Office of Academic Affairs

 

Faculty Retreat

September 14-15, 2009
Camp Casey Conference Center

                                                                                                                        

                                                                                              

Camp Casey Conference Center Directions                     Retreat Schedule    

                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                      ONLINE REGISTRATION

                                 

Dear Colleagues:
The end of July is such an odd time of transitions. My expectations for summer writing are now officially recalibrated. SPFC Graduate faculty have two more weeks left before our summer break begins. Its 85 degrees in my office this afternoon, Target is selling school supplies and Sarah Adams in OAA and I have been spending a good chunk of the last two weeks planning our September faculty retreat.  As part of a July “staycation,” I went out to Camp Casey last week. It was glorious, and I am hoping that our two days together will continue to build layers of happy memories.

And so, I formally invite you to SPU's annual Faculty Retreat, to be held at SPU's Camp Casey on Whidbey Island, on Monday and Tuesday, September 14 - 15, 2009. My overarching goal for retreat is that you would be bummed if you miss it. To that end I have four more specific goals for our time together. My first goal is to provide an opportunity for our administration to talk to us about faculty’s role in their vision, goals and challenges for the next year. Vice President Steele will share his vision on Monday morning while President Eaton will close our time together by sharing his on Tuesday afternoon.  

My second goal is to provide opportunities for faculty governance that will continue through our return to campus. We will have two simultaneous discussions on Monday afternoon. First, we will work on the revision of general education requirements. We are beginning the second of a four year plan for their overhaul. This past year UPEC has lead a year of assessment; how do students perceive gen ed; what works and what doesn't. The beginning of this year is a time to look over that assessment data and begin the design phase. Our retreat will give us time and space to start that process. The second opportunity will focus on the growing pains associated with graduate education. Approximately 10% of our faculty is fully dedicated to teaching in graduate programs while many more teach across undergrad and graduate programs. As our graduate programs grow, there are scalability issues associated with their support. Faculty interested in working on this issue will have time on Monday afternoon to address some of these issues. You get to choose which you would like to participate in on Monday afternoon. We will have time together on Tuesday morning to discuss each issue together.

My third goal is to provide ample time for serendipity; unplanned conversations, walks, antiquing in Port Townsend, volleyball and time to watch children rebuild the same driftwood forts down on the beach.  We have increased the amount of free time on Monday afternoon – Enough time to head into Coupeville or take the ferry over to Port Townsend before our annual Salmon BBQ dinner. Also, I get antsy sitting around so Tuesday morning we are inaugurating the Bill Woodward 5 mi duffer fun run leaving Faculty house west promptly at 7. We'll take off at 10ish min mile pace and run over towards the water. 

My fourth and most fond goal is to create sacred time and space for corporate worship. The retreat will once again begin with a worship service at 10:00 at the Coupeville United Methodist Church. On Monday night we will have another opportunity to worship with a focus on gospel music. A little jiggle to our Monday schedule. I dislike the hubbub after the Coupeville service so you are welcome to come by Camp Casey starting at 9 for caffeine and carbs and pick your bunk before heading out over to Coupeville for our worship service. Child care at Camp Casey will also be available at 9:00 a.m. (If you prefer to take the latest possible ferry to get to Coupeville by 10, you can still check in after the worship service.)

Now it’s your turn. Please complete the online registration for food, lodging and child care (if needed). If you request family housing and/or childcare, your reservation must be completed no later than Friday, August 21. We will be unable to accommodate requests after that date. If you have other questions or if you have trouble with the online reservation form, the good folks in the Academic Affairs Office (206-281-2125) will be happy to assist you. A more complete schedule will be posted on the OAA website by September 1st.

Finally, in the words of Rod Stiling, “pack your sense of humor and an ample supply of good cheer to embellish our posh accommodations.” Beyond these, remember to bring your own towels, sleeping bag or bed linens, and (if you desire) reusable plate, cup, and eating utensils and any other accoutrements that will help build lasting memories

All the best,

Margaret Diddams
Faculty Chair, 2009-2010
Mdiddams@spu.edu

 

 

What to Bring

  • Sleeping bags, bedding, pillows, blankets
  • Reading light
  • Alarm or clock radio
  • Bath towels, wash cloths, bath soap

 

Bee Warning

It’s possible the yellow jackets will be out in force, so be aware and be prepared. You may want to bring Benadryl.


Directions to Coupeville United Methodist

NE 7th and N. Main St.
Coupeville, WA 98239
  1. Take the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry to Clinton
  2. Continue straight onto WA-525 (22 mi) to WA-20
  3. Slight right at WA-20 (5.5 mi)
  4. Turn right at N. Main (.4 mi)