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. For the next CoffeeBreak, please submit by Friday, Jan. 18, for a Wednesday, Jan. 23, publication.

Founders’ Day 2019

Averett will hold its annual Founders’ Day event tomorrow, Jan. 17, at 11:15 a.m. in Pritchett Auditorium in the Violet T. Frith Fine Arts Center.

Join us as we welcome accomplished alumni speakers, as well as present the first-ever President’s Service Award to a distinguished community member and alumnus.

Founders’ Day is a tradition at Averett – dating back to the University’s creation in 1859 – recognizing the significance of the founding contributors of the University.

America’s Sunday Supper at Averett

The National Bonner Leaders are hosting Averett’s Sunday Supper: “Seeing Past Appearances” on Sunday, Jan. 20, from 3-5 p.m. in the multipurpose room.

America’s Sunday Supper is inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of people of diverse backgrounds interacting on personal levels. At this event, you will join other members of the Averett family for dinner and a facilitated discussion. The discussion will be centered around diversity and equality, and how these issues affect our daily lives.

RSVP by clicking here.

MLK Day of Service and 2nd Annual Tribute

There are several MLK Day of Service opportunities on Monday, Jan. 21, for everyone to get involved with. All are welcome to choose from below or choose a service of your own.

1. God’s Pit Crew, 132 Parkland Dr. Warehouse sorting and organizing from 9 a.m. until noon or 1-3 p.m.
2. Averett University Student Center (back café), 351 Townes St. Notes of encouragement for God’s Pit Crew Blessing Buckets from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
3. Salvation Army Thrift Store, 2905 Riverside Dr. Family Store sorting and organizing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit www.serve365.org for more service opportunities.

Monday night, Averett is hosting the 2nd Annual Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. with guest speaker Torrey Dixon, alumnus and assistant attorney general of the N.C. Department of Justice. The 2nd Annual Tribute will take place in the back café from 7-9 p.m. There is no cost to attend.

Academic Support Update

Academic Support tutoring opportunities begin Tuesday, Jan. 22. This includes individual tutoring, open group tutoring, supplemental peer instruction group sessions and writing support. To schedule and/or review support sessions, please visit our scheduling link, by clicking here.

ERT Update: Tropical Storm Michael

Construction repairs will begin soon throughout campus for the damages from Tropical Storm Michael. Demolition is done, and most of the remediation efforts are complete, and you will soon see contractors working in classrooms, faculty offices, residence halls and other spaces throughout the semester. All contractors should have identification. As with any construction project and such a large scope of work, there will be some minor disruptions, and your continued patience and understanding are much appreciated.

Inclement Weather Protocol Procedure

When it comes to inclement weather, each employee must individually make the judgment whether it is safe to travel to the workplace in inclement weather. Remember that some essential services must continue because there are students who reside on campus. If the University is open and an employee cannot get to work safely, the employee should contact his or her supervisor. Inclement weather sometimes does result in the cancellation of classes.

Generally, if classes on the Danville campus are delayed to a certain hour, then the opening of offices on the Danville campus will be delayed to the same hour. If the class schedule is delayed two hours, offices open at 10 a.m. since classes begin at 8 a.m. The Averett University Inclement Weather Protocol Procedure states the following:

“The Vice President of Academic Affairs & Safety and Security will make the determination to close or delay classes when classes are in session. The VP for Business and Finance (CFO) will make the determination to close or delay the opening when classes are not in session. The Executive Director for GPS Student Services will make the determination for GPS sites.

In any case the President may be consulted and decision will be based on input from:
 1. The facilities department as to the condition of the walkways and parking areas throughout the campus
 2. Input from representatives of the EVP, CFO, Student Life and Facilities staff that will provide current weather conditions in the City, county and surrounding areas, supplemented with local weather forecasts.”

Updates to Student Handbook

Welcome back. An email was sent to students to serve as an official notification of the changes that have been made to the student handbook. Anyone can find the student handbook online by clicking here.

Please note that the following changes have been made:
•         Updates to the  Withdrawal, Leave of Absence and Readmission policies
•         Updated link to the Sexual Misconduct policy
•         Changes to the No Contact Order policy
•         Updates to the Ghosting policy
•         Updates to the residency requirements for students
•         Updates to prohibited items
•         Updated Room Lockout policy
•         Updated Posting Policy

AU Cougar Band

WANTED: Band people! The band program at Averett is young and growing and we have some holes to fill this semester. Janet Phillips is looking for you! Below is what the band needs most, but we are welcoming all instruments. If you have the ability to help us or know someone who can (3-4 rehearsals [fewer if you’re extra awesome] and a couple of concerts).

The band is currently playing mostly Grade 3 and 4 music, but also doing Holst 2nd Suite in F and that might be a 5. The most immediate needs are percussion, saxophone, horn, bassoon, clarinet and euphonium. Thanks for reading this and my eternal gratitude if you can contribute. Please contact Janet at [email protected].

Paying For Meals, When Not on Travel

Most of us know that there is a well-established policy on travel costs, including meals and per diems. But, do you know there are guidelines on what you should and shouldn’t be charging to Averett for meals when not on travel? Well, there is! If you are not aware of these, don’t get caught running astray of policy…be sure to review this area in the policy library at the link by clicking here.

Visitor Parking for Admissions Guests

Reminder, please do not park in the two visitor parking spots located on Woodland Avenue. These two spots are specifically reserved for prospective students and their families visiting Averett University. These parking spots have placeholders for the family’s name; however, just because the placeholder is blank doesn’t mean the space is available. We receive many unexpected visits and these spots are where they are instructed to park.

We want to do everything possible to make a great first impression with our prospective students and families and if someone is parked in their spot it often ruins our chance to make a great first impression. Thank for your understanding and cooperation with this as we try to better serve our students.

Dr. Clark Awarded Resident Fellowship in France

Dr. Catherine Clark has been invited to serve as a resident fellow over the summer at the Institute for American Universities (IAU) in Aix-en-Provence, France. As part of the fellowship, Clark will participate in field study tours, collaborate with IAU faculty and contribute a lecture to the IAU Public Lecture and Reception Series.

IAU is an affiliate study abroad institute with Averett University, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs related to European and Mediterranean history, languages, cultures and contemporary issues.

Publication of a Chapter in an Edited Book

Sergey Samoilenko has published his research, “Do Investments in ICT Help Economies Grow?: A Case of Transition Economies,” in Handbook of Research on Technology Integration in the Global World. Click here to see the book.

Transition in the Facilities Services leadership

Elliot Baynes has left the University to pursue teaching in his discipline, HVAC, for DCC. Baynes accomplished a ton in moving Averett’s Facilities Services department forward including the transition from Aramark to The Budd Group for grounds, and then for housekeeping and then building a very strong team that includes Mike Fisher, Paul Dickson, Dwain Tremble and our part-time painter, Dale Prince.

We will be running a national search for our new director of facilities services, but hope that we can find another gem in our local area. If you have an interest in participating in the search, let Aaron Howell know.

In the meantime, we will do all we can to keep everything moving forward and getting things accomplished – from daily requested work orders, to completing the repairs from the damages sustained from Tropical Storm Michael.

Please continue to utilize the SchoolDude work order system. When you submit work orders, you will get confirmation through your @aumail.averett.edu account (this is Gmail, not your regular email account). Please check that account and see these come through. In addition, while a large backlog of completed work orders has grown, we have now hired a part-time student to close all of these out in the system. So, over the next week or so, you should also see notices of completed work orders coming through your @aumail.averett.edu account…please watch for those too. As we get caught up, all submitted and completed work orders will be daily entered and closed out so you will see much more frequent communication coming through the system to your @aumail.averett.edu.

If you ever notice a critical issue (power outage, heat or A/C outage, active leaking water or flooding, etc.), in addition to putting in a work order, please send an email to Aaron Howell so he can ensure it is addressed right away (emailing Aaron is only until we hire a new facilities director and only for urgent matters).

GPS Student Spotlight

Meet Jacqueline Chiha, a student pursuing her Master of Business Administration degree who is expected to graduate in 2020.

Why did you choose Averett University’s Graduate & Professional Studies program?

“I chose Averett University because it is a smaller school then what I am used to. ECU treated me well, however, it is nice to be in a smaller classroom setting and makes it easier to interact with all my professors and advisors. When I initially reached out to Averett to find out more information on the program, everyone I interacted with was so friendly and always so helpful and inviting. This drew me in and finalized my decision on attending Averett University. This has been one of the best college experiences for me and I can’t wait to continue with my courses!”

Averett 101: From the Eyes of Freshmen

During every Averett 101 class each fall semester, the students go to the president’s house and enjoy a dinner with Dr. Franks and her husband, Joe. During that time, Dr. Franks asks the students what they love about Averett and if they have any concerns. During the spring, we will be sharing some of the comments students shared with Dr. Franks and Joe about Averett!

“Football games are so fun.”

“I like North Campus- has it’s own personality.”

“I like the one team concept.”

“Averett is different from Danville. I have met more people here than in 13 years of public school.”

“There are lots of international students.”

“The upperclassmen students help you get involved on campus.”