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The Start of Another Spring Semester

Ahh, it's that time again; new students, new classes-old classes, new routines, new deadlines, and new resolutions. I usually don't make New Year's resolutions, but if I had to pick something I wanted to do new this year it would be that "to slow down" a bit--smell the roses.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own schedules and routines that it is hard to take time out to have lunch with old friends, meet new people, and rejuvenate ourselves.  We should make time to visit with each other, find out what's going on, and be able to reconnect. I say that, and yet our calendars and deadlines suggest something different altogether.

To start off the semester, we should celebrate.  Liz completed her dissertation last year and we are having a small gathering for her next week (see my email from 1/16/08 about this).  Two of our instructors completed Master Advisor Training during the break and I'll reveal those at the faculty meeting.   Our debate teams placed well in California tournaments.  And, I'm sure a number of you attempted some writing over the break and met some personal goals with your research.  We'll start off our faculty meeting next week recognizing our accomplishments.

Lots to see here, so if you are pressed for time, skip to Preparation for Faculty Meeting. 

UPDATES:

• During the break, our updated departmental webpage went live.  Angela Barker moved our page format to webpress and its now inline with the university standard. While you may like that format, we now have a more reliable and fast way to get items added to the webpage than before. So I'd like you to visit the department webpage and provide me with feedback on what you like and what you'd recommend we change.  Go to: http://communication.missouristate.edu/

• The search committee for our two assistant professor positions has ranked all applicants and submitted a recommendation for interviews to the dean for approval. Look for on campus interviews beginning next week!.  As I get itineraries set, I'll send them out. 

• Debate Team:
  

Since the end of last semester, here's where they've been:

Big Picture (a la Eric's verbiage):
Martin Osborn / Clayton Webb are generally viewed as a “sure fire” 1st round bid based on quarters at Kentucky & Harvard (in the fall) and number head-to-head win.

Michael Mapes / Meggie Mapes are bubble teams for a 1st round. They haven’t gotten past octos, and don’t have enough head to head wins, but have cleared everywhere (and many bubble teams missed at Harvard).

Jessica Johnson / Jordan Foley are trying to be one of the top 6 “C” teams nationwide, as no more than 6 schools can qualify a 3rd team. We never have. Right now they are on the bubble, probably in the 5-8 range. They typically clear regionally, but haven’t done so nationally. Best national performance was 5-3 at Wake.
 

• Sign up for Lunch with the Dean:

Please sign up for one of the weekly FREE Lunches with the Dean.  Beginning January 23 and concluding on May 5 the dean be hosting a table at the Union Club once a week for informal conversation and ideas exchange.  To sign up, go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nq3duOD8PXbhrYgFR2eVWw_3d_3d and indicate your preferred dates.  Soon after, the office will be in touch to confirm your lunch date.
 

• The Revolution that is IDS 110: 

Excerpted from the dean's blog: Be a Part of the "Freshman Experience"

"Some significant changes are afoot for the university's efforts with first-year students.  Among these changes is a redesign of the freshman course, IDS 110/UHC 110.  While a comprehensive review of the course is underway right now, intermediate plans for 2008-09 are to loosen many of the restrictions on how the course is taught and give instructors more flexibility in tailoring the course to their own expertise and interests.  The approach for IDS 110 will be more like what we have seen in UHC 110, where teachers identify a topic/theme for their class and the class has more of an academic discussion atmosphere.

I (Carey Adams) will be teaching IDS 110 this fall, and I hope many of you will join me.  I very much would like to involve as many COAL faculty and staff who are interested in discussions about how we might approach IDS 110 from the liberal arts perspective of our college.  Soon you will be seeing information about how to apply to teach IDS 110/UHC 110.  When you do I hope you will do two things: (1) give serious thought to signing up for the fall, and (2) drop me an email so that I can put you on my list of people to invite to our discussion.  Even if you don't want to teach IDS 110 this fall, but you are interested in how the college could shape a really fantastic freshman course, I would love to have your input."

FACULTY MEETING PREPARATION: Wednesday, January 23, 2:00*, Craig 337 (*remember a new time this semester)

1. I've asked Janis King to give us an update on the suggested changes to COM 499 that the committee worked on last semester. I've attached the memo here com499requirements.doc and will have copies for you on Wednesday.  Please review it in advance so that we can have a discussion about these revisions and possibly others that you might suggest.
2. I need faculty interest/bios from a few of you for updating the faculty/staff pages of the homepage. So, if you see your name below, I'd like you to work up a short paragraph description of your teaching/research interests and any other information you'd like to put out there on your page. Please have this emailed to me by the faculty meeting Wednesday. I'd like to get that to Angela to upload by Thursday.  Allison, Liz, Gloria, Jerri Lynn, Eric, Robyn, Heather, Susan (only need degree dates)
3.  I'd like us also to talk about some issues related to the budget. I'll share with you some opportunities for additional travel this semester and wireless access availability, as well as NCA membership options.  Ohhh, doesn't that sound interesting! 
4. We'll begin a discussion about some debate scholarship requirements and related COM minor questions.  Eric will help begin this discussion. No vote will be taken, but a conversation started.
5. Randy has agreed to take on internships for summer and fall this year. In advance of this, I'd like use to have a conversation about how we would like to revise or update the internship process.  This will be a starter discussion and we'll add on as we go this semester.