Dear adjunct faculty,

I hope you are having a successful semester! Leaves are starting to change color here in Great Falls and I am reminded of why this is my favorite season!

September’s newsletter brings a few changes, reminders, and even requests:

No financial aid reporting: The Financial Aid Office is no longer requiring instructor verification of attendance at the beginning of the semester. Please keep in mind that you should still take attendance as they will need the information for any failing students when grades are submitted (last day of attendance).

SENSE:  The SENSE survey will be conducted from Sept 20- Oct 10 in randomly selected classrooms. If this is planned for your classroom, you should have already been contacted by the person who is assigned to deliver the survey to your course(s). The SENSE provides our college with valuable information about what students experience and we appreciate your willingness to allow surveyors into your classrooms so that we may conduct this survey. I know this may cause you to rearrange your teaching plans and your flexibility is greatly appreciated.

Adjunct Advisory Committee: The first AAC meeting will be held on Oct 15 from 10:30- 11:30 in G107. If you are interested in attending please RSVP to Kim Schrenk no later than Oct 6, 2010. All adjuncts are welcome to attend. If you need to attend from a distance or can’t make it to campus, please indicate so when you RSVP and additional information on how to access the meeting will be sent to you.

Adjunct Feedback Surveys:  Adjunct feedback surveys will be sent out in October. The surveys will focus on ways in which you have been able to connect to and receive support from your division this semester. The surveys will be sent out per each division, so if you teach for more than one division and receive more than one survey, please respond to each survey. The surveys will be shorter than in previous years. Your responses on these surveys are very important and allow us to collect information on adjunct perceptions. We appreciate the time you take to complete them!

President Cruzado to visit campus: President Cruzado will be on campus for listening sessions regarding Dean Schaffer’s position on October 6. There is an open campus listening session from 10:30- 11:15 in B139. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Heather Palermo.

Adjunct Policy Changes:

The Adjunct Evaluation Period has been Extended: The timeline for adjunct faculty evaluations has moved from every other year, to every 3 years. Division Directors will be conducting most evaluations and may be contacting you to schedule an observation, if your evaluation is due.

Required Orientations: New adjunct faculty are required to complete the adjunct orientation. Returning adjunct faculty are no longer required to attend an orientation session each semester. Returning adjuncts are asked to please maintain contact with divisions. Support can also be found from my office, as always.

Interested in Some Publicity?

Are you interested in writing a short bit about your teaching experiences, to be featured in future adjunct newsletters (Adjunct Spotlight)? If so, please contact me!

Also- if you are interested in the opportunity to do a brief spot on the radio (KGPR) for College Corner; a short lecture or overview on your specific academic area or something that highlights what you do in the classroom at MSU – Great Falls, please let me know!

Have a great semester! As always, please feel free to stop by, call or email with questions or comments.

Sincerely,
Kim Schrenk
Director of Adjunct Instruction