SUBJECT: April 8th Faculty Update from the Provost
Dear Faculty Colleagues –
Forgive me for adding yet another email to your virtual pile, but did want to share a few bits of news and updates…
1) We are happy to report that the UM-Dearborn governing faculty approved the option (with 62% of eligible faculty voting by a margin of 98.5%) to accept Pass grades from undergraduate and graduate transfer students who earned them during the Winter 2020 semester (this will apply only to this extraordinary Winter 2020 semester). This accommodation will prove extremely helpful to transfer students from institutions that (like ours) offered a pass/fail option for this term. My thanks for thought and participation.
2) Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO) Opportunities
During this Time of the Twitchy, we would like to offer support to help faculty manage stress and build resilience. A key resource here is the Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO). In cooperation with them and Human Resources, we have set up two informal discussion groups for the following dates and times:
April 13th - 1 to 2:15 pm via Zoom
April 14th - 1 to 2:15 pm via Zoom
FASCCO’s Andrew Greifer will facilitate, leading discussions that allow the opportunity to share experiences and stress management ideas. Space is limited, so if you are interested in participating in either one of these sessions, please email Diane Blaga ([email protected]) which date you prefer. And then share the advice with your colleagues!
3) With final examinations starting to LOOM, please do consider the ideas put forward in the message sent by the Office of the Provost and the HUB regarding how to approach these assessments in our current clime. Ideas about alternative ways to assess students are there on offer, as are support and consultation options.
That message also strongly discouraged forms of e-proctoring (e.g., use of webcam, cameras or other observation tools) unless their use was already communicated to students and they have experience with the technology. Even then, we continue to urge you to rethink such strategies, since it is manifest that they add to student stress in an already problematic time. Consider other alternatives; the HUB and my Office are happy to consult.
4) Don’t forget the availability of the MSuccess portal for reporting your concerns about students, either academic or personal; these submissions are triaged to find appropriate means of support and help: See directions for issuing "Anytime Alerts." More generally, if there is anything that the Provost team or I can do to assist or answer, please don’t hesitate to be in touch.
Keep on keeping on with the remarkable, wholehearted work you are all engaged with on behalf of your students and our entire university community. In difficult times, we are pulling together and that is something in which we can all take enormous pride. And please continue to be kind to each other and not least to yourselves.
With my very best wishes and my thanks,
Sue