A Note from the Provost

Colleagues, 

We are well into the fall semester, and I know these have been especially busy weeks across Academic Affairs. They have also been heavy ones for our university community. I am grateful for the care you continue to show our students and one another, even as you manage the many demands of the semester. 

This issue of Lakers Ready includes several important updates about work underway in Academic Affairs. I especially encourage you to take a few minutes to read about the opportunities to lend your voice to the Future Design Task Force work and faculty workload guidance to inform planning for 2027. 

Each of these efforts, in different ways, is about how we work together and plan thoughtfully for the future. Your engagement matters, and I hope you will take some time to review the information below. 

Thank you, as always, for all you do for our students, our colleagues, and Grand Valley. 

Jen 

Advancing Academic Affairs

The Future Design Task Force (FDTF), created to provide proposals for future designs of the Academic Affairs division, is entering a key input phase, and invites your participation.  

Faculty and Staff perspective is particularly important in the development of the FDTF recommendations to the Provost. The leadership of the group has already reached out to schedule conversations and input sessions with representative bodies including the University Academic Senate and other governance committees. They invite all colleagues in the Academic Affairs Division to participate in two ways:

The FDTF campus conversations will be guided sessions, and the facilitators plan to use these and other questions: 

By the end of the Fall semester, the Task Force will provide recommendations to the Provost. The Task Force does not have authority to implement changes or make decisions; it will provide recommendations on future organizational and administrative structures. Collectively, they will determine next steps through normal governance and decision-making processes. 

Thank you in advance for your participation, input, and ideas.

Mark Schaub & Adrienne Wallace, FDTF Co-Chairs

Updates

During 2026, Academic Affairs leaders (including deans, unit heads, faculty governance
leaders, and administrators in the Office of the Provost) have been discussing places to
clarify current regular (tenure-stream) faculty workload policy, specifically Significant
Focus (described in SG policy Shared Governance policy 3.01.G) and Reassigned Time
(SG 3.03). This work is in alignment with section D of our Academic Affairs Strategic
Framework. To inform planning for 2027, the Provost is providing the updated guidance on the Office of the Provost website.

The First-Year Academic Experience is a strategic priority for Academic Affairs and a significant component of GVSU's student success efforts. Last year a campus-wide committee with representatives from every academic college developed a strategic framework that includes common learning outcomes and three types of first-year academic experiences that will be scaled to ensure all first-year students have a solid academic foundation for success at GV. The full report can be read online.

Come learn more about the First-Year Academic Experience at one of two upcoming forums:

For questions about these forums, please contact Brian Hatzel (hatzelb@gvsu.edu).

Each February during Faculty Awards Convocation, faculty are honored for a range of accomplishments: teaching, scholarship, service to the institution and community, and mentoring students. The nominations deadline for these awards is November 1. See the Office of the Provost website to learn more about the criteria and nomination process. 

As part of the first phase of Workday Student going live in October, there will be a temporary pause on moving candidates through “Ready for Hire,” the final step of the recruiting process. The pause is October 9-22 for faculty, staff and graduate assistants and October 13-22 for student employees. Other hiring activities can continue. Complete Ready for Hire and credential generation by October 9 or 13, as applicable. Reach out to your Human Resources Generalist with questions.

As we prepare for GVSU’s transition to Workday Student (WDS), during the AY 26–27 curriculum proposals will continue to be reviewed and approved in SAIL. To preserve capacity for resolving WDS implementation issues and ensuring accurate student records and enrollment, all curriculum approved changes—including new programs—will be applied to the 28–29 catalog. New programs will continue through required Board of Trustees, Michigan Association of State Universities, and Higher Learning Commission reviews. Questions? Contact Pam Wells or Erica Hamilton.

Engaged Scholarship

Adeline Borti, Associate Professor of English, co-authored  Chapter 7, "Theoretical Transformations in Comprehension: Reflections on the Past and Visions for the Future," in the book Handbook of Research on Reading Comprehension (3rd edition). This book provides a comprehensive, research-based resource on reading comprehension, covering theory, instruction, assessment, global research, technology, and emerging trends. Click here to learn more about this book.

Events

Budget 102 will focus specifically on the Academic Affairs budget and our ongoing work to ensure our long-term financial sustainability. The session will include a brief overview of where Academic Affairs ended the 2025-2026 fiscal year, where our budget stands today, and the three-year plan to right-size the budget, improve resource distribution, and create greater flexibility across the division. The last session is on September 30, 1:00-2:30 p.m., 102/104 DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health, Health Campus. This is an in-person session only, and seating is limited, so an RSVP is essential. A recording will be available following the session for those unable to attend in person.   

GVSU students, faculty, staff, dependents, and retirees are invited to receive a flu vaccine at clinics offered September 28–October 22,11:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m., at select Valley and City Campus locations. Register in advance on the online form, as supplies are limited. Protect yourself and the GVSU community this flu season.

As part of the GVSU Arts Celebration, the Grammy Award winning Ying Quartet will will perform at two events.  

Visit the Undergraduate Research Fair on October 6, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus. The fair will feature Grand Valley State University faculty and staff from academic departments and research groups as well as local organizations with information about research projects and internships. Students will circulate among the tables to learn about research opportunities.

The Workday Student project is moving into an exciting new phase this fall and winter, with several key milestones ahead. Join on October 13, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. for the Workday Student Launch Event. Learn about upcoming activities that will impact faculty, staff, and students, and how the university community can prepare and stay engaged throughout the transition. The event will be held in the Grand River Room, available live via Zoom, and recorded for later viewing.

The GVSU Fall Career and Internship Fair is on October 13, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the DeVos Place Convention Center. More than 200 employers from a variety of industries will be there, ready to connect with Lakers about internships, jobs and career opportunities. Consider sharing this campus-wide event with your students and encouraging them to attend, explore career options, practice networking and make valuable connections with employers.

Join us for a virtual Reach Higher Explainer and Insight Session. Learn how GVSU’s Strategic Framework and Performance Framework work together, explore draft measures of progress, ask questions, and share your perspective as the Performance Framework is finalized. Open to all students, faculty, and staff. Choose October 13, 3:00-4:00 p.m., or October 14, 10:00-11:00 a.m. Register by October 12 at 5:00 p.m.

Attend the Fall Curriculum Drop-In Hour on October 15, 10:00 – 10:50 a.m., via Zoom. Join chairs of the General Education Committee, Graduate Council Curriculum Subcommittee, University Curriculum Committee, Online Education and Microcredential Council, and Supplemental Writing Skills Committee, along with the Director of Curricular Initiatives (FTLC) to learn more about GVSU curriculum review processes. Email Erica Hamilton (hamilter@gvsu.edu) for the Zoom link.

On October 15, 4:00 p.m., Thornapple Room, Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus, Christopher Jones, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will share his Laker Club talk titled "My Leadership Journey: The Past Is Prologue." This event will also serve as Dean Jones’ campus welcome reception, offering the Grand Valley community an opportunity to welcome him to campus, connect with colleagues, and hear more about the experiences and defining moments that have shaped his leadership journey. RSVP is requested by October 7.

The University Libraries and Art Museum invites you to learn more about open access during this year’s International Open Access Week (October 19-25) by participating in a 4-day email challenge. Each day an email will be sent out with a variety of articles and videos to enhance your understanding of all things Open Access. Whether you know a lot, or a little, about Open Access, this challenge is for you! Check out the Open Access Week website for more details and to sign up.

In Case You Missed It

9/11 - Campus Safety Announcement
9/15 - Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2026
9/21: PEC September News
9/22 - GVSU City Campus Parking Lot Construction Notice
9/24 - Aligning GVSU Staff Performance Review Timeline to the Calendar Year
9/25 - President's Update for our Community

Important Dates and Links

Previously Shared Events
9/28 - 10/22 - GVSU Flu Vaccine Clinics
9/29 - CTE 101 Workshop,  9:30 a.m., 2204 Kirkhof, Valley Campus
10/7 - Celebrating Women Awards - 1:00 a.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus
10/5 - Ying Quartet: From Mozart to Childs, 7:30 p.m., Van Solkema Recital Hall, Haas Center for the Performing Arts, Valley Campus
10/6 - Undergraduate Research Fair, 5:00 p.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus
10/7 - Ying Quartet with Guest Artist Pablo Mahave-Veglia: Schubert’s C Major Quintet, 7:30 p.m., Cook-DeWitt Center, Valley Campus
10/7 - Strengths, Shadows, and Supportive Confrontation, 7:00 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, City Campus
10/11 - Teach-In Proposals Due
10/13 - Workday Student Launch Event, 1:00 p.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus or via Zoom
10/13 - Fall Career and Internship Fair, 1:00 p.m., DeVos Place Convention Center
10/14 - First-Year Academic Experience, 3:00 p.m., 123 CHS (Steelcase Foundation Lecture Hall), Health Campus 
10/14-10/15 - CCESS2026 "Ways of Knowing in Climate Change Education", Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus
10/15 - Laker Club Talk: Christopher Jones, 4:00 p.m., Thornapple Room, Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus
10/15 - Fall Curriculum Drop-In Hour, 10:00 a.m., via Zoom
10/19-10/25 - Open Access Week at GVSU
10/22 - First-Year Academic Experience, 11:00 a.m., 2207 Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus
11/3 - GV Technology Summit, 8:30 a.m., Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus
11/10-11/11 - GVSU Teach-In

Important Dates
10/26-10/27 - Fall Break
11/25-11/29 - Thanksgiving Recess
12/12 - Commencement
12/12-12/19 - Examination Week
12/22 - Grades Due from Faculty by 12:00 p.m.

Links
Lakers Ready - repository of this newsletter and a link to submit content
Laker Family Network - repository of the monthly newsletter sent by the Division of Student Affairs to GVSU parents/supporters
Laker Weekly - repository of the weekly e-newsletter sent by the Division of Student Affairs to current GVSU students
Inclusion and Equity Institute Workshops - Inclusion and Equity Institute offers free, dynamic, and helpful workshops on a variety of topics

Lakers Ready will be distributed on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.