By Sophie Lange, Managing Editor
President Bob Iuliano opened Thursday’s faculty meeting by acknowledging the 24th anniversary of 9/11, reflecting on the personal impact of the events on many of the individuals sitting in the room. He then discussed the recent shooting at Utah Valley University, highlighting the importance of unity and non-violence in a polarized nation. In light of these events, he called for a greater commitment to the mission and values of Gettysburg College.
Afterward, Iuliano spoke about the importance of ensuring that the students from Nepal, in light of the recent political unrest and violence within the nation, have access to the appropriate resources: “I ask that we pay special attention to our students from Nepal and help guide them as appropriate to the various support mechanisms that we have available.”
Provost’s Report
Provost Jamila Bookwala discussed the primary objectives of the Office of the Provost for the 2025-26 academic year, which include collaborating with faculty to review and revise the faculty handbook, as well as conducting a comprehensive assessment of the Honor Code to reflect the evolving technology landscape. They also aim to review and update program guidelines. They will work with the Health Professions Committee to create early assurance programs for health and allied health professions to assist students when they graduate. The office is also in the process of working with the Center for Global Education and the Study Abroad Working Group to diversify the course options available abroad and build more faculty-led programs.
Bookwala also highlighted the recent transition within her office. She congratulated Diane Brennan, who previously served the college in the Provost’s Office, on her recent appointment as the Assistant Director of Events and Engagement at the Eisenhower Institute. This transition, she remarked, resulted in the office redistributing responsibilities, and the updated list of whom to contact can be found on their website. Bookwala asked for patience as the office is currently short-staffed.
Additionally, she discussed the faculty calendar of important dates and deadlines, published on their website, and provided information on the lunches being held for faculty in the atrium, funded by an anonymous donor for the express purpose of community-building among faculty. Faculty may request tickets from the Provost’s Office. Bookwala also emphasized that faculty accomplishments will be featured on their website, which will replace the Faculty Notebook that had been published previously. She also said the College is currently seeking nominations for honorary degree recipients and encouraged faculty to respond to the request found in the digest.
Presentation by the Center for Student Success
Dean of Academic Advising & Student Success Josef Brandauer gave a presentation on the purpose of the Center for Student Success (CSS). He explained that CSS is responsible for First-Year orientation, accommodations, Navigate support, class advising, and CARE reports. He also highlighted the fact that CSS frequently looks to collaborate with other offices on campus. He gave a brief overview of Navigate, which allows professors to submit CARE forms, intent to transfer notifications, FYIs, and progress reports for students. He also clarified common questions regarding accommodations and encouraged faculty to meet with students who submit Verification of Accommodation Letters (VALs) to ensure clarity and support of students.
The following questions were answered:
- The VAL says minimal distraction. Does the student need a classroom by themself?
- No, professors do not need to provide individual classrooms for each student with this accommodation.
- Can professors accommodate a student without a VAL?
- Yes, but only if the professor offers that accommodation to all students equitably.
- Is CSS telling students to use their computers during class if the professor has a no-technology policy?
- CSS only encourages students with VALs that list the technology accommodation to use their computers during class. CSS is not interfering with professors who have a no-technology policy, and students without VALs are not being encouraged to use technology if the professor has stated it is detrimental to their class environment.
- Is the use of AI note-taking being granted as an accommodation?
- In the vast majority of cases, this accommodation has been denied. Associate Dean for Student Accessibility Theresa Hoover does not think this is an appropriate accommodation in most instances.
Lastly, Brandauer discussed the Honor Code: “Please discuss the importance of the honor code with your students. There is data out there that says this really helps reduce honor code violations meaningfully.”
Call for Gettysburg in England Proposals
Director of the Center for Global Education Brita Doyle called for proposals for the Gettysburg in England programs for Fall 2027 and Fall 2028. The deadline for proposals is Oct. 22, 2025. She also congratulated Associate Professor of History and Africana Studies Scott Hancock for leading the program in Fall 2026, its 35th year.
Discussion on Changes to Suspensions
Associate Professor of Africana Studies and Chair of the Academic Standing Committee (ASC) Hakim Williams and Chairperson of the Spanish Department and member of the ASC Alvaro Kaempfer presented a motion to change the academic suspension period from one year to a single semester.
“We do indeed believe that a one-year suspension is just utterly disastrous and disruptive to a student’s academic progression here at the college, and decreases their probability of degree completion,” Williams said.
He also highlighted that retention rates have previously been shown to improve when a student successfully appeals for a one-semester suspension instead of the full year suspension, based on data from 2012-2019 that was compiled by Associate Registrar Lindsay Arlington. The data pool was chosen to avoid any complications that may have arisen from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further, Williams discussed the detriment of a year-long suspension to mental health: “We absolutely think that we want students to feel as if they belong to this community here. We want to give them all the support that they need to augment that sense of belonging to the community, and we think that prolonged disengagement from the college works against that goal.”
He also highlighted several additional considerations, including academic readiness, financial considerations, and the ASC appeals process.
The floor was then opened for further questions. Professor of Music Jocelyn Swigger stated that the Academic Policy and Program Committee (APPC) endorsed the motion.
Chairperson of the Department of Theater Arts Susan Russell gave compliments to the proposal as a former member of the ASC who was involved in the suspension appeals process: “Every single time when we went through the appeals, it came down to the fact that we felt that a single semester was sufficient. And as you pointed out in the information that you’ve given, it was very difficult to try to ascertain one semester versus one year. We would oftentimes get tons of medical information that made everybody really uncomfortable, and we were somehow supposed to make determinations… It’s a really wise proposal, and I’m really glad that you all were able to put this together in an elegant fashion that’s quite straightforward.”
Professor of Biology Véronique Delesalle asked for clarification about whether a second academic suspension would last for a single semester. Brandauer explained that a second academic suspension would result in an automatic dismissal.
Professor of Psychology Daniel McCall asked if the students who were suspended before this policy would take effect would return in one semester. Williams explained that the policy is not retroactive, so students suspended for a full year would remain on suspension for that length of time regardless of the outcome of this motion.
The faculty has yet to vote on this proposal.
