Inside Gustavus October 3, 2019 | Volume 52, Number 5

President Cabinet Summary

October 1, 2019, Cabinet Meeting Summary

1. Reflections were shared regarding the Campaign Kickoff and Alumni Awards Dinner.
2. Vice President Tunheim provided an update on the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan. Priorities are being reviewed and we plan to have an updated Acts II booklet by the end of the year.
3. Chaplain and Special Assistant to the President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Siri Erickson provided an update on the Strategic Plan initiatives for PCDEI, President’s Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Working Groups are being identified, including Training, Communication, and Inclusive Excellence. Cabinet members also reviewed the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) document.
4. Director of Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation Jim Dontje provided an update on Strategic Plan initiatives regarding thoughts on how to move forward.
5. Members approved the hiring of a replacement 11-month Academic Affairs position (Information Desk and Assets Specialist).
6. Vice President Tunheim presented an update on the compensation analysis project. Benefits Specialist Nicole Goebel and Director of Finance Operations and Payroll Barb Lundgren will plan to attend a Cabinet meeting in October.
7. Vice President Tunheim presented an update on the Disability Policy and Medical Leave policy. Cabinet requested additional information regarding employment law on medical leave, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
8. Discussion was held regarding the activities surrounding the September Board Meeting.
9. Discussion was held regarding the Admission Report and Retention Update.

News and Announcements

Visit Gustie Newswire for more news...

Fall Fest in the Arb...Enjoy a fun-filled day of outdoor activities in the Linnaeus Arboretum with live music, live animals, and alpaca and border collie agility and herding demonstrations. Participate in the arboretum's unique treasure hunt. There will be games, hayrides, face painting, crafts, and more. Come join us from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.on Saturday, October 5, 2019 in the Linnaeus Arboretum. 

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 and students will continue to receive one free ticket. Tickets are on sale now and going fast! For more information, visit the Christmas in Christ Chapel website.

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.

Public Talks by Eban Goodstein... Eban Goodstein, PhD will give two public talks next week: "How to Get a Job Saving the Planet: Sustainability Careers in Business, NGOs & Government" on Thursday, October 10 at 11:45 a.m. in The Dive (free pizza!) and "How to Solve Climate by 2030: We CAN Change the FUTURE" on Thursday, October 10 at 6 p.m. in Beck 101.

Patricia Lindell Scholarship Application Open...This $1,200 scholarship (established by the Gustavus Library Associates) is open to any junior or senior student to undertake a research project for the library that benefits the wider Gustavus community. The scholarship is awarded upon the successful completion of the project.
Applicants are strongly recommended to apply for independent study credit during the spring semester (up to .5 credits).
This year's project will explore how the library can improve its website to better serve student needs. The recipient will conduct qualitative research, investigate best practices for library websites, and propose changes to the website.
For more information and how to apply, please see attached pdf.
Applications are due Friday, November 1, 2019.

Obituaries

Daniel R. Shetka, brother of Stan Shetka (Art and Art History), passed away on September 28, 2019. A full obituary may be found online.

_{To inform the campus community of the death of a current or former employee, trustee, emeritus professor; or an immediate family member of a current employee, contact the Office of Human Resources (507-933-6310 or ngoebel@gustavus.edu). To inform the campus community of the death of a student, contact the Dean of Students Office (507-933-7526 or dswanber@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 campuswide e-mail list, and published in Inside Gustavus or the Summer Scoop. Notices for immediate family members of current employees will be published in Inside Gustavus or the Summer Scoop.}