UNMC for the record, Feb. 4, 2022

UNMC policy now aligns with NU Board of Regents policy

UNMC has replaced its consensual relationships policy with a broader University of Nebraska Board of Regents policy, which was updated in June 2021.

The UNMC policy applies to all faculty, staff and other academic staff members employed anywhere within the university system, including undergraduate and graduate students.

The policy outlines prohibited relationships, as well as expectations related to reporting relationships that could violate the policy and exceptions. It also outlines conflict management plans, violations, issues of confidentiality and resources for individuals who believe they have been or are being subjected to a non-consensual romantic relationship or some other form of sexual misconduct. 

Faculty and other academic staff members are required to report in writing to Dele Davies, MD, senior vice chancellor, academic affairs, whenever they engage in a romantic relationship that potentially could violate this policy. 

Staff members, in turn, are required to report in writing to Sarah Gloden Carlson, JD, interim assistant vice chancellor and director, UNMC human resources, whenever they engage in a romantic relationship that potentially could violate this policy. 

Violations of this policy in any manner, including engaging in a prohibited relationship, failing to properly report a relationship or failing to adhere to a conflict management plan, may result in disciplinary action being taken against the offender. Such discipline will be issued in accordance with the university’s disciplinary policies.

The NU Board of Regents’ Consensual Relationships Policy is posted in UNMC Policies and Procedures and in UNMC Title IX webpages.

Questions? Faculty and other academic staff members may contact Dr. Davies at dele.davies@unmc.edu. Staff members may contact Gloden Carlson at sarah.glodencarlson@unmc.edu.

VCR search committee gains new member 

An additional member has joined the search committee tasked with finding a new vice chancellor for research. The committee, chaired by UNMC’s Ken Cowan, MD, PhD, director and physician-in-chief of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, now stands at 27 members with the addition of Aaron Yoder, PhD, associate professor, UNMC Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Environmental Health, College of Public Health.  

The committee is charged with finding a successor for Jennifer Larsen, MD, who in December announced she would step away from her role once her replacement was identified. Dr. Larsen has led UNMC’s research enterprise since 2011 and will remain the Degen Professor of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism at UNMC, a position she has held since 1987.

Big 10 health and wellness survey

UNMC faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in a study survey titled, "The State of Health, Wellness and Healthy Behaviors in Big 10 University Colleges." The study will assess health, wellness cultures and healthy lifestyle behaviors and describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Once data is collected and analyzed, results will be shared with the campus community. 

The online survey takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Reminder: Faculty Senate award nominations due Feb. 11

To recognize faculty for meritorious teaching, mentoring or service, the UNMC Faculty Senate is inviting nominations for the following awards: 

  • Outstanding Teacher
  • Outstanding Mentor of Graduate Students 
  • Outstanding Mentor of Junior Faculty 
  • Spirit of Community Service  

All UNMC faculty are eligible for nomination for these awards. Nomination forms and selection criteria are available on the Faculty Senate web page or can be obtained by contacting the Office of the Faculty Senate at 402-559-5132 or emailing Mariza Hoffman.

Nominations must be emailed to the Faculty Senate no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, as one PDF document to the Honorary Degrees & Awards Committee, c/o Office of the Faculty Senate.  

Awards will be presented at the Annual Faculty Meeting to be held on April 21.

Retirements announced

Shirley Wiggins, PhD, of the UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division, retired from UNMC on Jan. 1 after nearly 40 years of service at UNMC. She first started working at the university on Sept. 1, 1982.

Other retirees in January included:

  • Joseph Evans, PhD, Munroe-Meyer Institute, retired Jan. 22. Start date July 1, 1986.
  • Joseph Sisson, MD, UNMC College of Medicine, retired Jan. 1. Start date Aug. 1, 1987.
  • Nancy Schulte, UNMC Business and Finance, retired Jan. 1. Start date May 29, 1990.
  • Renee Young, MD, UNMC College of Medicine, retired Jan. 3. Start date July 1, 1990.
  • Barbara Dodge, UNMC College of Public Health, retired Jan. 1. Start date Aug. 3, 1995.
  • Nancy Waltman, PhD, UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division, retired Jan. 1. Start date Jan. 1, 1998.
  • Eugene Sehi, UNMC Vice Chancellor for Research Office, retired Jan. 1. Start date Oct. 4, 2001.
  • Sicong Li, DSc, UNMC College of Medicine, retired Jan. 15. Start date Aug. 19, 2002.
  • Genevieve Poskochil, UNMC College of Dentistry, retired Jan. 4. Start date Aug. 25, 2006.
  • Angela Hayes, UNMC College of Nursing, retired Jan. 1. Start date Oct. 24, 2018.
  • Leah Price, UNMC College of Medicine, retired Jan. 1. Start date June 3, 2019.
  • David Holt, UNMC College of Allied Health Professions, retired Jan. 1. Start date Aug. 31, 2020.