Monday Matters

March 2, 2026

Updates and Reminders

Contents

​

Graduate

Programs

​

​

Amanda Vigil

Funding surveys are due Thursday, March 5th. If you have not received the survey, email Amanda Vigil (acvigil@asu.edu)

Summer Funding

• Reminders for grad students:
• All TA courses are taught online
• Progress reports must be submitted

Note: this is a requirement of your program

• Offer letters will be sent out by the end of April

​

Completion Fellowships

• due to SOLS Grad March 4, 2026

​

Focus on Finishing Your Degree (FFYD)

• due to SOLS Grad March 25, 2026

​

Schmidt Science Fellowship Nominations

• due to SOLS Grad March 18, 2026

​

​

Email announcements have gone out to SOLS Graduate students about each of these opportunities.

​

If you have any questions, please email sols.grad@asu.edu

Upcoming Award Deadlines

SOLS Named Awards

​

Edward and Linda Birge Graduate Travel Award

​

Lisa Dent Memoria Ecology Fellowship

​

Peabody Family Memorial Fellowship

​

LoBrutto Family Fund Fellowship

​

Michael A. Cichan Memorial Award

​

An email was sent out to students/faculty on 2/23 in regards to the awards listed above. Email us at sols.grad@asu.edu with any questions.

Spring Defense Deadlines

If you do not meet the defense deadlines, you will not be able to graduate the semester you missed the deadline for. You’ll need to move your application for graduation to a future semester by emailing graduation@asu.edu.

SOLS Progress Reports are due TODAY, March 2nd.

ALL SOLS graduate students in a research-based program (including first-years and those who are graduating this semester) are required to submit a report. Please be sure to submit your Progress Report form and upload your report to the Dropbox today.

• Faculty advisors will receive student reports this week and will be notified of any missing reports.

Submission requirements and process timelines can be found on our SOLS Grad Success website.

Students who do not turn in a report may be put on probation and become ineligible for summer funding, awards, and other opportunities.

SOLS Progress Reports Due TODAY

SOLS Progress Reports

Undergraduate

Programs

​

Christy Adams

​

Reminder about course copying/printing

If you wish to make the copies for your courses, you have access to SOLS copiers in the following locations:

​

• SOLS Copier Room - LSC 536
• Faculty and Graduate TAs will need key card access.
• Please arrange access in advance by completing the Facilities form: https://resources.sols.asu.edu/facilities/access-form 

​

• Faculty/Staff Mailroom - LSE 242
• The copier is available when the building is open. Those who have key card access to LSE can utilize this copier 24/7.

​

TLC

updates

​

Holly Basteyns

​

Subscribe

TLC Updates: �Accessibility and more

MARCH

2026

tlc.sols.asu.edu

TLC Accessibility Collaboration Desk

Smart cookies make small changes with big impact.

​

Coffee and Girl Scout cookies

Thursdays, 2-4 pm in the TLC, drop-ins welcome

Tuesdays 9-11 am virtual, no cookies 🍪

New Tool Spotlight: Harmonize�Now available for Discussions, Peer Review, and Annotation

Attend a Harmonize 101 �Zoom session:

• Feb 27, 2026 10 AM MST
• Mar 27, 2026 9 AM MST
• Apr 10, 2026 9 AM MST

• authentic engagement
• visible thinking
• scalable assessment

Use one tool for many activities, reducing cognitive load for both instructors and students.

Harmonize is now available as an enterprise tool to all ASU courses at no added cost! Consider this robust alternative or refresh to Canvas or Yellowdig discussion boards, VoiceThread multimedia activities, and Perusall reading annotations to support

Multimedia Discussions Students can respond with video, audio, images, or slides.�Structured Peer Review Prompts and feedback tools that support guided interaction.�Social Annotation Turn readings into interactive, evidence-based conversations.�Streamlined Grading at Scale Autograding options, rubrics, and easy moderation�Great for a Course Refresh A great option to refresh discussion and assessment.�Accessibility In Mind An accessible tool with added improvements coming. �Can Enable TurnItIn An integrated you and your students already know and use.

Why try Harmonize?�Now available for Discussions, Peer Review, and Annotation

Meet Harmonize

Accessibility tips and training

Topics and Resources Coming in March

• MS Word | March 2-6
• Google Docs | March 9-13
• Compare Remediation Tools | March 13
• PDFs | March 16-29
• Student-created materials | March 25

Canvas Accessibility Resources

SOLS Teaching Support on Slack

TLC Timely Tips: Reminders and News Right to Your Inbox

TLC Timely Tips

• Resources and topics curated to guide you through the semester
• Start and end of term reminders
• Just-in-time tips and resources

�Accessibility Newsletter

• Guidelines and checklists to help make your course more accessible
• New accessibility standards
• Inclusive teaching and Charter Excellence

Subscribe

Facilities

and Safety

David Bello

SOLS Facilities and Safety 2025 Service Recap

​

SOLS Facilities and Safety fielded approximately 2,680 requests for service in 2025, or 225 per month:

​

1. Maintenance and Custodial - 1250, or 100 per month.

​

• Access - 700, or 60 per month.

​

• Other and Safety Support - 430, or 36 per month.

​

• Space and Equipment Moves - 140, or 12 per month.

​

• Specialty In Person Training for Autoclaves, Rooftop Access, or Compressed Gas - 75 or 6 per month.

​

• Volunteer Processing - 70, or 6 per month.

​

• Greenhouse/Environmental Chamber/Field Lab Requests - 15.

​

​

​

​

​

Labs Evolving and on the Move

LSA Courtyard Phase II

The LSA Courtyard Phase II design includes additional basic requirements to create a space to be both presentable and usable while staying in line with the vision of the donors.

Key elements of the design include:

1. Display pond

2. Shade structure

3. Landscape and plant materials

​

2025 and Ongoing Large Scale Construction Projects

​

1. Life Sciences A-Wing Second and Third Floor Air Handling Units Replacement (Complete in 2026)

​

• Life Sciences A-Wing Courtyard Phase II (Complete in 2026)

​

• Life Sciences A-Wing First Floor and Basement Air Handling Units Replacement (TBA in 2026)

​

• Life Sciences Tower E-Wing Unplanned Penthouse Water Intrusion into Sixth and Seventh Floors in August (Completed 2025)

​

• Life Sciences Complex WiFi Upgrade (Completed 2025)

​

• Life Sciences Complex Unplanned Build Back from September/October Storm Damage (2025 and Beyond)

​

​

​

​

​

SOLS Safety 2025 Highlights

All requests and suggestions are welcome. The best way to contact our team:

SOLS-FAC@asu.edu Request webform: https://resources.sols.asu.edu/facilities

After hours and weekend maintenance request call ASU FACDM directly: 480-965-3633 Emergencies call ASUPD at 9-1-1 (Non-emergencies call 480-965-3456)

Facilities Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

​

SOLS Facilities and Safety team

Catherine Mancini

Manager, Safety Support Services

David Bello

Manager, Facilities

Louise Kerrigan

Academic Facilities Specialist Senior

Miguel Carrillo

Assistant Manager

Tsafrir Mor

Associate Director,

Facilities and Safety

HR

updates

​

Karina Salinas

SOLS Newest Staff Members

Emily Ho | Research Technician

Mana Lab

With a background in biological sciences, Emily enjoys gaining hands-on research experience and working in a collaborative environment.

Outside of work, she loves cooking and spending time with friends and family.

Abigail Laas| Research Technician

Dolan Lab

​

Abby recently earned her B.S. in Biology from Pacific Lutheran University, where she worked in both the Biology and Math departments.�

During college, Abby worked with Drosophila, sparking her passion for Developmental Biology and research.�

A lifelong dancer, Abby loves to dance and is excited to be back in her home state of Arizona surrounded by family.

​

Morgan Pierce | Research Aide

Upham Lab

​

Morgan first came to ASU in 2019 as a Conservation Biology & Ecology undergraduate and developed strong interests in population genetics, landscape ecology, and urban ecosystems.�

She has studied Western Art History and Humanities abroad in Orvieto, Italy, and has even caught mice on our very own “A” Mountain!

SOLS Newest Staff Members

Keilen Kelly | SOLUR Coordinator

SOLUR

​

Keilen previously served as a SOLUR instructor during her doctoral program and is continuing in this role to help complete a grant supporting SOLUR’s activities, while also serving as an adjunct professor at Glendale Community College.�

Passionate about teaching, Keilen is excited to continue supporting the outstanding SOLUR students within the SOLS community.

Moira Semple| Research Technician

BEAR Lab

​

Moira recently graduated from Arizona State University�

She transitioned from student worker to full-time employee, making her new to SOLS staff but already familiar with ASU.�

Outside of research, Moira enjoys cooking, creating art, and spending time outdoors.

Spring 2026 Check-In’s are here!

Check-Ins are available from March 2nd, 2026 to March 31st, 2026 for all staff members.

Workday Check-Ins are designed to encourage meaningful conversations between employees and managers that:

• Support your professional development
• Strengthen a culture of trust and ongoing feedback
• Reinforce ASU’s Charter through inclusion, innovation, and collaboration

⏰ Deadline: All employees must complete and submit their Workday Checks-In by March 31, 2026.

How Do I Access My Check-In?

• Log in to Workday
• Go to your Inbox on the homepage to find your Self-Evaluation Check-In task OR Navigate to the Performance tab in your worker profile

After you submit your Self-Evaluation:

• Your manager will complete their portion in Workday
• You will meet to review feedback, discuss goals, and confirm next steps

📩 The SOLS HR team will be sending more detailed information about the Check-In process.

We encourage everyone to complete this process thoughtfully and on time!

​

​

​

Academic Contract Pay Updates

Beginning with the fall 2025 Academic Year:

• Contract begin/end dates now align with paid days outlined in the Academic Pay Schedule (per Office of the Provost).�
• Faculty and academic professionals on 9-month or 4.5-month distribution plans will experience pay periods at both the start and end of their contracts in which compensation does not reflect a full ten days of pay. (12-month distribution plans are not impacted)

💰 Spring 2026 Payroll Impact

• May 15 falls mid–pay period (May 11–May 24). Consequently, the final paycheck of the semester will reflect five days of pay.

📝 Option to Change Pay Distribution

• Eligible faculty and academic professionals (after completing one full academic year) may request to move to a 12-month distribution plan�
• Request must be submitted in Workday by May 15, 2026�
• Effective date of change: July 1, 2026
• Details on pre-collected benefit deductions available at:� https://cfo.asu.edu/pre-collected-benefits-deductions

​

MarComm

updates

​

Lauren Halley

MarComm Updates: Check out our news and socials!

Project Gen Z asks whether college teaching is working for current students

Approach centers student voices to better engage them in active learning

Shining a light on bycatch: ASU-led study points to global solution

A new study published in Biological Conservation shows promising results for marine conservation

Why antibiotic resistance matters even if you feel healthy

Doctors often use antibiotics broadly during these situations to prevent infections before they start. While this approach saves lives, it also contributes to the growing global challenge of antibiotic resistance.

Does disclosing mental health hurt medical school applicants?

An ASU-led study examines how admissions committees respond when applicants explain academic dips tied to mental health

Recent news

SOLS Events: Upcoming in March

ASU Spring Break

Upcoming Events: March 2026

Upcoming Events: March 2026

Happy Monday,

Sun Devils!