| In the Spotlight
The University of Oregon is a large, complex organization with thousands of employees working on different elements of the university’s mission. It can be difficult to understand the nuance of any given aspect of the organization from outside its ranks. This lack of understanding can lead to frustration and confusion, especially during times of challenge. This five-part workshop series is designed to help faculty and staff break down silos, build connections, and gain a clearer picture of how UO operates.
- How Does the University Budget Work?
Jamie Moffitt, Senior Vice President for Finance & Administration
Register via MyTrack
— Jan. 26, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (in person)
— Feb. 4, 2-3 p.m. (zoom) - How Does University Fundraising Work?
Wesley Stewart, Senior Associate Vice President for Development, and Lacie LaRue, Assistant Vice President, Advancement Strategies and Technology Innovation
Register via MyTrack
— Feb. 6, 2-3 p.m. (in-person)
— Feb. 16, 11 a.m.-noon (zoom)
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“I have gained increased self-awareness and practical skills, and the evidence-based approach has renewed my commitment to leadership and stewardship of my academic unit. It’s also fun, and I’m gaining a new community of thought partners and peers from all around campus, widening the scope of my understanding of who we are as a university. I've already applied what I’ve learned to interpersonal strategies that support effective solution-oriented and productive team discussions.”
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| News and Resources
Apply to teach a single innovative and engaging 24-student seminar on a topic of your choosing in-load during the 2026-27 academic year. Review of applications will begin Jan. 13. Details available on this webpage. Contact daphne@uoregon.edu with questions.
Lockdown browsers can help prevent students’ access to AI tools during in-class Canvas exams and activities. Faculty who would like to pilot this tool can signal their interest using this form. Respondus will host an online training session from 3-4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9.
The Winter Course Resources website is designed to help faculty members implement UO instructional policies, stay abreast of new policies and teaching resources, and launch upcoming courses. You’ll find Syllabus Essentials, including a “starter” template, Canvas course templates, important winter term dates, and ready-made modules to welcome students, underscore academic integrity expectations, and streamline absence reporting.
- Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching (early-career excellence)
- Herman Faculty Achievement Award
- Herman Award for Specialized Pedagogy
- Herman Award for AI Innovation (new this year)
- Herman Award for Outstanding Online Education
The deadline for unit heads to send nominations to deans is Feb. 1. Deans must submit top candidates to the Office of the Provost by March 1. Winners will be selected by faculty serving on the Distinguished Teaching Awards Committee.
Nominations for Williams Fellowships and proposals for Williams Instructional Grants are open until Feb. 16. The Williams Fund supports excellence and innovation in undergraduate education.
- Williams Fellowships are major awards for great teachers who also are innovators and collaborators
- Williams Instructional Grants fund faculty ideas for undergraduate teaching and curriculum projects
The Williams Council will host an information session from 1-2:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, to help you prepare a proposal or nomination.
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| Faculty in the News
Wild bees across the west face a growing threat from microscopic parasites. Last week Lauren Ponisio, Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Oregon, visited Utah State University’s Ecology Center to talk about about how parasites move through bee communities. “There are these high-elevation meadows that are basically islands within islands in the southwest. We have these gorgeous, kind of like Rocky Mountain style, high-elevation meadows that are absolutely full of bees and flowers," Ponisio said as she described one of her field sites.
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| Events and Learning
Making the Most of Unit Policy Updates Related to Teaching
Friday, Jan. 9, from 10-11:30 a.m. in Tykeson James Commons
The Teaching Engagement Program invites unit heads and faculty who are helping to lead the policy update process in their units to join in a discussion about updating career and tenure-track faculty review and promotion policies and teaching evaluation rubrics in ways that reflect their unit’s teaching aspirations and values. Refreshments will be served.
Williams Fund Information Session
Friday, Jan. 16, from 1-2:30 p.m. on Zoom
The Williams Council is hosting a session to help faculty prepare a proposal or nomination for the Williams Fund. Learn about the Council’s processes, selection criteria, and the types of teaching work the Council has awarded in the past.
What Motivates Your Students?
Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 10-11 a.m. in the EMU Swindells Room
In this workshop, we’ll look at a few ways to highlight the value of a course’s content and assignments to keep students motivated to learn and engage.
Rethinking Assessment with AI in Mind
Friday, Jan. 23, from 1-2 p.m. on Zoom
How can we redesign assignments so they still invite learning, support diverse students, and make your expectations around GenAI use clear and workable? You’ll leave this working session with at least one redesigned assignment element and concrete next steps you can implement right away.
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P: 541-346-3081 | E: OtP@uoregon.edu
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