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Dear A&S colleagues,

We’ve very nearly made it to the end of the semester and next week we are on break! A final (and probably unnecessary) reminder that while classes continue through Monday and Tuesday, they must be held remotely.

I have been reflecting on what I’m most grateful for, and though my mind went immediately to the fact that I am thankful for the upcoming break, there are other, less selfish things that I am also grateful for. The list is long, but a constant is that I am aware every day of just how fortunate I am to be part of the W&M community and to lead Arts & Sciences. You all make this work incredibly rewarding, and I am grateful every day for you, and for this work we get to do together.

I have a few brief but important updates for you this week, as well as several updates from the November Board of Visitors meeting, which took place this week on campus.

• Welcoming the next Vice Dean for Research & Graduate Studies: As I hope you’ve seen by now, today we announced that Audrey Horning has accepted the position, effective January 1. You can read the full announcement here, but I’d like to again share my gratitude to Chris Carone, current vice dean, for his exceptional service in this role, to the extremely strong internal candidates, and to the search committee, chaired by Peter McHenry, for their dedicated work. I am thrilled Audrey will be joining our team and look forward to her supporting her leadership of graduate studies and research across A&S. 
• December 3 reception for retiring faculty: What better way to celebrate our mid-year retiring faculty members than with a wine and cheese reception? Join us on December 3 from 5-7 p.m. (immediately following the Faculty of Arts & Sciences meeting) to close out the year and send our retiring colleagues off in a cloud of celebration, well-wishes and gratitude for all they contribute to the A&S community.
• The A&S Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is pleased to sponsor up to three faculty attendees to the Faculty Women of Color in the Academy National Conference taking place in Arlington, VA, April 10-13, 2025. If you are interested in attending, please complete this interest form no later than Friday, January 3, 2025.
• Planned pauses: Note that President Rowe has approved planned pauses for the university December 18, 2024 – December 20, 2024, and January 6, 2025 – January 10, 2025. Though we understand that some mission-critical work activities must continue, during these planned pauses, please avoid scheduling non-critical meetings to help give everyone an opportunity to recharge. Below is information excerpted from the message sent to staff and faculty from Tawanda Johnson, Chief Human Resources Officer:
  • During these planned pauses, I encourage you to work with your supervisors to take time off using your annual leave or paid time-off benefits. Additionally, we ask that only mission-critical meetings be scheduled during this period.  We understand certain roles and teams at the university are unable to pause during these dates as it is a busy time for some in our community, please work with your supervisor to determine what is possible and when there may be a separate pause for your team at a later date.
• Updates from November, 2024 Board of Visitors meeting: Three issues of note from your eyes and ears at the Board meeting (aka me and other members of the Dean team).
  • The Board approved the creation of a Data Science Department in the School of Computing, Data Sciences and Physics. Congratulations to our colleagues in Data Science!
  • They also approved all the proposed revisions to the Faculty Handbook. You can see a redlined version of the document on the BOV website under the listing for the Academic Affairs Committee in the agenda for the November 2024 meeting.
  • Finally, the Board approves graduate tuition increases annually at the November meeting. No tuition increases were proposed for any A&S graduate programs.

Autumn in the UK:

Fall in the US:

But both are beautiful. And if you aren't convinced, here are some lines from English Romantic poet John Keats, published in 1820:

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with applies the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core.....

Now do you believe me?

Have a great break, everyone.

Suzanne

Suzanne Raitt
Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Chancellor Professor of English
Pronouns: she/her/hers