A winter wanderer takes a break at the waterway by Beaujolais Village. (Photo by Linnea Mullins)
Next Week's Spring Convocation
Focuses on Strategic Plan
Following on the success of last year's Spring Convocation, the Chair of the Faculty welcomes the entire University community to a stimulating conversation about the University Strategic Plan from 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25 in the Commons. Short remarks about the plan will be given and then Convocation participants will meet in small groups to discuss the goals and strategic initiatives to provide feedback to the University Strategic Planning Committee. Refreshments are planned from 8:30 to 9 a.m. The program begins at 9 a.m. The plan to date is located at Strategic Plan. Convocation information can be found online at Spring Convocation.
Faculty Retreat Follows Convocation
How does the faculty achieve the mission of SSU through the curriculum and pedagogy? Is there agreement among the faculty about how to do this, or even what outcomes are implied by the SSU mission statement? Can a consensus approach be found in the curriculum and pedagogy that will achieve these outcomes? These and other questions are the primary focus of the 2007 Faculty Retreat following Convocation from 1-4 p.m. in the Commons. The Chair of the Faculty is planning a dynamic discussion on these questions using a variety of modes of inquiry and including students in the discussion. Ideally, she would like to have representatives from each department at the retreat to gauge whether any agreement already exists or how differing views can be synthesized. The retreat will begin with five minute vignettes from faculty about successful teaching moments (or not so successful ones that), something innovative to try, tips for keeping a large class engaged, student research activities, service learning opportunities, collaborative learning activities, or others. All faculty are welcome to attend. High tea will be served in the mid afternoon. Please RSVP to laurel.holmstrom@sonoma.edu. Information can be found online at Faculty Retreat.
