Provost Newsletter - August 2026

Dear Colleagues,

I hope the summer gave you some time to catch your breath, even though I know summer is rarely “time off” for faculty. Also, our staff continues to work through the summer to ensure things are in order for the autumn. As we welcome students back and begin another fall semester, I am grateful for the work you do every day in teaching, research, mentoring, and service. Baylor is shaped by that work in ways both visible and less visible, but always important.

We are indebted to former provost Nancy Brickhouse for the seven-year legacy she has left Baylor University. We wish her well in her new position as Vice Chancellor for Academic and Health Affairs in the Texas State University System. As a longtime Baylor faculty member and administrator, I am honored to serve as interim provost during this important transition as Baylor continues its national search for the next provost.

I hope to see many of you at the gatherings that bring us together this semester in August and September — Commencement (August 15), Academic Convocation (August 21), and the Fall Faculty Meeting (September 8).

Thank you for all you do in support of our Christian mission, our students, your colleagues, your disciplines, and Baylor. I am grateful for your good work, and I look forward to the year ahead.

Lee Nordt

Academic Affairs Announcements

Upcoming Events

• Summer Commencement- August 15, Ferrell Center
• New Faculty Orientation- August 17, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and August 18, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., BRIC
• Convocation- August 21, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Ferrell Center
• Faculty Senate Retreat- August 21, 1 to 4:30 p.m., BRIC 3160 
• New Faculty Mixer- August 28, 8:30 to 10 a.m., Foster 143/44
• Remote New Faculty Connectors- August 28, 12 p.m., Teams
• Fall Faculty Meeting- September 8, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Foster 250
• Faculty and Staff of Color Welcome Reception- September 17, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Truett’s Great Hall 

Chair Leadership Retreat
The department chair leadership retreat for the 2026-2027 academic year will take place on August 14 at the BRIC.

Vice Provost's Corner

Action Required: Complete the Semi-Monthly Payroll Readiness Journey 
As you know, Baylor University will transition to a semi-monthly payroll schedule beginning in January 2027. All faculty are required to complete the Semi-Monthly Payroll Readiness Journey in Ignite by October 9 to ensure they are fully prepared.

This required journey guides employees through key tasks related to reviewing and updating tax deductions, retirement contributions, and direct deposit settings. For a preview of the journey, watch this video and access the journey in Ignite.

If you have additional questions, please email the project team.

Retirement Contribution Update
Earlier this spring, Baylor employees were notified that effective August 1, the defined 403(b) contribution from Baylor will be 8% of an employee's gross salary. Information and resources are available via our HR website regarding investing in your retirement. You can also log into TIAA to make changes to your elective 403(b) contributions.

Recommended Syllabus Statements
It’s the time of year when faculty minds turn again to their syllabi. To support you in this work, we are again providing the Recommended Syllabus Statements document on the Office of the Provost’s website. In it, you will find helpful language to drop into your syllabus and maybe some new ideas to explore for your course policies.

Faculty Tool for Analyzing Student Course Evaluations
Instructors: As you prepare for fall courses, we’d like to suggest exploring the new "Instructor Insights" in the student course evaluation system. A video walkthrough can be found online. This tool uses AI to analyze student responses and offer observations and recommendations; the analysis is only accessible by you as the instructor of the course.  

Faculty Activity Reporting (FAR)
Faculty are encouraged to continually update your activity in FAR, which will ease the work of preparing for annual evaluations. Use the Quick Start Guide and posted training video for help updating your activity information. Office hours for one-on-one support are available. 

Cornelia Marschall Smith Lecture
September 18, 3 p.m., Jones Concert Hall, McCrary Music Building
Join the Office of the Provost as we welcome Dr. Randall Bradley, the 2026 Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year awardee, for his lecture, “From Classroom to Community: Building Life Connections Through Teaching.” Reception to follow – all are welcome.

Interested in Leading Chapel?
Faculty and staff interested in leading a Callings & Career chapel are invited to apply for a new six-session Chapel Leader Training Program co-sponsored by the Institute for Faith and Learning and Spiritual Life. Learn more and complete the interest form online.

International Travel Insurance Rate Updates Effective September 1
Beginning September 1, Baylor's international travel insurance rates will be updated for travelers participating in university-sponsored international travel.

• Faculty/Staff: No Cost
• Study Abroad/Missions Student: $3 per person, per day
• Study-Only Travel: Increasing from $3 to $5 per person, per day
• Guests/Dependents: Increasing from $3 to $7 per person, per day

While faculty and staff coverage remains unchanged, the updated student-only travel and guest/dependent rates may impact departmental budgets and grant-funded travel. Units planning international travel after September 1 should account for these new rates when preparing budgets.

For questions about international travel insurance or budgeting for upcoming travel, please contact the Center for Global Engagement.

Reminder: Save a Backup of Canvas Data
As a precaution each semester, ITS encourages all faculty to save backups of their Canvas gradebook and quizzes in case of a technical disruption. Please plan to download your gradebook by midterms and again before finals. Visit Baylor's Teaching During Disruptions page for additional information and instructions. Thank you for your partnership in safeguarding course information. 

In addition, you will want to review information about the use of Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor for online exams, if you aren’t already utilizing this tool. Respondus provides secure exam monitoring and assessment.

Spotlight on the Academy

Ready for the Fall!
We are excited to welcome new faculty, new students, and all of our returning Bears! Take advantage of Mayborn Museum's Portal to the Public training series, the Libraries' Leganto reading list builder for Canvas, and the new Baylor University Press catalog. 

Academic Units Deadlines Calendar

Additional deadlines are available on the Academic Units Deadlines calendar. 

• September 1- Call for nominations for Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year Award, Outstanding Faculty Awards, and the University Distinguished Professor
• September 15- Chair sets the mandatory review meetings, which will take place by October 31 (for Year 2 Tenure-Track)

Information regarding the transition to semi-monthly pay can be found on the Semi-Monthly Payroll website.

Previous issues of the Provost Newsletter can be accessed on the Office of the Provost website.