Budget Update

Thank you, Colleagues, for understanding our fiscal year 2022 budget challenge and brainstorming during the faculty meeting some possible revenue generating strategies. I appreciate your creative thinking and will be discussing your ideas with Rick Love and Ann Sorenson during our weekly meeting next Tuesday. 

As we continue as well with our budget reduction efforts, the Deans and I remain grateful for your willingness to "do things differently" and to help us discern where changes can best be made. A big shout out to Rebecca Hasselblad for all her work on budget spreadsheets and reports, and to the Department Chairs and Assistant Deans, who are working so closely with the instructional budget. Discussions will continue with the Faculty Senate and APAC as we together seek to make wise stewardship decisions.

Throughout this process, please join us in praying for God's wisdom and favor. "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." --James 3:17

Campus Alert Level Change to Yellow

Monday, February 1, was a joyful day as we were able to shift the campus alert level from Orange to Yellow. This was due in part to the low case numbers within the Northwestern community. I remain grateful for our shared commitment and efforts in upholding the mitigation protocols on campus. Thank you for your continued support and diligence in following the established guidance, so we can remain on this positive trajectory. 

Watching for Students Attending Virtually

Students approved for virtual attendance will be identified either in a morning email from Academic Achievement (for short-term adjustments) or on the Academic Achievement Dashboard (for semester-long adjustments). If students in your class are repeatedly attending virtually and are not on one of those two lists, they should be marked absent unless they are approved through Academic Achievement. To request approval for virtual attendance, students can complete the Application for Semester COVID Adjustments. As a reminder, you can find the Academic Achievement Dashboard on the right panel of the Faculty & Advisors tab on theROCK.

On-Demand Professional Development Opportunities

Over the last few months, the Online Learning Office and Academic Technology have hosted a number of webinars and other development opportunities. Recordings of these opportunities are available on the Development Opportunities page on Confluence (https://confluence.unwsp.edu/x/qQbpBg). The topics include Zoom training, Online Course Design, and Teaching Online. If you would like any direct assistance with your courses, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Online Learning Office. OLO staff are eager to provide the support you need by answering questions or assisting with specific concerns.