Welcome back to campus
August 25, 2025
Dear friends and colleagues,
The Faculty Senate extends you a warm welcome as we start the new academic year.
We begin this academic year in what many might call “interesting times” for higher education. The challenges we face are real—but so are the opportunities. Navigating both depends on the strength of our shared governance, our collegial relationships, and our collective commitment to student success, academic freedom, and institutional excellence. Together, our shared insight and perspective will help us move forward with purpose and care as we face the year ahead.
The first Faculty Senate meeting of the year will be held Friday, August 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Rita Laden Senate Chambers (JCSU). All faculty are welcome and encouraged to attend. The agenda and meeting schedule are posted on the Senate website.
I’m especially grateful to the chairs and members of our ten standing committees, who will tackle a wide range of issues this year—from budgets and benefits, to faculty retention, academic policies, and community engagement. A small sample of their priorities include:
- Strengthening faculty onboarding, promotion guidance, and retention
- Elevating the visibility of community-engaged scholarship
- Reviewing policies on workplace violence and bullying
- Gathering data on LOA policies and salaries across campus
- Exploring the implications of federal regulatory changes for tenure and promotion, and
- Expanding recognition for administrative faculty contributions on campus.
There are many ways to get involved on campus, and University-level service is a great one. If you’re interested in serving on a Senate or University committee, let us know.
We’re also excited to sponsor Lightning Talks this fall—a fun opportunity for new and early-career faculty to share their work and connect with future collaborators. And our campus offers many excellent cultural, athletic, and academic events: from Wolf Pack athletics and the Performing Arts Series, to the Discover Science Lecture Series and Great Conversations Speaker Series. I hope to see you there!
As always, the Faculty Senate Office is here to support you with questions about your rights and responsibilities. We offer information on faculty resources, awards, and the processes for rejoinder, reconsideration, and grievance—available both online and in our office (Mackay Science 300). If you’re thinking about pursuing any of these options, please reach out to Heather Kemmelmeier (hkemmelmeier@unr.edu) to schedule a confidential conversation. Much of our advocacy happens quietly—helping resolve issues early and supporting faculty behind the scenes.
It’s an honor to serve as your Faculty Senate Chair this year. The Senate represents more than 2,400 academic and administrative faculty across campus. I’m committed to representing your voices, and I encourage you to be part of that effort. Reach out to your Faculty Senate representative(s), or email me directly with any questions, concerns, or ideas related to faculty life and well-being. Whether it’s a quick conversation, a suggestion, or an ongoing dialogue, your input matters. I look forward to working together and seeing you around campus (please say hello!).
On behalf of your Faculty Senate, I wish you a meaningful, connected, and rewarding year ahead.
Jennifer McClendon, MSW, PhD
2025-2026 University of Nevada, Reno Faculty Senate Chair
Associate Professor & HDFS Program Coordinator
Human Development, Family Science, and Counseling
College of Education and Human Development
Pronouns: she/hers