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, Nov. 22, for a Wednesday, Nov. 27, publication.
Esports Interest Meeting
Do you have a passion for esports? Now’s your chance to get involved! We are holding a meeting to gauge interest among faculty and staff who would like to get involved with our esports team here at Averett. Join us on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 4:30 p.m. in the Esports Arena in the basement of Main Hall. For any questions, contact Meg Stevens at [email protected].
Book Club for University Staff Members
Do you love to read? Do you wish for a campus group where the talk would center around books? We (Penny Hudson and Linda Lemery ) love to read and have enjoyed talking about books with each other. We wonder whether other University staff members would like to join a conversation about book?
If you are interested in joining us for a conversation about what we’re all reading, we’ll be meeting at Mary B. Blount Library at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, in the reference area on the main floor.
Bring a book you’ve been reading. We’ll take turns talking about what we’ve been reading, and we’ll also explore the future shape and structure of this book review community. Linda likes to make notes and has developed a form and a rating system she uses so that she can look back at what she thought about books she’s read. If you’d like to see those documents, drop Linda an email.
If you’d rather just talk spontaneously, that’s fine, too. Questions? Ask us at [email protected] or [email protected]. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!
Healthy Solutions: Fraud Prevention Live & Learn
On Friday, Nov. 22, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the MPR, Carl Wilkins will be hosting our next Live and Learn on fraud prevention. This session will cover the various types of scams and inform you on how to not be a victim of this common crime. Please RSVP by emailing [email protected].
SET Weekly Events
Saturday, Nov. 23: Anime/Nerd United Club will host a Card Game Tournament at 3 p.m. in the MPR. This will be an event where people can play against each other in a card game. Games will include Pokemon, Yu-gi-oh, etc. There will be a fee charged for entering into the tournament.
Tuesday, Nov. 26: There will be an SGA meeting at 9 p.m. in the Student Engagement Office. Come out and share your concerns with your SGA representatives.
The Angel Tree is Lit!
ALL gifts should be returned by Monday, Nov. 25, at 4:30 p.m. to the CCECC. The celebration is on Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 5-7 p.m. at the Carrington Gym.
Sign up to be a buddy on Campusengage.org or by clicking here. Thank you!
National College Health Assessment Email
All Averett University undergraduate students 18 and older have been invited to participate in the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) sponsored and distributed by the American College Health Association (ACHA). The ACHA-NCHA is a survey designed to assess student health behaviors in order to provide better services and support for Averett University students. The information will be used to develop wellness programs and services for Averett. Each participant will be entered to win a free iPad!
The survey has been sent to their student email addresses and will be available to complete through Monday, Nov. 25.
Please encourage all students to complete the survey to ensure we have the best snapshot of our campus health behaviors as possible. Questions about the survey can be sent to Jessie Henderson at [email protected].
Cougar Connection Submission Deadline Early Next Week
Because of the Thanksgiving holiday next week, please submit any Cougar Connection entries needing to run on Monday, Dec. 2, by noon on Tuesday, Nov. 26. CoffeeBreak entries needing to run on Wednesday, Dec. 4, will be accepted through Monday, Dec. 2, because of the holiday break. Please use the appropriate forms for each publication.
NCAA Special Olympics Poll – We Need your Vote!
Averett’s Special Olympics Fun Fall Day was selected to the NCAA November Specials Olympics Poll. We are competing against two other schools to get the most votes and have the chance to win $500 that we can use toward next year’s Special Olympics event.
Please CLICK HERE TO VOTE .You can vote every day and from different devices during the month of November. It takes less than 20 seconds to vote. Thank you for your support!
Save the Date: Millennium Advisory Services (MAS) at Averett
Millennium Advisory Services will be at Averett on Monday, Dec. 2, and Tuesday, Dec. 3, to meet individually with interested employees in the Schoolfield House Booksellers bookstore.
A financial advisor will be available to meet with employees who are interested in:
• Reviewing any questions pertaining to the Averett retirement plan and their retirement account.
• Going through Millennium’s financial planning process offered to all employees.
• Reviewing and updating a financial plan that has previously been created for you.
• Retaining Millennium for professional fee-based asset management of their retirement plan account(s).
If you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your TIAA retirement account or go through Millennium’s financial planning process, you may also contact the Scheduling Team at (877) 435-2489, option 1, or via email at [email protected] to schedule time to meet or speak with an advisor.
Millennium Advisory Services is a registered investment advisory firm that specializes in working with higher education institutions and their employees, providing education and advice services to retirement plan participants.
All Averett employees are offered the opportunity to meet privately with an advisor to go through Millennium’s financial planning process and receive a personalized financial plan. This goal-based financial planning process is intended to help provide guidance on issues such as how much you should be saving for retirement, how your retirement account should be invested and whether you are on track to reach your personal retirement goals. Spouses/significant others are encouraged to participate as well.
Averett Family Holiday Party
President Tiffany Franks and Joe Franks invite faculty, staff and a special guest to the Averett Family Holiday Party on Thursday, Dec. 12, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the President’s House, 500 Hawthorne Dr.
Please respond to Cyndie with names and numbers of guests by phone at (434) 791-5671 or email to [email protected].
First Generation Celebration
The CCECC and Student Success Center partnered up to celebrate our first-generation students at Averett. Here is a video filled with highlights from that day. Thank you to those who participated and be on the lookout for more events! CLICK HERE to watch the video.
Goodyear Blvd. Litter Cleanup Activity
Members of Averett’s Criminal Justice Club collected 12 bags of trash at their Saturday, Nov. 16, club project and community activity.
Pictured are: Andrew Van Der Hyde (vice president), John Wilt (CJC advisor and GPS adjunct professor) and Cody McGregor (member). Steve Wray (not pictured) and community member Barry Koplen (not pictured) also participated in the litter cleanup activity.
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. Throughout the year, we will be sharing some of the comments students shared with Dr. Franks and Joe about Averett!
“Averett is engaged in the community.”
“The faculty and staff care about my well-being.”
“People here are kind and welcoming.”
“I’m a commuter and it feels like home here.”
“The faculty try to understand when students are struggling and want to help.”
“Feels safe on campus – even with the lockdown, I felt safe and that Averett had MY safety and wellbeing as No. 1. The staff was really professional and communicated well; RA’s made people take it seriously.”
“The encouragement by teachers is motivating me.”
“I usually work on weekends, but went to Homecoming and it was awesome.”
“We are getting grade feedback faster and that makes a difference.”
“The connection weekend, get-togethers and activities were awesome.”
