BSU Black History Month Kickoff: Day of Remembrance

Black Student Union is planning and will promote events throughout the month of February to celebrate Black History Month. A full schedule of events will be posted soon. Please wear all black on Tuesday, Feb. 1, as we kick Black History Month off with a Day of Remembrance in honor of the businesses and lives lost in the Tulsa Race Massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1921. Please see the following links to learn more.

 

•	Tulsa Historical Society and Museum
•	Britannica

 

Dan Kittle farewell party

All students, faculty, and staff are invited to a farewell party for Dan Kittle, dean of students and vice president for student life, on Friday, Feb. 11 from 2:30 to 4:00 in the Castle Room. A short program is planned for 3:30 p.m.

 

Wartburg College Service Trips is looking for Winter Break advisers

 

Wartburg Chess Club seeking new members

On Saturday, Jan. 22, the Wartburg Chess Club finished in first place in the Under 1400 category at the 2022 Iowa Collegiate Chess Championship. The club meets on Saturdays at 7 p.m. in WBC 117 and is open to students of all skill levels. For more information email shlok.sadlapurkar@wartburg.edu or cristian.allen@wartburg.edu.

 

Incomplete grade deadline for students Feb. 7

Students with incomplete grades for Fall 2021 courses must submit all course work to instructors by Monday, Feb. 7. Instructors must submit grade changes for incomplete grades to the Registrar’s Office by Monday, Feb. 14. If a grade change is not submitted by the deadline, the incomplete grade will be changed to an “F” which will then be computed into the student’s cumulative grade point average.

 

Event Tech Crew update (Neumann, Lyceum, Chapel, etc.)

Because of the vacancy in the Production Manager position, tech support for events on campus is being handled by the student crew. With the number of events they cover, it is important to understand the service level expectation for that area. Please have all requests for tech support at events submitted at least three weeks ahead of the event to guarantee student staff coverage. No changes for tech support requirements will be accepted less than two weeks from the start of the event. To avoid miscommunication, messages should not be sent directly to student managers, except during the actual event.

To secure the requested space(s) on campus, please contact the Event Planning Manager directly at kayla.seppelt@wartburg.edu.

Please send any questions or requests for tech support directly to the newly created email events.techcrew@wartburg.edu

 

OSHA vaccine/testing mandate update

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration withdrew its vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard effective Jan. 26. OSHA is putting focused effort on finalizing a permanent COVID-19 Health Standard, but that will take some time to be developed and approved. For now, we will continue to encourage all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated if they can and to continue wearing face masks indoors in accordance with Wartburg policies.

 

Student recommendations for RA and O-Staff applications

Do you know a student on campus who would make a great Resident Assistant or Orientation Staff member? If you work with a student who would make an excellent candidate, please take a moment to fill out this form. Applications for both positions are open now, and are due on Feb. 25. We hold your feedback in high regard and would love to hear from you.

 

2022-2023 equipment and technology requests

The Business Office is in the early stages of creating the 2022-23 fiscal year budget. One important piece to this is requesting potential equipment and technology purchases from departments. Department Budget Managers across campus received information on how to make these requests in an email last week. Please contact your Department Budget Manager if you have an equipment and technology request to be considered. All requests must be received by March 9. Questions regarding the equipment and technology purchase process can be directed to justin.crouse@wartburg.edu.

 

ETK Large Event survey

ETK is beginning to plan a Large Event for next academic year and would love feedback on potential artists you'd like to see. This survey has a list of 10 potential artists we are looking into, and you have a chance to mark your top three that you would like to see on campus. If you have any other questions or suggestions, you can reach out to Josh Bulten.

 

Health Partners coverage for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests

HealthPartners pharmacy benefit administration is working to create two easy health plan coverage options for over-the-counter COVID-19 tests (also known as at-home rapid COVID-19 tests). This change is based on Federal Tri-Agency guidance announced on Jan. 15, 2022, requiring that costs for OTC COVID-19 tests be covered by health insurance plans.

 

Members can look for coverage availability details coming soon via email, HealthPartners COVID FAQ web page, and other HealthPartners communication channels. HealthPartners member services is also ready to provide support and education on the OTC COVID-19 coverage process and answer any questions members may have.

 

OTC COVID-19 tests health plan coverage options

•	Claims submission: Members can submit their retail checkout test purchase receipts for reimbursement via an online HealthPartners form.
•	Direct coverage: Members do not have to pay anything out-of-pocket or submit a request for reimbursement if tests are purchased at the pharmacy counter versus a retail checkout.

 

OTC COVID-19 tests coverage details

•	Coverage is for OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests authorized, cleared, and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that are purchased on or after Jan. 15, 2022.
•	Eight OTC COVID-19 tests priced at $12 or less each, per member, per month, are covered without having to meet any cost-sharing requirements, prior authorization, or other medical management arrangements.
•	Members must complete an attestation that states that test purchases are for personal use and not for employment purposes, reimbursement by another source, or for resale.
•	Members should keep all test proof of purchase receipts that include the test UPC code, date of purchase, and price.
•	No prescription or clinical assessment are required for test purchase and reimbursement.