Thank you, Jacqui, and good afternoon, everyone.
Welcome to a new semester! While the weather has been making the beginning of the semester interesting, this is always an exciting time, and it’s great to have faculty and students back on campus again.
Today, I will share updates on:
- Revisions to the faculty handbook
- Progress on the Innovation District
- Project Kitty Hawk / Flight Path
- Administrative updates
Faculty Handbook Revisions
This semester brings significant updates to the Faculty Handbook:
- First, FH 5.1.3 now allows faculty members on Family Medical Leave the option to participate in the Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure process while on leave. We understand that not all FML situations are the same. We support those who need to fully step away from their work, and also recognize the importance of providing flexibility for those who can and want to continue participating in this vital department work, and the revision reflects this.
- FH 3.3.1 has been revised to provide a pathway for faculty who have experienced circumstances beyond their control that may severely impact their expected yearly progress in research, creative activities, and scholarship. This update reflects some of our recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, and extends the timeline for requesting accommodations to the second week of September in the year of the personnel action. The previous version allowed for only a 90-day window within the academic year of the event.
- Additional updates include a number of clarifications to OP 9 Faculty Hearing Protocols. These revisions aim to make the process easier for faculty to navigate.
These multi-layered updates are critical for keeping us in compliance with UNC System policies, as well as state and federal laws. I’d like to thank Faculty Hearing Committee Coordinating Chair Dr. Sandie Gravett for her leadership on this important work. I also want to recognize the Faculty Governance Committee and the Academic Affairs Standard Operating Procedures (AASOPs) Review Committee for their diligent work last semester. The Faculty Hearing Committee worked on 16 Faculty Handbook updates, and the AASOPs Review Committee completed 15 AASOPs changes. Your efforts exemplify the collaborative spirit and dedication of our campus community, so thank you.
Innovation District Update
Turning to other key initiatives, I’ll provide a quick update on the Innovation District, which Chancellor Norris touched on in her newsletter on Friday. You may have noticed the new wind turbines that will be part of the zero-carbon energy system that will power the district. In addition, the STEM Academic Building is moving forward, with construction bids for the project opening next month. The facility will include classrooms, labs, offices, and an academic greenhouse, alongside adjacent research and public gardens, further enhancing interdisciplinary learning.
Flight Path
- Project Kitty Hawk has a new name at App State — Flight Path — and these programs are becoming significant extensions of the University’s Online programs as they continue to grow. This spring, we added three new programs to this portfolio: bachelor’s degrees in accounting, criminal justice, and organizational leadership and learning. With these additions, we now offer five undergraduate programs through Project Kitty Hawk — targeting busy, working adults — that provide 24/7 technical support, personalized coaching and advising, and multiple start dates to meet their needs. These five programs extend our portfolio of nearly 50 online programs that help provide flexible opportunities — for adult learners in particular — across the state and beyond.
- While Mike McKenzie, Vice Provost of Academic Program Development and Strategic Initiatives, serves as Acting Provost at Winston-Salem State University this semester, Dr. Mark Bradbury, Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, will step in to oversee Mike’s Flight Path duties. Mark’s deep institutional knowledge and commitment to our university make him well-suited to guide this important initiative, and I appreciate his taking on these additional responsibilities in Mike’s absence.
Administrative Updates
As we navigate these leadership transitions, I also want to celebrate some remarkable accomplishments that demonstrate your unwavering dedication to fostering student success:
- This past fall, 3,529 students made the Chancellor’s List carrying a full time courseload and earning a GPA of 3.85 or higher. An additional 5,589 students earned places on the Dean’s List, achieving GPA thresholds from 3.25-3.45.
- Our student-athletes, for the 25th consecutive semester, achieved a cumulative GPA above 3.0, with several teams achieving both semester and cumulative GPAs above 3.5.
Their exceptional academic performance is just one metric we have that not only reflects their hard work and determination, it also underscores the vital role our faculty play in fostering student success. It’s a metric that students and their families — along with members of the general public — value, and we’ve shared this information with media outlets in the hometowns of the more than 9,100 students who have earned these accolades.
Before I conclude my remarks, just a couple quick reminders:
- Please be sure you have marked your calendars for the Faculty and Staff Spring Meeting, on Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. in the Grandview Ballroom.
- Also, the Celebration of Research and Creative Activity Event, which had to be rescheduled due to Hurricane Helene, will take place on Feb. 5 at the Broyhill Music Center from 2-6 p.m. This is always a great event that features presentations, performances, and exhibitions showcasing the innovative work of our faculty and staff. I hope you will join me in attending and celebrating the research, scholarship, and creativity that make Appalachian State such a remarkable institution.
Thank you for your attention today, and for the dedication you bring to your roles. I look forward to continuing the important discussions we have together and to a successful semester ahead.
This concludes my remarks.