AU CoffeeBreak 10-18-17

Posted on October 18th, 2017 by Danielle Staub

CoffeeBreak is an e-newsletter distributed to Averett faculty and staff to keep them up-to-date on campus activities and information. Please send information you would like included in CoffeeBreak via this form by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, for a Wednesday, Oct. 25, publication.

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GPS Student Spotlight

Meet Melissa Asbhy, a student pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice and is expected to graduate in 2018. To see her on the GPS blog, click here.

QUESTION: What is your motivation for obtaining your degree?

ANSWER: “As an African American woman, I am acutely aware of the many systemic barriers that people of my culture can face. And adding that I am a single parent of two biracial male children to the scenario, the struggle seems to increase. I refused to let those barriers stop me because the goal of completing my education and raising successful young men was greater than any obstacle I could face. By earning my degree, I show my sons not only how to navigate those barriers, but that eliminating some of them is possible. Being a role model and an excellent parent has been my greatest motivation in life.”

The Spirit Days Continue… and HOMEcoming Weekend is Ahead of Us!

The campus should look a little Wacky today (Wednesday). Tomorrow, it’s all about the ….. Throwback (Thursday). Let’s wrap up a great Homecoming week with our Blue and Gold spirit on Friday! Dr. Franks is encouraging everyone to get in the homecoming spirit and dress up! Be on the look out for a visit from your Staff Council members, reminding you of each spirit day.

If you haven’t marked off these events in your calendar, do so now!

Tonight: Oct. 18: A Volleyball and Men’s Soccer game starting at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 19: A hypnotists show in Pritchett Auditorium at 8 p.m. Homecoming court will be announced and underclass Princes and Princesses will be crowned.

Friday, Oct. 20:

  • Alumni Career Expo, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., in the Carrington Gym. This speed networking event is for all students to have the opportunity to network with alumni and other business/community leaders. Students with questions should contact Angie McAdams at the CCECC by emailing, [email protected]. Please encourage your students to attend!
  • Carnival on the Lawn, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., outside the Student Center.
  • Homecoming Hometown Party, 6:30 p.m., at the Community Market. We are still selling tickets, even though it’s past the deadline. PLEASE buy your ticket, ASAP. Contact Dan Hayes at [email protected] with any questions.

Saturday, Oct. 21: Alumni Awards Ceremony, including Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards, Athletics Hall of Fame Induction and Class of 1992 Pinning Ceremony at 10 a.m. in Pritchett Auditorium. The following will be receiving awards:

Averett Athletics Hall of Fame

  • Albert “Eddie” Guessford ’04
  • Beth Schledorn Hicks ’99
  • Michelle Warner ’99
  • Courtney Carrington Wells ’04, ’07

Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards

  • Distinguished Alumnus Award: Vaughan Alexander ’96, and Richard Riccardelli ’99
  • Recent Alumnus Excellence Award: Corey Williams ’14
  • Fugate-Davis Women’s Leadership Award: Dr. Elizabeth Compton
  • Mary Jo Davis Lifetime Service Award: Eric Miller ’96

Other events of the big day include:

  • Tailgate Alley, 11 a.m., North Campus;
  • Women’s Soccer vs. Greensboro, 1 p.m., Frank R. Campbell Stadium;
  • Cougar Walk, 4 p.m., Tailgate Alley;
  • Football vs. NC Wesleyan, 6 p.m., Frank R. Campbell Stadium. King and queen will be announced at half-time.

The Cougar Express will provide van shuttle rides for students, faculty and staff to the Homecoming game, picking up outside of Jut’s at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. on Saturday. Each person riding must show an Averett ID to board the van. The Shuttle will also provide two return trips bringing riders back to campus after the game.

Faculty and Staff Active Shooter Training

All faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to attend a joint active shooter training, presented by the University’s Emergency Response Team, tomorrow, Oct. 19, at 11:15 a.m., in Pritchett Auditorium. Please note, this time is replacing the usually scheduled staff meeting and faculty forum meeting. For questions, contact the Lesley Villarose, dean of students and chair of the Emergency Response Team, at [email protected].

Averett Chapel

Join us tomorrow, Oct. 19, for Averett Chapel at 11:15 a.m. This worship service will be devoted toward our veterans. We will be hearing a message from Phill Owens, an Averett student and veteran, who has been overseas for a year. He returned home this week.

Middle Border Forward Project

The Middle Border Forward Fellowship Program, from which five Averett staff members have recently graduated, is unveiling their group community impact project, “Stories of the Middle Border.” Join your colleagues on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Middle Border Forward office (326 Main St., Unit 102) from 6-8 p.m. floating during the River District Association’s Sip & Shop Event.

The Compassion Experience

The Compassion Experience is coming to Danville. The Compassion Experience features an interactive journey through the true stories of children living in developing countries like the Philippines, Kenya, Uganda and the Dominican Republic. In over 2,000 square feet of interactive exhibit space, visitors will step inside homes, markets and schools – without getting on a plane. Each child’s story starts in poverty, but ends in hope.

The event is taking place in the parking lot of Union Church, 810 Main St., tomorrow, Oct. 19, until Monday, Oct. 23. It is a FREE event but to sign up, click here.

Although this is within walking distance, if you need transportation, the CCECC van will be available. Please contact Rachel Covington at [email protected].

Disability Awareness and Sensitivity Week

The Student Success Center serves as a resource for students protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. As such, the Student Success Center is hosting a Disability Awareness and Sensitivity Week from Monday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Oct. 27. During the week of Oct. 23, the Student Success Center would like to extend an offer to students, faculty and staff to participate in the following events:

Monday, Oct. 23: The donation drive for Children’s Hope Alliance, an organization that works with special needs children, begins! Donation boxes will be located within the Student Success Center.

Tuesday, Oct. 24: Join us outside of the Student Success Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to paint and decorate disability awareness stones.

Wednesday, Oct. 25: Representatives from the ARC at Southside will present in the Student Success Center (rooms A/B) at 4:30 p.m. The presentation is entitled “Working Beyond Limits.”

Thursday, Oct. 26: Charlene Pressley will present an Impairment Awareness and Sensitivity Workshop from 4:30-6:30 p.m., in the Student Success Center, rooms A/B.

Friday, Oct. 27: Volunteer with H&W Enterprises from 2-3 p.m., to spend quality time (games, arts and crafts) with adults who have special needs. This event is off-campus. Those interested and any questions should contact Holly Kilby at [email protected].

Arts@Averett Presents: Women Composers

Dr. Janet Phillips, flute, and Dr. Anne Lewis, piano, will present a recital with music of all women composers on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m., at West Main Baptist Church. All the composers are contemporary living, working musicians. One of these composers will be in attendance at the recital, as Dr. Phillips is presenting the world premiere of her new piece, “Jurupari.” This work was commissioned by Dr. Phillips and is inspired by her participation in Dr. Marc Muneal’s Caribbean Literature class last summer. The event is free.

 

Averett Women’s Network

The Averett Women’s Network is proud to announce the next event for this fall. Please mark your calendars! On Thursday, Oct. 26, bring your lunch and join the network for, “Leadership, Change, and What We’ve Learned” in the Frith Fine Arts Center at noon.

The panelists will include:
• Ms. Amy Boles*, Tourism Coordinator, Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce;
• Ms. Lisette Jordan, Director of Human Resources, Pittsylvania County;
• Ms. Sara Weller*, Director of Human Resources, City of Danville;
• Dr. Annie Wimbush*, Senior Associate, Schlechty Center; Averett University Trustee.
*Averett Alumna

Staff Meeting and Halloween Costume Contest!

The staff meeting for October will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 11:15-11:45 a.m. There will be a media slideshow, Golden Bagel Award and staff department announcements. Come dressed in costume! The annual Halloween Costume Contest will take place directly after from, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the café. Winners will be announced at 12:30 p.m. Students, faculty and staff individual and group/department costumes can enter the contest. There will be prizes for best individual student costume, best individual faculty/staff costume and best group costume. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Flu Shot Clinic

There will be a flu shot clinic on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and Wednesday, Nov. 8, from  7 a.m. until noon in the multipurpose room. Bring your insurance card and your photo ID. No sign-ups required, just show up. It is free if you are Averett insured. We cannot say for certain it will be free if you are under other insurance companies, just in case they don’t call it preventive, although most do. All are welcome.

 

Save the Date

The TIAA Rep is returning on Wednesday, Nov. 29. Additional information will be available soon on the TIAA website. Call or email Kathie Tune with questions at (434) 791-7106 or [email protected].

Anthem Data Breach Postcards

A message from Tim Klopfenstein, FSA, CERA Executive Director, Virginia Private Colleges Benefits Consortium.

Please be informed that Anthem is in the process of reaching a final settlement for the class action lawsuit filed against it in relation to its data breach in early 2015. The administration of the proposed settlement has been delegated by the court to a settlement administrator. The administrator is sending a postcard to each covered employee who it believes may obtain benefits under the settlement and the postcard includes a personal 13-digit claim number.

The reasons for this message are to: 1) confirm that the postcards are real, and 2) explain that the claim number on the postcard is important because it can be used to claim benefits under the settlement.

Anthem is encouraging any employees with additional questions to look at the website materials. The website includes a toll-free number (855-636-6136). The website is up and operating but the toll-free number will not be answered until after March 5, 2018.

Anthem is not administering the settlement so if members call Anthem they will be referred to the website for answers to questions. All questions, inquiries or requests should be directed to DataBreach-Settlement.com. This is the best resource for questions about the settlement agreement, including how to register for the credit monitoring and identity protection services offered or how to submit claims for out-of-pocket costs or alternative compensation.

Campaign for Puerto Rico Crisis

Averett University is a community that fosters awareness, inclusiveness, equity and service while fulfilling our mission and vision. To this end, the Student Success Center is asking our University and community to join in our effort to raise funds that will be donated to GlobalGiving, allowing us to assist in their relief and recovery efforts to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

GlobalGiving is hoping to raise $10,000,000 to support hurricane recovery and relief efforts. As a University, we hope to raise at least $1,000 by the end of the semester, which we will contribute to GlobalGiving’s overall goal. The Student Success Center will house several donation jars for students, faculty and staff to contribute loose change or bills to this effort. We are willing to provide donation jars to any departments or offices that would like to house one as well. Donation jars will come with instructions on housing them in the different locations. If you would like to know more, please contact Ms. Aries Wilson at [email protected].

Tis the Season…

Dear Averett Staff, The holiday season can be a wonderful time of religious, cultural and seasonal celebrations with family, friends and communities. So, in the true spirit of the season, Averett University will recognize Tuesday, Dec. 19 to Tuesday, Jan. 2, as our holiday break. Offices will class at end of day Monday, Dec. 18, and will reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018.

Please note: If you are one of those positions that is required to be on-call or in the office during this time (primarily Admissions, Mailroom, Registrar’s Office, Student Financial Services, Institutional Advancement, IT, Athletics, GPS, etc.), you will be notified by your supervisor as to what those hours are and what the expectations will be during the break.

Mindset Minute: Averett’s QEP

Have you helped a student think with a growth mindset today? Need ideas for encouraging students? Each week we will provide a snapshot into the world of growth mindset research and practice through “Mindset Minute,” where you can check back for tips!

Growth Mindset Tip of the Week: Value the process over the end result. Intelligent people enjoy the learning process, and don’t mind when it continues beyond an expected time-frame.