Provost Communication, Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Hello everyone and happy Wednesday. I hope you are having a good week. It’s chilly outside but at least it's sunny! Thanks to our student athletes, senators and campus community members that have participated in our first two community conversations. I am appreciative of the authentic engagement in dialogue and feedback that will be incorporated into meaningful action. I am looking forward to the Staff Council Community Conversation which is occurring today in the Scholars Lab, LIB 302 (in-person) from noon – 1 pm. Lunch will be provided. 

Shout Out of Gratitude for WSCUC Writing Retreat Participants

Thanks so much to the following faculty and staff who spent two days last week participating in a Writing Retreat to provide focused energy, collaboration, and writing as we worked on our WSCUC Reaccreditation Report. They include:

Amanda Dinscore, Aolany Navas-Griggs, Carmen Bustos-Works, Dale Oliver, Gloria Brown, Mitch Mitchell, Bethany Gilden, Jennifer Reyes, Jim Woglom, Julie Stewart, Khristan Lamb, Kaytleigh Morrison, Lacie McGaughey, Peggy Metzger, Mark Wicklund, Meenal Rana, Michael Le, Nikola Hobbel, Nyla Rose, Patrick Orona, Pearl Podgorniak, Rebecca Robertson, Rosamel Benavides-Garb, Sarah Long, Stephanie Souter,  and Travis Williams.

The following key accomplishments from the retreat include:

• Drafting of Key Sections: Made significant progress on drafting sections of the WASC self-study, including a detailed focus on crafting our campus's story, and what makes our campus unique.

• Collaboration Across Stakeholders: Faculty, staff, and leadership engaged in discussions to ensure alignment on critical goals and priorities for accreditation

• Preparation for Campus Engagement: Outlined next steps in sharing the WASC report draft with campus stakeholders, including faculty, students, staff, and the administration team, for feedback and and inclusion in the process

URPC Divisional Reports Schedule: Save the Dates: February 21, and 28, 2025

As you may remember from last Spring, the URPC asked the Vice Presidents or a designee from each of the seven divisions to present about their priorities and plans for budget reductions as well as likely implications. We invited the campus community to attend and engage. These divisional reports helped the URPC and the campus community have a broader understanding of the budget and impacts to the divisions. We are going to continue this practice and ask you to please save the dates: 

Friday, February 21, 2025- from 1pm-3pm: Divisional presentations: Administrative Affairs, President’s Office, Advancement, and University Wide.  

Friday, February 28, 2025- from 12:30pm-3pm: Divisional presentations: Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management and Student Success and Athletics.

Specific time blocks for the presentations as well as zoom links will be available at least a week prior to the presentations so be on the lookout. Thank you in advance for your continued engagement.  

OLLI Spring 2025 Open House: Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 

Show your support and drop in at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)Open House which will take place this Saturday, February 1, 202,5 from 11 am-1:30 pm at the Great Hall. 

The Open House is an opportunity to learn more about OLLI and to discover upcoming presentations, classes, events, and special interest groups. At the Open House, you can meet and ask questions of OLLI instructors, staff, and volunteers. The Open House is also a place to make connections with people who share the love of learning. You will also have the opportunity to join OLLI or renew your membership, register for classes, and much more. OLLI classes are designed for lifelong learners 50 and better but are open to all learners over 18. Non-members pay an additional charge and are enrolled as space allows. OLLI membership is a great way to show your support for the program and lifelong learning in our community.

If you are able, bring a jar of peanut butter or other non-perishable food to donate to the campus student food cupboard.

Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL): Well Done!

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)’s innovative course design institutes are being recognized. Director of the CTL Enoch Hale shared that he was recently interviewed about this and because the approach to course design and faculty development has some unique elements to it, is being featured in a book  Thanks to great work of the CTL staff members!  

Have a wonderful rest of your week.

Jenn Capps