August 1, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Fallon Presents at African Linguistics Conference

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Associate Professor of Linguistics Paul Fallon at the 54th Annual Conference on African Linguistics

Associate Professor of Linguistics Paul Fallon at the 54th annual Conference on African Linguistics

Associate Professor of Linguistics Paul D. Fallon presented on June 12, 2023, at the 54th annual Conference on African Linguistics. His talk, titled “Three views of Proto-Cushitic: Theory, Heuristics, and Validity,” analyzed and compared three historical-comparative reconstructions of the Cushitic language family: the one by Aron Dolgopol’skij in 1973, one by Christopher Ehret in 1987, and one by M. Lionel Bender in 2020, each varying in scope, methodology and reconstructions, from a low of 15 consonants to a high of 87. The 46 Cushitic languages are a branch of the Afroasiatic phylum spoken in and around the Horn of Africa.

Notice of 2023 Pay Increases

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Dear Colleagues,

I’m pleased to announce a state-wide 5% pay increase has been authorized and that UMW Classified, A/P faculty, full-time teaching faculty, adjunct faculty and wage employees are all eligible to receive this pay increase per the criteria described below:

2023 UMW Salary Increase FAQs

Classified Staff

  • Classified staff hired on or before March 10, 2023 and remaining employed as of June 10, 2023 will receive a 5% base pay increase effective June 10, 2023, provided they received a rating of “Contributor” or satisfactory on their last performance evaluation or more recent interim evaluation.

A/P Faculty

  • A/P faculty hired on or before March 10, 2023 and remaining employed as of June 10, 2023 will receive a 5% base pay increase effective June 10, 2023, provided they received a rating of “Contributor” or satisfactory on their last performance evaluation or more recent interim evaluation.

Pay increases for both classified staff and A/P faculty will appear in paychecks beginning July 3, 2022.  Please refer to 2023 UMW Salary Increase FAQs for information about employees working fewer than 12 months annually and are not actively working on June 10.

Full-Time and Adjunct Teaching Faculty

  • Full-time and adjunct teaching faculty will receive their increase information in their appointment or reappointment letter.

Wage Staff

  • All wage staff hired on or before March 10, 2023 and remaining employed as of June10, 2023 will receive a 5% hourly rate increase effective June 19, 2023.  Pay rate increases for wage staff will appear in paychecks beginning July 14, 2023.

Deferred Compensation

Part or all of the salary increase may be deferred, subject to relevant plan guidelines and limitations. Please see 2023 UMW Salary Increase FAQs for detailed guidance to enroll in or change contribution amounts for the 403b Pre-tax Annuity.

You may contact Human Resources with questions about salary increase eligibility.

Thank you for all you do to make UMW such an outstanding university!

Beth Williams
Executive Director for Human Resources
540 654-1294
bwilli22@umw.edu

Summer Reminder: Flexible Work Options

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Dear Colleagues

This email is being sent as a reminder about flexible work arrangement options, particularly for departments where work demands change after students leave for the summer.  When possible, supervisors are expected to permit flexible work arrangements in their departments.  Such arrangements include:

· Alternative work schedules, such as four 10-hour days with one day off per week; or four nine-hour days and one four-hour day per week with the remaining half-day off each week;

· Increased telework opportunities for eligible positions. See the Telework Policy and Procedure page.

Full-time employees are expected to work their full 40 hours per week (unless taking approved leave) and alternative schedules must adhere to Federal and state regulations as they relate to employee class and schedule period (see the UMW Hours of Work webpage).

Because we will still have some students on campus during the summer as well as a variety of events and activities taking place during those months (e.g. orientation and STP), a department’s summer flexible work arrangements may need to vary from week to week, depending on its employees’ roles in planned campus activities.  Any changes to in-person service hours must be clearly and widely communicated to avoid negatively impacting student services.

Thank you for all you do every day.  We hope you are able to enjoy some additional work flexibility during the summer months.

Beth Williams

Executive Director for Human Resources
University of Mary Washington
540 654-1294
bwilli22@umw.edu

Farnsworth Delivers Research Paper on Conservative Political Humor

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Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a co-authored research paper online, “The Challenge of Creating Conservative Comedy: The Iconoclastic Vision of Gutfeld!” at CARP Conference in Character Assassination. The paper is drawn from a chapter of Dr. Farnsworth’s upcoming co-authored book, Late Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency, under contract with Routledge.

Other recent media mentions for Dr. Farnsworth include:

Prince William County’s chair defeated in primary, highlighting role of data centers in area’s politics (DC News Now)
“Primary voters in Prince William County want nothing to do with these data centers,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.
“The new lines, like the old, leave one or the other party dominant. Only a handful of districts are really competitive,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.
“Primary voters in Prince William County want nothing to do with these data centers,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.“Primary voters in Prince William County want nothing to do with these data centers,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.
Danville Democrat who was denied nomination asks state Department of Elections to put her on the ballot (Cardinal News)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said that the feud between Lipscomb and her local nominating committee, and now the Democratic Party of Virginia, was a rare event in Virginia politics. “Normally parties will take the one candidate they have, if they only have one. Part of the reason this story has gotten the national attention it has is because the local Democratic organization is saying that not having a candidate is better than having a candidate, which is a very unusual position for a party or organization to take,” Farnsworth said.
With primaries over, what role will big donors play in General Assembly races? (WVTF)
Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says this shows a shifting political landscape. “I think it’s clear that Dominion’s influence will be reduced as other players with big checkbooks get into this conversation about Virginia’s energy future. It’s clear that Dominion has pivoted to take advantage of the changing political dynamics of Virginia,” Farnsworth says. “The question is are they moving far enough fast enough.”
Virginia’s primaries set the stage for this fall’s fierce political wars (The News Virginian)
“The new lines, like the old, leave one or the other party dominant. Only a handful of districts are really competitive,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “And it’s clear from the primaries, there is a lot of money to be spent in Virginia politics,” he said.
With new fiscal year approaching, budget negotiations appear to be in a stalemate (WVTF)
Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says the standoff is part of the Washingtonization of Virginia politics.
Republicans complain that Democrats voted in their primary. Democrats complain that Republicans voted in theirs. (Cardinal News)
“It’s a strategy designed to weaken the Democratic Party; nominating less competitive candidates for the general election can only help Republicans,” University of Mary Washington political analyst Stephen Farnsworth told Washington, D.C., television station WRC-TV, otherwise known as NBC4.
Ousted Lynchburg registrar files lawsuit against 2 electoral board members (The Richmond Times-Dispatch; The News& Advance)
“Historically, this wasn’t the kind of problem that it is right now,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “For decades, Republican governors, Democratic governors, appointed people” more or less “got along because everybody believed in the mission.”

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program 2024-25 Competition Open Through Sept. 15

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The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program’s 2024-25 competition is now open, featuring over 400 awards offered in more than 135 countries.  Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards allow academics, professionals and artists who are U.S. citizens to teach, research, and carry out professional projects abroad.  We accept applications until September 15, 2023, but it’s not too early to see what’s possible.
Visit our Webinar Schedule for details about events throughout the competition, featuring specific countries, regions and disciplines. We look forward to seeing you (virtually) in webinars throughout the year.

Note that any times listed for webinars or other live resource events are in U.S. Eastern time. Can’t join us live? All webinars are archived on our site.

Remember that Fulbright staff are here to support you through the application process. Our resources are always available to assist you along the way:
We look forward to helping you explore all the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program has to offer!

 

Larus Comments on Indian Prime Minister’s Visit to the U.S.

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus

Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor Emerita of Politics and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at the Pacific Forum, offered commentary to

WION News on Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S. Professor Larus indicated that Modi’s visit had both economic and defense components. After meeting titans of U.S. industry in New York, Modi was treated to a state dinner and addressed a joint session of Congress. The threat of a more aggressive China in the Indo-Pacific is drawing India closer to the U.S. Professor Larus’ comments begin at 17 minutes into the program.
Larus also spoke recently on Modi’s visit to News X for a piece titled “India-U.S. Defence Dynamic Is Strengthening’ | Elizabeth Larus On Bilateral Bid To Counter China.” On the segment, Larus says, “This is Modi’s sixth visit to the United States but it is actually the first time that he going to be treated to a state dinner in Washington.” Watch the segment.

StartupUMW Now Accepting Student Applications for Fall 2023

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The UMW Center for Economic Development is accepting applications for its student entrepreneur education program StartupUMW for the Fall 2023 semester. Through this semester-long program students are provided the opportunity to learn from and network with experienced, successful entrepreneurs and professionals to gain a better understanding of how to start and run a business. Please share this opportunity with students that may benefit from this program and/or need to complete their experiential learning or internship experience requirement. You can find more information and the link to the application on the StartupUMW website.

TikTok, WeChat apps no longer permitted on UMW networks or devices by state law, effective July 1

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Campus Community,

Effective July 1, 2023, use of TikTok, WeChat, and other products from ByteDance Ltd. or Tencent Holdings Ltd. will not be permitted on UMW networks or on university-issued devices.

A new Virginia law prohibits access to and use of apps or websites from the above entities on state-issued devices or on state-maintained networks. The Virginia General Assembly passed this law earlier in 2023, and the bill was signed by the governor in April. The restriction takes effect on July 1, 2023.

That means that access to these apps will be restricted on UMW networks, both wired and wireless, including eduroam, UMW-Secure, UMW, and UMW Guest. You will not be able to access these apps from these networks and will receive a “cannot connect” message similar to when there’s no internet available. In addition, TikTok, WeChat, etc. may not be used on any university-issued device, regardless of what network is being used at the time. These apps should be deleted from university-issued devices.

UMW-affiliated or sponsored TikTok accounts, such as those administered by colleges, departments, student organizations, or employees as representations of their roles at UMW, may not be used in any manner after July 1, 2023. Social media managers are advised not to delete accounts, but simply to stop using them and remove them from devices – this will protect the accounts from being spoofed in the future. If your department or organization has follow-up questions about your account, please email social@umw.edu.

The new law does not restrict personal use of TikTok, WeChat, or any ByteDance or Tencent product on personally owned devices when connected to networks that are not maintained by state agencies, including UMW. Users may still use TikTok for non-university use on personal phones or computers when connected through a personal cellular data plan, a home Wi-Fi network, or another privately managed network.

More information and answers to frequently asked questions about these state-mandated app and website restrictions may be found at https://technology.umw.edu/connecting/tiktok-wechat-and-other-applications/. Violations of these new restrictions will follow protocols of our Network and Computer Use Policy.