Resources for New Faculty

Dear New Faculty Member,

On behalf of the staff at Georgia College’s Center for Teaching and Learning, we want to welcome you to the Georgia College community!  We are so excited for your arrival at Georgia College and ask that you save the dates for our upcoming New Faculty Orientation (NFO).  

The purpose of this orientation is to welcome you to the community and introduce you to important members of the campus, including students, staff, fellow faculty members, and administrators. Members of the administration will be present to welcome you to the campus community and provide details of what you can expect as a community member. We will also provide information to help you make a smooth transition to the university and get ready for your first days of class. 

We are aware that your time is valuable, so we’ve done everything possible to focus on the most essential services, resources, and topics that you will need to get started in your classes and meet the University System of Georgia requirements. In order to get started with the fall semester you will be given information on the following:

• Introductions 
• Active Learning Techniques
• Student Engagement Techniques
• Assessment of Learning
• Learning Management System (GeorgiaVIEW/D2L) 
• GC Journeys 
• Syllabus Development
• Kaltura
• Teaching Online
• Much more!

We are here to assist you as you transition to Georgia College. Our goal is to support you and make your journey as smooth as possible. You can find us on the third floor of the Ina Dillard Russell Library in Room 375 or online at http://www.gcsu.edu/ctl/. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm and you can reach us by calling (478)445-2520 or by e-mailing us at ctl@gcsu.edu.  

We look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,
The Center for Teaching and Learning Staff
 

Each fall and spring semester, we welcome new faculty to Georgia College & State University at New Faculty Orientation. The program is designed to introduce new faculty to the campus community and prepare them for a successful first day of the semester. 

View the agenda for the Fall 2024 New Faculty Orientation.

This program is a great chance for you to come together with other new faculty at Georgia College to share, discuss, and reflect on teaching practices in higher education. As a new faculty member at Georgia College, you bring skills and expertise to incorporating excellence in instruction and enhancing our student learning. Your commitment to community service and quality instruction contributes to the mission and vision at Georgia College. We value your commitment to teaching and facilitation of learning!

To help you make the most of your time here at Georgia College, we have instituted an onboarding program to support you and introduce you to the culture and community at Georgia College. The New Faculty Community of Practice will foster excellence in teaching and learning practices and support you as you are adapting to teaching at a public liberal arts university. You will learn about the mission of the liberal arts education and gain skills to teach and lead transformative experiences. 

The Center for Teaching and Learning encourages you to participate. Each session will include opportunities for conversations and informal networking, as well as introduce you to offices and resources from around campus. Topics for the sessions will be adapted to fit each of your needs and endeavors. 

Program Objectives:

• Create connections, and learn about the mission/vision/values and culture of Georgia College.
• Provide an overview of what it is like to teach at a public liberal arts college (university).
• Identify support services and personnel at Georgia College.
• Share information and best practices for teaching and learning in higher education.
• Promote collaboration and a community-based culture in the first year of teaching at Georgia College

• City of Milledgeville
• Baldwin County
• Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber
• Lake Sinclair Life: The Local's Guide
• Explore Georgia: Milledgeville
• Explore Georgia: Visitor's Guide to Milledgeville

• Academic Calendar: Important dates for the current and upcoming semester(s) are documented here, including semester start dates, holidays, campus closures, commencement schedules, and more. A detailed final exam schedule is also available.
• Affordable Learning Georgia: ALG is an initiative aimed at reducing the cost of textbooks and other educational materials for students across the University System of Georgia by promoting the use of open educational resources (OER) and other low-cost or no-cost materials.
• Bobcat Code (Student Code of Conduct): The Bobcat Code, also known as the Student Code of Conduct, outlines the behavioral expectations for students at Georgia College. It includes rules on academic integrity, residence life, and student group conduct. The code promotes a respectful and responsible campus community.
• Campus Maps: Interactive and printable maps, including parking locations and accessibility points.
• Employee Handbook: The Employee Handbook at Georgia College outlines the university's policies, procedures, and expectations for employees. It covers topics such as employment terms, workplace conduct, benefits, and grievance procedures. This handbook serves as a crucial resource for employees to understand their rights and responsibilities. 
• Faculty Information Manual: The Faculty Information Manual at Georgia College & State University provides comprehensive guidelines and resources for faculty members. It includes information on academic policies, teaching resources, campus services, and faculty responsibilities. This manual serves as a valuable reference to help faculty navigate their roles and adhere to university standards.
• Faculty Onboarding Checklist: An introduction to the university-level resources, services, and policies that new faculty members should know to be successful during their first year and beyond.
• CTL Faculty Resources Course: The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at Georgia College offers a range of resources and courses designed to support faculty development. These resources include training on active learning strategies, instructional design, and professional development opportunities. The CTL aims to enhance teaching effectiveness and promote innovative educational practices. The CTL Faculty Resources Course can be located in GeorgiaVIEW as a self-registered course.
• GeorgiaVIEW/D2L: The learning management system, known as GeorgiaVIEW, is Brightspace by Desire2Learn (D2L). All academic courses at GCSU will have a course shell in GeorgiaVIEW, and other non-academic or “sandbox” courses can be created as needed.
• Governance Calendar: The official governance calendar for each academic year is published on the University Senate website.
• New Faculty List: View the list of new faculty for each fall semester going back to Fall 2016.
• OneUSG Connect: The system-wide employee portal for USG faculty and staff to manage benefits, access payroll information, request absences, and more.
• Policy and Procedures Handbook: The Policy and Procedures Handbook provides detailed guidelines on the university's operational policies and procedures. It includes information on administrative processes, compliance requirements, and best practices. This handbook ensures consistency and clarity in the university's operations. 
• QEP and CARE Team: The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) at Georgia College, titled "Bobcats FIRST," focuses on improving student mental health and wellbeing. The CARE Team provides support and resources for students facing challenges. Together, these initiatives aim to enhance student success and foster a supportive campus environment.
• Required Syllabus Statements: To ensure consistency, clarity, and compliance, faculty should incorporate the required statements into syllabi as appropriate.