Upcoming Events & Recent Announcements for Faculty

1.  Important Dates/Info

• No classes scheduled, Weds Oct 2 – Fri, Oct 4. See CUNY’s All Religions & Ethnic Holiday Calendar to assist with timing assignments. CUNY policy on religious accommodations.
• Peer Teaching Observations have begun. Observation forms are HERE. For online courses, Brightspace enrollment request form (48-hour access only): REQUEST FORM.
• The 8-week-1 online student course evaluation period will be Oct 9-Oct 16. Faculty who wish to adjust the period during which students can complete evaluations (spigot) can do so Oct 6-8 or leave the default 2-week evaluation period. For regular Fall 2024 classes (and 8-week-2), the spigot will be available to faculty Nov 19-25 and the student evaluation period will be Nov 26-Dec 13.  See more information and tips below.
• The e-Workload system is open for full-time faculty. Review your fall 2024 workload by November 1^st.  Provost approval required for zero teaching in a semester. Faculty should discuss any outside workload in advance with their dept chair (e.g., GC teaching). The workload office will host a discussion of the collection process and answer workload questions on Weds, Oct 23^rd, Community Hour (1:40-2:55pm). ZOOM link, Meeting ID: 461 223 6540, Passcode: 1023. Email facultyworkload@jjay.cuny.edu to confirm participation or with questions.

2.  Timely Teaching Tip from the TLC  

The student evaluation period is approaching. Aiming to increase your student evaluation responses? First, be sure to inform students about the dates of the evaluation period, especially if you narrow the date window. Note that your class will ONLY be visible to students during the available dates.
     Here are a few suggestions to help increase student evaluation participation. One strategy is to share how their responses can help you improve your courses. Explain the purpose of the evaluations and share examples of feedback you received in the past and how the course benefitted in response.  Note that, for in-person and hybrid classes, faculty are required to set aside 20 minutes of in-class time for students to complete evaluations. Many instructors send email reminders and offer incentives, such as collective extra credit for reaching a specific class rate of completion (e.g., 1 point for all if 70% of students complete) or based on the rate completed (e.g., if half the class completes, each student gets half a point.)
     Most importantly, remind students that evaluations are anonymous and not seen by you for 4-5 weeks AFTER grades are submitted. Their feedback benefits the next students to take courses with us, and they will benefit from the feedback their next instructors are receiving from their students this term. The more students who complete evaluations, the greater the opportunities for positive change.
     If students have trouble accessing the evaluation or for questions about the Student Evaluation of Faculty or the SEOF committee, please contact seof@jjay.cuny.edu.  
     If you would like additional guidance and feedback to support your teaching, please contact Teaching & Learning Center Director Gina Rae Foster at gifoster@jjay.cuny.edu.      

3.  Upcoming Events/Speakers  

1. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: John Jay Rocks the Vote, Mon, Oct 7, 1:45pm, via Zoom. Book talk by Mike Madrid on The Latino Vote and the Impact on Democracy. Q&A facilitated by John Gutiérrez (LLS).  Register (for zoom) here.
2. Library Author Series, Weds, Oct 9, 1:40-3pm, Library Classroom, with Anru Lee (ANT) to discuss Haunted Modernities: Gender, Memory, and Placemaking in Postindustrial Taiwan. RSVP at https://hauntedmodernities.eventbrite.com.  See series here.
3. Our next Food for Thought is Weds, Oct 9, 1:30-2:45pm, Faculty/Staff Dining Room (2^nd floor NB). Join us for lunch with colleagues, hosted by Climate & Environmental Justice faculty – speakers LaDawn Haglund, Alejandro Garcia Lozano and Silvina Calderaro.  Learn about big ideas in their field, meet new faculty members and Lunch is on us. RSVP by noon Tues Oct 8.
4. Conversations that Lead to Conversations: The November 2024 U.S. Elections. In the 2nd of this 3-part series, Susan Kang (POL), Camara Silver (POL) and Nora Cronin (ICJ) will lead a Post-Vice Presidential Debate Conversation, Thursday, October 10, 1:40-2:55pm, 330HH.  Zoom registration: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElcemorjwiHtxE6bEUJDLTzktlcdQnoz9L (Register and a "Join" button will be sent to your email.)  Session is in person and remote.
5. Invitation:  Join us for this year's Alumni Reunion, Tuesday, October 15, as we amplify the achievements of our dynamic alumni community and celebrate John Jay College's 60th anniversary.  We are excited to pay tribute to one of our own, Professor Elton Beckett, the 2024 Distinguished Faculty Member and our inspiring 2024 Distinguished Alumna, Mary S. Calliste ‘15. Let’s commemorate 60 exceptional years and connect, engage and invest in the next generation of justice leaders. Location: Student Dining Hall, 2^nd Floor, New Building. Schedule: 6:00pm-Check-in; 6:30pm-Cocktail Reception; 7:15pm-Awards Presentation; 7:45pm-Networking. Register Today ($65/ticket)
6. Save the date!  Is your child applying to College soon?  Want to learn more about the Macaulay or JJ Honors Programs?  Join us Tues, Oct 22, 1:40pm in 610HH for a conversation with Honors Program Director Ray Patton and Associate Directors Alana Philip and Adrienne FitzGerald.  RSVP for lunch at apfaculty@jjay.cuny.edu.

4.  Brightspace Updates (DOES LMS Team)  

Quick Start checklist for Brightspace: https://bit.ly/DOES_BrS_QuickStart_Checklist

TODAY! DOES LMS How to Webinar: Brightspace Grading, Weds, October 2, 2pm – 3pm
Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/84801912145?pwd=OS4Dcek5TslcQAoufbCFn6rxC1RCui.1
Meeting ID: 848 0191 2145;  Passcode: 301304

More info is available from DOES. Workshop dates are here. Recordings: DOES LMS website.

CUNY Brightspace trainings: https://www.cuny.edu/academics/brightspace-transition/training/.

Brightspace enrollment request form (e.g., student success coach; TA; teaching observation; share materials with a peer): REVISED REQUEST FORM.

Contact.  Faculty: LMS.faculty@jjay.cuny.edu.  Students: LMS.students@jjay.cuny.edu.

5.  Upcoming Teaching/Pedagogy Workshops  

1. Teaching STEM in Hispanic Serving Institutions with Dr. Margarita Otero-Diaz, Thursday, October 3, 12-12:45 am EST.  Click here to register:  https://www.escalaeducation.com/stuff-we-love/2024-hsi-month
2. Introduction to OER @ JJ, Thurs, Oct 17, 1:40pm. Learn features and applications of Open Pedagogy and Open Educational Resources. Work with examples from the Guide to Assignments for Open Pedagogy and Culturally Responsive, Inclusive and Anti-Racist Curriculum developed by the JJ TLC and learn about funding available for OER projects this year. Register: https://bit.ly/introOERF24.  Ongoing OER activities/info
3. The Academic Center for Excellence in Research and Teaching (ACERT) at Hunter College invites all CUNY faculty and staff to join our Lunchtime Seminars, 1-hour virtual sessions on teaching and learning by faculty for faculty. Click on the session titles to register and receive the Zoom meeting link. Questions to acert@hunter.cuny.edu.  Tues, 10/8, 12-1pm: Bias and ethics in AI; Thu, 10/10, 12-1pm: AI tools for research; Thu, 10/17, 12-1pm: Decentering grades

6.  To Share with Students  

1. Career Learning Lab Hours and Events. You may have noticed the incredible turnout for CareerCon this week on campus! To keep the ball rolling, please let your students know that the Career Learning Lab offers Walk-ins, 30 min counseling appointments and Career Readiness Workshops in L72.00NB (see attached events calendar). 
2. Please share with your students the attached invitations to submit their artwork by Oct 13 for display during the MLL Hispanic Heritage Month celebration event – and to present their poetry at Latinx Poetry Night, Oct 16, 1:40-3pm in the Modern Language Center (see flyers).

7.  BIT or the Counseling Center? 

Sometimes we are not certain how to direct a student who we know is struggling. Guidance from the Counseling Center and Student Affairs:  

     Report emergency or extreme situations immediately to the Department of Public Safety at 212.237.8888 and/or 911 (as appropriate) if an individual displays an imminent threat to self or others, serious disruptive or threatening behavior, damages property, or breaks the law.

     If a student is experiencing behavioral problems or shows signs that they may be a danger to themselves or others, contact the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT; bit@jjay.cuny.edu). For example: elevated and severe behavioral concerns such as suicidal thoughts or impulses, violent and aggressive impulses, depression, disruptive behavior, emotional/behavioral dysregulation, or clear indication of physical and sexual abuse.

     If you feel that a student is experiencing a solely mental health issue, without accompanying behavioral problems or signs that the student may be a danger to themselves or others, please contact the Counseling Center. For example: mild to moderate mental and behavioral health concerns (e.g., signs of emotional difficulty, situational stressors, and changes in usual behavior). You may contact Center supervisors Dr. Gerard Bryant (gwbryant@jjay.cuny.edu) and Dr. Cory Head (chead@jjay.cuny.edu). This is especially important if the student has disclosed to you that they are having mental health issues.

     Counseling Services are available for students in the Wellness Center (L.68NB). Services are free and confidential. Note: messages sent to BIT cannot guarantee the same type of confidentiality as the Counseling Center. If privacy is a concern, the safest and easiest way to guard a student’s privacy regarding their mental health is to contact our Counseling Center.

     Students can email chead@jjay.cuny.edu or walk-in to make an appointment during the hours of 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.  Counseling staff are diverse in ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, age, and gender. They also have Spanish-speaking staff. Email chead@jjay.cuny.edu or call 212-887-6239 for more information. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Gerard Bryant (gwbryant@jjay.cuny.edu) or the Dean of Students office (deanofstudents@jjay.cuny.edu).

1.  Important Dates

• Academic calendars HERE

• Verification of Enrollment (VOE): VOE Rosters will be open from Sept 4-17 (for the 8-week-1 graduate session, they are open Sept 3-8). See the Faculty Handbook section on Attendance Rosters: Verification of Enrollment for more information.
  
  Faculty must verify which registered students are attending or participating and which have never attended any class and/or have not participated in an academically related activity since the start of the semester (includes independent study, research, thesis, dissertation). VOE rosters are in the faculty center view of CUNYfirst. Reporting has important financial aid implications so it is important to please submit by the deadline.
  
  Academically related activities include, but are not limited to: physically attending class; submitting an assignment; taking an exam, tutorial or computer-assisted instruction; attending an assigned study group; participating in an online discussion about academic matters; and initiating contact with a faculty member to ask about the academic subject studied in the course. Logging in to an online course is not sufficient, by itself. It is suggested that you try to contact students who have not yet participated before the VOE deadline (and before submitting) to ensure accurate reporting.
  
  Students identified as never attending are assigned a WN grade, are removed from the roster and lose Brightspace access. If you made an error, you can request WN reversal. Reversal and reinstatement of Brightspace access could take 24 hours.

• Adjunct Pay Dates: The first adjunct pay date for Fall is Sept 5 (then every 2 weeks). Please make sure you are seeing accurate payment according to your course load to avoid over- or underpayment. Contact your Department Chair if you are not paid.  (Note: Faculty hired close to the start of the semester will likely experience a pay delay.)

• Resolution of Spring/Summer 2024 INC grades – deadline for undergraduates to submit remaining work to faculty is Tues, Sept 17. Deadline for faculty to submit Incomplete-to-Grade form to the Registrar is Tues, Sept 24. After that, grades become FIN. 

2.  Fall Book and Course Material Submissions 

This means YOU!  ACT NOW!  Even if no books or purchases are required – ALL FACULTY must provide course material information to the bookstore for all courses – even independent studies/research courses.  There are 185! missing sections.

• Fall is at 91%.  PLEASE, PLEASE Submit ASAP. We CANNOT leave this info blank.
• Log in with CUNYfirst credentials at JohnJayBooks.com and click the faculty link. 
• Email Angela Crossman for a brief ‘how to’ guide from the bookstore.
• For questions or help with submissions, email cunybooks@vitalsource.com.
• Faculty are encouraged to use no-cost Open Educational Resources. 
• If you ask students to buy a book from which you derive revenue, the CUNY Conflict of Interest Policy applies (clause 5.2). See Faculty Handbook.    

3.  Timely Teaching Tip from the TLC 

     Set the stage.  Each new semester brings new vitality and a fresh start.  It gives us an opportunity to build a new community with and among our students. If you are interested, see here for suggestions on building community in the classroom from the start to the end of the semester (https://www.facultyfocus.com/author/ff-teresathompson/) by Teresa Thompson. (Angela can email it to you upon request.)  Some suggestions – that could also help address student loneliness – are to have students find partners and ask each other a scripted set of questions. Perhaps have fun with group trivia about your syllabus. And start out on the right foot generating a set of class guidelines and values for class interactions.

     Help students fully engage. Ideas for helping students understand present is not the same as engaged:  speak to the value of attendance and engagement from the start; include things like putting phones away in the class guidelines; visibly take attendance; make class interactive (cold call on students); give participation or engagement credit (e.g., participation can include how a student listens and contributes in small group activities); and remind online students to close other tabs and otherwise remove distractions.

     Planning ahead.  With the stage set, guidelines in place, and students engaged – the TLC has created and curated an array of resources to support your teaching through the upcoming election season:  https://faculty.commons.gc.cuny.edu/2024-election-teaching-resources/

     Contact Gina Rae Foster (gifoster@jjay.cuny.edu), TLC Director, with questions and ideas. For teaching resources, email TLC@jjay.cuny.edu. Additional opportunities from the CUNY Innovative Teaching Academy (e.g., series on Generative AI starting 9/27).    

4.  Faculty Community 

1. Service opportunities!  Faculty Senate is seeking nominees for an array of committees, a great way to learn something new, collaborate with peers  and engage in meaningful service.  If you didn’t see her emails, email Karen Kaplowitz – deadline Sept 5^th.

2. Invitation to share your wisdom!  If you earned tenure/CCE and/or promotion and want to get to know a new colleague, you are qualified and encouraged to become a mentor!  It’s a wonderful way to contribute to the success of a colleague – and its fun! (Tentative kick-off lunch Oct 1.)  Sign up by Mon, Sept 9:  https://forms.gle/XPFXuQJKCTF53H5E6  
    
3. Find a peer mentor!  Faculty wishing to find a peer mentor (e.g., new faculty; associate professors interested in promotion), please make your request by Friday, Sept 13:  https://forms.gle/TjbUw9BHMWNT5TDYA  (Tentative kick-off lunch Oct 1.)
    
4. The Library Author Series kicks off again Weds, Sept 18.  See the list of authors here.

5.  Brightspace Updates (DOES LMS Team)  

DOES LMS readiness Quick Start checklist for Brightspace: https://bit.ly/DOES_BrS_QuickStart_Checklist

DOES LMS How to Webinars and Bootcamps:

• Brightspace Open Q & A, TODAY, Wednesday, September 4, 2pm – 3 pm, Zoom.  Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/85391509659?pwd=2dfiiwMAdkDPCZK6JSHGDSPil21NTf.1.  Meeting ID: 853 9150 9659;   Passcode: 793164
   
• Brightspace Bootcamp – ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED - PLEASE TEST YOUR ZOOM LOGIN BEFORE THE SESSION, Friday, September 6, 10:00am – 1:00pm.   Registration Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrceygrT0tGNEAYymES63p90I_XgPXMDGP
   
• Brightspace Drop-In Lab, Mondays in September, 1:40 – 2:55pm, in L2.72.05 NB. 

More info is available from DOES. Workshop dates are here. Recordings: DOES LMS website.

CUNY Brightspace trainings: https://www.cuny.edu/academics/brightspace-transition/training/.

Brightspace enrollment request form (e.g., student success coach; TA; teaching observation; share materials with a peer): REVISED REQUEST FORM.

Contact.  Faculty: LMS.faculty@jjay.cuny.edu.  Students: LMS.students@jjay.cuny.edu.

6.  Important Policy Updates: In case you missed them  

This summer, CUNY published several new policies for you to be aware of.

1. New Policy on Sex-Based Misconduct (PSBM) has expanded reporting obligations to apply to all faculty.  (John Jay Title IX website for more information.)
    
2. CUNY Policy for Use of a Learning Management System (LMS) for Online Classes:  Faculty teaching online classes must use an LMS that is vetted (for security) and supported (for help) by the campuses. That is now Brightspace. For more information about learning Brightspace, including a Quick Start Checklist, refer to the DOES LMS website. 
    
3. CUNY revised the course withdrawal policy. The deadline for student-initiated withdrawal this fall is Wednesday, November 6 (completion of 60% of the course; NOT the last day of classes). Faculty will be able to view the date on which a student added/dropped a course via the Faculty Center Class Roster.
    
4. CUNY revised camera use guidance for online, hybrid (and in person) classes. Review the policy here:  Camera Use Guidance for Online and Hybrid Courses
   
   Faculty teaching online who intend to require camera use must clearly state this on course syllabus and cover the requirement with students on the first day of class.  There may be times when an in-person class is delivered remotely on a limited basis (e.g., temporary CUNY or JJ pivot to remote instruction). In these circumstances, faculty may encourage but not require students to turn on their cameras for purposes other than testing unless required camera use is clearly stated on the course syllabus and covered with the students on the first day of class.
   
   Per CUNY’s verification of enrollment policy,  students can meet the course engagement threshold by participating in an online discussion about an academic matter, engaging in an online academically-related activity, or initiating contact with the instructor to ask a question about the academic subject studied in the course or course-related question.  None of these criteria requires the use of a live camera.

7.  NCFDD Membership 

John Jay has an institutional membership to NCFDD – so all faculty – part-time, full-time, and doctoral students – have access to a free individual account.  See upcoming events here.

As an Institutional Member, we have access to the following resources at no cost to you:

• The weekly Monday Motivator email
• Monthly Core Curriculum webinars
• Guest Expert Webinars and Multi-Week Skill-Building Courses
• Hidden Handbook series
• Dissertation Success Curriculum for advanced graduate students
• Early Career Faculty Guidebook
• Discussion Forum for peer-mentoring and problem-solving
• Monthly accountability buddy matches, by request
• Complete library of previous webinars and multi-week course recordings
• 14-Day Writing Challenges:  (next challenge:  Oct 7-20; Register here by Sept 27) 

      To claim your free NCFDD account: (a) Go to https://www.ncfdd.org/join; (b) choose John Jay College from the drop-down menu; (c) select “Activate my Membership”; (d) complete registration with your jjay email address; (e) confirm in jjay email by clicking “Activate Account”.

1.  Important Dates

• September 11^th Commemoration Events include DeWitt Clinton Park clean up, Fri, Sept 13, 10am-1pm (email externalaffairs@jjay.cuny.edu) and a blood drive, Thurs, Sept 19, 12:30-6:30pm, L.61 (register at www.jjay.cuny.edu/blooddrive). View yesterday’s tribute ceremony at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-VhlZO003A. The 9/11 Anniversary commemoration website: https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/about/governance-senior-leadership/office-external-affairs/911-memorial

• Personnel files (FIDO) close this Friday, Sept 13, for all full-time faculty who are being considered this fall for any personnel actions (and their chairs). FIDO can be access from on campus or via VPN only.

• Verification of Enrollment (VOE): VOE Rosters close Sept 17. See the Faculty Handbook: Attendance Rosters: Verification of Enrollment for more info. Academic calendars
• Resolution of Spring/Summer 2024 INC grades – deadline for undergraduates to submit remaining work to faculty is Tues, Sept 17. Deadline for faculty to submit Incomplete-to-Grade form to the Registrar is Tues, Sept 24. After that, grades become FIN. 

2.  Timely Teaching Tip from the TLC

Tools for student timely success.  Last week perhaps you generated class guidelines and values for class interactions.  But what about outside class?  Research and our own experiences tell us that students succeed better when they manage their time effectively. The beginning of the term is a great time to encourage our students to create time management plans and match those to their course syllabi.  Do they know how? 

How faculty can help: 

• Have clear policies about late and make-up work so students can make informed decisions.
• Make clear that submitting late work impedes learning and can reduce grades.
• Balance compassion with high expectations – for instance extensions are for exceptional circumstances and students must contact you in the case of unexpected emergencies.
• Offer clear assignments and provide rubrics, which help students understand expectations and requirements (and help instructors grade).
• Scaffold major assignments, helping students to work on the assignment in pieces rather than rushing to complete them all at the very last minute.
• Remind students of college academic resources and provide support for developing time management skills.  Here is a practical set of recommendations for student time management planning from the College of General Studies at the University of Pittsburgh: https://www.cgs.pitt.edu/why-cgs/mccarl-center/academic-success-resources/time-management-strategies.  

Planning ahead.  Reminder as we move toward election day: the TLC has created and curated resources to support your teaching through the election season. See: https://faculty.commons.gc.cuny.edu/2024-election-teaching-resources/

Please contact Gina Rae Foster, your TLC Director, with questions and ideas (gifoster@jjay.cuny.edu). For teaching resources, email TLC@jjay.cuny.edu.        

3.  Faculty Community 

1. Wanted: Faculty peer mentors!  If you earned tenure/CCE and/or promotion – you are more than qualified to become a mentor!  You can support the success of a colleague, it’s not a hefty time commitment and its fun!  Sign up by Fri, Sept 13:  https://forms.gle/XPFXuQJKCTF53H5E6  
2. Find a peer mentor!  Faculty wishing to find a peer mentor (e.g., new faculty; associate professors interested in promotion), please make your request by Friday, Sept 13:  https://forms.gle/TjbUw9BHMWNT5TDYA 
3. Invitation:  Decarbonize John Jay Townhall, Tuesday Sept 17, community hour, Student Dining Room (2^nd fl NB; see flyer).  Join the effort to decarbonize CUNY!

4.  JJ Faculty Authors 

1. The Office for the Advancement of Research (OAR) is still accepting submissions for the 2023 Faculty Authors and Editors Pamphlet. If you authored or edited a book published in 2023, please submit your book information using their Google Form by September 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM for inclusion.  If you have any questions or require further information, contact oar@jjay.cuny.edu.
2. The Library Author Series kicks off Weds, Sept 18, 1:40-3pm, Library Classroom, with Joni Schwartz-Chaney (Criminal Justice) to discuss Critical Faith: What It Is, What It Isn't & Why It Matters. RSVP at https://criticalfaith.eventbrite.com.  See the list of authors here.

5.  Brightspace Updates (DOES LMS Team) 

DOES LMS readiness Quick Start checklist for Brightspace:  https://bit.ly/DOES_BrS_QuickStart_Checklist

DOES LMS How to Webinars and Drop-In Lab:

Brightspace Open Q & A, TODAY, Wednesday, September 11, 2pm – 3 pm, Zoom. Meeting ID: 857 1614 1667;   Passcode: 552331

Brightspace Drop-In Lab, Mondays in September, 1:40 – 2:55pm, in L2.72.05 NB. 

More info is available from DOES. Workshop dates are here. Recordings: DOES LMS website.

CUNY Brightspace trainings: https://www.cuny.edu/academics/brightspace-transition/training/.

Brightspace enrollment request form (e.g., student success coach; TA; teaching observation; share materials with a peer): REVISED REQUEST FORM.

Contact.  Faculty: LMS.faculty@jjay.cuny.edu.  Students: LMS.students@jjay.cuny.edu.

6.  CUNY Faculty Resource Survey 

Resource survey:  From Chief Librarian Ellen Sexton – Evan Silberman (Interim Chief Academic Technology Officer at CUNY Central) shared this survey to assess the need for video hosting. They are collecting information about how video/multimedia is used by faculty, students and staff to better assess the need for a CUNY-wide video hosting system.  We currently have limited ability to host and stream large media files and rely on commercial platforms with limited content choices and high annual payments (such as Kanopy).  Please consider filling it out, if relevant to you:  https://forms.office.com/r/QRz6DQNc46

7.  CUNY 2024-2025 Disability and Accessibility Training Initiatives 

CUNY is offering disability and accessibility training initiatives for faculty for the 2024-2025 academic year. For any questions, reach out to Jessica.Murray@cuny.edu.

2024-2025 Applied Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Online Training.  The CUNY Innovative Teaching Academy is offering an asynchronous training course that will demonstrate UDL guidelines through examples of course design, content, teaching practices, and Brightspace features. The training will show how to apply the newly updated UDL Version 3.0 guidelines. The course is divided into nine modules, which will be released over the 2024-2025 academic year. Each module is expected to take around 30-60 minutes to complete.  Learn more about the Applied UDL course and register. 

Call for Applications - Facilitate a Universal Design for Learning Collaborative at your campus.  The Office of Student Inclusion Initiatives wants to develop a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Collaborative at all CUNY campuses. Faculty have signaled interest in learning more about accessibility and following UDL guidelines for active and engaged learning. We want to create opportunities for faculty and staff to support each other in these efforts. We seek one facilitator per campus to coordinate meetings with interested CUNY community members in conjunction with the asynchronous online course in UDL (see above for details).

UDL Collaborative facilitators will coordinate and advertise one meeting per month (October 2024 - May 2025) and can choose the modality (online or in-person) that works best for their community members. Suggested sign-up forms and communications will be provided, which facilitators can tailor with details for their campus. Registration and attendance reports must be submitted after each meeting. Faculty or staff in any department may apply to be a facilitator and will receive a stipend of $1,500 for the year.

Deadline:  Friday, September 13.  Notification Date: Mon, Sept 23  Learn more and apply to be a UDL Collaborative Facilitator.

Disability Rights in Education and Accessibility 101 – Coming Soon!  The CUNY Office of Student Inclusion Initiatives will offer a 1-hour asynchronous training module for all CUNY faculty. It will cover: 1) disability rights in higher education, 2) New York State IT Policy and your class, and 3) best practices for teaching students with disabilities. Learn more about the Disability Rights in Education and Accessibility 101 course and register.

1.  Important Dates

• September 11^th Commemoration Events include a blood drive, Thurs, Sept 19, 12:30-6:30pm, L.61 (register at www.jjay.cuny.edu/blooddrive).
• Resolution of Spring/Summer 2024 INC grades – deadline for undergraduates to submit remaining work to faculty was Tues, Sept 17. Deadline for faculty to submit Incomplete-to-Grade form to the Registrar is Tues, Sept 24. After that, grades become FIN.
• Deadline for full-time faculty to apply for fellowship leave to start next Fall: October 1^st.
• Peer Teaching Observations have begun. Observation forms are HERE. For online courses, Brightspace enrollment request form (48-hour access only): REQUEST FORM. Observations should be completed by November 12^th.
• The e-Workload system is now open for full-time faculty. Please review your fall 2024 workload by November 1^st.

2.  Timely Teaching Tip from the TLC 

Tools for student engagement.  Last week, perhaps you shared resources with students about time management. But students only get shared resources if they are engaged with their classes. Knowing that teaching extends beyond the classroom, here are a few suggestions for ways to support and spark student engagement:

1. Issue an Alert in Navigate 360 at any time. You can indicate concerns about academic performance or to make referrals (the earlier, the better). The Alert guide linked above shows the various alerts that can be generated. Students receive a Navigate email telling them which actions they can take and in the case of missing students, staff are alerted and follow up. Alerts can also be used to applaud student success with high fives/recommendations – use it liberally to encourage and celebrate students’ successes!
2. To inspire and encourage students’ experiential learning, connect your students with mentorship opportunities through the Office for Student Research and Creativity or the McNair Scholars Program. Students can also register for a supervised research experience course – gaining course credit for completing scholarship with faculty. Faculty mentored research courses for each department are listed in the course bulletin.
3. To increase a sense of class community, make use of the Faculty/Staff Student Engagement Program, which supports faculty and staff with funding to create exciting activities with students. The Program is accepting applications on a rolling basis for the remainder of the 2024-2025 academic year. Please submit your request by the listed deadline date for your expected scheduled event (see flier or website). Applications will receive a notification within 3-5 business days after submission.  Please note that as we have seen an increase in applications, we have prioritized a selection process that honors new applicants. Apply now at www.jjay.cuny.edu/fsse. If you have any questions or concerns about this program, please email fse@jjay.cuny.edu.

Planning ahead.  Reminder as we move toward election day: the TLC has created and curated resources to support your teaching through the election season. See: https://faculty.commons.gc.cuny.edu/2024-election-teaching-resources/

      Contact Gina Rae Foster, TLC Director, with questions/ideas (gifoster@jjay.cuny.edu). For teaching resources, email TLC@jjay.cuny.edu.     

3.  Faculty Events & Opportunities 

1. TODAY: Library Author Series, Weds, Sept 18, 1:40-3pm, Library Classroom, with Joni Schwartz-Chaney (Criminal Justice) to discuss Critical Faith: What It Is, What It Isn't & Why It Matters. RSVP at https://criticalfaith.eventbrite.com.  See series here.
2. TODAY: OAR presents a book talk by Dr. Roosbelinda Cárdenas González, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Weds, Sept 18, 4:30-6:00pm, 9.64NB about her book Raising Two Fists: Struggles for black citizenship in multicultural Columbia.  Register here.
3. Invitation:  The Anya & Andrew Shiva Gallery wants to hear from you!  How can the gallery better serve your teaching and have a presence on the curriculum?  The Gallery is open to curatorial submissions from John Jay faculty. Learn more and join the conversation about curatorial practice as research.  Listening session 1: Sept 24, 2pm. Listening session 2: Oct 15, 2pm.  Sign up:  https://forms.gle/zGsjsy1tcGEBs4u4A  For questions, email Macushla Robinson marobinson@jjay.cuny.edu (see flier).
4. Grant Writing Support:  Preeti Chauhan, Distinguished Faculty Fellow for Research at OAR, will conduct weekly office hours this semester. The hours will vary and can be in-person or virtual to accommodate faculty schedules more flexibly. Please use this link to sign up two or three weeks in advance.  If the available times are not convenient, please feel free to email her at pchauhan@jjay.cuny.edu to arrange an alternative meeting. Preeti is ready and available to provide guidance on grant writing opportunities, share information about OAR resources, and assist with the review/editing of grants.

4.  Brightspace Updates (DOES LMS Team)

Brightspace Drop-In Lab, Mondays in September, 1:40 – 2:55pm, in L2.72.05 NB. 

Contact.  Faculty: LMS.faculty@jjay.cuny.edu.  Students: LMS.students@jjay.cuny.edu

5.  Faculty Fellowship Publication Program 2024-25: Call for Applications 

Call for Applications!  Applications are invited for CUNY's Faculty Fellowship Publication Program for 2024-25 for untenured assistant or associate professors or tenured assistant professors (see flier). Deadline:  Fri, October 25, 2024
        FFPP provides three hours of course release for eligible faculty to develop and publish works-in-progress and offers specially-curated professional development workshops. FFPP’s writing groups draw on the insights of tenured Mentors and University leaders, as well as prominent editors and publishers, so that Fellows will be equipped with the best advice and support as they build successful research careers that enhance the CUNY mission.
        The FFPP application is here. For additional information, including abstracts of past projects, see here. For questions, please contact Esther Okunrounmu, Office of Recruitment and Diversity: Esther.Okunrounmu@cuny.edu. 

6.  Faculty Virtual Workshops on Scholarly Publishing  

   The Graduate Center’s Mina Rees Library invites you to three online workshops about scholarly publishing and research evaluation. All CUNY community members are welcome. The workshops are especially well suited to faculty, graduate students, administrators, and others engaged in the discovery, production, or evaluation of research publications.

   Each workshop stands on its own — there is no need to attend one in order to attend another. If there’s a workshop that interests you that you can’t make, register anyway. The presentations will be recorded and shared with all registrants.

-  “Predatory” Journals: How to Avoid the Shams and Scams, Friday, October 4 at 11am-noon (Zoom), Link to detailed description and registration

-  “Predatory” Journals: How to Avoid the Shams and Scams, Tuesday, October 8 at 2-3pm (Zoom), Detailed description and registration link  (repeat of workshop above)

-  Open Access Explained: Best Practices for Finding Others’ Research and Publicly Sharing Yours, Friday, October 18 at 11am-noon (Zoom), Link to detailed description and registration

-  Impact Factor and Other Research Metrics: What They Mean and What They Don’t, Friday, November 1 at 11am-noon (Zoom), Link to detailed description and registration

Workshops by Jill Cirasella, Associate Professor, Scholarly Communication Librarian and University Liaison, Mina Rees Library, CUNY Graduate Center, jcirasella@gc.cuny.edu

1.  Important Dates

• No classes scheduled, Weds Oct 2 – Fri, Oct 4. See CUNY’s All Religions & Ethnic Holiday Calendar to assist with timing assignments. CUNY policy on religious accommodations.
• Deadline: Full-time faculty to apply for fellowship leave in Fall 2025: October 1^st. FORM
• Peer Teaching Observations have begun. Observation forms are HERE. For online courses, Brightspace enrollment request form (48-hour access only): REQUEST FORM.
• The e-Workload system is open for full-time faculty. Please review your fall 2024 workload by November 1^st.  The workload office will host virtual meetings to review the collection process and answer workload questions on Tues, Oct 1 & Weds, Oct 23^rd, Community Hour (1:40-2:55pm). ZOOM link, Meeting ID: 461 223 6540, Passcode: 1023. Email facultyworkload@jjay.cuny.edu to confirm participation or with questions.

2.  Progress Report Feedback Requests 

Please submit requested feedback. Many of you received an email from Kate Szur, Interim Assistant Dean for Student Success and Retention, yesterday (Sept 24) through Navigate360. It requests feedback on the performance of students in undergraduate classes before October 8^th so that advisors can reach out to support students’ successful course completion.  The goal is to connect all students that require assistance with a staff member before the add/drop deadline on November 6.  Progress Reports: Fall 2024 Timeline  

     If you have questions or need assistance, you can attend a virtual workshop (see below) or email progressreports@jjjay.cuny.edu.

Filling Out Progress Reports (virtual workshops):  Weds, Sept 25, Thurs, Sept 26 & Mon, Sept 30, all at 1:40-3:00pm.  Click to RSVP here.  Description: Understand how to fill out Progress Reports and how they benefit students. Topics: Progress Reports overview, timeline, expectations, Q&A, tech troubleshooting.

3.  Timely Teaching Tip from the TLC 

Building student self-help confidence and skills:  How are your students responding to discussions and assignments?  We are far enough into the term for most students to discover what they are doing easily and well and what they find challenging and perhaps daunting. This is a good time to remind students of the support resources included in your syllabi (we know you are making this a regular practice!) and to facilitate students in making connections between their needs and the resources that can fill those needs. For instance, frequent, low-stakes assessments allow students to see how they are doing early on, but only if they check their grades. Another strategy is to require students to meet with you once during office hours (or by appointment) to discuss grades or feedback. Assigning some or all students to visit the writing center (or appropriate center for your class), is a means to normalize this practice.  Remember that all faculty can raise alerts (or share kudos) in Navigate 360 (see Progress Reports above).

Academic Resources & Services: https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/academics/academic-resources-services

Planning ahead.  Reminder as we move toward election day: the TLC has created and curated resources to support your teaching through the election season. See: https://faculty.commons.gc.cuny.edu/2024-election-teaching-resources/.      

4.  Upcoming Events/Speakers 

• TODAY. Economics Justice Speaker Series, Weds, Sept 25, 1:40-3pm, L2.85NB. Book talk by Dr. Yonit Manor-Percival on Post-Colonial Globalisation  
• Leaders of Justice Series: Celebrating LatinX Heritage Month, Tues, Oct 1, 1:45pm, via Zoom. Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga, Dept of Consumer and Worker Protection:  Empower and Protect Yourself!   RSVP HERE.
• Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: John Jay Rocks the Vote, Mon, Oct 7, 1:45pm, via Zoom. Book talk by Mike Madrid on The Latino Vote and the Impact on Democracy. Q&A facilitated by John Gutiérrez (LLS).

5.  Faculty Opportunities  

• Call for Applications. The Faculty Opportunity Fund (FOF) supports full-time faculty members' professional development. See the application form for information on award eligibility, the application process and criteria, and funding categories. The selection committee reviews applications Feb 1, April 1, June 1, Sept 1 – still accepting, Nov 1. See here for more Faculty Professional & Personal Development Resources
• The next NCFDD 14-Day Writing Challenge is Oct 7-20; Register here by Sept 27
• Call for Applications. John Jay partners with Diplomacy Lab to provide students with the opportunity to delve into real-world challenges outlined by the U.S. Department of State. Challenges encompass issues such as climate change, human rights, conflict, and stabilization. The program matches faculty and student participants with State Dept officials to work on pressing policy matters. JJ faculty have involved students in projects, integrating them into their courses or through independent studies. Projects are intended for student teams, not individual study, and must involve at least two students and one full-time faculty member. See here for the Spring 2025 project menu for Diplomacy Lab and find more information about Diplomacy Lab here. After satisfactory project completion, OAR allows all Diplomacy Lab projects to request up to $3000 in travel funds for students to present the project results at a conference or the U.S. State Department in Washington, DC.  Faculty interested in participating should submit a 200-300 word proposal detailing their approach to the project. Please send submissions to Rosemary Barberet, John Jay's Diplomacy Lab Coordinator, at rbarberet@jjay.cuny.edu by October 1, 2024. Contact Dr. Barberet if you would like more information.
• Call for Applications.  Applications are invited for CUNY's Faculty Fellowship Publication Program for 2024-25 for untenured assistant or associate professors or tenured assistant professors. Deadline to apply:  Fri, October 25, 2024
  FFPP provides 3 hours of course release for eligible faculty to develop and publish works-in-progress and offers professional development workshops. The application is here. For additional information, see here. For questions, contact Esther Okunrounmu, Office of Recruitment and Diversity: Esther.Okunrounmu@cuny.edu.  

6.  Brightspace Updates (DOES LMS Team)  

• Quick Start checklist for Brightspace: https://bit.ly/DOES_BrS_QuickStart_Checklist
• TODAY! DOES LMS How to Webinar: Brightspace Quizzes, Weds, September 25, 2pm – 3pm.  Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/85817153560?pwd=t9Pbp2NgXKbXjvDobtosi0lBvAx5F5.1.  Meeting ID: 858 1715 3560;  Passcode: 961569
• Last Brightspace Drop-In Lab, Monday, September 30, 1:40 – 2:55pm, in L2.72.05 NB. 
• More info is available from DOES. Workshop dates are here. Recordings: DOES LMS website.
• CUNY Brightspace trainings: https://www.cuny.edu/academics/brightspace-transition/training/.
• Brightspace enrollment request form (e.g., student success coach; TA; teaching observation): REVISED REQUEST FORM.
• Contact.  Faculty: LMS.faculty@jjay.cuny.edu.  Students: LMS.students@jjay.cuny.edu.

7.  Upcoming Teaching/Pedagogy Workshops 

1. Creating a Positive Student Experience in Your Online Course series. Webinar Thurs, Sept 26, 3pm, Engaging Students in Your Online Courses. Learn how to transform your online courses into dynamic spaces where students feel connected and motivated to participate.  Register Now!  Facilitators: Dr. Brett Christie, Dr. Breana Bayraktar, Dr. Heath Grant (JJ LPS) and CUNY Online Instructional Designer Chelien Brown.
2. Register for the Kean Virtual Conference on Teaching!  Fri, Sept 27, 9 AM-1 PM, via Zoom. Free!  40 sessions to choose from. Drop in to any sessions that interest you. Great chance to pick up some fresh ideas for teaching and connect with colleagues from the region!
3. Teaching STEM in Hispanic Serving Institutions with Dr. Margarita Otero-Diaz, Thursday, October 3, 12-12:45 am EST.  This one is for all our higher education STEM practitioners serving Latinx/é students!  Learn more about ESCALA’s STEM-X Course in Culturally Responsive Practices for STEM-HSI Faculty This research-based course, designed and facilitated by STEM faculty in 2 and 4-year HSIs, features practical examples of high-impact practices that disproportionately benefit Latinx/é students. We will share data from our course pre and post surveys to show how the course transforms classroom experiences for Latinx/e students, and empowers STEM practitioners into change agents at their institutions.  Click here to register:  https://www.escalaeducation.com/stuff-we-love/2024-hsi-month
4. Introduction to OER. Since Fall 2017, more than 150 faculty have participated in OER workshops and curriculum design projects at John Jay. On Thurs, Oct 17, 1:40pm, join colleagues for a one-hour introduction to features and applications of Open Pedagogy and Open Educational Resources in your discipline. During the session, you will work with examples from the Guide to Assignments for Open Pedagogy and Culturally Responsive, Inclusive and Anti-Racist Curriculum developed by the Teaching and Learning Center and learn about funding available for open assignment and course development projects this year. Register here: https://bit.ly/introOERF24
           Open Educational Resources are teaching, learning and research materials in any medium – digital or otherwise – that reside in the public domain or have been released under an open license that permits no-cost access, use, adaptation, and redistribution by others with no or limited restrictions. John Jay College’s Open Learning Initiative lifts equitable academic and professional outcomes through student-driven pedagogies supported by Open Educational Resources (OER).  See here for ongoing OER activities and information: https://oersuccesses.commons.gc.cuny.edu/fall-2024-oer-activities/

8.  CUNY Teaching Academy Faculty Workshops  

a.   CITA Teaching Matters Special Series on Generative AI, Friday, Sept 27, 11:00am -12:00pm (virtual), Engaging with Generative AI: Which Tool Does What? Leads: John McDonough and Iain M. Coggins (Lehman College) will go back to some basics of generative AI and demonstrate several generative AI tools (free and paid versions) to compare. Participants will (re)learn what AI does, and understand functions, strengths, and weaknesses of the tools so their basic knowledge is updated.  For more information, go to this flyer or reach out to Innovative.Pedagogy@cuny.edu.

b.   Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Professional Development Sessions, Monday, Sept 30, 3pm-4pm (virtual), Introduction to Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), This session will introduce Credit for Prior Learning as a university-wide policy, a student success mechanism, and a national movement toward a more equitable, inclusive higher education landscape. Learn about the basics of CPL as an academic process, including assessment approaches and the critical role that faculty play in making CPL opportunities available to CUNY students. This session is designed as a primer for faculty who are interested in learning the basics of what CPL is at CUNY and beyond. For more information, go to this flyer or webpage, or reach out to CPL@cuny.edu.   

For more CITA event info, go to this list.

1.  Important Dates

Summer session academic calendars are HERE.

• 5-Wk-2 & 3-Wk-3:  Course withdrawal ends Aug 13. Grade rosters open Aug 14-20.

Fall 2024 dates:  All academic calendars HERE.

• New Faculty Orientation: Tues, Aug 20, 9am-4pm, Moot Court (6.68NB). For those unable to attend in person, virtual (Zoom) session Mon, Aug 26, 11am-1pm. RSVP Link for both (by Fri, Aug 16): https://forms.gle/EsBjMKnw8wjiPAZd7
• Fall semester begins Weds, Aug 28. (Monday classes meet for the first time on Monday, Sept 9^th because we are closed Labor Day)

2.  Fall Book and Course Material Submissions 

PLEASE ACT NOW!  By federal law, we must provide this information to inform students for all courses what books/materials are required – or indicate that none are required – by the time they register.  There are still 564!!! sections with book/material information blank.

• Fall is at 76%.  Please submit ASAP.
• Log in with CUNYfirst credentials at JohnJayBooks.com and click the faculty link. 
• New faculty (or chairs on their behalf) – or faculty if system isn’t cooperating – can email submissions, ask questions or share issues at cunybooks@vitalsource.com.
• Faculty are encouraged to use no-cost Open Educational Resources. 
• If you ask students to buy a book from which you derive revenue, the CUNY Conflict of Interest Policy applies (clause 5.2). See Faculty Handbook.  

3.  Timely Teaching Tip from the TLC 

Preparing for Fall 2024 teaching! The TLC has lots of ways to support your preparations.

1. Faculty Development Day! Tuesday, August 27, 9am-2:15pm (breakout sessions on Zoom; collegewide sessions and lunch in person in Moot Court, 6.68NB). Theme: Values, Freedom, and Success: Civil Conversations in a Challenging World. Visit jjayfdd.commons.gc.cuny.edu for the online program and past FDD resources
   RSVP here: https://forms.gle/H7FXodT62xfkwnoE9          

2. Define, Refine, & Shine workshop series. Our colleagues, outstanding Doctoral Lecturers from Psychology and Sociology, will share tips on course preparation and implementation

•  Day One: Laying the Groundwork for an Empowering Semester, Monday, August 19, 11am-12:30pm (Zoom): Karla Batres (Psych) & Sara Martucci (Soc). To Register: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkdO-ppjkrHNQIIilDGfCatM0kIa1b1bJd
   
• Cultivating Digital Community: Strategies and Tools to Inspire Meaningful and Enjoyable Online Course Engagement, Wednesday, August 21, 11am-12:30pm (Zoom): Emese Ilyes (Psych).  To Register: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvd-ugrzMuHdBYcwubl92jCc-3eunOXZe3 
   
• Feedback: It’s a Two-Way Street, Thursday, August 22, 11am-12:30pm (Zoom):  Yolanda Ortíz-Rodriguez (Soc) & Pamela LiVecchi (Psych).  To Register: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkduuvqTItG9FhnauOTUz6eImrvFOugfwc

3. Thinking about course design? Check out our free, asynchronous mini-course on course preparation on our LinkedIn account. Teaching Essentials Course Preparation walks through the steps of effective, inclusive course design, with a new post every 2-3 days and resource links. A collaboration with TLC Director Gina Rae Foster and TLC Team member and Graduate Instructor Florentina Lonati, the course can be explored from first to last step or by topic as these are posted. Whether a seasoned instructor or first time teacher, these tips and resources will increase your confidence and reduce your stress.
   
   Dates: August 1-20 (posts remain on our account for easy access)
   Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-jay-teaching-and-learning-center-218b14274/

 Teaching Essentials Resources: https://faculty.commons.gc.cuny.edu/teaching-essentials/

4.  Brightspace Updates (DOES LMS Team)  

DOES Teaching with Technology Series! The Department of Online Education and Support is excited to announce their new Teaching with Technology Series, a week of sessions for instructors on using the Brightspace Learning Management System and our third party LMS integrations.  Details below (see the DOES LMS website for additional resources).                                                                                                                               

All Zoom sessions are open. Brightspace Bootcamp requires advance registration. NOTE: You must verify your ability to log into Zoom before the session and reach out to DOIT (x8200); not DOES!) if help is needed.   

• DOES LMS Brightspace Drop-in Lab, Monday, August 12, 1:40 - 2:55 pm, L2.72.05 NB  In-person Brightspace Open Q & A for all users with DOES LMS Support team members. 
• DOES LMS How to Webinar: Brightspace Bootcamp, Tuesday, August 13, 1 – 4 pm, Zoom. Fast-paced, comprehensive intro to CUNY’s Brightspace Learning Management System for instructors. The DOES LMS Support team will cover all the basics of course building in Brightspace: navigation, posting content, creating assessments, interacting with students, and grading. (Note: Advance registration required for Bootcamp sessions.)  Registration Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlceuorTIsHNTjZfqkOoVaYYOevJyetQNe

• PlayPosit, Wednesday, August 14, 11:30 am -12:30 pm, Zoom. PlayPosit is an embedded tool within Brightspace that allows instructors to create interactive videos for lessons and courses. Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/84508705988?pwd=2LgSftITIJ5wYqKChImuXcRE7bvon7.1
• DOES LMS How to Webinar: Brightspace Open Q & A, Weds, August 14, 2pm – 3pm, Zoom. Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/88509227362?pwd=a9JkVJNqNspHWJrLNxGFMM5U1GZwRw.1
• VoiceThread, Thursday, August 15, 2:00-3:00 pm, Zoom. VoiceThread is a presentation tool that allows both instructors and students to create and share interactive multimedia slideshows. Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/88434890689?pwd=O8FmkzawacU7CshpPlJV1gaaTglb6y.1
• Perusall, Friday, August 16, 1:40-3:00 pm, Zoom. Perusall is a social learning platform that aims to improve learning outcomes by promoting student engagement and collaboration with all types of course content. Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/82840327239?pwd=ePJlMA9i85awcNEpovkaCBOoaMYwpB.1

Brightspace enrollment request form: REVISED REQUEST FORM.

Contact. Faculty and Staff email: LMS.faculty@jjay.cuny.edu. Students email: LMS.students@jjay.cuny.edu.

5.  Faculty Handbook:  Updated, online  

The newly updated Faculty Handbook is now posted online!  You can navigate to various topics from the Table of Contents HERE. The link to the table of contents is under “Faculty Handbooks and Personnel Process Resources” here: https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/about/governance-senior-leadership/faculty-resources; and under “Faculty & Chair Resources” here https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/faculty-staff.

     Guidelines for Creating your Syllabus and Syllabus Template are posted under the Teaching & Learning Center here: https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/about/governance-senior-leadership/faculty-resources; and under “Academic Resources” here https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/faculty-staff.

1.  Important Dates

Summer session:

• • 5-Wk-2 & 3-Wk-3:  Grade rosters open Aug 14 and are due by Aug 20.

Fall 2024 (all academic calendars HERE):

• New student Convocation: Thursday, Aug 29, 1:40-2:50pm, Gerald W. Lynch Theater. Last opportunity to RSVP with this form by Tuesday, August 20 to participate. You must have your own regalia as the deadline to rent has passed. Email questions to Kayla M. Bassknight at kbassknight@jjay.cuny.edu. 
• New Faculty Orientation: Tuesday, Aug 20, 9am-4pm, Moot Court (6.68NB). For those unable to attend in person, virtual (Zoom) session Mon, Aug 26, 11am-1pm.  RSVP Link for both (by Fri, Aug 16): https://forms.gle/EsBjMKnw8wjiPAZd7
• Invitation:  Welcome Back Reception, hosted by Provost Pease, Tuesday, August 27^th, 4-5:30pm, Moot Court (6.68NB) to close out Faculty Development Day.
• Fall semester begins Weds, Aug 28. (Monday classes meet for the first time on Monday, Sept 9^th because we are closed Labor Day)

2.  Fall Book and Course Material Submissions

PLEASE ACT NOW!  By federal law, we must provide this information to inform students for all courses what books/materials are required – or indicate that none are required – by the time they register.  There are still 505!!! sections with book/material information blank.

• Fall is at 78%.  Submit ASAP. We CANNOT leave this info blank for any class.
• (same as above)

3.  Timely Teaching Tip from the TLC 

Resources for Fall 2024 teaching from the TLC.

1. Faculty Development Day! Tuesday, August 27, 9am-2:15pm (breakout sessions on Zoom; collegewide sessions and lunch in person in Moot Court, 6.68NB).  Theme: Values, Freedom, and Success: Civil Conversations in a Challenging World.  Visit jjayfdd.commons.gc.cuny.edu for the online program and past FDD resources.  RSVP here: https://forms.gle/H7FXodT62xfkwnoE9          
2. Define, Refine, & Shine workshop series – next week!

•  Day One: Laying the Groundwork for an Empowering Semester, Monday, August 19, 11am-12:30pm (Zoom): Karla Batres (Psych) & Sara Martucci (Soc).  Register: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkdO-ppjkrHNQIIilDGfCatM0kIa1b1bJd
• Cultivating Digital Community: Strategies and Tools to Inspire Meaningful and Enjoyable Online Course Engagement, Wednesday, August 21, 11am-12:30pm (Zoom): Emese Ilyes (Psych). Register: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvd-ugrzMuHdBYcwubl92jCc-3eunOXZe3 
• Feedback: It’s a Two-Way Street, Thursday, August 22, 11am-12:30pm (Zoom):  Yolanda Ortíz-Rodriguez (Soc) & Pamela LiVecchi (Psych).  Register: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkduuvqTItG9FhnauOTUz6eImrvFOugfwc

3. Thinking about course design? Check out our free, asynchronous mini-course on course preparation on our LinkedIn account. Teaching Essentials Course Preparation walks through the steps of effective, inclusive course design, with a new post every 2-3 days and resource links. The course can be explored from first to last step or by topic as they are posted. Whether a seasoned instructor or first time teacher, these tips and resources will increase your confidence and reduce your stress.

           Dates: August 1-20 (posts remain on our account for easy access).  

           Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-jay-teaching-and-learning-center-218b14274/

         Teaching Essentials Resources: https://faculty.commons.gc.cuny.edu/teaching-essentials/

4.  Brightspace Updates (DOES LMS Team)  

DOES Teaching with Technology Series this week is offering sessions for instructors on using the Brightspace Learning Management System and our third party LMS integrations. 

• VoiceThread, Thursday, August 15, 2:00-3:00 pm, Zoom.  VoiceThread is a presentation tool that allows both instructors and students to create and share interactive multimedia slideshows.  Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/88434890689?pwd=O8FmkzawacU7CshpPlJV1gaaTglb6y.1
• Perusall, Friday, August 16, 1:40-3:00 pm, Zoom.  Perusall is a social learning platform that aims to improve learning outcomes by promoting student engagement and collaboration with all types of course content.  Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/82840327239?pwd=ePJlMA9i85awcNEpovkaCBOoaMYwpB.1

Want more?  A wealth of information is available from DOES. List of workshop dates is here – including drop-in sessions in a computer lab (L2.72.05 NB) every Monday in August during community hour. Recordings are on the DOES LMS website.

CUNY has also increased their Brightspace training options.  See schedule here: https://www.cuny.edu/academics/brightspace-transition/spring-2024-workshops/.

Brightspace enrollment request form (e.g., student success coach; TA; teaching observation; share materials with a peer): REVISED REQUEST FORM.

Contact. Faculty and Staff email: LMS.faculty@jjay.cuny.edu. Students email: LMS.students@jjay.cuny.edu.

5.  Important Update:  Withdrawal Grades 

I’m sending this again because it might impact how you structure assignments.  The CUNY Office of Academic Affairs released their updated CUNY Uniform Grade Symbols and Guidelines document. They revised the course withdrawal policy, effective Fall 2024. The withdrawal date will change back to the pre-pandemic date. This fall, it’s Wednesday, November 6 (NOT the last day of classes).

Withdrawal (official):  Effective Fall 2024, the deadline for student-initiated withdrawal will be adjusted to a deadline of completion of 60% of the course.

         This contrasts with WU – unofficial withdrawal.

Withdrew Unofficially: A grade of WU is to be assigned to students who participated in an academic activity related to the class at least once, stopped participating, did not drop the class or receive approval for an incomplete, did not otherwise officially withdraw from the course, and did not complete enough work for the instructor to be able to calculate an earned grade using the criteria delineated in the course syllabus. A ‘F’ grade should never be given in place of a ‘WU’ grade.

Guidelines for Creating your Syllabus and Syllabus Template are posted under the Teaching & Learning Center on this page: https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/about/governance-senior-leadership/faculty-resources.  Faculty Handbook:  Navigate to various topics from the Table of Contents HERE

1.  Important Information for Fall 2024

• Class planning:  Academic calendars HERE. The semester begins Weds, August 28.
• FDD: We kick things off with Faculty Development Day, Tues, August 27. See below.
• Hybrid classes:  John Jay schedules hybrid classes on a 50% schedule.  That means it is expected that 50% of classes meet in person (1 day/week).
• CUNY Policy for Use of a Learning Management System (LMS) for Online Classes:  For more information about learning Brightspace, including a Quick Start Checklist, see below.  Faculty teaching online classes must use an LMS that is vetted (for security) and supported (for help) by the campuses. That is now Brightspace.

2.  Fall Book and Course Material Submissions  

PLEASE ACT NOW!  We must inform students for all courses what books/materials are required – or indicate that none are required. There are 354!!! sections missing information.

• Fall is at 84%.  Submit ASAP. We CANNOT leave this info blank for any class.
• (Same as   

3.  Timely Teaching Tip from the TLC  

Fall 2024 is nearly upon us! Join us at Faculty Development Day, Tuesday August 27. RSVP: https://forms.gle/H7FXodT62xfkwnoE9

• Breakout sessions on Zoom from 9-10 am & 11:20 am-12:20 pm. Program here: https://jjayfdd.commons.gc.cuny.edu/
• Community Discussion 1: Civility, Critical Engagement, and Democratic Education Sergio Gallegos-Ordorica, Olivera Jokic, Jamie Longazel, Alexandra Moffett-Bateau 10:20AM- 11:00AM, Moot Court (6.68 New Building)
• Community Discussion 2: Reexamining Free Speech on Campus. President Karol Mason, Provost Allison Pease, and Interim Chief Legal Counsel Myrna Foley, 12:40PM- 1:20PM, Moot Court (6.68 New Building)
• Lunch: in the Student Dining Room from 1:30-2:15 pm
• Welcome Back Reception, hosted by Provost Pease, 4-5:30pm, Moot Court (6.68NB)

Resources for Fall 2024 teaching from the TLC.

1. Define, Refine, & Shine workshop:  Feedback: It’s a Two-Way Street, Thurs, August 22, 11am-12:30pm (Zoom):  Yolanda Ortíz-Rodriguez (Soc) & Pamela LiVecchi (Psych).  Register: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkduuvqTItG9FhnauOTUz6eImrvFOugfwc
2. Teaching Essentials Course Preparation, a free, asynchronous mini-course on LinkedIn, walks through the steps of effective, inclusive course design, including resource links.   Dates: August 1-20 (posts remain on our account for easy access).  Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-jay-teaching-and-learning-center-218b14274/

Teaching Essentials Resources: https://faculty.commons.gc.cuny.edu/teaching-essentials/

4.  Brightspace Updates (DOES LMS Team)  

Quick tips for Brightspace:

• DOES LMS prepared a readiness Quick Start checklist for faculty, a useful tool to help ensure you have/know what you need to start the semester:  https://bit.ly/DOES_BrS_QuickStart_Checklist
• To make your course VISIBLE and accessible to students, go to “Course Admin” -> “Course Offering Information” -> and choose the box to make the course “Active”.
• If only want to add the syllabus (e.g., for an in person class), you can send upload it and send it as an attachment with a course announcement. The DOES LMS team suggests you upload it under “Content” -> under “Overview”.

Additional info is available from DOES. See their list of workshops here – including a drop-in session, Mon, August 26, 1:40-3pm in L2.72.05 NB. Recordings on the DOES LMS website.

DOES LMS: Brightspace Discussions and Interacting with Students, Friday, August 23, 1:30pm-3pm. Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/87045433800?pwd=eyyaXL6ZoQqZxFPBGsuSMwjF2XEhto.1  Meeting ID: 870 4543 3800;  Passcode: 086756

For CUNY Brightspace trainings, see: https://www.cuny.edu/academics/brightspace-transition/spring-2024-workshops/. 

Brightspace enrollment request form (e.g., student success coach; TA; teaching observation; share materials with a peer): REVISED REQUEST FORM.

Contact. Faculty and Staff email: LMS.faculty@jjay.cuny.edu. Students email: LMS.students@jjay.cuny.edu.

5.  Announcement:  Introducing Career Learning Lab & CareerCon 

     The Center for Career and Professional Development has a new name – Career Learning Lab: Explore, Experiment, Excel. Please use the new name when referencing our department with new and returning students.

     We are excited to announce a refreshed approach to our career fair this year with the introduction of CareerCon. The Career Learning Lab team invites faculty and students to join us for a dynamic, three-day conference-style event at John Jay. CareerCon offers a unique platform for students to connect with motivated public and private employers seeking early career talent.

Event Details:

• Dates: Monday, September 30th – Wednesday, October 2nd
• Times: Daily 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM (exception: Wednesday ends at 2:00 PM)

Event Highlights:

• Employer-Led Information Sessions: learn insights about companies and career opportunities with prospective employers.
• Panel Events: Engage with employers in discussions on industry trends, career advice, and professional development.
• Interactive Career Readiness Workshops: Participate in workshops and activities designed to prepare students for successful careers.
• Expo-Style Fair: Network with employers at live tabling sessions to learn about open roles.
• On-Campus Interviews: Get invited to one-on-one interviews with employers and get hired!

Why Participate? CareerCon provides students with invaluable opportunities to explore career paths, network with representatives (many of whom are alumni), and access a range of employment opportunities, including internships and full-time positions. This event is an excellent chance for students to understand the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their chosen fields.

How can you engage your students? Bring your class to CareerCon, add the event to your syllabus for extra credit, and more!

We look forward to your support and participation in making CareerCon a success! Email Purnima Taylor, Director of Career Learning Lab (ptaylor@jjay.cuny.edu) with questions.

1.  Important Dates for the Start of the Semester

• Fall semester begins TODAY, Weds, Aug 28. (Monday classes meet for the first time on Monday, Sept 9^th because we are closed Labor Day).  Academic calendars HERE
   
• Verification of Enrollment (VOE): VOE Rosters will be open from Sept 4-17 (for the 8-week-1 graduate session, they are open Sept 3-8). See the Faculty Handbook section on Attendance Rosters: Verification of Enrollment for more information.
   
• Adjunct Pay Dates: The first adjunct pay date for Fall is September 5, 2024 (then every 2 weeks). Please make sure you are seeing accurate payment according to your course load on that date to avoid over- or underpayments. Please contact your Department Chairperson if you are not paid.  (Note:  Faculty hired close to the start of the semester will likely experience delays in their first paychecks.) 

2.  Fall Book and Course Material Submissions 

PLEASE ACT NOW!  Even if no books or purchases are required – ALL FACULTY must provide course material information to the bookstore for all courses.  There are 266! missing sections.

• Fall is at 88%.  PLEASE, PLEASE Submit ASAP. We CANNOT leave this info blank.
  (same as above) 

3.  Timely Teaching Tip from the TLC 

Make it memorable!  Your first day of class is coming and one way to help students start out on the right foot is to make it fun.  Those who attended Faculty Development Day lunch yesterday – you heard that one of the issues we hope to tackle this year is loneliness.  We also hope you were reminded how much play and fun helps to build community – which helps banish loneliness.  Ice breakers and games can feel lame, but they also energize and engage people in ways that actually can help retention.  Perhaps ask your students about their favorite games to inform the fun?  If you’d like to read more, here are some links – and we hope you have fun!  Unexpected Benefits of Play  https://education.ucdenver.edu/about-us/newsroom/news/let-s-play-the-power-of-play-in-higher-education
 

Thanks again!  FDD yesterday as an inspiring celebration of pedagogy and community!  Thank you to all who presented, attended and particularly to the Teaching and Learning Center for planning such a fantastic event. Thanks to Director Gina Rae Foster and TLC team members Jacob Moses, Florentina Lonati, Atharva Orpe, Jonathan Manik and Kharry Josiah.  
 

Please contact Gina Rae Foster, your TLC Director, with questions and ideas (gifoster@jjay.cuny.edu). For teaching resources, email TLC@jjay.cuny.edu.      

4.  Faculty Community 

1. Let the good times roll!  Our first Food for Thought is Weds, September 4, 1:30-2:45pm, Faculty/Staff Dining Room (2^nd floor NB). Join us for lunch with colleagues, hosted by Economics – speakers Michelle Holder, JW Mason and Caitlin Kline.  Learn about ‘big ideas’ in their field, meet new faculty members and Lunch is on us.  RSVP by Tues, Sept 3.
    
2. Invitation to share your wisdom!  If you earned tenure/CCE and/or promotion and want to get to know a new colleague, you are qualified and encouraged to become a mentor!  It’s a wonderful way to contribute to the success of a colleague – and its fun!  Sign up by Mon, Sept 9:  https://forms.gle/XPFXuQJKCTF53H5E6  
    
3. Find a peer mentor!  Faculty wishing to find a peer mentor (e.g., new faculty; associate professors interested in promotion), please make your request by Friday, Sept 13:  https://forms.gle/TjbUw9BHMWNT5TDYA   
    
4. The Library Author Series kicks off again Weds, Sept 18.  See the attached flier.

5.  Brightspace Updates (DOES LMS Team) 

IMPORTANT Note about contacting students:  If you are using Brightspace to send announcements and notifications, it is strongly recommended that you email your students ASAP through your class roster in CUNYFirst to confirm they are receiving your Brightspace announcements.

• • DOES LMS readiness Quick Start checklist for Brightspace: https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/sites/default/files/2024-08/JohnJay_BrS_QuickStart_Checklist.pdf  https://bit.ly/DOES_BrS_QuickStart_Checklist

DOES LMS How to Webinars and Bootcamps:

Brightspace Open Q & A, TODAY, Wednesday, August 28, 2pm – 3 pm, Zoom
Meeting ID: 853 6186 7999;     Passcode: 987841

Brightspace Open Q & A, TODAY, Wednesday, September 4, 2pm – 3 pm, Zoom
Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/85391509659?pwd=2dfiiwMAdkDPCZK6JSHGDSPil21NTf.1
Meeting ID: 853 9150 9659;   Passcode: 793164

Brightspace Bootcamp – ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED - PLEASE TEST YOUR ZOOM LOGIN BEFORE THE SESSION, Friday, September 6, 10:00am – 1:00pm.   Registration Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrceygrT0tGNEAYymES63p90I_XgPXMDGP

Due to Labor Day, the next Brightspace Drop-In Lab will be Monday, September 9, 1:40 – 3pm in L2.72.05 NB.  Brightspace Drop-in Labs will be offered until the end of September.   

More info is available from DOES. Workshop dates are here. Recordings: DOES LMS website.

CUNY Brightspace trainings: https://www.cuny.edu/academics/brightspace-transition/training/.

Brightspace enrollment request form (e.g., student success coach; TA; teaching observation; share materials with a peer): REVISED REQUEST FORM.

Contact.  Faculty: LMS.faculty@jjay.cuny.edu.  Students: LMS.students@jjay.cuny.edu.

6.  Policy Update: Faculty Reporting Obligations of Sex-Based Misconduct 

The New Policy on Sex-Based Misconduct (PSBM), effective Aug. 1, has expanded reporting obligations that apply to all faculty.  (John Jay Title IX website for more information.)

Any NON-CONFIDENTIAL Employee who has responsibility for teaching or advising is considered a “mandatory reporter” under the PSBM.  Mandatory reporters MUST notify the Title IX Coordinator (Gabriela Leal, gleal@jjay.cuny.edu) when:

• • they reasonably suspect or observe conduct that affects John Jay students, employees or third parties
  • that may constitute
  • Sex based misconduct (sex-based harassment, quid pro quo, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, discrimination on the basis of: gender identity, Pregnancy or related conditions, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, retaliation or voyeurism)

Mandatory reporters

• Can’t maintain confidentiality, but can maintain privacy to the greatest extent possible.
• When possible, a Mandatory Reporter should advise the complainant of their obligations as a Mandatory Reporter before receiving a report of Sex-Based Misconduct.
• Not required to report an incident:
  • If they are the person who experienced the Sex-Based Misconduct
  • If they learn of the conduct during a Public Awareness Event (i.e. Take Back the Night Event)

New obligations regarding Pregnancy or related conditions:

If a student discloses a pregnancy or related condition to an employee, unless the employee reasonably believes that the Title IX coordinator has already been notified, the employee must:

• Promptly provide the student with the Title IX coordinator’s contact information; AND
• Inform the student that the Title IX Coordinator can coordinate reasonable modifications to preserve their equal access to the institution’s education program or activity.

7.  Key Forms & Faculty Resources 

• • Faculty Handbook – table of contents: https://new.jjay.cuny.edu/faculty-handbook
  • Guidelines for Creating your Syllabus and Syllabus Template
  • Faculty & Staff Resources – links to many helpful resources for faculty, including the pages listed below: https://new.jjay.cuny.edu/faculty-staff
  • Faculty Resources – handbooks, chair resources, teaching, research and faculty development resources, and more:  https://new.jjay.cuny.edu/about/governance-leadership/academic-affairs/faculty-resources
  • Faculty Forms – includes the most updated Blackboard access request form (more linked forms to come):  https://new.jjay.cuny.edu/forms-faculty-chairs
  • If you are looking for a prior Faculty Update, I am piloting a way to post them online on my events & announcements page here (scroll down on the page).

1.  Summer Teaching

Summer session academic calendars are HERE.  All academic calendars HERE.

• • 3-Week-3:  Final summer session began July 29. VOE rosters close August 1
  • 5-Wk-2 & 3-Wk-3:  Course withdrawal ends Aug 13. Grade rosters open Aug 14-20.
  • Save the Date:  Faculty Development Day is Tuesday, August 27.
  • Fall semester begins Wednesday, August 28. (Monday classes meet for the first time on Monday, Sept 9^th because we are closed Labor Day 9/2.)

2.  Timely Teaching Tip from the TLC  

Teaching Essentials Course Prep: A mini-course for college and graduate faculty

Teaching this fall? Join TLC Director Gina Rae Foster and Psychology Adjunct Instructor Florentina Lonati  this August for a FREE, asynchronous, online mini-course in course preparation. From August 1-22, we will provide resources to walk with you through 9 essential steps to design and prepare your fall courses. Whether you are a seasoned instructor or first time teacher, these tips and resources will increase your confidence and reduce your stress. We’ll be posting the materials on LinkedIn and the TLC site linked below.

As the John Jay Teaching & Learning Center Director, Gina is sharing a companion blog with expanded context and tips: as a Psychology Instructor and TLC Administrative Assistant, Florentina is designing the visual tips and curating the resources. Taken together, our mini-course will help you create and refine your plans for student-centered, structured, effective teaching and learning. Each tips post will include the theme, questions, and resources in the comments. Each blog post provides a context and deeper recommendations on applications. We are confident that YOU will find it easy to combine your preferred course content with our advice. 

Follow the TLC on LinkedIn at John Jay Teaching and Learning Center and Gina’s blog for this mini-course at Gina Rae Foster.

Teaching Essentials Resources: https://faculty.commons.gc.cuny.edu/teaching-essentials/

3.  Fall Book and Course Material Submissions

Did I mention this?  By federal law, we must provide this information to inform students for all courses what books/materials are required – or indicate that none are required – by the time they register.  There are currently 609 sections with book/material information blank.

• Fall is at 74%.  Please submit ASAP.
• Log in with CUNYfirst credentials at JohnJayBooks.com and click the faculty link. 
• New faculty (or chairs on their behalf) – or faculty if system isn’t cooperating – can email submissions, ask questions or share issues at cunybooks@vitalsource.com.
• Faculty are encouraged to use no-cost Open Educational Resources. 
• If you ask students to buy a book from which you derive revenue, the CUNY Conflict of Interest Policy applies (clause 5.2). See Faculty Handbook.  

4.  Brightspace Updates (DOES LMS Team) 

We have now transitioned to Brightspace. A wealth of information is available from DOES about how to use the system, including the sessions below. Their full list of workshop dates is here – which include drop-in sessions in a computer lab (L2.72.05 NB) every Monday in August during community hour. Recordings are on the DOES LMS website.

           Deleted links to past trainings since not useful

• For CUNY Brightspace trainings, see: https://www.cuny.edu/academics/brightspace-transition/spring-2024-workshops/.
• Brightspace enrollment request form (e.g., student success coach; TA; teaching observation): REVISED REQUEST FORM.
• Contact. Faculty and Staff email: LMS.faculty@jjay.cuny.edu. Students email: LMS.students@jjay.cuny.edu.

5.  Important Update: LMS Use Policy

The CUNY Office of Academic Affairs released their Policy for Use of a Learning Management System for Online Classes.  Short version – CUNY policy requires that faculty teaching online classes use a Learning Management System (LMS) that is vetted (for security) and supported (for help) by the campuses. That is now Brightspace. See #4 above for information on getting training and support on Brightspace for fall.

     Policy 1.6: Policy for Use of a Learning Management System for Online Classes

6.  Updated: Syllabus Guidelines and Template 

We have updated the Guidelines for Creating Your Syllabus (posted under the Teaching & Learning Center on this page: https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/about/governance-senior-leadership/faculty-resources; and also under “Academic Resources” on this page https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/faculty-staff) and added a separate Syllabus Template along with it to support more consistent formatting across syllabi. Simply download it and add your course information.