Total Campus Report - Efficient & valuable curated higher ed developments from the Big Ten delivered every Tuesday & Friday.
Presidents/Chancellors in the News
Nebraska President Bounds announced that he will step down late this summer and return to the South with his family. After 20 years in executive roles, Bounds indicated that he will transition to other educational and consulting work and spend more time with his family. "Growing up, I never dreamed I would even go to college, much less have the opportunity to work with some of the most talented students, faculty and staff in the world. To have been entrusted with this role by the Board of Regents is the privilege of a lifetime. While rewarding, this job has also been personally demanding. I have done everything I could to serve our students and the people of Nebraska effectively. Now it’s time to recharge and reconnect with my family.” In a quote sent yesterday from the university to Total Campus Report, Chancellor Green added of Bounds: "Hank has been a strong and dedicated leader for the University of Nebraska during some challenging times. He has been a tireless advocate for the NU system in the statehouse and across the state. I cannot thank him enough for his service. I wish Hank and Susie and their family the very best going forward.” - link, link
Purdue President Daniels appeared on CNBC last week to discuss the recent college admissions scheme that has impacted several universities across the country, explaining that "we're all familiar with some schools admitting athletes who are phony students, but we haven't seen phony athletes trying to become students before. It was something I certainly didn't see coming." Daniels also posited that one thing that's been missed in the news covering this scandal is the discussion concerning the parents, whom Daniels contends are "seeking status for themselves more than success for their children," whether they recognize it or not. Daniels also cited a study Purdue conducted with Gallup that indicated "where you go is not who you'll be. It's much more about whether a student applies herself or himself at school [and] how rigorous that school is." At the same time, Daniels says, the message that a high price is not tantamount to quality is being increasingly received, as Purdue is receiving lots of applications from families "that in a different time might have sought out one of these very high-priced private schools." Full interview. - link
Michigan President Schlissel acknowledged in a letter to campus yesterday that despite the reports on March 16 of an active shooter on campus not being substantiated, "the fear is no less real." In the interceding days, Schlissel and other administrators have examined the day's events and while "many aspects of our response went according to plan, we uncovered deficiencies in the activation of our emergency alert system and the distribution of accurate information and instructions that will need to be corrected immediately." Schlissel went on to call it "heartbreaking that we live in a world where violence and the possibility of violence too often leaves individuals and groups of different backgrounds feeling targeted." Moving forward, the university will continue its analysis of the emergency alert process and has begun an awareness campaign about what to do in an active attacker scenario. "The safety and well-being of people in our community is my foremost concern. I commend everyone who has reached out to offer support to others or to provide suggestions on how we can improve our processes." Meanwhile, a sorority has apologized for the balloon-popping exercise that caused the scare, writing that it is "unacceptable to pass off our actions as a poorly timed coincidence. To do so would be to ignore the politically charged atmosphere that day and the many serious events on campus that preceded the false alarm." - link, link
Indiana President McRobbie delivered remarks over the weekend at the "Contending with Antisemitism in a Rapidly Changing Political Climate: An International Scholars Conference," hosted by the IU Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism. To begin, McRobbie cited the recent tragic shootings at a New Zealand mosque and Pittsburgh synagogue as examples of the changing political climate, saying: "All of these incidents, and unfortunately, a long list of others, underscore the dramatic increases in the numbers of hate groups that have been reported around the world in recent years, as well as the dramatic increase in the number of antisemitic incidents and acts of hatred and violence against other minorities." McRobbie went on to quote Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel, who said in his 1986 acceptance speech that we must never "be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." Full speech. - link
Michigan State ActingPresident Udpa spoke to the student government's General Assembly last week, updating them on changes that have been implemented since his term began earlier this year. Udpa explained that he has taken three key steps to express contrition and make amends to Nassar survivors, including apologizing, meeting with survivors and their families, and reinstating the healing fund. "Michigan State has a faced a lot of tough challenges in its 160-plus years and we are certainly at a point right now where we can say we are probably at one of the lower points but it's gratifying to see the kind of leadership that we see at every level." - link
Institutional Leadership
Maryland named Georgina Dodge as vice president of diversity and inclusion. Dodge comes to UMD from Bucknell, where she has served as chief diversity officer and associate provost for diversity since 2017. President Loh: "Following a highly competitive national search, Georgina was selected based upon her 23-year career of successful leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion at three universities. She is a tireless advocate for human rights, civil liberties, and equal opportunity, and we welcome her to Maryland." Prior to her appointment at Bucknell, Dodge held similar positions at Iowa and Ohio State. - link
Indiana named Kathleen Johnston as founding director of the Michael I. Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism, effective August 1. Johnston is a 30-year veteran of investigative journalism and a Media School visiting professor of practice. - link
Iowa announced TaJuan Wilson, executive director of student programs and diversity and assistant professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, as the final candidate for the associate vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion position. Wilson is on campus this week in support of his candidacy. - link
Money, Money, Money
Nebraska has launched the Emergency Assistance Fund to support NU students and employees who are facing sudden financial hardships due to emergency situations like the recent flooding that has devastated several communities across the state. The fund is accepting contributions from individuals and organizations to help currently enrolled students and employees who have been displaced, face food insecurity, or are otherwise impacted. President Bounds: "It’s inspiring to see Nebraskans pull together during times of need. We know many members of the extended University of Nebraska family are interested in how they can help students, faculty and staff whose lives have been impacted by the recent devastating floods. The NU Emergency Assistance Fund is one option for providing support. Every gift helps when members of our community are facing the unexpected.” - link
After hearing feedback from a number of students, Minnesota Governor Walz has revised his budget proposal to include an additional $12M for Minnesota, bringing total appropriations to 59% of the university's requested $87M. Walz added that he would like to see a tuition freeze at the state's universities, but President Kaler explained that is not possible without more money from the state. Kaler did note that Walz's amended budget takes some of the pressure off, but UM will still have to look to students for more support. "That means cuts. That means diminution in compensation. It could mean reducing staff and, at the end of the day, it would dramatically affect what students are able to get from the U in terms of advising, support, career advice, counseling, class availability." - link
Academic Updates
Michigan President Schlissel has recommended conferring four honorary degrees at this year's commencement ceremony to Randy Schekman, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and professor of developmental biology at UC Berkeley; Mark di Suvero, internationally renowned sculptor and peace activist; Leslie Uggams, actress and singer; and newly elected Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. As reportedly previously, Whitmer will deliver the keynote address at this year's graduation ceremony. - link
Staying in Ann Arbor, Between March and September of last year, Michigan animal testing laboratories accidentally lost a mutant rabbit, poisoned nearly 11,500 zebrafish, caused 53 mice to die of thirst, and gave an unknown number of mice cancer, according to legally required letters sent by the U-M Research and Animal Care and Use offices. U-M spokesman Rick Fitzgerald: "We deeply regret the loss of these animals, most of which were zebrafish. Upon discovery in 2018, these incidents were corrected immediately by our animal care team, and corrective action plans were put into place to prevent any future issues. The university has many strong policies and controls in place to monitor all projects involving the use of animals." - link
Enrollment/Admissions/Retention
Michigan spokesman Rick Fitzgerald fielded questions this week from Inside Higher Ed concerning the university's consideration of legacies in its holistic admissions process. Last week, President Schlissel applauded an IHE essay written by Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Peter McPherson that criticized public universities that have preferred legacies in the process. When asked whether Schlissel's position conflicts with U-M's admissions practice, Fitzgerald explained that legacy status is used for two purposes: acknowledging family relationships to alumni when communicating with parents of applicants and calculating yield. They do not, he asserted, play a role in actual admissions decisions. - link
Legal
Ohio State has reportedly reached a settlement with a student gun-rights group concerning the ability of concealed carry permit holders to store guns in their automobiles. The Students for Concealed Carry Foundation group says the settlement resolves a suit first brought against OSU in 2014. Under the terms of the agreement, OSU has updated its student code of conduct to allow for the storage of firearms in locked motor vehicles by those individuals who hold concealed handgun licenses. OSU says it was willing to change the code since it was already abiding by state law in allowing the storage. - link
A former Minnesota employee has been charged with four counts of felony theft after authorities say he used school funds to purchase 78 computers over a 14-month period and sell them for personal profit. The former employee is accused of stealing over $134K worth of computers. - link
What's Going on Around Campus?
Purdue's Black Cultural Center has been named a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The center becomes the state's sixth to receive the designation. Renee Thomas, director of the Black Cultural Center: "It is an honor to receive this designation. This acknowledgment highlights the educational and impactful work of the BCC. We encourage and welcome everyone to visit the center, as well as engage in the numerous activities sponsored by the center." - link
In addition to delivering Michigan's keynote commencement speech, Michigan State alumnus and newly elected Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer will speak at MSU's advanced degree graduation in May, where she will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Former MSU and current NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins will deliver remarks at the undergraduate convocation, where he will receive an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. Acting President Udpa: "Michigan State is proud to welcome home two distinguished alumni who personify the cherished Spartan qualities of service and leadership in their respective fields. Both Gov. Whitmer and Kirk Cousins have earned national acknowledgment of those qualities and are sure to be inspirational speakers for our graduates.” - link
Michigan has launched a new Ethics, Integrity and Compliance website to make it easier for campus members to stay updated on compliance activities across the university as well as report concerns through the existing compliance hotline. The site also includes training and educational resources. President Schlissel: "Thanks to the diligence of the faculty, staff and students of this university, U-M's reputation is built on a foundation of integrity. It's up to each of us to continue those high standards." - link
Purdue President Daniels will announce tomorrow a permanent campus memorial to honor Tyler Trent, a Purdue graduate and fan who passed away on January 1 after a valiant battle with cancer. Daniels will also announce the inaugural recipient of the Tyler Trent Courage and Resilience Award, a scholarship established in Trent's honor. - link
Campus Safety
Michigan violin professor Stephen Shipps retired February 28 after being on leave since December 7 amid claims of sexual misconduct. Shipps had previously stepped down as chairman of strings in the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance. - link
Nebraska Extension has mobilized its resources to aid those impacted by devastating flooding that has impacted dozens of communities throughout the state. Extension officials have encouraged those who are returning to their homes to ensure their safety, noting that flooding often causes structural damage and carries the risk of contaminating domestic wells. Chuck Hibberd, dean of Nebraska Extension: "Extension is committed to helping Nebraska recover from this disaster. Our team of statewide experts is available to offer assistance with immediate needs and will be there every step of the way for as long as it takes.” - link
Maryland received 249 reports of potential sexual misconduct last academic year, of which 91 became formal complaints. Of those, investigators opened 16 investigations. The year prior, the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct received 208 reports, of which 80 became complaints. The office subsequently opened 27 investigations. - link
Technology
Indiana's Innovation and Commercialization Office (IU ICO) has launched a new online system through which campus members can disclose innovations. Bill Brizzard, IU ICO executive director, points out that disclosures are the most important part of the commercialization process. "Before IU ICO personnel can help protect, market or license intellectual property, we have to know it exists. The disclosure begins the process. We now have a more time-efficient method for disclosures to be sent to the office. ... The new system allows more flexibility in the types of files or attachments that can be uploaded, and inventors can track the progress of individual invention disclosures." - link
