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On the first day of fall term, 77.9 percent of first-time students registered for at least 15 credits — an increase from 57.8% in fall 2023 and 65.6% in fall 2024. That equates to an additional 1,000 first-time students registering for 15+ credits compared to 2 years ago. The increase can be attributed to advising efforts and more pro-active communications with students. For UO students, taking fewer than 15 credits leads to lower persistence and graduation rates, even after controlling for differences in student background characteristics. Read the full Trends in Student Carrying Loads Report. This aligns with a key goal of Oregon Rising: Timely graduation.
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| In the Spotlight
Faculty Reviews: Elements Launch
The Office of the Provost is now using an online software system called Elements to manage faculty reviews. Faculty, staff, and administrators are encouraged to bookmark this page for quick access to helpful Elements content: provost.uoregon.edu/elements. The most relevant pages for faculty:
Trainings for personnel committees, faculty reviewers, and unit heads will take place over the next few weeks.
Teaching Resources for Fall Term
The Fall 2025 Course Resources help you implement UO instructional policies, stay abreast of new polices and teaching resources, and launch your fall courses. These resources include Syllabus Essentials and recommendations about removing university policies from your syllabus, developing reason-neutral attendance policies, and communicating with students about generative AI.
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| News and Resources
Apply for Funded Community Accelerating the Impact of Teaching (CAIT) Groups
- Join the GenAI focused Educational Research Project CAIT, a yearlong, collaborative research initiative exploring how GenAI is reshaping teaching and learning at UO. Participants will receive a $1,000+OPE stipend and support to design, collect, and analyze data as part of a campus-wide inquiry. Apply by October 10.
- Join the Relational Pedagogies CAIT, which will explore teaching practices — from basic expectation setting to active learning and deepening discussion strategies — that are intended to strengthen the interpersonal connections of the classroom in the service of learning. Participants will receive a $1,000+OPE. Apply by October 17.
New Faculty Success Program
Apply now to participate in this year-long program that meets monthly to build community, learn evidence-based practices to thrive in the academy, and hear from seasoned faculty panelists. New faculty in their first three years at the UO, regardless of rank, are encouraged to apply. Remote and in person participation is available.
Help Students Prepare for Careers
Fall Career Readiness Week takes place October 17-24, with nearly 20 different workshops, alumni panels, networking events, as well as the Fall Career and Internship Expo. Encouragement from faculty members can help motivate students to participate, so Career Center staff would appreciate your support. One simple step would be to add this Digital Display Slide in your Canvas site or prior to one of your classes. And, if you would like to dig deeper, a complete list of all events can be found on the University Career Center’s website.
Preparing for Emergencies
UO’s Emergency Management and Continuity Planning program provides classroom safety resources and templates to help faculty easily incorporate this information into course materials. Resources include how to review evacuation routes with students, how to prepare for various types of emergencies, and how to sign up for UO Alerts.
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| Awards and Opportunities
Benoit, Zaretsky named Outstanding Department Heads
Professors Danielle Benoit and Michael Zaretsky have been named Outstanding Department Heads for 2025, an award that recognizes heads who exemplify leadership behaviors valued at the UO and comes with a $5,000 award.
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| Benoit is the inaugural Lorry Lokey Chair of the Department of Bioengineering on the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. She has been an outstanding leader who actively mentors her faculty and leads by example through her own teaching and highly successful research program, according to her nomination.
She not only recognizes faculty for their professional accomplishments but also takes time to celebrate important personal moments in their lives. She is committed to transparency and inclusiveness in her communications.
Her thoughtful approach to language and consistent one-on-one onboarding for new faculty reflect her commitment to creating a cohesive and supportive work environment.
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| Zaretsky is the head of the Architecture Department in the College of Design and has helped build a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere in the department, Associate Dean Richard Margerum said in his letter of nomination.
The department has weathered significant changes from retirements, enrollment surges, and facilities issues, and Zaretsky has been tireless in hiring and supporting professionals to teach key classes and studios. He has worked to improve an inclusive culture for both students and faculty. He has paid careful attention to the experiences of students and faculty that have led to significant improvements at the department, college, and university levels.
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| Faculty in the News
Scientists are studying around the globe to predict where and when disasters like landslides are most likely to happen, led in part by research at the University of Oregon.
“Susceptibility is the biggest thing. Where are slopes that are susceptible and where does that relate to where folks live?”
— Josh Roering, Earth Sciences professor at UO
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| Events and Learning
The History of Absence: Race and the Making of the Modern World
Friday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Pape Reception Hall
As we approach the 250th anniversary of this nation’s founding, the Division of Equity and Inclusion invites UO faculty to join a thought-provoking conversation that asks: Whose stories, labor, and intellect shaped the world we live in today? Guest lecturer Dr. Jonathan Holloway — a renowned historian of post-emancipation America and current President & CEO of the Henry R. Luce Foundation — brings deep insight into the social and intellectual forces that have defined our shared history. RSVP here.
Introduction to Digital Accessibility for Course Materials
Thursday, Oct. 16, from 10-10:45 a.m. on Zoom
This introductory session will help instructors who are not yet familiar with digital accessibility learn where to start in making course materials accessible, and what UO resources they can draw on for this work.
Neurodivergent Instructor and Staff Affinity Group
Thursday, Oct. 16, from 1-2 p.m. on Zoom
This welcome meeting of our ongoing group is for instructors and staff who identify as neurodivergent (or those who hold identities within the umbrella of neurodivergence) to share community, learn more about the group, and provide input on timing for monthly meetings and the type of offerings you’d be most interested in. Register or email Laurel Bastian for the Zoom link.
New Faculty Social
Thursday, Oct. 16, at 3 p.m. in Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
Take a tour of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, then join a reception to connect with your new faculty peers and colleagues from the Office of the Provost. RSVP to join us for a 3 p.m. tour and 4 p.m. reception.
Efficiency in Large Classes
Thursday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m. in EMU Diamond Lake Room
In this workshop we will look at ideas (and you can share your own) for reducing email overload and grading time.
Developing Your Online Course (Fall 2025)
Thursday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m. in EMU Lease Crutcher Lewis Room 23
This session is intended for faculty and staff developing their first online course. Explore the five Canvas Course Site Essentials for Online Classes: student orientation, structure and content, engagement, transparent assessment, and resources.
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