August 2023

A Note from the Dean

August is upon us and I truly hope that the summer months have brought rest and productivity for you. This early newsletter is meant to remind you of some key policies and deadlines as you prepare to begin Fall 2023. These are noted below.

Best wishes,

Deadlines and Date Information

Important deadlines can be found on the Provost website under Administrative Deadlines. You can find the academic calendar here, and can find dates for University events on the University Calendar here and in The Columns website here.

Meeting Dates to Keep in Mind

University Faculty Meetings

Monday, September 11, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
Monday, November 6, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
Monday, January 22, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
Monday, March 11, 2024, 4:00 p.m.

Undergraduate Faculty Meetings

Monday, October 2, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
Monday, December 4, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
Monday, February 12, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
Monday, April 1, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
Monday, May 6, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 4:00 p.m.

College Faculty Meeting

Monday, October 30, 2023, 4:00 p.m.

All meetings are held in Stackhouse.

Look forward to seeing you there, sometimes there are cupcakes!

Religious Holiday Policy

Washington and Lee University values diverse religious perspectives and beliefs. Our students celebrate and value a variety of religious traditions. We are committed to supporting our students in observing their religious holidays, while also maintaining their commitment to their academic efforts.

As stipulated in the Faculty Handbook, apart from absences for observance of religious holidays, faculty may set their own attendance policies and have discretion to designate absences for other reasons as "excused" or "unexcused" based upon their professional judgement." (Revised policy approved by the faculty January 7, 2019)

Find the full religious holiday policy here.

Guidance for Faculty Submitting Syllabi

Need help putting the finishing touches on your fall term syllabi? Here are two links from C&D and the Harte Center that may be helpful. The C&D guidance page includes information on required elements such as examples of disability accommodations language. And the Harte Center page offers additional suggestions and resources.

Conference Travel Funds

All tenured and tenure-track faculty are eligible for up to $3600 in conference travel funds for the 2023-24 academic year. In order to receive approval, please fill out the Conference Travel Form located on our webpage. Funding is not guaranteed, however, in the past, we have been able to fund at least one Conference Travel Grant for everyone who applies. We ask that you provide us with as much advanced notice as possible. Visiting professors should consult their contracts to determine their funding amount and eligibility. Please contact Michelle Rothenberger or Kevin Beanland with any questions you may have about this program.

Traveling abroad for a work-related trip?

If you'll be traveling out of the country for W&L related travel, please make sure to contact the Office of the Dean of the College prior to your trip. W&L will provide you with a medical insurance policy for the duration of your travels. The policy request must be submitted to the insurance company no later than 2 weeks prior to your departure date in order to ensure you are protected. To request coverage please email Erika Barajas. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Free Performances, Workshops, and Conference Funding for the American Shakespeare Center!

Be sure to take advantage of free performances for your classes, free visits/workshops (Core Curriculum and Leadership Modules) for your classes, and free attendance at the bi-annual Blackfriars Conference from the American Shakespeare Center. As members of the ASC Consortium, W&L faculty and students have all of these programs available to them. To request tickets, workshops, or conference funding, email Aubrey Whitlock, Associate Director of Education at the American Shakespeare Center, with your request and copy Genelle Gertz. (Since this is offered free through our consortium membership, you do not need to request a mini-grant for ASC programming).

Here is the full 2023 Season; performances this fall include:

July 21 - Nov 19: Much Ado About Nothing, Sept 29 - Nov 18: Hamlet, Oct 26 - Nov 18: Coriolanus, Nov 30-Dec 30: A Christmas Carol

There is also funding for you to attend the Blackfriars Conference occurring Nov 2 - 5. The conference is open to faculty and students.

You can also request class visits centered around the ASC Core Curriculum or Leadership Modules. You can also request a tailored workshop; for instance, if you are having students study any aspect of a trial, you can request a workshop on performative aspects of trial.

Funds are limited, so if you know you want to offer ASC programming this year, please contact Aubrey and CC Genelle.

Join Us For The Annual College Picnic!

Sunday, August 27, 2023, 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Liberty Hall Ruins

You and your family are warmly invited to this year's Annual College Picnic. Please join us as we welcome our new faculty and staff to the Washington and Lee community. We'll serve a traditional picnic menu, have children's activities, music and plenty of lively conversations. While we believe pets are family, we hope to meet your furry friends some other time.

This event is for all College faculty and staff.

Hope you can join us!

Please RSVP here

Do you work with or know some amazing people at W&L?

Know someone who's accomplishing great things? Take the time to show them your appreciation by submitting their name and info to The Office of Communications and Public Affairs. If selected, the person may be featured in the Employee Accolades portion of The Columns Weekly newsletter. W&L is filled with amazing people, let's tell each other all about them!