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, Nov. 24, for a Wednesday, Nov. 29, publication. ATTENTION: Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, submissions will be accepted until noon on Monday, Nov. 27.
Alexis Ehrhardt Appointed to Virginia Tobacco Commission
Dr. Alexis Ehrhardt, executive director of the CCECC, has just been appointed to the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. This is very exciting news for Ehrhardt and Averett, as there aren’t many people around the Commonwealth who get this opportunity.
The Danville Register and Bee reports that “the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is a 28-member body created by General Assembly in 1999. Its mission is to promote economic growth and development in tobacco-dependent communities, using proceeds from the national tobacco settlement. So far, the commission has awarded 2,036 grants totaling more than $1.1 billion across the tobacco region of the commonwealth, and has provided $309 million in indemnification payments to tobacco growers and quota holders, according to the commission’s website.” Congratulations, Dr. Ehrhardt!
Condolences: Remembering Liz Richardson
One of our University staff members, Liz Richardson, general ledger accountant in the Business Office, passed away Sunday after a long decline in her health. Liz took off work last November for health reasons, and was unable to return despite her hopes to do so.
Liz has worked here 33 years, since 1984. She worked in nearly every area of the Business Office at one point or another, and served under our last three university presidents. Liz is described as one who was always happy, caring, compassionate and loved by all. She lived a significant, meaningful life, that extends beyond her own passing. She lived her life serving Averett students and uplifting her colleagues.
Her memorial service will be Saturday, Nov. 25, at 3 p.m., at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. We plan to schedule a time to come together and remember Liz on our campus as well, sometime after the holiday.
GPS Student Spotlight
Meet Jennifer Dye, a student pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree who is expected to graduate in 2020. To see her on the GPS blog, click here.
QUESTION: Why did you choose Averett’s GPS program?
ANSWER: “When I first got out of high school, I was one of the many individuals that lost their way. I wasn’t certain what I wanted to do with the rest of my life at only 18 years old, so I went back-and-forth to Tidewater Community College, attempting to do what was considered the “right” thing, which was earning a college education. Fast-forward five years later and I have had the opportunity to gain experience in a banking career, and am now extremely confident in what I am choosing to earn my degree in. I chose Averett’s GPS program specifically because I am a self-sufficient, full-time working adult, and Averett really caters to those of us already in the workforce.”
Drop off Your Angel Tree Presents Today
Return your gifts at the CCECC by 4 p.m. today! The Angel Tree Celebration will be on Tuesday, Nov. 28, from 5:30-7 p.m., starting in the back café and moving to the Carrington Gym. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO SIGN UP NOW FOR THE CELEBRATION! Volunteers must arrive at 5 p.m. in the multipurpose room.
From there, each volunteer will be “buddied up” with a child for dinner in the back cafe. After everyone has eaten pizza and decorated cookies, the volunteers will walk with their “buddy” over to Carrington Gym to open presents! Contact Tia Yancey at [email protected] or (434) 791-7214 for any questions and to sign up to volunteer.
International Education Week: Thank You!
Thank you to all international students, faculty and staff who made our First International Education Week possible! Also, a special thank you to Aramark, Athletics, Bon Appetit, CCECC, IT, Music Department, Student Life and the Office of Study Abroad for your support.
Winter Commencement
Adjunct faculty and staff members are invited to participate in the Winter 2017 Commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. In order to participate in the exercises, you must have received at least a graduate degree and have the proper regalia. If you would like to participate, please email Mary Sullivan by Monday, Nov. 27, at [email protected].
Averett Family Holiday Celebration
President Tiffany Franks and Joe Franks invite you and a guest to the Averett Family Holiday Celebration on Thursday, Dec. 7, from 4:30 – 7 p.m. at the President’s Home, 500 Hawthorne Dr. You may RSVP to Cyndie Basinger by phone at (434) 791-5671 or by email to [email protected].
Furniture on 4th Main
The Facilities Department is in the process of cleaning out the 4th floor of Main Hall for the summer renovations. We are currently offering faculty and staff the opportunity to purchase items for their personal use. If an Averett department needs something for their office space, there would be no charge for Averett usage. There is old dorm room furniture, desks, chairs, file cabinets and other miscellaneous items. All items are in “used” condition. Items purchased must be removed by December 8. Please contact Elliot Baynes at (434) 791-5855 or [email protected] for more information on items.
W-2’s For 2017
Want to receive your W-2 a lot earlier this January? Exciting news – W-2’s for 2017 will be delivered to you through the E-Stub system. In preparation for W-2’s you MUST log in and get familiar with your personal E-Stub account. There are options that you can select so that you will be notified when your pay stub is available and the same options will apply when the W-2’s are uploaded. To sign into your account for the first time use the following steps:
1. Website: https://www.my-estub.com
2. Click on Employee Portal3.
3. Enter User ID: AU + Employee Number + First four letters of first name. Example: AUP00001234John Default Password: AU001 (AU is capital letters and then the numbers zero) You will create your new password using the set-up guidelines. Options are given for email delivery and text messages.
If you have any questions, contact Pam Paynter at (434) 791-5613. Additional instructions can be located on the Intranet – Business Office – Payroll – E-Stub Set-Up Instructions. NOTE: If you do not log in and set up your information, you will not receive your W-2 until the end of January.
Social Media Policy and Directory
As we get closer to Christmas break, the Office of Marketing and Communications wants to remind you about the Social Media Policy regarding Averett University Affiliated Accounts. As part of Averett’s 2020 Strategic Plan, the Brand Excellence committee, in conjunction with the Office of Marketing and Communications, produced Averett’s official Social Media Policy, which is on the intranet under Policy Library, then click Policies, and scroll down to Institutional Advancement and Marketing: 400 series. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to look it over. Along with the policy, the website now has a list of University Affiliated Accounts, which can be found by clicking here. If your departments’ account is not listed, please contact Danielle Staub at (434) 791-5681 or [email protected].
Also, as stated in the policy, if you are the administrator of an University Affiliated Account, please email Staub, with your Twitter and Instagram account username and password for the excel sheet, and to discuss Facebook administrator steps.
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: Emphasize growth over speed. Learning fast isn’t the same as learning well, and learning well sometimes requires allowing time for mistakes.
Thank You
“I deeply appreciate your kind expressions of sympathy in my time of sorrow. Thank you for keeping me and my family in your thoughts and prayers.” Sincerely, Kristi Phillips.
