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 will now be sent on the first business day of the month.
News, Information, and Upcoming Events
Staff Recognition Event – Registration is Open!
It is time to gather and celebrate our colleague’s accomplishments!
Join us on Thursday, February 19, at Sun Valley Lanes, 321 Victory Lane, from 11:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., for our annual recognition awards presentation and afternoon of bowling and prizes! We will serve heavy hors d’oeuvres beginning at 11:45 a.m. in the lounge, followed by recognition awards, and then it’s on to the lanes! Bowling, games and prizes are scheduled from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Please RSVP by the end of the day on Monday, February 16, to let us know if you will be able to attend and if you wish to bowl. We will need to know your shoe size if you are bowling, so your shoes can be waiting for you at your lane. Gather your team and create a team name as prizes are awarded for the best team name voted on by your peers. When you register to attend, you can sign up for a team (limit six bowlers per team/lane) or let us know you will be cheering from the sidelines. Lanes will be assigned closer to the event.
Research and Innovation team members are great at recognizing one another for their work and kudos are a foundation of our celebration. Submit your kudos by the end of the day on Monday, February 16, to have them included in the presentation at the event.
We hope to see you there! Please contact Becky Carter with any questions.
Staff Senate Nominations Open
Nominations are open for the UNL Staff Senate, a 57-member representative body that advocates for staff and provides staff input to university leaders. Staff are encouraged to self-nominate or suggest a colleague to run for election using this nomination form by 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16. Office of Research and Innovation falls under District 7: Research, and District 7 will have one open seat this year.
Elected senators serve a three-year term beginning in July, with participation considered paid work time. Eligibility and time commitment information can be found here. Staff will receive a ballot to vote for their district representatives in March.
Subscribe to the Staff Senate newsletter at go.unl.edu/staffsenatenewsletter to stay informed.
ADA Regulations and Resources
New Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II accessibility regulations from the Department of Justice go into effect on April 24, 2026. These changes require us to ensure all digital content is accessible to everyone.
Tools, training, and support are available to help you get ready. Learn more at https://ada.unl.edu/
Accessibility at the University of Nebraska is a shared responsibility. Together we can collaboratively ensure that barriers to accessibility are eliminated ensuring an equitable experience for all. Thank you for your commitment to cultivating an environment where Every Person and Every Interaction Matters.
All Staff Conference – Save the Date
This two-day event will be held in the College of Business Howard L. Hawks Hall. The objective of the conference is to provide professional development, encourage cross-campus dialogue and provide support for the University staff at every level. The conference is designed to foster engagement among participants, cultivating a supportive, inclusive and dynamic community where every individual can thrive. Breakout sessions will feature staff presentations in a variety of areas. We are excited to announce that based on feedback, a virtual conference option will be available for those who are unable to attend in-person.
Dates: Wednesday, July 29- Thursday, July 30, 2026
Location: Howard L. Hawks Hall
Welcome New R&I Team Members
Farewells
Brett Harrison’s last day with Sponsored Programs was January 22, 2026. In the interim, please contact Shelly Cutsor.
Kudos to Our Colleagues
Congratulations to MERC on a Triple Award Win for Program Excellence Through Research
Jenn Rutt and Francine Goh of Methodology Evaluation Research Core (MERC) were a part of a team that won three awards for Program Excellence Through Research – 2nd place nationally, 1st place regionally, and the state award for Nebraska – through the National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences! The team was lead by MERC clients Linda Reddish and Jessica Groskopf, both with UNL extension. The work assessed how farm/ranch divorces are handled and the resource gaps in that area. The award and findings were covered in an IANR article: https://ianrnews.unl.edu/article/nebraska-extension-research-team-earns-national-award-for-study-on-farm-divorce-and
From the article: “We were excited to hear about the recognition this work has received as it is great to see the fruits of our collaboration be acknowledged,” said Jennifer Rutt, Associate Director of the Methodology and Evaluation Research Core Facility. “MERC staff are honored to be included in these awards and want to share our congratulations to the Extension team. We understand the need for this novel work and were happy to be able to partner and share our expertise on this assessment.”
The Month in Pictures
