September 2024 NatSci DEI Newsletter

September NatSci DEI Newsletter

In this issue

NatSci Values and Climate Survey
Upcoming Events and Sponsorships
Cultural Competency Workshops
Student Organization Information
Important Dates
Lifelong learning
Health and well-being
Action List
Recognitions
Contact us

NatSci Values and Climate Survey

As part of 2022-2026 Strategic Plan NatSci conducted a NatSci Values and Climate Survey. Please review the three reports and let us know if you have any questions by emailing natsci.dei@msu.edu.

NatSci Employee final report

NatSci Graduate Student final report

NatSci Undergraduate Student final report

Upcoming Events and Sponsorships

MSU Students: You’re invited to #FreshCheckDay on October 2 from noon to 4 pm in People’s Park. Promoted by University Health and Wellbeing, you can learn about mental health resources on campus, play games, and enjoy FREE FOOD.

Cultural Competency Workshops

Registration is now open for the Fall 2024 semester NatSci Cultural Competency Workshops for MSU NatSci employees and graduate students!

To learn more about the workshops, click here.

Student Organization Information

Are you a NatSci RSO with an upcoming event you'd like to spread the word about? Message us on the NatSci DEI Instagram page (natsci.dei) with a flyer and information and we will share it for you, or reach out to us at natsci.dei@msu.edu.

Important Dates

September 15th to October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month

September 21st is International Day of Peace

Lifelong Learning

Here are some fun STEM related activities and places in Michigan

LEGOland Discovery Center

Accelerate Kid classes

Snapology of Troy Macomb

Mental health and well-being

Please take care of your health and well-being. Please use the resources below for support.

Action List

President Guskiewicz recently gave an update on the spaces in Berkey Hall and the MSU Union involved during February 13th 2023. Classes will also not be held on February 13th 2025, except for some graduate and professional classes.

Read the full announcement here.

A new program has been launched within NatSci! The NatSci Future Faculty Postdoctoral program will help with moving forward the NatSci Strategic Plan with improving inclusion and diversity of the staff and faculty.

More information about this program here.

Inclusive Pedagogy

Participation in blended courses research project

Do you teach a blended / hybrid undergraduate course at MSU?
Are you interested in transitioning your course to a blended format?
Would like to be part of the study and professional development community related to blended courses?

MSU’s Enhanced Digital Learning Initiative (EDLI) is seeking instructors interested in or already implementing blended undergraduate courses in all disciplines to participate in an NSF-funded study for one or more semesters between Spring 2024 – Fall 2025.

View complete recruitment information here.

Upcoming classroom accessibility training

Removing Barriers to Learning: Improve D2L Course Usability and Accessibility with Ally – Tuesday, October 15, 11:00 – 12:00

Empowering Inclusivity: Crafting Accessible PowerPoint Presentations – Tuesday, October 22, 1:00 – 2:00

Get accessibility training!

Deque University offers online, self-paced training. Deque's comprehensive web and digital accessibility curriculum covers the full range of topics, with classes designed for a variety of professionals.

MSU IT Educational Technology Training website

Educational technology workshops covering topics to help faculty use MSU-supported software in their classrooms. Workshops occur throughout the semester.

Schedule a consultation

Need assistance or advice about accessibility in your classroom? Request an accessibility consultation with the Instructional Technology and Development group.

Please review the Religious Observance Policy for 2024-25 exam and presentation scheduling. You can find a listing of the 2024-25 list of religious holidays here.

The University has updated its policies surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions for students and employees.

You can read these updated policies here.

In 2023, the University Committee on Faculty Affairs issued a statement on professional integrity and proposed updates to the Faculty Rights and Responsibilities policy to promote respectful, safe, and equitable learning and working environments. These were approved by the MSU Board of Trustees in June 2024. You may read these revisions here.

If you suspect misconduct has happened or have a concern about it, you can contact the MSU Misconduct Hotline at 1-800-763-0764, or reach out to them at misconduct.msu.edu.

The office of ASMSU Student Rights Advocates provides assistance to students in University-related affairs involving the MSU conduct system, residence hall life, and more. The SRA office is not funded by any university department, and operates as a

confidential and independent resource for students. Student Rights Advocates cannot dispense legal advice, For legal advice,

contact Student Legal Services at (517) 353-37163

Recognitions

Selvan Demir, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry, received a 2024 Faculty Early Career Development Award for her work on the elements on the end of the periodic table of elements. She has been awarded a 5-year, $770,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for research on these elements.

Read the full article here.

Preston Wake, a professor in the Department of Mathematics, has also been awarded a 2024 Faculty Early Career Development Award, for his work on advanced research on algebraic number theory. He will receive $450,000 over the next 5 years to advance his research.

Read the full article here.

Kirsten Salonga, a high school teacher in Virginia and former Kellogg Biological Station worker, is one of six educators to win the Robert E. Yager Exemplary Teaching Award from the National Science Teaching Association.

Read the full article here.

Tuo Wang, a NatSci researcher and associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, has been awarded the 2025 Horace S. Isbell Award by the American Chemical Society. Wang's work is in the realm of carbohydrate chemistry.

Read the full article here.