From Provost Schwab
I write this month’s note while listening to the wind and rain outside, watching the falling leaves, and thinking about what might come following the Presidential election. I hope that everyone that was eligible to vote did so, and feels a sense of pride in participating. Personally, I will be happy to have the election behind us, but also recognize that no matter the outcome, there will not be a magic switch that changes the political discourse and division that exists in the country. All of higher ed must continue to educate, study, and engage to help shift that narrative. I am proud to be part of an institution that is dedicated to improving the lives of our students so that we can collectively move toward a brighter future.
Below you can read about some of the important activities underway across Academic Affairs and find ways to engage and share your ideas. That includes keeping abreast of the work of the Academic Portfolio Review Task Force which met for the first time on November 1. The Project & Initiatives website includes a link where you can provide feedback to the Task Force as well as on work underway for the HLC Quality Initiative.
As we shift to more fall-like weather and move toward the holiday season, I encourage everyone to take time to reflect on what they are thankful for and looking forward to. These are heavy times in many ways, and it is important to not lose sight of what brings levity and light to one’s life and work. I have to remind myself to do the same from time to time.
I wish everyone a successful November and enjoyable Thanksgiving Recess ahead.
Sincerely,
Brandon
Provost's Open Hours
Faculty and staff are invited to Provost’s Open Hours - Wednesday, December 11, 1-3 pm, Check in at PAC 3G
You are welcome to stop by and sign in for an opportunity to chat with Provost Brandon Schwab on a first come, first served basis.
Important Initiatives
Academic Portfolio Review Task Force
The Academic Portfolio Review Task Force has received their charge to provide recommendations this fall on criteria and metrics for a holistic review of our academic programs. This is important work to assess the sustainability of our mix of program offerings in terms of mission, market, and financial viability. The group will help determine the process that will be followed for a program prioritization review to occur in the spring semester. Members have been tasked with taking an institutional-level perspective, stepping away from individual programs to think holistically about our program array.
Find updates on this initiative, including a list of task force members.
UIS Course Survey Update
Refinements to the new UIS Course Survey app are nearing completion. As the Fall first-half course survey administration period has already begun, launch of the new Course Survey app will take place for Intersession/Spring semester.
We hope you will be able to attend one of the walk-through informational sessions listed below.
- Thursday, November 21, 9-9:45am, UHB 1008 or join via Zoom
- Wednesday, December 4, 3-3:45pm, UHB 2024 or join via Zoom
- Friday, January 31, 10-10:45am, location tbd
- Monday, February 3, 4-4:45pm, location tbd
Provost's Leadership Team (PLT) Refresh
We are refreshing Provost's Leadership Team (PLT) assignments to operate more efficiently. Cecilia Cornell's updated title of Vice Provost and Director of Graduate Education (VPGE) more accurately reflects her role. Her portfolio has been expanded to include the Center for State Policy and Leadership, the Center for Lincoln Studies, and the Sangamon Experience. Leaders of those units now report to Cecilia. Layne Morsch has also agreed to take on a broader role as Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs (APFA). Beyond overseeing Online, Professional and Engaged Learning (OPEL), Layne is responsible for promoting excellence, equity, and innovation in teaching through the Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE). Title changes are pending final approval by the Board of Trustees.
Another member of the Provost's Leadership Team is Michele Gribbins, Associate Provost for Institutional Research and Effectiveness (APIRE). The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness is a newly structured unit within Academic Affairs. Their mission is to advance the goals and strategic priorities of our institutional research, assessment, and effectiveness activities.
Opportunities to Make a Difference
HLC Quality Initiative Focus Group Invitation
The Provost’s Office is organizing one-hour Zoom focus groups for students, faculty, and staff to better understand issues that could be addressed through our HLC Quality Initiative, such as student retention and graduation, student services, and other topics.
If you want to share your opinion in one of our focus groups that will be scheduled between November 11 and 15, please email OUEGA@uis.edu with your name, contact information, and the unit you represent.
After receiving emails from interested members of the UIS community, we will create a pool of possible participants to contact about their availability on the dates we have scheduled the Zoom focus groups.
Faculty Award Nominations Welcome
It is not too early to consider nominating colleagues for faculty awards. Although the formal call for nominations will not be sent until later this month, nominations are welcome any time prior to the January 23 5pm deadline. We encourage you to review the award guidelines and identify colleagues whose areas of excellence align with specific awards. This is an excellent opportunity to highlight the expertise of our faculty.
Eleven faculty awards are celebrated at the Spring Faculty Honors Reception, and the University Scholars Award is presented at the Fall University Scholars Award Luncheon.
News Worth Celebrating
Research and Sponsored Programs Updates
- Faculty Fellow: We are pleased to announce that Dr. Hua Chen has been selected as the Faculty Fellow at the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. In this role, Dr. Chen will work closely with faculty and students to facilitate access to funding and resources, assist in preparing and submitting grant proposals, develop programs to support faculty and student research and provide grant development support. Dr. Chen will also collaborate with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation to develop programs that enhance faculty research collaborations.
ORSP Updates (continued)
- Floyd Public Policy Research Scholarship: The UIS Research Board has selected Enoch Boateng’s project for the Floyd Public Policy Research Scholarship. Under the guidance of Dr. Richard Funderburg, Enoch’s project will address a significant state-level public policy issue: energy affordability and the disparate energy cost burdens impacting low-income households in Illinois.
- Grant Opportunities: Several NSF and NIH grant opportunities for instrumentation and infrastructure have been identified. Read more about instrumentation grants
Good Idea Fund - 12 Proposals Funded
UIS faculty and staff submitted 23 Good Idea Fund (GIF) proposals this fall. Proposal initiators requested a total of $98,071 to implement a wide variety of creative projects they envisioned would make a positive difference for the University community. Six proposals were fully funded and six proposals received partial funding, for awards totaling $37,500. Read about funded Good Ideas.
We look forward to learning of the positive impact of Good Ideas at the end of the project period.
Resource Refresh
Important Business and Finance Updates
- FCIAA - Annual Internal Control Evaluation: Annually, unit heads and financial officers are required to submit FCIAA (Fiscal Control and Internal Auditing Act) Certification for each of their respective units. Resources are available to help you learn about the various roles in the FCIAA process, how to critically review internal controls, and identify internal control weaknesses; and think more critically and objectively about your own processes and controls. Visit Fiscal Control and Internal Auditing Act (FCIAA) for an application link, critical dates, and training materials.
- Travel Insurance update: University of Illinois System employees traveling internationally on system business are required to enroll in international travel insurance. View the travel insurance policy
- Timely travel expense reimbursement: Employees are required to submit expense reports for travel expenses within 60 days of when the travel occurred. Reimbursement requests submitted by the expense owner more than 60 days after an expense is incurred may be reported as taxable income unless a reasonable justification for the delay is approved. View the travel expense reimbursement policy
Important Dates
- Thursday, November 28 - Friday, November 29 - Thanksgiving holiday
- Monday, December 9, 3-5 pm - Summer/December Graduate Celebration, Student Union Ballroom
- Wednesday, December 11, 1-3 pm - Provost's Faculty-Staff Open Hours, Check in at PAC 3G
Suggestions for future content?
We are interested in hearing from you about topics you would like to see covered in the Provost’s Office monthly newsletter. Send suggestions to Monica Kroft.