Â鶹ÊÓƵ

From the dean: As our history shows, the university has consistently championed free expression, academic freedom and vigorous but civil civic discourse.

This is a good time to review what federal law says and what it means for those of us in the university community.

Many prominent people have recently been publicly accused of sexual discrimination, harassment and assault, and this has spawned a national conversation. Such talks might be uncomfortable, but they are critically important. Problems not confronted are problems not resolved.

From the interim dean: We are improving academic advising by stabilizing a budget structure that has historically restricted the organization’s options, and by adding additional advising staff in the coming year to make it easier for every student to see an advisor.

Jackson Reinagel is a Navy veteran, a nontraditional student, and a junior majoring in women and gender studies at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Reinagel, who is weighing a career in academe or law, is also a transgender man.

In light of recent political events, I write to praise tolerance, openness and respect.

From the interim dean: As a new academic year begins, change is on the horizon.

We are pleased to report recent successes in the College of Arts and Sciences with respect to visionary endowment gifts. Just in the last few years, significant endowment gifts for scholarships, endowed chairs and endowed professorships have enriched our college and accelerated increases in our academic quality. 

The College of Arts and Sciences will be embarking on a vital initiative this semester by undertaking a comprehensive strategic planning process.

The new core curriculum will present students with expanded opportunities to satiate their scholarly interests and nurture a liberal-arts education in ways well attuned to today’s academic and professional climates, Dean Steven R. Leigh says.