Newsletter — Office of the Provost

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Happy Fall! It is hard to believe that it’s already October. I hope that the semester is going well for you all. I know it has been a busy start, and would like to provide a few updates.

Applying for Fellowships

A sabbatical or a leave of absence is no longer required to take part in a fellowship. We will return to the following policy which will hopefully encourage more faculty to apply for fellowships. Please reach out to Laura Merkl if you have any questions.

Fellowship Application Policy

• Faculty go to Scholarship, Research & Sponsored Programs Office to submit their fellowship applications
• Laura Merkl will review the applications, complete any information needed from the campus, and approve
• Laura Merkl will complete the Campus Impact Statement for the Chair, Dean and Provost to sign. She will also include the amount of funding to be received by the fellowship participant that will be returned to the campus, the type of fellowship, sponsor, and period
• Signatures of approval will be obtained
• Fellowships will be submitted
• Fellowships awarded
  • Copy of the fellowship information sent to HR so they are aware of the fellowship and that a check should be coming to offset the salary
  • Faculty work with campus to solidify leave
  • The award is set up in the RF system if there are other expenses funds received for expenses such as travel or supplies

Sabbaticals

Sabbatical leave applications submitted by 9/22 deadline will be reviewed by Deans and the Provost using the sabbatical leave application rubric. 

The sabbatical leave application will be evaluated as a whole rather than by prioritizing certain elements. For example, a sabbatical leave application won’t be approved just because a faculty member needs to travel to do research. Likewise, a sabbatical leave application won’t be denied only because the proposed work may be in its nascent stages.

Sabbatical Presentations

Recipients of sabbatical leave are not required to give a presentation of their work through CELT when they return. However, they are strongly encouraged to share their work at Scholars Day, Mornings with the Professor, a brown bag session in their department or other existing means.

New Summer Undergraduate Research Director and SURP Coordinator

After many years of service, Adam Rich is stepping down as the Summer Undergraduate Research Director. I thank him for all he has done to help develop and showcase the research of our students. I’m happy to announce that Jen Ramsey has agreed to serve as the new Summer Undergraduate Research Director and that Michel Pellitier will assist her as the Summer Undergraduate Research Coordinator.

Special Sessions Director Search

As many of you know, Susan Lowey is now Assistant Dean of the School of Nursing and has stepped down from being Special Session Director. Eileen Daniel is chairing the search for the new director. The position has been posted. Please consider applying if you are interested. Any questions should be directed to Eileen.

Assistant Vice Provost Search

I have decided to make an adjustment within the Provost’s office. The Vice Provost for Curriculum Innovation position is being changed to an Assistant Vice Provost position, which will primarily focus on student experience, among other things. Jose Maliekal, who I thank for his contributions as Vice Provost, will be returning to faculty starting in the spring semester. A search for an Assistant Vice Provost will be conducted this semester with the intent of hiring someone to start in the spring. Please look for the posting and consider applying if you are interested.

Thanks for all that you do. Be sure to take time to enjoy the fall season and all that it offers.