Important Updates and Resources for the Spring Semester

January 12, 2026

Dear Pittsburgh-Based Faculty, Staff and Course Instructors:

Welcome back and Happy New Year! As we begin the spring 2026 semester, I am pleased to share essential action items for faculty, resources for student support and key university updates.

Faculty Action Items and Course Administration

Please prioritize the following administrative items to ensure a smooth start to the semester:

• Syllabus Registry and Canvas Requests: Add your syllabi to the syllabus registry — an important step for students on waitlists and for our 2026 Middle States accreditation — and request your course in Canvas as needed. Refer to the syllabus checklist for guidance.
• Academic Calendar: Starting this semester, the academic calendar is now hosted on LiveWhale, the same platform as the main CMU Events Calendar. While Google Calendar and iCal versions remain available, please check LiveWhale for the official AY25-26 schedule.
• Moratorium Hours (4:50–6:50 p.m. ET, weekdays): Undergraduate course activities must be limited during this block to allow students time for university-affiliated co-curriculars. Exception requests must be made to the University Registrar for approval.
• Inclusive Holiday Observations: Consult the Inclusive Holiday Observations and Interfaith Calendar when planning mandatory activities and assignments. Students are encouraged to communicate needed flexibility early in the semester.
• Space Reservations: Use 25 Live to reserve classrooms, computing labs and spaces in the Cohon University Center, Tepper Building, Hamburg Hall and Mellon Institute.
• Student Services Suite (S3) Features: Explore the S3 Academic Activities and Advising Guidance for tools related to rosters, scheduling and grading.

Mandatory Professional Development for Faculty

Our commitment to student well-being is central to our mission. As I recently communicated to our faculty and course instructors, all faculty members and course instructors are expected to complete at least one of the following training programs by August 2026:

• Supporting Student Well-Being: Overview of the faculty role in supporting students and available campus resources
• Mental Health First Aid: Comprehensive, evidence-based program to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health challenges.
• Pathways to Suicide Prevention: Experiential training to enhance knowledge and skills related to college student suicide prevention.

Additional faculty professional development opportunities include:

• Resources and strategies for creating a supportive classroom environment from the Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation.
• Faculty development opportunities and resources from the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty, including the Faculty Forward professional development series and mentoring guidance.

Student Support and Care Resources

• CMU Cares Referral Form: Use this form to refer students to Student Affairs, or for students to self-refer, for general support or assistance. For immediate safety concerns, University Police is available 24-7 to help triage support, including Student Affairs on-call staff.
• Student Accommodations: Students can apply for accommodations at any time through the Office of Disability Resources. Those with approved accommodations must notify faculty for each course via a secure portal.
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS): CaPS provides a safe, confidential environment for all enrolled Pittsburgh campus students at no additional cost.
• Student Academic Success Center: The center offers a range of services to help students thrive, including academic coaching, tutoring, and communication and language support.
• NameCoach: Use this tool to help with name pronunciation and pronouns.
• Early Course Feedback (ECF): Collecting ECF helps you understand student experiences in your course. This feedback provides actionable insights to make impactful adjustments during the semester.

Federal Impact Resources and Updates

• University Resources on the Federal Transition: Access updates, guidance and tools to navigate national policies affecting higher education.
• Office of the Vice President for Research Federal Updates: Stay informed with timely updates on the evolving research landscape.
• Immigration Status and Visa Resources: View comprehensive information, tips and advice for students and scholars on maintaining immigration status.

Leadership Updates and Community Events

• Dr. Burcu Akinci officially stepped into her role as the Dr. William D. and Nancy W. Strecker Dean of the College of Engineering on January 1.
• Searches for deans of the Tepper School of Business and Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences are underway.
• Please join us on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 for our annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Keynote Lecture featuring Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum.
• I invite you to attend my Provost Office Hours to share your insights, challenges and goals for the community.
• Please engage in community programs, including the President’s Lecture Series, Deeper Conversations and the University Lecture Series.

I look forward to seeing you on campus as the new year begins, and I wish you all a successful and rewarding semester.

Sincerely,

James H. Garrett Jr.
Provost and Chief Academic Officer