Inside Gustavus September 5, 2019 | Volume 52, Number 1

August 27, 2019, Cabinet Meeting Summary 

1. Discussion was held regarding the agenda for Wednesday's Opening Reception, including the FY20 institutional goals. 

2. Members approved the revised condolence policy as amended. 

3. Members affirmed an office name change, effective immediately -- Diversity Center to Center for Inclusive Excellence. 

4. The program for Friday's convocation for new students was reviewed. 

September 3, 2019, Cabinet Meeting Summary

1. Provost Kelly introduced new Associate Provost and Dean of Sciences and Education Valerie Banschbach to the Cabinet.

2. Benefits Coordinator Nicole Goebel was present to review proposed benefit changes in the College’s medical and dental plans in 2020. Members endorsed the plan changes and asked Nicole and Vice President Tunheim to create a communication plan to employees and share it with the Cabinet.

3. Members approved the hiring of three part-time replacement Athletics positions (Diving Coach and Assistant to the Swimming and Diving Program and two Assistants to the Swimming and Diving Program). These positions will be reevaluated once a full-time Assistant Swimming and Diving Coach is hired next spring.

4. Members approved the hiring of a full-time replacement Athletics position (Assistant Swimming and Diving Coach) to be posted in February 2020.

5. Members approved the continuation of a part-time GTS position (User Services Technology Coordinator). This position will be reevaluated in FY21.

6. Members approved the hiring of a full-time replacement Academic Affairs position (Administrative Assistant in the Provost’s Office).

News and Announcements

Visit Gustie Newswire for more news...

New Academic Deans...The Provost's Office invites you to join us as we welcome our new academic deans Valerie Banschbach and Elizabeth Kubek to the Gustavus community. This is also an opportunity to welcome Sarah Bridges to her new role as Assistant Dean of Research. Refreshments will be served. We hope you can join us.
2:30-4:30 p.m., Thursday, September 5, 2019, Carlson Administration Building 206.

New Community Band...The new Gustavus Campus Band (MUS164), a community concert band open to all students, faculty, staff, and Saint Peter community members, rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:15-8:45 p.m. in Fine Arts Music room 106 and performs one concert per semester. Instruments are available for rent if needed. The music department invites all members of the Gustavus to come and join the band. Questions can be directed to Dr. James Patrick Miller. The first rehearsal is Thursday, September 5. If you're interested come and give it a try.

Nobel Conference Tickets...Tickets for the upcoming Nobel Conference, Climate Changed: Facing Our Future, are now available! The conference is September 24 & 25. All employees and students receive one free ticket that must be requested in advance. We expect the conference to sell out. Employees are welcome to attend all the lectures, however we ask employees to select the specific sessions they plan to attend since demand for tickets is high. Visit the Nobel Conference website to see a complete schedule. Tickets may be ordered at the ticket request website or call 507-933-7520.

Christmas in Christ Chapel - Reservable seating...Plans are already well underway for Christmas in Christ Chapel, happening December 5-8. New this year is that the opening night will be on Thursday and the last service will be on Sunday afternoon. Like last year, guests will select specific reservable seats in Christ Chapel at the time of ticket purchase. There will no longer be general admission seating. Employees will continue to receive one free ticket. Tickets go on sale October 1. For more information, visit online.

Student Life Office Changes...The Center for Career Development is now located in the Johnson Student Union, suite 209, which is across from the Counseling Center and underneath Cec Eckhoff Alumni Hall. Residential Life is now located on the lower level of the Jackson Campus Center, suite 105, a few steps away from the Courtyard Cafe. The Dean of Students office has relocated to the Jackson Campus Center, room 201 (formerly the Board Room), across the hall from the Financial Aid office. All staff phone numbers and emails will remain the same.
 
A Royal Affair - A Gustie Gala...Get your crown on for the biennial A Royal Affair fundraiser happening Saturday, November 9 at the JW Marriott Hotel - Mall of America. This is a fun party with food, drinks, music, dancing, an auction, and amazing entertainment by Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Kurt Elling ’89 and Hollywood actor Peter Breitmayer ’87 serving as emcee. Funds raised will fund scholarships for first-generation college students with high academic performance and significant economic need, and strengthen the Gustavus library endowment. Get your tickets now using this link.

Piano Lab Opening...The Gustavus Piano Lab School has an opening for one new piano student for this fall. Do you have a child who would like to start the wonderful journey of learning the piano? We are looking for a child in grades 1-4 with no prior experience and a piano in the home for daily practice. Please contact: Rebekah Richards via email or 651 468-7058. For more information, check out this link.

Renaissance Festival...Congratulations to Amy Braun, who won the free ticket giveaway to the Renaissance Festival. Please note that Gustavus employees are able to receive discounted tickets to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Tickets may be purchased online using the instructions found here.

Join PCDEI Working Groups 2019-2020...As announced in President Bergman's note to the community regarding the Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the PCDEI is establishing working groups this year to assist the PCDEI in its important work. We invite faculty, staff, and students to join one of the following three groups: 

• Training and Development: Provide DEI training and development opportunities for College employees.
• Inclusive Excellence and Engagement: Work toward integrating inclusive excellence practices into our collective recruitment and retention efforts.
• Communication: Build a shared language and understanding of the College's DEI values, priorities, and measurable progress.

All Gustavus members are encouraged to help move our diversity, equity, and inclusion work forward together this year. If you are interested in being involved, please complete the PCDEI Working Group Interest Form by Monday, September 30. Thank you in advance for your participation.

Opening Employee Meeting...If you were unable to attend the Opening All-Employee Meeting held on August 28, 2019, employees may find the presentation online.

In the News

KEYC reported on the Gustavus community's energetic welcome to the Class of 2023 on move-in day.

The Mankato Free Press mentioned Gustavus in a piece about local college students moving back in.

Tips and Reminders

Health Savings Account Updates...Effective July 17, 2019 the IRS issued guidance that expands health savings account (HSA) qualified expenses. HSAs will now cover additional services and items used to treat chronic conditions, such as preventive care. This guidance expands the list of preventive care benefits covered by high deductible health plans (HDHPs). It allows HDHPs to cover these qualified expenses at 100 percent without impacting eligibility, even if the deductible is not met. If you have any questions, please reach out to Nicole Goebel in the Office of Human Resources. 
 
Important Update to BCBS Insurance Coverage...Effective immediately, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of MN will expand its coverage to include digital breast tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography. 3D mammography benefits will be covered for breast cancer screening similarly to the way full-field digital mammography (also known as 2D mammography) services are currently covered. Because all of the Gustavus health plans cover preventive services at 100%, preventive 3D mammography screening services will now also be covered at no member cost. If you have questions, please contact BCBS at: 866-873-5943 or Nicole Goebel.

Donation request...Gustavus employees who would like to donate paid time off/vacation hours to a fellow employee who is on an approved FMLA leave, and will run out of paid time off (PTO) prior to the end of the leave, may access the donation form here and submit the form to the Payroll area in the Finance office.

Off Campus Events of Interest

Film Screening at Saint Peter High School... On Thursday, September 5 at 7 p.m., Dr. Samuel Kessler (Religion) will host a screening of From Cairo to the Cloud, a documentary film that explores the impact of a trove of ancient Jewish documents that were discovered in Cairo in 1896. Afterwards, he will be joined by Dr. Greg Kaster (History) and Dr. Fuad Naeem (Religion) for a panel discussion and question-and-answer session. Learn more online.

Choral Society Rehersal...The first rehearsal of the St. Peter Choral Society will take place at 7:15 p.m. on Monday, September 9 at Trinity Lutheran Church. The pieces are Rutter Requiem and Bach Cantata #4. Concerts will be on March 8 and 15, 2020 with orchestra. All are welcome, there are no charges or auditions. Four Choral Scholarships of $500 are available to students. For further information call 934-6176.