Registration is now open for the second annual OIEX Diversity Lecture on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. We will hear from panelists Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim, and Dr. Randy Woodley, as we explore this year's theme: "Justice and Shalom." Please join us for this important conversation.

SPU Senior Leadership would like to extend an invitation to all employees to gather virtually on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. for an Employee Forum. This will be an opportunity to keep the community informed about budget and enrollment perspectives, and how employees can engage this winter and spring in conversations about the strategic direction of SPU. During this time, you will hear directly from President Martin; Craig Kispert, senior vice president for administration and finance; Nate Mouttet, vice president for enrollment management and marketing; and Laura Hartley, provost. A calendar invitation with a Zoom link will be sent to all employees by the end of this week. The session will be recorded.

The meeting will also include time to acknowledge the good work that was done during Autumn Quarter. Please email Provost Hartley at provost@spu.edu with one or more short “words of commendation” — particular ways that you saw individuals and/or offices fulfilling the SPU mission over the past few months that you think others should know.

The next History Department's News and Nachos event is “Can Cities Survive?” on Thursday, Jan. 28, 10:10–11:20 a.m. on Zoom. Cities are at the center of questions about justice, inequalities, and environmental sustainability. Is a better future for our cities possible? And what does our Christian faith have to say about it? Panelists include Zhiguo Ye, associate professor of history, Karen Snedker, professor of sociology, and Lane Seeley, professor of physics. The Zoom room will open at 10 a.m. and will feature music from Chris Hanson, assistant professor of music and director of music education and orchestra.

Computer and Information Systems is continuing the rollout of Teams Calling in 2021. To help prepare faculty, staff, and student employees for Teams Calling, we are hosting a bi-weekly Teams Calling orientation in January and February. Sign up for a session in Microsoft Bookings. To learn how to prepare for Teams Calling and get other updates on this project, visit the CIS Technology Blog.

A message from the Eastside vanpool: Do you commute across the 520 bridge? If so, you could be saving as much as $300/month by joining our vanpool. We meet at the South Kirkland Park and Ride, Monday–Friday at 7:05 a.m., and work a 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. schedule. The vanpool is completely free to SPU employees, which means the 520 toll, gas, parking, and car maintenance are all covered through the Trip Reduction Program. Can’t ride every day? Even if you can only ride part time, we’d love to talk to you. Please email Marilyn Hancock at mhancock@spu.edu. For more benefits of riding in a vanpool, visit spu.edu/vanpools.

The Office of Inclusive Excellence is implementing a three-part professional development workshop and yearlong engagement focused on racial equity and pedagogy for faculty members. The third workshop will be held Thursday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Learn more online.

All faculty and staff who come to campus must complete an online self-screening to attest that they meet certain criteria for being on campus (e.g., not exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms). SPU has developed a campuswide tool through Banner (login into Banner and select Personal Menu) to report a daily COVID-19 self-attestation for faculty and staff working on campus (including Camp Casey and Blakely Island). A link to the self-attestation form is also available on the Stay Smart website, which is now highlighted in the top banner on the SPU homepage.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published weekly during the academic year. The next Bulletin will be published Monday, Jan. 25, and the deadline is Thursday, Jan. 21. If you have information or event news, send it as soon as possible with an image or graphic to Bulletin editor Tracy Norlen at fsb-editor@spu.edu. Submissions may be edited for clarity.

Danny Helseth, assistant professor of music and director of instrumental studies, released his latest album titled, “The Danny Helseth Project: Thoughts From the Groove,” on Jan. 15, 2021. This album is an intentional directional shift in the approach to euphonium and tuba chamber music. Grounded in the grooves and styles of jazz, rock, funk, and dance, this album features all new music written for this project. A big shout out to Ron Haight with the Music Department and SPU alumna Jenny Young for the recording, editing, and mastering on this album. It is available on all digital streaming services, and for download purchase at all major outlets.

Paul Youngbin Kim, professor of psychology and associate dean of SPFC diversity, equity, and inclusion, is a co-author on the article “I Have Been a Sojourner in a Foreign Land”: A Qualitative Inquiry on the Psychological Experiences of International Students Enrolled in a Christian University,” which was recently published in the Journal of Psychology & Theology. This publication also has three student co-authors — lead author Sarah-Ann Moh ’18, and co-authors Dalton Geil ’18, and Sung Hun Ryu ’20. The article describes a qualitative study on the experiences and perspectives of international students, particularly focused on the Christian university setting.

Alberto Ferreiro, professor of European history, gave an invited lecture, “Four Marks of the Church” to the Rite of Initiation for Adults group at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Bothell as they prepare for entry into the Catholic Church at Easter. The Four Marks are: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic as found in the Creed of Nicaea. This is the second of five planned lectures.

Kathleen Braden, professor emerita of geography, has seen her self-published book, Six Cats: A Little Book of Rhymes, selling well on Amazon, becoming the #1 new release in its category related to pets. The proceeds from sales will be sent to the Spokane Humane Society shelter, where her daughter is a volunteer. (Editor’s note: To see the films of Henri, le Chat Noir, who includes a forward in Braden’s book, watch them here.)

The Office of Human Resources would like to congratulate the following staff members on their new appointments:

• Brad Hall, accounting assistant, Controller’s Office
• Teresa Lewis, payroll technician (Student Payroll), Controller’s Office