Inside Gustavus November 7, 2019 | Volume 52, Number 10

President Cabinet Meeting Summary

November 5, 2019, Cabinet Meeting Summary

1. Mark Goldberg from Gallagher made a presentation on the classification and compensation study they are conducting for the College. Further conversation regarding the study will be held at the next Cabinet meeting.

2. Director of the Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation Jim Dontje was present to review the sustainability key performance indicators (KPIs) for Gustavus Acts strategy 3.7 and next steps in the implementation process.

3. Members approved the hiring of a full-time Dining Service replacement position (Market Place Supervisor).

4. Members approved increasing the hours of the administrative assistant position in Research and Sponsored Programs from 25 to 40 hours. The additional time and benefits will be grant funded.

5. Members briefly reviewed the student satisfaction survey that seniors will be completing next spring. Provost Kelly indicated that the College is able to add ten questions to the survey and asked members to submit sample questions to her in the next week.

News and Announcements

Visit Gustie Newswire for more news...

Star Party...As part of the Bell Museum's State-Wide Star Party there will be activities at Gustavus in Olin 103 and the Observatory from 7 until 10 p.m. on Friday, November 8. If weather permits we will be observing the moon, a couple of planets, and deep sky objects. We will have a range of indoor activities for learners of all ages in Olin 103. More information is available on the event website. Also, Mercury will transit the sun on the following Monday morning (November 11) beginning before sunrise and ending just after noon. The Olin Observatory will be open from 8 a.m. until noon. Stop by for a look. 

Upcoming Lecture...The philosophy department invites you to attend a lecture by Malcolm Wilson of the department of classics at University of Oregon. The talk, taking place at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 8 in Nobel 1412, is entitled "Conservation-Based Environmentalism as Crypto-Aristotelianism." All are welcome. 

Thanksgiving Baking Orders...Over the river and through the woods, AND up the hill, the Dining Service bakery is getting ready to start their Thanksgiving baking. Our bakers will be making delicious assorted pies, breads and rolls. They are also making fall themed decorated jumbo cookies again this year! To place your order stop in the Dining Service Office and pick up an order form. Last day to order is Wednesday, November 20; payment must accompany the order. May your Thanksgiving be filled with love and cheer, but also with full tummies. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from Dining Service!

Christmas in Christ Chapel - Limited Tickets Available... Christmas in Christ Chapel tickets have been going fast, but there are still limited seats for the Friday and Saturday afternoon services and tons of seats for the Thursday night service. Go to the Gustavus ticketing website or call 507-933-7520. Even if you don't attend the service, you can still attend the buffet. Tickets for the Scandinavian-style meal are available prior to every service. For more information, visit the Christmas in Christ Chapel website.

Christmas in Christ Chapel Volunteers Needed... Ushers Needed for Christmas in Christ Chapel at all five services to help host 1,000 attendees. Help is needed from 6-7:45 p.m. Thursday December 5, 6-7:45 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2-3:45 p.m. and 6-7:45 p.m. Saturday, December 7 and 2-3:45p.m. Sunday, December 8. Please contact the marketing office if you can assist at marketing@gustavus.edu or 507-933-7520.

Looking for something to do during Spring Break?...The Community Engagement Center is looking for Gustavus faculty and staff to be trip advisers for upcoming Habitat for Humanity volunteer trips during spring break (April 4-11). This is an exceptional way for employees to grow in community engagement, professional development, and to get to know a fantastic group of students. Trip adviser guidelines are posted on the Community Engagement website. There is no cost to participate and all employees are eligible (see guidelines for approvals needed). Applications are available here: Spring Break Trip Adviser Application (and on the CEC website) and must be submitted by November 8, 2019. Community Engagement Center staff and campus Habitat for Humanity board representatives will review applications and select the individuals who meet the selection criteria. Please contact Amy Pehrson (x6011) with questions or more information about this program.

Employee Wellbeing...Wellbeing For Employees is running a new program this year titled "Maintain Don't Gain." The program runs November 18-December 22 (five weeks in total) and the goal is to not gain weight during the holiday season. Those who complete the entire program will earn a Gustavus t-shirt that will be available for pick up in January. Please contact Lexie Eggert if you would like to sign up or if you have any questions.

Plugs

Director of Lifelong Learning Opening... First Lutheran Church, Saint Peter, invites applications for a full-time position of Director of Lifelong Learning. This position is full time (forty hours per week; salary/benefits commensurate with experience) and reports directly to the senior pastor. The Director of Lifelong Learning will provide spiritual and practical leadership for the education programs of First Lutheran Church including Sunday School, Confirmation, High School Youth Group, and Adult Education. The full position description is online.

Obituaries

Robin Roy Grinnell, Ph.D., father of Jon Grinnell (Biology), passed away on November 1, 2019. Please keep Jon and his family in your thoughts.

Patrick "Pat" Baxter, father of Molly Yunkers (Book Mark), passed away on November 5, 2019. A full obituary may be found online. Please keep Molly and her family in your thoughts.

_{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 jnoren@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.}