eInside Briefs

University Dialogue Series to Begin Spring Semester 2015

Dear Members of the Kent State Family,

I write to you to acknowledge the deep concern that is being expressed nationwide and in our own community in the aftermath of the grand jury decision in Ferguson, Mo., and other recent incidents that underscore the sad reality that, in the eyes and experiences of too many, we have yet to realize the dream of a truly inclusive society that was articulated so eloquently by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. more than 50 years ago. I know that many of you are experiencing a mix of pain, anger and fear, and that you feel the compelling desire to express your feelings and take action that will lead to real, lasting and positive change. I believe that a learning community like ours -- one in which so many students, faculty and staff members demonstrate a highly personal commitment to the values of diversity and inclusion every day -- is a fitting place to come together to help create the long-overdue world envisioned by Dr. King.

Toward that end, Kent State will launch a University Dialogue Series at the start of next semester to provide a forum for all members of our community to express their thoughts and feelings about issues related to racial discrimination and prejudice of all kinds, and to discuss ways we can ensure that every member of our community feels respected, valued and safe. The first of these open discussions will be held Jan. 22, 2015, as part of Kent State's annual commemoration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The discussions we share and the actions we take moving forward will be shaped by the needs and ideas you express.

From my first days at Kent State, I have been so impressed -- and truly inspired -- by the many members of our community who are committed to making our university the best possible place to live, work and grow, and to making our world a better place. They include the students and others in our community who exercise their rights of free expression and peaceful protest. The University Dialogues we begin next month won't be easy, but I believe they can help bring us together as a community and help move us closer to creating an environment that shows the world that Dr. King's dream of a peaceful, just and inclusive society is within our reach. Your voice matters -- you matter -- and I hope you will participate and be the difference that this world so desperately needs.

Beverly Warren
Kent State University President  

Last Chance: Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Share Your Opinion

Until Friday, Dec. 19, you have the chance to answer some critical questions that will help to strengthen our university system and create more value for our students, our communities and our state.

You can join the online conversation hosted by the 1 University Commission on the Civic Commons website at http://theciviccommons.com/1uc, or you can complete an anonymous online survey.

Provide your thoughts on any of the questions. Share your opinion and share it often.

1 University Commission Questions

Kent State University's 1 University Commission (1UC) is
a presidential initiative charged with strengthening the
university system.

Academics and Curriculum: The Academics and Curriculum committee has two areas of concern. The first area focuses on course scheduling that includes coordinated policies, systemwide scheduling, and revenue-sharing models. The second area focuses on distance learning and includes coordinated policies for offering distance-learning courses, distributing revenue and ensuring instructional consistency.

1. Should the authority to determine course offerings at a Regional Campus reside with the Regional Campus dean, the Kent Campus dean or the department chair? Who should settle any disputes between the campuses? Please provide an explanation for your answer.
2. What are the pros and cons of adopting a universitywide schedule of classes that coordinates the schedules among all campuses?
3. Should the authority to determine face-to-face or online course instructors at the Regional Campus reside with the Regional Campus dean, the Kent Campus dean or the department chair? Who should settle any disputes between the campuses? Please provide an explanation for your answer.
4. What would be an appropriate revenue-sharing model for distance-learning courses when a student takes an online course offered by a campus other than the student’s home campus?
5. How should the university prepare faculty at all campuses to teach distance-learning courses?
   

Faculty Roles and Responsibilities: The Faculty Roles and Responsibilities committee considers policies that cover instructional issues across the entire Kent State system, including faculty mobility, locus of authority and consistent hiring practices.

1. What steps could we take to engage Regional Campus faculty in more research and varied teaching opportunities, including the graduate level?
2. What steps could be taken to foster more inclusiveness between the Regional Campus faculty and their Kent Campus academic departments? Do you know of any specific examples that demonstrate this model of collegiality?
3. What are the pros and cons of assigning faculty to teach at campuses other than their home campus? What are your ideas on how multiple assignments could be administered?
4. What are your suggestions on how to systematically facilitate time for Regional Campus faculty to pursue research interests?
5. Are there inconsistencies between Kent State policies and actual practices regarding engaging with faculty at the Regional Campuses? If yes, please provide specific examples.
6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of hiring Kent Ph.D.s at Regional Campuses?
   

Structure and Leadership: The Structure and Leadership committee develops recommendations on the administration of each Regional Campus and the administration needed centrally for coordination among all our campuses.

1. What do you think the appropriate title should be for each of Kent State’s Regional Campus leaders? Currently, the title is dean and chief administrative officer.
2. What do you think the appropriate title should be for the highest-level administrator of Kent State’s Regional Campus system? Currently, the title is associate provost for Kent State System Integration. 
3. Should the highest-level administrator of the Regional Campus report to the provost? If not, to whom should this person report and why?
4. Do you think there is a need for a centralized regional campus office? If so, what do you believe should be the primary/secondary responsibilities of this office?
   

Student Experiences: The Student Experiences committee is exploring how to enhance opportunities for students across all campuses including leadership development, intercampus student interactions and admissions policies.

1. In the spirit of “one university,” how do we create a better sense of community?
2. Discuss ways we can create more and better interactions between students and administration.
3. What kinds of co-curricular activities (internships, programs, special clubs and student organizations) do you want on your campus?
4. Would you be willing to pay student fees to support student activities, events and programs?
   a.    If yes, for what type of things would you be willing to pay additional fees?
   b.    If no, why not?
   
5. What currently connects you with other campuses in the Kent State system?
   

About the 1 University Communication (1UC)

In her Listening Tour, Kent State President Beverly Warren is hearing the uplifting stories of Kent State University, and she understands that we can make Kent State stronger by emphasizing that, as an institution, we value each campus for its unique contribution to our mission and vision.

The idea for creating the 1UC was born from a very practical need to address issues that have emerged over the last decade, such as improving the student experience on our campuses, addressing needs of the expanding online learning environment, assigning faculty resources across our eight-campus system, and understanding the administrative needs necessary to strengthen our multicampus system.

Feedback from surveys, the online community and the listening posts will be combined in early 2015 and shared with President Warren.

We are one university; we are greater than the sum of our parts, and we are a force to be reckoned with in Ohio and the world.

Kent State Police Officer Honored By Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County

Standing, left to right, are Joel Mowrey, Ph.D., executive
director of the Mental Health and Recovery Board; William
Nome, MHRB chairman of the Mental Health and Recovery
Board; Officer Jeff Futo of the the Kent State University
Police Services; and Portage County Sheriff David Doak.

Officer Jeff Futo of the Kent State University Police Services was recognized for his work as a coordinator and instructor for the Portage County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). The recognition came from the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County and the Portage County Sheriff's Office, which sponsor the annual Crisis Intervention Team training. The purpose of the class is to provide safety forces with tools including de-escalation techniques to work with people in crisis, some with mental illness. 

Since 2006, more than 250 officers in Portage County have completed the class. Futo has been honored as a Portage County CIT Officer of the Year.

Kent State had previously received the 2013 Crisis Intervention Team Program of the Year Award.

For more information about Kent State Police Services, visit http://www2.kent.edu/police/index.cfm.

Stay Healthy This Winter — Remember Your Flu Shot

Influenza season has arrived and will continue through the holidays and into the New Year. In Ohio, flu cases typically peak in January or February. Before traveling and joining loved ones, consider getting a flu shot to protect yourself and your family. 

Flu shots are still available for students, faculty and staff at the DeWeese Health Center and are 100 percent covered by Kent State University’s Anthem and Medical Mutual insurance plans. 

Call 330-672-2322 for information and appointments. The health center will remain open during the winter break except for Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1. For hours of operation, visit www.kent.edu/uhs.

Kent State’s Office of Sustainability Encourages Winter Shutdown

Kent State University faculty, staff and building curators
are reminded to shut down all appliances before leaving
for winter break to help the university conserve energy.

Kent State University’s Office of Sustainability reminds faculty, staff and building curators to turn off – and if possible unplug – all appliances before leaving for winter break to help the university conserve energy.

Before leaving campus for winter break, everyone is encouraged to turn off and unplug computers, copiers, appliances, peripherals and other electronics. If possible, unplug these electronics at the outlet to prevent “phantom” or “vampire” load. For instance, even laptop power cords will still draw electricity as long as they are plugged in, even if the device is turned off or there is no computer attached to the power cord.

Windows and shades must be closed. If there is any access to a thermostat, set it back to 68 degrees. If there are any items that need maintenance, please submit a request.

Finally, before leaving, make sure that all lights are turned off.

University Facilities Management will contribute to the energy conservation effort by setting back some building systems.

These efforts can reduce costs of heating, ventilation, lighting and plug loads on campus during the winter break schedule.

During the 2013 winter break, the university saved nearly $48,000 in energy costs over nine days, and the carbon dioxide emissions reduction equaled the energy use of 35 homes for one year.

For questions about the energy-saving winter shutdown, contact Melanie Knowles, Kent State’s sustainability manager, at mknowle1@kent.edu or 330-672-8039.

Important Information About Final Grading of Fall 2014 Classes

Online final grading for fall 2014 Full Term (1: 08/25/2014 – 12/07/2014), Third Five Weeks (F3: 11/03/2014 – 12/07/2014), Second Half of Semester (H2: 10/16/2014 – 12/07/2014) or Second Seven Weeks (W2: 10/20/2014 – 012/07/2014) parts of term began Friday, Dec. 5, via FlashFAST. In addition, grades must also be submitted for any fall 2014 course section that was flexibly scheduled. The deadline for grading submission is midnight on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Any final grades not reported in FlashFAST by the grades processing deadline will have to be submitted using the Grade Change Workflow. These fall 2014 courses will be available in the workflow on Thursday, Dec. 18.

Incomplete Mark and NF/SF Grades

The administrative mark of IN (Incomplete) may be given to students who are unable to complete the work due to extenuating circumstances. To be eligible, undergraduate students must be currently passing and have completed at least 12 weeks of the semester. The timeline shall be adjusted appropriately for flexibly scheduled courses. Graduate students must be currently earning a C or better grade and are unable to complete the required work between the course withdrawal deadline and the end of classes. Instructors are required to complete and submit an Incomplete Mark Form to the department chair when an incomplete mark is assigned. Access the form from your Faculty Toolbox in FlashLine.

The grade SF (Stopped Attending–Fail) denotes that the student stopped attending the course and did not formally withdraw and must be accompanied by a date of last attendance in the course.

The grade NF (Never Attended–Fail) denotes that the student neither attended one class session nor formally withdrew from the course.

For complete information on university grading policies including Incomplete Mark and NF/SF grading policies, procedures and timelines, please visit the Grading Policies and Procedures section in the university catalog at www.kent.edu/catalog.

Grades Processing Tips and FAQ may be found on the Office of the Registrar's website at www.kent.edu/registrar/faculty-grades-processing. Any faculty members needing personalized instruction on submitting their grades via FlashFAST should contact their campus Registrar's Office during normal business hours for assistance.

To access FlashFAST to post your final grades, log in to FlashLine from www.kent.edu (click FlashLine Login from top right menu bar) then click the Faculty & Advisor Tools tab. Locate the Faculty Toolbox, and select Final under the Submit Grades heading.

Troubleshooting TIP: FlashFAST is accessible from any Internet-capable computer that has the cookies function enabled. We recommend that you clean out your cookie and cache files regularly to help your computer run faster, and to potentially restore and/or improve your access to FlashFAST and/or FlashLine by improving your connection to the server. Our Helpdesk is prepared to offer assistance with these issues. Please contact them at 330-672-HELP (4357) for one-on-one assistance and technical issues.

e-Inside Takes a Break

The e-Inside newsletter will take a break between semesters. The Dec. 8 issue is the last one for the Fall 2014 Semester, and e-Inside will return on Jan. 12. Copy submissions for this issue should be emailed to einside@kent.edu by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Thank you for reading and contributing to e-Inside.

Happy Holidays!