We are just a few weeks away from the end of the fall 2023 semester, which means we are wrapping up classes with final exams, closing out projects from the semester, and preparing for a well-deserved holiday break. I hope that you all will find time to do things you enjoy, whether it be spending time with loved ones, relaxing and unwinding, or working on projects you didn’t have time for during the semester.

The end of the semester can be a stressful time for students as they take final exams and complete semester-long projects or presentations. UConn offers many resources to help students prepare for success academically and personally in the event you are in a position to help. The Q-Center and W-Center are excellent resources for support with both quantitative classes and writing classes. If your student needs to reschedule an exam, they can work with the Dean of Students office. If they need an accommodation for an exam or final evaluation of any kind, they should contact the Center for Students with Disabilities as soon as possible. Finally, Student Health and Wellness offers many programs and events to help students cope with stress and support their health, from meditation and yoga to pet therapy.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention what a stressful and busy time this can be for our staff and faculty. I want to remind you to take care of yourselves and your colleagues. Human Resources recently offered this good advice:

Supporting Yourself

Recognize your limits.

At times, it's important to recognize our limits and understand that we may not always be as efficient as usual - and that's completely okay. The key is to plan accordingly, show ourselves kindness, and ask for support when needed.

Engage in healthy activities.

Basic self-care makes a significant difference during stressful times. Taking breaks while working and connecting with colleagues can help us recharge and stay focused. It is also crucial to find what brings us joy and incorporate it into our daily routine. Whether it's engaging in spiritual practices, meditating, listening to music, or going for a walk, doing things that feel good is essential for our overall well-being.

Find community support.

Attending community events or informal gatherings with friends can be a way to process grief, fear, and other difficult feelings. Sharing our experiences helps to reduce the intensity of our emotional distress. Experiencing empathy and understanding from others helps us know we are not alone.

Move your body.

Additionally, moving our bodies can be a powerful tool for stress relief. When we experience stress, our muscles tend to tense up. Engaging in physical movement, such as stretching or self-massaging, helps release tension and process emotions.

I look forward to seeing you all when we return in the fall and wish you all the best in this holiday season!

Provost's Office Awards

The Provost’s Office coordinates the below awards annually and is pleased to announce nominations are now being accepted through January 26, 2024. Learn more about how to nominate and eligibility criteria for each award.

• Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor
• Provost’s Outstanding Service Award
• Provost’s Award for Excellence in Community Engaged Scholarship

Center for Students with Disabilities FAQ

The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) oversees accommodations for students who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accommodations are academic adjustments, modifications and/or auxiliary aids and services applied to elements of a student’s postsecondary program to help compensate for the student’s impairment(s) and provide equal access for students with disabilities. If a student is granted an accommodation by the CSD, instructors are legally obligated to provide it. Instructors do have the right to respond to CSD to discuss the accommodation(s) if they believe they are not feasible or will fundamentally alter the class pedagogy or learning objectives. Click here to view a FAQ on the top 10 Accommodations Questions for Instructors to learn more.

If you have questions about meeting a student’s accommodations, call the Disability service Professional (DSP) named on the accommodation letter at 860-486-2020

The CSD also offers daily drop-in opportunities, both in person and on WebEx.

Reading Days

Reading Days are Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10, and Thursday, December 14. Per the University Senate By-Laws, the intent of Reading Days is as follows:

Reading Days are protected time for students to prepare for the final exam and assessment period. Instructors shall not require any course-related activity, assessment, or submission of work on Reading Days. Instructors may use Reading Days for optional activities, such as office hours.

While an instructor cannot initiate required course-related activity, assessments, or submission of work on Reading Days, instructors have the option to accommodate student requests for required work and/or examinations to be rescheduled for a Reading Day.

Reading Days restrictions do not include responsibilities with external placements, such as clinical positions and internships.

Final Exams

Final exams begin on Monday, December 11 and end on Sunday, December 17.

In very limited instances, undergraduate students may request rescheduling for an exam. They must make such a request through the Dean of Students Office for the Storrs campus or each regional campus student services office, and as early as possible. The reasons for such a request include “bunched” finals and immediate illness. A student whose absence is excused by the Dean of Students Office or regional student services staff shall have an opportunity to take a final without penalty. Please consult the Dean of Students website and the Registrar’s website for further detail.

***Please note, the above does not apply to the School of Law, School of Medicine, or School of Dental Medicine.***

Faculty Office Hours in Dining Halls

The Provost’s Office is partnering with Dining Services to continue the program for faculty to host their office hours in dining halls in the spring semester. We have learned from our students that attending office hours in faculty offices can feel formal and intimidating. We want students to feel comfortable talking to their instructors and provide an opportunity for a more casual interaction to build community between our students and their instructors. We are asking for instructors who are willing to participate and are specifically looking for instructors who are teaching large lectures at the 1000 or 2000 level, where students may not get as much direct interaction. Instructors will be provided with lunch.

Contact provost@uconn.edu to get involved.

Interfolio Faculty Activity Reporting

As you know, UConn has contracted with Interfolio for the Review, Promotion and Tenure (RPT) and Dossier modules which were implemented over the last year. We are excited to announce that we will now be adding Faculty Activity Reporting (FAR) which will replace HuskyDM for faculty activity information storage and reporting. The implementation and roll-out are being managed by the offices of Budget, Planning and Institutional Research and the Provost. The roll-out of FAR will take place late in the spring semester. More information on this implementation and how faculty can get involved will be coming soon.

Winter Weather Reminders

The following guidance applies to all UConn locations except UConn Health, which has its own relevant policies.

How you’ll know UConn’s status:

• When we determine it is necessary to cancel or delay classes, or to change business operations at the University, we’ll notify the UConn community as quickly as possible.
• When storms occur overnight, we try to make this notification by 5 a.m. Sometimes conditions change rapidly, however, and we might need to adjust decisions about class schedules and business operations on short notice.
• The UConnALERT webpage (http://alert.uconn.edu) is the definitive source of information about the University’s operating status.
• UConn community members at all locations, excluding UConn Health, can also check the 24-hour emergency closing information number: 860-486-3768.
• The University notifies the media about operating changes at UConn’s campuses, but we cannot guarantee that details provided by news outlets represent the most current or complete information.

What stays open, what might change:

• If classes are cancelled, this applies to all classes -- including those online.
• UConn follows suit if the Governor closes state agencies, releases state employees from work, or restricts road travel due to weather conditions.
• Certain essential operations continue despite inclement weather, including public safety, residential and dining services, health services, animal care, facility maintenance, and other critical services.
• Decisions about whether to continue or cancel specific services, such as transportation, are made on a case-by-case basis depending on existing conditions and needs.
• The Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, UConn Athletics, and other units that sponsor events and activities decide independently whether to continue or cancel their events, and you should contact them directly with questions.

Academic operations:

• If the University has not announced a delay or cancellation of classes, faculty are expected to hold their classes as scheduled in the modality originally advertised.
• In circumstances when a faculty member determines that they cannot travel safely to campus, the faculty member must notify all students in the class in a timely manner along with their dean and department head.
• Faculty must not preemptively cancel class before the University decides and announces whether UConn’s normal schedule will be changed.
• Students should contact their professors as soon as possible if they must miss a class or other activity due to weather conditions.
• Faculty should respect the decisions of commuting students who decide not to travel to campus or to leave class early to get home safely, and should provide options for them to make up missed work.

December 8 - Last day of fall semester classes

December 9 - December 10 - Reading Days

December 11 - Final examinations begin

December 14 - Reading Day

December 17 - Final examinations end

December 20 - Semester grades due at 4 pm

I hope this message finds you in good health. I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to each of you for your dedication to our students during the current conflict. It is through your actions that we foster an environment where students can feel valued, safe, and able to thrive, even in the face of adversity. I would especially like to highlight the work of the Dean of Students Office, Care and Concern, Student Health and Wellness, the Cultural Centers, and our Faith Communities in helping students who have been impacted directly or indirectly by this conflict.

In times of conflict, students often experience heightened stress and anxiety. Your willingness to listen, provide a shoulder to lean on, and offer guidance is invaluable. To continue our collective mission of nurturing the growth and development of our students, I'd like to offer a few best practices that can help us further enhance our support:

1. Resources: Ensure students are aware of resources available to them, both within and outside the university. This includes counseling services, academic support, and organizations that promote cultural diversity and understanding. This recent message [HYPERLINK] to students highlights some of those resources.
2. Flexibility: Be mindful of the unique challenges students may face during times of conflict. Flexibility in assignment deadlines, attendance policies, and exam schedules can make a significant difference in their ability to cope.
3. Empathy and Compassion: Continue to exhibit empathy and compassion when interacting with students. A small gesture of kindness can have a lasting impact on their emotional well-being.
4. Community-Building: Promote student involvement in clubs, organizations, and forums that foster unity and understanding among diverse communities.
5. Education: The conflict between Gaza and Israel is marked by numerous historical, cultural, and political complexities. Encourage students to educate themselves about this specific conflict and the region. It is especially effective when our own faculty lead these efforts, as in the panel discussion on November 2.

Lastly, let us always remember the pivotal role of relationships in student success. Research has long shown that the bonds faculty and staff form with students, rooted in trust and care, can be the key to their resilience and growth.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our students, and for the positive impact you continue to make. Together, we can make UConn a beacon of hope and understanding in times of uncertainty.

Election Day: Promoting Civic Duty

Election Day is coming up on November 7^th. Voting is a fundamental right and responsibility, and ensuring that all eligible individuals have the opportunity to participate can be immensely empowering. Wherever possible, we encourage instructors to exercise flexibility for students who plan to exercise their right to vote. Consider providing a recording of your lecture, distributing materials for an asynchronous class session, or holding extra office hours in the following week. If you are planning an assessment (i.e. quiz, exam, in-class assignment) to be due that day, consider an extension for those students who are absent.

Faculty Office Hours

Last month, participating faculty began hosting office hours in dining halls, including Ryan Watson, Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development & Family Sciences (Pictured above with students). This program provides faculty and students an opportunity to connect outside the classroom to build community. This is especially helpful for those instructors who are teaching large lectures at the 1000 or 2000 level – where students are likely at the beginning of their UConn journey. Lunch will be provided for the instructor attending, and any students who don’t already have meal plans. Learn more about how to participate.

Academic Impressions

Academic Impressions is a membership organization for faculty, staff and administrative leaders in higher education focused on ensuring all levels of university employees receive professional and leadership development. As a part of UConn’s membership, university leaders can gain access to on-demand and live online learning in crucial areas such as institutional & academic planning, inclusive leadership, student success, and compliance. To learn more about available trainings and educational opportunities, visit their website and reach out to provost@uconn.edu if you or anyone in your unit would like to become more involved.

PRISMATIC Program

Environmental sustainability and student success are top priorities for President Radenka Maric. Students are at the heart of advancing sustainability at UConn by identifying needs and opportunities, designing and executing initiatives, and developing creative solutions.

In recognition of undergraduate students' roles as innovators and catalysts for change, the Office of Undergraduate Research, UConn Research, and the Office of the Provost are excited to announce PRISMATIC – the President’s Research Investment in Sustainability Measures, Actions, Technologies, Initiatives, and Communities. PRISMATIC commits $50,000 to support students’ engagement in sustainability projects through Office of Undergraduate Research funding programs that are open to students at all campuses.

PRISMATIC is intended to support a broad spectrum of experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students. In addition to inquiry projects across the academic disciplines, these OUR funding programs support a diverse range of advocacy, service, design, and community engagement projects that will allow students to pursue knowledge and take action in furtherance of equitable sustainability. For more information, please visit the program webpage.

Call for Nominations – Provost’s Office Awards:

• Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor
• Provost’s Outstanding Service Award
• Provost’s Award for Excellence in Community Engaged Scholarship

Nominations for each of the above awards will be due January 26, 2024. Learn more about how to nominate and eligibility on the Provost’s website.

Update to UConn Email Policy

UConn has regulatory and contractual requirements to ensure that protected information, such as FERPA, HIPAA, PHI, and PHII data, is stored on systems with appropriate safeguards and that it is responsive to freedom of information (FOI) requests and litigation holds.  To better meet this, the updated version of the subject policy now explicitly prohibits automated copying or forwarding of institutional emails to non-University accounts.  This would include the creation of rules within a university account that copy email on delivery to alternate non-university accounts.  Specific emails may still be copied or forwarded individually, but the account holder is responsible for ensuring that content does not violate policy or regulatory/contractual obligations.  With respect to forwarding, UConn Health email accounts should be considered university accounts.  The new policy can be reviewed at the following location: policy.uconn.edu/2011/05/19/electronic-communication-policy/

This policy went into effect October 1, 2023, and questions or concerns can be directed to ITS.

Updates to the Guide to the State Code of Ethics

Revisions to the policy include the formatting and updating of pronouns throughout the policy, including “Ethics Liaison” in various sections as a resource in addition to the Office of State Ethics, and clarification on restrictions on gifts between supervisors and subordinates. Under the ‘Contracts with the State’ section, revisions include reference to exemption for contracts with a public institution of higher education to support a collaboration to develop and commercialize any invention or discovery. Under the ‘Necessary Expenses’ section, “gifts to the state” was added as acceptable to attend an event that is relevant to your state duties. Lastly, “Confidential Information” language was removed as it is covered in other policies.

View the Policy

UConn’s Laura Cruickshank Inducted into CT Women’s Hall of Fame

On August 26, 2023, Laura Cruickshank was inducted to the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame at their 30^th anniversary ceremony honoring “Women who build”. Laura joined UConn in 2013 and is the University Master Planner and Chief Architect and Associate Vice President for University Planning, Design and Construction.

Strategic Planning Forums

Join Provost D’Alleva, VP Pamir Alpay and Executive Director Margaret Feeney for an online forum sharing updates and gathering feedback on the university strategic planning process and progress thus far.

• Wednesday, November 1: 1:00-2:00 PM
• Thursday, November 2: 9:00-10:00 AM
• Thursday, November 2: 6:30-8:00 PM

RSVP to join an online session on the website.

Town Hall on Student Fees

This week the following town halls on student fees will be held with University leadership to discuss the university’s proposed student fee rate adjustments for Academic Year 2024-2025.

• Monday, October 30, 2023, at 1:00pm (In Person)

Location: Konover Auditorium located in the Dodd Center

Livestreamed at: https://ait.uconn.edu/town-hall/

• Monday, October 30, 2023, at 5:00pm (In Person)

Location: Konover Auditorium located in the Dodd Center

Livestreamed at: https://ait.uconn.edu/town-hall/

• Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 5:00pm (Virtual)

Livestreamed at: https://ait.uconn.edu/town-hall/

The recording from the Town Hall discussion held virtually on 11/1/23 can be found at: https://bpir.uconn.edu/home/announcements/town-hall-meetings/

Career Everywhere Conference hosted by the Career Center November 3^rd

This year’s conference, titled  Enhancing Career Readiness: Equipping Students with Competencies for Post-Graduate Success will focus on best practices in helping students build and articulate NACE’s eight Career Competencies and how faculty can help students Become Career Ready. The eight NACE Career Readiness Competencies were compiled based on research from thousands of companies and organizations across industry lines and are seen widely by employers as critical for student success in the workforce. This is a great opportunity for faculty to learn about the NACE Career Readiness competencies that they are already teaching and how to be more transparent with students regarding these skills employers look for into course materials.

Learn more and register here.

Husky Run and Ruck – Salute to Service

All UConn Faculty, Staff and Students are invited to participate in the Husky Run and Ruck – Salute to Service co-sponsored by the UConn Recreation Department, UConn Veterans Affairs and Military Programs, and the Hartford Marathon Foundation. This event will be hosted on the Storrs campus on November 12^th in honor of Veterans Day. This event has something for everyone – learn more and register here.

Emeritus Deadline: November 1^st

University Senate Meeting: November 6^th

Election Day: November 7^th

Veterans Day: November 11^th  (observed November 10^th)

Last day to withdraw from a course: November 13^th

Fall Break: November 19^th – November 25^th

Thanksgiving Day: November 23^rd

Today, with pride and anticipation, we mark President Maric’s Inauguration Day, which signifies not only the beginning of a new chapter in our university's history but also the embodiment of our shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and progress.

An inauguration is a symbolic milestone, a moment in time that represents the fusion of tradition and vision. In wishing President Maric all the best today, we are wishing the best for UConn as well as we move into a future full of hope and promise.

In fact, September has been a month of marking new beginnings by bringing to fruition projects that have been in development for some time. Most important, on Wednesday, the Board of Trustees approved an important set of changes to our university nomenclature: the School of Engineering is now the College of Engineering; the Department of Computer Science and Engineering has become the School of Computing; and the department of Mechanical Engineering has become the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering.

Throughout the approval process, one of the most frequently asked questions has focused on the difference between a school and a college. The key difference lie in scope, scale, and disciplinary norms. A school (Pharmacy, Nursing) has a more specific focus than a college (CLAS, CAHNR), which is wide-ranging and encompasses multiple disciplines. There’s also a question of scale as we look at the size of the undergraduate and graduate student populations, faculty, and staff. And finally, we need to take into account disciplinary norms – as we look across the country, the engineering programs at peer and aspirant institutions like Penn State, Purdue, University of Illinois, and UC Berkeley, are colleges. Schools and colleges are equally important parts of our academic ecosystem – each is valuable and has an essential role to play.

This change will support UConn Engineering as it continues on its trajectory of dynamic growth. Under the leadership of Dean Kazerounian, and with the support of an outstanding faculty and staff, Engineering has created a number of new degree programs; established or expanded internal collaborations with business, the arts, human rights, nursing, and more; and increased research and industry partnerships. As you know, Dean Kazerounian has announced that he will step down from the deanship, and the search has been launched under the guidance of co-chairs Dean Indrajeet Chaubey and Vice President Pamir Alpay. We welcome the participation of the university community in the search process.

And finally, another reminder to participate! The Strategic Planning Steering Committee has launched a survey for faculty, staff, and students. Many thanks to those who attended the recent forums – we had lively discussions that yielded terrific and actionable ideas. We’ll be conducting additional forums and later in the process we’ll share draft initiatives for feedback from the community.

As always, many thanks for your dedication and hard work on behalf of our students and community.

All best wishes,
Anne

Faculty Office Hours in Dining Halls

The Provost’s Office is partnering with Dining Services to pilot a program for faculty to host their office hours in dining halls. We have learned from our students that attending office hours in faculty offices can feel formal and intimidating. We want students to feel comfortable talking to their instructors and provide an opportunity for a more casual interaction to build community between our students and their instructors. We are asking for an initial cohort of instructors who are willing to try this, and are specifically looking for instructors who are teaching large lectures at the 1000 or 2000 level, where students may not get as much direct interaction.

Where:

• McMahon – lunch time 11am-2:15pm
• Rome (South) – lunch time 11am-2pm

When:

• Mid-October through finals week

Instructors will be provided lunch. Students who do not have meal plans will be able to use a swipe from Dining Services.

Contact provost@uconn.edu to get involved.

Please note this initial pilot will be at the Storrs campus and we are planning to pilot at the Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford and Waterbury Campuses in the spring.

Mid-Term Grades Reminder

University Senate By-Laws were updated in the Spring 2023 semester and now state that instructors of 1000 and 2000-level courses must submit midterm grades for all students during the mid-semester grading period which spans the sixth through eighth week of the semester. Instructors of all other undergraduate and graduate courses are encouraged to submit mid-semester grades.

We are sharing guides here with different options to submit grades to PeopleSoft. Informing your students of their grade or posting mid-term grades in HuskyCT is helpful but posting grades in PeopleSoft is necessary to ensure this information regarding student progress is available to staff at the University who provide academic support. Grades can be submitted beginning on Monday, October 2 through Friday October 20. Instructors can submit grades three different ways into StudentAdmin:

• Manually into Student Admin utilizing these instructions
• Via an Excel file utilizing these instructions
• Via a direct feed from HuskyCT utilizing these instructions

For any instructors who have yet to administer any assessments in their course by which to determine a mid-term grade, now is a good time to administer an assessment to ensure you and your students know how they are progressing in the course and mastering the material.

Finals Opt-Out Reminder

If you are not delivering a final exam in Fall 2023, we ask that you contact your department’s scheduling administrator as exam requirements for classes can now be managed via CourseLeaf Section Scheduler (CLSS). We are asking for those who use another method of assessment (portfolios, projects, etc.) to let us know so that the room and/or time may be available for other instructors during the assessment period. It is also important that instructors recognize that due dates for these alternative forms of final assessment should not fall on days designated as reading days. As always, all due dates should be indicated on the syllabus at the beginning of the semester.

Finally, please note that it is prohibited by Senate By-Laws to give your final assessments during the last week of classes.

Class Absences due to Illness

At this time of year, we would like to remind faculty that students are not required to provide “sick notes” or “medical excuses” when they miss classes, and such excuses should not be requested from them. More generally, per the university Senate By-laws, student grades should not be reduced because of a student’s absence. Please exercise flexibility and understanding for students who may miss class or classwork due to illness. Faculty should also exercise caution in attending class if they are feeling sick. Our community’s health and wellbeing remains a priority of the University.

Emeritus Nomination Reminder

Faculty who retire at the rank of associate professor (or equivalent clinical, in-residence, and extension titles) and who have at least five years of service are automatically recommended for emeritus status to the Board of Trustees. However, faculty or other related staff who retire and do not meet these conditions can only be considered for emeritus status if nominated to the Emeritus Committee. The next deadline for submitting materials to this committee is November 1. Further details, including guidelines for nomination materials, can be found on the Office of the Provost website.

Artificial Intelligence & UConn Updates

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning continues its support of instructors and students as we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI). We are currently engaged in the following efforts:

• As part of a two-year research project, UConn is working with Ithaka S+R and a select group of 19 universitiescommitted to making AI "generative" for their campus communities. Together, the partners in the "Making AI Generative for Higher Education" study will assess the immediate and emerging AI applications most likely to impact teaching, learning, and research and explore the long-term needs of institutions, instructors, and scholars as they navigate this environment.
• We are planning events and programming opportunities to discuss the emergence of AI and its impact on teaching and learning. These include panel discussions, presentations, and learning communities. We'll also be sending a survey to capture your experiences with AI and your interest in partnering with us in our work. Please watch the weekly "CETL Happenings" announcements for details.
• We are updating our AI resources page that was originally shared in January 2023.

Vice Provost Academic Operations Position Open

The Provost’s Office is seeking a visionary and dynamic leader to serve in the executive management position of Vice Provost for Academic Operations. An internal search is being conducted chaired by Vice Provost Amy Gorin.

Learn More

Regional Campus Directors Titles Change

Announced at this week’s Board of Trustees meeting, the campus director titles have been changed to Campus Dean and Chief Administrative Officer to better recognize the significant role the directors play in leading our multiple campuses both internally and externally to its constituents.

University Teaching Awards

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning University Teaching Awards are held annually to honor faculty and graduate student who show exemplary commitment to their teaching craft.  Please fill out this nomination form  to nominate for the four award categories by November 3^rd:

• Teaching Fellow
• Teaching Innovation
• Outstanding Adjunct
• Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant

Changes to the Electronic (Email) Communication Policy

UConn has regulatory and contractual requirements to ensure that protected information, such as FERPA, HIPAA, PHI, and PHII data, is stored on systems with appropriate safeguards and that it is responsive to freedom of information (FOI) requests and litigation holds.  To better meet this, the updated version of the subject policy now explicitly prohibits automated copying or forwarding of institutional emails to non-University accounts.  This would include the creation of rules within a university account that copy email on delivery to alternate non-university accounts.  Specific emails may still be copied or forwarded individually, but the account holder is responsible for ensuring that content does not violate policy or regulatory/contractual obligations.  With respect to forwarding, UConn Health email accounts should be considered university accounts.

This policy goes into effect October 1, 2023, and technical controls to prevent automated forwarding will be implemented on or after this date.

Husky Harvest Food Pantry: Chegg Inc. Donations and Paige Bueckers Support

Paige Bueckers, Chegg Inc. Announce Their Support for Husky Harvest in Storrs - UConn Today

UConn Soars in Wall Street Journal National College Rankings

The University of Connecticut is one of the 50 best universities in America, public or private, according to rankings released by The Wall Street Journal.

Ranking highly in affordability, the average time it takes students to earn degrees, and the value a degree adds to graduates’ salaries, UConn was ranked 46^th overall by the Journal, the second highest ranking of any Connecticut school and higher than many peer institutions across the U.S.

Read more in UConn Today.

US News Ranked UConn Learning Communities 25^th Nationally

U.S. News & World Report’s recently released annual rankings listed UConn’s learning communities as No. 25 among all public institutions, the first year in which the program has received a ranking. UConn has 34 residential and non-residential learning communities with more than 2,800 students participating. Read more in UConn Today.

Husky Run and Ruck – Salute to Service

All UConn Faculty, Staff and Students are invited to participate in the Husky Run and Ruck – Salute to Service co-sponsored by the UConn Recreation Department, UConn Veterans Affairs and Military Programs, and the Hartford Marathon Foundation. This event will be hosted on the Storrs campus on November 12^th in honor of Veterans Day. This event has something for everyone – learn more and register here.

Securing a Sustainable Environmental Future

The Symposium, sponsored by the Institute of the Environment, the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the School of Engineering, will provide scholarly analysis, discussion, and debate on the topic of securing a robust environmental future.

Fred Krupp, President of the Environmental Defense Fund, will be the keynote speaker, and invited faculty speakers will give creative, inventive, and forward-looking talks across four thematic areas: Climate Action, Water Security, Landscape Transformation and Biodiversity, and Environmental Justice.

Learn more

Register

Workshop for H-1B Visa Holders at UConn

This workshop will cover important rules and regulations for H-1B visa holders to maintain their legal status while being employed at UConn. This workshop will be held on the following two days from 10:00 AM to 12:00 at the Homer Babbidge Library in HBL Instruction Room 1102.

Registration is required via this online form.

Please note that this will be an in-person workshop. Attendance virtually via MS Teams is permitted for those working at Regional Campuses, at any off-site locations, or for any requested accommodation. Please contact christene.cooper@uconn.edu if you have any general questions or require any accommodations.

Dates

Presidential Inauguration: Today! September 29^th

University Senate Meeting: October 2^nd

Sukkot: September 29^th – October 6^th

Midterm Grades Due: October 6^th

Shemini Atzeret: October 6^th – 8^th

Simchat Torah: October 7^th – 8^th

Indigenous People’s Day: October 9^th

Navarati: October 15^th – 24^th

I hope this message finds you well and rejuvenated after a restful summer break. As we gear up for the start of the new school year, I want to extend a warm welcome to all of you. Whether you are returning or joining us for the first time, I am excited to have each one of you as part of our vibrant university community.

I am excited to meet the class of 2027, who secured a spot amid tight competition in this year’s record high applicant pool of more than 48,800. They join us from all over the world including 92 countries, 43 states, and from every corner of Connecticut. We also welcome over 2,300 new graduate students coming to us from 58 countries and 45 states.

I had the opportunity to meet many of our new undergraduate students during move in. Many thanks to the staff and faculty who volunteered to assist students and families throughout Fall Opening. The atmosphere was happy and positive, and Residential Life couldn’t have done a better job managing an incredibly large scale and complex operation. I was happy to kick off the year with our new students at Convocation. It had to be moved indoors due to weather, but it was fun and festive, and there was a great sense of community in Gampel that night.

Students in the UConn Class of 2027 hold their candles as they sing the alma mater during Convocation at Gampel Pavilion on Aug. 25, 2023. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

Together, we have the unique chance to continue to expand our institution's impact beyond our multiple campuses. We encourage all of you—students, faculty, and staff—to embrace the opportunities that await us. Let us approach this year with a sense of purpose, a willingness to explore new horizons, and a dedication to making a meaningful difference. Whether in the lecture halls, research labs, or the spaces that facilitate our day-to-day interactions, let us strive for excellence in all that we do.

This year in particular holds great promise for us, as we embark on a journey of strategic growth and development. As many of you may know, we have begun engaging in the strategic planning process aimed at shaping the future of our institution. Central to the success of this process is your engagement. We believe that the collective wisdom of our faculty, staff, and students is integral to shaping the future of our university. To this end, we are thrilled to announce that public forums will be held in September, providing an opportunity everyone to actively participate in discussions, share your insights, and help us define our strategic priorities.

As we prepare to embark on this new academic year, I want to express deep gratitude for your continued dedication to our university's mission. Together, we will build a future that honors our past and our traditions while embracing new opportunities for progress.

Once again, welcome back! I look forward to seeing you all as we gather to envision the next chapter of our university's story. Let's seize this opportunity to create, learn, and grow—together.

All best wishes,

Anne

Introducing: Mary Anne Amalaradjou, DEIJ Faculty Fellow  

The Provost’s Office is excited to welcome Mary Anne Amalaradjou as the DEIJ Faculty Leadership Fellow for the 2023-2024 Academic Year. In her role, Mary Anne will collaborate closely with key faculty, staff, deans and department heads across campus to advance projects and initiatives with DEIJ as a core priority. We than Mary Anne for her commitment to these principles and are grateful to have her advance these initiatives. 

Bio: 

Hello, my name is Mary Anne Amalaradjou and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I'm an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Connecticut. I received my DVM from India and MS and PhD in Food Microbiology from the University of Connecticut. My research primarily focusses on food safety and gut health. Specifically, it is targeted towards understanding pathogen survival and persistence along the food chain, their virulence attributes and the application of protective cultures to control foodborne pathogens. I also evaluate the efficacy of currently applied intervention (hurdle) technologies to reduce pathogen transmission during pre- and post-harvest processing of fresh produce, meat and dairy products. Beyond controlling pathogens in food systems my research investigates the potential application of probiotics and functional foods in the prevention and treatment of gut pathologies. Through all aspects of the research program, my main objective is to improve food safety and promote public health.  Outside of research and teaching, I am passionate about mentoring the next generation with a strong focus on promoting equity and inclusivity in higher education. 

What are you most excited about in this role for the upcoming AY? 

As the provost DEIJ fellow, I look forward to working with partners and administrators across UConn in developing and promoting initiatives that support our diverse workforce.  Further, this position will provide me with the continuing opportunity to actively engage with a diverse population at UConn. Since diversity enriches educational experience, encourages critical thinking, helps communicate effectively with people of varied backgrounds and fosters mutual respect and teamwork, the yearlong program would help me to not only grow as a faculty but also as a contributing member of the UConn community. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to your colleagues regarding DEIJ work? 

Shared identity does not necessarily imply shared values or ideals. Hence, while it is important to bring my viewpoints it is more critical to promote the inclusion of those different from mine. 

What is your favorite UConn Dairy Bar flavor? 

Maple Walnut 

Scheduling the Use of Instructional Spaces 

In an effort to utilize the university's classroom space as efficiently as possible and to minimize time conflicts for students, departments will be expected to follow the university's policy on the Assignment of Instructional Space when scheduling class meetings in centrally supported classrooms in the CourseLeaf Section Scheduler (CLSS) system, which will be used to build the Spring 2024 term. 

When scheduling classes, schedulers for the academic departments should note the following points from the policy: 

1. Standard Schedule: Classes at all campuses, except UConn Health, will conform to the following standard schedule: 

     2. Exceptions: On rare occasions, classes with extenuating circumstances may deviate from the standard schedule with the permission of the Dean of the School or College and if applicable, regional campus director, and with the concurrence of the Provost. 

     3. Department-controlled Learning Space: The appropriate School or College has the authority to assign laboratory space under its jurisdiction, and regional campus directors have the authority to assign all instructional space on their campus. 

     4. Weekends and Evenings: Classes that begin after 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or after 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or anytime on Saturdays and Sundays may deviate from the standard schedule. 

For administrative and technical questions about CourseLeaf Section Scheduler (CLSS), please contact the Office of the Registrar. Departments with questions about how this policy will impact their class schedule should contact the appropriate Dean’s Designee of their school or college. 

Pop-Up Courses 

Three pop-up courses will be available this semester and registration is now open: 

• Exploring the Entrepreneurial Perspective 
• Transformation Now 
• Feeling Well: The Science and Practice of Emotional Well-Being 

New Undergraduate Majors 

For students enrolling in the fall of 2023, six new undergraduate majors are available to them as a course of study. These programs are: 

• Economics of Sustainable Development and Management (BS) 
• Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (BS) 
• Applied Data Analysis (BA) 
• Statistical Data Science (BS) 
• Data Science and Engineering (BSE) 
• Financial Technology (BS)  

Management Information Systems (BS) has also been renamed Analytics and Information Management (BS). 

Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET) Records 

Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET) records are an important metric for professors for continuous improvement of teaching, as well as an integral part of the promotion, tenure, and reappointment (PTR) process. SET records are viewable by logging in on the BPIR website here. For questions or technical support needs, contact SETeaching@uconn.edu  

Faculty Consulting 

Faculty members are state employees; this means your participation in outside consulting activity is tightly regulated by state statute. Prior approval through the online request system is required before beginning any activity. All paid activities related to your professional expertise (including grant reviews, talks, and similar academic activities), and unpaid work with faculty affiliated companies, fall within the faculty consulting policy. Consulting is work that you are doing outside of your role as a state employee; further information is provided in other sections of our Faculty Consulting website on limitations related to consulting activity. 

We are here to help you understand the process and policies; it is your responsibility to adhere to them. To help you, individual advice is always available. Please see the contact details for UConn (Storrs/regionals) and UConn Health if you need individual assistance. If you have submitted a request and you have limited time before the activity will begin, please reach out for help by emailing sarah.croucher@uconn.edu. 

Religious Observances 

In accordance with our mission of meaningful inclusion, we ask that all faculty and staff be mindful of upcoming religious observances that may impact student participation when planning events or setting deadlines. We recommend you refer to the religious observances calendar for upcoming dates and that you ensure familiarity with the religious accommodations policy when working with a student on an accommodation request. 

Provost Fund Guidance 

The Provost Fund is a program that identifies a pool of university resources to be used for faculty salary increases for the purposes of retention, compression and inversion equity, and special achievement. The university may consider requests for salary adjustments for retention, equity and special achievement through processes outlined in this memo. Contact provost@uconn.edu with any questions. 

Updates to the Course Action Request (CAR) Form 

The Course Action Request (CAR) Form for adding, revising, and deleting courses has been updated to reflect the incoming Common Curriculum (CC) Topics of Inquiry (TOIs).   Please note: 

1. Proposals for new courses can use this form to request consideration for the CC TOIs. Proposers will be asked if they would like the course to be considered for a temporary Content Area under the outgoing system.                                        
2. All departments received a spreadsheet of current general education courses and have been asked to return it with their plans for transition by November 1, 2023.  Courses that are making a direct transition into the CC (i.e. no major changes that require catalog copy revision) can use the spreadsheet. Only courses with significant revisions that require catalog copy changes need to use the online CAR Form. 

For more information on the Common Curriculum, visit our website or contact Karen McDermott. 

South Campus Infrastructure Updates 

As the summer construction period wraps up the South Campus Infrastructure (SCI) Project has met several key milestones that allows the following to happen starting on August 22, 2023. 

• Mansfield Road is REOPENED. 

• Whitney Road Extension has returned to pre-construction condition (one way traffic) 

Construction will continue into the fall semester and the overall project will be completed in the Fall of 2025. Portions of the work will be reopened as soon as the work is completed. Construction impacts over the fall semester are as follows. 

• Gilbert Road CLOSED from Mansfield Road to Whitney Road Extension 
• Maple Lane and Coventry Road will be CLOSED from Mansfield Road to Lot R starting on August 28, 2023. This closure will remain in place for most of the fall semester. 
• Lot R will continue to have parking impacts through most of the fall semester. Access to the lot will be via a temporary driveway. 

• Lot S will continue to have parking impacts through the duration of the project. Parking impacts will start on August 28, 2023. Approximately half of the lot will be offline during this constriction period. 
• Accessible pedestrian detours will be in place. All pedestrians should follow dedicated walkway and signage. 

For more information, contact: Ian Dann at ian.dann@uconn.edu 

Faculty Awards & Honors 

The Provost’s Office is committed to showcasing and celebrating faculty excellence. As part of this effort, we are continuously collecting details of national and international awards/honors earned by UConn and UConn Health faculty. These faculty and a list of their awards/honors are featured on the Provost’s Office Awards/Honors Searchable Database. New awards/honors listed in the upcoming year will also be honored at a reception in the Spring semester.  

We encourage all members of the UConn community to submit their awards/honors to be included in the database, or submit on behalf of a colleague at any time. More information can be found on the Provost’s Office Awards and Honors web page. We are honored to showcase the great achievements of our faculty. 

Open Education Supported by the UConn Library 

Open education is using learning resources, teaching practices, and education policies that use the flexibility of Open Educational Resources (OER) to provide learners with high quality educational experiences without the cost of purchased instructional materials. Integrating OER can help to alleviate the hidden-cost burden of textbooks and other required instructional materials for students who cannot afford this cost. Click here to learn more or contact Zach Claybaugh at the UConn Library. 

The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering at UConn Selects Four Presidential M1 Mentorship Program Awardees 

The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering at UConn, in conjunction with the Office of the Provost, has selected the 2023 Presidential M1 Mentorship Program Awardees. The program aims to create a national model for best practices in the mentorship of underrepresented students and faculty in the sciences, engineering and biomedicine. Click here to read more. 

Center for Career Development: “Career Everywhere” Program Receives Honors 

The Center for Career Development received an Honorable Mention distinction in the category of Career Services Excellence from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) for their entry entitled “Career Everywhere”. NACE’s Excellence Awards competition is national in scope and recognizes the outstanding achievements of college career services and HR professionals.  The entry was judged on program need/objectives, relevance to target market, integration, design, and use of medium, creativity, innovation, measurable outcomes, and ease of replication.   

In addition to the national exposure of Career Everywhere, the Career Center has heralded national recognition in the form of presentation requests for the Career Champion program which supports Career Everywhere at UConn. This program builds a community around career planning in support of UConn students by building a critical mass of university faculty, staff, employers, and alumni in an effort to impact every UConn student’s success post-graduation. The infusion of career development into all facets of the UConn experience provides access and equity to career development including underrepresented and marginalized students. As career planning is optional for UConn students, not all students equally understand the significance of this preparation and hearing about the it from faculty and staff increases the chance that students will begin to understand its importance and take action.  

This year, staff at the Career Center have been asked to speak nationally about how to build a successful Career Champion program and how the program impacts equity in the career development space at NACE in June, a Career Everywhere conference sponsored by uConnect this summer, and through national webinars and podcasts.   

Through a survey administered to faculty and staff this past year, the Career Center has garnered results that demonstrate the increased knowledge of the Career Center offerings, value of referring students to Career Center services and resources, and confidence in providing career advice to students. See the impact of being a Career Champion below: 

• 61% of respondents (career champions) feel more confident in their ability to discuss topics of career with their students. 
• 73% of of respondents now have a better understanding of the resources available to their students through the Career Center 
• 71% of respondents would recommend the Career Champion Program to a colleague. 
• 43% of respondents have a better understanding of the NACE Career Readiness competencies.  
• 54% of respondents can better articulate why being a career champion and having career conversations with students promotes equity in career development. 

Additionally, there is a significant difference in how often Career Champions refer students to Career Center resources and in their familiarity with said resources compared to faculty and staff who are not Career Champions.  The first chart are select services that faculty and staff refer students to, and the second chart is regarding familiarity with services of the Career Center. 

With over 700 Career Champions, the reach of this community is large, but still only a fraction of faculty and staff have joined. The time commitment is flexible with the reading of a monthly newsletter to keep up with trends, resources, and programs as the only ask. To join we only require that you complete this quick enrollment form. Imagine if the majority of faculty and staff became Career Champions; think about the impact we would have as a community on all students’ post-graduation success. 

Dates

Monday, September 5th: Labor Day (no classes) 

Monday, September 11th: University Senate Meeting 

September 15th – 17th: Rosh Hashanah 

September 19th – 22nd: Employee Appreciation Week (HR) 

September 24th – 25th: Yom Kippur 

Wednesday, September 27th: Board of Trustees Meeting