From the Desk of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the fall semester! I hope that the summer has provided you with some space and time for reading, reflection, writing, and planning—with at least a bit of down time as we gear up for another busy academic year at IUPUI. It truly was a pleasure to welcome so many new faculty to campus earlier this month and to learn about their research and teaching interests, as well as what had ultimately led them to choose to become part of our dynamic, beautiful campus. IUPUI is only as strong as its faculty, and I am grateful to all of you for the impact that you have on the students that you teach, and on the professional disciplines and communities that benefit from your research and your professional service.
We are heading back into our classrooms against the backdrop of tragedy on the University of Virginia campus, as well as violent rallies in Phoenix and acts of terrorism abroad. I couldn’t agree more with Chancellor Paydar’s statement that it is our collective responsibility to ensure that IUPUI provides a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for our students, staff and faculty. I am reminded every day of the critical role that higher education plays in helping students to make sense of their worlds and to clarify and refine their own beliefs as they read, write, think and engage in dialogue with others. We must fiercely protect our collective right to practice free speech, but we also may need to provide our students with support as they develop the ability to discuss and debate some of the most challenging issues of our time with mutual respect and civility. Our Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offers an array of resources to support faculty in these efforts, and I believe that we also must increase relevant programming for faculty, graduate students and staff through our planned expansion of the Center for Teaching and Learning and its associated “Forum” to be launched in the spring semester.
We have been very busy this summer – planning for the largest, most diverse and academically talented freshmen class in IUPUI history, as well as other organizational changes that will enhance the academic experiences of undergraduate, graduate and professional students in Indianapolis and Columbus. We also have been working very hard to prepare for the launch of the IU Fort Wayne campus in July 2018, after which students will earn degrees through the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing and Social Work at IUPUI. I am grateful to so many campus and university leaders for their tireless work to ensure that this transition happens seamlessly and that we are ready to welcome Fort Wayne faculty to participate fully in our faculty governance activities next year.
So many things are happening at IUPUI that it is impossible to communicate them through letters such as this! I would urge you to stay connected with the IUPUI Faculty Council and your school governance leaders, scan monthly newsletters from the Office of Academic Affairs, follow us on Twitter (@OAAatIUPUI), drop in during my office hours, or invite me to attend a meeting in your department or school. Our office is dedicated to serving all faculty and academic staff at IUPUI and we always welcome your feedback on how we can improve. My best wishes for an inspiring and productive academic year.
Recently, the folks at Inside IUPUI interviewed EVC Kathy Johnson about her appointment as a digital fellow with the Association of Chief Academic Officers. Grab your tablet and click here to read the interview and find out what Johnson hopes to learn about the future in digital learning.
Welcome to the new year from your Indianapolis Faculty Council (IFC) leadership, Rachel Applegate and Jeff Watt. Making connections, learning what is going on, and providing your input are all ways in which faculty governance works for you. I appreciate all of you who are already involved. If faculty committee membership—inside your school, across campus in ad hoc things like the Welcoming Campus Initiative, and in standing faculty governance committees—hasn’t yet crossed your mind, think about it. There are ways in which you can enrich your own teaching, research or service, as well as making IUPUI a better place.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday, September 5, at 3 p.m., in the Campus Center, Room 450A. The IFC is a governance body of elected faculty members from each school with the responsibility of exercising faculty authority for the campus. All faculty are welcome to attend the monthly meetings or participate on committees. If you would like to join a committee, please contact eeL neraK.
Michele Hansen was appointed assistant vice chancellor for institutional research and decision support on July 1 and assumed leadership for the IUPUI Testing Center. Michele’s portfolio includes the directorship of the Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support. There’s got to be more than crunching numbers, conducting research, and making sure students are taking tests. So, what does Michele do in her free time? Watch this video to find out what Michele thinks and does when she’s not doing academic work.
Read the campus announcement of Michele’s appointment here.
On May 2, 2017, the IUPUI Faculty Council unanimously endorsed statements advanced by the Council on Retention and Graduation and the Enrollment Management Advisory Council stipulating that all IUPUI faculty use Canvas, at a minimum, for communicating their course syllabi to students every semester.
Canvas captures data on student engagement (e.g., class logins, discussion postings) that can be used by faculty to complete student performance rosters (per the FLAGS system) – which is critical for identifying students who may be in need of extra support in the first few weeks of the semester. We also have embedded standard policy documents into Canvas that are required by law or expected, per university policy, to be communicated through syllabi. Canvas has many features that can support innovative pedagogies while also saving time. Tons of resources to support faculty in using Canvas are available through the Center for Teaching and Learning.
A refresher for faculty on how to complete the Student Performance Roster (FLAGS) from within Canvas or through One.IU can also be found here.
Join Dr. Gentle-Genitty as she discusses Quality Matters and other ways of supporting effective teaching, examining compliance, and providing adequate training.
The annual IUPUI New Faculty Welcome was held at the Campus Center on August 16. Chancellor Paydar and EVC Kathy Johnson welcomed more than 200 new faculty and shared remarks about the history of IUPUI, the present day, and goals for the future.
Faculty were invited on a bus tour of the campus and downtown Indianapolis hosted by Dr. Jay Gladden (Division of Undergraduate Education) and Dr. Margie Ferguson (Academic Affairs) along with student ambassadors who provided information about the campus, the surrounding downtown area, sports, and cultural information.
The tour culminated with a reception hosted by the chancellor at Tobias House.
What’s on your mind? Meet with EVC/CAO Kathy Johnson during open office hours. IUPUI faculty can drop in with no appointment to share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Kathy brings snacks!
Associate Faculty Teaching Forum: September 6, 4—8 p.m., Lilly Auditorium, University Library 0130. This event will provide an opportunity to engage in forum-style conversations with your associate faculty colleagues and consultants at the Center for Teaching Learning about teaching and technology challenges encountered in the classroom or online.
FREE Webinar “Global Learning—Beyond Study Abroad:” September 12, 2—3 p.m., Education/Social Work, Room 2132. Learn about frameworks, practical techniques, and strategies for institutions to integrate global learning across the curriculum. Register by emailing ude[dot]iupui[at]tneveaio by September 8.
Advancing Teaching and Learning with Technology Symposium: September 15, 9:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m., Campus Center. Come and learn how technology can influence teaching and learning and how you can take advantage of technology here at IUPUI! Chauncey Frend will share what he and his team at the UITS Advanced Visualization Laboratory are doing to help IUPUI faculty with virtual worlds, 3D and 4D visualization, and more.
Call for Nominations: John W. Ryan Award for Distinguished Contributions to International Programs – Deadline is October 17. Open to all tenure track faculty.
Nominate a colleague or yourself: University Teaching Awards and Faculty Honors nomination deadline is October 16 for awards given in spring 2018.
Academic Affairs Events Listing – Use this link to view and register for upcoming Academic Affairs workshops, training, and important events that pertain to YOU!
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