Join Director of Public Information Tracy Norlen and Social Media Specialist Esther Yun for this informative session on how to promote your event to faculty, staff, students, and the general public. We’ll cover social media, poster distribution, internal e-newsletters, websites, videos, local blogs, online event calendars, and much more. This session will be offered in the lower Weter Hall large conference room on Thursday, October 10, 1:30-2:30 p.m. and Tuesday, October 15, 10-11 a.m. No need to RSVP. (SPU swag will also be available to all those who attend!) If you have questions, contact Tracy at tcnorlen@spu.edu.

A message from Human Resources: Open Enrollment is October 7–18, This is your opportunity to make changes to your benefit elections, including medical, dental, vision, and flexible spending accounts for the upcoming 2020 benefit year. To help you with your benefit decisions, Human Resources will host our annual Benefits Fair on Thursday, October 10, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. in Upper Gwinn. Please take a few moments to stroll around the fair and enjoy some snacks with your co-workers. This will be an excellent opportunity to discuss questions or concerns you may have with our dedicated Cigna team. Presentations will be given about SPU’s medical plan, wellness plan, value-added programs, and more. Representatives from BAC (administrator for flexible spending accounts), Delta Dental, VSP (vision plan), Transamerica, and many more will also be present. These representatives will provide information, answer questions, and bring giveaways. Don’t forget the prizes! We look forward to seeing you there. REMINDER: Pay careful attention to all communication from Human Resources, particularly during this open enrollment season.

Please invite your first-year and transfer students to Ames Library for a night of studying and food, Monday, October 14, 6–10 p.m. Study table tutors, faculty, and reference librarians will be available, as well as support from the Research, Reading, and Writing Studio.

A message from Mark Reid, director of the Office and Safety and Security: Our yearly all-campus evacuation drill will occur at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, and will be part of the Great Washington Shakeout, a statewide opportunity to practice how to be safer during big earthquakes. We are asking students, faculty, and staff to practice “drop, cover, and hold on” at the start of the drill before they evacuate campus buildings.

In most situations, you will reduce your chance of injury if you:

  DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby. 

  COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand.

• If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter
• If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows)
• Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs

  HOLD ON until shaking stops.

• Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts
• No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands

In addition, everyone is encouraged to develop personal and family earthquake preparedness plans and maintain personal emergency supplies. For more information, see the Personal Preparedness webpage at emergency.spu.edu.

The SPU Symphony Orchestra invites staff and faculty to join the orchestra and perform alongside students. The orchestra meets with strings only on Mondays, 5:30–7:30 p.m., and with the full symphony orchestra (strings, winds, and percussion) on Thursdays, 7–9 p.m. Faculty and staff ensemble members would not necessarily have to attend every rehearsal or perform every work programmed for the concert. For more information, contact Christopher Hanson, director of music education and orchestral activities, at ctfhanson@spu.edu. Violists and bassoonists are specifically encouraged to join.

Stop by the SPU Art Center Gallery at 3 West Cremona Street to see certain/uncertain by Alison Stigora, assistant professor of sculpture. The gallery is open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and you can use your key card to enter the building. The public reception will be Thursday, October 10, 5:30–7:30 p.m.. Please stop for light refreshments.

A message from Campus Dining Services: Faculty and staff will receive two bonus meals if they purchase a Faculty/Staff Block 10 Meal Plan by Monday, October 14. That’s 12 meals for $85 (or $7.08 per meal)! (Limit one per person.) You can use the plan in Gwinn any time during Gwinn’s service hours. Or you can use it to purchase Simply to Go meals at the Corner Place Market, Academic Perks (SUB), or Common Grounds (Weter Hall). Meals can be used for guests, too. Plans can be purchased through Banner. Meal balances roll from quarter to quarter as long as you are employed at the University. If you have questions, contact Housing & Meal Plan Services at 206-281-2188 or mealplan@spu.edu.

The Spanish Conversation Table will be available for the new academic year and is open to anyone who wants to speak with others in Spanish. Come and have some fun! Meet your classmates and colleagues, make new friends, and improve your Spanish. You don’t have to sign up ahead of time — just bring your lunch and join us. Spanish Conversation Table meets Fridays, 2–3 p.m., in Marston 252. If you have any questions, please contact Vilma Illanes at villanes@spu.edu.

From University Librarian Michael Paulus: It is my pleasure to invite you to a presentation associated with the Bill Pollard Faith & Business Research Fellowship and the Library’s Work and Faith Collection on Friday, October 11, at 11:30 a.m. in the Library Classroom. Dr. Darrell Cosden, a returning scholar from the 2018 fellowship program, will present his paper “Honoring God and Developing People: ServiceMaster, Bill Pollard and the Heart of Corporation.” This event is co-sponsored by the SPU Library and the Center for Integrity in Business. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to cib@spu.edu by October 4.

A message from Computer and Information Systems: Did you know that Skype for Business will soon be replaced with Microsoft Teams on all SPU-managed computers? On Wednesday, October 16 at 8:30 a.m. or Thursday, October 17 at 1 p.m., join CIS for a special training led by Microsoft on the benefits of using Teams to collaborate with your colleagues and students. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP here.

The 2019 Palmer Lecture will be Tuesday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Upper Gwinn Commons. Ellen F. Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke Divinity School, will give a lecture titled “The Land as Kin: Renewing Our Imagination.” For more information about the lecture, visit the website.

In addition to the lecture, faculty are invited to a luncheon with Dr. Davis on Wednesday, October 9, 12–2 p.m. in Upper Gwinn Commons. To RSVP for the luncheon, contact Nate Hoover at theology@spu.edu.

Bloodworks Northwest will host a blood drive on campus October 10–11, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. near the entrance of Tiffany Loop. Schedule an appointment online.

The 10th of each month is the last day to make changes to your upcoming payroll check. Do you need to add or remove your spouse and/or children from your health care plans? If so, contact Human Resources (HR) to complete the appropriate form. Changes might 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 at 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 Mardeth Hughes in HR at 206-281-2816.

The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) 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 deadline is Thursday, October 10. The Bulletin will be published on Monday, October 14.

In recognition of her service to the SPU community, Sam Davis, senior design manager in University Communications, was nominated by her peers and selected by Staff Council as the October Staff Member of the Month. Congratulations and thank you, Sam! Learn more about Sam, and nominate a colleague for recognition on the Staff Council website.

A chapter by Janet Hauck, business and social sciences librarian, titled “From Service to Synergy: Embedding Librarians in a Digital Humanities Project” was recently published in The Digital Humanities: Implications for Librarians, Libraries, and Librarianship.

Kimberly Sawers, professor of accounting and associate dean for undergraduate studies, has been appointed to the editorial board of Issues in Accounting Education, a highly ranking accounting journal (CABS Academic Journal Guide) published by the American Accounting Association.

An article by Professor of History Alberto Ferreiro titled “Martin, Ithace et Maxime après l’exécution de Priscillien” for the conference La figure martinienne. Essor et renaissances de l'Antiquité tardive à nos jours. Colloque International, 1700ème anniversaire de la naissance de saint Martin (316–2016), 12–15, Octobre 2016, Tours, France, was published in Un Nouveau Martin. Essor et renouveaux de la figure de saint Martin IVe XXI siècle. Presses Universitaires François-Rabelais, 2019, pp. 217–247.

Please join the Office of Human Resources in welcoming the following new staff members. 

Kris Haldeman, advanced nurse practitioner, Student Health Services
Amanda Keithley, technical services specialist, University Library
Caroline Maurer, director, Global Engagement, Academic Affairs
Mayra Villalobos, field placement coordinator, School of Education