Capitalizing on the University's broad expertise and spirit of inquiry, the GVSU Quest Series is an Academic Affairs forum to reflect on timely issues. These events are intended to help us frame the questions, discover connections, and hopefully generate many subsequent conversations and inquiries.

Academic Freedom: Building Trust and Community in a Time of Discord
Climate Resilience at GVSU: Scholarship, Stewardship, Leadership
Understanding and Celebrating Juneteenth
Understanding the Crises in Ukraine: History, Politics, and Culture
ChatGPT
The Türkiye-Syria Earthquake: Earth - Science - Human Collision

The aim of Academic Freedom: Building Trust and Community in a Time of Discord is to foster an understanding of academic freedom within the classroom setting. This involves exploring the balance between promoting open discourse and cultivating a climate of respect and inclusivity. The Quest panelists will also discuss other themes. 

Opening Remarks:

• Fatma Mili, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Facilitator:

• Mark Schaub, Dean, Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies

Panelists:

• Lisa Perhamus, Associate Professor of Literacy, Educational Foundations and Technology and Director, Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse
• Dawn Rutecki, Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies
• Jennifer Stewart, Associate Professor of Sociology
• Darren Walhof, Professor and Chair of Political Science

The goal of Climate Resilience at GVSU is to inform and educate participants about the efforts and commitments at Grand Valley to ensuring a flourishing community in the face of change. As climate resilience necessitates engagement of our entire campus community, this session will center on student learning opportunities, innovative research, campus operations and planning, and community engagement. We will discuss our efforts with respect to the United Nation’s sustainable development goals, nature’s own strategies for resilience, and promising models for climate resilience on other campuses.

Opening Remarks:

• Fatma Mili, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Facilitator:

• Christine Rener, Vice Provost for Instructional Development and Innovation

Panelists:

• Bob Hollister, Professor of Biology
• Rence Meredith, Assistant Vice President for Facilities Services, Allendale Campus
• Bopi Biddanda, Professor of Water Resources
• Yumiko Jakobcic, Director, Office of Sustainability Practices
• Becky Williams, Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies

The goal of Understanding and Celebrating Juneteenth is to inform and educate participants about Juneteenth, considered the oldest recognized Black American holiday in the United States. This day holds profound historical significance as it marks a pivotal milestone for mass emancipation, which was fully realized when slavery was unequivocally abolished with the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1866. Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of the enduring fight for justice and the continual pursuit of racial equality and civil rights in the United States.

Provost Mili will offer welcoming remarks with featured panelists:

Facilitator:
- Mark Schaub, Dean, Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies

Faculty Panelists:
- Ta'les Love, Assistant Professor of Integrative, Religious, and Interdisciplinary Studies
- Louis Moore, Professor of History
- Dwayne Tunstall, Professor of Philosophy and Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Curriculum, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The goal of Understanding the Crisis in Ukraine: History, Politics, and Culture is to inform and educate participants about the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The history, culture, and relationships between the Ukrainian and Russian people will be explored and possible outcomes will be discussed.

Provost Mili will offer remarks and Professor John Weber will facilitate the discussion with featured panelists:

• Alexey Nikitin, Professor of Biology
• Lesley Slavitt, Executive Director, Johnson Center for Philanthropy
• James Smither, Professor of History
• Heather Tafel, Associate Professor of Political Science
• Miloš Topić, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Digital Officer

In this inaugural event, the ChatGPT Panel will discuss the technology of ChatGPT; what it is, what it is not, what makes it possible, and what to expect in the future.

The ChatGPT Panel is a collaboration between the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Information Technology.

Panelists

Provost Mili will facilitate the discussion with featured panelists:

• Miloš Topić, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Digital Officer
• Corey Anton, Professor of Communication Studies
• Patrick Johnson, Director, Meijer Center for Writing
• Laurence José, Associate Professor of Writing and Director, Digital Studies Minor
• Jared Moore, Associate Professor of Computing
• Ben Rapin, Associate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

The Türkiye-Syria Earthquake: Earth - Science - Human Collision will provide details on the science behind the earthquake in this particular area. In addition, regional history and political issues will be discussed as well as ways that participants can help with recovery efforts.

Provost Mili will facilitate the discussion with featured panelists:

• Feryal Alayont, Professor of Mathematics
• James Goode, Professor Emeritus of History
• John Weber, Professor of Geology