Index

Public Safety and Facilities Announcements

Introducing COVID-19 Status Blog

submitted by sitarami@augsburg.edu

Augsburg has introduced a COVID-19 Status Blog to provide additional information and context. The first blog post outlines the actions already underway in response to current cases, including contact tracing and changes in operations and activities. Augsburg remains in the low transmission level as defined by the Minnesota Department of Health.

COVID-19 Status Blog

Teaching and Learning

Thursday at 3 p.m. : Tech Tune-up Debrief Session

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

Thursday, October 1 | Tech Tune-up Debrief Session | 3 pm – 4:00 pm

The E-Learning team invites you to share what you have been experiencing at the start of this extraordinary semester:
*What is working well for you and what have you discovered that you are excited about?
*What have you encountered that you didn’t anticipate and how are you dealing with this?
*What questions do you need answered? (If we can’t supply the answer during the hour we will note your question(s) and get back to you individually)
*What would you like to get more training on?

It looks like this virus isn’t going away any time soon, so please help us learn how we can better equip you to teach effectively in the remote classroom.

Tech Tune-up Debrief Session (can only be viewed with an Augsburg email address)

Oct 14 — Earn a $10 e-gift Card

submitted by koh@augsburg.edu

There is still space available to join a focus group to share your opinion about our convocation series at Augsburg University. This focus group is on Wednesday, October 14th, 3-4pm via Zoom.

The goal of these focus groups is to hear Augsburg student experiences to inform changes in our convocation series. We will use the opinions of those who participate to inform changes moving forward. Notes (taken by a student volunteer in the group, and Prof. Koh) from the focus groups will be compiled and shared with Provost Karen Kaivola. Participants are required to sign-up in advance; each student will receive a $10 e-gift card.

If you’re interested, please email Prof. Koh (koh@augsburg.edu) to sign up. Space is limited to a total of 16 students.

https://www.augsburg.edu/convo/

URGO Academic-Year Research Application Available

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

Each year URGO offers $1,325 research grants for undergraduates who wish to gain research experience with an Augsburg faculty member. These grants require 100 hours of research over the course of the academic year and are a great way to ease into research or to continue work on an existing project.

Grants are awarded on a rolling basis, so student-faculty research teams are encouraged to submit proposals in the fall. The URGO Advisory Committee meets bi-monthly and will begin reviewing proposals September 14th.

If you have any questions about undergraduate research opportunities, please contact Dixie Shafer at shafer@augsburg.edu or urgo@augsburg.edu.

URGO On-Campus Research

URGO Federal Work-Study Research Pilot Program

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

This is a pilot program supporting undergraduate research students through federal work-study funds. We are limiting the number of student researchers supported during the 20-21 academic year to 12 students and funding will be determined by a first-come, first-serve basis. Faculty from any discipline who need assistance with their research from a student are invited to participate in the pilot. An individual faculty member may propose only one student position who will work 5-20 hours per week and no more than their federal work-study allotment. During the 20-21 academic year, the research projects must follow Augsburg’s guidelines regarding Covid-19.

Please note that the student eligibility for federal work-study and the total number of hours must be confirmed by Human Resources after you complete this form. Open until all 12 positions are filled.

If the student will work 100 hours or less total, we recommend applying instead for the URGO Academic Year research grant.

Questions contact Human Resources at studentemployment@augsburg.edu

2020-2021 Federal Work-Study Student Researcher Request Form

Summer Language Study with the Critical Language Scholarship

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a fully-funded eight to ten week language and cultural immersion program abroad in which students receive eight credits of intensive language instruction in less-commonly taught languages, as well as structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains. CLS is part of a US State Department initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages critical to national security and economic prosperity. There are fifteen languages that applicants can select from. Alumni of the program also receive one year of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) status when applying for federal government jobs.
The CLS Program seeks participants with diverse interests, and from a wide range of fields of study and career paths. Competitive applicants will need to be able to illustrate a commitment to language learning, a very strong academic record and potential to succeed in a rigorous academic setting, and ability to adapt to an intensive program and challenging cultural environment. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Languages with no previous study required:
Azerbaijani
Bangla
Hindi
Indonesian
Persian
Punjabi
Swahili
Turkish
Urdu

Languages with one year prior study required:
Arabic
Korean
Portuguese
Russian

Languages with two years prior study required:
Chinese
Japanese

The URGO office provides advising and application support for CLS. Please contact urgo@augsburg.edu (reference CLS) to set up an appointment before October 23rd.

CLS Website

Paid Summer Program to Study Public Policy

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institutes is an intensive seven-week summer program that focuses on preparing students for careers as policy professionals, public administrators and other leadership roles in public service. Selected participants spend the summer at one of five participating universities (University of Minnesota, Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, Princeton, or University of Michigan) where they take courses, learn from top leaders in the field and build their professional skills. Students must have junior or senior status and be planning to graduate between December 2021 and August 2022. To be competitive for this opportunity, students should have a 3.5 GPA or above. There is no cost to attend and participants receive a stipend. Contact URGO at urgo@augsburg.edu and reference your interest in PPIA before October 15th to set up a meeting to learn more.

PPIA Eligibility and Benefits

Forum Podcast Ep. 45 – Overt Discrimination in the Workplace: Disability and the Law

submitted by gocmen@augsburg.edu

In this episode of The Forum Podcast, Ashley Oolman (Lifeworks) leads listeners through a discussion about how disability status may not be as protected as other classes in the workplace.

https://forumworkplaceinclusion.org/articles/p45/

General Announcements

Applications are Now Open for the 2020-21 AugSTEM Scholars Program

submitted by dupont@augsburg.edu

The AugSTEM program is designed to support Augsburg juniors and seniors who wish to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Funded by the National Science Foundation, AugSTEM Scholars receive scholarships of up to $10,000 per student per year. Scholars also become a part of the STEM community at Augsburg with opportunities for summer research, faculty mentoring, and career development.

Eligibility:
-Enrolled at least half-time in a STEM major (biology, biopsychology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, or physics)
-Within 5 semesters of graduating with a STEM degree as of Fall 2020 (graduating by December ‘22)
-Major GPA of 2.75 or higher (scholars will be expected to raise their GPA to 3.0 during program participation)
-U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
-Demonstrated financial need as determined by financial aid status (Pell or MN State grant eligible or equivalent)

Application deadline: Monday, October 12 at midnight

Students who began their college careers at community colleges are encouraged to apply as well as students who began at Augsburg.

For more information, go to: http://www.augsburg.edu/stem/augstem.
Questions? Contact: stem@augsburg.edu.

Applications are Now Open for the 2020-21 NSF Aspire Scholarship

submitted by dupont@augsburg.edu

Applications are now open for the 2020-21 NSF Aspire Scholarship. At Augsburg STEM majors include: biology, biopsychology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science.

Supports students pursuing a degree in STEM.
•Provides scholarships of $4,000 for the 2020-2021 academic year.
•Connects scholars with opportunities for career development.
•Open to current Augsburg students and incoming transfers.

Eligibility:
•Enrolled full-time in a STEM major (biology, biopsychology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, or physics)
•Within 7 semesters of graduating
•Major GPA of 2.75 or higher
•U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
•Financial need as demonstrated by the FAFSA
•Pell or Minnesota State Grant eligible

Application deadline: October 19, 2020 at midnight.

Note: students who apply to the 2020-21 AugSTEM Scholars Program will automatically be considered for a 2020-21 NSF Aspire Scholarship.

For more information, go to: https://www.augsburg.edu/stem/nsf-aspire-scholarship/

Questions? Contact stem@augsburg.edu

Voting 101: How to Vote in Minnesota from One Auggie to Another

submitted by johnso31@augsburg.edu

My name is Megan Johnson and I am a 2019 graduate from Augsburg! I know that this coming election is one of the biggest elections of our lifetimes, so I’ve been trying to think of a way to help make sure as many people vote as possible.

This made me think about the 2016 election when I was a sophomore. Everyone was telling me how important it was to vote, but no one told me how to vote! I remember being overwhelmed with the whole process because I was living on campus but I was registered to vote at my parents’ house. And, of course, with this year being 2020, voting is even more confusing with distance voting!

So, with all of that said, I put together a step-by-step instructional PDF on How to Vote in Minnesota this year! The PDF is interactive so you can click anything in green to go to the necessary websites. Specifically, this PDF walks you through how to vote via absentee (mail-in) ballot. However, you can of course follow the first two steps and then vote in person on November 3rd, but I’d recommend using an absentee (mail-in) ballot and then either mailing it in or dropping it off in person (both are explained in the PDF). You can vote via absentee ballot anytime between now and November!

To view the directions, click the link and download the attached PDF then open it with your preferred PDF viewing app. If you have any questions about the process of voting or using the PDF, please feel free to email me at themeganellen28@gmail.com.

I hope this helps make this voting process easier for you!

How to Vote in Minnesota PDF

Event Announcements

Virtual Interviewing: How To Make The Best Impression Through The Screen

submitted by tilton@augsburg.edu

Wednesday, September 30th
Noon-1:00 pm

You’ve probably spent time learning how to interview – the importance of a good handshake, sending thank you cards, maintaining eye contact… but how do those things translate to a virtual interview? What do you do when your audio doesn’t sync up or you suddenly run out of battery? Join Katapult Network for a discussion on virtual interviews to learn how to handle technical difficulties and what are considered the “professional norms” for video interviewing. We’ll finish with a Q&A, so come prepared with any questions you have!

Open to all!

Register in Handshake for Virtual Link

Christensen Symposium – Oct. 1

submitted by bergc2@augsburg.edu

2020 Christensen Symposium – Moral Leadership in Turbulent Times
Date: Thursday, October 01, 2020
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM CST
Format: Zoom Webinar – to register see Zoom webinar link below

The Bernhard M. Christensen Symposium will feature the Rev. Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Jr. In his position as the inaugural James T. and Berta R. Laney Chair in Moral Leadership at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, Rev. Dr. Franklin challenges students to explore the concept of moral leadership in the 21st century in different cultures and contexts in the United States and around the world.

Dr. Franklin’s most recent book, Moral Leadership: Integrity, Courage, Imagination (2020), will be the focus of his October 1st presentation. Dr. Franklin proposes a model for moral leadership anchored in intellectual and ethical integrity, a vision of and commitment to the public good, and personal investment in transformative community. He shares ways in which we can discover and foster those qualities in ourselves.

The Symposium will feature a 45-minute presentation by Dr. Franklin followed by Q & A. This is a free event, open to students, staff and faculty. Registration required at webinar link provided. After registering, participants will receive a link to connect to the event.

Note: This session will be recorded. If you would like to be alerted as soon as the video is available, please email bergc2@augsburg.edu

Zoom Webinar Link

Register for the virtual Retirewise Workshop Series (starts Oct 1)

submitted by kimbrou@augsburg.edu

Augsburg Wellbeing is again offering the Retirewise program to faculty and staff. Spouses and partners are also welcome to attend. Retirewise is a financial and retirement education program presented by MetLife and is coordinated by our benefits broker, NFP.

This program has been well received in the past, so we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in this complimentary, practical and straightforward workshop series. It doesn’t matter how much or how little planning you’ve done, or if your retirement is many years away, you’ll find the Retirewise workshops worthwhile.

Each Retirewise session has different topics that build on each other.

Building the Foundation
Creating & Managing Wealth
Establishing Your Retirement Income Stream
Making the Most of What You Have

With Retirewise, you’ll be on your way to making smarter financial decisions and creating an action plan that works for you.

Virtual Workshop Details:
Session 1: Thursday, October 01, 2020
Session 2: Thursday, October 08, 2020
Session 3: Thursday, October 15, 2020
Session 4: Thursday, October 22, 2020
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm CST

For more detailed information about this virtual workshop series, and to register for the event, follow the link below. Webinar instructions will be provided in confirmation and reminder emails. If asked for company name, enter Augsburg University.

Registration Link

Chapel: Pastor Justin Lind-Ayres

submitted by dames@augsburg.edu

Please join us in Hoversten Chapel or by live streaming for chapel today at 11:30 am. Pastor Justin Lind-Ayres is preaching on “With Boldness, We Bear Witness.” We can welcome up to 25 people in the chapel space due to Covid-19 restrictions. Chapel is live streamed via Zoom https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/95460363994?pwd=S1lSdks0T1cvcm96ZDNTRTlmYndUUT09. Chapel services are also available on the Campus Ministry YouTube channel. To find the link for chapel videos, please visit the Campus Ministry calendar. The bulletin for today is available online. http://web.augsburg.edu/campusministry/Daily_Chapel_Bulletins/2020-21_Bulletins/2020-09-22_Chapel_bulletin.pdf

More Information

Last Chance: Students with International Citizenship: $10,000 Grant Opportunity

submitted by hermansb@augsburg.edu

As a member of the Institute of International Education, Augsburg University has been invited to nominate up to 5 students for consideration for the Western Union Foundation Grant which will deliver support to up to 25 students in need, each recipient receiving USD $10,000.

Priority will be given to refugees, migrants, immigrants, and displaced persons.

Eligibility requirements include:
* Must be a student with international citizenship currently enrolled in the 2020 academic year and already residing in the USA. (Visa status information is NOT collected as a part of the nomination/award process.)
* Must be able to demonstrate a severe disruption to their ability to pay for expenses (tuition & fees, health insurance, housing).

If you are eligible for this grant and would like to be nominated by Augsburg University, please fill in the form below by September 27, 2020.

Any questions can be directed to Bettine at hermansb@augsburg.edu

Western Union Foundation Grant | Augsburg University Nomination Application

Race, Politics, and the Workplace

submitted by gocmen@augsburg.edu

When: October 29, 2020 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Where: Online/Video Conference
Presenters: Jim Morris, White Men as Full Diversity Partners/FDP Global  |  Bill Proudman, White Men as Full Diversity Partners/FDP Global  |  Howard Ross, Udarta Consulting

We are experiencing amplified division and chaos around concepts central to diversity, equity and inclusion: Anti-racism and white privilege are becoming increasingly politicized, especially as the US prepares itself for the upcoming Presidential election.

How does this resistance show up in your workplace and in your DEI initiatives? How do we continue to bridge divides that seem to be increasingly polarized? And, how will you prepare your workplace for the aftermath of the election, whatever the outcome?

Together, with White Men as Full Diversity Partners’ Bill Proudman and Jim Morris, with guest Howard Ross, we will explore these questions and the unique challenges facing workplaces in the US right now.

Learning Outcomes
-Learn what fear and resistance sound like and reveal in the workplace
-Be clear on why DEI work matters, especially right now
-Build up your resolve and your internal change agents

https://forumworkplaceinclusion.org/dibs/race-politics-and-the-workplace/

Fall Check-In Sessions for Faculty and Staff Thursday and Next Week

submitted by alamilla@augsburg.edu

Join Rebecca John, vice president of operations, and other panelists to check in on our progress during this fall semester, ask questions, and share lessons you’ve learned in the course of your work. Register for a Zoom session on the All Hands Page (login required).

October 1, 1-2 p.m.
October 8, noon-1:00 p.m.

All Hands page

Keeping Track of Auggies

No Postings

Classifieds

Auggie Love Your Melon Hats for Sale

submitted by holmesa@augsburg.edu

Fall is here and so is cooler weather, stay warm with your own Auggie LYM hat!
The women’s hockey team has partnered with Love Your Melon and is selling hats with the Auggie logo as a fundraiser. Purchasing a hat supports the women’s hockey team and the LYM foundation. Beanie hats are $35 and pom hats are $45. Purchase your hat today!

You can pay with cash, check or card. We are also able to ship hats for a $5 shipping fee per hat.

Contact holmesa@augsburg.edu with any questions or to purchase a hat.

LYM Beanie & Pom