Family that has learned together for years all end up at the U
The Salt Lake Tribune, May 10, 2012

In memoriam: Margaret Price Carlston, the U’s first Homecoimng queen
The Salt Lake Tribune, May 10, 2012

U prof joins federal consumber financial proteaction unit
The Salt Lake Tribune, May 9, 2012

University of Utah faculty opposses closure for football games
The Salt Lake Tribune, May 8, 2012 

Veterans, fellow students connect while writing on war
The Salt Lake Tribune, May 8, 2012

University of Utah to help design more energy efficient soldier
The Deseret News, May 8, 2012

16,000 butterflies donated to Natural History Museum of Utah exhibit
The Deseret News, May 7, 2012

University of Utah an incubator for graphic arts genius
The Deseret News, May 2, 2012

An example of the U utilizing alternative energy sources, like this wind farm in Spanish Fork, Utah. Courtesy Rocky Mountain Power.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing the U for its commitment to environmental stewardship. The U ranks third in the nation in a new listing of colleges and universities participating in the EPA’s Green Power Challenge. The university earned this ranking by increasing green power use by 15 percent in 2011 and purchasing more than 98 million kilowatt hours of green power, 36 percent of its total power use.  In making the announcement, the EPA lauded the U for vaulting the Pac-12 to No. 1 in the overall conference rankings for the purchase of green power. Read the news release here.

Wednesday, May 2, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Fort Douglas Post Theater & Merrill Engineering Building, North Studio
Students from the computer animation class will show their animation shorts from 11 a.m. to noon in the Post Theater. Then at the grand opening of the new Master Games Studio in Merrill Engineering Building there will be demos from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. showcasing two capstone games and alpha versions of the master’s students thesis projects. The day will conclude with Machinimafest from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. in the Post Theater with a student animation production. More information is online or contact Lien Fan Shen at 801-585-7673.

UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT & CONVOCATION EXERCISES

Friday, May 4, 9:00 a.m.
Jon M. Huntsman Center
University of Utah Commencement/Convocation Exercises will be on Friday, May 4 for all University graduates except graduates of the College of Law (May 11) and the School of Medicine (May 19). Ed Catmull, president and cofounder of Pixar Animation Studios, will deliver this year’s commencement address. Those unable to attend commencement can watch the live stream online (on May 4th at 9:00 a.m.), view the recorded ceremony online at KUED, or watch the rebroadcast on KUED Channel 7 on Saturday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m. More information is online or contact the Registrar’s office at 801-581-5808.

SEEDS OF REMEMBRANCE: TAKE YOUR GRIEF AND RUN WITH IT

Tuesday, May 15, 7:00 p.m.
College of Nursing Annette Poulson Cumming Building
This program is an opportunity for grievers to gather for a presentation on grief and commemorate the memory of their loved one. This program is free and open to the public. Talking about the critical link between healthy grief and physical self-care will be Lora Erickson, distance runner and coach, who lost an infant daughter; Edwin and Carri Lyons, cyclists riding to raise awareness and funds for adoption; and Denny and Alyce Gross, outdoor enthusiasts who lost their daughter Heather to an avalanche. More information is online or contact Shawna Rees at 801-585-9522.

WORKING FOR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE THROUGH PARKS, RECREATION, TOURISM, AND LEISURE SYMPOSIUM

May 17-19
University Guest House Ballroom and Conference Center
This symposium is open to all who are committed to making a positive difference in matters of social and environmental justice—the essence of the professional mission of the Department of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Leisure (PRT). Leisure studies scholars are addressing ecological health, recognizing the interconnectedness between healthy people and healthy environments, and thereby suggesting that social and environmental justice are opposite sides of the same coin. Keynote speakers include Sharon Washington, National Writing Project, Berkeley, California; Tom Goodale, Professor Emeritus, George Mason University, and Bill Stewart, Director, Park Planning and Policy Lab, University of Illinois. More information is online or contact Keri Schwab at 801-585-3194.

RED BUTTE GARDEN OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES: THE SHINS

Monday, May 28, 7 p.m.
Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
The Shins will perform with guests The Head and the Heart and Blind Pilot. More information is available online or by contacting Derrek Hanson at 801-585-0556.

Show Results

Last FYI poll results–based on 81 respondents:

Question:

Will (or did) you participate in the Great Utah ShakeOut drill: Drop, Cover, Hold On, Evacuate?

Yes, definitely. 61 votes (75%)
No, I think it is (was) a waste of time and/or resources. 4 votes (4%)
No, my department will (would) not let me. 1 votes (1%)
I work in health sciences and we have (had) a different role in the drill. 7 votes (8%)
I cannot decide. 1 votes (1%)
Other (please use comment section to explain). 7 votes (8%)

1.    Cancellation on EPSCoR Pre-pre-proposals

The call for whitepapers in the previous FYI has been recalled. Based upon available funding the decision has been made not to release an FOA for this fiscal year.

2.    Spring Grant Writing Workshops

Please click on the links below to sign up for these workshops:

May 7 INSCC Auditorium
1:30-2:30p.m. ‘Education and outreach opportunities’
Find out more about education and outreach opportunities on campus. Many grants require broader impacts, education impact, etc. We have numerous programs on campus that provide excellent framework already in place to help you with these activities. Liz Johnsen, a member of our Collaborative Research Support (CRSP) team, will give a survey of these programs, answer questions and discuss opportunities for K-12, community, and college engagement. Links to this material will be included on the grant writing page of www.MYRA.utah.edu.

May 7 INSCC Auditorium
2:45-3:45p.m. ‘An Overview of NSF Programs and Opportunities’ 
Dr. Richard Inouye, NSF Biology Directorate, will give an overview of NSF programs (all directorates) and funding opportunities. NSF has a number of exciting new programs and support for researchers. Links to this material will be included on the funding page (NSF) of www.MYRA.utah.edu.

NSF Career workshop
This year’s NSF Career workshop will be held biweekly from May 7–July 9. This workshop is intended for early career faculty writing an NSF Career proposal, however it is open to all faculty writing any type of NSF grant.

May 7 INSCC Auditorium
11:00a.m.-12:00n. Kickoff – ‘What is a CAREER grant and how to do it right!’
Dr. Richard Inouye, NSF Biology Directorate
12:00-1:30p.m. – Lunch with Recent Career Awardees & Mentors
Choose a faculty member who might be willing to help give you advice on
your grant, and invite them to lunch! (Sign both of you up, so we have a
count for lunch!
NSF Career Workshop (May 21-July 9)
Please sign up for these biweekly sessions where we will learn about, write, and discuss our grants.

Please sign up for these free workshops at the links above. Please click and sign up for EACH activity individually so we have proper counts for seating, lunch, etc. Thank you!

3.    Grant Writing Crash Course

Registration for the Fall 2012 “Grant Writing Crash Course” is now available.
Oct. 12-14, 2012
The Lodges at Deer Valley Resort
Park City, Utah

Experienced University of Utah faculty will provide individualized instruction in the mechanics of effective grant proposal writing, how to sell your idea to a sponsoring agency, how to develop specific aims and justifications, and the political and social aspects of “grantsmanship.” Participants will work on their grant proposals at the Crash Course, receiving real-time feedback to strengthen their proposals and enhance their likelihood of funding. A high faculty to trainee (PI) ratio is provided, so the number of spaces available for attendees is restricted. If you do not have seed or personal funding available for the registration fee, we encourage you to discuss other options with your Department Chair or Research Dean. Registration fees include two nights lodging at the Deer Valley Resort, use of recreational facilities, and most meals. A spouse and up to two children are welcome to accompany the participant (additional charge if more than two children attend).

Attendance is highly limited, so you are encouraged to reserve your place as soon as possible. To register, or for more information, please contact Tony Onofrietti, Director of Research Education or call 801-585-3492.

The “Grant Writing Crash Course” is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research and led by Gary C.Schoenwolf, Distinguished Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy.

4.    Planning on submitting a large grant?

Dear Colleagues,

In order to facilitate resources and planning, we would like to collect information on faculty groups who are interested in/planning on submitting the following types of grants in the next 5 years:

NSF IGERT – Integrated Graduate Education and Research Traineeships
NSF ERC – Engineering Research Center
NSF MRI – Major Research Instrumentation
NSF STC – Science and Technology Centers
NSF CCI – Centers for Chemical Innovation
DOE Energy Innovation Hubs

If you have other large, collaborative grants you are also considering, please tell us about those as well. Please send a brief email to your research dean and the VPR office to let them know of your plans.

Thank you,
Tom Parks, VP for Research
Cindy Furse, AVP for Research

5.    Experienced Assistance Available for Research Development and Planning

The VP for Research Office has assistance available for research development – planning, putting teams together, reviewing large proposals, etc. Services available include:

Strategic R&D Planning
Research Program Evaluation and Assessment
Grant Strategies and Review
Center Development: Coalitions and Partnerships for Interdisciplinary Activities
Workforce Development/STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
International Alliances
Research Ethics and Research Integrity

The UofU is working with Kathie L. Olsen, Ph.D., who is the Founder and Managing Director of ScienceWorks, a consulting firm that helps academic institutions, educational coalitions, companies, and research entities create successful, well-supported science programs and projects. She has served as Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the National Science Foundation (NSF), Associate Director for Science at the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President, and Chief Scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

To access UofU Research Development Assistance, please contact your research dean. If you are not aware who your research dean is, please contact Vicki Alvey.

6.    Upcoming Research Grant Opportunities

NSF Funding Opoprtunity: MPS – AGEP Graduate Research Supplements
The Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) encourages Principal Investigators of current MPS awards to support one (additional) Ph.D. student per award, through a partnership with the Division of Human Resource Development (HRD) in the Directorate of Education and Human Resources (HER). PIs with current MPS research awards whose academic units are participating in the HER-sponsored “Alliances for Graduate Education and Professoriate” (AGEP) program may apply to MPS for a supplement to defray the costs for: stipend, tuition, benefits and indirect costs for a graduate research student working on the MPS-funded research. Supplemental requests may be submitted at any time.

Requirements include:
- Identification of a new doctoral student who is a United States citizen, national, or permanent resident.
- A mentoring plan signed by the PI.
- An explanation of how the proposed doctoral candidate and project will serve to broaden participation.
- A currently active MPS research award – note that instrumentation acquisition awards, REU awards and large awards governed by cooperative agreements are not eligible.
- A letter signed by the PI of the Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) award, certifying that the proposed Ph.D. student is or will be a beneficiary of the AGEP activities supported by the AGEP award.

Primary Children’s Medical Center Foundation Integrated Science Award: Summer Request for Proposals. Deadline: June 15, 2012

Grant Description
Integrated Science Award is sponsored by the Primary Children’s Medical Center Foundation and is managed by the Division of Neonatology on behalf of the Department of Pediatrics.Proposals for this competition should have a single theme related to pediatric health and disease. The projects within each theme should be synergistic and related, but not interdependent. An aim in each proposal should include how this integrated approach develops junior faculty careers.

Preference will be given to proposals that integrate two or more established programs, particularly a bench and a clinical.

Support
First year applicants canapply for up to $40,000 in direct costs only. Second year applicants must reapply for second year funding up to $30,000 in direct costs. Funding is contingent upon available funds and research advancement from first year activities evident in the progress report. See application guidelines for allowable and unallowable costs.

Format
NIH R01, Multiple PI Model. All PIs share the responsibility and authority for leading and directing the project. No information or forms other than what is asked for will be reviewed.

Proposal Submission
Electronic proposals are to be submitted as a single PDF document to Tara Henderson no later than 5:00p.m., June 15, 2012. No late applications will be accepted or reviewed. This award mechanism does not require a document summary sheet or need to be submitted through the Office of Sponsored Projects.

Review Panel
Funded projects will be determined by a multidisciplinary study section of investigators which will include, Division Chiefs, Departmental experts in clinical and/or basic research, external reviewers, and select Junior Faculty.

Key Dates
July/Aug. 2012 – Proposal Review
Sept. 1, 2012 – Earliest Start Date

Administrative Contacts
For application questions contact Tara Henderson or call 801-587-7501
For budget questions contact Debbie Carter or call 801-213-3244

Limited Submission Opportunities (apply through CIS in the Limited Submission Application link)
For updates regarding Limited Submission Opportunities, you can also receive updates via RSS feed by clicking the RSS symbol in the top right corner of the Current Opportunities list.

Scientific Innovations Award
Internal submission deadline: May 10, 2012

Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase III: Transitional Centers
Internal submission deadline: May 31, 2012

Occupational Safety and Health Training Project Grants
Internal submission deadline: Jul. 5, 2012

Centers of Excellence for Research on CAM
Internal submission deadline: Aug. 2, 2012

Career Awards for Medical Scientists (CAMS)
Internal submission deadline: Aug. 9, 2012

Academic-Community Partnership Community Series (R13)
Internal submission deadline: Aug. 30, 2012

Major Research Instrumentation Program
Internal submission deadline: Dec. 6, 2012

Commencement speaker and U alum, Ed Catmull

The University of Utah will graduate 7,659 students this year. Of the 5,513 students receiving Bachelor’s degrees, the average age is 26, with the youngest 18, and the oldest 70. The average GPA is 3.25. Of the 2,146 students receiving graduate degrees, the average age is 30 with the youngest 21 and the oldest 68. Graduating students come from 26 of Utah’s 29 counties, 49 U.S. states, and 64 countries. There are 4,199 men and 3,460 women graduating. More than 1,300 self-identify as students of color.

The Commencement address will be presented by U alumnus Ed Catmull, president of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios. 

Distinguished Teaching Awards will be presented to Bonnie Baty (Pediatrics and Nursing); Evert C. Lawton, (Civil and Environmental Engineering); Mark H. Matheson, (English); and Gerald E. Root, (French). Distinguished Scholarly and Creative Research Awards will be presented to Kenneth M. Golden (Mathematics); Gary E. Keck (Chemistry); and Hong Yong Sohn (Metallurgical Engineering).

The Distinguished Service Award will be presented to Ronald M. Smelser (History). Distinguished Innovation and Impact Awards will be presented to Ellen R. Bromberg (Modern Dance); Stephen C. Jacobsen, (Distinguished Professor and Mechanical Engineering) ; and Florian Solzbacher (Electrical & Computer Engineering). The Calvin S. and JeNeal N. Hatch Prize in Teaching will be presented to E. Daniel Edwards (Social Work). David W. Grainger (Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry); Robert E. Marc (Ophthalmology); and Kathryn B. Stockton (English) have received the title of Distinguished Professor. Michael L. Gills (University Writing Program) is named Honors Professor.

Trinh T. Mai (Social Work) and Yda Jean Smith (Health) have been named Public Service Professors. Robert W. Hitchcock (Engineering) has been named University Professor. Outstanding Public School Teacher is Michele Brunson, South Elementary School, Cedar City, Utah. Distinguished Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Mentor Awards go to Matt Basso (Humanities); Chi-Bin Chien (Posthumous) (Medicine); Kristen A. Keefe (Pharmacy); and Peregrine Schwartz-Shea (Social & Behavioral Science). Presidential Professor is Jay B. Barney (Management).

The recipient of the 2012 Rosenblatt Prize, a $40,000 cash award, will be named during the Commencement program.

Honorary degrees will be bestowed to A. Lorris Betz, H. David Burton, Jerilyn S. McIntyre, Wataru “Wat” Misaka, and Beverley Taylor Sorenson.

The top 10 graduate degrees are (in order) Psychology, Economics, Exercise and Sports Science, Mass Communication, Human Development and Family Studies, Nursing, Accounting, Biology, Sociology, Finance, and Mechanical Engineering. 

Those unable to attend commencement may watch the live stream online on May 4, view the recorded ceremony online at KUED, or watch the rebroadcast on KUED Channel 7 on Saturday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m. More information is online, or contact the Registrar’s office, or call 801-581-5808.

Each year, librarians in the Marriott Library evaluate subscriptions to journals and databases to determine what subscriptions should be added or removed. In the past two years, the Marriott Library has added 283 journal subscriptions, 20 databases, and the online archives for a number of journals. For 2013, the Library will renew most databases, standing orders, ejournals and ebook collections. However, due to budget constrictions, and in order to keep up with ongoing steep price increases, especially among science journals, the library is reviewing selected journal subscriptions for possible cancellation. This year, the Library is targeting low-use paper subscriptions and selected journals that have been purchased in duplicate online and paper versions.

The 375 titles under review are listed here and include 305 journals stored in the Library’s Automated Retrieval Center (ARC) that have had zero requests or circulations during the past two to four years. The review listing also includes journals that are held in duplicate paper and online versions and have a per-article download cost exceeding $40.

If you wish to register concerns about any title you see on the review list, please send email before May 15 to Maria Hunt and Mark England.

The Marriott Library actively seeks your input as it makes decisions about these subscriptions during its decision decision-making process, which will end in mid-May.

Access to current issues of any affected journal will continue until January 2013.

Work is beginning soon on the new Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts & Education Complex, which will be located east of Milton Bennion Hall and west of HPER West. The new building will house the College of Education and the Virginia Tanner Dance program. Construction is expected to begin in May with completion scheduled for Winter 2013/14.

In preparing for the project, several trees will be removed from the construction site. Most need to be eliminated due to required utility line replacements and upgrades, which are located under the trees along the west and south sides of the site. The remaining trees need to be removed due to site grading changes to accommodate functional drainage, poor condition of trees, or undesirability of species. None of the trees to be removed is considered a legacy tree or rare species, and several are suffering from disease or have been in declining health for some time.

For the Sorenson project, many of the replacement trees will be larger and more mature than the 2-inch-diameter trees more commonly used for replacement, so the ratio may be 1.5 new trees for every one removed. To ensure the overall health of the campus forest, the University is committed to incorporating different varieties of tree species as the opportunities arise. And planting larger trees helps minimize the stark visual impact that often occurs with new construction. Trees being considered include the Autumn Blaze Maple, Red Barron Crab, Bosnian Pine, and Briotii Horse Chestnut. All trees will be labeled. (A campus-wide tree map will be available in the next few months on the facility operations website.) 

Tree removal will begin May 7, and the new replacement trees will be planted summer/fall 2013. The tree removal project will coincide with closure of the north/south sidewalk east of Milton Bennion Hall for the duration of construction. Watch for signs identifying the best detour routes for pedestrians. For additional information, contact Liz Blackner or call 801-581-4493.

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.

Tim Chambless, U professor, with Bader (Saudi Arabia), Pei (China), and Mei (Japan).

Global Pathways is looking for exceptional host families to house its international students. Approximately 300 new students are expected this fall, so Global Pathways will need to expand its host network. Pathways students are freshmen at the U taking English as a second language (ESL) classes along with regular academic courses. Students are given the opportunity to live with an American family to better experience American culture and improve their English skills.

New students will arrive in August. The typical length of stay is eight weeks with the opportunity to extend upon approval by the host. Host families provide two meals a day to undergraduate students or one meal a day to graduate students, along with a room furnished with a bed and a desk. As a host you must live within a 30-60-minute commute by public transportation to the U. In return, Global Pathways will provide training, support, and compensation.

If you, your family, and/or your friends would like more information about the host family program, or would like to apply, contact Mara Behles or call 801-587-9985.