President's Report 9/27/24

September 27, 2024 / Lyndsay Rhodes

BOG updates 

The full BOG agenda and materials can be found at the BOG website and the video recording of the meeting is available on The Florida Channel.

The BOG approved the 2024 FGCU Student Success Plan on September 18, 2024. 
(video #1 time stamp 54:43)
The plan targets four areas with the greatest potential for improvement (metrics 4, 5, 9a, 9b). The BOG approval allowed for release of $3.8 million in performance-based funding. FGCU will report progress on deliverables outlined in the plan at the March 2025 BOG meeting. If approved, the BOG may release the remaining $3.8 million in PBF. I encourage all faculty to familiarize themselves with the Student Success Plan and the direct connections to our Strategic Plan and Accountability Plan. There was a lot of support by the BOG on our Student Success Plan, with specific encouragement for our continued focus on individual student needs (i.e., Early Alert).

BOG approved FGCU Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund Proposals
(video #1 time stamp 32:25)

FGCU Lee Health System $500,000

FGCU Naples Comprehensive Health System $50,000

These match funds will go to support nursing education through additional student scholarships, clinical experiences, and expansion of simulation equipment and other lab support.

Proposed revision of FLBOG Regulation 8.003 Textbook and Instructional Materials Affordability and Transparency
(video #2 time stamp 39:10)
BOG staff proposed amendments requiring each university board of trustees to outline a process for textbook and instructional materials approval and adoption in a university regulation. The proposed amendment also includes the requirement for faculty and instructors to attest that all required course materials have been reviewed for each course they teach each semester. Regulation 8.003 is out for public comment and is expected to be on the agenda for the October BOG meeting. Please review and send feedback to Lyndsay Rhodes.

Additional Regulation changes
There were a number of regulation changes approved at the BOG meeting including:

9.013 Auxiliary Operations (provide the universities with additional flexibility on the use of auxiliary revenue for athletics)

8.009 Educational Sites

The following regulations are open for public comment and are anticipated to be included on the agenda for the next BOG meeting:

1.002 Presidential Search and Selection

8.006 Civic Literacy Competency

8.007 Articulation

8.010 Common Prerequisites – Intent to repeal

8.013 Specialized Admissions

9.009 Preparation of the State University System Financial Statements

9.010 State University Consolidated Financial Statements – intent to repeal

10.014 Academic Infrastructure and Support Organizations – Intent to repeal

10.015 Institutes and Centers

I encourage you all to review these proposed changes and provide comment back to me prior to the October BOG meeting (October 29).

ACFS Updates

Advisory Council of Faculty Senates met at USF on September 17, 2024. The Chancellor was unable to attend due to travel. ACFS continues to discus and consult on the syllabi search request, proposed revision of Regulation 8.003, and general education review. In regard to the proposed amendments to 8.003, the ACFS will be reviewing and drafting best practices for textbook/course materials review to provide to university BOTs.

Other University Updates

Reminder to all faculty that missed contact hours due to campus closures are required to be made up over the course of the semester. This can be through virtual and/or asynchronous assignments to be determined by each faculty member as appropriate to your course content and student learning outcomes.

The proposed policy regarding Supplemental Compensation is available for early review by Senators. This has been sent to Grants and Research Team and Faculty Affairs Team for review, but is open to input from Senators as well. The draft policy is available in Teams.

Reminder that Professional Development Fund Grant application is now open and we have moved to 3 review cycles. The new review cycles are meant to increase the efficiency of our reviews and more timely decision making. There is a lot of new information, so please review the guidelines and frequently asked questions carefully. The information can be found on the PDFG website.

Announcements

Commencement Volunteers

Ceremony #1: Saturday, December 14 | 10 a.m.

College of Arts & Sciences (minus students in the Integrated Studies program)

Ceremony #2: Saturday, December 14 | 3 p.m.

Lutgert College of Business

College of Arts & Sciences (only students in the Integrated Studies program)

Ceremony #3: Sunday, December 15 | 10 a.m.

The Water School

U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering

College of Education

Marieb College of Health & Human Services

Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship

John Herman Award for Excellence in General Education

The John Herman Award is now open for application, which are due November 15, 2024 by 5pm. More information can be found in an email from the Provost from September 23 or contact Dr. Joe Ross (jvross@fgcu.edu).

Faculty Fall Festival

Reminder that the First Annual Fall Faculty Festival is Oct 9th from 3-6 in the Cohen Center Ballroom. In addition to fall snacks, drinks, games and fellowship, we will be having a Book Exchange.

How It Works:

Bring Your Books: Gather any gently used books you’d like to exchange. Fiction, non-fiction, and professional development titles are all welcome!

Swap and Share: Browse through the selection of books brought by fellow faculty members and take home new reads that inspire you.

Connect and Enjoy: Join us for refreshments and engage in conversation with colleagues.

Whether you’re looking to declutter your shelves or find something new to dive into, we encourage everyone to participate. If you have any questions, please reach out to Lee Ann Frederick, lafrederick@fgcu.edu.