Newsletter — Office of the Provost

Thursday, April 3, 2025
Volume 2, Issue 14

The beginning of April begins the countdown of many activities leading up to commencement and the end of the semester. This also means several initiatives that we started this year are coming to conclusion. I would like to use this newsletter to discuss the status of a number of these efforts, and to thank those who have been particularly instrumental in advancing them through our system.

Reorganization

We are approaching the end of the first stage of the academic division reorganization. Nursing and Education & Health are interviewing candidates for their Assistant Dean positions. Four candidates have been to campus to interview for the Dean in the School of Business and Management, and I have received the recommendations from the search committee that included feedback from those who participated in the interview process. I am hoping to be able to make an announcement of our new Dean in the next few weeks. Finally, later this week I will be meeting with the Task Force on Departmental Administrative Structure (DAS) to hear their report and recommendations for greater departmental support.

Scholars Day

Next week will feature our annual Scholars Day: A Celebration of Academic Excellence, with a few new twists on the traditional formula. We begin the day with a series of oral presentations, highlighting student presentations of their research activities supported by faculty across many of our departments. Poster Palooza goes at noon, with over 100 poster presentations spread throughout SERC. New this year is the availability of several food trucks on campus from noon to 3 pm to support student presenters and faculty mentors, while providing attendees with the added bonus of a lively food truck experience. During the afternoon session, we have departmental events, panel presentations focused on the business of sport management, and an open conversation with our evening keynote speaker, Kate Moore, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Radium Girls. This keynote presentation, discussing the radium girls’ story and their role in advancing women’s and workers’ rights, is free and open to the public. In addition, Ms. Moore will be available for a book signing immediately following the presentation. More information about Scholars Day is available on the Scholars Day website. I hope that you will consider attending some of these activities and supporting the excellent work of our students.

Experiential Learning Innovation microgrants

I am pleased to announce our new Microgrant program to support innovative ideas in experiential learning. This is a small grant program, with funding up to $1,000 to support faculty efforts to incorporate experiential learning into their pedagogy. Per the definition developed by the experiential learning committee, experiential learning includes the following elements: 1. The activity is structured, intentional, and authentic; 2. The activity requires preparation, orientation, and training; 3. Reflection is embedded in the activity; 4. There will be monitoring and opportunity for continuous improvement; and 5. The activity will be accompanied by assessment and evaluation. Applications are now being accepted and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. More information can be found on the experiential learning website.

Scopus free trial

Drake Memorial Library is now offering a free trial of the Scopus database. According to the Elsevier webpage, “Scopus is an abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature including scientific journals, books, and conference proceedings that provides a comprehensive overview of worldwide research output in the fields of science, technology, medicine, social sciences, and arts and humanities.” I have used this database many times throughout my career and find it to be an exceptional tool for gaining insight into current literature, which I have been able to use to support my research and teaching (back when I did much more of that). This is a limited opportunity that goes through the 3rd week of April. I encourage you to access the database through the Drake Library webpage and then provide feedback to the library staff so they can determine if we wish to purchase an ongoing subscription in support of our teaching and research needs.

Senate activities

I want to give a shout out to our friends in the Brockport University Senate, as they continue the push to review many, many proposals over the remainder of the semester. They are currently working diligently on some new guidelines for our general education program, and as Senate President Skye Paine has pointed out, advancing a compromise proposal that should improve outcomes for our students. We have several new policies under discussion, new program proposals, changes to curriculum and program requirements, and much more. The Senate is very busy this time of year and I appreciate all the hard work of the Executive committee and other Senators as they diligently work through the many proposals that have been put forth.

Honors and Awards Ceremony, Commencement

The end of the year is also celebration time, when we get to recognize the many accomplishments of our students. This year, we are combining our traditional Honors and Awards celebration with the Student Leadership Awards ceremony, recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of our students both in academic and student activities. The event will be held on Friday, April 25 at 2:30 pm in the Seymour Union Ballroom. This is an academic regalia event. If you plan to participate in this important student recognition, please RSVP here to reserve your place in the processional.

Commencement for graduate and undergraduate students will be held on Friday May 16, with the morning ceremony beginning at 9:30 for the School of Education, Health, and Human Services, and the afternoon ceremony beginning at 2 pm for the Schools of Arts and Sciences and Business and Management. I particularly enjoy our commencement ceremonies, as I find it a special treat to see our students walk across the stage and be recognized by friends and family, and seeing the impact that SUNY Brockport, its faculty and staff, have had on their lives. Please come out and help us celebrate our students accomplishments; you can indicate your intent to attend by responding here.

Closing remarks

This is a busy time of year on campus. This year is perhaps more stressful than most, as we balance the SUNY Brockport vision with ongoing changes in federal government programs and the responses from SUNY and the State. Our faculty and staff continue to stand strong. Please continue to look after each other while supporting our students. Know that we, as administration, are doing all we can to stay informed and to share information as we can.

Please enjoy this month filled with celebration of many accomplishments among students, faculty, and staff. Thank you for everything you do, your hard work and dedication.