September 8

Early Alerts are due for all 1000/2000 level courses by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 12.  Are you new to Charlotte? Check out the Advisor Tool Kit page. CONNECT Best Practices training modules are located on Canvas under published courses. Advisors and faculty can request a one on one or team session follow up training centered around your departmental initiatives. After completion of the training modules, follow up training requests can be made here. For more information contact Gary Martinez, Advising Systems Specialist, or LeeFredrick Bowen, Executive Director of Advising Systems.

Interested in community-engaged research or teaching? Learn about internal funding opportunities at urbanCORE’s info session from 1 to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 9, in Sycamore Hall, Room 306. Register.

One of the highlights of UNC Charlotte’s Commencement is the recognition of individuals for exceptional and distinctive service to the University or the larger  community with an honorary degree from UNC Charlotte.  We are asking for your assistance in nominating persons for this honor.  More details re: nominations.

A reminder of University Policies 402 and 605.3 regarding the retention of records:

University Policy: 402, Student Education Records (FERPA)

Federal law protects the confidentiality of records maintained by the University and relating directly to a student and also provides guidance for the proper handling of records by UNC Charlotte as a public institution. University Policy 402 defines what is considered a student education record and specifies when and how such records may be disclosed. Additionally, the policy addresses persons permitted access to such records and their responsibility for maintaining confidentiality in handling and accessing them. Please take an opportunity to review University Policy: 402, Student Education Records (FERPA).

University Policy 605.3: Retention, Disposition, and Security of University Records Chapters 121 and 132 of the General Statutes of North Carolina govern the retention, disposition, and security of University records, including student education records. The UNC System Office provides minimum retention standards for the handling of student records in the UNC Records Retention and Disposition Schedule. Please take time to ensure the proper storing, handling, retention, and disposition of student education records. Please discuss this policy and schedule with all employees approved for access to handle these records. For more information, see University Policy 605.3, Retention, Disposition, and Security of University Records.

The Charlotte Urban Institute is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 Gambrell Faculty Fellowship program. With generous support from the Gambrell Foundation, the Institute will provide grants up to $21,000 each for six research projects related to quality of life in the Charlotte region.The fellowship is open to diverse methods including:

  • Original qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods research
  • Original art or performance (NEW!)
  • New and innovative uses of existing data, including administrative data held in the Charlotte Regional Data Trust and publicly available data.
  • Thought work that develops theory or synthesizes research and thinking at new intersections and could lead to research, a book, or art/performance (NEW!).

Fellows will join a growing group of faculty who contribute to finding solutions to our community’s most pressing challenges. The results of this work can contribute to a Charlotte region that works for everyone. Learn more and apply.

Resource: Open Access Foundations and Emerging Trends

Whether you’re new to open access or interested in recent developments, check out the four-part series OA 101 from SPARC, the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition. This series explores open access concepts, case studies, emerging issues, and frequently asked faculty questions. To find out more about open access at UNC Charlotte, discuss specifics about your field, or add your publications to Niner Commons, reach out to Savannah Lake, Digital Scholarship Librarian.

Can’t Find Something in the Library? Get It Through ILLIf Atkins doesn’t have something you’re looking for, Interlibrary Loan (ILL) can try to get it for you from another library. Students, faculty, and staff of UNC Charlotte can use ILL to borrow almost anything (except textbooks) from other libraries for free. We can also provide scans of some book chapters and journal articles to support your research.

The Faculty Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Grants Committee is now accepting proposals for projects that explore the role of AI in teaching and learning. These grants provide faculty with the opportunity to evaluate the impacts of AI on student learning, instructional practices, and educational outcomes. Whether you are testing new approaches, investigating challenges, or assessing opportunities, this is your chance to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on AI in education.

  • Proposals are due October 1
  • Funding will be awarded by Winter Break

Take this opportunity to advance your research, innovate in the classroom, and help shape the future of teaching with AI. Learn More and submit.

What’s New in the CTL?

Read the Fall 2025 CTL News Post: CTL Welcomes Faculty this Fall with Teaching Innovation Workshops, Microcredentials and Grant Opportunities

Keep Registering for Faculty Development Workshops

The Center for Teaching and Learning will continue to host a range of workshops and professional development opportunities through October!

September Workshop Highlights:

Level Up Your Teaching Toolkit

Work Towards a *NEW* Microcredential on Essentials of Learning Technologies

See Your Learning Journey

AI Resources for You

Register for Workshops on AI: 

All workshops are 1-hour via Zoom

Leverage Teaching Guides and Toolkits on AI:

ICYMI – 2025 AI Summit: 

Apply for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Grants on AI

Browse all AI Across the Curriculum Resources!

Please visit the Faculty Governance website for the latest news from the Faculty Council including: 

The dissertation defense is one of the ways a new scholar demonstrates readiness to join the academy and is an opportunity to share their research widely. View All Dissertation Defense Announcements.

For up-to-the-minute news from Academic Affairs (faculty awards, research, recognition, initiatives), visit the Academic Affairs Division News webpage.

To have items included in the digest, complete the NEWS DIGEST REQUEST FORM

Deadline for submission is 11:00 a.m. every Friday.