EMPOWERING SUCCESS

Message from the Provost

As we approach the holiday season, I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for your hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our students and the mission of Georgia Southern University. Your passion for teaching, research, and service continues to inspire both your colleagues and our students, fostering a vibrant academic community that thrives on collaboration and innovation.

This semester has brought its share of challenges and accomplishments. Amid an active hurricane season, we faced uncertainties that tested our resilience and adaptability. Yet, through it all, you rose above these challenges and soared, demonstrating remarkable strength and unity. From navigating classroom dynamics disrupted by weather events to engaging in impactful research, each of you played a vital role in ensuring that our students' education remained uninterrupted. I am pleased to share that, thanks to our proactive scheduling and your effective use of Folio, we will not need to extend the semester or use the Thanksgiving break to make up for lost class time. Any missed hours will be covered through asynchronous material in Folio (as engagements that best fit your disciplines, recorded lectures, additional reading assignments, online discussions, etc.) and a few extra minutes taken from the final exam schedule.

Your commitment to guiding students through their academic journeys, participating in important university initiatives, and supporting one another is truly commendable.

The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and connection with loved ones. I encourage you to take this time to recharge, reflect on your accomplishments, and spend quality moments with family and friends. It is crucial to prioritize your well-being and find balance amidst the demands of our professional lives. Taking time for yourself allows you to return to your work with renewed energy and perspective.

As we look ahead to the new year, let us embrace the opportunities that await us. The upcoming semester will bring new challenges, but I am confident that together, we will continue to innovate and excel in our mission to provide an exceptional education for our students. I encourage you to approach the new year with enthusiasm and a sense of purpose, knowing that your contributions are integral to our collective success.

Thank you once again for your dedication and commitment to Georgia Southern University. Your passion for your work and your genuine care for our students are what make this institution truly remarkable. I wish you all a joyful and restful holiday season, filled with warmth, laughter, and rejuvenation.

May the coming year bring you new opportunities, personal growth, and continued success. I look forward to working alongside each of you as we strive to advance our mission and make a lasting impact on our students and the community.

INSPIRING PROGRESS

Upcoming Conversations with the Provost

The Office of the Provost is pleased to announce two upcoming “Conversations with the Provost” sessions, inviting faculty and staff from Academic Affairs to join in a casual and open dialogue. These conversations aim to create an environment where participants can express their thoughts, concerns, and aspirations.

These gatherings are designed to foster collaboration and encourage candid discussions, with no formal agenda. The Provost, Carl Reiber, Ph.D., welcomes all faculty and staff from Academic Affairs to share their insights and ideas. This is an excellent opportunity for participants to engage in meaningful conversations and explore ways to work together toward common goals.

By facilitating these conversations, the Office of the Provost hopes to cultivate a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels heard and valued. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend and contribute to these important discussions. Together, we can enhance our academic environment and continue to support the mission of Georgia Southern University.

A Streamlined Faculty Annual Report and Evaluation Process

The Office of the Provost is excited to share that a more streamlined process for the Faculty Annual Report (FAR) and Faculty Annual Evaluation (FAE) will soon be available for the 2024 reporting year. Designed to simplify submission and review procedures, this updated process ensures a more efficient evaluation experience for faculty members.

What to Expect:

A step-by-step guide on the FAR and FAE processes
Key submission details and review stages
Comprehensive resources for Tenure-Track and Non-Tenure Track faculty, Department Chairs, and Deans

In the next few weeks, we’ll be sending an email that will provide all the information you need to get started, including a PowerPoint presentation with an in-depth overview. Be on the lookout for these resources and instructions to help you navigate the updated evaluation process with ease.

We look forward to sharing more soon and appreciate your attention to this upcoming enhancement to the annual faculty evaluation procedure.

Libraries Acquire New and Essential Databases

The Georgia Southern University Libraries are proud to announce that the following resources are now available to all Georgia Southern students, faculty, and staff. These resources may be reached via the A-Z Database list on the Libraries website at: https://georgiasouthern.libguides.com/az.php?a=s

The Savannah Morning News Online – A part of the NewsBank World News product now available to Georgia Southern from GALILEO, full-text, text-only articles are available from 1999 to the present and full color PDFs are available for articles from January 2024 to the present date.

Academic Video Online (AVON) – Replacing the Films on Demand database previously provided by GALILEO, this collection of streaming videos covers a wide range of disciplines such as anthropology, counseling & therapy, fashion, business & economics, diversity studies, education, documentary film, feature film, history, music & dance, news & current events, and theatre.

Note: Faculty members who need a specific film that was previously accessible on the Films on Demand can contact their library liaison to find a replacement. The Georgia Southern University Libraries also provides access to films on the Kanopy and Swank platforms and will work with faculty to find the exact film they need if it is available from one of these vendors or to find an acceptable substitute.

Westlaw – After the state-wide subscription to Westlaw was canceled by GALILEO for FY2025, the GS University Libraries has subscribed to this resource to provide institutional access to Westlaw.

Journalytics Academic – Providing information about a wide range of journals including evaluation metrics and submission details, Journalytics Academic provides relevant data to help research professionals determine the journals in which they wish to publish.

Coming Soon!

New Cambridge University Press Read & Publish Agreement – Beginning January 2025, Georgia Southern University will participate in a transformative agreement with Cambridge University Press (CUP) that will allow all Georgia Southern faculty who have successfully submitted an article to a Cambridge journal to opt to make their article OpenAccess at no additional cost to the author. This agreement will also provide Georgia Southern faculty, staff, and students with access to all 437 journals in the Cambridge University Press 2025 Full Collection.

New Taylor & Francis Journals – Starting January 2025, Georgia Southern University will have access to all of the journals in the T&F Social Sciences and Humanities Package, as well as to the 55 journals to which we currently subscribe. This will give Georgia Southern faculty, staff, and students access to 1,484 new titles!