SUBJECT: Winter Semester Wrap Up and Looking Forward
May 4, 2021
As the winter term classes draw to a close, I would like to provide you with some updates regarding the fall planning along with a few other academic-related items.
Submission Deadline for Final Grades:
As a reminder, the deadline for faculty to submit their final grades to the Registrar’s Office is this Friday, April 30, at 2:00pm. Instructions for submitting your final grades through the Web Grading section of UM-Dearborn Connect can be found on the Registrar’s Office Grade Entry webpage.
UM-Dearborn Syllabus Template and Canvas Guidelines:
As some of you prepare for the upcoming summer terms, I want to remind faculty to utilize the UM-Dearborn Syllabus Template when developing one’s syllabi. If you are planning to teach on campus, please be sure to include the Classroom Face Covering policy. Note, the template has not changed from the Winter 2021 semester. Finally, as you develop your Canvas course shells please make sure to include the 1) Standard Course Syllabus – ideally placed under the syllabus tab on your course page; 2) Assignments/Quizzes with due dates and point values, regardless of submission type (in-class or online); and, 3) the Gradebook with accurate points and weights for all items, consistent with the course syllabus, and set up at the start of term.
As a reminder, the Mardigian Library team created a student-centered “Canvas Basics” set of videos to help students who may have trouble navigating Canvas. You can find the videos and other useful items in Canvas Commons under “Remote Learning at UM-Dearborn” or view it on the Mardigian page (#2 on the list).
Of course, there are numerous other Canvas tools available to enhance your teaching power, improve students’ learning experience, and save time and effort for all, thereby allowing opportunities for focus on other things. For more information or UM-Dearborn specific support visit Canvas for Faculty or consider Canvas Course Templates, developed by the Hub.
Summertime in the Hub!
Here is a full list of the Hub’s summer programs. The two detailed below start in May. If any of the programs do not fit your summer timetable, reach out. We can share materials and meet with you anytime.
2021 Reflection: Can we learn from imperfect teaching?
When: Workshop with Nancy Chick, May 19th, 11 am - 12 pm, register
Optional reflection activities May-August, sign up
Incentive: Up to $100 per submitted reflection document
Course Design Institute
When: May-August 2021
Incentive: $1500 per faculty member, limited to 10 participants
Program Description
Application Form
Changes to the Engaged Learning Guidelines:
Please review our recently updated Engaged Learning Guidelines for policies regarding essential domestic travel for students. International travel guidelines are detailed on Global Michigan’s COVID-19 & Travel page.
Update on Learning Centers:
The Office of the Provost is excited to announce the launch of the Office of Academic Success, coming July 1, 2021. The office will focus on providing students, faculty, and staff with resources and services relating to student learning and academic success.
Over the past year, the Provost Office has worked with CASL to transition three Learning Centers (the Math Learning Center, the Science Learning Center, and the Writing Center) to the new Office of Academic Success and operating under one umbrella with Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring. Each Coordinator will report to Jessica LaGrange while keeping a connection with faculty experts across disciplines to influence programming and initiatives.
By bringing these services together under a single office, the Dearborn community will be able to access resources and support with greater ease. A new website is being developed and will be published over the summer. More information will be shared with all of campus for Fall 2021.
Fall Planning and Return to Campus:
I want to start off by saying how proud I am to be part of the UM-Dearborn faculty community. All of your efforts during this challenging academic year have been tremendous and I know how hard all of you have been working to ensure your students are provided the most impactful and rewarding educational experiences that we could possibly offer.
For those who missed the virtual town hall last Friday, here is a link to the video which includes a special visit from the University of Michigan’s Chief Health Officer Dr. Preeti Malani. During the town hall, we updated the campus on our Fall 2021 plans which include the development of three different course scheduling scenarios. The first two scenarios would bring back to campus in-person classes of no more than 15% and 50% of the total offered along with a third “COVID-Transition” scenario where 62% of classes would be in person. With all three scheduling scenarios, there are no plans to modify the Fall 2021 Academic Calendar, as detailed on the Registrar’s Office website. We expect to make an announcement on the Fall 2021 course schedule in the next few weeks.
Wishing you all the very best and, again, my gratitude for all you do,
Sue
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs