Final Grades Due Dec. 20: Academic Updates and Holiday Wishes

To All Faculty Teaching Fall 2024 Undergraduate Courses:
 
Today is the last day of final exams, and I want to thank you all for a successful semester. As you complete your grading and prepare to enjoy a well-deserved break, I would like to reiterate the following academic procedures and expectations. 

Your compliance and adherence are required, and also very much appreciated, as students are eager to receive feedback on their work. These steps are also necessary to complete your administrative obligations to the university. Please abide by the deadline below so that we may successfully complete the semester.

  • Final grades are due in SIS by 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, at the latest. Meeting this deadline is a requirement of your professional duties. 
  • Reconsider incompletes. While occasionally appropriate to support a student, “incompletes” should be used in accordance with academic policies as set forth in the General Bulletin. An incomplete is only appropriate for a student who has completed the majority of the work in a course. Faculty can determine their own deadline for students to complete missing work, as long as it is before Friday, March 28. Some students may need earlier deadlines due to degree certification or academic standing review. 

As we prepare for the new year, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your dedication and hard work throughout the year. Each of you has contributed to the success of our institution, the future of our students, and the impact that education has on others. 

This year, we have made great strides in expanding our faculty and bringing in more talented educators and researchers than ever before. We have focused on building a culture of civility, promoting open dialogue, respect, and listening. We are also working to lead in integrating artificial intelligence into education, positioning ourselves to shape the future of learning and innovation.

As we prepare for the new year, I am excited about the opportunities ahead and confident that together, we will achieve even greater things.

The holiday season is a time to rest and recharge. I hope you will take this opportunity to enjoy time with loved ones, reflect on the year, and return with hope for the year ahead. From my family to yours, I wish you all a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, peace, and good health.

Sincerely,

Joy K. Ward
Provost and Executive Vice President