Friday, December 12, 2025

Index

Public Safety and Facilities Announcements

Teaching and Learning

Faculty: Have You Tried Notebook LM Yet?

submitted by hadjiyanis@augsburg.edu

Dear Faculty,
We wish you well as you wrap up the semester. It is a busy time of year, so we wanted to share a couple of quick, high-impact ways to use NotebookLM, as a follow up to our introduction of the tool. We hope you take a moment to try them out!

1. Create Study Guides: Upload a dense reading and ask NotebookLM’s Studio feature to generate custom Flashcards or a full FAQ document for your students.

2. Audit Your Readings: Put all your course sources into one notebook and ask it to identify overlap between readings or highlight key debates for class discussion.

Here is an easy way to get started using Notebook LM:

Upload: Choose one long PDF or Google Doc you’re using in your next lesson.
Prompt: Use the chat to ask: “What are the five most essential points in this document?”
Save: Pin the response as a Note in your notebook to use as a quick prep summary.

For a complete overview of features and how to use the Studio mode for things like video overviews and reports, watch this guide: The Ultimate Guide to Google NotebookLM -All 2025 Updates

As always, feel free to reach out to one of us if you have any questions or have any exciting new examples of eLearning tools you’d like to share!

Your eLearning Team, Susan, Jad, Shane, Nathan

The Ultimate Guide to Google NotebookLM -All 2025 Updates

Fulfill Gen Ed Requirements with Language Study

submitted by reinhard@augsburg.edu

Did you know that 9 out of 10 employers rely on employees with language skills other than English? Study a language to enhance your resume and your future.

As you finalize your registration plans for spring semester, keep these ideas in mind:

In the 2025 catalog, both SPA 111 and 112 fulfill EITHER Language & Oral Communication OR Local & Global Perspectives. Take 111 and 112 and you will complete both of these General Ed. requirements!

In the pre-2025 catalog, SPA 111 fulfills Modern Language 1 and SPA 112 completes Modern Language 2.

To see language classes offered in the spring semester, go to the Registrar’s site and search for Languages and Cross-Cultural Studies.

General Announcements

Submit a Nomination for SEED Coalition Civic and Community Engagement Awards

submitted by finka2@augsburg.edu

The SEED Coalition issues annual awards for community and civic engaged students, educators, and community partners. The Sabo Center is soliciting nominations for the following awards:

Student Civic Leadership Award (student): Recognizes a student or group who model civic responsibility and leadership through initiative, collaboration, and community building, integrating civic engagement into their college experience.

Civic Educator Award (staff or faculty): Recognizes a faculty or staff member who models civic responsibility by supporting students’ civic development and strengthening a culture of engagement on campus through their teaching, mentorship, or leadership.

Community Partner Award (community partner): Recognizes a community-based partner or organization that enriches both educational and community outcomes through sustained, reciprocal partnerships with a college or university.

Community Collaboration Award (student, staff, faculty, department, or community partner): Recognizes a project or initiative co-created by campus and community partners that showcases meaningful collaboration and exemplifies the campus’s civic and community engagement, contributing to both student learning and community well-being.

Individuals can self-nominate or be nominated by another person.

Nominations due February 1st, 2025.

Award Nomination Form

Invitation to Participate in Research: Tinder Use and Mental Health Outcomes

submitted by bloyere@augsburg.edu

My name is Evan Bloyer, and I am a graduate student in the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology program here at Augsburg University. My clinical research project is understanding how Tinder use impacts mental health outcomes, particularly self-esteem and body esteem. I have received Augsburg University’s IRB approval and am able to collect data from eligible participants. To participate, please click on the link below. Email me at bloyere@augsburg.edu for any questions or concerns. If you participate, you will be eligible for a raffle for one of four $25 Amazon gift cards.

Mental Health Survey

Inspiring Stories from Faculty and Staff

submitted by myers@augsburg.edu

A couple times a month we gather in the chapel at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesdays to hear a member of our community share a story about how they thrive, find meaning, and work for a better world. These are the How We Thrive talks, formally know as vocation chapels.

Below you will find a link to the talks that were given this fall semester. All of these were beautiful stories of hope, challenges, perseverance, and healing. If you are need of some inspiration, I encourage you to take a listen. These were our speakers:

Eve Christensen, September 24th.
Amy Cooper, October 22nd.
Yacoub Aljaffery, November 12th
Vanessa Marr, December 3rd

How We Thrive – Fall 2025

Supporting Cedar-Riverside

submitted by gilmerje@augsburg.edu

Please fill out the short Google form linked below to let us know your interest and availability to provide support for community members on campus and in our neighborhood. This is a mutual aid project led by the Sabo Center at Augsburg University. The Sabo Center is in relationship with organizational partners in Cedar-Riverside and works to connect our campus to the neighborhoods we’re a part of to provide learning opportunities and meaningful support to our partners.

Please reach out to Jenean Gilmer, gilmerje@augsburg.edu with any questions or concerns.

Google Form

On-Campus Textbook Buybacks and Rental Returns

submitted by leedoua@augsburg.edu

The semester is winding down, and you should, too. On-campus buybacks and rental returns are here! No box. No label. No stress.

Date: December 15 – 19
Time: 9am – 4pm
Location: Campus Store
Not around? Sell and return online at augsburg.ecampus.com

REMINDER: Rental returns to Augsburg University Online Bookstore are due by December 26—drop them off with ease at the Campus Store.

Visit Online Bookstore

TRIO Student Support Services Accepting Applications for Spring 2026

submitted by rodrig@augsburg.edu

TRIO/SSS is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for the Spring 2026 semester.

All Augsburg TRIO/SSS participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents or refugees pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. Participants must be incoming or currently enrolled Augsburg students. All program participants must demonstrate academic need for program services and meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Low-income student: a student whose family meets federal income eligibility guidelines, as verified by Augsburg.

• First-generation college student: a student where neither custodial parent/guardian has graduated from a four-year institution at the time of the student’s enrollment in the TRIO/SSS program.

• College student with documented disability, as verified by the CLASS office.

Students must also have a commitment to their college success. Applications will be available until January 15, or until the program is full. Space is limited. Priority will be given to first year students and transfer students.

Questions? Email triosss@augsburg.edu or stop by our office in LIN 201

TRIO Student Support Services Website

Support Local Businesses

submitted by peacock@augsburg.edu

Small businesses in our neighborhood are hurting right now as many residents are afraid to leave their homes. These businesses need the support of the Augsburg community. Walk over the I-94 pedestrian bridge and enjoy coffee and pastries at Rebecca’s Bakery on Franklin Avenue. Cross Riverside Avenue and do some holiday shopping at Sisterhood Boutique for gently used clothing and accessories. Head down Riverside Avenue and enjoy a delicious meal at Oasis Mediterranean Grill, Dilla’s, Sagal, or any of the other terrific restaurants located in Cedar Riverside. For a list of Augsburg Local businesses, go to the link below.

Augsburg Local Businesses

Event Announcements

Faculty and Staff Holiday Party – December 18

submitted by bergc2@augsburg.edu

Faculty and Staff Holiday Party
Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 3–5 p.m.
Hoversten Chapel | Foss Center

You are invited to attend the annual faculty and staff holiday party! Celebrate the completion of a successful semester and the holiday season with colleagues on campus. Light food and beverages will be provided.

If you need accommodations, please call the University Events department at 612.330.1104 or email events@augsburg.edu.

To support our community, please consider bringing nonperishable food or hygiene product donations for Campus Cupboard. A list of preferred/needed items is linked below.

Suggestions for donations for Campus Cupboard

TOMORROW: We Support Our Somali Neighbors Day of Action

submitted by gilmerje@augsburg.edu

Community Response Network Presents: We Support Our Somali Neighbors Day of Action. Dress for the weather. Prepare to support local businesses. Take the Lightrail to Cedar Exit. Limited parking available.

Saturday, December 13, 12-3 p.m.

Brian Coyle Neighborhood Center
420 15th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454

Keeping Track of Auggies

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Classifieds

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