Updates in Academic Affairs
Updates in Academic Affairs is the official newsletter for the Office of the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
April 25, 2017
In this edition, the Office of Faculty Development announces a two-day seminar on teaching and promoting inclusivity; a new colleague will soon join the Office of Institutional Effectiveness; and the provost recognizes faculty and staff who were celebrated this academic year for excellence in areas of expertise and service.
March 21, 2017
In this edition, students and faculty members are asked to take part in a national student engagement survey, the Office of Disability Services for Students highlights testing accommodation procedures, Career and Student Employment Services offers an expanded schedule of Start Smart salary-negotiation workshops, and employees are invited to upcoming Gold Gatherings.
February 28, 2017
In this edition, the provost provides an update on the business dean search, the University is set to host a Nobel laureate and Great Lakes youths as a part of a PeaceJam weekend event, and a special meeting for non-bargaining staff in academic affairs is scheduled for March 23.
February 7, 2017
In this edition, international students and others from countries listed in a federally imposed travel ban are urged to avoid leaving the United States. Also, learn about a salary-negotiation workshop for students, as well as an important meeting in March for non-bargaining staff in academic affairs.
January 24, 2017
An experienced administrator will serve as interim associate provost of the Haenicke Institute for Global Education during a search for the institute's next leader, staff and faculty now have access to an online professional development service, and Spring Convocation is set for Friday, Feb. 17.
January 10, 2017
Several trainings will be offered during spring semester for faculty and staff, including one focusing on workplace violence prevention and another on how to be an LBGT ally. Also soon to begin are this semester's faculty and staff mixers known as Gold Gatherings.
December 13, 2016
The new Academic Affairs Strategic Plan is available to read online, the deadline to nominate colleagues for the distinguished faculty scholar award looms and the provost offers heartfelt thanks.
November 21, 2016
Business dean candidates scheduled to give public presentations, "students of concerns" topic of panel discussion and committee seeks nominations for new Global Engagement Award.
November 8, 2016
Deadline to report student travel looms, instructors are urged to make needed testing accommodations with Disability Services for Students and upcoming Gold Gatherings and luncheons offer opportunities to socialize with colleagues from across campus.
October 25, 2016
Search committees will soon announce finalists in two college dean searches, and faculty and staff are invited to socialize with colleagues at Gold Gatherings.
September 27, 2016
A newly established Office of Pre-College Programming is up and running, the Medallion Scholarship competition is set for early December, Faculty Development offers instructional development grants and the Center for Fostering Success organizes first-of-its-kind conference at WMU.
September 15, 2016
Fall Convocation offers a daylong slate of activities on Sept. 30, a new document offers tips on creating a "trans-inclusive" classroom, the University adopts official definition of plagiarism and University Libraries extends loan period.
July 20, 2016
The Medallion Scholarship Competition is now staged earlier in the academic year, a new international student conference is set for September and the integrated program review and planning process makes positive inroads.
June 20, 2016
College leadership changes to take effect in July, students have a new online option for obtaining textbooks and a recent call center arrangement intends to boost financial aid and Bronco Express customer service.
May 2, 2016
Interim business college dean named, enrollment management candidates visit campus in May, academic affairs non-bargaining unit staff invited to special meeting, new WMU Signature program to debut this fall.
April 18, 2016
Enrollment management candidates to visit campus, application deadline for sustainability internship nears and the Faculty Senate supports proposal to reform general education.
March 28, 2016
College of Arts and Sciences dean search brings finalists to campus, strong interest prompts a second salary-negotiation workshop and a nationally recognized speaker is set to lead workshops for faculty and graduate students.
March 14, 2016
New award aims to attract students from Illinois, DSS says it's time to make testing-accommodation arrangements and upcoming skill-building workshop teaches students salary negotiation.
February 29, 2016
Search processes for two new administrators advance, a University Strategic Plan forum is set for March 2 and an update to the transportation of hazardous materials policy is available online.
February 15, 2016
An Assessment in Action conference to take place in April, nominations are now being accepted for faculty and staff awards, and a campuswide forum on suicide prevention set for late February.
February 1, 2016
Focus group sessions to collect feedback on revised University Strategic Plan, Preferred Name Policy is in effect and all are invited to the upcoming Spring Convocation.
January 18, 2016
A status report on the College of Arts and Sciences dean search, help needed with the Medallion Scholarship selection process, general education reform is the topic of upcoming meetings and the campus community is invited to a presentation and discussion on suicide prevention.
December 7, 2015
Campuswide strategic planning survey online for University stakeholders, Alpha Program guides first-year students toward success, Reclaim the "W" provides second chance for students struggling academically and holiday greetings from Provost Greene.
November 16, 2015
Students can earn skill endorsements in piloted program, time to begin planning for testing accommodation needs, a scholarly academy calls for papers and a workshop teaches students salary negotiation strategies.
November 3, 2015
Michigan now a LEAP state, WMU students busy with dozens of service-learning projects, reporting of midterm grades up significantly this fall.
October 19, 2015
A progress report on the College of Arts and Sciences dean search, a slate of events to honor military personnel and veterans, and University Libraries and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences partner in new venture.
October 8, 2015
Public presentation times set for University Libraries dean finalists, a look at the Office of Exploratory Advising, October meetings slated for academic affairs non-bargaining staff and Fridays with Friends mixers are on tap through May.
September 21, 2015
Academic support services for students are highlighted, the University Convocation draws near and an October fair features graduate programs.
September 8, 2015
Findings from the Academic Program Review and Planning process are now available online.
August 11, 2015
Academic Program Review recommendations update letter from Provost Greene.
July 2, 2015
Academic Program Review and Planning update letter from Provost Greene.
May 18, 2015
Academic Program Review and Planning moves into key phase and a year in review.
April 27, 2015
The WMU Office of Military and Veterans Affairs meets the needs of student veterans, transitioning to the next University Strategic Plan and invitation to celebrate.
April 13, 2015
April meetings set for academic affairs non-bargaining unit staff, introducing a revamped PRISM and save the date for Academic Convocation 2015.
March 30, 2015
Introducing University Libraries' forthcoming search system, a timeline and other details of the Academic Program Review and Planning process, Assessment in Action Day.
March 16, 2015
Academic program review observation reports are complete, Disability Services offers overflow testing site, nominations for faculty and staff awards are due April 1 and academic affairs non-bargaining unit staff members are invited to April 17 meetings.
February 23, 2015
Two tapped as arts and sciences interim associate deans, higher ed expert to lead workshops in March, Lee Honors College unveils new student initiative and academic affairs non-bargaining unit staff invited to April meetings.
February 9, 2015
WMU veteran tapped as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the latest on academic program review, a national expert on general education reform to visit campus and where in the world could the Fulbright Scholar program take you?
January 26, 2015
An invitation to lead a First-Year Seminar course, a women in higher education conference, an improved accommodation management system, a ready reference to academic success program services.
January 12, 2015
The latest on Academic Program Review and Planning, an appeal for Medallion Scholar competition observers, opportunities to take part in student recruitment revealed.
December 8, 2014
An Academic Program Review and Planning progress report, faculty award nominations sought, a note of gratitude.
November 24, 2014
Meeting invisible need, Disability Services offers overflow-testing site and Anita Hill is first speaker in 2015 Raise Your Voice series.
November 10, 2014
Nominations sought for a high honor, early news of a powerful new search system for library patrons, WMU Student Code changes and a revamp in store for Prism
October 27, 2014
This edition highlights the benefits of the recent affiliation between WMU and Cooley Law School. Also read about other key advancements, including Phase II of Degree Works, a system that helps students stay on track for graduation.
October 13, 2014
The Graduate College has rolled out a new way for potential graduate students to apply to WMU. An online application system called ApplyYourself moved the dual process of self-service Banner applications and departmental applications into one seamless process.
September 29, 2014
This edition highlights a number of news items, including a yearlong series to discuss potential revisions to WMU’s general education program, the upcoming Academic Convocation, money-management training for students and more.
September 15, 2014
This edition announces dates for upcoming sessions designed to help departments and units complete academic program self-studies. Also learn about meetings for non-bargaining staff in academic affairs and an October graduate school fair.
September 2, 2014
The Updates newsletter is back for the 2014-15 school year! In this edition, learn about the Bronco Study Zone, the requirements of a new student accommodation management system and other important news.
May 5, 2014
With student orientation season kicking off on May 16, this final 2013-14 edition of Updates details the transition process for undergraduate students starting their college educations at Western Michigan University.
April 21, 2014
This edition presents an academic affairs year in review by Provost Tim Greene and includes announcements about two upcoming events.
April 7, 2014
In this edition, Provost Tim Greene encourages participation in the WMU Brand Ambassador Program, a series of employee workshops. Also read about how the University’s expertise in assessment has garnered national recognition.
March 24, 2014
This edition highlights the latest news on academic program review and planning, provides site and procedure details for final exam week testing accommodation services and invites non-bargaining unit staff members in academic affairs to an important meeting.
March 10, 2014
This edition provides a link to important information on recruitment, highlights the critical nature of complying with federal guidelines on providing students with textbook information and shares other noteworthy announcements.
February 24, 2014
This edition details the newly launched Discovery Experts database, provides a date and times for forums hosted by the provost’s office and offers other important news.
February 10, 2014
This edition highlights presentations on suicide prevention this week and a March workshop for students on salary negotiation strategies.
January 28, 2014
In this edition, meet the 2014 Graduate College Faculty Fellows and learn about the Graduate Student Advisory Committee’s take on TED Talks.
January 13, 2014
In this edition, learn about how you can help boost student enrollment, play a role in two prestigious scholarship competitions and other important news.
December 16, 2013
In this edition, learn about training opportunities, an upcoming open forum on academic program review and planning and other important news.
December 2, 2013
As part of a pledge to increase communication, this is the first edition of a newsletter from the provost that will offer updates every few weeks on topics in WMU academic affairs.
More archived newsletters from PRISM can be found here.