The Office of Business and Finance (OBF) has been focused on financial sustainability through various actions including: identifying labor and non-labor reductions in the current year and next fiscal year; instituting increased financial controls via policy changes (Travel & Entertainment Policy and Purchasing Policy); reducing procurement cards; initiating zero-based budgeting across SPU departments; developing a five-year financial forecast; establishing a cashflow projection; creating new management reports; and fully understanding all revenues and expenditures that impact cash. The President’s Cabinet has participated in budget work sessions to review financial information and agree on strategies going forward. Alissa Mahar, vice president for Business and Finance, and David French, associate vice president for Business and Finance, will give a presentation at Faculty Senate on Thursday, Feb. 13. Mahar will present budget and financial information to the Board of Trustees at the Finance, Audit, and Facilities Committee (FAFC) on Feb. 27. New this year — Mahar will be hosting quarterly virtual CFO Fireside Chats that all employees will be invited to attend. Thank you for adjusting to new financial policies and working with AVP David French on any nuanced circumstances!

A message from the YMCA Camp Casey Team: Here is some clarification on our message in the Faculty/Staff Bulletin on Feb. 3 about SPU employees reserving facilities at Camp Casey.

The Faculty House is no longer available for rental. All SPU faculty, staff, emeriti faculty, and alumni can continue to rent all other available spaces at Camp Casey, including the Alumni House, Colonel’s House, and the former Fort Casey Inn Cottages. To learn more or make a reservation, please visit ymcacampcasey.org.

Please remind students about the Night Against Procrastination on Thursday, Feb. 13, 7–9:30 p.m. in the library. This event is a chance for students to engage with academic services and move forward with that next paper or project during the last third of the quarter. It’s also a chance to relax a little in between getting advice or research help. The evening is a late night study hall with food, prizes, writing and research assistance, and study tables. There’s even a few door prizes as well (for students!). (Professors: If you would like to hold office hours at the event, the library will find a place for you. Contact Liz Gruchala-Gilbert in the library at lgg@spu for that and any other questions.)

The Burton and Ralene Walls Center for Applied Learning welcomes Ambika Singh, founder of innovative clothing rental company Armoire, as the Winter Quarter School of Business, Government, and Economics Dean’s Speaker on Monday, Feb. 17, 9 a.m. in the library seminar room (2nd floor). As usual, all are welcome, but space is limited, so faculty and staff wishing to attend should RSVP to cal@spu.edu.

SPU’s annual biometric screenings return to campus for two days only, Feb. 18–19. SPU, Aetna, and Quest Diagnostics partner together to offer free, confidential health & wellness screenings available to SPU employees and spouses who are enrolled in SPU’s Health Plan. On campus sessions are available Tuesday, Feb. 18, and Wednesday, Feb.19, 7:30 a.m.–12 p.m., in the Ames Library, Seminar Room. Do something important for your health while earning a $50 gift card for participating!

• Time: 7:30 a.m.– 12 p.m.
• Location: Ames Library, Seminar Room
• It takes less than 20 minutes.
• Conducted by certified health professionals.
• Consists of a brief health assessment, blood pressure screening, and comprehensive blood test.
• Fasting and non-fasting options are available.
• Fasting participants should fast 9-12 hours before the event.
• Drink plenty of water the day before and the morning of the event,
• Bring your Aetna medical ID card.

To schedule an appointment, go to My.QuestForHealth.com to set up a username and password. Enter your unique ID: Aetna WID# from your Aetna ID Card (add S for spouse with no spaces or dashes.) Registration Key: SPU2025

For more information, contact Cherylin Shdo, Human Resources benefits specialist, at shdoc@spu.edu.

SPU Dining Services would love to hear more about your campus dining experience! From now until Saturday, Feb. 22, our bi-annual Customer Satisfaction Survey allows guests to rate their dining experiences at all of our dining locations and their meal plan satisfaction. All completed surveys will be entered in a sweepstakes to win one of three $50 Visa gift cards. Please complete the survey online.

You are invited to join SPU colleagues at upcoming planned casual gatherings as part of our Journeying Together!

• Bring your own lunch and join us on Monday, March 10, 12:30–1:30 p.m. in the SUB Fireside Room. We would like to have time just to enjoy each other’s company over lunch! (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Planning ahead, mark your calendars for similar times together in April and May.

• A time of prayer and fellowship on Wednesday, April 9, 7– 8 a.m. in McKenna 117
• Bring your own lunch and join us on Thursday, May 22, 12:30–1:30 p.m. in the SUB Fireside Room

Mammograms save lives! To help make this essential test convenient for women in our community, SPU is hosting the Swedish Mobile Mammography coach on Wednesday, Feb. 26, for ONE DAY ONLY.  Schedule your appointment by going to Swedish Breast Center online scheduler.  Bring your medical history form from the online scheduling link, your insurance card, photo ID, and the first and last name of your current primary care provider. The coach will be across Tiffany Loop on Third Ave. W. For more information, contact Cherylin Shdo, Human Resources benefits specialist, at shdoc@spu.edu.

SPU Theatre presents "Anastasia: The Musical," Feb. 14–15 in the E.E. Bach Theatre in McKinley Hall. From Russia to Paris in the 1920s, a young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past while being pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her. All shows are at 7:30 p.m., plus a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb.15.

Faculty and staff can redeem two free tickets to the performance of their choice by emailing the Box Office at boxoffice@spu.edu or calling 206-281-2959.

From Alumni, Parents, and Family Relations: The documentary, Last Lap, recently premiered in Seattle, celebrating Doris Brown Heritage ’64, ’70 MEd — SPU’s legendary two-time Olympian and five-time world champion. That film will soon be streaming on Amazon Prime, and in honor of Doris’ incredible legacy, we invite those who know her to share a favorite memory or story about Doris here. Whether it’s a moment on the track or a personal connection, your reflections can be part of an ongoing tribute to this extraordinary Falcon athlete and featured in the spring issue of Connections and on spu.edu/stories.

An article by Robin Henrikson, associate professor of teacher education, titled, "Psychological Safety for School Board Members," was published in the February 2025 issue of School Administrator magazine, the flagship journal for AASA (School Superintendent Association) and superintendents across the U.S. In the article she addresses the "importance of providing a sense of support amid criticism and hostility for the public service roles they fulfill." You can find the flipbook version online starting on page 29.

Professor of Biology Cara Wall-Scheffler was interviewed for an article in National Geographic magazine titled, "The graves of 'women warriors' are changing what we know about ancient gender roles," that was published online on Jan. 30. (Link is paywall protected). She was also interviewed by RNZ (Radio New Zealand) on Feb. 10 on the show "Nights Science: Debunking myths around early human hunters."