February 21, 2023

Dear William Paterson Faculty and Staff,

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend and found some time to relax.

As you know, we have been working hard to reduce the barriers that prevent students from registering. We know from our data that one of the largest hurdles for many of our students is a financial one. We have a sizable number of students who cannot yet be awarded aid because we are awaiting their enrollment verification by faculty. The timely reporting of Enrollment Verification aids in the facilitation of a student’s financial aid disbursement. This, in turn, leads to being able to pay tuition or reduce balances to allow them to continue with their education or provide funds for rent, transportation, food, and miscellaneous expenses. Research indicates that failure to fund these indirect costs in a timely manner is a significant source of struggle for college students. I ask that faculty please make sure that you have completed this important tasks for all your students, and I thank you for your efforts.  

We are excited that William Paterson University has been selected as a 2023 NJBIZ Leaders in Digital Technology honoree. We are the only higher education institution to be recognized among 23 organizations and 25 individuals for this award from NJBIZ magazine, which recognizes companies and individual innovators who have demonstrated excellence in technology and leadership. We submitted a nomination based on our advancements in online learning, including the adult learning market. A virtual awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 30.

Please join me online Tuesday, February 28 at 3:00 p.m. for my next session of Office Hours for faculty and staff. Bring your questions, topics for discussion, or news to share to the Zoom session. I hope to see you then. 

This week’s WP: We are Proud – Congratulations to Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies Geoffrey Keezer on winning a 2023 Grammy Award earlier this month for Best Instrumental Composition. The award is for his composition "Refuge," appearing on his newest album, titled “Playdate”. Professor Keezer, who joined William Paterson in Spring 2020, teaches jazz piano and coaches one of our 24 small jazz groups on campus. “He has been such a great addition to our faculty,” says Professor David Demsey, coordinator of the Jazz Studies Program. “He teaches in the room next to my office, and as ingenious as he is as a pianist and composer, he's equally brilliant with his students.”

Have a great week.