Tuesday, October 18, 2022

submitted by haines@augsburg.edu

Catch up with a selection of Dr. Matthew Haines’ sabbatical work on “Playing Catch Up on The Chase and Bertrand’s Ballot Problem” during Augsburg’s Mathematics Colloquium Series at 3:40-4:40 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2022 in Hagfors 150A.

The Chase is a television game show (2009-present in UK; from 2013-2015; 2021-present in US) that consists of three rounds and three contestants. This presentation explores the probability of a contestant “being caught” by the chaser in the second round of the game. A solution will first be developed using Markov chains, and subsequently improved upon by a method revealing a connection to a generalized version of Bertrand’s Ballot Problem.

submitted by runcks@augsburg.edu

Show your support to AYTI on Give To The Max (GTTM) day on November 17th, 2022. By doing so, it will help AYTI and the costs of our youth program.

AYTI Give To The Max

submitted by slater@augsburg.edu

Please note that November 8, Election Day, is a University holiday and the Human Resources office will be closed.

submitted by krajewsk@augsburg.edu

October is cyber security awareness month. Every faculty and staff member has an important role to play in protecting the security of the data kept by the University.

In our digital lives data is at the heart of it. Augsburg has been trusted with data on our students, employees, alumni and donors. Your login information provides a key into Augsburg and that key needs to be protected. Also, as part of Augsburg’s Title IV financial aid requirements and insurance requirements employees must complete training twice a year for Augsburg to be compliant.

This year we have selected a new training provider with current topics and a more engaging delivery. You will see notification emails coming this week will be from system@litmos.com which is the training platform. The content should take you less than 30 minutes to complete.

submitted by jacobsn@augsburg.edu

The Campus Kitchen at Augsburg University works to build community through food and make healthy food accessible in and around the Cedar Riverside Neighborhood and on Augsburg’s campus.

Access to affordable, healthy food is always critically important for Augsburg students and our neighbors in Cedar-Riverside. With increased rates of food insecurity during the pandemic and recession, your support matters now more than ever.

This year, we are seeking donations to support two key component of the Campus Kitchen program: The Campus Cupboard student food shelf AND food access programming in Cedar Riverside.

Donate here!

submitted by reeck@augsburg.edu

It is with a heavy yet proud heart that I announce that Hli Vang will be leaving Augsburg University on November 1 for a fabulous new opportunity at the Minnesota Department of Human Services. In Hli’s 8 years at Augsburg she has been an integral part of the development and growth of the Multicultural Life Department and has been an incredible advisor and mentor to student organizations and students during her tenure. Additionally, Hli was able to successfully keep multicultural life student services afloat with only a two-person department spanning the first year and a half of Covid and now has emerged as an amazing leader to the brand new Multicultural Life staff. She has also been instrumental in helping me reimagine an updated vision and mission for the Multicultural Life Department. Quite simply, Hli will be greatly missed.

Hli rather not have a formal goodbye gathering, but welcomes anyone who would like to stop by her office and wish her well before she goes!

submitted by trancc@augsburg.edu

Students – don’t forget about TutorMe! It is available to Augsburg students 24/7 and offers tutoring in over 300 subjects from qualified tutors. Students are able to use 3 hours a week; 3 one hour sessions or 6 thirty-minute sessions. You can access TutorMe through any of your Moodle classes. At the top left of your screen there is an orange tab to see the side panel of resources. As you scroll down, you will see the “Augsburg Tools” section and underneath is the link to TutorMe. For more information on other tutoring and academic skills options, please click “Tutoring & Academic Skills Information”.

Academic Skills & Tutoring Information

submitted by dames@augsburg.edu

The 43rd annual Advent Vespers is just around the corner! Be a part of this wonderful event at the start of the Advent season. We will be in person again at Central Lutheran Church and need many volunteers.

Join the processional party by carrying a bell, candle, torch, or banner! There will be a practice on November 29 and an open dress rehearsal on Thursday, December 1 at 8:00 pm in addition to the Advent Vespers services on Friday, December 2 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, December 3 at 2 pm and 5 pm (with a hearty snack between the services). Please sign up today! https://forms.gle/CtDLz82ZWkuz1LkXA

We also need volunteers to usher, assist at the will call office onsite, and other production roles. Sign up on this form: https://forms.gle/B2Nt24fNd2V4i7L2A Please contact Margaret Albers at albersm@augsburg.edu or Janice Dames at dames@augsburg.edu to find out more about volunteering.

submitted by crombie@augsburg.edu

In recognition of First-Generation College Celebration Day (Nov. 8), the departments of TRIO Student Support Services, TRIO McNair Scholars, and Multicultural Life will be hosting events that highlight the first-generation college experience during the week of November 7. These events will be geared to students, but all of the Augsburg community is welcome to attend. More information will be provided in the upcoming weeks.

In addition to this programming, we’re asking faculty and staff to complete this brief First-Generation Augsburg Community Survey. The information collected will be used to create ongoing resources and support for first-generation students here at Augsburg. Please provide as much information as you’re comfortable sharing.

If you have any questions or comments about this survey or about the Augsburg First-Generation project, please contact Magaly Ortiz, TRIO Student Support Services (ortiz@augsburg.edu) or Lara Crombie, TRIO McNair Scholars Program (crombie@augsburg.edu).

First-Generation Augsburg Community Survey

submitted by schacht5@augsburg.edu

This research study (IRB #: 2022-32-03) is designed to compare two different skill-building training programs that may help college students develop adjustment-related skills. You are eligible to participate if you are a current Augsburg undergraduate student.

If you decide to participate, you will be asked to come to our Augsburg Psychology research laboratory for 4 sessions over the course of one month. The sessions include an initial orientation meeting and three sessions focused on one of two skills-building programs (you will be randomly assigned to one of the two–like a flip of a coin). Both programs involve mini-informational videos as well as experiential activities for you to
complete. We will also have you complete a few personality measures. You will be assigned a peer coach who will work with you as progress through the study and guide you through the study components. Each of the sessions will last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Finally, we will check in one last time 3-months after the study is over for a brief online survey.

Participants will receive up to $35 for their participation. $5 for each of the first three sessions, and $10 for both the fourth session and the 3 month follow-up. Alternatively, Augsburg University Psychology students will receive up to $25 and 4 research credits.

To participate, please complete this participant inquiry form: https://tinyurl.com/Skill-Building

The researchers conducting this study are part of the Identity and Well-being Research Lab at Augsburg University (iwellLab@augsburg.edu or 612-656-6560), directed by Dr. Alex Ajayi, Assistant Professor of Psychology (E-mail: ajayi@augsburg.edu, Phone: 612-330-1146). If you have questions or concerns, you may contact us via the emails and phone numbers specified above.

Please consider forwarding this to other individuals who may meet the criteria for participation. Thank you for your consideration!

submitted by stoddard@augsburg.edu

Do something different this summer–explore a new region of Minnesota! Join the summer course to earn your Fine Arts credit *and* Augsburg Experience!

IMMIGRATION STORIES & COMMUNITY BUILDING IN RURAL MINNESOTA

COURSE MEETINGS: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00-9:00 pm, for 4 weeks beginning May 9 and ending June 3.

TRAVEL :
This course will travel to Walnut Grove, Minnesota for 2 short residencies:
Tuesday, May 23 – Friday, May 26
Thursday, June 1- Saturday, June 3, including a public showing in Walnut Grove on June 2

COURSE CHOICES:
THR 295 – Topics in Theater, fulfills Fine Arts requirement
SOC 495 – elective for sociology majors or minors
INS 292 — 2 credit optional add-n for students wishing to take additional credits in summer

Changing demographics, especially in rural communities, provide both challenges and opportunities for building strong and equity-minded communities. This course explores these challenges and opportunities with the goal of building community ties as well as connections between Augsburg University students and the residents of Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

While in Walnut Grove, you will meet with community members and conduct interviews to learn more about the residents of the community and their history. Research, stories, and data will be collected and used as material to create a public presentation at the end of the class.
This is a great opportunity to earn credits in a new, dynamic way during summer, without interfering with work schedules, and other summer commitments!

Check the website below for more info and start an application! Applications due March 1, 2023

Get all the details here