Provost's Seminar: The Big One Is Still Coming: Lessons We Should Have Learned from the Covid-19 Pandemic | |
The wait is over! The Office of the Provost is excited to invite FGCU's faculty, staff, students, and the community to attend the first Provost's Seminar event of the academic year with renowned speaker Dr. Michael T. Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy, University of Minnesota.
In partnership with the Naples Discussion Group, FGCU is proud to welcome Dr. Osterholm for a presentation, "The Big One is Still Coming: Lessons We Should Have Learned from the Covid-19 Pandemic."
Join us this Friday, December 5, 2025, in Seidler Hall, Room 114, 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
The Provost's Seminar Series provides unique opportunities for students and the Eagle community to meet and learn from experts with remarkable careers and subject-matter expertise. Please join us! Click the event's Eagle Link for additional details.
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Tell your students!
Save on Spring Course Materials with First Day Ready
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While we are about seven weeks from the start of the spring semester, it’s never too early to start planning and saving on your course materials.
FGCU is proud to offer the First Day Ready program, which ensures all required materials for undergraduate courses are available by the first day of class. At just $20 per credit hour, this program provides a convenient and affordable way to stay prepared.
Here’s what you need to know:
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Watch your inbox in early December for an email from Barnes & Noble with details and instructions. This message will confirm your order and delivery method.
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Enrollment is automatic each semester, but you may opt out if you choose. If you remain enrolled, the charge will be added to your student account and reflected in your bill and payment center alongside tuition and fees.
- The selection window opens December 8, and the opt-out deadline is January 14.
To learn more, visit the First Day Ready landing page.
| New Syllabus Management System & Training Opportunities | |
Dear Faculty/Adjuncts,
To ensure efficient compliance with new regulations, Florida Gulf Coast University has adopted Simple Syllabus as our new syllabus management system. This change will streamline syllabus collection and ensure compliance with updated Board of Governors (BOG) Regulation 8.003, which will require:
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All syllabi to be published 45 days prior to the first day of class (effective Fall 2026).
- Inclusion of specific items in the public-facing syllabus.
- Faculty attestation that course materials meet all policies.
What does this mean for you?
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We are launching a soft rollout of Simple Syllabus in Spring 2026. Faculty may choose to adopt now or continue with current practices–but we are strongly encouraging everyone to begin using the new system.
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Full implementation begins Summer 2026, with the 45-day requirement enforced in Fall 2026.
Required elements in the public syllabus include:
- Course identifiers (prefix, number, CRN, title)
- Instructor information (name, rank, office, phone, office hours)
- Required textbooks (auto-populated from Barnes & Noble)
- Recommended materials, topics covered, grading scale (faculty input)
- Official course description and approved learning outcomes (will be prepopulated)
Faculty can add additional details and update syllabi anytime using version control features in Simple Syllabus.
Training Opportunities
To help you prepare, PIP will host 30 training sessions (in-person and via Teams) from now through January 5–6, .
Register through EagleLink: https://getinvolved.fgcu.edu/organization/pip.
Thank you for your commitment to this important initiative. If you have questions, please reach out to Merri Incitti at ext. 7048 or mincitti@fgcu.edu.
| | Looking for a Canvas QuickTip? Bookmark Digital Learning's Canvas QuickTip Archive and access expert guidance whenever you need a refresh to use Canvas more efficiently and effectively. CLICK to browse the Archive. | | Check out past editions of the Academic Affairs newsletter: Academic Affairs Events | | Have you seen a faculty member or academic team exhibiting academic excellence and going the extra mile for student success? Email us: academicaffairs@fgcu.edu. | | Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) | | |
Required Training for NSF Submissions
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has required training starting December 2, 2025. The new requirements set forth in NSF Important Notice No. 149 will take effect.
What you need to know:
- Proposals submitted before December 2, 2025, including those submitted during the recent lapse in appropriations, are not subject to those requirements originally set to take effect on October 10, 2025.
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As of December 2, 2025, such new certifications are required at the time of proposal submission within the Cover Sheet, Biographical Sketch, and Current and Pending (Other) Support forms. These include new certifications related to:
o Completion of research security training by all senior/key personnel; and
o An institution of higher education’s status regarding contracts or agreements with any Confucius Institute.
- Organizations are required to provide supporting documentation, including copies of grants, contracts, and agreements, upon request by NSF.
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You are instructed to take this course, download and save your completion certificate and provide it to ORSP_preaward@fgcu.edu. This certificate must be uploaded with your proposal to NSF.
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To assist research organizations and investigators, NSF has published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page summarizing the new requirements, certification procedures, and relevant timelines. Access the FAQs here.
Training can be done using the following link and takes 45-60 minutes: https://www.secure-center.org/ctm.
If you have questions, please reach out to ORSP.
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Application Deadlines
There are posted deadlines for ORSP applications. For time-sensitive opportunities, ORSP will attempt to accommodate requests but cannot guarantee submission unless the following are met:
For FGCU to meet sponsor requirements and provide added value to each proposal, the following standard internal deadlines have been established for electronic and paper submissions (these lead times do not include time required by the relevant unit(s) for their review/approval):
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Five (5) business days (days when FGCU business operations are open) prior to submission deadline: The final complete budget, additional administrative materials, and draft narrative are due to ORSP.
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Fourteen (14) business days are required for subrecipient documentation when FGCU is the prime for the proposal.
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Two (2) business days prior to submission deadline: The final complete proposal is due to ORSP, including the final proposal narrative. Final changes between the two deadlines are limited to tweaking of the narrative that has no impact upon the budget and other administrative documents.
The deadlines are in place so that last minute errors/warnings can be addressed in advance of the sponsor’s deadlines. If error/warnings are received close to the sponsor deadline and cannot be adjusted, applications may not be submitted if we are not able to remedy the issue(s).
More information can be found at:
https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/research/files/orsp-deadlines.pdf
| FGCU Institutional Review Board (IRB) Announcement | | |
In accordance with the IRB regulations and FGCU IRB Guidelines, IRB approval must be obtained BEFORE any research projects involving human subjects may proceed. The Board cannot retroactively approve the collection of data which falls under our definition of research. However, the regulations recognize that there are instances where data are collected without the intention to conduct human subject research.
To approve the use of these data, the IRB will evaluate the data collection process to ensure it meets the same ethical and regulatory standards required for any research involving human subjects, including the requirement for informed consent. If the IRB determines that the data were not collected in accordance with these standards, the Board will NOT approve the use of these data.
The IRB’s role is to provide ethical and regulatory oversight for research involving human participants, safeguarding their rights and welfare while also supporting the integrity of the research, the research team members, and the interests of the University.
For detailed guidance on conducting research with human subjects, please refer to the FGCU IRB guidelines or contact the IRB office.
Questions? Please email Sherry Alexander at sralexander@fgcu.edu.
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Call for Nominations: Hanover Grant Academy (January–October 2026)
The Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) is soliciting nominations for the Hanover Grant Academy, a 9-month intensive program running from January through October. Up to eight faculty will be selected to participate in a comprehensive proposal development process aimed at securing extramural funding.
The Academy includes:
- Approximately four in-person group sessions
- One-on-one meetings with Hanover experts
- Grantsmanship training
- Proposal review and critique
- Guidance on project development and alignment with funding opportunities
- Support for proposal revision
Eligibility & Expectations:
- A key selection criterion is the intent to submit a proposal for extramural funding.
- Selected faculty are expected to submit a proposal by the end of the Academy.
- Faculty may apply for an additional round of intensive proposal development assistance provided an application for extramural funding was submitted during prior participation.
Application Deadline: Friday, December 19, 2025, by 5:00 PM
Please submit the application (below) as a single PDF to Dr. Rosemary Higgins at rhiggins@fgcu.edu. For questions, contact Dr. Higgins directly.
Faculty Name:
Rank:
College or School:
Title of research proposal:
Target agency (with URL):
Secondary target agencies (with URLs):
Approximate budget (total direct costs):
History of prior extramural application(s) for proposal:
If reviews/critiques are available, please include them with the application package
Brief justification for nomination for grant academy:
Attachments:
Current CV:
Support letter from Chair or Dean
Other Supporting materials
Other questions:
What do you feel are your strongest grant seeking skills?
What grant seeking skills would you like to develop or grow?
What are your top 3 goals for participating in the Academy?
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FGCU College of Education
Final Defense Announcements
December 4, 2025
| The FGCU College of Education invites the Eagle community to the oral dissertation defenses by Doctor of Education candidates Jennifer Marie Fulwider and Amanda Weinrich. Please email Dr. Tunde Szecsi at tszecsi@fgcu.edu to request a Zoom link. | | |
PAST ANNOUNCEMENTS
Missed an announcement? We've got you covered.
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The Lucas Center Symposium on Teaching & Learning A Celebration of Passionate Teaching. Tuesday, February 17 & Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Click here for more information.
| | FGCU's Office of the Ombuds is here to assist faculty, staff, and students! Employees who may be experiencing a university-related concern or conflict are encouraged to reach out to the Ombuds Office as an informal and confidential resource | Visit the Ombuds’ webpage for more information. | | |
Community Engagement Showcase
December 4, 2025
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Cohen Student Union Ballroom
Recognizing the silos that exist on campus, this initiative invites offices, departments, and registered student organizations (RSOs) to share how they engage with the Southwest Florida community to drive student success and academic excellence.
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This event will enable FGCU students and employees to discover efforts happening across the university and connect with others. Please JOIN US!
Click for more details.
| | Bower School of Music & the Arts at FGCU | |
TODAY! Tuesday, December 2 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
FGCU Choirs & Symphony Orchestra Concert: Joyful & Triumphant
Moorings Presbyterian Church, 791 Harbour Dr, Naples
Tickets are $30 for general admission and are available at fgcu.edu/joyful
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Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!
December 5 and 6 at 6:30 p.m., at The Courtyard Amphitheatre near GameTime, Gulf Coast Town Center, 10037 Gulf Center Dr, Ft. Myers
December 7at 6:30 p.m., at the Veterans Pavilion, Library Lawn at FGCU
This performance is free and open to the public.
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Steven Spooner, piano Nisita Concert Series
December 6 at 6:30 p.m., U. Tobe Recital Hall, Music Building at FGCU
Tickets are $15 for the general public and $7 for students and are available at fgcu.edu/concerts; 239-745-4268.
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2025 FGCU/UAC Annual Pottery Sale
Friday, December 5, 2025
Join us at FGCU Arts Complex
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