Campus Ministries has curated a non-exhaustive list of Advent resources — ideas for prayer, social media engagement, and justice work. The list also includes a few Seattle-area events and assorted books and readings aimed at helping people move through the season. You can find the list online.

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Come join the Student Union Board (STUB) to celebrate the holidays at the annual student-produced event called “Tradition” on Friday, December 2, 7-10 p.m. in Tiffany Loop. There is lots of fun to be had under the tree with treats, hot cocoa, pictures with Santa, crafts, music, and more. The night will feature a special musical guest from “The Voice” – you'll just have to come and see to find out who!

Christmas is just around the corner, and you have one more chance to shop at Mistletoe Market. Join us on Wednesday, November 30, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. in the SUB Gazebo Room for a variety of holiday items and Christmas gifts to purchase. This event is hosted by Sigma Rho, a philanthropic organization of Family and Consumer Sciences. All proceeds support student scholarships.

For the first time, faculty and staff can nominate an undergraduate student for the 2017 People of Promise Award. Is there a student you know who shows true promise and commitment to SPU’s vision to engage the culture and change the world? Take a moment to nominate them for this year’s award. Students will be honored in Response magazine and during various events at Homecoming and Parents Weekend. Criteria and the nomination form can be found online. Nominations will be accepted through December 1. Email Sha’terika Perkins in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership at perkinss1@spu.edu with questions about this award or process.

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A message from Campus Dining: We would like to thank everyone for participating in our dining survey. We had 702 participants, and we appreciate the feedback which will be used for dining enhancements. We would like to congratulate Daniel Borkert, who won a $300 airline voucher, Laura Shigeta, who received $50 in Falcon Funds, and Jolene A. who received $25 in Falcon Funds.

There are fewer than a dozen close-up seats still available to faculty and staff for the Sacred Sounds of Christmas concert on Tuesday, November 29. These modified-view seats are located in the first three rows of the McCaw Hall stage. Here’s your opportunity to both see and “feel” the wonderful music provided by SPU’s outstanding choral and instrumental ensembles. Tickets may be purchased at the UNI-COM desk in the SUB.

A message from Campus Dining. Faculty and staff are invited to taste bao, a healthy steamed Asian bun, on Wednesday, November 30, 12:15-1 p.m. in the Student Union Building. Try a bao and give your opinion to receive a 10 percent off coupon for a drink at Academic Perks (excluding Frappuccinos).

The School of Business, Government, and Economics has officially launched two new continuing education certificate programs — one in digital marketing and one in business analytics. In just two quarters of study and meeting on campus once per week, course participants can gain technical skills to help them gain a competitive edge in their existing careers or transition into new work. The first cohort begins Winter Quarter — so if you know anyone who may be interested, let them know.

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You have until 9:59 a.m. on Tuesday, December 6, to have stationery order(s) delivered on December 16. Stationery orders are delivered once a month. Orders made after 10 a.m. on December 6 will be delivered January 13. To see more deadlines and delivery dates, visit the “Create an Order” stationery page in Banner. For more information, contact Hope McPherson in University Communications at hmcpherson@spu.edu.

A message from Campus Dining: Join us for a “Fiesta of Flavor” at the grand opening of Cocina del Sol in Gwinn Commons next to the C-Store. We will celebrate during the month of November by offering 20 percent off all food and beverages. Cocina del Sol is open for lunch and dinner and has all of your favorite Mexican inspired dishes, such as express tacos, burritos, quesadillas, burrito bowls, and more. For more information on dining and our monthly specials, visit the website.

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For the latest information on Falcon sports, visit the website.

Thursday, December 1
Men's basketball vs Simon Fraser, Brougham Pavilion, 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 3
Men's basketball vs Western Washington, Brougham Pavilion, 7 p.m.

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The Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published weekly 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, December 1. The next Bulletin will be published Monday, December 5, 2016.

In recognition of her service to the SPU community, Amy Foster, assistant athletic director for business and operations and senior women's administrator for Athletics, was nominated and selected as the November Staff Member of the Month. Amy says working at SPU “allows me to have God shine through me and be a servant leader to those around me.” Congratulations, Amy! Visit the Staff Council website to read more about Amy and submit a nomination for someone you think should be recognized as a future Staff Member of the Month.

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Faculty and staff are invited to a farewell reception for David Stewart, professor and department chair of the Clinical Psychology Department, on Wednesday, December 7, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Marston-Watson Conference Room 127. There will be a short program at 12:30 p.m. A light buffet and refreshments will be available.

David Diekema, associate professor of sociology, and Paul Kim, associate professor of psychology, are co-authors of the article titled “Acculturative Family Distancing, Religious Support, and Psychological Well-Being Among Young Adult Eastern European Immigrants in Western Washington.” The article was published in the peer-reviewed Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research. The lead author for the article is Tatyana Lats '15, and the article is based on her honors project completed during her time at SPU. The article highlights the protective role of religious support when immigrant families face acculturative stressors (e.g., acculturation gap). The full text is available online.

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Professor of European History Alberto Ferreiro was one of ten invited speakers to the conference San Martín de Tours y su proyección en la Gallaecia de época Sueva. Congreso Internacional del nacimiento de San Martín de Tours (316-2016), Patrón de Ouresne, held November 14-18 in Spain. He presented the paper titled “La primera introducción del culto a San Martin de Tours en la Gallaecia tardo-antigua: ¿Portucale, Auriense o Dumium/Bracara Augusta?” The ten scholars represented were from England, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Croatia, Hungary, Brazil, Argentina, and the United States. The conference was on the occasion of the 1700 anniversary of the birth of St. Martin of Tours.

From SPU Archivist Adrienne Meier: Tradition, SPU’s all-campus Christmas celebration, is usually held on the last Friday of November or the first Friday of December. The event takes place in Tiffany Loop and the Student Union Building, and dates from December 1985. Past Traditions have featured some of the following; lighting Christmas trees, live music, a living Nativity, hay rides, readings of the Christmas story, and carol singing. In 1990, a truck load of snow was spread over Tiffany Loop (see attached advertisement). In 1995, the coordinator of student activities, Kristin Johnson, remarked to The Falcon: “I doubt Tradition will ever die out, thus the name.” For more on Tradition, see the SPU History wiki. Select the link for a larger image of the 1990 Tradition poster.) 

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From SPU Master Gardener Jeff Daley: November is a good time to start thinking about a little garden cleanup. Even though it might be hard to find the motivation to get into the garden to start this annual ritual, now is a good time because most of the leaves have dropped and plants are not at their best. A little garden bed cleanup can work wonders, and I guarantee that at the end of the day, you will look around and feel a huge sense of accomplishment. Here are just a couple ideas to consider for garden beds as we head into winter.

Currently there are strong opinions on how far one should go in cleaning up the garden. Some feel the natural approach is best, leaving fallen leaves for natural decomposition, winter mulch protection, and soil amendment along with providing habitat for critters to hibernate. I think everything should be kept in balance. Some "critters" like our slimy little unfriendly friends the garden snail or slug are not welcome in my garden, and I don't want to provide anything to encourage them in any way. Tree leaf litter and nonessential perennial parts like decomposing Hosta leaves provide great snail and slug shelter by protecting them from the oncoming winter. I choose rather to cleanup my garden beds and eliminate potential habitats for the undesirables. Then, in the spring, add a small layer of compost as an amendment to the soil. Also, some of the perennial seed heads of spent flowers such as Echinacea (the purple cone flower), or Rudbeckia (the black-eyed Susan) are a great food source for birds. I would encourage leaving a few seed heads until they have been feasted upon by our feathered friends.   

In gardening, sometimes it is hard to stay one step ahead. Nature will not be tamed as hard as we might like to try. But having just a few plans and taking a little action can make a huge difference next spring. (Select the image for examples of plants that can cleaned up for winter.)

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