE ADMISSION DAYS AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
ZAP Logo Vert-ColorThe Natural History Museum of Utah is offering free admission to the public thanks to the Zoo, Arts and Parks funding from Salt Lake County. All tickets are for a specific half-hour arrival time and there is a limit of six free tickets per reservation. Reservations that exceed the six-ticket limit will be canceled.

Free days available this year:

• Monday, Jan. 12, 2015
• Monday, Apr. 13, 2015
• Monday, July 13, 2015
• Monday, Oct. 12, 2015

Advance reservations can be made online starting at 10 a.m. the Tuesday prior to each scheduled free day. A limited number of tickets will be set aside for those without reservations, but you may be asked to wait until later in the day or unfortunately, you may be turned away. For more information about free admission days and the museum, click here.

ATHLETICS TICKETING DISCOUNTS4.1.1
Receive one FREE admission to every home game for the following Olympic sports by showing your UCard at the gate:

  • Volleyball – Huntsman Center
  • Soccer – Ute Soccer Field located northeast of the Huntsman Center
  • Women’s basketball – Huntsman Center
  • Baseball – Smith’s Ballpark

Admission is always free to the general public at the following events:

  • Softball – New Utah Softball Stadium location on Wasatch Drive, north of the McCarthey Family Track & Field Complex
  • Swimming & Diving – Ute Natatorium located north of the Huntsman Center behind the Burbidge Academic Center
  • Track & Field – McCarthey Family Track & Field Complex located on Wasatch Drive
  • Men’s tennis – Eccles Tennis Center located on Guardsman Way
  • Women’s tennis – Eccles Tennis Center located on Guardsman Way

For schedules and game times visit utahutes.com, and to download individual sport schedules including times, locations and promotions, click here.

Construction & Commuter Updates

December 13, 2014

NEW:

–      The George S. Eccles Student Life Center is complete and scheduled to open Jan. 12, 2015.

–      The Ray & Tye Noorda Oral Health Sciences Building is scheduled for completion in December 2014. The building will be open early in the new year.

–      The Dumke Health Professions Education Building bridge remodel will be complete by January 2015. The project includes a new ramp, stairway at the bridge and a new concrete walkway connecting to the Wakara Way sidewalk from the building entrance.

–      One of the sidewalks leading from the Huntsman Center toward campus will be closed as a high-temp water line is placed in the ground. Pedestrians can still connect to main campus as one sidewalk will remain open throughout the project. The high-temp water line, which is used to heat buildings, will be completed by late January.

–      As snow season arrives, please note that snow crews do their best to keep campus safe. If particular areas need to be cleared, please call 801-581-7221.

ONGOING:

Parking

–      Construction on the new Lassonde Studios began Nov. 1. The building will be located to the northeast of the Languages and Communication building (LNCO) and east of the Tanner Humanities Building. About 300 parking stalls will be unavailable during construction.

–      Construction of the new S.J. Quinney College of Law that began in spring 2013 will continue to impact the surrounding parking. The parking lot to the east will close after commencement for repaving at the time that the building is completed.

–      A project to upgrade the Ivor Thomas labs in the Mining Systems Research Lab began in mid-June. The parking lot to the west will be closed to the public through April 1.

–      Ten parking spaces on the west end and 10 spaces on the northeast corner of the parking lot to the north of Merrill Engineering will be closed as part of a staging area for campus construction projects. The parking spaces in the northeast corner will be unavailable through 2016.

–      Construction for the new Jon M. and Karen Huntsman Basketball Training Facility began to the north of the Huntsman Center. Forty parking stalls in the northeast corner of the parking lot east of the Huntsman Center will be closed to serve as staging for construction materials.

Roads

–      The Business Loop is currently open for one-way traffic, east bound through the area. The pay lot remains open. The Business Loop will close again periodically while the Business Loop Parking Garage is under construction. Please proceed with great caution as extensive work continues in the area.

Public Transportation

–      The campus shuttle and UTA bus stop at the Field House will be closed for the duration of construction on the S. J. Quinney College of Law building (through early 2015). Instead, use the existing stop around the corner on University Street to catch red and green shuttles.

Sidewalks and Pedestrian Traffic

–      The south entrance to HPER West and the sidewalk near the door are closed for remodeling and creation of a strength and training area. The area will reopen in early 2015.

–      The south entrance to the law building remains closed for the duration of construction (through early 2015). The sidewalk on the north side of the law building is open and has been reconstructed to be accessible for people with disabilities.

Construction and New Buildings

–      A project to install a chilled water distribution system began May 25, 2014, and will continue to move through the southwest quadrant of campus. The chilled water is piped to buildings to provide cooling and air conditioning. Installation of the system is currently underway between Life Sciences building and the Henry Eyring Chemistry building.

–      The Critical Infrastructure Project is currently underway in the Health Sciences area of campus and to the south of the new Ambulatory Care Complex. Construction for this project on main campus is happening to the east of University Street near Pioneer Memorial Theatre, to the south of the Sill Center, to the west of Honors housing, to the east of the Annex, by Rice-Eccles Stadium and on lower campus.

–      Construction on the Northwest Parking Garage, located between the Naval Sciences and Sutton buildings on 100 South, is underway. The garage is scheduled to open in Fall 2015. Accessible parking and pedestrian routes through the area will remain open. For a comprehensive map of parking alternatives, click here.

–      Construction began on the 800-stall Business Loop Parking Garage in late June. The garage will be complete in the summer of 2015. Alternative parking options are listed here. The playfield on top of the garage will be complete for the start of the 2015 fall semester.

–      The second phase of the expansion and renovation of the Kennecott Building is scheduled for completion in May 2015.

–      The S. J. Quinney College of Law building is scheduled for completion during the summer of 2015.

More Information

–      There have been many parking changes on campus this year while two parking garages are constructed in place of current surface lots. To learn more about parking and other transportation options, click here.

–      A map of construction zones and time frames is available here.

–      For more information on current or upcoming projects click here.

–      Connect with Facilities Management on Facebook or Twitter.

–      Connect with Commuter Services on Facebook and Twitter.

–      Visit Commuter Services’ website for detailed information about parking, alternative transportation, construction impacts, events and more.

 

Air Quality Solutions

December 11, 2014

Come hear what the University of Utah and community partners are doing to combat bad air quality in Utah. Two workshops are being held on campus next week to discuss the issue and provide some possible solutions.

University of Utah community invited to “Air Quality in Utah: Science for Solutions”

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Do you hate Utah’s dirty air during the winter inversion months?
Are you curious about what university researchers are doing to understand and address the problem?

Here’s your chance: The University of Utah Program for Air Quality, Health and Society is partnering with the Utah Division of Air Quality to host a workshop on Jan. 13 titled “Air Quality in Utah: Science for Solutions.”

The free event, which takes place from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the University of Utah Guest House, will feature presentations from researchers about air quality and its health effects, a lunchtime poster session and a panel discussion with researchers, the DAQ, business leaders, health care professionals and state legislators.
Space at the event is limited and those who wish to attend are asked to register here by Jan. 6.

January’s event marks the third year the Program for Air Quality Health and Society has hosted a symposium. The program launched in 2013 with a mission to do the following:

  • Bring together investigators from across the University of Utah and beyond to establish multidisciplinary collaborations devoted to studies concerning air quality.
  • Be a recognized, credible resource for information concerning air quality for use by universities, business and industry, education and public policy decision makers. Exploit the distinctive and varied environment in the state to generate new knowledge concerning the impact of air quality on human health and society.
  • Explore all facets of air pollution, from its generation to health-effects mechanisms in individuals to societal implications and ways to reduce or mitigate these effects.

With support from the offices of the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Research, and the College of Engineering the program provides an important opportunity to catalyze collaboration.

For more information about this year’s event, including an agenda of sessions for the day, click here.

64th Annual Reynolds Lecture
Under the Air: An Exploration of Utah’s Air Quality

Continuing Education will host the 64th Annual Reynolds Lecture, “Under the Air: An Exploration of Utah’s Air Quality.” The lecture will take place Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Aline Skaggs Auditorium, room 220.

The lecture will be in the form of a panel discussion examining Utah’s poor winter air quality from different perspectives. The panelists are Dave Whiteman, Michelle Hofmann, Ryan Evans and Matt Pacenza. Whiteman is an atmospheric scientist at the U. He will discuss his recent research about Salt Lake’s climate and winter particulates. Hofmann is an associate professor at the University Hospital. She will address the health effects of winter air quality. Evans is the vice president of Business and Community Relations with the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, and will address the economic impact of Utah’s air quality. Pacenza, policy director for HEAL Utah, will provide some insight into air quality legislation.

Q&A and a reception will follow the lecture.

Admission is free; please RSVP for the event here.

Benefiting U

December 11, 2014

hospital_hallREDUCTION IN DISABILITY INSURANCE RATES EFFECTIVE JAN. 1, 2015

The university’s Long Term and Short Term Disability Insurance is provided through The Standard. Based on the university’s utilization of the insurance, The Standard has announced reduced premium rates effective Jan. 1, 2015.

Employees enrolled in disability coverage will receive a separate notice about the rates and will see the reduced rates on their Jan. 22 paycheck. Information about the disability plans is available on the Benefits Department’s website.

 

Social SecurityHEALTH CARE COVERAGE AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS

One provision of Health Care Reform is an Individual Mandate, which requires everyone to be enrolled in health insurance with at least a minimum level of coverage. Health Care Reform includes tax penalties for those not enrolled and provides tax credits to help low-income individuals and families obtain coverage. Individuals who do not currently have coverage can enroll here in a Federal Marketplace plan through Feb. 15, 2015.

Beginning in 2016, the university will be required to send annual reports to the IRS about employees and their enrollment in the University’s Employee Health Care Plan. The reports will also include information on employees’ covered family members. The first reports sent in 2016 will include information on those enrolled in coverage during 2015. In order to provide accurate information on family members, the Benefits Department must have social security numbers for all family members enrolled in the health care plan.

Social security numbers may be provided by email to benefits@utah.edu, by phone at 801-581-7447 or by mail or hand-delivery to 420 Wakara Way, Suite 105, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.

Healthy EatingHEALTHY EATING REWARDS PROGRAM

The University of Utah has partnered with several local grocery stores to provide the University of Utah Healthy Eating Rewards Program. The program will provide offers, discounts and information to make healthy eating easier and more affordable for our employees. All University of Utah employees are eligible to participate in the program.

Click here to complete the rewards registration survey.

See the Benefits Department’s website  for a list of upcoming monthly discounts and promotions, additional information about participating locations and program details.

UPCOMING HR PROCESS/SYSTEM CLASSES

ePAF & eI-9 Training
ePAF (Electronic Personnel Action Form) is the automated approach to submit personnel actions. It also includes a process for electronic approval routing. The audience for this class will be payroll reporters and/or employees who are responsible for preparing personnel actions. This class will provide instruction on how to use ePAF for hiring employees, editing jobs, updating records, etc. Sessions scheduled through this fiscal year will be held on Jan. 14, Feb. 4, March 4, April 1, May 6 and June 3. Visit the Training & Development page to register.

PeopleAdmin: Online Job Application System
This session is designed for payroll reporters, or anyone else who will be responsible for posting staff and faculty jobs for their departments. There will be a demonstration of how to post a job, review applications, screen and select candidates, create a hiring proposal and complete a conditional job offer. Sessions scheduled through this fiscal year will be held on Jan. 27, March 17 and May 19. Visit the Training & Development page to register.

Job ApplicationUTEMPS PROGRAM
University of Utah Human Resources Management provides a temporary labor pool for university departments seeking short-term staff support. The UTemps Program has been filling positions on campus successfully for seven years. UTemps is a cost-effective resource for maintaining workflow continuity and support within the university community.

Departments may request UTemps staff members to work full- or part-time for whatever amount of time the office needs. Temps have already been through the U’s hiring process, which includes skills assessments, background checks and drug screens. UTemps fill positions for special projects, catch-up on department work, coverage while other employees are out on leave or staffing while looking for a permanent employee. If the office finds it would like to permanently hire an UTemp employee, there is no additional fee (which is not the case with outside temporary agencies). UTemps staff various administrative positions including, but not limited to, administrative assistant, executive secretary, office assistant, receptionist, executive assistant, data-entry, clerk, cashier and project/program coordinator.

For further information, please contact HR UTemps representative, Laura Eady-Popwell at 585-3037, laura.eady-popwell@utah.edu or visit Utemps.utah.edu. Email: Utemps@utah.edu Phone:  801-585-7457.

CAMPAIGN FOR OUR COMMUNITY
It’s not too late to make a contribution in 2014/2015 Campaign for Our Community

The University’s Campaign For Our Community is an annual event to encourage staff and faculty to donate to organizations in the community that provide vital services to those with a critical need. The affiliated charitable federations include:

 

 

 

Together, they include over 100 agencies in need of your support.

While the online donation page has closed for the year, anyone who desires to make a donation via credit card, check or payroll deduction election may still do so using the hard copy donation form found here.

Thanks to all of the wonderful donors who consistently support the Campaign and in so doing support the community.

Teaching Resources

December 11, 2014

AppleWelcome to a new semester!

Here are some resources that might benefit you as you’re mapping out this semester:

Visit utah.instructure.com for useful tips on designing your course syllabus.

Looking for new ideas on how to create a quality course? Check out this public Canvas tutorial on creating quality courses. Click here to start the tutorial or visit ctle.utah.edu or utah.instructure.com for more ideas. Don’t forget you can even request resources on a specific topic.

Need to shake things up a bit? Click here for helpful tips from the CTLE on promoting active learning, or flip your course with great information here.

Teaching & Learning Technologies provides a new semester checklist for reminders and tutorials for course activation, cross listing, publishing your course, classroom technology needs, exam services and more.

Let Professional Education at the U be Your Department’s Training Arm

Many already know that the Professional Education department extends the boundless capabilities of the University of Utah to hundreds of organizations in the professional community. But, did you know that Professional Education has also partnered with departments on campus to meet specific training and development needs? The instructors and consultants are proven experts in their fields. This means peace of mind for departments because it eliminates the uncertainty of hiring external help.

When you work with Professional Education, you get quality expertise – out of the gate along with flexible delivery methods for all classes. Professional Education can come to you, on-site or you can come to the Professional Education Office. In addition, Professional Education can customize our classes and topics to meet your department’s needs and objectives. The custom training covers a broad range, from basic business writing and computer training to high-end professional and industry-leading certificates. Professional Education offers classes and certificates in areas such as:

  • Leadership and management
  • Project management
  • Financial management
  • Writing and communication
  • Human resources
  • Nonprofit management
  • Market research
  • Health and fitness
  • General computing
  • Graphic design
  • Desktop publishing
  • Web development and design
  • Spreadsheets and databases

Whether your department just needs a one-time class or you would like to set up a comprehensive training program, Professional Education can help. To find out how Professional Education can be your departments training arm, in addition to supporting the U’s “Keep it on Campus” initiative, please call 801-585-1780 or visit proed.utah.edu.

Teaching, Employee and Faculty Resources

Visit utah.edu/faculty and utah.edu/staff for essential teaching tools, trainings, reference material, health, safety and business resources. Keep your skills up-to-date and learn some new ones with help from these university resources:

Staff Development

Teaching Resources

Faculty Administration

Faculty Art Exhibit Enters Final Week

December 10, 2014

“New Narratives” at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts Ends Jan. 11.

Trapped Within Art“New Narratives” is an exhibition presenting a diverse body of artwork produced by the nationally and internationally recognized U faculty who teach, inspire and make significant contributions to the cultural landscape of Utah. Thirty-one faculty artists are featured in a wide array of mediums, including painting, photography, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and new media.

As always, admission for faculty and staff is free with ID.

"The faculty in the U’s Department of Art and Art History are nationally and internationally recognized artists, and they make significant contributions to our local cultural landscape through both their teaching and their individual art practices,” said Mindy Wilson, director of marketing and public relations for UMFA. “The UMFA is fortunate to have this opportunity to celebrate their collective achievements and their influence in our community,”

One talented faculty member, Wendy Wischer, assistant professor of art and art history created an installation titled “Trapped Within” that features projected animation onto hand cut mirrored sculpture with surround sound.

“This multi-media installation creates a dream-like atmosphere that makes reference to landscapes beyond our planetary experience. Our notions of being trapped at times, are internal as Joseph Campbell said, ‘earth is in the heavens, we live in the stars,’” said Wischer.

Viewers to the exhibit will encounter an exciting variety of visual experiences but also discover recurring ideas and concepts. “New Narratives” reflects contemporary, individual experiences while collectively empowering viewers to create their own narratives.

Featured faculty include:

Edward Bateman
Nolan Baumgartner
Susan Beck
Simon Blundell
Sandy Brunvand
Laurel Caryn
Van Chu
Lewis J. Crawford
Al Denyer
Justin Diggle
Stefanie Dykes
Dave Eddy
John Erickson
Lauren Gallaspy
Tom Hoffman
Holly K. Johnson
Lenka Konopasek
Beth Krensky
Kristina Lenzi
Naomi Marine
Joseph Marotta
V. Kim Martinez
Raymond Morales
Martine Novak
John O’Connell
Andrew Rice
Brian Snapp
Carol Sogard
Paul Stout
Maureen O’Hara Ure
Wendy Wischer

A More Family Friendly Campus

December 10, 2014

University of Utah students will have access to part-time, on-campus infant care for the first time starting Jan. 12.

Since the ASUU Child Care Center opened in 2001, its services have expanded from caring for children 3-5 years old to 6 weeks to 6 years old. The center will hold an open house Jan. 15, 4 – 6 p.m., allowing visitors to tour the new infant room as well as the other child care spaces.

Before the addition of this new room, there were only 28 infant child care slots available on campus through a variety of child care programs, and all of these provided full-time care only.

“Student parents generally need part-time care but have only full-time care options,” said Shauna Lower, director of the U’s Center for Child Care and Family Resources. “When the infant care room opens on Jan. 12, it will be the only program on campus and in the Salt Lake metropolitan area that provides part-time care for infants.”

The center is located in the basement of the Alfred Emery Building on Presidents Circle and is open Monday through Friday, 7:15 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to enrolled families, the center provides drop-in child care for students, faculty and staff Monday through Thursday, 5 – 9 p.m.

The center, which was created by students, employs five full-time staff members and 28 part-time staff, many of whom are students in the U’s Early Childhood Education program.

The rates are determined on a sliding scale based on the parent’s income. While the facility is designed to meet the needs of students, it is available to faculty, staff and even community members if space permits. The U’s Center for Child Care and Family Resources is available to help university faculty and staff find child care options that work best for them.

Research Resources

December 10, 2014
  1. Grant preparation help is now available
  2. Research Education invites research administrators to join the Research Administrators’ Network (RAN)
  3. Upcoming research grant opportunities
  4. Upcoming classes in the Research Administration Training Series (RATS)
  5. Training at the U
  6. External training programs
  7. Research news and publicizing research

 

  1. Grant preparation help is now available

The Grant Development Services (GDS) group, a part of the Office of Sponsored Projects, provides full-scale assistance for everything from individual research grants to large, complex interdisciplinary proposals.  Highlights of available services include:

  • Opportunity matching – Find and match available grant opportunities with your expertise or resources.
  • Team science – Facilitate collaboration between multi/interdisciplinary research teams and strategic alliances for major programmatic grants, including developing and implementing a detailed “proposal build” action plan.
  • Proposal development consultation – Provide individualized grant writing assistance, training and self-serve proposal development tools and templates.

These are only a few of the ways that GDS can help you develop or improve your proposals. Contact GDS as early in your proposal development process as possible to take full advantage of services.

In order to provide a diverse set of services and broad expertise, the GDS group is organized into two teams. The Collaborative Research Support (CRSP) team and the New Investigator Research Opportunities (NITRO) team.

CRSP’s purpose is to increase large programmatic grants at the university by sharing the administrative burden required to create competitive proposals. They provide support services for large programmatic or strategic grants involving teams, inter-disciplinary collaborations and external partnerships. For help in these areas please visit the Office of Sponsored Projects website or contact Karen Krapcho or Dawn Porter.

NITRO’s purpose is to increase awards by enabling new, aspiring investigators and departments to create highly competitive grant applications and portfolios. They provide grant preparation services for individual faculty members, with a focus on building faculty grantsmanship skills. For help in these areas please visit the Office of Sponsored Projects website or contact Kathy Christiansen or Ceceilia Tso.

For more information, please contact any member of the team, Brent Brown, director, Office of Sponsored Projects, or visit Grant Development Services and Grant Resource Center.

 

  1. Research education invites research administrators to join the research administrators’ network (RAN)

 The mission of the Research Administrators’ Network (RAN) is to provide informative peer-to-peer networking, support and guidance for the benefit of the University Research Administrative community. By becoming a member of the RAN you will receive notifications about new funding opportunities, announcements about upcoming research-related events, and will gain access to the RAN Canvas™ website, which offers numerous resources including a real-time peer discussion board. To become of member of the Research Administrators’ Network (RAN) please email Research Education Project Coordinator Danny Trujillo, or call 801-585-3958.

 

  1. Upcoming research grant opportunities

  Limited submission opportunities:

Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center
Internal deadline: Dec. 22, 2015

NINDS Neuroscience Development for Advancing the Careers of a Diverse Research Workforce
Internal deadline: Dec. 24, 2014

Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) Award (R01)
Internal deadline: Dec. 26, 2014

Advancing Nursing Program
Internal selection: Jan. 16, 2015

Intramural Funding Opportunities:

 Seed Grant Program:
Internal deadline: Aug. 20 and Feb. 15

University Research Committee:
Faculty Research and Creative Grant Program
Internal deadline: Aug. 20, Nov. 20 and Feb. 15

URC Faculty Fellow Awards
Internal deadline: Oct. 23

Distinguished Scholarly and Creative Research Awards
Internal deadline: Oct. 15

Research Instrumentation Fund (RIF) Program:
Internal deadline: Jan. 15, 2015

Core internal deadline: Dec. 15, 2014

 

  1. Upcoming classes in the Research Administration Training Series (RATS)

For questions concerning RATS, please contact Tony Onofrietti at 801-585-3492 or visit the RATS website.

Electronic application through Grants.gov
Wednesday, Jan. 21
2 – 4 p.m.
Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB)

Overview of Research Administration
Thursday, Jan. 22
2 – 4 p.m.
Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB)

Introduction to ClinicalTrials.gov
Tuesday, Jan. 27
2 – 4 p.m.
Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB)

Understanding IRB Applications in ERICA: New Studies, Amendments and Continuing Review
Tuesday, Jan. 27
2 – 4 p.m.
Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB)

 

Grant writing crash course
May 1-3, 2015
The Lodges at Deer Valley Resort

Park City



Open to all faculty members from the health sciences and main campus.

Using a unique and proven method, learn how to write a fundable proposal during the Grant Writing Crash Course. It provides one-on-one mentoring by successful University of Utah faculty grant writers. Participants complete a series of short exercises prior to course, drafting text that will be refined and assembled under the guidance of faculty mentors into critical sections of their proposal. Several essential topics are covered in focused brief lectures and discussions, including the strategies and mechanics of effective proposal writing, how to sell your project (and yourself as principal investigator) to a sponsoring agency, the criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your proposal, pitfalls to avoid in grant writing, how to develop aims and justifications, the ins and outs of major funding agencies and the political, social, and psychological aspects of “grantsmanship.” Focused, intensive work sessions provide participants with ample uninterrupted time to craft and recraft their thinking, writing and presentation based on real-time constructive feedback from faculty mentors, enhancing their proposals and increasing the likelihood of their success.

Attendance is highly limited. Registration fees for the May program include two nights lodging at the Deer Valley Resort, use of recreational facilities and most meals. A spouse/partner and up to two children are welcome to accompany the participant (additional charge if more than two children attend). If you do not have seed or personal funding available for the registration fee, you are encouraged to discuss other options with your department chair or research dean.

To register for the May 2015 program, or for more information, please email Tony Onofrietti , director of Research Education, or call 801-585-3492.

The Grant Writing Crash Course program is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research and is led by Dr. Gary C. Schoenwolf, distinguished professor of neurobiology and anatomy.

 

  1. Training at the U

 Air Quality in Utah: Science for Solutions
Douglas Ballroom, University of Utah Guesthouse
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.  

The University of Utah Program for Air Quality, Health and Society and the Utah Division of Air Quality are hosting an upcoming air quality workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015. The workshop will feature highlights from the DAQ research program, a lunchtime poster session, and panel discussion with DAQ and various experts.

To register for the event, please visit the Program for Air Quality, Health, and Society website. Seating is limited and registration closes on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. If you would like to present a poster at the event, please email Judy Carle with the title and authors of your poster, as well as any other special requests.

 

  1. External training programs

  NEH Grant Writing Workshop
Boise State University, Student Union Building
March 10, 2015
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  

Boise State University is hosting an NEH Grant Writing Workshop event. The workshop agenda will include an overview of National Endowment for the Humanities programs and special initiatives, followed by a mock panel review session on strategies for developing strong applications to NEH. The workshop is also offering one-on-one private consultations with NEH Program Officer, Dr. John Cox, from 2 – 3 p.m. Please visit the NEH Workshop Announcement to register for this event.          

   

  1. Research news and publicizing research

Interested in the cool research going on at the U? For the latest news on research, go to unews.utah.edu. If you are interested in publicizing your research, guidelines and information, along with contact information, can be found at Publicizing Research and Working with the Media.