Spring Semester 2024 Welcome

Jan. 10, 2024

Dear Faculty and Academic Staff,
 
I hope you all enjoyed a restful winter break; it was certainly well-deserved and welcome! As the new year and new semester begin, I am providing a few reminders and updates for awareness and to promote shared understanding across our academic community.

REMINDERS:

Interim Guidance on Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Research and Creative Activities

In December, the Office of Research and Innovation and the Office of the Provost released interim guidance on generative AI for research and creative activities. This guidance provides a framework for responsibly managing research data in alignment with state and federal laws, institutional policies, and intellectual property rights. Created in collaboration with campus stakeholders and the MSU Ethics Institute, the guiding principles of equity, inclusivity, and ethical use are at the core of what the guidance articulates. Visit the Office of the Provost website to read the full message from Vice President for Research and Innovation Douglas Gage and me.

Academic Calendar and Religious Observance Policy

Please be sure to review and reference the academic calendar. Also be mindful of our Religious Observance Policy and encourage your students to proactively engage with you and work with you on appropriate accommodations. This semester, Passover will fall during our final exams period. No student or instructor who observes this holiday should be expected to take or administer a final exam, especially during the first two observed days. Instructors can work directly with their department chair and dean at the beginning of the semester to determine appropriate accommodations. Additionally, updates to the 2025 calendar and future semesters are reflected on the Office of the Registrar website.

Plans for Berkey Hall and Feb. 13 Remembrance

As previously announced, classes are being held at Berkey Hall this semester. We have worked in close collaboration with the Office for Resource and Support Coordination (ORSC) to provide onsite counselors, an educator support area, and additional resources as classes begin and throughout the semester.

University committees are actively planning community-wide programs as MSU honors those lost and impacted by the tragedy that occurred last year. Plans are underway for a student-led day of action and an evening remembrance gathering on Feb. 13, 2024. Additionally, MSU is providing guidance to units considering their own commemoration event. As a reminder, most classes will not be held on Feb. 13, though the university will remain open to support students and our community. Please continue to review and access the guidance for educators that was put together by ORSC, which includes resources to help you throughout the spring 2024 semester. 

UPDATES:

University Advising, New MSU Union Location

This month University Advising celebrates the official grand opening of their new MSU Union location. Located on the ground level of the MSU Union, this new flagship location will house University Advising advisors serving our Exploratory Preference major students. Also starting at New Student Orientation this summer, University Advising will begin serving the new “Exploring Business Preference” majors for students hoping to pursue a business degree at MSU. This new dynamic will provide students in this popular major pathway with more opportunities to explore various business-related majors across MSU with the help of University Advisors. To learn more about University Advising and the Advising Initiative, visit advising.msu.edu. 

New Policy Management Program

This past fall, a new policy management program was launched as MSU’s first centralized system for developing, maintaining, reviewing, revising, approving, retiring, and communicating university-wide policies. The University Policies website allows one to search by category or key words and serves as a resource for all matters related to the policy-making process. This useful tool provides MSU’s community with information, clarity, and transparency as it relates to policies.

THE PROMISE AHEAD

Each year, spring brings promise. This semester brings promise of new beginnings and new opportunities. Your commitment to our academic mission is key to our collective achievement. I echo what Interim President Woodruff shared in her spring welcome message, that with your continued dedication to engaging, discussing, and listening to our diverse Spartans, we can create a space for learning where all students flourish. Thank you for all you do to promote and support student success and academic excellence. Moving forward together, I am confident we will realize all of the promise offered this spring. 

To learn more about what the Office of the Provost is doing this semester and watch the welcome video recently sent to students, please visit the Office of the Provost Instagram page.

Best wishes for a productive and rewarding spring semester!

Thomas D. Jeitschko (he/him)
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor of Economics