The last week of classes.
At the best of times, this week is tense with grading last assignments and students emailing with requests for extra credit opportunities or a chance to submit late work. This year? We’re also battling pandemic fatigue while feeling the cumulative strain of the past year and a half of extraordinary demands.
I’d say at least we’ll be heading into a long summer break, but that doesn’t really feel true this year, does it? (At least, not with the Newly Combined Entity looming on the horizon and promising to create additional work to help make it a reality…)
You’ve got plenty on your plate right now. But you’re taking the time to read this so I’ve got to wonder: are you looking for excuses to do anything but answer that fifth email from the student asking to turn in that assignment from Week 2? Here are a few quick things you can do that will make someone else’s day and let you feel like you got something done:
We’d like to run an Educator volume of reflections next week, so if you haven’t already done so, please take a moment to complete the short survey Chris Boettcher sent you earlier this week.
While you’re reflecting, if you’re struck with a recollection of someone(s) who have gone above and beyond this year nominate them for a Pathway to Graduation Faculty/Staff Award: https://www.castleton.edu/academics/pathway-to-graduation/pathways-to-graduation-faculty-staff-award/
Or perhaps you find yourself thinking about students in your class who have made a difference on campus, have an inspiring story, have created an incredible work of art, or done an amazing project that embody the values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. CU See Me is still looking for nominations for the CU See Me Spotlight as well as contributions to be included in the Spring 2022 Convocation.
If you didn’t come here for help procrastinating, you just wanted to see what’s new, here’s what’s brewing this week:
- CU students publish COVID Chronicles
- RPK Group “Town Hall Meeting” Documents
- Using Person-First Language from Director of Education Ric Reardon
- Have You Seen…?: “Did I Miss Anything?”
- CU See Me Call for Contributions
Also, don’t forget to mark your calendars with these important upcoming dates:
- May 6, 2021 @12:30 pm: DEI Training Session II: Implicit Bias with Nikki Fuller (contact Dean Catalano for a link)
- May 7, 2021: Last day for students to submit course evaluations
- May 7, 2021: @3:00 pm: Annual Awards Ceremony (live-stream)
- May 14, 2021: Last day of Final Exams
- May 15, 2021 @11:00 am: Commencement 2021
- May 21, 2021 @Noon: Final Grades are due
- May 25, 2021: VSC Retreat – Reflection & Resilience
That’s all for now! I’ll see you (write to you?) next week as our roller coaster careens…
