SUBJECT: March 2023 Updates

Dear Colleagues:

As we move toward spring and warmer weather, I am reminded of what a beautiful campus we are privileged to share! I hope you get a chance to walk around or join my Walk and Talks. As usual, below we have included some helpful information and announcements.

Provost Faculty Fellows Program – As a reminder, the application deadline for the Provost Fellow position call for AY 2023-24 is Friday, April 14th. Any tenured member of the faculty is eligible to serve as a Provost Fellow. Application details can be found here and application materials can be submitted here.

Giving BlueDay is Wednesday, March 15th – If you are able, please consider giving, as the raised funds help support a number of worthwhile UM-Dearborn activities, programs, and educational opportunities for our students, including much-needed scholarships! For more information, please visit the Giving BlueDay 2023 webpage.

Boyer Model Scholarship Workshop in the Fall – We are working on putting together a workshop in which the Boyer model will be discussed in relation to teaching and learning and P&T, as well as faculty presentation of their own experiences. More information will be shared shortly.

Healthy Minds Survey - The Healthy Minds Study (HMS) is a web-based survey that helps institutions understand their faculty and staff’s mental health and perceived ability to help students with mental health concerns. The confidential information from this study will be used to inform policy, practice, and improve support for mental health and well-being. Look for an email invite on March 16th to participate! If you have any questions, please email Counseling and Psychological Services at [email protected].

Mental Health Panel – April 11th, at 12:30pm. Please join Professors Pam Aronson (Sociology) and Junghee Yoon (Psychology), and Sara Byzcek (CAPS) who will speak on mental health challenges for young adults. Room TBA.

Digital Education Days Videos available! – Please check out the wonderful speakers and panels we had at this year’s Digital Education Days.

Assessment Week 2023 – Join faculty colleagues tomorrow (Friday, March 10th)  at 11:00am to chat about DDC data from Humanities & the Arts courses and on Monday at 11:00am to explore the new Program Assessment Report template. As a reminder, most programs have reports due this summer. Monday’s workshop will be useful in drafting your report - please consider attending!

CASL and COB Deans’ Appreciation Party – Wednesday, April 26th, 4-6pm. Please join us in celebrating CASL Dean Marty Hershock and COB Dean Raju Balakrishnan, for their successful ten-year tenure as deans!  Please watch for more information soon.

Deans’ Search Update – The CASL and COB search committees are hard at work evaluating  the candidates’ applications for the positions. The finalists will visit our campus in April. Dates and more information will be announced soon.

Future of Work Next Steps – The FoW Task Force recommends the establishment of a standing committee that will work on the implementation and execution of the recommendations as approved and appropriate, per campus leadership. This committee will  include representation from the colleges, Business Affairs (Facilities Operations, HR), ITS, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and representatives from Faculty and Staff Senates. We are currently working on establishing the committee.

ChatGPT Update – We are forming a working group to consider issues of Generative AI, including ChatGPT. The group will be comprised of staff and faculty who will explore the need for campus guidance, support, and possible policies on emerging Generative AI tools. As a reminder, the Hub for Teaching and Learning Resources has developed this guide document to assist our campus navigating some of the most pressing Generative AI issues.

EXP+ Research Celebratory – You are cordially invited to the first annual celebration of student recipients of campus independent research and conference travel grants on April 6th, 4:30-5:30pm on the first floor Mardigian Library. There will be food and welcoming remarks. For more information about these grants, visit the Experience+ grants page. Please take a moment to fill out this brief form to let us know if you can attend!

Environmental Interpretive Center’s “Continuing the Vision” event! – Please consider attending the EIC’s fundraising event on Friday, April 14th from 6-9pm at the newly-renovated first floor of Fair Lane. The fund raised at  the event will be used to support the EIC’s educational programming and activities.

Important Winter Semester Dates

• Honors Scholars Convocation - Thursday, March 30th
• Chancellor’s & Deans’ Medallion Reception – Thursday, April 27th
• Classes end – Tuesday, April 18th
• Study day – Wednesday, April 19th
• Final examinations – Thursday, April 20th - Friday, April 21st  & Monday,
  April 24th - Wednesday, April 26th
• Commencement – Sunday, April 30th

Tea with the Provost

Faculty are cordially invited to a Tea with the Provost.  Please use the appropriate link to RSVP your attendance.  Contact Terry Ebenhoeh if you have any questions.

• March 20th  - Assistant Professors
  2:00-3:00 p.m.
  Michigan Rooms
• April 3rd - Associate Professors
  1:00-2:00 p.m.
  Michigan Rooms
• April 10th - Professors
  1:00-2:00 p.m.
  Michigan Rooms
• April 19th - LEO Faculty
  1:00-2:00 p.m.
  Michigan Rooms

Don’t hesitate to reach out directly to me if you have any questions or anything else you would like to discuss.

With all best wishes,

Gabriella

Gabriella Scarlatta
Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs