This Week, July 9 - 13, 2012
UNL physics team collaborates in hunt for so-called 'God Particle'
Physicists at CERN laboratory in Switzerland announced today that they have observed a new particle whose characteristics match the long-theorized Higgs boson particle, the central part of a hypothesis that could peel away the very fabric of the universe and influence the understanding of all matter.
For the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's experimental high-energy physics team, the announcement was a significant moment in the group's decades-long collaboration in the hunt for the elusive subatomic particle, which has been dubbed by some observers as the "God Particle." Read more about this discovery.
Faculty sought for Peer Review of Teaching project
The UNL Peer Review of Teaching project seeks faculty participation. The 2012-2013 project will help participants learn how to document teaching and engage in discussions of student learning and assessment.
Each participant receives a $1,000 stipend. For more information or to participate, contact Jody Kellas at jkellas2@unl.edu by July 6.
Annual parking passes must now be displayed
Faculty and staff parking permits for the 2011-2012 term expired June 30. New annual permits must now be displayed. The permits can be ordered online at or over the counter at 625 Stadium Drive, suite A.
Information needed to complete an order includes an eight-digit NU identification number (located on an NCard) and current vehicle details (license plate, state, color, make, model and year). Fall semester and nine-month permits must be displayed starting Aug. 15. More information is available on the Parking website.
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New study shows kids with behavior issues, disabilities are bullied more, bully others more
Students receiving special-education services for behavioral disorders and those with more obvious disabilities are more likely to be bullied than their general-education counterparts — and are also more likely to bully other students, a new study shows.
The findings, published in the Journal of School Psychology, highlight the complexity of bullying's nature and the challenges in addressing the problem, said lead author Susan Swearer, professor of school psychology at UNL. Read more about this study in Today@UNL.
Security breach may have included employee data
On Wednesday night, May 23, a security breach of the Nebraska Student Information System, the university-wide student information system, was detected. NeSIS contains Social Security numbers and date of birth for all employees. When the initial announcement was made Friday evening, it was unclear that employee data was included.
At this time, we have no direct evidence that this information was downloaded and we have no reports of identity theft stemming from this breach. We are working with an outside security firm to help analyze the level of risk of personal information being misappropriated and to make recommendations for any additional safeguards that are needed. Read more details and find other resources about this security incident in Today@UNL.
UNL launches Nebraska App
UNL has launched the Nebraska App, a suite of mobile applications that makes essential university resources available on mobile devices. Students can check grades, access course content and browse the course catalog. They can access the public directory and get in touch instantly, keep tabs on Husker sports, find places on the campus map, stay informed with the latest campus news, watch videos, and even listen to podcasts of popular lectures in iTunesU.
"UNL is moving services to the where the students are in terms of devices and network access"," said Mark Askren, Chief Information Officer. "Students now have a much more powerful connection to UNL via their mobile device." Read more about Nebraska App in Today@UNL.
