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April 17, 2023
Dear William Paterson Faculty and Staff,
With less than a month left in the Spring 2023 semester, the next few weeks will be especially busy ones for our William Paterson community. While our students are understandably focused on the work in front of them, please take the opportunity to encourage those who will be returning next fall to register now to get their best choice of courses, along with the satisfaction of checking this important task off their to-do lists.
On a similar note, please also encourage eligible students to take advantage of Summer TAG (Tuition Aid Grant), which can help them catch up or get ahead on progress toward their degree, depending on their circumstances. To qualify, students must have received a TAG award in the Fall 2022 and/or Spring 2023 terms; and be enrolled this summer in six or more credit hours in courses that are in the same undergraduate program at that same institution as the current academic year and which can be credited toward their graduation or academic major requirements. Summer TAG will be awarded on a prorated basis (6-8 credits = 1/2 TAG award; 9-11 credits = 3/4 award; 12 or more credits = full award). As with Summer Pell, eligible students do not need to apply, as the grant will be awarded by the Office of Financial Aid. Unlike Pell, TAG does not count against lifetime eligibility. Thank you for helping our students make the most of this important source of support.
I was asked recently by the Chair of the Faculty Senate about a rumor that there is a mass list of program closures. I want to assure everyone that we don’t have a mass list of program closures assembled. The Provost and Deans have continued to look at low-enrolled programs and minors that have had significant enrollment challenges for several years. The Provost will be briefing the Faculty Senate on this at an upcoming meeting. As I have said many times, we cannot continue to approve new curriculum without closing programs/minors that are under-performing in terms of enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. I also want to assure you that program or minor closures will not result in layoffs. We will always work to avoid any further layoffs, and none are anticipated at this time. However, if there were to be any future layoffs, we have an agreement with the AFT that they would occur no sooner than March 2024, and the Administration will stand by that agreement and extend it to cover all employees.
This is Honors Research Week, during which students who are completing one of the Honors College tracks present their work to the campus community. It is also a time to recognize the faculty and staff members who have contributed to this success. Please click the above link for the full schedule of student presenters and their theses and try to attend a session or two to show support for our students and recognition of their hard work.
A reminder that tomorrow, I will host my final Office Hours session of the semester for faculty and staff. If you have questions, something on your mind, or want to share some news, please join me at 3:30 p.m. in the Green Room in Hobart Manor.
To mark Earth Day, CASL, Career Development, Environmental Science Department and The Green League will host the Green A-Fair & Expo on Wednesday, April 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in University Ballrooms B&C. Check Pioneer Life for other Earth Day activities.William Paterson has long been recognized for our efforts to create a more environmentally sustainable campus, and events like this help further this work.
Today is the last day to get your tickets to join us Thursday for the 32nd Annual Legacy Award Gala. This year’s event is a wonderful opportunity to mark the 50th Anniversary of our renowned Jazz Studies Program while supporting student scholarships. Click here for full details and to purchase tickets.
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