Weekly Newsletter: Tuesday Is News Day

CLS Quick Links

Collection Forms for Evaluation Materials

Academic Year 2024-25 Collection

This form is created and maintained by the Assistant Department Chair for CLS's Evaluation Committee (Beth Frye).  Use this form to submit syllabi, Faculty Reflection Forms, and self-reported mandatory training for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025. 

Submit Syllabi by the second week of classes (varies by session)

Submit Faculty Reflection Forms (Jan 31, Jun 13)

Submit self-reported Mandatory training (May 30)

SUBMIT HERE Supplemental Evaluation Materials due May 30, 2025

This form is created and maintained by the Assistant Department Chair for CLS's Evaluation Committee (Beth Frye).  Use this form to submit Supplemental Evaluation Materials from the 2024-2025 year. (Assessments and Assignments, Peer Dialogue, Values Framework, and Purposeful Change documents)

CLS K.I.S.S Spreadsheet

CLS K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Sweetheart) 

This spreadsheet allows CLS faculty to see and understand all required professional development tasks as well as several optional PD opportunities.  

CLS Faculty Handbook

CLS Faculty Handbook

The Faculty Handbook can answer many questions about CLS policy, staffing, evaluation, and more! Plus, you can find instructions for badge requests and grade changes.  The easiest way to navigate the CLS Faculty Handbook is the search field.  Look for the magnifying glass 🔍in the upper right corner of the homepage and type your keyword (badge request or change eligibility).

Conference Travel Request Form

LAHC Travel Expense Request 

File this Travel Expense Request with the LAHC Dean's office to request money for upcoming conference travel and attendance.  

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Academic Dishonesty, AI, Grade Disputes

A few thoughts on Academic Dishonesty and Grade Disputes as we head into the Season of Complaint and Dismay (Well, that was Dramatic)

1. Clear and calm communication is always best--be firm, be responsive, and be kind. We don't have to be mad at people for academic dishonesty or missed deadlines. We can nod in sympathy and grace while also maintaining the heck out of our standards.

2. It's not academic dishonesty if they do NOT know what they are doing or how to do it correctly. If it is a lack of understanding about how to properly incorporate sources, a wonky Works Cited, many missing in-text citations but a Works Cited in place...consider if a penalty for academic misconduct actually makes sense.

3. Ding-ing a grade for inauthentic voice is a legit thing to do--and it is also not (necessarily) academic misconduct

4. If there IS academic misconduct, here are our most-up-to-date steps:

1. Instructor identifies possible academic misconduct.

2. Instructor alerts the student and the Department Chair with an email.

3. Instructor meets with the student to address the academic misconduct allegation.

4. If the instructor finds there was no misconduct, the case is dismissed. The instructor has completed the process.

5. If the instructor finds there was misconduct, within 5 days of the meeting, the instructor sends an email to the student that contains the finding and resolution/penalty. The email is also sent to the Department Chair, Instructional Dean, and Dean of Student Affairs at the campus where the class is held. (For Dual Credit and Distance Learning, faculty can ask their Instructional Dean which Dean of Student Affairs should be included.) Instructors can use the following template for the email. 

6. The instructor then reports the student conduct violation by completing the Academic Misconduct Report form. 

7. If the student disagrees with the finding, the student may appeal in writing within 10 days. If the student agrees with the finding the case is closed. The faculty member has completed the process.

8. If the student appeals the finding, the Department Chair and Instructional Dean confer and request that the Vice President of Instruction convene an Academic Integrity Appeals Panel hearing.

Faculty are never permitted to withdraw a student during the investigation process or as a penalty for academic misconduct.

Between Step 2 and Step 6, students are not allowed to withdraw.

After Step 6, if the student agrees with the finding, then they may withdraw from the class.

5. Students have a right to appeal any academic misconduct or final grades. Both those processes have steps we help them with. And, a grade appeal or student complaint is NOT an emergency. It's just part of higher ed. Processes are in place that work pretty well even if they are time intensive. If it happens to you, don't worry too much. I'll help, I promise!

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News from INRW 

Fall Co-req Registration

Fall 25 Coreq Registration begins Friday, May 16, 2025. If students reach out to you to enroll in your coreq courses, please send them to the INRW website to register. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis as long as there are no holds on the account preventing us from enrolling them. If you have questions, please reach out to Linda San Agustin or Ursula Parker. 

INRW Summer Institute

This summer, CLS will kick off the second INRW Institute, which allows English faculty to dig into integrated reading and writing pedagogy. 

Details at a Glance

Purpose: Allow current ENGL 1301 instructors to become eligible to teach the paired INRW 0340 with their course.

Training Dates: Fridays

May 30th, 10:00-12:00

June 6th, 10:00-12:00

June 13th 10:00-12:00

June 20th, 10:00-12:00

June 27th, 10:00-12:00

Location: Virtual 

Commitment: Five two-hour sessions and 2-3 hours of preparation per week. You are expected to attend all sessions. Followed by additional mentoring and support as you teach your first INRW 0340 course.

If you are interested, complete the INRW Institute Interest Form to receive additional information. 

Questions? Comments? Email Kendall Dingee, kdudley@austincc.edu

INRW Professional Development

If you are interested in INRW Professional Development, kindly and quickly complete this super-brief survey so we can get the party started: https://forms.gle/WWDhRD6bgWHndfve9

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Dual-Credit, ENGL 1302 Tagging 

Dual Credit folks (only!), we are excited to finally include your ENGL 1302 assignments in the 2025-2026 Assessment process.  In order to do that, we need you to tag your Spring 2025 ENGL 1302 research papers before you leave for the summer.  (If you didn't teach a Dual-Credit ENGL 1302 this semester, you do not tag anything) 

To make this process successful, please make sure you complete the following by the last day of spring classes. 

• • Have your students submit this one ENGL 1302 paper through Blackboard, in a slot set up as an ASSIGNMENT.

  • Include your PROMPT with the assignment, either as part of the text or as a PDF attachment.

  • Appropriately TAG your assignment so we can include your section(s) in the sample.

To help you with this process, we have several resources. 

1.    Adding an Assignment to Blackboard

2.    Tagging Student Work  (which explains which three tags you need to put on each assignment)

3.    Walking Students Through Submission

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CLS Dos de Mayo End of Semester Meeting

On Friday, May 2 CLS held the End-of-Semester meeting.  If you missed it or want to review information, you can check out the recording below. 

Recording:  https://austincc.zoom.us/rec/share/rY7k5i1ZyujAhARAvU-VXly6-9zO4BxeepIO9Gfgg8M8jsKpcD4w2qVxanqgPkvw.BxVhOkGErXdm8vsv

Passcode: C3jJ$=XU

The Slideshow, Minutes, and Attendance: All are located In the  CLS Spring Shared Drive

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CLS Evaluation: Info Session on Submitting Assignments, May 16

Wondering which assignments to submit to the CLS Evaluation process?  Have questions about how those assignments are evaluated?  Join Amber Clontz for a 1-hour info session to learn about the requirements, see sample assignments, and ask questions!

When: Friday, May 16, 12pm-1pm 

Join Zoom: https://austincc.zoom.us/j/84604460518?pwd=Vsg0w6Ot8lNGWpt8bCayV1LoYWqJbq.1&jst=2 

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Vertical Alignment Symposium 2025, June 6

See flyer here

When: Friday, June 6, 9:00am - 12:00pm 

Where: ACC Rio Grande Campus, 1000 building, Multi-purpose Room (1103)

Who should attend?  All College and High School ELA Faculty!

Anyone who wants to collaborate with other faculty to improve student outcomes! Join us for an informative plenary discussion, select  presentations, and open conversation.

What will I learn?  

In addition to having exciting conversations with colleagues who want to see students succeed, presentation topics will include: Critical Reading and Thinking, Academic Rigor, Using and Reducing AI Reliance, and more!

How should I attend? Join us in person at the Rio Grande campus!

The event is free. Please register here so that we can prepare our raffle and FOOD! (Registration will be open until 5/29)

Questions? Ask Kari Conness or Brian Fonken.

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Listen to Eli Ryder in Conversation with Chris Gardner, May 13

Tuesday May 13 (TODAY!) at 4pm, Eli Ryder of the CLS and Creative Writing Department will join Chris Gardner on Bookmarked, a weekly radio show broadcast over the airwaves of 104.1 KZSM in San Marcos, TX and online everywhere else. The two will discuss Eli's fiction, horror as a genre, and the challenges and delights of mentoring writers. You can listen in through the website or download the KZSM app for iPhone or Android. 

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Mentoring: As Rewarding as Teaching, but without the Grading (and with Better Snacks)

Did you know only 13% of our faculty are signed up to mentor new colleagues? Are you really going to let that tiny group carry the load? We know you’ve got wisdom (and great ideas) to share, too! The best part? Mentoring has never been easier:

✅Blackboard support: done

✅A new welcome packet and orientation map with essential resources for new hires: no more scrambling to find resources

✅Comp I & II course shells: still available as Google Docs during migration to BB Ultra

Plus, mentoring counts as Peer Dialogue. So, you're not just helping a new colleague; you're checking off a Faculty Evaluation requirement. And yes, there’s a stipend💲too. So, what’s stopping you? Share what you’re great at. Sign up today!

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Field of Study for English: Texas Transfer Advisory, comment by May 31

The proposed Field of Study for English was approved by the Texas Transfer Advisory Committee (TTAC) and has been posted to the Texas Register for a 30-day comment period. You can access the posting here: https://texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com/rules-and-meetings?interface=VIEW_TEXAS_REGISTER_SUMMARY&recordId=449984

Comments can be submitted to ahacomments@highered.texas.gov.

Learn more about the goal of  the Texas Transfer Advisory and Field of Study Curriculum at Texas Direct Overview. Briefly, from that website: 

Texas Direct provides seamless transfer degree pathways between two- and four-year institutions.

Students who complete the Texas Core Curriculum and Field of Study at any public two-year institution automatically qualify to receive an associate degree – the Texas Direct Transfer Degree. They are also qualified to transfer their courses as a block applied directly to their selected major.

Two CLS literature courses didn't make the approved courses list--Mexican American Lit (ENGL2351) and World Lit 2 (ENGL2333). 

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Advocate for Mexican American Literature, May 31 deadline

Please advocate for Mexican American Literature by submitting comments to the proposed Field of Study Curriculum (FOSC) for English recently posted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (more details about FOSC above). The current draft excludes ENGL 2351: Mexican American Literature as a foundational course—and we need to speak up.

This is a critical moment to make our voices heard. Mexican American Literature is essential to the study of English in Texas. It reflects the histories, identities, and voices of our communities, especially in a state where nearly 40% of the population is Hispanic and many of our students come from Mexican American backgrounds.

This exclusion is a missed opportunity to create a more representative, rigorous, and culturally responsive curriculum. Including this course supports student engagement, retention, and success, not to mention academic integrity.

How to Help: Send a short email to ahacomments@highered.texas.gov by May 31, 2025.  Here's a suggested email script: Template: ENGL2351 comments to TTAC.  Feel free to adapt or personalize this script. 

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All Things CLS Faculty Evaluation

New Faculty Evaluation Process

The faculty evaluation process has changed for the entire college, and the CLS Faculty Evaluation Committee has been working hard to make sure that CLS is prepared.  The video Annual Evaluation Materials for the Faculty Evaluation Cycle offers an overview of the new college-wide evaluation process and how to use this document New Faculty Evaluation: Submission by Year.  

Faculty Evaluation, Spring 2025 To-do List 

These five tasks are required components for the Faculty Evaluation process. 

• Submit your Syllabi for Spring 2025 to the Academic Year 2024-25 Collection by week two of your class session.   

• Check the CLS Due List to see if you need to complete supplemental evaluation materials for Spring 25. Then submit to Supplemental Evaluation Materials . Materials due May 30 2025.  

• Finish your ACC Mandatory Training and self-report on the Academic Year 2024-25 Collection by May 30, 2025.

• Complete your Administrative Duties (Syllabi and Office hours on Lighthouse!) by week two of your class session. 

• Submit your Faculty Reflection Form for Spring 2025 classes to the Academic Year 2024-25 Collection form by June 13, 2025

Evaluation Committee 1-hour Info Sessions 

Syllabus Workshop - April 4

Slides: Syllabus Workshop Slides

Recording: https://austincc.zoom.us/rec/share/4_EfrYTH3MnRuyClFs6eAsurA5IxfSJiUWeMLoXQCd_L2MeQTjq8jaPO7GTUvpY2.u5ojtJlxq-9Rj_Pd

Passcode: kBn=4B*4 

Faculty Reflection Forms - April 18 

Recording: https://austincc.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=45f3d76d-b8a9-4e72-9677-b2c5015d37cc 

Dual Credit Faculty Evaluation Info Session - April 22

Slides: Let's Talk About the CLS Faculty Evaluation

Clarification: Mandatory Training in Workday

Many people received auto-generated emails from Workday about mandatory training.  The bottom line: You are compliant with the CLS Department if you have

1) completed all of your mandatory trainings between Nov 1, 2024 and May 30, 2025

AND 

2) RECORDED the completion dates on the Academic Year 2024-25 Collection Form

If you've done that, ignore the emails from the college.  If you have not done that, please get your trainings done by May 30 and then self-report on the  ACADEMIC YEAR 2024-25 COLLECTION FORM

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Please Promote: Encourage Students to complete CCSSE

ACC is participating in the Community College Survey of Student Engagement and needs your help promoting the survey in your classrooms and Blackboard announcements.  

Please encourage students to check their ACC email for "Survey of Student Engagement" and complete the 10 minute survey for a chance to win one of ten $50 Amazon gift cards. 

See VC Gaye Lynn's email from Wednesday May 7 for a drafted BB announcement to share with students. 

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Please Promote: Fall '25 Honors CLS classes

Do you have curious, highly motivated students you think would do well in an Honors CLS course? Please let them know about our available Fall '25 courses! Below are the course titles, and you can take a look at the course profile page for more in-depth descriptions. 

• English Composition I: Pop Culture (ENGL 1301, 700), HLC, MW 1:30-2:50 pm, Brinda Roy

• English Composition II: Texas Writers (ENGL 1302, 701), Joe O’Connell

• British Literature 18th c. to the Present: Gothic Literature (ENGL 2323, 700), RGC, MW 10:30-11:50 am, Melissa Holton 

• American Literature Civil War to Present: Sunrise in the Americas: Contemporary Indigenous Arts & Activism  (ENGL 2328, 701), Hyflex, CYP TTh 10:30-11:50 am, Heidi Juel 

• American Literature Civil War to Present: American Apocalypse: Wrecking and Rebuilding (ENGL 2328, 700), HLC, MW 1:30-2:50 pm, Anne-Marie Thomas

We also offer Honors courses in 17 other disciplines. If you have potential Honors students this semester who might be intimidated by the prospect of taking Honors courses, please give them a little nudge in our direction and encourage them to fill out an application. Alternatively, consider sharing our TLED-produced student impact video with your classes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPMmfxvpOoA.   

Please contact athomas2@austincc.edu with questions.

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Summer Book Club!  📖

Y'all, it's Novel Reading Season at last! We did it. We really did it.  

In the summer we read a novel, because frankly, who's gonna stop us? 

As usual, we will gather at Easy Tiger by the Highland Campus to discuss at a date to be determined. 

You are encouraged to sign up for our non-binding interest list to keep receiving emails or propose a text if/when you feel the urge. 

Two Reminders: 

1. We are an open group. The invites go out to CLS, but you can always bring a +1 or forward this to interested parties. 

2. Book Club will be paired with a book swap. Bring a book or books you are willing to part with, and let's spread some stories around. 

Happy reading, readers. Hope to see you there!

Further details and Book Club historical notes here

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Job Opportunity: OnRamps with UT, Apply by July 1

Check out position details or apply: OnRamps Rhetoric Position

Email jaime.babcock@austin.utexas.edu for more information about the position. 

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Please Promote: Volunteer with Harry Ransom Center, Apply by June 20

The Harry Ransom Center is seeking volunteers to engage the public with an internationally renowned humanities archive, museum, and research library.  Student, staff, and community members are encouraged to apply.  Check out volunteer opportunities or apply at https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/volunteer/.  

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Accessibility in Blackboard Courses

Moving forward, ACC and CLS want faculty to aim for a BB Accessibility score of 80% or higher. 

Resources for checking and fixing BB Accessibility in your courses:

Please check your BB accessibility score at the beginning of the spring 2025 semester and as you add new items to your courses throughout the semester.  Dean Toño Ramirez made this brief, helpful video to demo Accessibility Reports. If you need help fixing the accessibility of your Blackboard courses, you have resources!   

• Instructional design support is currently offering Workshop Sessions on Enhancing Accessibility. You can learn more or register here: DE Accessibility Training.  

• TLED has great resources on its Accessibility information page. 

• Within CLS, we are fortunate to have Amber Clontz helping folks get their Bb documents ADA reader-friendly at her Blackboard Q & A Office Hour on Fridays--see the Information further down the newsletter for how those office hours work!

• Trent Griggs shared the following materials related to the ADA Blackboard Compliance Training during a presentation at the CCCs:

Distance and Alternative Learning Website 

Accessibility Quick Guide

Blackboard Accessibility Orientation

Common Errors

Examples of Reasonable Accommodations

How to use Blackboard Ally

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Blackboard Ultra is HERE for Summer 25

Blackboard Ultra Conversion is here for the Summer 25 semester! Remember that the changes to Blackboard are fairly substantial and will probably require you to rethink your Blackboard course set-up.  If you haven't had a chance to get to a training, consider signing up for one of the virtual sessions at the end of May. This may be your best option to receive last-minute, hands-on assistance during the intersession.   

(1) Current training options (each session offers four PD hours):

• Using Blackboard Ultra (Virtual): [Sign up here]  (several seats left for session May 24 and May 30)

(2) BB Ultra Call-in Support Line via Anthology 

• Call 866-992-5190 with general BB Ultra questions (anything ACC-specific should be directed to an ACC Instructional Designer)

• Available April 2025 - December 2025 

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Blackboard Q & A, Fridays 3 PM-4 PM

Need help setting up your Blackboard page?  Have a quick question about a Blackboard function?

Email Amber Clontz for the Zoom invite; she's hosting regularly on Fridays 3-4 PM. 

• Can’t make the day/time? Send your availability to request an alternative :) 

Brought to you by the Textbooks & Technology Committee 📚🪱💻

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Please Promote: Online Writing Tutor

From Becky Villarreal

Becky Villarreal, ACC English instructor and LELA tutor, assists students with papers via email. They can email her directly at bvillarr@austincc.edu (with their papers in a DOC file and their instructor's directions) or click here to fill out a form. Email Becky if you have questions, or check out her website.

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CLS Profile 2024-2025--Faculty Contributions

Please send us contributions for our next CLS Profile (2024-25).  We'd love to see a picture of you and/or your students, including selfies with students and photos with colleagues at conferences--especially CLS activities (Don't forget to get signed photo permission forms from students)! Aside from photos, we are looking for contributions in as many categories as apply to you; you can also nominate a colleague's reading(s) or assignment(s)!  Keep details concrete and short. The first CLS Profile was a BIG SUCCESS! And we'd love to hear from loads and loads of our faculty for next years' profile! (Also, we'll ask for contributions through the first part of the Spring Term. This form will stay open--and feel free to share things as they come up.

Share your AWESOMENESS Here: Faculty Contributions for 2025 CLS Profile

Holler at Wendy Elle, Luanne Preston, or Dania Dwyer if you have questions or thoughts!