@theU

University of Utah Athletics officials shared a comprehensive plan on May 28 for the phased return of student-athletes to athletics facilities for voluntary in-person individual workouts beginning June 15.

The phased approach will allow for the safest accommodation of small groups of student-athletes to have access to training facilities for in-person voluntary workouts, and follows last week’s decisions by the NCAA Division I Council and Tuesday’s decision by the Pac-12 to allow the resumption of in-person voluntary workouts at on-campus facilities.

Utah Athletics has been working closely with University leadership, campus health officials, state and local leadership and the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee to develop a comprehensive plan that is designed to provide the highest levels of care for the health and safety of student-athletes, staff and the campus community.

“We have been working collaboratively with the Pac-12 and their medical group, and also working with our students, to develop a plan that keeps their health, safety and well-being at the forefront,” said Mark Harlan, director of Athletics. “I’m very proud of the work that our team has done to provide our students the opportunity to return to our athletics facilities and it is our highest priority to do it in the safest possible manner.”

The work of the committee comprised every aspect related to student-athlete health and safety, from initial symptom screenings, to testing, facilities protocols, cleaning procedures and treatment. The goal is to provide the safest and healthiest environment to allow student-athletes the training and development opportunities they have been missing since the shutdown began in mid-March.

“It has been a collaborative effort not only at the University of Utah but within the Pac-12,” said Head Team Physician Dr. David Petron, who also serves on the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee. “We have representation from every team in the Pac-12 and this is going to the Student-Athlete Health and Well-Being board, as well as the COVID-19 task force. There’s been a lot of input from a number of experts, including infectious disease experts, to get to this point. The number one thing in our guiding principles is the health and safety of student-athletes and staff. The protocols that are created are in accordance with state, federal, NCAA and Pac-12 guidelines.”

As presented to the media on May 28, returning in-state student-athletes as well as those who have remained within a one-hour commute to Salt Lake City from football, men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics, volleyball and soccer will comprise the Phase I group.

Prior to the anticipated return dates for each phase, student-athletes and designated staff members will go through several tests that include both antibody testing and PCR COVID-19 testing. In addition, those gaining entry into athletic facilities also will be required to adhere to the following protocols:

• Daily temperature checks, wristbands and face coverings
• Student-athletes will be escorted to and from training facilities as well as within all facilities
• Student-athletes must be cleared to work out and listed on a roster at the check-in points with specified report times. Those who fail to report at the correct time or not cleared will NOT be granted access to facilities

“All the steps and procedures that we have in place right now are conforming with Phase Orange of the state (of Utah),” said Director of Athletic Training Trevor Jameson. “As we look at what the state allows for this level we’re meeting that and we plan on doing that for several weeks. Whatever color the state is in, we’re going to follow those guidelines.”

The plan also outlines protocols for handling positive tests of student-athletes and staff, and is centered on the goals of creating safe and manageable return groups of student-athletes and staff, decentralizing potential areas of congestion and cross-contamination amongst teams and student-athletes and creating a contact tracing system within the department.

These protocols are designed to maintain a low risk for exposure, manage contact tracing at a high level, develop departmental baselines and manageable workgroups for those directly working with the student-athletes, and establish a culture of compliance and social awareness to build long-term success.

The success within each phase will continue to guide the approach to subsequent phases, as greater numbers of student-athletes will be welcomed back to campus in the safest possible manner.

To better meet the needs of campus, Fleet Services is working with the state to upgrade fuel tank facilities in early June, enhancing stations to make refueling easier, safer and more convenient. The project will be executed in two phases and is set for completion on July 13.

A new fuel tank will be installed on June 9, bringing the facility up to current standards and giving users convenient 24/7 access to pumps. The site will offer unleaded and diesel fuel at an average of $0.05 cheaper than outside vendors, for use in state and university vehicles. Private vehicles are, unfortunately, excluded.

Located just east of the Fleet Services building (formerly motor pool) on the north side of South Campus Drive, the site is the only fuel station on campus. The new pumps will be placed slightly to the west of the site’s current location to allow for easier access to both sides of the station.

After the new tank is placed, the site will be closed from June 12 to July 13 to allow crews to remove the old, existing tanks. A temporary fence will house the construction site, creating a minimal impact on the parking lot adjacent to the fuel station and the Fleet Services and VTRUSB buildings.

Those who regularly use the fuel pumps are encouraged to fill up their tanks fully, prior to the station’s shutdown on June 12. In the interim, patrons may fuel up at stations that accept the university’s fuel card. There are several in the area, the closest of which is Top Stop at 1300 South and Foothill Drive.

While the fuel station is owned and maintained by the State of Utah Fuel Program, the university’s Fleet Services department helps oversee services. Questions about the project, or other questions related to campus vehicle use, rentals and maintenance, may be directed to Dave Rees at david.rees@utah.edu.

Due to planned maintenance that will create a new business unit and activate new chartfields, PeopleSoft Financials and related web applications will be unavailable on Saturday, June 6, 2020, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The following systems will be unavailable:

• PeopleSoft FS and related web applications
• Related financial and research web applications, including Management Reports, eJournal, ePayment request, eProposal, and eAward
• Facilities Management e-request web form (to report Plant Operations customer emergencies during the outage window, please call 801-581-7221)

Note: A downtime notice will be posted in the CIS message center for employees prior to the outage, and splash pages for unavailable systems will be posted during the outage.

The following commonly-accessed systems will be available:

• Campus Information Services
• Kronos
• Canvas
• edu
• UMail

If you have questions, your local IT support staff may be able to assist, or you may contact your respective help desk: UIT Help Desk at 801-581-4000, option 1; ITS Service Desk at 801-587-6000.

Please visit the University IT Services Status page for information during this and future maintenance events.

“Mindful Work/Life Balance” is a four-week workshop is offered by a Zoom meeting (invitation provided after registration) for U faculty, staff and graduate students. The workshop is designed to introduce participants to mindful strategies for balancing work-life stress. Come learn effective coping tools for navigating the responsibilities of different life roles as well as techniques for managing stress and anxiety. The workshop is $40 for staff/faculty and $20 for graduate students. All participants must register online to attend.  See the flyer for more information.

The new series begins Friday, June 5, 2020. All participants must register online here.

The Learning Center has successfully adapted to virtual tutoring and learning consultations. We offer tutoring for in-demand, lower-division courses.

We are excited to announce that students receive three free tutoring sessions each semester due to a generous donation of the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation. Students can request tutoring services through our website. Students can also apply for the Ivory Homes Tutoring Scholarship for additional free sessions.

The Learning Center strives to empower University of Utah students to succeed in their college career and beyond and we are really excited to offer our services during this difficult time.

Please visit our website for additional information regarding our services.

University of Utah Athletics is in support of the decision by the Pac-12 Conference to allow for voluntary in-person workouts to resume in all sports beginning June 15. We look forward to reopening our athletics facilities in accordance with the highest standards for health and safety advised by medical experts and in adherence with all state, local and campus guidelines. A dedicated working group has been working closely with the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee to finalize a comprehensive plan for how we will manage the return of student-athletes into our facilities and ensure the safest possible experience for them. Details of the plan, and a specific timeline, will be announced later this week.

Faith + Doubt is a free support group for any University of Utah students, staff or faculty who are questioning issues related to faith, spirituality and religion. This support group offered by the University Counseling Center strives to create a culture of respect and does not try to convince anyone of what they should or should not be, believe, do, or think. Instead, participants support each other as the group explores issues of faith and doubt without judgment.

Group members are invited to express themselves authentically and explore the emotional impacts of spiritual doubt, and how it affects identity, connection and community. Individuals from all different backgrounds and religions are welcome.

Group sessions are held online via Zoom on Tuesdays from 10-11:30 a.m.

To register or for more information, contact Susan Chamberlain or Mun Yuk.

The University of Utah has ranked No. 1 in Utah, and in the 101-110 band nationally, in the inaugural Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings: USA. QS, a global higher education research company, has published world university rankings since 2004, and this year published rankings for 300 of the top U.S. universities. Harvard University, Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranked as the top three universities in the nation.

Rankings were based on metrics including employability, diversity and internationalization, learning experience and research. In the category of research, which constituted 26% of the ranking score, the U placed in the 51-100 band nationally.

Find the full rankings here.

Colleges and universities in the Utah System of Higher Education are giving nearly $50 million directly to students to help with financial aid, emergency relief, and other supports during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of that funding, nearly $48 million has come from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act. Through each institutions’ emergency fund program, more than $1 million has been available for eligible students across the System.

As outlined by the Department of Education, CARES Act emergency grants to students help cover student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

For those students who do not qualify for CARES Act funds, other support is available at each USHE college and university through emergency relief programs, which are funded privately by community donors, ongoing fundraising efforts and more.

“We want our students to know that assistance is available to help them with their student expenses, whether that be food, housing, or childcare,” said Dave R. Woolstenhulme, Interim Commissioner of Higher Education. “I applaud the Department of Education for promptly distributing these essential funds for our students and institutions. We hope these funds provide support to students at the right time so they are able to remain focused on their studies and complete their education.”

Institutions are still soliciting private donations to assist students through their individual emergency relief programs. For more information on where and how to donate, please contact the individual college or university.

More information about each institution’s efforts are below:

University of Utah

• CARES Allocation to Students — $9,362,665: Financial grants are intended to support the pressing financial needs of students who have incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. An estimated 2,800 students may be eligible. The university has designated three sources for this aid: Need-based financial support, the Student Emergency Fund, and one-time technology/book scholarships during the Summer 2020 Semester.

• Other Student Emergency Funds — $550,000: The U’s Student Emergency Fund is available to all students, including those who may not be eligible for CARES funding, but who still need financial assistance. $300,000 in private donations to the Student Emergency Fund was distributed in grants to students earlier in the shutdown. University leaders have dedicated $300,000 in CARES Act funding for the Student Emergency Fund and have shifted an additional $250,000 in institutional CARES Act resources to the fund as a challenge grant.

• Additional Financial Resources: The U offers the For Utah Scholarship, which creates a fully-funded path to a University of Utah degree for first-time freshman. The initiative covers four years of tuition and fees for Pell Grant-eligible Utah residents.

• More information is available at:
  • https://financialwellness.utah.edu/blog/posts/2020/April%20cares%20act.php
  • https://attheu.utah.edu/announcements/cares-act-relief-for-students/
  • https://admissions.utah.edu/forutah/
  • https://utah.academicworks.com/opportunities/20168

Utah State University

• CARES Allocation to Students — $8,714,373: USU began making emergency grants this week totaling approximately $5 million to students whose financial needs are greatest. USU uses a student need index based on an estimate of the expenses associated with attending USU and a student’s total contributions (including family income, federal aid) from the student’s FAFSA. This ensures USU can give larger awards to the students who need it most. An additional $3.7 million is being reserved for students facing COVID-19 related financial challenges in summer and fall semesters, as well as to target students nearing graduation to ensure they are able to stay on track to graduate.

• Other Student Emergency Funds — $150,000: Students not eligible for CARES Act grants, but who still need emergency assistance, may apply for help through the USU COVID-19 Student Emergency Hardship Resources Fund. When receiving a hardship grant, students may also receive an award to cover on-campus dining services as well as referrals for additional help with other issues they are facing.

• Additional Financial Resources: As part of USU’s land-grant mission to provide access to higher education, USU is committed to providing funding for low-income students. Currently, for fall 2020, more than 550 scholarships valued at $2.1 million have been allocated to assist students who have financial need. These funds are provided through institutional awards, as well as privately endowed scholarships.
• More information is available at
  • https://www.usu.edu/covid-19/cares/index
  • http://www.usu.edu/today/story/thousands-of-usu-students-to-receive-emergency-grants-with-cares-act-funding

Weber State University

• CARES Allocation to Students — $5,857,113: In an effort to provide the most benefit to the most students, grant funds are being provided to students, based on need, whom the university has determined most likely suffered expenses due to the campus disruption. A portion of the CARES funding will also be allocated for an emergency fund to be used for students who qualify for FAFSA and who suffered expenses due to the disruption of campus operations during spring semester.
• Other Student Emergency Funds — $30,000: Students who do not qualify for the FAFSA, and who may not qualify for CARES funding, may apply to WSU for emergency funds that were raised through private donors.
• Additional Financial Resources: Weber State University launched Dream Weber in 2010, which provides free tuition and general student fees to students whose annual household income is $40,000 or less. Students can receive more information about Dream Weber and other scholarship opportunities by visiting WSU’s Financial Aid & Scholarships page.
• More information is available at:
  • https://www.weber.edu/FinancialAid/cares-act-faq.html
  • https://www.weber.edu/financialaid 

Southern Utah University

• CARES Allocation to Students — $2,812,348: SUU is working hard to disburse these funds to students as quickly as possible. To maximize helping as many students as possible, SUU will award these emergency grants through several rounds.
• Other Student Emergency Funds — $33,506: SUU has disbursed over $17,552 in emergency aid to students impacted by the coronavirus and raised an additional $15,954 from 134 donors to support their food pantry and additional emergency aid for students through SUU’s TBirdstrong campaign.
• More information is available at:
  • https://www.suu.edu/coronavirus/cares-funding.html
  • https://www.suu.edu/gift/tbirdstrong/

Dixie State University

• CARES Allocation to Students — $3,088,350: More than 5,600 Dixie State University students were eligible to apply for DSU’s CARES Act funding. The institution is processing applications now to ensure distribution is equitable. Funds will begin to be disbursed in late May and early June, and the disbursements will continue throughout the summer and fall semesters as additional students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are identified.
• Other Student Emergency Funds — $80,000: Through the COVID-19 Emergency Financial Relief Fund, established by The DSU Student Association Executive Council, $60,000 in emergency funds went to assist Dixie State students who are struggling economically during this pandemic. Awards helped students who had lost employment due to the pandemic with expenses such as rent, car payments and other basic needs until CARES Act funding came through.

• Additional Financial Resources: Dixie State University has community, local and institutional need-based scholarships. Scholarships are funded through the Dixie State University Foundation’s annual Fire & Ice Gala, private contributions, and employee payroll deductions among other sources. The scholarships are awarded yearly with the applications due every spring.
• More information is available at:
  • https://dixie.edu/cares-act/
  • https://financialaid.dixie.edu/

Utah Valley University

• CARES Allocation to Students — $11,474,604: The student CARES funds are being distributed to qualifying students, which can be used for expenses directly related to coronavirus disruptions such as food, housing, healthcare, technology, course materials, and childcare.
• Other Student Emergency Funds— $55,137.55: UVU’s Student Emergency Fund is available to students who are experiencing food and housing insecurity, and safety and health issues. The fund started in August 2019 with privately donated funds and has dispersed $55,137.55 since then, including during COVID-19 pandemic. UVU students can find the application at emergency funds.
• Additional Financial Resources: First- and second-year students at UVU who need financial support to pursue their educational goals may apply for the Greenlight Scholarship. This scholarship fills the gap to cover tuition for students who receive the Pell Grant but may still owe additional tuition. The university will track and award the scholarship automatically, once the FAFSA is complete. See Greenlight Scholarship for more information.
• More information is available at:
  • https://www.uvu.edu/financialaid/cares_faq.html
  • https://www.uvu.edu/studentcare/task-force.php
  • https://www.uvu.edu/financialaid/scholarships/greenlight.html 

Snow College

• CARES Allocation to Students — $1,239,156: These funds are intended to assist students who suffered loss while enrolled spring semester 2020. Students who find themselves in a financial emergency situation (due to COVID-19) that impacted their ability to be a successful student should apply for the funds.
• Other Student Emergency Funds — $20,000: Through the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Fund, graduates who are not eligible for CARES who incurred any COVID-related expenses (equipment, child care, lost wages, etc.) will be considered when distributing these funds. Snow is also promoting the federal Student Emergency Aid Initiative for students who were not included in CARES.
• Additional Financial Resources: Snow currently has several general need-based scholarships as well as need-based scholarships with additional criteria (e.g. students who have declared a specific major).  Additional private funds are also available specifically for low-income students.
• More information is available at:
  • www.snow.edu/coronavirus
  • www.snow.edu/scholarships 

Salt Lake Community College

• CARES Allocation to Students — $5,323,937: So far, Salt Lake Community College has awarded CARES Funds in excess of $1.7M to Spring 2020 semester students who were impacted by COVID-19.

• Other Student Emergency Funds — 127,670.55: Awards distributed through Salt Lake Community College’s Students in Crisis Emergency Fund so far is in excess of $100,000. Funds from the Students in Crisis Emergency Fund are used exclusively for those students who are ineligible for CARES Funding (non-citizen, international, DACA, etc.). This funding can be used for school-related expenses, similar to expenses covered by CARES.
• Additional Financial Resources: SLCC created a separate scholarship site dedicated to providing additional scholarship dollars for high demand short-term training programs. These are to assist displaced workers specifically for the summer term in specific programs. Low-income/low socioeconomic status students will be the majority of students who access and are awarded the additional scholarship dollars. SLCC also offers SLCC Promise, a scholarship to help eligible students pay for their education by covering the cost of tuition and fees when federal grants fall short.
• More information is available at:
  • www.slcc.edu/cares
  • https://www.slcc.edu/development-and-alumni/ways-to-give/emergency-student-support-fund.aspx
  • https://www.slcc.edu/promise/

Since 1998, the University of Utah Veterans Day Committee has selected 11 Utah veterans each year to be honored for their service. Nominated individuals who have served, or currently serve, in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard or National Guard, on active duty or the reserves, for any length of time, in any location, are eligible. They must also have been honorably discharged from their service.

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE

The nominee must currently live in Utah and be able and willing to talk about his or her experiences in the armed forces.

Nominees do not have to be alumni or associated with the university in any way. Each year, the committee selects 11 honorees based on noteworthy honor, courage, commitment, and sacrifice during their military service to our nation, but decorations for valor are not required. Selections are only based on the nominee’s military service.

The 2020 Veterans Day committee is considering multiple ceremony formats to align with current and future restrictions around COVID-19.

For more information about the University of Utah’s annual Veterans Day Commemoration, click here.

AMA Supercross is again returning to Rice-Eccles Stadium, beginning its final competition rounds on May 31 and continuing through June 21. The made-for-TV races will be broadcast on NBC networks and fans will not be in attendance.

Given that these events are closed to the public, the traffic impact will be minimal. From May 24 through June 24, the Stadium Lot (Lot 1) and a portion of the Guardsman Lot (Lot 40) will be closed. In preparation for the events, beginning May 21 and running through May 30, one westbound lane on 500 South will be closed to accommodate machinery needed to construct the track. See the map below for more details.

Event organizers are finalizing guidelines and protocol for competitors and essential staff that will comply with all federal, state and local health guidance and mandates. Mitigation efforts will include mandated prescreening, COVID-19 testing, temperature checks, face covering requirements, increased sanitation efforts and consistent social distancing to limit contact among individuals executing the events. Rice-

Eccles staff will assist in the implementation and execution of safety protocol and work alongside an on-site a medical team that will stand by in the event of an emergency.

NBC & NBCSN Schedule:

5 For The Fight, a global movement inviting everyone to give $5 for the fight against cancer, has launched the 5 For The Fight Fellowship. This new program will sponsor nine early-career cancer researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). The program is designed to help build a pipeline of qualified researchers to accelerate the pace of innovative cancer research.

“If we are going to win the fight against cancer, we need the best and brightest leading out. That means that we need to build the pipeline of talent going into cancer research. They are the real heroes,” said Ryan Smith, co-founder and CEO, Qualtrics and 5 For The Fight. “The 5 For The Fight Fellowship will help us hire more researchers to tackle the disease of our generation— cancer.”

The 5 For The Fight Fellowship is now open for applicants. Researchers selected for the fellowship will each receive $50,000 annually for three years to support their work focused on understanding cancer from its beginnings, moving discoveries from lab bench to patient bedside and into the community, and cancer prevention. An additional $150,000 will be used to help disseminate the results of the research projects and to promote collaboration with other leading cancer researchers and institutions.

“The 5 For The Fight Fellowship will help us launch the careers of up-and-coming researchers at HCI who are working in our labs, clinics, and in the community,” said Mary Beckerle, Ph.D., CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute. “This support will fuel scientific contributions that otherwise might go unfunded, and support innovative research that will make a meaningful impact on all of us who are affected by cancer.”

5 For The Fight was started by Qualtrics in 2016 as a way to crowdfund cancer research. The campaign quickly took off as people around the world jumped into the cause as a way to honor those they know who have fought or are fighting cancer. The $1.5 million initial grant to launch the 5 For The Fight Fellowship came from thousands of $5 donations and generous contributions from organizations including CBRE, Crawford Door, Davies Design, GBS Benefits, Hillcrest High School, Infinite Scale, Ivanti, J&S Mechanical, J Dawgs, Layton Construction, Platinum Dental, Qualtrics, Relic, Rise Boxing, Ruprecht Realty Utah, SAP, Sure Steel, Timpanogos Half Marathon, UPS Stores of Utah, Waystar, Wright Engineers, and others.

To date, 5 For The Fight has raised more than $25 million. Those funds have fueled several cancer research labs and expanded capacity through supporting the construction of new care facilities.

The new Fellowship, housed at Huntsman Cancer Institute, adds to efforts already underway in Ireland, where the 5 For The Fight Dermot Costello Fellowship was launched in 2017, funding and appointing fellows at Cork Cancer Research Centre via Breakthrough Cancer Research. The team is now three researchers strong and focuses on identifying and delivering ways to harness the immune system to eliminate cancer from the body.

The application process for the nine fellowship positions will open this week. Awardees will be announced in June 2020.

The University of Utah fosters a transformational experience for all students. The Office of Undergraduate Education and the Division of Student Affairs value and recognize the people, programs, and projects committed to providing an exceptional educational experience. Each year, six Beacons of Excellence Awards celebrate “best practices” found across campus, including individuals, centers, programs, labs, student groups, and more. The goal is to highlight the achievements of the many who make the university a beacon of excellence.

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE

The 2019 Beacons of Excellence award recipients included Arts Pass, Dream Center, University of Utah Prison Education Project, Ally Marringa, Dean David Perrin and Mark Matheson. Once again, congratulations to the 2019 awardees. Although every nomination will be accepted and recognized, we are hoping that this year’s nominations celebrate people, programs or projects that have positively influenced students’ learning experiences and the campus during COVID-19.

Nominations for the 2020 Beacons of Excellence Award open Monday, May 18, 2020. The deadline for submitting a nomination is 5 p.m. Monday, June 8, 2020. Announcement of recipients will be made following the nomination deadline with a luncheon to present the awards on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.

For more information about the Beacons of Excellence program and to submit a nomination click here.

A new partnership between the U and Coursera means students, staff, faculty and community members now have free access to the Coursera catalog of courses and certificates for a limited time. Coursera’s catalog includes basic and applied courses from a large number of universities and a wide range of industries.

“As the University for Utah, we are always looking for ways to increase access to education for more Utahans,” said Dan Reed, senior vice president for academic affairs. “Especially during this COVID-19 outbreak, online courses provide opportunities to learn or sharpen valuable skills that can help folks get back to work, add to their skills, prepare for additional higher education or improve their health and wellness. This initiative is one of many ways the U is working to help Utahans prepare for a brighter future.”

Learners can sign up for courses through July 31 and will have until Sept. 30 to complete the online programs. There are nearly 4,000 courses from which to choose. The U partnership allows participants to not only take the courses but to also earn industry certificates for free.

Faculty may also choose to incorporate Coursera content in their courses for Summer 2020 Semester.

Find more information and sign up here.

The Office of Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Title IX is now reviewing new federal regulations pertaining to sexual assault under Title IX. Once the review is complete changes will be made to campus rules and guidelines to best protect the community and comply with the recent changes. The university remains committed to fostering a professional working and learning environment for all members of our campus community. Our policies are designed to both protect survivors of sexual misconduct and provide due process to those accused.

The university has until Aug. 14, to be in compliance with the new regulations. Anyone who has been a victim of sexual misconduct can contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Title IX at oeo@utah.edu,801-581-8365 or report online at oeo.utah.edu. Survivors can also contact the Victim Survivor Advocate office at 801-581-7776 as a confidential resource on campus.

Participants will learn a variety of effective and practical skills they can use to manage anxiety and stress, decrease sadness and increase focus. See this overview for more information about the content and the dates/times of each workshop. Feel Better Now is open to all students, staff and faculty of the University of Utah. Additional information about the Mindfulness Center’s programs can be found at mindfulnesscenter.utah.edu. Check it out.

The Feel Better Now workshop series includes a set of four modules that are covered over the course of four weeks. It is highly recommended that participants start attending the workshop at module one, but the modules may be attended in any order and may be repeated.

The new series begins Tuesday, May 12, 2020. All participants must register online here.

Spring semester has been busy. Between switching to online instruction, planning a virtual commencement and prepping for summer semester, the term has been unusual, to say the least.

But this is also the time the University of Utah decides who to honor among its best and brightest faculty and staff. Nominations for the Presidential Scholar Awards and the new Online Excellence Awards both are due June 8.

The Presidential Scholar Awards recognize exceptional mid-career faculty (between promotion to associate professor through promotion to professor) at risk of recruitment away from the University of Utah. Presidential Scholars will be named July 1 and honored at an event in the fall.

For more information about nominating a faculty member for the Presidential Scholar Awards, go here.

The new Online Excellence Awards will recognize the extraordinary efforts of University of Utah faculty and staff to maintain our education mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. These awards will be presented during our December 2020 Commencement.

For more information about nominating someone for an Online Excellence Award, go here.

Digital innovation awards for Excellence in Online Education have been created to recognize faculty and staff creativity in the transition to online-only education during the COVID-19 pandemic. More broadly, these awards are to recognize digital innovations in academic units across the U, not only during the emergency changes made necessary during the worldwide pandemic but also as the University of Utah prepares for the global economy of the future.

The Online Excellence Faculty Awards recognize faculty members who have not only shifted coursework online but also adapted pedagogy and practice in new and novel ways to help their students learn and retain knowledge via an online format.

The Online Excellence Staff Awards honor staff members whose work was critical to easing and/or maintaining the shift to digital formats.

Up to four Online Excellence Faculty Awards and two Online Excellence Staff Awards will be made during the 2019-20 academic year. Each award will provide $1,000 to the recipient, and all recipients will be honored at the December 2020 Commencement.

Click here for more information.