I am very pleased to announce that Tent City 3 (TC3) will be coming to Seattle Pacific University once again. (SPU previously hosted TC3 in early 2012.) TC3 will arrive at SPU in mid-January 2015 and leave mid-March 2015. Hosting TC3 is a concrete manifestation of our mission to engage the culture and change the world. It provides our community a unique opportunity to care for and learn from our neighbor.

Tent Cities have been in operation since 1990. TC3, which began in 2000, provides safe shelter for up to 100 men and women. It is self-managed, well organized, and operates with a strict code of conduct. It also provides its own trash removal, restroom and shower facilities, and security.

While at SPU, TC3 will be located on the northeast side of Tiffany Loop next to the Student Union Building. The University spent a great deal of time considering possible sites and decided this location was the best site to meet the needs of TC3 while still balancing the needs of our facilities and programs.

I am thankful for the good work of a number of our students, staff, and faculty to make TC3’s return to SPU a reality. Niki Amarantides and Owen Sallee are co-chairing the TC3 Committee, which consists of the following members: Sharleen Kato, Karen Snedker, Margaret Brown, David Leong, Kevin Neuhouser, Danielle Richmond, Whitney Broetje, Elizabeth Rueda, Celeste Cranston, Camille Pook, Dave Church, and Jeff Jordan. We will also partner with First Free Methodist Church and the community as we host TC3. 

Please feel free to contact Niki at nikia@spu.edu or Owen at owen@spu.edu if you want to be involved. The University will continue to provide updates as we move ahead with these plans. The TC3 website and email address will soon be available. Please keep this effort to engage with our community in your prayers.

Seattle Pacific University's Ivy Honorary presents “The Last Lecture of Dr. Lyle Peter” on Monday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. in Otto Miller Hall, room 109. Lyle is a professor of chemistry and will retire this year. Students, faculty, staff, and the general public are welcome to attend. The concept of a “Last Lecture" is based on a 2007 lecture and 2008 book by Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor who died from pancreatic cancer in July 2008. In subsequent Last Lectures, professors reflect on what matters most and what wisdom they would hope to share with others. Ivy Honorary is SPU's chapter of the National Mortar Board Honor Society.

A message from Katie Sims, director of Advancement Services. Please join us Tuesday, May 6, as we participate in The Seattle Foundation's fourth annual GiveBIG campaign, a one-day online charitable giving event. When you give to SPU, you send a compelling message to our partners, friends, and alumni that we believe our students are a worthy investment. Your gift demonstrates that you, who know the University best, are dedicated to ensuring a future of continued academic distinction. Every gift SPU receives through GiveBIG on May 6 will be partially matched by a stretch pool provided by corporate sponsors. GiveBIG is a 24-hour fundraiser, designed to inspire people to give generously to nonprofit organizations who make King County a stronger, more vibrant community for all. GiveBIG raises money for the more than 1,500 nonprofit organizations that are profiled on The Seattle Foundation website -- and Seattle Pacific University is one of those organizations. The Seattle Foundation and local GiveBIG corporate sponsors will match a portion of all contributions made on this day of giving through The Seattle Foundation website. On May 6, we’ll send you more information on how to GiveBIG to Seattle Pacific through The Seattle Foundation’s website.

The Human Resources annual Benefits Fair is Friday, May 9, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in Upper Gwinn. The fair is an excellent opportunity to learn more about SPU’s two medical plans, as well as to discuss questions or concerns you may have. Representatives from other featured vendors will also be present, including Delta Dental of Washington, VSP (SPU's vision plan), Long Term Care Solutions, BAC (administrator for SPU's health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts), and many more. These representatives will provide information, answer questions, and bring give-aways. There will also be prizes. Please take a few moments to come by and enjoy some snacks and connect with co-workers. Also, a reminder that Open Enrollment is May 1-23.

Learn more about the truths of Revelation in contemporary text with Robert Wall, SPU’s Walls Professor of Scripture and Wesleyan Studies, at the annual Walls Lecture on Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m. in First Free Methodist Church.

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Professor of English Kimberly Segall will talk about her new book Performing Democracy as part of the next Creative Conversations series hosted by the Library. The event is Thursday, May 8, 12-12:50 p.m. in the Library Reading Room. Kimberly has worked as an activist and volunteer in Middle Eastern and African communities for more than two decades.

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Professor of Biochemistry Benjamin McFarland and Associate Professor of Philosophy Patrick McDonald will participate in a special panel discussion about the origins of the universe hosted by University Presbyterian Church and the Discovery Institute on Friday, May 9, 7 p.m. in the U-District.

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Faculty and staff are invited to join the School of Theology (SOT) for a celebration of recent publications by SOT faculty members. The event is Thursday, May 15, 2:30-4 p.m., in the Fine Center at First Free Methodist Church. Local pastors will give a brief review of each featured book, speaking especially to its importance and relevance for the life of the church. Please feel free to invite others to attend. External guests will receive a complimentary copy of one of the books. See a list of the featured books online.

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Learn how to “run the numbers” for yourself and your family to help you compare the medical plans to make the best choice during Open Enrollment.  Get some basic understanding of the differences between the two plans. Ask questions about what you can expect. RSVPs not needed.

5/6 4-5 p.m. Library Seminar Rm
5/14 4-5 p.m. Library Seminar Rm
5/22 12-1 p.m. Otto Miller Hall 109
5/22 2-3 p.m. Otto Miller Hall 109

Do you have questions about coverage on your medical plan? Are you trying to navigate mycigna.com site? Do you need to reimburse yourself from your HSA online? Do you have issues or concerns related to how your claim(s) have been processed? If so, sign up for a 20-minute session with SPU’s Cigna representative on May 8 or 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Library Conference Room C. Call 206-281-2809 to make an appointment.

Human Resources is providing information sessions to learn about the new online Open Enrollment system this year. You can use detailed instructions found on the Human Resource website under the Employee Benefits section. Get hands-on instruction at an information session in OMH 139. (No food or drink allowed is allowed in the computer lab.) Bring your Open Enrollment packet, which was delivered to your campus address. RSVPs are not needed. Feel free to bring your spouse.

5/13 10:30-11:30 a.m.
5/14       5-6 p.m.
5/20 12-1 p.m.
5/21       5-6 p.m.

Human Resources is aware of a small error in the Benefits Guide brochure that was enclosed in the Open Enrollment packets sent to faculty and staff. The rate for the HDHP/HSA plan (high-deductible health plan) for Employee + Spouse was inaccurately listed as $324/month. The amount should have been listed as $314/month. Please make this adjustment on your personal copies.

Academic Perks and Common Grounds: Orangesicle Italian Soda, $2.49. Check out the new pastry offerings, baked fresh daily on campus.

Sandella's: Rice bowls are now available with chicken and vegetarian options! Try it for only $6.99.

Falcon's Grill: "Loco Pollo" Spicy Buffalo Chicken Burger (chicken breast, buffalo sauce, and grilled pineapple). Now serving gluten-free buns upon request.

Medley: In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, enjoy 20 percent off Salad Sensation only. Just show your SPU SeaPac Pass.

C-Store: Spend $5 or more and get a ticket that will be entered in a drawing to win a $5 gift certificate for the C-Store. A winner will be chosen every Friday.

Subway: $5 BMT foot-long special for May, and $3 6" Special - Chicken Breast

Einstein Bagels: Breakfast Burrito-$4.99; Bagel Melt Combo-$6.99

If you are interested in biking to work in May as part of the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Commute Challenge, join an SPU team. There are currently four SPU teams, and room for a few more riders. Contact Tracy Norlen in University Communications at tcnorlen@spu.edu if you would like to join a team. Visit the website to learn about the Commute Challenge.

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The Athletics Department announces the closure of the weight room in Royal Brougham May 15-mid July for remodeling. The cardio room, main gym, upper gym and Wallace Field will remain open.

The SPU Biology Club invites faculty and staff to learn about donating bone marrow and diabetes on May 8 and 9, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., in the SUB Gazebo Room, Sign up to be on the bone marrow donation list. A simple cheek swab is all that is needed to find a match to donate and save someone's life.

Used shoes will be collected in residence halls, the SUB and Weter Lounge, May 5-14, to support the Real Change organization's public awareness event about the need to expand shelter and end homelessness in King County. The goal is to collect 3,123 pairs of shoes to represent the number of unsheltered homeless people counted in Seattle this January. Shoes in reusable condition will be donated after the event.  For more information, email Owen Sallee at owen@spu.edu or Niki Amarantides at nikia@spu.edu.

The 15th 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 15th 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 403b account contributions must be made by the 15th 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 Faculty/Staff Bulletin is published every Monday during the academic year. Deadlines for submissions are Thursdays. 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, May 12. The next deadline is Thursday, May 8.

Gary Karns, professor of marketing, and Charles Duke, his collaborator from Clemson University, received the 2014 Marketing Educators Association Service Award in recognition of their offering a teaching effectiveness seminar for many years to new entrants to the field.

On April 29, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries published a story on their website about the rise in “Christian movies.” They offered tips on how to be discerning moviegoers, and then highlighted three “helpful Christian resources that consistently navigate the Hollywood landscape with a great deal of perception and clarity.” Their top recommendation was Jeffrey Overstreet, SPU communications specialist. Jeffery’s blog “Looking Closer,” part of the Patheos network, will mark its tenth anniversary on May 11.

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The film 42 portrays the story of Jackie Robinson’s historic breakthrough as the first African American in modern Major League  baseball. On the first anniversary of its release, and the 67th anniversary of Robinson’s first major league at-bat, Professor of History Bill Woodward presented “5 Worlds of 42’” to the Northwest chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research. He explained the many contexts (e.g. the early 20th century African American story; global geopolitics during and after World War II) that formed the backdrop to Robinson’s achievement, and the manifold impact in those same wider spheres. Bill also was a guest speaker for the Sons of the American Revolution at the Bellevue chapter’s monthly breakfast May 3, fielding questions on an array of topics.

Professor of Education Greg Fritzberg was interviewed by NPR about Washington state losing its "No Child Left Behind” waiver. The interview was broadcast on NPR stations nationwide. Listen to or read the story online.

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Associate Professor of History Mike Hamilton was quoted in a story titled “Evangelist Franklin Graham’s Anti-gay Stance Fans Culture War’s Flames” for Al Jazeera America on April 25. Read the story online.

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Assistant Professor of Theology, Discipleship, and Ministry Mike Langford, and his wife, Kelly, are the proud parents of Chloe Jane Langford, born April 14. She weighed 6 lbs., 6 ounces. Mike says, “Siblings Hannah, Seth, and Caleb are excited to have a baby sister. Mommy Kelly is overjoyed and healing well. Daddy is feeling very blessed.” Select the link to see more pictures of Chloe and family.

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