Collegiate Inventors Competition, Hurricane Relief Update and more

October 7, 2024
Categories: Niner Insider
Students working in the lab

Drug testing invention a finalist for national competition

Klein College of Science students Naz Fathma Tumpa and Aiden Hawkins are team finalists in the Collegiate Inventors Competition for their innovative drug-testing solution that can test for drugs like fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. The competition includes a People’s Choice Award. Vote for “Color-Metric Sensing” once per day through 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct 16.

what you need to know: Faculty and Staff

  • Academic Affairs Weekly News Digest: Please review upcoming award nomination deadlines and other important academic updates in this week’s digest.
  • Hurricane Relief Update: Thank you for your overwhelming support! The Niners Care: Hurricane Relief Fund fulfilled the generous $50,000 matching gift from Head Football Coach Biff Poggi and Assistant Head Football Coach Jon Jacobson in less than a week.
  • Open Enrollment is Underway: Learn more about the 2025 plan year and make your elections soon.
  • Flu Clinic Tomorrow: Student health is offering flu vaccines for students, faculty and staff throughout October. The next flu clinic is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center. Sign up on the Student Health website.
  • Preparing for the November Election: Early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 17, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 2. UNC Charlotte’s Cone University Center is an early voting site.
  • Commencement Dates: The Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies will be held in Halton Arena Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14.

Event Spotlight: Faculty and staff

  • Fare-free CATS Rides: The Charlotte Area Transit System will provide fare-free rides on all CATS services from Sunday, Oct. 6, through Saturday, Oct. 12, in celebration of Customer Appreciation and Try Transit Week.

Additional news, events, Announcements: faculty and staff

  • TIAA Webinar: Hear from experts about key drivers of the markets and economy that are impacting investors during the webinar “Quarterly Economic and Market Update” at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 9.
  • 2024 Webinar Series: Register for “Dynamic Listening Skills,” part of the virtual 2024 Webinar Series for Charlotte Employees, from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9.
  • Reminder: Atkins Library will be closed Saturday, Oct. 12, for the modification and relocation of the building’s water and sprinkler mains. The library will reopen at 1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 13, in accordance with its fall break schedule.
  • Annual Fall Festival: The UNC Charlotte Staff Council’s annual Fall Festival is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center. Stop by and enjoy food, games and an opportunity to support the First Ward Creative Arts Academy.
  • Green Dot Training: The Center for Wellness Promotion is hosting a Green Dot Training from 1:30 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, in Popp Martin Student Union, Room 200. Learn to recognize, react and prevent sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. Registration is required through the learning and development portal.
  • 49er Mart Virtual Forum: 49er Mart Users are invited to attend a virtual forum from 2 to 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. Registration is encouraged on the learning and development portal. More information is on the 49er Mart message board.
  • 49er ACE Awards: The 49er ACE Awards and Appreciation Lunch, hosted by the 49er Alumni Campus Employees Network, is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 11. The ACE awards honor alumni staff for their achievement, commitment and enthusiasm for UNC Charlotte.
  • AI Helpful Tips: Learn to boost your productivity by using Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini’s AI for text summarization.

only at charlotte

Community Workplace Giving Campaign graphic

Faculty and staff can contribute to vetted charities supporting hurricane relief through the Workplace Community Giving Campaign. The campaign, co-chaired by Dean José Gámez, College of Arts + Architecture, and Chris Smith, associate vice chancellor for student affairs, runs Oct. 7-18.

what you should know: Students

  • Hurricane Relief Update: Thank you for your overwhelming support! The Niners Care: Hurricane Relief Fund fulfilled the generous $50,000 matching gift from Head Football Coach Biff Poggi and Assistant Head Football Coach Jon Jacobson in less than a week.
  • Flu Clinic Tomorrow: Student health is offering flu vaccines for students, faculty and staff throughout October. The next flu clinic is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center. Sign up on the Student Health website.
  • Bell Ringer Applications: The Commencement Bell Ringer is an honorable tradition that recognizes students who have demonstrated exemplary 49er spirit. Applications for bell ringer close at 11:45 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 13.
  • Commencement Dates: The Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies will be held in Halton Arena Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14.
  • Reminder: Atkins Library will be closed Saturday, Oct. 12, for the modification and relocation of the building’s water and sprinkler mains. The library will reopen at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, in accordance with its fall break schedule.
  • AI Helpful Tips: Learn to boost your productivity by using Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini’s AI for text summarization.

Upcoming Events: Students

  • Swarm the Polls: Hornets Sports and Entertainment is partnering with the 49er Democracy Experience and You Can Vote to host “Swarm the Polls,” a voter engagement initiative from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., today, in the CHHS/COED Plaza. This fun event aims to educate the public about the importance of voting, inform people on how to vote, drive voter registration and encourage voter turnout.
  • Fare-free CATS Rides: The Charlotte Area Transit System will provide fare-free rides on all CATS services from Sunday, Oct. 6 through Saturday, Oct. 12 in celebration of Customer Appreciation and Try Transit Week. Visit the CATS website for more information.
  • Virtual MSW Open House: The virtual Master of Social Work open house allows prospective students to meet School of Social Work faculty. Register today to learn about the MSW program options and ask in-depth questions.

only at charlotte

Charlotte votes buttons

The 2024 election season is underway with election day Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 17, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 2, and UNC Charlotte’s Cone University Center is an early voting site.

show us your 49er spirit!

Scouts donate to Jamil Niner Student Pantry

The Jamil Niner Student Pantry received a donation of more than 1,000 pounds of food through the annual Scouting For Food Drive; nine Charlotte alumni and six local scout troops participated in the drive.
Submit your 49er spirit photo to ninerinsider@charlotte.edu.

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