Haglund and Messerer Closed Saturday

The Hagland and Messerer Fitness Centers will be closed on Saturday, March 29 for the 6th annual Powwow. FOB access will be turned off due to the large crowds expected in the building throughout the day. We will reopen with regular hours on Sunday at noon.

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Faculty, What Are You Doing This Summer?

The deadline for Integrated Course Design Grants and Summer Scholarship Grants is April 7. Please see the CTL website for more details.

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Community Lunch April 2

Join your colleagues and friends for lunch.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014 Human Resources will be hosting a community lunch for faculty and staff. The lunch will be in the East Commons of Christensen Center 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A special guest will be making an appearance at the community lunch! Human Resources will also be available to answer questions about the Great Colleges to Work For survey.

Hope to see you there.

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Great Colleges Survey: Share Your Voice

As previously announced Augsburg College is participating in the 2014 Great Colleges to Work For program. The survey opens Monday, March 31 and will remain open until Friday April 18. The survey is open to all full time faculty and staff. The eligible participants will receive an email from ModernThink which will contain a survey invitation and link to the survey.

Important details you should know:
- Survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
- Your responses to the survey will be completely confidential. ModernThink LLC, an independent survey firm, will not provide Augsburg College with any information that would enable us to trace survey data back to any one individual.
- Your participation is voluntary.
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers posted on The HR Moodle https://moodle.augsburg.edu/moodlecommunity/course/view.php?id=329
- Additional resources available:

Human Resources recognizes that many members of our community have work that does not require use of a computer, or who may not have a dedicated office. Therefore we will be hosting computer lab sessions for employees to complete the survey. This will also provide an opportunity for employees to ask questions they might have about the survey or who would like assistance with the survey process.

These sessions are scheduled at the following dates and times.
April 9th - 2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Sverdrup Hall, Room 205
April 10th - 11:00 - 12:00 p.m., Sverdrup Hall, Room 201
April 11th - 8:00 - 9:00 a.m., Sverdrup Hall, Room 205
April 15th - 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., Sverdrup Hall, Room 205

Should you have questions, please contact Lisa Stock (stock@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1783) or Katie Berggren (berggren@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1691) in Human Resources. Thank you in advance for your participation.

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Discussion Prompts for Apr. 1 All-Hands Meeting

The majority of the time for the Apr. 1 All-Hands meeting will be used for small group discussion and writing in response to three issues that were repeatedly identified in the Governance Task Force (GTF) conversations on campus. Copies of the following prompts will be available at the meeting, along with cards for writing responses, and time for small-group discussion of one or more of these suggestions. We look forward to the discussion and to everyone's input, and to our ongoing work on improving how we work together.

Draft Proposals to Improve Governance and Work Life

The GTF is considering including some form of these ideas in its recommendations to the Board of Regents. For discussion at the meeting you will be asked whether or not you think the proposed actions would be useful to implement and why you think this would be the case. If you have other concrete suggestions on how to respond to the identified problems, please briefly describe. If you need more time or space to provide feedback, please submit responses and suggestions to pike@augsburg.edu or underhil@augsburg.edu.

1. One clear theme from the analysis is that the institutional channels for communication could be improved, and that there are problems with both sending and receiving information relevant to important decisions on campus.

Proposal: A periodic, focused direct email update sent to the entire community from the President and/or Provost with information about either pending or current important governance matters. Faculty and staff would need to read these emails, as they would be the major channel for dissemination. This channel would be clearly identified and targeted to inform the community, and feedback and suggestions would be invited.
Questions: Would you find this a helpful improvement in communication? What do you think should be the best channels for gathering responses from the community? How often? Would you find a different format more useful? What content would be most useful?

2. No one seems adequately to know who decides what, when, and with what accountability. There are two potential responses here:

Proposal: The college creates a usable decision-authority matrix (a sample page will be provided), at varying levels of detail for different purposes, easily accessible online by the earliest feasible date. The Human Resources Organizational Chart would also be easily accessible online for reference purposes.

Proposal: The Faculty Senate will work with PPC and others to revise the Handbook with particular focus on decision-making regarding the academic program. An aim would be to clarify decision-making regarding the academic program, and to provide guidance on what kinds of decisions would be considered part of the academic program and which ones not. Faculty could be asked to approve a new process of revision that is more efficient and effective than the current practice of line by line changes by a full faculty during a limited number of months a year.

3. Trust and confidence among leaders, leadership groups, followers, and departments is a problem across the institution.

Proposal: An extended (1-2 day) summit at which those attending would be part of facilitated discussions about how to rebuild trust and confidence in leadership. This is a first step in an ongoing process. It would consist of a series of "difficult discussions" about what we all want for the institution, and where it is that we agree and disagree. The issues of trust and confidence would need to be directly named and discussed. The aim of this summit would be to identify ways over time to improve trust, confidence, accountability, responsibility, and to empower stakeholders across all sectors of the campus.

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Calling All Auggies

We are now in week 6 of the Auggie vs. UST fitness challenge.

We have made great increases each week in the number of minutes reported. Keep up the good work. Plus, the Tommie totals have been slipping and we are positioned to take the lead.

WE NEED YOUR HELP.

All registered participants of the challenge, log your minutes by 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Now is the time to take advantage of the warmer temps and get out there and get moving, play catch with the kids, go for a walk, run, or take a bike ride!

If you did not register - YOU CAN STILL PARTICIPATE. Just email Carol Enke with your name and the total number of minutes that you exercised for the week. Every minute counts, so track everything.

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Minneapolis Remodeling Expo Tickets in HR

The Minneapolis Remodeling Expo runs April 4-6 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, in Exhibit Hall D.

If you would like to tickets to the show, please stop by Human Resources to pick up a free pair of tickets while supplies last.

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TIAA-CREF Individual Counseling Sessions

TIAA-CREF regularly offers individual counseling sessions at no additional cost to you.

You can discuss your personal financial situation with an experienced TIAA-CREF Financial Consultant on a confidential basis. They are available to discuss how to help you achieve your financial goals by investing in financial solutions such as mutual funds, brokerage, life insurance and annuities.

Sessions will be:
Tuesday, April 29, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Sverdrup 102)
Wednesday, April 30, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Sverdrup 102)
Thursday, May 1, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Sverdrup 102)

Space is limited so please RSVP as soon as you can.
To sign up call 1-866-843-5640, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (CT).

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Faith in the Face of Empire - Mitri Raheb, 3/29

Augsburg College and Central Lutheran Church welcome Dr. Mitri Raheb to share his latest book, Faith in the Face of Empire. Mitri is the pastor of the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem and a leading Palestinian Christian theologian, writer, and activist. This event is free and open to the public.

When: Saturday, March 29, 4:00 p.m.
Where: Central Lutheran Church, 333 South 12th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404

You are invited to stay for Central's 5:30 worship service.

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Win $100 in TicketMaster Bucks - Essay Prompt Comp

Augsburg College Admissions is looking for a new essay prompt for first-year students. The prize is $100 in TicketMaster bucks towards a concert, game, or other event of the winner's choosing.

We ask that submissions be emailed to devens@augsburg.edu. Faculty, staff, and students are able to submit prompt ideas. Essay prompts should be original, creative, and inspired. We're asking writers to submit prompts that they would have wanted to use when writing their college essays.

The deadline is April 15, 2014.

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Film: "Spider Woman's Call" April 2 in Sateren

Augsburg Native American Film Series invites you to attend two wonderful FREE film events next week in the Sateren Auditorium.

1) "Spider Woman's Call" Hosted by Director Jennifer Machiorlatti
April 2, 2014
6:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sateren Auditorium, Music Hall, 715 22nd Ave South

Matriarchal Voices - Stories of Indigenous Women Filmmakers is a lyrical documentary series presenting stories about the storytellers - Indigenous women who use film, video, and multimedia to carry on storytelling traditions through contemporary media. "Spider Woman's Call" - episode one of the series focuses on five filmmakers from the U.S. and Canada who share their motivations for working in cinematic storytelling--from cultural recovery and celebration to the importance of historical accuracy.

2) "The Cherokee Word for Water" Hosted by Native Americans in Philanthropy
April 4, 2014
Time: 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sateren Auditorium, Music Hall, 715 22nd Ave South

"The Cherokee Word for Water" is a feature-length motion picture that tells the story of the work that led Wilma Mankiller to become the first modern female Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

For more information on both film events visit www.augsburg.edu/filmseries. For parking permits please contact Elise Marubbio at marubbio@augsburg.edu.

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Financial Literacy Summit: Your Money, Your Life

The Enactus team at St. Thomas is hosting a financial literacy summit on Monday, April 7. Students will see 6 expert speakers in a Ted Talk format. Student from ACTC and other local schools are invited to attend. Here are the details:

FINANCIAL LITERACY SUMMIT: Your Money, Your Life
Date: Monday, April 7, 2014
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: University of St. Thomas, Anderson Student Center (corner of Cretin and Summit Aves), Woulfe Alumni Room

Topics and speakers:
6:00 p.m. Keynote - Nathan Dungan from Share Save Spend
6:20 p.m. Budgeting - Sam Ginnis from Oracle
6:40 p.m. Credit Cards/Score - Shannon Doyle from Lutheran Social Services
7:00 p.m. Student Loans/Debt Payments - James Hammar from UST
7:20 p.m. Investing Basics - Kelsi Rahm from the MN Jump$tart Coalition
7:40 p.m. Your Spending Personality - Berni Johnson-Clark from Family Means
8:00 p.m. Q & A - All speakers who can stay

A light dinner will be served.
We're requesting that students RSVP to Tayler Hanold at hano0538@stthomas.edu, though we'll gladly accept walk-ins.
Parking on the street or in the Anderson Ramp at the intersection of Cretin and Grand Avenues in St. Paul.

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Win Twins Tickets - Donate Blood Monday

A reminder that Memorial Blood Center will be on campus on Monday 3/31/14 from 10 - 4 p.m. in the East Commons for our annual spring blood drive. There are still slots available to sign up and donate. Please sign-up online at www.mbc.org/searchdrives and enter sponsor code 0027 or call the CCHP office at 612-330-1707 and we can get you a donation time that way as well.

In addition, all those who donate on Monday will be entered into a drawing for Twins Tickets for 2 to the May 15 12:10 game against the Boston Red Sox (Section 105 - Diamond Box, Row 2, Seats 1 & 2).

Please help save lives and consider donating blood on Monday. Any questions, please call the CCHP office at 612-330-1707.

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Spring All Hands Meeting - Next Tuesday, April 1

The spring 2014 All Hands meeting is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, April 1, in Hoversten Chapel.

The agenda will include brief updates on current topics -- enrollment, fundraising, accreditation, strategic planning, the work of the Governance Task Force, and the progress of the due diligence process on the potential opportunity in Phoenix -- followed by a reflection and conversation led by members of the Governance Task Force. The prompts, published by Joe Underhill, are listed above.

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Sign Up Today for Summer Vegetable Shares

Sign up for a summer CSA (community supported agriculture) organic vegetable share by Monday and receive a free A to Z cookbook.

Ploughshare Farm delivers its locally grown, freshly picked produce shares directly from the farm to Augsburg College each Thursday during the 18-week summer season. CSA shares are available in full and mini sizes. See http://www.ploughsharefarm.com for dates and pricing. Sign up soon--shares sell out fast!

Contact Rebecca John, rjohn@augsburg.edu, for additional information or if you are interested in splitting a share with someone else.

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