Tracy Frank
@drtracydfrank.bsky.social
590 followers 310 following 100 posts
Geology professor born at 321 ppm CO2. Sedimentologist and geochemist who studies deep time paleoclimate. #Fulbright Alumna. Opinions are my own.
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drtracydfrank.bsky.social
If there's a local orienteering club, they might have some beginner level maps for nearby areas.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
I think they want the employer to pay it, but in any case this is a terrible idea.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
It also eliminates the geology programs at all levels.
Reposted by Tracy Frank
peterjwagner3.bsky.social
A few people have asked if there is anything that they can do about UNL's decision to cut its Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Department. There is a public feedback from that one can submit to UNL that you can access here:

apc.unl.edu/fall-2025-bu...

Clint Rowe (our dept. chair) has asked to get…
Fall 2025 Budget Reduction Feedback Form | Academic Planning Committee | Nebraska
apc.unl.edu
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
My former department, where I spent most of my career. 💔
ljelkins.bsky.social
I have just heard an ALARMING report that my former Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Nebraska is threatened with elimination, due to a university & state-wide budget crisis, and despite their ongoing success in scholarship and teaching. This is really shocking.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
The collections I think you are referring to are held by the NU State Museum, although some EAS faculty serve as curators. They should be safe.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
I saw it, too. What's shocking is that they are proposing eliminating faculty lines to cover the cuts. I guess no union hurts. The combined research & teaching capacity and other tangible resources will be a big loss. This department has a very strong alumni following, and I hope that they can help.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
For #ThinSectionThursday, a bryozoan grainstone/rudstone from the Permian of Western Australia.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
Beyond the fact that this is not an appropriate venue for our president to discuss this topic, it's a fact that some sparsely populated red states really rely heavily on mail in voting. They've been doing it for years, but apparently it's suddenly a problem?
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
This, and grain size is both a reflection of depositional energy and what happens to be living there. Was it Ginsburg or James who coined "Carbonate sediments are born, not made"?
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
There are a lot of non-humanities programs on that list, too.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
Thank you! I moved here from the Midwest, where I paid about 50-67% of what I now pay in CT. The very high "delivery" and "supply" charges are an anomaly and don't help the situation. I realize part of the problem is the heavy reliance on natural gas, but sheesh!
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
I started drinking coffee in grad school. Luckily, it was in the 90s, when independent, Italian-style coffee shops were popping up like microbreweries.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
Thank you!! The attacks on higher ed are ridiculous.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
Dang. I know a US student who specifically wants to study fossil fish. DM me if interested.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
Thanks for sharing these date. They are interesting.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
The Penn State data you show are for the College of Earth and Mineral Science, of which Geosciences is one department. The pre major isn’t a degree program. The geosciences department programs seem to have 80-90 students all together, which is quite healthy.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
That makes sense. It's a huge school, with 50 tenure-system faculty (>3 times more than the average) and myriad research scientists, located in the oil patch. That department is an anomaly. At most universities, 60-70 undergrad majors (not counting grad students) in geosciences is a big program.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
Which department boasts 600 geoscience majors? Genuinely curious.
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
Consider calling your representatives! Many might not be aware of this plan.
voosen.me
My latest: Polar scientists warn that the White House and NSF are planning to terminate the Nathaniel Palmer, the only US research icebreaker capable of handling Antarctic extremes, this October.

So far the plan has seen minimal pushback from Congress.
NSF plans abrupt end to lone U.S. Antarctic research icebreaker
Imminent termination of the RV Nathaniel B. Palmer shocks polar scientists
www.science.org
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
What?
science.org
The National Science Foundation plans to abruptly end operation of the RV Nathaniel B. Palmer, the sole U.S. research ship capable of braving the farthest reaches of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. scim.ag/4mB8LOX
NSF plans abrupt end to lone U.S. Antarctic research icebreaker
Imminent termination of the RV Nathaniel B. Palmer shocks polar scientists
scim.ag
Reposted by Tracy Frank
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
Are you looking to share your work on Permian biotic crises at #GSAConnects in San Antonio? If so, check out session T198!
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
You lucked out with the weather!!
drtracydfrank.bsky.social
Lutheran lutefisk dinners! 🤢