Hagfors Topping Off Ceremony, Skyway Installation

The Hagfors Center Topping Off ceremony was held just before Thanksgiving, and the skyway structure was set in place the weekend after Thanksgiving. A full summary of this week's construction activities is posted on http://www.augsburg.edu/hagforscenter/construction-project-updates.

This week's post includes photos and a time-lapse video of the Topping Off ceremony as well as of the skyway installation as well as updates on the following:

[1] Precast exterior brick (including photo from the construction site)
[2] Lobby roof and chapel floor
[3] Fireproofing in the lobby area
[4] Mechanical and electrical installation

To subscribe to regular emails about the Hagfors Center construction, go to http://www.augsburg.edu/hagforscenter and sign up for email updates.

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Who Should Constitute the "Voting Faculty"?

As indicated at the November faculty meeting, the Personnel Policies Committee (PPC) will be hosting a series of open forums for ALL FACULTY MEMBERS (whether full or part-time) to receive your feedback on proposed changes to the definition of the "voting faculty" in the Constitution (Section 8 of the Faculty Handbook). These forums will be held on:

Wednesday, 11/30 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in SVE 102
Thursday, 12/1 from 4-5 p.m. in LIN 301
Friday, 12/2 from 12-1 p.m. in SVE 102
Monday, 12/5 from 4-5 p.m. in OGC 103 and
Thursday, 12/8 from 2-3 p.m. in SVE 102

Please take this opportunity to voice your opinion in an important matter!

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Scholarships + 2 Paid Internships For First-Years

Apply to be a 2017 Kemper Scholar!

The Kemper Scholars Program is designed for first-year students who are pursuing, or intend to pursue, a business related degree program such as accounting, data science, finance, risk management, economics, statistics, math, and/or actuarial science. Scholars receive:

*Up to $10,000 yearly scholarship
*2 guaranteed paid internships:
*1 paid summer internship at a nonprofit in Chicago, learning and living with 25 fellow Kemper Scholars
*1 paid summer internship at one of the many Kemper companies around the US
*Paid trip to annual Kemper Conference in Chicago; 3 summers (Hard Rock Hotel)

Augsburg is one of only 14 liberal arts colleges selected to take part in the Kemper Scholars Program. Come learn more about this unique opportunity and hear from current Augsburg Scholars about their experiences.

Information Sessions:
Tuesday, November 29th from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Marshall Room
Wednesday, November 30th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Marshall Room

To learn more about the Kemper Scholars Program email urgo@augsburg.edu.

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Visit URGO For Advising On Grad School Apps

Applying to grad school? Come meet with URGO staff for individualized advising on finding and selecting programs, preparing for standardized tests, securing letters of recommendation, and writing application essays. We are here to help you through the process!

To make an appointment you can call the URGO office at 612-330-1446 or email us at urgo@augsburg.edu.

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NODAPL Meeting - Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

There will be a meeting in the Riverside Room at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday to discuss how the Augsburg community can help the No Dakota Access Pipeline effort. We are currently working to organize an event around creating items to send the water protectors there as well as educating people about what is happening at Standing Rock. All are welcome to join us on Wednesday!

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Augsburg CSA Drop Site

Are you interested in easy access to nutritious, delicious, locally grown food throughout the summer? Campus Kitchen is conducting a survey to gauge the interest of a CSA Drop Site on Augsburg campus for students and faculty in the area. Please follow this link for more information and to fill out a brief survey.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOVR7kFMFnlvp5iYPxveSuuDXdywB8iNzVtv9GzlvP4Gh6fQ/viewform

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Residence Life is Hiring

Online applications are now open through December 2! We are hiring for both summer 2017 and the 2017-18 academic school year. Click the links below to join the team.

Resident Advisor 2017-18 Academic Year: http://augsburg.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=78398

Lead Staff Member 2017-18 Academic Year: https://augsburg.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=78406

Summer 2017 Lead Staff: https://augsburg.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=78403

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Update on Union Vote

Last week, the National Labor Relations Board counted ballots in the union vote involving Augsburg's adjunct and non-tenure track faculty. At this point, we do not know what the final outcome will be. There are 22 ballots that have not yet been opened or counted, are subject to review by the NLRB, and are of sufficient number to change the final outcome. The process of working to a final determination about these ballots could take another week or more.

As you may have read online or in the news, the tally of the ballots counted to-date is 76 voting for union representation and 63 voting against. The remaining 22 ballots were challenged on grounds of voter eligibility by the College, by SEIU, or by both.

There was a high level of participation in the voting process -- with 161 votes cast, the overall participation among those who received ballots is more than 73 percent.

The College's primary commitment throughout this process has been to ensure that those eligible to vote had the information required for an informed decision. We continue to honor that commitment now, in our support of the right of those who stand to be included in the proposed bargaining unit to have their voices heard in this election.

We will continue, as well, to operate openly, honestly, and in good faith, in this final phase of the election process and afterward, whatever the final outcome of this election turns out to be. If the final vote affirms that unionization is the majority's choice, the way we work together will change, but we are confident that, no matter the result or the scenario, our shared commitment to teaching and learning and to our students' success will remain a priority.

Another update will be posted once the outcome of the vote is determined by the National Labor Relation Board.

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Farewell to Matt Ksepka

Please join us in saying a fond farewell to Matt Ksepka on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in Marshall Room, Christensen Center, for cake and conversation. Matt has accepted a position as Chief Financial Officer at Totino-Grace High School. His final day will be Thursday, Dec. 15.

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TIAA Individual Counseling Sessions

Meet with a TIAA Financial Consultant at Augsburg College. No matter where you are in life--just getting started or planning for retirement--a session with TIAA can help you create a unique plan for your goals. And, it's at no additional cost as a part of your retirement plan. You'll get answers to these questions and more:

-Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
-Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
-How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?
-How do I plan for short-term goals such as saving for a house or education expenses?
-How do I manage debt, save money and balance various financial priorities at the same time?

Upcoming Appointment Slots, in OGC 100:

-Tuesday, December 13, 2016 8:00 - 2:00pm
-Wednesday, December 14, 2016 8:00 - 2:00pm
-Thursday, December 15, 2016 8:00 - 2:00pm

Register for a session to get an action plan created especially for you. RSVP today as space is limited. Register at TIAA.org/schedulenow or call 800-732-8353, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET). We look forward to working with you.

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Norwegian Arctic Explorer

The Norway Hub, at Augsburg College is proud to invite you to participate in a lecture held by Tobias (Toby) Thorleifsson on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 in OGC 100 from 2-3 pm.

Torleifsson is a Norwegian Arctic Arctic explorer, acclaimed historian, sailor, environmental education consultant. He holds a Masters degree in polar history. One of Norway's most sought after environmental speakers, Tobias has taken part in a number of Arctic expeditions in Canada, Greenland, and Russia, observing the effects of climate change and melting ice and its impact on wildlife, nature, and society.

Tobias has appeared in various media outlets to discuss his findings. He was a member of Climate Generation's 2008 Global Warming 101 Expedition to Ellesmere Island led by polar explorer Will Steger and their Longest Summer Tour across Midwest college campuses that same year.

We thank Climate Generation, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy for providing us with this opportunity.

If you have any questions please contact Bettine at hermansb@augsburg.edu (x1378).

Below are a few links to view:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8Sqx-dcI5k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdIcTg_orKs

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Tomorrow: Nazi Analogies in Political Discourse

In the last several years we have seen an increase in the use of Holocaust and Nazi comparisons in American politics. For example, Donald Trump is compared to Adolf Hitler on an almost daily basis. The Iranian regime was routinely compared to Nazi Germany during last summer's debate on the Iran nuclear agreement, while some in the gun lobby blame the Holocaust on gun control measures. Nazi comparisons are often made in a variety of issue debates ranging from abortion to climate change. The phenomenon has significant implications for how the Holocaust is remembered, and how history is interpreted. It also has profound impacts on American civil discourse.

Rep. Frank Hornstein (MN House District 61A) spent the last year exploring the issue of Nazi and Holocaust analogies in American politics as a Sabo Fellow with the Sabo Center for Democracy & Citizenship.

To explore this topic more, the Sabo Center for Democracy & Citizenship has partnered with Rep. Hornstein to host a web-based or in-person presentation and discussion entitled, "The Use of the Holocaust and Nazi Comparisons in Contemporary American Politics." The event will be moderated by Rep. Hornstein and will feature a presentation with Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld, Professor of History at Fairfield University.

Those interested may either register to participate in the interactive livestream or attend in person at Augsburg College.

When: Tuesday, November 29 from 2-3 p.m.
Where: Riverside Room, Christensen Center at Augsburg College (or online)

To learn more, visit the Sabo Center blog: http://www.augsburg.edu/sabo/2016/11/21/sabo-fellow-rep-frank-hornstein-to-host-lecture-and-discussion-on-holocaust-and-nazi-analogies-in-american-politics/

Register to participate online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-use-of-the-holocaust-and-nazi-comparisons-in-contemporary-american-politics-tickets-29086697094

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Morning Chapel: Mindful Monday

Join us in the chapel at 10:40am for "Monday Monday: Stress Management for All." Come practice strategies to restore and balance energy.

Advent Chapel Series: Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life

Tuesday, 11/29, 11:30am: Holy Communion. Musicians: The Chapel Brass

Wednesday, 11/30, 10:40am: President Paul C. Pribbenow preaching. Musicians: Erika Svanoe, Alex Olson, Sadie Paulsen, Elizabeth Whalen - woodwind quartet; and Italian Diction students.

Thursday, 12/1, 11:30am: World Aids Day Rev. Greg Renstrom preaching, board member of MN Aids Project. Musician: Abby Salmonson, oboe.

Friday, 12/2, 10:40am: Velkommen Jul Scandinavian Christmas celebration featuring Nordic musicians Erik Rydvall & Olav Luksengård Mjelva.

We gather in Hoversten Chapel - Everyone is welcome.

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