In the Know – Issue 63

NSF CAREER Grant to Advance Nuclear Physics Research

Physics Professor Kent Leung and students in a new experimental nuclear physics research program will work toward finding answers to questions about the universe.

University Updates COVID-19 Policies

The State of New Jersey and the federal government have both ended the COVID-19 public health emergencies, and the University will adjust its procedures effective May 11. Read what’s changing.

Students Take Mini Break to Horse Around

Miniature horses return after four-year hiatus to de-stress Montclair students.

In the News

• Timothy Renner (Classics and General Humanities) and his team of archaeologists are featured in this Live Science article about mysterious mosaics depicting Medusa that they uncovered at a second-century Roman villa.
• Jordanna Maziarz (Undergraduate Admissions) is quoted in this NJ101.5 article about the trends colleges and universities are experiencing post-pandemic.
• Jason Williams (Justice Studies) is quoted in this New Jersey Monitor article centered on a family seeking justice for Darrell Smith, a man who died at a New Jersey prison in 2019. Williams was also featured in this NJ Spotlight News article about the Rutgers strike.
• Michael Viega (Music) is quoted in this Verywell Health article about using music to de-stress.
• The Office for Faculty Excellence published an article detailing practical responses to ChatGPT and other generative AI, and it was picked up by Khan Academy as part of its AI for Education course.

Upcoming Events

• President Koppell’s Spring Town Hall Meeting will be held Wednesday, April 19, 3-4 p.m. in Alexander Kasser Theater. Please RSVP.
• April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The nonprofit organization Text Power Telling is offering a writing workshop aimed at providing a safe space for survivors of sexual trauma to practice writing as a transformative and healing process. Register to reserve a spot for the Faculty, Staff and Community Session, Thursday, April 20, 5-7 p.m. Space is limited. For more information visit textpowertelling.org or contact co-founders, Jackie Regan (reganj@montclair.edu) or Jessica Restaino (restainoj@montclair.edu).
• Fridays with ITDS – What to Know and What’s to Come with ChatGPT & Artificial Intelligence will be held Friday, April 21, 10 a.m. via Zoom. This session will overview need-to-know updates on ChatGPT/AI in higher education, followed by a panel of interdisciplinary Montclair faculty and staff discussing the impact of AI on teaching, learning and academic research.
• Take Charge of Your Change, an in-person and virtual lecture for employees, will be held Friday, April 28, 11 a.m. – noon. Health and wellness coach Laurie Reynolds will provide tools for creating lasting lifestyle changes. The event will take place in the Student Center room 411. Registration is required if attending virtually.

Reminders

• Rocky’s Closet is accepting donations of Montclair caps and gowns to help students celebrate their accomplishments at Commencement. For more information please contact, rockyscloset@montclair.edu or escobark@montclair.edu.
• Submit your publications for recognition in the University Authors program. Faculty and staff publications or creative works published or produced in 2022 or 2023 are eligible. To submit print publications, use this form. For media (CDs, DVDs and others), use this form. Deadline for submission is Friday, April 21.
• Instructional Technology and Design Services invites faculty to submit proposals to present at the 18th Annual Summer Institute conference, held June 7-8. This year’s conference focuses on critical issues in pedagogy and digital learning. Deadline for submission is Friday, April 21.
• Montclair State University Ice Arena hockey and figure skating summer camps are now open for registration.
• Explore offerings from Learning and Development for a variety of leadership and professional development opportunities available this spring.
• The Division of Human Resources provides a full range of services on campus at 18 Normal Avenue. Stop by to discuss employee benefits, tuition waivers, payroll matters or retirement planning. Questions regarding the satellite office location? Contact HR at hr@montclair.edu or 973-655-7736.
• 25Live, which enables the University to optimize the use of classrooms, meeting rooms and other spaces available on campus, will soon be used as the University calendar on montclair.edu. Make sure your events get listed! Learn how by registering for online or in-person training.
• You now have access to print and download your 2022 W-2 form in Workday.
• The Employee Assistance Program provides free, confidential support services for University employees and their families – including locating resources for substance abuse, mental health and self-help. For more information, see the attached CONCERN brochure.
• Worried about a student’s well-being? Please refer them to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
• If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988, the new nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support, 24/7.
• You can find the latest campus COVID-19 data, including case numbers, on the COVID-19 Dashboard.

Kudos

• To Carolina Gonzalez (College of Education and Human Services) who received the MacVittie Emerging Leader Award from the American Association of University Administrators.

Social Media Post of Note

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Use this form to tell us about it. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.