January 2024

A Note from the Dean

Dear Colleagues:

I hope you are emerging from a warm winter's rest to prepare for the new semester.

Just a reminder that according to 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) A representative list of holy days for the 2023-24 academic year from several major traditions can be found here through Human Resources. As we discussed at the College Faculty Meeting in November, please also be mindful of the evening and weekend practice and performance constraints of our students who are involved in the performing arts and in NCAA athletics. Pre-planning for required events helps students prioritize their commitments and allows for maximum flexibility of our faculty colleagues whose teaching can be impacted by other courses that have required activities in the afternoons, evenings and on weekends. Thanks for your consideration.

We are also continuing to host half of the Nobel lectures in Winter term to increase participation. Please join us! The first one will be Wednesday, January 31 at 12:15pm in Leyburn 128 on the prize for literature. More information is below.

Thanks again for all that you do to help the university meet its mission.

Best wishes,

Meeting Dates to Keep in Mind

University Faculty Meetings

Monday, January 22, 2024, 4:00pm
Monday, March 11, 2024, 4:00pm

Undergraduate Faculty Meetings

Monday, February 12, 2024, 4:00pm
Monday, April 1, 2024, 4:00pm
Monday, May 6, 2024, 4:00pm
Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 4:00pm

All meetings are held in Stackhouse.

See you there!

How is your FAR coming along?

It's that time of the year again! Please remember to submit your Faculty Activity Reports (FAR or FAR-PEA) along with your updated CV by Thursday, January 11, 2024.

Please make sure to turn them in on time. Email them to FARS-College@wlu.edu thank you!

Lenfest Grant Applications for Summer '24 due January 27, 2024

The application deadline for 2024 summer Lenfest Grant is January 27, 2024.

Full-time tenure and tenure-track faculty are eligible for funding through this program. Current full-time visitors who have been here at least one year and who have school/institutional commitment for continued full-time employment for at least one year beyond the grant period, may apply for a Lenfest Grant. Find more info here.

The Nobel Prize in Literature

On Wednesday, January 31, Assistant Professor of Theater, Stephanie Sandberg will present the lecture for this year's Nobel Prize in Literature. This prize was awarded to Jon Fosse "for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable."

The talks are highly interactive with 20 minutes for the talk and plenty of time for questions and discussion.

January 31, 2024, 12:15pm, Atrium of Harte Center for Teaching and Learning (Leyburn 128), Refreshments Provided

See you there!

MLK Day Events

January 15, 2024, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Office of Inclusion and Engagement has put together many meaningful ways you can help celebrate it. Events such as a donation drive and a children's day celebration have been planned among others. Find more info 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!