Provost Newsletter - December 2023
Dear Colleagues,
There is no time of the year that I enjoy more than Advent – and that is particularly the case here at Baylor. The first weekend of December, many of us were able to attend some of the Christmas celebrations on campus. Our choirs and symphony fill the air with sounds of praise and remembrance that make the season more meaningful and beautiful. Last week was Christmas on 5th, and the "Lift Up Your Hearts" service with our new Prichard Chair for the Study of Black Worship, Dr. Stephen Newby, providing the message. We also recognize that some in our University community may celebrate the holiday season in different ways and according to other traditions.
As joyful as these events are, it is essential to remember that for many, the holidays are reminders of profound personal loss. For this reason, personal crises are more frequent during the holiday season. If you or someone you care about need support, consider reaching out for free counseling sessions (in person or virtually) through our Employee Assistance Program. This help is provided confidentially for our full-time faculty and staff (and their household family members).
When we return in January, we will begin interviewing applicants for the director of the Institute for Faith and Learning. We have a strong and diverse applicant pool. Baylor has a solid national reputation for leadership in hosting scholarly conferences on the integration of faith and learning, as well as for high-quality faculty development initiatives that respect the Baylor faculty's broad range of Christian faith traditions.
Until then, have a blessed Christmas season.
Warmly,
Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D.
Provost
Academic Affairs Announcements
School of Music Dean Named
The Office of the Provost is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Kevin Sanders, currently director of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis, to the position of dean of Baylor University’s School of Music. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Sanders to campus on July 1, 2024.
United Way Campaign
United Way’s work blesses and supports dozens of nonprofits impacting the local community each year. Please consider joining the Baylor community in contributing financially to our workplace campaign, which has been extended to the end of 2023. Learn more at our United Way campaign website.
Readers Meet the Author
Upcoming Spring Sessions
Mark your calendars for these upcoming Readers Meet the Author sessions in Moody Memorial Library. Light refreshments and a book signing will follow each conversation.
- January 30- Dr. Felipe Hinojosa’s "Apostles of Change: Latino Radical Politics, Church Occupations, and the Fight to Save the Barrio,” in conversation with Dr. Elesha Coffman.
- February 15- Dr. David Lyle Jeffrey’s "We Were a Peculiar People Once: Confession of an Old-Time Baptist,” in conversation with Dean Doug Henry.
- February 29- Dr. Devan Stahl’s “Disability's Challenge to Theology: Genes, Eugenics, and the Metaphysics of Modern Medicine,” in conversation with Dr. Natalie Carnes.
- March 13- Dr. David A. Smith’s "A New Force at Sea: George Dewey and the Rise of the American Navy,” in conversation with First Gent Brad Livingstone.
- April 11- Dr. Philip Jenkins’s "A Storm of Images: Iconoclasm and Religious Reformation in the Byzantine World,” in conversation with Dr. Beth Allison Barr.
Vice Provost’s Corner
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Development Opportunities: Online & Hybrid Course Design
During the pandemic, we all scrambled to do our best in an emergency situation. Now, we can reevaluate and explore more fully the knowledge and skills essential for sustained and effective online engagement. Learn more about Baylor Libraries’ resources below:
- Designing Instruction for Virtual Engagement (DIVE) concentrates on the science of designing online courses, offering participants practical strategies and techniques for creating and teaching effective online courses. DIVE will be held via Zoom on Thursdays from 4-5 p.m.
- Deep Dive delves into the fundamental principles that underpin course design and teaching across different modalities. They will meet in the Spring on Wednesday from 8-9 a.m.
Learn more about both programs on the Baylor Libraries website and register soon! The programs accommodate only 15 participants each, and we often have a waiting list. While full-time faculty receive priority, part-time faculty may be considered for any remaining slots.
Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Belonging
Baylor Named in Top 100 Degree Producers in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education Magazine
Baylor University has been recognized as one of the “Top 100 Degree Producers” in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine in its November edition. The Diverse rankings highlighted Baylor in three specific areas:
- Doctoral - All Disciplines Combined Total Minority (number 47).
- Doctoral - All Disciplines Combined African American (number 17).
- Doctoral - All Disciplines Combined Hispanic (number 58).
Congratulations to our faculty and staff, and of course, to our excellent doctoral students on this honor – what a wonderful reflection of the superb work that has been done and is continuing in hiring units across campus over the past few years. Thank you!
Vice Provost for Global Engagement
Search for Faculty Director: Study Abroad – Global Scholars
We seek a full-time faculty member to travel with 30 students to Dublin, Ireland, in the fall 2024 semester. Designed for globally-minded students who want a non-traditional start to their freshman college experience, the Global Scholars programis intended to broaden students' worldviews and engage them in an academically rigorous endeavor. Faculty must receive permission from their home department and be eligible to teach a freshmen-level course abroad. Applications are due by January 8, 2024. For questions, please contact Holly Joyner.
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Academic Affairs
AI Detection Feature within Turnitin.com
After consultation with the Faculty Senate, the Teaching and Learning with Technology Committee, and the Honor Council, we have decided to allow the AI detection feature within Turnitin.com to expire at the end of December 2023. Too much uncertainty exists, much of it related to accuracy, for the University to retain the feature at this time. This decision is consistent with determinations made at many of our comparator institutions. Questions? Please contact Dr. J. Wesley (Wes) Null.
Academy for Teaching and Learning (ATL)
Please consider the following upcoming opportunities from the ATL:
- Special Event: Course Design Workshop, December 14-15 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days). This workshop will focus on creating environments that align with learning objectives and motivate students. Visit our website to register.
- Are you interested in presenting or publishing work related to STEM education? Join the STEM Ed Writing Group to work on data analysis, IRB prep, project planning, and design, or, of course, writing. Contact Dr. Michelle Herridge for more information.
Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Revised Substantive Change Policy
The University policy on substantive changes has been revised to reflect changes by SACSCOC. Units considering substantive changes (e.g., starting a new program, entering into a collaborative agreement, opening an off-campus teaching site, etc.) should contact the Office of Institutional Effectiveness regarding requirements to meet SACSCOC accreditation obligations. Please refer to Baylor’s Substantive Change website for more information.
Curriculum Inventory Management (CIM) Training Opportunities
The University’s CIM system has been implemented. The CIM implementation team has developed trainings for specific needs, including form and program reviewer user guides. Guides include choosing the correct program type for your proposal, naming a program, entering proposals, and instructions for reviewers. You can find all trainings on the CIM website. Questions? Email coursehelp@baylor.edu for course proposals and programhelp@baylor.edu for program proposals.
Office of the Registrar (OoR)
Fall 2023 Grade Submission
BearWeb is now available for fall 2023 grade submission. Grades must be submitted according to the Fall 2023 Grading Schedule. Detailed resources are available on the OoR website.
Student-Athlete Center for Excellence (SACE)
Baylor Built Monthly Newsletter
Student-Athlete Center for Excellence (SACE) creates monthly newsletters highlighting Baylor student-athletes outside of their sport through stories that showcase their academic excellence, character formation, and spiritual growth. Check out the October newsletter to see how our administrators, coaches, and staff within Baylor Athletics are working hard to prepare Champions for Life.
Spotlight on the Academy
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Save The Date: E.K. Bailey Preaching Celebration
Truett Seminary and her Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching invite you to the E.K. Bailey Preaching Celebration on January 23, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. Carolyn Ann Knight will be the guest speaker, and a free Q&A lunch will be offered after the service.
University Libraries, Museums, and the Press
Baylor Libraries Interim & Holiday Hours
Following final exams, the Baylor Libraries will shift to interim hours and will observe the university holidays from December 22 through January 2. While our facilities will be closed, our online resources will be available 24/7. Visit the Baylor Libraries website to see when the Libraries will be open.
Free “Portal to the Public” Training
The Mayborn Museum is excited to announce the next round of “Portal to the Public” training. This program equips Baylor faculty, staff, and students in informal learning and science communication. This collaboration by the Mayborn Museum and Baylor science departments includes a workshop on creating engaging science communication and outreach activities. Training dates are below – contact April Love for more information.
- Jan. 27, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Feb. 2, 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Langston Hughes Meets the Black Gospel Archive and Listening Center
Recently, Professor Emeritus Bob Darden caught up with Dr. Stephen Newby, The Lev H. Prichard III Endowed Chair in the Study of Black Worship, and recorded a conversation about Langston Hughes’ Broadway production, “Black Nativity.” We hope you enjoy their conversation as part of your Christmas celebrations.
Meet our New Librarians!
The Baylor Libraries will welcome three new librarians in December and January. Laura Morrell will serve as electronic resources and serials librarian, Bethany McLemore Stewart as music liaison librarian, and Allison Yanos as director of library systems. Meet these librarians and others who support the Libraries by viewing the Baylor Libraries directory.
Important Academic Dates
Additional deadlines are available on the Academic Units Deadlines calendar.
- December 11- Colleague evaluation forms for senior lecturer promotion are due to chairs.
- December 12- Chair’s letter and all other materials for promotion to full professor and tenure candidates due to deans.
- December 13- Last day for chairs to have access to tenure review candidates’ BOX folders.
- December 15- Peer review summary teaching evaluations due to clinical assistant professors for inclusion in their notebook.
- December 15- Chair letters due to deans for senior lecturer review.
- December 15- Chair provides summary teaching evaluations for 2nd- and 4th- year regular lecturers.
- December 15- Chair summary letters for clinical assistant professor appointment to the rank of clinical associate professor due to deans.
- December 16- Commencement.
- December 18- Deadline for deans to submit letters for tenure candidates to the UTC via Box.
- January 16- First day of class.
- January 19- New Chair Training.
- January 23- Spring Faculty Meeting (virtual).
Previous issues of the Provost Newsletter can be accessed on the Office of the Provost website.