OPEN Book is the Office of Research and Innovation’s internal monthly electronic newsletter that highlights upcoming activities, office news, and accomplishments. The OPEN Book newsletter is sent on the last business day of the month.
News, Information and Upcoming Events
NU Policy on Records Requests and Contacts by Law Enforcement
As a reminder, the following is the University of Nebraska’s policy regarding records requests and contacts by law enforcement. This policy is outlined in EM 43.
It is the University’s longstanding policy to require a subpoena, search warrant, or other court order to release University records or information derived from University records to law enforcement entities. The only exceptions are when law enforcement has a signed consent by the individual to release information and for student or employee public directory information. The list of public directory information is in Board of Regents Policy 5.10.
If you are contacted by law enforcement in person or by phone for public directory information about a student or University personnel, please contact Bren Chambers, Interim Vice President and General Counsel at 402-450-6014.
If you are contacted by law enforcement in person or by phone for non-public non-directory information about a student or University personnel:
- Confirm with the investigative agent that the University may only release such information in response to a subpoena, search warrant, or court order.
- Ask to see the agent’s credentials and make a copy.
- If you are contacted by an investigative agent delivering a subpoena, search warrant, or court order, inform the agent that you need to contact the University’s General Counsel’s Office for assistance, and contact Bren Chambers immediately. If the agent refuses to wait before executing the instructions detailed in a search warrant, or court order, contact University General Counsel, but do not inhibit the progress of the investigation.
If the request is received outside of normal business hours, call campus police or public safety and provide information regarding the contact from law enforcement and your contact information and call Bren Chambers.
Additionally, please keep in mind that public statements or questions being asked on listservs or other outside sources could potentially be monitored by press, law enforcement, or others.
Please contact the University’s General Counsel’s Office with any questions you may have at 402-472-1201.
NRICH: May Professional Development Opportunities
NRICH: Husker Hospitality: Learn the strategies for delivering excellent service
Date: Monday, May 20 from 1:00PM-2:30PM
Location: Nebraska Union, Platte River Room
Want to enhance your service skills and create positive experiences? Learn strategies for understanding customer needs and exceeding expectations. Discover how to recognize interaction points, anticipate needs, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts with empathy to ensure customer satisfaction. Gain actionable steps for memorable service.
NRICH: The Productive Employee: Improve Your Wellbeing by Managing Your Email, To-Do List, and Time Better
Date: Wednesday, May 28 from 10:30AM –12:00PM
Location: Nebraska Union
Feeling overwhelmed by email, tasks, and time? This session explores the link between productivity and wellbeing. Learn to break unhealthy habits, manage email effectively, reduce distractions, and prioritize for better focus and balance. Leave with a plan for increased productivity and long-term success.
Volunteers Needed to Help with National Science Olympiad
UNL will host the 2025 National Science Olympiad tournament on May 23-24 on UNL’s City Campus. Volunteers of all ages are welcome and encouraged to participate. Opportunities to help include: 1) Providing hospitality in event locations 2) Guiding students to competition sites or 3) Delivering lunches to volunteers. For more information contact Jordan at jslagle10@unl.edu or visit https://nationalscienceolympiad2025.org/volunteers/.
Welcome New R&I Team Members
Kudos to Our Colleagues
And the Innovation Award goes to…
On Tuesday, April 30, FOCUS received a 2025 Innovation Award from the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP). NORDP’s Innovation Award recognizes research development professionals for leveraging unique skills or resources to kick-start innovation in research development in ways that generate evidence of promise or demonstrable results.
It is the second time Nebraska’s Research Development group has received the award. UNL’s National Science Foundation CAREER Club won the award in 2023.
R&I staff on the FOCUS team include Heather Borck, research development program coordinator; Matthew Dwyer, partnerships and programs lead; Jackson Hardin, funding opportunity coordinator; Nathan Meier, associate vice chancellor for research, capacity and competitiveness; and Tisha Gilreath Mullen, director of proposal development.
Open Position Announcements
Do you know someone who should join our team? Share these opportunities!
Technology Commercializationn Specialist (Temporary), NUtech Ventures, application review date begins 5/12/2025
QA/QI Coordinator I, II or III, Research Compliance, Integrity, and Secruity, application review date begins 5/5/2025
Project Specialist II, Sponsored Programs, application review date begins 5/9/2025
Project Specialist III, Sponsored Programs, application review date begins 5/9/2025
The Month in Pictures
