Provost FAQs re: Welcome and Reminders for Fall 2022

Dear Academic Affairs faculty and staff,

I am excited to welcome everyone back to campus this fall as we head into the university’s 150th year anniversary! As we begin a new semester, we remain committed to each other and our students.

Following are some reminders relating to supporting students and faculty resources.

 

The Importance of Faculty in Students’ Success

I am pleased to announce that in the annual survey of graduating students, when asked “If you had to cite one experience that had the most impact on you during your time at TCU, what would it be?”, “Class/Professor” was Number 1, far ahead of Number 2. See the attached chart for more information.

This outcome confirms the power of our academic and personal connections at TCU, as well as the caliber of our teacher-scholars. I laud each and every one of you for making TCU such a stand-out institution.

 

Student Absences

Now that we are fully in person, it is more important than ever to keep an eye on students’ well-being.

When creating and clearly stating your attendance policy in your syllabus, please note that the Faculty Staff Handbook (pp. 59-60) and the TCU Health Center FAQ inform:

“When a student misses class for any reason other than an Official University Absence, the student is expected to follow the instructor’s policy as stated in the course syllabus. The student should contact his/her instructor as soon as possible after he/she knows the absence will occur or has occurred. If the cause of the absence is a serious illness, catastrophic accident, or family emergency, each instructor should assist the student to make up any missed work.”

However, it is not appropriate for instructors to ask the nature of students’ health conditions, gather information to verify the reason for an absence, or to create an attendance policy that distinguishes among health conditions that prevent attendance. As stated here:

“The Dean of Students can help students verify extraordinary events by collecting and storing appropriate documentation and then notifying the student’s professors. This documentation allows the Dean’s office to verify the event, which can assist faculty in making an appropriate decision.”

If you have concerns for a student, you should submit a Student of Concern Form or call the Dean of Students Office (formerly Campus Life) at 817-257-7926. The staff there will assist students in getting the support that they need and informing a student’s instructors when a student needs an extended leave.

 

Faculty Resources

We have been making every effort to put resources and answers at your fingertips, through these weekly messages, quick links at the bottom of each message, resources and FAQs on my website, and through governance leaders.

The Faculty Resources page on my website contains information on all aspects of academic affairs, from hiring to tenure to awards and more. The Faculty FAQ page has the latest information about COVID classroom protocols and inclement weather closings. It is updated as often as necessary.

If you do not see what you are looking for under Faculty Resources or the Faculty FAQs, please contact Elaine Cole, director of communications for my office, at e.cole@tcu.edu.

In addition to these resources, you can bring questions and concerns to your chair, associate dean or dean, as well as to the Faculty Senate representatives in your college. I attend senate meetings, meet monthly with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and meet weekly with the chair of the executive committee.

If these communication channels are not adequate, feel free to email me.

 

Here’s to a wonderful Fall semester on our beautiful campus!

Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg
Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs
t.dahlberg@tcu.edu