Carnegie Mellon University

Progress and Goals

August 2018

The Task Force is charged with developing recommendations on a rolling basis, so that we can make immediate progress where possible, while also taking steps to address more complex issues over time. The following update represents the first phase of development and only one facet of the efforts currently underway. As we aspire to reshape the campus culture in a way that promotes wellness and compassion, we are eager to learn how these issues affect YOU. 

In the coming weeks and months, we will update this web page with opportunities for community engagement as they develop. In the meantime, we want to hear from you!

Are you interested in submitting insight and/or advice to one of our nine Initiative Teams? Do you have a great idea for how we can engage the community? If so, please write to us at cmuexperience@andrew.cmu.edu

What We're Working on Now

Continuation of Nooks and UPLift Challenge

In year one, the Task Force recommended renovating 11 “nooks” to enable improved interaction from students, faculty and staff. In year two, we will continue to oversee the transformation of all 11 spaces (some in summer 2017, some later), as well as to identify new nooks for renovation. The UPLift Challenge committee will continue the award and implementation process for five initial winners of the UPLift Challenge, and plan for the next challenge iteration.

Holistic Improvements to Advising Across the Life Cycle

A sub-group of the Task Force will assess our practices and benchmark against our peers to create a more consistent, holistic model for advising at CMU. The model should focus on regular, meaningful connections that are more uniform across all departments, and emphasize the multiple dimensions of the CMU experience for students.

Advise us on advising! Get involved in the conversations related to this goal.

Creating a Faculty Ecosystem of Support

A sub-group of the Task Force will identify sustainable mechanisms for empowering and enabling meaningful faculty interactions with students in the context of the CMU ecosystem of support, in particular enabling a culture of care, support, and resilience, embedding an understanding of proactive support for student wellness in the faculty skill set and, sharing best practices in regards to meaningful interactions with students and staff.

Leadership Academy for CMU Faculty and Staff

The Task Force will spearhead the creation of a prestigious leadership academy for faculty and staff nominated by their peers and senior managers. Individuals in the program will strive to improve their management skills, build a network of outstanding peers and bolster their future as leaders at CMU. 

Mentoring of Doctoral Students

The Task Force will assess current mentorship opportunities available to doctoral s tudents in relation to our peer institutions, and consider programs to prepare faculty and staff as mentors, to create department specific mentoring, and other interventions.

Have you had a fantastic mentoring experience that you feel can be replicated? Share your story with us.

Recent Progress

Wellness in the Classroom

On August 15, 2017, the provost encouraged all faculty and graduate student instructors to include wellness language in their syllabi as well as language relating to student accommodations.  This messaging, available on the Eberly Center website, signals our support to all students and provides easily accessible information about taking care of themselves and each other.  As a result of this effort, the Faculty Senate is leading a process to institutionalize the effort across all syllabi at CMU.

Inaugural Faculty Development Workshop, 2018

New and emerging faculty leaders participated in the first Faculty Development Workshops in June 2018. New department heads, associate deans, program directors and other emerging leaders from each college participated with the goals of developing critical leadership skills and receiving resources and tools for leadership success through modules dedicated to leading teams, leadership brand and style, networks, negotiations and university finances.

 

CMU Cares

Every year all faculty, academic advisors, TAs, and those staff who interact with students in an academic setting were provided with a “CMU Cares” resource folder (over 8000 folders). These folders are designed to provide vital guidance and resources for faculty and staff when they want to help a student access further support. The newly edited content includes information on need-specific university resources, key contacts by college, general guidelines for how to determine if a student may be in need of help, and what level of response may be needed. 

To access this resource, please visit the Student Affairs Publications page.

A Focus on Mental Health

At the recommendation of student members of the Task Force, Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health@CMU trainings were promoted to a broader section of our community. Coaching staff and employees for our largest food vendor received a tailored MH@CMU training that resulted from this group’s efforts (106 staff in all). Since August 2016, over 340 students, faculty and staff have participated in MHFA trainings. Over 522 students, faculty and staff have participated in a MH@CMU training.

Classroom and Learning Spaces

As a collaboration between the Teaching and Learning Spaces Committee and Task Force on the CMU Experience, a proposal was produced and aimed at improving classrooms across campus. The work focused on (1) bringing currently deficient classrooms up to standard and (2) enhancing classrooms to foster more engaging, adaptive educational experiences. As a result of this work, CMU has committed to a multiyear, $20 million initiative to renovate classroom and learning spaces, which will dramatically enhance the CMU experience for students across campus. 

Academic Policies and Practices

In fall 2018, the new academic calendar and corresponding resources was made available to students. The goal of the new calendar and resources is to allow students to make better, informed choices regarding their studies and minimize disruptive changes to class rosters that may negatively affect team-based work.

To read about the overall initiative, please see the White Paper regarding Add/ Drop/ Withdrawal and Overloading Policies.

Ideas for Future Discussion

Challenge the CMU narrative on stress and prioritize a healthy work-life balance. Focus on culture change over time to promote scholarly ambition within a context that is healthy, resilient and empowering.

Are you interested in contributing to this conversation? Let us know. 

Foster a sense of play and emphasize opportunities for the student body to learn, grow, enjoy new experiences, and have fun at CMU and in the great city of Pittsburgh!

Email us if you have a suggestion for how we can emphasize FUN!

Enhance the “Spirit of CMU” and the community experience through the use of public signage, campus banners, maps, and comprehensive campus branding.

Who knows our campus better than you? Tell us where you see potential for more school spirit on our campus!