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Dear Colleagues, 

Welcome to the new academic year! I hope you had a wonderful and refreshing summer break, filled with moments to recharge, reflect, and enjoy time with family and friends. A new academic year always brings with it a sense of excitement, fresh opportunities, and the chance to start new projects, build new connections, and continue our shared commitment to excellence. I’m thrilled for all that we will accomplish together in the months ahead. To help set us up for success and make the transition to the new academic year as smooth as possible, I’m sharing some important information and updates below.

Important Fall 2025 Dates

• Chancellor Campus BBQ: Thursday, August 21
• Wolverine Welcome Day: Tuesday, August 26
• Classes begin: Wednesday, August 27
• Labor Day (no classes): Monday, September 1
• Thanksgiving recess: Saturday, November 22-Sunday, November 30
• Study days: TuesdayWednesday, December 9/10 & Saturday/Sunday, December 13/14
• Final exams: Thursday/Friday, December 11/12 & Monday-Wednesday, December 15-17
• Fall commencement: Saturday, December 20

Fall Schedule
Please check your course(s) schedule and make sure that the course title and number, number of credits, modality, day and time are correct. Contact your department chair immediately if you see any discrepancies.

Wolverine Welcome Day
Mark your calendars because Wolverine Welcome Day is happening on August 26, 2025 from 12- 4 pm! On this special day, we'll be welcoming an estimated 1,000 new and incoming students as they embark on their journey at the ÿ�մ���. As you're aware, this event relies heavily on the dedication and support of our amazing faculty and staff volunteers (yes, that's you!). Your commitment ensures that the day runs smoothly and that our students have a memorable and enjoyable experience. We are looking for faculty and staff Volunteers for Wolverine Welcome Day 2025! Join us in creating a memorable day for the newest members of the ÿ�մ��� family. Volunteer roles include assisting with check-in, distributing shirts, helping with yard games, and more! Ready to be a part of the excitement? Simply fill out the to sign up! Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our students. Let's make Wolverine Welcome Day 2025 a day to remember!

Help Welcome New Wolverines to Campus!
A few years ago, amid the chaos of having no “connection” to the internet and systems on campus during the first few days of classes, many of us enjoyed making our own “connections” with students by serving as informal greeters at the doors of buildings. Because it was such a positive experience, (reported by students as well as faculty and staff), we are once again inviting faculty and staff to help us usher in the new year! You are welcome to for a shift (or two) serving as a greeter at key doors around campus.

Digital Accessibility Resources Reminder 
What Should Faculty Do to Prepare?

• Review the .
• Refer to the for more details on the requirements, exceptions and goals to meet compliance.
• Look for upcoming training opportunities sponsored by Digital Education and the Hub.

Will There Be Any Tools to Assist with Changes?
UM has procured Yuja Panorama, a new tool to assist with identifying and fixing accessibility issues in Canvas. Yuja Panorama is available in UM-Dearborn Canvas now (you may have noticed some new icons next to things like files and page names).  You can access a virtual training session from the vendor on the .

We’re Here to Help!
As the university progresses with its ADA compliance initiatives, more details will be communicated. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the ADA Title II regulations on digital accessibility, please email [email protected].  You can also contact the offices below:

Thank you for supporting our students and your commitment to accessibility.

SURE 2025 (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience)
This summer’s undergraduate research experience included 40 faculty mentor and UG student pairs from across the four colleges. From the end of May through the end of August students learned important research skills and faculty made progress on their research projects. Join us on Wednesday, September 10th at 4pm in Kochoff Hall for the SURE 2025 student showcase, a juried exhibit of this summer’s SURE projects and a celebration of our faculty and staff researchers! 

Conflicts Between the Academic and Religious Calendars
As you all know, UM-Dearborn is a diverse community with many of us observing and celebrating a variety of different faiths and religions. As a result, I want to remind faculty of our campus policy on . The policy reads: “every reasonable effort should be made to help students avoid negative academic consequences when their religious obligations conflict with academic requirements.” Students are required to provide faculty with notice of the dates of religious holiday(s) for which they will be absent by no later than the drop/add deadline which is Wednesday, September 10th for the Fall 2025 semester. Faculty shall provide students with an opportunity to make up any missed work (e.g., assignments or examinations), without penalty.

Syllabus Template
Reminder: all faculty are required to utilize the . 

Provost’s Faculty Book Showcase
The Office of the Provost is excited to continue the Provost’s Faculty Book Showcase, a celebration and recognition of the achievements of our faculty who have published professional books in the preceding academic year. The Showcase will feature faculty from a range of disciplines, celebrating their advancements in knowledge, research, and creative activity. The goal of the Showcase is to expose the university community to the breadth of faculty research and increase student awareness of the importance of these endeavors. For more information on what types of work are eligible and to submit a book for consideration, the . 

The President’s Award for Leadership in International Education
Congratulations to Scott Riggs, Director of Global Engagement, on being selected as a 2025 recipient of the University of Michigan President’s Award for Leadership in International Education! Scott will be celebrated on Friday, September 12th at a reception in Ann Arbor.

Jackie Lawson Memorial Faculty Governance Award
Congratulations to Bruce Maxim on being selected as the 2025 recipient of the ! Professor Maxim was selected for having shown an exceptional distinction reflected in faculty governance service to the entire University that reaches beyond the local campus confines of Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint. 

I hope that you continue to enjoy the rest of the summer and that you look forward to the fall academic year and activities that many of us are planning for the whole campus. As always, please feel free to contact me and my team should you have any questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

Ghassan Kridli
Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs