| The Delta COVID wave seems to have crested in our community, allowing us to redirect our reactionary energy into regrouping and recovering. I’d like to seize this moment to reflect with you while the experience is still fresh in your mind. What have we learned about our students, our college procedures, and ourselves since March 2019 that can inform our future? What worked and should continue as we craft our “our new normal”? What should not? This transitional time is an unprecedented opportunity to grow and adapt as a college rather than defaulting back to our previous patterns and thought processes. I invite you to take a moment to brainstorm and share your thoughts with me in this week’s poll. As always, until next time, stay safe!~SamanthaSamantha Croft, Ph.D.[email protected] The Standard Poll of the Week What changes should we make in our new normal? Click here to vote! Newsworthy InformationTuition Reimbursement applications are openThe Tuition Reimbursement plan (part of the Education Advancement Program) is currently accepting applications from any staffing-table employee and Adjunct faculty member (with at least 3 years of longevity/service at ACC) looking for funding for their bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree at an accredited institution. The plan helps employees looking to further their education with up to $3,000 tuition reimbursement funding annually. This application period runs through November 7. Those employees eligible for funding will be contacted by Human Resources by November 12. So, whether you’re in school or thinking about it, give yourself the opportunity to receive funding for your educational and career growth. Questions can be sent to Cameron Keel, [email protected]. Click here for more information.Are you looking for an interactive whiteboard tool?TLED’s Office of Academic Technology invites you to apply to participate in our Spring 2022 pilot of Miro, an interactive whiteboard tool used for real-time, visual collaboration. We are seeking 5-7 faculty who will be provided with free access to the premium version of Miro for themselves and their students that can be used for collaborative whiteboard activities as a way of increasing student engagement. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 12, 2021.Miro is hosting an online demo for ACC faculty and staff on Thursday, November 4, 202. Zoom Link: https://miro.zoom.us/j/91478778634 ACC Austin Studio Tours Join ACC Arts and Digital Media at Austin Community College Highland Campus for tours of our brand new state-of-the-art facilities, including Dance, Drama, Radio Television Film, Music, Music Business & Performance Technology, Art, Jewelry, Photography, Creative Writing, & two Art Gallery Exhibitions on November 6th, 7th, 13th, or 14th. Live performances & studio demos will take place, and we will have information on our programs and how to register for classes. *** Masks are required at this event.***Click here for more information, our full schedule, and virtual tours.Volunteers are needed! Sign-up here. The Faculty Senate wants to hear from you!Email us any topics you would like discussed at a Faculty Senate meeting by clicking on the Contact Us! button at the bottom of this newsletter.The minutes from the October 8th Faculty Senate meeting can be found here. Available OpportunitiesPACS interviews about conflicts at ACCHave you ever found yourself in conflict with someone at ACC? Did you address the conflict through formal or informal resolution processes? How did you feel about the process? Where do things stand now? How do you feel about the conflict today? The Center for Peace & Conflict Studies (PACS) is working with students in PSYC 2389: Internship in Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding to collect data about conflicts at ACC. Specifically, we are looking to interview students, faculty, and staff about conflicts in which at least one of the parties was a student. Additionally, If you have been asked to resolve a conflict in which at least one of the parties was a student, we would also like to speak with you.Information can be found by clicking here. In Case You Missed It ACC Online Live Proctoring is now DE Proctoring Effective Fall 2021, responsibility for asynchronous online live proctoring was transferred to the Office of Distance Education, which has become DE Proctoring. Detailed information and hours can be found here. Are you curious about the ongoing Provost Search?Information about the process, timeline, and current updates can be found online at the ACC Provost Search website. https://www.austincc.edu/provost-search The FacStaff InfoHub is your source for the latest ACC news. College COVID-19 Updates: austincc.edu/coronavirus Visit the Faculty Senate Website: austincc.edu/facultysenate |