Author: alamilla

Augsburg Now magazine: New stories are here

The newest issue of Augsburg Now is available! Read articles from the digital-only Winter 2020–21 issue of Augsburg University’s magazine, including:

  • How Auggies are fighting the pandemic using community support and health care
  • Confronting the Minnesota paradox on racial disparities
  • Off-and-on sports seasons prove Auggie student-athletes’ resilience
  • Augsburg’s in-house epidemiologist guides Auggies through COVID-19
  • News from around campus and beyond

Visit augsburg.edu/now to see these new stories and more.

No Appointments Needed: COVID-19 Testing Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri PMs at People’s Center

Submitted by sitarami@augsburg.edu

No appointments needed for drive-through or walk-up COVID-19 tests 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at the People’s Center, 425 20th Ave. S., across the street from Augsburg’s Minneapolis campus.

Find out more about the People’s Center

People’s Center and Other Healthcare Providers

Focused Conversation on Human Resources: Next Tuesday

submitted by wegenke@augsburg.edu

What We’ve Learned in Human Resources
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
2-3 p.m.

Join Dawn Miller, director of human resources, and members of the HR team for a discussion about what we’ve learned over the course of 2020 in the department.

To register for this Focused Conversation, or to view the Focused Conversation schedule, visit the All Hands page (log in required).

TODAY: Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation Celebration

submitted by tripp@augsburg.edu

Augsburg University Virtual Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation is Today, Monday, January 18 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

The virtual gathering will include student and alumni performances. Our theme is ‘Art is Activism and Healing.’

There will be a small art gallery in the library and the Christensen Center on the first floor. This gallery will be available for the Augsburg Community from Jan. 18th – Jan. 22nd.

If you are not able to come to campus, we have a 60 piece virtual gallery available on the Pan-Afrikan Website and MSS Facebook page. Which will be available from Jan. 18 – March 1.

Register here.

 

Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation Celebration | Next Monday

Augsburg University Virtual Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation is on Monday, January 18 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

The virtual gathering will include student and alumni performances. Our theme is ‘Art is Activism and Healing.’

There will be a small art gallery in the library and the Christensen Center on the first floor. This gallery will be available for the Augsburg Community from Jan. 18th – Jan. 22nd.

If you are not able to come to campus, we have a 60 piece virtual gallery available on the Pan-Afrikan Website and MSS Facebook page. Which will be available from Jan. 18th – March 1st, 2021.

“The time is always right to do what is right,” Martin Luther King Jr.

Register here

Sign up for the Minneapolis Moment Theatre Project

submitted by lewisgg@augsburg.edu

The Minneapolis Moment is a one-minute play project attempting to continue dialogue rooted in the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the resulting uprisings in a time of pandemic and divisive federal elections. We’ll borrow the model of the Every 28 Hours Plays to create, select, and perform one-minute plays over Zoom or other video media to share with the Augsburg and Minneapolis communities.

The Minneapolis Moment will engage student, staff, and faculty in order to perform selected one-minute plays from the Every 28 Hours Plays and to write and perform new one-minute plays based on experiences since the murder of George Floyd. The goal is to facilitate critical dialogue and reflection by providing multiple viewpoints and multiple experiences.

The design of the project allows participants to start working in December 2020 and continue into the spring semester of 2021 with three or four performances building on each other and able to be broadcast virtually to be in alignment with essential health measures to protect against the pandemic. The idea is to have three or four performances with several one-minute plays and then ultimately to collect and edit them into one larger video. Participants can be involved in only one writing and performance cycle or in them all—it will be up to them. All Augsburg students, staff, and faculty will be welcome to participate.

Sign up or show your interest here!

Laptop and Hotspot Loan Information

submitted by matthias@augsburg.edu

Need a laptop or hotspot for your coursework this Spring semester? If so, requests can be made starting TODAY by going to https://go.augsburg.edu/studentlaptop Augsburg is committed to providing this resource so students can successfully navigate the technical hurdles of this pandemic. Requests will be processed on the basis of need, but please note that we do have a limited number of devices and may run out. Any laptops and hotspots loaned out for the Fall semester will need to be returned to the library by December 18th.

Student Access to Laptops and Internet

Focused Conversation on Working with MDH: TOMORROW

submitted by wegenke@augsburg.edu

What We’ve Learned from Working With MDH
Wednesday, December 2
10-11 a.m.
Join Alicia Quella, director of physician assistant studies program, and Elaine Eschenbacher, director of the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, for a discussion about what we’ve learned from working with the state government during a pandemic. Alicia has served as the university’s liaison to the Minnesota Department of Health, and for several months, Elaine has been on a special assignment with the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Testing Workgroup.

To view the Focused Conversation schedule and access the live-stream link, visit the All Hands page (log in required).

All Hands Page

Remembering Fidel Xinico Tum — Augsburg CGEE Guatemala

submitted by devega@augsburg.edu

On September 12, we lost our dear colleague and a tremendous educator, Fidel Xinico, after a courageous battle with cancer.

We invite the Augsburg community to celebrate his life, alongside friends, family, colleagues, and former students. Please join us in a celebration of Fidel Xinico’s life on:

Saturday, December 5th
Formal event: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. (CST)
Virtual reception: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. (CST)
RSVP and request Zoom link below

RSVP and Request Zoom Link for Fidel’s Celebration of Life

The Echo, KAUG, and Murphy Square Host Student Voice Matters event Dec. 7

submitted by shamblet@augsburg.edu

STUDENTS: Want to know where you can submit your writing and art? Want to learn how you can use your voice at Augsburg in the middle of a pandemic?

Join us on Dec. 7 from 4:30p.m.-6:00p.m. to learn more about The Echo, Augsburg’s student-run newspaper, KAUG Radio and Murphy Square, Augsburg’s Literary Journal. Each of these organizations are committed to empowering student voice at Augsburg and will provide tangible ways to get involved with their work.

This event will be in-person and live streamed on our Instagram and Facebooks. There will be music and prepackaged food, including sandwiches and doughnuts!

COVID Safety: Maximum capacity for this event is 20 people, social distancing and masks are required.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIHFOnRhQIP/

Got Problems? Count on TutorMe for Free

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 find TutorMe on Moodle by clicking any of your 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 TutorMe. For more information on other tutoring and academic skills options, please click “Tutoring & Academic Skills Information”.

Academic Skills & Tutoring Information

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

Apply for Paid On Campus Summer Research

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

Research/Creative Activity can be done in all disciplines. There are 400, 200, and 100 hour options.

Compensation over 11 Weeks:
400 hours – $5700
200 hours – $2850
100 hours – $1425

First step: Read the URGO Summer Research Info Packet (found at the link below)
Second step: Talk to faculty in your discipline(s) and ask if they have ongoing research and are willing to mentor you

Phase 1 Application is due February 4th

On Campus Summer Research Website

Get Paid to Do Summer Research Off Campus

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

Get paid to conduct scientific research with some of the nation’s top academics at universities, labs, or institutes through a summer research program. Such programs are a great way to enhance your education, meet new people, and explore a new city!

Visit URGO’s website using the link below to begin searching for opportunities. The deadline for many programs is in January 2021.

Contact URGO at urgo@augsburg.edu to make an individual appointment if you need help finding opportunities or crafting your applications.

Off Campus Summer Research Lists and Databases

Global Learning Resources for Faculty

submitted by leess8@augsburg.edu

If you are looking for a way to enhance global learning in your classroom, consider bringing in a guest speaker or global learning activity, arranged by the Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE). With our vast network of in-country experts on our staff, as well as community leaders and partners in Latin America, Southern Africa, and Palestine, we can find speakers and activities for you on a wide range of topics.

Global Learning Resources for Faculty

Apply for a Boren Scholarship to cover Language Learning Abroad

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

The Boren Scholarship program is an initiative by the US Federal Government to increase the study of languages by individuals committed to public service careers. The Boren Awards fund intensive language study abroad for U.S. undergrad and grad students. After graduation, Boren winners complete one-year minimum of paid work in the federal government, in areas like national defense, diplomacy, and intelligence. STEM majors can apply for summer scholarships too! The Boren Scholarship can be used to cover a variety of study abroad experiences, including their Flagship Language Initiative programs and others. URGO and Study Abroad provide joint advising on this program and will work with all applicants to select the program, develop budgets and write the application essays.

Scholarship amounts:
Up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)
Up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
Up to $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only)

If you are interested, here are your next steps:
• Check out the Boren website (https://www.borenawards.org/) to learn about languages you can study and preferred countries!
• Let us know your interest by contacting Dixie Shafer (shafer@augsburg.edu) or Andrea Dvorak (dvorak@augsburg.edu).
• DUE January 20: send a draft of your application to urgo@augsburg.edu or dvorak@augsburg.edu – we will work through several drafts from this point to ensure that you submit the strongest application possible.

Free Smart Phone App for Mental Health Skills – TAO

submitted by carlson2@augsburg.edu

Augsburg recently expanded our wellness and mental health services to give the Augsburg community access to a free service called TAO. The TAO app includes over 150 brief, effective educational sessions that include videos and interactive worksheets, that can be accessed 24/7 on your computer or smartphone. Units include “Let Go and Be Well”, “Calming Your Anxiety, “Leave Your Blues Behind” and “Improving Your Mood”, “Interpersonal Relationships and Communication”, and “Evaluating My Alcohol and Drug Use”.

To sign up use link below and sign up using your Augsburg email to access the free services.

Follow CWC on Instagram for more mental health and wellness resources: #augsburgcwc

TAO Online Mental Health Skills Training

Update on CTL Professional Development Grants for Faculty

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

Faculty, please look to https://inside.augsburg.edu/ctl/grants/grant-applications/ for updates on professional development grants for 2020-2021.

– As in past years, professional development funds are capped at $1,500 (prorated by FTE) for the year (from June 20, 2020 to May 21, 2021).

– Up to $150 can be reimbursed for Professional Memberships. (There is a form linked on the CTL Grant Applications page to submit your request.) CTL cannot cover any fees towards licensures. The funds for memberships are a part of the $1,500 cap.

– No physical travel is being funded until further notice.

– Also until further notice, CTL is only approving applications for conferences/events at which the applicant is presenting (not merely participating).

– Information regarding Adjunct Professional Development Grants can be found at https://inside.augsburg.edu/ctl/grants/professional-development-for-adjunct-union-members/. Adjuncts should use the same Professional Travel Grant form (linked on the CTL Grants page) for conferences. The Workshop Attendance Form should still be submitted for CTL Workshops and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops that are stipend-eligible.

Since the application form has been down for several months, if anyone has presented at a conference since June 2020 without applying for funds, you can submit the application now. If eligible, we will approve retroactively and reach out to you regarding you reimbursement. Contact ctl@augsburg.edu with any questions.

CTL Grants

New 2 credit BIPOC Film Course this Spring

submitted by hansonjl@augsburg.edu

Check out this Spring topics course on BIPOC film with filmmaker James Curry (https://www.augsburg.edu/faculty/curryja/). The course surveys the history, theories, debates, and controversies that have characterized BIPOC cinema, with an emphasis on the relationship between BIPOC cinema and American culture and politics more broadly. One of the debates within BIPOC film scholarship has centered on the problems of defining the terrain of BIPOC cinema. This course takes a broad view by including films that have been important to the public discourse about BIPOC existence in America, even if those films were not directed by BIPOC directors. Though our primary focus will be on independent film, we also will study a couple of landmark television series featuring BIPOC and put those into dialogue with the history of BIPOC’s in film.

New student payment portal coming December 2, 2020

submitted by krajewsk@augsburg.edu

Our student payment portal from Cashnet is being updated on December 2 to a modern mobile-friendly interface. All the current functions will still be there. It will just look quite different.

This page shows how it will look.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vR9IHfWwCI-0OAP29EXUs2LWqtR3u_Gqk7Z077Y1LiVlBqLoUqPGCJZ7UY7ULIdrCb5eFForXnaE6yx/pub

New student payment portal

Mayo College of Medicine and Science Virtual Info Session

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

Interested in applying to the Mayo Clinic of Medicine and Science? Tune in via Zoom on December 3rd at 2:30 p.m. to hear Ashya Burgess, Admissions Recruiter, share information on Mayo’s medical program as well as their Master’s of Physician Assistant, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and PhD in Biomedical Science graduate programs.

Contact urgo@augsburg.edu with any questions.

Zoom Meeting Link

Virtual Resume and Cover Letter Reviews Available

submitted by grayk2@augsburg.edu

Can you believe it is almost the end of the semester? Before you leave for semester break, be sure to have your resume and/or cover letter reviewed by a student Career Peer Advisor. Having your resume and/or cover letter reviewed now will allow you to make any changes early. This will ensure that you’re ready to apply for summer jobs and/or internships when the recruiting season begins this coming spring.
Virtual drop-in hours are Tuesdays & Thursdays 11am-4pm, Wednesdays 11am-1:30pm, & Fridays 11am-3:30pm via Zoom. https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/93298957782

You can also schedule an appointment with a career coach in Handshake.

Share the Warmth: Winter Gear and Clothing Drive

submitted by becker@augsburg.edu

FINAL 2 DAYS! Donate your gently used and/or new winter jackets, gear (hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, etc.) and sweatshirts!
Items will be donated to People Serving People, a comprehensive emergency shelter in Minneapolis for families experiencing homelessness.
All Sizes Needed​ — Infant to Adult (especially adult XL through 5x) Drop-Off Dates​: Monday, November 9th – Wednesday, December 2nd.
Drop-Off Sites​:
Si Melby 205 (Main Athletic Office), Hours 8am – 3pm
Christensen Center (Lower Level Admissions Suite), Hours 8:30am – 5pm Si Melby 137 (Volleyball Office)

Advancing LGBTQIA+ Rights Worldwide: Free Event: DEC 10, 2020

submitted by hermansb@augsburg.edu

Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex or asexual (LGBTQIA) continue to face violence, discrimination, and other human rights violations due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, not just in the United States but also worldwide.

Global Minnesota is interested in bringing this global conversation to Minnesota – and we invite you to join this FREE EVENT, presented in partnership with Augsburg University—Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE) and LGBTQIA+ Student Services.

Alumni from the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program will join the conversation and share their human rights advocacy work, related to LGBTQIA+ issues, in their home countries. The event will be moderated by our very own Raziel Valiño who is a member of Augsburg’s Center of Global Education and Experience (CGEE) and the coordinator of Red Migrāre (UNAM).

The program will include breakout rooms, lead by 3-4 Augsburg students, with the opportunity for audience engagement and participation.

Join us individually OR as a classroom!

Title: Advancing LGBTQIA+ Rights Worldwide
Date: December 10, 2020
Time: 12 pm CST

MORE EVENT INFORMATION and FREE REGISTRATION HERE

Personal care assistant needed

submitted by barrienb@augsburg.edu

Hi! My name is Bella and I am a first year student here at Augsburg studying graphic design. I am currently trying to find personal care assistants to help me in my day to day life here on campus. This would include getting me ready for the day, helping me get set up for class and assisting me around campus. I am very flexible on hours and more help would be much appreciated. If you are a pre-med or nursing student, this is a great opportunity to get experience with patient care. Plus, you get to be paid to have fun!

I really enjoy getting coffee, watching Netflix, drawing, and painting. I consider all my assistants as my friends and if you work for me, you are guaranteed a good time! If you are interested, please text me at: 612-345-2855 or email me at barrienb@augsburg.edu. Hope you will join!

Updates from the Academic Affairs Committee

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

On Monday, November 23, AAC approved a new course proposal from Leon van Eck. BIO 444: Genomics and Biotechnology is a new upper division Biology course and lab designed to fill a gap in the current Biology course offerings at Augsburg.

At the same meeting, History 186/187/188/189/190 were approved as LAFs. All of these new 100-level topics courses will meet Humanities LAF learning outcome requirements.

The committee had the opportunity to meet with faculty representatives regarding the CRES (“Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies”) proposal. They will be back for the next meeting on December 7, when AAC will vote on the proposal. CRES will be presented to Faculty Senate after working through AAC.

Committee information including proposal forms, meeting minutes, and AAC archives can be found at https://inside.augsburg.edu/facultysenate/aac/. There is also a link to the AAC Tracking Summary, which you can click on below.

AAC Tracking Summary (can only be viewed with an Augsburg email address)

2020 Holiday Shipping

submitted by suter@augsburg.edu

As we are getting close to the 2020 holiday season the main shipping carriers have published their guidelines to have packages arrive by Christmas time. So if you are planning to send packages make sure to get packages in before the following dates.

All dates listed are recommended send-by dates for contiguous US destinations. These dates are not guaranteed so earlier is always better.

UPS
Dec 15 – Ground
Dec 21 – 3 Day Select
Dec 22 – 2nd Day Air
Dec 23 – Next Day Air

FedEx
Dec 15 – Ground/Home
Dec 21 – Express Saver
Dec 22 – 2Day
Dec 23 – Overnight

USPS
Dec 15 – Retail Ground
Dec 18 – First-Class
Dec 19 – Priority
Dec 23 – Priority Express

Thank You
Central Services Staff

Marketing team welcomes Hayley Selinski

submitted by swansonl@augsburg.edu

Today Hayley Selinski joined the integrated Augsburg University/Luther Seminary marketing team. In her role as a creative associate, Hayley will complete graphic design assignments, assist with photography needs, and contribute to web projects. Hayley holds bachelors degrees in both architecture and graphic design, and she most recently was employed as a marketing director at Kodet Architectural Group in Minneapolis.

Sign up for the Minneapolis Moment Theatre Project

submitted by lewisgg@augsburg.edu

The Minneapolis Moment is a one-minute play project attempting to continue dialogue rooted in the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the resulting uprisings in a time of pandemic and divisive federal elections. We’ll borrow the model of the Every 28 Hours Plays to create, select, and perform one-minute plays over Zoom or other video media to share with the Augsburg and Minneapolis communities.

The Minneapolis Moment will engage student, staff, and faculty in order to perform selected one-minute plays from the Every 28 Hours Plays and to write and perform new one-minute plays based on experiences since the murder of George Floyd. The goal is to facilitate critical dialogue and reflection by providing multiple viewpoints and multiple experiences.

The design of the project allows participants to start working in December 2020 and continue into the spring semester of 2021 with three or four performances building on each other and able to be broadcast virtually to be in alignment with essential health measures to protect against the pandemic. The idea is to have three or four performances with several one-minute plays and then ultimately to collect and edit them into one larger video. Participants can be involved in only one writing and performance cycle or in them all—it will be up to them. All Augsburg students, staff, and faculty will be welcome to participate.

Sign up or show your interest here!

Fall 2021 River Semester applications now being accepted

submitted by underhil@augsburg.edu

This coming September, the next group of students, faculty, and staff will embark from Lake Itasca to begin their hundred-day expedition by canoe and van down the length of the Mississippi River. Students take courses in environmental justice, climate change, politics in the American heartland, outdoor leadership, and undertake individual research projects. In addition to spending time in St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans, the group paddles and camps portions of the river in the Driftless region, part of the “Wild Miles” on the Lower Mississippi and the cypress swamps of the Atchafalaya River, the heavily industrialized “Chemical Corridor,” and finishes by paddling to the Gulf of Mexico, 2,345 river miles from the headwaters. Students interested in joining the program are invited to apply through the Augsburg Study Away web portal. Those completing their applications by Dec. 15 receive a $500 discount on the program fee.

River Semester Application

Tomorrow (Tuesday) night: Free Poetry

submitted by starckl@augsburg.edu

Join us for a Zoom reading with local poet and MFA mentor Heid E. Erdrich on Tuesday, December 1st, at 7pm. Heid’s new poetry collection, Little Big Bully, was published earlier this fall.

Hope to see you there!

https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/93744301609?pwd=OG9PWFRYOXpMMUoxUWtLa2NSdnVZZz09

Meeting ID: 937 4430 1609

Passcode: 757329

https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/93744301609?pwd=OG9PWFRYOXpMMUoxUWtLa2NSdnVZZz09

Mayo College of Medicine and Science Virtual Info Session

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

Interested in applying to the Mayo Clinic of Medicine and Science? Tune in via Zoom on December 3rd at 2:30 p.m. to hear Ashya Burgess, Admissions Recruiter, share information on Mayo’s medical program as well as their Master’s of Physician Assistant, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and PhD in Biomedical Science graduate programs.

Contact urgo@augsburg.edu with any questions.

Zoom Meeting Link

Personal care assistants needed

submitted by barrienb@augsburg.edu

Hi! My name is Bella and I am first year student here at Augsburg studying graphic design. I am currently trying to find personal care assistants to help me in my day to day life here on campus. This would include getting me ready for the day, helping me get set up for class and assisting me around campus. I am very flexible on hours and more help would be much appreciated. If you are a pre-med or nursing student, this is a great opportunity to get experience with patient care. Plus, you get to be paid to have fun!

I really enjoy getting coffee, watching Netflix, drawing, and painting. I consider all my assistants as my friends and if you work for me, you are guaranteed a good time! If you are interested, please text me at: 612-345-2855 or email me at barrienb@augsburg.edu. Hope you will join!

Got Problems? Count on TutorMe for free

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 find TutorMe on Moodle by clicking any of your 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 TutorMe. For more information on other tutoring and academic skills options, please click “Tutoring & Academic Skills Information”.

Academic Skills & Tutoring Information

Laptop and Hotspot Loan Information

submitted by matthias@augsburg.edu

Need a laptop or hotspot for your coursework this Spring semester? If so, requests can be submitted beginning Tuesday, December 1st by going to https://go.augsburg.edu/studentlaptop Augsburg is committed to providing this resource so students can successfully navigate the technical hurdles of this pandemic. Requests will be processed on the basis of need, but please note that we do have a limited number of devices and may run out. Any laptops and hotspots loaned out for the Fall semester will need to be returned to the library by December 18th.

Student Access to Laptops and Internet

Apply for a Boren Scholarship to Cover Language Learning Abroad

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

The Boren Scholarship program is an initiative by the US Federal Government to increase the study of languages by individuals committed to public service careers. The Boren Awards fund intensive language study abroad for U.S. undergrad and grad students. After graduation, Boren winners complete one-year minimum of paid work in the federal government, in areas like national defense, diplomacy, and intelligence. STEM majors can apply for summer scholarships too! The Boren Scholarship can be used to cover a variety of study abroad experiences, including their Flagship Language Initiative programs and others. URGO and Study Abroad provide joint advising on this program and will work with all applicants to select the program, develop budgets and write the application essays.

Scholarship amounts:
Up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)
Up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
Up to $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only)

If you are interested, here are your next steps:
• Check out the Boren website (https://www.borenawards.org/) to learn about languages you can study and preferred countries!
• Let us know your interest by contacting Dixie Shafer (shafer@augsburg.edu) or Andrea Dvorak (dvorak@augsburg.edu).
• DUE January 20: send a draft of your application to urgo@augsburg.edu or dvorak@augsburg.edu – we will work through several drafts from this point to ensure that you submit the strongest application possible.

Faculty and Staff Participation in 2021 River Semester

submitted by underhil@augsburg.edu

Faculty and staff are invited to consider connecting with and potentially traveling with the 2021 River Semester (for anywhere from an afternoon to several weeks). There are a range of ways to connect with the project, including virtual course connections, field research, guest lectures, film and media production, hybrid courses, and supervised independent studies. A sample of projects created with the 2019 expedition can be found at https://www.anthropocene-curriculum.org/project/mississippi. Anyone with questions or interested in participating can submit an application via the link below or contact Joe Underhill at underhil@augsburg.edu.

Faculty and Staff Application Form

Frederick Douglass scholarship to study social justice abroad next summer

submitted by leess8@augsburg.edu

Ready to change the world? Apply for the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship, a full scholarship to study in Ireland in late summer 2021 with a cohort of student leaders from around the country!

The Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship was founded to empower students of color with a transformative experience abroad, much like Frederick Douglass was inspired by his travels. This year’s cohort is co-sponsored by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Douglass’s four-month journey around Ireland.

You’ll be based in Dublin and visit other cities where Douglass campaigned, while meeting with government leaders and social justice activists. Special emphasis on leadership, social justice, agitation for positive change and cross-cultural understanding – so critical in 2020 of all years!

This opportunity is offered by CIEE, a study abroad organization that Augsburg partners with. All program fees are covered and airfare is COVERED – you only pay for your passport (if you need one) and a few meals.

All eligible students who submit an application also qualify for a $1,500 scholarship towards any CIEE summer program! You don’t have to win the fellowship to qualify for this funding!!

Questions? Email FDGF@ciee.org

Apply here by February 14!

Augsburg Faculty and Staff Anti-Racism Training Happening TODAY

submitted by reeck@augsburg.edu

Attention University Faculty and Staff – Please remember to sign-up for the required Augsburg Faculty and Staff Anti-Racism Training. Click the link below to visit the Equity and Inclusion Initiatives Department Anti-Racism Training Webpage for more information and to register!

https://inside.augsburg.edu/diversity/george-floyd-initiatives/anti-racism-training/

Monday Advent Blessing

submitted by dames@augsburg.edu

During Advent, you are invited to watch a short message from the Rev. Meta Herrick Carlson, a pastor and poet living in Minneapolis, MN. Meta is passionate about cultivating leadership, challenging systems, and preaching that moves us toward mercy and justice. She is also a co-founder of the Alter Guild podcast network. Today she offers a Blessing for Advent.

Advent Blessing Video

Focused Conversation on Working with MDH: Wednesday

submitted by wegenke@augsburg.edu

What We’ve Learned from Working With MDH
Wednesday, December 2
10-11 a.m.
Join Alicia Quella, director of physician assistant studies program, and Elaine Eschenbacher, director of the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, for a discussion about what we’ve learned from working with the state government during a pandemic. Alicia has served as the university’s liaison to the Minnesota Department of Health, and for several months, Elaine has been on a special assignment with the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Testing Workgroup.

To view the Focused Conversation schedule and access the live-stream link, visit the All Hands page (log in required).

All Hands

Focused Conversation on Working with MDH: Next Week

submitted by wegenke@augsburg.edu

Wednesday, December 2
10-11 a.m.
Join Alicia Quella, director of physician assistant studies program, and Elaine Eschenbacher, director of the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship, for a discussion about what we’ve learned from working with the state government during a pandemic. Alicia has served as the university’s liaison to the Minnesota Department of Health, and for several months, Elaine has been on a special assignment with the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Testing Workgroup.

To view the Focused Conversation schedule and access the live-stream link, visit the All Hands page (log in required).

All Hands Page

Building Access During Thanksgiving Holiday

submitted by erchula@augsburg.edu

On Thursday 11/26 and Friday 11/27 building access will be disabled for all students, staff and faculty due to the University observed holidays. Residence halls will remain open to residential students, and staff and faculty with 24/7 access or who have arranged for access over the holidays will retain access. Normal COVID access will resume Saturday 11/28.

If you have any questions or need to arrange access to a building over the holiday, please email publicsafety@augsburg.edu.

2020 Holiday Shipping

submitted by suter@augsburg.edu

As we are getting close to the 2020 holiday season the main shipping carriers have published their guidelines to have packages arrive by Christmas time. So if you are planning to send packages make sure to get packages in before the following dates.

All dates listed are recommended send-by dates for contiguous US destinations. These dates are not guaranteed so earlier is always better.

UPS
Dec 15 – Ground
Dec 21 – 3 Day Select
Dec 22 – 2nd Day Air
Dec 23 – Next Day Air

FedEx
Dec 15 – Ground/Home
Dec 21 – Express Saver
Dec 22 – 2Day
Dec 23 – Overnight

USPS
Dec 15 – Retail Ground
Dec 18 – First-Class
Dec 19 – Priority
Dec 23 – Priority Express

Thank You
Central Services Staff

Need Health Insurance? Open Enrollment Open Now

submitted by detloff@augsburg.edu

Do you need insurance? You can sign up for 2021 private health and dental insurance through MNsure now through December 22, 2020. Are you ready?

Click the link below for info on how to sign up. If you have questions about whether you might qualify for these plans, or for Medical Assistance (free insurance for those meeting income guidelines), contact Health Access MN at 651-645-0215 for free, expert enrollment assistance.

MN Sure Open Enrollment

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNSURE/bulletins/2a750d9

Plan ahead for study abroad in summer 2021

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 January 22, 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

–MEXICO– (Apply by March 1)

Augsburg CGEE: Language and Culture

Augsburg CGEE: Medical Spanish and Clinical Observership

—SOUTH AFRICA—

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

Augsburg Faculty and Staff Anti-Racism Training

submitted by reeck@augsburg.edu

Attention University Faculty and Staff – Please remember to sign-up for the required Augsburg Faculty and Staff Anti-Racism Training. Click the link below to visit the Equity and Inclusion Initiatives Department Anti-Racism Training Webpage for more information and to register!

https://inside.augsburg.edu/diversity/george-floyd-initiatives/anti-racism-training/

Got Problems? Count on TutorMe for Free

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 find TutorMe on Moodle by clicking any of your 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 TutorMe. For more information on other tutoring and academic skills options, please click “Tutoring & Academic Skills Information”.

Academic Skills & Tutoring Information

Forum Webinar – Eight Strategies for Creating a More Inclusive Volunteer Program

submitted by gocmen@augsburg.edu

When: December 17, 2020 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST
Level: Introductory
Track: D&I Strategy
Presenter: Lisa Joyslin, Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration
Cost: Free

Many organizations struggle to engage volunteers who reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the communities they serve. In response to this issue, the Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA) recently embarked on a research study which resulted in the development of a set of eight strategies for creating a more inclusive volunteer program within nonprofit and government organizations. These strategies serve as a starting point for leaders who are seeking concrete next steps to better engage volunteers from racially diverse and immigrant communities.
In this interactive session, you’ll learn about the eight strategies, share your own experiences, and create an action plan for launching a more inclusive volunteer program within your own organization.

Learning Outcomes
Identify the barriers that racially and ethnically diverse communities face when trying to volunteer
Learn about concrete strategies for creating a more inclusive volunteer program
Create an action plan to determine next steps for inclusive volunteer engagement at your organization

https://forumworkplaceinclusion.org/webinars/eight-strategies-for-creating-a-more-inclusive-volunteer-program/

New student payment portal coming December 2, 2020

submitted by krajewsk@augsburg.edu

Our student payment portal from Cashnet is being updated on December 2 to a modern mobile-friendly interface. All the current functions will still be there. It will just look quite different.

This page shows how it will look.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vR9IHfWwCI-0OAP29EXUs2LWqtR3u_Gqk7Z077Y1LiVlBqLoUqPGCJZ7UY7ULIdrCb5eFForXnaE6yx/pub

New student payment portal

Mayo College of Medicine and Science Virtual Info Session

submitted by kundell@augsburg.edu

Interested in applying to the Mayo Clinic of Medicine and Science? Tune in via Zoom on December 3rd at 2:30 p.m. to hear Ashya Burgess, Admissions Recruiter, share information on Mayo’s medical program as well as their Master’s of Physician Assistant, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and PhD in Biomedical Science graduate programs.

Contact urgo@augsburg.edu with any questions.

Zoom Meeting Link

Laptop and Hotspot Loan Information

submitted by matthias@augsburg.edu

Need a laptop or hotspot for your coursework this Spring semester? If so, requests can be submitted beginning Tuesday, December 1st by going to https://go.augsburg.edu/studentlaptop Augsburg is committed to providing this resource so students can successfully navigate the technical hurdles of this pandemic. Requests will be processed on the basis of need, but please note that we do have a limited number of devices and may run out. Any laptops and hotspots loaned out for the Fall semester will need to be returned to the library by December 18th.

Student Access to Laptops and Internet

Podcast of the Liturgy of the Hours

submitted by dames@augsburg.edu

You are invited to listen to a podcast of the Liturgy of the Hours presented by Luther Seminary Chapel: https://liturgyofthehours.libsyn.com/advent-vespers-year-b-week-one-0. This Week: Tom Witt & Mary Preus offer Unfailing Light: a liturgy written by Susan Briehl & Marty Haugen. Even now, as the pandemic explodes in our communities, as stress and anxiety draw nearer, as the longest night approaches: Christ is our light. Prayer that goes with you wherever you may be. The Liturgy of the Hours is an ancient practice of prayer throughout the day to help keep track of time.

Thanksgiving Communion Service Online

Sign up for the Minneapolis Moment Theatre Project

submitted by lewisgg@augsburg.edu

The Minneapolis Moment is a one-minute play project attempting to continue dialogue rooted in the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the resulting uprisings in a time of pandemic and divisive federal elections. We’ll borrow the model of the Every 28 Hours Plays to create, select, and perform one-minute plays over Zoom or other video media to share with the Augsburg and Minneapolis communities.

The Minneapolis Moment will engage student, staff, and faculty in order to perform selected one-minute plays from the Every 28 Hours Plays and to write and perform new one-minute plays based on experiences since the murder of George Floyd. The goal is to facilitate critical dialogue and reflection by providing multiple viewpoints and multiple experiences.

The design of the project allows participants to start working in December 2020 and continue into the spring semester of 2021 with three or four performances building on each other and able to be broadcast virtually to be in alignment with essential health measures to protect against the pandemic. The idea is to have three or four performances with several one-minute plays and then ultimately to collect and edit them into one larger video. Participants can be involved in only one writing and performance cycle or in them all—it will be up to them. All Augsburg students, staff, and faculty will be welcome to participate.

Sign up or show your interest here!

Apply for a Boren Scholarship to Cover Language Learning Abroad

submitted by kundell@augsburg.edu

The Boren Scholarship program is an initiative by the US Federal Government to increase the study of languages by individuals committed to public service careers. The Boren Awards fund intensive language study abroad for U.S. undergrad and grad students. After graduation, Boren winners complete one-year minimum of paid work in the federal government, in areas like national defense, diplomacy, and intelligence. STEM majors can apply for summer scholarships too! The Boren Scholarship can be used to cover a variety of study abroad experiences, including their Flagship Language Initiative programs and others. URGO and Study Abroad provide joint advising on this program and will work with all applicants to select the program, develop budgets and write the application essays.

Scholarship amounts:
Up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)
Up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
Up to $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only)

If you are interested, here are your next steps:
• Check out the Boren website (https://www.borenawards.org/) to learn about languages you can study and preferred countries!
• Let us know your interest by contacting Dixie Shafer (shafer@augsburg.edu) or Andrea Dvorak (dvorak@augsburg.edu).
• DUE January 20: send a draft of your application to urgo@augsburg.edu or dvorak@augsburg.edu – we will work through several drafts from this point to ensure that you submit the strongest application possible.

Do you need more poetry in your life?

submitted by starckl@augsburg.edu

Join us for a Zoom reading with local poet and MFA mentor Heid E. Erdrich on Tuesday, December 1st, at 7pm. Heid’s new poetry collection, Little Big Bully, was published earlier this fall.

Hope to see you there!

https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/93744301609?pwd=OG9PWFRYOXpMMUoxUWtLa2NSdnVZZz09

Meeting ID: 937 4430 1609

Passcode: 757329

https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/93744301609?pwd=OG9PWFRYOXpMMUoxUWtLa2NSdnVZZz09

Update on CTL Professional Development Grants for Faculty

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

Faculty, please look to https://inside.augsburg.edu/ctl/grants/grant-applications/ for updates on professional development grants for 2020-2021.

– As in past years, professional development funds are capped at $1,500 (prorated by FTE) for the year (from June 20, 2020 to May 21, 2021).

– Up to $150 can be reimbursed for Professional Memberships. (There is a form linked on the CTL Grant Applications page to submit your request.) CTL cannot cover any fees towards licensures. The funds for memberships are a part of the $1,500 cap.

– No physical travel is being funded until further notice.

– Also until further notice, CTL is only approving applications for conferences/events at which the applicant is presenting (not merely participating).

– Information regarding Adjunct Professional Development Grants can be found at https://inside.augsburg.edu/ctl/grants/professional-development-for-adjunct-union-members/. Adjuncts should use the same Professional Travel Grant form (linked on the CTL Grants page) for conferences. The Workshop Attendance Form should still be submitted for CTL Workshops and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops that are stipend-eligible.

Since the application form has been down for several months, if anyone has presented at a conference since June 2020 without applying for funds, you can submit the application now. If eligible, we will approve retroactively and reach out to you regarding you reimbursement. Contact ctl@augsburg.edu with any questions.

CTL Grants

“Take 2” Minutes for a Tech Teaching Tip from Doug Green

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

“Take 2” is a new weekly series of 2-minute videos by Augsburg Faculty sharing a remote learning teaching tip. In this episode, Doug Green (English) shares how he uses Zoom chat to provide timely feedback and gather helpful information from students. NOTE: You can see ALL of the past episodes of the “Take 2” series at http://go.augsburg.edu/take2

“Take 2”: Doug Green on using Zoom Chat for quick feedback and sharing information

Free Smart Phone App for Mental Health Skills — TAO

submitted by carlson2@augsburg.edu

Augsburg recently expanded our wellness and mental health services to give the Augsburg community access to a free service called TAO. The TAO app includes over 150 brief, effective educational sessions that include videos and interactive worksheets, that can be accessed 24/7 on your computer or smartphone. Units include “Let Go and Be Well”, “Calming Your Anxiety, “Leave Your Blues Behind” and “Improving Your Mood”, “Interpersonal Relationships and Communication”, and “Evaluating My Alcohol and Drug Use”.

To sign up use link below and sign up using your Augsburg email to access the free services.

Follow CWC on Instagram for more mental health and wellness resources: #augsburgcwc

TAO Online Mental Health Skills Training

Updates from the Academic Affairs Committee

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

On Monday, November 23, AAC approved a new course proposal from Leon van Eck. BIO 444: Genomics and Biotechnology is a new upper division Biology course and lab designed to fill a gap in the current Biology course offerings at Augsburg.

At the same meeting, History 186/187/188/189/190 were approved as LAFs. All of these new 100-level topics courses will meet Humanities LAF learning outcome requirements.

The committee had the opportunity to meet with faculty representatives regarding the CRES (“Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies”) proposal. They will be back for the next meeting on December 7, when AAC will vote on the proposal. CRES will be presented to Faculty Senate after working through AAC.

Committee information including proposal forms, meeting minutes, and AAC archives can be found at https://inside.augsburg.edu/facultysenate/aac/. There is also a link to the AAC Tracking Summary, which you can click on below.

AAC Tracking Summary (can only be viewed with an Augsburg email address)

MN Governor’s Executive Order for a 4-Week Dial Back

submitted by rjohn@augsburg.edu

Last week, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order limiting specific activities from November 21 through December 18 and
on Friday, President Paul Pribbenow sent an email to all students, staff, and faculty, outlining the actions that Augsburg is taking to align with the public health requirements of the executive order.

See this week’s COVID-19 Status Blog for links to the details of the executive order, a copy of President Pribbenow’s November 20 email communication, and Augsburg’s COVID-19 Dashboard for the week ending November 21, 2020.

COVID-19 Status Blog

Plan ahead for study abroad in summer 2021

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 January 22, 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

–MEXICO– (Apply by March 1)

Augsburg CGEE: Language and Culture

Augsburg CGEE: Medical Spanish and Clinical Observership

—SOUTH AFRICA—

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

Add a Global Course to your Spring Schedule

submitted by leess8@augsburg.edu

Looking for a dynamic and engaging course this spring? Want to hear from people all over the world to deepen your knowledge of international perspectives? If yes, we encourage you to register for an online course taught by CGEE staff this spring!

These courses are taught by Augsburg CGEE faculty from Mexico, Central America, and Southern Africa and will also bring in a variety of guest speakers and unique voices from around the globe using our community connections in those countries. Several courses also fulfill LAF graduation requirements.

Courses for spring 2021 semester include:
COMMUNICATION, FILM, & NEW MEDIA
COM 329-X: Intercultural Communication (Fulfills Augsburg Experience Requirement)

CROSS-CULTURAL STUDIES
CCS 495: Cross-cultural Perspectives: Feminisms in the Americas

HISTORY
HIS 156: The Crisis in Nicaragua: U.S. Destabilization or a Democratic Movement? (Fulfills LAF Humanities)
HIS 195/387: Apartheid, Mandela, and Post-Apartheid in Southern Africa (Fulfills LAF Humanities)
HIS 195/387: Mexican History, Cultures and Cosmovision (Fulfills LAF Humanities)

POLITICAL SCIENCE
POL 353: Political and Social Change in Namibia (fulfills LAF Social Sciences)

RELIGION
RLN 100-C: Religion, Vocation and the Search for Meaning I (fulfills Search for Meaning I)
RLN 409-B: Virtual Immersion: Topics: Faith, Vocation, & Social Change (fulfills Augsburg experience, Search for Meaning II OR Humanities LAF)
RLN 480-A: Virtual Immersion: Vocation and the Christian Faith (fulfills Augsburg Experience, and keystone)

SPANISH
SPA 112-F: Beginning Spanish II (fulfills Modern Language I)
SPA 212-A: Intermediate Spanish II (fulfills Modern Language II)

All of these courses will be available in records and registration, per your usual registration (https://terra.augsburg.edu/recreg/Pages/frmCourseSearch.aspx)

List of Global Courses, Descriptions, and Schedules

Got problems? Count on TutorMe for free

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 find TutorMe on Moodle by clicking any of your 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 TutorMe. For more information on other tutoring and academic skills options, please click “Tutoring & Academic Skills Information”.

Academic Skills & Tutoring Information

Forum Webinar – Eight Strategies for Creating a More Inclusive Volunteer Program

submitted by gocmen@augsburg.edu

When: December 17, 2020 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST
Level: Introductory
Track: D&I Strategy
Presenter: Lisa Joyslin, Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration
Cost: Free

Many organizations struggle to engage volunteers who reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the communities they serve. In response to this issue, the Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA) recently embarked on a research study which resulted in the development of a set of eight strategies for creating a more inclusive volunteer program within nonprofit and government organizations. These strategies serve as a starting point for leaders who are seeking concrete next steps to better engage volunteers from racially diverse and immigrant communities.
In this interactive session, you’ll learn about the eight strategies, share your own experiences, and create an action plan for launching a more inclusive volunteer program within your own organization.

Learning Outcomes
Identify the barriers that racially and ethnically diverse communities face when trying to volunteer
Learn about concrete strategies for creating a more inclusive volunteer program
Create an action plan to determine next steps for inclusive volunteer engagement at your organization

https://forumworkplaceinclusion.org/webinars/eight-strategies-for-creating-a-more-inclusive-volunteer-program/

Blood Donors Needed 11/30 and 12/1

submitted by detloff@augsburg.edu

Memorial Blood Centers & Auggie Athletics will be hosting a blood drive on Monday and Tuesday 11/30 & 12/1 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm in Lot L in the Bloodmobile. Please consider donating blood at a time of great need. Sign up by clicking on the link below and entering sponsor code 0027. All donors will get a pair of blood donor socks!!

https://www.mbcherohub.club/donor/schedules/sponsor_code

https://www.mbcherohub.club/donor/schedules/sponsor_code

Mayo College of Medicine and Science Virtual Info Session

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

Interested in applying to the Mayo Clinic of Medicine and Science? Tune in via Zoom on December 3rd at 2:30 p.m. to hear Ashya Burgess, Admissions Recruiter, share information on Mayo’s medical program as well as their Master’s of Physician Assistant, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and PhD in Biomedical Science graduate programs.

Contact urgo@augsburg.edu with any questions.

Zoom Meeting Link

Apply for a Boren Scholarship to cover Language Learning Abroad

submitted by tengwalm@augsburg.edu

The Boren Scholarship program is an initiative by the US Federal Government to increase the study of languages by individuals committed to public service careers. The Boren Awards fund intensive language study abroad for U.S. undergrad and grad students. After graduation, Boren winners complete one-year minimum of paid work in the federal government, in areas like national defense, diplomacy, and intelligence. STEM majors can apply for summer scholarships too! The Boren Scholarship can be used to cover a variety of study abroad experiences, including their Flagship Language Initiative programs and others. URGO and Study Abroad provide joint advising on this program and will work with all applicants to select the program, develop budgets and write the application essays.

Scholarship amounts:
Up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)
Up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
Up to $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only)

If you are interested, here are your next steps:
• Check out the Boren website (https://www.borenawards.org/) to learn about languages you can study and preferred countries!
• Let us know your interest by contacting Dixie Shafer (shafer@augsburg.edu) or Andrea Dvorak (dvorak@augsburg.edu).
• DUE January 20: send a draft of your application to urgo@augsburg.edu or dvorak@augsburg.edu – we will work through several drafts from this point to ensure that you submit the strongest application possible.

Teaching Tip Tuesday: How Learning Works

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

To conclude CTL’s “Neuromyth Awareness” Month, we offer you this: an excellent book available online from the Lindell Library called “How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching” by Susan A. Ambrose, et al. The book is separated into (you guessed it) seven chapters that each focus on a key principle of learning, present the evidence, and then offer examples for how to incorporate it into your class. I recommend finding a chapter that speaks to a current issue you have in your course and focusing on that rather than tackling the whole book at once. My favorite chapter: “Applying the Seven Principles to Ourselves” as we continue to learn how to teach.

How learning works : seven research-based principles for smart teaching

Holiday Week Payroll Deadline: Wednesday Nov 25

submitted by cswanson@augsburg.edu

**Payroll Deadlines change due to Thanksgiving Holiday: Payroll and HR Closed Thursday and Friday, November 26-27**

Routine Benefit or Payroll Forms Deadline: Wednesday, November 25 at 12pm
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, please submit any change forms for current 2020 benefits to HR by noon Wednesday, November 25. This includes routine HSA, retirement, direct deposit and tax withholding (W-4 form) changes. Email hr@augsburg.edu if you have questions or need help.

Timesheets
If you will be off work Thursday through Sunday this week, please submit your timesheet to your supervisor by end-of-day on Wednesday, November 25.

Secure Link to Human Resources & Payroll
To protect your information, forms containing sensitive data such as banking or social security numbers should not be emailed. For a secure delivery link go to https://augsburg.leapfile.net/ for submission. Please contact hr@augsburg.edu for questions.

Thank you so much! -Your HR & Payroll Team

“Take 2” Minutes for a Tech Teaching Tip from Doug Green

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

“Take 2” is a new weekly series of 2-minute videos by Augsburg Faculty sharing a remote learning teaching tip. In this episode, Doug Green (English) shares how he uses Zoom chat to provide timely feedback and gather helpful information from students. NOTE: You can see ALL of the past episodes of the “Take 2” series at http://go.augsburg.edu/take2

“Take 2”: Doug Green on using Zoom Chat for quick feedback and sharing information

Strommen Drop-In Hours This Week

submitted by grayk2@augsburg.edu

Strommen Career Peer Advisors are available Tuesday, November 24 from 11am-4pm & Wednesday, November 25 from 11am-1:30pm for virtual resume and cover letter reviews. Virtual drop-in hours will not be offered Thursday, November 26 or Friday, November 27 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Virtual resume and cover letter reviews will resume Tuesday, December 1 at 11am.

Click here to meet with a trained Career Peer Advisor

Update on CTL Professional Development Grants for Faculty

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

Faculty, please look to https://inside.augsburg.edu/ctl/grants/grant-applications/ for updates on professional development grants for 2020-2021.

– As in past years, professional development funds are capped at $1,500 (prorated by FTE) for the year (from June 20, 2020 to May 21, 2021).

– Up to $150 can be reimbursed for Professional Memberships. (There is a form linked on the CTL Grant Applications page to submit your request.) CTL cannot cover any fees towards licensures. The funds for memberships are a part of the $1,500 cap.

– No physical travel is being funded until further notice.

– Also until further notice, CTL is only approving applications for conferences/events at which the applicant is presenting (not merely participating).

– Information regarding Adjunct Professional Development Grants can be found at https://inside.augsburg.edu/ctl/grants/professional-development-for-adjunct-union-members/. Adjuncts should use the same Professional Travel Grant form (linked on the CTL Grants page) for conferences. The Workshop Attendance Form should still be submitted for CTL Workshops and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops that are stipend-eligible.

Since the application form has been down for several months, if anyone has presented at a conference since June 2020 without applying for funds, you can submit the application now. If eligible, we will approve retroactively and reach out to you regarding you reimbursement. Contact ctl@augsburg.edu with any questions.

CTL Grant Applications

Poetry Reading Tuesday 12/1 at 7 p.m.

submitted by starckl@augsburg.edu

Join us for a Zoom reading with local poet and MFA mentor Heid E. Erdrich on Tuesday, December 1st, at 7pm! Heid’s new poetry collection, Little Big Bully, was published earlier this fall.

Hope to see you there!

https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/93744301609?pwd=OG9PWFRYOXpMMUoxUWtLa2NSdnVZZz09

Meeting ID: 937 4430 1609

Passcode: 757329

https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/93744301609?pwd=OG9PWFRYOXpMMUoxUWtLa2NSdnVZZz09

Registration Now Open: 2021 Forum on Workplace Inclusion Annual Conference: Workplace Revolution

submitted by gocmen@augsburg.edu

The 2021 Forum on Workplace Inclusion conference will be a five-day virtual experience. Augsburg faculty and staff are eligible to receive a 70% discount off the registration fee!

https://forumworkplaceinclusion.org/augsburg-faculty-staff-registration/

Augsburg Faculty and Staff Anti-Racism Training

submitted by reeck@augsburg.edu

Hello University Faculty and Staff – Please remember to sign-up for the required Augsburg Faculty and Staff Anti-Racism Training. Click the link below to visit the Equity and Inclusion Initiatives Department Anti-Racism Training Webpage for more information and to register!

https://inside.augsburg.edu/diversity/george-floyd-initiatives/anti-racism-training/

Chapel: Thanksgiving Communion Service

submitted by dames@augsburg.edu

Please join us in Hoversten Chapel or by live streaming for chapel today at 11:30 am for a Thanksgiving Communion service. Chapel is live streamed via Zoom https://augsburg.zoom.us/j/95460363994?pwd=S1lSdks0T1cvcm96ZDNTRTlmYndUUT09.
The bulletin for today is available online. http://web.augsburg.edu/campusministry/Daily_Chapel_Bulletins/2020-21_Bulletins/2020-11-24_Holy_Communion.pdf
Chapel services are available for viewing on the Campus Ministry YouTube channel.

Campus Ministry Calendar

Personal care assistance needed

submitted by barrienb@augsburg.edu

Hi! My name is Bella and I am first year student here at Augsburg studying graphic design. I am currently trying to find personal care assistants to help me in my day to day life here on campus. This would include getting me ready for the day, helping me get set up for class and assisting me around campus. I am very flexible on hours and more help would be much appreciated. If you are a pre-med or nursing student, this is a great opportunity to get experience with patient care. Plus, you get to be paid to have fun!

I really enjoy getting coffee, watching Netflix, drawing, and painting. I consider all my assistants as my friends and if you work for me, you are guaranteed a good time! If you are interested, please text me at: 612-345-2855 or email me at barrienb@augsburg.edu. Hope you will join!

2020 Holiday Shipping Guidelines

submitted by suter@augsburg.edu

As we are getting close to the 2020 holiday season the main shipping carriers have published their guidelines to have packages arrive by Christmas time. So if you are planning to send packages make sure to get packages in before the following dates.

All dates listed are recommended send-by dates for contiguous US destinations. These dates are not guaranteed so earlier is always better.

UPS
Dec 15 – Ground
Dec 21 – 3 Day Select
Dec 22 – 2nd Day Air
Dec 23 – Next Day Air

FedEx
Dec 15 – Ground/Home
Dec 21 – Express Saver
Dec 22 – 2Day
Dec 23 – Overnight

USPS
Dec 15 – Retail Ground
Dec 18 – First-Class
Dec 19 – Priority
Dec 23 – Priority Express

Thank You
Central Services Staff

Sign up for the Minneapolis Moment Theatre Project

submitted by lewisgg@augsburg.edu

The Minneapolis Moment is a one-minute play project attempting to continue dialogue rooted in the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the resulting uprisings in a time of pandemic and divisive federal elections. We’ll borrow the model of the Every 28 Hours Plays to create, select, and perform one-minute plays over Zoom or other video media to share with the Augsburg and Minneapolis communities.

The Minneapolis Moment will engage student, staff, and faculty in order to perform selected one-minute plays from the Every 28 Hours Plays and to write and perform new one-minute plays based on experiences since the murder of George Floyd. The goal is to facilitate critical dialogue and reflection by providing multiple viewpoints and multiple experiences.

The design of the project allows participants to start working in December 2020 and continue into the spring semester of 2021 with three or four performances building on each other and able to be broadcast virtually to be in alignment with essential health measures to protect against the pandemic. The idea is to have three or four performances with several one-minute plays and then ultimately to collect and edit them into one larger video. Participants can be involved in only one writing and performance cycle or in them all—it will be up to them. All Augsburg students, staff, and faculty will be welcome to participate.

Sign up or show your interest here!

Download Minnesota’s COVID-19 Exposure Notification App Today

submitted by sitarami@augsburg.edu

Imagine that you test positive for COVID-19. You tell your friends and family that you may have been in contact with, but how do you inform that people that you don’t know? Minnesota’s free exposure notification app, COVIDaware MN, will help us all do our part.

The app notifies you if you’ve been near someone who tested positive for COVID-19. If you test positive, you can use the app to anonymously notify anyone you’ve been near.

Download Minnesota’s COVID-19 exposure notification app today. When we understand our exposure risk, we can all make more informed decisions about our health. The app is free and does not collect any personal information or track your location.

This app is made available by the State of Minnesota, in partnership with the PathCheck Foundation.

https://covidawaremn.com/

EdTalks are Back with Lyz Wendland

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

This year, EDTalks will be pre-recorded and have a community “premiere” on Zoom hosted by CTL at 3:10pm on days when there is a faculty meeting. These premieres will end no later than 3:30pm to allow plenty of time to log into the Faculty Zoom meeting early. After the premier, the recording will be posted on the CTL website, along with any resources (if applicable).

Wellness, Balance and Boundaries in Higher Education
Join Lyz Wendland, Assistant Professor of Art & Design as she discusses wellness, balance and boundaries inside and outside of the classroom, sharing activities practiced in her teaching.

Premieres at 3:10 pm on Wednesday, October 21.
(The recording will be available on the CTL page the following day.)

EDTalks Zoom Information (can only be viewed with an Augsburg email address)

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

Augsburg Receives Two GEER Grants for Equity in Education and Remote Learning Needs

submitted by mayper@augsburg.edu

The Education Department (Dr. Audrey Lensmire) and the Information Technology Department (Scott Krajewski) are the recipients of two new grants from the State of Minnesota which total $250,000. The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) grant awards will address equity in education and technology and remote learning needs among students of color, Indigenous students, and those who are disabled or low-income.

Lensmire’s GEER grant will provide direct aid to teacher candidates who have a need to defray unexpected costs posed by the pandemic during their student teaching semester and coursework. Krajewski’s GEER grant will ensure that students receive the hardware and software required for meeting course learning objectives, and will provide captioning on instructional video recordings in order to make them more accessible.

The grant awards will result in students and faculty being able to weather changes to their plans for learning and teaching a bit more smoothly. We owe thanks to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for administering the competitive selection process this summer. We also wish to thank Dr. Lauren Causey for her skillful guidance in creating two high quality GEER proposals.

The GEER grant program is a redistribution of federal CARES Act funds.

Grants and Sponsored Programs

Academic Affairs Committee Approvals Update

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

At the Monday, October 12 meeting, the Academic Affairs Committee approved three proposals. ACC 495 made changes to its description and prereqs, as well as a change in grading to pass/no pass. BIO 420 was approved for asynchronous online delivery. HPE 324/334 went from 2 to 4 credits.

Jenny Hanson was also present at the meeting to give an update on TEL (a subcommittee of AAC). She discussed Moodle reports for department chairs, as well as work on a survey for students.

AAC information is available at https://inside.augsburg.edu/facultysenate/aac/. Committee approvals are tracked in the spreadsheet linked below (this is also posted on the AAC page).

AAC Tracking (can only be viewed with an Augsburg email address)

Fellowship Friday is a Time to Connect

submitted by maherk@augsburg.edu

Take time to chat with colleagues about your week… what’s working and what’s not working… or just connect.

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.)