December 2022
Once-per-term publication for ADJ, VIS, and AFF faculty
A NOTE FROM DEAN DRAKE
The winter 2023 semester will soon be upon us, so we wanted you to have these timely reminders and resources for your teaching and working here in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Adjuncts, Affiliates, and Visitors play a special role in the education of our students because you often provide the embarking experience in the early years when engagement and student success are inextricably linked. When the going gets tough for the newest members of the GVSU community, the things you say and do, the resources you recommend, and the sense of welcome you provide all create a supportive environment that fosters belonging and helps students to persist and thrive.
Thank you for all you do. I wish you a great break between the terms and hope the season brings you joy.
Jen
Jennifer Drake, Dean
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Important--Blackboard Learning Management System Update
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Dean's Office is excited to announce, effective August 6, 2022, that the CLAS Tutoring Center has been renamed the CLAS Tutoring and Reading Center.
GVSU has completed the first phases of a migration to a new version of Blackboard. The main landing page of Blackboard has additional features such as a calendar, access to common tools, and searchable courses/organizations. Faculty attention now needs to turn to the shift of courses from Classic to Ultra. Are you ready for the new Blackboard Ultra in May 2023? All courses will be created in this new format and whether you consider yourself a Blackboard expert or novice, taking time now to explore the new format and begin to migrate course materials to new sites is really important. Over the next few months, please take some time to:
- Visit the Blackboard Migration website to learn about the transition, the timeline and eLearning training sessions available to all instructors
- Start working through the Ultra Self-Paced Training available in your Blackboard site
- Try things yourself in your Ultra Practice Test Course
Talk to your department chair or course coordinator for additional information about your specific teaching context, including creation of template courses and the process and timing of migrating course materials (particularly for multi-section courses).
Student Advising and Tutoring Resources
Tutoring
CLAS offers free tutoring and academic support to all students in a variety of locations and modalities to supplement student learning. Students can utilize individual or group appointments in the Tutoring and Reading Center, or they can visit a subject-specific drop-in center for quick questions or homework help. The different centers offer complementary in-person and virtual services and schedules to fit students' diverse needs.
For any questions relating to tutoring or to request services or to request in-class workshops, please reach out to Keigh-Cee Bell, director of CLAS Tutoring and Reading Center at [email protected]. Additional information on the types of tutoring support can be found via the Appointment Tutoring, Drop-In Tutoring, the Reading Center, and SLA and PASS websites.
Academic Advising
As a complement to faculty academic advising, the CLAS Academic Advising Center offers professional academic advising services for all CLAS majors as well as our Exploratory (Undecided) Study students. The Center is open from 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. every day and students can schedule individual appointments online via Navigate or over the phone (616) 331-8585. The advisors in the Center are skilled in serving the needs of all students pursuing a major and/or minor in CLAS. In addition, the Center provides information for students pursuing teacher certification, professional programs such as medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary studies, prelaw studies and offers a wide range of student success services.
Students who are pursuing majors and/or minors outside of CLAS also have access to critical academic advising services in their own colleges. The GVSU Academic Advising website provides a list of these Centers as well as their locations and contact information.
The CLAS Faculty Advising Repository is available for all faculty in CLAS and provides a wealth of information to support your students, including policies and procedures, important forms and quick links, and critical referral information in support of student success.
Starting in Fall 2022, all new (first-year and transfer) students will be assigned a specific professional academic advisor from the CLAS Academic Advising Center. This is in addition to the assigned faculty advisor for their major. All new students will need to meet with their assigned professional academic advisor at least once during the upcoming fall or winter semester to obtain approval to register for the 2023/2024 academic year.
Additional Academic Support
Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors – the Center assists all students with any writing project throughout their academic careers. Scheduled appointments and drop-in hours are available.
University Libraries – a variety of services, resources, study and presentation spaces are available for students, faculty and staff.
The Knowledge Market – The Knowledge Market is a collaborative partnership between the Speech Lab, Writing Center, and University Libraries. Students can make a virtual appointment to meet with consultants from the Library Research Center, the Writing Center, the Speech Lab or the Data Inquiry Lab. Consultants work one-on-one or in small groups to develop research strategies, analyze data, improve writing, and polish presentation.
Student Conduct, Intervention and Support
Academic Integrity – The Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (OSCCR) provides clear information on the principles of academic honesty and integrity. When incidents occur, faculty are required to file a report to request additional action. This keeps a record of all incidents and allows the full University Conduct Process to be initiated. No punitive action or grade penalty can be implemented without following the OSCCR guidelines.
Students of Concern Flowchart– Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to refer a student who may be struggling with academic, personal, and/or emotional difficulties and may be exhibiting concerning behavior. This flowchart provides detailed information on many referral options. Questions on this process should be directed to Emily First, Associate Dean of Students, at (616) 331-3585 or [email protected].
Course Registration Changes
Through the first week of classes, students can make changes to their course schedules without penalty and faculty will see fluctuations in their enrollment during this first week. It is expected that faculty will make accommodations for students who enter their classes throughout the first week. After the first week, if students wish to make changes to their schedules, there are additional steps to follow:
The Late Add process requires permission of the instructor, unit head and the CLAS Deans Office before the course can be added by the student. This will likely impact tuition charges and there could be additional late fees. Students should check with the Registrar’s Office to determine the additional costs associated with adding courses late.
Students who drop courses after the first week can do so on Banner and will be subject to the published tuition refund schedule. Students should always consult with the Financial Aid Office located in 100 STU to assess the impact on their financial aid eligibility if the course is dropped. The student will be issued a “W” on their transcript for any dropped course.
Each semester, the final drop deadline is set for the end of the 9th week of classes. Students who wish to drop courses after this final deadline should be referred to the Late Drop process.
Questions regarding course registration and the late drop and add procedures should be referred to AD Betty Schaner at [email protected] or (616) 331-2403.
Additional Resources
Affiliate Faculty Advisory Committee (University)
CLAS Affiliate Faculty Advisory Committee
GVSU Arts Celebration (free events)
Fitness
Digital Print Shop in the Visual and Media Arts Department (large format and specialty printing not covered by the Copy Center). Very competitive pricing.
E-learning resources assistance at the Digital Studio and Instructional Design for eLearning
Campus Bus System
Sprout to sign up for workshops
GVSU Alerts direct to your phone
Acronym Decoder
Repair Clinic