Inside Gustavus November 8, 2013 | Volume 46, Number 10

President's Cabinet Summary

The President's Cabinet met on Tuesday, Nov. 5 and discussed the following items:

• Professor Eric Dugdale, Vice Chair of the Faculty Senate, gave a report on the recent activities of the Senate, including discussions regarding establishing a policy concerning the recording of classes, the creation of a subcommittee to review the status of long-term non-tenure track faculty, and reviewing student course evaluation instruments. Professor Dugdale also indicated that short presentations of academic programs/departments will be given at each faculty meeting. Provost Braun outlined the process for reviewing the academic strategic plan. A brief discussion was held concerning employee compensation and the research that is being conducted regarding the same.
• Provost Braun gave an update on the wireless circumstances on campus and presented a proposal to improve accessibility on campus. Provost Braun will continue discussions with Director of GTS Bruce Aarsvold regarding possible alternatives to the plan presented and funding options.
• Discussion was held regarding appointing a support staff representative to the Higher Learning Commission Committee. Consensus was to post a note in Inside Gustavus asking support staff employees to respond to Assistant to the President Jolene Christensen if they are interested in serving on the HLC Committee.
• Members discussed the oversight and supervision of the Gustavus Health Promotions position. Consensus was to have the GHP position report to the new Director of the Wellbeing Initiative.
• Members approved the hiring of two full-time replacement custodial positions.
• The position of director of the newly funded Wellbeing initiative will be posted soon. Vice President VanHecke is also working on confirming the Administrative Assistant position.

News & Announcements

New Group Long-Term Care Insurance Program...To address the need for long-term care insurance, Gustavus is partnering with the LifeSecure Insurance Company to offer group-discounted long-term care insurance with one-time simplified underwriting. To be eligible for the simplified underwriting, employees must be age 68 or under and work at least 20 hours per week. Employees who do not meet this criterion may still apply for coverage with full underwriting; and, spouses/partners, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, grandparents-in-law, siblings and adult children are also eligible for discounted premiums with full underwriting. In order for you to learn more about long-term care insurance and the new program, please attend one of the educational workshops listed below. Following the workshops, an advisor will be available to meet or set up times to meet with employees and their spouses as well as extended family members.

• Tuesday, Nov. 19, 9-10 a.m., Linner Lounge
• Tuesday, Nov. 19, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Linner Lounge
• Thursday, Nov. 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 49er Room
• Thursday, Nov. 21, 5-6 p.m., 49er room

UMW HERC’s Fall Membership Meeting...“Talent in Our Midst: Nurturing Future Faculty and Staff of Color,” will be held on Friday, Nov. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hamline University’s Anderson Center, Room 305. Dr. Richard Reddick of the University of Texas will share his research and experience on “growing our own” faculty and staff of color. Additional meeting details are available online. If you are unable to attend but would like to participate via remote broadcast, please join the Provost's Office on November 22 at 9-11:30 a.m. in the Board Room. Feel free to come for all or just part of the meeting.

Reading in Common Suggestions...The Campus Activities Office is in the beginning stages of selecting our Reading In Common book for the next academic year! We'd love to hear about books you've read that you feel would be a great fit for the program. Here are a few things to consider as you make a recommendation:

• Is the book a manageable summer read for students 18 years of age?
• How does this book relate on a variety of levels to students in transition?
• Is the book shorter than 300 pages?

Please complete the recommendation form online.

Campus Happenings

Gustavus Unplugged...Gustavus Unplugged is an opportunity to “unplug” from our virtual lifestyles and “plug into” a more centered way of being human. From Nov. 8-10, a full range of activities will include: “No Phone Day” (with an optional “surrender your phone” option), various sessions of yoga, hours of silence, Taize meditation, and Sunday morning Holy Communion Worship. Participants may take part in some or all of the events offered, depending upon availability and interest. A full schedule and more detailed information can be found on Facebook or with the Office of the Chaplains at x7446.

Shared Governance Discussion...Members of the Board of Trustees, faculty, and administrators are invited to attend an open meeting from 2:30-4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8 in the Three Crowns Room, in order to contribute their viewpoints as we work toward a shared understanding of shared governance at Gustavus. Specific focal topic areas for each discussion date and suggested background readings are available online.

Clyde Bellecourt Public Lecture...Clyde Bellecourt, Native American civil rights leader and co-founder of the American Indian Movement (AIM), will speak at Gustavus Adolphus College at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11 in Alumni Hall. Bellecourt’s lecture is titled “The American Indian Movement: Past, Present, and Future,” and is free and open to the public.

Fighting Hunger Lecture...Gustavus alumna Mikka McCracken will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the Heritage Room. McCracken, who is a program director at ELCA World Hunger, will deliver a talk titled "The Fight Continues Against Childhood Hunger."

Gustie Breakfast...The next on-campus Gustie Breakfast will take place Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 a.m. in a campus banquet room. Cost is $8 for an individual or $15 for two, payable at the door. Reserve your spot by emailing gustiebreakfast@gustavus.edu or by calling 507-933-6043. This month's presenter is Megan Ruble, while December's presenter will be Professor of Philosophy and GWS Lisa Heldke.

Daily Sabbath Schedule... All are invited to attend Daily Sabbath at 10 a.m. weekdays. The upcoming schedule is as follows:

• Monday, Nov. 11 (Pray): Post your prayers online at padlet.com/wall/gustavusprays. Music and silent prayer in Christ Chapel.
• Tuesday, Nov. 12 (Discuss): Chaplain Siri Erickson "Why does it sound strange to call God 'she'?"
• Wednesday, Nov. 13 (Celebrate): Morning Praise with the Choir of Christ Chapel
• Thursday, Nov. 14 (Re:vive): Chaplain Grady St. Dennis speaking
• Friday, Nov. 15 (Play): Hymns on Tap in The Dive

Off-Campus Events of Interest

Mental Health Wellness Fair...The 2nd annual Chill Out will take place on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 6-8 p.m. at the St. Peter Community Center. The students in Abnormal Psychology classes at Gustavus have developed a plan to create a wellness fair with presenters and booths that will provide mental health resources for community members; mainly focusing on wellness, stress reduction, and awareness. 

Weight Watchers Meetings...Don’t wait for the new year – get a jump start on your health and wellness goals!! Join Weight Watchers today! Since February of 2012, our at-work Weight Watchers group members have lost hundreds of pounds. However, so many of our members have reached their “Lifetime Member” status - which is GREAT for them and proof that this program works! – but bad for us in that Lifetime members don’t count towards our membership requirements. In order to keep the Weight Watchers meeting at Scholarship America, we need at least 17 active members. If you have thought about joining us in the past, but were too shy – come on in to our informational meeting on November 21, 2013 – or stop in any Thursday at 12:15 and see what the program is all about. Bring your lunch! A Weight Watchers representative is available before and after the meetings for personal questions. If you would like more information, please contact Julie Wilkins at 507-931-0448 or jwilkins@scholarshipamerica.org.

Obituaries

• Audrey Boucher, the mother of Susan Myhra (Residential Life Office), passed away on Sunday, Nov. 3 at the age of 87. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8 at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Peter. She is survived by her husband if 68 years, Floyd; daughter Susan (Stephen) Myhra; grandsons Neal, Nathan (Amy) and Matthew Myhra; great grandchildren Andrew and Megan Myhra; sisters Shirley Jacobsen and Elaine (Kenneth) DeZeeuw; sister-in-law Louise Johnson and nieces and nephews.

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 jolene@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.

Congregational Outreach

Retreats...Church Relations in the Center for Servant Leadership will be hosting weekend confirmation retreats for Transfiguration Lutheran Church of Bloomington from Friday, Nov. 8 to Sunday, Nov. 10 and for Woodlake Lutheran Church of Richfield on Saturday, Nov. 9. The retreat programs are a resource offered to ELCA congregations who are members of the Gustavus Association of Congregations.

Safety Snips

Winter Walking Safety...Winter is just around the corner so it's time to review some campus pedestrian safety tips:

• Walking on snow or ice is especially treacherous and wearing proper footwear is essential. A pair of well insulated boots with good rubber treads is a must for walking during or after winter snows. Keeping a pair of rubber over-shoes with good treads which fit over your street shoes is a good idea during the winter months.
• When walking on an icy or snow-covered walkway, take short steps and walk at a slower pace so you can react quickly to a change in traction. Be aware that ice may be lurking under a light dusting of snow.
• When walking on a sidewalk which has not been cleared and you must walk in the street, walk against the traffic and as close to the curb as you can.
• Be on the lookout for snow removal vehicles in parking lots and walkways. Make eye contact with the equipment operator so they know you can see them. Be aware that approaching vehicles may not be able to stop at crosswalks or stop signs.
• Wear reflective or brightly colored garments for exercise routes that enter streets and roads during lowlight conditions.
• Don’t walk with your hands in your pockets, walk with your hands out and wear gloves so you can break your fall if you do slip.
• Avoid cellphone use, texting and headsets while walking on slippery walkways. Look ahead at your path of travel and use handrails on slippery steps.
• Be aware that snow can melt and refreeze overnight on walkways. Call Physical Plant at extension x7504 to report icy walkways and parking lots.

Plugs

For Rent...House for rent, available immediately. Charming 1950s rambler one block from Gustavus. Approximately 1,300 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Full size washer and dryer. One stall garage with additional off-street parking. Contact Mitch - 651-214-3912.

"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.



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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. For more information, contact Matt Thomas (mthomas@gustavus.edu or x7510).

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