SUBJECT: Fall 2022 - Welcome Back

Welcome back to another exciting year at the University of Michigan-Dearborn! I hope you had a great summer (for those of you whom I have not seen yet) and lots of time to relax and recharge! We have 37 new faculty colleagues joining our institution this fall. At the New Faculty Orientation last week, I encouraged them to introduce themselves to their senior colleagues and their supporting staff. Now, I encourage you to reach out to them; introduce yourself; give them some words of encouragement and advice; and make them feel welcome and part of our wonderful UM-Dearborn community!

Here is some important information that I hope will facilitate a smooth transition back to a new academic year:

Provost Listening Sessions
We will once again be hosting listening sessions for both faculty and staff members! Please sign up for one of the dates below.

Staff

• Thursday, October 13th, from 1 - 2 PM
• Wednesday, October 19th, from 3 - 4 PM
• Thursday, November 3rd, from 11 AM - 12 PM

Faculty

• Friday, October 29th, 1 - 2 PM
• Tuesday, November 8th, 3 - 4 PM

Canvas Course Shells
The Digital Education office sent an email with important reminders to help you launch your fall course sites. That information can be found here.

Future of Work
The Future of Work Task Force (FWTF) has been hard at work throughout the summer considering everything from the purpose of common days to sustainable use of space to equity in hybrid/remote work options. A survey will be sent shortly to all staff to track current work modalities and preferences. The FWTF will be providing a preliminary report to campus in mid-September and then a full report in November.

COVID Protocols
Please note that our protocols from a FacOps standpoint remain as they have been through the summer: masks are available in the locations listed on building entry doors, and hand sanitizer and surface cleaning supplies continue to be provided in common areas and classrooms as they have been. Locations have been inventoried and restocked as necessary in preparation for the start of the fall semester. Finally, building ventilation and cleaning protocols remain in alignment with current CDC guidelines.

What To Do With Students When They Test Positive
Reminder to please be flexible with students when they are exposed or test positive for COVID. The most up-to-date COVID guidelines can be found on this webpage.

What To Do If Faculty And Staff Test Positive
Please stay home if you are not feeling well. If you test positive for COVID, please notify your supervisor and the Office of Human Resources ([email protected]) or 313-593-5190.

Upcoming Common Day Events
The following events are taking place on common days:

• Student Affairs Open House - Wolverine Commons (2101 UC), Thursday, September 1st from 4 - 6 PM
• Experience+ Open House - Mardigian Library, Monday September 12th, 11 AM - 1 PM
• Coffee in the Commons - Wolverine Commons (2101 UC) every Thursday at 1 PM, starting September 15th
• Provost Walk and Talks - Thursdays starting September 15th from 12 - 12:35 PM
• SURE Poster Showcase - Mardigian Library, Thursday, September 15th from 4 - 6 PM 
• Campus Fall Open House - Saturday, October 8th from 10 AM - 1 PM
• PBL Workshop - Friday, November 4th (virtual) & Monday, November 7th (in-person), more information coming soon!

Mental Health Plans
UM-Dearborn has participated in the Healthy Minds Network annual survey study examining mental health, service utilization, and related issues among undergraduate and graduate students in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. Overall, research shows that the mental health of college students across the United States has been on a consistent decline, with an overall 135 percent increase in depression and 110 percent increase in anxiety from 2013 to 2021; the number of students who met the criteria for one or more mental health problems in 2021 had doubled from 2013. The Deans together with the Provost Office team, and professional staff from the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office have been focused on what we, as faculty and educators, can do to help attend to our students’ mental health and ameliorate their anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Please stay tuned as we plan for roundtable discussion to help provide resources for students, faculty, and staff who are struggling with mental health issues. Also faculty please be on the lookout for a one-pager this week on strategies for supporting student mental health in the classroom. Finally,  as a reminder, CAPS continues to have zero wait time for students seeking appointments. Faculty and staff seeking appointments can contact the Faculty and Staff Counseling & Consultation Office (FASCCO). They offer confidential tele-video and phone appointments to faculty and staff. Appointments can be made by emailing FASCCO at [email protected] or calling 734-936-8660.

LGBTQ+ Staff And Faculty Training
Our new LGBTQ+ Program Manager, Bee Taylor ([email protected]), who joined us in Winter 2022, will be organizing LGBTQ+ trainings. I encourage you to reach out to them and schedule a training for your office or discipline.

Informal And Formal Reporting Processes – Academic Code Of Conduct
In September 2021, UM-Dearborn’s new Academic Code of Conduct went into effect. This new code provides faculty multiple mechanisms for handling academic misconduct matters that may arise. Informal reporting can be utilized when a faculty wishes to resolve misconduct at a classroom level, if the student has accepted responsibility, and if agreement is reached on restorative measures. Formal reporting means the student will have a record in the University’s academic misconduct database. Please don’t hesitate to contact Ryan Neloms, Assistant Director of Student Conduct at [email protected] with questions.

Thanks for all you do for our students and each other, and I wish you all the best for this upcoming semester!

Gabriella

Gabriella Scarlatta
Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs