The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is the weekly, internal newsletter for SPU faculty and staff. All faculty and staff receive the Bulletin, and most items are submitted by its readers. Faculty and staff are encouraged to submit information to the Bulletin at fsb-editor@spu.edu, or by selecting "Submit News" at the bottom of the Bulletin. The Bulletin is published on Mondays, and the deadline to submit information is Thursdays. The editor is Tracy Norlen, manager of public information in University Communications. The Bulletin is divided into several sections.

Campus News & Events highlight the major news and events on campus. Only events related to SPU will be accepted. All faculty and staff are encouraged to submit information, including department news, academic deadlines, campus events, and guest speakers. Digital photos and graphics are especially welcome. When possible, event information will be published two weeks prior to the event. Remember to plan ahead when submitting information.

Faculty & Staff News is for professional news related to your position at SPU or in higher education. Items of interest are conferences attended, books or articles written or published, presentations made, awards received, or research completed. Please don't be shy! We especially would like more professional news from SPU staff. 

SPU in the News lists most of the print or broadcast media appearances by faculty and staff. If you've been used as a resource for a reporter, please let us know by submitting it to the Bulletin.

Milestones is for personal news of interest to the SPU community, including births, adoptions, marriages, anniversaries, church service, mission trips, awards, and athletic accomplishments. Digital photos are always welcome. This section is also used for death announcements and memorial service information.

From the Archives is a monthly feature showcasing photographs from the SPU archives provided by University Archivist Adrienne Meier. The feature is published the last week of each month during the academic year.

The Month in the Garden is a monthly feature written by SPU Campus Master Gardner Jeff Daley, highlighting some of the plants, flowers, and trees on campus. This feature contains photos taken by Jeff and a description of the plants. This feature is not published during the summer months. 

Pet Photos of the Week feature pet photos and information submitted by faculty and staff. You are encouraged to send photos of your pet, including the pet's name and a couple of sentences explaining the pictures, to fsb-editor@spu.edu. This feature is not published during the summer months.

The SPU community gathers to celebrate the beginning of a new school year at the Opening Chapel on Tuesday, September 30, beginning at 11:10 a.m. in First Free Methodist Church. All offices and departments will be closed during this time.

Mental health professionals will be available for four evenings during the next two weeks for students effected by the June 5 tragedy. Students who would like an opportunity to discuss their current level of stress with a professional are welcome to come to the Collegium on any of the scheduled evenings. This is a walk-in service without the need for an appointment. Visit the website for more information.

More

All faculty and staff are invited to sign-up for the Fall 2014 Community Bible Study on Genesis with Professor of Old Testament Frank Spina. The study is sponsored by the Center for Biblical and Theological Education. The study is Wednesday nights beginning October 1 with a lecture from Professor Spina, contemplative engagement with the text, and a chance to meet in intergenerational small groups. It’s an invaluable opportunity to grow in your faith and engage with others from the SPU community. More information and registration for this free program are available online.

More

The Department of Philosophy is pleased to present a public lecture on Thursday, October 9, 5:30 p.m. in Demaray Hall 150 with Alfred Mele, the William H. and Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy at Florida State University. He is director of the Big Questions in Free Will Project and The Philosophy and Science of Self-Control Project. He is the author of several books and countless articles. His lecture, titled "Neuroscience and Free Will," will examine certain scientific studies that say the brain routinely decides what a person will do before they become conscious of its decision, and there is only a 100 millisecond window of opportunity for free will. The lecture is free and wheelchair accessible.

Faculty or staff members who would like counseling related to the June 5 tragedy can meet with a counselor by contacting the Life Assistance Program (LAP) at 1-800-538-3543. LAP is part of SPU’s employee assistance program. Faculty and staff may also contact Director of Human Resources Gary Womelsduff at womelg@spu.edu or 206-281-2678.

The academic counseling team in Student Academic Services will be available for drop-in questions in the lobby of Demaray Hall during the first week of Autumn Quarter. These brief appointments are intended for students with Autumn Quarter scheduling issues or who are on academic probation. The question table will be open during the following hours:

Tuesday, September 30: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesday, October 1: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Thursday, October 2: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Friday October 3: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

“The New World: Music of The Americas and Spain” is the theme for a special faculty recital on Friday, October 10, 7:30 p.m. at First Free Methodist Church. The concert, a collaborative event between three professors in the SPU Music Department, will feature music of the United States, Argentina, Mexico, and Spain. Performing will be professors Brian Chin (trumpet); Chérie Hughes (soprano); and Dainius Vaicekonis (piano). The concert is free and wheelchair accessible.

The Tent City 3 (TC3) Services Committee is looking for faculty and staff to help plan and coordinate meals and services (in-kind donations from the greater community) for SPU’s hosting of TC3 during Winter Quarter. Email Danielle Richmond in Student Financial Services at dani@spu.edu if you are interested in joining the committee.

A printable version of the 2014-15 Office/Departmental Directory is now available. The directory includes departmental phone numbers, office fax numbers, contract service providers, and mailstop numbers. This section of the directory is updated annually. The Faculty/Staff Employee Directory (all full-time, permanent employees) is also available in a printable version. This document is updated every day. Visit the website for more information.

More

Early bird tickets for SPU’s annual Sacred Sounds of Christmas concert are available through September 30. This event sells out early every year, so buy your tickets today. The concert is Monday, December 1, 7:30 p.m., in McCaw Hall at Seattle Center. Sacred Sounds of Christmas features the best of traditional Advent and Christmas carols from around the world, performed by the Music Department's nationally recognized student and faculty musicians.

More

The 10th of each month is the last day to make changes to your upcoming payroll check. Do you need to remove your spouse and/or children from your health care plans? If so, contact Human Resources (HR) to complete the appropriate form. It must be submitted to HR by the 10th of the month, prior to your dependent's access to new coverage. Otherwise, the change can only occur the subsequent month, and any premiums paid will not be refunded. Changes might also include events that are expected to impact your benefits and deductions, such as your spouse or children gaining or losing coverage due to employment, birth, marriage, etc. Additionally, any changes you wish to make to your 403(b) account contributions must be made by the 10th of the month. For changes to your 403(b) account, contact Transamerica Retirement Solutions 1-888-676-5512 (5 a.m.-6 p.m. PST), or 1-800-755-5801. If you have any other benefits-related changes, call Carrie McCrimmon in Human Resources at 206-281-2676.

The deadline for October’s monthly stationery orders is Tuesday, October 7, at 10 a.m. Stationery orders will be delivered on October 17. Stationery orders are now delivered once a month. Orders made after 10 a.m. on October 7 will be delivered November 14. If you have questions, contact Hope McPherson in University Communications at hmcpherson@spu.edu.

There are several free employee assistance programs for regular employees working half-time (.50 FTE) and above. Learn more about these resources available through Cigna by attending a drop-in 30-minute session in the Library Seminar Room. The sessions are: 

Monday, October 6, 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 7, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Wednesday, October 8, 2 p.m.

If you live on the Eastside, drive across the 520 bridge, and would love to save more than $225 per month on toll fees and gas, then we want you! There are currently three fun people who are seeking two more fun people to get a vanpool going from the Eastside. Van pools are completely paid for by the SPU Commute Trip Reduction Program, so there are no expenses to riders. We're hoping to meet at the South Kirkland Park and Ride at 7:25 a.m. each day so that we can work an 8 a.m.-5.p.m. schedule. If you are interested (even part time), email Lynn Anselmi in University Communications at lynnnanselmi@spu.edu.

The Falcons invite all faculty and staff to join us for another exciting year of SPU athletics, and it won't cost you a dime. Faculty and staff receive complimentary general admission tickets (including spouse and dependent children up to a maximum of four tickets) to all regular-season home events in Brougham Pavilion and home soccer games at Interbay Stadium. Simply show your staff I.D. at the ticket window.

Thursday, October 2
Men's soccer vs Western Washington, Interbay Stadium, 4:30 p.m.
Women's soccer vs Central Washington, Interbay Stadium, 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 4
Women's soccer vs Saint Martin's, Interbay Stadium, 4:30 p.m.
Men's soccer vs Simon Fraser, Interbay Stadium, 7 p.m.

More

“Deeply Connecting: Tools to Deepen Your Marital Relationship” is the title of a marriage seminar offered on Friday, October 3, 7-9 p.m. at First Free Methodist Church. The seminar will be led by Kimberly Castelo, a licensed marriage and family therapist associate. Childcare is provided. Learn more by visiting the website.

More

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every week during the academic year. 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 Bulletin will be published Monday, October 6. The next deadline is Thursday, October 2.

The online version of Earth Island Journal published Professor of Geography Kathleen Braden’s essay “Religion Needs Wilderness.” The essay was published on September 5 as part of the journal’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Wilderness Act.

More

Associate Professor of Art Scott Kolbo was selected as the 2014 Smelser Vallion Visiting Artist at the Doel Reed Center for the Arts. Scott was selected from a pool of more than 200 applicants. In June, he spent two and a half weeks in Taos, New Mexico, working on his art and leading a collaborative drawing workshop for Oklahoma State University art students. As a part of the residency requirements, he presented a public lecture titled "Collaborative Drawing: It Goes Faster..." on September 11.

SPU Communications Specialist Jeffrey Overstreet was invited by Christianity Today to write about a movie he’d “changed his mind about.” He chose “Dead Poets Society,” describing how his view has changed in the 25 years since its release, and how the legacy of Professor Emeritus Luke Reinsma changed the way he thinks about the film, education, freedom, and responsibility. Jeff was also a special guest on the subscriber-only “Christ and Pop Culture” podcast, discussing Richard Linklater’s film “Boyhood.”

Jeff Keuss, professor of Christian ministry, theology and culture, presented a paper titled “Priests in the Order of Melchizedek: Theology and Literature as Poetics of Faith Interpretation Across the University Disciplines.” He gave the presentation at the International Society of Religion, Literature, and Culture held at the University of Leuven in Belgium, September 18-19. His paper addressed the challenge of faith integration and interdisciplinarity in liberal arts education. He also chaired a panel introducing themes from the upcoming book Literature and Theology After Postmodernity (T & T Clark, 2015), which includes a chapter on hermeneutics written by Jeff.

Associate Professor of Management Randy Franz and Assistant Professor of Management Don Lee presented a paper at the Global Corporate Governance Institute’s annual conference in England, August 14-16. The paper was titled “A Global Institution of Business? Comparing Role-of-Business Expectations at the Global Corporate Governance Institute’s Annual Conference in England, United States, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore.”

More

The Office of Human Resources would like the SPU community to join us in welcoming the following new staff members. Contact information can be found in the SPU White Pages.

Kyleigh Gray, Marriage and Family Therapy program coordinator, School of Psychology, Family, and Community
Ginny Jacobsen, program coordinator, Art

From University Archivist Adrienne Meier: The cover of the 1953-54 Seattle Pacific College Bulletin (course catalog) features a drawing of Alexander Hall and the slogan “A Leading Christian College of the West.” During the academic year of 1953-54, Alexander served as a men’s dormitory, and featured a weather vane on the northeast tower, which can be seen in the drawing.

More

From SPU Master Gardener Jeff Daley: I always look forward to the beautiful splash of color that impatiens bring to our summer gardens here at SPU. We have used impatiens effectively on campus to brighten many a shady flower bed for a long time, and I can't imagine what a summer would be like without them. Well, it looks like we're going to find out. A couple of years ago I heard rumor about a new disease wiping out impatiens on the East Coast. The killer pathogen was identified as Plasmopara obducens, commonly called "impatiens downy mildew.” Although I had heard of isolated problems with the fungus in the Pacific Northwest, I certainly wasn't expecting it to show up on campus. I was heartbroken to notice earlier this month that our impatiens had been hit hard. I couldn't believe how quickly they had gone into decline since they were looking so nice just a few days before. From what I have read about downy mildew, there is a high risk that the fungal spore will overwinter in the soil and affect future plantings. Even when composted, diseased plant material will propagate fungal spores in the compost pile. Completely replacing the soil is a possible option, although there is no guarantee that even that would eliminate the pathogen. Due to this, it looks like it will be several years until we will be able to reintroduce impatiens into our gardens. As for next summer's plantings, we will be using wax begonias and New Guinea hybrid impatiens, which fortunately are not susceptible to the downy mildew. Although neither of these are as bold and colorful as our standard impatiens, I can promise you it will be beautiful.” Select the link to see impatiens on campus when they are healthy and the effect of downy mildew.

More