For the fourth consecutive year, faculty from across the university will participate in the Summer Writing Retreat, which is sponsored by the university's Center for Faculty Development. The retreat provides participants with the time and quiet space to begin work on their summer writing projects. Each day, faculty work until lunchtime and then break to eat and socialize. They then return to work until 3 p.m. At the end of the third day, participants are asked to submit a writing plan for the rest of the summer. A final report of writing activities during the summer is then due by August 26. Participants who successfully complete these steps receive a $250 stipend.

Each year the number of faculty participants has grown, from 24 faculty in 2016 to 40 faculty in 2019. This year’s retreat is taking place May 21-23 in the Main Lounge of the University Center on the South Orange campus. In addition, for the first time, the retreat will also be held at the IHS campus for faculty there. Those who have participated in the retreat in past years have credited it with helping them kick-start their summer research. Many have written afterwards to report on papers accepted and grants awarded as a result of the work they started or developed during the retreat.

For more information about the Summer Writing Retreat or other faculty development initiatives at Seton Hall, contact Mary Balkun, Director of Faculty Development.