Provost Newsletter - November 2026
Dear Colleagues,
It has been a great few weeks at Baylor, from Fall Premiere on October 24 to Homecoming last week. Thank you to the many academic administrators, faculty, and staff who helped make these events successful. Your time, effort, and willingness to invest in our students, alumni, families, and guests are deeply appreciated.
One of Baylor's greatest strengths is the way our community comes together to welcome and support others. The care you show in helping people feel connected, valued, and at home here reflects the very best of Baylor.
I also want to express my gratitude to the many alumni boards that met with our schools and colleges over the past several days. Their engagement and support make a meaningful difference for our students, faculty, and staff, and we are grateful for the partnership they provide to our academic units.
Thank you for all you do to advance Baylor's mission and serve our community well.
Lee Nordt
P.S. Please be on the lookout later this afternoon for a message from President Livingstone regarding the University's financial outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Academic Affairs Announcements
Congratulations, Baylor!
US Veteran’s Magazine recently recognized Baylor University as a Top Veteran School. Thank you to our outstanding Veteran’s Educational and Transition Services team, the VA Benefits team, and the exceptional student veteran leaders who shepherd Baylor’s Student Veterans of America chapter. This group’s dedication to fostering the supportive, caring community here on campus showcases the best of our Christian mission.
Baylor + United Way
During this season of thanks, Baylor will continue its support of United Way Waco-McLennan County. Faculty and staff may access an optional Journey in Ignite to join the effort or get details about the Baylor Family Compassion Fund, which helps meet urgent needs at Baylor.
Vice Provost's Corner
Action Required: Payroll Readiness Journey Past Due
As the transition to semi-monthly payroll approaches, review your payroll elections during the upcoming periods:
- TIAA Retirement Contributions: Review and make any desired changes from December 15 to 31.
- Tax Withholdings and Direct Deposit Information: Review and update your information from December 28 to January 6.
Please note: These review periods are being highlighted to help employees prepare for the payroll transition, but changes to TIAA contributions, tax withholdings, and direct deposit elections can be made at any time in accordance with normal payroll processing deadlines.
For additional resources, visit the Semi-Monthly Payroll website and submit any questions or request a meeting through the inquiry form. Faculty can find information about the Faculty Contract Transition on the Faculty Contract Transition website.
Fall Course Evaluations
Semester course evaluations open November 30 at 9 a.m. and close December 11 at 8 a.m. To assist you with this process, we have prepared a list of frequently asked questions, including several suggestions for improving response rates, on the Institutional Research (IR) website. Training materials for accessing reports are also available on the IR website.
International Food Festival + Film Screening
Join the vice provost for community engagement and belonging, the Center for Global Engagement, the Office of Sustainability, and the Baylor Community Garden for two engaging events that explore the connections between food, culture, community, and sustainability around the world.
- International Food Festival- November 11, 11 a.m., East Village Green Room
- Groundswell: Film Screening and Panel- November 18, 5:30 p.m., Baylor Community Garden
New Affinity Group for Online Faculty
The Affinity Group for Online Faculty is a growth-oriented, relational, and professionally enriching community focused on belonging, collaboration, well-being, mentorship, interdisciplinary connection, and practical support. Get involved this semester by attending an information session and engaging with the group. To receive registration information or to sign up for future notifications, email Laine Scales.
- Session 1- November 10, 12 p.m. CST, Online
- Session 2- November 17, 5 p.m. CST, Online
New Undergraduate Essay Award: AI, Community, and Belonging
Baylor’s new Community, Engagement, and Belonging Undergraduate Essay Award invites undergraduates from all disciplines to examine how artificial intelligence is affecting community, engagement, and belonging. Submissions are due January 29, 2027.
NCFDD Webinars
Check out these upcoming NCFDD webinars for faculty development! Activate your free NCFDD membership to register.
- SKILL #10: How to Manage Stress, Rejection & the Haters in Your Midst November 12, 1 to 2 p.m., Online
- Sustaining our Success: Rest, Recovery, and Faculty Well-Being December 9, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Online
Review, Promotion, & Tenure (RPT) Packets Now Open
Faculty with mandatory reviews in RPT in the spring now have access to their packets to start adding material. Check out the RPT website to find guides, resources, and helpful information.
Faculty Activity Reporting
Faculty are encouraged to update their FAR entries now and complete them by the end of the fall semester. All updates are due by January 15 or earlier if required by your dean. Updated training videos and additional support resources are available on the FAR web page.
Academy for Teaching and Learning
Elevate Your Teaching in Just 30 Minutes
Short on time but eager to enhance your teaching? The Academy for Teaching and Learning's 30-Minute Mastery sessions offer practical strategies and insights in just half an hour. Explore upcoming 30-Minute Mastery sessions and register.
Explore Upcoming Teaching Excellence Seminars
Connect with fellow Baylor faculty to explore innovative teaching practices, exchange ideas, and strengthen student learning through the Academy for Teaching and Learning's Seminars for Excellence in Teaching.
Applications Now Open: Pro Mundo Institute in Costa Rica
The deadline for faculty to apply for the second Pro Mundo Institute in San José, Costa Rica, is December 1. The program is designed to advance global engagement and promote faculty development. This opportunity fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and immersive cultural learning while supporting our mission to prepare students for worldwide leadership. Participants will engage with local partners, explore innovative teaching strategies, and contribute to Baylor’s global vision. This initiative is funded by the Kong Family Endowed Fund and the Office of the Provost. Space is limited. Apply today and help shape the future of international education at Baylor.
International Education Week 2026
International Education Week runs November 9-13 and highlights the impact of global learning through lectures, presentations, and interactive activities at Baylor. Please join us!
COIL Information Session
Discover how Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) connects Baylor classrooms with international partners through shared online projects. This information session introduces faculty to COIL, explores ways to integrate cross-cultural collaboration into their courses, and highlights campus resources for getting started. Join us November 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. in Sid Richardson 340.
Upcoming Changes to Grant Budgets and F&A Distribution
Beginning January 4, 2027, Baylor will require proposals that include graduate students to budget $15,000 per full-time graduate student annually in preparation for charging graduate tuition to grants beginning June 1, 2027. Principal investigators and academic units will continue receiving current levels of discretionary research support during the transition, with graduate tuition revenue gradually becoming the primary source of those funds while additional F&A dollars are centralized to support research infrastructure and services. Further details are available on the OVPR website, along with FAQs available for faculty.
Faculty-in-Residence (FIR) Position Opening
Beginning in fall 2027, one FIR position will be available in South Russell Hall. Campus Living & Learning invites applications from faculty who meet the qualifications outlined in the position description found here on the Office of the Provost’s website. The application deadline is January 22, 2027.
Summer 2027 Class Schedule
The summer 2027 class schedule will be published on November 16 by 8:30 a.m.
CIM/CAT Reminder
Curriculum and Catalog proposal deadlines for 2027-2028 are now available.
Fall Grading Schedule Reminder
Please review and follow the fall 2026 grading schedule deadlines.
Curricular Complexity — Fall 2027 Schedule
Beginning with the fall 2027 class schedule, the Office of the Registrar will not roll sections with zero enrollment during the schedule build process. This decision is in response to the ongoing Curricular Complexity initiative. More details are available on the Office of the Registrar's website.
Spotlight on the Academy
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Parchman Lecture with James Davison Hunter
Truett will host James Davison Hunter, LaBrosse-Levinson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Culture and Social Theory at the University of Virginia, on November 9-10 for the Parchman Endowed Lectures. Learn more online!
Mayborn Museum Complex
Native American Heritage Day
Celebrate Native American Heritage Day at the Mayborn Museum on November 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy traditional dances, music, and singing that celebrate living Indigenous traditions. Free admission for Mayborn members!
Law School
Baylor Law Hosts McLennan County Adoption Day
Join Baylor Law School to celebrate families as adoptions are finalized at the 2026 McLennan County Adoption Day on Nov. 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. This year's "Adoptions Are Out of This World" theme will take guests on a journey from Hawaii to outer space.
School of Music
A Baylor Christmas: Tickets on Sale Now
The Baylor University School of Music invites you to attend A Baylor Christmas, with performances on December 3, 4, and 7. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Waco Hall Box Office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Academic Units Deadlines Calendar
Additional deadlines are available on the Academic Units Deadlines calendar.
• November 16-January 15- Outstanding Faculty Committees in each unit make decisions regarding finalists
• November 16- Last date for available evaluating faculty to submit their Colleague Input Form for promotion to Associate Librarian and Librarian in the electronic system
• November 16- Last date for supervisors for Academic Professional renewals to submit their recommendation to the dean in the electronic system
• November 16- Last date for the Promotion Committee Chair for Academic Professionals seeking continuing appointment to submit their promotion committee letter in the electronic system
• November 20- Last date to submit the chair letter for Year 2 Tenure-Track in the electronic system
• November 25- Last date to submit the dean letter for Academic Professionals seeking continuing appointment in the electronic system
• November 30- Last date for the Promotion Committee for promotion to Associate Librarian and Librarian to submit their Promotion Committee Evaluation Form in the electronic system
• November 30- Last date to hold review meeting for promotion to Senior Lecturer, Teaching Professor, Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Professor, Associate Professor with Tenure, and Professor with Tenure
• November 30- Last date to submit dean recommendation for Academic Professional renewals in the electronic system
• December 1- Nomination materials from deans' offices for the Cornelia Marschall Smith Award and University Distinguished Professor due to the VPFA
• December 1- Packets are due by 10:59 p.m. (Central Time) in the electronic system for promotion to Associate Professor without tenure in the Law School
• December 7- Last date to submit the dean letter for Year 2 Tenure-Track
• December 10- Acknowledgment or rebuttal of dean's letter for Year 2 Tenure-Track is due
• December 10- Last date for available evaluating faculty to submit their Colleague Evaluation Form for promotion to Senior Lecturer, Teaching Professor, Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Professor, Associate Professor with Tenure, and Professor with Tenure in the electronic system
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.