Inside Gustavus December 2, 2010 | Volume 43, Number 13

President's Cabinet Summary

The President’s Cabinet met on Nov. 23 and Nov. 30 and discussed the following items:

• Faculty Senate representatives Drs. Steve Mellema and Sujay Rao gave a progress report on the work of three academic committees charged with developing specific plans regarding the implementation of top priorities identified in the Academic Strategic Plan. They also indicated that faculty members serving on these committees will be available to work with Institutional Advancement and Marketing and Communication staff regarding future fundraising for the academic programs. They expressed appreciation for recent faculty meeting presentations by the Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communication, and Institutional Advancement vice presidents.
• President Ohle reported on his recent trip to China to deliver a lecture at the fourth annual Minnesota Private College Council Lecture Series at the United International College in Zhuhai. The title of his lecture was "The Importance of Internationalism in the Liberal Arts." President Ohle was part of a delegation from the Minnesota Private College Council and partner institutions.
• The Cabinet discussed two replacement positions in Dining Services and a replacement position in the Career Center (administrative assistant).
• The Interim Experience on-campus housing procedure was reviewed, and the Cabinet asked that the policy be communicated to Gustavus faculty and staff.
• Vice President Westphal gave an update on Budget Committee progress. Drs. Chris Gilbert and Carolyn Dobler, co-chairs of Gustavus’s Higher Learning Commission accreditation and self-study initiative, reported on progress of preparations for the evaluation process, which is a component of the College’s regular renewal of accreditation, scheduled for 2013. (See further information on the self-study initiative in "News and Announcements," below.) 
• Assistant to the President for Special Projects Barb Larson Taylor presented an update on plans for the College’s Sesquicentennial celebration, which kicks off at Homecoming 2011 and continues through October of calendar year 2012.
• The Cabinet discussed plans for the January meeting of the Gustavus Board of Trustees.
• Campus audio and visual support and equipment needs were discussed with respect to public events.

News & Announcements

Self-Study Process Seeks Community Input... All members of the Gustavus community are invited to participate in the self-study process leading to our re-accreditation visit by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in the spring of 2013. The HLC Steering Committee has organized working groups focused on the five criteria for accreditation; any member of the Gustavus community may serve on any of the working groups. These working groups will begin meeting to gather and discuss evidence in the spring of 2011, with the goal of completing this phase of the process by the end of 2011. Orientation sessions will be scheduled in January and February to kick off this important step in the self-study process. The five working groups, with brief descriptions, are:

• Criterion 1, Mission and Integrity, will review the documents and governance structures by which Gustavus fulfills its mission.
• Criterion 2, Preparing for the Future, will examine College resources, planning and evaluation processes, and the degree to which these processes enhance our capacity to fulfill our mission.
• Criterion 3, Student Learning and Effective Teaching, will provide evidence of student learning and teaching effectiveness that demonstrate Gustavus is fulfilling its educational mission.
• Criterion 4, Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge, will document the ways in which Gustavus fosters and supports inquiry, creativity, practice, and social responsibility to promote a life of learning for students, faculty, administration, and staff.
• Criterion 5, Engagement and Service, will explore how Gustavus identifies, engages with, and serves its multiple constituencies, both on and off campus.

Full details about each criterion can be found at the North Central Association/Higher Learning Commission website. If you are interested in serving on one or more of these working groups, or if you have questions about the process, please e-mail your specific preferences to the HLC Steering Committee co-chairs, Carolyn Dobler and Chris Gilbert, at hlc2013@gustavus.edu, by Monday, Dec. 13; they look forward to working with you to make this self-study process successful and meaningful to the Gustavus community!

Food Shelf Donations Requested... We'll be collecting for the St. Peter Food Shelf again at the Staff Christmas Party on Dec. 21. Bring non-perishable items to the luncheon; gift certificates or cash will also be accepted and greatly appreciated. The College will match donations to around the same amount as was given last year. Thank you in advance for your generosity during the Holiday season.

Suggest a Book for Next Year's Reading in Common Program... We are beginning the search for next year's Reading in Common book! The committee gives preference to books which have a living author, are less than 300 pages, and provide rich themes for discussion among first-year students. The committee has chosen fiction, memoir, and non-fiction in the past. Potential linkages for this year could be the Global Focus on the circumpolar region or the Sesquicentennial celebration—but books do not need to connect to either of these. Please send suggestions by the end of the day on Dec. 3 via https://gustavus.edu/orientation/suggest.php. Contact Megan Ruble with any questions.

Vacation Donations Being Accepted... Employees who would like to donate vacation hours for a Gustavus employee who will be on an approved FMLA leave and will run out of paid-time benefits should complete and sign a request for transfer of vacation hours available at the Office of Human Resources (x7304).

Take Five Minutes to Complete GHP Survey... Our health is one of the most important aspects of our life! Gustavus is dedicated to improving the overall well-being of its employees and students. Please take the time to complete this short five-minute Health and Wellness Survey so that the GHP staff can advance and develop the Gustavus Health Promotion program to better suit the needs of the Gustavus employees. Your input is important and will help us continue to provide a healthy and wholesome workplace for all Gustavus employees." The survey will be available Nov. 29-Dec. 14. Visit the GHP homepage at gustavus.edu/ghp to find the link to the survey, titled "Health and Wellness Survey." (This survey has been approved by the Gustavus Adolphus College Institutional Review Board, Approval  #1011-0069.) If you have any questions, contact Rachelle Dosch (rdosch).

Van Training... Training for individuals wishing to drive Gustavus's 10-passenger vans will be offered by Campus Safety on Dec. 14. Pre-registration is required prior to the day of training by e-mailing your name and student/employee ID# to eoctigan@gustavus.edu.

Photo Contest Calendar for Sale... The 2011 International Photo Calendar is now available for purchase at the Book Mark or the Center for International and Cultural Education. It showcases the winning entries of the 2010 International Photo Contest (pictures taken by Gustavus students on study away during the past two years). The calendar has a new design and, at only $12, is a great holiday gift idea. Contact Carolyn O'Grady (cogrady@gustavus.edu) for more information.

Angel Tree Returns... The Angel Tree, a holiday tradition at Gustavus since 1998, is now set up on the upper level of the C. Charles Jackson Campus Center. Ornaments on the tree contain gift requests for children of families in the St. Peter area who are struggling with their finances and cannot purchase holiday gifts for their children. Gustavus students and employees are asked to remove an ornament tag from the tree, purchase the gift listed on the tag, and return the wrapped gift (along with the ornament tag) to the Peer Assistants' office by Dec. 13 so they can be distributed to the families. Sponsored by the Peer Assistants and the Theatre and Dance Scene Shop, the Angel Tree program will provide gifts for approximately 230 children in the St. Peter community this holiday season. Monetary donations are also helpful for purchasing gifts for requests that are not returned. Donations can be made in the Peer Assistants' office or the Theatre and Dance Scene Shop.

Bible Study Fellowship for Faculty, Staff, Administrators... You are invited to join a Christian fellowship group that will meet next on Tuesday, Dec. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Linner Lounge. Last month the group discussed being a Christ follower at Gustavus. On Dec. 14 group members will have the opportunity to hear some student perspectives on this, and to converse with several Christian students about their experiences. (Bring your lunch if you like.)

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, Dec. 3 - Kathi Tunheim (E/M)
• Sunday, Dec. 5 - Chaplain Rachel Larson
• Monday, Dec. 6 - Interreligious observance of Hanukkah: Amy Seham (theatre/dance)
• Tuesday, Dec. 7 - "Winds of Christmas," featuring the Gustavus and Vasa wind orchestras, Douglas Nimmo, conductor
• Wednesday, Dec. 8 - Morning Praise
• Thursday, Dec. 9 - Festival of St. Lucia
• Friday, Dec. 10 - Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Angelique Dwyer (MLLC-Spanish)

Wind Orchestras Combine to Perform Christmas Music... "The Winds of Christmas," an annual performance of the music of Christmas by the combined Gustavus and Vasa wind orchestras, directed by Douglas Nimmo (music), will be presented during the morning chapel service at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 7. The Winds of Christmas brings nearly 150 musicians from the wind orchestras to Christ Chapel to share their talents and the music of Christmas.

Michael Johnson Returns... Singer, songwriter, storyteller, and guitaristMichael Johnson returns to Björling Recital Hall on Friday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m., renewing what is now a 40-year tradition. This concert on the Gustavus campus is the only performance the national recording artist will present in southern Minnesota this Christmas season. Johnson first performed at Gustavus in April 1968 with the late John Denver as part of the trio of Denver, Boise, and Johnson. Since that time, he has studied and toured internationally eight times and has recorded 11 albums, which include 10 hit singles and two #1 Country Songs of the Year. Tickets are available (at $20 for adults and $17 for students, senior citizens, and Gustavus staff) through gustavustickets.com or by calling the Gustavus Ticket Center at 507-933-7590.

Old and New Carols for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany... The Sioux Trails Chapter of the American Guild of Organists invites you to a carol sing-along, to be held at 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, in Christ Chapel. Carols from across Europe and the Americas, from the eleventh through the twentieth centuries, will be sung. The program will also feature organ carol settings performed by members of the Sioux Trails Chapter of the AGO. This event is free and open to all. For more information, contact Chad Winterfeldt (music), dean of the chapter, at 507-934-3060 or chadwinterfeldt@yahoo.com.

Off-Campus Events of Interest

Ballet Premiere... On December 4 and 5, the Fine Arts School of Ballet is presenting the world premiere of Miracle on 34th Street: A Ballet in Mankato. In addition to dancers, the performances feature Bob Douglas (geography) as Santa Claus; the Sisters of Good Council Hill, School of Notre Dame; the Salvation Army; and Mankato Area Gymnastics School. Camilla Bjelland, daughter of Mark Bjelland (geography) and Barb Bjelland (chaplains' office), is one of the dancers. Performances are Saturday at 2:30 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Mankato East High School Auditorium (2600 Hoffman Road, Mankato). Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children.

Riverlights' Christmas Concert... The Riverlights, with Michael and Bonnie Jorgensen, will present "A Riverlights Christmas," a concert of secular and sacred Christmas music, on Friday, Dec. 10, (N.B., not Dec. 3) at 7:30 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church (730 South 3rd Street, St. Peter). Donations at the door will go to the Bennett Clayton Scholarship Fund, for children with OI.

Congregational Outreach

Partners in Education... Mary Gaebler (religion) will be speaking on "Affluenza" at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley on Dec. 5. 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.

Retreats... The Office of Church Relations will host a retreat for St. James Lutheran Church from Burnsville, Minn., on Dec. 4.

Music in Worship... Any Gustavus music ensemble or soloist is welcome to perform in congregations. For more information, contact Marilyn Beyer (x7001).

Telecommunications Updates

Following are changes and additions for the "Personnel Phone Directory 2010-11."

• Kathleen Allen, Career Center, phone: x7524 (deletion)
• David "Chris" Harmes, chemistry, phone: x6304, e-mail: harmes (addition)
• Linda Steinhaus, provost's office, phone: x7675, e-mail: lsteinha (addition)

For further information or corrections, contact Laura McCabe (x6261 or lmccabe@gustavus.edu).

Web Tips

We Love Making Banners for You... If you want banners on your homepage (like the Music Department or the Chaplains’ Office), just let the Web Team know what you have in mind and they'd be happy to produce something that fits your needs. As a general rule, they produce banners only on your main page but not on subsequent internal pages.

Plugs

Ride Wanted... The Hoiland family has an international student who needs a ride to the MSP airport on Christmas Day. If you happen to be traveling that way and have an extra seat, please consider dropping her off. E-mail Nicole (nhoiland) if you can help out.

For Sale... Vacation accommodations for Touring Week! You pick your destination from over 500 Gold Crown Resort Condominiums in the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond. Hotel/Studio/1BR—$900; 2BR/3BR—$1,200. Check-in Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011; check-out Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011. E-mail Wendy at wbachman@gustavus.edu for details.

"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

Michelle Tanner, president of the Communication Studies Club, writes: "On behalf of the Communication Studies Club I would like to thank all who participated for your help in making this fall’s Memorial Blood Drive one of the best in Gustavus's history. The Communication Studies Club takes pride in hosting two Red Cross blood drives on campus each year . . . This fall’s blood drive was held on Nov. 3 & 4 and was one of the most successful drives to date. On Wednesday, 124 students, faculty, and staff gave blood, and on Thursday, 114 donors participated. These numbers, compared to last spring’s (72/94), are phenomenal. The Gustavus community has truly impressed the Red Cross, and they are very excited to return this coming March. Each blood drive is run solely on volunteers who are recruited through the Communication Studies Club. This year, over 50 students, mostly communication studies majors and other students who are taking communication studies classes, and even a few FTS students, signed up to volunteer at the blood drive, highlighting the fact that Gusties choose to make their life count in many ways. Again, thank you to all who donated or volunteered, as you have beyond doubt made a difference in the lives of many."

 



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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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