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Hey again,

I forgot to include this on the blog post this morning, so here’s a very important advising follow-up.  As you know, we moved to a new set of major options in the BA/BS in Communication.  As of August 19, all currently declared students in CMCM1 and CMCM2 and CMOC2 were automatically moved to the new requirements.  Here are the rules of thumb you should follow in advising students about the new majors options.

1)      Only the BA/BS in COM and ORG COM requirements have changed (CMCM1_2 and CMOC2).    PR, S&T ed and Soc-Pol are the same.

2)      If your student was eligible to be admitted on one of the old programs by the end of the summer 2007, they are eligible to remain on the previous requirements (or they can choose from one of the new options).  You should note clearly on the green degree application which option you are choosing when you submit it this semester.  When the student submits his/her official  application form to Carrington 320, an updated audit with those requirements will show up within 24 hours.

3)      Related, audits on all declared majors were converted to the new major options/codes.   Thus, if you want an audit from the previous program (a what-if-audit) then you  need to call the Registrar’s office and request a temporary audit be run so you can print it at that time and then the audit will be removed.  You can also contact their office in advance of your meeting and request an audit and they will email you a PDF copy of the audit.

4)      Also, all the advising forms in the office have been replaced with the new requirements. If you are unsure of what the previous requirements were, refer to last year’s catalog. We have copies in the office if you don’t have one. Or you can download a copy of it from the website. If you are really desperate, I have electronic copies of the old requirements an can email them to you.

5)      For those NOT eligible by the end of summer 2007 for the previous majors, those students are required to complete one of the new major programs. However, I will review appeals to this on a case by case basis for students.

6)      By all means, if you have a question, let me know.  That’s why I’m here! 

15 weeks of the semester that is.  Hope your first week of the semester went well. I just sent to our majors a first post to the InCommon blog that I've started.  Go here to read it. If you recall, Carey posted a weekly newsletter to students with important links and updates.  I'm continuing that with the blog, exactly like this one.  Please encourage your students to look for the InCommon blog every Monday.

Now's also a good time for some reminders and due dates as you move into your daily grind:

HouseKeeping Item
TO DO: If you have not done so yet, please forward an electronic copy of all your syllabi (except Com 115 syllabus, unless you include additional policies or requirements) to Karen Sikes (karensikes@missouristate.edu).

Events 

• A review of What's New for 2007-2008 in Advising.  Advisor Forum, Thursday, August 230, 12-1, PSU 313
• New Student Welcome (COAL), Friday, Sept 21, Craig Patio, 3:30
• COAL picnic, Friday, September 28, Phelps Grove Park

September 12, 3-4:30, Faculty Meeting, Craig 337.
September 17-21, COM WEEK. Friday, Sept 21 is the Networking Luncheon from 11-1. Plan to attend.
September 25-27, Jim Applegate site visit for Program Review. Plan for several meetings and gatherings with him

November 16, Friday from 5-7, Departmental Reception at NCA, Palmer House.  Make plans to attend!
Note: This reception is an extremely integral part of our recruitment plan for hiring a department head and two faculty positions. We agreed at the August faculty meeting to have it Friday before dinner so everyone could attend. The more people we have there, the better we can talk to and recruit people to apply. Graduate students should also be present before and during the event for assistance.

New Staff
Jessica Lewis will be starting this week as one of our student office workers. Please introduce yourself to her this week when you come into the office. She's one of our own majors too!

Have a great week (more to come later).
 

Welcome back to campus! And welcome to the new and improved Head's Up Blog. I hope you had a wonderful and relaxing summer. This is a trial run of a new departmental blog, which will function like Carey's "Head's Up" with information, updates and such. What's new is that with the blog, we can use it to share comments on various topics going on. You can post comments on the blog related to departmental events and such. If you  haven't done so already, go to the COAL webpage and click on the COAL community page. That is where the blog is hosted. You will need to register there if you haven't done so already. You can read at will, but to post any comments (which I hope you will) you  need to be a registered user.

As background for why I went to this format, I have a family blog that has become a valuable way for members of my family to to share stories, memories, pictures, and updates.  I hope you come to enjoy blogging as much as I have. Check out my family blog if you like at http://jandpcronleykids.blogspot.com/  (it stands for john and priscilla cronley kids, Cronley is my family name). Here is a pix of my siblings from earlier this summer at a family gathering..

 So, what's going on?  Much, too much to go over here, but I wanted to give you an initial overview of what to plan for this month and beyond.  Remember our COM faculty meeting is Friday, August 17, 8:15-1:00 in PSU 315 A-C. We'll have continental breakfast and lunch. I'll have an agenda out to you next week via email. 

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Wednesday, August 15, Showcase on Teaching and Learning, 8:15 check in, Strong Hall. Please register online or just show up!

Thursday, August 16, All faculty luncheon at 11:30am PSU ballroom

Thursday, August 16, COAL-wide faculty meeting at 2:00 in Hill Hall 001 (new location this year and I'm sure Carey will have a great opening Power Point presentation!)

Friday, August 17, COM Faculty meeting, 8:15-1:00, PSU 315A, B & C (continental breakfast and lunch)

New Student Welcome (COAL), Friday, Sept 21, Craig Patio, 3:30ish

COAL picnic, Friday, September 28, Phelps Grove Park

A few important beginning of the semester items for you to note:

1) The university has recently been given permission to do a trail run of TURNITIN.com this year. I will forward you an email with details about that. If you'd like to use it this semester as a trail, you may. If you do so, please be sure to include a statement in your syllabus to indicate that to students!  Use of this system is completely voluntary, but a good idea.  Perhaps we can have a colloquium discussion about it this fall.

2) TO DO BEFORE CLASSES BEGIN:

• Submit you syllabii to Karen for copying next week. You know the drill, she has to make copies for dozens of classes, and so the earlier you can get them to her, the better service you will receive. 
  
• Check your classrooms next week to be sure all equipment and such are there and in working condition. If you do that before class, we can get any changes done before classes begins.
• Be sure to check and download your class lists in advance of your classes to identify students without the pre-reqs for the class. If you determine the student should not be in the class, please contact such students BEFORE the start of classes via email.
• Check for office supplies that you might need and put in a request, EARLY.
  

 That's about it for now. Thanks for plowing through my first blog. I look forward to this year with you all--we've got a lot going on! More to come...

Kelly