Return to Campus Logistics and Highlights

The University announced Tuesday that Emory will move to a yellow operating condition effective January 31, when in-person classes resume. Please see the Emory Forward website for more details. Of note:

• Masking: Current masking requirements remain in effect.
• Gathering policies: Larger indoor gatherings may take place. Indoor dining is allowed for organized events and gatherings; however, outdoor dining, individually boxed meals, and grab-and-go options are encouraged. Please review Emory Forward’s Event and Gathering page for full details on gathering guidelines.
• Testing: Students are required to test before returning to campus and follow new isolation and quarantine guidelines.
• COVID-19 Screening Tests: All faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to take regular advantage of the free and available COVID-19 screening tests offered Monday-Friday at various locations around campus. For more information and to schedule a test, see the Emory Forward website.
• New process for contact tracing and return-to-campus instruction: Employees who are symptomatic, exposed, or infected with COVID-19 should follow the revised self-service instructions on Emory Forward’s What Do I Do If page.
• Booster attestation: Fill out the University’s attestation form that you have received the booster, if you have not already done so. Please note: If you have previously uploaded your updated vaccine card with your booster information to the Emory HOME portal, you will still need to fill out the attestation form.

Reminder: No Classes Thursday and Friday

No undergraduate classes will be held this Thursday and Friday, January 27 and January 28. Students will be moving back to campus on those dates and there will be no exceptions to holding class on these days. In addition, please do not assign asynchronous materials to complete on those dates.

Return-to-Campus Guidance for Classrooms

Recording lectures: Emory College instructors are not required to record in-person courses, but it is strongly recommended. It is likely some students may need to miss class during the return to campus or later in the semester due to COVID symptoms, quarantine, or international travel delays. Being in the practice of recording class sessions using Zoom and sharing the recordings through your course Canvas site will enhance the academic experience of students who miss class for approved reasons, as well as providing greater accessibility to all students.

Zoom cloud recording is the preferred method for classroom lecture capture (Echo 360 is being phased out of use in Emory College). You may access instructions for launching Zoom in classrooms, Zoom cloud recording, and the storage of your Zoom recordings here:

• Using the Zoom Desktop Application
• Zoom Cloud Recording Instructions
• Preserving your Zoom recordings in Canvas Studio and OneDrive
• For help with Zoom recording in the classroom, contact ECAS Classroom Technology Services (echelp@emory.edu or 404-727-6853)

Instructors may also consider posting their notes or slides, posting photographs of the whiteboard, and/or hosting Zoom office hours to accommodate any students who are unable to attend class.

Keep Canvas Updated: Emory College encourages all instructors to utilize and regularly update Canvas this semester, even after the return to campus to help students transition between modalities and to provide continuity for students in Q/I. If your course must temporarily transition back to online learning at any point in the semester, this will help ease the transition. For support with course design, please contact emorycollegeonline@emory.edu or make an appointment with an instructional designer. You may also schedule a consultation with an Emory Canvas expert.

Staffing Expectations for Return to Campus

During the month of January, while Emory’s classes were remote, departments and programs may have modified the on-campus work schedules for the staff. As onsite classes resume on January 31, department and program leadership should let staff know the plans and expectations for on-campus work going forward, if this has not already taken place.

In general, staff should be resuming the schedules that were in place before the winter holidays. As always, flexibility is important if staff members are dealing with COVID infection or quarantine for themselves or family members, or other illnesses at this time of year. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact ECAS_Connections@emory.edu.

Faculty Leave Requests Due Jan. 31

All faculty requesting a leave of absence in 2022-2023 (pre-tenure, regular, special, parental, medical, sabbatical, and post-tenure – including those that are externally funded or unpaid) need to complete a Qualtrics survey by January 31. The Faculty Leave Request Survey is available here.

The guidelines for leave applications are available on the Office of Faculty website. Please note that the guidelines include an explanation of the requirement that faculty applying for regular sabbaticals and those undergoing tenure review anticipating leaves must also apply for funding from a source external to Emory. A research abstract and a copy of the external application materials will be required as part of the leave request. The guidelines also include a procedure, in exceptional cases, for requesting a waiver from this policy. Please send questions to Dean_of_Faculty@emory.edu.

College and University Award Nominations Due Soon

Williams Teaching Award Nominations Due Feb. 18

Emory College faculty, students, and alumni are encouraged to submit nominations for the prestigious 2021-2022 Emory Williams Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Awards. Nominators should submit a one-page letter justifying the nomination and include specific information about the nominee’s teaching. Joint nominations and nominations from departments and programs are encouraged. Send electronic nomination letters to Dean_of_Faculty@emory.edu with the subject line “Emory Williams Nomination” by Friday, Feb. 18. 

University’s Jefferson Award Nominations Due Feb. 18

The Thomas Jefferson Award is presented annually at Emory University’s commencement. This award is named and endowed by the Robert Earl McConnell Foundation to honor current Emory University faculty and staff who have significantly enriched the intellectual and civic life of the Emory community.

The award honors a member of the faculty or staff for significant service to Emory through personal activities, influence, and leadership, usually over the course of many years. The Selection Committee is now seeking nominations for the 2022 honoree. More information on the award can be found on the Office of the Provost website. Please send nomination letters and CVs to Dr. Joel Baumgart by email at joelbaumgart@emory.edu. The deadline for 2022 nominations is Friday, February 18 at 5 p.m. Nominations received after this time will not be eligible for consideration for the current year’s award.

Brittain Award Nominations Due Feb. 18

The 2022 M.L. Brittain Award nomination process is now open. The award is given annually at Commencement to one undergraduate and one graduate student who have performed the most “significant, meritorious, and devoted service to Emory University.” Fall 2021 or spring 2022 graduates are eligible for nomination. Nomination letters should be submitted to Sandra Edwards, sandra.edwards@emory.edu, by Friday, February 18. Please see the call for nominations for more information about the award.

Cuttino Mentoring Award Nominations Due March 4

This award is named in honor of the late history professor George Peddy Cuttino, who was known among several generations of Emory students not only as a teacher, but also as an outstanding mentor beyond the classroom. The successful recipient of this prestigious award should exhibit a similar record of exceptional mentoring of students. One page nomination letters addressed to Senior Associate Dean Deboleena Roy, should be sent to the Dean_of_Faculty@emory.edu email address with “Cuttino Award” in the subject line by Friday, March 4, and include specific information about the nominee’s record as a mentor. 

McMullan Award Nominations Due March 4

Emory College is soliciting nominations for the Lucius Lamar McMullan Award. The McMullan Award is meant to honor a graduating senior of uncommon stature in the eyes of the Emory community. Academic achievement is an important criterion, but not the sole measure of excellence. The recipient should also demonstrate outstanding citizenship, exceptional leadership, and singular qualities of mind and character. The winner of the McMullan Award will receive $30,000 at the time of graduation to be used for any purpose of their choosing. Nominations should be submitted via the nomination form by Friday, March 4. Please see the call for nominations or email Jason Ciejka, jciejka@emory.edu, for more information.

Call for Temporary Faculty for 2022-2023

Reminder to Department Chairs and Directors: Please submit your temporary faculty requests for next year by Tuesday, February 15. The Qualtrics link to complete for each instructor is Online Survey Software | Qualtrics Survey Solutions. Please email Dean_of_Faculty@emory.edu with questions.

FSAP Services Available for Emotional/Mental Health

Need help with setting intentions for self-care, coping, or your general emotional/mental health? Reach out to the Faculty Staff Assistance Program at 404-727-WELL (9355) or efsap@emory.edu for free coaching, counseling, or a well-being check-in consultation, or join one of FSAP’s weekly/monthly offerings. Currently all services are held virtually via Zoom.