<< Communications & Reports << Mass E-Mail Archive

Mass E-Mail Archive 2005-06

Spring 2006

An invitation to respond to a survey on faculty career flexibility related policies - May 19, 2006

Tenured and Tenure Track Faculty:

The University of Iowa has been invited to participate in a national awards competition sponsored by The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Faculty Career Flexibility in collaboration with the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Families and Work Institute (FWI).

The focus of the Sloan Foundation is to encourage improvements in the use of university policies that provide flexibility, such as family leave, modified duties, temporary and part time positions, extension/stoppage of the tenure clock and phased retirement. Five universities will receive $250,000 grants to enhance faculty career flexibility at their institutions.

One requirement for our application is to conduct a survey of your personal experiences with these policies. The survey is described in more detail at this link: http://provost.uiowa.edu/docs/misc/sloan.pdf

To take the survey, go to this link: http://survey.clearpicture.com/Sloan_Faculty

Please note that this survey is DIFFERENT than the Working at Iowa survey you were asked to complete in April.

If you have questions about the award or the survey, please contact Associate Provost Susan Johnson at susan-johnson@uiowa.edu or by calling 335-0256.

[top of page ]

Final Report of the Gender Equity Task Force - May 11, 2006

Faculty and Staff Colleagues:

I'm writing to announce that the Gender Equity Task Force, which I appointed last spring and charged with recommending changes and programs to increase the number of women faculty at The University of Iowa and improve their quality of life, has submitted its final report and recommendations to me. The full report is available online at http://provost.uiowa.edu/docs/reports/GETFreport.pdf.

I appointed the Task Force because the only way we can hope to make real progress in our diversity goals, including gender equity, is to begin with an honest assessment of where we stand now. I'm grateful to the Task Force for having made that assessment so thoughtfully and thoroughly. As a result, it's clear that we have a great deal more work to do in this area; but we also have a platform from which to begin that work.

As with the recently released report of the Diversity Action Committee, I encourage you to read the Task Force's report and share your reactions with me. I will greatly value input from across campus as I consider how best to act on the report's recommendations.

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

Diversity Action Committee Report - May 1, 2006

Faculty, Staff, and Students:

I'm writing to announce that the Diversity Action Committee, which I appointed last spring and charged with suggesting specific steps for achieving our strategic diversity goals, has submitted its report and recommendations to me. The full report is available online at http://provost.uiowa.edu/docs/reports/DACreport.pdf.

The report is the result of a collaborative process that sought broad input from across campus, and I'm grateful to the Committee for working so hard to hear all the voices that needed to be heard. That process must not end, however, with the release of the report and recommendations. In order to achieve the kind of progress envisioned in our strategic plan, every part of the University must embrace diversity as a key part of its mission--and each of us must understand our individual responsibility for creating and maintaining the kind of environment in which people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, and perspectives can flourish and learn from one another. I urge each of you, therefore, to read the Committee's report and share your reactions with me. A dynamic campus dialog will be more important than ever as we consider the Committee's recommendations and how best to act on them.

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

Provost's Spring Address to the University: May 9 - April 28, 2006

I invite you to attend my second annual Spring Address to the University at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, in the Old Capitol Senate Chamber. Once a year I report on what my Office has been doing and what I see as our challenges and opportunities in the year ahead.

This year I scheduled my talk to coincide with the University of Iowa Foundation's Campaign Victory Celebration on May 6. The Foundation and I want to thank UI faculty and staff for their enormously important role in the campaign's success.

Immediately following my address, the audience is invited to attend a reception in Old Capitol hosted by The University of Iowa Foundation to thank University faculty and staff for their important contributions of time and resources to the campaign.

I hope you can attend.

Mike

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

Post Tornado Contact Request - April 27, 2006

Students, Staff, and Faculty:

State officials have asked us to assist them in the post-tornado recovery efforts, and I in turn am writing to request your help. Over the summer, officials may need to get in touch with those who have suffered damage and/or losses from the tornado, including damages or losses related to homes, apartments, automobiles, household goods, and personal items. If you experienced such damages and/or losses, we ask you to go to the web site linked below to complete a short survey form.

Any University of Iowa student, faculty member, or staff member living in a household that experienced damages and/or losses as a result of the tornado should complete the form by May 5, 2006. The Web site is:

https://survey.uiowa.edu/wsb.dll/194/tornadoinfo.htm

The information requested includes contact information for you for summer 2006. It is critical that you provide this information, even if you plan to remain in Iowa City for the summer.

This information will be disclosed only to University, state, or federal officials working on the recovery efforts. The ability of agencies and officials to deliver assistance that might be available to you may be impeded if this information is not provided. Please contact Lisa Troyer in the Office of the Provost (319/335-1878, lisa-troyer@uiowa.edu) if you have any questions about the survey.

We appreciate your cooperation. Also, let me once more express my concern for all those who have been adversely affected by this event, as well as my deep appreciation to all who have generously given their time and resources to the recovery effort. I continue to be inspired by the resilience and generosity of this community.

Mike

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

Tornado Response Update - April 20, 2006

Dear Colleagues,

I write to you today -- one week after the tornado tore through Iowa City -- with an information update and advice.

Last night, I met with the women of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority to touch base and see how things were going for them. To be frank, these women, like other students, faculty, and staff who huddled in basements and closets as their homes were ripped from them, are in a very precarious state. They have lost everything -- notes, textbooks, clothing, personal items. This goes far beyond a mere inconvenience, as many of you who also have experienced damage and losses due to the tornado are aware. It is quite clear from our discussions with them that the psychological and emotional tolls, in addition to the material losses, are immense -- almost unmanageable.

While we are working to deliver psychological and emotional support as well as material assistance to those touched by this exceptional situation, I implore you to be as compassionate and accommodating as possible when students approach you for academic assistance. It may not be reasonable to expect them to prepare for comprehensive final exams, for instance, when they have no course notes. Moreover, the coping difficulties that those who are experiencing these losses are confronting impedes even the most basic functions -- they are not able to sleep and they are having trouble concentrating.

I have consulted with faculty and with Dean Maxson from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences remaining mindful of the fact that there are only about two weeks left in the semester. Together, we ask that you consider accepting the requests for academic accommodations that any student who has suffered such extreme losses makes. The College has posted updated information for students, faculty, and staff on their Web site:

http://www.clas.uiowa.edu/news/2006/04/17_tornado.shtml

Students of the College may go directly to the Academic Programs Office in 120 Schaeffer Hall and College staff will contact instructors on behalf of students.

Lisa Troyer and Tom Rocklin of the Provost's Office have also been
assisting students and visited the sorority with me last night. They may be contacting you on behalf of students and I ask that you be responsive. In addition, please feel free to contact Lisa if you have questions or would like advice about appropriate accommodations for students (319/335-1878, lisa-troyer@uiowa.edu).

Once more, let me thank you all for rising to this challenge. The recovery will take many, many weeks, and I think that this is a time to err on the side of being overly accommodating and compassionate as our students seek our assistance. I know that I can count on you, as always, to continue to generously extend your help and support to those who are experiencing these exceptional difficulties resulting from the tornado.

One last thing. Many of us also have faculty and staff colleagues who have suffered serious losses. I have spoken personally to a lot of them in the last few days, and I know that I can count on you to be as sensitive to their condition as you are to the students who seek your help.

Sincerely,

Mike

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

Clarification of options for tornado-affected students - April 17, 2006

Students:

In an e-mail to you Friday afternoon, I outlined some options for completing the semester's course work if you were affected by Thursday's storm.

It's important that you do not attempt to make a unilateral decision about how to complete your courses this semester. You MUST reach an agreement with each of your instructors about how to complete your course work. You must also consult with your advisor.

While the University is in fact going to allow some students to take their current grade in a course as their final grade, without completing further course work, that option will only be allowed in circumstances where the student, the course instructor, and the student's advisor all agree that this is the best resolution for that individual student's situation. Students who abandon course work or class attendance without working out such an agreement are at risk of receiving grades of F or W.

My statement issued Friday has been revised to clarify this point (http://www.uiowa.edu/~ournews/tornado).

I encourage you to call my office (335-3565) or e-mail me (provost-office@uiowa.edu) if you have questions about this, or any other concerns about your academic progress in the wake of last week's storms.

In the meantime, don't forget to call home if you haven't already done so. Your family would really like to hear that you're OK.

Hang in there!

Mike Hogan

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

Follow-up: accommodating tornado-affected students - April 17, 2006

Faculty Colleagues:

In my e-mail to you Friday afternoon, I mentioned that I had e-mailed all students, outlining some options for those who were affected by Thursday's storm. I referred you to the web page where that e-mail is posted: http://www.uiowa.edu/~ournews/tornado/

With this e-mail, I'm sending you the full text of my message to students, for two reasons. First, it's very important that you know exactly what I've told students their options are. Second, I've added a clarification to the fourth paragraph, to emphasize that tornado-affected students must consult with their instructors and advisors to arrive at a plan of action for completing the semester's academic work.

Thanks,
Mike

-------------------

Subject: What to do if you were affected by the April 13 storm

Students:

President Skorton, Vice President Jones, and I have just returned from visiting with students who were displaced by last night's storms, seeing the damage first-hand with them and with some of their parents.

Though the vast majority of us were left unaffected by the storms, those members of our community who were hit hard face devastating losses. This includes many of you, some of whom have lost your books, notes, and computers, along with so much else. Though I'm grateful that all of you are safe, I feel terrible for your loss. I also recognize that you are going to face tremendous challenges in completing your courses this semester.

If you are one of those affected by the storms, I want you to know that the University is ready to assist you in whatever way we can.

If your losses create serious impediments to completing all or part of your schoolwork, please consult as soon as you can with your instructors. I've e-mailed the faculty and asked them to be as flexible as possible in finding ways to help. You might discuss strategies for completing the course on schedule, the possibility of taking an incomplete grade (and finishing the course later), or the possibility of accepting as final the grade you've earned so far in the semester. You and your instructor will need to come to an agreement about your plans for each course. Also, before you pursue any of these options, it's very important that you consult with the Academic Advising Center or your advisor to make sure you've considered all of the implications of your choices.

Remember that the Office of Financial Aid can provide short-term emergency loans, as well as financial counseling.

Also remember that the staff at the University Counseling Service is available to assist any student feeling burdened by the stress of this disaster.

And if you have not already done so, remember as well to call Mom and Dad just to let them know that you're okay.

We'll keep the University web page (http://www.uiowa.edu/~ournews/tornado/) up to date, so don't forget to check it regularly for more information. You're also welcome to call my office (335-3565) or e-mail me (provost-office@uiowa.edu) if you have questions.

At times like this, we're reminded how important it is that we come together as a community to support each other. Personally, I'm also reminded what an extraordinary community this is we're a part of. And that gives me all the confidence in the world that we'll come out of this stronger than ever.

Mike Hogan

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

What to do if you were affected by the April 13 storm - April 14, 2006

Students:

President Skorton, Vice President Jones, and I have just returned from visiting with students who were displaced by last night's storms, seeing the damage first-hand with them and with some of their parents.

Though the vast majority of us were left unaffected by the storms, those members of our community who were hit hard face devastating losses. This includes many of you, some of whom have lost your books, notes, and computers, along with so much else. Though I'm grateful that all of you are safe, I feel terrible for your loss. I also recognize that you are going to face tremendous challenges in completing your courses this semester.

If you are one of those affected by the storms, I want you to know that the University is ready to assist you in whatever way we can.

If your losses create serious impediments to completing all or part of your schoolwork, please consult as soon as you can with your instructors. I've e-mailed the faculty and asked them to be as flexible as possible in finding ways to help. You might discuss strategies for completing the course on schedule, the possibility of taking an incomplete grade (and finishing the course later), or the possibility of accepting as final the grade you've earned so far in the semester. Before you pursue any of these options, though, it's very important that you consult with the Academic Advising Center or your advisor to make sure you've considered all of the implications of your choices.

Remember that the Office of Financial Aid can provide short-term emergency loans, as well as financial counseling.

Also remember that the staff at the University Counseling Service is available to assist any student feeling burdened by the stress of this disaster.

And if you have not already done so, remember as well to call Mom and Dad just to let them know that you're okay.

We'll keep the University web page (see http://www.uiowa.edu/~ournews/tornado/) up to date, so don't forget to check it regularly for more information. You're also welcome to call my office (335-3565) or e-mail me (provost-office@uiowa.edu) if you have questions.

At times like this, we're reminded how important it is that we come together as a community to support each other. Personally, I'm also reminded what an extraordinary community this is we're a part of. And that gives me all the confidence in the world that we'll come out of this stronger than ever.

Mike Hogan

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

Accommodating tornado-affected students - April 14, 2006

Faculty Colleagues:

President Skorton, Vice President Jones, and I have just returned from visiting with students who were displaced by last night's storms, seeing the damage first-hand with them and with some of their parents.

Though the vast majority of us were left unaffected by the storms, some members of our community face devastating losses. I know this includes some of you, and you have my sympathy and hope for a quick return to some measure of normalcy.

This also includes a number of students, some of whom have lost their books, notes, and computers, and these students are going to face tremendous challenges in completing their courses this semester. I've e-mailed all students, outlining their options and encouraging affected students to contact their instructors directly (see http://www.uiowa.edu/~ournews/tornado/). I know you will work with individual students and show as much flexibility as is appropriate in helping them find a way to complete the semester successfully.

At times like this, we're reminded how important it is that we work together as a community. I'm also personally reminded of what an extraordinary community we're a part of. For your daily contribution to it, and for your help in the current crisis, you have my thanks.

Mike

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

Skorton/Davisson Farewell Reception - April 12, 2006

All Faculty, Staff, and Students:

The University Community is cordially invited to a farewell reception honoring President David Skorton and Associate Professor Robin Davisson on Monday, May 1, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Levitt Center for University Advancement. We will be thanking them for their years of exemplary service to the UI. A brief program will start at 6:30 p.m., with remarks by President Emeritus Sandy Boyd, Board of Regents President Michael Gartner, former UISG President Lindsay Schutte, former Iowa City Mayor Ernie Lehman, and Professor and Interim Head of Anatomy and Cell Biology John Englehardt.

Please join us as we wish David and Robin well in their new ventures and express our appreciation for all they have done to make The University of Iowa a tremendous institution dedicated to excellence and achievement.

[top of page ]

Fall 2005

2005 Annual Disclosure of Outside Professional Activities - October 28, 2005

Full time tenured, tenure track, and clinical track faculty:

The online form for 2005 Annual Disclosure of Outside Professional Activities (Consulting Report) required by the Conflicts of Commitment and Interest Policy is now available on the web at:

https://provost.uiowa.edu/apps/profactivity

All full-time regular (tenured, tenure-track, and clinical-track) faculty must report all outside professional activities(often called consulting).

From now on, the link to the current year's report will be available continuously, so that you may add information at any time. The DEADLINE for the 2005 calendar year reporting period is MARCH 1, 2006.

Links to the policy and an FAQ page are on the website. If you have questions about the policy or about reporting outside professional activities, please first consult these references. If questions remain, contact Susan Johnson, Associate Provost for Faculty (susan-johnson@uiowa.edu, 335-0256).

For TECHNICAL QUESTIONS or difficulties in reporting your consulting activities, contact Lori Cranston (lori-cranston@uiowa.edu, phone: 335-0253).

[top of page ]

Invitation to Public Forums for Students with the Diversity Action Committee - October 26, 2005

Students:

I strongly encourage you to attend an open forum for students with the Diversity Action Committee, a task force I appointed last spring to assess diversity efforts at The University of Iowa.

Two forums have been scheduled for students:

Friday, November 4, 12:00-1:00 pm, 2189 MERF

Diversity is one of the five key focus areas of the University's new strategic plan for 2005-2010, The Iowa Promise. I appointed the Diversity Action Committee—a group of students, staff, faculty and administrators—to collect information about the campus climate for diversity and recommend specific action steps the University can take to meet our diversity goals. More information about the Diversity Action Committee, including its charge, can be found here: http://www.uiowa.edu/president/task-forces/diversity-action/index.htm.

You may also give the Committee your input by sending an email message to diversity-action@uiowa.edu.

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

Invitation to Public Forums for Faculty and Staff with the Diversity Action Committee - October 26, 2005

Faculty and Staff Colleagues:

I strongly encourage you to attend an open forum for faculty and staff with the Diversity Action Committee, the task force I appointed last spring to assess diversity efforts at The University of Iowa.

Two forums have been scheduled for faculty and staff:

Monday, October 31, 12:00-1:00 pm, Lucas-Dodge 256 IMU

Thursday, November 17, 4:00-5:00 pm, 283 EMRB

Two additional forums have been scheduled to which students will be invited.

Diversity is one of the five key focus areas of the University's new strategic plan for 2005-2010, The Iowa Promise. I appointed the Diversity Action Committee—a group of students, staff, faculty and administrators—to collect information about the campus climate for diversity and recommend specific action steps the University can take to meet our diversity goals. More information about the Diversity Action Committee, including its charge, can be found here: http://www.uiowa.edu/president/task-forces/diversity-action/index.htm.

You may also give the Committee your input by sending an email message to diversity-action@uiowa.edu.

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

Invitation to Dedication of Pomerantz Center - October 18, 2005

Students and Colleagues:

I'm pleased to invite you to the dedication of the new Pomerantz Center at 4 p.m. on Friday, October 21, in the HNI Auditorium (C20) on the lower level of the Center.

The Pomerantz Center, which houses a variety of student-centered programs and services, distinguishes The University of Iowa as one of the few universities in the nation with a facility dedicated to serving students all the way from admission to graduation and beyond.

I encourage you to join us in celebrating this remarkable resource for prospective students, current students, and alumni. A reception and self-guided tours of the facility will follow the dedication ceremony.

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

Invitation to General Education Symposium - October 12, 2005

Provost Michael J. Hogan invites you to attend a Symposium on General Education in the IMU Main Lounge on Friday, October 28, 2005, from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The program will include:

Professor Stanley Katz (Princeton University) — "An Education at Risk"

Professor Charles Maier (Harvard University) — "From General Education to General Education: A Half-Century Cycle of Reform"

A Panel on Current Practice featuring UI and CIC Faculty

Working Groups on a Variety of General Education Topics

All faculty and staff are invited to attend. A buffet luncheon will be part of the program. Please register for the Symposium by completing the registration form located at: http://irm.provost.uiowa.edu/facdev/gened.asp. Remember to click the "submit" button after you have filled in the necessary information.

We hope to see you at the Symposium on October 28th!

[top of page ]

Message to University community about Hurricane Katrina Academic Relief Fund - September 7, 2005

Dear Colleagues,

I continue to be impressed by the outpouring of interest from members of the University of Iowa community in helping those touched by Hurricane Katrina. To facilitate your generosity, The Office of the Provost has established the Hurricane Katrina Academic Relief Fund. This fund will be used to aid students who have been temporarily displaced by Hurricane Katrina and are planning to study at The University of Iowa until they can return to their home institutions.

Contributors should designate that their contributions are for the "Hurricane Katrina Academic Relief Fund" and send the contributions to:
Gift and Grant Accounting
Room B5, Jessup Hall
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
The fund will assist students with expenses associated with tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other costs incurred as a result of their displacement. The Office of Student Financial Aid will disperse the funds to students on the basis of need.
In the event that contributions to the fund exceed the need, the University will donate the surplus to the American Red Cross.
I encourage all faculty, staff, and students to contribute to this fund and help us make a difference for these students.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

Message to faculty about accommodating students displaced by Hurricane Katrina - September 1, 2005

Faculty Colleagues:

I know that, like us in the Office of the Provost, many of you have been communicating with colleagues near and far over the past two days about ways to help faculty and staff colleagues and students affected by Hurricane Katrina. I applaud your contributions, big and small, and encourage you to continue thinking creatively and sharing your ideas with one another and with me. The scope of the losses our colleagues face is unfathomable--and yet, it becomes a little less with every action we can take in support of them.

One immediate concern, of course, is for the academic progress of students enrolled in universities in the affected areas. We have been contacted by some such students who are Iowa residents, and have advised them that if we have courses that could help them they should contact the faculty instructor, who can determine the feasibility of starting the course late.

If one of these students contacts you, I encourage you to do all you can to accommodate the late course enrollment. We can handle the administrative aspects--we're working out those details now. Your willingness to be flexible will not only help a student maintain momentum toward graduation, it will demonstrate your support and the University's support when both are much in need.

Mike
Michael J. Hogan
Executive Vice President and Provost
F. Wendell Miller Professor of History

[top of page ]

[Go to most recent mass e-mail archive]

Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost The University of Iowa

Mass E-Mail Archive 2005-06

Spring 2006

Fall 2005

Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
The University of Iowa