How did it get so late so soon?
It’s night before it’s afternoon
December is here before it’s June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?

It has been a long night, but the finish line is finally in sight! As a last hurrah and tribute to all, we thought we would give a stout shout out to the inimitable wit and irrepressible spirit of the first and foremost among all educators, the one and only Dr. Seuss! 

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try. If you are already in the process of planning out your Spring 2021 courses and are feeling fed-up with the specter of academic integrity violations, why not kill two birds with one syllabus? You can design your assignments and exams so that they are much more resistant to the scourge of infractions we have witnessed in the fall term! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: get out ahead of academic dishonesty by structuring your assessments in ways that minimize the likelihood of plagiarism and cheating. The redoubtable Dr. Dukewich gave a helpful seminar on this topic, complete with slides, viewable here. And don’t forget that we have designed a course outline template, complete with requisite information and policy links, to help you hit the ground running!

And will you succeed? Yes, indeed, yes, indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed. The normal three working days grade submission deadline has been adjusted for the Fall 2020 term! If your class did not have a final exam or assessment scheduled during the exam period, grades are due on or before December 17th. If your class has a final exam or assessment scheduled during the exam period, all grades are due on or before December 21 (this is the final grade submission deadline for the term). Please contact Arts@kpu.ca if you anticipate issues in making it across the finish line!

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. December 6th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. We remember and grieve for the 14 women who were murdered at École Polytechnique in Montreal on December 6, 1989, and reflect on the actions each of us must continue to take to end gender-based violence. We all have an important role to play much-needed change for the future. The Kwantlen Faculty Association is encouraging faculty and staff to join together for 16 Days of Activism (November 25-December 10).  A virtual vigil, hosted by the New Westminster & District Labour Council, will be held on December 6th. Dr. Balbir Gurm (KPU, Nursing) and other speakers will raise their voices in solidarity against gendered violence. Everyone is welcome, though registration is required for this event.

The storm starts when the drops start dropping. When the drops stop dropping, then the storm starts stopping. Between the allostatic load created by COVID and the more general end-of-semester craziness, attending to our students’ wellness and ourselves has never been more important. Please find attached KPU’s guidelines (sometimes called “The Green Sheet”) for assisting students in distress. And as Dean Purvey noted in her email message earlier this week, the Employee and Family Assistance Program is always available for counseling or other wellness purposes.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. Study or work abroad! Er…well, here’s what we mean: Students can participate in KPU’s Virtual Exchange Program wherein they will study/work abroad virtually while still at home. Experiences begin as early as January 2021. We have partners in Peru, Spain, and France, or students can take on a virtual internship experience in Costa Rica. There is an award to support underrepresented students to access global learning opportunities. Underrepresented groups include students with financial need, students with disabilities, and Indigenous students. More information can be found here.

So, open your mouth, lad! For every voice counts! It is ever so important to underscore that these updates are built with you in mind. They are intended as a playfully concise counterpoint to the flood of emails and swelling tides of information overload. We try to provide you with a selective and entertaining distillation of key information. If you have ideas about how we can make them more useful and truer to their purpose, please speak up. We would love to hear from you!

Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one. And so, as we gradually draw the curtain on an unusual and challenging fall semester, we want to remind you that we will be gathering between 11:30 and 12:30 on December 11th for a seasonal shindig to celebrate the semester and the holiday ahead; to regale one another with stories of our successes, triumphs, and tribulations; and to enjoy some revelry, mirth, and magic before we all take a much deserved and well-earned holiday respite with loved ones, family and friends. You can join us here.

Hope to see you there,

Diane, Greg, Shelley and Wade