Western Carolina University
New Faculty Orientation 2012
Wednesday
August 8
8:15
8:30
8:40
9:00
Welcome to Western
Registration (University Center Multipurpose Rooms A & B)
Includes morning drinks and light snacks
Welcome and Orientation Overview—Mark Lord, Interim Associate Provost
Chancellor David Belcher
Provost Angela Brenton
About WCU—Our History and Mission
9:20 “Bells in the Valley” (movie)—a narrated, photographic journey of WCU from 1889
through today.
9:40 The Engaged University
Carol Burton, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies
10:45 Break
11:00 Our students at Western Carolina University
Sam Miller, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
11:20 Evaluation and support of Faculty, Mark Lord and Chris Cooper, Associate Professor
and Dept. Head Political Science & Public Affairs
Move to Illusions for afternoon (upstairs in the University Center)
12:00 Lunch with the Deans and Office of the Provost
1:30
Human Resources Introductions and Welcome—Kathy Wong
1:35
Intake Process, Payroll Schedule, Holidays, Training, Misc. --All HR/Payroll staff
1:45
Retirement System Membership Options – Matt Brown
The Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System
Optional Retirement Program (TIAA-CREF and Fidelity)
Supplemental Retirement Options (403b, 457 401k)—Peg Shafer
Disability Benefits –Matt Brown
Serious Illness & Disability for Faculty—Matt Brown
Workers’ Compensation –Matt Brown
Special Leaves (FMLA, others)—Matt Brown
2:15
State Health Insurance Plan –Peg Shafer
NC Flex (cafeteria plan includes spending accounts and supplemental insurance such
as dental, vision, death, and dismemberment, etc)—Peg Shafer
2:45
Break
3:00
Meet the Vendors!
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Thursday
August 9
“Wellness for You and Your Students Matters”---Walking Tour
(dress casually and accessorize with an umbrella---wear walking shoes)
We will begin in the University Center Multipurpose Room A promptly at 8:00
8:00 Introduction to the day
10:25 Walking
8:15 Session I (whole group)
10:45 Session IV
8:45 Walking
11:15 Walking
9:05 Session II
11:35 Session V
9:35 Walking
12:00 Session VI
9:55 Session III*
12:15-12:30 Conclude
*refreshments will be available at the beginning of Session III
A representative from Cherokee Studies will be available for part of your walking tour to discuss the relationship
between the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian and Western Carolina University.
Session I: Student Community Ethics, Honors College, International Programs and Services
Kudzu Group:
II=Health/Counseling Services →
III=One Stop/Student Support Services/Disability Services →
IV=Graduate School and Research →
V=Campus Rec. Ctr. →
VI= University Center (in Rec. Ctr Meeting Room)
Sourwood Group:
II=One Stop/Student Support Services/Disability Services →
III= Graduate School and Research →
IV=Health/Counseling Services→
V=Campus Rec. Ctr. →
VI= University Center (in Rec. Ctr Meeting Room)
River Cane Group:
II = Graduate School and Research →
III=Health/Counseling Services→
IV=One Stop/Student Support Services/Disability Services→
V=Campus Rec. Ctr. →
VI= University Center (in Rec. Center Meeting Room)
For your future reference the table below shows the office locations of individuals you meet on the walking tour.
Division
Contact Person/title
Location
Campus Recreation & Wellness
Shauna Sage, Director
Campus Recreation Center
Counseling &Psychological Services
Michelle Cooper, Assistant Director
Bird Building, 230
Disability Services
Lance Alexis, Director
Killian Annex, 144
Health Services
Pam Buchanan , Director
Bird Building, 215
Graduate School & Research
Mimi Fenton, Interim Dean
Camp Building, 110
Honors College
Brian Railsback, Dean
Balsam Hall, 101
International Programs
Lois Petrovich Mwaniki, Director
Camp Building 109
One Stop
Mike Razdrh, Associate Director
Killian Annex, 132
Student Community Ethics
Walter Turner, Director
Scott Residence Hall, East 103
Student Support Services
Suzanne Baker, Acting Director
Killian Annex, 138
University Center
Jeff Hughes, Director
University Center
12:30-1:45
Lunch on your own (close possibilities are Sazon—a Mexican restaurant on back of campus,
Cullowhee Café, Jade Dragon)
1:45-3:45
Mandatory! Campus Safety Training (University Center Multipurpose Room A)
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“Supporting You and Supporting Students Matter”
(begin where your assigned first session is located)
Friday
August 10
8:30-12:00 or 1:00-4:30
Red or Yellow Group
Hunter Library Tech Commons
Faculty members will be divided into two groups and attend ONE of the above sessions—plus the
photo session*.
*Photos will be taken in HFR 420, 9:00-11:30 & 1:00-3:00 on August 10th—faculty members need
to drop in before or after their assigned group session. Photos will be sent to the Cat Card office. Cat
Cards will be distributed to faculty members on Tuesday, August 14th. (You will pick them up at the
registration desk at the Faculty Commons session)
PLEASE BE SURE TO BE IN PROFESSIONAL DRESS FOR YOUR PHOTO—THESE WILL BE USED FOR
ALL CAMPUS PUBLICATIONS IN WHICH YOU WILL BE FEATURED.
Information Technology (IT): Getting to know the services offered through the Division of IT
Library: Introduction to library services and resources.
Academic Success Centers: Writing and Learning Commons and Mathematics Tutoring Center
(Group assignments are below—it is important to attend your assigned session since log-in
information is being prepared for your specific session.)
Red Group
8:30-9:00
9:00-10:00
10:00-10:15
10:15-12:00
Academic Success
Library
Break
Information Tech –
including Cass TIPS
Red Group
Cory Hawk
Michael Boatright
Diane Martinez
Na’ama Nagar
John Newman
Robert Ferguson
Robert Giles
Darby Harris
Charles Sheaffer
Edward Lopez
Craig Shoulders
Anne Downing
Cass Morgan
Melody Frick
Emily Darnell
Melanie Cattrell
Brad Reisinger
Moira Bradford
Nicole Jastremski
Tamera Cole
Leslie Wilson
John Ellerbach
Yellow Group
1:00-1:30
1:30-2:30
2:30-2:45
2:45-4:30
Yellow Group
Loredana Apavaloaie
Holly Pinter
William Scales
Mary Beth Decatur
Sarah Reams
Kim Ruebel
Brenda Lilly
Damon Sink
Nathan Thomas
Alfred Wilkerson
John Carzoli
Guangshsu Chang
Patrick Gardner
Yong Han Ahn
Sung-Joon Suk
Lynn Knight
Carol MacKusick
Clint Owen
Cheryl Conway
Octavia Flanagan
Bora Karayaka
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Tuesday
August 14
New Faculty Orientation: Coulter Faculty Commons Day
What is the Coulter Faculty Commons (CFC) for Excellence in Teaching and Learning?
The CFC’s primary purpose is to help you do what you do better, whether that is teaching, research,
or engagement. We provide consultations, workshops, events, and more. The Coulter Faculty
Commons is located at 166 Hunter Library.
Pedagogy
Content
Knowledge
Technology
Whole Group Session
10:00-10:30
Hunter 161
“The Keys to the Castle”
This highly interactive session will explore the culture of teaching and learning here at WCU and
provide you with practical information and resources for use in your own classrooms.
Round Robin Sessions
10:30-12:00
Hunter 161
These 20-minute sessions will orient you to the tools and support structures that you need to succeed
starting the first week--from syllabus templates to social media.
Session A: Syllabus/Course Design
Session B: Blackboard Quick Start
Session C: Communication Tools
Session D: Evaluation and Assessment
Lunch
12:00-1:00
Hunter 161
Please join the CFC staff for lunch—compliments of the Office of the Provost.
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CFC Afternoon Opportunities
1:30-5:00: Structured Work Time and/or Office Hours
You can use this time as an opportunity to work on what you need to be ready for your first week of
class…with expert help available for all of your questions. The CFC staff will be available all
afternoon with open office hours for consultation, brainstorming, advice, or whatever you might need.
You can use the Faculty Sandbox (Hunter 184) for structured work time or you can meet with the
CFC teams (listed below) for individual, tailored support.
CFC Staff “Office Hours”:
Digital Media Team
LMS (Blackboard) Team
Instructional Development Team
Research Support Team
Hunter 184
Hunter 156
Hunter 172
Hunter 172
Wednesday
August 15
8:30 Opening Assembly Reception (John W. Bardo Fine & Performing Arts Center)
9:00 Chancellor’s Opening Speech for Faculty/Staff
1:00 College Faculty/Staff Meetings
______________________________________________________________________________
Thursday
9:00 Departmental Faculty Meetings begin (Schedule set by each department)
August 16
Friday
9:00 Freshman Move-in Assistance
August 17
5:30 Freshman Convocation (Faculty dressed in Academic Regalia)
Saturday
4:30 – 7:30 Valley Ballyhoo (UC Lawn)
August 18
Friday
5:30-7:00 Chancellor’s reception for new faculty & staff.
August 24
The reception will be at the Chancellors Residence; a guest is welcome
New Faculty need to attend one of the two training sessions listed in this section.
Wednesday, Oct. 26 4:00-5:00 pm Advising Liberal Studies (Killian Annex 136)
Thursday, Oct. 27 8:00-9:00 am Advising Liberal Studies (Killian Annex 136)
NFO Sessions during the Academic Year
The first week of new faculty orientation is designed to acclimate you to the culture of the university,
the beauty of the region, and provide you with resources and support for success in your first weeks
of teaching. Extended sessions, below, are designed to engage you with other topics and services that
are critical to long-term success in your academic career. You will be given information and
invitations to these events closer to the date.
Date
Friday September 28, 2-4
Friday October 26, 2-4
Friday February 22, 2-4
Friday March 22, 2-4
Friday May 3, 3-5
Session
1) Balance
2) The Community
3) Student Success
4) Scholarship
5) First-Year Faculty Reception
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Other expectations throughout the semester/year
A comprehensive power-point presentation covering information for new employees called New
Employee Basic Orientation has been set up on the Human Resources web page at Western Carolina
University - New Employee Basic Orientation for Faculty - http://www.wcu.edu/25428.asp . Please
complete and submit the confidentiality agreement and four training acknowledgement forms located
inside the presentation, to Human Resources by October 15th.
Subjects include:
Sexual Harassment Training
HIPAA
ADA
Drug/Alcohol Policy
Copyright Policy
Nepotism
IRB Policy/Procedure
Confidentiality – requires signing agreement
FERPA- requires signing acknowledgement
OSHA
State Property
Violence and Weapons Policy
Relationships with Students
Export Control –requires signing acknowledgement
WCU General Security Awareness – requires signing
acknowledgement
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