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, March 14, 2025, for a Wednesday, March 19, 2025, publication.
REI Groundwater Training
REI (Racial Equity Institute) Groundwater Training is coming to Danville on Tuesday, March 18. The event will run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church (871 Main Street, Danville, VA). This training is part of Leadership Southside, but there are about 75 spots open to the public. It is a free training that includes lunch.
For more information on REI Groundwater Training, please click HERE.
To register for the event, please click HERE.
Important Housing Information to Share with Students – UPDATED INFO
Housing application:
- Opened March 10 at 12 p.m. (noon)
- Closes March 14 at 5 p.m.
- During the application period, you can select a roommate. If you’re pairing with someone specific, they must also complete the housing application. For example, if your preferred roommate deposited by the February 28 deadline, both of you will be in the selection period together. If they did not deposit before the deadline, they won’t be in the early selection period, and you cannot choose them as a roommate.
Housing selection period:
- Opens March 17 at 12pm (noon)
- Closes March 21 at 5pm
Second Annual Averett University International Women’s Day Rainbow Tea
We invite you to support our Second Annual International Women’s Day Rainbow Tea. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, highlights the importance of empowering women in all aspects of life.
Anyone interested in supporting the event can sponsor a table at this inspiring opportunity for just $25. (Ask a friend and sponsor the table together for just $12.50). Your support will help us create an impactful experience for our students, alumni and guests as we celebrate women and their achievements. The event occurs on Sunday, March 23 at 2:30 p.m. in the Carrington Recreation Center. While table sponsors are welcome to attend if they would like, it is not expected. Any type of support is appreciated.
We are also in need of teacups and/or saucers. If you have teacups that you would like to donate, please contact Tammy Jackson or Venita Mitchell. You may also drop these cups off to International Student Services on the 4th floor of the Student Center, Suite 417.
To sponsor a table, please reach out to Venita Mitchell. Thank you for your generosity and for helping make this event a success.
On Display from the Averett Archives: The President That Time Forgot (Part 1)
Although the history of the college presidency is one of the areas in which Averett’s institutional knowledge is strongest, even this field has some surprises. In the past month, the archivist has identified not one, but two, short-term institutional leaders whose names had never been included in any official list and who had, therefore, been forgotten.
During the month of March, the main floor of Blount Library will feature a small exhibit on one of these two men: George Swann, who was Averett’s second in command for a decade and became acting President from December 1902 to June 1903, following the sudden death of President C.F. James.
Staff and students are welcome to visit the library at any time to view the display during the month of March. Please read more about Mr. Swann on the library blog by clicking the link HERE.
Accommodation and Modification Determinations for Pregnant Students
Students who are pregnant and/or are impacted by a pregnancy-related condition have a right to academic accommodations, environmental modifications and other support.
No determinations regarding accommodations, withdrawals or participation can be made by faculty, program directors or any other employee without the involvement of the Title IX Coordinator and/or Assistant Director of Academic Support.
Pregnant students should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator, and employees are encouraged to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Please visit the Title IX page (click HERE) on the AU Intranet for additional resources and information.
Vendor Invoices
As we continue to improve processes, please bear with us.
Reminder to send all invoices with proper coding and approval for input by the AP Department (Kristi Phillips) or have invoices sent directly to [email protected]. It is important for the invoices to be received, coded and approved in a timely manner so we have a complete picture of our financial commitments. Hopefully, we can use the electronic approval system more effectively in the near future.
Weekly Language Tables
Do you speak Spanish or French? un poco? un peu? Come practice in a fun and casual setting with our international students at weekly Language Tables.
Open to students, faculty and staff. All language levels are welcome. Look for the flags in the back of the cafe every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
Annual Passport Drive
Averett Study Abroad is hosting a Passport Booth on-campus for all students and staff on, Tuesday, April 1, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. An official from the USPS will be available to process passport applications.
Visit the U.S. State Department for required forms due when you apply in-person. Learn about study abroad programs! Plus… raffles, games and snacks.
Contact [email protected] for more information.
The Importance of Cybersecurity Awareness Training and Being Prepared
157-year-old Lincoln College, a small school of less than 1,000 students, became the first American college to announce permanent closure due to a ransomware attack on the school in 2022.
- Cyber Attack Type: Ransomware
- Affected Institution: Lincoln College, Illinois
- Outcomes:
- Hindered access to all institutional data, which created an unclear picture of the college’s enrollment projections
- All systems required for recruitment, retention and fundraising efforts were inoperable for three months
- Reports say a ransom demand of less than $100,000 was paid by the college
Already struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what drove the nail in the coffin for Lincoln College was the unanticipated ransomware attack that “thwarted admissions activities and hindered access to all institutional data,” said the school in an announcement posted to their website.
While Lincoln College confirmed that no personal identifying information was exposed, some reports say that they still paid less than $100,000 of ransom demand.
Lincoln College has survived many difficult and challenging times, such as the Great Depression, World War II and the 2008 global financial crisis. However, the severity of an unforeseen cyberattack coupled with the struggles of going through a global pandemic proved to be unbearable for the historical school and led to its closure after 157 years in operation.
How to Avoid Falling Victim to Ransomware Attacks:
- Comply with UC cybersecurity standards, starting with completing the KnowBe4 Cybersecurity Awareness Training https://training.knowbe4.com
- Create a robust ransomware response strategy with a plan to regain operational status as rapidly as possible
- Invest in a Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solution
Important Links
CICV MEP Informational Letter for Participants – December 2024 Final_6972.
Driver Certification Form – Driver Certification Information
Drug and Alcohol Policy or Drug-Free Workplace Policy – 855-Employee-Drug-and-Alcohol-Policy-2024 (2)
Service-Learning Intent Form – Fall 2024 Service-Learning Intent Form (office.com)
Tuition Remission Form – Click HERE
Tuition Exchange Websites – tuitionexchange.org & cic.edu
Part-time Employment Form – Part-time-Employment-Form-2024.docx (live.com)
To Schedule A Virtual Meeting with A Retirement and Financial Planning Advisor – Select a Date & Time – Calendly
Wellness Portal – www.healthadvocate.com/AverettUniversity
Averett Employee Assistance Plan (Telus Health One)
Averett Fringe Benefits Fact Sheet – Fringe Benefits Fact Sheet OE 2025
Averett Benefits “Flip Book” – 2025 Averett University Benefits Guide
Virginia Private Colleges Benefit’s Consortium, Inc. (VPCBC) – https://www.vpcbc.org
Empyrean Website – Virginia Private Colleges Benefits Consortium
Anthem Sydney App download – Sydney Health Mobile App | Sydney Health
Reach out to an EAP counselor, which is available to all benefits-eligible employees and their eligible household members (details below).
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- To set an appointment with a licensed EAP counselor, call 1-888-319-7819 and select “Employee Assistance Program” when prompted to be connected to a counselor. There is no cost to the employee for the first three phone or video consultation sessions.
- For the online chat option, visit one.telushealth.com, user name: metlifeeap and password: eap. There is a chat feature that allows users to talk directly with a consultant to guide you to the information you are looking for or help you schedule an appointment with a counselor.
- Employees on the Averett health plan can go to “Find Care” on their Sydney App or Anthem dashboard and locate counseling services that would be available to us through our CICV plan. Go to Anthem.com and locate Find Care or go to https://www.sydneyhealth.com/.
Wellness Updates
Spring into the March Newsletter provided to us by Anthem. It has tips, tricks and a nice recipe.
Also, a HUGE shout out to Dr. Kautzman on leading the pack for Averett in our Appalachian Trial Step Challenge. She tracked over one million steps. You rock Dr. K!
Have a great week.
To access the newsletter, please click HERE: Anthem Wellness Newsletter_March 2025_v2_.