October 28, 2025

In this issue:

Provost's Message: Exhibitions
Project Push Week: Nov 9-15
Engagement & Alerts
Moodle Resources
Faculty Spotlights
Lab Faculty Reminders

2025-2026 Academic Calendar

Upcoming Dates

Oct 27: New Campus Cafe Registration Page opens

Nov 2: Spring 2026 Registration Opens

Nov 9: Last day to drop Session 2 classes

Nov 9-15: Project Push Week

Nov 11: Veteran's Day - Asynchronous classes

Provost’s Message

Upcoming Exhibitions

In the blink of the eye, it will be time for end of the semester student exhibitions. These public exhibitions are not only a time for students to share the progress they have made on the project over the course of the semester but it is also a time when we intentionally open up cohorts to visitors including CU staff and instructional faculty, and especially people in students’ personal learning networks. As a gentle reminder, exhibitions are an opportunity for community feedback on students’ project development and require formal assessment of students' work by CU faculty. Lab faculty are expected to review exhibition expectations and protocols with students prior to exhibitions. The Exhibition Rubric is a helpful guide for supporting students as they develop their presentations and the relevant tool for assessment, feedback, and grading of student exhibitions.

Sylvia Spears

Provost & VP for Lifelong Learning

Project Push Week: Nov 9-15

In preparation for exhibitions, College Unbound will launch the second Project Push Week during Week 12 of the semester from Sunday, November 9th - Saturday, November 15th.

This Project Push Week will kick off with a virtual mini-conference on Sunday, November 9th at 4 - 6:15pm EST / 1 - 4:15pm PST. This mini-conference will include exciting workshops for students on topics such as finding or refining passion projects and enhancing public presentation skills. Throughout the week, students will engage in building connections between their coursework and their projects. Then, to end the week, students are invited to join a virtual event on Saturday, November 15th on Collaboration and Project Networking.

The Project Push Week schedule and resources will be available on the Project Push Week Site here.

Keep an eye out for shared resources, activity ideas, and student challenges to get engaged in Project Push week on November 9 - 15.

Resources & Reminders

Alerts for absent students- session 2 courses

For any student who has not attended class, engaged in coursework, or responded to communications, promptly complete this Alert Form. A member of student support and academic staff will additionally work to get in touch with the student.

You may need to double check that your course rosters in Campus Cafe match your enrolled student list in Moodle as you do this.

Completing this Alert Form for unresponsive students is essential in the first few weeks of the session before the drop date for session 2 courses on November 9.

In addition to using this alert form for missing students, please complete your record of weekly Engagement in each of your Moodle courses on a timely weekly basis.

Moodle Resources

A successful first 3 weeks of your class are key to student retention. Please ensure that your Moodle course is set up with course assignments, your syllabus and Google Meet link, and well organized course materials.

Moodle Quick Start Site: Guidance on essential Moodle features.

What's New in Moodle: Guidance on new Moodle features and updates.

Elaine's helpful Moodle Blog: Useful and relevant updates are occasionally posted here.

New Moodle Feature

You can now add your recurring synchronous online course Google Meet link directly to Moodle!

Check out this video guide for instructions and important notes.

Weekly Engagement

Please ensure that you are entering Engagement for your students in your Moodle courses on a weekly basis. Information about weekly Moodle Engagement can be found on the Faculty Resource Site.

Ensure you are also referencing your Course Roster in Campus Cafe, especially during the first few weeks of your course. This guide for faculty provides instructions for accessing your course rosters.

Key Student Resources

Writing Support

Students can book an appointment or request writing support here.

Questions? Reach out to writingsupport@collegeunbound.edu

Big 10 Mentor Support

Big 10 Mentors are here to guide students in their second semester and beyond as they build their Big 10 portfolios. Big 10 Mentors can also visit cohorts virtually to offer insights on the Big 10 process. Request a support session with a Big 10 Mentor!

Faculty Spotlights

Ashton Darrett, Lab Faculty, Providence RI

Why do you teach at CU?

I teach at CU because it gives me a chance to connect with community members in a way that feels meaningful and positive. My passion for student support wakes me up every day and allows me to enjoy helping others.

What teaching strategies have worked for you?

Meet the students where they are! Life is happening to all of us and when students don't have 100% to give, work with them and what they have so they can be successful.

Fun Fact:

I have a travel goal to touch every continent. 3 more to go!

Peter Newman, Lab Faculty, Providence RI

Why do you teach at CU?

I teach at CU because I enjoy learning and working closely with students. I am inspired by the curiosity, creativity, and energy students bring into the classroom. I also value and enjoy collaborating with the my colleagues at CU.

What teaching strategies have worked for you?

I believe that building strong relationships with students is one of the most powerful teaching strategies. It is important for students to feel seen, valued, and respected.

Fun Fact:

I was born in Asmara Ethiopia.

Let us feature you on the next spotlight- fill out the form!

Lab Faculty Corner

New Registration Page

An important course registration page update is LIVE. The Campus Cafe registration page now has a new look and feel, including a calendar view of synchronous courses, and a filterable course search page.

Resources to help you and your students navigate this new layout are featured on the Registration Support site page here.