VIEW IN BROWSER

Northwestern Office of the Provost

Faculty Newsletter | October 2021

 

Dear colleagues,

 

This is a special edition of the Office of the Provost faculty newsletter for two reasons.

 

President-elect Rebecca Blank

 

First, we celebrate the naming of Northwestern’s next president, Rebecca Blank, an accomplished leader and scholar who will become the first woman to serve in the role. I am thrilled by her appointment and look forward to working with President-elect Blank on the institution’s transition to its 17th president. Please join me in congratulating President-elect Blank and welcoming her back to Northwestern.

 

Enhanced communications with faculty

 

Second, this newsletter shares the details of a new plan for how we communicate our supports and resources to faculty. Over the past year, through the COVID-19 impact survey, focus groups and personal anecdotes, we have heard a consistent request from the faculty for enhanced communication with the Office of the Provost. Faculty members want not only timely news and information about personal and professional resources that are relevant to their unique roles at Northwestern, but also more opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback.

 

We share the desire to solidify two-way communication across multiple platforms and venues, particularly as we settle back into life on a bustling campus. To further our information-sharing goals, here are some of the actions we will take this year to enhance the dialogue:

 

  • Beginning with this newsletter, the Office of the Provost faculty newsletter will increase in frequency from quarterly to monthly, with an emphasis on the news, resources, events and deadlines that are meaningful to faculty.
  • We have created a central Faculty Resources email, faculty@northwestern.edu, that is monitored by the Associate Provost for Faculty team. Please use this email address for inquiries about personal and professional resources, and someone from the Office of the Provost will respond promptly.
  • We are working with the Office of Global Marketing and Communications to upgrade the Office of the Provost website with improved navigation and timely content. We expect to roll out the new look in the next few months.
  • We will join at least one faculty meeting in each school during the academic year to provide updates that are relevant to the school as well as seek input and answer your questions.
  • We will schedule quarterly webinar events for faculty, during which Office of the Provost leaders will provide updates on topics that are highly relevant to faculty and take questions.

 

It’s important that we have a shared understanding of Northwestern’s goals, policies, processes, challenges and opportunities. Through the academic year, and with the input of faculty, we will gauge the effectiveness of these communications strategies and make changes where necessary.

 

We wish you success this fall and look forward to seeing you and hearing more from you.

 

Thank you,

 

Kathleen Hagerty
Provost and Professor

 

Sumit Dhar
Associate Provost for Faculty

News and notes

 

A woman smiles into the camera. 

 

Ombudsperson open house

 

Led by Northwestern’s first ombuds, Sarah Klaper, the Office of the Ombudsperson will mark National Ombuds Day today with an open house from 9 a.m. to noon. The in-person event will be followed by an afternoon Lunch and Learn webinar titled “How to Disagree and Still Maintain Relationships.” The ombudsperson serves as a confidential, neutral and independent resource to faculty, staff and students for resolving conflicts and navigating institutional challenges. The office was established at Northwestern in response to requests from individuals and groups across the University that included the Faculty Senate, Associated Student Government and the Provost’s Advisory Council for Women Faculty.

 

Inclusive Teaching Practicum

 

The Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching has opened registration for the next cohort of its Inclusive Teaching Practicum, a three-week program designed for instructors of all levels, backgrounds and teaching contexts and based on “Northwestern Principles of Inclusive Teaching.” Registration for the Nov. 1-19 cohort is open through Oct. 17.

 

The book cover with the title "Who Says, Who Shows, What Counts: Thinking About History with the Block's Collection"

 

Exhibition books for instructors

 

The Block Museum of Art is marking its 40th anniversary with Who Says, Who Shows, What Counts, an exhibition that invites visitors to think critically about how artists, artworks, and museums engage with narratives of the past. The exhibit’s accompanying book includes contributions by more than 80 faculty members and students across disciplines. The Block is giving free copies of the book to instructors who wish to use it for teaching purposes. Interested instructors may email block-museum@northwestern.edu to request a copy.

 

A report with a cover that reads "2021 Report: Affordable Instructional Resources (AIR): Supporting Faculty to Make Courses More Affordable"

 

Affordable Instructional Resources report

 

The Affordable Instructional Resources Initiative (AIR) has released its 2021 annual report, which includes information about advances made through the Open Educational Resources Faculty Grants and updates on other AIR projects. A collaboration between the Office of the Provost, Libraries, Northwestern Information Technology, Northwestern Bookstore and the Faculty Senate, AIR is a network of Northwestern faculty and staff interested in reducing the course material costs in order to create more inclusive and accessible learning environments.

 

 

Become a Wellness Champion

 

Human Resources is seeking faculty members for the Wellness Champions committee to serve as advocates and liaisons for their departments. This group meets once a month (with the exception of June and December) to learn about current and upcoming well-being programs, brainstorm, resource share and build community. Contact Well-being Specialist Evelyn Cordero to learn more.

 

In case you missed it

 

  • Northwestern Buffett is currently accepting applications for a range of grants designed to support University faculty pursuing collaborative, interdisciplinary research on global issues. Faculty can learn more about our funding opportunities here.
  • Dean of Libraries Sarah Pritchard will retire in 2022.
  • David Figlio has been reappointed for a second five-year term as dean of the School of Education and Social Policy beginning Sept. 1, 2022.
  • Northwestern has published frequently asked questions for instructors on the COVID-19 website.
  • Northwestern will acknowledge National Work and Family Month with a series of wellness events. The University also will host a Virtual Benefits and Well-being Fair the week of Oct. 18.

Mark your calendar

 

Featured events

Key dates

More resources

 

Help us build future newsletters! If your school or department is working on a project that is relevant to the entire faculty, send an email to officeoftheprovost@northwestern.edu.

Northwestern University

Learn more about the Office of the Provost