FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: I'm a junior faculty member, and let's just say that my winter break wasn't terribly productive. Now I'm sitting in my office and wondering how on earth I'm going to organize the semester ahead. Any sage words for a distressed colleague? —Praying for Tenure

Dear Faculty Relations: The pandemic may be “over,” but I find that a lot of my work as a faculty member is either alone or on Zoom. Don’t get me wrong, I like to work in the library. But I don’t always feel like I have a real professional community at CU Boulder. What can I do to connect with my colleagues? —Lonely in the Library

Dear Faculty Relations: I love to teach, and I know this is my primary responsibility as a teaching professor, but should I try to keep investing in my research agenda? —Research Active Teaching Prof

Dear Faculty Relations: I have this idea and think it could become a business. Can the university help me? —Dreaming Big

Dear Faculty Relations: I teach a class with controversial material. I’m nervous about handling subject matter that might blow up in my face, but I don’t want to skip these topics either. Help! —Worried About Controversy

Dear Faculty Relations: From cancel culture to campus protests to the upcoming election, it feels like we are in a crucible for free speech rights. What constitutes free speech on campus and how can I make sure to respect those rights while taking care of myself and my students? —I Respect Free Speech

Dear Faculty Relations: We’re several weeks into the summer break and let’s just say I haven’t hit my writing goals. I need your sympathy, but more importantly, I need tools. What does my brain need to stay on track?  —Thoroughly Blocked

Dear Faculty Relations: I’ve heard from my international colleagues that they often feel isolated and invisible as they navigate the US higher education system, learn unspoken departmental norms and expectations, and develop new professional and personal relationships while living far away from friends and family. What can I do to make my department a more inclusive space for international faculty? —Inclusive Colleague

Dear Faculty Relations: May is here and I feel like a candle burned to the end. But I committed to writing two book chapters this summer. Help! —Burned Out

Dear Faculty Relations: I recently commenced my journey down the tenure track and aspire towards a successful tenure review. How do I chart my course? —Navigating Towards Tenure