On-Going Orientation Sessions

The energy, experiences, and ideas that new faculty bring are vital for Gustavus. Making the transition, however, from a faculty or graduate student position at another institution, can sometimes be challenging. In order to assist faculty new to the college in making this transition, the Kendall Center sponsors a series of orientation sessions throughout the academic year.

2014-2015 Orientation Sessions

All Sessions are Thursdays from 12:30 - 1:20 p.m.
Free lunch at the Buffet and then meet in the St Peter Room

All new faculty members are expected to attend orientation sessions throughout the academic year. Department chairs are asked not to schedule classes for new faculty during this time. Each session has a discussion topic and one or more faculty facilitator, to provide an opportunity to share information about the issues of primary importance to new faculty.

September 9, 2014    (Heritage Room)
Checking‐in session – checking‐in sessions provide an open‐ended opportunity for new faculty to get to know each other, share their experiences, and have their questions answered in a supportive environment.
Presenter: Paul Saulnier

September 18, 2014          
Facilitating classroom discussion – a session on effective methods of engaging students in large and small group discussions.
Presenter: Lori Carson-Kelly

October 16, 2014 (President's Dining Room)
Grading rubrics and policies – a session on grading student assignments.  A variety of assignment types are discussed.
Presenter: Kate Knutson

October 30, 2014
Keeping students engaged – a session on overcoming the mid‐semester doldrums experienced in many classrooms.
Presenter: Alisa Rosenthal

November 13, 2014
What’s a liberal arts curriculum all about?  Plus, an overview of the Gustavus curriculum and the Gustavus Writing across the Curriculum program.
Presenter: Steve Mellema and Deborah Goodwin

November 20, 2014
Course evaluations – a discussion of effective methods for evaluating teaching.
Presenter: Paul Saulnier

December 9, 2014
Becoming involved with interdisciplinary programs (joint with Teachers Talking) – a discussion of interdisciplinary programs at Gustavus.
Presenter: Arranged by Teachers Talking

January 15, 2015 (non TT only)            
Maximizing the benefit of a visiting position (non‐tenure track only) – a discussion of strategies for making the most of a visiting position in the furthering of one’s career.
Presenter: Mary Gaebler and Matt Panciera

January 29, 2015 (TT only) 
Tenure review process at Gustavus (tenure‐track only) – an overview of the tenure review procedure at Gustavus.
Presenter: Jon Grinnell

February 12, 2015 (TT only)
Applying for internal and external grants (tenure‐track only) – a session on how to apply for the full range of internal and external grant opportunities.
Presenter:  Representative of the Faculty Development Committee (Rob Kendrick) and Bob Weisenfeld, Office of Government Grants and Sponsored Programs.

February 19, 2015
Checking-in – Paul Saulnier

March 5, 2015
Academic advising at Gustavus – a discussion of how to be an effective academic advisor.
Presenter: Margo Druschel and Jane Lalim, Academic Support Center

March 19, 2015       
Gustavus committee structure and shared governance – a discussion of the committee structure at Gustavus and how to become involved.   What does each of the committees do anyway?
Presenter: Michele Koomen, Vice-Chair of the Faculty Senate

April 16, 2015          
Gustavus its Mission and Heritage – this session explores the mission of Gustavus and its unique place in higher education.  Topics include Gustavus as a liberal arts college, Lutheran higher education and Gustavus’s connection to the Lutheran (ELCA) church, and its Swedish immigrant roots.
Presenters:  Will Freiert, Glenn Kranking, and Marcia Bunge

April 22, 2015  New faculty mentor/mentee social (tenure‐track only) – a social for new tenure‐track faculty and their mentors. New faculty (and their mentors) from the past two years are also invited.
Presenter: None

May 7, 2015
Year in review and wrapping up the year – final session of the year where any outstanding questions are answered and faculty feedback about the new faculty orientation program is gathered.
Presenter: Paul Saulnier

The New Faculty Programming Faculty Associate for 2014-2015 is Paul Saulnier.

2013-2014 Orientation Sessions
2012-2013 Orientation Sessions
2011-2012 Orientation Sessions
2010-2011 Orientation Session
2009-2010 Orientation Sessions
2008-2009 Orientation Sessions
2007-2008 Orientation Sessions