April 2017 Announcements

• Register now to attend the State of the Sciences: Live! at the Library on April 21. This College of Sciences family-friendly event in one of NC State’s most iconic buildings, the Hunt Library on Centennial Campus, will feature activities for science lovers of all ages, including hands-on demos, fun and informative talks, tours of the library and its technology capabilities, along with food, wine and NC State beer. The event, which will be part of the North Carolina Science Festival, is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information, visit https://sciences.ncsu.edu/event/state-of-the-sciences-live-at-the-library/.
• April is National Financial Literacy Month. During this month, NC State’s Dollars and Sense program will offer free financial workshops and events for faculty, staff and students. Dollars and Sense is a financial wellness program providing education on managing finances and addressing financial concerns unique to college life. The program equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain lifelong financial wellness. To learn more about Financial Literacy Month events, visit https://studentservices.ncsu.edu/2017/03/april-is-financial-literacy-month-learn-how-to-manage-your-money/.
• NC State now provides bias incident reporting and response through its new Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) and BIRT website. BIRT is coordinated by Reggie Barnes, NC State’s senior director of campus community centers and reporting through the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity. BIRT provides a means to acknowledge, address and report bias incidents that have occurred and to offer restorative practices to affected parties and to the campus as a whole. It does not replace existing processes for reporting and addressing acts of discrimination, harassment, concern or violence; nor does it conduct investigations, which may be referred to the appropriate university offices when necessary. Learn more at https://oied.ncsu.edu/home/2017/03/30/nc-state-launches-bias-incident-response-team/.
• Ron Sederoff, professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, won the 2017 Marcus Wallenberg Foundation Prize, an international award for scientific achievements in fields important to forestry. The Wallenberg Prize is awarded annually to one scientist or team of scientists whose achievements broaden forestry knowledge and advance technical developments in related fields. The King of Sweden will present Sederoff with the award, which includes a cash prize of 2 million Swedish kronor, during a ceremony in Stockholm in October. Sederoff, one of the first scientists to study molecular genetics of forest trees, established the Forest Biotechnology Group at NC State in 1988.
• Duane Larick, senior vice provost for academic strategy and resource management, now also serves in the capacity of the Chief of Staff for the Provost’s Office. In this position, Larick oversees day to day operations and handles all inquiries regarding financial resources. 

From the Office of International Affairs:

• International Travel Gateway

As the university’s global engagement continues to increase, it is important to centralize efforts in the coordination of international programs, particularly for liability and risk management purposes. On behalf of the university, the Study Abroad Office (SAO) has therefore launched a new International Travel Gateway to collect student travel information on NC State-affiliated activities. FAQs and details about this simple, one-step process are available on the SAO website. All students traveling on non-credit activities abroad will be required to purchase international travel insurance with the provider contracted by the UNC system, to gain access to emergency assistance and evacuation support networks.

This is critical for risk management purposes, and will ensure that the university can provide timely emergency response and other support services.

On February 14, 2017, NC State issued Reg 02.55.01 (Student International Travel and Approval of Study Abroad) to designate the SAO as the coordinator for all NC State study abroad programs and activities, and to designate the SAO as responsible for tracking all university-affiliated student international travel beginning with summer 2017 departures.

With these new processes in place, NC State will confidently continue to encourage increased international engagement at all levels. This will help us meet the fifth goal in the University’s strategic plan: to enhance global and local partnerships, and to ensure that all students have safe access to the benefits of an international experience.

From the Office of Faculty Development:

• Scholarship of Community Engagement Institute

Learn how to combine research, community collaboration and service learning at the Office of Faculty Development’s (OFD) Scholarship of Community Engagement Institute. Participants will gain knowledge in the unique aspects of conducting research on community engagement as well as hear from experienced engagement researchers. They will begin work on their Scholarship of Community Engagement projects and receive feedback from their fellow participants as well as session leaders.

Participants will attend (virtually or in-person) support sessions throughout the 2017-18 academic year, presenting their research at OFD’s Teaching and Learning Symposium. Overall, participants will learn how to make Community Engagement research a viable part of their scholarship, and how to locate opportunities for funding, conferences, and publishing.

To apply, visit  go.ncsu.edu/engagementinstitute. Applications will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24. Acceptance decisions will be sent by Friday, May 5.

If you wish to participate, please hold the following dates and times on your calendar:

• Tuesday, May 16, 9 a.m – 5 p.m.
• Thursday, May 18, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• A half-day session on EITHER Thursday, Aug.10 OR Friday, Aug. 25.

Participants will attend all sessions in their entirety. Pending availability of state funds, participants will receive a mini-grant that can be used to support their research projects.

• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Institute

Apply now for OFD’s Summer Institute on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). The Institute will take place Monday, May 15, Wednesday, May 17, and Friday, May 19.

Participants will attend (virtually or in-person) support sessions throughout the 2017-18 academic year, presenting their research at OFD’s Teaching and Learning Symposium. Overall, participants will learn how to make SoTL research a viable part of their scholarship, and how to locate opportunities for funding, conferences, and publishing.

To apply , visit http://go.ncsu.edu/sotlinstitute. Applications will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 24. Acceptance decisions will be sent by Friday, May 5.

If you wish to participate, please hold the following dates and times on your calendar:

• Monday, May 15, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 17, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Friday, May 19, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Participants will attend all sessions in their entirety. Pending availability of state funds, participants will receive a mini-grant that can be used to support their research projects.