Read Full Story on The Record

A new series of websites highlight the University of Michigan’s research, engagement and leadership across an array of sustainability topics.

The sites, collectively known as Planet Blue Global Impact, serve as a comprehensive hub for major sustainability news at U-M.

They include stories and resources from various schools, colleges and units, covering eight distinct subtopics: Climate & Energy, Conservation & Restoration, Environmental Justice, Environmental Policy & Business, Food Systems, Human Health, Sustainable Infrastructure and Water.

Each subtopic site provides information about human impacts on the natural and built environment, and demonstrates how U-M researchers and community members are taking action. The websites also feature leading sustainability initiatives and efforts across U-M, providing entry points for users to learn more and get involved.

Read Full Story on The Record

Read More at Michigan Health

No matter where you fall on the mask spectrum, here are 9 things to know right now:

1. The reason behind the new rule is that the vaccine works.
2. Not vaccinated or not done with your shots yet? Keep that mask on indoors and in crowded outdoor settings.
3. The vaccine may protect some people less – so they should keep wearing masks indoors and near others outdoors.
4. The new rules about indoor masking don’t apply to all places.
5. States, cities, businesses, school districts and institutions can still set their own mask requirements.
6. Even if you’re fully vaccinated, but you want to keep wearing a mask, feel free – and don’t let anyone bully you out of it.
7. Keep a mask handy just in case.
8. If you are having work done by others in your home, you can ask them to wear a mask or show that they’ve been vaccinated.
9. If you’re traveling, check the mask requirements at your destination.

Read More at Michigan Health

Following the passage of Proposition 18-3 (“Promote the Vote”) in Michigan in 2018, the Ann Arbor City Clerk’s Office began making plans to expand voter registration and absentee ballot opportunities for the 2020 election cycle, particularly with the more than 40,000 students at the University of Michigan.

A November 2019 resolution of council directed the city administrator to make funding available in the city clerk budget to provide for expanded hours and an additional “satellite” office.

“At this time, I began working with the government relations official at the University of Michigan to secure a location on campus,” City Clerk Jacqueline Beaudry explained. “Fortunately, in our situation, relationships were already in place between the city clerk’s office and those on campus involved in voter outreach efforts.”

Meanwhile, at the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art & Design professors Stephanie Rowden and Hannah Smotrich were ramping up with Creative Campus Voting Project.

“The idea originated at the serendipitous intersection of several conversations across campus about student voter engagement,” Rowden and Smotrich explained. “As we were talking with Edie [Goldenberg (Political Science, Public Policy; and faculty advisor for the student org Turn Up Turnout)] about the best site for the satellite office, we were also in conversation with our partners at UMMA (University of Michigan Museum of Art) about building on our 2018 collaboration. We learned that due to Covid-19 UMMA’s beautiful, glassed-in gallery in the center of campus wouldn’t be used and — the lightbulb moment! — the idea of a satellite city clerk’s office in a gallery was born. Given our focus on using art and design to clarify and make the voting process more visible, the venue could not have been more fitting and the project aligned beautifully with UMMA’s commitment to foster civic engagement.”