Provost’s Newsletter: News and Updates from the Division of Academic Affairs for June 14, 2023
June 14, 2023
Dear Baruch College Community:
Summer session started on Monday. From my perspective, summer is a great time to focus on the future. With the strategic planning process nearing completion, my attention turns to annual goal setting and implementation planning. It is also a good time to catch up on the latest about AI in the classroom, including via Minna Logemann’s co-authored article “The Challenges and Opportunities of AI-Assisted Writing: Developing AI Literacy for the AI Age” and via the new edition of Baruch Alumni Magazine, which features alumni subject experts.
As important as those topics may be, I’ll be taking a short break later this month to kayak, hike, read a novel or two, and do a little gardening. The next Provost’s Newsletter is scheduled for Wednesday, July 12.
Best wishes,
Dr. Linda Essig
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Campus Updates
Welcome Summer Intern Hana Kim
The Office of Faculty Affairs, Research, and Innovation is welcoming a summer intern. Hana Kim joins us from Harvard University, where she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in social studies and computer science. Her internship project will be working with Associate Provost Fich on organizing policy and procedure manual materials.
Student Success
Summer Institute on Equity in the Academic Experience
Last week, Provost Essig, along with Vice President for Enrollment Management and Strategic Academic Initiatives Mary Gorman; Dr. Andreas Grein, Professor of Marketing and incoming Baruch Faculty Senate Chair; Dr. Sharon Ricks, Executive Director of Academic Advisement and Orientation; Dr. Kristy Perez, Director of the Percy E. Sutton SEEK Program; and Dr. Robert Kunicki, Director of New Student and Family Programs, attended the Aspen Institute/Georgetown University Summer Institute on Equity in the Academic Experience. Each day included workshops on such topics as inclusive academic excellence, equity in student recruitment, equity in student data analysis, and moving beyond “inclusion” to “mattering.” Half the day was devoted to “team time,” which the Baruch contingent used to complete work on a grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Education under Title V, “Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program.” We’ll share more about this grant proposal in our next issue.
Teaching and Learning
Baruch’s Outstanding Undergraduate Researchers at CUNY-wide Event
Ten undergraduate students were chosen by Baruch’s Undergraduate Research Committee and the CUNY Office of Research to present their work among their peers at the inaugural CUNY-wide Undergraduate Research Celebration Day, held at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. During the event, these students had the opportunity to present their original research projects in the form of posters, engaging with peers from various campuses. Photos of Baruch students with their posters can be found here.
Research
New Electronic Research Administration System
The CUNY Office of Research, in collaboration with the Research Foundation of CUNY, is procuring and implementing Cayuse, an electronic research administration (eRA) system designed to grow and protect the University’s research enterprise. An eRA will address challenges posed by separate systems used across colleges and schools, streamlining pre-award and compliance activities through a unified cloud-based solution. The implementation process will occur in five steps over a 33-month period, with funding support provided by CUNY’s Central Office and the Research Foundation. Learn more about the implementation of Cayuse here.
Faculty Publications and Achievements!
Marc Edelman, Professor of Law and Director of Sports Ethics, Robert Zicklin Center for Corporate Integrity, has published a piece in The Atlantic: “The Golf Merger May Be Dead on Arrival.” Edelman examines the proposed merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf with a focus on the potential violation of antitrust laws and the adverse effects it could have on competition, innovation, and player compensation.
Dr. Stephanie Insley Hershinow, Assistant Professor of English, along with co-authors Katherine Bergevin and Manushag N. Powell, recently published an article titled “Like Today, 18th-Century Law About Pregnancy Aimed to Control Women” in the Washington Post. The article examines how historical laws regarding pregnancy in the 18th century were focused on controlling women rather than protecting fetal life. Drawing parallels to today’s rulings on fetal life, the authors shed light on the continued objective of regulating women’s bodies.
Dr. Minna Logemann, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, and co-authors Peter Cardon, Carolin Fleischmann, Jolanta Aritz, and Jeanette Heidewald have published an insightful piece in Sage Journals: “The Challenges and Opportunities of AI-Assisted Writing: Developing AI Literacy for the AI Age.” The article explores the impact of generative AI and how it may significantly disrupt the teaching and practice of business communication. Additionally, it offers recommendations for instructors and administrators to ensure that the benefits of AI-assisted writing can outweigh the challenges.
Dr. Chester Zarnoch, Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology, has been chosen to receive the Hudson River Park’s 2023 Research Pilot: CUNY Visiting Scholars award. The funding will allow Dr. Zarnoch and other scholars to collaborate with the park’s staff, access science facilities, and conduct research focused on the park’s estuarine sanctuary. This initiative will foster innovative and ongoing research projects, aligning with the park’s management plan and contributing to solving New York City’s natural resource challenges.
Want to share your recent publications, awards, or achievements? Faculty can click here. Staff can click here. Be sure to put “For the newsletter” in the subject line of your email.
Assessment and Accreditation
Data Request Process
The Office of Assessment, Accreditation, and Institutional Effectiveness (AAIE) has put in place a data request protocol. The goal of the protocol is to ensure accuracy and timeliness in meeting the data and analysis needs of the Baruch College community. Additionally, the protocol will allow the office to take note of the types of information regularly requested and convert those into standard reports. AAIE respectfully asks that all requests be submitted online. Visit the office’s website for more information. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the office at aaie@baruch.cuny.edu.
In Memoriam
Remembering E. Dawn Evans
It is with sadness that I share news of the passing of E. Dawn Evans, Deputy Director of Finance and Budget in the Office of Executive Programs in the Zicklin School of Business. Dawn was dedicated member of the Zicklin community, having joined the office in 1994 after completing her BBA in finance and investment from the Zicklin School in 1993. She continued her professional growth, earning an Executive MS in finance while simultaneously excelling in her role as a financial associate. Dawn’s colleagues will remember her invaluable contributions, friendly demeanor, and warm presence. Her hard work and commitment to our institution have left a lasting impact.
Stay Connected
Strategic Planning
You can follow progress on the Baruch College Community Strategic Planning process and submit comments and suggestions on the Strategic Planning page.
President Wu’s Blog
President Wu publishes a monthly blog. Read and comment here.
Share Your Research and Creative Activity
Keep the College up to date with your research and creative activity by emailing facultynews@baruch.cuny.edu with the what, where, and when of your publication, presentation, exhibition, award, and so on.
Newsletter Items?
If you have an item you would like considered for inclusion in the biweekly Provost’s Newsletter, please click here to send an email to the Provost mailbox. Please note that the Academic Affairs Events Calendar will return in August.