Dear Faculty and Staff —
This week began with the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy at the Wyndham Springfield City Centre with an enthusiastic group of citizens. The featured speaker was Dr. Gerald McWorter (introduced by Chancellor Gooch) who spoke about the man, the movement, and the mission associated with King’s life and legacy.
In a Tuesday Cabinet meeting with Chancellor Gooch, the search firm WittKieffer advised the group on the timetable for identifying a permanent provost (before end of Spring semester). The Cabinet also reviewed the Inclement Weather policy; ideas for sharing suggested updates to the Honorary Degree selection process with Campus Senate; and the next possible end-of-year party, which is tentatively planned for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 15. Good news is developing about retention efforts. After the Spring census date, the specific improvements will be released by the Chancellor. Gratitude abounds for progress in this critical area for the campus, knowing every person here is involved.
Discussion was held with the Dean of the College of Business and Management about the upcoming climate study, which may serve as a precursor to a campus-wide climate study. The cost of the study (about $88,000) will be jointly shared by the University of Illinois System, the College itself, and the Chancellor and Provost’s budgets.
Following a meeting with the Dean of Students regarding a student’s grade grievance appeal, I believe we may need to evaluate the effectiveness of that process.
I continue to listen to colleagues about priorities for the interim provost. It is apparent that some issues (communication, enrollment, last year’s academic reorganization, assessment operations, salary compression, HIPs, DFW rates, experiential learning, and faculty relationships) all need continued attention – as is true throughout higher education. I am also learning about the budget circumstances in Academic Affairs, and when that information is comprehensively available, it also will be communicated to the division. I am reminded of James Baldwin’s pertinent comment as I learn about this campus: “Not everything that is faced can be resolved, but nothing can be resolved unless it is faced.”
Meetings continue: with students, with the Campus Senate, with the program director for the Doctorate in Public Administration, with the associate vice chancellors for graduate and undergraduate education, and many other colleagues. Many good people dedicated to the University have ideas for resolutions that may be both effective and practical.
Thank you,
Linda
Linda M. Delene, PhD
Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) and Provost
University of Illinois Springfield
OPEN OFFICE HOURS:
Brookens Library – Library Learning Center BRK 230A
3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2023