President's Report 10/20/23

October 20, 2023 / Lyndsay Rhodes

Guidelines for Graduate Faculty Appointment and Function Update

The Guidelines for Graduate Faculty Appointment and Function were reviewed by Academic Affairs. All changes were accepted except for the changes to the reporting structure for final approval of graduate faculty appointments. The language regarding reporting structure was maintained from the previous version (2015) with updates to the office names. With these updates, the Provost approved the document on 10.19.23. The new document will be posted on the Graduate Studies website.

BOG Draft Regulation 9.016 Prohibited Expenditures

In response to the passage of SB 266, the BOG has drafted regulation 9.016, Prohibited Expenditures, which is currently being reviewed by Academic Affairs and General Council for comment to the BOG today. There Advisory Council of Faculty Senate (ACSF) met Monday and there was some discussion as to when feedback would be most appropriate and effective. While ACSF does plan to discuss and provide feedback directly to the BOG, we were advised Wednesday that it may be wise to provide initial feedback to our General Councils prior to the 10.20.23 deadline. I did provide comment to General Council yesterday. I will update you all as I receive more information.

Advisory Council of Faculty Senate, Board of Trustees, & Board of Governors updates

The ACSF met Monday 10.16.23 for an emergency meeting to discuss campus activities in response to the crisis in Israel. There have been several reports on social media of protests resulting in violence. However, ACSF members from each of the SUS institutions reported no known instances of violence at that time.

The next full BOT meeting will be December 7th, 2023. The next Board of Governors meeting will be November 8-9th at the University of Central Florida. I will be traveling to UCF to attend the ACSF pre-BOG meeting on November 7th and will also attend the Trustee Summit and orientation on November 8th.

President’s Cabinet Town Hall

The President and her cabinet will be holding a town hall on October 25th, 2023, in the Cohen Center Ballroom. Topics will include FGCU’s funding sources, current operating budget and allocations, and the upcoming legislative session. This will be a great opportunity to ask questions on how the budget works for our university and have a dialogue with university leadership. Additional details to come.

Career Advancement Assistance Program

The Office of Academic Affairs announced the Career Advancement Assistance Program on 10.19.23. The purpose of the program is to provide release time from teaching to allow faculty to engage in meaningful scholarship or professional development, to advance progress toward promotion. Instructional faculty (ranked and instructor) are eligible for this program. The number of awards is contingent on availability of funding through the Provost’s office. The deadline for summer requests is Friday, November 3. See the email from Julie Eacho on 10.19.23 for further details and application instructions.

Office of Public Policy Events

The Office of Public Policy Events directed by Provost Rieger held the October event featuring Cornel West and Robert George who discussed Affirmative Action and the Cost of Higher Education. The discussion was moderated by Christopher Phillips from Socrates Cafe. The event was well attended by students, faculty, staff, and leadership. Two spring events are being planned, more details to come.

Fall Commencement

Fall commencement will be held at Alico Arena on Saturday, December 16. There will be two ceremonies; the first at 10 am (Lutgert College of Business, Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, Marieb College of Health & Human Services, College of Education) and the second at 3 pm (College of Arts & Sciences, The Water School, U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering). Be on the lookout for communications from your units asking for faculty involvement.

Excellence Awards Nominations Due Nov 17

The newly revised Excellence Awards guidelines are in effect for AY 23-24 and the updated guidelines were distributed to all faculty on 10.11.23. Nominations are due November 17 for all awards. Encourage your faculty to nominate (or self-nominate) for these great opportunities to be recognized for their hard work.