If you are considering bringing any alumni to campus this academic year, there may be support from CAS if they give a lecture (e.g. departmental colloquium). If you have someone in mind, please let me know so we can submit the required information to CAS by the deadline of September 21.
Author Archives: johnsojg
Call for Study Abroad/Away proposals
From Global Initiatives, faculty interested in developing Study Abroad/Away proposals for the 2019-20 AY should visit the website or see me for additional information. Note that proposals are due November 1.
Global Initiatives is pleased to invite proposals for study abroad/away programs for the 2019-20 Academic Year. Nearly 2,000 Miami University students study abroad or away on faculty-led programs each year on over 100 programs. These provide valuable high-impact global and intercultural experiences for students allowing them to meaningfully engage with the world and serve to enhance their on-campus coursework and activities. These initiatives support Miami University goals to promote a diverse culture of inclusion, integrity, and collaboration, and we appreciate your willingness to support these goals. Please share this email with your respective units.
Proposal Process Overview
Global Initiatives designed the study abroad/away program proposal process with the intent to develop and evaluate offerings across the university, as well as to increase student enrollment in Miami faculty led programs. As you know, there has been a proliferation of Miami University study abroad/away programs over the most recent three years. We are working with you to more critically review the proposals at the divisional and institutional levels to ensure that we are offering a wide array of globally focused academic endeavors in a variety of locations, not setting up competition for student enrollments between and among offerings, and being effective stewards of the university’s resources.
The proposal process also allows the creation of a study abroad/away portfolio that serves the university at large, while remaining responsive to the strategic goals of divisions and departments. We continue to refine the proposal process, and in order to do a thorough review, and have programs approved in a timeframe that allows students the opportunity to consider Miami faculty-led program options at the same time as transfer credit programs (non-Miami), which are typically available for student applications one year in advance.
Proposals for the 2019-20 Academic Year are due by November 1, 2018. In the recent past this has been a flexible deadline, but we have found that nearly 100% of late submissions are not able to generate enrollment for a go decision. Much effort goes into developing, reviewing, proposing, and recommending a program – faculty, Study Abroad and Global Initiatives staff, Deans, and Chairs, are all devoting a great deal of time to these late submissions, and then they do not meet their enrollment goals. This year, we will not review programs submitted after the deadline, and will ask faculty to consider proposing them for the next academic year, with the understanding that flexibility will be required for unique, high priority, significant offerings that may be considered with rationale.
Helpful info from Academic Affairs
At the opening academic administrators’ retreat, they provided several important updates, links, and important dates, which are summarized below:
- The Policy Library (MUPIM) has moved to a new website. If you navigate to a policy page, such as through a search result, and you see a header at the top stating that the policy library has moved, you are viewing an archived and potentially outdated version of the library.
- The University 2018-19 Academic Calendar
- Religious holidays and observances; please remember that students should be excused for absences corresponding to these observances.
Provide input on the APA strategic plan
APA is seeking advice for the creation of a new strategic plan. From Mitch Prinstein, APA Board of Directors, via COGDOP:
APA is on the brink of HUGE potential changes. If you are a psychologist or psychology trainee (whether you are an APA member or not!), you MUST complete this very brief survey to make sure APA heads in the right direction!!
https://apamr.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_82MMT9pL8zokypv
It’s really quick. PLEASE do it, and please forward it to others ASAP!
Seeking Psi Chi advisor
Our local chapter of Psi Chi is in need of a new faculty advisor to replace Carrie Hall. The workload is minimal and involves primarily coordination with the student executives to approve their plans (and sign the forms). If you are interested please let me know asap. I have also served in this capacity in the past so if you have any questions you can direct them to me as well.
Graduate seminar on research mentoring
Joyce Fernandes, Professor of Biology and Director of the Office of Research for Undergraduates, is offering a graduate seminar this semester for graduate students who desire to engage in a more intentional discussion and development of mentoring undergraduate research assistants. It will meet Mondays 10:05 – 11:00, and seems to be relatively low commitment. From Joyce (whom you should contact if interested), the seminar will achieve these learning outcomes:
- Address topics such as communication, setting goals and expectations, identifying and resolving challenges and issues, evaluating our progress as mentors, and developing a mentoring philosophy.
- Set up mentoring goals for current mentees in the lab, and develop an assessment plan
- Become aware of ongoing assessment of undergraduate research at Miami.
- Develop familiarity with literature in the area of mentoring and assessing undergraduate research
Time again to #MoveInMiami
Once again, we are running two projects within the university’s broader #MoveInMiami campaign (see last year’s post) to be held on Thursday, August 23. It would be great if you could help to publicize our projects for the Graduate Student Travel Fund and the Behavioral Neuroscience fund using social media or other relevant means.
P&G Higher Education Grant
Proctor & Gamble supports a fund to support projects across a number of institutions, including Miami. There is currently an open call for those interested in developing submissions:
The P&G Fund for Higher Education is now accepting grant proposals for the 2018-19 year. Here is a link to a form that you may use for proposals. Grants range from $5,000-10,000 and Miami is permitted to request a total of $50,000 for all projects (with a limitation of 2 projects per division).
Programs must meet the following criteria:
– Improve curriculum to be at the cutting edge in relevance and effectiveness
– Foster and enable leadership opportunities and learning
– Create a learning environment that encourages and enhances innovation and creativity
– Strengthen diversity in thought, participation and ongoing interaction
– Utilize the funding on an expendable basis (i.e no endowments)
If you are interested, feel free to see me for consultation in preparing an effective proposal.
OER committee
Anybody who is interested in Open Educational Resources and willing to serve on the university committee, please let me know. Carolyn Haynes has requested volunteers and would love to target larger departments such as ours in particular.
Pride Panels
As you finalize your syllabi for the fall, I wanted to make you aware of an offering from Spectrum, the student organization for LGBTQ+ students and allies dedicated to education, awareness, activism, and community. You might consider including a Pride Panel if you think it might make sense in your fall course. From Viengsamai Fetters, the Spectrum Education Chair:
The goal of Pride Panels is to provide insights into the lives of real LGBTQ+ people who go to Miami in a way that allows people to ask questions honestly and without fear of judgment. This isn’t a textbook or a dry restatement of data; Pride Panels are about facilitating conversation and practicing Love and Honor. At a Pride Panel, members of Spectrum come and answer questions about our lived experiences as LGBTQ+ people, both relating to topics covered in the class and about life in general. After brief introductions and setting some ground rules, the floor will be opened to questions; students and professors often submit questions anonymously ahead of time as well as having an open Q&A.
Pride Panels have been very successful across the board, and Spectrum has received positive feedback from students and professors alike. Students walk away feeling as though they have a new perspective on LGBTQ+ issues and how they can relate to their fields of study, as well as a better understanding of the ways other students experience life on campus and off.
If you would like to schedule a Pride Panel or would like more information, please contact Viengsamai.