Image
UMass Welcomes New Faculty with Virtual Orientation
This year, UMass Amherst welcomed over 125 new faculty to the academic community in August.
To launch their careers on campus, new faculty participated in a week of informative introductory activities. The Office of Faculty Development hosted a virtual New Faculty Orientation (NFO) spanning from Aug. 10-13. In the afternoons, virtual information sessions were hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning, the UMass Amherst Libraries, the Office of Research Development, the Office of Disability Services, the International Programs Office, and the Fine Arts Center in addition to virtual welcome events from many colleges.
“I am already impressed by the support I have received from the UMass community,” shared one faculty after attending the orientation.
The NFO program took place remotely via Zoom over the course of four mornings, combining informational sessions interspersed with breakout rooms to allow time for new faculty to connect with new colleagues. The orientation included presentations and Q&A’s from over 40 administrative leaders and faculty who introduced the vast network of resources that will support their career.
“I've been meeting new people, getting access to new information and resources, and feeling very much like I'm starting a new adventure with a whole bunch of other people and peers across fields,” commented one NFO attendee. Faculty also provided feedback on the virtual format: “I really appreciated that the orientation was spread out across days instead of asking new faculty to dedicate entire days on Zoom.”
New tenure track and non-tenure track faculty from across the nine colleges and 40 departments were welcomed to the university. Faculty participated virtually from many locations across the country, and as far away as England and Brazil. “Although this is a most unusual orientation,” began Wendy Varner, director of faculty development, “our goals are the same...to offer opportunities to learn about the many UMass resources and to meet your new colleagues.”
John McCarthy, provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, opened the program by welcoming the new faculty. He described the university's efforts to ensure the safety of everyone on campus and the faculty's work to give all of our students, on campus or remote, an engaged and productive educational experience. He urged new faculty “to be intentional about connecting with colleagues and others” and went on to say, “You shouldn't carry the full weight of that. When I meet with your deans and department chairs in coming days, I will particularly impress on them their duty to provide you with a warm welcome and networking opportunities despite the challenges we all face.”
Underscoring the importance of accessing support, Michelle Budig, vice provost of faculty development, emphasized “You are not alone...It takes a village to succeed in your jobs, and we are your village.”
Among those campus units presenting were: Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost, Center for Teaching and Learning, Office of Equity and Inclusion, UMass ADVANCE, Massachusetts Society of Professors, Well-Being, Access and Prevention Program, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, Student Success, Dean of Students Office, Disability Services, Center for Counseling and Psychological Health, UMass Amherst Libraries, Information Technology, Foundation Relations, and Offices of Research Engagement.
Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy led the fourth and final day of NFO with welcoming remarks: “While we must acknowledge that we are living in challenging times, I hope the past few days have demonstrated our commitment to your success. We are grateful for the excellence you bring to our campus, and as you now join our community of exceptional teachers, scholars and researchers, we are resolute in supporting you and fostering an environment that advances learning, discovery and engagement at the highest levels.” His address was followed by a Q&A session with new faculty facilitated by chief of staff Rolanda Burney.
Faculty's feedback was universally positive: “I appreciated the opportunity to hear from university leaders during this unprecedented time. As someone who wouldn’t be on campus this fall/year, their welcoming messages provided a clear sense of united efforts.”
Varner closed with encouraging words and an invitation to participate in a moment of levity with a video of the Minuteman Marching Band performing the UMass Fight Chant.
View the full NFO schedule and list of presenters:
https://www.umass.edu/faculty-development/new-faculty-orientation