October 13, 2023

Dear all,

I cannot start without acknowledging the unimaginable pain of so many people around the world, the escalating violence in so many places, and the difficulty of living alongside and within conflict. I could add some platitudes, but I will refrain. There is evil in this world, but there is also brightness, goodness and love. (OK, maybe that was a platitude).

Now to the lighter section of this message.

Next weekend (October 19-22) is Homecoming (which my teenage daughter calls “Hoco”), and it makes me really happy to see all the creative and engaging events that so many units have organized: BBQs, talk shows, fests (shoutout to Physics), breakfasts, concerts – you name it, we have it. Thank you so much for all the effort you are putting into this. Our alumni really appreciate being made welcome in this way, and they are a crucial population for us – networking for current students, career advice, our wider community, and of course giving back to A&S. Please check out the schedule of events and see if there is anything that catches your attention. As you know, Glenn Close will be on campus for the dedication of the new PBK and Music Buildings (that event unfortunately sold out, but overflow seating is available). She will also be in conversation with the President on Saturday morning. Local rabbits, watch out.
We also eagerly anticipate the inaugural concert on the new Peragallo pipe organ in the Music Building by renowned organist, Dr. Mickey Thomas Terry, Master Instructor of Organ at Howard University, at 2pm on Sunday, October 22. A reception will follow the concert and we hope you will join us in celebrating the opening of the beautiful Music Building.
The Year of the Arts is underway! Keep an eye on the Arts at W&M events calendar and keep up with all things Year of the Arts at wm.edu/yearofthearts.
The Muscarelle Museum is holding its 40th anniversary dinner on November 17th, and I encourage you all to attend what will be a spectacular event.
I met with the Teaching Faculty Committee on Wednesday and I am grateful to Jay Watkins for agreeing to chair the committee – and to the other members (David Armstrong, Liz Barnes, Tuska Benes, Victoria Castillo, and Jordan Walk) for agreeing to serve. The TFC will spend the fall developing criteria and processes for renewal, promotion, unsatisfactory performance, and merit for our teaching faculty in A&S. I’ve attached the framework for your reference. The framework includes language about department and program policies, but my suggestion is that for teaching faculty, we develop A&S wide policies that can be adopted by default by each academic unit. I’ve discussed this with the TFC and they will make a recommendation. My reasoning is that even though modes of teaching differ widely, the evidence we have to assess effective teaching does not (review of syllabi and assignments, student evaluations, classroom observations). Thus it seems to make sense to have consistent policies across the board – and it also seems more efficient. However, happy to do it the other way if there is consensus that this is a terrible, no good, very bad, horrid idea.
One point I would make, though, is that if you are currently developing specific policies for your department/program, you hold off on that for the moment until our approach is clarified. Only two teaching faculty are due to come up for promotion review this year and we can make an exception and complete those cases in the spring once we have clarified our policies.

And now….

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This week’s below the line strives to be relevant. Relevant to above the line, that is. Specifically, it’s about music + acting, which = opera. And it’s a story from a country far, far away, with much to distinguish it.

Rose Knox-Peebles, 82, performed in Wagner’s Das Rheingold – her first opera role ever. She played Erda, the earth mother, and stayed on stage naked for the entire performance. She had no lines or songs. She just stayed there. She got rave reviews for her performance: “visually arresting,” “remarkable and gracefully brave.” Except for the review in the Financial Times, which said she had been “made up to look quite a fright.” Know-Peebles found this annoying, since she was not wearing any make-up. So she wrote a letter to the Financial Times explaining that it was just her face, not make-up. She told the Guardian newspaper: “My appearance was obviously totally irrelevant. I’m supposed to be 4.9bn years old.”

And that’s it, folks. Have a great weekend,

Suzanne

Suzanne Raitt

Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Chancellor Professor of English

Pronouns: she/her/hers