WELCOME FROM THE INTERIM PROVOST |
|
|
As we move forward in the academic year, I’m finding that the work in the Provost’s Office largely falls in four main categories:
1. Our annual and ongoing responsibilities around major academic processes, like PTR or budgeting for the schools, colleges, and library. 2. Short- and medium-term projects/initiatives that we undertake to improve the quality of the work that we do at the University and that we typically finish within the year.
3. Long-term projects, which are often highly collaborative and which we may or may not be leading ourselves. Examples of this are large building projects like Science 1 or supporting a school or college in starting a new academic program. And, of course,
4. Urgent situations, whether large or small scale – perhaps a student or faculty member with a pressing problem, or, in the past two years, managing the pandemic response.
At the moment, our office is focused on organizing and defining the second category at the moment – we are finalizing our inventory of current projects and plan to share a summary of them with you in the next newsletter. You can expect to hear more about these projects in the coming months, both through direct engagement and consultation, and via this newsletter. For example, you will read further down about the first Executive Leader Onboarding session, an initiative undertaken in partnership with several other University leaders and departments.
This connects to two other things I’ve learned about the work of the Provost’s Office. First, the work is highly collaborative, in ways that are both prescribed by our by-laws and policies and also an organic outgrowth of our institutional culture. There’s hardly a decision we make without extensive consultation and engagement across the University. And, second – there’s no shortage of work to be done! I’m so appreciative of the dedication and work ethic of everyone in the Provost’s Office, and their willingness to take on new projects whenever there’s an urgent need, regardless of how highly committed they are already. Please do always feel free to reach out with a concern or an idea – you’ll find willing listeners here. All best, |
|
|
Anne D’Alleva
Interim Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs |
|
|
ACADEMIC UPDATES & REMINDERS |
|
|
| The middle of the semester is always a good time to evaluate progress, whether it’s student performance in class or on our own work as faculty and staff. Engaging in formative feedback and submitting mid-term grades are important tools to support the success of our students. |
|
|
Mid-term surveys can be a useful tool for instructors to hear anonymously from their students on course materials, lectures, assessments, and other elements of course design. We encourage all instructors to implement a survey in their courses and at the link below, we share helpful resources to create one. These surveys can be valuable resources to make mid-course adjustments, as well as to broaden student engagement. |
|
|
Sharing mid-term grades with your students is another important part of reviewing student progress, which can have positive impacts on your students’ engagement in coursework. University Senate By-Laws state that by the end of the sixth week of the semester, instructors shall submit midterm grades for students in 1000- and 2000-level courses who have earned a grade of less than C or a U, or an N grade up to that point. |
|
|
Several years ago, the University Senate passed a by-law change regarding final assessments in all undergraduate classes. The change enabled all faculty and instructors in undergraduate courses to choose a variety of assessments of student work, stating that the final assessment does not necessarily need to be an exam. If you are not delivering a final exam in Fall 2022, we ask that you fill out a brief form to notify the Registrar that you are opting out.
|
|
|
Class Absences due to Illness
|
At this time of year, and considering the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we would like to remind faculty that students are not required to provide “sick notes” or “medical excuses” when they miss classes, and such excuses should not be requested from them. More generally, per the university Senate By-laws, student grades should not be reduced because of a student’s absence. Please exercise flexibility and understanding for students who may miss class or classwork due to illness. Faculty should also exercise caution in attending class if they are feeling sick. Our community’s health and wellbeing remains a priority of the University. If any other COVID-related questions or issues arise during the remainder of the semester and academic year, you may find our COVID-19 FAQs for Academic Operations to be helpful, but as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our office directly at [log in to unmask] if you want support.
|
|
|
|
As you know, faculty and staff who are student-facing are encouraged to be present and on campus. In the last two-and-a-half years, however, we have also seen how students have enthusiastically embraced alternative means through which to meet with their instructors and advisors, using the various virtual platforms we now have at our disposal. |
|
|
Following the success of pop-up courses on topics like anti-Black racism and the COVID-19 pandemic, UConn is offering two new pop-up courses this fall: Confronting Anti-Asian Racism and Climate Crisis: Take Action. Pop-up classes are taught online in a multidisciplinary and integrated fashion by faculty from various schools and colleges.
|
|
|
In the last newsletter, we announced that UConn has purchased Interfolio’s Review, Promotion, and Tenure module to digitize our PTR/PR workflows. On November 15th, our office will hold a virtual info session to share an introductory presentation to the community on the use of the module, give an overview of the implementation plan, and address common questions we have been receiving. If you are in any way involved in PTR/PR, we strongly encourage you to attend. See details on the info session.
|
|
|
Outreach & Engagement Inventory
|
The Office of Outreach & Engagement has begun collecting information about ongoing outreach and community engagement projects led by the University community. The objective of this project
is to create a centralized database of activities that can be used to broaden participation and make more public the work that is already being done within UConn. You may submit information at the Outreach and Engagement form. [log in to unmask]" style="text-decoration: none; color: #0068A5;">Contact Rosa Raudales, Director of Outreach and Engagement, with any questions.
|
|
|
We are excited to announce a partnership with Barnes & Noble Education (BNC) to introduce a new course material model, Husky Book Bundle, which will reduce the cost of materials for full-time undergraduate students and ensure they have the required textbooks and supplemental material for all courses before the first day of class. This model will be in place for the Spring 2023 Semester. |
|
|
|
UConn has launched a new Executive Leader Onboarding program to provide information and guidance to support executives as they take on leadership roles at the University. The first session was held on August 31st and included individuals who have taken on an executive or senior leadership role in the past two years. |
|
|
Dean of the School of Nursing Search
|
As many of you may know, Dean Deborah Chyun of the School of Nursing plans to retire from the University at the end of the 22-23 academic year. Dean Chyun has served as dean for the past 5 years and has led the school through unprecedented growth in enrollment, responded with agility to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the nursing profession and educational experience, and maintained the quality and rankings of nursing programs at UConn. The Office of the Provost will undertake a national search to identify candidates to lead the School of Nursing, to be chaired by Jason Irizarry, Dean of the Neag School of Education and Professor of Curriculum and Instruction.
|
|
|
Waterbury Campus Director Search
|
The search for the next Director of the UConn Waterbury Campus continues with second round, on-campus interviews happening the week of September 26-30. Each candidate will give a virtual public presentation, where they will present briefly on their vision and qualifications to lead the Waterbury campus.
|
|
|
Health & Wellness Reminders
|
Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) continues to provide resources for our students’ overall health and wellness. With the emergence of new illnesses such as monkeypox, please remind students that SHaW is available and ready to help. All eligible UConn Students are able to be vaccinated for monkeypox in Connecticut. Learn more at the Connecticut Department of Public Health website. Storrs-based students who want to be vaccinated by SHaW can contact 860-486-2719 to see if they are eligible. For more information on student protection against monkeypox, refer to the SHaW Monkeypox webpage.
SHaW also continues to provide up-to-date COVID-19 information and resources for UConn students at the SHaW COVID-19 website. As a reminder, information regarding the university’s COVID-19 guidance can be found at covid.uconn.edu. |
|
|
Academic Affairs Spotlight
|
|
The Office of the Provost and the units that report in academic affairs are staffed and led by an outstanding group of talented and dedicated colleagues. This month we are spotlighting Gladis Kersaint, Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives. |
|
|
IMPORTANT DATES, DEADLINES & EVENTS |
|
|
September 26-27 - Rosh Hashanah
September 26-29 – Waterbury Director Candidate Public Presentations October 5 – Yom Kippur October 10 – Indigenous Peoples Day
October 11 - Sukkot October 27 – Midterm Grades Due |
|
|
Emeritus Status Nomination Deadline
|
Individuals who do not meet the conditions for automatic Emeritus status (1. rank of Associate Professor or full professor or equivalent titles for clinical, in-residence and extension (CIRE) at the University of Connecticut, and 2. at least five years of service) may become emeriti by vote of the Board of Trustees or the Health Center Board of Directors following recommendation of the Emeritus Committee and the President. The Committee meets twice yearly to consider cases. The next deadline to submit materials to the Committee is November 1.
|
|
|
|
Timely Topics, hosted by The Graduate School, is a series of opportunities to engage with subject matter experts on topics relevant to those who support and advise graduate students and programs. Every session is available to all UConn faculty and staff and provides information and tools that will help you best support your students and program. View the fall 2022 schedule.
|
|
|
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT OFFICE OF THE PROVOST Gulley Hall 352 Mansfield Road, Unit 1086 Storrs, Connecticut 06269-1086
Phone: (860) 486-4037 Email: [log in to unmask]
|
| |
|
|