A message from Shelly Ngo, editor of Response and SPU Stories. Do you have a good news story to share during this COVID-19 pandemic? It might be a story of how a student has creatively managed the remote learning environment or helped another student during these stressful times. Maybe you have a story of how you have responded to someone's need or how someone has helped you. We would love to share some interesting, good news stories on social media, on our website, and possibly in our magazine. Please send your stories to me at sngo@spu.edu.

Each week during Spring Quarter, University Ministries will launch a new Spiritual Rhythm (a.k.a. spiritual discipline/practice) and will preview it for faculty members in advance so they can have time to prepare and use it in class, in a conversation with a student, or to get a jump start themselves. The Spiritual Rhythm: Breath Prayer and Reflection launched Monday, April 13, and Chaplain Lisa Ishihara will talk about this in her chapel message on Tuesday at 11:10 a.m.

A message from Health Services: To limit the risk for and spread of infection, we are adjusting clinic hours and access during Spring Quarter 2020: 

• Clinic hours are by appointment only. We are not accepting walk-in visits. 
• Nurse practitioners will be available to students by phone during our normal clinic hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 

We will limit any routine or nonessential in-person appointments, and we are increasing our use of telephone visits with students. This plan is consistent with local primary and urgent care facilities and with the health services clinics at our peer schools across the state. We will review and adjust this plan based on our students' needs in the coming weeks.

We continue to ask all staff, faculty, and students to call us at 206-281-2231 with any questions and to report any symptoms of:

• Fever (over 100.0 F)
• New cough or shortness of breath
• Any other concerning symptoms (i.e., body aches, chills, sore throats)
• Any known exposures to people with a diagnosed case of COVID-19
• History of high risk travel or other exposures

The annual Social Venture Plan Competition Showcase takes place online on Wednesday, April 22. Students, friends, family, and SPU faculty/staff can view student teams pitch social ventures via video at spu.edu/SVPCShowcase2020. Vote for the People’s Choice award and enter to receive virtual door prizes. Join us for a livestream at 6:30 p.m., when School of Business, Government, and Economics Dean Ross Stewart will announce winning teams and award $15,000 in cash prizes.

SPU’s Mentor Program continues to serve students year-round, locally, across the U.S., and internationally. Learn more about the program, the different tracks, and how students can apply today. If you have questions, contact Kate Barker, program coordinator in the Center for Applied Learning, at kbarker@spu.edu.

Join CIS on Wednesday, April 15, at 11 a.m. or Thursday April 16, at 1:15 p.m. to learn some best practices when it comes to managing your inbox. RSVP here to receive a link to a virtual Microsoft Teams meeting. Contact Allison Pincus in CIS at pincusa@spu.edu with any questions, and find more information on the CIS training program here.

In accordance with governor’s stay-at-home order, Human Resources will continue to work remotely (as much as possible) this week, April 13–17. We will not be open to walk-in traffic, however there will be an HR staff member on campus each day for required essential services and by appointment. Please email hr@spu.edu or contact a specific staff member if you need an appointment. We hope you had a peaceful Easter and found some time for relaxation and renewal over the long weekend.

The Center for Career and Calling; Alumni, Parent, and Family Relations; and the Communication Department have partnered on a new Switchboard campaign for communication alumni and students. Ask Me Anything: Communication is a chance for alumni and students to connect, share advice, ask questions, and be a resource for one another. You can join, too. Post encouragement, advice, or expertise, and connect students to people you know, or offer a quick chat. See what alumni have posted!

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) during the academic year. The next Bulletin will be published Monday, April 20. The deadline is Thursday, April 16. If you have information or event news, send it as soon as possible to Bulletin editor Tracy Norlen at fsb-editor@spu.edu. Submissions may be edited for clarity.

Robin Hendrikson, assistant professor of education and director of assessment, recently became an International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) certified educator. Said Nyaradzo Mvududu, dean of the School of Education, “Very few professors in the country can claim this.” Congratulations, Robin!

Please join the Office of Human Resources in welcoming David Crawford, security officer, Office of Safety and Security. 

The Office of Human Resources would like to congratulate Sophia Ross in her new appointment as field placement coordinator in the School of Education.

Amy Mezulis, professor and chair of clinical psychology, was interviewed by The Seattle Times in an article on April 6 titled “Mental health expert race to help children cope with stay-at-home life amid coronavirus closures." She was also interviewed by KOMO-TV on April 6, giving parents tips on helping their teens cope during this stressful time. Amy is the parent of teens, including one graduating from high school.

Instructor of Writing Mischa Willett was featured in an essay in Christianity Today on “The Virtue and Necessity of Mentorship.”

Martha Deutsch Trzyna, wife of Tom Trzyna, emeritus professor of English, died April 7, 2020, from the coronavirus. She was 73 years old. Wrote her husband of 50 years: “She lived her life as she wished, and while the family is deeply sorrowful, we know she was given superb medical care. ... All of you, please protect yourselves from this virus, especially if you are over 65 and/or have any conditions that would increase your danger. Our family is strong and working together in extraordinary ways through this period of sorrow..."