Dec 12, 2008

Dear adjunct faculty,

Season’s greetings and a happy end-of-semester to all of you! Here are a few last minute reminders and updates as the semester comes to a close:

· Everyone is invited to the holiday luncheon on Dec 19 at noon! Contact Lisa Albert in HR (268-3701) if you’d like to bring an item for the potluck. The holiday luncheon is a fun event to attend and I encourage you to join us for some holiday cheer/celebration of the end of fall semester.

· The D2L kickoff event on Dec 5 was a success! I would like to extend a huge thank you to all of you who took the time to attend. 40+ faculty and staff attended the event! The switch to D2L is creating an exciting buzz around campus, with many who are enthusiastic and eager to get working in it. The Distance Learning Office will be sending out updates on professional development opportunities in relation to D2L very soon. The plan is to have sessions offered in several formats: days, evenings and online to meet your needs. Attendees will receive a certificate for each session completed. The sessions are free and all are encouraged to attend! D2L is going to be fantastic! If you haven’t seen it yet, you are in for a treat!

· An Adjunct Survey will be coming out very soon. The survey will be a series of brief questions designed to help me better understand the needs of our large group of adjunct faculty.  I encourage you to watch for this and to complete it. The survey will be anonymous and will be available through the start of spring semester.

· Adjunct orientations, for those teaching with us spring semester 2009, will be held early to mid-January. Tentative dates/times for face-to-face sessions for returning adjunct faculty are:

Jan 8 12:00 – 1:00 pm G45
Jan 12 6:00pm- 7:00 pm B135

The dates and times will be firmed up as the Faculty Orientation and Advising schedule is finalized. Completing the orientation is required for all adjunct faculty teaching spring semester. For those unable to make it to campus, the orientation will be available online from the adjunct webpage. More information on the orientations will be sent in late December. If you have any questions, please let me know.

· Thank you to all who have returned their Letters of Appointment for semester spring 2009 in a timely manner! The change in timing has been a success!

· Grades are due no later than Dec 22 by 5:00 pm. It is very important to submit your grades on time, or students risk not receiving a grade! Students have been promised that they will receive their grades by December 25 and late grades will not be accepted by the Registrar’s Office this semester. Dena Wagner-Fossen and Tom Degel will be working late on Dec 24 to make sure this happens. Please do your part by getting grades in on time so they can make it home to be with their families that evening.

· Please remember to check your email accounts regularly. Important information comes through your email accounts at a pretty steady pace. If you have any questions about information that comes to you via email please let me know. I’m happy to answer any questions you have or refer you to someone who has the answers. ;-)

· The code to the adjunct office in R272 changed several weeks ago. The information was sent out via email. (This codes will not be posted with the newsletter on the adjunct webpage. If you need the code, please contact me or your Division’s administrative assistant). If you can think of anything to add to the adjunct offices, please let me know. I am working to make that space comfortable for you and am open to suggestions and ideas.

Thank you for all you do for MSU – Great Falls! Wishing you the best during this holiday season and during finals week,

Kim Schrenk
Director of Adjunct Instruction
MSU – Great Falls College of Technology
406-771-4422
kschrenk@msugf.edu