Monday Memo November 14, 2016
Message from the Dean
Dear Colleagues,
After a long and very divisive campaign season, the election results last week did little in the way of bridging those divides. Indeed, in many ways they appear to have been made worse. Given the strong feelings and the air of uncertainty that seems almost universal, it is important that the University provide an environment in which all views can be voiced without fear of reprisal.
We do not condone hate or violence in word or action. Rather, we encourage everyone to not only speak civilly to one another, but to listen as well. Universities have long been champions, and sometimes havens, for free speech. That should remain the case if we wish to preserve the fabric of our democracy. Disagreement is inevitable, but please remember UofL’s campuses and its classrooms are meant to be safe spaces for thoughtful discussion.
We have much to learn from each other but learning is only possible when hearts and minds remain open.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Kempf-Leonard
Dean
Announcements
Faculty: Add your syllabi to Blackboard
We are up to 83%, but we will need to get to 100% for our SACS review. If you are unsure if your syllabus has been added, please check this list of missing syllabi.
University closing at noon Nov. 23
The University will close at noon on Wednesday, November 23, 2016. This is an official University Holiday, which means if you choose to take vacation on that day you only have to charge a half day to vacation and the other half is considered holiday leave. For questions, please email Bridget Burke.
Faculty Assembly will hold informal Q&A Nov. 18
The College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Assembly will hold an informal Question & Answer session on Cardinal Core, the proposed changes to our Gen Ed program, in lieu of a formal meeting Friday, Nov. 18. It will still be held in Strickler 102 at 2 pm. Prof. Beth Willey, member of the General Education Revision Task Force, will briefly describe the proposal and then open up the floor for questions. Again, the Cardinal Core proposal (and email address for faculty feedback) can be found here: http://louisville.edu/provost/ger/cardinal-core-program-proposal. At our Dec. 2 Faculty Assembly meeting, the Curriculum Committee will raise its concerns with Cardinal Core, and we will go over the feedback from A&S faculty. If you have questions or concerns, please email Faculty Assembly Chair Prof. Karen Christopher.
Latin American and Latino Studies faculty scholarships and fellowships deadline Nov. 30
Applications are now available for The Richard and Constance Lewis Scholarships and Fellowships in Latin American and Iberian Studies. Deadline to apply is Nov. 30. Funded by the Richard and Constance Lewis Fund for Latin American and Iberian Studies, these programs provide funds for faculty development in Latin American and Iberian subjects at UofL, as well as funds to support student study abroad in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal.
2017 CCHS Faculty Fellows application deadline Dec. 16
The Commonwealth Center for the Humanities & Society is proud to announce the 2017-18 Faculty Fellows theme and call for applications. The deadline for applications is Dec. 16, 2016. The theme for 2017-18 will be Affect, Emotion, Sensation. This year’s theme invites faculty to bring new perspectives to scholarship on the nature and significance of affect, emotion, and sensation for humanistic research. In keeping with its core mission, CCHS seeks to foreground forms of humanistic inquiry in research and advanced learning not only in humanities departments but also across the whole range of departments of the College. Fellows will receive at least one course release as well as a modest supplemental research/travel stipend from CCHS. Applications require a current CV, a proposal of up to 1000 words stating the project to be pursued while a Fellow, and a letter of support from the department chair. Please visit the CCHS website at louisville.edu/cchs/faculty-fellows/affect-emotion-sensation for details. Inquiries can be sent to john.gibson@louisville.edu or tracy.heightchew@louisville.edu.
KSTC announces Request for Proposals
The Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC) announces a new Request for Proposals (RFP) opening on or around Nov. 18, 2016. This round of funding (KSEF's RDE-020), through the Research and Development Excellence Program, is open to scientists and engineers from accredited universities, colleges and other postsecondary institutions, and to small businesses in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Letters of Intent will be accepted starting mid Nov. 2016. Visit ksef.kstc.com for more information.
Enter drawing for ‘King Lear,’ football tickets
Dean Leonard is drawing for tickets to King Lear (11/17, 11/18, 11/19 or 11/20). If you are interested please submit your name, date preference and indicate if you want 1 or 2 tickets to asdean@louisville.edu by 4:00 pm on 11/16. Additionally, if you would like your name entered for 2 tickets to the UofL vs. UK football game on Nov. 26, please send your name to asdean@louisville.edu by 4:00 pm on 11/22.
Teaching, Research, Creative Activities, & Service
Prof. Omer-Sherman speaks at Philadelphia Film Festival
Prof. Ranen Omer-Sherman (Comparative Humanities) discussed the plight of African refugees in Israel at the screening of the film documentary "Mussa" at the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival on Nov. 6.
Kudos & Congratulations
SPI Director Shain receives Shein Award
Southern Police Institute Director Cindy Shain was selected by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC) as the recipient of the Melvin Shein Award for 2016. The Shein Award has been awarded annually since 1973. The recipient of the award is a person who has contributed the most to assist and promote law enforcement during the previous year. Each year the recipient of this award is acknowledged on the Shein Award, which is displayed in the office of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council in Richmond. Additionally, the recipient is presented with a plaque of her own.
Items of Note
LALS Club seeks donations for Ky. Refugee Ministries
The Latin American & Latino Studies Club is collecting new and gently used winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, toys, and household items for Kentucky Refugee Ministries. Drop off items you would like to donate to the LALS Offices (Stevenson 304-306) between now and Dec. 6.
In the News
UofL expert says don't rush to react to election results (WHAS-11, 11/9/16) – Prof. Jason Gainous (Political Science) on the presidential election results.
Democrats are now basically extinct in the South (The Washington Post, 11/8/16) – Prof. Jasmine Farrier (Political Science) on the urban-rural divide among the Democratic Party.
UofL and Commonwealth Theatre Center collaborate to stage diverse production of ‘King Lear’ (Insider Louisville, 11/10/16) – On the Theatre Arts Department’s collaboration with CTC to produce ‘King Lear,’ in conjunction with “Will in the Ville.”
Why polls incorrectly predicted 2016 Presidential Election (WLKY-32, 11/9/16) – Prof. Jason Gainous (Political Science) on Trump supporters being left out of polls.
Transcending Partisanship (Radio West, 11/10/16) – Prof. Jason Gainous (Political Science), co-author of Tweeting to Power: The Social Media Revolution in American Politics, on reuniting America, even while rhetoric on social media makes that seem impossible.
The Bard Comes to Kentucky (The Voice-Tribune, 10/10/16) – On Will in the Ville events being held in conjunction with the First Folio! Exhibit at the Frazier History Museum.
Scholar focuses on Bard's influence on America (The Courier-Journal, 11/12/16) – On the 2016 Phi Beta Kappa Lecture with Prof. James Shapiro (Columbia University), a noted Shakespeare expert.
Protecting nature in the city
Prof. Margaret Carreiro (Biology) will explain how residents in cities and suburbs can protect native species by weaving local nature into the very places where they live and work at the next Beer with a Scientist on Wed., Nov. 16. She will also describe Reconciliation Ecology, a concept in which habitats for wildlife are created within urban and suburban areas.
