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The Juice (Faculty/Staff) - Nov. 22

Volunteers for LMS testing & more 💻
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Nov. 22, 2021

Health insurance information

Remember the deadline to secure lower health insurance rates for 2022 is Tuesday, Nov. 30!

Well-being requirements:

1. Employee who is insured with HealthPartners must show proof of COVID vaccine (if you haven’t already done so)
2. Employee who is insured with HealthPartners must complete the online Health Risk Assessment online questionnaire
3. Spouses who are insured with HealthPartners must complete the online Health Risk Assessment online questionnaire

 

The Health Risk Assessment is to be completed through your online HealthPartners account. To create an account, go to this link. Once created, click on the Living Well tab, which will take you to a listing of activities where you can complete the Health Risk Assessment online health questionnaire. Your responses are confidential. If you have questions, please contact Amy Wilson, benefits administrator, at ext. 8278 or amy.wilson@wartburg.edu.

LMS sandbox trial phase — volunteers needed

The Distance Learning Quality Committee will hold learning management system (LMS) vendor demonstrations Jan. 7, 2022, during Faculty Workshop. Vendors invited include Instructure Canvas, Blackboard and D2L Brightspace. After the demonstrations, sandbox evaluations of each system will allow volunteers to navigate the system in greater depth as if you were using it for one of your own courses.

 

The committee is looking for faculty and staff volunteers to review each LMS and provide feedback. Volunteers will agree to evaluate each learning management system and provide feedback using an evaluation form. The sandbox evaluation process is Jan. 10 to Feb. 4. Those interested in participating should register at this link by Dec. 10. Vendors will set up individual sandbox environments for each volunteer. Stakeholder feedback is absolutely critical to helping us select the best system for the institution. The more involvement we have, the better!

Upcoming MCSP presentations this week

The Math, Computer Science & Physics (MCSP) Department Seminar Series is held on Tuesdays at 11:30 in room 134 of the Science Center. On Nov. 23, Gregory Diercks '78 will be presenting about his career in the IT field, what a day may look like for a computer developer, continuing education and tips for being successful. Greg is both an alum and a former MCSP faculty member here at Wartburg. On Nov. 30, current students Harvey-Eric Waligo ’22, Kelly Uwanjye ’22, and Oluwafeyisayo (Feyi) Omotehinwa ‘23 will give a presentation, entitled "International Experience Working in Corporate America." They will speak about their journeys applying for internship positions, their experiences in the work from home environment, and the different projects they worked on. All are invited to hear these presentations. Masks are required.

Make a gift using payroll deduction

As the year is coming to an end, it is time to start thinking ahead toward 2022. We are asking employees to consider making a gift to the College through payroll deduction this year. It is a fast and easy way to make a consistent impact throughout the year. Plus, signing up for payroll deduct also could win you 8 hours of PTO! We want to show that your gifts are very much appreciated, along with all the hard work you do.

 

To be entered into a drawing to win 8 hours of PTO:

Sign up for a NEW payroll deduction of ANY amount.
If already enrolled in payroll deduct, increase your deduction by ANY amount.

Also, all of our faculty/staff donors will be invited to join us Jan. 12 from 8 to 10 a.m. in the K-Dit for a free drink on us!

To be entered into the drawing, please set up payroll deduct or make your gift by Dec. 17. To set up payroll deduct, click here or stop by Advancement for a paper form. Contact bethany.brooks@wartburg.edu with questions.

Farewell party for Pastor Brian Beckstrom

All are invited to a farewell party for the Rev. Dr. Brian Beckstrom, dean of spiritual life and the Moehlmann Chaplaincy Chair, on Monday, Nov. 29, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Hageman Castle Room. There will be a short program at 3 p.m.

Thanksgiving movie/game night & peace dialogue

The Student Senate diversity committee invites all students who will be on campus on Nov. 25 for a Thanksgiving movie/game night in Clinton Lounge starting at 7 p.m.

 

The Student Senate diversity committee will also be facilitating a peace dialogue on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 11:30 a.m. in WBC 214, which will cover the topic "Cultural Awareness vs. Cultural Competency."

 

SPIRITUAL LIFE & CAMPUS MINISTRY

Weekday Chapel services

Weekday Chapel services are from 10:15 to 10:35 a.m. each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in Wartburg Chapel. Chapel time is a brief opportunity to gather with students, staff, and faculty to reflect on God and faith. Mondays will feature faculty and staff faith stories and blessings, Wednesdays will be a morning prayer service, and Fridays will have Senior Chapels. Interfaith chapels will be held during the last week each month.

Upcoming speakers:

Monday, Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Chapel with Pastor Brian Beckstrom

No Chapel services during the break… enjoy the holiday!

Monday, Nov. 29: Advent Chapel with Rebecca Baird, pastoral intern

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

MCSP seminar
Nov. 23 & 30

Thanksgiving break
Nov. 24-28

Farewell party for Pastor Brian Beckstrom
Nov. 29

Presidential forum (11:30 a.m. in Buckmaster)
Nov. 30

STAS meeting
Dec. 1

Festival of Trees
Dec. 1-14

Christmas with Wartburg performances
Dec. 3-5

Deadline to register for LMS testing
Dec. 10

December Commencement
Dec. 12

Finals Week
Dec. 13-16

Deadline for Payroll Deduct drawing
Dec. 17

Start of Winter Term
Jan. 10

PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Business Office budget and account updates

Thank you for your patience as the Business Office continues to catch up on the 2021-22 fiscal year while finishing the audit for 2020-21. Please find below the current status of department budgets and accounts:

Department budgets and student wage budgets for 2021-22 have been loaded into the system and should be accessible to view on-line in InfoCenter.
PNC credit card transactions through September 2021 have been loaded into the system and should be accessible to view online in InfoCenter.
Some revenue and expense transactions for 2021-22 are still in process, and therefore, they are not yet visible in InfoCenter.
To determine the current balance of a 60 account, please add the balance as of May 31, 2021, to the 2021-22 balance showing in InfoCenter. May 31, 2021, balances will be rolled over to 2021-22 once the audit is complete.
If you have any questions regarding your department budgets, please contact Justin Crouse at justin.crouse@wartburg.edu or 319-352-8719.

Presidential search updateissing table ban

The presidential leadership profile has been posted on our Presidential Search website and on WittKieffer’s site. WittKieffer will now advertise the college president position. The website also includes a list of search committee members and link to a confidential stakeholder survey.

Mail Center update for upcoming holidaysissing table ban

The Mail Center will be open Wednesday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed on Thursday, Nov. 25, and Friday, Nov. 26, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Mail and packages marked for delivery to campus from Nov. 25 through Nov. 28 will be processed by the Mail Center on Monday, Nov. 29. The Mail Center will be open during finals week, and closed from Dec. 24 to Jan. 2, in conjunction with office closures on campus. Please contact mailroom@wartburg.edu with further questions regarding hours and accessibility.

OSHA testing mandateissing table ban

On Thursday, Nov. 4, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) mandating vaccination or weekly testing for all employees at organizations employing 100 or more individuals. Under the new rule, beginning Sunday, Dec. 5, unvaccinated employees must mask when indoors or when sharing a vehicle with another person. Beginning the week of Jan. 4, 2022, unvaccinated employees must be tested for COVID-19 at least once per week. The rule already faces lawsuits, one of which has prompted a federal judge to stop implementation temporarily while courts can consider matters. Because we do not know what the final decision will be, we will continue to prepare to implement the rule on time.

OSHA’s order requires that we determine each employee’s vaccination status so that we know who must test regularly. Please, if you haven’t already, let us know if you have been vaccinated by:

Presenting your vaccination card in the Human Resources Office,
Presenting your vaccination card in the Student Life Office,
Presenting your vaccination card at Noah Campus Health Clinic, or
Uploading a photo of your vaccination card at this link.

May Term course: American Politics in Filmervice trip advisers needed

Dr. Travis Endicott, assistant professor of political science, will offer a new course — PS 295: Special Topics – American Politics in Film. The course is now available for students to register. This course will give students an opportunity to view the political process through a new and unique lens! Course Description: The goal of this course is to apply messages from individual films about specific subjects in American politics to our own education, the application of political theories in government, and our own personal experiences with government. The films we will watch will be used to assess and understand different topics in American politics including but not limited to: public opinion, political behavior, legislative behavior, presidential politics, campaigns, elections, interest group influence, foreign policy, and war.

Be a speaker for campus TEDx event

TEDxWartburgCollege 2022 is happening, but it needs speakers! The theme is “(Re)starting the Conversation.” Now that we are coming back to a new normal, what conversations need to be restarted or need to happen for the first time? Anyone can be a speaker, including students, faculty, staff, and community members. All you need to do is have an idea worth sharing that relates to the theme. If interested, please fill out the TEDxWartburgCollege 2022 Speaker Application Form at this link by Wednesday, Dec. 8. If you have any questions, email the curator for the event, Abigail Denault, at abigail.tedx@gmail.com.

Advisers needed for Winter Break & Tour Week Service Trips

Wartburg College Service Trips is looking for advisers for Winter Break and Tour Week! If you are interested in making a difference in your community, having fun, and making lasting memories, please use this link to fill out a Google Form letting us know your availability and preferences. As a service trip advisor, you will assist student leaders and fully participate in a service trip across the U.S. If your have any questions, please feel free to contact the Service Trips Team at servicetrips@wartburg.edu.

Christmas with Wartburg tickets & dress rehearsal

Tickets for Christmas with Wartburg performances are still available! To purchase your tickets for the following performances and dinners, go to www.wartburg.edu/christmas:

West Des Moines: Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. ($23)
Waverly: Dec. 4, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 5, 3 p.m. ($21)
Waverly dinners in Knights Ballroom: Dec. 4 and 5, 5 p.m. ($26)

 

The Wartburg community also may attend the Christmas with Wartburg dress rehearsal on Wednesday evening, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m. No tickets needed!

 

If you have any questions or wish to order tickets in person, please contact the Wartburg Ticket Office at 319-352-8691 during their operating hours, 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.

CONDOLENCES

Condolences to friends and former colleagues of Carol Bolton, who worked for over 20 years in the maintenance department at Wartburg College, retiring in 2008. Carol passed away Tuesday, Nov. 16, in Waverly at age 75. Funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, Nov. 22, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Waverly, with visitation an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Riverside Cemetery in Shell Rock. Please click here to view the obituary.

 

PROFESSIONAL NEWS

Dr. Amy Nolan, professor of English, presented her paper, “‘Monsters in a Good Sense': Befriending the Chthonic Ones in Bong Joon Ho's The Host and Okja," at the 118th Annual Pacific Ancient and Modern Languages Association Conference (PAMLA). The theme of the conference, held Nov. 11-14, was "City of God, City of Destruction."

 

Dr. Caryn Riswold, professor of religion and the Mike and Marge McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission, contributed to the newly published Study Guide for the ELCA's 2019 Social Statement on Faith, Sexism, and Justice. She is the featured theologian in the video produced to accompany Session Five, "Lutheran Insights Promote Gender Justice." The Study Guide aims to invite participants in church groups, students in classrooms, and anyone interested in gender justice and the Lutheran tradition to engage with the social statement and begin to put it to work in their communities.

 

Dr. Christine DeVries, professor of chemistry, and Dr. Caryn Riswold, professor of religion and the Mike and Marge McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission, attended the annual National Conference of the Lilly Fellows Program National Network of Church-Related Colleges and Universities. The theme of the conference, held Oct. 8-10 at Boston College, was "Science, Faith, and the Common Good." Prior to the conference, Dr. Riswold attended the meeting of the LFP's National Network Board, on which she is serving a four-year term.

 

Dr. Kuni Terasawa, associate professor of religion, presented “Loneliness under the Pandemic and how to create solidarity with people and universe by cosmic dialogue” and panel discussions with students and professors at the Japan’s Buddhist seminary on Nov. 6.

 

ATHLETIC TRAVEL

Men’s and Women’s Basketball

Tuesday, Nov. 23: Departs at 2 p.m. to University of Dubuque

 

JV Men’s Basketball: Departs at 1:30 p.m. to University of Dubuque

 

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