Welcome Back!
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