Index

Public Safety and Facilities Announcements

No Postings

Teaching and Learning

Wednesday: Faculty Mid-Semester Course Evaluation Workshop

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

Wednesday, October 14 | Assessment/CTL Workshop | 2 pm – 3 pm, ZOOM

With changes to our course delivery methods, how do we know that our methods are resonating with students? Don’t wait until the end of the semester to find out what is working (and what can be improved). Join faculty colleagues for a workshop on mid-semester course evaluations co-sponsored by CTL and the Assessment Committee. We will present pre-prepared templates in multiple formats to fit your needs. We will also discuss what feedback faculty have heard so far, and how they have responded to student comments.

Join us on Wednesday, October 14th at 2pm for a live Zoom workshop. This event will be recorded and will be made available later on the CTL website.

Assessment/CTL Workshop ZOOM Information (can only be viewed with an Augsburg email address)

TODAY is Fellowship Friday

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

Fridays | “Fellowship Fridays” | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm, ZOOM

CTL is joining Bridget Robinson-Riegler, Psychology Professor and member of Faculty Senate, to bring you Fellowship Fridays support sessions. All faculty members and teaching staff are invited to gather and share their experiences with teaching, learning, and advising in this strange new world. – we’ll trade ideas, advice, highs, lows, successes, and failures – or maybe we’ll just plain old vent. Most importantly, we will attempt to inoculate ourselves against one of the more insidious side effects of this pandemic – isolation. So grab a cup of coffee or tea, or pour a glass of wine, and Zoom in to support your fellow instructors and work through this challenging time together.

Fellowship Fridays ZOOM Information (This doc is only accessible with an Augsburg email address.)

2020-21 AugSTEM Scholars Program: Application Deadline Extended to October 19

submitted by maherk@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 19 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.

2020-21 NSF Aspire Scholarships: Application Deadline October 19

submitted by maherk@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

Moodle Gradebook Reminders and Support

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

As we approach mid-semester, remember that in order for course totals to calculate correctly, it is very important to enter 0’s for work students have not completed. Moodle only aggregates “non-empty” grades. This means a blank in the gradebook will be ignored in the calculations–giving students an overly optimistic sense of their total. See the link below for instructions on how to quickly enter 0’s for graded items. If you would like help with your Moodle gradebook, the E-Learning team is ready to assist you. Please contact your LFC or Bonnie Tensen for help with this.

Adding Zeros in Gradebook

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

FERPA Guidance related to COVID-19

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

Due to COVID-19, Augsburg faculty and staff are engaging with students through alternative formats. This guide highlights some common FERPA issues you may encounter. If you have questions, feel free to contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@augsburg.edu.

This document is currently posted on the CTLfront page at https://inside.augsburg.edu/ctl/. Look for it under the “Featured Resource” heading along with another FERPA document on recommendation letters.

FERPA Guidance related to COVID-19

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

General Announcements

Summer 2021 – Study Abroad and Away Courses are Waiting for You

submitted by leess8@augsburg.edu

Check out the short-term study abroad programs coming up for Summer 2021. Now is a great time to plan ahead! ALL programs fulfill your AUGSBURG EXPERIENCE requirement, as well as other classes:

Apply by February 1, 2021

—CUBA—
Community, Arts, and Culture in Cuba – Summer
THR 295 (Fine Arts)

—GERMANY—
Science and Religion in Germany – Summer
REL 205 (Search for Meaning II) and/or CHM 102 (Lab Science) or SCI 490 (Keystone for Science majors)

—ITALY—
Writing la Dolce Vita: Food, Art, and Culture in Italy – Summer

HIS 170 — Food: A Global History (Humanities LAF)
HIS 440 — Upper Division Topics Course
ENL 221 — Writing about Art and Popular Culture
ENL 324 –Creative Non-Fiction
—CHINA—

Music Therapy in South Africa – Summer
MUS 374 or 474: Music Therapy Practicum (1 credit)
MUS 511: Music Therapy Practicum (0 credits), or
MUS 582: Transcultural Music Therapy (4 credits), or
MUS 511 and MUS 582 (total 4 credits)

Get detailed information about these short term programs

Federal Jobs – What You Need to Know When Applying

submitted by tilton@augsburg.edu

Have you ever considered a career with the federal government?

If you were asked to name people who work for the federal government, you might start by listing off high-ranking elected officials. However, the federal government hires employees of all skill, education, and experience levels—no televised debates required. No matter what your professional interests are, you can find a job that fits your strengths.

Once you’ve found a federal job that interests you, you’ll start to notice some key differences in the hiring process. To begin with, did you know that a winning federal resume follows different rules than one for the private or nonprofit sectors? (For example, it’s not uncommon for a federal resume to be four or five pages! But more on that later.) The usual tips are important, but there are some specifics about federal resumes that you should keep in mind.

Following are pre-recorded videos that will guide you in your job search.

Searching for a Federal Job: https://www.facebook.com/MississippiRiverNPS/videos/297700901618866

Federal Resumes: https://www.facebook.com/MississippiRiverNPS/videos/1735608726562838

Applying for a Federal Job & Managing the Questionnaires: https://www.facebook.com/MississippiRiverNPS/videos/253408019071386

New Director, Pan-Afrikan Center Named

submitted by poessnec@augsburg.edu

Multicultural & LGBTQIA+ Student Services is excited to announce that Azania Tripp has been named the new Director, Pan-Afrikan Center.

Azania Tripp grew up in St. Cloud Minnesota. She has a Bachelor of Science in Youth Studies from the University of Minnesota and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan. Her professional career began in Detriot, Michigan focusing on suicide prevention, adverse childhood experiences, and culture as sovereignty programming development. After Michigan, she moved to New York City, she worked for an organization that supported Men of Color that were previously incarcerated, experienced unstable housing and substance abuse. Her experience then expanded as site director in developing housing for youth and young adults. She supervised staff, provide counseling services, and did grant writing. As the Diversity Specialist at North Hennepin Community College, she organized the school’s first African American Immersion tour class. Her professional philosophy is implanting courageous communication to enhance people’s growth of the self and the community. Courageous communication is creating powerful spaces where people know their worth and dignity. Azania also pursues her artistic creativity in making beautiful unique collage jewelry and her current reading focuses on Afrofuturism.

Azania’s first day will be Monday, October 26th.

Be on the look our for more info about Azania’s contact information, and be sure to drop her a virtual hello.

Event Announcements

Public Presentations by the Director of Latinx Student Services Candidates this Week

submitted by vangh@augsburg.edu

All members of the Augsburg community are invited to attend a public presentation by the four finalists for the Director of Latinx Student Services search. All presentations will be conducted through ZOOM. Candidates will give a 20-minute presentation, followed by a 30-minute Q & A session. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend to learn more about each candidate. A feedback link will be provided at the conclusion of each presentation.

Candidate 1
Thursday, October 8
11-11:50am
https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/94087116272?pwd=R2x5RDZMSnBxZEUxbVFVS0k5Y0JrZz09

Dial-In: 1+ 312 626 6799
Passcode: 831846

Candidate 2
Friday, October 9
11-11:50am
https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/92030409770?pwd=UUZ2VExWbktRdlM5RVcyTjNhQzMzdz09

Dial-In: 1+ 312 626 6799
Passcode: 518528

Candidate 3
Wednesday, October 14
11-11:50am
https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/95780886352?pwd=Wjg0ODZublBIRThyb0FMblg1aGVrUT09

Dial In:1+ 312 626 6799
Passcode: 883035

Candidate 4
Thursday, October 15
11-11:50am

https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/92644722375?pwd=V2JlNDdackFURTVVRTlCRVRKNXhTQT09

Dial In: 1+ 312 626 6799
Passcode: 320427

Group Prehealth Advising Session

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

URGO is hosting a group advising session for new prehealth students. This is an opportunity to gain a broad overview of several health professions, become better aware of what schools seek in competitive applicants, and learn more about upcoming events and available resources. This session will be held on Friday, October 16 at 2 pm via Zoom.

Email URGO for the Zoom invitation and link.

8:46 Prayer and Presence

submitted by dames@augsburg.edu

Each Friday all are welcome to hold silence at 10:40 am for 8 minutes and 46 seconds as we remember George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, (and others) and our call for racial justice in God’s world. Pastoral presence is available in Hoversten Chapel for support and prayer. Pastor Justin Lind-Ayres and Pastor Babette Chatman will be available in the chapel at 10:40 – 11:00 am.

Each Friday, one of the Campus Ministry pastors will offer a prayer for the community. Today Rev. Justin Lind-Ayres, University Pastor, offers a prayer for moral leadership:
https://www.augsburg.edu/campusministry/2020/10/08/a-prayer-for-moral-leadership/

Chapel videos available on YouTube

What Can We Learn About Being Human from Life Online?

submitted by dames@augsburg.edu

Chris Stedman
Date: November 10, 2020
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 pm

Format: Zoom Webinar – to register see Zoom webinar link below
For much of history, humans have grappled with questions of meaning and belonging within institutions like churches and civic groups. Today, especially in the time of social distancing and online learning, more and more people are moving their search for connection and significance into digital space. The work of being human — exploring life’s big questions, finding a sense of identity and context, and connecting with others — increasingly happens on the internet. How is this changing our understanding of who we are? Join Augsburg University alum and current adjunct professor in Augsburg’s Department of Religion and Philosophy Chris Stedman for a conversation about his new book IRL: Finding Realness, Meaning, and Belonging in Our Digital Lives (out October 20, 2020), what it means to be “real” in the age of Twitter and TikTok, and what we can learn from the novel ways of being and belonging that are emerging online.

The lecture will feature a presentation by Chris Stedman followed by a time of 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.

Chris Stedman is a Minneapolis-based writer, speaker, teacher, and community organizer. He is the author of IRL: Finding Realness, Meaning, and Belonging in Our Digital Lives (2020) and Faitheist: How an Atheist Found Common Ground with the Religious (2012). Chris has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and PBS.
Previously the founding director of the Yale Humanist Community and a fellow at Yale University, Chris also served as a humanist chaplain at Harvard University. He currently teaches in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Augsburg and serves as the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities’ 2020-21 visiting lecturer.

Register in advance for this webinar:

Auggie Connect for Students with Disabilities

submitted by ccharles@augsburg.edu

It can be difficult to connect with one another right now but it doesn’t have to be impossible! Auggie Connect is open to Augsburg students with disabilities. Join student Zsolt Vincze and CLASS staff Cassie Charles as we host a Zoom space to connect, support one another and find community. Auggie Connect will be available every Monday from 3:30-4:30 pm. To receive the Zoom link for this meeting and to notify us of any disability accommodation needed to participate send an email to ccharles@augsburg.edu   

NSF Aspire and AugSTEM Scholarships Info Sessions

submitted by dupont@augsburg.edu

Would you like to learn more about the 2020-21 NSF Aspire Scholarships or the 2020-21 AugSTEM Scholars Program (see individual A-mail posts for each scholarship)?

There will be two drop-in Zoom information sessions which are open to all interested students:

Tuesday, October 13 from 6:00 – 6:30 PM, and
Wednesday, October 14 from 10:30 – 11:00 AM.

The information session will use an informal question and answer format.
See today’s A-mail announcements or the STEM Programs website for more information on each of the scholarships.

If these session times do not work for your schedule, feel free to send your questions via email.

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

STEM Scholarship Session Zoom Information (can only be viewed with an Augsburg email address)

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