IN THIS ISSUE:

• Commencement news: Last day to provide name pronunciation, and a creative way to celebrate with the Department of Art
• Reflections on the loss of Carol Roper, longtime friend of the College
• Flexible Spending Account: Deadline and eligible expense rule changes
• College again earns Tree Campus USA honors
• Dorsky Museum co-hosting online symposium on Jan Sawka this weekend
• Professional development opportunities
• From our community: School of Education leads effort to supply essential workers
• Coronavirus updates
• The latest from media

Virtual Commencement: News and action items

Deadline today: Confirm correct name pronunciation for virtual ceremony
Visit www.newpaltz.edu/commencement for up-to-date information about the virtual ceremony

Get creative for graduation with a DIY mortarboard!
Use this easy-to-follow guide from the Department of Art, and share your design with #npsocial

News from around campus

Carol Roper, community and democracy
Reflecting on the loss of a longtime friend of the College (Benjamin Center Blog)

Update on Flex Spending Account program
Deadlines extended, and eligible expense rule changes

New Paltz again recognized with Tree Campus USA honors
Campus Tree Committee leads effort to plant, protect and learn from our trees

Coming this weekend: Online symposium on the life and art of Jan Sawka
All are welcome to join the Dorsky Museum on May 2 for a virtual celebration of the late contemporary artist

Professional development and training opportunities

Study abroad goes virtual: Two-week SUNY COIL workshop, May 4 - 15
An immersive development opportunity designed to help faculty transform existing international programs into engaging summer experiences
Contact the Faculty Development Center (facultycenter@newpaltz.edu) for info on tuition assistance

Upcoming Office of Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion Trainings:

• Advanced PowerPoint: Transitions, animations, video recording and more
  Thursday, April 30, 2 - 3:30 p.m.
  

Today at noon: Virtual panel with Title IX professionals
Learn about protections against discrimination and violence at an online Sexual Assault Awareness Month discussion

COIL summer Global Goals teaching opportunity webinars
Faculty and staff can learn how to become content creators for an innovative new summer course structure
Today, April 29, at 3 p.m. & Friday, May 1, at 2 p.m.

Resources for remote teaching, learning and living

May Day Faculty Tea & Coffee, May 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Join the Faculty Development Center for its final Friday gathering of the spring 2020 semester

Coronavirus updates

April 29 report on confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the campus community
No new cases to report as of 4 p.m. yesterday

The latest from media

New Paltz community mourns the death of Carol Roper
Extraordinarily engaged community member was also an avid supporter of music, theatre and women's basketball at the College
(New Paltz Times, 4/28/20)

New Paltz student creates online community to process the pandemic
Natalya Malarczuk '20 (English; Theatre Arts) is facilitating communal healing with "Soul Circle Community" project
(New Paltz Oracle, 4/24/20)

From our community

The School of Education is leveraging its technology, knowledge and regional partnerships to help keep essential workers safe. Our students and faculty are at the heart of a consortium including the Center for Innovation in Education, the Mid-Hudson Teacher Center and the New York State Master Teacher Program, each of which has sent 3D printers to teachers' homes to produce components for needed PPE.

Daily Digest readers: We want to hear from you! 

• Have important news to share with the SUNY New Paltz community?
• Developed an innovative solution to improve remote teaching and learning?
• Figured out a lifehack to help yourself stay positive?
• Want to share a photograph with friends and colleagues?