Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Resident Director CyBelle Rose Barthelmess

Name: CyBelle Rose Barthelmess

Job title: Resident Director

Department: Student Life

How long have you worked at Whitworth? Since August 2010

What do you like best about your job? Listening to colleagues’ and students’ stories and being invited into this season of their lives.

In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? I have been blessed and honored to work alongside young adults around the globe from vastly different walks of life, and with varying ideologies, worldviews, and passions. Each and every one of these unique stories has further formed the woman, servant, leader, advocate, teacher, student, and child of God I am today. Daily I am learning to ask harder questions, refrain from giving trite answers, suspend judgment, and love others deeply. The things I have learned, the roads I have traveled, the stories I have heard, the lives that have humbled and touch my own – these are the gifts I hope to share with the community here at Whitworth University.

Favorite books: Buenos Noches, Luna and Crime & Punishment

Favorite movie: “The Power of One”

Favorite food: Sushi

Favorite quote: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love.” – St. Augustine

Favorite music: Joshua Radin’s Pandora station

Favorite animal: Elephant

Guilty pleasure: “Glee” TV show

Hobbies: Salsa dancing, painting, photography, x-country skiing, swimming, cycling

Best vacation ever: Paid vacation to South Africa

Birth place: Strong, Maine

We’d be surprised to know that…in 7th grade I won a science fair, a spelling bee, and a regional speech competition, with a speech entitled “Sex Can Wait.” I mean, seriously, what 7th grader even says the word “sex,” let alone in front of hundreds of people?

I collect…I used to collect keys and my mother reprimanded me for taking every key around the house.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Next on my list…Istanbul

What cartoon character best describes you? This is a no brainer…I am Belle!

If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? Audition for a movie

What is your favorite sound? My little nephews laughing

What is your life motto? “Everyone has a story.”

If the whole world was listening, what would you say? I’d say nothing…our world could use a moment of reflective silence and perhaps in that silence someone would hear the voice of God.

Favorite childhood book: Grandpa Bunny

Favorite childhood TV show: “The Cosby Show”

Least favorite word: Quiche

If you could go on a road trip with anyone (from the past or present), who would you choose and where would you go? I’d take my Fab5 girlfriends and head down the coast of California…it’s one of my favorite road trips!

Best high school class subject: AP English – there were only seven senior girls in the class and my favorite teacher from high school

Taxes Made E-Easy: Sign up to receive your W-2 tax forms electronically

Dear University Employees,

In our continued effort to streamline processes, provide more convenience to employees, and increase efficiencies, we plan to start generating electronic W-2 tax forms as of calendar year 2010. This new process will allow you to view and print your W-2 forms instead of having to wait for the mailed version. For the year 2010 and after, you will be able to view your current and future W-2 information via WhitNet.

To start the new electronic process, please log into your WhitNet account and click on the
W-2 Electronic Consent option under Employee Profile. By consenting to receive your
W-2 electronically, you will not receive your 2010 form in the mail. We will notify you in January when year-end processing is complete and your form is securely posted to your WhitNet account. Alternatively, by choosing to not give your consent, you will receive your 2010 W-2 via mail, postmarked no later than Jan. 31, 2011. You have the option to change your consent status at anytime, other than during the year-end processing period.

Please note that all employees need to indicate “yes” or “no” in their WhitNet profile. Failure to do so may result in delays in the generation of the W-2 forms.

If you have questions, please contact Senior Accountant Tara Lambert at x4435. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Luz Merkel
Associate Vice President, Finance and Administration
Business Affairs

Recording Your Timecard Hours During the Holidays

Dear Whitworth Employees,

Whitworth will be closed Dec. 23, 24, 27 and 31 for the Christmas and New Year's holidays. If applicable to your position, please record this time in the timecard column for “other time hours” and choose holiday from the drop-down menu under “other time types.” Also, Dec. 22 is an additional day off that was approved by the Cabinet. These hours should be recorded as regular hours on your timecard.

If you are working during the Christmas holidays, please do not change the hours that you would normally record. When working on a holiday, employees and supervisors should confirm in the timecard comments section that the employee did work on the holiday.

Thank you for your assistance!

Payroll Services

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Coming Soon: Online 403(b) Quarterly Statements

Your retirement plan statement from The Principal Financial Group will now be provided online! You will be notified when your next scheduled statement is available; you can view or print your statement by logging into www.principal.com/retirement/statements to access your account information.

For assistance with your PIN/password:
If you have forgotten your password or wish to make a change, select “Your Profile” from the left navigation bar. You may also contact a representative of The Principal Financial Group for assistance at 1.800.547.7754.

Notify The Principal if your e-mail address changes:
To help ensure that you continue receiving timely e-mail notification as soon as your statement becomes available, please let The Principal know if your e-mail address changes.

To update your e-mail address online:
Visit http://www.principal.com/ and log in to your account to view your account information. Choose “Your Profile” from the “Tools” section on the left to update your e-mail address.

To change how you receive your statement:
You have a right to receive a paper copy of your statement free of charge. If at any time you would like to change how you receive your statement, go to the “Make Changes” tab and indicate your mail preference under the “Account Basics” section, or call 1.800.547.7754.

Please contact JoAnn Fox at x4413 or Rick Scott at x4219 if you have further questions.

Check Out the Fall/Winter 2010 Issue of "Whitworth Today" Magazine

Check out the fall/winter 2010 issue of Whitworth Today magazine, featuring a Q&A with Beck Taylor, an article about how students, alums and professors are charting journalism's brave new world, and pieces by faculty members Pamela Corpron Parker and Andrew Hogue. Plus, the latest Whitworth news and alumni bios and notes.

Whitworth Weekly Holiday Publishing Schedule

Following is the publishing schedule for upcoming Whitworth Weekly newsletters and Friday events supplements:

  • Newsletter: Whitworth Weekly will be published Dec. 14 and 21. The newsletter will not be published on Dec. 28. The newsletter will resume its regular publishing schedule with the Tuesday, Jan. 4 issue.
  • Events supplement: A Friday events supplement will be e-mailed Dec. 17. The next events supplement will be e-mailed Friday, Jan. 7.

Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Thom Caraway, lecturer and editor-in-chief of "Rock & Sling"

Name: Thom Caraway

Job title: Lecturer, editor-in-chief of Rock & Sling, Whitworth’s literary arts journal

Department: English

How long have you worked at Whitworth? This is my third year

What do you like best about your job? That sometimes my day goes like this: meet with creative- writing student and help her see the potential in a story she wasn’t so sure about, then spend two or three hours reading insightful and eloquent work by other students, go to class where still other students are engaged and writing about wide-ranging and interesting topics, stay after class to answer a few questions about detailed elements of writing craft, visit with colleagues and share good ideas, good music, and general good feeling, head out for the day and run into to former students making a parkour/poetry video behind the art building. I’ve worked at several schools, and the level of student engagement, colleague camaraderie, and shared mission at Whitworth is truly rare, and greatly appreciated.

In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? I’m not sure, but I hope that they do. I’ve been able to do a lot of different things here, from Core D-groups, to composition classes, to creative-writing workshops, lit classes for Continuing Studies, planting flowers and bulbs in the Westminster/Lied commons, to Script, and now Rock & Sling. The opportunities are amazing, and I hope the services I provide are needed.

Favorite book: The Great Fires, by Jack Gilbert

Favorite movie: “Amadeus”

Favorite food: Soup

Favorite quote: “I believe Icarus was not failing as he fell / but just coming to the end of his triumph.” ~ From the poem “Failing and Flying,” by Jack Gilbert

Favorite music: Radiohead

Favorite animal: Elk

Guilty pleasure: Facebook

Hobbies: Backpacking, hunting

Best vacation ever: Camping with my wife and kids

Birth place: Redlands, Calif.

We’d be surprised to know that…I’m an NRA-certified professional marksman.

I collect…airplane emergency evacuation cards.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Santorini

What cartoon character best describes you? Space Ghost

If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? Professional baseball player

What is your favorite sound? Elk bugling

What is your life motto? “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”

If the whole world was listening, what would you say? “Read more poetry.”

Favorite childhood book: The Story of King Arthur and His Knights, by John Knowles

Favorite childhood TV show: “Star Blazers”

Least favorite word: No

If you could go on a road trip with anyone (from the past or present), who would you choose and where would you go? I’d go to Troy, Montana, with poet Richard Hugo.

Best high school class subject: English

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Taxes Made E-Easy: Sign up to receive your W-2 tax forms electronically

Dear University Employees,

In our continued effort to streamline processes, provide more convenience to employees, and increase efficiencies, we plan to start generating electronic W-2 tax forms as of calendar year 2010. This new process will allow you to view and print your W-2 forms instead of having to wait for the mailed version. For the year 2010 and after, you will be able to view your current and future W-2 information via WhitNet.

To start the new electronic process, please log into your WhitNet account and click on the
W-2 Electronic Consent option under Employee Profile. By consenting to receive your
W-2 electronically, you will not receive your 2010 form in the mail. We will notify you in January when year-end processing is complete and your form is securely posted to your WhitNet account. Alternatively, by choosing to not give your consent, you will receive your 2010 W-2 via mail, postmarked no later than Jan. 31, 2011. You have the option to change your consent status at anytime, other than during the year-end processing period.

Please note that all employees need to indicate “yes” or “no” in their WhitNet profile. Failure to do so may result in delays in the generation of the W-2 forms.

If you have questions, please contact Senior Accountant Tara Lambert at x4435. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Luz Merkel
Associate Vice President, Finance and Administration
Business Affairs

Payroll Services: Timecard deadlines and information for December payrolls

Dear Campus Community, 

We are asking for your assistance in observing the following deadlines to ensure the timely and accurate processing of the last three December payrolls. 

The last payday of the year for student workers will be Tuesday, Dec. 21; faculty and staff will be paid on Thursday, Dec. 30.

New Honorariums, Stipends and Adjunct Contracts:
All new honorariums, stipends and adjunct contracts that need to be paid through the December 2010 payroll must be received in Human Resource Services by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10.

Exempt, Monthly Staff:
Employees must complete their web timecards by noon on Friday, Dec. 10; supervisors may approve cards until 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 13. There will not be employee or supervisor access to these timecards after the dates and times specified above. 

Non-exempt, Semi-monthly Staff:
Employees must complete their timecards by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16; supervisors may approve timecards until 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17. There will not be employee or supervisor access to these timecards after the dates and times specified above. Please note: To avoid potential errors and to ensure timely processing, we are asking that employees record their hours daily for the 12/1-15 dates.

Students:
Students have been notified of their deadlines in a separate email. Students must complete their web timecards by noon on Wednesday, Dec. 15; supervisors may approve web cards until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15. There will not be employee or supervisor access to these timecards after the dates and times specified above. Please monitor and approve timecards as they are completed; they may be signed and approved prior to the due date. 

Please note: Paydays will occur as usual in January. The first payday for students will be 1/12/11; non-exempt employees’ first payday will be 1/14/11; and the exempt employees will be paid on 1/31/11.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! We wish you a blessed Christmas season.

Payroll Services

Human Resource Services: Wellness newsletter & tips; Qualified Default Investment Notice for 403(b) Participants

Employee Wellness Newsletter and Tips for Healthing Living

Human Resource Service regularly shares information provided to us by recognized organizations who promote health and wellness. Below are the pieces shared with us for December.

Employee Wellness Newsletter from the Spokane Regional Health District
Employee Assistance News

Qualified Default Investment Alternative Notice for 403(b) Retirement Plan Participants:

Whitworth University is required to provide benefits-eligible employees with the Qualified Default Investment Alternative Participant Notice one month before the start of the new plan year, on Jan. 1, 2011. Click on the links below for information about default investments and for information on the current funds available for employees’ investments. 
If you have any questions, please contact me by phone or e-mail. I would be happy to answer any questions you have about the paperwork.

JoAnn Fox
Assistant Director for Benefits
Human Resource Services
509.777.4413
jfox@whitworth.edu

Sodexo Staff Members Tapped to Share Skills, Expertise throughout Region

Whitworth’s Sodexo food-service staff is gaining a widespread reputation for excellence, according to Associate Dean of Students Dick Mandeville. Executive Chef Jess Dozier is considered district chef and helps train chefs at colleges and universities in Washington, Idaho and Montana. Dozier is teaming with baker Ginny Cogle to provide training on baking district-wide. Their work has been so well received that they may be asked to share it nationally.

Operations Manager Dan King provides training on food and kitchen safety at all schools in the district, and General Manager Jim O’Brien, who recently returned from leadership in the workplace training in Denver, Colo., is one of the regional “go to” persons for catering and sustainability.

“It’s like our Sodexo staff consists of the all-stars for the entire region,” says Mandeville, “which translates into Whitworth’s food-service staff being exposed to Sodexo’s best training and ideas, while our Sodexo senior staff members are providing great publicity for Whitworth.”

Way to go, Whitworth Sodexo!

Recent Datatel Update May Have Affected Access to Budget Records

Regretfully, a Dec. 4 Datatel update may have taken away or modified some employees’ access to My Budget in WhitNet or budget reports in Colleague. As a result, some of you may not be able to view departmental budget activity that you had been able to view or report before. This is not a general problem. We suggest that you verify your current access, and if you encounter difficulties accessing data for accounts you could view earlier, please e-mail or call Kris Zimbelman at x4322 or kzimbelman@whitworth.edu or Rita Johnson at x3771 or ritajohnson@whitworth.edu so we can research the issue. Thank you for your understanding.

The Business Affairs Office

Notice for Retirement Plan Participants: New reports now available online

The 2009 Summary Annual Report and the Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan (Form 5500) for our retirement plan through Principal Financial Group have been posted to the Human Resource Services Benefits & Wellness web page.The links are located in the Retirement Plan Documents section at the bottom of the page. They are titled Summary Annual Report and Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan (Form 5500).

You are encouraged to view these documents and follow the instructions in the Summary Annual Report for copies. Thank you.

Human Resource Services

Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Associate Director of Admissions Lara Thompson

Name: Lara Thompson

Job title: Associate Director of Admissions

Department: Admissions

How long have you worked at Whitworth? Four years

What do you like best about your job? I get to play a role in helping high-school students decide where they will spend their next four years. It’s such an important time in their lives and I love that I can share my passion and love for Whitworth with them.

In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? I had such a wonderful experience as both an undergrad and grad student at Whitworth that it makes my job easy. I love meeting new people and traveling to new places, so any chance I get to share my enthusiasm for Whitworth and all that it offers is truly a blessing to me. I also tend to be very detail-oriented and organized, so I enjoy putting together large group visits and events on campus for prospective students and their families.

Favorite book: The Power of One

Favorite movies: “Elf” and “Anchorman”

Favorite food: Everything but tofu. I love food!

Favorite quote: “Walk as if your next step would carry you across the threshold of Heaven” –
Jim Elliot

Favorite music: Anything, but I have a special place in my heart for 80s music

Favorite animals: It’s a tie – cats and dogs

Guilty pleasure: Starbucks peppermint mochas

Hobbies: Soccer, tennis, dodgeball, softball, board games, backyard sports, anything competitive

Best vacation ever: Jan Term international business trip to Australia

Birth place: Daytona Beach, Florida

We’d be surprised to know that…I’ve moved houses 17 times in my life and I have traveled to five of the seven continents. I’m also getting married to Whitworth Head Baseball Coach Dan Ramsay next summer.

I collect…Starbucks mugs and Brewery pint glasses from the places I visit

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? South America, to check off the sixth continent on my list

If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? Buy a lottery ticket?

What is your favorite sound? The heater kicking on

What is your life motto? “Let go and let God”

If the whole world was listening, what would you say? Nothing. I’d let everyone enjoy the silence.

Favorite childhood books: The Boxcar Children and Nancy Drew mysteries

Favorite childhood TV shows: “Full House” and “The Price Is Right”

Least favorite words: lol, brb, btw

If you could go on a road trip with anyone (from the past or present), who would you choose and where would you go? Visit all the MLB ballparks around the country with my fiancé.

Best high school class subjects: P.E. and math

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Join the Taylors Dec. 6 for the Annual President's Christmas Reception

Please join Beck and Julie Taylor as they celebrate the season by hosting the annual President’s Christmas Reception on Monday, Dec. 6, from 2-4:30 p.m. in the Hixson Union Building. To view the official invitation, please click on President’s 2010 Christmas Reception.

Taxes Made E-Easy: Sign up to receive your W-2 tax forms electronically

Dear University Employees,

In our continued effort to streamline processes, provide more convenience to employees, and increase efficiencies, we plan to start generating electronic W-2 tax forms as of calendar year 2010. This new process will allow you to view and print your W-2 forms instead of having to wait for the mailed version. For the year 2010 and after, you will be able to view your current and future W-2 information via WhitNet.

To start the new electronic process, please log into your WhitNet account and click on the
W-2 Electronic Consent option under Employee Profile. By consenting to receive your
W-2 electronically, you will not receive your 2010 form in the mail. We will notify you in January when year-end processing is complete and your form is securely posted to your WhitNet account. Alternatively, by choosing to not give your consent, you will receive your 2010 W-2 via mail, postmarked no later than Jan. 31, 2011. You have the option to change your consent status at anytime, other than during the year-end processing period.

Please note that all employees need to indicate “yes” or “no” in their WhitNet profile. Failure to do so may result in delays in the generation of the W-2 forms.

If you have questions, please contact Senior Accountant Tara Lambert at x4435. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Luz Merkel
Associate Vice President, Finance and Administration
Business Affairs

The Snow Has Got to Go: Please heed the “No Overnight Parking” lot designations

In order for the snow crew to properly clean the "No Overnight Parking" lots, the lots need to be empty at night. Even if a couple of cars are left in the lots, the plow trucks have a very difficult time maneuvering around them and usually end up leaving snow next to the parked cars, which limits the number of usable parking spots. If the lot is empty, the snow can be pushed to the end of the lot and then pushed up on the lawn. This also aids in drainage when the snow begins to melt.

Please click on the Whitworth Public Parking Areas map to view the red and green designated parking areas on campus. The red lots are the “No Overnight Parking” lots. These lots have signs, usually at the entry points to each lot, which state “No Overnight Parking.” The No Overnight Parking lots are designated as such because the majority of the people parking in these lots are users that come during the day and leave at night. The designated green lots on the map allow 24-hour parking and are used primarily by residents who live on campus.

We also have designated parking areas for cars that remain on campus during Christmas and Spring Breaks. Anyone wishing to leave a car on campus during these times needs to call Campus Security at 777.4444 for information on the best place to park.

Thank you for your cooperation with our parking designations.

Facilities Services

Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Custodian Terri Batt

Name: Terri Batt

Job title: Custodian

Department: Facilities Services

How long have you worked at Whitworth? Ten years

What do you like best about your job? Serving and interacting with the students

In what ways do you feel your job fulfills your sense of vocation? My ability of hospitality to give the students a fun and clean environment.

Favorite book: The Bible

Favorite movie: “Dragonfly” – I’m a Kevin Costner fan

Favorite food: A good salad with all the trimmings

Favorite quote: “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

Favorite music: Jazz & Christian

Favorite animal: Dog

Guilty pleasure: Coconut cream pie

Hobbies: Hiking, fishing, scrapbooking, canning

Best vacation ever: Canada & Lake Louise

Birth place: Seattle, Wash.

We’d be surprised to know that…I like to fly fish.

I collect…inspirational quotes and CDs/DVDs with Christian messages (I love to share them!).

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Ireland and Scotland

If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? Public speaking

What is your favorite sound? A babbling brook

What is your life motto? “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”

Favorite childhood TV show: “JP Patches”

Least favorite words: I can’t do it.

If you could go on a road trip with anyone (from the past or present), who would you choose and where would you go? The Redwood Forest in California with my husband

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Stephy Nobles-Beans, coordinator for ministry and multicultural affairs

Name: Stephaine (Stephy) Nobles-Beans

Job title: Coordinator for Ministry and Multicultural Affairs

Department: Chapel

How long have you worked at Whitworth? 14 years

What do you like best about your job? The students that I meet

In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? My gifts and abilities help the campus community in the areas of spiritual support, prayer and mentoring.

Favorite book: The Bible

Favorite movie: “The Color Purple”

Favorite food: Jumbo shrimp (deep-fried)

Favorite quote: “I can, I will, I did!”

Favorite music: Instrumental smooth Christian jazz (I love to write poetry to jazz)

Favorite animal: Cat

Guilty pleasure: Peanut M&Ms

Hobbies: Writing poetry and plays

Best vacation ever: Caribbean

Birth place: Dallas, Texas

We’d be surprised to know that…I’ve written hundreds and hundreds of poems (for real!)

I collect…journals and butterfly pins

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Aruba – I want to walk on the white sands

What cartoon character best describes you? Minnie Mouse (she loves to talk, and so do I)

If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? To fly a jumbo jet

What is your favorite sound? A waterfall

What is your life motto? “Live Life Like it’s Real!”

If the whole world was listening, what would you say? “Love one another as Christ has loved you.”

Favorite childhood book: Mother Goose nursery rhyme book

Favorite childhood TV show: “The Ed Sullivan Show”

Least favorite word: Can’t

If you could go on a road trip with anyone (from the past or present), who would you choose and where would you go? Jesus, and I would love to go with him to Jerusalem and take a swim in the Jordan River

Best high school class subject: English

Winter Weather Communication Protocol

Dear Campus Community,

During adverse weather, please keep in mind that decisions about campus closures or changes to the regular operating schedule will be announced the following ways:
  • An e-mail message to your Whitworth e-mail account
  • An announcement posted to the campus news section of the Whitworth home page (http://www.whitworth.edu/)
  • A recording on the Whitworth phone switchboard (509.777.1000)
  • Local news media broadcasts
Our primary concern is to ensure the safety of students and employees. In the event of bad weather, please be sure to check these sources of information for announcements. If no announcement is posted, you can assume campus is open and operating on regular schedule. Decisions about day classes will normally be made no later than 6 a.m. and evening class decisions will be made no later than 3 p.m., but given the unpredictability of weather, these times are general guidelines to help you plan your time.

Your judgment and awareness of your personal situation may require a different course of action than we’d choose for the whole university, so if that is the case, please contact your instructor or supervisor about your situation.

May you all enjoy a safe winter!

Michael Le Roy
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

Monday, November 22, 2010

Human Resource Services: Take part in Commute Trip Reduction "Find Another Way" campaign

Take Part in the Commute Trip Reduction “Find Another Way” Campaign

Win a Safeway gift card on Wednesdays in November by Finding Another Way to work, such as carpooling, riding the bus, vanpooling, working from home, walking or bicycling. Every Thursday a drawing will be held for everyone that participates on Wednesday and filled out their commute calendar at http://www.mycommute.org/. For assistance on filling out your online commute calendar, please click on My Commute Calendar.

By participating on Wednesday or any other day in November, you’ll be eligible to win one of six $25 Safeway gift cards or one $150 Safeway gift card. Plus, you’ll save money and wear and tear on your car, reduce stress, and help reduce air pollution and traffic congestion in our community.

For more details, please visit http://www.mycommute.org/ or contact JoAnn Fox, employee transportation coordinator/assistant director for benefits, at jfox@whitworth.edu.

Important Tax Information and Forms: Make changes to your W-2 or W-4, make an address correction

Dear Whitworth Staff,

As we approach the end of the calendar year, please review your most recent payroll advice for any corrections or Federal Income Tax changes that you may want reflected in your W-2 Wage and Tax Statement for 2010.

There is an IRS has a tax calculator tool available at http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96196,00.html, which may assist you in calculating your potential tax liability or refund. If there are any adjustments that you would like reflected in the 2010 tax year, please complete a new W-4 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf) and submit it to the Payroll Office by Dec. 1, 2010.

Following are examples of changes that may affect your W-2:
  • Name change: The name on the W-2 and Social Security card must be the same.
  • Change in filing/marital status
  • Social Security number correction
  • Change of address: Please verify that we have the correct mailing address on your pay advice.
If you would like to make an address correction, please access the change of address form at the following link, Change of Address Form, fill it out, and return it to Human Resource Services. The form may be returned by e-mail attachment to poswalt@whitworth.edu, by fax at 509.777.4364, by campus mail to Human Resource Services, or by snail mail to:

Human Resource Services
Attn: Pam
300 W Hawthorne Rd
Spokane, WA 99251

If you have any questions, please contact Karen Kuiper (kkuiper@whithworth.edu) or Linda McCrillis or (lmccrillis@whitworth.edu) in Payroll Services.

Please Join the Taylors Dec. 6 for the Annual President's Christmas Reception

Please join Beck and Julie Taylor as they celebrate the season by hosting the annual President’s Christmas Reception on Monday, Dec. 6, from 2-4:30 p.m. in the Hixson Union Building. To view the official invitation, please click on President’s 2010 Christmas Reception.


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Safety Alert: Avista to begin replacing power lines Nov. 17

Dear Campus Colleagues,

Starting Wednesday, Nov. 17, Avista will begin preparations for logging operations to replace its power lines immediately south of the big BPA power lines on the northern edge of campus. Avista will reduce the size of its easement and relocate it in a way that will add usable land for the long-term uses of the campus. This project will also solve the challenge of power lines interfering with the left field line at the baseball field. Over the course of the next few weeks, trees will be removed for the new easement and work will begin to re-locate the old power lines to the new location. The old easement has many new trees growing on it that are being preserved; the reduction in the width of the easement will allow new trees to grow on more of the north 40 site.

During this time, it is essential that we not drive in this area as an access to campus. It will be dangerous and you’ll be contending with construction equipment. Also, joggers and pedestrians should avoid this area during the logging and construction phase of this work.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your cooperation during this important infrastructure improving project.

Brian

Brian L. Benzel, Ph.D.
Vice President for Finance and Administration

Human Resource Services: CTR "Find Another Way" Campaign; Clarification on vendor discounts; Facilities services welcomes new office manager

Take Part in the Commute Trip Reduction “Find Another Way” Campaign

Win a Safeway gift card on Wednesdays in November by Finding Another Way to work, such as carpooling, riding the bus, vanpooling, working from home, walking or bicycling. Every Thursday a drawing will be held for everyone that participates on Wednesday and filled out their commute calendar at http://www.mycommute.org/. For assistance on filling out your online commute calendar, please click on My Commute Calendar.

By participating on Wednesday or any other day in November, you’ll be eligible to win one of six $25 Safeway gift cards or one $150 Safeway gift card. Plus, you’ll save money and wear and tear on your car, reduce stress, and help reduce air pollution and traffic congestion in our community.

For more details, please visit http://www.mycommute.org/ or contact JoAnn Fox, employee transportation coordinator/assistant director for benefits, at jfox@whitworth.edu.


Clarification on Vendor Discounts Offered to Whitworth Employees

Local Vendor Discounts: Various north Spokane businesses, including Ritters Florist and Nursery, Bruchi’s CheeseSteaks & Subs, and the YMCA, offer discounts to Whitworth employees with I.D. For more information, please contact the vendors directly. Discounts offered by businesses do not imply the university’s endorsement or recommendation of the business or service.

Whitworth Employee Discount Program: Whitworth offers employees an official program that features discounts by local and national vendors. Vendor discounts range from clothing and fitness to home décor and portrait photography. Participating vendors must submit an online application; approved applications are then posted to the Employee Discount Program page. (The “Employee Discount Program – Browse Listings” link is also available on the Human Resource Services home page.) Vendor participation in the Whitworth Employee Discount Program does not imply the university’s endorsement or recommendation of the business or service.

Whitworth’s Employee Discount Program is offered solely to Whitworth employees and their families. It is our hope that this will be a valuable resource for our employees. If you have questions about the Employee Discount Program, or if you would like to provide feedback on the program, please contact JoAnn Fox, assistant director for benefits, by e-mail at jfox@whitworth.edu or by phone at 509.777.4413.


Facilities Services Welcomes Suzanne Sherman

Name: Suzanne Sherman, ’07

Title: Office Manager

Department: Facilities Services

Previous position: Gift Processing & Information Systems Specialist, Institutional Advancement at Whitworth

“We’re pleased to have Suzanne as the facilities services office manager. She came to us highly recommended by institutional advancement. She brings a strong understanding of the type of business technology that will help all of our departments improve their administrative processes.” Ed Kelly, director of facilities services

Important Tax Information and Forms: Make changes to your W-2 or W-4, make an address correction

Dear Whitworth Staff,

As we approach the end of the calendar year, please review your most recent payroll advice for any corrections or Federal Income Tax changes that you may want reflected in your W-2 Wage and Tax Statement for 2010.

There is an IRS has a tax calculator tool available at http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96196,00.html, which may assist you in calculating your potential tax liability or refund. If there are any adjustments that you would like reflected in the 2010 tax year, please complete a new W-4 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf) and submit it to the Payroll Office by Dec. 1, 2010.

Following are examples of changes that may affect your W-2:
  • Name change: The name on the W-2 and Social Security card must be the same.
  • Change in filing/marital status
  • Social Security number correction
  • Change of address: Please verify that we have the correct mailing address on your pay advice.
If you would like to make an address correction, please access the change of address form at the following link, Change of Address Form, fill it out, and return it to Human Resource Services. The form may be returned by e-mail attachment to poswalt@whitworth.edu, by fax at 509.777.4364, by campus mail to Human Resource Services, or by snail mail to:

Human Resource Services
Attn: Pam
300 W Hawthorne Rd
Spokane, WA 99251

If you have any questions, please contact Karen Kuiper (kkuiper@whithworth.edu) or Linda McCrillis or (lmccrillis@whitworth.edu) in Payroll Services.

Look to Whitworth Weekly as Your Primary Source for Info and Announcements

The Whitworth Weekly e-newsletter is into its third month and we are learning some important things that we want to share about this new form of employee communication.
  1. While usage stats show Whitworth Weekly is widely read, we need to clarify that it is expected that employees review every issue of the e-newsletter – especially the “Top Stories” section, which contains important announcements from cabinet, HR, the business office and other departments. These articles provide information that employees need to know, and many of these messages no longer will be distributed individually by campus-wide email. If it is difficult for you to access a computer on a weekly basis, please alert your supervisor.
  2. We strongly encourage you also to review the “Campus Happenings” and the “Whitworth Events” and “Whitworth News” listings. These easy-to-skim sections provide information about activities in the life of the university. Our goal is to significantly reduce the number of individual campus-wide emails, while also ensuring that our community is aware of upcoming events. To help address concerns about the latter, each Friday Julie will send out a Whitworth Weekly supplement, listing upcoming events that may have been included in the previous issue or that were submitted in the interim.
  3. Most announcements or information that affect all employees should be published in Whitworth Weekly. Please contact your department head or cabinet officer about including something as a “Top Story” in the newsletter. If you want to promote an activity or event, you can submit that directly through the “Campus Happenings” form for which there is a link in every newsletter. Content submitted by Monday at 5 p.m. will be included in the following Tuesday’s newsletter and in the Friday supplement.
As a reminder, the Whitworth Weekly e-newsletter is intended to be a primary and efficient form of communication with all faculty and staff, reduce the volume of individual e-mails sent to the entire campus, and provide opportunities to connect (electronically, at least) members of our growing campus community. We appreciate your help in achieving these goals. We will conduct a survey at the end of the semester to gather input on ways to improve the newsletter.

Greg Orwig
Chief of Staff – Office of the President

Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Mailing Services Supervisor Paul Baldwin

Name: Paul Baldwin

Job title: Mailing Services Supervisor

Department: Printing and Mailing Center, Hawthorne Hall

How long have you worked at Whitworth? Four years

What do you like best about your job? We are able to handle a wide variety of shipping needs using a plain operational structure and a lot of ingenuity, and provide a service equal to, if not actually exceeding, that of the big shipping companies.

In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? In many ways, mail is just a simple, mundane necessity, usually requiring only a simple, mundane commitment. But I strive to go above and beyond what’s “simply necessary” and show that even in this small task, excellence can be provided: customer service, fast processing, and information. The bigger picture:  I believe God challenges us to give our best in the small matters because they reveal true character and grace.

Favorite book: The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Alone, 1932-1940, by William Manchester

Favorite movie: “The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension” (IMDb it, if you don’t believe me)

Favorite food: Thanksgiving turkey. The secret is to soak it in brine and baste it every 20 minutes, start to finish.

Favorite quote: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates

Favorite music: Peter Gabriel, Anthony Phillips, Beatles, various musicals

Favorite animal: The slow loris (Wikipedia it, if you don’t believe me)

Guilty pleasure: Aerosol cheese and Triscuits

Hobbies: Music composition, theater-directing

Best vacation ever: Disneyland with my daughters

Birth place: Neubrucke, Baumholder, Germany (Google map it, if you don’t believe me)

We’d be surprised to know that…I had lunch with President Gerald Ford when I was 10 years old.

I collect…sheet music.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? England, Scotland, Wales, etc.

What cartoon character best describes you? Though technically not a cartoon character, per se, I would say “Zebra” from the “Pearls Before Swine” comic strip.

If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? Broadway, baby!

What is your favorite sound? Rain falling so hard it sounds like a steak frying on the roof

What is your life motto? It gets better.

If the whole world was listening, what would you say? “Jesus is Lord of All!”

Favorite childhood book: Half Magic, by Edward Eager

Favorite childhood TV show: “The Wild Wild West”

Least favorite word: Madonna

If you could go on a road trip with anyone (from the past or present), who would you choose and where would you go? Reenact Michael Palin’s 1991 journey from the North Pole to the South Pole along 30 degrees east longitude, with Mr. Palin himself.

Best high school class subject: Advanced Theater 301, Inglemoor High School (Go, Vikings!)

Monday, November 15, 2010

Winter Weather Communication Protocol

Dear Campus Community,

We are not anticipating any serious weather complications in the coming days, but this message will probably bring it on! I would like to remind the campus community about Whitworth’s approach to communication during adverse weather. Please keep in mind that decisions about campus closures or changes to the regular operating schedule will be announced the following ways:
  • An e-mail message to your Whitworth e-mail account
  • An announcement posted to the campus news section of the Whitworth home page (http://www.whitworth.edu/)
  • A recording on the Whitworth phone switchboard (509.777.1000)
  • Local news media broadcasts
Our primary concern is to ensure the safety of students and employees. So, in the event of bad weather, please be sure to check these sources of information for announcements. If no announcement is posted, you can assume campus is open and operating on regular schedule. Decisions about day classes will normally be made no later than 6 a.m. and evening class decisions will be made no later than 3 p.m., but given the unpredictability of weather these times are general guidelines to help you plan your time.

Your judgment and awareness of your personal situation may require a different course of action than we’d choose for the whole university, so if that is the case, please contact your instructor or supervisor about your situation.

May you all enjoy a safe winter!

Michael Le Roy
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

Friday, November 12, 2010

Vendor Discounts Offered to Whitworth Employees

Local Vendor Discounts: Various north Spokane businesses, including Ritters Florist and Nursery, Bruchi’s CheeseSteaks & Subs, and the YMCA, offer discounts to Whitworth employees with I.D. For more information, please contact the vendors directly. Discounts offered by businesses do not imply the university’s endorsement or recommendation of the business or service.

Whitworth Employee Discount Program: Whitworth offers employees an official program that features discounts by local and national vendors. Vendor discounts range from clothing and fitness to home décor and portrait photography. Participating vendors must submit an online application; approved applications are then posted to the Employee Discount Program page. (The “Employee Discount Program – Browse Listings” link is also available on the Human Resource Services home page.) Vendor participation in the Whitworth Employee Discount Program does not imply the university’s endorsement or recommendation of the business or service.

Whitworth’s Employee Discount Program is offered solely to Whitworth employees and their families. It is our hope that this will be a valuable resource for our employees. If you have questions about the Employee Discount Program, or if you would like to provide feedback on the program, please contact JoAnn Fox, assistant director for benefits, by e-mail at jfox@whitworth.edu or by phone at 777.4413.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Maxine Lammers, director of development for major gifts

Name: Maxine Lammers
Job Title: Director of Development, Major Gifts

Department: Institutional Advancement

How long have you worked at Whitworth? 10 months

What do you like best about your job? I enjoy the mission and ministry of Whitworth, my warm-hearted colleagues, and opportunities to walk across this beautiful campus.

In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? I am relational by nature and my work both on and off campus gives me the opportunity to build relationships. It’a privilege and a responsibility!

Favorite Movie: “While You Were Sleeping” (I’m a hopeless romantic.)

Favorite Food: Homemade chocolate pudding

Favorite Quote: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Favorite Music: Music by Mercy Me, Cold Play, Glad

Favorite Animal: Dog

Hobbies: Camping, gardening, biking, hanging out with friends

Best Vacation: Camping in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Mich.

We’d be surprised to know that: I was robbed at gunpoint while living in L.A.

I collect....Recipes

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? New Zealand

If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? I’d be a professional writer.

What is your favorite sound? I love the sounds of the forest when I’m camping.

What is your life motto? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

If the whole world was listening, what would you say? “Take care of the children!”

Favorite childhood book: Pippi Longstocking

Favorite childhood TV shows: “The Three Stooges” and “Mighty Mouse”

Least favorite words: “The American people…” What happened to just “Americans”?

Best high school class subject: Biology

Human Resource Services: Staff to receive extra day off during holiday; take part in Technology Thursdays training classes

It’s a Christmas Blessing! Benefits-eligible staff to receive one additional day off during holiday

Because of the way the calendar falls this year, the Whitworth Cabinet is happy to approve one additional day off for benefits-eligible staff: Wednesday, Dec. 22. The campus will be closed for Christmas break from Dec. 22 through Dec. 27, 2010, and for New Year’s on Friday, Dec. 31. Hours for the additional Dec. 22 day off should be recorded as regular hours on your timecard.

Since there are some campus duties that need to be fulfilled, cabinet officers will work in their areas to provide appropriate coverage for necessary services on Dec. 22. As in past years, staff members who are required to work during this extra day off will be able to arrange with their cabinet officer an alternate day off. Also, if any employee is called back for emergency work on Dec. 22, these hours will be compensated at the normal call-back rate of pay.

Please join us for “Technology Thursdays” training sessions:

All classes are held in Library Lab 209, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Follow the links at the bottom of this page to register via the SharePoint Training site. Class size is limited to the first 22 registered. For class descriptions, please visit Technology Thursdays Class Offerings.

Technology Thursdays Fall 2010 Class Schedule:
  • Nov. 11: Excel Pivot Tables to the Rescue!
  • Nov. 18: Save Time with Excel Macros (Featuring Associate Registrar Mark Baker!)
Register now to reserve your place!

1. Click here if on campus.

2. Click here if off campus:

    If prompted to log-in, do the following:
    a. Enter user name in following format: admin\username (back slash, not forward slash)
    b. Enter network password and click “OK”
    c. Make selections, click “Finish,” then close the tab or browser.

For more information, or if you encounter problems with registering, please contact Training Specialist Laura Reber at 509.777.4284 or lreber@whitworth.edu.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye: Listen to podcasts of Whitworth events

Visit Whitworth Podcasts to listen to digital recordings of lectures, speeches and other Whitworth events from the current academic year. Recordings of chapel services and an archive of podcasts from previous academic years are also available.

The most recent podcast features a presentation, “The Transformative Roles for Service-Learning and Community Engagement in Higher Education,” which President Beck Taylor gave at Spokane City Forum.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Human Resource Services II: November health & wellness newsletters; two new employees and a title change

November health and wellness newsletters:

Check out the November Employee Wellness newsletter.

Check out the November issue of Balance, the newsletter of APS Healthcare.

Human Resource Services regularly shares information provided to us by recognized organizations that promote health and wellness. In addition, Whitworth offers an employee assistance program for benefits-eligible employees and their household members. The program provides professional support services to help you and your household members with personal and career-related concerns.

Services are confidential and accessible 24 hours a day at no out-of-pocket cost. To speak with an EAP professional or to schedule an appointment, please call 800.999.1077. A link to the Employee Assistance Program website is available on the Whitworth Human Resource Services page. To access the EAP website, please use the company code EAPNOW.


Announcing two new employees and an employee title change:

Name: Isamu Jordan

Job title: Interim Coordinator

Department: Intercultural Student Programs

“Isamu brings to our campus a strong Spokane community connection developed through his many years as a journalist with The Spokesman-Review. He has worked with our Whitworth students in the past through supporting area-wide music, spoken word, and multiple entertainment venues. He is passionate about serving Spokane youth and is a popular public speaker in our Spokane school district.” Esther Louie, primary seeker


Name: Nichole Bogarosh

Job title: Academic Evaluator

Department: Registrar’s Office

Whitworth alumna: 2006

“We’re pleased to have Nichole join our staff. She is a Whitworth graduate and has experience as a graduate admissions program specialist at Gonzaga. Because of her knowledge of Whitworth and of transfer credit, she will be a great asset to the Registrar’s Office.” Bev Kleeman, primary seeker


Name: Dolores Humiston

Former title: Director for Human Resource Services

New title: Associate Vice President for Human Resource Services

Year of employment: 2003

“Dolores Humiston’s title has been changed from director of human resource services to associate vice president for human resource services. While there are no changes in her responsibilities or status, this title more adequately reflects the level and scope of her duties.” Brian Benzel

Human Resource Services I: Free flu shot clinic; take part in Technology Thursdays training sessions

Free flu shot clinic:

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
Whitworth University Campus
HUB Chambers

Group Health will be on campus to provide a free flu shot clinic for Group Health members 18-years of age or older. You must reserve an appointment time. To schedule an appointment, please send or call your reservation to Pam Oswalt at poswalt@whitworth.edu or x4872.

Last year’s H1N1 flu virus is covered along with two others in this year’s seasonal flu vaccine. That means only one dose for everyone. Bring your Group Health member card to the appointment. There will be three nurses on site; each nurse will have a five-minute appointment available. Flu shots are available to non-Group Health members for $28.

If you are a Group Health member and are unable to attend the clinic, or if you need a flu shot before Nov. 9, shots are available at any Group Health clinic. Clinic locations are listed at http://www.ghc.org/. If you drop in between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., there is no co-pay or charge for the flu shot. However, there may be a charge if you receive the shot as part of a regularly scheduled appointment.


Please join us for “Technology Thursdays” training sessions:

All classes are held in Library Lab 209, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Follow the links at the bottom of this page to register via the SharePoint Training site. Class size is limited to the first 22 registered. For class descriptions, please visit Technology Thursdays Class Offerings.

Technology Thursdays Fall 2010 Class Schedule:
  • Nov. 4: Excel Tables (a.k.a. Lists) and Conditional Formatting
  • Nov. 11: Excel Pivot Tables to the Rescue!
  • Nov. 18: Save Time with Excel Macros (Featuring Associate Registrar Mark Baker!)
Register now to reserve your place!

1. Click here if on campus.

2. Click here if off campus:

    If prompted to log-in, do the following:
    a. Enter user name in following format: admin\username (back slash, not forward slash)
    b. Enter network password and click “OK”
    c. Make selections, click “Finish,” then close the tab or browser.

For more information, or if you encounter problems with registering, please contact Training Specialist Laura Reber at 509.777.4284 or lreber@whitworth.edu.

It’s a Christmas Blessing! Benefits-eligible staff to receive one additional day off during holiday

Because of the way the calendar falls this year, the Whitworth Cabinet is happy to approve one additional day off for benefits-eligible staff: Wednesday, Dec. 22. The campus will be closed for Christmas break from Dec. 22 through Dec. 27, 2010, and for New Year’s on Friday, Dec. 31. Hours for the additional Dec. 22 day off should be recorded as regular hours on your timecard.

Since there are some campus duties that need to be fulfilled, cabinet officers will work in their areas to provide appropriate coverage for necessary services on Dec. 22. As in past years, staff members who are required to work during this extra day off will be able to arrange with their cabinet officer an alternate day off. Also, if any employee is called back for emergency work on Dec. 22, these hours will be compensated at the normal call-back rate of pay.

Whitworth’s Lawrence Burnley invites faculty and staff to consider "Inclusive Excellence"

"Inclusive Excellence" was the focus of Faculty Development Day, which took place on Friday, Oct. 29. Lawrence Burnley, assistant vice president for intercultural relations, in cooperation with the Faculty Executive Committee, introduced the Inclusive Excellence concept to faculty, and invites Whitworth staff to consider the concept’s utility in assisting Whitworth in achieving its goals and objectives related to intercultural relations and diversity.

For Faculty Development Day, Burnley invited Jeffrey F. Milem, Ph.D., to present this research-based concept. Milem, the Ernest W. McFarland Distinguished Professor in Leadership for Education Policy and Reform in the College of Education at the University of Arizona, is one of several scholars who contributed to the Making Excellence Inclusive Study, which posits that institutional commitment to diversity, when appropriately leveraged, has potential for positive learning outcomes for all students at Whitworth. Rather than simply recruiting underrepresented populations to become students, faculty and staff at Whitworth, Inclusive Excellence recommends a multi-dimensional approach in order for students, faculty, and staff to fully benefit from living and learning in a diverse community.

With the introduction of Inclusive Excellence, Burnley says, “It is our intention to engage our community in a courageous, critical, reflective and prayerful process to discern its utility in advancing Whitworth’s mission to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity in our teaching, recruiting, and in various contexts of local, regional, national and global engagement.”

The Inclusive Excellence concept will play a significant role in the strategic planning and implementation of goals related to intercultural relations and diversity at Whitworth. According to Burnley, it’s important we understand that “Inclusive Excellence has no value, and no utility for Whitworth, unless it strengthens our efforts to respond authentically and faithfully to God’s call upon us as individuals and as an institution with excellence.”

Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Professor of Communication Studies Gordon Jackson

Name: Gordon Jackson

Job title: Professor

Department: Communication Studies

How long have you worked at Whitworth? Since 1983

What do you like best about your job? The enthusiasm and passion of our students, and the role we faculty have in nurturing their potential

Favorite book: To follow the example of the new Nobel Prize winner for literature, Vargas Llosa, I’d say whatever book I’m currently working on.  

Favorite movie: “A Man for All Seasons.”

Favorite quote: This is extraordinarily difficult for someone who has produced five anthologies of quotations. But it would probably be,Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle.” Philo Judaeus

Favorite music: Mozart piano concertos; the Brandenburg Concertos (Bach); various trumpet concertos. I guess I like concertos.

Birth place: Cape Town, South Africa

We’d be surprised to know thatI worked as a guide on an ostrich farm during university vacations.

I collect…quotations, photos of unusual signs.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Luxor in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru, Petra in Jordan, Eastern Europe (especially Prague), and return visits to Baalbek in Lebanon, and my home town of Cape Town.

If the whole world was listening, what would you say? The first thing I’d say is, “Are the simultaneous translators ready to go?”

Favorite childhood TV show: Didn’t have TV when I was growing up in South Africa.

Least favorite word: I have no least favorite word but I have several favorites – not everyday words, to be sure, but all of them delightful discoveries along the way: “steatopygious,” “borborygmous,” “underground” (one of the few – maybe the only – English word that both begins and ends in “und”) and “facetious” (all the vowels, in order, once each. There are about another five or six words like this. Can you think of them?) And “buttpuckering” has merit, too (not included in all dictionaries).

If you could go on a road trip with anyone (from the past or present), who would you choose and where would you go? Rather than a road trip, I’d probably do another Semester at Sea voyage around with world, with my wife, Sue, and my children, Sarah and Matthew.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Human Resource Services: Fall Break classes for employees; Free flu shot clinic; Register for Technology Thursdays training sessions

Fall Break classes for Whitworth employees:

A cornucopia of classes are being offered to Whitworth employees during Fall Break on Monday, Nov. 1. Visit Fall Break 2010 to view the schedule of classes. Please register for Fall Break training using the following links or by visiting the SharePoint Training site directly.

Click here if on campus.

Click here if off campus:
  • If prompted to log-in, enter your user name and password in the following format:
  • User name: ADMIN\username (use back slash, not forward slash)
  • Password: Network password
  • Select the desired classes, then click Finish (you will be returned to the survey home page)
  • Close site
If you need to change your registration at a later date:
  • Use a link above or access the SharePoint Training site directly
  • Click on Show All Responses
  • Click on your response (“view response #__” hyperlink)
  • Click on Edit Response
  • Select or deselect the desired classes to represent your attendance intentions
  • Click Finish
  • Close site
For more information, or if you encounter problems with registering, please contact Training Specialist Laura Reber at 509.777.4284 or lreber@whitworth.edu.

Free flu shot clinic:

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-10:50 a.m.
Whitworth University Campus
HUB Chambers

Group Health will be on campus to provide a free flu shot clinic for Group Health members 18-years of age or older. You must reserve an appointment time. To schedule an appointment, please send or call your reservation to Pam Oswalt at poswalt@whitworth.edu or x4872.

Last year’s H1N1 flu virus is covered along with two others in this year’s seasonal flu vaccine. That means only one dose for everyone. Bring your Group Health member card to the appointment. There will be three nurses on site; each nurse will have a five-minute appointment available. Flu shots are available to non-Group Health members for $28.

If you are a Group Health member and are unable to attend the clinic, or if you need a flu shot before Nov. 9, shots are available at any Group Health clinic. Clinic locations are listed at http://www.ghc.org/. If you drop in between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., there is no co-pay or charge for the flu shot. However, there may be a charge if you receive the shot as part of a regularly scheduled appointment.

Please join us for “Technology Thursdays” training sessions:

All classes are held in Library Lab 209, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Follow the links at the bottom of this page to register via the SharePoint Training site. Class size is limited to the first 22 registered. For class descriptions, please visit Technology Thursdays Class Offerings.

Technology Thursdays Fall 2010 Class Schedule:
  • Oct. 14: Make the Most of Windows 7
  • Oct. 21: OneNote Forum
  • Oct. 28: Excel from the Ground Up
  • Nov. 4: Excel Tables (a.k.a. Lists) and Conditional Formatting
  • Nov. 11: Excel Pivot Tables to the Rescue!
  • Nov. 18: Save Time with Excel Macros (Featuring Associate Registrar Mark Baker!)
Register now to reserve your place!

1. Click here if on campus.

2. Click here if off campus:

    If prompted to log-in, do the following:
    a. Enter user name in following format: admin\username (back slash, not forward slash)
    b. Enter network password and click “OK”
    c. Make selections, click “Finish,” then close the tab or browser.

For more information, or if you encounter problems with registering, please contact Training Specialist Laura Reber at 509.777.4284 or lreber@whitworth.edu.


A Q&A with Kathy Benson, assistant director of administrative services, Continuing Studies

Name: Kathy Benson

Job title: Assistant Director, Administrative Services

Department: Continuing Studies

How long have you worked at Whitworth? Six years

What do you like best about your job? I really appreciate our culture of support and personal growth. We always have new challenges and it is never boring.

In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? I hope I bring a level head, a fun-loving soul, and the wisdom and will to do whatever is needed to get the job done right.

Favorite movie: “West Side Story”

Favorite food: I love seafood.

Favorite music: Jazz, swing, country

Favorite animal: Border Collie

Guilty pleasure: Rocky Road ice cream

Hobbies: Kayaking, biking, hiking and reading (when I can stay awake)

Birth place: Moses Lake, Wash., but we moved to Pine Lake, in Issaquah, when I was one and my family has been there ever since.

We’d be surprised to know that…my husband and I were Young Life leaders with Jen Sowers (First Pres) years ago at Central Washington University.

I collect…memories.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would like to see more of our country first, meet the people, then I’d go explore the world.

What cartoon character best describes you? Brenda Starr

If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? To make sure those who
think they are alone know that they are loved

What is your favorite sound? Laughter, of course

What is your life motto? “It’s not about me.”

If the whole world was listening, what would you say? “Stay faithful – the good guys really do win.”

Favorite childhood book: Curious George books

Favorite childhood TV show: “The J.P. Patches Show”

Least favorite word: Whatever…

If you could go on a road trip with anyone (from the past or present), who would you choose and where would you go? My husband, a full tank of gas, and open country

Best high school subjects: Horses, boys and summer

Inauguration Week Highlights: Watch videos, listen to podcasts, read Beck Taylor’s inaugural address

Whitworth recently celebrated the inauguration of Beck A. Taylor as its 18th president. In a week-long series of events, culminating in President Taylor’s inaugural address, on Oct. 15, the university community explored what it has meant, and continues to mean, for Whitworth to be a “Community of Courage.”

Visit Inauguration Week Highlights to watch videos and/or listen to podcasts of the events, and to read President Taylor’s inaugural address, “Whitworth’s Enduring Commitments to Mind and Heart.”

Monday, October 25, 2010

Listen to Beck Taylor's message to faculty and staff during the Oct. 19 President's Coffee

Listen to the message Beck Taylor gave during the Oct. 19 President’s Coffee for faculty and staff. (The audio file is posted on the intranet; log-in is required.)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Schedule of Whitworth's response to Oct. 21 WBC demonstration

Following is Whitworth’s response (developed and endorsed collaboratively by the university and AWSU) to the demonstration Westboro Baptist Church has announced for 12:30-1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 21. It is our hope that the activities below will present a clear and unified demonstration of love and respect for all members of the Whitworth community.

In addition to these scheduled activities, we encourage students, faculty and staff to wear red clothing all day on Thursday to show our solidarity in lifting up the values of Whitworth University.

Wednesday, Oct. 20:
  • All day: Prepare a large banner to present during the demonstration as a visible sign of Whitworth’s opposition to the WBC message. The banner will be available in the HUB throughout Wednesday, Oct. 20, for people to sign and write messages.
  • 9:45 p.m.: Gather in the chapel the night before the protest for a prayer vigil to ask God to work through us for His glory.

Thursday, Oct. 21:
  • Show our solidarity by wearing red clothing throughout the day.
  • 11-11:30 a.m.: Chapel service in Seeley Mudd Chapel. The service will be devoted to prayer, singing – led by the Gospel Choir – and communion. People are invited to take part as they are able.
  • 11 a.m.-1 p.m.:“Love Run (Or Walk)” fundraiser at Boppell Track to raise money for the YMCA and YWCA of Spokane. Students, faculty and staff are invited to come to the Whitworth track any time between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and walk or run in honor of a worthy cause. Those unable to run/walk can cheer from the stands. Pledge forms are available in the HUB this week for participants to use to get sponsors. Collection buckets also will be available at the track on Thursday.
  • 12:30-1 p.m.: ASWU leaders, representing the student body, as well as faculty and staff representatives will present the signed banner during the WBC demonstration. Banner-holders will receive prior training in non-violent demonstration and will commit to not engaging the WBC protesters directly.
Whether the protesters show up or not, and regardless of what they say, this is an opportunity for us to affirm together our deepest community commitments. Whitworth students have demonstrated tremendous leadership in outlining a plan that rallies the campus community around our mission to honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity. And there’s never a bad reason to lift up the mission.


Josh Boyden
ASWU President


Beck Taylor
Whitworth University President