Announcements of interest

STANFORD PROFESSORS CREATE COURSERA TO OFFER FREE CLASSES ONLINE

Five U.S. universities will create free online courses for students worldwide through a new, interactive education platform dubbed Coursera, The two founders, both professors of computer science at Stanford University, announced that they had received $16 million in financing from two Silicon Valley venture capital firms. Coursera will offer more than three dozen college courses in the coming year through its website at coursera.org, on subjects ranging from Greek mythology to neurology, from calculus to contemporary American poetry. The classes are designed and taught by professors at Stanford, Princeton, U.C. Berkeley, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan. Read the April 18, 2012 news article here. 

 
STUDENTS HIGHLIGHT EXCEPTIONAL U INSTRUCTORS IN “LESSONS” 

Lessons provides students with a voice on various teaching topics affecting campus. The Spring 2012 issue of Exceptional Teaching at the U, highlights outstanding teachers from a variety of disciplines. Students from various majors have produced text, photos, and video stories to highlight the teaching of Cynthia Furse, Electrical and Computer Engineering; Luciano Pesci, Economics; Hester Henderson, UFIT; Regina Delong, Urban Institute for Teacher Education; and Kimberley Mangun, Communication (a recipient of this year’s Early Career Teaching Award). The Spring 2012 issue of lessons is available here, and is produced biannually by the Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence.

 
TIME TO UPDATE YOUR CENTURYLINK DEX WHITE PAGES LISTINGS 

The deadline to submit your additions, corrections, or deletions for the CenturyLink Dex 2012-2013 Salt Lake City White Pages is May 22, 2012. The University of Utah listings on pages 186-187 in the business section of the 2011-2012 White Pages have been cut back to one listing per department. For the University of Utah Health Care listings, see page 187 (listings are subject to approval from the Marketing Office and will be billed to your department). The charge is $6/month per listing line. Please email changes to white pages. If you have no changes, there is no need to contact us. The Dex One representative will be contacting departments directly about current Yellow Pages listings. If you wish to advertise in the Yellow Pages, contact Beckie Penman at 801-284-5055 or send an email to Beckie Penman. Questions? Contact Robin Horton at 801-585-7205 for University of Utah listings; and Allyson Tanner at 801-581-3879 for University of Utah Health Care listings.

U TO HOST SALT LAKE CITY NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT CONFERENCE
May 10, 7:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building

In an effort to support the thriving local economy and the community it fosters, Salt Lake City Corporation has teamed up with Local First Utah and Vest Pocket Business Coalition to sponsor and organize the third annual Neighborhood Business Conference on Thursday, May 10 in the new Spencer Fox Eccles Business Building. Registration and additional information is available here.
 

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS—DISTRICT STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Know an outstanding staff employee at the U who deserves to be recognized?  Here’s your opportunity to make that happen.

Nominations are now being accepted for The District Staff Excellence Awards (DSEA). Twenty-four staff members from six districts (academic affairs, administrative services, general administration, hospital and clinics, other health sciences, and student affairs) will be recognized for superior service and ongoing contributions to the U. From these 24, six will be chosen as the winners of the U’s Staff Excellence Award (USEA). Each USEA recipient will receive a $5,000 honorarium, a special plaque, and their name will be added to the perpetual plaque on display in the Human Resources Building at 420 Wakara Way in Research Park. Additional information, including nomination forms, is online. Nomination deadline is Friday, June 8, 2012, before 5 p.m. Questions? Contact Terri Crow or call 801-585-0928. 

STUDY PARTICIPANTS WANTED
U of U staff 

Researchers in the management department of the David Eccles School of Business are currently conducting an IRB-approved study that looks at people’s perceptions of their workplaces. They are inviting U of U staff to participate. Participants are entered in a drawing for one of three $50 cash prizes. The survey will take between five and 10 minutes to complete. To participate, follow this link. For additional information, contact Maryam Kouchaki.