Thursday, March 27, 2014

To Share or Not to Share: The Open Syllabus Project

In a recent Chronicle article, Mark Parry discusses the benefits and challenges associated with gathering and sharing syllabi via web based databases. In particular he looks at the Open Syllabus Project an online database similar to MIT Open CourseWare and Syllabus Finder, meant to be used “as a platform for the development of new research, teaching, and administrative tools.”  

Of course there are several arguments against sharing syllabi including legalities such as copyright and ownership but by simply acknowledging the original author some of those concerns are usurped. In a 2012 Chronicle article entitled, "Forking Your Syllabus" by Brian Croxall, the author states, "When you’re beginning to plan something new, you can always benefit from seeing what others before you have done."

Would you agree that sharing syllabi in an open database is beneficial to the collective higher ed body or are the legal ramifications of copyright infringement and plagarism to great? Share your comments below.

To read the full articles click below:

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Promotion and Tenure Panel

Please join faculty from across the campus for the annual Promotion and Tenure Panel discussion. Dr. Earle Traynham, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, along with faculty from a variety of disciplines, will discuss the criteria for the awarding of promotion and tenure and will address the many factors that are involved in successfully navigating the tenure and promotion process. Assistant, Associate and new faculty members are especially encouraged to attend.

Promotion and Tenure Panel
Wednesday, April 9, 2014, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Talon Room, Building 16, Room 4202
RSVP at ofe@unf.edu
Reception at 4:30 p.m., Faculty Lounge

FLOWHE Quarterly Meeting

FLOWHE, the Florida Office of Women in Higher Education, the Northeast Chapter, will hold their quarterly meeting on Friday, April 11th, 2014.

What Your Wardrobe Says about You - with Gari Greenwald
Friday, April 11, 2014, 11:45-1:00 p.m. 
Talon Room, Building 16, Room 4202
 Click here to register!

Gari Greenwald is a wardrobe consultant who moved to Jacksonville from Atlanta in 1996.  She has a degree in Fashion Merchandising from the Art Institute of Atlanta and has established her own business working with individuals on developing their own personal style and learning what works best for their body type.  Her presentations include “How to Dress for an Interview”, “How to Dress for Your Body Type” and “How to Dress for the Workplace”.  As an expert in the field, she has appeared on WJXT’s The Morning Show and several other media outlets  in Florida.  She is also a former instructor at the John Casablanca’s Modeling and Career Center and has published articles for Women’s Digest and Senior Times.  Visit her website at www.wardrobemaven.com for more information.  

Brought to you by the Florida Office of Women in Higher Education(FLOWHE). 
Attendance is free but you must reserve your spot!
You can also order lunch in advance for only $15 – Click here to register!

For more information, contact Karen Arlington at 904-997-2645 or karen.arlington@fscj.edu or Dr. Christine Holland at(904) 620.3823 or cholland@unf.edu 


Scholarly Ventures: Applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award

The Fulbright Scholar Program offers teaching, research or combination teaching/research awards in over 125 countries for the 2015-2016 academic year. UNF faculty who are past recipients of Fulbright Awards will share their experiences in applying for the award and how they benefited from the program. UNF faculty and professionals interested in the program are encouraged to attend the presentation and learn more about core Fulbright Scholar opportunities. 
Scholarly Ventures:
Applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award
Wednesday, April 9, 2014, 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.
Student Union, Building 58W, Room 3804
RSVP at ofe@unf.edu

The event is sponsored by the International Center and the Office of Faculty Enhancement. 
Bring your lunch. Beverages and deserts will be served.

Monday, March 24, 2014

University Press of Florida Presentation

Meredith Babb, Director of the University Press of Florida, will discuss the academic book publishing
process and how publishing has changed in the last two decades.  She will give guidance on how to prepare proposals and manuscripts. RSVP with Wendy Rahman at wrahman@unf.edu.  A light lunch will be served.

University Press of Florida Presentation
Thursday, March 27, 2014, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Sociology Conference Room, Building 51, Room 2121
To register, contact Wendy Rahman, wrahman@unf.edu

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Transforming STEM Higher Education Conference

The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) provides academic renewal conferences to connect educators and researchers from across the nation to discuss and advance STEM education. The November 2014 conference in Atlanta, GA, will focus on Transforming STEM Higher Education. The deadline for proposals is Monday, April 7, 2014. Find more details below. 
A Network for Academic Renewal Conference
November 6-8, 2014
Atlanta, Georgia

Proposals Due Monday, April 7, 2014
The Association of American Colleges and Universities and ProjectKaleidoscope are pleased to announce the Call for Proposals for the TransformingSTEM Higher Education conference.  Proposals are invited and encouraged to showcase evidence-based practices that reflect any of the themes below, and that are poised for immediate uptake and adaptation in a wide range of institution types, including community colleges and minority-serving institutions.  Of particular interest will be proposals that effectively integrate two or more of the conference themes.
We look forward to your proposals in the context of the four themes listed below.
  • Research, Development, and Assessment of Undergraduate STEM Teaching and Learning: This theme will include presentations and sessions that describe innovative approaches for enhancing undergraduate STEM learning through implementation of engaged pedagogies and high-impact practices including, but not limited to, integrative, interdisciplinary, and discovery-based learning. 
     
  • Inclusive Excellence in STEM Higher Education: This theme will include presentations and sessions that highlight theory-driven models and innovations directed toward the recruitment, retention, and persistence of students from underrepresented groups in the STEM disciplines. 
     
  • Recruiting, Supporting, and Rewarding STEM Faculty: This theme will focus on sessions and presentations that provide faculty with knowledge, materials, and strategies for revising STEM curricula and enhancing teaching and high-impact practices, as well as innovative mechanisms for acquiring necessary resources (if applicable) for implementing new strategies.
     
  • Advancing Institutional Change Strategies for STEM Reform: This theme will include presentations and sessions related to campus-wide institutional change efforts toward undergraduate STEM education reform.  While there is a pervasive need to provide opportunities for students to participate in research, collaborative assignments, and other innovative engagement practices, oftentimes the culture of STEM departments is not conducive to the implementation of modern pedagogies
Visit the Call for Proposals to find out how to submit a proposal to share your work at this conference.
For more information, please call 202.387.3760, or write to Siah Annand at network@aacu.org

Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference

HETL logo Conferences on teaching and learning can opportunities for reflection and rejuvenation, as one interacts with colleagues from across the country who are engaged in similar teaching and learning efforts. The International Higher Education Teaching & Learning (HETL) Association will be hosting their annual conference at Utah Valley University in January, 2015. See the details below.

Call for HETL Conference Proposals
https://www.hetl.org/events/2015-hetl-sote-utah-conference/.

Join us for the 2015 HETL - SoTE Conference at Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah, USA on January 20 – January 22, 2015 (Tues., Wed., Thurs.).

The conference proposal deadline is April 11, 2014.
Submit proposals at https://www.hetl.org/2015-utah-valley-conference-submission-form/ .

Theme: Reaching the Summit: Explorations in Meaningful Learning through Community Engagement.

https://www.hetl.org/events/2015-hetl-sote-utah-conference/.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Call for Proposals: Research on Service-Learning and Community-Engagement


Reaping What We Sow:
Growing a Culture of Community Engagement

Call for Proposals:
The International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community-Engagement (IARSLCE) Conference

The IARSLCE annual research conference is targeted to scholars, practitioners, students, and community partners interested in research on service-­‐learning, community-­‐based research, campus-­‐community partnerships, and civic learning outcomes in education. Attendees include faculty, administrators, and scholar-­‐practitioners in higher education, community partners, educators and professionals and leaders in educational policy and community development.

Deadline for submissions: March 21, 2014, 5:00 p.m. (CST)
To submit a proposal, please visit: http://precis2.preciscentral.com/Public/UserLogin.aspx?P=D805325BAA88D2EADA8DFAF6817C8741 &Reload=True&ID=37E2FAE49617DEB0.


Detailed information about the registration process is available on the IARSLCE website: http://www.researchslce.org.

Monday, March 10, 2014

STARS Poster Competition Available

2014 STARS
Faculty Research Poster Competition Announcement
Talon Room, Bldg. 16, 4th floor
Monday, April 14, 2014
3:30 – 5:00pm
**Online registration form**: Poster competition

Scholars Transforming Academic Research Symposium (STARS) is a showcase of research excellence highlighting faculty, staff, administrator, and graduate student research across all disciplines within the university community.  The theme for this year’s symposium is Crossing Borders.

Assistant Professors at UNF are invited to submit a poster for the 5th Annual STARS event, held on Monday, April 14, 2014. An award amount of $5,000 will be presented to the faculty research poster winner. Award winners will be selected by a consensus of faculty and staff attending the STARS reception and awards ceremony. 

Using a crowd-sourcing model, attendees of the faculty and staff reception will be provided a token at the beginning of the poster competition.  Each attendee will have the opportunity to select the poster they feel best demonstrates excellence in presentation, content, and impact of research. The poster participant with the most tokens at the end of the competition will be announced as the winner during the STARS faculty and staff reception and awards ceremony.

This event is free to the UNF community. Pre-registration is required.

Symposium Agenda
11:30am - 12:00pm    Registration
12:00pm - 1:30pm      Roundtable Discussions (Lunch will be served)
3:30pm -  5:00pm       Faculty Poster Competition & Faculty and Staff Reception & Awards Ceremony

Important Dates
March 28, 2014, 5:00 pm -Deadline for poster title and abstract submission (guidelines listed below): Poster competition.
March 28, 2014, 5:00 pm - Registration deadline for events at STARS: roundtable discussions, poster competition, and reception & awards ceremony.
April 4, 2014, 5:00 pm - Deadline for submitting materials to the Center for Instruction and Research Technology (CIRT) for poster printing.

*Please note: Individuals registered for the poster competition must also register for the symposium using the STARS registration.


STARS Guidelines for Poster Competition
**Registration is limited to the first 20 participants**
Online Registration: Poster competition
  • Subject of Presentation: Any basic or applied research that will promote sponsored activities or lead to fundable research is acceptable for entry in the poster competition. The poster presentation may contain information that has been presented at local, regional, or national meetings or conferences.
  • Deadline for Entry: Registration at the following web address must be received by Monday, March 28, 2014 at 5:00 pm @ Poster competition. All participants are responsible for registering and uploading their abstract on the website. Participants must submit his/her name, title, department, poster title, poster author(s), and an abstract not more than 250 words. Participant information and abstracts will be published in the symposium brochure. An email confirmation will be sent to the entrant to acknowledge receipt of registration and acceptance of the abstract.
  • Time: Posters may be set up starting at 9:00 am on April 14, 2014.  Posters will be displayed in the Talon room, Bldg. 16, 4th floor. Access to the area will be from 9:00 am to 3:00 p.m. Posters should remain up until 5:00pm. Posters must be removed immediately following the faculty and staff reception and awards ceremony.
  • Eligibility: Competition is open to any assistant professor at the University of North Florida. Posters should present original research with potential to lead to fundable sponsored activities. Each entrant may present only one poster. Individuals registered for the poster competition must also register for the symposium using the STARS registration.
  • Awards:. The first-place winner will receive seed funding of $5,000 to conduct research activities. Funds can be used for activities that promote sponsored activities, such as proposal development, travel to conferences, student wages, equipment, and supplies. The winner will be announced the same day during the STARS faculty and staff reception and awards ceremony.
  • Evaluation: Award winners will be selected by a consensus of faculty and staff attending the STARS reception and awards ceremony. Using a crowdsourcing model, attendees of the faculty and staff reception will be provided a token at the beginning of the poster competition. Each attendee will have the opportunity to select the poster they feel best demonstrates excellence in presentation, content, and impact of research. The poster participant with the most tokens at the end of the competition will be announced as the winner during the STARS faculty and staff reception and awards ceremony. Should there be a tie, the funds will be distributed evenly amongst the winners.
  • Poster Size: One sided: no larger than 42" x 56" displayed horizontally or vertically. Poster participants are encouraged to visit CIRT by April 4, 2014 to assist with printing posters:
Center for Instruction & Research Technology (CIRT)
J.J. Daniel Hall, Building 1, Room 1801

Phone: (904) 620-3927                                   E-mail: cirtlab@unf.edu

Hours of Operation 

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. , Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday

·         Format: Posters should include:
1.             Title Banner - with title, author(s), and department(s) - Entrant must be first author.
2.             Abstract - a maximum 250-word summary of the study.

Some suggestions for poster content:
a.       Introduction - a clear and concise statement of the rationale, hypothesis, and justification for the project, the objectives of the research, and general approach.
b.      Materials and Methods - an outline of the key materials and methods defining how the experiment or study was conducted.
c.       Results - tables, figures, photos, etc., showing and documenting experimental findings and analyses.
d.      Conclusions and Discussion - statement of the conclusions from the study results and a brief explanation of the study's scientific rigor, discoveries and their significance, and congruence or lack of with the body of scientific knowledge.
e.      Acknowledgments and References - brief acknowledgment of other contributors who are not authors, and key literature references to the study, if required.

·         Legibility: All text and figures should be readable from a distance of 1 meter, including captions and figure legends. Illustrations should be relatively large with heavy lines. Colors may be used to accent features or visibility. The diversity of the audience at this symposium should be considered when designing posters. Abbreviations should be kept to a minimum.
·         Continuity: The presentation should be a coherent series of statements and supporting illustrations, with each leading to the next, which show the flow of the presentation and the progression of the study.

·         Attendance: Participants are required to be in attendance at his/her poster to answer questions of symposium participants during poster viewing times on April 14: 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.   Poster participants are also encouraged to attend the faculty and staff reception & awards ceremony immediately following the competition, where the poster winner will be announced.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Frankly Fridays Event - Can we talk about race?

Frank Conversation about Faculty Issues

Topic: Can we talk about race?
Friday, March 7th, 9:30-10:30 AM, Osprey Commons Faculty Lounge (Building 16, 4th Floor)
Let us know you will be there: ofe@unf.edu

Despite efforts by Higher Education to bring diversity to college campuses, faculty of Color continue to be underrepresented among faculty ranks. A recent post in the Chronicle of Higher Education by an Associate Professor of African-American studies highlights the growing tensions around race bias in higher education and the attitudes of White Americans nationally. Recent research by the Harvard Business School suggests that as perceptions of race bias have decreased, perceptions of anti-White race bias have increased among Whites. Recent conversations among faculty on the UNF campus have highlighted the challenges faculty of Color face in feeling welcomed and supported by the UNF community.  

Come discuss how these issues impact UNF and faculty across the nation.
We will meet in the Faculty Lounge on the 4th floor of the Osprey Commons.
OFE will provide the coffee and pastries.

Let us know you will be there: ofe@unf.edu