Category Archives: For Faculty Archive

Faculty Senate recap

The November 2015 meeting of the Faculty Senate included:

  • Updates regarding the provost search process and the upcoming campus visits in early December
  • Endorsement of six statements, which will inform discussions concerning learning outcomes for the general education curriculum
  • Acceptance of the reports from the University Curriculum Committee and the Drake Curriculum Analysis Committee (available here)

Faculty Senate’s next meeting will be held on Dec. 9.

—Submitted by Nancy Geiger, Student Information Analyst

2017 J-Term course schedule

It will soon be time to construct the J-Term 2017 on-campus schedule. Each school/college assembles the schedule of their classes, and they will have deadlines sometime very early in the spring semester. If you have questions about J-Term classes (anything from how to develop an intensive three-week learning experience to the names of faculty or staff who have successfully organized on-campus J-Term classes who are willing to discuss this with others to compensation rules), feel free to contact Associate Provost Art Sanders (arthur.sanders@drake.edu).

—Submitted by Art Sanders

Nelson Institute Grant proposals due Dec. 1

The Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs invites proposals for a two-year grant commencing Jan. 1, 2016, for interdisciplinary faculty-student research projects addressing a global issue of broad public importance. The submission deadline for proposals is Dec. 1.

The purpose of this initiative is to enhance Drake’s involvement in addressing pressing global issues, thereby helping position Drake University as a global knowledge hub in service to local, national, and international communities.

Through a series of focus groups held in the spring of 2015, Vice Provost for International Programs Christa Olson identified two clusters of global pressing issues that Drake, together with its local and international partners, has the expertise and institutional capacity to address with depth and breadth:

  1. Food and water security and environmental sustainability
  2. Global public health and access to quality healthcare

Several other issues were identified in which Drake has depth but not breadth: poverty and access to quality education, bridging cultures, immigration and refugees, and freedom of information and expression.

We especially encourage research proposals that relate to these issue clusters, although proposals on other topics are welcome and no priority will be given based upon topical area. See the full Call for Proposals at Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs website. The submission deadline for proposals is Dec. 1. Proposals should be sent to Denise Ganpat (denise.ganpat@drake.edu).

—Submitted by Drake International

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Lunch & Learn

Our second SoTL Lunch & Learn is on Friday, Nov. 20, noon–1 p.m. in TMR 133 Olmsted (lower level across from the student workout facility). This is an opportunity to share information about a current project, think about future projects, find out about SoTL, or simply engage colleagues in thinking about teaching and learning practices. You do not need to register to attend, but if you would like us to provide lunch, please sign up at http://tinyurl.com/SoTL-Nov.

—Submitted by Art Sanders, Associate Provost

Military social

Faculty, staff, and students who are veterans and military family members are invited to a meet & greet on Nov. 12.

Faculty, staff, and students who are veterans and military family members are invited to a meet & greet on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 8:30 a.m.–9:15 a.m. in Cline Atrium. Use the southeast entrance door to Cline Hall and proceed towards Harvey Ingham. The Atrium is the large gathering space between the buildings.

President Martin (Air Force) will make a few remarks recognizing the community of students and employees who share a common bond along with their Drake connections. Light refreshments will be available.

—Submitted by Melissa Sturm-Smith, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Student Success

Faculty development opportunity

The spring writing project is an opportunity for Drake faculty to work with Coordinator of Writing Instruction Jody Swilky on methods for improving student writing. Read more about the Call for Spring Writing Project 2016 here. Participation is limited to 10 individuals. If you are interested in participating or want additional information, please contact Jody Swilky (jody.swilky@drake.edu)

—Submitted by Art Sanders, Associate Provost

J-Term sessions

There will be a session for faculty and staff leading J-Term travel seminars for the first time in J-Term 2016 and 2017 and for those interested in leading a J-Term travel seminar in the future on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Cowles 201. If you plan to attend, please contact arthur.sanders@drake.edu so we can be sure to have sufficient materials available.

There will also be a session for those teaching on-campus J-Term classes for the first time in 2016, and for those thinking about developing a class for J-Term 2017, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Cowles 201. Please note that the call for proposals for on-campus J-Term 2017 classes will be sent at the end of November.

—Submitted by Art Sanders, Associate Provost