Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Diversity | October 2022

Celebrating Our Strategic Vision Kick-Off + National Hispanic Heritage Month

Dear Colleagues,

 

With the transition to fall, the campus is also turning over a new leaf as we launch the university’s exciting new strategic plan, Here and Next. You can read the Plan and learn more about upcoming events here.


This month’s newsletter is full of wonderful opportunities and events. I will highlight a few here, but please read the full newsletter to learn more about resources and support available to faculty.


I’m pleased to announce the launch of the Faculty Transformational Leadership Institute. This new leadership program for Danforth faculty will take place in the spring 2023. Applications are being accepted until November 7.


Applications are also open for the new William H. Danforth St. Louis Confluence Award, which focuses on interdisciplinary faculty research collaborations and includes $50,000 in seed funding.


If you would like to help recruit new faculty to WashU, please consider becoming a Faculty Recruitment Liaison. The Liaisons will meet with prospective new faculty and connect them with campus and community resources.


Finally, our new Faculty Affairs and Diversity website has useful information on everything from faculty searches to funding opportunities. I hope you will use it as a resource and bookmark it on your computers.


If you have ideas for new ways Faculty Affairs and Diversity can support faculty, please contact us. We value your input! 


Warm regards,


-Kia Caldwell, vice provost for faculty affairs and diversity

New Health Benefits


New Travel and Lodging Health Benefit

The university has added a travel and lodging reimbursement benefit for employees and dependents enrolled in a WashU health plan. If you or a dependent must travel more than 50 miles from your home residence to receive care because that care is not available in your state of residence, you may be eligible for reimbursement. The maximum employee benefit is $2,000 annually, which is administered by UnitedHealthcare (UHC). Contact UHC for more information at 1-800-382-2599.


Update to Sick Time Policy

To support our new employees and help them thrive with both personal and professional responsibilities, WashU has updated its sick time policy to allow for better work-life balance. Effective September 1, regular benefits-eligible full-time and part-time staff can access accrued sick time beginning at the date of hire or rehire. To view and read the policy in its entirety, visit the sick time policy on WashU's Human Resources website. 

Faculty Recruitment Liaisons

Would you like to help recruit faculty of diverse identities and backgrounds to WashU? Do you enjoy living in St. Louis and want to help faculty considering WashU learn more about the area? If so, sign up to be a Faculty Recruitment Liaison and meet with prospective new faculty here

Faculty Fellow Positions

The Office of the Provost has two new Faculty Fellow positions focused on equitable learning and inclusive pedagogies. For priority consideration, please apply by October 21, 2022.

Equitable Learning Fellow
Inclusive Pedagogies Fellow

Upcoming Events

Strategic Plan Kick-Off Events

October 4-14

Virtual 


The entire Washington University community is invited to join a series of exciting events that will highlight the areas of focus and initiatives in WashU's new strategic plan, which was unveiled this week!

Learn more and register

Distinguished Visiting Scholar:

A Conversation on Race

and Computing

October 18 (4 p.m.)-Umrath Lounge


Safiya U. Noble, Professor, Gender Studies & African American Studies, UCLA, with Ian Bogost, Professor and Director of Film and Media Studies.

Register

She Leads Symposium

October 21 (1-5 p.m.)

Emerson Auditorium


The Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Fellowship is excited to host She Leads Symposium @ WashU 2022, continuing the tradition of curating a forum that enables and empowers women to lead in the 21st century. 

Learn more and register

Funding and Professional Development Opportunities

  • NCFDD Funding: The Office of the Provost is sponsoring assistant and associate professors to participate in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) Faculty Success Program during academic years 2022-23 and 2023-24. If you would like to participate, please send your name, department/school, rank, and a brief justification (up to 200 words) to vpfad@wustl.edu by October 10, 2022.


  • Tenure-Track Faculty Support Program: Applications are open for the Office of the Provost's Tenure-track Faculty Support Program in response to COVID-19. The application deadline is October 17, 2022.


  • Faculty Transformational Leadership Institute: The Office of the Provost is excited to offer a new leadership program for faculty, led by Dr. Amy Eyler and Vice Provost Kia Caldwell. Applications will be accepted until November 7, 2022. Learn more and apply here.


  • NCFDD Spring Programming and Free NCFDD Membership: The National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) fall programming calendar is live and visible upon joining NCFDD. Be sure to register for "How to Engage in Healthy Conflict," October 13. Plus, claim your free membership to NCFDD. Learn more about this free membership, available to all WashU faculty, graduate students, postdocs, and trainees.


  • William H. Danforth St. Louis Confluence Award: Last month, we announced the Confluence Award, designed to elevate WashU's investment in the St. Louis region by encouraging and rewarding interdisciplinary faculty research collaborations that enhance our impact in St. Louis. This award will focus on interdisciplinary community-based research, with a $50,000 seed grant, and is now open to current WashU faculty, across all tracks. Nominations and applications due October 31, 2022. Learn more

Additional Events

  • Allies for Inclusion—The Abilities Exhibit: Olin's Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is hosting this exhibit on the 3rd Floor of the Knight Hall Auditorium. October 3-5 (8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.)


  • AWF's Happy Hour: Join the Association for Women Faculty at the Clayton Winehouse (7911 Clayton Road) on October 7, 2022 (3:30 - 5 p.m.). All genders welcome. To learn more about the Association for Women Faculty, visit their website.


  • National Diversity Week: The Center for Diversity and Inclusion is hosting and co-hosting 11 events (September 28-October 8) for WashU faculty, students, and staff to celebrate and learn more about the variety of experiences in our community. More information may be found here (under October menu).


  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion—Operationalizing Equity in Faculty Research Webinar: This interdisciplinary panel will highlight how Danforth Campus faculty engage and operationalize equity in their research. Faculty from the Law School, Brown School, and Arts & Sciences will share insights about research practices that center equity in areas such as finance, sexuality, and parental racial socialization. October 14, 2022 Register here
University Spotlight

The Office of the Ombuds is a neutral resource for problem resolution available to faculty members on the Danforth Campus, offering assistance in the informal resolution of campus-related conflicts. They advocate for fair treatment and process, following four distinctive principles: confidentiality, independence, impartiality/neutrality, and informality.

Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Diversity
Office of the Provost
Diversity and Inclusion Calendar