{ "141325-21912815": { "datetime_modified":"20260914T101215", "datetime_start":"20261113T150000", "datetime_end":"20261113T154500", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-13", "date_end":"2026-11-13", "time_start":"15:00:00", "time_end":"15:45:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"Sky Tonight", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"Sky Tonight", "event_subtitle":"", "event_type":"Film Screening", "event_type_id":"11", "description":"A live presentation on what to find in the sky tonight and for the coming few weeks. This presentation includes how to find the cardinal directions with the North Star, current and upcoming constellations, visible planets, a few deep sky objects depending on the season, and other interesting astronomical visualizations. If you want to be able to look up from your own backyard and know what to look for, this is the show for you.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"141325-21912815@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/141325", "building_id":"1005169", "building_name":"Museum of Natural History", "campus_maps_id":"646", "room":"Planetarium & Dome Theater", "location_name":"Museum of Natural History", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"Tickets are $9 and are available in the museum store on the day of the show.", "tags":["Astronomy","Children","Family","Film","Museum","museums","natural history museum","Natural Sciences","Planetarium","Prospective Undergraduate Students","Science","Space","Undergraduate"], "website":"https:\/\/lsa.umich.edu\/ummnh\/visitors\/planetarium-dome-theater.html#view=week", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Planetarium & Dome Theater at the Museum of Natural History", "group_id":"3825", "website":"" } ], "image_url":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "event_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "event_large_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_2x\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "event_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "group_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "group_thumb_square":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb_square\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "group_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "group_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "event_large_crop":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_crop\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "event_list":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "event_list_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list_2x\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "event_grid":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "event_grid_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid_2x\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "event_feature_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_large\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg", "event_feature_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2025\/10\/event_141325_original-1.jpg" }, "occurrence_count":56, "first_occurrence":21908159 } , "150647-21909755": { "datetime_modified":"20261012T122524", "datetime_start":"20261113T150000", "datetime_end":"20261113T160000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-13", "date_end":"2026-11-13", "time_start":"15:00:00", "time_end":"16:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"Steffy Lecture: Irina Dolinskaya, NSF", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"Steffy Lecture: Irina Dolinskaya, NSF: From Michigan to National Impact: An Engineer\u2019s Journey of Leadership, Innovation, and Service", "event_subtitle":"From Michigan to National Impact: An Engineer\u2019s Journey of Leadership, Innovation, and Service", "event_type":"Lecture \/ Discussion", "event_type_id":"13", "description":"Abstract\nLooking back on my professional journey, I am struck by how much of it was shaped by people, opportunities, and experiences I could not have anticipated as a student at the University of Michigan.\n\nIn this talk, I will reflect on my journey from the University of Michigan\u2019s Industrial and Operations Engineering program to my current role as a Directorate Head at the National Science Foundation, and how my Michigan education prepared me for the opportunities and challenges along the way. I will share lessons learned about\nleadership, collaboration, resilience, and the importance of remaining open to unexpected opportunities.\n\nI hope to encourage students to build a strong foundation, stay curious, embrace opportunities, and recognize that a meaningful career does not always follow a predictable path.\n\nBiography \nDr. Irina Dolinskaya is the Directorate Head for Computer and Information Science and Engineering at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Previously, she served as Deputy Division Director and Program Director at NSF and as a faculty member in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences at Northwestern University.\n\nA proud Michigan alumna, Dr. Dolinskaya earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan and her B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Florida. Her research focuses on transportation science and logistics, including humanitarian logistics, vessel performance, and electric vehicle routing. She credits her education at Michigan as an important foundation for her academic and professional journey.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"150647-21909755@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/150647", "building_id":"1000397", "building_name":"Lurie Robert H. Engin. Ctr", "campus_maps_id":"90", "room":"GM Room", "location_name":"Lurie Robert H. Engin. Ctr", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Industrial And Operations Engineering","Michigan Engineering"], "website":"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLScOOmZ-SkIvUp7Jv25xHLVPltbNjXXw7h1sqhrt0MtImPC25Q\/viewform", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Industrial & Operations Engineering", "group_id":"3301", "website":"http:\/\/ioe.engin.umich.edu\/" } ], "image_url":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "event_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "event_large_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "event_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "group_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "group_thumb_square":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_thumb_square\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "group_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "group_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "event_large_crop":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_large_crop\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "event_list":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_list\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "event_list_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "event_grid":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "event_grid_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_grid_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "event_feature_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_feature_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg", "event_feature_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_150647_original-2.jpg" }, "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21909755 } , "154655-21918147": { "datetime_modified":"20261109T112728", "datetime_start":"20261113T150000", "datetime_end":"20261113T160000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-13", "date_end":"2026-11-13", "time_start":"15:00:00", "time_end":"16:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"Student Algebraic Geometry: Compactifications of Siegel Modular Varieties", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"Student Algebraic Geometry: Compactifications of Siegel Modular Varieties: Jacob Zweifler", "event_subtitle":"Jacob Zweifler", "event_type":"Workshop \/ Seminar", "event_type_id":"21", "description":"The Siegel upper half-space H_g serves as a natural generalization of the upper half-plane. Indeed, just as M_{1,1} = A_1 is the quotient H\/SL_2(Z), one can show that A_g, the space of principally polarized abelian varieties of dimension g, is isomorphic to H_g\/Sp_{2g}(Z). More generally, one can consider spaces H_g\/Gamma for any arithmetic subgroup Gamma in Sp_{2g}(Q). Unlike M_g, which admits the canonical Deligne-Mumford compactification, these spaces admit many natural compactifications with different geometric properties. In this talk, we introduce H_g\/Gamma, the Siegel modular varieties, and discuss various compactifications such as the Baily\u2013Borel compactification and toroidal compactifications. We then focus on the specific case of g = 2 to showcase the beautiful arithmetic that occurs even in this small case.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"154655-21918147@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/154655", "building_id":"1000166", "building_name":"East Hall", "campus_maps_id":"53", "room":"2866", "location_name":"East Hall", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Mathematics"], "website":"", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Student Algebraic Geometry Seminar - Department of Mathematics", "group_id":"4904", "website":"" }, { "group_name":"Department of Mathematics", "group_id":"3791", "website":"" } ], "image_url":"", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"", "event_large":"", "event_large_2x":"", "event_large_lightbox":"", "group_thumb":"", "group_thumb_square":"", "group_large":"", "group_large_lightbox":"", "event_large_crop":"", "event_list":"", "event_list_2x":"", "event_grid":"", "event_grid_2x":"", "event_feature_large":"", "event_feature_thumb":"" }, "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21918147 } , "138091-21908267": { "datetime_modified":"20260812T103351", "datetime_start":"20261113T150000", "datetime_end":"20261113T160000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-13", "date_end":"2026-11-13", "time_start":"15:00:00", "time_end":"16:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"Sustainability Coffee Chats: Free coffee and good conversation!", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"Sustainability Coffee Chats: Free coffee and good conversation!", "event_subtitle":"", "event_type":"Social \/ Informal Gathering", "event_type_id":"19", "description":"The Student Sustainability Coalition will be hosting our coffee chats throughout the semester and we want you to join us! Passionate about sustainability?--water conservation, AI, carbon neutrality, transportation, ANYTHING!--come chat with us, share your passion(s) and interests, all while helping contribute to a more sustainable University of Michigan! Not to mention: WE WILL BUY YOUR DRINK!\n\nFind us at: \nMaizes Cafe every Friday from 3-4p", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"138091-21908267@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/138091", "building_id":"1000191", "building_name":"Michigan League", "campus_maps_id":"108", "room":"Maizie's Cafe", "location_name":"Michigan League", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Activism","Climate Change","Discussion","Food","food and the environment","Free","Free Food","Graduate and Professional Students","In Person","Social","Social Impact","Student Org","Sustainability","Talk","Undergraduate Students"], "website":"https:\/\/planetblue.umich.edu\/campus\/get-involved\/for-students\/student-orgs\/ssc", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Student Sustainability Coalition", "group_id":"4616", "website":"" }, { "group_name":"Student Life Sustainability", "group_id":"4678", "website":"" } ], "image_url":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/event_138091_original-3.png", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "event_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "event_large_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_2x\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "event_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "group_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "group_thumb_square":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb_square\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "group_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "group_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "event_large_crop":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_crop\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "event_list":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "event_list_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list_2x\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "event_grid":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "event_grid_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid_2x\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "event_feature_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_large\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png", "event_feature_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2025\/09\/crop-event_138091_original-3.png" }, "occurrence_count":69, "first_occurrence":21881923 } , "149272-21917304": { "datetime_modified":"20261110T082056", "datetime_start":"20261113T150000", "datetime_end":"20261113T170000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-13", "date_end":"2026-11-13", "time_start":"15:00:00", "time_end":"17:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"Transdisciplinary Fellows (2026-2027) (Housing)", "occurrence_title":"Board Game Social", "combined_title":"Transdisciplinary Fellows (2026-2027) (Housing): Multiple conference events and sessions: Board Game Social", "event_subtitle":"Multiple conference events and sessions", "event_type":"Conference \/ Symposium", "event_type_id":"5", "description":"", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"149272-21917304@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/149272", "building_id":"", "building_name":"", "campus_maps_id":"", "room":"", "location_name":"Faculty Dining Room", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Sessions"], "website":"https:\/\/sessions.studentlife.umich.edu\/p\/track\/17106", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Sessions @ Michigan", "group_id":"4791", "website":"https:\/\/sessions.studentlife.umich.edu\/" } ], "image_url":"", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"", "event_large":"", "event_large_2x":"", "event_large_lightbox":"", "group_thumb":"", "group_thumb_square":"", "group_large":"", "group_large_lightbox":"", "event_large_crop":"", "event_list":"", "event_list_2x":"", "event_grid":"", "event_grid_2x":"", "event_feature_large":"", "event_feature_thumb":"" }, "occurrence_count":15, "first_occurrence":21917150 } , "149176-21906318": { "datetime_modified":"20261110T082054", "datetime_start":"20261113T153000", "datetime_end":"20261113T173000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-13", "date_end":"2026-11-13", "time_start":"15:30:00", "time_end":"17:30:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"FYRST Workshops 2026 - 2027", "occurrence_title":"FYRST Workshop", "combined_title":"FYRST Workshops 2026 - 2027: FYRST Workshop", "event_subtitle":"", "event_type":"Workshop \/ Seminar", "event_type_id":"21", "description":"If you are only seeing one workshop, please SIGN-IN and refresh the Sessions page! If still having issues, click this link.\u00a0\nFirst-Year Relationship and Sexuality Talk (FYRST) is a required, in-person, and peer-facilitated workshop that came directly from feedback and listening sessions with current University of Michigan students. Our goal is to create an accessible, supportive space for student-driven conversations where all identities and experiences are welcomed and in which students can build skills and tools around identifying goals and values and then communicate effectively about those. Workshops will be offered at multiple locations and times throughout the fall semester, so please sign up for the workshop that works for you!!\u00a0First-Year Relationship Sexuality Talk (FYRST) FAQ:\n\u201cHow many workshops do I have to sign up for?\u201d\nYou only need to sign up for 1 workshop. Attending 1 workshop will fulfill the requirement for the training.\u00a0\n\u201cI see that there is more than one session, does it matter which one I sign up for?\u201d\nIt generally does not matter which workshop you sign up for. There will be a few that are designated for specific groups such as transfer students or for students looking for accommodations. If you do not fit these groups please try to save these workshops for those that do and you are free to choose among any of the other workshops.\u00a0\n\u201cIs this workshop required?\u201d\nThis workshop is required for all transfer and first-year students at the University of Michigan.\n\u201cI\u2019ve experienced harm around relationships or sexual experiences in the past and I am worried that attending this workshop may be harmful for me.\u201d\u00a0\nOur team is aware that students who are coming into the university that have experienced harm in the past. Our workshop is specifically designed to respect and validate the experiences of survivors and has been carefully constructed to avoid any specific descriptions of violence and focus instead on themes of empowerment, communication, and boundary setting. However, if you still have concerns about programming and would like to request alternative programming, please feel free to reach out at SAPAC-FYRST@umich.edu.\n\u201cWhat if I struggle to learn in a presentation setting? I\u2019m an active learner.\u201d\nOur workshop is built to meet a variety of learning styles, including time for self-reflection, small group sharing, and resources to take with you to work through on your own time! This workshop is meant to be interactive and inclusive.\u00a0\n\u201cCan I request accommodations?\u201d\nWe considered accessibility in creating this workshop and selecting the locations in which the workshops are help. However, we recognize many places at the University are inaccessible and we've set an * next to workshops that are on the first floor and lack stairs. These workshops also will have a presentation (other workshops we do not) and are a good fit for those who might need a large font. Please sign up for those if you feel that accommodations would assist you and reach out to SAPAC-FYRST@umich.edu if you are concerned or have questions.\u00a0\n\u201cI missed my workshop, what should I do ?\u201d\nOur team tracks attendance at each workshop by having participants swipe in with their MCard. If you are not able to attend the workshop you signed up for, our team will continue to send reminder emails until you have completed a workshop. In this case, please sign up for another workshop as soon as you can as the workshop is required and may fill up especially near the end of the semester. No need to contact SAPAC unless you are not able to reschedule.\u00a0\n\u201cI have had gender-based violence training before, can I get this requirement waived?\u201d\nAs this workshop was designed with University of Michigan student feedback in mind, our workshop is unique to the UM community. Our curriculum focuses on individualized reflection and because of its interactive nature, each workshop will be unique to the people attending. Although we are excited you already have familiarity with the subject, this workshop is required for every first year and transfer student.\u00a0\n\u201cI\u2019m a commuter\/non-traditional student, do I still have to attend?\"\nYes, this workshop is required for every first-year and transfer student - not only do we want every student to benefit from having this time to connect with peers, but we also want to make sure your peers benefit from what you bring to our community. If you have any concerns or questions about being able to participate, please contact SAPAC-FYRST@umich.edu.\n\u201cI still have questions! Who should I contact?\"\nPlease contact us at SAPAC-FYRST@umich.edu.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"149176-21906318@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/149176", "building_id":"", "building_name":"", "campus_maps_id":"", "room":"", "location_name":"Boulevard Room (Pierpont, 1st floor)", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Sessions"], "website":"https:\/\/sessions.studentlife.umich.edu\/p\/track\/17177", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Sessions @ Michigan", "group_id":"4791", "website":"https:\/\/sessions.studentlife.umich.edu\/" } ], "image_url":"", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"", "event_large":"", "event_large_2x":"", "event_large_lightbox":"", "group_thumb":"", "group_thumb_square":"", "group_large":"", "group_large_lightbox":"", "event_large_crop":"", "event_list":"", "event_list_2x":"", "event_grid":"", "event_grid_2x":"", "event_feature_large":"", "event_feature_thumb":"" }, "occurrence_count":44, "first_occurrence":21906310 } , "151111-21910881": { "datetime_modified":"20260908T140120", "datetime_start":"20261113T160000", "datetime_end":"20261113T173000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-13", "date_end":"2026-11-13", "time_start":"16:00:00", "time_end":"17:30:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"CSAS Lecture Series | Indians and Cowboys: Race, Caste, and Catholic Missionary Priests from India in Rural America", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"CSAS Lecture Series | Indians and Cowboys: Race, Caste, and Catholic Missionary Priests from India in Rural America: Sonja Thomas, Colby College", "event_subtitle":"Sonja Thomas, Colby College", "event_type":"Lecture \/ Discussion", "event_type_id":"13", "description":"Please note: This lecture will be held in person and virtually on Zoom. If you would like to attend via Zoom, registration is required. Once you've registered, joining information will be sent to your email. Register for the Zoom webinar at: https:\/\/myumi.ch\/Mpp95\n\nOver the past four decades, the U.S. has become increasingly dependent on international priests to help run Catholic parishes, schools, hospitals, missions, and more. 90% of dioceses in the U.S. today rely on foreign born priests. Many of these priests are from India and they come on the R-1 temporary religious worker visa - a lesser researched visa category in South Asian diaspora studies that does not require a salary, only compensation. Thomas' research shows that 64%+ of missionary priests from India come from dominant caste backgrounds. Based on chapters from my forthcoming book on Indian Catholic priests in Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota, in this talk I discuss caste, remittances, and the intricacies of the R-1 religious worker visa. \n\nSonja Thomas is a professor of women\u2019s gender and sexuality studies at Colby College. Her research focuses on gender, race, caste, and Christianity in India and the U.S. She is the author of *Privileged Minorities: Syrian Christianity, Gender, and Minority Rights in Postcolonial India*. Her second book, *Indians and Cowboys, on Catholic priests from India in rural America*, is forthcoming from University of Washington Press. She is an associate editor of *South Asia: The Journal of South Asian Studies*, is a member of Waterville Maine's K-12 Social Justice and Equity group, and is an appointed commissioner with Maine\u2019s Permanent Commission on Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations.\n\nIf there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"151111-21910881@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/151111", "building_id":"1000165", "building_name":"Weiser Hall", "campus_maps_id":"47", "room":"Room 555", "location_name":"Weiser Hall", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Asian Languages And Cultures","India","Religion","Religious Studies","South Asia","South Asian Studies"], "website":"https:\/\/myumi.ch\/Mpp95", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Center for South Asian Studies", "group_id":"3273", "website":"http:\/\/www.ii.umich.edu\/csas" }, { "group_name":"International Institute", "group_id":"1968", "website":"http:\/\/www.ii.umich.edu" }, { "group_name":"Asian Languages and Cultures", "group_id":"3364", "website":"http:\/\/www.lsa.umich.edu\/asian" } ], "image_url":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "event_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "event_large_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "event_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "group_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "group_thumb_square":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb_square\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "group_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "group_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "event_large_crop":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_crop\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "event_list":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "event_list_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "event_grid":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "event_grid_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "event_feature_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg", "event_feature_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/08\/event_151111_original-1.jpg" }, "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21910881 } }