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January 12, 2024

Dear all,

Here we are - the start of another semester and the beginning of a new year. I like to think of the new year as a time to ponder what I’m grateful for (I know there must be something) and the things I’d like to change this coming year (I think it might be everything). Only kidding, of course.... Amid all the change, I think about how much beauty and fulfilment can be found in continuing. In seeing things through. In “keeping going.” 

So, as we prepare to embark on the second half of this academic year, let’s keep going together. (Some tips for doing that appear below the line.) But first, a few updates from me. Read this email in any order you choose. I am sorry it’s so long, but W&M doesn’t sleep, and Ewell definitely has its frenzied moments. Please take a look at the items above the line: you may find some interesting information. I’m not guaranteeing it, but it’s always a possibility.  

1. New arrivals: Earlier today, I shared two exciting announcements (see attached) about two new members of the A&S Dean’s Office team:  
   1. Eric Despard has accepted the new position of executive director of the Arts Quarter. Eric joins us from the University of Houston-Clear Lake where he served as Director of Theater and Cultural Arts since 2020. His prior experience both as a faculty member and as the founding executive director of Laumeister Art Center at Southern Vermont College make him particularly well-suited to help guide the Arts at W&M into a new chapter. We appreciate Eric’s extensive experience, enthusiasm and attitude of servant leadership, and are overjoyed to welcome him to the Arts & Sciences team. I extend my thanks to the search committee; to the search committee chair, Silvia Tandeciarz; and to A&S Office Manager Amy Detwiler, who provided administrative support for the search. 
   2. Tarikul Islam has accepted the position of A&S senior associate dean of finance & administration and will be joining us on February 5, replacing Sherri Powers upon her well-deserved retirement. Tarikul comes to us from the University of Texas at Arlington where he served since 2018 as the Director of Academic Resource Planning for the College of Engineering and College of Science. Tarikul’s expertise in fiscal, operational planning, and management of academic resources, along with his dedication to leadership and team building, equip him well for this important role. Special thanks to the search committee members; search committee chair, Rob Hinkle; and A&S Dean’s Executive Assistant, Erica MacLeod, who provided administrative support. We are truly thrilled to welcome Tarikul to William & Mary and Arts & Sciences.   
2. More new arrivals: And that’s not all! Earlier this month, we welcomed Trey Mayo to the A&S Office of Graduate Studies team as assistant dean for graduate studies. His areas of responsibility include student academic progress and degree conferral, coordination of graduate student services and communication, fellowships, grants and awards. Trey is already a wonderful addition to the team and we look forward to all that lies ahead for graduate studies. 
3. Even more new arrivals: And even that’s not all. We were delighted to welcome Rich Lowry, our new Vice-Dean for Arts, Humanities & Interdisciplinary Studies, to our team on January 2. He has already proved himself to be an excellent partner, and we are glad he is with us. 
4. Revision of the Faculty Handbook: You may be aware that W&M has been tasked by the Board of Visitors with a thorough revision of the Faculty Handbook. Essential policies and processes are included in the Handbook and we are all invited to participate in improving and clarifying them. If you don’t participate, your voice won’t be heard. Please check the attached email from the Provost, which includes a link to a survey and information about a listening session with A&S faculty on Jan. 30^th, 3:30, in the Sadler Center, York Room. 
5. Amazing research accomplished during SSRLs: I spent some time recently reading 53 SSRL reports from colleagues in A&S and I can hardly find the words (I know this surprises you) to express how inspired I was. Your brilliant and original research came to life for me through the page, and I am not only inspired but proud, as always, to call you my colleagues. As we continue to find new ways to tell the story of Arts & Sciences, your research and passions underscore A&S as the very heart of interdisciplinarity and exploration.  
6. Update from the Writing Resource Center: The Writing Resources Center is now the Writing and Communication Center! Under the continued steady leadership of Lori Jacobson, the WCC continues to provide wonderful writing and communication support for students and faculty. Their new name represents the breadth of support they provide, including various forms of digital communication. The WCC opens for the semester on February 5. 
7. Student continuance: The Dean's Office is continuing their work with the Dean of Students office to transition the Committee on Academic Status to A&S. Starting January 10, Chris Wlosinski will begin a new role as the assistant director for academic exceptions in the OUAA; she is charged with supporting undergraduate students petitioning for academic exceptions. Shelly and her team are working closely with DOSO on a transition plan for the spring and summer with the new rollout planned for Fall 2024. 
8. Open Inquiry Awards (OIA) support faculty efforts to promote open inquiry of diverse experiences and perspectives in existing or new non-COLL courses. Past recipients have used the funds in a number of ways from guest speakers (virtual or in-person) honoraria, purchase of pedagogy-related course materials or supplies, and to gain access special databases not available through the library. Deadline: rolling. Submit your application. 

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Only an English professor would care about this, and probably not even most English professors, but I’ve just realized that “carrying on” has two contradictory meanings. No wonder everything is so confusing all the time, when words slip and slide around like this (a vague quote from Virginia Woolf, from those who might recognize it). I am sure you all by now have seen a mug with this image on it: 

It was designed in the UK right before the beginning of the Second World War in 1939, but never released. It was rediscovered in 2001, when it quickly appeared on aprons, tea cosies, hats, postcards, posters and hot-water bottles (which I believe I have mentioned previously). Here, of course, “carry on” means “keep going whatever happens.” 

Then of course, there are the Carry On films. These are British comedies, which include Carry on, Nurse; Carry on, Constable; and Carry on Cruising, among others (31 altogether). Here, “carry on” is being used in the sense above: for example, “Continue being a nurse,” “Continue being a constable,” etc. From these translations of their titles, it’s hard to believe that these movies contain much action, nor that they were very popular. (I’m thinking about “Carry on Deaning,” for example. Not necessarily riveting.) But millions watched them and laughed their heads off, and now you can buy a boxed set of some things called DVDs which you can use to watch the Carry On films. 

And finally – because this message’s length, OMG - “carry on” also means (in Britain, informally): “a display of excitement or fuss over an unimportant matter.” As you probably know, this is frowned upon in Britain. So, I leave you with this important question: what are your carrying-on plans for 2024? Whichever version you choose, I want you to know that I will continue to be proud to be your Dean. Seriously. 

Happy New Year! 

Suzanne