Wednesday, November 3, 2021

submitted by robaka@augsburg.edu

Benefits Open Enrollment begins Nov. 1 and ends at 11:59 PM on November 12. Please review the 2022 Benefits Guide for important information and rates for the upcoming benefit year.

All benefits-eligible employees are encouraged to attend an open enrollment information session; all will be virtual again this year. Use the Zoom links below to register for one of the live sessions:

Friday 11/5 9:00 am – 10 am

https://augsburg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJElfu6trz0sG9Fz71-pmYAz6LcCw7d5ajMR

Tuesday 11/9 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

https://augsburg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkf-Gvqj4sGdBqHi3fv9yUPVBZS0_hV74S

A recorded session for on-demand viewing will also be available soon.

To enroll or make changes to your benefit elections, visit:
Inside Augsburg > Administrative Tasks > Open Enrollment.

For your convenience, your current 2021 benefit elections will be pre-populated in the open enrollment portal. Even if you are not making changes, we ask that you submit the enrollment form to confirm your selections will remain the same for 2022.

Please note, 2021 pre-tax HSA and FSA annual elections do not carry over into the next benefit year, so you must elect an amount for 2022 to continue participation.

**Anyone who enrolls the first week will be entered into a drawing to win some exciting PRIZES!

Link to 2022 Benefits Guide ~ (https://sites.augsburg.edu/hr/benefits/)

This link leads to our HR Benefits page; Please click the “NEW 2022 Benefits Guide (PDF)” under the Benefits header to view.

Email hr@augsburg.edu with any questions.

submitted by dupont@augsburg.edu

Want to learn more about off-campus research opportunities in STEM? The National Science Foundation supports programs called Research Experiences for Undergraduates or REUs.

On Friday, November 12, from 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Dixie Shafer of URGO will lead a workshop on how to search for and apply to paid off-campus Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs in STEM fields.

This will be a virtual event designed to help students learn more about how to search for and apply to summer research opportunities nationally as well as locally.

Date: Friday, November 12
Time: 4:00 -5:30 PM
Format: Virtual over Zoom

All are welcome! Anyone interested in attending should complete the registration link below.

REU’s are offered in a wide range of STEM and interdisciplinary subject areas. Here is an example of one REU:

Bioarchaeology of Bronze Age Social Systems
The Bioarchaeology of Bronze Age Social Systems NSF-REU Site (Award #1852426) supports the training of undergraduate students in conducting collaborative research– from hypothesis formation to data collection, analysis, public outreach, and publication. Complementary instruction in professional development, ethics, and statistical modules are also incorporated in the program’s curriculum.

Housed at the Center for Archaeological Studies at the University of South Alabama, teams of students collaborate with an interdisciplinary group of dynamic scientists while conducting original research on two Arabian Bronze Age skeletal collections (2400-2100 BCE) over an eight-week period. As part of these independent research projects, students will examine how alternative pathways to social complexity were embodied in ancient human skeletal remains and reflected in burial traditions.

Questions? Feel free to contact Rebekah Dupont at dupont@augsburg.edu.

REU Workshop Registration

submitted by dupont@augsburg.edu

Looking for an internship experience for spring or summer that is with a smaller company with a STEM context? Come to a workshop to learn about the program from SciTech staff. They will even walk you through the application process.

Two attendance options!

VIRTUAL: Tuesday, November 16th, 2021, 4:30-5:30pm over Zoom
https://forms.gle/UJfqgi5uzh8VCcfQ6

IN-PERSON: November 18th, 4:30-5:3pm in Hagfors 150B
https://forms.gle/VoXePABA6c2mM3P79

Learn more about the SciTech STEM Internship Program from SciTech staff
Hear about past student internship company placements and experiences
Ask any questions you may have about the program or process
Complete the SciTech application as part of the session

About SciTech:
The mission of SciTech is to connect college students majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to paid internships in small to mid-sized companies.

SciTech was created in 2011 to address Minnesota’s STEM workforce needs. Since its inception, SciTech has helped nearly 2,200 students find paid internships in small and medium-sized Minnesota companies.

Questions? Email stem@augsburg.edu.

submitted by hermansb@augsburg.edu

You are invited to attend the Thor Heyerdahl International Day 2021 conference to be held virtually on Wednesday, November 10th from 9:00-15:30 CET.

The conference is a collaboration between the Thor Heyerdahl Institute, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Oslo, our Augsburg University (USA), and Vestfold & Telemark County Council. The conference will focus on the global subject of “Migration and Identity.”

President Paul Pribbenow will hold a session titled: Hospitality is not Enough: Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education.

The conference focuses on the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Reduced Inequalities (10), Sustainable Cities and Communities (11), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (16), and Partnerships for the Goals (17).

More information about the virtual conference can be found on the website of the Vestfold Museum/Thor Heyerdahl Institute (see link below). Note that the link for this virtual event will be made available in advance of the conference date. So, refer back to this site to access the link to join the virtual conference on November 10th from 900-1530 CET.

We look forward to your participation!

Bettine Hoff Hermanson
(Director, Norway Hub – Augsburg University)

Thor Heyerdahl Conference

submitted by gocmen@augsburg.edu

When: November 18, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT
Presenters: Michael Welp, WMFDP  |  Isis Fabian, Center for Talent Innovation (CTI)  |  Julia Taylor Kennedy, Coqual  |  Michael Collins, State of NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Cost: Free
Register at, https://forumworkplaceinclusion.org/webinars/who-gets-to-belong-in-corporate-america/

A recent report reveals that, predictably, white men feel the highest sense of belonging in corporate America.

Conducted by the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI), The Power of Belonging: What It Is and Why It Matters in Today’s Workplace is the first of its kind to define, measure, and quantify what it means to belong at work—with insights into race, gender, ethnicity, generation, and other demographic identities.

Together, we will explore CTI’s findings and how to create work cultures where everyone belongs.

Learning Outcomes
Learn about how different identities feel they belong
Identify new options for creating cultures of belonging
Become more conscious of how your own behaviors unintentionally reinforce unproductive dynamics

https://forumworkplaceinclusion.org/webinars/who-gets-to-belong-in-corporate-america/

submitted by vaneck@augsburg.edu

Want to know what we’ve got growing on? The Biology Department Greenhouse on the rooftop of the Hagfors Center is open to the Augsburg community on the first Thursday of the month.

The next First Thursday is November 4, from 1PM to 3PM. The greenhouse is located on the 4th floor of the Hagfors Center.

Questions? Please contact the Greenhouse Curator, Dr. Leon van Eck (vaneck@augsburg.edu).

Follow us on Instagram!

submitted by reeck@augsburg.edu

During the June 9, 2020 University Town Hall, President Pribbenow announced seven new equity initiatives born out of response to the murder of George Floyd and Augsburg’s renewed commitment to accelerate and expand upon our university’s efforts to promote equity and inclusion during a national moment of racial and social justice reawakening. One of these initiatives was the requirement of Augsburg faculty and staff to complete anti-racism training. Please use the link provided to learn more about this year’s training and to register. Questions can be directed to the Equity and Inclusion Initiatives Department at inclusion@augsburg.edu.

Anti-Racism Training 2021-2022 Website

submitted by froehlic@augsburg.edu

Join Our Fun & Informative Virtual Event Demonstrating the Power of Debate!

The Minnesota Urban Debate League is proud to present our 9th annual Mayors Challenge Debate Fundraising Breakfast: The Great Water Debate. This event will be hosted virtually by Augsburg University.

Four of our debaters from Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Roseville school districts will face off in two teams, articulating arguments on how we steward one of our greatest resources – water.

Our VIP panel of judges (and you!) will pick the most persuasive team.

You will also see how the MNUDL creates new opportunities for our students to be champions – both in and out of the classroom.

Governor Tim Walz (Invited) and Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz will host the Governor’s table. Mayor Melvin Carter, Mayor Jacob Frey, and special guests will judge our debate. You have a chance to join them as a VIP judge with your sponsorship!

Schedule of Events
8:30 am: Virtual Program Begins
– Debate & Student Panel
– Champion of Change

9:40 am: Decision by Mayor Carter, Mayor Frey and Panel

10:00 am: Program Concludes

For more information about sponsorship opportunities and how to register, check out Augsburg University’s Advancement Page.

Register for the Event

submitted by phalp1@augsburg.edu

So excited for this week Wellness Wednesday. **Limited Supply** only the first 25 can have their own mini zen garden. Come join us this week Wednesday, November 3rd from 10:30am-11:30am. We will be making mini zen garden.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVvPMbbLAIn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

submitted by hildena@augsburg.edu

Stop by the Study Abroad and Away Table today in Christensen Center from 11:30am to 1pm.

We are available to answer your questions about study abroad/away, check in on your application, or give you some information to get started.

Study Abroad & Away opportunities are for all Auggies–with programs ranging in length from 1 week to a semester or year, international locations as well as destinations in the USA, and courses to fit any major. Every Study Abroad & Away program fulfills your Augsburg Experience requirement, too!

Stop by today for more info!

Learn more about Study Abroad & Away

submitted by huntert2@augsburg.edu

Meet the Zetas is an event for women identifying students interested in finding out more information about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Kappa Pi City-wide chapter. The Event is Wednesday November 10th 2021 at 7:00pm in the Oren Gateway conference room 100.You can register with the link below.

Register Here

submitted by dames@augsburg.edu

We will hold an All Saints service in chapel November 5 at 10:40 am. The custom of commemorating all of the saints of the church on a single day goes back at least to the third century. At this service we praise God for the saints who’ve gone before us, especially honoring ones who have been personally significant in our faith. We’ll also remember those who have died, especially in this past year. We celebrate and remember through song and prayer. Please submit names you would like included in the service to the campus ministry office by emailing Janice Dames at dames@augsburg.edu by noon on November 4.

submitted by bergc2@augsburg.edu

Faculty Invited – Provost Search Listening Sessions

AGB Search firm has been engaged to assist with the provost search. Representatives from AGB Search are inviting faculty to participate in listening sessions. Thank you to those who were able to participate on Nov. 1.

A second listening session is scheduled for Thur. Nov. 4, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., via Zoom.

Given the Zoom format, AGB Search has asked that the session be limited to 25 participants. If the response warrants, a third session will be added. Please watch Amail for further updates.

Please use the registration form – linked below – to register for Nov. 4.

Questions may be directed to Cyndi Berg in the Office of the President, bergc2@augsburg.edu.

Listening Session Registration Form

submitted by dames@augsburg.edu

Join us in Hoversten Chapel at 10:40 am for chapel. Pastor Babette Chatman will be preaching. President Paul Pribbenow and Campus Ministry Musician Andrea Sorum will sing a duet accompanied by Adam Koskovich, bass. Chapel services are recorded and available on the Campus Ministry YouTube Channel.

submitted by dames@augsburg.edu

Join your fellow Augsburg staff in Hagfors room 352 on November 4, 2021 at 2pm which lines up with the Hagfors Greenhouse from noon-3pm. Come meet new staff and catch up with each other! Come for 5 minutes or stay the whole hour — we would love to see as many of you there as possible!

There will be cookies, juice, coffee, and fresh fruit in Hagfors room 352.