September 22, 2023
Dear all,
We’re really in full swing now, and it’s exciting. Every day there are more events than I have time to attend, and I know that’s true for you too. Today’s message will include information about events to come, and events that have passed. Sometimes it’s frustrating not to be able to go to everything, and at the same time, knowing that there is more going on than you could possibly keep up with is just really exciting. (Some people, like me, love cities because you can always hear the sounds of other human lives. This campus is like that – the constant hum of activity and of hundreds of people all totally absorbed in what they’re doing).
Upcoming events
I strongly recommend attending the Faculty Assembly meeting on Tuesday, September 26th at 3:30. The Provost will be in conversation with the Assembly about the Computing, Data, Applied Sciences (and Physics) initiative. [I will be on jury duty in DC that day, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see me. I only mention this in case you wonder why I encouraged you all to go when I wasn’t planning on going myself. I will be there if I can be.]
It’s always interesting to know what’s going on with the Board of Visitors. You can find the schedule of their next meeting on Thursday and Friday, September 28th and 29th, here. Check out the pre-reads (linked in the schedule) and remember that unless a meeting goes into closed or executive session, BOV meetings are open to all.
Updates
The Council of Arts & Sciences, A&S’s philanthropic advisory group, is in town today and tomorrow. I really value their advice, support and generosity, and I am looking forward to spending time with them tomorrow morning.
Work on the Future of Arts & Sciences conversation continues. We are consulting with CCPD on how to develop an inclusive and effective process to gather feedback, share ideas and work together towards our shared vision and goals. I want to be deliberate about this so that we get it right, so bear with me while I figure it out.
On the theme of events, last week saw the opening reception and artist’s talk by W&M’s own Christopher Wagner, an exhibition of whose carvings, Whittled Down, can be seen in Andrews Gallery until September 29th.
And speaking of the arts, if you want to see all upcoming arts events, visit our new calendar of the Arts at W&M.
Right before I started writing this message, I was at Sci-Fri, a science open house for the W&M and Williamsburg communities. Kudos to Tyler Meldrum and many others for their work on this event, which was an amazing success in spite of the looming presence of Ophelia. Little kids (and taller versions of little kids) were squashing strawberries, touching slimy things in tanks, stroking plants to make their leaves curl up, and watching liquids change from amber to blue to clear just by being oscillated. Plus there were the cutest tadpoles you’ve ever seen, but you’ll have to go below the line to see those if you didn’t make it to Sci Fri.
Our Inclusive Excellence focus this year will be on Goal 1, Objectives 2, 3, and 4, Access and Success, which aim “to increase the diversity of W&M's undergraduate, graduate/professional student body, faculty and staff to deepen our skills and talents.” Why don’t you open the link right now and think about ways you can contribute?
OK, now for the tadpoles. If you dare, of course.
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These tadpoles have brains that sit right next to their conveniently transparent skin, beady black eyes, and little round stomachs (just like me). I saw them in Jen Bestman’s lab at Sci-Fri and they look like this:
Like I said, they look just like me.
It turns out that some of you like the British focus of the below the line area. I bet you think of yourselves as Anglophiles. Well, let’s see if you like this:
No, this is not something from Jen’s lab, it’s jellied eels, a London delicacy.
Or do you like this?
No, I didn’t think so. Be careful what you wish for.
Have a fantastic weekend, everyone, and stay dry. Ophelia wants to rain on you. “Too much of water has thou, poor Ophelia, | And therefore I forbid my tears” (Hamlet, IV, vii). No more tears, for now.
Suzanne
Suzanne Raitt
Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences
Chancellor Professor of English
Pronouns: she/her/hers
