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Hello friends,

Though it’s been a short week (has it?), we managed to pack in lots of quality time, including our first Faculty of Arts & Sciences meeting of the semester, followed by our kickoff celebration. My request for temperate weather was evidently received and granted because it was a beautiful day to spend some time together, to talk, laugh, eat delicious food and enjoy each other’s company.

I have a few items for your attention this week, though I think you will find this message pleasantly brief.

• R1 Designation - As many may be aware, the American Council on Education (ACE) announced in November 2023 that it would be making changes to its methodology for the current designations, particularly the R1 designation. They collected feedback through early 2024 and subsequently announced the 2025 research designations. There are now two objective measures for R1 designation: total research & development spending (greater than $50M, which we far exceed) and total doctoral degrees awarded (greater than 70, and here we are right on the edge). Both are assessed over a 3-year average. For context, prior R1 averages included R&D expenditures of $491M and 358 doctoral degrees awarded.
  
  Based on the new criteria from years ’20-’21, ’21-’22, and ’22-’23, W&M is almost certain to be reclassified as R1 in 2025. This is not a change that W&M actively sought, but rather a result of changes which simplify the criteria and seek to "better capture the dynamic and complex missions of today’s higher education institutions." This potential change presents a significant opportunity for positive impact at W&M.
  
  It’s also important to note that we are seeing a downward trend in our doctoral degrees conferred and without coordination and some increase in degrees conferred in this and upcoming academic years, we are at risk of moving back down to R2 in 2030. University-wide discussions will continue to unfold throughout this academic year and beyond. I encourage you to stay informed and up to date on news from ACE and any information shared by university leadership. I will also work to keep you updated as I learn more about our next steps. For more information on the new classification criteria and institutions that will likely move into the R1 category, please see this article by Frances Diep in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Nov. 1, 2023.
• Scholarly Perspectives: Spring 2025 Series on Arts & Democracy + COLL 300 theme: Rich Lowry (rslowr@wm.edu) is convening a committee to develop a Spring 2025 Scholarly Perspectives Series on Arts & Democracy following the template we used last spring for our series on the Middle East with the Reves Center. We are planning on hosting four visitors whose work fits the "arts & democracy" theme. This theme will also serve a COLL 300 cluster of courses and be the organizing principle behind our (revived) COLL Spring festival.  We have already confirmed Guatemalan photographer Daniel Hernandez Salazar as our keynote. He will join us on campus the week of April 7, 2025. In addition to Daniel, we are planning for three additional visitors whose artistic practice aims to impact democratic processes. Please consider identifying Spring 2025 courses that could fit this COLL 300 theme; we also anticipate that other offerings, especially COLL 350 courses, might benefit from integrating these visits in programs of study. Please reach out to Rich Lowry if you would like to recommend a visitor for consideration by the planning committee.
• Blackboard Ultra: I want to thank all of you who have negotiated the transition to Blackboard Ultra with good humor and grace - and also to extend my thanks to IT, and especially to Kristy Walker and her team, for the excellent forward planning and training programs they have offered to support us in our work. 73% of faculty transitioned their courses over from Blackboard to Blackboard Ultra over the summer. The remaining 27% either don't use Blackboard, or built entirely new courses in Blackboard Ultra. With all its challenges, the transition was a success and I hope you are finding the new format satisfactory and enjoying the additional functionalities it offers.
• Search Authorizations: I had some kind of brain aberration when I complied the currently authorized searches for the message I sent out this morning. We also authorized a Teaching Faculty member in Neuroscience. Those of you in Neuroscience who are currently panicking, rest assured: it was a neurological malfunction on the part of your Dean and not a rescinding of the authorization.
• Retirement Incentive Programs: Thanks to those of you who have reached out to me for additional information. This is an initiative coming out of the Provost's Office and I don't always have the latest update. The cash incentive program - not yet approved by the Governor and currently under review in his office - may  end up having some tweaks from the version I shared out that was presented to the BOV in April 2024. Pam Eddy, Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs & Development, is the point person on this and I am deeply grateful to her for all the hard work she is putting in. Stay tuned for an announcement from the Provost's office, but don't hold your breath. We are dependent on forces outside the university for timing.
• Campaign Priorities: Planning is underway for the next William & Mary campaign. We will be working to gather input and ideas from across A&S to broadly identify our areas of campaign focus. This is a long-term project that will require us to think together about the big picture and future trajectory of A&S. It will also include many opportunities for involvement, so watch for more information to come.
  
  
• New FY25 Per Diem Rates for Williamsburg – To the sound, I’m sure, of much rejoicing, I remind you that the Travel Office shared this week that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) rates for 2024 are now available. Effective October 1:  breakfast is increasing from $14 to $20; lunch is increasing from $16 to $22; and dinner is increasing from $29 to $33.

I spent the weekend camping on (in?) Gloucester Point, which was phenomenal. I promise I will not make a habit of sharing my holiday snaps with you, because that way madness and tedium lie for all involved. However, I did see two comical signs  - one was sighted from a kayak and the other from a car. I share them with you below. I hasten to add that comical signs show up everywhere - this is not a Gloucester thing. It's a human thing. 

It was so tempting to dive and see what a fish attractor looks like, but I know one of you knows and will tell me.

This is a photo of an extremely friendly road.

Have a great weekend,

Suzanne

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