Dear faculty colleagues,
This newsletter starts below by sharing faculty-related Stories and News. The Updates section includes information and important reminders for faculty about the following:
- Professional-Track Faculty Promotion Candidates: Dossier Prep Session
- Updates on Salary Spread and Summer Premium Payments
- Course Evaluations and Increasing Response Rates
- Course Evaluation Tools
- Doctoral Hooding
- SERU Survey to Undergraduates
- CTL Updates: April 2024
- Call for Proposals: Texas Health Catalyst
- International Travel Process Reminders
- UFCU Resources
Please share what might be relevant with fellow colleagues and those you mentor. If you have any faculty-related questions, concerns, and solutions please feel free to contact the Faculty Affairs team. We’re here to support you in any way we can.
Stay well,
Tasha Beretvas
Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Featured News & Stories
Clint Dawson and Stephen Vladeck Honored With President’s Research Impact Award
The creator of a code to predict hurricane storm surges and an expert on the federal courts and constitutional law have been named the 2024 recipients of The University of Texas at Austin President’s Research Impact Award.
11 Faculty Members Elected Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Eleven faculty members have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society.
Faculty Central is the new online hub for faculty resources. As you use the site, please ask questions and offer suggestions through the site’s feedback form, located in the footer.
Faculty Updates
Professional-Track Faculty Promotion Candidates: Dossier Prep Session
The provost’s Faculty Affairs team will be holding an information session focused on the creation of promotion dossiers for professional-track faculty candidates up for promotion review this coming fall, 2024. Please share this information with any professional-track faculty promotion candidates and encourage them to attend. Staff involved in the promotion process for professional-track faculty are also welcome to attend. This particular professional-track faculty session is not intended for Dell Medical School candidates.
This session will be held in MAI 212 on Friday, May 3rd from 2:30-4 p.m. Join us!
Updates on Salary Spread and Summer Premium Payments
Faculty with nine-month academic appointments can view a recorded info session or review a PDF of the presentation materials provided by Payroll Services and Human Resources. Topics covered include split payment elections (salary spread alternative) and pre-payment of summer insurance premiums for summer 2025 and beyond.
- Recorded Information Session for Faculty with Nine-Month Academic Appointments (Video)
- Information Session for Faculty with Nine-Month Academic Appointments Presentation (PDF)
Course Evaluations and Increasing Response Rates
Course evaluations are open for most courses from April 17 through May 1. Instructors can monitor their response rates live directly in the system (view this quick how-to video). Interviews from current faculty with high response rates indicate that specific interventions help increase participation. One recommendation advises administering your evaluations during class (administer surveys at the beginning or the middle of class, but not at the end) while being sure to offer students plenty of time to fill out the surveys during the class’ meeting. And allow more time if you have teaching assistants or multiple instructors. Check out the Course Evaluation team’s Response Rate Guide for additional advice.
Learn More
Course Evaluation Tools
With the help of the Office of Academic Technology and other units, course evaluation tools are now available. This tool enables faculty to see course evaluation schedules and select optional questions. Most evaluations are open for students from April 17 through May 1. Be sure to check your evaluation start and end dates, and contact your Course Evaluation Liaison if you encounter any issues.
Access Your Course Evaluations
Doctoral Hooding
Faculty members who supervised student dissertations may hood doctoral graduates if requested by their students. Academic regalia is required for this option. In the coming weeks, you may receive an invitation from your advisees to take part in the hooding ceremony. If you are unable to hood your graduate, a representative may do so in your place.
SERU Survey to Undergraduates
Undergraduate students are invited to voice their opinions using the 2024 Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) Survey. The Survey is confidential and offers students the chance to share their opinion on critical issues. Insights gained from past surveys have helped shape student mental health support, campus security, and measures against food scarcity, as well as refine the University’s approach to calculating the Cost of Attendance (COA). Please encourage students to participate (students completing the survey are entered into a drawing for 1 of 10 Big Tickets from Texas Athletics). The survey closes April 30.
More Information on the SERU Survey
CTL Updates: April 2024
Please see below for several updates from the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) from their April newsletter:
Upcoming Association of College and School Educators Opportunity
The next ACUE course will be Designing Learner-Centered Courses. The application deadline is May 6 and the course will begin on May 13.
Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) Grants
Applications for the 2024-25 Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) Grants have been extended through May 13. Please see the webpage and application form for more information about how this grant can support you and those in your teaching and learning community as you enhance engagement, wellness, resilience, and belonging in the different learning spaces your co-create and cultivate.
Generative AI Events and Grant Opportunities
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- 2024 Technology-Enhanced Learning Symposium: “Just Technology”
This annual event on May 9 will highlight innovation and advances in educational technology at UT Austin. Proposals are due April 7 and can be submitted here. You can learn more and RSVP here. - Students as Partners Grant Submissions for 2024-25
Proposals are due on May 3 with an area focus on: Exploring Teaching PAIRs (Partnership in AI Research). Learn More and Submit.
- 2024 Technology-Enhanced Learning Symposium: “Just Technology”
Call for Proposals: Texas Health Catalyst
Texas Health Catalyst is a University-wide program designed to propel your health and life sciences innovations from concept toward impact. This spring, in collaboration with the Cockrell School of Engineering, College of Pharmacy, College of Natural Sciences, the Institute for Foundations of Machine Learning, the Center for Rare Diseases, and Discovery to Impact, we present our general call for proposals alongside two targeted challenges: AI in Health and Rare Diseases. The application closes April 30.
International Travel Process Reminders
UT Austin employees traveling internationally on University business to a Restricted Region must request approval from the International Oversight Committee at least five weeks before departure. UTS 190 mandates that all employees register university-related international travel in the UT Austin International Travel Registry to enroll with On Call International (UT’s emergency medical and security assistance provider). Visit the Texas Global Risk and Safety (GRS) website for resources or submit a request to meet with the GRS team.
UFCU Resources
Please see below for resources offered by UFCU.
UFCU Seminar Budgeting 101 on May 21
The University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) has built out their Mortgage Benefits for Faculty (and staff) as an extension of our partnership to provide increased value and affordability to current and prospective faculty members. Please share this website and flyer in your recruitment of faculty. These resources highlight a broader range of products and services. For any questions about the products offered, faculty may contact a UFCU representative.
Register via UTLearn
UT Federal Credit Union Faculty Benefits
The University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) has built out their Mortgage Benefits for Faculty (and staff) as an extension of our partnership to provide increased value and affordability to current and prospective faculty members. Please share this website and flyer in your recruitment of faculty. These resources highlight a broader range of products and services. For any questions about the products offered, faculty may contact a UFCU representative.
Learn More
Access past issues here.