Author: Jane Bise

Somehow, we’re now in March, and spring break is just around the corner. This stretch of the semester can be a busy one, so we hope you’ll find moments to recharge and reconnect with what keeps you going. We’re here for you with events, resources, and conversations to support you along the way. Take a look at what’s coming up in the Faculty Hub, and enjoy the break next week—and the return of longer days! Read more here.

Last week’s whirlwind reminded me of a line from a Pearl Jam song: “No matter how cold the winter, there’s a springtime ahead.” With spring break just two weeks away, warmer days and a well-earned pause from classes are on the horizon.

One thing that has made this winter energizing is hearing about your pedagogical experiments—especially with generative AI. It’s inspiring to see so many creative approaches to teaching take shape, and I feel lucky to work alongside such incredible educators.

Read on for upcoming events, resources, and opportunities to support your work as we push through to spring. – Andrew

As we near the midpoint of the semester, now is a great time to pause for reflection and recalibration. Attend Morning Blend to brainstorm ways to gather midterm feedback from your students or consider joining colleagues in the upcoming writing challenge. Read on for full details on events happening this week. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Faculty Hub for support — we are eager to collaborate with you.

As we welcome week five of the spring semester and Valentine’s Day, the Faculty Hub is here to provide support and opportunities for growth, connection, and reflection. Whether you’re looking to enhance your teaching practices, connect with colleagues, or explore new professional development resources, we’ve got a variety of events and workshops to help you continue thriving. Please keep reading for more details, and we hope you find something that enriches your semester.

 

We have started a new puzzle in the spirit of the spring-like weather. Stop by the touchdown table when you have a minute to help get it started. Who knows? You might make a connection with a colleague that sparks a new idea. Please keep reading to give us feedback on other ways you might like to build community. (Thanks to Jen Thomas, expert puzzler and Book Arts Program Director, for loaning us this puzzle!)

Read more here!

Happy Week 2! As the initial burst of introductions and first assignments settles, this is a great time to refine your plans, explore new ideas, and connect with resources to support your teaching and scholarship. The Faculty Hub is here to collaborate with you—whether you’re looking for fresh strategies to enhance your teaching, support for advancing your research, or opportunities to connect and share ideas with colleagues.

Read more here.

It’s been an unusual start to the semester, but we’re here to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. As we welcome back our students, we’re excited to offer resources, events, and support to keep you inspired and on track.

Read more here.

Happy New Year, and welcome back! Our new weekly update, This Week in the Faculty Hub, will keep you informed and inspired as you prepare for classes and settle back into campus life. In this streamlined format, you’ll find key updates, resources, and events designed to support your teaching and scholarship. Here’s to the start of a great semester!

Read more here.

As the semester picks up steam, we know how full your schedules are with classes, grading, and research. Our Halloween newsletter highlights a variety of upcoming events and resources designed to support you during this busy time. We hope you find something of interest – perhaps a “treat” amidst the autumn whirlwind!

Keep reading here!

The 2024 U.S. presidential elections are just under three weeks away, and you may be thinking about your role as a professor and how best to support students during this time.

There’s no universal solution to approaching election-related issues in class. Context plays a vital role, with considerations like the courses you’re teaching, the dynamics of your class, and your own teaching style all coming into play. However, we know from experience that students often look to faculty members when circumstances outside of the classroom may be affecting the classroom experience. Research suggests that students generally appreciate when professors address major local and global events rather than remain silent (Houston & DiPietro, 2007).

That being said, your approach to the upcoming elections doesn’t have to take the shape of a traditional in-class discussion. What’s more, you don’t have to wait until after the elections to acknowledge the current context. In fact, interactions and conversations after the elections will likely be much more productive if you prepare for them beforehand.

Keeping these things in mind, I’m sending along some suggestions and resources you might wish to explore.

To prepare your students for the coming weeks:

• Encourage students to exercise their rights at the polls. The CCE offers an excellent voting guide to help students navigate this topic.
• Foster community and acknowledge your students’ experiences. If you haven’t already done so, establishing community guidelines or agreements can pave the way for constructive conversations and give you a tool when you encounter tense moments in class.
• Express care and share resources. Even if your course content doesn’t directly relate to the elections or you’re not comfortable discussing the topic in any depth, you might acknowledge that students may be experiencing strong emotions and express care and concern for their well-being. Consider directing them campus resources like CAPS.
• Make space for reflection. Before or immediately after the elections, you could devote some class time to reflection even without facilitating a discussion. This might include written exercises, deep breathing, meditation, or a brief period of silence to honor the emotions some students may be experiencing.
• Encourage your students to participate in campus events that focus on discussing differences and navigating diverse perspectives. The Sharp Viewpoint Series and the Learning Together Series are two examples; the CCE also has multiple events for students related to the 2024 Elections.

If you feel ready to discuss the elections with your students before or afterward:

• Come to our upcoming Hub Talk with Professors Janice Craft and Dan Palazzolo on Dialogue Across Difference in the Classroom on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 12:00-1:00pm. They will each discuss how they are incorporating what they learned at the Citizens & Scholars Faculty Institute into their teaching this fall.
• Give students advance notice. Some might not be prepared to engage yet or feel exhausted by discussions in other classes. If appropriate, consider allowing students the option to sit out of discussions if they’re not ready to participate.
• Lean on resources. Check out the resources below, and if you’d like to discuss your thoughts or strategize with someone, please feel free to reach out to our staff for a one-on-one consultation—we’re here to support you before and after the elections…and beyond.

Finally, you may be processing your own feelings during this period as you carry the emotional weight of supporting your students. If you find yourself needing support, you could explore the resources available on HR’s Employee Well-Being site.

Please read on for additional offerings.

Resources

For those facilitating discussions on the elections, you might explore some or all of the following:

• Scripts from Jessamyn Neuhaus at Syracuse University that offer conversation starters for particular moments in your classroom.
• The CTL website from Columbia also has resources on addressing hot topics
• A blog from the CTRL on Preparing to Teach During the 2024 Election from the University of Michigan
• Constructive Dialogue Institute Election Guidebook
• ACS Civil Discourse Library (2024)
• Vanderbilt CFT (RIP), Teaching in times of crisis

Offerings from the Faculty Hub and Others

Tipsheets:

• Difficult Dialogues: An Overview
• Teaching Amidst the 2024 Elections, Morning Blend with Dr. Ernest McGowen III, Oct. 3, 2024
• Supporting Student Mental Health, Morning Blend with CAPS, Dr. Rachel Turk and Hilary Delman, Oct. 10, 2024

Events:

• Hub Talk: Dialogue Across Difference in the Classroom, Thursday, Oct. 17
• Morning Blend, Wed. Nov. 7 – This Morning Blend allows you to gather with others to process the elections together and share ideas as needed.
• (From the Provost’s Office) Learning Together Series (Oct. 21 and Oct.28)