2020 Provost's Office Message Archive

TO:                             Faculty, Deans

FROM:                       Dr. Walter Horton, Jr.

                                    Associate Vice President for Research and Federal Relations

SUBJECT:                   Announcing 2021 Multidisciplinary Internal Research Grant (MIRG) Program

 

We are pleased to announce the launch of the 2021 Multidisciplinary Internal Research Grant (MIRG) Program competition.  Click on the View competition link to view more information and to submit your letter of intent (LOI).

• Internal Submission Deadline: Sunday, January 31, 2021
• Award Cycle: 2021
• Description:

I. Program Description
The MIRG program is part of Texas State University’s strategy to strengthen and enhance research and scholarly activity in the quest to become a tier-one research institution.  Building a research portfolio responsive to the grand challenges of our society is a critical component of this strategy.  These challenges are complex and multifaceted.  As such, their solutions require multiple perspectives.

The 2021 MIRG program will support multidisciplinary research projects that are responsive to an external sponsor’s existing research funding opportunity and align with one of the university’s six Big Ideas: Learning with AR/VR, Translational Health, Materials with Intelligence, Harnessing Big Data, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, or Human Expression.  Competitive proposals will leverage the past work and track record of team members to accelerate a line of research and have clear plans to apply for external funding within six months of completing the MIRG project.

 II. Proposal Deadlines
Proposals must be submitted electronically via the InfoReady internal submission portal no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2021.

Award announcements will be made by April 15, 2021.

Earliest start date for awarded projects is May 15, 2021.

 III. Eligibility
The proposed project must involve at least two faculty members representing an interdisciplinary effort, with at least two different colleges, schools, departments, or disciplines represented within a single project.  Teams must have a history of joint research or investigators within the team must have strong individual research portfolios that complement the work of other team members.  This can be evidenced by prior grant submissions, awards, or publications.

Each investigator must contribute to the project concept and be clearly committed to ongoing involvement in the project.  Tenure-track faculty are particularly encouraged to participate.

Each team member must have submitted all reports and other required materials for any prior internal grant awards on time.  A faculty member with a current Research Enhancement Program (REP) or MIRG grant may apply as a PI or team member, only if the team composition is different and the project goals and scope of work are significantly different from those of current MIRG or REP awards.

The team will designate one member as Principal Investigator (PI).  The PI will often be a team member who has taken a leadership role in conceiving the project and is expected to have an ongoing leadership role and/or particular ongoing commitment to the program.  The PI will receive all correspondence, manage the budget, and be responsible for reporting.

 IV. Award Conditions
The 2021 competition will fund one to three projects ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 each.  The actual budget must match the specific needs of the research project.  Generally, awardees will be expected to complete the project within 12 months from the start date.  To allow time for student recruitment and other preparatory work, such as preparation and approval of protocols or other factors related to the work, the project start date may be delayed for up to six months.  See instructions below regarding the project timeline.

MIRG awards may not be used to replace or supplement current funding nor to support work within the scope of an active or recently completed research grant.  Funds may not be used for facility remodeling or alteration, faculty salaries, or tuition.  Grant funds must be used to further project goals as described in the proposal.

Need More Information?
Program description and proposal preparation guidelines can be found in the MIRG RFP.  Please submit questions via e-mail to research@txstate.edu.

View competition

 

TO:                             Deans, Department Chairs, and School Directors

FROM:                       Dr. Debbie Thorne

                                   Associate Provost

SUBJECT:                  TRACS to Canvas Enhanced Course Migration Services - College Allocations

 

Beginning spring 2021, all courses using a learning management system will be taught with Canvas.  The divisions of Information Technology and Academic Affairs have partnered to allocate central funding for the enhanced migration of certain TRACS courses to Canvas for the spring 2021 semester.  This sophisticated automated service is in addition to the existing TRACS migration tool available in Canvas, the Migration Assistant.  Migration Assistant is still available and has been used by hundreds of faculty members in the last year to successfully migrate course content from TRACS to Canvas.  

Via central funding, each college has been allocated 21 courses to submit for enhanced migration services.  The enhanced course migration service is intended for courses in which faculty have made significant investments in course content, especially with TRACS Learning Modules, and for migrations delayed due to COVID-19 circumstances.  Even with this service, faculty must actively review and update course content after migration to formalize the course for final use.  

College priorities and approvals determine which 21 courses are submitted using central funding.  The request form may be completed by faculty members approved by the college/department/school.

Submissions should be received no later than December 4, 2020.  If requests exceed a college’s allocation, the college/department/school will be contacted with the option to pay $65 per course to continue with the migration service.  The other option is to direct the faculty member to the Migration Assistant named above.  

Please direct questions about the service or request process to itac@txstate.edu.

 

TO:                             Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Andrea Golato

                                    Dean, The Graduate College

SUBJECT:                   2020-2021 Graduate College Outstanding Mentor and Master’s Thesis Awards

 

It is my distinct pleasure to inform you that we have selected the recipients of the 2020–2021 Graduate College Outstanding Mentor Award and the Outstanding Master’s Thesis Awards.

Dr. M. Alejandra Sorto, Professor in the Department of Mathematics, is the recipient of The Graduate College Outstanding Mentor Award.  This award recognizes a faculty member who has had extraordinary success in mentoring graduate students.  Congratulations to Dr. Sorto for her excellent work!  I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Sorto’s colleagues and former students, who submitted very thoughtfully written letters which described in detail the tremendous positive impact of Dr. Sorto’s mentorship on her students’ careers. 

Blake Joseph Gandy, who earned a Master of Arts with a Major in History, is the recipient of The Graduate College’s Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award in the Humanities and Fine Arts.  His thesis, “’Trouble up the Road:’ Desegregation, Busing, and the National Politics of Resistance in Fort Worth, Texas, 1954-1971”, was directed by Dr. Jeffrey L. Helgeson, Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of History.  We would also like to recognize Dr. Thomas Edgar Alter and Dr. Dwight David Watson, who served on Blake’s thesis committee.  Congratulations to Blake for his outstanding research!

Oluwasegun Gabriel Olanrewaju, who earned a Master of Science with a Major in Engineering, is the recipient of The Graduate College’s Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering.  His thesis, “Pre-Positioning Relief Supplies and Supplier Selection Strategy in Disaster Relief”, was directed by Dr. Zhijie Sasha Dong, Assistant Professor in the Ingram School of Engineering.  We would also like to recognize Dr. Clara M. Novoa and Dr. Eduardo Perez, who served on Gabriel’s thesis committee.  Congratulations to Gabriel for his outstanding research!

As the winners of these competitions, Dr. Sorto will receive $2,500 to be paid into her research account, while Blake and Gabriel will each receive $500.  All three will be recognized at The Graduate College’s award ceremony next April. The Graduate College has also entered them into the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools’ respective competitions.

I would also like to acknowledge the following members of the graduate community: Drs. Dong and Helgeson, for their exemplary mentorship and commitment to their students; and the faculty members, Graduate House members, and The Graduate College deans who served on the award committees.  It was indeed inspiring to read about the excellent research and mentoring which is happening on our campus.  And to the entire graduate faculty, I thank you all for your steadfast commitment to graduate education on our campus. 

If you have questions about these awards, feel free to contact Dr. Andrea Golato via email at agolato@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Deans, Department Chairs/School Directors and Faculty

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Information to Include in Spring 2021 Course Syllabi

 

As we approach the spring 2021 semester and the ongoing circumstances presented by the pandemic, the following message provides guidance on components of the course syllabus that need to be articulated, including the university’s measures for health, wellness, and safety, the Bobcat Pledge, civility and compliance with health standards, instructional methodology, technology needs, office hours, academic integrity, and other factors.  This message also provides syllabus information about the university’s mission and shared values, emergency management, and the reporting responsibility of faculty and staff who learn of sexual misconduct.  General information on course syllabi and classroom procedures is found in AA/PPS 02.03.01,
Conduct and Planning of Courses.

Please continue to follow the university’s Roadmap and Teaching & Research page of the Roadmap for updates.  Faculty are asked to review recommendations of the Continuity of Education Work Group for specific guidance on instructional planning and course delivery during the pandemic.  Among many others, the work group’s November 2020 recommendations require seating charts in face to face and hybrid course sections, highlight expectations for regular and substantive faculty-driven student engagement in all courses, provide guidance on handling student absences due to isolation, quarantine, or positive COVID-19 tests, and encourage alternative course designs to reduce challenges of the hy-flex model (i.e., teaching online and face to face simultaneously).

Our Mission and Our Shared Values
Faculty who wish to include information about the university’s mission and shared values statements in a syllabus for spring 2021 courses should use the following statements from the 2017-2023 Texas State University Plan: 

Mission
Texas State University is a doctoral-granting, student-centered institution dedicated to excellence and innovation in teaching, research, including creative expression, and service.  The university strives to create new knowledge, to embrace a diversity of people and ideas, to foster cultural and economic development, and to prepare its graduates to participate fully and freely as citizens of Texas, the nation, and the world.

Shared Values
In pursuing our mission, we, the faculty, staff, and students of Texas State University, are guided by a shared collection of values:

• Teaching and learning based on research, student involvement, and the free exchange of ideas in a supportive environment;

• Research and creative activities that encompass the full range of academic disciplines—research with relevance, from the sciences to the arts, from the theoretical to the applied;

• The cultivation of character, integrity, honesty, civility, compassion, fairness, respect, and ethical behavior in all members of our university community;

• A diversity of people and ideas, a spirit of inclusiveness, a global perspective, and a sense of community as essential conditions for campus life;

• A commitment to service and leadership for the public good;

• Responsible stewardship of our resources and environment; and

• Continued reflection and evaluation to ensure that our strengths as a community always benefit those we serve

Campus Health, Wellness, and Safety

• Reminder about the 12 Health and Safety Guidelines at Texas State, including those to wear a face covering, practice physical distancing, perform a self-assessment before coming to campus, stay home when sick, get tested for COVID-19, and report any positive COVID-19 test to Bobcat Trace as soon as possible.  Please note the university recently added two new guidelines to the original ten guidelines.

• Importance of the Bobcat Pledge, including the shared responsibility to practice healthy behaviors and follow the health and safety guidelines, which shows respect for others and helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus and in the surrounding community.

• Link to the Student Roadmap for more information on students’ return to campus.

Statement on Civility and Compliance in the Classroom
Civility in the classroom is very important for the educational process and it is everyone’s responsibility.  If you have questions about appropriate behavior in a particular class, please address them with your instructor first.  Disciplinary procedures may be implemented for refusing to follow an instructor’s directive, refusing to leave the classroom, not following the university’s requirement to wear a cloth face covering, not complying with social distancing or sneeze and cough etiquette, and refusing to implement other health and safety measures as required by the university.  Additionally, the instructor, in consultation with the department chair/school director, may refer the student to the Office of the Dean of Students for further disciplinary review.  Such reviews may result in consequences ranging from warnings to sanctions from the university.  For more information regarding conduct in the classroom, please review the following policies at AA/PPS 02.03.02, Section 03: Courteous and Civil Learning Environment, and Code of Student Conduct, number II, Responsibilities of Students, Section 02.02: Conduct Prohibited.

Class Materials, Meetings, Attendance, and Technology

• Mode of class delivery, access to class materials, examination procedures, and other instructional strategies.

• Information on “where” the class will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 or the first class day (classroom, lab, Canvas, Zoom, Teams, etc…).

• If applicable, information on how students in the class will be assigned to face-to-face or online/remote instruction on given class days. 

• If technology or software are needed to participate in the class and how to access this technology or software and get support from ITAC.

• Assessment and testing strategies to enhance academic integrity, including implementation of time-bound assessments in asynchronous classes.

• How office hours will be handled (i.e., Zoom, Teams, email, etc…).

• Information on how disruptions to routine instruction will be handled, including communication method to notify students.

• Attendance policy, including consideration of pandemic-related absences.

• Assigned seating and required seating charts for face-to-face and hybrid class sections.

Academic Integrity and Student Conduct

• Code of Student Conduct

• The Honor Code

Emergency Management
In the event of an emergency, faculty, students, and staff should monitor the Safety and Emergency Communications web page.  This page will be updated with the latest information available to the university, in addition to providing links to information concerning safety resources and emergency procedures.  Faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to sign up for the TXState Alert system.
 

Sexual Misconduct Reporting (SB 212)
Effective January 2, 2020, state law (SB 212) requires all university employees, acting in the course and scope of employment, who witness or receive information concerning an incident of sexual misconduct involving an enrolled student or employee to report all relevant information known about the incident to the university's Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX coordinator.  According to SB 212, employees who knowingly fail to report or knowingly file a false report shall be terminated in accordance with university policy and The Texas State University System Rules and Regulations.

I hope you enjoy a restful break. I greatly appreciated your dedication and outstanding efforts in 2020.  Thank you.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

 

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

 

SUBJECT:                   Associate Vice President for Academic Success and Dean of University College

 

 

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt as the Associate Vice President for Academic Success and Dean of University College, effective January 2020.  In this role, Dr. Cavitt will provide leadership in student success initiatives and services including student retention, peer mentoring, academic coaching, academic advising, PACE (Personalized Academic and Career Exploration) Center, Common Experience, Athletic Academic Center, National Student Exchange, Texas Success Initiative Program, Student Learning Assistance Center, Center for Testing, Evaluation, and Measurement, and Academic Testing for Students with Disabilities.  Additionally, she will chair the General Education Council,  oversee the Bachelor of General Studies degree program, University Seminar, the university’s Honor Code policy and processes, serve as Academic Affairs liaison and representative for specialized services and committees, and coordinate the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching selection committee.  Dr. Cavitt will partner with Student Affairs and Institutional Inclusive Excellence on equitable student success and retention initiatives for underrepresented students.

 

Dr. Cavitt earned bachelor and master’s degrees in Music from the Juilliard School in New York and a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin.  She joined the Texas State University faculty as Associate Professor of Music in 2006 and was promoted to Professor in 2011.  Dr. Cavitt was a 2013 participant in the Harvard University’s Management Development Program for higher education leaders. 

 

Dr. Cavitt served as the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs, Interim Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Round Rock Campus, Assistant Vice President for Academic Services, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Research of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, Associate Director of the School of Music, and Director of Graduate Studies in Music at Texas State.  From 2011-2013, she represented the College of Fine Arts and Communication as Faculty Senator.

 

Dr. Cavitt has been an active scholar and is the author of two books, numerous research articles, book chapters, and conference papers.  She has presented research and teaching workshops at regional, national, and international conferences and has conducted and adjudicated numerous instrumental music ensembles.  She has also received numerous awards for teaching excellence and distinguished service.  

 

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Cavitt as she begins her responsibilities as the Associate Vice President for Academic Success and Dean of University College.

Dear Colleagues,

As the end of the fall semester approaches, I know we are all experiencing a variety of emotions.  We are relieved, grateful, hopeful, and in need of a well-deserved break.  Above all, I hope you feel pride in what you and our students accomplished during this semester and the months of preparation leading up to it.  It hasn’t been easy, but nothing worth it seldom is.  Thank you for staying the course, for honoring your profession, and for delivering on your promise to our students.

Now, it’s time to rest and recharge.  To stay safe over the holiday break and come back healthy for the spring semester, there are critical steps we need to follow as a university community.  The actions outlined below are based on recommendations from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Emilio Carranco, and state and federal health guidelines.

Over the break, you are strongly encouraged to limit contact with persons outside your immediate household and practice strict adherence to the CDC social distancing guidelines, as well as follow other health and safety measures.  I encourage you to review the Holiday Celebrations and Small Gatherings guidelines provided by the CDC.

Also, you should plan to get a COVID-19 test within one week prior to returning to our campuses.  For testing locations in Texas, visit TX COVID-19 Test Collection Sites and Curative, Inc. Testing Sites.  Faculty and staff who do not obtain a COVID-19 test prior to returning to campuses will be expected to complete testing during the designated faculty/staff testing period of January 4 to January 15, 2021.  Free COVID-19 testing will be available on both campuses.  You can pre-register for testing on the San Marcos Campus at SM COVID-19 Testing and on the Round Rock Campus at RR COVID-19 Testing.

Your Texas State students are receiving instructions from the university to limit their contact with persons outside their immediate household and practice strict adherence to the CDC social distancing guidelines for 10 days prior to returning to campuses for the spring semester.  They are also expected to get a COVID-19 test within one week prior to their return to campuses. 

I can’t thank you enough for your input, flexibility, hard work, and collaboration over the last nine months.  I feel good about our preparation for the spring semester and our commitment to keep our classrooms and campuses safe while keeping engagement with our students at the forefront of everything we do.  I know it won’t be without challenges, but there is also much hope for the future and I have faith in you.

Please stay safe and well, and I will see you in January!

Sincerely,

Gene Bourgeois

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

TO:                             Faculty, Deans

FROM:                       Dr. Walter Horton, Jr.

                                    Associate Vice President for Research and Federal Relations

SUBJECT:                   Announcing 2021 Multidisciplinary Internal Research Grant (MIRG) Program

 

We are pleased to announce the launch of the 2021 Multidisciplinary Internal Research Grant (MIRG) Program competition.  Click on the View competition link to view more information and to submit your letter of intent (LOI).

• Internal Submission Deadline: Sunday, January 31, 2021
• Award Cycle: 2021
• Description:

I. Program Description
The MIRG program is part of Texas State University’s strategy to strengthen and enhance research and scholarly activity in the quest to become a tier-one research institution.  Building a research portfolio responsive to the grand challenges of our society is a critical component of this strategy.  These challenges are complex and multifaceted.  As such, their solutions require multiple perspectives.

The 2021 MIRG program will support multidisciplinary research projects that are responsive to an external sponsor’s existing research funding opportunity and align with one of the university’s six Big Ideas: Learning with AR/VR, Translational Health, Materials with Intelligence, Harnessing Big Data, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, or Human Expression.  Competitive proposals will leverage the past work and track record of team members to accelerate a line of research and have clear plans to apply for external funding within six months of completing the MIRG project.

 II. Proposal Deadlines
Proposals must be submitted electronically via the InfoReady internal submission portal no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2021.

Award announcements will be made by April 15, 2021.

Earliest start date for awarded projects is May 15, 2021.

 III. Eligibility
The proposed project must involve at least two faculty members representing an interdisciplinary effort, with at least two different colleges, schools, departments, or disciplines represented within a single project.  Teams must have a history of joint research or investigators within the team must have strong individual research portfolios that complement the work of other team members.  This can be evidenced by prior grant submissions, awards, or publications.

Each investigator must contribute to the project concept and be clearly committed to ongoing involvement in the project.  Tenure-track faculty are particularly encouraged to participate.

Each team member must have submitted all reports and other required materials for any prior internal grant awards on time.  A faculty member with a current Research Enhancement Program (REP) or MIRG grant may apply as a PI or team member, only if the team composition is different and the project goals and scope of work are significantly different from those of current MIRG or REP awards.

The team will designate one member as Principal Investigator (PI).  The PI will often be a team member who has taken a leadership role in conceiving the project and is expected to have an ongoing leadership role and/or particular ongoing commitment to the program.  The PI will receive all correspondence, manage the budget, and be responsible for reporting.

 IV. Award Conditions
The 2021 competition will fund one to three projects ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 each.  The actual budget must match the specific needs of the research project.  Generally, awardees will be expected to complete the project within 12 months from the start date.  To allow time for student recruitment and other preparatory work, such as preparation and approval of protocols or other factors related to the work, the project start date may be delayed for up to six months.  See instructions below regarding the project timeline.

MIRG awards may not be used to replace or supplement current funding nor to support work within the scope of an active or recently completed research grant.  Funds may not be used for facility remodeling or alteration, faculty salaries, or tuition.  Grant funds must be used to further project goals as described in the proposal.

Need More Information?
Program description and proposal preparation guidelines can be found in the MIRG RFP.  Please submit questions via e-mail to research@txstate.edu.

View competition

 

TO:                             Deans, Department Chairs, and School Directors

FROM:                       Dr. Debbie Thorne

                                   Associate Provost

SUBJECT:                  TRACS to Canvas Enhanced Course Migration Services - College Allocations

 

Beginning spring 2021, all courses using a learning management system will be taught with Canvas.  The divisions of Information Technology and Academic Affairs have partnered to allocate central funding for the enhanced migration of certain TRACS courses to Canvas for the spring 2021 semester.  This sophisticated automated service is in addition to the existing TRACS migration tool available in Canvas, the Migration Assistant.  Migration Assistant is still available and has been used by hundreds of faculty members in the last year to successfully migrate course content from TRACS to Canvas.  

Via central funding, each college has been allocated 21 courses to submit for enhanced migration services.  The enhanced course migration service is intended for courses in which faculty have made significant investments in course content, especially with TRACS Learning Modules, and for migrations delayed due to COVID-19 circumstances.  Even with this service, faculty must actively review and update course content after migration to formalize the course for final use.  

College priorities and approvals determine which 21 courses are submitted using central funding.  The request form may be completed by faculty members approved by the college/department/school.

Submissions should be received no later than December 4, 2020.  If requests exceed a college’s allocation, the college/department/school will be contacted with the option to pay $65 per course to continue with the migration service.  The other option is to direct the faculty member to the Migration Assistant named above.  

Please direct questions about the service or request process to itac@txstate.edu.

 

TO:                             Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Andrea Golato

                                    Dean, The Graduate College

SUBJECT:                   2020-2021 Graduate College Outstanding Mentor and Master’s Thesis Awards

 

It is my distinct pleasure to inform you that we have selected the recipients of the 2020–2021 Graduate College Outstanding Mentor Award and the Outstanding Master’s Thesis Awards.

Dr. M. Alejandra Sorto, Professor in the Department of Mathematics, is the recipient of The Graduate College Outstanding Mentor Award.  This award recognizes a faculty member who has had extraordinary success in mentoring graduate students.  Congratulations to Dr. Sorto for her excellent work!  I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Sorto’s colleagues and former students, who submitted very thoughtfully written letters which described in detail the tremendous positive impact of Dr. Sorto’s mentorship on her students’ careers. 

Blake Joseph Gandy, who earned a Master of Arts with a Major in History, is the recipient of The Graduate College’s Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award in the Humanities and Fine Arts.  His thesis, “’Trouble up the Road:’ Desegregation, Busing, and the National Politics of Resistance in Fort Worth, Texas, 1954-1971”, was directed by Dr. Jeffrey L. Helgeson, Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of History.  We would also like to recognize Dr. Thomas Edgar Alter and Dr. Dwight David Watson, who served on Blake’s thesis committee.  Congratulations to Blake for his outstanding research!

Oluwasegun Gabriel Olanrewaju, who earned a Master of Science with a Major in Engineering, is the recipient of The Graduate College’s Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Engineering.  His thesis, “Pre-Positioning Relief Supplies and Supplier Selection Strategy in Disaster Relief”, was directed by Dr. Zhijie Sasha Dong, Assistant Professor in the Ingram School of Engineering.  We would also like to recognize Dr. Clara M. Novoa and Dr. Eduardo Perez, who served on Gabriel’s thesis committee.  Congratulations to Gabriel for his outstanding research!

As the winners of these competitions, Dr. Sorto will receive $2,500 to be paid into her research account, while Blake and Gabriel will each receive $500.  All three will be recognized at The Graduate College’s award ceremony next April. The Graduate College has also entered them into the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools’ respective competitions.

I would also like to acknowledge the following members of the graduate community: Drs. Dong and Helgeson, for their exemplary mentorship and commitment to their students; and the faculty members, Graduate House members, and The Graduate College deans who served on the award committees.  It was indeed inspiring to read about the excellent research and mentoring which is happening on our campus.  And to the entire graduate faculty, I thank you all for your steadfast commitment to graduate education on our campus. 

If you have questions about these awards, feel free to contact Dr. Andrea Golato via email at agolato@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty, and Staff

 

FROM:                       Dr. Vedaraman Sriraman

                                    Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

 

SUBJECT:                   Fall 2020 Virtual Education Abroad Fair – A Special Invitation

 

Education Abroad has experienced severe challenges due to the pandemic.  With worldwide travel restrictions and the health and safety of all in the spotlight, it is more important than ever to understand that travel options are either cancelled or limited this year and next.  Education Abroad programs scheduled for spring 2021 have been cancelled.  In view of present global conditions, the summer 2021 Education Abroad programs are being reviewed and may be canceled.

Why attend this week’s Fall 2020 Virtual Education Abroad Fair?

Planning for the future is the key to success with global international education experiences, whether by travel or through virtual services.

This fall, the Texas State University Education Abroad Fair will be a two-day virtual event on November 11 and 12, 2020, with more than 100 virtual presentations throughout both days.  Although travel options will be severely limited in the short term, you will learn about travel potential in coming years, virtual options in the short term, international research programs, and ways of securing potential financial support.

Representatives of wide-ranging programs and partner institutions from around the world will be providing information to those interested in studying, teaching, working, and/or researching abroad.  The fair includes a variety of options for international experiences, including future faculty-led programs, affiliated programs, exchange programs, internships, volunteering, and service learning.  Exciting new virtual opportunities via affiliated programs and semester exchange programs are also now available.

The Fall 2020 Virtual Education Abroad Fair provides the opportunity to research and learn more about Texas State’s rich choice of global opportunities.  Whether committed to, planning for, or simply considering an education abroad experience, Texas State students are strongly encouraged to participate in this international education event with the understanding that if travel is not an option in the coming calendar year, future programs are around the corner.  Participation in the Fall 2020 Virtual Education Abroad Fair will help in planning and preparing for future opportunities.

As a reminder, Texas State students have the opportunity to apply for the International Education Fee Scholarship (IEFS).  The funding available is approximately $300,000 per academic year.

For more information on the Fall 2020 Virtual Education Abroad Fair presentation schedule and participating in an education abroad program, please visit the Education Abroad website.  If you have any questions, please contact the Education Abroad Office at (512) 245-1967 or via email at educationabroad@txstate.edu.

To register for the Education Abroad virtual fair, please visit the Education Abroad Virtual Fair web page.

TO:                             Faculty, Deans

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Presidential Seminar Award and Presidential Awards for Excellence

 

At the Fall University Convocation and General Faculty Meeting, President Trauth will present the 2021 honorees for the Presidential Seminar Award and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activities, Excellence in Teaching, and Excellence in Service.  The process of selecting next year’s recipients is beginning.

The chairs of the three selection committees are listed below:

Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching, Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt, mc58@txstate.edu, 245-2205.

Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activities and Presidential Seminar Award, Dr. Walt Horton, weh21@txstate.edu, 245-2314.

Presidential Award for Excellence in Service, Dr. Beth Wuest, bw09@txstate.edu, 245-8113.

Faculty may receive Presidential Awards for Excellence more than once, but not in the same category, regardless of rank, more than once every five years. During this five-year period, Presidential Excellence Award recipients will be ineligible for the Presidential Distinction and College Achievement Awards for the category in which they received the presidential award.

I encourage you to submit nominations to your dean by Monday, February 1, 2021, for these important awards.  The selection process, including the criteria and nomination form for each award, is described in AA/PPS 02.04.20.

I encourage you to contact your dean or the committee chair if you have questions regarding the nomination process.

TO:                            Supervisors

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois
                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

                                    Mr. Darryl Borgonah
                                    Associate Vice President for Financial Services

SUBJECT:                   Annual SAP Security Role Review – Division of Academic Affairs

 

It is time to perform the annual process to certify SAP security roles assigned to employees in your department.  Supervisors will be responsible for certifying the roles currently assigned to their direct reports.  Supervisors will receive a task in their SAP worklist on Monday, November 2, 2020 to initiate the certification process.  Instructions for certifying SAP security role assignments are available: Certifying SAP security role assignments.

Supervisors must review and certify that the access continues to be relevant for meeting the business needs and job responsibilities of the department.  If it is determined that a role needs revocation, it is possible to indicate this in the certification process to eliminate the need to submit a revocation security form to ITAC.

Human Resources and Financial Services appreciates your cooperation and due diligence in helping us maintain appropriate access in the SAP system. The deadline to complete this role review is Monday, November 30, 2020.

If you have questions related to human resources roles, please contact Faculty and Academic Resources via email at facultyresources@txstate.edu or 245-2786.  Questions related to finance roles can be directed to Financial Reporting via email at gao@txstate.edu or 245-2541.

TO:                            Current Students, Faculty, and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  John Quiñones: LBJ Distinguished Lecture, November 9

 

The LBJ Distinguished Lecture Series presents a special online event:

JOHN QUIÑONES

Upward and Onward: Opportunity through Education

Monday, November 9, 2020

at 6:00 p.m. Central Time

via YouTube Live

• Event Webpage

• Free Registration via Eventbrite

About John Quiñones
Combining a moving life story, an exceptional career, incomparable insights, and a powerful presence, John Quiñones has emerged as one of the most inspiring keynotes in the speaking world today.  His moving presentations focus on his odds-defying journey, celebrate the life-changing power of education, champion the Latino American dream, and provide thought- provoking insights into human nature and ethical behavior.

A lifetime of “never taking no for an answer” took Quiñones from migrant farm work and poverty to more than 30 years at ABC News and the anchor desk at 20/20 and Primetime.  Along the way, he broke through barriers, won the highest accolades, and became a role model for many.

Known for truly connecting with audiences and leaving them uplifted and inspired, Quiñones delivers a powerful message of believing in one’s self, never giving up, and always, always doing the right thing.  As host and creator of What Would You Do?, the highly-rated, hidden camera ethical dilemma newsmagazine now in its 14th season, Quiñones has literally become “the face of doing the right thing” to millions of fans.  It’s a role that he has enthusiastically embraced off camera, with a popular book and keynote presentations that challenge both business and general audiences to examine the What Would You Do? moments we face every day.  This work and his many achievements were recently recognized with honorary doctorate degrees from Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia and Utah Valley University.

Event Overview
The LBJ Distinguished Lecture Series will present a moderated conversation and Q&A with John Quiñones, an alumnus of the Upward Bound program, about his experiences with Upward Bound and his own dynamic life story.  On Monday, November 9, 2020, Texas State University will celebrate the first day of both Diversity Week and First-Gen Week, offering an exceptional moment to reflect on both the 55th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Higher Education Act (HEA) and the paths of opportunity that higher education provides — President Johnson, Texas State University's most distinguished alumnus, signed the HEA on the San Marcos Campus in 1965.

The specific focus of the event will be Texas State's 2020-2021 Common Experience theme of Dynamics — particularly motivating forces for growth, change, inspiration, and action — spotlighting LBJ’s legacy in education, especially TRIO/Upward Bound programs and the dynamics involved in achieving dreams.

About the Moderator
DaLyah Jones is a first-generation Texas State alumna and staff writer for The Texas Observer.  Her work has also been published in Texas Monthly, the Austin American-Statesman, and NBC News.  She is a former All Things Considered producer and reporter for Austin’s NPR Station, KUT 90.5.  While at Texas State, she worked at KTSW, our student-run, noncommercial radio station.

For more information, or if you have questions, contact Twister Marquiss, director of the Common Experience, at (512) 245-3579 or via email at twister@txstate.edu.

If you require accommodations due to a disability in order to participate, please contact (512) 245-3579 or commonexperience@txstate.edu at least 72 hours in advance of the event.

TO:                             Deans, Department Chairs/School Directors
                                   Faculty

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  THECB Open Educational Resources (OER) Grant Opportunity

 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is soliciting grant applications for Open Educational Resources (OER) course development and implementation plans.  Please see the official announcement by downloading the PDF. 

 We are asking for assistance in creating awareness about this opportunity and to ask that those interested contact Mr. Dana Willett in the Office of Distance and Extended Learning (ODEL) for assistance in grant development and submission.  Our intention is to coordinate assistance in grant application development and, ideally, submit a comprehensive grant application for Texas State University.  Members of the Managing Textbook Costs Committee are available to help interested faculty.

Please review the announcement and communicate interest to Mr. Willett via email at drw134@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Walter Horton, Jr.

                                    Associate Vice President for Research and Federal Relations

SUBJECT:                   Engaging Research - Fall 2020

 

Welcome to the Fall 2020 issue of Engaging Research!

Texas, the nation, and the world benefit when dedicated researchers address real-world problems.  In this edition, you will read about five great examples from across our campuses.  You will learn about the needs of families in Native American communities; the use of virtual reality to support our veterans; the development of new strategies to treat cancer and other diseases; the introduction of culturally relevant computer science into pre-K education; and the exploration of novel feedstuffs for cattle in response to global food demands.  This is the kind of research with relevance that Texas State University is known for.    

Please join us in celebrating Texas State research and researchers by reading and sharing these inspiring stories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faculty Research Spotlight

Vangelis Metsis – Department of Computer Science
Multi-disciplinary Research Team Uses Virtual Reality to Help Veterans with PTSD

Merritt Drewery - Department of Agricultural Sciences
AG Professor Comes Full Circle with Research and Mentorship

Judith Lindsay - St. David's School of Nursing
Caring for Children and Families in Native American Communities

Sean Justice - School of Art and Design
Faculty Team Up for preK-2 Creative Computing Project

Xiaoyu Xue - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Xue Lab Studies Disease Prevention through Biochemical and Genetic Research

Research Coordinator Corner
Get to Know Your Research Coordinators

TO:                             Current Freshmen and Sophomore Students

FROM:                       Dr. Jaime Chahin

                                   Dean, College of Applied Arts

SUBJECT:                   Army ROTC Leadership Development Program

 

Hello, Bobcats!  Spring 2021 registration begins on October 19, 2020, and Army ROTC is still the best leadership development program in the country.  It is an academic elective that can lead to an Army officer's commission and guarantee a job upon graduation.  Scholarships and a monthly stipend available for those who qualify.  Please contact Maj. Jeff Coulter, Recruiting and Enrollment Officer in the Department of Military Science (Army ROTC) at (512) 591-1112 or via email at armyrotc@txstate.edu.

Jeff Coulter, MA, aPHR, RACR

Recruiting and Enrollment Officer

Texas State University Army ROTC

O: (512) 245-0390

C: (512) 591-1112

Zoom Link: https://txstate.zoom.us/j/8144301734

Text "Bobcat" to 462769 (GOARMY).

www.txstate.edu/armyrotc/

www.facebook.com/txstROTC/

www.twitter.com/StateRotc

www.instagram.com/txstarmyrotc/

www.youtube.com/channel/UCMNXgIIrcjdhcDc9xZAayGQ

TO:                             Faculty, Deans

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Fall 2020 Commencement Survey for Faculty

 

Texas State University is considering in-person commencement ceremonies to be held in Bobcat Stadium this December.  Health and safety guidelines, including 25% or less occupational capacity in guest and graduate seating (the number of guests per graduate would be limited to three), strict enforcement of masks and social distancing principles, and other guidelines as outlined in the Roadmap, would be implemented to ensure safe in-person ceremonies for our faculty, staff, graduates, and their guests.  Also, Texas State plans on implementing a virtual commencement ceremony for fall 2020 candidates. (Note: We are gathering staff and student input in separate surveys.)

According to surveys of Texas State graduates, faculty involvement is one of the most important aspects of the commencement ceremony.  Your input regarding the planning process is important to the commencement team as they plan for the safest and most meaningful way to honor our graduates.  Please take a moment to complete this brief survey.  Please respond to the survey no later than Thursday, October 22, 2020.  All survey responses are anonymous unless you identify yourself in written comments.

TO:                             Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Fall 2020 Commencement Survey for Staff

 

Texas State University is considering in-person commencement ceremonies to be held in Bobcat Stadium this December.  Health and safety guidelines including 25% or less occupational capacity in guest and graduate seating (the number of guests per graduate would be limited to three), strict enforcement of masks and social distancing principles, and other guidelines as outlined in the Roadmap, would be implemented to ensure safe in-person ceremonies for our faculty, staff, graduates, and their guests.  Also, Texas State plans on implementing a virtual commencement ceremony for fall 2020 candidates. (Note: We are gathering faculty and student input in separate surveys.)

Each semester, staff support commencement by greeting guests, providing security, checking in graduates, and offering other essential services.  This support makes the ceremonies memorable for graduates and their guests.  Your input regarding the planning process is important to the commencement team as they plan for the safest and most meaningful way to honor our graduates.  Please take a moment to complete this brief survey.  Please respond to the survey no later than Thursday, October 22, 2020.  All survey responses are anonymous unless you identify yourself in written comments.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Assistant Vice President, Institutional Research

 

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. G. Marc Turner as the assistant vice president for Institutional Research, effective September 21, 2020.

Dr. Turner has worked in the Office of Institutional Research at Texas State University since 2013.  During this time, he integrated data from a variety of sources to comprehensively analyze relevant university issues, led the transition of data reporting to the interactive Tableau format, provided input to numerous campus committees, and offered data and analysis training for individuals at Texas State and The Texas State University System.

Prior to his employment in the Office of Institutional Research, Dr. Turner served as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Texas State for over 15 years.  During that time, he received the Dean’s Excellence Award for Service three times and the Golden Apple Award for Service in 2009 from the College of Liberal Arts.  He developed the Faculty Annual Reporting and Review System (FARRS) used by faculty in the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts for many years.  In 2004, Dr. Turner earned his Ph.D. in educational psychology with an emphasis in quantitative and psychometric methods from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Turner has served as the professional development officer and president of the Texas Association for Institutional Research and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Southern Association for Institutional Research.  He has presented multiple workshops, presentations, and invited lectures at state, regional, and national conferences.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Turner on his new position as assistant vice president for Institutional Research.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty, and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   U.S. Olympic Gymnast Laurie Hernandez, October 20

 

Laurie Hernandez
Common Experience Insight Series
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
6:00 p.m. via YouTube Livestream
Free Online Event

 Registration (ticketing) will be available starting Tuesday, October 6, at noon — visit the event webpage at that time to claim tickets.

Laurie Hernandez Event Webpage

About the Event
Texas State University’s Common Experience Insight Series will present an online event featuring U.S. Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez on Tuesday, October 20, at 6:00 p.m. Central Time.  

The conversation will focus on Texas State's 2020-2021 Common Experience theme of Dynamics.  Hernandez is among the authors featured in the university’s 2020-2021 Common Reading book, American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures, edited by actress America Ferrera.  At age 20, Hernandez will be the youngest speaker in the history of the Common Experience.

The event will be livestreamed via YouTube, featuring a discussion and Q&A moderated by Texas State alumna DaLyah Jones, writer at The Texas Observer.

About Laurie Hernandez
 Laurie Hernandez is known for her dazzling floor exercise routine, which earned her the nickname “​The Human Emoji” for her outgoing facial expressions, and for her grace and artistry on the balance beam.

Hernandez is a second-generation American, as her grandparents are from Puerto Rico, making her the first U.S.-born Latina to make the U.S. team since 1984.  She credits her hard work, leadership skills, and her never give up attitude to her mom, who was in the Army Reserves while Hernandez was growing up.

At the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Hernandez earned team gold and individual silver medals as part of the U.S. gymnastics team that also included Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, and Madison Kocian.  That same year, she won the coveted Mirrorball Trophy on Dancing with the Stars Season 23.  Her first book, titled I Got This: To Gold and Beyond, was published in January 2017, hitting The New York Times Best Sellers list.  In October 2018, she released a children’s picture book, She’s Got This, which also made The New York Times Best Sellers list.  She also landed several television roles, co-hosting American Ninja Warrior Junior and starring in the series Middle School Moguls on Nickelodeon.

She is currently training for the 2021 Olympics, to be held in Tokyo.

When not in the gym, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her mom and dad, her older brother, and older sister.  She travels the country speaking to the next generation about following their dreams, and she is a fierce advocate for the importance of mental health awareness.

For more information, or if you have questions, contact Mr. Twister Marquiss, director of the Common Experience, at (512) 245-3579 or via email at twister@txstate.edu.

If you require accommodations due to a disability in order to participate, please contact (512) 245-3579 or commonexperience@txstate.edu at least 72 hours in advance of the event.

TO:                             Deans

                                    Department Chairs/School Directors

                                    Faculty

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Time and Leave Policy – Faculty Sick Leave Reporting Requirements

 

Faculty members appointed in benefits-eligible positions (50% or more appointment) earn sick leave and must report sick leave taken even if no classes were missed.  Reporting is required by the State of Texas (Texas Government Code 661.203).

Faculty must report sick leave for the actual time missed from carrying out their normal, negotiated workload responsibilities, including teaching, research and scholarly/creative activities, and service.  Sick leave taken must be recorded in hours, including partial day absences.

 The specific procedures for faculty to use in reporting sick leave are prescribed in UPPS 04.04.30, University Leave Policy, Section 04.10, Sick Leave Procedures, and Section 16, Record Keeping Procedures.

Sick leave may be use when sickness, injury, pregnancy, or confinement prevent the employee’s performance of duty, or when the employee needs to care for an immediate family member who is sick, or to obtain medical or dental examinations as part of an employee’s or immediate family member’s personal health maintenance program.  Employees are allowed to use up to eight hours of sick leave each fiscal year to attend educational activities of their children in grades pre-kindergarten through 12.

Questions regarding the use and recording of faculty sick leave should be directed to the appropriate department chair or school director. Each department/school must have a procedure in place regarding the assigned responsibility for getting time entered into the SAP time management system, either by a faculty member or the department time administrator.

TO:                             Associate Provost and Associate/Assistant Vice Presidents

                                    Deans

                                    Department Chairs/School Directors

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Time and Leave Policy – Supervisor Responsibilities

 

This email serves as the annual reminder to academic administrators, academic deans, department chairs, and school directors about supervisor responsibilities for following time and leave policy and procedures found in UPPS 04.04.30, University Leave Policy.

 All department heads/supervisors are responsible for knowing and monitoring time reports and balances for each employee assigned to their departmental units, including faculty and staff.  All leave must be entered into the SAP time management system.  Each department must have a procedure in place regarding the assigned responsibility for getting time entered, either by a faculty member, staff member, or the department time administrator. 

 As a result of a recent audit finding, Faculty and Academic Resources will be regularly reviewing leave reporting across units in the division of Academic Affairs.  During October and April of each academic year, four academic units and one administrative unit will be randomly selected for an actionable review of their leave procedures including reporting, approving, and maintaining supporting documentation.

Questions regarding sick leave procedures and the use and recording of faculty and staff sick leave should be directed to the appropriate administrator or staff in Faculty and Academic Resources or Human Resources.

TO:                             Faculty

                                   All Staff in Division of Academic Affairs

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Off-Site Use of Desktop Computers

 

This message is to clarify the Division of Academic Affair’s current policy regarding off-site use of desktop computers.  The Division of Academic Affairs will adhere to UPPS 05.01.01, Texas State University Property and Equipment, in regards to off-site use of property, which includes Texas State University owned desktop computers.  Off-site use is defined as the use of university property by a Texas State employee at a location other than the university’s regular place of business.  Faculty who are approved to teach online for an entire semester or staff members who have an approved long-term remote working or telecommuting arrangement are eligible for off-site use of university property and equipment.  Inventory tracking should continue to be the responsibility of the faculty or staff member’s university-based department.  And, please keep in mind that it is everyone’s responsibility to protect and secure data stored on Texas State devices from unauthorized or unintentional data exposure. 

Section 03.03 of the above mentioned policy outlines other responsibilities regarding Texas State property and equipment:

Department heads and account managers are responsible for the daily care, maintenance, and safeguarding of property and equipment. They are responsible for:

1. timely notifying the office of Materials Management and Logistics of transfers and deletions of property and equipment in their possession;
2. timely reporting stolen or damaged assets to the office of Materials Management and Logistics, the University Police Department (UPD), and, if the asset is a computer device, to the Informational
3. Technology (IT) Security officer; and
4. authorizing the “off-site use” of certain property and equipment assigned to their department for official use by university employees.

TO:                             Faculty

                                    Deans

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Policies Related to Ethics and Compliance

 

In an effort to consolidate email communications from the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, this memo provides an overview of policies and other information related to ethics and compliance following university, state, and federal regulations and policies.  Faculty are encouraged to visit the websites linked below and to talk with their department chairs/school directors about specific questions regarding these policies and practices.

Health and Safety Measures
On June 8, 2020, Texas State University adopted ten health and safety measures to protect the learning, living, and working environments on our campuses during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Compliance with these measures is expected of all faculty, staff, students, and visitors.  The health and safety measures remain in effect until further notice.

University Ethics and Compliance Program
Texas State’s Ethics and Compliance Program is designed to coordinate and disseminate information that is necessary for the performance of faculty members’ responsibilities.  The Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs has selected eight modules that all faculty shall review that are required by law or good practice.  These modules educate faculty about current university policy and procedures as well as the right thing to do in a variety of circumstances.

There are several parts of the program that involve faculty:

1. Review eight compliance modules on the Office of Human Resources website.  The eight modules include:

Ethics and Compliance
Appropriate Use of Information Resources
Information Security
Copyright Protection
FERPA
Conflicts of Interest
Drug-Free and Weapon-Free Workplace
Reporting Abuse of Minors

2. All faculty must complete an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Title IX training, which is required every two years to meet the requirement mandated by the State of Texas.  The EEO workshops are online via the SAP Self Service Portal, found under the “General Business Apps” section, “Training and Development” tab, and the “Employee Information and Legal Issues” course catalog section.  All faculty members, without regard to their supervisory status, are required to complete the online EEO and Title IX course every two years and will receive an email reminder when their training is due to be updated. 

3. To combat the growing threat of cyberattacks, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3834 in the 2019 legislative session, which requires certain state and local government employees to complete a cybersecurity training program certified by the state’s Department of Information Resources (DIR).  All faculty must complete the Cybersecurity Training that is available in the “Employee Information and Legal Issues” course catalog section in SAP, as well.

Dual/Outside Employment
UPPS 04.04.06, Outside Employment and Activities, defines outside employment as any compensated employment, consulting, or service performed by the employee outside of the employee’s employment relationship with Texas State for the direct or indirect benefit of the employee or the organization serviced.  Employment or activities must not interfere or conflict with the faculty member’s duties and responsibilities at Texas State.

Annual approval is required for 1) any outside employment or consulting prior to beginning such outside employment or consulting; 2) any employment with another state agency, community college, or school district (regardless of the faculty member’s FTE at Texas State); or 3) any faculty member holding public office (elected or appointed to serve for a federal, state, or local government entity including school districts, cities, and towns).

If the outside employment is with another State of Texas entity, Texas law requires that all state employees must inform their state agencies or institutions of higher education before accepting an additional employment with another agency or institution.  See section 03.02 of UPPS 04.04.06.

 Any outside employment approved from a prior academic year must be reported for the current year if the employment is ongoing.  The current reporting academic year is 9/1/20 – 8/31/21.  Faculty are required to report any changes that may occur during the academic year (e.g., additional outside employment throughout the year or change in outside employment workload).

 Note: Honorariums need not be reported.

Reporting of dual and outside employment is done electronically via the SAP Self Service Portal, found under the “Self-Report” tab.

Online Reporting of Relatives Working at Texas State University
An online form is available for employees to report certain relatives also working at Texas State University.  With centralized records, Human Resources and Faculty and Academic Resources will be able to better manage potential conflicts and provide accurate reports as required by state law and The Texas State University System Regents’ Rules and Regulations. The governing policy is UPPS 04.04.07, Nepotism and Related Employment.

 Note: If you have already reported relatives working at Texas State and there are no changes, no action is required.  After your initial certification, you must report any changes as they occur.

 If needed, please take action by October 15, 2020.  Reporting of dual and outside employment is done electronically via the SAP Self Service Portal, found under the “Self-Report” tab.  Instructions for Self-Reporting of Relatives at Texas State are available.  The records will be reviewed by Human Resources or Faculty and Academic Resources against the organizational structure in SAP.  If there is a potential conflict, Human Resources or Faculty and Academic Resources staff will contact the department head for resolution. Questions may be directed to the Office of Faculty and Academic Resources at (512) 245-3628.

 Thank you for your commitment to the highest standards of ethics and integrity. I hope you continue to have a very productive and fulfilling semester.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty, and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   The State of Black Design

 

The State of Black Design

Online Event

Friday, September 18, 2020

7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Free Tickets (Required)
Eventbrite: The State of Black Design

Hosted by Texas State University's Communication Design Program, this two-hour online discussion will feature prominent Black design practitioners and academics.  Open conversation will be segmented into four focused panels: Industry, Pedagogy, Black Design Organizations, and Design Activism.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Aunt Jemima: Is rebranding racist trademarks enough?
• Decolonizing the field of design
• Hegemony in design curriculum + workspace
• Design's roots in social commentary
• Black Lives Matter and its impact on design
• Level of diversity in the field of design — how do we increase that level of diversity?

Moderator:
Omari Souza, assistant professor, Texas State University

Panelists:

• Samuel Adaramola, creative director at Grassroots Law Project and former media producer for Sen. Bernie Sanders
• Maurice Cherry, founder of Revision Path, podcast highlighting African Americans designers, and former senior creative strategist for Glitch
• Terrence Moline, African American graphic designer
• Erwin Hines, creative director at Basic Agency
• Terressa Moses, creative director at Black Bird Revolt and associate professor at the University of Minnesota
• Renee Reid, UX design researcher at LinkedIn
• Bekah Marcum, Black Designers of Seattle community organizer and product designer at Zillow Group
• Jordon Moses, co-founder + visionary director at Black Bird Revolt
• Jacinda Walker, founder and creative director of designExplorr
• Larrie King, assistant professor of visual communication design at Kent State University
• Antionette Carroll, president/CEO of Creative Reaction Lab; Aspen Institute and ADL Civil Society Fellow; TED Fellow; Echoing Green Fellow; co-founder of &Design
• Jennifer White-Johnson, assistant professor of visual communication design and digital media art at Bowie State University
• Lauren Williams, visiting instructor in communication design at College for Creative Studies
• Dr. Lesley Ann Noel, professor of practice and associate director at Design Thinking for Social Impact
• Angela Bains, assistant professor at Ontario College of Art & Design University (OCAD University)

Note: This is an official Common Experience event.

For more information, contact Omari Souza, assistant professor in the Communication Design Program, via email at oas21@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Faculty

                                    Staff

                                    Graduate Teaching Assistants/Doctoral Teaching Assistants

                                    Graduate Instructional Assistants/Doctoral Instructional Assistants

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Policies Related to Teaching and Instruction

 

In an effort to consolidate email communications from the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, this memo provides an overview of policies and information related to teaching responsibilities, student records, and classroom materials.  Faculty are encouraged to visit the websites linked below and to talk with their department chairs/school directors about specific questions regarding these policies and practices. 

Inadvertent Release of Student Education Records: Updated with Secure Communication Instructions
This is a reminder of your obligation to guard against the inadvertent release of student education records as stipulated in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  UPPS 01.04.31, Access to Student Records Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, addresses this law and faculty and staff obligations.   

A few examples of inadvertent releases of student education records are emailing student grades, grade point averages, test scores or posting grades by student ID numbers, social security numbers, or other numbers that make student identities easily traceable.  These actions violate federal law and university policy.  A list of frequently asked questions is available for additional information.  

Please review File and Data Sending and Receiving information standards as well as best practices for Data Classification (confidential, sensitive, or public) from the division of Information Technology.  To securely send and receive confidential student education records per FERPA regulations, use the university’s secure File Transfer system. 

Faculty-Authored Teaching Material
AA/PPS 02.03.30, Faculty-Authored Teaching Material, requires approval to prescribe any textbook, notebook, manual, or other materials written or prepared by a member of the Texas State University faculty for which a charge is required.  The approval process, which is described in the policy, involves the faculty member prescribing the course material, department chair/school director, dean, and provost.  The deadlines for the submission of requests for materials to be used are: July 1 (fall semester), November 1 (spring semester), and April 1 (summer sessions).

TO:                            Current Students, Faculty, and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Constitution Day

 

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is an American federal observance recognizing the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become United States citizens by birth or naturalization.  It is normally observed on September 17, the day the United States Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787 in Philadelphia.  During any year that September 17 falls on a weekend, colleges and universities may present educational programs on the week preceding or following September 17.

This year, Texas State University is hosting Dr. Mark Graber, James W. France Professor of Constitutionalism and Regents Professor at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.  Dr. Graber’s books include Constitutional Democracy in Crisis?, A New Introduction to American Constitutionalism, and Dred Scott and the Problem of Constitutional Evil.  His Constitution Day lecture is entitled "Disloyal Rebels and Loyal Unionists: The Fourteenth Amendment as a Whole."  It will take place on Thursday, September 17, 2020 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Centennial Teaching Theater.  Students who do not wish to attend in person will have the option of attending via Zoom.  To attend via Zoom, please register in advance.  The lecture is sponsored by the Department of Political Science and made possible by a grant from the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America’s Founding Principles and History.

Also, Student Government will be in Bobcat Trail (the open space between the Undergraduate Academic Center and Evans Liberal Arts Building) on September 17, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m., distributing pocket-sized United States Constitutions to students.  The main goal during this activity is to make their fellow students understand the importance of the U.S. constitution and in particular, the right to vote which is one of the greatest privileges in a democracy.  Because of this, Student Government will have students who are deputized and who can assist students to register to vote in Hays County.

TO:                             Faculty, Deans

FROM:                       Dr. Walter Horton, Jr.

                                   Associate Vice President for Research and Federal    Relations

SUBJECT:                   Program Announcement – FY21 Research Enhancement Program

 

Through a peer review process, the Research Enhancement Program (REP) provides funding for research and creative activities by faculty in all disciplines.  Funding for the REP is allocated to the academic colleges via a proportional model based on each college’s percentage of the total requested amount of funding across the university.  The program guidelines, college scoring rubrics, and other programmatic information are available on the REP webpage.

Completed REP applications must be submitted via the online submission system before 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2020.  Submissions after 5:00 p.m. will not be accepted by the system.  A tutorial for submitting applications through the online system can be downloaded from the REP webpage navigation bar.

Interested faculty are encouraged to attend a REP overview workshop on September 3, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. via Zoom.  To get the link for the presentation you must first sign up.

Programmatic questions may be directed to Dr. Michael Blanda, Assistant Vice President for Research at (512) 245-2314 or via email at blanda@txstate.edu or to Dr. Augustine Agwuele, Chair of the University Research Enhancement Committee via email at aa21@txstate.edu.  Questions regarding technical support for the online application system should be directed to Dr. Yongxia Xia at (512) 245-2314 or via email at ys11@txstate.edu.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty, and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Instagram Live @TXST — Dynamics: From Here to There

 

Instagram Live Event

Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

This event will be hosted on Texas State University’s main Instagram account: @TXST or instagram.com/txst

To open the 2020-2021 academic year, the Common Experience presents a special Instagram Live event featuring conversations with recent Texas State alumni whose paths have led to remarkable opportunities — as well as messages from celebrity guests.  Focus on our 2020-2021 theme of Dynamics and how to get from here to there.

Moderator

• Allison Jones, social media coordinator, PACE Center (class of 2019)

Live Guests: Alumni

• Ashley Bowerman, reporter and news anchor at WSFA News in Montgomery, Alabama (class of 2019)
• Cedrik Chavez, current student in Harvard University's Sustainable Business Strategy certification program; former intern at ESPN and Austin Electric Vehicles, and former consumer engagement intern at Adidas (class of 2020)
• DaLyah Jones, environmental writer at The Texas Observer; former producer/reporter at KUT-Austin News and National Public Radio (class of 2016)
• Leanna Mouton, Diversity and Inclusion HR intern at K12; former intern for the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships and former Texas State University System Student Regent (class of 2019)
• Kaylee Smith, strategist at Tribu Creative in San Antonio; former social media coordinator, Common Experience (class of 2019)
• Chelsea Thompson, show host at CBS Austin and soon launching a webcast series; 2019 Miss Capital of Texas (class of 2016)

For questions about this social media event, please contact commonexperience@txstate.edu.

TO:               Faculty, Staff

FROM:         Dr. Gene Bourgeois, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:    University Convocation and Annual General Faculty Meeting, August 21, 2020

 

Good morning,

I would like to remind you to please join President Trauth and me virtually for the University Convocation and the Annual General Faculty Meeting to be held on August 21, 2020, at 9:00 a.m.  The Microsoft Teams link to the event for all university faculty and staff will be available on this page at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, August 21.

Details regarding Convocation are found in the messages below [06/25/2020].

Gene Bourgeois

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

TO:                             Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Andrea Golato

                                    Dean, The Graduate College

SUBJECT:                   The Graduate College’s Outstanding Dissertation Award

 

It is my pleasure to inform you of the outcome of The Graduate College’s recent Outstanding Dissertation Award competition.

Dr. Meagan Hoff, who earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Education on May 16, 2020, has won The Graduate College’s Outstanding Dissertation Award in the Social Sciences.  Her dissertation, “But it’s Hard for a Refugee”: Transitioning to Postsecondary Literacy Practices After Forced Migration,” was directed by Dr. Sonya Armstrong, Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

In her dissertation, Dr. Hoff investigates the literacy practices of students in post-resettlement situations enrolled in a U.S. Connected Learning Program (CLP) designed for refugee populations – a hybrid college program which combines online programing with intensive, in-person academic support.  Using a collective case study approach, she addresses the following questions:  How do refugee students navigate the literacy practices of a competency-based online program within an American CLP?  And how does the experience of forced migration inform the language and literacy practices that students use in the program?  The dissertation not only addresses important issues surrounding cultural and linguistic diversity within developmental education, but it also impacts educational programming and policy.  Dr. Hoff has published articles based on her dissertation in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Eric Welch, who earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization on December 14, 2019, has won The Graduate College’s Outstanding Dissertation Award in Mathematics, Engineering and Physical Sciences.  His dissertation, First Principle Modeling of Hybrid Halide Perovskites for Optoelectronic Applications, was directed by Dr. Alex Zakhidov, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics.

Dr. Welch’s dissertation explores computational modeling of halide perovskites for solar energy applications.  His dissertation uses first principle computational modeling to understand the photophysics of perovskite-based devices, since an understanding of the underlying photophysical properties is required to develop perovskite-based devices to their full potential.  The ability to model and predict device behaviors in metal halide perovskites has assisted and will continue to assist researchers in saving time and money in improving current devices and creating new ones.  First principle computational modeling is therefore a vital tool in understanding the photophysics of perovskites, which will help improve solar cell and light emitting diode technologies and promote advances in spintronic devices.  Dr. Welch has presented and published work from his dissertation in top-tier venues.

As the winners of these competitions, Drs. Hoff and Welch will each receive $1,000 and will be recognized at The Graduate College’s Awards Ceremony next April.   We have also entered them into the Council of Graduate School’s national competition for best dissertation in the above-mentioned categories.

Congratulations to Dr. Hoff and Dr. Welch on their outstanding work!  I would also like to acknowledge Professors Armstrong and Zakhidov for their exemplary mentorship and commitment to their students.

If you have questions about the dissertation awards, please contact Dean Andrea Golato via email at agolato@txstate.edu.

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

                                    Dr. Walter Horton, Jr.

                                    Associate Vice President for Research and Federal Relations

SUBJECT:                   Announcing the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

 

Last year, the university announced “Big Ideas” that will direct how we focus our investment in cutting-edge research and how we support the best and brightest minds at Texas State University.  One of these Big Ideas focuses on enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship at the university.

As we make progress in this area, I am excited to announce the establishment of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).  This is a new, university-level center.  The CIE replaces and builds on the prior work of the Center for Entrepreneurial Action, which was housed in the McCoy College of Business Administration, by expanding the reach of innovation and entrepreneurship across the university.

The CIE will be led by Co-Directors: Dr. Shannon Weigum from the College of Science and Engineering and Mr. Dan Roy from the McCoy College of Business Administration. 

The goals of the CIE are to support a growing ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship across the university; encourage and support the discovery and development of new ideas; and assist the launch of new ventures, which brings those new ideas to life.  The CIE will also serve as a catalyst by engaging, equipping, and empowering our students, faculty, alumni, and communities to achieve greater levels of entrepreneurial success.

The center advances the strategic goals of Texas State by enhancing the university as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, focusing investments in ground-breaking research in these areas, and anchoring our position in the Texas Innovation Corridor to empower the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. 

Please join me in welcoming the CIE and the exciting opportunities it brings to our university!

TO:                             Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Assistants

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Faculty Guide: Preparing for Fall 2020

 

In preparation for fall 2020, my office created a guide to provide faculty and instructors with information on the operational status of the university, ensure training on health and safety measures, and facilitate planning for and implementing instructional activities in fall 2020.  This guide is a living document and will be updated as new information emerges.  While this guide covers many different topics, faculty members are also encouraged to seek guidance from department chairs/school directors, deans, and appropriate offices on campus.

In addition, all instructors, deans, chairs/directors, and program coordinators are encouraged to use the guide in meetings with faculty, responding to questions, and providing advice, and setting expectations.

The presentation may be downloaded from the Faculty Guide webpage on the Office of the Provost’s website.  In addition, all members of the university community are encouraged to review the university’s Roadmap to Return website on a regular basis.

During this challenging time, I recognize the critical role and workload of faculty to ensure students are successfully guided through their courses and academic activities.  I greatly appreciate your understanding, flexibility, and cooperation as our university responds to this public health challenge and implements health and safety standards.  I hope you have a productive and fulfilling semester.

TO:                             Current Students, Faculty, Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   August 2020 Virtual Commencement

 

Please join us for Texas State University’s August 2020 Virtual Commencement ceremonies which will premiere on Saturday, August 8, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. CDT.  The ceremonies will be available on the commencement website.

The main ceremony, containing traditional ceremony elements such as degree conferral, remarks from President Trauth and Provost Bourgeois, recognition of award recipients, and congratulatory messages, will premiere at 10:00 a.m. CDT.  Immediately following the main ceremony, individual college ceremonies will be available on the same website for viewing.  These individual college ceremonies will contain remarks from the respective deans and a slide for graduates displaying their name, degree, and other achievements that are traditionally recognized at commencement.  All ceremonies will remain available for viewing at a later time.

The August 2020 Virtual Commencement FAQ website has been created to address topics related to the virtual commencement.  For additional questions, please email commencement@txstate.edu.

We look forward to celebrating with our graduates and the campus community at our virtual ceremonies this weekend.

TO:                 Direct Reports to the Provost and Vice President for
                       Academic Affairs, Department Chairs/School Directors

FROM:            Dr. Gene Bourgeois
                        Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:       Overtime and Compensatory Time Policy

 

Please make sure all supervisors in your area have reviewed UPPS 04.04.16, Overtime and Compensatory Time Policy.  This policy sets forth the overtime and compensatory time policy for all university employees and complies with applicable federal, state, and university requirements.

This university policy meets the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a federal statute that establishes, among other things, the federal minimum wage and required overtime compensation for certain employees at a rate not less than one and one-half times the regular rate of pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek.  Certain employee groups are exempt from the overtime provision while other employee groups earn overtime compensation.  Exempt employees are unclassified, which means there is no pay plan maximum for their job titles.  Non-exempt employees are classified, which means there is a pay plan minimum and maximum for their job titles.  If supervisors would like to confirm the exempt or non-exempt status of a position, they may inquire with the Office of Human Resources or the Office of Faculty and Academic Resources.  The University Pay Plan also provides information.

The division of Academic Affairs does not have a separate written policy on overtime and compensatory time for exempt and non-exempt employees earning state comp time and FLSA time (time earned at the rate of one and one-half hours for one hour).

 However as stated in Section 02.05, d. and e., of the above UPPS:

d.  All state compensatory time off is at the discretion of the supervisor within the state compensatory time off policy.  Both the employee and the supervisor must agree on any time taken.

e. No more than 24 consecutive hours of state compensatory time may be used at any one time without approval from the divisional vice president. This excludes energy conservation days.

 Exempt employees in the division of Academic Affairs shall take state compensatory time as approved by individual supervisors and shall not take more than 24 consecutive hours of state compensatory time without approval from the provost.  This excludes energy conservation day.

 All supervisors are responsible for ensuring that exempt and non-exempt employees understand and follow university policies and procedures for the timely recording of leave, overtime, and other exceptions to their normal work schedules.

TO:                             Deans,  Department Chairs/School Directors, Faculty

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Compliance with HB 2504 and Website

 

Per the Texas Legislature and House Bill (HB) 2504, undergraduate course syllabi and associated instructor vita must be posted to a university website by the seventh day after the first day of classes of each semester or other academic term during which the course is offered.  

Website Access & Launch
Detailed information on the legislation and Texas State University’s compliance plan is located on the HB 2504 website.

Please note that a link to the HB 2504 website is also available by clicking “Faculty & Staff” at the top right corner of the Texas State home page.

Due Date
All faculty vita and fall 2020 syllabi should be uploaded to Texas State’s HB 2504 website by Monday, August 31, 2020.

Information and Instructions on Uploading Vita and Syllabi

Go to the HB 2504 website and click “Information” on the menu bar and then click “Info for Faculty and Staff” for HB 2504 directions and detailed information.

To summarize:

1. All instructors will need to upload the course syllabus for each undergraduate course section he or she is teaching in the 2020 fall semester (instructors teaching lecture or seminar courses in the following formats: on-campus, off-campus, dual credit, education abroad, distance education, or extension).  Undergraduate course sections required for HB 2504 are pre-populated into the website.  These are updated every morning to reflect schedule changes.
2. Instructors with an existing vita on the HB 2504 website can use that version or upload a more recent vita.
3. Instructors who are new and/or do not have an existing vita on the website will need to upload a vita.
4. The following course types and instructors are excluded from compliance with HB 2504: independent study, directed readings, laboratory, clinical, internship, practicum, private lessons, discussion sections or others tailored specifically to individual students.  All graduate level courses and instructors are also excluded.
5. This information must be uploaded by Monday, August 31, 2020.

Permissions to Upload Vita and Syllabi

Instructors automatically have permission to upload their vita and syllabi by virtue of logging in with their NetID and password via the “Editor Access” link on the website.  New instructors will be able to upload their vita and syllabi once their hire paperwork is processed by Faculty and Academic Resources.  Course sections with “staff” or “TBD” listed as the instructor will not appear on the HB 2504 website until an instructor has been named.  The database and website re-populate every morning.  In the event the department uploads the materials for the faculty member, the faculty member must approve the documents before they are uploaded.

Student Perceptions of Instruction Update

Summarized results of the student perceptions of instruction (SPI) for each undergraduate course/instructor will be available and posted to the HB 2504 website approximately four to six weeks after the end of each semester or other academic term.

Finally, thank you for your assistance to ensure Texas State’s transparency, communication, and compliance with HB 2504.  Reports of our compliance activities are posted under “Information” on the HB 2504 website.

Please email hb2504@txstate.edu for any questions.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Request for Big Ideas Project Proposals

 

In December 2018, Texas State University issued the first call for Big Idea proposals to identify compelling inter-disciplinary initiatives where philanthropic investment can significantly advance Texas State’s reputation as a national research university.  The five Big Ideas selected through the first round included: 1) Training with AR/VR; 2) Translational Health; 3) Materials with Intelligence; 4) Harnessing Big Data; and 5) Innovation & Entrepreneurship.  Over the past year, these Big Ideas have helped spotlight the university’s capabilities in research and discovery and resulted in over $500,000 in new philanthropic investment, coverage in national media, and plans for two new university level centers.   

Today, I am pleased to announce that we are reopening the process for submitting proposals for projects that align with the five approved Big Ideas areas, and a new sixth Big Idea in the humanities and creative arts under the theme of Human Expression.  In this round, we are looking for specific projects which, if given the necessary resources, can advance research and student engagement within one of the Big Idea areas, including:

• seed projects for new lines of research or creative endeavor
• funding required to advance an existing line of research or creative endeavor
• resources to support student engagement in a Big Idea area

Additional information and instructions for proposal submission can be found on the Big Ideas website.  The submission period is now open and will close October 30, 2020.

After proposals are received, they will be reviewed by a committee with representation from across campus.  Selected projects, to be announced in December, will be included as featured fundraising opportunities under the Big Ideas initiative.

I encourage you to partner with colleagues, department chairs/school directors, and deans on submissions.  We look forward to learning about your innovative ideas.

TO:                             Faculty, Deans

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Changes to Instructional Methods for Fall 2020

 

On June 11, 2020, my office sent an email to all faculty regarding the process of seeking work modifications or alternative work arrangements in light of COVID-19 (email attached).  This email, which prompted changes to the instructional methods of many fall 2020 courses, indicated that faculty members could seek 1) formal workplace modifications via the university process or 2) alternative work arrangements via discussion with department chairs/school directors.  For the latter option, medical disclosure/paperwork is not required.  Several colleges developed procedures for faculty seeking the alternative arrangements.

 In light of the recent Faculty Senate survey as well as university guidance for flexibility in addressing individual circumstances, please work diligently with department chairs/school directors to submit any final requests for changes to instructional modality for the fall 2020 semester.  We ask that new requests for changes to instructional methods be submitted by Friday, July 31, 2020.  This timing allows for faculty to effectively transition courses and for students to make course selections.  Departments/schools are responsible for submitting requests to change the schedule of classes to the University Registrar. 

I appreciate all that you are doing, and will do, to ensure a safe, healthy, and vibrant learning community.

TO:                             Faculty, Deans

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Information to Include in Fall 2020 Course Syllabi

 

As we approach the fall 2020 semester and the unique circumstances presented by COVID-19, the following message provides guidance on new components of the course syllabus that need to be articulated, including the university’s measures for health, wellness, and safety, the Bobcat Pledge, civility and compliance with health standards, instructional methodology, technology needs, office hours, academic integrity, and other factors.  This message also provides syllabus information about the university’s mission and shared values, emergency management, and the reporting responsibility of faculty and staff who learn of sexual misconduct.  General information on course syllabi and classroom procedures is found in AA/PPS 02.03.01, Conduct and Planning of Courses.

Our Mission and Our Shared Values
Faculty who wish to include information about the university’s mission and shared values statements in a syllabus for fall 2020 courses should use the following statements from the 2017-2023 Texas State University Plan: 

Mission
exas State University is a doctoral-granting, student-centered institution dedicated to excellence and innovation in teaching, research, including creative expression, and service.  The university strives to create new knowledge, to embrace a diversity of people and ideas, to foster cultural and economic development, and to prepare its graduates to participate fully and freely as citizens of Texas, the nation, and the world. 

Shared Values
In pursuing our mission, we, the faculty, staff, and students of Texas State University, are guided by a shared collection of values: 

• Teaching and learning based on research, student involvement, and the free exchange of ideas in a supportive environment;
• Research and creative activities that encompass the full range of academic disciplines—research with relevance, from the sciences to the arts, from the theoretical to the applied;
• The cultivation of character, integrity, honesty, civility, compassion, fairness, respect, and ethical behavior in all members of our university community;
• A diversity of people and ideas, a spirit of inclusiveness, a global perspective, and a sense of community as essential conditions for campus life;
• A commitment to service and leadership for the public good;
• Responsible stewardship of our resources and environment; and
• Continued reflection and evaluation to ensure that our strengths as a community always benefit those we serve.

Campus Health, Wellness, and Safety 

• Reminder on 10 Guiding Principles for Health, Safety, and Wellness at Texas State, including requirement to wear a cloth face covering and perform a self-assessment each day before coming to campus.
• Importance of the Bobcat Pledge, including the shared responsibility to practice healthy behaviors and follow the health and safety guidelines, which shows respect for others and helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus and in the surrounding community.
• Link to the Student Roadmap for more information on students’ return to campus.

Statement on Civility and Compliance in the Classroom
Civility in the classroom is very important for the educational process and it is everyone’s responsibility.  If you have questions about appropriate behavior in a particular class, please address them with your instructor first.  Disciplinary procedures may be implemented for refusing to follow an instructor’s directive, refusing to leave the classroom, not following the university’s requirement to wear a cloth face covering, not complying with social distancing or sneeze and cough etiquette, and refusing to implement other health and safety measures as required by the university.  Additionally, the instructor, in consultation with the department chair/school director, may refer the student to the Office of the Dean of Students for further disciplinary review.  Such reviews may result in consequences ranging from warnings to sanctions from the university.  For more information regarding conduct in the classroom, please review the following policies at AA/PPS 02.03.02, Section 03: Courteous and Civil Learning Environment, and Code of Student Conduct, number II, Responsibilities of Students, Section 02.02: Conduct Prohibited.
Class Materials, Meetings, Attendance, and Technology 

• Mode of class delivery, access to class materials, examination procedures, and other instructional strategies.
• Information on “where” the class will be held on Monday, August 24, 2020 or the first class day (classroom, lab, Canvas, Zoom, Teams, etc…).
• If applicable, information on how students in the class will be assigned to face-to-face or online/remote instruction on given class days. 
• If technology or software are needed to participate in the class and how to access this technology or software and get support from ITAC.
• How office hours will be handled (i.e., Zoom, Teams, email, etc…).
• Information on how disruptions to routine instruction will be handled, including communication method to notify students.
• Attendance policy, including consideration of pandemic-related absences.
• Assessment and testing strategies to enhance academic integrity.

Academic Integrity and Student Conduct 

• Code of Student Conduct
• The Honor Code

Emergency Management
In the event of an emergency, students, faculty, and staff should monitor the Safety and Emergency Communications web page.  This page will be updated with the latest information available to the university, in addition to providing links to information concerning safety resources and emergency procedures.  Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to sign up for the TXState Alert system.

Sexual Misconduct Reporting (SB 212)
Effective January 2, 2020, state law (SB 212) requires all university employees, acting in the course and scope of employment, who witness or receive information concerning an incident of sexual misconduct involving an enrolled student or employee to report all relevant information known about the incident to the university's Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX coordinator.  According to SB 212, employees who knowingly fail to report or knowingly file a false report shall be terminated in accordance with university policy and The Texas State University System Rules and Regulations.

Please continue to follow the university’s Roadmap to Return and Teaching & Research page of the Roadmap for updates.  I hope you have a productive and fulfilling semester and greatly appreciate your patience, innovation, and commitment as we begin the fall 2020 semester.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Walter E. Horton Jr.

                                    Associate Vice President for Research and Federal Relations

SUBJECT:                   Engaging Research - Summer 2020

 

Welcome to the Summer 2020 issue of Engaging Research!

The stories in this edition of Engaging Research are examples of why it is so important that we continue to focus on sustaining and growing the research mission even as we deal with a global pandemic.  I have often said that when it comes to the most challenging problems facing society, I don’t always know what the answers are, but I know where they are—in the laboratories and minds and hearts of all of you who make up the research community at Texas State University.  Whether your laboratory focuses on synthetic chemistry, childhood education, business practices, or anything in between, you are making a difference.

Please join us in celebrating Texas State research and researchers by reading and sharing these inspiring stories.

Engaging Research
Summer 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Faculty Research Spotlight
Daniel Wescott – Anthropology     
Using Drones to Locate and Document Outdoor Crime Scenes
Cathy Thomas – Curriculum and Instruction               
Diversifying Computer Science Education
Li Feng – Finance and Economics
Collaborating for STEM Teacher Recruitment and Retention 
Jie Zhu, Nutrition and Foods  
How Genes and Diet Impact Maternal and Fetal Health 
Research Program Feature 
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
Applied Research at Spring Lake: Exploring the Value of Mindfulness in Interpretive Education by Rob Dussler and Anthony Deringer
Research Coordinator Corner

All You Need to Know About Research Cash Advance by Meredith Williams

TO:                             Deans, Department Chairs/School Directors, Faculty

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Faculty Preparedness to Teach Online

 

To prepare for the implementation of instruction options in the upcoming academic terms and based on recommendations from the Continuity of Education Work Group, all faculty scheduled to teach lecture, seminar, or lab course sections in fall 2020 are required to complete approved professional development for online teaching.  Instructors with prior training, extensive experience teaching online, and other qualifications may seek an alternative approach to meeting the professional development requirement.

 The Office of Distance and Extended Learning has collaborated with the Division of Information Technology, the Office of Faculty Development, the Alkek Library, and many faculty colleagues to create several options for efficiently completing the necessary training as it fits your schedule.  Some of the course options allow you to begin immediately and complete the certification in no more than eight hours.  Certification options, information, and links to registration may be found on the Distance Learning website.  Information on the alternative approach is also referenced on this webpage.

 Faculty who have not yet completed online teaching certification will be sent an email message in the next few days inviting them to complete the training as soon as possible.

 Questions may be directed to the Office of Distance and Extended Learning by calling (512) 245-2322 or sending an email to DistanceEd@txstate.edu.

TO:                              Academic Affairs Full-Time Staff Members

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Staff Educational Development Leave – Spring 2021

 

The Staff Educational Development Leave Program provides an opportunity for one full-time staff member per semester in each division of the university to receive special support for degree work.  Applications for participation for the spring 2021 semester are now being accepted.  This is a reminder that after approval by the appropriate supervisor(s), the final date to receive applications in my office is September 1, 2020.  A decision will be made by October 1, 2020.

Please refer to UPPS 04.04.35, Professional Development and Educational Opportunities for details regarding eligibility criteria, program requirements, and the application procedure.  The application form is attached to the UPPS.

Please contact Ms. Stacey Rodriguez, Executive Assistant, in my office at (512) 245-2791 if you have any questions.

Thank you.

TO:                             Current Students

                                    Faculty

                                    Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   August 2020 Virtual Commencement

 

We are pleased to announce that Texas State University’s August 2020 Virtual Commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2020.  The ceremonies will be available on the commencement website.

The main ceremony, containing traditional ceremony elements such as degree conferral and remarks from President Trauth and Provost Bourgeois, will be streamed beginning at 10:00 a.m. CDT.  Immediately following the main ceremony, individual college ceremonies will be available on the same website for viewing.  These individual college ceremonies will contain remarks from the respective deans and a slide for graduates displaying their name, degree, and other achievements that are traditionally recognized at commencement.  All ceremonies will remain available for viewing at a later time.

Spring graduates and summer candidates will receive a separate email with specific instructions regarding participation in the ceremonies.

The August 2020 Virtual Commencement FAQ website has been created to address topics related to the virtual commencement.  For additional questions, please email commencement@txstate.edu.

We look forward to celebrating with our graduates and the campus community at our virtual ceremonies this August.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   University Convocation and Annual General Faculty Meeting, August 21, 2020

 

You are cordially invited to the University Convocation and Annual General Faculty Meeting on Friday, August 21, 2020, at 9:00 a.m.  In accordance with Texas State University’s Roadmap to Return, the event will be held virtually.  Additional information on how to access the meeting will be forthcoming.  During this meeting, Dr. Denise M. Trauth will present her Fall address.  All faculty and staff are invited to attend.

Recognized at this meeting are faculty who will be awarded tenure and faculty who are being promoted to professor.  Several faculty awards will be recognized at this meeting: (1) The Texas State University System Regents’ Professor, (2) The Texas State University System Regents’ Teachers, (3) The Texas State University System Staff Excellence Award, (4) the Minnie Stevens Piper Professor, (5) the University Distinguished Professors, (6) the Distinguished Professor Emeriti, (7) the Presidential Seminar Award, (8) the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activities, (9) the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Teaching, (10) the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Service, (11) the Alumni Association Teaching Award of Honor, and (12) the Everette Swinney Faculty Senate Excellence in Teaching Awards.  Faculty and staff will be recognized for the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Awards and the Mariel M. Muir Excellence in Mentoring Awards.  Finally, the President will recognize the staff Employee of the Year.

Please join us for this special virtual convocation marking the beginning of a new academic year.

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Promotion and Tenure

 

I am pleased to announce the following promotions and elections to tenure.  Please join me in celebrating the accomplishments of these individuals.

PROMOTIONS

From Associate Professor to Professor

Dr. Farhad Ameri, Engineering Technology

Dr. Angela R. Ausbrooks, Social Work

Dr. Caroline C. Beatty, Music

Dr. Janet R. Bezner, Physical Therapy

Dr. Ann E. Burnette, Communication Studies

Dr. Kyong H. Chee, Sociology

Dr. Tzee Kiu E. Chow, Geography

Dr. Peter B. Dedek, History

Dr. William H. DeSoto, Political Science

Dr. Celeste A. Domsch, Communication Disorders

Dr. Daniela M. Ferrero, Mathematics

Ms. Kymberly J. Fox, Journalism and Mass Communication

Dr. Denise V. N. Gobert, Physical Therapy

Dr. Maria Diana Gonzales, Communication Disorders

Dr. Asha L. Hegde Niezgoda, Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Nicholas P. Herrmann, Anthropology

Dr. Todd W. Hudnall, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Mary Esther Huerta, Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Tongdan Jin, Engineering

Dr. Yoo-Jae Kim, Engineering Technology

Dr. Russell B. Lang, Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Hsun Ming Lee, Computer Information Systems and Quantitative Methods

Dr. Ting Liu, Health and Human Performance

Dr. Ju Long, Computer Information Systems and Quantitative Methods

Ms. Sarah Maines, Theatre and Dance

Dr. David S. Nolan, Journalism and Mass Communication

Dr. Christine L. Norton, Social Work

Dr. Ty Schepis, Psychology

Dr. Taewon Suh, Marketing

Dr. Megan L. Trad, Radiation Therapy

Dr. Raphael Travis, Jr., Social Work

Dr. Diego E. Vacaflores Rivero, Finance and Economics

Dr. Joseph A. Veech, Jr., Biology

Dr. Tiankai Wang, Health Information Management

Dr. Ronald D. Williams, Jr., Health and Human Performance

 

From Assistant Professor to Associate Professor

Dr. Carlos Abreu Mendoza, World Languages and Literatures

Dr. Stephanie Ames Asbell, Music

Dr. Kimberly D. Belcik, St. David's School of Nursing

Dr. Maneka D. Brooks, Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Yao-Yu Chih, Finance and Economics

Dr. Clay M. Craig, Journalism and Mass Communication

Dr. Stephanie L. Dailey, Communication Studies

Dr. Shannon R. Dean, Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology

Dr. Diane M. Dolezel, Health Information Management

Mr. Jonathan J. Faber, Art and Design

Dr. Michael J. Faber, Political Science

Dr. Russell P. Haight, Music

Dr. Michael L. Ippolito, Music

Dr. Joseph P. Laycock, Philosophy

Dr. Karen A. Lewis, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Vangelis Metsis, Computer Science

Dr. Michael Mileski, Health Administration

Dr. David Dominguez Navarro, World Languages and Literatures

Dr. Suho Oh, Mathematics

Dr. Cecily G. Parks, English

Dr. Norma J. Perez-Brena, Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Indu Ramachandran, Management

Dr. Astrid N. Schwalb, Biology

Dr. Amy L. Schwarz, Communication Disorders

Dr. Leah Schwebel, English

Dr. Jennifer F. Stob, Art and Design

Dr. Kristen Tooley, Psychology

Dr. Logan T. Trujillo, Psychology

Dr. Randall F. Young, Accounting

Dr. Yihong Yuan, Geography

Dr. Alexander Zakhidov, Physics

 

TENURE

Dr. Carlos Abreu Mendoza, World Languages and Literatures

Dr. Arzu Ari, Respiratory Care

Dr. Stephanie Ames Asbell, Music

Dr. Maneka D. Brooks, Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Yao-Yu Chih, Finance and Economics

Dr. Clay M. Craig, Journalism and Mass Communication

Dr. Stephanie L. Dailey, Communication Studies

Dr. Shannon R. Dean, Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology

Dr. Diane M. Dolezel, Health Information Management

Mr. Jonathan J. Faber, Art and Design

Dr. Michael J. Faber, Political Science

Dr. Lawrence V. Fulton, Health Administration

Dr. Russell P. Haight, Music

Dr. Jacob G. Harrison, Music

Dr. Michael L. Ippolito, Music

Dr. Joseph P. Laycock, Philosophy

Dr. Karen A. Lewis, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. Vangelis Metsis, Computer Science

Dr. Michael Mileski, Health Administration

Dr. David Dominguez Navarro, World Languages and Literatures

Dr. Suho Oh, Mathematics

Dr. Cecily G. Parks, English

Dr. Norma J. Perez-Brena, Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Indu Ramachandran, Management

Dr. Zo H. Ramamonjiarivelo, Health Administration

Dr. Astrid N. Schwalb, Biology

Dr. Amy L. Schwarz, Communication Disorders

Dr. Leah Schwebel, English

Dr. Lois A. Stickley, Physical Therapy

Dr. Jennifer F. Stob, Art and Design

Dr. Kristen Tooley, Psychology

Dr. Logan T. Trujillo, Psychology

Dr. Randall F. Young, Accounting

Dr. Yihong Yuan, Geography

Dr. Alexander Zakhidov, Physics

TO:                             Faculty,  Deans

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Faculty Message: COVID-19 Special Request for Additional Work Modifications
 

As part of the institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas State University is committed to supporting our faculty, staff, and students who are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.  The university has implemented significant proactive measures to help safeguard the health and safety of our entire community, including consideration of additional work modifications on a case-by-case basis.

Measures implemented to safeguard our university community beginning summer II 2020, include but are not limited to:

• requiring protective face coverings,
• decreasing the density of classrooms, shared offices, and co-curricular events,
• enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols, and
• communicating the university’s expectations for personal and public health measures.

The academic and workplace modifications implemented for summer II 2020 and fall 2020 are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) list of medical conditions that may place individuals at a higher risk for serious illness and/or complications from COVID-19, which are:

1. People 65 years and older 
2. People of all ages with ongoing underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled:

• Chronic lung disease such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
• Moderate to severe asthma
• Serious heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, or congenital heart disease
• Immunocompromised conditions such as cancer treatment, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and immune weakening medications
• Severe obesity (Body mass index of 40 kg/m2 or higher)
• Diabetes, type 1 or 2 or gestational
• Chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis
• Liver disease such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis
• Hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia

In accordance with CDC guidance, additional modifications to help safeguard the health and safety of faculty members in these higher risk groups may be provided on a case-by-case basis if they do not pose significant difficulty or expense and allow faculty to effectively accomplish the necessary functions of their position.

 Request Process and Timeline

If you are in a higher risk group and want to request a modification related to COVID-19, please follow the links below and complete the Workplace Modification Request Form.  Individuals who are 65 years of age or older do not have to provide additional medical documentation.  Individuals who have an ongoing underlying medical condition will need to provide evidence of their condition.

 To ensure a timely review of all requests, please submit the request form by June 29, 2020, for modifications for the remainder of the summer and by August 1, 2020, for the fall 2020 semester.  Early submissions by faculty are strongly encouraged so that appropriate plans for instructional duties and other responsibilities are in place, including notifications about changes to the class schedule, instructional modality, and other factors.  

Faculty members with questions about circumstances or conditions not listed above may consult with their department chairs/school directors about safeguards and options for alternative arrangements.

Workplace Modification Request Form

Note: Student employees, including graduate assistants and doctoral assistants, should submit the Workplace Modification Request Form for all employment-related modifications.

TO:                             Students

FROM:                       Dr. Jaime Chahin

                                   Dean, College of Applied Arts

SUBJECT:                   Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Texas State University Bobcat Battalion

 

Are you interested in developing your leadership and management skills?  Have you ever considered serving in the military?  Are you interested in a scholarship?  How about a job after graduation?  If you answered yes to any of these, please contact Mr. Jeff Coulter, Army ROTC Recruiting and Enrollment Officer, to discuss what Army ROTC can do for you.  You can also earn a minor in Military Science at Texas State University, ask how.

Texas State University Army ROTC Financial Resource List

1. Army ROTC Scholarships.  Each type provides full tuition and fees or up to $5,000/semester for on-campus room and board (student’s choice) and $600/semester for books and supplies for up to four years.  In addition, all contracted cadets receive a monthly stipend of $420.
   1. Line - this scholarship is primarily for those cadets who choose to compete for an active duty commission
   2. Minuteman - this scholarship is exclusively for those cadets who want to commission in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard.  Upon acceptance, they are obligated to do so.  It also requires membership in an Army Reserve or Army National Guard unit as a Simultaneous Membership Cadet.  In addition to all scholarship and stipend benefits, these cadets attend monthly unit training sessions and are paid at the E-5 rate.
2. Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP).  The purpose of the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program is to encourage students to become members of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, the Texas State Guard, the United States Coast Guard, or the United States Merchant Marine, or to become commissioned officers in any branch of the armed services of the United States.  Each year the governor and the lieutenant governor may each appoint two students, and each state senator and each state representative may appoint one student to receive an initial conditional scholarship award.  All information and eligibility requirements can be found on the TASSP website.
3. Selected Reserve GI Bill w/GI Bill Kicker.  For those cadets who choose to enlist in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard, they will receive $784/month for 36 academic months from the Veterans Administration (VA).
4. Federal Tuition Assistance (TA).  Those cadets that enlist in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard can also receive up to $4,500/academic year (not to exceed 15 credit hours) paid directly to the university by the Army.  They cannot use TA and the GI Bill for the same classes.
5. State Tuition Assistance.  Those cadets in the Texas Army National Guard can also be reimbursed by the state for any academic expenses not covered by their federal benefits.
6. Hazelwood Act.  This program requires that the cadet be a Texas Veteran or the child of a Texas Veteran and provides a tuition and fees waiver at all Texas state colleges or universities.  Eligibility requirements are provided on the Texas Veterans Commission website.

For additional information, please contact Mr. Jeff Coulter at:

(512) 591-1112

(512) 245-3232

jrc311@txstate.edu

armyrotc@txstate.edu

Text Bobcat to 462769

TO:             Faculty, Academic Affairs staff

FROM:       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

 

SUBJECT:  Virtual Update for Faculty and Staff in Academic Affairs: June 2, 2020 3:30 p.m.

Dear colleagues,

On Tuesday, June 2, 2020 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., I will host a live event using Microsoft Teams to provide staff and faculty in the division of Academic Affairs with an update regarding the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on university operations and financial planning for the future.  Prior registration is not required and the event may be accessed at https://bit.ly/AcademicAffairsVirtualUpdate.

Given the size and diversity of perspectives within the division, questions received in advance will be addressed during the virtual event.  Please send questions to provost@txstate.edu by noon on Monday, June 1, 2020.  The subject line for the email should begin with: Event Question.

I look forward to this opportunity to share information, thank you for your efforts, and answer questions.  College deans and associate/assistant vice presidents in the division will also host separate events to address impacts within their respective units.
Respectfully,

Gene Bourgeois

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Texas State University

TO:                             Faculty and Staff

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Dean, McCoy College of Business Administration

 

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sanjay Ramchander as dean of the McCoy College of Business Administration, effective August 1, 2020.

Dr. Ramchander earned a bachelor of commerce from Nizam College (India), a master of business administration from Saint Louis University, and a doctor of business administration in finance from Cleveland State University.  He holds the professional designation of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Dr. Ramchander is a professor of finance and has served as senior associate dean for program strategy, innovation, and partnership in the College of Business at Colorado State University since 2018.  His prior appointments include associate dean for academic programs, Gwen Lillis Faculty Fellow, and chair of the Department of Finance and Real Estate at Colorado State.  Dr. Ramchander has positively influenced students through his teaching across the undergraduate and graduate finance curricula and is an outstanding educator.

Dr. Ramchander is the recipient of several distinguished teaching and research awards including the prestigious Fulbright award.  His research examines macroeconomic dynamics in emerging markets, traces global contagion and spillovers across capital markets, and identifies investor and asset price behavior in speculative and investment markets.  His research is widely cited and appears in leading academic journals in the field, including Economics Letters, Energy Economics, Financial Review, Journal of Banking and Finance, Journal of Empirical Finance, Journal of Futures Markets, Journal of International Money and Finance, and Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics.  

Please join me in welcoming and congratulating Dr. Ramchander on his appointment as dean of the McCoy College of Business Administration.

TO:                             Deans, Department Chairs/School Directors

                                    Faculty

FROM:                       Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Compliance with HB 2504 and Website

 

Per the Texas Legislature and House Bill (HB) 2504, undergraduate course syllabi and associated instructor vita must be posted to a university website by the seventh day after the first day of classes of each semester or other academic term during which the course is offered.  

Website Access & Launch
Detailed information on the legislation and Texas State University’s compliance plan is located on the HB 2504 website.

Please note that a link to the HB 2504 website is also available by clicking “Info for” at the top right corner of the Texas State home page and choosing “Faculty and Staff.”

Due Date
All faculty vita and summer I and II 2020 syllabi should be uploaded to Texas State’s HB 2504 website by Monday, June 8, 2020.

Information and Instructions on Uploading Vita and Syllabi

Go to the HB 2504 website and click “Information” on the menu bar and then click “Info for Faculty and Staff” for HB 2504 directions and detailed information.

To summarize:

1. All instructors will need to upload the course syllabus for each undergraduate course section he or she is teaching in the 2020 summer I and II sessions (instructors teaching lecture or seminar courses in the following formats: on-campus, off-campus, dual credit, education abroad, distance education, or extension).  Undergraduate course sections required for HB 2504 are pre-populated into the website.  These are updated every morning to reflect schedule changes.
2. Instructors with an existing vita on the HB 2504 website can use that version or upload a more recent vita.
3. Instructors who are new and/or do not have an existing vita on the website will need to upload a vita.
4. The following course types and instructors are excluded from compliance with HB 2504: independent study, directed readings, laboratory, clinical, internship, practicum, private lessons, discussion sections or others tailored specifically to individual students.  All graduate level courses and instructors are also excluded.
5. This information must be uploaded by Monday, June 8, 2020.

Permissions to Upload Vita and Syllabi
Instructors automatically have permission to upload their vita and syllabi by virtue of logging in with their NetID and password via the “Editor Access” link on the website.  New instructors will be able to upload their vita and syllabi once their hire paperwork is processed by the Office of Faculty and Academic Resources.  Course sections with “staff” or “TBD” listed as the instructor will not appear on the HB 2504 website until an instructor has been named.  The database and website re-populate every morning.  In the event the department uploads the materials for the faculty member, the faculty member must approve the documents before they are uploaded.

Student Perceptions of Instruction Update
Summarized results of the student perceptions of instruction (SPI) for each undergraduate course/instructor will be available and posted to the HB 2504 website approximately four to six weeks after the end of each semester or other academic term.

Finally, thank you for your assistance to ensure Texas State’s transparency, communication, and compliance with HB 2504.  Reports of our compliance activities are posted under “Information” on the HB 2504 website.

Please email hb2504@txstate.edu for any questions.

TO:                              Faculty, Staff, and Teaching Assistants

 FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Week Six of Remote Instruction: Final Roundup

 

As we end the sixth week of remote instruction in spring 2020, please join me in celebrating the resilience and courage of our faculty, staff, and students in making numerous and successful transitions in response to COVID-19. Texas State University’s community spirit and shared values have never been more apparent and important.  

Next week, final exams conclude for the spring 2020 semester. This is a joyous time of the year, when we celebrate the graduation of thousands of students. Even if we are not gathering together in Strahan Arena, our heartiest congratulations and good wishes are with these students, their families and friends, and other supporters. My deepest gratitude is reserved for you – our faculty, staff, and teaching assistants who ensure these graduates are prepared to participate fully and freely as citizens of Texas, the nation, and the world.  Thank you.

Camp Canvas
Once final grades are turned in for the spring 2020 semester, faculty are invited to participate in Camp Canvas, a series of learning opportunities focused on Canvas, the university’s new learning management system to replace TRACS. Faculty are encouraged to attend the camp’s online sessions, ranging from Canvas basics to in-depth sessions on multimedia, student engagement, and other topics. The Canvas Essentials workshop is recommended for all faculty who are new to Canvas.

DACA Task Force Recommendations into Action
This week, President Denise M. Trauth announced that the university has established the TXST Monarch Center for Immigrant Students to provide resources, support, and information to our university community. The Monarch Center will encompass the work of many offices across the university and serve as a catalyst for accomplishing key recommendations made by the DACA Task Force, which has transitioned into the center’s Advisory and Resource Network. The Monarch Center, located in existing space on the San Marcos Campus, will be accessible when Texas State returns to in-person instruction. In the meantime, students, faculty, or staff who would like to reach the Monarch Center, should contact Ms. Michelle Sotolongo, the TXST Monarch Center Coordinator at (512) 245-6001 or via email.

Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Work Groups
Several pandemic and post-pandemic work groups have been developed to address areas related to health, wellness and safety, continuity of education, faculty and staff morale, and other university priorities. President Trauth announced these work groups last week. The groups’ recommendations are due in the coming weeks, so if you have questions or ideas to share, please email them to the chair of the appropriate work group.

Professional Development Requirements for Teaching Online
AA/PPS No. 02.03.20 – Maintenance and Improvement of Quality in Teaching requires instructors who will teach an online (INT) or hybrid (HYB) course to participate in an approved professional development program.  The Office of Distance and Extended Learning (ODEL) has contacted 
faculty scheduled to teach a course in summer I and who have not previously been approved for online teaching. Other faculty are welcome and encouraged to participate in the program. Questions may be directed to ODEL at (512) 245-2322 or via email.  

This is the final roundup email and I hope these weekly communications have kept you informed and connected during these uncertain times. Please continue to monitor your university email account and the university’s website for updates to plans and practices surrounding COVID-19. As always, I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy.

TO:                              Faculty

                                    Deans

FROM:                        Dr. Vedaraman Sriraman

                                    Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Nominations Open – Award for Excellence in Online Teaching

 

Self-nominations are now being accepted for the Award for Excellence in Online Teaching.  Nominations may be submitted for courses taught in fall 2019, spring 2020, or summer 2020.  Submissions are due October 23, 2020.  The documents required for self-nomination are now available, so that faculty may build their nomination package over time. 
 
This annual award, sponsored by the Office of Distance and Extended Learning, recognizes and rewards superior online teaching, provides models of excellence for fellow faculty, and encourages all faculty to continue to improve and advance their online teaching pedagogy.  The award recipient will receive $2,500, and up to two runners-up, each, will receive $1,250, and will be asked to present their work to the campus community during a reception in their honor.

This award underscores the ongoing commitment of Texas State University to distance learning and reflects the university's emphasis on teaching excellence.  Dr. De De Gardner, the recipient of the 2019 award, noted, "One of the most rewarding compliments a faculty member may have is being recognized by their peers and students.  It is an honor to be recognized for excellence in online teaching.  I must give credit to the Office of Distance and Extended Learning and instructional designers for their patience and support.  The process has made me step up my game with my face-to-face and blended learning courses."

For more information on the award and submission process, visit https://www.distancelearning.txst.edu/instructional-design/award-for-excellence.html.  For questions, contact Dr. Gwen Morel, Director of the Office of Distance and Extended Learning, via email at gwendolynmorel@txstate.edu.

TO:                              Faculty, Staff, and Current Students

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  2020-2021 Common Experience: Dynamics

 

Texas State University presents an academic theme each year, providing numerous opportunities for everyone — students, faculty, staff, and community members — to share in a Common Experience.  This theme-first approach makes our Common Experience the nation’s #1 initiative of its kind.  We proudly offer our students more themed academic event opportunities than any other university, and our students’ participation totals and social media engagement are national trendsetters, as well.

The Common Experience theme for the 2020-2021 academic year is Dynamics.  When we discuss dynamics, we’re talking about movement.  It’s motion — but it’s more than that.  Think of the motivating forces behind everything, everywhere.  There are physical forces, moral forces, and driving forces.  You can see and feel dynamics in growth, change, inspiration, and action.  We will consider the movement from where you are to where you will be, approaching dynamics both literally and metaphorically, from the observations of astrophysics to the momentum of daily life.

As part of the Common Experience, all incoming first-year students receive a critically acclaimed book related to the year’s theme.  Students discuss the book in their University Seminar class and other courses.  The 2020-2021 Common Reading book is American Like Me, edited by award-winning actress America Ferrera.  The book is a collection of first-person reflections by prominent figures about the experience of growing up between cultures.

For additional information about the theme, events, and activities planned for the 2020-2021 academic year, please contact (512) 245-3579 or commonexperience@txstate.edu.

@TXSTCE | txstate.edu/commonexperience

TO:                              Faculty, Staff, and Teaching Assistants

 FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

 SUBJECT:                  Week Five of Remote Instruction: Roundup

  

As we close the fifth week of remote instruction, I am reminded of how much has changed at Texas State University since mid-March 2020. Throughout it all, I have been inspired by the numerous displays of cooperation, transparency, and innovation as we swiftly adapted to the challenges of COVID-19.  Among other initiatives, the university continues to implement plans that bolster student success, enhance the teaching and learning environment, and prepare all of us for a resilient and safe future.

Bobcat Cares
 As reported last week, the university launched the Bobcat Cares program to help ease the financial strain many Texas State University students are experiencing. Applications to the program began April 27, 2020. The initial awardees include nearly 4,700 students, who will receive a total of $4.5 million in direct support in the coming days. Please join me in thanking staff in Financial Aid and Scholarships, Student Business Services, Information Technology, and other areas for making these funds rapidly available for deserving students.

Bobcat Promise
Texas State has expanded the tuition-free Bobcat Promise program to give more Texas students the chance to attend the university despite the growing financial uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bobcat Promise is designed to increase access for Texas students with a family adjusted gross income (AGI) that does not exceed $50,000 annually. Previously, the upper AGI limit was set at $35,000. Read more about this initiative here: https://news.txstate.edu/inside-txst/2020/texas-state-expands-bobcat-promise-in-response-to-covid19-pandemic

Camp Canvas
Earlier this week, faculty received notice about Camp Canvas taking place May 19, 2020 through May 22, 2020. The IT Assistance Center and the Office of Distance and Extended Learning have partnered to bring faculty an excellent learning experience focused on Canvas, the university’s new learning management system to replace TRACS. Faculty are encouraged to attend the camp’s online sessions, ranging from Canvas basics to in-depth sessions on multimedia, student engagement, and other topics. The Canvas Essentials workshop is recommended for all faculty who are new to Canvas. More information, including how to sign up for workshops, may be found Camp Canvas website.

EP Grades
The university has implemented a one-time process for spring 2020 that allows students to request that a final passing grade be changed to Emergency Pass, or EP, upon approval of the instructor of record. Students are responsible for submitting written modification requests to faculty by Monday, May 25, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. and for assessing the impact of EP grades on their GPAs, program requirements, financial aid eligibility, and other academic factors. Decisions by faculty members are due by Friday, May 29, 2020. Faculty will use the Change of Grade Web Application for making grade changes to EP. 

While the FAQ webpage on EP gradeshttps://news.txstate.edu/inside-txst/2020/statements-regarding-coronavirus-covid-19/spring-2020-final-grades.html is focused on current students, it does answer faculty questions. Faculty are encouraged to check with their chair or director for more specific guidance regarding EP grades.

Final Exam Period
The transition to remote instruction for spring 2020 includes the final exam period.  This means final exams must be delivered in a remote format and may not be conducted on campus. For spring 2020, final exams begin on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.  The final exam schedule remains intact and students should be able to take class finals within the same day and time window originally published in the schedule: https://www.registrar.txstate.edu/persistent-links/final-exam-schedule.html. Faculty questions about the final exams may be directed to department chairs and school directors.

Planning for the Future
This week, President Denise M. Trauth established several pandemic and post-pandemic work groups to address areas related to safety, learning, and university operations. Read about those work groups here: https://news.txstate.edu/inside-txst/2020/statements-regarding-coronavirus-covid-19/president-trauth-establishes-pandemic-and-post-pandemic-work-groups.html.

Like universities around the country, Texas State is implementing a range of measures to mitigate the impact of stress on the budget caused by actions required to safeguard our university community from the COVID-19 pandemic. President Trauth held a virtual university update on April 30, 2020 and addressed the financial implications of uncertainty regarding future student enrollments, the economy, and other matters. I encourage all faculty and staff to view the recording available via your Texas State NetID and password: https://www.president.txstate.edu/communications/recorded-virtual-university-update-for-faculty-and-staff.html.  The university is in the process of addressing common questions by updating the FAQs on the COVID-19 webpage.

Next week, final exams for the spring 2020 semester begin. Thank you for your significant commitment to the university’s mission and for ensuring a safe and healthy semester for all.

TO:                              Faculty, Staff, and Teaching Assistants

 FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Week Four of Remote Instruction: Roundup

 

As we close the fourth week of remote instruction, I want to highlight the positive innovations that continue to result from Texas State University’s strategic and values-based response to COVID-19.  Thank you for your significant commitment to ensuring a healthy and successful spring semester for all.

Bobcat Cares
On Thursday, April 23, 2020, President Denise M. Trauth announced the launch of Bobcat Cares to help ease the financial strain many Texas State University students are experiencing.  This program provides funds directly to eligible students with COVID-19 related expenses, emergency grants to all students enrolled in summer courses, pro-rated refunds of certain spring semester charges, and a new scholarship to assist with fee and tuition costs for the fall 2020 semester.

Students may apply for the Bobcat Cares funding beginning April 27, 2020. The emergency grants are based on student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 and will be distributed directly to students as quickly as possible. President Trauth’s full message is available here: https://news.txstate.edu/inside-txst/2020/texas-state-announces-30-million-in-financial-assistance-from-bobcat-cares-program.html

Best Practices: Social Distancing and Facemasks
Texas State is encouraging faculty, staff and student employees working on campus, and whose work makes it difficult to maintain social distancing, to use cloth facemasks.  The university has secured approximately 2,000 cloth facemasks for employees who cannot obtain one from other sources and will
provide up to two cloth facemasks upon request.  Facemasks may be picked up at the University Distribution Center located at 305 River Ridge Parkway in San Marcos, Texas or can be delivered by requesting them via the Requesting Catalog Delivery Form.  Read more about facemasks here: https://news.txstate.edu/inside-txst/2020/statements-regarding-coronavirus-covid-19/use-of-facemasks-on-campus.html
Final Exam Period
The transition to remote instruction for spring 2020 includes the final exam period.  This means final exams must be delivered in a remote format and may not be conducted on campus. For spring 2020, final exams begin on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.  The final exam schedule remains intact and students should be able to take class finals within the same day and time window originally published in the schedule: https://www.registrar.txstate.edu/persistent-links/final-exam-schedule.html  Faculty questions about the final exams may be directed to department chairs and school directors. Faculty may also be interested in learning more about alternatives to traditional exams:

https://teaching.berkeley.edu/resources/improve/alternatives-traditional-testing

https://ruonlinecon.rutgers.edu/events/alternative-assessment-beyond-exams
Professional Development Requirements for Teaching Online
AA/PPS No. 02.03.20 – Maintenance and Improvement of Quality in Teaching requires instructors who will teach an online (INT) or hybrid (HYB) course to participate in an approved professional development program.  The Office of Distance and Extended Learning (ODEL) recently contacted
faculty scheduled to teach a course in summer I and who have not previously been approved for online teaching. Questions may be directed to ODEL at (512) 245-2322 or via email at distanceedu@txstate.edu.

Other faculty are welcome and encouraged to participate in the program. Teaching arrangements in summer II 2020 and fall 2020 may be affected by continuing public health advice.  For this reason, all faculty are encouraged to consider the self-paced training program described here: https://www.distancelearning.txst.edu/instructional-design/online-teaching-cert.html
Remote Classroom Behavior
On Thursday, April 16, 2020, all students received a message from the Dr. Joanne Smith, vice president for Student Affairs.  The message conveyed the importance of appropriate behavior in the remote classroom and reminded students about the university’s Code of Student Conduct
and Honor Code.  Faculty questions about student conduct may directed to the Dean of Students at (512) 245-2124 or via email at DOS@txstate.edu.  Questions about the honor code may be addressed to Dr. Cristian Lieneck, chair of the Honor Code Council, via email at cl31@txstate.edu.

Next Friday, I will provide an update as we enter the last instructional days of spring 2020.  I hope you, you family, and your colleagues remain resilient and healthy.

TO:                    Faculty, Staff, and Current Students

FROM:              Dr. Gene Bourgeois
 Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:         Commencement Schedule for Academic Year 2020-2021
 

The fall 2020, spring 2021, and summer 2021 commencement schedules have been finalized and can be found at the following link: https://www.txst.edu/commencement/guests/schedule.html.

If you have any commencement related questions or concerns, or would like additional information about commencement, please contact Ms. Kristin McDaniel, Commencement Coordinator, at (512) 245-8313 or via email at commencement@txstate.edu.

TO:                              Faculty, Staff, and Teaching Assistants

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Week Three of Remote Instruction: Roundup

 

As we close the third week of remote instruction, I want to thank you for your significant commitment and efforts in making the transition.  My office has received many compliments on how well our faculty and staff are supporting students, and each other, to ensure a healthy and successful spring semester for all.  I could not be prouder of the unprecedented collaboration and community spirit that is alive and well at Texas State.

WellCats: Live. Work. Be Well.
This week, I want to highlight the Texas State wellness program, WellCats, that was developed in 2015 by four Texas State faculty members.  Today, WellCats is a nationally recognized, evidenced-based, comprehensive employee program designed to inspire Texas State employees and the community to enhance wellness.  WellCats focuses on the eight dimensions of wellness, including nutrition, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Join now to learn more about this inspiring program.

Between now and May 9, 2020, WellCats and Campus Recreation are advertising live and on-demand exercise sessions.  Learn more about these sessions here: https://www.campusrecreation.txstate.edu/fitness/Group-Exercise/Fitness-From-Home.html.  For questions regarding WellCats and the Bobcat Balance program profiled last week, please contact Rose Trevino or Josh Arguelles via email at worklife@txstate.edu or (512) 245-2557.  

Professional Development Requirements for Teaching Online
AA/PPS No. 02.03.20 – Maintenance and Improvement of Quality in Teaching requires anyone who will teach an online (INT) or hybrid (HYB) course to participate in an approved professional development program.  Soon, anyone scheduled to teach a course in summer I or scheduled to teach an INT or HYB course in any summer term and who has not previously been approved for online teaching will receive a message from the Office of Distance and Extended Learning (ODEL) about how to access the program.  Other participants are welcome, including those who completed the program in the past.  Questions may be directed to ODEL at (512) 245-2322 or via email at distanceedu@txstate.edu.  

Faculty only engaged in dissertation, thesis, independent study, and individualized instruction in summer I will not be required to participate in the professional development program.  For all other courses coded as INT or HYB, professional development will be necessary for faculty who have not previously completed the program.  Some faculty scheduled to teach during Summer I may not yet have a netID.  These faculty are still required to meet the requirement and will need guest accounts in Canvas until their net IDs arrive.  Their names, along with a request to add them to Canvas as a guest user, may be sent to distanceed@txstate.edu.

Resources for Moving Forward
Now that the intensive rush toward remote instruction has dissipated, there are unknowns and new realities facing each one of us.  My office compiled a few resources that may be helpful to you, colleagues, and family members as we move into the last few weeks of the spring semester.

• 20 Tips for Working from Home: https://www.pcmag.com/news/get-organized-20-tips-for-working-from-home
• Building Resilience in the Era of COVID-19: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hope-resilience/202003/building-resilience-in-the-era-covid-19
• How Early Career Scientists are Coping with COVID-19: https://www.sciencemag.org/careers/2020/04/how-early-career-scientists-are-coping-covid-19-challenges-and-fears
• That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief:  https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief

Technology Tips

• The quickest route to service through ITAC is to engage the LiveChat function on this page: https://livechat.itac.txstate.edu/
• If students are having difficulty with internet speed, remind them that plugging directly into a wireless router with an ethernet cable will yield faster results.  It also works for faculty and staff!
• Do you have innovative ideas (or frustrations) to share on using technology for teaching and learning?  All are welcome to join “Let’s Do Lunch” each Friday at 12:00 p.m.: https://www.facdv.txstate.edu/Special-Events/Lunch.html
• Academic integrity, including the way that technology may affect testing and assignments, is a lingering question for some faculty.  Be sure to watch the Faculty Development session, “Their Cheating Hearts: Tips for Maintaining Academic Integrity While Teaching Remotely,” here: https://mediaflo.txstate.edu/hapi/v1/contents/permalinks/Dm43NrZi/view.  Closed captioning is enabled for the video.
• ITAC has more information on technology for faculty, staff, and students here: https://itac.txstate.edu/remote.html

Next Friday, I will provide updates as we finalize our fourth week of remote instruction.  In the meantime, I hope you and your loved ones are healthy.

TO:                        Faculty, Staff, and Teaching Assistants

FROM:                   Dr. Gene Bourgeois
                              Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:             Week Two of Remote Instruction: Roundup

 

As we end our second week of remote instruction, this message provides responses to feedback and questions received by my office on matters related to Texas State’s COVID-19 response. This week’s roundup begins with four decisions that were made after consulting the Faculty Senate and academic leadership.

EP Grades
The university has implemented a one-time process for spring 2020 that allows students to request that a final passing grade be changed to Emergency Pass, or EP, upon approval of the instructor of record. Students are responsible for submitting written modification requests to faculty by Monday, May 25, at 5:00 p.m. and for assessing the impact of EP grades on their GPAs, program requirements, financial aid eligibility, and other academic factors. Decisions by faculty members are due by Friday, May 29, 2020. Faculty will use the Change of Grade Web Application for making grade changes to EP: https://tim.txstate.edu/changeofgrade/. Faculty are encouraged to check with their chair or director for any questions regarding EP grades. Information resources include the provost’s March 31, 2020 email and FAQ for students.

Professional Development Requirements for Teaching Online
The Office of Distance and Extended Learning (ODEL), along with staff in Information Technology (ITAC) and Faculty Development, will support faculty re-designing courses for distance learning for the summer I term. AA/PPS No. 02.03.20 – Maintenance and Improvement of Quality in Teaching requires anyone who will teach an online (INT) or hybrid (HYB) course to participate in an approved professional development program. By mid-April, anyone scheduled to teach a course in summer I or scheduled to teach an INT or HYB course in any summer term and who has not previously been approved for online teaching will receive a message from ODEL about how to access the program.

Faculty only engaged in dissertation, thesis, independent study, and individualized instruction in summer I will not be required to participate in professional development for online instruction. For all other courses coded as INT or HYB, professional development will be necessary for faculty who have not previously completed the program. Questions may be directed to the Office of Distance and Extended Learning at (512) 245-2322 or via email at distanceed@txstate.edu. 

Student Evaluations of Teaching
We’ve received questions about the effect of remote instruction and other changes on student evaluations of teaching for spring 2020 courses. Faculty will have the discretion to include or exclude spring 2020 results in their annual evaluation documents and tenure and promotion files, without prejudice. Faculty, chairs, directors, personnel committees, and other evaluators are encouraged to review spring 2020 student evaluation of teaching results for the purposes of professional growth. This is an opportune time to reinforce a long-term and holistic assessment of teaching effectiveness via peer observations, student learning outcomes, artifacts of learning, philosophy of teaching statements, syllabi review, and other means.

Tenure Clock for Tenure-Track Faculty
The COVID-19 pandemic has created circumstances that may impact productivity of tenure-track faculty who have a mandatory and limited probationary period before the tenure and promotion decision. These circumstances may warrant a request to toll the tenure clock. See section 03.01.g of AA/PPS, 04.02.20, Tenure and Promotion Review for more information. The policy is being updated to reflect these circumstances, as well.

Tenure-track faculty are advised to consult with their chair, director, and others before making a request to toll the tenure clock. Faculty members whose mandatory tenure and promotion review is scheduled for the next academic year (FY21) may make a request no later than May 31, 2020. Faculty members whose mandatory tenure review occurs in FY22 or later have until May 31, 2021 to make a request. The request memo originates with the faculty member and requires approval by the chair/director, dean, provost, and vice chancellor for academic and health affairs at the Texas State University System. Contact Tammy Sharp, director, faculty and academic resources, for more information: tsharp@txstate.edu or 512.245.2475.

Academic Integrity
In response to strong faculty interest, Texas State held a workshop on academic integrity in remote instruction earlier this week. See “Their Cheating Hearts: Tips for Maintaining Academic Integrity While Teaching Remotely,” including an extensive Q&A session, here: https://mediaflo.txstate.edu/hapi/v1/contents/permalinks/Dm43NrZi/view. Closed captioning is enabled for the video.

Community of Practice
Over the past few weeks, faculty have sought ways to stay connected, move projects forward, and strengthen professional relationships. Make plans to join “Let’s Do Lunch,” an opportunity for faculty to exchange ideas about ways to navigate this new world of remote teaching and learning and “Write Watchers” to carve out time and space for thinking, reading, writing, and other completing deep work.

Employee Assistance Program – Bobcat Balance
The university offers a comprehensive set of employee assistance services through the Bobcat Balance program. All faculty, staff and graduate student employees in benefits-eligible positions, along with members of their households, are eligible to use the program. The program includes resources and services related to personal finances, child care, elder care, legal matters, health and wellness, and other areas. Please explore this valuable employee benefit.

Supporting Students During Uncertain Times
Many students feel especially vulnerable at this time. Beyond changes to instruction, some students have moved back home, lost jobs, or are caring for young children and family members. The College Transition Collaborative provides advice on communicating with students with clarity and compassion. Texas State’s Counseling Center has a COVID-19 resource page, including a webinar on April 17, 2020 to support student resilience and success.

 Next Friday, I will provide updates on questions and decisions that emerge during our third week of remote instruction. Keep up the outstanding work! I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy.

TO:                   Faculty, Staff, and Current Students

FROM:             Dr. Vedaraman Sriraman

                         Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:        New Degree Programs Announcement

 

Texas State University is pleased to announce that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has approved three new degree programs to begin fall 2020:

• a Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a major in Construction Management
• a Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a major in Quantitative Finance and Economics
• a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with a major in Religious Studies 

The Master of Science degree with a major in Construction Management will provide advanced project management principles and practices, critical thinking and creativity, and complex problem solving and decision making in construction projects as a specialized program for working construction professionals and others seeking master’s level preparation.  Texas State will be the first university in the Central Texas region to offer a master’s degree in Construction Management.  Job opportunities for graduates of the new program include senior project managers, project supervisors, and contracts managers.  Non-thesis option courses will be available 100 percent online to allow students that are working professionals to maintain their employment status.  Thesis option courses are planned for 80 percent online delivery.  For more information about this new program, please contact Dr. Soo-Jae Lee, Professor and Academic Program Coordinator, at (512) 245-2137 or via email at sl31@txstate.edu.

The Master of Science degree with a major in Quantitative Finance and Economics will equip students to succeed in an increasingly technical and data-driven job market by developing complementary skills in economic theory, financial analysis, quantitative methods, and the application of all three to business solutions.  Advanced skills in financial and economic analysis using large data sets have become increasingly important workforce credentials among firms seeking to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace; yet professionals with these skills have been in relatively short supply.  Future job growth for economists, financial analysts, and financial managers is projected to be strong.  For more information about this new program, please contact Dr. Janet Payne, Professor and Academic Program Coordinator, at (512) 245-3194 or via email at jp40@txstate.edu.

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Religious Studies will train students in the academic study of the world’s religions.  In our increasingly complex and interconnected world, knowledge of the world’s religions is needed in business, law, health, law enforcement, and politics, both nationally and internationally.  Religious literacy is essential to responsible citizenship and increasingly demanded by employers.  Employment projections remain strong for jobs in the fields of social advocacy organizations, home health care services, individual and family services, religious ministry directors, youth and adult care directors.  For more information about this new program, please contact Dr. Rebecca Raphael, Professor and Academic Program Coordinator, at (512) 245-1393 or via email at rr23@txstate.edu.

 

TO:                     Faculty, Staff, and Teaching Assistants

FROM:                Dr. Gene Bourgeois
                            Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

 SUBJECT:          Week One of Remote Instruction: Roundup
 

Let me begin by acknowledging the tremendous efforts by our faculty, staff, and students in making the first week of remote instruction a success.  As we end this historic week, I wanted to answer several questions, highlight resources, and provide reassurance that the university is here to support you every step of the way.

Academic Freedom
Texas State University affirms its commitment to academic freedom and will take steps to ensure intellectual independence, free investigation, and unfettered communication by the academic community.  President Trauth and I reaffirmed this commitment at our monthly PAAG meeting with Faculty Senate a few days ago.  Through our core values, Texas State protects and celebrates academic freedom in an atmosphere of integrity, respect, civility, and compassion.  Faculty Senate’s Academic Freedom Committee provides more information on this fundamental tenet in higher education: https://www.txstate.edu/facultysenate/committees/freedom.html.

Academic Integrity
With the sudden transition to remote instruction, many faculty are concerned about ensuring academic integrity in the new environment.  Fortunately, the university has several options for gaining more information, including the video, “Prompt Preparation for 100% Online Instruction and the University Honor Code,” a 15-minute guide to proactively influence academic integrity in an online course.  In conjunction with the Honor Code Council, Faculty Development will offer a workshop and Q&A period, “Their Cheating Hearts: Tips for Maintaining Academic Integrity While Teaching Remotely,” on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. via Zoom.  Go here to learn more and sign up for this interactive session: https://signup.txstate.edu/sessions/6035-4-8-2020-their-cheating-hearts-tips-for-maintaining-academic-integrity-while-teaching-remotely.

Classroom Recordings
Faculty members have asked about posting the recordings of online class sessions where student participation occurred.  These recordings reflect the teaching and learning process, so instructors often post them for students to watch or re-watch.  If access to the recordings is securely limited to other students in the same class section, student privacy protections do not limit or prevent access and do not require obtaining a written consent.  Faculty may post these recordings in TRACS or Canvas class sites that are protected by student identification and authentication features.  The recordings may not be distributed by anyone, including students, to third-parties without obtaining written consent from the instructor, students, and other participants

Community of Practice

Every Friday at 12:00 noon, Faculty Development is hosting “Let’s Do Lunch,” an opportunity for faculty members to visit, exchange ideas, and find ways to take care of each other, ourselves, and our students as we navigate this new world of remote teaching and learning.  Topics are based on faculty suggestions.  The topic for Friday, April 3, 2020 is “We Made It!” This come-and-go Zoom session is time to share what is working in your classes and to hear ideas on best practices for surviving and thriving in this new learning environment.  This lunchtime gathering will be informal, informative, and fun. Join here on Fridays through May 8, 2020 at 12:00 noon: https://www.facdv.txstate.edu/communities/Lunch.html

Copyright
Faculty own the coursework they create, and the university has a license to use it for education and marketing purposes.  If you wish to restrict use of class materials and lectures, including recordings, written instructions should be provided to students.  See more information on copyright provisions and a suggested written statement to students (section 03.01) in AA/PPS 02.03.01, Commercial Use of Class Notes and Materials.  Additional information on copyright and remote teaching is available from the university’s Copyright Office and the library’s remote course support webpage.

Finding Time to Read, Write, and Think
If faculty are trying to carve out space for thinking, reading, writing, and other deep work, join Faculty Development’s new program, “Write Watchers.”  The group will meet via Zoom every Tuesday, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, beginning on April 7, 2020.  In a Write Watcher session, each participant sets goals at the beginning and then reflects on what was accomplished at the end. In between, microphones are muted and faculty do deep work, with other supportive faculty working alongside them.  To join, follow this Zoom link on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.: https://txstate.zoom.us/my/writewatchers.

Zoom-bombing
A few faculty members have reported instances of Zoom-bombing, where an uninvited person accesses and disrupts a Zoom class session, often using inappropriate language and graphics. Visit ITAC’s helpful resource on how to lockdown Zoom sessions to avoid unwanted visitors: https://itac.txstate.edu/support/online-meetings/lockdown.html.  Remember the first rule of Zoom: Don’t give up control of your screen. 

 Next week, I will provide updates on other questions, including those related to EP grades, professional development requirements for faculty teaching online this summer, the employee assistance program, student evaluations of teaching, and the tenure clock for tenure-track faculty. Until then, I hope you and your loved ones are well.

TO:                              Faculty and Staff

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

                                    Dr. Vedaraman Sriraman

                                    Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Professional Development Requirements for Faculty Teaching Online and Hybrid Courses

 

With the transition to online instruction for the 2020 Summer I term, the Office of Distance and Extended Learning (ODEL) along with staff in Information Technology (ITAC) and Faculty Development are prepared to support faculty who will be re-designing their courses for distance learning.  The timelines and intentionality connected with this transition allow us the opportunity to incorporate proven instructional techniques that effectively engage students and make the most efficient use of faculty time by aligning instruction to the strengths of online learning early in the course re-design process. 

Our institutional focus on student success motivated a policy (AA/PPS No. 02.03.20 – Maintenance and Improvement of Quality in Teaching) that requires anyone who will teach an online or hybrid course to first participate in an approved professional development program.  This requirement applies to all instructors of record teaching an online or hybrid course, including graduate/doctoral teaching assistants and per course faculty.  Instructional assistants are not required but may choose to participate.  

More than 900 Texas State University faculty have already completed the professional development program and routinely evaluate these sessions positively.  Students who have taken courses designed by these faculty have subsequently evaluated their online and hybrid courses highly, as well.  In addition to ensuring high quality online teaching and learning experiences, this professional development plan aligns with best practices in online learning as identified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as well as programmatic and institutional accreditors such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.  

In the coming weeks, ODEL will launch a faculty onboarding system in the Canvas learning management system that will offer self-paced, differential training in modules.  Faculty may choose paths that fit their expected online strategy (e.g., Zoom meetings, audio conferencing, recorded lectures, use of the LMS, etc.).  Participants will be credited for what they may have already learned in recent workshops or know from experience using online techniques in the past.  While someone completely new to online teaching may require up to eight hours for self-paced on-boarding, most faculty would not.  By mid-April, anyone scheduled to teach a course in Summer I or an online or hybrid course in any summer term and who has not previously been approved for online teaching will receive a message from ODEL about how to access the professional development opportunities.

Questions about support for online learning may be directed to the Office of Distance and Extended Learning at (512) 245-2322 or via email at distanceed@txstate.edu.  Questions about the summer 2020 schedule of classes and teaching assignments may be directed to department chairs and school directors.

Thank you for continuing to meet the challenges of COVID-19 with the spirit of innovation and excellence that has defined Texas State for more than a century.  I am proud of your efforts.

TO:                              Faculty, Staff, and Current Students 

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs 

SUBJECT:                  Spring 2020 Final Grades 

 

Please note that the due date for decisions for faculty members is FRIDAY, May 29, 2020.

 

Thank you.

---

As part of the transition to remote instruction for the spring 2020 semester, Texas State University will make a temporary change to the final grades policy. This change will provide students with the option to request modification of final course grades to the “EP” (emergency pass) grades. The modification request may only be utilized for courses in which the student earned a passing grade. See the University Registrar’s definition of grades: https://www.registrar.txstate.edu/our-services/grades.html.

The decision to allow this flexibility is in direct response to the unprecedented situation created by COVID-19. The university’s remote courses will continue to maintain the highest quality standards. Students are expected to participate in class activities, assessments, and assignments throughout the remainder of the semester. As usual, faculty members will assign final grades to students using the criteria and performance standards outlined for the course.

Once final spring 2020 semester grades are posted, students will have until Monday, May 25, 2020 to submit a written modification request to their professor(s) requesting an EP grade. Upon approval, the professor will make the grade change. To be considered, all requests must be made in writing to the professor by the stated deadline. The modification request option is limited to spring 2020 courses only. Students make requests on a course-by-course basis.

Students are encouraged to consider the consequences of an EP grade, including those for prerequisite course requirements, GPA calculations, GPA minimums for certain programs, academic standing, admission to other programs or universities, financial aid, veteran’s benefits, scholarships, and other academic matters. Students should contact their academic advisor or academic program coordinator for specific questions. Graduate students are strongly encouraged to consult with their graduate advisor about the impacts of an EP grade before seeking a modification request.

Faculty members are encouraged to be flexible but have the authority to make their own decisions on these requests. Decisions by faculty members are due by FRIDAY, May 29, 2020. Faculty will use the Change of Grade Web Application for making grade changes to EP: https://tim.txstate.edu/changeofgrade/.

Students may appeal a faculty member’s decision using the procedures outlined for the department, school, or college in which the course is taught. The appeal process is applicable for all grades, including those under review by this temporary change to the final grades policy.

I realize this has not been an easy transition and thank you for your patience and understanding as we assess options and make decisions in the best interest of the university community.

TO:                              Faculty and Staff
FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois
                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
SUBJECT:                  Assistant Vice President for University Marketing

 

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Elias Martinez as the assistant vice president for University Marketing, effective April 6, 2020.  Mr. Martinez will provide strategic direction and leadership for brand strategy and institutional marketing and work closely with campus leaders. 

Mr. Martinez has over 15 years of experience in marketing and creative strategy and has been responsible for elevating the brands of Colorado State University, Google, Nike, Purina, Nordstrom, and General Mills.  Mr. Martinez’s work has been featured and recognized in prominent media outlets, including Good Morning America, National Public Radio, ESPN, The Huffington Post, Sports Illustrated, Fast Company, The Guardian, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Ad Age, PR Week, the front page of Reddit, and others.  

Prior to joining Texas State University, Mr. Martinez served as a brand builder at Zeus Jones, associate vice president for Brand Strategy at Colorado State, and vice president for Brand Management and Creative Strategy at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida.   

Mr. Martinez earned a bachelor’s degree in visual communication design from New Mexico Highlands University and completed the Institute for Higher Education Marketing at The University of Texas at Austin.  Please join me in welcoming Mr. Martinez to Texas State and congratulating him as he begins his responsibilities.

Please join me in thanking Dr. John Fleming, chair of the search committee, as well as all members of the search committee.  I would also like to recognize the contributions of Ms. Kelly King-Green, who served as interim director of the Office of University Marketing during the national search while concurrently serving as associate director for the office.

TO:                              Faculty, Staff, and Current Students

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                   Impact of COVID-19 on Laboratory Based Research

 

This is a challenging time for everyone and certainly the research community is facing the daunting task of continuing to advance their important work while keeping health and safety as a top priority.  The reality is that the circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic requires us to work differently for the foreseeable future especially with respect to laboratory based research.  While this will affect everyone, students are in a particularly vulnerable position and we would like to provide them as much guidance as possible while realizing that it is difficult to fully manage all the long-term consequences.  

Please read the two statements below from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and The Graduate College.

Statement from the Office of Research and Sponsored Research regarding the impact of COVID-19
Regarding ongoing scientific research, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs provides the following guidance.  To the extent possible, Texas State University researchers are encouraged to engage in activities that can be performed remotely (e.g., writing, data analysis, etc.); routine laboratory research activity should be paused with essential laboratory operations currently permissible, provided they can be performed while meeting the “6-feet” requirement for social distancing.

To the fullest extent possible, both graduate researchers and undergraduate student workers should be allowed to work remotely.  It is the position of Texas State, based on communications received from NIH/HHS that these students should be eligible to be paid in this remote work situation even if their contribution is not precisely what was envisioned in the original job description.  Supervisors should structure an approach to documenting the student's activity that aligns with their revised job duties. 

While it is not encouraged, it is currently permissible for graduate and undergraduate students to continue to support critical research activities and functions that are necessary for continued laboratory operations on-campus, but only if they choose to do so.  Likewise, students may choose to work in a remote-assignment mode without retribution.  Any individual who is in a high-risk category should not be required to come to campus.

This same guidance applies to the core facilities at the university such as the Research Service Centers. 

The university is currently determining if additional measures are necessary regarding the laboratory based research activities in order to insure the health and safety of the faculty, staff, and students involved in these activities. 

For questions regarding COVID-19 and research, please contact Dr. Mike Blanda, Assistant Vice President for Research and Federal Relations, via email at blanda@txstate.edu.

Statement from The Graduate College regarding the impact of COVID-19
The Graduate College continues to promote steps to protect the health and well-being of graduate students and encourages remote working, mentoring, and advising.  Academically, The Graduate College is working with all units across campus to enable graduate students to make progress towards graduation by removing and/or minimizing the impact of COVID-19 on graduate student degree completion.  In some disciplines, COVID-19 has a greater impact on research activities than others.  Graduate students, especially those whose progress towards their degree is negatively impacted by COVID-19, are encouraged to reach out to their research advisor, graduate advisor, and also to The Graduate College to discuss potential changes to research timelines, changes to the scope of the work, research methodology, course sequences, etc.  The Graduate College is developing a section of the TXST COVID-19 website’s FAQ which will address graduate student concerns.

For questions regarding COVID-19 and graduate education, please contact graduatecollegedean@txstate.edu.

TO:                              Faculty

                                    Deans

FROM:                        Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt

                                    Assistant Vice President for Academic Services

                                    Dr. Larry R. Chapa

                                    Director of the Testing, Evaluation, and Measurement Center

SUBJECT:                  Academic Testing for Students with Disabilities – Update

 

Academic Testing for Students with Disabilities (ATSD) remains open for faculty and student support.  However, for the rest of this semester, out of an abundance of caution and required social distancing, we are not providing proctoring services for those students who are provided extended time and/or reduced distraction as their sole accommodations by the Office of Disability Services.  We will offer proctoring services to those students who require assistive technology or other accommodations that are not as easily met remotely.  Such accommodations include, but are not limited to, the use of a scribe, human reader, or JAWS (Job Access with Speech).

Extended time may be accommodated remotely.  Please check the ITAC website or click the links below for assistance in creating exams with extended time.  We also encourage faculty to use Kurzweil assistive technology software for students who have this accommodation.  ATSD can provide access to Kurzweil so that Texas State instructors can upload exams to the Kurzweil site.  Once we confirm which students will be testing with us for the remainder of the semester, we will reach out to instructors individually about using Kurzweil.  You may also contact us if you are interested in this option.

We are available to assist faculty (via Zoom or phone) who need help making sure their exams are accessible.  We want our students to be successful and we are here to support you and them through this challenging time.  If you have inquiries, please email us at atsd@txstate.edu or call (512) 245-7856.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to support our students.

TRACS Instructions for Extended Time

Canvas Instructions for Extended Time

TO:                              Faculty and Staff

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Deadline Extended: Proposals for 2021-2022 Common Experience Theme

 

The deadline for proposals for the university’s 2021-2022 Common Experience theme has been extended.  The original deadline was Friday, March 27, 2020.  The new deadline is Friday, April 24, 2020.

The following webpage offers proposal guidelines, samples of previous successful proposals, and the submission form: https://www.txstate.edu/commonexperience/proposals.html

Anyone considering a proposal is advised to contact Mr. Twister Marquiss, Director of the Common Experience, via email at twister@txstate.edu.

TO:                              Faculty and Staff

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Training Opportunities - Continuity Plan for Academic Courses and Instruction as of March 13, 2020

This memo is to follow-up on my message from Thursday evening (03/12/2020) regarding guidance to effectively implement the transition to remote instruction.  Faculty Development and the Office of Distance and Extended Learning (ODEL) have created a diverse set of workshops, drop-in sessions, and consultative sessions for faculty.  These training opportunities will allow faculty to engage in discussions with experts, learn about various tools and techniques, and make decisions about classes.  I encourage all faculty to take advantage of these just-in-time sessions and appreciate the commitment and quick action of staff in Faculty Development and Distance and Extended Learning.

The Continuity Plan for Academic Courses and Instruction is a living document that will be updated.  I encourage you to check your email and the Provost’s website on a regular basis: https://www.provost.txstate.edu/

Faculty Training Opportunities
March 16, 2020 through March 26, 2020

Sessions are delivered via Zoom, an online meeting platform available to all faculty, staff, and students.  Instructions for accessing Zoom are available here: https://itac.txstate.edu/support/online-meetings

Assistance is also available from ITAC by calling (512) 245-4822.

• Consultative session with instructional designers (Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, 2020)

Faculty can connect to Zoom for consultation with an instructional designer from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday during spring break.  Instructional designers from ODEL will be available to help faculty with questions on adjusting their courses for remote course delivery.  Access the session any time via this Zoom link: https://txstate.zoom.us/my/gwenmorel

• Drop-in sessions for faculty seeking assistance on the following topics:

Focus on Depth, Not Breadth: Modifying Content for Remote Course Delivery	Instructor: Candace Hastings, Faculty Development	Monday, March 16, 9:00 - 10:00  Monday, March 23, 9:00 - 10:00  Wednesday, March 25, 1:00 - 2:00
Adapting Learning Activities for Remote Course Delivery	Instructor: Candace Hastings, Faculty Development	Wednesday, March 18, 10:00 - 11:00  Tuesday, March 24, 9:00-10:00
Alternatives to Lectures for Low-Tech Remote Course Delivery	Instructor: Candace Hastings, Faculty Development	Wednesday, March 18, 12:30 - 1:30  Monday, March 23, 1:00 - 2:00  Tuesday, March 24, 12:30 - 1:30
Managing Student Workloads for Remote Course Delivery	Instructor: Candace Hastings, Faculty Development	Monday, March 23 11 - Noon  Tuesday, March 24, 2:00 - 3:00  Wednesday, March 25, 9:00 - 10:00
Establishing Communication Guidelines for Remote Course Delivery	Instructor: Candace Hastings, Faculty Development	Monday, March 16, 2:30 - 3:30  Wednesday, March 18, 2:00 - 3:00 Wednesday, March 25, 11:00-Noon
Alternative Forms of Assessment for Remote Course Delivery	Instructor: Candace Hastings, Faculty Development	Tuesday, March 24, 3:30-4:30 Thursday, March 26, 9:00 - 10:00

• Workshops for faculty seeking assistance on the following topics:

Keeping it Simple: Remote Teaching With Tools You Know	Instructor: Dana Willet, ODEL	Monday March 16, 1:00 - 2:00 Thursday March 19, 10:00 - 11:00  Tuesday, March 24, 9:00-10:00
Quick Tips for Successful Audio Conferencing With Students	Instructor: Dana Willet, ODEL	Tuesday March 17, 10:30 - 11:30 Wednesday March 25, 9:30-10:30
Using Office 365 for Remote Teaching	Instructor: Dana Willet, ODEL	Wednesday, March 18, 12:30 - 1:30 Thursday, March 26, 2:00-3:00
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate: How to Keep Students Engaged While Teaching Remotely	Instructor: Tammi Butcher, ODEL	Monday, March 23, 10:00 - 11:00 Tuesday, March 24, 10:00 - 11:00 Wednesday March 25, 10:30-11:30
Remote Teaching Alternatives to the 90 Minute Lecture	Instructor: Gwen Morel, ODEL	Tuesday, March 24, 11:00 - 12:00 noon Thursday, March 26, 1:00 - 2:00

TO:                              Faculty, Staff, and Current Students

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Continuity Plan for Academic Courses and Instruction as of March 12, 2020

 

Following President Trauth’s message from earlier today regarding the extension of spring break and the transition to remote instruction, please review the following guidance to effectively implement the transition. Please note that additional information on training sessions is forthcoming. Faculty training will be available starting next week and will include sessions on course design, low-tech teaching strategies, technology options, and many other topics. This memo is a living document that will be updated. Please check your email and the Provost’s website on a regular basis.

Thank you for your patience, efforts, and innovation.

Overview
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, Texas State is suspending all face-to-face delivery of classes. For two weeks (beginning March 30, 2020 through April 12, 2020), faculty are asked to conduct classes remotely. The following information is designed to assist faculty in planning for the continuity of academic courses and processes that support teaching and learning. Face-to-face classes will resume on Monday, April 13, 2020.

The schedule includes:  

• Week beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 (Spring Break): Classes do not meet. Faculty may begin making preparations for remote instruction. Designated essential offices remain open, which are listed here: https://www.hr.txstate.edu/Holiday-Schedule 
• Week beginning Monday, March 23, 2020: Classes do not meet so that faculty have time to make preparations to move organized face-to-face classes to remote instruction. No instruction, exams, assignments, or other class activities may occur this week. All university offices, services, and departments are open. 
• Wednesday, March 25, 2020: Due date for faculty to communicate with students in their classes regarding course changes (see FAQs below) 
• Week beginning Monday, March 30, 2020: Previously face-to-face classes begin meeting via remote instruction. All university offices, services, and departments are open. 
• Week beginning Monday, April 13, 2020: All classes return to instructional delivery methods used prior to Spring Break. All university offices, services, and departments are open.

During this challenging time, we recognize the critical role and workload of faculty to ensure students are successfully guided through their courses and academic activities. Texas State has a long history of compassion, a student-centered approach, and innovation in teaching and learning. We and your students greatly appreciate your understanding, flexibility, and cooperation as the entire university responds to this public health challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why did Texas State make this decision?
The health of the Texas State University community is at the forefront of decision making. The decision to cancel all face-to-face delivery of instruction was based on public health advice to increase social distancing and decrease gatherings of large numbers of people.

 2. Will students be on campus?
Residence halls and dining services will be available for students on campus. Students who do return to campus will be asked to follow the social distancing and prevention practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Students who work on campus should consult with their supervisors for guidance on work schedules. Some students may decide to stay away from campus.

3. How do I stay informed about the situation?
The university is continuously monitoring the effects of COVID-19 on the university community.  All faculty, staff, and students are urged to check their Texas State email accounts and the university’s website on a daily basis: https://news.txstate.edu/inside-txst/2020/statements-regarding-coronavirus-covid-19.html

4. How is teaching and course delivery changing for the two-week period?
Organized Classes: Lecture, Seminar, Lab

 

Organized classes implemented at the university’s facilities in San Marcos and Round Rock and non-Texas State facilities:  

• Face-to-face classes will be delivered remotely in lieu of face-to-face meetings.
• Classes at non-Texas State facilities may be affected by policies implemented at those sites.  

Organized classes implemented via electronic delivery:  

• Fully online classes will proceed as planned.
• Hybrid classes that require in-person interactions will be delivered remotely in lieu of face-to-face meetings. 

Individualized Classes and Special Instruction: Practicum, Independent Study, Thesis, Dissertation, Student Teaching, Internships, Co-operative Education, Private Lesson, Clinical, Research Activities, etc. 

Individualized classes and special instruction implemented at the university’s facilities in San Marcos and Round Rock:  

• These classes are not required to move to remote instruction but may benefit from social distancing techniques. Please keep flexibility in mind, as not all students will be returning to campus or the area.
• Research activities, including those that involve live animals, may have separate expectations determined by the faculty member, chair/director, dean, and associate vice president for research and federal relations.  

Individualized classes and special instruction implemented via electronic delivery:  

• Fully online classes will proceed as planned.
• Hybrid classes are not required to move to remote instruction but may benefit from social distancing techniques. Please keep flexibility in mind, as not all students will be returning to campus or the area.  

Individualized classes and instruction implemented at non-Texas State locations:   

• These classes may be affected by policies implemented at facilities and sites.
• These classes are not required to move to remote instruction but may benefit from social distancing techniques. Please keep flexibility in mind, as not all students will be returning to campus or the area.
• Given the unique nature of these classes, departments, schools, and/or colleges may communicate specific instruction plans to students and faculty. Please monitor your Texas State email account on a daily basis.

5. When should I first communicate to students in my classes or under my supervision?
Students will be anxious to hear from their course instructors or supervisors. Over the next few days, faculty are encouraged to send an email to their students with the following information:  

• the decision made by the university and its official website for information: https://news.txstate.edu/inside-txst/2020/statements-regarding-coronavirus-covid-19.html,
• reassurance that the course or supervision will continue and that you will communicate information on how the course will be taught by Wednesday, March 25, 2020,
• the official communication method you will use with students (Texas State email, TRACS, Canvas),
• recommendation that students familiarize themselves with technology resources available to assist with taking remote courses: https://itac.txstate.edu/remote/students.html, and
• remind them to check their Texas State email on a daily basis.

6. Does this situation change the learning goals or priorities of my classes?
Faculty members have discretion in making changes to their courses in response to the COVID-19 challenge. First and foremost, faculty are asked to consider actions that are in the best interests of course learning goals, students, and students’ academic progression. Given the sudden nature of the situation, the remote course will not be “perfect” or identical to the face-to-face course.

In planning for remote delivery, an important step is to determine which learning goals may be reasonably achieved during the two-week period. Questions to ask include:  

• What are my priorities for learning goals and course materials?
• What teaching and learning methods will ensure students meet learning outcomes?
• What tools and methods am I able to quickly and effectively implement?
• What tools and methods are easily accessible for my students?

The key is to prioritize learning goals, determine any changes to the course syllabus, select remote delivery options, and communicate revised expectations to students. Faculty are expected to communicate with students by Wednesday, March 25, 2020 on the following items:

 changes to due dates, assignments, assessments, and other aspects of the course syllabus,

• information on how the course will be taught,
• if technology or software are needed to participate in the class,
• how to access technology or software and get support from ITAC,
• how to access teaching and learning materials,
• how to document attendance or participation in the class,
• the official communication method you will use with students (Texas State email, TRACS, Canvas), and
• any other changes.

 7. What are my options and resources for delivering classes remotely?Faculty members may implement teaching and learning plans via email, TRACS, Canvas, Zoom, Texas State’s licensed video conference system, and other software and online resources. However, given variance in student access to computers and high-speed internet connections, it is important to consider a low-tech, low-bandwidth approach when possible. To accommodate the situation, faculty members are encouraged to consider the following:

Course Design and Materials

• Course time and in-class material, such as lectures or guest speakers, could be replaced with additional readings, reflection papers, videos, or assignments. The university libraries maintain subject guides and course guides that may include resources for your discipline: https://guides.library.txstate.edu/?b=s
• Open educational resources (OER) are available on a wide range of topics and may include lectures, assignments, videos, readings, and other materials. Resources include:
  Texas State’s compilation of OER by discipline: https://guides.library.txstate.edu/OERbycollege

MITOpenCourseWare: https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

OpenStax: https://cnx.org/

OER Commons: https://www.oercommons.org/

MERLOT: https://www.merlot.org/merlot/

GALILEO: https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/

• For assessments, consider the various ways that students demonstrate learning and mastery of course materials. If an extensive in-person exam is not possible, several shorter quizzes delivered via Canvas or TRACS may work. Another option is to issue a “take home” exam or written assignments that students complete and submit via email. Finally, it may be necessary to postpone exams until face-to-face classes resume.
• Implement asynchronous learning activities where students briefly visit a Wi-Fi access point, check email or access Canvas or TRACS, download Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files or other material, and go offline to review and work with the materials. Students later return to the Wi-Fi access point to email or submit assignments (papers, worksheets, etc.) or to take a short quiz in Canvas or TRACS.
• If synchronous activities are required of students, plan to implement Zoom or electronic meetings on the same day and time that the class normally meets. All faculty have access to Zoom for class sizes up to 300. For classes larger than 300, faculty may request additional access:  https://doit.txstate.edu/services/online-meetings
• Office hours may be held via email, phone, Zoom, TRACS or Canvas.

Technology

• Download and print a complete roster for your classes including email addresses for each student. Even if you plan to use TRACS or Canvas for remote teaching, email will be an essential tool. Class rosters may be downloaded in CATSWEB: https://www.catsweb.txstate.edu/faculty-staff.html or via TRACS/Canvas.
• Make use of Outlook email, Canvas or TRACS to communicate with students.
• Zoom allows faculty to host online class meetings via live videoconferencing, which may be recorded and viewed later. There are other tools, including Ensemble Anthem for video recordings. These are bandwidth-intensive tools and may not be suitable for students who do not have access to computers and high-speed Wi-Fi. Plan to use Zoom in audio-only mode if students do not have access to high-speed internet or Wi-Fi.
• Use software and tools already familiar to you and your students, such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or others popular in your discipline.
• Keep in mind that large file sizes, such as recorded video and audio files, may not be accessible for students without access to computers and high-speed Wi-Fi.
• Review Universal Design for Learning principles available here: https://www.ods.txstate.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/Creating-an-Inclusive-Environment.html

Student Needs

• Thesis and dissertation meetings for graduate students may be scheduled via Zoom but are not required to do so.
• In choosing technology, consider FERPA guidelines and expectations for privacy and confidentiality. For example, student grades may not be emailed.
• Be mindful of students with accommodations through the Office of Disability Services (ODS) and how course revisions may affect their experiences, including universal design, additional time for testing, readability of materials, and assistive devices. Contact ODS for questions at 512.245.3451 or ods@txstate.edu.

 Training Available
Forthcoming – check Provost’s website daily 

For additional information, please see the following websites: 1) the Office of Distance and Extended Learning’s (ODEL) Teaching Continuity Guide web site, for advice and support on effective online teaching and 2) the Information Technology Assistance Center’s (ITAC) Teaching, Learning, and Working Remotely at TXST website for technical support.  Both ODEL and ITAC are prepared to assist faculty in using remote teaching tools.

 8. Will computer labs, tutoring, learning assistance, testing services, disability services, counseling services, and other offices that support students in my classes be available?
University offices, services, and department will remain open during the entire period, except for the week of Spring Break. During Spring Break, only designed essential offices are required to remain open. A list of designated essential offices is here: https://www.hr.txstate.edu/Holiday-Schedule   Offices supported by a large number of student workers may experience reduced service levels, although students are allowed to work during this time. Please contact specific offices directly for any questions or concerns.

9. Will final course grades be affected?
Final course grades for the spring 2020 semester are due by noon on Monday, May 18, 2020. At this time, no changes are expected to this deadline. The university wants to ensure that this disruption does not disadvantage faculty or students, including an excessive number of incomplete and non-reported grades. Provisions for incomplete grades are the same as those typically allowed by university policy: 

https://policies.txst.edu/division-policies/global/02-12.html

10. How do I accommodate students who are ill during this time?Accommodations for students who are ill during the two-week period are the same as those typically allowed by your course syllabus and/or department policies.

11. Where do I go for more guidance?
For questions about expectations in this memorandum, faculty are encouraged to talk with the department chair or school director.

 For assistance with technology, faculty may contact ITAC by phone at 512.245.4822, email: itac@txstate.edu, or visit ITAC’s website: https://itac.txstate.edu/

 For assistance with online/remote teaching, faculty may contact the Office of Distance and Extended Learning at 512.245.2322 or visit ODEL’s website: https://www.distancelearning.txst.edu/instructional-design/teaching-continuity-guide.html

TO:                    Faculty, Deans

FROM:              Dr. Gene Bourgeois
                          Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:         CORRECTION: Contingency Planning: Continuity of Teaching

 

CORRECTION HIGHLIGHTED BELOW (italicized and bold)

Recent events related to COVID-19 have many departments and faculty discussing strategies for the continuity of teaching in the event that circumstances temporarily disrupt our ability to deliver traditional face-to-face instruction.  Preparations in regard to continuity of teaching serve us and our students well even if we do not need to use these plans immediately.  Ideally, a 30-day contingency for teaching remotely would help in planning for any number of situations that may arise.  One suggested approach would be to consider what may be done now to smooth the path to a transition to remote instruction.  Brushing up on TRACS, the university’s legacy learning management system, learning a few basics about Canvas, the university’s recently adopted learning management system, and Zoom, Texas State University’s licensed video conferencing system, are good places to begin, if appropriate.  For additional resources, please use the following websites: 1) the Office of Distance and Extended Learning’s (ODEL) Teaching Continuity Guide web site, and 2) the Information Technology Assistance Center’s (ITAC) Teaching, Learning, and Working Remotely at TXST website.  Both ODEL and ITAC are prepared to assist faculty who want to develop skills in and use remote teaching tools.  Our readiness to continue to meet the needs of our students reflects the best traditions of Texas State.

Please continue to monitor the Student Health Center webpage for the latest COVID-19 information for our Texas State community.  The information above is for your planning consideration.

TO:                              Faculty, Deans

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                   Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Faculty Attendance at Commencement

 

Each academic year, Texas State University holds commencement ceremonies in December, May, and August.  Faculty members are expected to attend one of these events each year, wearing academic regalia.

According to recent surveys of Texas State graduates, faculty attendance is one of the most important aspects of the commencement ceremony.  Graduates expressed the desire to visit and take photographs with their professors at commencement.  This is an indication of the hard work and dedication that you continue to provide to our students.  I encourage you to take the opportunity to visit with your students prior to the ceremony in Jowers Gyms 101 and 102.

Please join me in honoring our graduates at the 2020 Spring Commencement ceremonies held in Strahan Arena at the University Events Center on our San Marcos Campus.  I am especially pleased that we will honor Mr. Earl Maxwell with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 10:00 a.m., ceremony on Saturday, May 16.  The ceremony schedule is as follows:

Thursday, May 14, 10:00 a.m.

College of Science and Engineering

Thursday, May 14, 2:00 p.m.

College of Fine Arts and Communication

Thursday, May 14, 6:00 p.m.

College of Applied Arts

Friday, May 15, 10:00 a.m.

College of Liberal Arts Group 1

University College

Friday, May 15, 2:00 p.m.

College of Liberal Arts Group 2

College of Education Group 1

Friday, May 15, 6:00 p.m.

College of Education Group 2

Saturday, May 16, 10:00 a.m.

College of Health Professions

McCoy College of Business Administration Group 1

Saturday, May 16, 2:00 p.m.

McCoy College of Business Administration Group 2

Academic regalia can be secured online for a nominal rental fee by visiting the University Bookstore website. Rental orders must be made online by April 21, 2020.  Regalia can be purchased for subsequent ceremonies by contacting the bookstore to set up an appointment for a fitting.

Information on parking and shuttle service for all commencement attendees can be found on the Commencement Parking Map at http://www.txstate.edu/commencement/guest-information/parking-seating.html.

Please assemble in Jowers Gym 101 at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony in order to line up for the faculty processional. Candidates will arrive one hour early, and you are invited to arrive early to visit with your students.  The professional photographer will be in the gyms to take photos.  Faculty are encouraged to limit the type of personal belongings brought to the ceremony, such as jackets and garment bags, as there is not a secure place to leave items during the ceremony.

During the processional, faculty will be directed by Faculty Marshals to enter the arena.  During the ceremony, faculty will be seated in a special section of the arena and be recognized for their contributions to the graduating class.  Faculty are welcome to follow the recessional to Sewell Park to meet with graduates and their guests.

For additional faculty information, please visit the Faculty Information page of the Commencement website at http://www.txstate.edu/commencement/faculty-and-staff/faculty-information.html.

I look forward to seeing you at the ceremonies.

TO:                              Faculty and Staff

FROM:                        Dr. Walter E. Horton Jr.

                                    Associate Vice President for Research and Federal Relations

SUBJECT:                  Engaging Research - Spring 2020

 

Welcome to the Spring 2020 issue of Engaging Research!

In this issue, the stories and people we highlight demonstrate that the research and scholarly mission at Texas State is focused on solving the biggest problems facing all of us in Texas and across the nation.  The stories also represent the diversity of our research enterprise and how we make a difference for individuals facing challenges and for young people trying to make good decisions in a complex world.  

Please join us in celebrating Texas State research and researchers by reading and sharing these inspiring stories.

Engaging Research
Spring 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research Program Feature
Jennifer Steele – Texas School Safety Center
Texas State Center Empowers Youth Voice For Tobacco Prevention

Faculty Research Spotlight
Sandra Vanegas – School of Social Work
Autism Program Addresses Disparities by Training Parents

Jesus Jimenez – Ingram School of Engineering
Digital Twins Improve Health, Safety, and Productivity of Workers

Mark E. Lester – Department of Physical Therapy
Using 360 Video to Study Postural Control in a Virtual Environment

Career Development Opportunity
Calling all Health Disparities Early Stage Investigators!
Xi Pan and Cassandra Johnson Share Experience as Participants

TO:                              Faculty and Staff

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Request for Proposals: 2021-2022 Common Experience Theme

 

Texas State University presents an academic theme each year with related events for everyone.  This is our Common Experience.

The Common Experience at Texas State is the nation's number-one initiative of its kind, offering more academic event opportunities than any other university.  Our students' participation rates and engagement are national benchmarks, as well.

We invite faculty and staff to submit proposals for the 2021-2022 Common Experience theme.  Because the Common Experience is a collaborative initiative at Texas State, crossing departmental and divisional boundaries, we encourage proposals that address an important theme that can foster multiple, sustained conversations throughout the year among faculty, staff, students — and in the community beyond the campus.

Each year since 2004, diverse groups of faculty, staff, and students have created distinctive experiences for our campus and community, with presentations by some of the world's most important voices on the issues of our time.  Those speakers have included poet Maya Angelou, filmmaker Spike Lee, writer Isabel Allende, broadcast journalist Soledad O’Brien, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, Adm. William McRaven, attorney Bryan Stevenson, astronaut José Hernández, and award-winning artist/actor Common.  Additionally, there have been many special events, such as Innovation Week in 2018, which offered 50-plus events over five days for learning and engaging with new ideas on campus.  A team is currently working on the 2020-2021 theme, which was selected a year ago.

Common Experience proposals should establish strong connections to a theme and events that cross academic boundaries and bridge Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.  Proposals should reflect collaborative potential as well.  The established Common Experience Committee will coordinate selection of the main speaker with the LBJ Distinguished Lecture Series Committee, and the Common Reading Program will coordinate selection of a book aligned with the theme.

A Common Experience selection committee will review all proposals submitted.  Finalists will be asked to make presentations to the committee.  Each proposal must meet the following requirements:

• welcome interdisciplinary analysis and conversation
• reflect high academic aspirations conducive to scholarly dialogue
• include collaborative links across the campus (Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and community engagement)
• engage students and community
• suggest possible contributors and participants for a Common Experience structured around the suggested theme
• recommend resources that potentially connect to the proposed theme
• provide a theme title that is concise and memorable (preferably one word)

In addition, these requirements apply to the proposal team:

• at least one member of the proposal team must be a faculty member at Texas State
• at least one member of the proposal team must have recent experience teaching University Seminar (US 1100) or have demonstrated experience working recently with first-year student populations

The author(s) responsible for the selected proposal will transition into the role(s) of chair(s) for the 2021-2022 theme, coordinating with the director and assistant director of the Common Experience for the planning year leading up to the theme's implementation and throughout the 2021-2022 academic year.

Information and submission form: https://www.txstate.edu/commonexperience/proposals.html

Proposals are due on or before Friday, March 27, 2020, and should be submitted using the form linked above.  Proposers will have the opportunity to discuss their proposal with the selection committee in April.  Finalists will present to the selection committee on Tuesday, April 21.  Decisions on proposals will be made and communicated no later than Monday, April 27.

Anyone considering a proposal is advised to contact Twister Marquiss, director of the Common Experience, via email at twister@txstate.edu or (512) 245-3579.

TO:                              Faculty, Deans

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Policies Related to Ethics and Compliance

 

In an effort to consolidate email communications from the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, this memo provides an overview of policies and other information related to ethics and compliance following university, state, and federal regulations.  Faculty are encouraged to visit the websites linked below and to talk with their department chairs/school directors about specific questions regarding these policies and practices.

University Ethics and Compliance Program
The University Ethics and Compliance Program is designed to coordinate and disseminate information that is necessary for the performance of faculty members’ responsibilities.  The Office of the Provost has selected eight modules that all faculty shall review that are required by law or good practice.  These modules educate faculty about current university policy and procedures as well as the right thing to do in a variety of circumstances.

There are two parts of the program that involve faculty:

1. Review eight compliance modules on the Office of Human Resources website. The eight modules include:
   1. Ethics and Compliance
   2. Appropriate Use of Information Resources
   3. Information Security
   4. Copyright Protection
   5. FERPA
   6. Conflicts of Interest
   7. Drug-Free and Weapon-Free Workplace
   8. Reporting Abuse of Minors
2. In addition to the above modules, all faculty must complete an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Title IX update, which is required every two years to meet the training requirement mandated by the State of Texas.  The EEO workshops are online via the SAP Self Service Portal, found under the “General Business Apps” section, “Training and Development” tab, and the “Employee Information and Legal Issues” course catalog section.

All faculty members, without regard to their supervisory status, are required to complete the online EEO and Title IX course every two years and will receive an email reminder when their training is due to be updated.  For questions about the Ethics and Compliance program, please contact the Office of Human Resources via email at hr_odc@txstate.edu or (512) 245-7899.  For questions about the EEO or Title IX programs, please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion via email at equityinclusion@txstate.edu or (512) 245-2539.  Additional information about Ethics and Compliance Training at Texas State University may be found here.

Dual/Outside Employment
UPPS 04.04.06, Outside Employment and Activities defines outside employment as any compensated employment, consulting, or service performed by the employee outside of the employee’s employment relationship with Texas State for the direct or indirect benefit of the employee or the organization serviced.  Employment or activities must not interfere or conflict with the faculty member’s duties and responsibilities at Texas State.

Annual approval is required for 1) any outside employment or consulting prior to beginning such outside employment or consulting; 2) any employment with another state agency, community college, or school district (regardless of the faculty member’s FTE at Texas State); or 3) any faculty member holding public office (elected or appointed to serve for a federal, state, or local government entity including school districts, cities, and towns).

If the outside employment is with another State of Texas entity, Texas law requires that all state employees must inform their state agencies or institutions of higher education before accepting an additional employment with another agency or institution.  See section 03.02 of UPPS 04.04.06.

Any outside employment approved from a prior academic year must be reported for the current year if the employment is ongoing.  The current reporting academic year is 9/1/19 – 8/31/20.  Faculty are required to report any changes that may occur during the academic year (e.g., additional outside employment throughout the year or change in outside employment workload).

Note: Honorariums need not be reported.

Reporting of dual and outside employment is done electronically via the SAP Self Service Portal, found under the “Self-Report” tab.

Online Reporting of Relatives Working at Texas State University
An online form is available for employees to report certain relatives also working at Texas State University.  With centralized records, Human Resources and Faculty and Academic Resources will be able to better manage potential conflicts and provide accurate reports as required by state law and The Texas State University System Regents’ Rules and Regulations.  The governing UPPS is https://policies.txstate.edu/university-policies/04-04-07.html.

Note: If you have already reported relatives working at Texas State and there are no changes, no action is required.  After your initial certification, you must report any changes as they occur.

If needed, please take action by February 17, 2020.  Reporting of dual and outside employment is done electronically via the SAP Self Service Portal, found under the “Self-Report” tab. Instructions for Self-Reporting of Relatives at Texas State are here.

The records will be reviewed by Human Resources or Faculty and Academic Resources against the organizational structure in SAP.  If there is a potential conflict, Human Resources or Faculty and Academic Resources staff will contact the department head for resolution. Questions may be directed to the Office of Faculty and Academic Resources at (512) 245-3628.

Thank you for your commitment to the highest standards of ethics and integrity.  I hope you continue to have a very productive and fulfilling semester.

TO:                              Faculty

                                    Deans

FROM:                        Dr. Mary Ellen Cavitt

                                    Assistant Vice President for Academic Services

SUBJECT:                  ATSD Open House

 

All faculty are invited to visit the Academic Testing for Students with Disabilities (ATSD) Open House on January 27-31, 2020 anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. in Commons Hall G18.   Those in attendance will have an opportunity to ask questions, tour our testing facility, receive assistance using the ATSD testing system, and meet the staff.

Please call (512) 245-7856 or email atsd@txstate.edu if you have any questions regarding our Open House event.  If you would like to make an appointment to meet with the ATSD Supervisor or any other ATSD staff member to address a specific need, please email atsd@txstate.edu to set up an appointment.

Have a wonderful semester!

TO:                              Faculty and Staff

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois
                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Policies Related to Teaching and Instruction

 

In an effort to consolidate email communications from the Office of the Provost, this memo provides an overview of policies and information related to teaching responsibilities, student records, and classroom materials. Faculty are encouraged to visit the websites linked below and to talk with their department chairs/school directors about specific questions regarding these policies and practices.

Inadvertent Release of Student Education Records: Updated with Secure Communication Instructions
This is a reminder of your obligation to guard against the inadvertent release of student education records as stipulated in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  Our UPPS 01.04.31, Access to Student Records Pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, addresses this law and faculty and staff obligations. 

A few examples of inadvertent releases of student education records are emailing student grades, grade point averages, test scores or posting grades by student ID numbers, social security numbers, or other numbers that makes student identities easily traceable violates both federal law and university policy.  

Please review File and Data Sending and Receiving Information standards on the ITAC website.  To securely send and receive confidential student education records per FERPA regulations, use File Transfer.

Faculty-Authored Teaching Material
Academic Affairs PPS 02.03.30, Faculty-Authored Teaching Material, requires approval to prescribe any textbook, notebook, manual, or other materials written or prepared by a member of the Texas State University faculty for which a charge is required.  The approval process, which is described in the policy, involves the faculty member prescribing the course material, department chair/school director, dean, and provost.  The deadlines for the submission of requests for materials to be used are: July 1 (fall semester), November 1 (spring semester), and April 1 (summer sessions).

TO:           Deans, Department Chairs/School Directors, Faculty

FROM:      Dr. Gene Bourgeois
                  Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT: Compliance with HB 2504 and Website

 

Per the Texas Legislature and House Bill (HB) 2504, undergraduate course syllabi and associated instructor vita must be posted to a university website by the seventh day after the first day of classes of each semester or other academic term during which the course is offered.

Website Access & Launch
Access the HB 2504 website here: http://www.hb2504.txstate.edu. Detailed information on the legislation and Texas State University’s compliance plan is located on this website.

Please note that a link to the HB 2504 website is also available by clicking Faculty and Staff at the top right corner of the university’s home page: https://www.txstate.edu.

Due Date
All faculty vita and spring 2020 syllabi should be uploaded to Texas State’s HB 2504 website by Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Information and Instructions on Uploading Vita and Syllabi
Go to http://www.hb2504.txstate.edu and click “Information” on the menu bar; then click “Info for Faculty and Staff” for HB 2504 directions and detailed information.

To summarize:

1. All instructors will need to upload the course syllabus for each undergraduate course section he or she is teaching in the 2020 spring semester (instructors teaching lecture or seminar courses in the following formats: on-campus, off-campus, dual credit, education abroad, distance education, or extension). Undergraduate course sections required for HB 2504 are pre-populated into the website. These are updated every morning to reflect schedule changes.
2. Instructors with an existing vita on the HB 2504 website can use that version or upload a more recent vita.
3. Instructors who are new and/or do not have an existing vita on the website will need to upload a vita.
4. The following course types and instructors are excluded from compliance with HB 2504: independent study, directed readings, laboratory, clinical, internship, practicum, private lessons, discussion sections or others tailored specifically to individual students. All graduate level courses and instructors are also excluded.
5. This information must be uploaded by Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Permissions to Upload Vita and Syllabi
Instructors automatically have permission to upload their vita and syllabi by virtue of logging in with their NetID and password via the “Editor Access” link on the website. New instructors will be able to upload their vita and syllabi once their hire paperwork is processed by Faculty and Academic Resources. Course sections with “staff” or “TBD” listed as the instructor will not appear on the HB 2504 website until an instructor has been named. The database and website re-populate every morning. In the event the department uploads the materials for the faculty member, the faculty member must approve the documents before they are uploaded.

Student Perceptions of Instruction Update
Summarized results of the student perceptions of instruction (SPI) for each undergraduate course/instructor will be available and posted to the HB 2504 website approximately four to six weeks after the end of each semester or other academic term.

Finally, thank you for your assistance to ensure Texas State’s transparency, communication, and compliance with HB 2504. Reports of our compliance activities are posted under “Information” on the HB 2504 website.

Please email hb2504@txstate.edu for any questions.

TO: Faculty

FROM: Dr. Vedaraman Sriraman

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT: Award for Excellence in Online Teaching: Reception and Showcase

 

Please join us on Thursday, February 27, 2020, from noon to 1:30 p.m., in the Reed Parr Room, JCK 1100, as we congratulate the winners of Texas State University’s seventh annual Award for Excellence in Online Teaching and learn what makes their online courses successful. Recipients will showcase their winning courses and discuss the elements that contribute to the courses' unique character and effectiveness.

Lunch will be served, followed by the awards reception and presentations by the awardees.

Reservations are required for this event. No later than February 24, 2020, please make your reservation at: https://signup.txstate.edu/sessions/5646-7th-annual-award-for-excellence-in-online-teaching-reception-and-showcase.

This event is co-sponsored by the Office of Distance and Extended Learning and the Distance and Extended Learning Steering Committee.

More information about the award is available at https://www.distancelearning.txst.edu/instructional-design/award-for-excellence.html.

TO:                              Faculty, Deans

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Information to Include in Course Syllabus

 

Faculty who may wish to include information about the university’s mission and shared values statements in a syllabus for spring 2020 courses should use the following statements from the 2017-2023 Texas State University Plan.

Our Mission
Texas State University is a doctoral-granting, student-centered institution dedicated to excellence and innovation in teaching, research, including creative expression, and service.  The university strives to create new knowledge, to embrace a diversity of people and ideas, to foster cultural and economic development, and to prepare its graduates to participate fully and freely as citizens of Texas, the nation, and the world.

Our Shared Values
In pursuing our mission, we, the faculty, staff, and students of Texas State University, are guided by a shared collection of values:

• Teaching and learning based on research, student involvement, and the free exchange of ideas in a supportive environment;
• Research and creative activities that encompass the full range of academic disciplines—research with relevance, from the sciences to the arts, from the theoretical to the applied;
• The cultivation of character, integrity, honesty, civility, compassion, fairness, respect, and ethical behavior in all members of our university community;
• A diversity of people and ideas, a spirit of inclusiveness, a global perspective, and a sense of community as essential conditions for campus life;
• A commitment to service and leadership for the public good;
• Responsible stewardship of our resources and environment; and
• Continued reflection and evaluation to ensure that our strengths as a community always benefit those we serve.

Faculty wanting to include information regarding the Code of Student Conduct or The Honor Code in a syllabus for spring 2020 courses can use the following links (NO LONGER ACTIVE LINKS AS OF 3.15.22):

• Code of Student Conduct 
• The Honor Code 

You may consider including information in your syllabus regarding emergencies effecting Texas State campuses.  It is helpful to know that in the event of an emergency, students, faculty, and staff should monitor http://safety.txstate.edu/ for all safety and emergency communications.  This page will be updated with the latest information available to the university, in addition to providing links to information concerning safety resources and emergency procedures.

Otherwise, I hope you have a very productive and fulfilling semester.

TO:                              Direct Reports to the Provost and VPAA

                                    Department Chairs/School Directors

FROM:                        Dr. Gene Bourgeois

                                    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT:                  Overtime and Compensatory Time Policy

 

Please make sure all supervisors in your area have reviewed UPPS 04.04.16, Overtime and Compensatory Time Policy.  This policy sets forth the overtime and compensatory time policy for all university employees and complies with applicable federal, state, and university requirements.

The Division of Academic Affairs does not have a separate written policy on overtime and compensatory time for exempt and non-exempt employees earning state comp time and FLSA time (time earned at the rate of one and one-half hours for one hour).

However as stated in Section 02.05, d., of the above UPPS:

All state compensatory time off is at the discretion of the supervisor within the state compensatory time off policy.  Both the employee and the supervisor must agree on any time taken.

Exempt employees in the Division of Academic Affairs shall take state compensatory time as approved by the individual supervisors.  However, exempt employees in the Division of Academic Affairs may not take more than 24 consecutive work hours of compensatory time, excluding energy conservation days, at any one time.

TO: Academic Affairs Full-Time Staff Members

FROM: Dr. Gene Bourgeois

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUBJECT: Staff Educational Development Leave – Fall 2020

 

The Staff Educational Development Leave Program provides an opportunity for one full-time staff member per semester in each division of the university to receive special support for degree work. Applications for participation for the fall 2020 semester are now being accepted. This is a reminder that after approval by the appropriate supervisor(s), the final date to receive applications in my office is March 1, 2020. A decision will be made by March 13, 2020.

Please refer to UPPS 04.04.35, Professional Development and Educational Opportunities, at http://www.txstate.edu/effective/UPPS/upps-04-04-35.html for details regarding eligibility and the application procedures. The application form is attached to the UPPS.

Note that regular non-grant full-time staff employees who are U.S. citizens or resident aliens and who have been employed at the university at least one (1) year are eligible to participate in this program.

Please contact Ms. Stacey Rodriguez, Executive Assistant, in my office at (512) 245-2791 if you have any questions.

Thank you.