The provost’s program to introduce new faculty to Amherst will begin with an informative session in July (which will take place via Zoom) and August (which will take place in person). Following this initial series of events, new faculty will participate in an extended orientation throughout their first year at the college. New faculty are asked to check this site throughout the year for updates.
Because this faculty orientation program will provide information and perspectives to help new faculty in their work as teachers, scholars, and members of the Amherst community, we expect that all new faculty will attend all program events. If for any reason someone must miss one or have other questions, please contact Professor Pawan Dhingra, associate provost and associate dean of the faculty, or Associate Provost Janet Tobin.
Workday, a new cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, was implemented last year to better support the human resources, payroll, and financial administration at the college. Two virtual sessions are being offered to help new faculty understand and learn how to use Workday. Check your email for the Zoom link for these sessions.
Overview of Workday Financials for New Faculty:
Thursday, July 28, 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Monday, August 1, 11:00 a.m.–12 p.m.
The Provost and Dean of the Faculty’s Retreat on Teaching and Learning is an annual event that brings faculty and instructional staff together to reflect on an important aspect of teaching in the Amherst classroom. It is an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues before the semester begins, explore pedagogical ideas, and celebrate our teaching and learning successes. Relationships are at the center of teaching and learning. This year's Provost's Retreat will help us think through how to align our pedagogical work with the most effective and sustainable strategies for fostering meaningful relationships - with ourselves, our colleagues, and our students.
* How do we attend to the cognitive, social, and affective dimensions of this work?
* How do we facilitate positive, productive relationships among students in the class?
* How do these strategies align with our own goals for teaching?
More information about the retreat and RSVP here.
As is Amherst's tradition on the evening before the start of classes, there will be a short faculty meeting, a light supper (at Frost Library), and then convocation. All faculty are expected to attend these events (supper is optional).
Previous to convocation, there will be a short faculty meeting to introduce new colleagues, welcome back faculty who have been on leave, and approve some new courses. The agenda for the meeting will be sent in August. It is expected that the meeting will end by 6:15 P.M. Following the faculty meeting, there will be plenty of time for faculty to change into regalia for convocation.
Please plan to attend convocation, the ceremony that marks the formal beginning of the academic year. At the event, the president, faculty, and administrators welcome new students to the college, and faculty who have recently been promoted to the rank of full professor are awarded honorary degrees. Faculty and administrators wear academic regalia. If you need to rent regalia, early notice is essential. Contact Paula Mieczkowski at pamieczkowski@amherst.edu for rental information. Paula can also help with purchasing regalia at any time during the year. Please place your order as soon as possible, and definitely by July 22, to avoid high shipping fees.