A message from Jacqui Smith-Bates, dean of Student Learning Support Services. “On behalf of Student Learning Support Services in the Office of Student Life, we would like to extend special recognition and appreciation for the entire staff in the Student Counseling Center (including graduate interns, ‘externs,’ and permanent staff) who have done an outstanding job of managing an especially difficult year with significant increases in student crises and serious cases. The repercussions of the tragedy of June 5 have reverberated in counselor offices all year long, and they have managed the load and severity with grace and dignity that is admirable. Thank you so much!”

The Gwinn Commons dining hall summer hours are posted online. The hours will be updated daily for the upcoming week. Remember that dining hall hours are based on Conference Services clients and internal groups and are subject to change. Hours for the other campus dining retailers can also be found online. Contact conferenceservices@spu.edu if you have any questions.

Bloodworks Northwest (formerly the Puget Sound Blood Center), will be hosting a blood drive on campus Thursday, July 9, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. (closed 1:30-2:30 p.m.) near the entrance of Tiffany Loop. There’s an extra need for donations during the summer, so encourage friends and family members to stop by and donate. Schedule an appointment online.

The Office of Conference Services would like the SPU community to be aware of the many groups that visit campus during the summer for conferences, workshops, or annual meetings. The following groups will be on campus during the next several weeks. Please welcome these visitors when you see them. 

U.S. Rowing 
Taylor Yearbooks
Global Curriculum
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Hammond Ashley Electric Bass Workshop
Quality Schools International
Discovery Institute
Puget Sound Chamber Music (Music Center of the Northwest)

Prospective students and their families will be on campus Friday, July 10, for the next Undergraduate Admissions “Summer Visit Day.” Students and their families will take a campus tour, hear about the admissions process, learn about financial aid, and meet current students, staff, and professors. Please welcome them. 

The Office of University Communications will be closed July 20-22 for its annual in-house organization and planning. Although the office will be closed, the UC staff will be on-site and available to assist clients in the case of emergencies. If you have an urgent need, call Office Manager Julia Weir at 206-281-2051, and she will connect you with the appropriate staff member. If you are currently working with UC on a project, your communications specialist will ensure that the closure does not cause any delays. Please call your communications specialist if you have questions or concerns. Thank you for helping us prepare for a new academic year.

What’s one thing you do to support better business or good labor practices? A message from Hannah Notess, managing editor of Response magazine: “We invite your answers to ‘The Question’ in the next issue of Response. We’ll feature stories of people who are working to end human trafficking and support trafficking survivors. Part of ending trafficking is changing the systems that exploit people in ways large and small — we all have a role to play. Tell us how you support better business or good labor practices."

During the summer, the Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every other week. 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. The next deadline is Thursday, July 9. The next Bulletin will be published Monday, July 13.

A new book by Professor of Educational Administration and Supervision Thomas Alsbury was recently published by Harvard Education Press. Improving School Board Effectiveness: A Balanced Governance Approach, (co-authored with Phil Gore with the Texas Association of School Boards), is written as an application of theory to practice and designed for school board members and superintendents. It introduces a new model of governance called “balanced governance” that is now ready to report upon after some field testing.

The Office of Human Resources would like the SPU community to join us in welcoming the following new staff members.

Kendrah Lewis, mail clerk–counter service, Mailing Services.
Jenn Wilson, administrative assistant, Center for Scholarship and Faculty Development