Invitation to Listening Session with Academic Affairs

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to invite you to a listening session with me and my team to inform our thinking about the upcoming academic year. Specifically, I want to check in with you to see how you are doing and understand what you will need to be supported this year.

The Academic Affairs team has heard from a number of faculty regarding the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 related closures on parents of young children, faculty who are caregivers and female faculty members—particularly with regard to time for research. We now seek to gather additional input regarding the scope of the challenges locally and how faculty are feeling its impact. Accordingly, you are invited to participate in an online listening session to provide input and suggestions for potential approaches to mitigating concerns, including issues pertaining to tenure, promotion and annual reviews for the current academic year and for the duration of the pandemic.

These listening sessions are scheduled for:

• Thursday, Aug. 6, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 7, 4–5:15 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 14, 3-4:15 p.m.

Please keep an eye out for more details, including the link you will need to participate.

I know that it has been a rough year, and it is clear that we will continue to face the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other uncertainties.

You are serving the University in countless and significant ways in matters of curriculum development, mentoring students, mentoring junior faculty, research contributions, promotion and tenure, University Senate, faculty hiring, and representing the University to the national and international research community. You demonstrate leadership year-round that deserves our recognition and gratitude.

I care about your success at Syracuse University and, along with my team, want to listen and have our thinking informed by your ideas and concerns. I hope you can join us.

Sincerely,

John Liu
Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost