Dates to Remember

April 26

Last day of spring classes 

April 27

Interim Day (no classes held)

April 28-May 3

Final Exams

May 4-May 5

Commencement & Convocations

May 9

Final grades due from faculty for full semester classes 

August 16 

Virtual Faculty Convocation(see attached invitation for more details)

 

 

 

Checkout Equipment at the Fulton Library

The library is known for cozy study spots, helpful librarians, and books galore, but did you know we offer equipment checkout for students, staff, and faculty? From DSLR cameras and lighting equipment to presentation tools and cable adaptors, the library has the tools you need—and they’re all free. We even have a limited number of document cameras and webcams for instructor-only use. Interested in all the other items you can check out? Visit the library’s equipment page for a full item list. 

Checking out equipment is easy: bring your UVID or government-issued ID to the Circulation Desk, and a library aide will help you through the checkout process. Most equipment can be checked out for three days and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Are there items you’d like the library to consider purchasing? Submit an equipment suggestion. As funding allows, we allocate priority purchasing to items that promote student success, support academic curriculum, and fulfill circulation demand. 

Questions? 

For questions about equipment checkout, call the Circulation Desk at 801-863-8265. 

UVU Academic Innovation Award

Dr. Claudia Jorgensen  - Improving student success in asynchronous, online PSY 3430 through UVU's "Include-Engage-Achieve" commitment

Amber Smith-Johnson and Emily Hedrick  - Replication of Industry Practice in the Classroom

UVU Innovative External Collaboration Award

Dr. Ashley Egan- Integration of botanical training with trail improvement and public education initiatives in GE and major courses

Women’s Business Leadership Initiative - Organizational Leadership Team: Dr. Kelly Hall, Dr. Maureen Andrade, Dr. Jonathan Westover, Jill Jasperson, Angela Schill, and Jessica Ballard

 Scott Abbott has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters, given in recognition of exceptional service to the higher education community in Utah.

https://www.utahacademy.org/

The award ceremony was part of their annual conference.

Policy Update:

Since our March 2023 newsletter, President’s Council has approved the following policies to enter Stage 1 Drafting:

· Policy 510 Graduate Admission and Continuation

· Policy 526 Student Record Adjustments

Also, remember to get your comments to your Faculty Senate senator or PACE representative for the following policies, which are in stage 2, Review by UVU Entities:

· Policy 168 Whistleblower Anti-Retaliation (closes 5/18/23)

· Policy 607 Course-Based Fees (closes 4/13/23)

And on March 23, President’s Council approved the following policies to enter stage 3 Campus Community Review, however, both policies recently closed. They will return to President’s Council for approval to continue to the next step.

· Policy 252 International Travel (closed 4/7/23)

· Policy 324 Drug-free Workplace (closed 4/7/23)

· Policy 332 Remote Work (closed 4/7/23)

Finally, on March 30, 2023, Policy 646 Faculty Appeals for Retention, Tenure, and Promotion was approved by the Board of Trustees and became effective in the Policy Manual.

Policy Highlight:

Policy 646 Faculty Appeals for Retention, Tenure, and Promotion

Faculty members whose application for retention, tenure, or promotion in rank was denied by the Board of Trustees at the end of March, have a revised policy in which they may file an appeal.

As soon as possible after receiving written notification of a denial of midterm, tenure, or promotion, a faculty member considering their option to appeal must first “consult with the Faculty Senate president and/or the chair of the RTP&A committee to further understand the appeal process.” Section 5.1.1.

Then, if the faculty member decides to proceed with an appeal, within 15 business days from when that faculty member received the written notification of the adverse decision, the faculty member “must submit a written notification of their request to appeal to the Faculty Senate president, the chair of the RTP&A committee, and the Provost[.]” section 5.1.2.

The faculty member’s written request to appeal must contain the following:

· Name and date of decision being appealed;

· An explanation (with reasonable clarity) for the basis for the appeal, alleging one or more grounds for appeal;

· As much detail as possible to support the validity of the appeal; and

· Attach a copy of the written notification of the decision of non-renewal or denial for retention, tenure, or promotion. Section 5.1.3.

It is important to note that this “initial request should be as comprehensive as possible but it does not need to be exhaustive, as additional grounds and/or evidence may emerge as the [faculty member appealing] prepares their appeal.” Section 5.1.3.

As stated, the faculty member appealing must allege one or more of three grounds for their appeal. The grounds for appeal are as follows:

“(1) the process leading to the adverse outcome failed to follow university policies and procedures with respect to the application for retention, tenure, or promotion and the alleged failure to follow policies and procedures substantially influenced the adverse outcome of the person’s application;

(2) the decision was arbitrary or capricious; or

(3) the decision was primarily a response to the faculty member’s legitimate exercise of academic freedom.” Section 4.5

The faculty member does not have to do this alone. “If desired, the faculty member can request support in preparing their appeal from the chair of the RTP&A committee[.]” If this happens, then “the chair must excuse themself from serving on the appeal committee for that faculty member.” Importantly, the “support from the RTP&A committee chair in the preparation of the appeal does not constitute legal advice and does not guarantee a successful appeal.” Section 5.1.4

“Within five business days of receipt of a timely written request for appeal, the RTP&A Chair will notify the Office of Academic Affairs of the appeal[.]” Then, “the Office of Academic Affairs will [not only] notify the Office of General Counsel of the appeal[,]” it will “prepare a secure digital space to store all evidence and copies of official communication for the appeal proceedings[.]” section 5.1.5

UVU Care Hub Mobile Food Pantry

On Tuesday, April 18th, the UVU Care Hub will bring their Mobile Food Pantry to West Campus from 1-3pm.

 

What is the Mobile Food Pantry? It’s a vehicle operated by UVU CARE Hub with the purpose of getting needed food to students experiencing food insecurity. 

 

Why does UVU provide this service? For UVU students and faculty, sometimes times can get rough and there’s not enough money to make ends meet. Several can go through this, and the Care Hub’s aim is to lessen its impact. Ultimately, they want to cover the staples of food so that students and faculty in need can pay their bills. Pre-ordering is not required to participate. For those needing it, please come and partake in the service.

The Mobile Food Pantry is an appendage of the UVU Food Pantry,  operated by the CARE Hub. The Hub’s mission is to aid faculty and students in the grips of food insecurity, among other things such as housing insecurity, health, safety, and school resources.