Inside Gustavus September 9, 2010 | Volume 43, Number 2

President's Cabinet Summary

A number of topics were discussed at the late August and early September meetings of the President’s Cabinet.

·      Requirements of a federal contract Gustavus received last winter concerning affirmative action were reviewed.  The contract requires the College to develop a written affirmative action plan, including appointing an affirmative action officer.  A draft of a plan will be submitted to the Cabinet for its review before the plan’s submission to the federal government. 

·      A number of replacement positions were approved, including in the departments of custodial and dining service.

·      A new full-time grant-funded position was approved (research associate/laboratory manager) in the Chemistry Department.

·      A campus climate survey will be sent to all employees this fall.

·      Members agreed that move-in day and the many student orientation activities went very well.  Vice President Stocco was asked to extend appreciation to the Student Activities staff members for coordinating such a fine weekend.

·      Members reviewed the schedule for the Sept. 23-24 Board meeting and Homecoming activities.

News & Announcements

Letters Sought for Tenure Candidates... The following members of the faculty are currently being considered for appointments with continuous tenure:

• Thia Cooper (religion)
• Kate Knutson (political science)
• Baker Lawley (English)

Letters written on behalf of these candidates should be sent to Provost David Fienen and should address the criteria for tenure as stated in the Faculty Manual (see below). Letters are due by Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. All members of the Gustavus community are invited to submit letters. Candidates will have access to their letters. The specific criteria for tenure are as follows:

1. Excellence as a teacher as reflected in quality of and enthusiasm for work, effectiveness of methods, interest in subject matter, concern for student learning, effective advising of students within and outside the major, and continued academic preparation and improvement.
2. An emerging pattern of professional activities as reflected, for example, by publications, presentations at scholarly meetings or conferences, and, in the arts, by manifestations of creativity demonstrated through exhibits or performances; another example may be involvement in professional and/or public organizations, boards, and commissions related to one's academic fields or college assignments.
3. An emerging pattern of involvement in the activities of the College.
4. Continuing evidence of sympathy with the aims and purposes of Gustavus Adolphus College as stated in the Mission Statement of the College.

Gribly Announcement... Since the 2006-07 academic year, the Gribly has been available online to all members of the Gustavus community. The electronic directory offers photos and up-to-date directory information for all current students, faculty, and staff, along with basic and advanced search capabilities. It may be accessed from any of the College website's OnCampus Community pages (the page is displayed when clicking on Current Student, Faculty Member, or Staff Member on the home page). Look for "Gribly" in the left column.

• The electronic version of the Gribly is password-protected and its use restricted to current faculty, administrators, and staff; currently enrolled students and graduates for approximately one year following their graduation; and emeriti faculty and retired staff requesting a password.
• The electronic version is designed to honor all student and employee privacy requests much like the printed version in past years. Therefore, some photos or other information about particular students and employees may not be accessible. (If you are new to the faculty or staff and wish to suppress your photo or home phone number, or if you wish to change your preference, fill out the "Directory Information" form available from the Human Resources Office.)
• With the advanced search features, students can search for faculty by department or building, and faculty can search for students by residence hall, hometown, and even class e-mail aliases. For example, an advanced search will allow individuals to build complete class and student organization photo rosters with a single search.
• Questions about the electronic version, search capabilities, access problems, and the like should be addressed to Bruce Aarsvold (x7020 or aarsvold@gustavus.edu).

While the online Gribly should cover the great majority of the community's queries, some community members may not have easy access to the College's website at all times, and some others may want or need a record of current enrollment for reference in future years. To handle these and similar situations, a printed version of the Gribly will continue to be produced on demand for departments and offices whose requests have been approved by their vice president, and at a cost of $10 per copy for all others. Assembly begins once official enrollment figures are released following the tenth class day. Copies should be available in mid-October. To reserve a print copy (if not already included in your vice president's request), click here to print and complete the form and send it to Steve Waldhauser (Office of Marketing and Communication or waldo@gustavus.edu). NOTE: As mentioned above, if you wish to have your photo and/or home telephone number excluded from either version of the Gribly but have not already indicated your wishes, you must complete the bright orange form titled “Directory Information,” which is available from the Human Resources Office, as soon as possible.

Bicycle Registration... All students, faculty, and staff who wish to park a bicycle on campus must register it with the College. Registration of bicycles is accomplished in person at the Campus Safety Office located in the basement of Norelius Hall Room A35, or you can also register online. There is no fee for registering a bicycle. Bicycles parked on campus must be locked with a chain and padlock or other locking device to a bike rack. Bicycles secured improperly or left unsecured will be confiscated by Campus Safety or Physical Plant personnel. A storage fee of $10 (non-registered; $5 for registered) per day will be applied.

Emergency Communication Notice... As part of its ongoing and proactive emergency preparedness planning, Gustavus has a multi-layered emergency communication system that enables campus administrators and security professionals to reach out to all members of the Gustavus community within minutes—through phone calls, e-mails, and text messages—with information and updates during unforeseen events or emergencies. To make it most effective, ALL students, faculty, and staff must enter and regularly update their emergency contact information online. To do so, go to the online campus directory at gustavus.edu/gribly. After logging in, click the “Your Profile” tab and proceed to the “Emergency” tab to fill out or change your contact information. All contact information will remain secure and confidential. The system will only be used for emergencies or other unforeseen urgent communications. If you are already in the system, please follow the same steps to make any necessary changes. The system will be tested during the school year; such tests will be announced in advance. Questions may be directed to Director of Campus Safety Ray Thrower (x8888 or rthrower@gustvaus.edu) or Vice President for Marketing and Communication Gwen Freed (x6355 or gfreed@gustavus.edu).

Seeking Dancers... The Campus Activities Board invites participants or nominations for the Fifth Annual Dancing with the Profs! Dancing pairs will have the opportunity to select a local charity or non-profit they wish to raise money for. This will give the pairs the chance to invest themselves in the fundraising process and support a cause they have a strong interest in supporting. The commitment to participate in Dancing with the Profs is 2-5 hours a week beginning early October through the event, which is Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. These hours are flexible and students will work around your schedule and commitments. In the past four years, Dancing with the Profs has been wildly successful on campus, drawing crowds of 500 and raising more than $10,000. If you or someone you know on campus is willing to take the risk and dance in front of your favorite colleagues, students, and community members to help a cause you are passionate about, contact Ashley Neaton, CAB Co-executive, Special Events at aneaton@gustavus.edu.

Partners in Education... Partners in Education presenters scheduled for this week include Darrel Jodock (religion) presenting "The Mystery of God" and "Understanding Christian Identity and Religious Pluralism at Trinity Lutheran Church in Watertown, Minn., at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 19; Grady St. Dennis (church relations) at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls, Minn., at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Partners in Education is a program coordinated by the Office of Church Relations in which participating faculty and staff members prepare topical presentations for adult forums, workshops, and seminars in congregations of the ELCA.

Campus Happenings

Chapel Schedule... All are invited to the worship services at 10 a.m. weekdays and 10:30 a.m. Sundays in Christ Chapel. The upcoming schedule is as follows.

• Friday, Sept. 10 - David Fienen (provost)
• Sunday, Sept. 12 - Chaplain Rachel Larson
• Monday, Sept. 13 - Jeff Stocco (student affairs)
• Tuesday, Sept. 14 - Holy Cross Day: Will Freiert (classics, emeritus)
• Wednesday, Sept. 15 - Morning Praise
• Thursday, Sept. 16 - Global Missions
• Friday, Sept. 17 - Chaplain Rachel Larson

Pimsler Dance & Theater Opens Arts Performance Series... Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater (SPDT) will perform four works from its nationally-acclaimed repertory on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 12, at 2 p.m. in Anderson Theatre. SPDT’s presentation is the inaugural event for the 2010-11 Gustavus Arts Performance Series and includes two of SPDT’s signature works, Ways to Be Hold and Total Surrender, specifically chosen for this program because of their connection to Sept. 11. The event also marks the Anderson Theatre return of Brian Evans '07; now in his third season with Pimsler; Evans joins the other members of the Pimsler Company in this first of a year-long series of residency activities that will be presented at Gustavus. These performances will Tickets are available online at gustavustickets.com or by calling the Gustavus Ticket Center at 507-933-7590.

Hillstrom Museum Opens Three Exhibitions... On Monday, Sept. 13, the Hillstrom Museum of Art will open three concurrent exhibitions: Voices: Contemporary Ceramic Art from Sweden; ENNESBO (multi-media installation by artist Sandra Binion); and FOCUS IN/ON: Henry Varnum Poor’s Autumn Still Life. These exhibits will be on view from Sept. 13 through Nov. 7, 2010, with an opening reception Monday, Sept. 13, 7-9 p.m., and another reception during the Nobel Conference, on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 6-8 p.m. The exhibitions, receptions, and related talks are free and open to the public.

Reading in Common Author to Speak on Campus... Jamie Ford, author of this year's Reading in Common book, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, will present a free, public lecture Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. in Alumni Hall. Following his lecture, there will be a question-and-answer session and a book signing. For more information about Ford's appearance on campus or the Reading in Common program at Gustavus, contact Director of Student Activities Megan Ruble at mruble@gustavus.edu or 507-933-7597. In addition to Ford's appearance on campus, he will also appear in front of alumni and friends of the College from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, at the Open Book in downtown Minneapolis. Ford's appearance at the Open Book is sponsored by the Gustavus Alumni Association and Gustavus Library Associates.

Nobel Conference Preview Event... C. Ford Runge, Ph.D., professor of applied mathematics and the law at the University of Minnesota, will be on campus to present an invited "preview" lecture relating to the 2010 Nobel Conference topic. Runge will speak on "Rivers of Gold: Where Does Corn Flow and Does It Make Sense?" at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, in Wallenberg Auditorium. With his recent research on U.S.-European agricultural trade and comparative soil and water conservation policies, Runge will focus his talk on the unusual relationship between the landlocked agricultural powerhouse of the Midwest and the rest of the world. The lecture is free and open to the public. A reception follows in the Nobel Lounge.

Faculty Shop Talk... Mary McHugh (classics) will present the first Faculty Shop Talk of the 2010-11 academic year. Her talk, titled "Constantia memoriae—The Reputation of Agrippina the Younger," will be presented on Friday, Sept. 17, at 4:30 p.m. in the Lind Interpretive Center. Feel free to arrive any time after 4:15 p.m. The abstract for this and future talks may be viewed at gustavus.edu/events/shoptalks/.

Hildegard Organ Cycle to Be Performed... Chad Winterfeldt (music/chaplains' office) will present a solo organ recital in Christ Chapel at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 17. Admission is free. The entire program consists of The Hildegard Organ Cycle, by contemporary composer Frank Ferko. The Hildegard Organ Cycle is a set of ten symphonic meditations on holy visions described in De operatione Dei (or The Book of Divine Works) by Hildegard, abbess of Bingen (1098-1179), whose feast day is observed on the date of her death (Sept. 17).

Poet-Playwright Derek Walcott in Residence... Derek Walcott, 1992 Nobel laureate in literature, will be on campus for a three-week residency from Sept. 20 through Oct. 6 as the College’s Rydell Professor. The featured event of his residency will take place on the evening of Monday, Sept. 27, at 8 p.m. in Jussi Björling Recital Hall, when he will read several of his poems and receive an honorary doctorate degree. During his residency Walcott will be co-teaching a modern poetry class with Joyce Sutphen (English). Walcott will also offer a poetry reading in Minneapolis at the Open Book on Sept. 30. Near the end of his residency, Walcott will be present for the 46th annual Nobel Conference.

A poet, playwright, and visual artist, Walcott was born on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia in 1930. In 1959, he founded the Trinidad Theatre Workshop and in 1981 he founded Boston Playwrights’ Theatre at Boston University. He retired from teaching poetry and drama in the Creative Writing Department at Boston University in 2007 and is currently in the middle of a three-year distinguished scholar-in-residence position at the University of Alberta. The Rydell Professorship is a scholar-in-residence program designed to bring Nobel laureates and similarly distinguished scholars to the Gustavus campus as catalysts for enhancing learning and teaching. It was established in 1995 by Drs. Robert E. and Susan T. Rydell of Minnetonka, Minn., to give students the opportunity to learn from and interact with leading scholars.

Retreats... The Office of Church Relations will host the following confirmation retreats this weekend for Peace Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minn., from Sept. 17-19; Faith Lutheran Church in Waconia, Minn., from Sept. 17-18; Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove on Sept. 19.

Church Relations Events... The Office of Church Relations will be hosting a Seminary and Divinity School day on Sept. 30 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Transportation is provided and there is no fee to attend. Lunch will be provided if you register by Sept. 23. Contact Ellen Miller with questions (emiller7@gustavus.edu).

Obituaries

• Mary Ann Sauer, mother of Colleen Bell (print and mail services), passed away Thursday, Sept. 2, at the Benedictine Living Community Center in St. Peter. She was 78. Funeral services were held Monday, Sept. 6, at the St. Peter Catholic Church.
• Richard Harry Aune, father of Gregory Aune (music) and Richard Aune (admission) and father-in-law of Tami Aune (GTS), died on Sept. 7 at the Benedictine Living Community Center in St. Peter. He was 83. Funeral services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Minn., on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 12. Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church or the Richard and Elaine Aune Music Scholarship through the Grand Rapids Area Foundation.
• Hazel Johnson, emeritus professor in the department of nursing, died Sept. 6, 2010. Funeral services were held Thursday, Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Carmel Lutheran Church, 1701 St. Anthony Parkway, in Minneapolis.

To inform the campus community of the death of a current student, employee, or trustee; an emeritus professor or trustee; or an immediate family member of a current employee, contact the Office of the President (x7538 or pleagjel@gustavus.edu). Death announcements and funeral notices for students, current and emeritus faculty and employees, and trustees will be sent to the community via written notice from the president, posted on community-l, the official campus-wide e-mail list, and published in the Inside Gustavus or Summer Scoop. Notices for immediate family members of current employees will be published in the Inside Gustavus or the Summer Scoop unless they occur during a publication break, in which case they will be posted on employee-l.

Births

• Julie Gilbert (library) and Chris Gilbert (political science) are incredibly pleased to announce the arrival of their son, Jesse Christopher. Jesse was born on Aug. 24 and adopted by Chris and Julie on Aug. 27.

Technology Tips

Online Ticketing Procedures... All campus members who want a ticket for the Nobel Conference, Christmas in Christ Chapel, or any theatre and dance or Fine Arts Performance Series event on campus will need to order their tickets online. Go to the ticket website, gustavustickets.com. Employees should log into the left side of the page; it will verify employee status and make them eligible for a complimentary ticket. First-time users will be asked to set up a profile: The billing address should match the address they use for any Mastercard/Visa purchases. If they were to purchase additional tickets, the verification process will confirm that the address matches the credit card information. The shipping address should be changed to 800 West College Avenue if that is possible. It helps us save on postage if we can use our delivery system instead of the postal service. Returning users should verify their billing/shipping information and update as necessary. Employees who do not use a Gustavus e-mail account should contact the Office of Marketing and Communication at 933-7520 for assistance in building a profile to receive a complimentary ticket.

Facility Hours

College Archives Announces Open Hours... The College Archives will be open on the following days during the Fall 2010 semester: Mondays and Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m.; and Wednesdays, 8 a.m.-noon. Please contact archives staff if you are unable to visit during these hours.

Plugs

For Sale... Two-story, three-bedroom home for sale in Kasota, two-year-old 2.5 stall garage, great wood work, clean, well maintained, newer appliances, a.c., furnace. Contact Joann at 931-2093.

Estate Sale... Saturday, Sept. 11, 8 am. Mitch Savage Estate (29179 290th St., Henderson, Minn.; Le Sueur County Rd. 118, 1/4 mile west off Hwy 169 north of Le Sueur). Camping equipment, yard and garden, tools, fencing, two horse trailers, truck, household item, and much more. Questions, e-mail pdawson@gustavus.edu.

Vacation Rental... Condo in Bonita Springs, Fla., Dec. 25-Jan. 1, $700. It is a one-bedroom unit that sleeps 4. The unit contains a full kitchen (including dishes, silverware, and linens); washer/dryer; cable TVs; a private, screened balcony; living room; and air conditioning. The resort is on the bayside water and 600 feet across the street to the Gulf of Mexico beaches. It contains an outdoor pool and whirlpool, bikes, restaurant (next door is Big Hickory Seafood Grille and Marina), FREE pontoon boats for use, a rooftop deck with tables and chairs (and view to the Gulf), private dock, and BBQ grills. Pictures available. Contact Paula Swiggum at pswiggum@gustavus.edu.

"Plugs" is maintained as a forum by which members of the Gustavus community may offer goods and/or services to others in the community, or seek the same from them. It is not meant to accommodate ads or announcements from area businesses such as real estate agents or retailers, although from time to time such announcements may be published when deemed to be of particular interest to the community.

Thank-Yous

From the Klein Family... "Thank you to all who have expressed sympathy to us on the death of our father, Jim Klein. We are truly blessed to be a part of such a caring community. Your kindness will never be forgotten." ~Dave Klein (campus safety) and Mary Gunderson (registrar's office)

 



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Inside Gustavus is a newsletter for Gustavus Adolphus College employees produced by the Office of Marketing and Communication. It is published weekly during the academic year (except during the week of Thanksgiving, the Christmas break, Touring Week, and the Spring and Easter breaks). Anyone may submit items by filling out an online submission form. While online submissions are preferred, items may also be submitted typewritten on a letter-sized sheet of paper. Send "snail mail" items to: Inside Gustavus, Office of Marketing and Communication. Items must reach the office no later than 4:30 p.m. on the Tuesday before publication. The week of Nobel Conference the deadline is 4:30 p.m. Monday. For more information, contact Steve Waldhauser (waldo@gustavus.edu or x6413).

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