IC working group information session

Faculty are invited to attend an information session to learn more about joining an Interconnected (IC) working group that will explore the future of the IC tier. The session will briefly outline what has been done thus far by other committees (GEC and General Education Review Ad Hoc Committee) and what still needs to be done. The session is on Monday, Jan. 14, 4-5 p.m. in WBC 214 (Buckmaster). If you have questions, please contact daniel.walther@wartburg.edu.

 

Baldwin Leadership Fellow nominations

The Institute for Leadership Education at Wartburg seeks your assistance in the selection of first-year students to serve as Baldwin Leadership Fellows. Please click here for more information and the nomination form; nominations are due Jan. 24. Contact Ashley Lang with questions.

 

STAS group for teaching and advising

Are you interested in talking with your peers about teaching and advising? Join us for STAS (Sharing Teaching and Advising Strategies) for conversations and workshops on related topics. Winter 2019 meetings will be every other Tuesday at 3 p.m., beginning Jan. 8, in the Faculty Resource Room (lower level of the library). Regular attendance is not required. Contact Michaeleen Golay with questions.

 

New date for State of the College address

Due to changes in President Colson’s travel schedule, the State of the College address will now be held Tuesday, Jan. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in McCaskey Lyceum. The notes from the Dec. 4 Presidential Forum are posted under President’s Reports on the InfoCenter.

 

UPS dropoff at Mail Center

The Wartburg Mail Center is a UPS dropoff location but NOT a UPS Store. The Mail Center can only accept return packages with bar-code and mailing label. If your Amazon.com return generated a QR code, you may be able to cancel your return, then re-initiate the return choosing “UPS Dropoff” instead of the “no printer” option. Stop by or email the Mail Center for further assistance.

 

2019-20 budget process

The Business Office is starting to build the college budget for the 2019-20 academic year. As a part of this process, it’s important for all campus members to be able to provide feedback. Department budget managers are responsible for communicating needs to the Business Office, but all employees may communicate with the department managers regarding essential needs for their respective departments.

 

If you are a department budget manager, please refer to the guide posted on the Business Office website for specific guidance and instruction on the steps to follow.
In addition, emails containing additional information and templates specific to your department will be sent to the department budget managers.

 

The Business Office is seeking the following information from department budget managers for the 2019-20 fiscal year:

1.	Equipment & Technology (including anticipated needs for the next five fiscal years)
2.	Department Operating Budget (expenditures)
3.	Student Wages

 

The Business Office works with the Cabinet, PBAC and President Colson in reviewing requests. All requests will be reviewed and decisions communicated to department budget managers around the end of April.

 

Update on mailing prices

The USPS will update prices on Jan. 27.

•	The cost of a first-class stamp will increase to $0.55
•	The cost of metered postage (sending to the Mail Center with an account number for postage to be applied there) will increase to $0.50
•	Large envelope base price, postcard rate, and international first class will remain unchanged.
•	The additional ounce price for first-class mail will decrease an average of 5 cents per additional ounce
•	First-class packages will see a change to zone (distance) and weight-based pricing structure
•	Bulk standard mail costs will increase by approximately one-third of a cent per piece
•	Bulk standard mail costs will increase by approximately one-half of a cent per piece
•	Other price updates, including for Priority Mail, are anticipated June 23

 

For an analysis of your department’s mailing and shipping costs and the impact of these and later rate changes, or for information about reducing your postal costs by using metered or bulk standard rates, please email Kory Figura or call 352-8263. Please contact the Mail Center prior to Jan. 21 to purchase quantities of stamps prior to the price change.

 

Recipes from Home

Did you have some amazingly delicious foods over Christmas break? Do you want to be able to have it at school, too? Submit your recipe to Shelly Geweke before Friday, Jan. 31. Recipes for entrees, salads, ethnic dishes, vegan entrees, side dishes and desserts are welcome. Recipes will be taste-tested and may be considered for the 2019-20 Mensa menu. Please include your name and contact information for verification. It’s an easy process, there is no hassle, and it’s a great way to add some yummy foods to our menu!

 

‘Duck, Duck, Goose’ art gallery exhibition

In “Duck, Duck, Goose,” artists and collaborators Kassandra Palmer and Claire Whitehurst explore the dynamic influence of artists working independently within the same space through the use of drawings, paintings, and sculpture. An Artist Reception will be Friday, Jan. 11, 6-8 p.m. in the gallery, with a Gallery Talk at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The Waldemar A. Schmidt Art Gallery is on the first floor of Bachman Fine Arts Center and is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily or by appointment. The gallery is free and open to the public. For additional information, click here, contact the gallery director, or find us on Facebook.

 

Davis Projects for Peace details

In its twelfth year, the Davis Projects for Peace is an invitation to undergraduates in the Davis United World College Scholars Program to design grassroots projects that they will implement during the summer of 2019. The projects judged to be the most promising and feasible will be funded at $10,000 each. The objective is to encourage and support today's motivated youth to create and try out their own ideas for building peace. Wartburg students wishing to submit a Davis Projects for Peace proposal must submit their application using this link by Jan. 14 at noon. Not sure if you are ready to launch a Davis Projects for Peace idea? Try submitting to the Wartburg College Wicked Problems Incubator or submit an application for a TEDx talk.

 

The college has adopted an assessment management system (AMS) from Chalk & Wire. The system provides students with ePortofolios to collect artifacts that demonstrate their learning and gives educators a tool for assessment. The system is designed to reduce assessment workloads by making the process of improving student learning through outcomes assessment more efficient and effective. Selected faculty and staff will be trained to use the system in February. They will serve as trainers for future users. The first cohort of programs will begin using the system in 2019-20. A list of trainers, the first cohort of programs, and a tentative implementation calendar can be found on the InfoCenter under the AMS header. If you have questions, please contact Dan Walther.

 

The Alumni & Parent Relations office is coordinating the next edition of the college's Parent Insights e-newsletter, which goes out to parents of current students in mid-January. If you would like to have an item included, please send your item to Stephanie Boeding by Jan. 7.

 

Faculty, do you have plans of attending a conference next semester? Are there times you have to cancel class because of an unexpected illness? In situation like these, we encourage you to utilize the “Don’t Cancel Class” program. Student Life, in collaboration with several departments on campus, can provide a variety of workshops for the class period you need to miss. These workshops are designed to provide students with valuable information and skills. You select the workshop you feel is a good fit for your class. Click here to see workshop opportunities and to sign up. Questions can be directed to Wendy Mohlis in Student Life.

 

Weekday Chapel services are from 10:15 to 10:35 a.m. each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in Wartburg Chapel; Sunday services begin at 10:30 a.m. Chapel time is a brief opportunity to gather with students, staff, and faculty to reflect on God and faith. Interfaith chapels will be held the last Wednesday of each month during the semester.

Upcoming speakers:

•	Monday, Jan. 7: Halcyon Bjornstad, Director of the Integrated BA/Mdiv program
•	Wednesday, Jan. 9: Rev. Dr. Brian Beckstrom, Dean of Spiritual Life
•	Friday, Jan. 11: Madison Bloker '19, Senior Chapel

 

Sanctuary is a casual service that takes place on Wednesday nights in the Chapel Commons. It provides students with the opportunity to relax and center themselves around God’s word in the midst of their busy week. All are welcome at 9 p.m. in Chapel Commons (basement), and come early at 8:45 for snacks.
 

Sunday services begin at 10:30 a.m. in Wartburg Chapel (unless otherwise noted) on the following dates during the term. All students are encouraged to worship with a faith community off-campus. Come visit us in the Campus Ministry office if you'd like help getting connected!
 

•	Jan. 20 – Scholarship Day
•	Feb. 3 – Meistersinger Band Festival worship
•	Feb. 17 – Scholarship Day/Blankets of Love
•	March 17
•	April 14 – Palm Sunday
•	May 26 – Celebration and Blessing for the Class of 2019 (Baccalaureate) – Neumann Auditorium