Weekly Newsletter: Tuesday Is News Day

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Welcome back CLS!! 

A few key items as we settle back into the semester.  First, CLS is hosting a Public Comments Session tonight (Tuesday 3/19, 6:30pm) to field questions or concerns about comments from the Chancellor's Town Halls.  See the first item in CLS Announcements for preparation tips, the Zoom link, and a Google form if you can't make it. Hope to see you there!

Next, we need pictures of YOU to liven up the CLS Profile, and we need them now.  See the second item in CLS Announcements for more info.  

And finally, the Data Summit is coming up next week, Wednesday 3/27, 10am-2pm at the HEB Center.  Full-time faculty are required to attend; adjuncts are encouraged to attend (there will be no livestream option). As the day draws near, please make sure that you: 

• RSVP if you are required or have chosen to attend.  RSVP here. 

• communicate with your students.  Classes are cancelled between 8am-4pm on Wednesday 3/27, so please make sure that your students are aware of campus closures and your expectations (especially if you have assigned asynchronous work).  

• make transportation plans. The Data Summit event page has information about carpooling, shuttles, parking, and accessibility.

• review the materials in the Before the Event section of the Data Summit event page

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Deadlines! 

March 19 

CLS Public Comment Session 6:30pm-7:30pm

March 20 

Major Day at HLC from 10am-2pm 

March 22 

Complete survey of interest for the Vertical Alignment Content Swap

March 27

Data Summit (Full-time faculty required; adjunct faculty and staff encouraged)

March 29 

Nominate students for the Chancellor's Student Achievement Award

April 5 

Spring Assessment Meeting 10am-11:30am on Zoom 

April 8 

Solar Eclipse (plan for traffic in Austin and viewing ~1:30pm-1:45pm)

May 3

CLS End of Semester Department Meeting, 10am-11:30am at RGC and on Zoom

May 31

Vertical Alignment, Content Exchange

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CLS Announcements

CLS Public Comment Session, March 19 

Hey CLS, I (Wendy) have had a number of folks fielding questions and concerns from faculty about comments made at the Chancellor's Town Halls. I think it would be wise to have a meeting where CLS can share their concerns and questions--before the Data Summit. This meeting is for concerned faculty to speak up.The format that I think will work best is kind of like a School Board meeting. CLS Department Leads (Assistant Dept. Chairs, Dual Credit Liaisons, and I) will take notes, answer questions when we can, etc.

I do ask that speakers limit their prepared comments to 3 minutes. We are people who LOVE to talk, and in the interest of keeping this meeting to an hour, if you have a comment or question, please type it up and read it--practice a bit--so it's sharp and to the point. That way, we can have plenty of time for all to be heard. And, we can collect clear, concise, qualitative data and information, which will sincerely help us best share our thoughts with the administration.

The meeting will be Tuesday, March 19, 6:30-7:30pm. 

Zoom Link: https://austincc.zoom.us/j/85205519683?pwd=UFBJSHdUdFZmbDg5NWwyTFRpTDBSQT09

If you cannot attend or don't get the opportunity to share, you can leave a short, sweet comment in the CLS Public Comment Form

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Call for Classroom Photos, ASAP

Feeling refreshed after spring break? Glowing with the possibility of these last 8 weeks of the semester? Now is the perfect time to ask students or colleagues to snap a quick pic of you in the classroom, so we can use it in the CLS Profile.  

We're looking for pictures of 

• YOU in all your teaching glory

• classroom activities/materials (whiteboard notes, in-class activities, props)

Important: you and any students that appear in the pictures need to sign ACC's Photo Consent form

We need pictures as soon as possible! Upload pictures to Classroom Shots Drive

(Seriously, though--candid shots are the BEST! And, I want to reiterate--anyone teaching for CLS should consider It. Y'all are absolutely LOVELY!)

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Please Promote: Student Essay Contest, deadline April 1  

The Texas Association of Community Colleges is accepting student submissions for Pathways to Success:  Texas Community College Essay Contest.  Students can choose from a series of prompts that aim to highlight "how their experience at a community college is shaping their journey toward a fulfilling and financially rewarding career." 

The contest is open to traditional and dual credit students.  Find specific prompts, guidelines, and submission instructions at the Pathways to Success: Essay Contest webpage. 

The top ten essays receive cash💲prizes!

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Spring Assessment Meeting (+Peer Dialogue!), April 5 

When: April 5, from 10-11:30am, via Zoom (link coming soon)

What: Spring Assessment-Focused Meeting

Agenda: Rebekah Starnes will report on this year's Assessment Report findings. After that, attendees will break into groups and contribute thoughts and observations to a shared Google doc. (This can count towards your peer dialogue!)  

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Please Promote: Honors Info Session, April 5th

Please share with students!

Curious about the Honors Program? The Spring Honors Info Session will be held on Friday, April 5th, at the HLC Welcome Center from 11:30 am-1:00 pm. Lunch will be provided, and the plan is to cover courses, scholarships, internships, specialized advising, transfer opportunities, and some of the programs we've developed for Honors students (UT YCS Fellows Program, INRW peer tutoring, etc.) Students who can't make it in person can join via Zoom; event information is here.  

Thanks!

Anne-Marie

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Chancellor's Student Achievement Nominations, due March 29

We encourage you to join us in honoring our exceptional students by submitting nominations for the Chancellor's Student Achievement Award. All ACC community members, including faculty, staff, and students, can nominate deserving individuals. Students can even nominate themselves! Remember, the more nominations, the better! 

Here's a rundown of eligibility requirements: 

• Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA

• Attended ACC for a minimum of two consecutive semesters

• Graduating in the semester you are nominating/applying for this award

• Must be in good standing with the college – this will be verified by the Office of Student Life

Here's the Nomination Form (Spring 2024) 

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Revitalizing the Major team needs your help! + Major Day!

Promote the English Major in your classes!

Talk it up in your classes and share this pre-made message on Blackboard: 

Are you enjoying your time in your INRW or English class this semester? Are you inspired by your professors and your growth? Consider becoming an English Major! Check out our English Major’s website—review the courses you’d take, join a community of like-minded readers and rebels, and geek out with us over banned books and all the cringe we can find. Join us, and get your Main Character Energy on! 

Major Day - March 20, 2024

On Wednesday, Mar 20, 2024 The Student Affairs team will hold a student-facing event called Major Day, at which we’re going to represent the CLS crew and the English Major as part of our ongoing effort to Revitalize the English Major. Your RTM team would love your energy and support in this effort, which translates to “please come hang out and show students how cool we CLS people are!” 

We’ll need table coverage for the event, which runs from 10-2 at the Highland Campus. Any time you can come spend with us will be both greatly appreciated and almost certainly a good time. Here’s a link to the calendar event so that you can let us know if you’re able to come spend some time with us: Major Day English Major Table

The RTM crew thanks you for your support!  If you have questions, reach out to Eli Ryder.

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Danez Smith: "Prose Poetry as Rebellion," March 26

UT's 2024 Eric Williams Memorial Lecture presents keynote speaker Danez Smith on Tuesday March 26th, 5:15pm-8:15pm at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center (and livestreamed!) 

Find more information about Danez Smith, the lecture, the livestream, and the parking situation here. 

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Peer Dialogue: Teaching as a Spiritual Practice

Our CLS colleague Amy Wink is organizing a Faculty Interest Group (FIG) to discuss Teaching as a Spiritual Practice; here's her pitch:

In his poem, “The Way It Is”, William Stafford writes “There is a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for others to see. While you hold it you can’t get lost.” Our work as educators is often understood as just such a thread, sometimes described as calling, that internally driven desire to improve our understanding of the facts and systems of the world and how we function within those systems. Our profession encourages our outwardly production—developing courses, creating publications, engaging in research — designed to engage our students with the shared work of learning and understanding. The tension between the inner drive and the outward direction can lead us to focus more on the evidence of our drive instead of the fuel that we need to keep going. This becomes even more challenging in a culture that often questions the value of our work and those who do it. I would like to explore this inner drive and teaching as a spiritual practice (one that makes our lives meaningful) with others in a Faculty Interest Group that will focus on how we come to understand our work as calling, what keeps us going, and how we can deepen our understanding of the inner meaning that fuels us. If you would be interested in a FIG focusing on teaching as a spiritual practice, please contact Amy Wink (awink@austincc.edu) with your questions. 

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Update: Solar Eclipse Glasses, Available Apr 1

The official word is that solar glasses 😎 will be available on ACC campuses beginning Monday, April 1. 

ACC Students & Employees will be able to pick up their glasses at any ACC campus Student Life Office. You’ll need your ACC ID card to pick up your glasses. Limit three per person.

Community Members will be able to pick up their glasses at any ACC Campus Manager’s Office. Limit three per person.

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Vertical Alignment Content Swap, May 31

See flyer (below) for details.  Use the QR code on the flyer or this link to complete the survey of interest before Friday March 22.  Contact Beth Frye if you have questions.