FDS Newsletter

Dear Faculty Relations: How can I meet other faculty across campus? I feel alone sometimes and would like to engage with other faculty outside my unit, but I'm not sure how. Can you help? —Alone in Atlas

Dear Faculty Relations: When I was hired several years ago, I sat in my new office alone. The first week I thought everyone was too busy to say hello, but as the semester went on, not one person ever stopped by to welcome me. This year there is a new faculty member in our department, and I want to be sure that the same thing doesn’t happen. What can I do to welcome my new colleague warmly? —Collegial Colleague

Dear Faculty Relations: My students are required to complete academic writing assignments as part of their course assignments. Students ask if they can use AI to complete them. Is this an appropriate path? —I have AI anxiety

Dear Faculty Relations: Everyone here is a gossip. It’s causing me to avoid the office. Is there anything I can do? —Distrustful

Dear Faculty Relations: You may recall my note from last year. I reached out in a bit of a panic in July because I felt, once again, like I was coming up short in terms of summer productivity. I’m being proactive this time – reaching out as the semester ends. I’m still worried, though, that I’ll feel bad about my productivity come August. I would love advice on how to set myself up for a successful summer. —Making the Most of My Summe​r

Dear Faculty Relations: I have a colleague who has been increasingly hostile to me. They have sent upsetting emails and have engaged in some aggressive personal interactions. I’ve tried to defuse the situation, but nothing is changing. I have to continue working with this individual, but the situation is getting increasingly worse. What can I do? —Feeling Overwhelmed

Dear Faculty Relations: I am a faculty member engaged in research, teaching, and service activities. Most days, it is a struggle to stay afloat. Recently, a colleague mentioned that I need to have a social media presence and brand myself and my research online. Why should I care about having a social media account? —Your Anti-Social Media Professor

Dear Faculty Relations: How do I know what I should prioritize? Now that the semester has begun, I am feeling overwhelmed and rushed but not accomplishing much. I have no idea where to begin. —Time is Getting Away

Dear Faculty Relations: I am overwhelmed by one of the many new (to me) aspects of this job. I’m in the second year of my tenure-track position and am now primary advisory to two doctoral students, one in their first year and one in their third. I feel like I was JUST in their shoes (and really, I was, having gone straight from completing my Ph.D. to my current position). I understand this is not unusual, but I’m feeling lost and want to do a good job. Can you share some tips? —Advisee to Advisor Flip

Dear Faculty Relations: There seems to be a rapid change in the number of students using different pronouns, such as they, them, theirs, or xe, xem, xeirs. These pronouns sound out of place, and I wonder about their grammatical correctness. How should I address students in my classes who have made requests to use such pronouns? —What is Up With Pronouns?