Electronic grade submission coming

The university is implementing an electronic method for instructors, departments and faculties to enter, submit and approve final grade information for students. This will replace the manual process that is currently in place. This is not an optional change. All instructors, departments and faculties are expected to start using this automated process starting during the Winter 2012 term.

When the new functionality is in place, instructors will be able to enter final grades using one of the following methods:

• Download an electronic grade roster in a spreadsheet format from Instructor Self-Service in Bear Tracks, enter the final grade information, and then upload this as a spreadsheet file or .CSV format into Instructor Self-Service;
• Download a spreadsheet from a Learning Management system with final grades assigned, and then upload this spreadsheet file or .CSV format into Instructor Self-Service; or,
• Enter final grades directly in Instructor Self-Service.

The major benefit of the new functionality is to introduce efficiency by eliminating manual processes. Other benefits include:

• Department and Associate Chairs will be able to approve grades anytime, anyplace;
• Elimination of transcription errors;
• A simpler, more transparent process for entering grades;
• Automatic generation of grading histograms; and
• Potential for earlier availability of grades to students. 

The roll-out target is to deploy the new system for early March in time for the submission of Winter 2012 grades. Any final grades processed prior to the “go live” date will use the existing paper processes. The “go live” date will be determined in January.

The project team, working group and oversight committee for this project have representatives from numerous faculties and departments, the Office of the Registrar, the Office of the Vice Provost and Associate Vice-President (Information Technology), and Administrative Information Systems.

An overview of the new grades process is available at www.ais.ualberta.ca (see Current AIS Projects - Grades Presentation). If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Barry Scott (AIS Project Manager) at barry.scott(at)ualberta.ca or 492-2815.

Thank you,

Jonathan Schaeffer, Vice-Provost & AVP Information Technology

Gerry Kendal, Vice-Provost & University Registrar

Call for VP Advancement search committee nominations

In consultation with the Chair of the Board of Governors, President Samarasekera has asked that an Advisory Search Committee for Vice-President (Advancement) be struck.  The GFC 'Call for Nominations,' an explanatory covering memo, and related links are now available for viewing on-line at the University Governance website: Academic Staff Elections.       

The deadline for nomination is 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29. If you should have any questions, please contact me.

Thanks so much,

Ann Hodgson, 

Associate Secretary, Governance Services

Haennel to serve as acting dean of Rehab Med

Several weeks ago the President announced that Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell agreed to serve as Acting Provost and Vice-President (Academic) while I take my administrative leave from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013. I am now pleased to announce that Dr. Robert Haennel has, in turn, agreed to serve as Acting Dean in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine for that same period of time.

Dr. Haennel has been the chair of the Department of Physical Therapy for the past six years. Prior to joining the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine in 2005, he was at the University of Regina, where he served as associate dean in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies and directed the Dr. Paul Schwann Applied Health and Research Centre. 

With these gentlemen's outstanding records of administrative and academic achievements, I am confident that the Faculty and University community will experience a smooth transition over the period of my administrative leave.

Sincerely,

Carl Amrhein

Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

What does academic freedom mean to you?

Academic freedom is one of the most fundamental principles upon which the modern university is founded.  The right to pursue one’s teaching and research free from political interference is nearly sacred.

Several weeks ago, Peter MacKinnon, president and professor of law at the University of Saskatchewan, published an essay in University Affairs magazine titled "What do we mean when we talk about academic freedom?" in which he posits, among other things, that "academic freedom exists for a purpose and that it must be seen generally to advance that purpose." 

A couple of weeks later Mark Mercer, who teaches in the department of philosophy at Saint Mary’s University, offered his rebuttal, "Academic freedom for its own sake," in which he contends that academic freedom is indeed to be valued for its own sake. (The two titles are live links to the full essays.)

What is your definition of academic freedom? With which author do you tend to agree more?

Nominations open for Dean of Science selection committee

The Provost and Vice-President (Academic) is establishing the selection committee for Dean of the Faculty of Science.  The Call for Nominations and relevant documentation are online here, including an explanatory covering memo, selection committee meeting schedule and committee composition.

The nomination period is open until 4:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14, 2011. 

If you have any questions, please contact me at your convenience.

Ann Hodgson

Associate Secretary, Governance Services, University Governance

780.492.1938 or ann.hodgson(at)ualberta.ca

Board chair, public member positions posted

The advertisement for both the Board Chair and for the Board of Governors Public Member vacancies are posted now on the Government of Alberta’s website.

Here are the job numbers and deadlines. The positions are posted here.

Public Member, University of Alberta, Board of Governors

Job ID: 1007926

Closing Date: Nov. 14, 2011

Chair, University of Alberta, Board of Governors

Job ID: 1007927

Closing Date: Nov. 25, 2011

  

If you know someone who would be a good candidate for either of these positions, please encourage them to apply. Please note, the deadlines are fast approaching.