May 5, 2023
Summary
The last day of classes, and although it’s premature to breathe a sigh of relief, we can see the light. That bell is really loud. I have been musing on the transition from impermanent to permanent state for all matter, not just Dean-related matter, but I’ll save that for those of you who are bold (or bored) enough to cross the line. Plus, after graduation, you will receive these messages less frequently than before – every two weeks, to be exact – but there are some Fridays when I’ll be on vacation and so you’ll be spared.
Full Description
Dear all,
The last day of classes, and although it’s premature to breathe a sigh of relief, we can see the light. That bell is really loud. I have been musing on the transition from impermanent to permanent state for all matter, not just Dean-related matter, but I’ll save that for those of you who are bold (or bored) enough to cross the line. Plus, after graduation, you will receive these messages less frequently than before – every two weeks, to be exact – but there are some Fridays when I’ll be on vacation and so you’ll be spared.
Updates:
Thanks to all who made One Tribe One Day a stunning success. I know many of you worked hard to reach out to alumni, students and friends – and some of you gave yourselves, which we much appreciate. (It’s not that I know who you are, it’s just that I know you did). Here are a few numbers:
A&S won the challenge grant for most faculty and staff donors ($5k)
Total donors to A&S (all indexes): 1886 (compare to 1400 last year)
Total dollars donated to A&S (all indexes): $382,891
We are nearing the finishing line on searches. Thanks to everyone for their phenomenal work in recruiting an amazing group of new faculty. We had very few unsuccessful searches. Here are some numbers:
Of 29 TTE positions authorized, 20 TTE offers are signed.
5 TTE offers are in negotiation - 1 Letters of intent (LOI) extended, 3 of 4 verbal offers nearing LOI stage.
Of the 29 Term * positions authorized (Visiting & Lecturer), 19 term contracts are signed.
8 searches yet to be completed or negotiations finalized.
I can’t say that much has changed since I updated you all at the FAS meeting but here’s a very quick recap of my updates on that occasion for those of you who missed it
Teaching faculty framework: all placement notifications have gone out. Please let your Vice-Dean know within 15 calendar days of receipt if you have any concerns. We will issue all new contracts for current faculty by the end of June, if not earlier.
CDAS steering committee: still plugging away at the report. Over 540 people responded to our second survey – thank you!
Announcements/asks
Thank you in advance to everyone for getting your grades in on time. I know we’re all tired out from the semester and I am really proud of our record on timely submission. Looking forward to seeing that continue.
If you are able, please plan to attend Commencement. Faculty will be on the main stage this time and we want to show our students how proud we are of their accomplishments – which of course would have been impossible without us. Please also plan to attend your department/program ceremonies. It means a lot for our students to see us there.
It’s been a long semester and I think that might be enough from me. Cross the line if you dare.
So, reflecting this week on the transition from one state to another, I did some research on the transformation of matter. (I note here that though there is a chemist on the Dean team, he was not consulted during the writing of this message. All errors are my own.)
The transition from Acting to Long-term/Real Dean is analogous to the transition of substances from one phase to another. It can happen in six ways:
Melting. This is when something solid becomes liquid. I feel more solid than I did two weeks ago, so I don’t think that’s what happened.
Freezing. This is when something liquid becomes solid. It can also happen when a substance that can’t run away becomes very frightened. There might be a bit of this going on.
Evaporating. This is when something liquid becomes a gas. I do feel a certain internal and external dissipation of my substance, perhaps caused by lack of sleep.
Condensing. This is when a gas becomes a liquid. I am certainly drinking more coffee, so it might be this.
Sublimation. This is when a solid becomes a gas. That would mean I am getting smaller, which is actually slightly true, at least in terms of height – the shrinkage of extreme age.
Deposition. Here, a gas becomes a solid. Now, I finally understand the phrase I alluded to in a previous message. This is what has happened to the deposited students! Mystery solved.
Ok, that is definitely enough of that. Here’s your moment of visual Zen:
Have a great weekend!
Take care, Suzanne
Suzanne Raitt
Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Chancellor Professor of English
Pronouns: she/her/hers
