Category Archives: Campus Announcements Archive

Tuition Exchange program update

As you may be aware, Drake University participates in The Tuition Exchange, a program with members from 630+ public or non-profit institutions of higher education. The list of participating schools is available at www.tuitionexchange.org.

If you are the parent of a high school senior, have a college-aged dependent, or have a dependent currently receiving a Tuition Exchange benefit, it is time to begin planning for 2016–2017.

The Tuition Exchange benefit is limited to dependent children of Drake employees as defined by Drake University’s Tuition Rebate policy. Application for Tuition Exchange export benefits can be made for both undergraduate and graduate programs at participating institutions. At Drake University, undergraduate export applicants will be given priority over graduate export student applicants.

If you wish to apply for Tuition Exchange consideration, print and complete the application found on the Employee tab in blueView in the Human Resources channel. 2015–2016 Tuition Exchange recipients are required to submit an application to be considered for renewal in 2016–2017.

All applications must reach the Office of Student Financial Planning by Friday, Oct. 2, 2015. This deadline applies to both new applicants and 2015–2016 recipients who wish to be considered for 2016–2017 renewal. The applications will be verified for eligibility by Human Resources and ranked according to Drake guidelines. Applications received after the deadline will be placed on the waiting list.

Drake University’s Tuition Exchange Policy utilizes a point system to rank applicants according to their years of service and prior use of Tuition Exchange benefits. The point system is used to determine those approved for Tuition Exchange benefits when there are more applicants than available export spots.

Applicants will be notified of their status (approved/not approved) beginning Nov. 2.

Please feel free to contact Brandy Eganhouse at X2906 with Tuition Exchange questions or for assistance in completing the application process.

—Submitted by Brandy Eganhouse, Administrative Assistant 1

CNN coming to campus

Cowles Library is pleased to announce that the Reading Room will be the site of a CNN focus group following the Republican debate on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Portions of the building (including the Reading Room and Atrium) will be closed to public access from Tuesday, Sept. 15, through the morning of Thursday, Sept. 17. All library services and study facilities will continue as normal throughout the event window.

You can learn more about CNN’s visit to campus here.

—Submitted by Marc Davis, Coordinator, Program Staff Services, Planning & Projects

Grant opportunities

Selected Federal & Foundation Grant Opportunities
September 14, 2015

STEM

ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers (ADVANCE)
Agency: National Science Foundation
Deadlines: Letter of Intent Due October 5, 2015; Full Proposal Due November 3, 2015;
Letter of Intent Due November 5, 2015; Full Proposal Due January 20, 2016;
Purpose: The goals of the ADVANCE program are (1) to develop systemic approaches to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic STEM careers; (2) to develop innovative and sustainable ways to promote gender equity in the STEM academic workforce; and (3) to contribute to the development of a more diverse science and engineering workforce.
Note: Primarily undergraduate institutions are encouraged to apply.

NSF Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12)
Agency: National Science Foundation
Deadline: December 7
Number of Awards: 35-45
Cost Share: Not Required
Purpose: This National Science Foundation program seeks to significantly enhance the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by preK-12 students and teachers, through research and development of innovative resources, models and tools.

Minority STEM Professionals
Agency: Nat’l Science Foundation
Program: Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation
Eligibility: Public and private colleges and universities, including community colleges
Funding: $45.6 million for 38 awards
Deadline: Nov. 20, 2016
Purpose: Grantees use these funds to improve the number of minorities graduating with science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM) degrees. Particular emphasis is focused on the following populations: African Americans; Alaskan Natives; American Indians; Hispanic Americans; Native Hawaiians; and Native Pacific Islanders.

Early Career Researchers
Agency/Program: Office of Science (Energy Dept.) – Early Career Research Program
Eligibility: Unrestricted
Funding: $18 million for 30 awards
Deadline: Nov. 19, 2015
Purpose: The program supports research programs led by outstanding scientists early in their careers. Research areas of interest include advanced scientific computing and biological and environmental research.

Studies to Uncover K-12 Improvements
Agency: Nat’l Science Foundation
Program: Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers
Eligibility: State, tribal and local governments, public and private colleges and universities, nonprofits and for-profits
Funding: $35 million for 30 awards
Deadline: Nov. 13, 2015
Purpose: The program improves STEM programs in K-12 schools. ITEST funds research projects to pinpoint innovative strategies, tools and models for engaging students in STEM course and to prepare them for careers in these fields.

Advancing Informal STEM Learning
Agency: National Science Foundation
Deadline: November 4, 2015
Eligibility: Universities and Colleges, Non-profit, Non-academic organizations, For-profit organizations, State and Local Governments.
Summary: The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program seeks to advance new approaches to and evidence-based understanding of the design and development of STEM learning opportunities for the public in informal environments; provide multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences; and advance innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments.

Therapeutic Strategies Research
Private Funder: Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Opportunity: Therapeutic Pipeline Program
Funding Focus: Research, higher education, health
Geographic Focus: National
Eligibility: State and local governments, public and private colleges and universities, nonprofits and for-profits
Funding: Multiple awards
Deadline: Oct. 28, 2015 (pre-proposals)
Purpose: The program supports the development of Parkinson’s disease therapeutic devices that can assist along the entire preclinical and clinical path. Applications should focus on efforts to address one of the following treatment challenges: (1) disease-modifying strategies; (2) alpha-synuclein therapeutics; and (3) symptomatic strategies.

Advanced Technological Education (ATE)
Agency: National Science Foundation
Deadline: October 8, 2015
Award Amount: $25K-$4M (depending on project type)
Expected Number of Awards: 40-55
Summary: The Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program focuses on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation’s economy. The program involves partnerships between academic institutions and industry to promote improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate and secondary school levels. The ATE program supports curriculum development; professional development of college faculty and secondary school teachers; career pathways to two-year colleges from secondary schools and from two-year colleges to four-year institutions; and other activities. Another goal is articulation between two-year and four-year programs for K-12 prospective STEM teachers that focus on technological education. The program invites research proposals that advance the knowledge base related to technician education.

Aging Research
Agency: Nat’l Institutes of Health (HHS)
Program: Networks to Develop Priority Areas of Behavioral and Social Research (CFDA Number: 93.866) (Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-AG-16-008)
Eligibility: State, tribal and local governments, public and private colleges and universities, public housing authorities, nonprofits and for-profits
Funding: $750,000 for three awards
Deadline: Sept. 30, 2015
Purpose: The program will provide infrastructure support for advancing development of specific high priority areas of behavioral and social research of relevance to aging. Applicants must focus on at least one of the following three areas: (1) the measurement of biological risk in population aging studies; (2) decision neuroscience and aging; and (3) the harmonization of cross-national longitudinal aging studies to U.S. Health and Retirement Study. The infrastructure support will facilitate research networks through meetings, conferences, small scale pilots, educational opportunities and dissemination.

OTHER

Financial Education Grants
Foundation: Metlife Foundation
Funding Focus: Youth
Geographic Focus: National
Eligibility: Nonprofits
Deadline: Rolling
Purpose: The foundation supports financial education programs to help low-income households and businesses become self-supporting and sustainable. MetLife partners with researchers, academics, and non-governmental organizations to better understand the problems and potential solutions within the financial inclusion field.

Librarians Can Apply for Career Development Grants
Agency/Program: Institute of Museum & Library Sciences – Laura Bush 21st Librarian Program
Eligibility: Nonprofits
Funding: 22 awards ranging from $50,000 to $1 million each
Deadlines: January 15, 2016
Purpose: The program supports early career development of new library faculty members who are likely to become leaders in library and information science. The grantees will conduct research on any topic in library and information science.

Youth Athletes
Foundation: Finish Line Youth Foundation
Opportunities: The foundation has two funding categories: (1) Youth Athletic Programs; and (2) Youth Camps
Funding Focus: Children, youth, physical activity
Geographic Focus: National (areas with Finish Line stores)
Eligibility: 501 (c)(3) nonprofits
Funding: Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 each (funds may be used for scholarships)
Deadline: Sept. 30, 2015
Purpose: The foundation focuses on improving the lives of youth through physical activity. Youth athletic programs should be community-based and address active lifestyles and team building skills. Camps must have an emphasis on sports and active lifestyle. Those serving disadvantaged and special needs kids receive preference.

Educating Young Women
Foundation: Lalor Foundation – Anna Lalor Burdick Program
Funding Focus: Women, health
Geographic Focus: National
Eligibility: Nonprofits
Funding: Multiple awards up to $50,000 each
Deadline: Nov. 1, 2015
Purpose: The foundation educates young women about human reproduction in order to broaden and enhance their options in life. The program educates young women about healthy reproduction, with a special focus on those who have inadequate access to information regarding sexual and reproductive health.

Footwear Company to Support Outdoor Projects
Private Funder: Keen Footwear – 2016 KEEN Effect Grant Program;
Funding Focus: Environment, community development;
Geographic Focus: National;
Eligibility: Nonprofits
Funding: $100,000 for 10 awards of $10,000 each; 2016 Nomination
Deadlines: March 1 and Aug. 1.
Purpose: The program supports organizations inspiring responsible outdoor participation as a way to build strong communities, promote creative and sustainable thinking and introduce new audiences to the outdoors. The KEEN Effect encourages KEEN customers and the general public to nominate nonprofits that are aligned with the company’s core, outdoor-focused values.

National Partnership Competition
Private Funder/Program: Best Buy Foundation – 2015 National Partnership Program
Funding Focus: Education and youth;
Geographic Focus: National
Eligibility: Nonprofits
Funding: Multiple awards, up to $200,000 each
Deadline: Nov. 1, 2015
Summary: The Best Buy Foundation offers an array of support. The community grants promote programs that give teenagers access to opportunities through technology to help them excel in school and develop 21st century skills. Grants support nonprofit organizations that create hands-on learning opportunities for underserved teens to engage them in learning, experimenting, and interacting with the latest technologies. The overall goal is to provide youth with access to new technologies and help them become interested and fluent in digital learning while developing skills to better prepare them for future education and career success. After-school programs are eligible. Eligible programs must serve a diverse population, build skills in teens ages 13- 18 and show positive results.

Children’s Obesity
Private Funder: Children’s Obesity Fund
Funding Focus: Childhood nutrition
Geographic Focus: National
Eligibility: Nonprofits
Deadline: Rolling.
Summary: To win funding, projects must educate parents, teachers and other caregivers about the rising obesity rates in America. Applicants must also submit projects that will reverse the statistics and dangerous trends and help prevent the next generation from continuing down this alarmingly unhealthy road. The focus is on increasing awareness and understanding of how to raise healthy and happy children and make sure that ensuing generations are strong and live vital, active lives.

Humanities Summer Stipends
Agency: Nat’l Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Program: Summer Stipends
Eligibility: Scholars
Funding: Multiple $6,000 awards
Deadline: Oct. 1, 2015
Purpose: Summer Stipends support individuals pursuing advanced research that is of value to humanities scholars and general audiences. Recipients usually produce articles, monographs, books, digital materials, archaeological site reports, translations and editions. Stipends support continuous full-time work on a humanities project for a period of two months.

Soccer Programs
Foundation: U.S. Soccer Foundation
Opportunities: Safe Places to Play Grants and Program Grants
Funding Focus: Physical activity, nutrition, children, youth
Geographic Focus: National
Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofit soccer programs
Funding: Multiple awards ranging from $8,000 to $200,000 each
Deadline: Oct. 2, 2015 (Applicants need to submit a letter of intent by Sept. 25).
Purpose: The foundation supports soccer programs and field-building initiatives nationwide. The Safe Places to Play program provides grants to build or enhance soccer fields. Program Grants fund all aspects of soccer programs, including operations and equipment purchase.

Capacity Building Grant
Foundation/Private Funder: Nat’l Environmental Education Foundation, in partnership with Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc.;
Funding Focus: Environment, communities, volunteerism
Geographic Focus: National
Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofits in existence for at least two years
Funding: Multiple awards up to $5,000 each, while event grants may be up to $2,000 each
Final 2015 Deadline: Oct. 30, 2015
Purpose: The program builds the capacity of nonprofits working to improve and promote responsible use of public land sites in the United States. These grants can go for strategic planning, marketing and communications, leadership capacity (board or executive), improved fundraising, assessments and staff training.

Arts Studies to Gauge Impact
Agency: Nat’l Endowment for the Arts
Program: NEA Research: Art Works, FY 2016 (CFDA Number: 45.024) (Funding Opportunity Number: 2016NEAORA);
Eligibility: Public and private colleges and universities and nonprofits
Funding: Multiple awards up to $30,000 each
Deadline: Oct. 20, 2015
Purpose: The program supports research that investigates the value and impact of the arts, either as individual components of the U.S. arts ecology or as they interact with each other and with other domains of American life. By providing financial support to deserving projects, the NEA anticipates that this program will spur growth in the number of people experienced in and knowledgeable about arts-related research in the United States.

—Submitted by Jayne Smith, Director of Sponsored Programs and Grants Management

Tips to avoid workplace injuries

While some hazards are more obvious, such as slip, trip, and fall hazards—which was covered in the OnCampus piece last week—some hazards are not as noticeable because the effects they have on our bodies are not immediate. There are tasks in nearly every workplace that put stress on our bodies, and while most people tend to associate workplace injuries with physically demanding jobs, numerous injuries can occur from working in an office setting. It is important to understand what these injuries are, how these injuries occur, and what can be done to prevent them.

One way to prevent or reduce workplace injuries is with good ergonomics practices. The goal of ergonomics is to identify potentially dangerous tasks and change the way you perform those tasks to help prevent injuries. Ergonomics has a wide range of benefits and can be applied to most job tasks. Something as simple as adjusting the height of your chair or moving your computer screen to a different position can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing neck or back soreness or a serious long-term injury.
These types of injuries, often referred to as repetitive strain or overuse injuries, can be a serious problem because they are often written off as stiffness or mild soreness when they can actually be much worse—especially left untreated.

Some of the most common causes of ergonomic related injuries in office settings are:

  • Sitting or standing in the same position for too long
  • Sitting in awkward positions (slouching in your chair or having your head constantly turned to look at a computer screen)
  • Picking up or moving heavy items (boxes of papers, printers, or file cabinets)
  • Typing for long periods of time without a break or typing with your hands in a poor position
  • Staring at a computer screen for long periods of time or reading in poor lighting

The severity of any potential injury depends on the duration, frequency, and intensity of exposure to the hazard. While most people don’t suffer severe back pain on a daily basis from sitting at a desk all day, long-term exposure to a sedentary work day can lead to chronic pain in the back, neck, and joints. Below are some easy steps to help avoid injuries in office settings:

  • Get up and move around: Not only will getting up from your desk help reduce stiffness and soreness, it can also increase productivity by giving you a chance to refocus on your work.
  • Stretch throughout the day: It is also a good idea to do some light stretching to help alleviate muscle soreness and tightness.
  • Ask for help with lifting: Attempting to lift or move heavy objects, such as file cabinets or printers, can very easily lead to injuries, especially if you’ve been inactive for a majority of the day.
  • Adjust the setup of your work station: Having your chair at the proper height so that your head is level or tilted slightly forward and positioning your monitor directly in front of you can reduce neck and back strain. Make sure your keyboard is not too far away and at a height that minimizes bending in the wrist.
  • Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated can help reduce joint pain and inflammation.
  • Live an active and healthy lifestyle outside of work: Being active and healthy outside of the office can help combat some of the damage we do to our bodies sitting at a desk all day. Even something as simple as taking a walk around your neighborhood after work can have a significant impact on your long-term health.

Using one or more of the suggestions above can help reduce or eliminate injuries that might occur from working in an office setting. As always, it is important to relay concerns you may have to a supervisor or the head of your department. Always report any symptoms early; what seems like something minor could turn out to be something much worse if left untreated.

Many resources are available to Drake employees to help maintain a healthy lifestyle including free use of the Bell Center fitness areas, a wellness incentive program, and the SHAPE program. We in the Environmental Health and Safety department encourage everyone to take advantage of these great programs and to live a healthy lifestyle.

—Submitted by Chris Nickell, Director, Environmental Health & Safety

Construction update

In anticipation of the construction of the School of Education and Math and Computer Science facility and the new Science Connector building between Olin and Fitch Halls, several pre-construction steps are underway. You will start to see activity near the future construction site as work begins to relocate electrical and communication infrastructure. This will require digging and trench work, which will be noticeable to those in and around the area. We are focused on safety and security as well as minimizing disruption. With a project this size we know there will be a variety of things to work through, including significant digging, construction noise, and altered pathways. Watch OnCampus and blueView for announcements about work schedules and locations. If at any time you have questions or concerns please contact Venessa Macro at 271-3962 or Jolene Schmidt at 271-3957.

Later this fall, there will be additional opportunities to learn more about the project through in-person meetings and online resources.

—Submitted by Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Protect your devices for free

Drake Public Safety, Student Life, and Technology Services are happy to offer all Drake faculty and staff electronic device security software free of charge. This patented program—FrontDoorSoftware Loss, Recovery, and Personal Safety—is designed to help you to prevent theft, protect information, and recover lost or stolen devices.

We strongly encourage you to register your devices as soon as possible—you can register your professional and personal laptops, cell phones, and/or tablets. Once registered, you are covered for four years. To register, visit http://frontdoorsoftware.com/drake. You will need to use your Drake email to register a computer or tablet and the code “drake” to register a cell phone. The software is completely free and installs in seconds.

Once you register your device(s), the program does the following:

  • Collects ownership information and the unique MAC address of the machine
  • Turns the monitor into a information screen, so when someone starts your computer or connects to the Internet, the first screen seen displays the owner/contact information you provide
  • Installs a tracking feature so you can see where your computer or device is at any time via your web account with FrontDoorSoftware

For a full overview of how the software works and the different features available, visit www.frontdoorsoftware.com/products/product.html

While this software is a great tool to help protect your property, no software can guarantee the safety of your electronics. Do not leave your devices unattended in public spaces, and be sure to lock your office door, car, home, or wherever your devices may be when you are not there.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Scott Law, director of Drake Public Safety, at scott.law@drake.edu or 515-271-3860.

—Submitted by:
Scott Law, Director of Drake Public Safety
Jerry Parker, Acting Dean of Students
Jeff Sabin, Head of Infrastructure and Security, Drake Technology Services

Slips, trips, and falls in the workplace

Slip, trip, and fall hazards are everywhere in the workplace. Regardless of job function, most people are exposed to these risks on a daily basis. It is important to recognize the hazards around you even if your job doesn’t require going 15 feet in the air on a lift or climbing and descending ladders. Serious injuries can happen because of things we least expect.

During the last four years, slips, trips, and falls have accounted for 38 percent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recordable injuries at Drake; however, in the last two years, that has gone up to 46 percent. During this time, these incidents have resulted in 71 lost work days and 125 restricted work days.

If you were to take a look around your work area or areas you frequent during the day chances are you would find multiple slip, trip, or fall perils. Some of the most common causes of these accidents are:

  • Wet or slippery working surfaces
  • Climbing or descending stairs
  • Walking while carrying objects that obstruct your view
  • Keeping a cluttered work area
  • Not paying attention or lack of focus

It is important to eliminate or minimize the slip, trip, and fall hazards in the workplace to prevent injuries from happening. Some general guidelines to help reduce the risk of injuries are:

  • Keep work areas clean and organized: Books, bags, and other items left lying around create trip hazards not only for the person whose items they are but for others as well. Maintaining clear walkways and aisles can significantly reduce trip hazards in the workplace. It is also important to clean up spills as soon as possible to help prevent slippery surfaces.
  • Use hand rails when climbing or descending stairs: Using stairs is a common part of most of our work days but it only takes one trip to cause a serious injury.
  • Pay attention to warning signs: Wet floor signs, safety cones, and caution tape are just a few of the common ways to alert people to hazards, and these signs should be taken seriously.
  • Use the proper equipment: Whether you need to prop open a door or grab something off a tall shelf it is important to use the proper equipment for the job. Using trash cans, rugs, or chairs to prop open doors creates trip and fall hazards and utilizing anything other than a sturdy step stool to reach an elevated area creates a serious fall hazard. Using what we have readily available seems like a time saver, but if it is not the right equipment for the job it puts you at risk for injury.
  • Maintain adequate lighting: Keeping the work area well lit can help prevent people from tripping, slipping, or falling; it is hard to avoid a hazard that you cannot see. Report any lighting issues to a superior or contact Facilities Services to get the issue resolved.

Following these guidelines can help reduce the slip, trip, and fall hazards that we all face every day. However, these recommendations are not a comprehensive list of all the ways to reduce these problems in the workplace, and the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Department encourages everyone to actively seek ways to make the workplace safer.

We would also like to emphasize that certain jobs require special training and certifications, and only those employees with the proper qualifications should attempt to perform jobs that require them to operate aerial lifts or work on elevated surfaces. If you have any questions or concerns about workplace safety please feel free to contact EHS.

—Submitted by EHS

Staffing changes in Drake Wellness

Earlier this year, several open positions in Drake Athletics and Recreational Services, including the assistant director, wellness, prompted an evaluation of interrelated functions and duties, including wellness programming and support. The result was a realignment of staffing to reflect both duties of the position and constituencies served with one position focused on student wellness and one on employee wellness and engagement.

This summer, Ellen Lowe was hired as assistant director of recreational services, wellness. Ellen is responsible for supporting student wellness programming and services, managing group exercise, and supporting Recreational Services in related programming. Ellen reports to Lisa Murphy, director of recreational services.

The other wellness position vacated by Jana Peterson will be part of the Human Resources team. This alignment reflects the close working relationship between wellness staff and human resources since the inception of the wellness program and also provides the opportunity for cross-collaboration on issues of work/life balance and employee engagement.

Both positions will continue to work collaboratively on programs that can be offered to both students and employees. A variety of wellness related programming is available to faculty and staff this fall, including:

  • Group Exercise Classes—A list and schedule can be found at www.drake.edu/recservices/groupexercise/
  • Workshops and Learning—Various programs will be offered throughout the year. The first session, “Unplugged,” is scheduled for Sept. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Olmsted Room 312-313.
  • Flu Shots and Blood Pressure Checks—Watch for information about upcoming flu shots and blood pressure checks for faculty and staff.
  • Life Coaching—Drake contracts with EFR to offer confidential life coaching to help you set goals in wellness, communication, time management, job performance, work-life balance, and other areas in which you wish to make progress. For more information, contact EFR at 800-327-4692.

If you have an employee wellness related question, please reach out to Cindy Adams, associate director, Human Resources, at 271-3676.

—Submitted by Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer

Pending University policy open for 15-day comment period

The Food Services Exclusivity Policy is now available for your review and response. Please send your questions and/or comments to dupolicies@drake.edu. Your comments about the content of the policy help inform our decisions concerning approval and implementation of the policy. Comments will be shared with the owner of the policy for consideration.

The Food Services Exclusivity Policy states that Drake University is under contract with Sodexo to provide exclusive catering on campus paid with University funds. This exclusive contract was entered into on the basis that it is in the best interest of Drake. Sodexo is the sole provider for Drake catering, which includes not only large formal events, but also day-to-day items like staff meetings and box lunches. They provide different pricing and service levels from economical pick-up service to formal dinners. Sodexo catering remains competitive in the marketplace by providing a variety of options including new Simply to Go and A la Carte menus.

Recently, we worked with Sodexo to allow the use of alternate vendors for purchases under $25. Since Sodexo has the first right of refusal for food service on campus by contract, you must receive approval from them to use an alternate vendor for any food purchase over $25. The policy includes a form for this purpose.

The accounts payable guidelines will be altered to delete section 15, “Meeting/Event Where Food/Snacks Allowed.” The decision to serve food or snacks will be determined by each area in accordance with prudent stewardship of University funds.

—Submitted by Andrea McDonough, Senior Administrative Services Specialist

New at Cowles Library: Oxford’s Very Short Introductions

Oxford’s Very Short Introductions are authoritative short books on a wide range of subject areas written by scholars. Each book is around 100 pages long, with a brief bibliography for further reading. There is full-text access online to every book included in the database via Cowles Library. The titles are ideal for students and others to gain a quick but comprehensive overview of a contemporary topic, such as American Immigration, Modern China, Globalization, and even The Meaning of Life.

Find out more on the Cowles Library blog.

—Submitted by Marc Davis, Coordinator, Program Staff Services, Planning & Projects, Cowles Library