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TOP STORY
Employee break clarification — Breaks or rest periods for non-exempt (hourly) staff are available for the welfare of employees. Human Resources has had some questions, so we are providing the campus community with a few clarifications to the existing policy in our handbook. Click here to see the current policy from the staff handbook and to see the clarifications.
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NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
Easter break — Easter break begins Thursday, March 24, at 5:30 p.m. Classes resume Tuesday, March 29.
Reformation May Term in 2017 — The 500th anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation is coming in 2017. Sign up for RE 277: Reformation Then and Now and see where it all began! Travel to historic Reformation sites in Germany and Eastern Europe. Meet with contemporary leaders. Course fulfills a Faith and Reflection requirement. Contact Dr. Kit Kleinhans for additional information.
Fulbright Scholar opportunities — Faculty are encouraged to review Fulbright Scholar opportunities at this link. Dan Walther (previous Fulbright award recipient) or Gloria Campbell can be contacted for more information about the application process.
BSU Hoops for Hope Fundraiser — Black Student Union's annual Hoops for Hope, a student vs. faculty/staff charity basketball game, will be April 2 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Levrick Arena. All students, faculty, and staff members are invited to support this cause by making donations and attending the event. This year, all money raised will go to The Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Valley in Waterloo. Anyone interested in playing in the game can stop by the Hub to sign up or contact the Black Student Union. All players are asked to contribute a $5 donation by Friday, April 1. Please contact Dajuan King with any questions.
Newspaper stands — Due to increased costs for the Readership Program, the Student Senate will no longer be providing the New York Times. Additionally, all residence hall newspaper stands except for Cardinal Commons will be removed. The Student Senate is committed to serving the Student Body effectively and allocating student funds responsibly. These changes were necessary to remain within our budget. This year, USA Today significantly raised its rates, and lower enrollment has decreased the available funds for the Readership Program. The Student Senate decided on these specific changes because the New York Times is the least-used paper and the residence hall locations are the least-utilized stands on campus. These changes are only intended to last for the remainder of the current academic year. Please direct any questions or concerns to senate@wartburg.edu.
Math, Computer Science & Physics Department Seminar — The next Math, Computer Science & Physics Department Seminar will be held Tuesday, March 29, at 11:30 a.m. in SC 134. Mr. Richard Ligo, a graduate student in mathematics at the University of Iowa, will deliver a presentation entitled, "More Than Meets the Eye: Geometry and Our Perception of Reality." Refreshments will be provided.
May Term mail reminder — For anyone who will be leaving for May Term and either will be graduating or will not be back for May Term: Make sure you contact the Mail Center and tell us if you will not be back on campus. Please clean out your box before you leave. Most letters can be forwarded along with magazines for which you have a paid subscription. Magazines can only be forwarded for two months, so if you want to continue receiving them you will need to contact the companies. Packages that arrive for you can only be forwarded if they are sent by the Postal Service, but UPS or FedEx packages can only be returned to the sender. Please stop by and sign our sheet if you will not be returning to campus after Tour Week. All forwarding mail will be sent to your home address if you are not on campus. Darla Hamann, mail center coordinator, adds: "It’s been a pleasure to serve you. I will not be here after May 31; retirement has beckoned me."
President's board summary — President Colson's summary of the recent Board of Regents meeting has been posted on the Info Center under "President's Reports."
Perceptions of Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry — Pastor Brian Beckstrom is conducting a survey for his Doctor of Ministry research regarding perceptions of Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry’s purpose. This information will also be used by SLCM in its planning process and to reformulate its mission statement. Student, faculty, and staff participants are being randomly selected for this short 10-question survey. We would really appreciate input from as broad a range of participants as possible, particularly those not involved with campus faith life. Survey deadline is Wednesday, March 23.
College calendar — Stay up to date with campus events by following the college's official calendar.
PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dining Services changes — Dining Services is continually looking for opportunities to improve. Recently, because of some staff pursuing employment outside of Wartburg and pending retirements, Dining Services is undergoing a reorganization that supports several needs. A summary of those changes can be found at this link.
Vogel Library reorganization — The Vogel Library has recently undergone a significant reorganization in response to the need to carry out our work in support of the college's mission with fewer positions and in light of ongoing changes in academic librarianship.Click here to read more.
Wartburg employee health screen — Wartburg College will cover the cost of the basic health screen for all full-time/benefit-eligible employees Wednesday, March 30, 7-8:30 a.m. in the West Classroom at The W. The cost of the basic health screen will also be covered for any spouses covered by Wartburg's health insurance. Click here for screening details and costs for additional tests. Lab results are mailed directly to participants. Sign-up is required through Sheila Kittleson at (319) 352-8249.
Welcome Nicole Willis to Pathways — Nicole Willis recently joined the Pathways Center staff as a new academic success associate. In Pathways, she will coordinate testing services and disability services and accommodations as an advocate for students with disabilities, as well as administer ACT, CSI, Math90, and CLEP testing.
May Term Choir — A student-led May Term Choir is being arranged for May. Any students, faculty, and staff who want to sing are welcome to join rehearsals, which will be 4:50-6 p.m. Monday to Thursday; location still to be determined. You do not need to be a music major or have previous ensemble experience to join, just be willing to have fun yet be serious at times. The group is also looking for student conductors. Sign-up sheets are posted on the second floor of the FAC on Dr. Lee Nelson's bulletin board and on the bulletin board near the FAC office on the first floor. Email Brandon Everding if you’re interested in participating or have questions.
Visit the InfoCenter for details on the following:
- Operations & Maintenance restructuring
- Wartburg West fall classes
PROFESSIONAL NOTES
Dr. Mariah Birgen, professor of mathematics, has been elected to a three-year term as the governor of the Iowa Section of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), starting July 1. The MAA is the largest professional society that focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level. Dr. Birgen will serve on the MAA Board of Governors, the body that makes decisions for the future of the entire MAA.
Barbara Fedeler, professor of art, was recognized March 17 at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi for her donated drawing “Cypress in Bluff Lake.” The permanent installation of the drawing in the visitor’s center at the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge represents the culmination of a 2015 artist residency.
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