Provost's Briefing - October 29, 2021

Faculty Spotlight: Creating a Culture of Belonging

Over the summer, the Faculty Senate Task Force on Campus Climate, Race, and Diversity created a video series, Creating a Culture of Belonging, aimed at introducing EMU faculty and instructors to the work we need to do to make EMU a truly welcoming place for members of historically marginalized communities. Their videos address EMU diversity specifically by featuring our students as experts talking about the challenges they face at EMU, as well as sharing their insights about how faculty can help them feel like they truly belong. The videos also feature EMU faculty experts who provide conceptual frameworks and concrete tips for how we can do this work. These videos are the first in what we hope will be an ongoing series that will inspire conversations and prompt initiatives around addressing the needs of historically marginalized members of the EMU community. Part I:Creating a Sense of Belonging in the Classroom was officially released to faculty on September 27th.  If you have not already done so, please take the time to watch this excellent video.  

Last Call for Applications: Undergraduate Research Stimulus Program 

The Undergraduate Research Office invites undergraduate students, with the assistance of their faculty mentors, to submit applications for the Winter 2022 Undergraduate Research Stimulus Program Award. The Undergraduate Research Stimulus Program (URSP) is intended to facilitate research partnerships between undergraduate students and Eastern Michigan University faculty. Successful student applicants will receive a $2,200 fellowship in support of their research efforts. The collaborating faculty member may receive $600, which can be used for lab/studio supplies or equipment, professional travel, or other professional expenses.   

The deadline to apply for Winter 2022 awards is 11:59 PM, November 2, 2021.  More information may be found on the EMU Research website. 

Student Wellness in the Classroom Series

A series of events on student wellness in the classroom continues with “Building a Positive Classroom Community,” on November 4, from 2:00-3:30 pm in the Collaboratory. Facilitated by Julia Heck, Office of the Ombuds; LaMarcus Howard, Ph.D., Disability Resource Center; and Sean Woolf, Office of Wellness and Community Responsibility, this workshop provides faculty with pedagogical structures and strategies to create a classroom culture that manages student frustrations, enhances student growth, and facilitates student learning in a healthy and supportive environment. Attendance over Zoom will be offered as well should you wish to attend virtually.  Visit the Faculty Development Center's webpage to register.

Understanding Autism

“Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 101” is scheduled for 2:00pm on November 15th in the Collaboratory (109B Halle) or on Zoom. Join us for a seminar to introduce faculty to ASD and the challenges student may experience, as well as understanding the Letter of Accommodations (LOA) that faculty may receive from the student as well as Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which are a set of strategies that will benefit student with ASD as well as other students in their class. This program has been organized by Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle and Professor Andrew Maniotes. Visit this page to learn more and register for the workshop.

Last Call for Applications: 2022 Summer Research/Creative Activity Award

Full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty are encouraged to submit applications for Summer Research/Creative Activity Awards. These funds are intended to encourage and support research, creative, artistic, and scholarly endeavors during the summer months by providing  stipends of $12,000 in lieu of teaching assignments.  Applications must be accepted and stored in Infoready by Monday, November 1st, 2021 at 11:59:59 pm (23:59:59).  For more information visit the EMU Research page.

Call for Applications: eFellows Grant Program

Applications for eFellows Grants are live! The eFellows program supports faculty and full-time lecturers in obtaining the resources needed to successfully pilot innovative technology-based projects that enhance student-focused instruction in course and curriculum. The program improves and enhances student learning and the scholarship of teaching through the integration of appropriate technology. Individuals could receive up to $3,000 plus $1000 in matching funds, and teams could receive up to $5,000 plus $2000 in matching funds. The application deadline is Monday, November 29th, at 5:00 p.m. and should be submitted through InfoReady. There will be three, virtual drop-in workshop sessions offered on November 9, 10, and 11 at 9:00 a.m. You can find the application and more information here. We hope you will consider applying for an eFellows Grant!

Flipping Classrooms

We’re pleased to announce a workshop on Flipping Classrooms on Tuesday, November 2, from 12:30-2:00 PM, in the Collaboratory (109B Halle) and virtually. Our panelists will be Dr. Anne Casper, Biology; Dr. Harriet Lindsay, Chemistry; and Dr. Mark Ragg, Social Work. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the practice of flipped classrooms from three experienced practitioners, as well as how this could apply to a variety of modalities of teaching. More information can be found here. You may register for this event with this form. 

Save the Date! Research Writing Collaborative Workshop #2: Goal Setting for Writing During Winter 2022

On Monday, December 6, at 10:30 am via Zoom! Dr. Stephanie Wladkowski will join the FDC again as facilitator of the Research Writing Collaborative Workshop. More information can be found here. You may register for this event at this link.

In addition, there are 4 more drop-in, 2-hour, virtual writing sessions called “Shut Up and Write.” The goal is to have space with limited distractions to focus on writing. Dr. Wladkowski will be hosting these sessions via Zoom.  You do not need to be on camera, but you should be prepared to share your writing goal(s) for the session.

• November 4, 2021 10:00 AM
• November 18, 2021 10:00 AM
• December 2, 2021 10:00 AM

You can join the Zoom Meeting for these events at the following link:

https://emich.zoom.us/j/82227061297?pwd=M2twYWpTOFJaWDhrcFdkYU9JWGNyZz09 

Honoring our Emeritus Faculty

We are proud to announce that the EMU Board of Regents approved the awarding of emeritus status to the following former faculty.  Please join us in honoring each of them for the contributions they made during their careers here at EMU.

• James Barott, Professor, Department of Leadership and Counseling from 1998 to 2021 who retired after 23 years; 
• Michael M. Bretting, Professor, School of Health Promotion and Human Performance from 1993 to 2021 who retired after 28 years; 
• Richaurd Robert Camp, Professor, Department of Management from 1979 to 2021 who retired after 42 years; 
• Kathleen Mullen Conley, Professor, School of Health Promotion and Human Performance from 1999 to 2021 who retired after 22 years; 
• Timothy Friebe, Professor, Department of Chemistry from 1999 to 2021 who retired after 22 years; 
• Sylvia Jones, Professor, Department of Teacher Education from 1987 to 2021 who retired after 34 years; 
• Beth Kubitskey*, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy from 2007 to 2021 who retired after 14 years;
• Peggy Liggit, Professor, Department of Biology from 1998 to 2021 who retired after 23 years; 
• Enos Massie, Professor, School of Social Work from 1988 to 2021 who retired after 33 years; 
• Pamela Moore, Instructor, Department of Computer Science from 1985 to 2019 who retired after 34 years; 
• Ross Nord, Professor, Department of Chemistry from 1986 to 2021 who retired after 35 years; 
• Alexandria Oakes, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy from 1987 to 2021 who retired after 34 years; 
• Phillip C. Schmitz, Professor, Department of History and Philosophy from 1993 to 2021 who retired after 28 years; 
• James P. Sheerin, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy from 1991 to 2021 who retired after 30 years; 
• Alane Starko, Professor, Department of Teacher Education from 1986 to 2021 who retired after 35 years; 
• Gary M. Victor, Professor, Department of Marketing from 1974 to 2021 who retired after 47 years; 
• Jose Vites, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry from 1989 to 2021 who retired after 32 years; and,
• Ronald Williamson, Professor, Department of Leadership and Counseling from 2001 to 2021 who retired after 20 years.

*Indicates Honorary Emeritus Faculty Status

On-Campus Vaccination Clinic

In partnership with the State of Michigan, Eastern will host an upcoming vaccination clinic.  Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be offered, as well as Pfizer booster shots for those who qualify.  These clinics are open to Washtenaw County residents; no appointment or registration is necessary.  Please share this information with others.

Saturday, November 6, 2021

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Ballroom B, Student Center

Save the Date: CONNECT Mini Conference

Join the Faculty Development Center and EMU Partners on February 11th, 2022 for the 11th Annual CONNECT Mini Conference; an event packed full of presentations, shares, and panels. Drop in for one or two sessions or stay the whole time.  Learn about the eFellows grant program, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), Research Writer's Collaboratives, CANVAS, high impact practices, research techniques, and much, much more. Additional details will be provided as we get closer to the conference.

EMU MI-ACE Updates

On behalf of MI-ACE and EMU's MI-ACE Network, we are sharing events and opportunities to engage in personal and professional development, as well as network and connection with colleagues.  We believe that the engagement opportunities listed below will create spaces in which we can actively engage with each other and continue to foster a community to support women-identified professionals across our campus community.

EMU MI-ACE Women's Network Virtual Check-In & Network Space:

We invite any individuals who are a part of our EMU community and would love to learn more about what MI-ACE is, and network with other professionals across campus, to join us on November 16th at 3pm via Zoom for a virtual check-in and networking space.

If you are interested in attending, please register to receive the zoom information for the event!

Women of Color Collaborative Fall Networking Luncheon

On Friday, November 5, 2021 at 11:30 AM EDT, the University of Michigan-Flint will partner with the MI-ACE Women of Color Collaborative to host the Women of Color Collaborative Fall Networking Luncheon.  This event offers an opportunity for reflection, encouragement, and networking where participants will explore the challenges faced by women of color in the academy and strategize how to advocate for systems that value diversity, strengthen belonging, and advance meaningful paths towards inclusion, leadership and career success.  Visit the UM-Flint website for more information and a link to the registration form.  

Reminder: Submit a Digital Copy of your COVID-19 Vaccination Card

All EMU employees who have been fully vaccinated are encouraged to submit a digital copy of their vaccination card to the University, as proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status. Some employees have already submitted information about their vaccination through the University’s portal, but your submission is not complete until you also upload a digital copy of your vaccination card.

We expect that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will soon issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that will require employees either submit proof of vaccination to their employer or be subject to mandatory COVID-19 testing on a weekly basis. Employees who have not submitted a copy of their card as proof of full vaccination before the effective date of the ETS will be presumed to be unvaccinated and required to begin a weekly COVID-19 testing regimen regardless of their reason for not completing the vaccination process.

Planned Computing System Downtime: Friday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m. to Saturday, Oct. 30, 3 p.m.

This is a special maintenance window needed to install critical upgrades to several Banner modules (General, Accts. Receivable, Finance, Human Resources/Payroll, Position Control, Student, and Financial Aid). These upgrades will begin on Friday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. and will finish no later than Saturday, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m.

During this upgrade, the following major computer systems will be unavailable:

• Banner
•  My.emich self-service faculty, student and employee tabs
• ApplicationXtender (Imaging)
• Workflow

For current status and additional information, please visit IT’s system outage page

All other systems and services remain AVAILABLE including:

• Wired and Wireless Internet Access (residence halls, offices, and classrooms)
• Canvas Learning Management System
• Gmail / Google Apps
• Online Hiring System

All planned maintenance for major EMU systems is scheduled in conjunction with the ERP-Business Operations Committee (BOC). The BOC includes representation from various campus units and Faculty Senate. Maintenance dates can be found on the Maintenance Calendar which is published annually in December for the coming calendar year.

Please contact the Help Desk at (734) 487-2120 if you have any questions about this scheduled downtime. We appreciate your patience during this important and required system outage.