In the Know – Issue 73

University Celebrates Opening Days

The multi-day celebration included events for students, faculty and staff.

Community Garden Serves as Campus Connector

The garden not only donates produce to the Red Hawk Pantry, but is a labor of love for staff, faculty and students.

The Class of 2027 Continues Historic Enrollment Growth

The University welcomes its largest incoming class, total enrollment, and returning student population in history.

Behind the Scenes at Move-In Day

At orientation, CAPS counselors led sessions for students and parents giving them guidance on the transition to college life.

Education Experts Weigh in on Key Issues

From AI to anti-inclusion policies, our faculty and staff experts share thoughts on classroom-related topics dominating headlines.

In the News

• NorthJersey.com published a photo gallery of Montclair students moving into their dorms.
• Joel Penney (Communication and Media) offered commentary to several pop culture-focused stories in the news, including this MSNBC piece on internet hoaxes; a Christian Science Monitor article about the viral Montgomery brawl; an article in The Hill about conservative pop culture; and a USA Today article on the same subject.
• A 2022 study on the popularity of pumpkin spice by the Joetta Di Bella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication in the School of Communication and Media was cited in several articles, on the heels of Starbucks and Dunkin’ announcing their fall flavors. They included stories in both the Associated Press (redistributed in several national publications) and an NBC affiliate. Jin-A Choi (Communication and Media) also offered commentary on the subject for a Marketwatch story.
• Pablo Tinio (Educational Foundations) co-authored an article for Psychology Today about what makes art meaningful.
• Jason Williams (Justice Studies) is quoted in this NJ.com opinion piece about how a community grieves a police shooting that is justified.
• Jason Rubin (Finance) offered his expert opinion for a WalletHub article on the best savings accounts.
• Monica Taylor (Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies) is quoted in this Local Profile story on Texas ranking as the second-worst state in the country for women’s equality.
• Dunja Trunk (Psychology, Bloomfield) wrote a piece for Faculty Focus detailing tips for student success.
• Stephanie Silvera (Public Health) in this FOX5 New York story on mask mandates returning as COVID-19 cases rise.
• Stefanie Batten Bland (Theatre and Dance) discusses her life, career and inspirations in this Dance Magazine cover story.
• Emily Isaacs (Office of Faculty Excellence) is quoted in this Wired article about how teachers are tackling AI in their classrooms.
• Sandra Adams (Biology) is quoted in this NJ.com article about recent COVID-19 surges.
• Francesca Laguardia (Justice Studies) is quoted in this Bloomberg Law article about the Supreme Court’s landmark decision on gun rights expansion that led to the DOJ abandoning a firearms charge against an Iranian American drug user with suspected ties to foreign terrorism.
• Christopher Parker (Classics and General Humanities) was the guest host on radio program “Play, Passion & Purpose.”
• Mark Effron (Communication and Media) is quoted in this TVNewsCheck.com story about Hawk+, SCM’s streaming service.

Upcoming Events

• The University’s 9/11 National Day of Service will kick off Saturday, September 9 at the Student Center ballrooms. Breakfast and transportation will be provided for participants. Friends and family members are welcome to join faculty and staff who participate. Register here.
• The dedication ceremony for the renaming of Science Hall to honor former University President Irvin D. Reid will take place Wednesday, September 20 at 4 p.m. Register and make a gift to the Irvin D. Reid African American Studies Award scholarship which will provide tuition assistance to students in the African American Studies program.
• The Fall Welcome Advising Forum will take place on Friday, September 22 in the Student Center. This forum is an opportunity for you to socialize with your colleagues and get the latest updates on programs and services. Please RSVP here to reserve your spot. Space is limited. A light lunch will be provided.
• The American Red Cross will be on campus for a blood drive on Monday, September 25. Click here to schedule an appointment.
• Occupational Health Services is partnering with Atlantic Health System to provide mammography screenings on Tuesday, September 26. Transportation will be provided to and from the appointment, with pick up at Blanton Hall, Lot 17. The shuttle will depart at 12 p.m. and return at 2 p.m. Atlantic Health System will coordinate costs with your insurance. Participants will receive a boxed lunch. To participate, contact Anne Schepers, RN, schepersa@montclair.edu.

Your Input Needed

University Communications and Marketing is embarking on a new initiative to gather information and feedback from employees regarding internal communications at the University. Staff and faculty are invited to participate in focus groups and individual interviews to share thoughts and insights on current communication channels specific to employee communications. If interested, please click here. For more information about the project, contact Brittany John, Internal Communications Editor, johnbr@montclair.edu

Reminders

• Please update your University email signatures and download new Zoom backgrounds to reflect the University’s updated logo.
• The University is collecting new (or very lightly used) school supplies for students at Eastside High School in Paterson, for the annual 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Donations will be collected from now until September 9. See the Amazon wish list here. Drop off donations at the following locations: Cole Hall, Room 348; Campus Recreation Center; Center for Student Involvement 104J; and Office of Residence Life (Bohn Hall, 4th Floor). For more information contact communengage@montclair.edu.
• All University faculty and staff receive a $5 discount on tickets for PEAK Performances Events. Employee ID card is required to qualify. The discount is limited to two tickets per event and based on availability – additional tickets are available to any one performance at full price. To purchase tickets, visit the Alexander Kasser Theater Box Office, Monday through Friday, 12 p.m.– 6 p.m., or contact the Box Office to set up an account at boxoffice@montclair.edu.
• The new University Calendar is here. Powered by the University’s room booking system, 25Live, all event listings should be entered here moving forward. Still need training? Register for online or in-person training.
• The Employee Assistance Program provides free, confidential support services for University employees and their families – including locating resources for substance abuse, mental health and self-help. For more information, see the attached CONCERN brochure.
• Worried about a student’s well-being? Please refer them to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
• If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988, the new nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support, 24/7.

Kudos

• To Felicia Hines (Teaching and Learning), who has been elected to the 2023-2026 Board of Directors of the New Jersey American Council on Education Women’s Network.
• To Antonio Talemo (Center for Student Involvement) for leading the ACUI Region VII’s Grad and Grow Institute, a program for graduate students and their supervisors designed to build community, enhance skills and promote the support that ACUI provides.
• To Shannon Howley (Intercollegiate Athletics), who was named to the NCAA Division III Championships Committee for a four-year term.
• To Jessica Huda (Intercollegiate Athletics), who was named chair of the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer National Committee for a two-year term.
• To Tiger Roholt (Philosophy) on the publication of the chapter, “Performance, Technology, and the Good Life,” on Oxford Academic Online. The chapter will be included in the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of the Phenomenology of Music Cultures.

Social Media Post of Note

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.