This Week in LANG 4/21/2025

April 21, 2025
Categories: General News

In this Edition: **Chair Office Hours: T virtual, 10-12, W 1-3 f2f and virtual, R 3-5**

Dear colleagues, 

Welcome to the last week.

Dates and Events this Week

Wednesday, April 23

  • Lunch and Learn “Grammar in Context,” with Dr. Bobby Hobgood

12:15-1:15, Lounge

Looking Ahead Dates and Events Spring 2025
April 29

  • Legal Training: Academic Freedom and Institutional Neutrality:

What You Can Say (and What the University Can’t), 12:00 pm -1:00 pm via Zoom, RSVP: via this form

April 30

  • Last Day of Classes, Day of Remembrance

May 1

  • Reading Day, Department Meeting and End of Year Celebration

May 10

  • Commencement, 10 am, CHESS

Information for Faculty and Staff

Understanding Immigration Changes
The University has compiled a series of frequently asked questions to provide relevant information to faculty, staff and students about recent immigration changes in the United States.

Legal Workshop: Academic Freedom and Institutional Neutrality:

What You Can Say (and What the University Can’t)

What speech does academic freedom protect? Does institutional neutrality affect how you teach, research, or speak out? This session breaks down the scope of these principles, when they matter, and how both are being tested in today’s higher ed climate. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of your rights, the University’s responsibilities, and where questions remain about the boundaries of both in 2025 and beyond.

Presenters: Jesh Humphrey, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel, and Sarah Edwards, Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and Deputy General Counsel
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 12:00 pm -1:00 pm via Zoom (link will be provided to registrants)

Please RSVP via this form.

CHESS Zoom & Learn: Globally Networked Learning & Study Abroad
Looking for an easy-access and low-cost experience to enhance your students’ international awareness and cross-cultural competence? Providing your students with direct contact with students from other countries without leaving Charlotte? Consider the Globally Networked Learning program facilitated by the Office of International Programs. In this Zoom and learn, the presenters will discuss how to start a GNL project, how does GNL compare to traditional study abroad, and the support that is provided by the Office of International Programs. April 29, 1-2 pm, register, join 

Kingston Program

The Office of Education Abroad (EA) in the Office of International Programs (OIP) invites tenured faculty to consider serving as a Resident Faculty Director (tenured faculty member) for our longstanding exchange program with Kingston University London in Kingston-upon-Thames, a Royal Borough of London. The position requires collaboration with EA in the recruitment, advising and orientation of students for the exchange program. While at Kingston, faculty are expected to advise, assist, and plan cultural visits for UNC Charlotte students. In addition to working with our students, faculty members normally team teach one course at Kingston University as well as utilize the London area’s resources to do pertinent research in their field, as appropriate. Lastly, it is expected that the faculty member collaborates closely with OIP to advance the internationalization efforts of the institution as well as of their department. Note that applicants will require endorsement from their departmental chair and college dean.. Additional information and application.

Effective Teaching 101: Starting the Semester Strong
Project Kitty Hawk and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) are excited to offer Effective Teaching 101: Starting the Semester Strong—a self-paced course designed to equip faculty with powerful, evidence-based teaching practices that set the stage for a successful semester. Learn more and enroll now!
What You’ll Gain:

  • Engage students from day one
  • Create a welcoming and positive classroom environment
  • Build immediate rapport with students
  • Set clear course expectations
  • Use assessment techniques to monitor and enhance student learning

Course Details:

  • Self-paced, asynchronous format (complete in under 8 hours)
  • Reflections can be reused for applicable pathway courses
  • Retain course access for 6 months
  • Earn an ACUE Badge—a step toward full certification in ACUE’s Effective Teaching Practice Framework

Commencement Volunteers

Volunteers are needed for the upcoming Spring Commencement ceremonies in May! Get to know Joe Rick, director of academic budget for the Division of Academic Affairs, who is committed to making this special day run smoothly for students and their families

Upcoming Events

Day of Remembrance
Niner Nation will honor the lives of Reed Parlier and Riley Howell and our survivors with a wreath laying at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 30, at the Constellation Garden memorial outside the Kennedy Building.

Student News

Two of our Honors students, Claire Broome and Saniya Gabriel presented on the topics of the honors theses at the 2025 Charlotte Undergraduate Research Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, April 17, at the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340. This University-wide showcase of research projects featured undergraduate students of all colleges, departments and levels. Claire and Sanjay did fabulous jobs and also prepared with these presentations for their Honors Thesis Defenses this week on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Alumni News 

Alumna Victoria Byers who graduated in 2016 with a double major in Art and Spanish will be featuring her work on campus in an exhibit at the Student Union Art Gallery. This show features her work and the work of some students in the Book Arts class in the COAA that she has been collaborating with during the Spring 2025 semester.  The opening is on the 17th from 5pm-7pm, but the work is up in the gallery space until April 26th. 

Thank you for all you do. 

All the best,

Anabel