Dear Colleagues,
As we move into the second half of the fall semester and our COVID case counts remain very low (as shown in the attached graph), initiatives are progressing, new leaders are joining us, and we take advantage of opportunities to expand our insights, applaud our colleagues and plan celebrations for commencement.
Flex Work Policy
I have appointed Mike Scott, associate provost of enrollment management, and Courtney Hendrix, administrative assistant in fashion merchandising, to lead a committee to discern an effective flexible work policy for those of us in Academic Affairs. The goal is for the committee to make recommendations during the Spring 2022 semester. We want to be particularly sensitive to students’ academic progression and mental health and wellness as we construct the parameters of leveraging the TCU flexible work policy within Academic Affairs. I encourage those of you with suggestions to contact Mike or Courtney.
Faculty Workload Model Timeline
As previously messaged, we have been working with the deans, Institutional Research, Faculty Senate Executive Committee and the Faculty Relations Committee (FRC) on a Faculty Workload Model (not a policy) for the university level. The FRC recommended a model in Spring 2020. Since so much time has passed, I’ve asked them to reassess or affirm their recommendation. Next semester, colleges will model their faculty workload. Next year, colleges will develop their specific Faculty Workload Policies. (Deans will decide if there is one college-wide policy or policies for individual units.) A Faculty Workload Policy will support faculty workload flexibility and equity within similar disciplines. The goal is neither to increase nor decrease the overall work accomplished within a department; rather, to ensure equitable distribution among department members. I understand there are many questions. We are taking a slow, step-wise approach to enable due diligence at every step.
Welcome New Dean and Registrar
Please join me in welcoming two new Horned Frogs to our campus. Reginald Wilburn, Ph.D., will be the next dean of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies beginning December 31, 2021. Dean Wilburn joins us from the University of New Hampshire where he was associate dean of academic affairs for the College of Liberal Arts. Nichole Mancone Fisher, Ed.D., will join TCU on November 1, 2021, as the next University Registrar, following the retirement of Mary Kincannon. Dr. Fisher previously was registrar at UT-Arlington.
Inclusive Excellence Speaker This Friday
I hope you enjoyed last Friday’s first speaker and I encourage you to sign up for this Friday’s virtual session, 11:00 a.m. – Noon, to listen to Mandy Price, J.D., co-founder and CEO of Kanarys, a company that uses data and analytics to address diversity and inclusion issues in the workplace. Dr. Price has been honored with 40 Under 40 Best Advocates Award by the National Bar Association, Best Lawyer in Dallas by D Magazine, and 20 Winning Women by Texas Lawyer. I look forward to her insights. Register for the free zoom link and find more information here.
Convocation Award Winners
Congratulations to our honorees at the 2021 Convocation. All four of you deserve recognition and praise for your leadership. I will highlight each one over the next four weeks. Today I share a video featuring the Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement as a Creative Teacher and Scholar 2021, Jo Beth Jimerson, associate professor of educational leadership. Congratulations Dr. Jimerson. https://youtu.be/Qid8fW5JYWU
Graduation Events
We welcome all of our soon-to-be graduates and their families on campus as we celebrate December 2021 commencement. As many of you begin planning supporting events on campus, the only requirement is that masks be worn indoors when not eating or drinking.
I am pleased with the way you have stepped up to Protect the Purple by getting and reporting vaccines, getting tested, reporting positive tests, and wearing masks indoors on campus. Thank you for helping us stay together through the semester.
Best regards,
Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs