Newsletter — Office of the Provost

Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Volume 1, Issue 6

Dear Colleagues,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and took some well-earned time off with family and friends. I know that I only recently shared a message with you, but there are a few time sensitive items that I need to share.

IAS Evaluations

Last week, we announced that the IAS would be made available to students beginning this week and that students’ would receive regular email announcements reminding them to complete these surveys. Within that announcement, we indicated that some of the questions would be required while others would be optional. However, this is not actually the case, and all students are informed to answer all questions in the survey to the greatest extent possible. I understand the importance of these surveys in providing data for faculty evaluation, and want to encourage faculty to remind students to complete these important evaluative tools. Students take the recommendations of their faculty very seriously. Your encouragement will help to promote the students to take the required action. You might also consider taking some time from class to allow students to complete their surveys, as we used to do back in the old paper and pencil days.

First Friday

December is often the time of year when we take time from our busy schedules to wind down a little and share some friendship and camaraderie. A great time to do that would be during our First Friday event upcoming this week, Friday, December 2, beginning at 4 pm in the New York Room of Cooper Hall. This event provides alumni, faculty, and staff a chance to relax together and simply enjoy each other’s company. Food and drink are courtesy of the advancement division, and no prior notification is required. Find a friend or colleague and come out to join us for this great opportunity for some social interaction. We had a great time and great participation last month. Let’s do it again.

And finally...

As I’ve talked to people over the course of the semester, I have regularly heard from folks who are doing creative things to support our students beyond their normal job expectations. I know that many of you continue to go out of your way to promote the success of our students. We have some new ideas that are moving forward and working through the system. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed.

I also want you to know that I participate in a biweekly call with the Provosts from the other SUNY comprehensive institutions, during which we regularly talk about the challenges occurring on our campuses. I don’t speak much, mostly listen to others describing their challenges and thinking, we don’t have those issues here. One of my reflections over this semester has been that we largely recognize that we are all in this together, and that our efforts to work together will allow us to overcome our own challenges.

Thanks for all that you do to provide great support for our Brockport students.