SUBJECT: December Updates from the Provost Office

Dear Colleagues,

I can’t believe it’s the last week of classes which means our much-needed break is within reach! As the semester comes to an end, I’m writing to provide some updates and reminders. 

Faculty Awards:
Nominations for the six campus faculty awards are now open! Please find the time to nominate members of the UM-Dearborn faculty whom you believe are deserving of such recognition. Your nominations are essential in our efforts to solicit the strongest possible pool of candidates for consideration by the selection committee. 

• Collegiate Lectureship Award
• Lecturer Excellence in Inclusive Teaching
• Distinguished Academic Citizenship Award
• Distinguished Research Award
• Distinguished Research Team Award
• Distinguished Teaching Award

Save the Date - "Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?" Series:
In support of President Ono’s “Year of Democracy and Civic Engagement,” Global Engagement in collaboration with the Office for Community-Engaged Learning will be hosting a series of panel discussions entitled, “Who are the People in Your Neighborhood?” Through this series, we hope to learn together about the rich cultural heritage and variety of neighborhood experiences within and around the Metro-Detroit area. Join us for the second panel for this semester.

• Livonia/Plymouth/Canton Neighborhoods: 
  • Wednesday, December 11, from 4-5:30PM
  • Mardigian Library, First Floor Event Space

RSVP Requested.

Important Upcoming Dates:

• Last day of classes, Friday, December 13 
• Study days, Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15
• Final exams, Monday, December 16 to Friday, December 20
• Chancellor’s & Deans’ Medallion Reception, Thursday, December 19, 4:30-6PM
• Commencement, Saturday, December 21.

Timed Assignments in Online Courses:
To provide clarification and ensure students electing ONLN courses can complete their work around their schedules, the Digital Education Subcommittee has added the sentence below to the definition of asynchronous learning on the website describing course modes. Please note that this change is effective Winter 2025:

Faculty must give students at least a 24-hour availability window for any timed tests, quizzes, final exams, or similar assignments for courses scheduled with the ONLN modality.

Library Hours for Final Exams Week:
Please let your students know that the Mardigian Library is open extended hours for the final exam period. Days and times are listed below:

• Wednesday, 12/11: 9 am - Midnight
• Thursday, 12/12: 9 am - Midnight
• Friday,12/13: 9 am - 9 pm
• Saturday, 12/14: 10 am - 6 pm
• Sunday,12/15: 12 noon - Midnight
• Monday, 12/16: 9 am - Midnight
• Tuesday, 12/17: 9 am - Midnight
• Wednesday, 12/18: 9 am - Midnight
• Thursday, 12/19: 9 am - Midnight
• Friday, 12/20: 9 am - 7:30 pm. 

Please be on the lookout for an email in the coming weeks from Facilities outlining campus and building closures during the winter break. 

SURE Applications:
Experience+ is excited to announce the call for the 2025 UM-Dearborn Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) applications is open!. Visit the SURE website for more detailed information and to submit an application.  Applications will be accepted through January 24th.

To learn more about the SURE program, RSVP to one of the virtual faculty information sessions:

• Friday, December 13th, 11-12 pm via Zoom
• Thursday, January 9th, 2:30-3:30 pm via Zoom.

Welcoming Students Back for Winter 2025 & Winter Welcome
Like we did in the Fall, we once again invite faculty, staff and students to help us usher in the new semester by welcoming our students! You are welcome to sign-up for a shift (or two) serving as a greeter at key doors around campus. Greeting will happen from 7:45 am - 6 pm on Monday, January 6th and Tuesday, 7th across campus. And, stay tuned for information forthcoming about Winter Welcome programming, happening on January 8th.

Faculty Workshop: Every Semester Needs a Plan
The Office of the Provost is pleased to offer this faculty development session, in collaboration with the NCFDD, at the beginning of the Winter 2025 semester so that faculty can identify personal and professional goals, create a strategic plan to accomplish them, and identify the types of community, support, and accountability needed to make this your most productive and balanced semester ever. Please look for an email with registration information.

We have been busy organizing events and panels for the Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, and Global Engagement, which will occur next winter semester. Please watch for announcements next semester. 

Finally, I want to wish everyone a very restful and relaxing break and most of all a very happy holidays filled with peace and fun in the company of loved ones, and much joy and happiness in the new year. I want to acknowledge the concerns and thoughtful feedback from CASL faculty as the college addresses challenges resulting from persistent and severe declining enrollments. I know this is not easy, and some of you are working hard to adapt your Winter courses to meet these changes. Please know that we appreciate your support for our students and your patience as we work through these issues. As always, thank you for all you do for our students and for our campus!

Gabriella Scarlatta
Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs