Dear Campus Community,
Several years ago, Whitworth committed to the American College & University President’s Climate Commitment by reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases and taking positive steps toward monitoring and reducing our direct and indirect emissions. With the new academic term, you will see several changes that are focused on advancing this commitment to sustainability and reducing the university’s carbon footprint.
First, we’ve renewed the soda/vending contract with Pepsi through a competitive process. Bottled water is being eliminated from the vending machines and many of the machines are being converted to aluminum cans rather than plastic bottles. Drinking fountains are being fitted to make filling personal containers easier. We also reduced the number of vending machines and reduced the lighting, which has lowered our electrical consumption.
In addition, each employee will be provided a personal waste container for non-recyclable material (e.g. food items, wrappings, apple cores, etc.). Each employee’s primary, larger waste receptacle will be removed. We will each dispose of personal, non-recyclable waste using the personal waste container and then take that waste to a central receptacle in our work area. We will continue managing the recyclable waste as we’ve been doing.This process allows us to adjust custodial duties to other cleaning functions and increases the recycling stream of waste products from our offices. This change may seem small, but it allows our custodians to perform other vital work to care for our facilities and it will increase the waste into the recycling stream.
Finally, other energy reduction strategies are being explored through a special program of resource conservation being undertaken in partnership with Avista. This effort will examine lighting patterns and other ways to reduce the direct costs of utility consumption across campus.
Thank you for your engagement and support of these efforts as we strive to learn how best to live in a more sustainable manner.
Brian Benzel
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
HUB Dining Hall Addition - Information and Map of Construction Site
The HUB dining hall addition project is underway. This much-needed addition will provide more dining options and more seating starting in fall 2012, but will bring some disruption and noise to the area between the HUB and Arend Hall during the coming school year. From Aug. 9-19, there will be heavy pounding noise and vibration in the area – sheet piles are being driven into the ground for structural support. Please click on HUB Dining Hall Addition Map for construction site information for drivers and pedestrians.
Also, please watch out for construction barricades and fencing when you are in the area. Whitworth Presbyterian Church’s driveway will be open for construction and emergency vehicles only. If you have any concerns about the construction activities, please contact Director of Capital Projects Steve Thompson at 777.4460 or sthompson@whitworth.edu.
Also, please watch out for construction barricades and fencing when you are in the area. Whitworth Presbyterian Church’s driveway will be open for construction and emergency vehicles only. If you have any concerns about the construction activities, please contact Director of Capital Projects Steve Thompson at 777.4460 or sthompson@whitworth.edu.
Pirate Port Is Now Up and Running - Check It Out!
Pirate Port is now available to users – it is accessible through the Quick Links menu on the Whitworth website or directly at https://portal.whitworth.edu. This website contains a site for students, applicants and employees, with each site tailored to fit the specific user group’s needs.
The faculty and staff site contains Campus Announcements, Classified Ads, and a Meet Your Colleague section, all previously available through Whitworth Weekly. Users may post classifieds ads, submit prayer requests, and soon we’ll add a Campus Happenings section, where users will be able to post campus events information.
Pirate Port provides users access to their e-mail via the web, without the need to log in again, and the WhitNet menu is contained directly on each user-group’s site. This WhitNet menu has all of the functionality of the old WhitNet site, it just looks a bit different. As of mid-September, WhitNet will only be accessible through Pirate Port, so check out the site and let us know what you think. Please refer to the Pirate Port Help tab for frequently asked questions or to submit feedback.
If you have questions about using Pirate Port, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@whitworth.edu. Thank you.
The faculty and staff site contains Campus Announcements, Classified Ads, and a Meet Your Colleague section, all previously available through Whitworth Weekly. Users may post classifieds ads, submit prayer requests, and soon we’ll add a Campus Happenings section, where users will be able to post campus events information.
Pirate Port provides users access to their e-mail via the web, without the need to log in again, and the WhitNet menu is contained directly on each user-group’s site. This WhitNet menu has all of the functionality of the old WhitNet site, it just looks a bit different. As of mid-September, WhitNet will only be accessible through Pirate Port, so check out the site and let us know what you think. Please refer to the Pirate Port Help tab for frequently asked questions or to submit feedback.
If you have questions about using Pirate Port, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@whitworth.edu. Thank you.
Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Toni Sutherland, Program Coordinator for Chaplain Services
Name: Toni Sutherland
Job title: Program Coordinator
Department: Chaplain Services
How long have you worked at Whitworth? 9 years
What do you like best about your job? The best part of my job is being involved in the opportunity for Whitworth students, faculty, and staff to worship together. I also enjoy assisting the students who stop by my window. I love interacting with them while they enjoy the M&M’s.
In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? I’m organized and I’ve been called the queen of lists. I’m a behind-the-scenes person. I like to help people implement their ideas using available resources they may not know about, or helping them come up with the best way to get their desired outcome.
Favorite book: Whatever book I am currently reading. I love stories. One of my favorite events at Whitworth is the English Department Hot Dog and Book Sale.
Favorite movie: “Pride and Prejudice”
Favorite food: Nachos – there is just so much you can do with this wonder-food.
Favorite quote: “Better not be at all than not be noble,” Alfred Lord Tennyson, or “Jump off the moose!” from the movie “Wild America.”
Favorite music: 1970s and 80s easy listening – cheesy, I know.
Favorite animal: I’ve been enjoying the hummingbird antics outside my living room window.
Favorite childhood TV show: “The Brady Bunch.” I come from a blended family with his two, her two, and their two. I could relate to the house full of kids and animals.
Guilty pleasure: Skittles and “America’s Next Top Model”
Best vacation ever: A family reunion on a Caribbean cruise a few years ago. It was the last event spent with my brother-in-law, who passed away a short time later.
Birth place: Deer Park, Wash.
We’d be surprised to know that…my daughter was born in a Mercedes Benz.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would love to go to Scotland and Ireland. I’d also love to visit my sponsored child in Tanzania.
What cartoon character best describes you? Tigger (although my daughter says Lucy from “Peanuts”)
If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? Sing the national anthem to a large crowd. I’ve always wished I could sing.
What is your favorite sound? Baby giggles are the best. Doesn’t matter where you are or how you feel, a baby giggle has to make you smile.
What is your life motto? Live with integrity.
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 would go on a road trip with my husband, touring the East Coast of the United States. That has always been the plan for someday.
Oops - Group Health Mails Flu Vaccine Reminders Early
Group Health member households have been mailed the seasonal flu vaccine reminder postcard – several weeks early! The reminder was scheduled to be mailed in mid-September, but a miscommunication with the mailing vendor caused the cards to be mailed last week, before the flu vaccine arrived at the medical centers. The vaccines will be available this fall. Group Health offers apologies for any inconvenience.
Watch for further information about flu vaccine clinics on campus later this fall.
Watch for further information about flu vaccine clinics on campus later this fall.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Meet Your Colleage: A Q&A with Dan Ramsay, Head Baseball Coach, Events and Equipment Room Manager
Name: Dan Ramsay, ’08
Department: Athletics
How long have you worked at Whitworth? 3 years (going on my 4th)
What do you like best about your job? I get to work with student-athletes during the most important years of growth and maturity in their lives, and I get to do it on the baseball diamond at a university that embraces and supports my personal walk with Christ.
In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? As an education student at Whitworth I was often asked to explore my “calling.” I learned pretty quickly that I had an undying passion for serving others and a love for the game of baseball. I am blessed to be able to say that I can fulfill my calling in an environment that fosters the development of Christ-like traits in my student-athletes; Whitworth’s baseball field is simply an extension of the classroom, where life lessons are taught and learned.
Favorite book: The Power of One
Favorite movie: “The Sandlot”
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite quote: “A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.” - Jackie Robinson
Favorite music: Country (but Jeremy Camp has been frequenting my iPod as of late)
Favorite animal: Bull moose
Guilty pleasure: Stargazing by a campfire
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, baseball, camping, riding my bike, reading, fishing
Best vacation ever: Yellowstone National Park as a 12-year-old with my family
Birthplace: Hermiston, Ore.
We’d be surprised to know that… I married Lara Thompson, ’06 (Whitworth University Associate Director of Admissions), on June 18th this summer.
I collect… My wife (still getting used to saying that) and I plan to attend a baseball game at every Major League stadium. Together we’ve attended four (Wrigley Field - Chicago Cubs, Comerica Park - Detroit Tigers, Safeco Field - Seattle Mariners, and Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles Dodgers). It’s a blast because we get to spend a lot of quality time together and explore different parts of the country.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? This summer I feel like all I’ve done is travel. Lara and I took our honeymoon to Mexico and I just returned from an eight-day trip to Spain with the USA Athletes International baseball team, so at the moment I’m a little traveled out. Right now I want to go to the mountains and set up a hammock under some trees next to a stream and just be.
What cartoon character best describes you? Woody from “Toy Story”
If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? I’d “try” winning the lottery
What is your favorite sound? Christmas music
What is your life motto? The Ramsay Clan Motto (dating back to my ancestry in Scotland) is “Ora et Labora,” which means “Pray and Work.” Funny to think that the phrase my ancestors lived by thousands of years ago is still pertinent to my life today. Only good things can come of hard work and prayer.
Favorite childhood book: The Big Friendly Giant by Roald Dahl
Favorite childhood TV show: I used to love watching “Sunday Night Baseball” with my dad
Least favorite word: Disappointed
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 head east with my dad, make a stop in Omaha, Neb., for the College World Series, stop in Dyersville, Iowa, to see the Field of Dreams, stop in Williamsport, Penn., to watch the Little League World Series, and finally end the trip in Cooperstown, N.Y., to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. We’d fish at every river and lake along the way.
Best high school class subject: World history
Department: Athletics
How long have you worked at Whitworth? 3 years (going on my 4th)
What do you like best about your job? I get to work with student-athletes during the most important years of growth and maturity in their lives, and I get to do it on the baseball diamond at a university that embraces and supports my personal walk with Christ.
In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? As an education student at Whitworth I was often asked to explore my “calling.” I learned pretty quickly that I had an undying passion for serving others and a love for the game of baseball. I am blessed to be able to say that I can fulfill my calling in an environment that fosters the development of Christ-like traits in my student-athletes; Whitworth’s baseball field is simply an extension of the classroom, where life lessons are taught and learned.
Favorite book: The Power of One
Favorite movie: “The Sandlot”
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite quote: “A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.” - Jackie Robinson
Favorite music: Country (but Jeremy Camp has been frequenting my iPod as of late)
Favorite animal: Bull moose
Guilty pleasure: Stargazing by a campfire
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, baseball, camping, riding my bike, reading, fishing
Best vacation ever: Yellowstone National Park as a 12-year-old with my family
Birthplace: Hermiston, Ore.
We’d be surprised to know that… I married Lara Thompson, ’06 (Whitworth University Associate Director of Admissions), on June 18th this summer.
I collect… My wife (still getting used to saying that) and I plan to attend a baseball game at every Major League stadium. Together we’ve attended four (Wrigley Field - Chicago Cubs, Comerica Park - Detroit Tigers, Safeco Field - Seattle Mariners, and Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles Dodgers). It’s a blast because we get to spend a lot of quality time together and explore different parts of the country.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? This summer I feel like all I’ve done is travel. Lara and I took our honeymoon to Mexico and I just returned from an eight-day trip to Spain with the USA Athletes International baseball team, so at the moment I’m a little traveled out. Right now I want to go to the mountains and set up a hammock under some trees next to a stream and just be.
What cartoon character best describes you? Woody from “Toy Story”
If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? I’d “try” winning the lottery
What is your favorite sound? Christmas music
What is your life motto? The Ramsay Clan Motto (dating back to my ancestry in Scotland) is “Ora et Labora,” which means “Pray and Work.” Funny to think that the phrase my ancestors lived by thousands of years ago is still pertinent to my life today. Only good things can come of hard work and prayer.
Favorite childhood book: The Big Friendly Giant by Roald Dahl
Favorite childhood TV show: I used to love watching “Sunday Night Baseball” with my dad
Least favorite word: Disappointed
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 head east with my dad, make a stop in Omaha, Neb., for the College World Series, stop in Dyersville, Iowa, to see the Field of Dreams, stop in Williamsport, Penn., to watch the Little League World Series, and finally end the trip in Cooperstown, N.Y., to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. We’d fish at every river and lake along the way.
Best high school class subject: World history
Whitworth Institute of Ministry Podcasts Now Available Online
To listen to podcasts of 2011 Whitworth Institute of Ministry events, including evening worship, convocation and Bible hour, please visit WIM 2011 podcasts.
Employee Wellness Newsletter for August 2011
Human Resource Services regularly shares information provided to us by recognized organizations that promote health and wellness. Below is the Employee Wellness Newsletter from Spokane Regional Health District for the month of August.
Employee Wellness Newsletter August 2011
Employee Wellness Newsletter August 2011
Whitworth Faculty and Staff Invited to Attend CCCU's "Changing Faces" Conference
Dear Faculty and Staff,
Registration is now open for the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities’ conference, "Changing Faces: Cultural Competency, Diversity and Reconciliation." The conference will take place Sept. 25-26, 2011, at Trinity Christian College, in Palos Heights, Ill., and will address the Christian imperative for flourishing, diverse communities, and ongoing concerns regarding diversity within higher-education institutions.
The conference’s goal is to improve the development of cultural competencies and the understanding of opportunities and barriers to increasing diversity, as well as how to increase the understanding of and need for reconciliation.
If you are interested in attending, please check with your supervisor to see if your department can cover the travel and conference expenses. Please note that two grants of $300 each are available through the office of Intercultural Relations on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information about the conference and to register, please visit CCCU Changing Faces conference.
Blessings,
Lawrence A. Q. Burnley, Ph.D.
Asst. Vice President for Intercultural Relations
Registration is now open for the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities’ conference, "Changing Faces: Cultural Competency, Diversity and Reconciliation." The conference will take place Sept. 25-26, 2011, at Trinity Christian College, in Palos Heights, Ill., and will address the Christian imperative for flourishing, diverse communities, and ongoing concerns regarding diversity within higher-education institutions.
The conference’s goal is to improve the development of cultural competencies and the understanding of opportunities and barriers to increasing diversity, as well as how to increase the understanding of and need for reconciliation.
If you are interested in attending, please check with your supervisor to see if your department can cover the travel and conference expenses. Please note that two grants of $300 each are available through the office of Intercultural Relations on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information about the conference and to register, please visit CCCU Changing Faces conference.
Blessings,
Lawrence A. Q. Burnley, Ph.D.
Asst. Vice President for Intercultural Relations
Washington Dental Service/Delta Dental to Assign New Identification Numbers
Washington Dental/Delta Dental will assign randomly selected alternate identification numbers in place of Social Security Numbers beginning August 11, 2011. This is being done to ensure the privacy of members’ information and to address concerns about identity theft.
To access your newly assigned alternate identification number, simply log onto the WDS website at www.DeltaDentalWA.com after Aug. 15. Click on the "Patients" tab on the top navigation bar. Once you have signed in with your username and secure password, you will see "Print ID Card" in the center of your screen. Simply click on the green Print ID Card link to view or print your card.
You can also call WDS customer service at 1.800.554.1907 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to get your new alternate identification number. Claims that are received that show either your Social Security Number or your alternate ID number will be processed, and the explanation of benefits you receive will have your alternate ID number displayed. This number will also be provided to your dentist on his or her payment voucher.
To access your newly assigned alternate identification number, simply log onto the WDS website at www.DeltaDentalWA.com after Aug. 15. Click on the "Patients" tab on the top navigation bar. Once you have signed in with your username and secure password, you will see "Print ID Card" in the center of your screen. Simply click on the green Print ID Card link to view or print your card.
You can also call WDS customer service at 1.800.554.1907 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to get your new alternate identification number. Claims that are received that show either your Social Security Number or your alternate ID number will be processed, and the explanation of benefits you receive will have your alternate ID number displayed. This number will also be provided to your dentist on his or her payment voucher.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Gretchen Cleveland, Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Name: Gretchen Cleveland
Job title: Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (that’s a mouthful)
Department: Academic Affairs
How long have you worked at Whitworth? Starting my third year, if you don’t count my year of student work in the post office or my year as a BJ resident assistant.
What do you like best about your job? Making sure Michael [Le Roy] is where he’s supposed to be and has what he needs to get his job done. Truly, I love support work because it’s behind the scenes and I get to help people do their jobs better. I also love organizing and making things more efficient. People have told me I’d be a great person to help on “Hoarders.”
In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? I really like people. I love being able to listen and figure out solutions to problems. I think it’s been a lifelong philosophy to meet a need when I see a need.
Favorite book: Life is So Good, by George Dawson. My grandpa recommended it to me and it’s the amazing true story of an African American man’s life through major points of American history and his perseverance to learn how to read late in life.
Favorite movie: I could say something deep here, but I’ll be honest: “27 Dresses.” As a serial bridesmaid, parts of the movie resonated. And it is one of my favorite movie-watching stories, as I got a group of friends together to go watch it in our bridesmaid dresses. We walked into the movie, and the entire theater turned into a bridesmaid support group as people started describing horrible dresses they had to wear and experiences with bridezillas. It was epic.
Favorite food: Josh’s homemade pasta. There’s a reason why I’ve gained weight since I married him. The man is a talented chef.
Favorite quote: “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Favorite music: I pretty much listen to anything except country music. Current favorite artists include David Gray, William Fitzsimmons, Nickel Creek, Joshua Radin and whatever else Josh transfers to my iPod. He’s my music-loving equal.
Favorite animal: Sheep. My in-laws have a few sheep on their farm in Snohomish and I just love them.
Guilty pleasure: Ice cream; sadly, I don’t feel that guilty eating it.
Hobbies: I dabble in many, but am not superior in any. Sewing, knitting, skiing, hiking/backpacking, biking, swimming. I’m always looking for new things to try.
Best vacation ever: Disneyland as a “nanny” for my nephews. Dear, sweet time with my sister and brother-in-law and lots of memories hanging out with my nephews and seeing Disneyland at kid height and through kid wonder.
Birthplace: Seattle, Wash.
We’d be surprised to know that…I traveled in Europe solo for five weeks when I was between jobs and in a full blown quarter-life crisis. God bless my parents for letting me move back in with them so I could fund the trip, and for their understanding and trust in putting me on a plane without knowing how to get a hold of me. I learned a ton about myself, saw beautiful places, ate amazing food, and made some lifelong friends.
I collect…family heirlooms. Being the youngest, I’ve had the good fortune of receiving many family hand-me-downs. Our home has a lot of history in it as a result.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Italy, with India at a close second.
If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? Skydiving. Now that I’m married, I’ve lost some of my daredevil nature.
What is your favorite sound? Mountain lake waves lapping at the shoreline, with a rustling breeze through the trees
What is your life motto? “‘How are we going to get through this craziness?’ I said. ‘Left foot, right foot, left foot, breathe . . .’” Anne Lamott
Favorite childhood book: We Help Daddy. It was one of those Little Golden Books and I still have yet to acquire a copy. Apparently my sisters and I would make our parents read it over and over at bedtime. It’s probably why they got rid of it when we grew up.
Favorite childhood TV show: Toss up between the “Cosby Show” and “Family Ties.” I always loved seeing how the opening would be redone in the fall for the Cosby family, and, well, “Family Ties” had Michael J. Fox, teen heart throb of the 80s.
Least favorite word: Anyways – it drives me nuts
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 dad, grandpa and husband, and a road trip to the Banks’ Pinnacle site on the East Coast where my great-great-grandfather used to preach. I think the time in the car with three theologians and the family history that would be discussed would be rich. Plus, those three are some of the funniest men I know, so I would laugh a lot. Josh never met my grandpa, and I know they would have hit it off marvelously.
Best high school class subject: English, but I didn’t really excel at the written word until I met [Whitworth Professor of English] Doug Sugano and his in-class essay exams. I’m still nursing a case of PTSD from Brit Lit.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Update on Admissions and Financial Aid
Dear campus colleagues,
I hope this e-mail finds you enjoying your summer. With August 1 around the corner, I am beginning to get that excited feeling in my stomach that must mean the fall semester is getting closer. Hopefully we’ll get some consistent summer weather before that happens!
I want to update you briefly on decisions I’ve made regarding leadership in our admissions and financial aid division. As you know, Fred Pfursich stepped down from his post as vice president on Tuesday. We continue to wish Fred the absolute best during his transition to California, and we appreciate his long service to Whitworth. With Fred’s departure and the immediate need to continue our efforts toward this fall’s entering freshman class, as well as our planning for the Fall 2012 entering cohort, I appointed Greg Orwig as acting vice president. Greg officially took his post yesterday. For the past month, Greg has worked closely with Fred and the teams in enrollment services to ensure a smooth transition.
This week, I asked Greg to serve in his role as acting vice president indefinitely. I am very confident in Greg’s abilities and experiences that will enable his leadership in this very important area of university operations. Those who work so diligently in admissions and financial aid have also expressed to me their confidence and excitement about working with Greg in his new role. I met with the admissions services group this afternoon and informed them that we will not be engaging in a formal search to appoint a permanent vice president this year. Rather, I would like to give Greg and his team the opportunity to execute on our enrollment plans without the constraints of a formal search occurring simultaneously.
At the end of this year, I will reevaluate our standing in enrollment services and make a decision about ongoing leadership in that area. In the meantime, I’ve given Greg a clear charge to evaluate all of our recruitment and aid efforts and to make any necessary changes that he determines will enhance our ability to achieve the enrollment and composition goals articulated in the Whitworth 2021 plan. I appreciate Greg’s willingness to take on this new role. I know he will appreciate your support and prayers.
As Greg vacates his office in McEachran, I am assessing the ongoing needs in my office and for our campus related to the role of chief of staff. I expect that position will be filled, but I am unsure of any timeline. In the interim, Greg will continue to chair our University Council and its effort to monitor and support the implementation of our strategic plan.
While I have you, let me give you a quick summary of this fall’s enrollment picture. As of yesterday, we had 541 confirmed freshman students. You will recall that our final enrolled freshman count last year was an unusually large 683 students. The 541 figure represents an approximate 60 student deficit relative to our goals to produce an entering class of about 600 students. As you may have read or are hearing from colleagues at other private institutions, our results are not dissimilar from what other campuses are experiencing this year, but missing our enrollment goal does create some real challenges for us.
The good news is that this fall’s entering freshman cohort appears to be among Whitworth’s highest achieving classes in recent history. The average SAT of this fall’s confirmed freshmen has risen 30 points over last year’s figure, to 1803 – we clearly traded off size for quality in this cohort; not a bad tradeoff but for those pesky dollars that are inexorably attached. Our confirmed transfers for this fall currently number 77 – our goal is to hit 85 transfer students, and it appears that we may very well hit that target. Overall, Gary Whisenand’s most recent estimate of overall full-time matriculated day (i.e., FTMD, or traditional undergraduate) enrollment is 2,192. Last year’s fall number was 2,202. So after experiencing an approximate 9% growth in that figure last year, we will see a very stable enrollment picture this year. Recall that our Whitworth 2021 plan calls us to grow gradually to approximately 2,300 FTMD students and then maintain that level indefinitely.
Lastly, our budgeted FTMD enrollment for fiscal year 2011-12 is 2,246, so Gary’s estimate puts us about 54 students behind budget. As I mentioned above, this is a real challenge, and the Cabinet has already made adjustments to this year’s budget to reflect this reality. Let’s all pray that our numbers hold tight this summer so that further budget reductions aren’t necessary.
Rounding off the enrollment picture are students in continuing studies and graduate programs. Cheryl Vawter informed me today that continuing studies enrollments are “strong and steady,” while graduate program enrollments are still in flux due to their regular cycle of admissions which is less amenable to analysis at this time of year. More information on those figures will be forthcoming.
Thanks for being patient…this e-mail wasn’t intended to be this long or boring. Numbers are important and have a direct impact on our campus, but they don’t define us. What defines us is our Christ-centered mission and our commitments to serve our students and community. Thank you for living out those commitments so well.
See you around The Loop, and continue enjoying your summer.
Beck
I hope this e-mail finds you enjoying your summer. With August 1 around the corner, I am beginning to get that excited feeling in my stomach that must mean the fall semester is getting closer. Hopefully we’ll get some consistent summer weather before that happens!
I want to update you briefly on decisions I’ve made regarding leadership in our admissions and financial aid division. As you know, Fred Pfursich stepped down from his post as vice president on Tuesday. We continue to wish Fred the absolute best during his transition to California, and we appreciate his long service to Whitworth. With Fred’s departure and the immediate need to continue our efforts toward this fall’s entering freshman class, as well as our planning for the Fall 2012 entering cohort, I appointed Greg Orwig as acting vice president. Greg officially took his post yesterday. For the past month, Greg has worked closely with Fred and the teams in enrollment services to ensure a smooth transition.
This week, I asked Greg to serve in his role as acting vice president indefinitely. I am very confident in Greg’s abilities and experiences that will enable his leadership in this very important area of university operations. Those who work so diligently in admissions and financial aid have also expressed to me their confidence and excitement about working with Greg in his new role. I met with the admissions services group this afternoon and informed them that we will not be engaging in a formal search to appoint a permanent vice president this year. Rather, I would like to give Greg and his team the opportunity to execute on our enrollment plans without the constraints of a formal search occurring simultaneously.
At the end of this year, I will reevaluate our standing in enrollment services and make a decision about ongoing leadership in that area. In the meantime, I’ve given Greg a clear charge to evaluate all of our recruitment and aid efforts and to make any necessary changes that he determines will enhance our ability to achieve the enrollment and composition goals articulated in the Whitworth 2021 plan. I appreciate Greg’s willingness to take on this new role. I know he will appreciate your support and prayers.
As Greg vacates his office in McEachran, I am assessing the ongoing needs in my office and for our campus related to the role of chief of staff. I expect that position will be filled, but I am unsure of any timeline. In the interim, Greg will continue to chair our University Council and its effort to monitor and support the implementation of our strategic plan.
While I have you, let me give you a quick summary of this fall’s enrollment picture. As of yesterday, we had 541 confirmed freshman students. You will recall that our final enrolled freshman count last year was an unusually large 683 students. The 541 figure represents an approximate 60 student deficit relative to our goals to produce an entering class of about 600 students. As you may have read or are hearing from colleagues at other private institutions, our results are not dissimilar from what other campuses are experiencing this year, but missing our enrollment goal does create some real challenges for us.
The good news is that this fall’s entering freshman cohort appears to be among Whitworth’s highest achieving classes in recent history. The average SAT of this fall’s confirmed freshmen has risen 30 points over last year’s figure, to 1803 – we clearly traded off size for quality in this cohort; not a bad tradeoff but for those pesky dollars that are inexorably attached. Our confirmed transfers for this fall currently number 77 – our goal is to hit 85 transfer students, and it appears that we may very well hit that target. Overall, Gary Whisenand’s most recent estimate of overall full-time matriculated day (i.e., FTMD, or traditional undergraduate) enrollment is 2,192. Last year’s fall number was 2,202. So after experiencing an approximate 9% growth in that figure last year, we will see a very stable enrollment picture this year. Recall that our Whitworth 2021 plan calls us to grow gradually to approximately 2,300 FTMD students and then maintain that level indefinitely.
Lastly, our budgeted FTMD enrollment for fiscal year 2011-12 is 2,246, so Gary’s estimate puts us about 54 students behind budget. As I mentioned above, this is a real challenge, and the Cabinet has already made adjustments to this year’s budget to reflect this reality. Let’s all pray that our numbers hold tight this summer so that further budget reductions aren’t necessary.
Rounding off the enrollment picture are students in continuing studies and graduate programs. Cheryl Vawter informed me today that continuing studies enrollments are “strong and steady,” while graduate program enrollments are still in flux due to their regular cycle of admissions which is less amenable to analysis at this time of year. More information on those figures will be forthcoming.
Thanks for being patient…this e-mail wasn’t intended to be this long or boring. Numbers are important and have a direct impact on our campus, but they don’t define us. What defines us is our Christ-centered mission and our commitments to serve our students and community. Thank you for living out those commitments so well.
See you around The Loop, and continue enjoying your summer.
Beck
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Michelle Pace, Program Coordinator for the Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith & Learning
Name: Michelle Pace
Job title: Program Coordinator
Job title: Program Coordinator
Department: Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith & Learning
How long have you worked at Whitworth? 18 years
What do you like best about your job? When students have a great experience in our classes.
In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? I really like to help people and make sure they feel comfortable in what they are trying to do.
Favorite food: Fettuccine Alfredo
Favorite quote: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Favorite Music: 80s, disco (!), gospel and bluegrass
Favorite animal: Horse
Guilty pleasure: Watching “The Bachelorette”
Hobbies: Knitting, crocheting, reading
Best vacation ever: Greece. We visited Ephesus, and it was just amazing.
Birthplace: Seattle, Wash.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Fiji. It just looks beautiful.
If the whole world was listening, what would you say? “For the love, believe in Jesus! Your life depends on it!”
Favorite childhood book: Janette Oke books
Favorite childhood TV show: “Little House on the Prairie”
Best high school class subject: English
Best high school class subject: English
Monday, July 18, 2011
Employee Wellness Newsletter: Find the right fitness trainer; Info on sunscreens; Revised USDA food group recommendations
Human Resource Services regularly shares information provided to us by recognized organizations that promote health and wellness. Below is the Wellness Newsletter from Spokane Regional Health District for the month of July.
Employee Wellness Newsletter July 2011
Employee Wellness Newsletter July 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Assistant Professor of Athletic Training Jolene Fisher
Name: Jolene Fisher
Job title: Assistant Professor of Athletic Training
Department: Health Sciences
How long have you worked at Whitworth? 8 years
What do you like best about your job? I love the hands-on laboratory time with the students; seeing the “a-ha” moments is priceless.
In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? I’m compassionate and a good listener. I think students want someone they can talk to and feel a connection with. I have fun around them and I’m not afraid to be myself. I think that helps me with teaching and advising.
Favorite book: Same Kind of Different as Me, by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
Favorite movies: “Toy Story” 1, 2 and 3
Favorite food: Chips and homemade salsa
Favorite quote: “If you do what is easy, your life will be hard. If you do what is hard, your life will be easy.” – Les Brown
Favorite music: 80s
Favorite animal: Dog – I don’t have one, but someday I want a Boston Terrier
Guilty pleasure: Watching “The Bachelor”
Hobbies: Arts and crafts, card making
Best vacation ever: Annual trip to Mexico with my husband
Birthplace: Bremerton, Wash.
We’d be surprised to know that…in the summer we drive a fire-engine red, 1962 Chrysler 300
convertible.
I collect…my kids’ artwork
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Australia and New Zealand
What cartoon character best describes you? Road Runner – I don’t like to run, but I’m always going!
If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? I have a home-based business, so it’s my dream to see this be successful so I can help so many others have what I have.
What is your favorite sound? I don’t know if it’s a favorite sound, but I love watching my children sleep.
What is your life motto? Live a balanced life, even if it takes you a little longer to reach your goals.
If the whole world was listening, what would you say? Because I’m so passionate about health, I would tell the world to educate themselves about sustainable living practices. Be more buyer-beware and conscientious about what they put on and in their bodies. I like www.ewg.org because they educate us about being better consumers.
Favorite childhood book: Disney Children’s Classics
Favorite childhood TV show: “The Muppets”
Least favorite words: Any four-letter word and God’s name used in vain
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 sister, on a girls’ vacation to a spa/retreat somewhere secluded
Best high school class subjects: Anatomy and physiology or chemistry
Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Information
Dear Colleagues,
As we approach the end of another fiscal year, please see below for a review of our end-of-year deadlines. By meeting these deadlines you will help us better prepare for our audit and successfully close fiscal year (FY) 2011.
EXPENSE PROCESSING
1. Purchase Orders: We anticipate that if the P.O.s were in place by May 31, all items will most likely be received by June 30. For the exceptional cases where this does not happen, departments will need to contact us and submit documentation (i.e. e-mails, correspondence, etc.) evidencing that all possible efforts were made with the vendors to receive the items by June 30. Unless we hear from the departments before July 15 reporting that there have been unforeseen issues delaying deliveries, we will assume that all items received after June 30 are to be charged to the 2012 budget.
2. Purchasing Cards: If you will be gone all summer and will not need your P.C., we suggest you leave it in a locked desk at Whitworth or send it to A/P for safekeeping to prevent using it by mistake. It causes a great difficulty when charges are made against P.C.s, log sheets are generated, but the employee and/or supervisor is off campus for the summer.
- If you are a P.C. holder and will be off campus during the summer, please check your e-mail periodically around the end of the month to see if there are questions regarding your PC log.
3. Other Procurement Less Than $5,000: This includes honorariums, pending invoices, mileage reimbursements, petty cash expenses, and expense reimbursements. Any goods and/or services rendered/received prior to or on June 30, 2011, need to follow the same requirements as Purchase Orders and Purchasing Card transactions, i.e. all documentation and check requests need to be submitted for reimbursement as close as possible to June 30 and no later than July 15, 2011. Unless we are notified before or on that date that a specific good or service was received before June 30 and that there are delays in receiving billing documents, we will post all documents received after July 15 against next year's budget. July 15 is the date we start closing our books in preparation for the auditors’ visit.
Budget officers, please note that incurring additional expenses once the department’s budget is exhausted is in direct violation of the university’s policy and qualifies as a work-performance issue.
We really appreciate your help with the compliance of these deadlines and all our policies. Please feel free to call us with your questions, comments or concerns regarding these deadlines or any other issues.
Thanks much in advance for your help.
Blessings,
Luz Merkel
As we approach the end of another fiscal year, please see below for a review of our end-of-year deadlines. By meeting these deadlines you will help us better prepare for our audit and successfully close fiscal year (FY) 2011.
EXPENSE PROCESSING
1. Purchase Orders: We anticipate that if the P.O.s were in place by May 31, all items will most likely be received by June 30. For the exceptional cases where this does not happen, departments will need to contact us and submit documentation (i.e. e-mails, correspondence, etc.) evidencing that all possible efforts were made with the vendors to receive the items by June 30. Unless we hear from the departments before July 15 reporting that there have been unforeseen issues delaying deliveries, we will assume that all items received after June 30 are to be charged to the 2012 budget.
2. Purchasing Cards: If you will be gone all summer and will not need your P.C., we suggest you leave it in a locked desk at Whitworth or send it to A/P for safekeeping to prevent using it by mistake. It causes a great difficulty when charges are made against P.C.s, log sheets are generated, but the employee and/or supervisor is off campus for the summer.
- If you are a P.C. holder and will be off campus during the summer, please check your e-mail periodically around the end of the month to see if there are questions regarding your PC log.
3. Other Procurement Less Than $5,000: This includes honorariums, pending invoices, mileage reimbursements, petty cash expenses, and expense reimbursements. Any goods and/or services rendered/received prior to or on June 30, 2011, need to follow the same requirements as Purchase Orders and Purchasing Card transactions, i.e. all documentation and check requests need to be submitted for reimbursement as close as possible to June 30 and no later than July 15, 2011. Unless we are notified before or on that date that a specific good or service was received before June 30 and that there are delays in receiving billing documents, we will post all documents received after July 15 against next year's budget. July 15 is the date we start closing our books in preparation for the auditors’ visit.
Budget officers, please note that incurring additional expenses once the department’s budget is exhausted is in direct violation of the university’s policy and qualifies as a work-performance issue.
We really appreciate your help with the compliance of these deadlines and all our policies. Please feel free to call us with your questions, comments or concerns regarding these deadlines or any other issues.
Thanks much in advance for your help.
Blessings,
Luz Merkel
Hello, Good-bye: Campus Community Invited to a Welcome Reception July 13, Farewell Receptions July 14 & 15
Welcome Reception for New Athletics Director Aaron Leetch July 13
All faculty and staff are invited to a reception to welcome and meet new Whitworth Athletics Director Aaron Leetch.
When: Wednesday, July 13, 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: The Fieldhouse Foyer
For more information, please contact Susan Meyer by e-mailing susanmeyer@whitworth.edu or calling 509.777.3224.
Farewell Reception for Fred Pfursich July 14
You are invited to attend a campus reception to honor Fred Pfursich for his 20 years of service to Whitworth University as vice president for admissions and financial aid. Please stop by for refreshments and to extend your best wishes to Fred as he assumes his new position as vice president for enrollment at Whittier College, in California, on Aug. 1.
When: Thursday, July 14, from 2-3:30 p.m.
Where: The Lobby of Cowles Auditorium
Retirement Reception for Jerry Paschall July 15
Join us as we celebrate Jerry’s 20+ years of service to Whitworth. If you have had something delivered on campus or have had to move your office, it was likely Jerry who took care of it. Come and wish him well.
When: Friday, July 15, from 2-3 p.m.
Where: Avista Square, Weyerhaeuser Hall
All faculty and staff are invited to a reception to welcome and meet new Whitworth Athletics Director Aaron Leetch.
When: Wednesday, July 13, 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: The Fieldhouse Foyer
For more information, please contact Susan Meyer by e-mailing susanmeyer@whitworth.edu or calling 509.777.3224.
Farewell Reception for Fred Pfursich July 14
You are invited to attend a campus reception to honor Fred Pfursich for his 20 years of service to Whitworth University as vice president for admissions and financial aid. Please stop by for refreshments and to extend your best wishes to Fred as he assumes his new position as vice president for enrollment at Whittier College, in California, on Aug. 1.
When: Thursday, July 14, from 2-3:30 p.m.
Where: The Lobby of Cowles Auditorium
Retirement Reception for Jerry Paschall July 15
Join us as we celebrate Jerry’s 20+ years of service to Whitworth. If you have had something delivered on campus or have had to move your office, it was likely Jerry who took care of it. Come and wish him well.
When: Friday, July 15, from 2-3 p.m.
Where: Avista Square, Weyerhaeuser Hall
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
New Mileage Rate Effective July 1, 2011
New Mileage Rate Effective July 1, 2011
Per a statement issued by the IRS, Whitworth will reimburse mileage for business travel, from July 1, 2011 through Dec. 31, 2011, at 55.5 cents per mile. Mileage accrued prior to June 30, 2011, will be reimbursed at 51 cents per mile.
The mileage reimbursement forms are located on the Business Office Public SharePoint Site under BO Documents.
Per a statement issued by the IRS, Whitworth will reimburse mileage for business travel, from July 1, 2011 through Dec. 31, 2011, at 55.5 cents per mile. Mileage accrued prior to June 30, 2011, will be reimbursed at 51 cents per mile.
The mileage reimbursement forms are located on the Business Office Public SharePoint Site under BO Documents.
Join Us for a Reception for Fred Pfursich on July 14
You are invited to attend a campus reception to honor Fred Pfursich for his 20 years of service to Whitworth University as vice president for admissions and financial aid. The reception will be held on Thursday, July 14, from 2-3:30 p.m. in the lobby of Cowles Auditorium. Please stop by for refreshments and to extend your best wishes to Fred as he assumes his new position as vice president for enrollment at Whittier College, in California, on Aug. 1.
Recording July 4 Holiday Hours for Non-Exempt Hourly Staff
If applicable to your position, please remember to record the Fourth of July holiday observed on Monday under “Other Time Hours,” choosing “Holiday” from the drop- down menu under “Other Time Types.” If you did work on July 4, please note in the comments section of your time card that you worked on the holiday.
Although students are not eligible for holiday hours, if they did work on the holiday, please make the corresponding notes in their time card comments section.
Thank you for ensuring that these hours are recorded correctly for yourself and the employees you supervise.
Payroll Services
Although students are not eligible for holiday hours, if they did work on the holiday, please make the corresponding notes in their time card comments section.
Thank you for ensuring that these hours are recorded correctly for yourself and the employees you supervise.
Payroll Services
Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Information; Conflict of Interest Form
Dear Campus Community,
We would appreciate budget managers taking a few minutes to verify that FY12 allocations are as expected, and to let us know by July 31 if you have any questions or concerns. If we do not hear from departments by then, we will assume that budget allocations are correct.
Please note that FY12 budgets will appear the same as they did when we started FY 11, unless permanent allocation changes were requested or approved by your area vice president during the budget preparation process. This practice may be different by the end of FY 12 because, as we have previously mentioned at different venues and meetings, the coming months will see the university engage in a comprehensive self-evaluation process to ensure our budget allocations are conforming to our current enrollment patterns and are achieving the goals outlined in the Whitworth 2021 strategic plan.
The university continues to experience sound financial health; we have been shielded from most of the more serious financial challenges other institutions have experienced. We continue to depend on your good judgment and due diligence when managing departmental budgets, making spending decisions, and committing funds on behalf of the institution. These sound practices will be even more important this school year as we start implementing the Whitworth 2021 plan, which calls us to be very intentional about investing our resources in strategic initiatives and improvement efforts.
We will be contacting you in the next few days to request that you complete a new Conflict of Interest (COI) form via SharePoint. We also suggest departments review their Designation of Authority (DOA) data in WhitNet to ensure that budget roles assigned are consistent with the most current department structure.
Now that we have the electronic budget review process in WhitNet, designated budget reviewers are expected to conduct monthly budget reviews and request timely corrections when needed. Since the system easily tracks when reviews are completed, we are able to provide budget managers and supervisors with reports on the performance of these reviews.
Thanks much in advance for your cooperation with our financial policies and procedures and for your careful stewardship of the university’s resources.
Blessings,
Luz Merkel
Associate Vice President for Finance & Administration
PS: Please remember that the last day to process expenses and transactions against FY 11 is Friday, July 15.
We would appreciate budget managers taking a few minutes to verify that FY12 allocations are as expected, and to let us know by July 31 if you have any questions or concerns. If we do not hear from departments by then, we will assume that budget allocations are correct.
Please note that FY12 budgets will appear the same as they did when we started FY 11, unless permanent allocation changes were requested or approved by your area vice president during the budget preparation process. This practice may be different by the end of FY 12 because, as we have previously mentioned at different venues and meetings, the coming months will see the university engage in a comprehensive self-evaluation process to ensure our budget allocations are conforming to our current enrollment patterns and are achieving the goals outlined in the Whitworth 2021 strategic plan.
The university continues to experience sound financial health; we have been shielded from most of the more serious financial challenges other institutions have experienced. We continue to depend on your good judgment and due diligence when managing departmental budgets, making spending decisions, and committing funds on behalf of the institution. These sound practices will be even more important this school year as we start implementing the Whitworth 2021 plan, which calls us to be very intentional about investing our resources in strategic initiatives and improvement efforts.
We will be contacting you in the next few days to request that you complete a new Conflict of Interest (COI) form via SharePoint. We also suggest departments review their Designation of Authority (DOA) data in WhitNet to ensure that budget roles assigned are consistent with the most current department structure.
Now that we have the electronic budget review process in WhitNet, designated budget reviewers are expected to conduct monthly budget reviews and request timely corrections when needed. Since the system easily tracks when reviews are completed, we are able to provide budget managers and supervisors with reports on the performance of these reviews.
Thanks much in advance for your cooperation with our financial policies and procedures and for your careful stewardship of the university’s resources.
Blessings,
Luz Merkel
Associate Vice President for Finance & Administration
PS: Please remember that the last day to process expenses and transactions against FY 11 is Friday, July 15.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Jonathan Moo, Assistant Professorof Biblical Studies
Name: Jonathan Moo
Job title: Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies
Department: Theology
How long have you worked at Whitworth? One year
What do you like best about your job? Getting to know students, sharing with them in the challenge and joy of learning, and so often finding ourselves, in the midst of the academic study of ancient texts, confronted by the beauty, power, majesty and terrifying love of the triune God
In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? I hope that I can help all of my students, whatever their background or beliefs, come to know the Christian scriptures better and to be captivated by the God whom they reveal to us. I hope that I can encourage and teach theology majors to strive for academic excellence in their scholarship but also never fail to hear the living word of God. I also hope that I can serve the community more widely by building on my interests in the relationship between theology and science and cultivating scientifically-informed and biblically-rooted discussions on ecology and the environment.
Favorite book: A River Runs Through It, by Norman Maclean (assuming that ‘Desert Island Books’ rules apply, and the Bible and the complete works of Shakespeare are taken for granted)
Favorite movie: “Once Upon a Time in the West” (or really any film directed by Sergio Leone and scored by Ennio Morricone)
Favorite food: Truffle pasta (necessarily accompanied by good red wine, perhaps a Brunello)
Favorite music: Bach and Johnny Cash
Favorite animal: Moose – I nearly did a Ph.D. studying them, and we share similar habitat preferences
Guilty pleasure: Maps (the release of Google Earth in 2005 set back my Ph.D. by a week)
Hobbies: Travel, hiking, backpacking, cross-country skiing and ski touring, fishing, canoeing, and reading. Now that I’m settling down here in Spokane, I hope to return to some long-neglected pursuits such as fly-tying, hunting and carpentry, as well as helping my wife grow our own fruit and vegetables.
Best vacation ever: Probably the last time my wife and I went to Tuscany, in October 2009, when we stayed in an agriturismo just outside Montepulciano. We usually seek out wilder places when we travel, but over the years we have fallen head-over-heels in love with Italy – the landscape, the people, the food, the wine, the beauty of the light . . . .
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
We’d be surprised to know that…I’ve never owned a cell phone or a television (but I’m not really a Luddite! My wife and I watch films and television shows via the Internet).
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? It’s very hard to choose, because there are so many places I would love to go, but most recently I’ve been dreaming of a long wilderness expedition somewhere in eastern Siberia.
If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? I’d make my living writing novels and essays on natural history, theology, and the environment, but really spend most of my time out of doors, live in a cabin in the mountains of northwest Montana, and travel the world (somehow, in my dream, without adding more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere). In all honesty, though, teaching theology at a place like Whitworth and living relatively near mountains already represents the fulfillment of a dream!
What is your favorite sound? I can’t choose between the call of a loon echoing across a northern lake on a misty morning; the early summer sound of running water and birdsong high in the Rockies; the ringing of church bells in a European village (especially on Christmas morning!); or an ancient cathedral choir singing Bach or Palestrina or Brahms or Verdi or Byrd or Handel.
If the whole world was listening, what would you say? If it were truly possible to communicate in a way that all the world could hear and understand, I would proclaim the good news of Christ.
Favorite childhood book: The earliest book I remember reading over and over again is “Stand Back,” Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” In grade-school I loved Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Favorite childhood TV show: “The Dukes of Hazard”
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 wife, Stacey, to Alaska
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Job Opening: Administrative Support Specialist, Information Systems Department (Internal Posting)
Reporting to the associate director of information systems, you would facilitate communication between information systems and other campus departments; provide operational support to the administrative staff; manage the student work schedule to cover main campus phone line coverage; memorialize colleagues in photo IDs; and be the first point of contact for SharePoint help desk related support tasks.
You must be a high school graduate (college study desirable) with excellent communication and computer skills, and have the ability to function effectively independently and as a member of a team. This position is a Grade 9 and will be opened to the public on Monday, June 27, 2011, if it has not been filled by an internal candidate. To view the full position description and apply for this position, please visit www.whitworth.edu/jobs and click on “Current Job Openings.” You will find the position under “Staff and Faculty Openings – Current Employees Only.”
Mary Alberts
Employment Manager
Human Resource Services
malberts@whitworth.edu
You must be a high school graduate (college study desirable) with excellent communication and computer skills, and have the ability to function effectively independently and as a member of a team. This position is a Grade 9 and will be opened to the public on Monday, June 27, 2011, if it has not been filled by an internal candidate. To view the full position description and apply for this position, please visit www.whitworth.edu/jobs and click on “Current Job Openings.” You will find the position under “Staff and Faculty Openings – Current Employees Only.”
Mary Alberts
Employment Manager
Human Resource Services
malberts@whitworth.edu
Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Laura Reber, Training Specialist, Human Resource Services and Information Systems
Name: Laura Reber
Job title: Training Specialist
Department: Human Resource Services and Information Systems
How long have you worked at Whitworth? Three years
What do you like best about your job? I always say I have the best job on campus – it’s like being a cruise director: I get to meet all of the new people coming aboard and interface with them in their first year with our NEO programs (New Employee Orientation); I get to help people find their way around Microsoft applications with on-call help and training sessions; I get to find new ways to challenge our outstanding crew with personal and professional development; and I get to be involved in planning and organizing the fun community-building events that HR sponsors.
In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? My Strengths Finder* list is Connectedness, Learner, Intellection, Relator and Empathy, and I use all of these on the job at one point or another. It’s my intention that I provide training and support in a manner that allows individuals to be confident about who they are, what they know, and what they are learning, and to plant the seeds of transformation that enhance personal and professional excellence, which in turn supports of our mind-and-heart mission. (*Ask me about the Strengths Finder assessment!)
Favorite book: Sacred Roads: Adventures from the Pilgrimage Trail, by Nicholas Shrady
Favorite movie: I don’t watch a lot of movies, but I enjoy a light-hearted comedy, action-adventure or “chick-flick” involving travel or exotic places.
Favorite food: Italian, Thai, Mexican… what’s cooking?!
Favorite quote: “No matter where you go, there you are.”
Favorite music: I’ll listen to just about anything...my Pandora list includes genres such as jazz, crooners, New Age, movie soundtracks, world music, “oldies,” club/dance, and pop.
Favorite animal: Dog – especially my two basset hounds, Owen and Watson!
Guilty pleasure: Tiramisu gelato
Hobbies: Writing, painting, cooking/entertaining, gardening, travel and photography… to name a few.
Best vacation ever: All of my travels are meaningful in their own way, but those that immediately come to mind are a Baltic Heritage Cruise, which included a day trip into Moscow (standing in Red Square was pretty trippy); my solo trip to Norway and Italy for 40 days; and the last trip I took to the Oregon Coast with my dad before he passed. Say “Road trip!” and I’m there.
Birthplace: Spokane – in fact I was raised, educated, and have lived and worked all within a five-mile radius of the Whitworth campus my entire life. I suspect that’s why travel is so appealing to me. ;-)
We’d be surprised to know that…I can say the alphabet backwards.
I collect…memories.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Hmmmm…where wouldn’t I go?
What fictional character best describes you? Yoda
If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? I would open a series of wilderness retreat centers focused on alternative healing, spiritual support, and artistic endeavors; in the desert, at the ocean, in the mountains, and with options for group travel-retreats.
What is your favorite sound? Water! Ocean waves, raging rivers, babbling brooks, raindrops on a tin roof, and backyard fountains.
What is your life motto? “Sure, why not?!”
If the whole world was listening, what would you say? “Can you hear me now?” because I like to start on a lighter note, then I’d whisper, “Be still…” and suggest a few deep cleansing breaths.
Favorite childhood book: Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak
Favorite childhood TV show: “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” (Did I just carbon date myself
Least favorite word: Should
If you could go on a road trip with anyone (from the past or present), who would you choose and where would you go? In 2006 I visited Tromsø, Norway, 350k north of the Arctic Circle. This time I would take my Dad and go back in the 1870s to meet my great grandfather and see how he lived prior to immigrating to the U.S.
Best high school class subject: Honors English
Review of End-of-Year Fiscal Deadlines
Dear Colleagues,
As we approach the end of another fiscal year, please see below for a review of our end-of-year deadlines. By meeting these deadlines you will help us better prepare for our audit and successfully close fiscal year (FY) 2011.
REVENUE PROCESSING
1. Deposit/Notification of Gifts (in cash, checks, credit cards and in-kind). All funds and/or notification of in-kind gifts are expected to be submitted to the Whitworth Institutional Advancement Office (June Hansen) as soon as they are received (please deliver cash and checks by hand). In order for these funds to be posted to FY 2011, please submit your deposit/notification into June’s office by 12 p.m. on June 30, 2011.
2. Deposits of Miscellaneous Revenues. As normal, all deposits are expected to be submitted to the cashier daily (please remember to deliver cash and checks by hand). In order for the deposits to be posted in FY 2011, please submit all cash and checks to the cashier’s window by 12 p.m. on June 30, 2011.
EXPENSE PROCESSSING
1. Purchase Orders (P.O.s): We anticipate that if the P.O.s were in place by May 31, all items will most likely be received by June 30. For the exceptional cases where this does not happen, departments will need to contact us and submit documentation (i.e. e-mails, correspondence, etc.) evidencing that all possible efforts were made with the vendors to receive the items by June 30. Unless we hear from the departments before July 15 reporting that there have been unforeseen issues delaying deliveries, we will assume that all items received after June 30 are to be charged to the 2012 budget.
2. Purchasing Card (P.C.) Transactions: As long as the purchased items and services are received by June 30 and the funding to pay for those items is still available in the department’s budget at the end of the year, we will process this procurement against the FY 2011 budget. As in prior years, in order to avoid posting delays in P.C. transactions, we have requested PNC Bank to temporarily freeze our purchasing cards from June 20-30, 2011. This means that all purchases and travel charges to be paid with the purchasing card must be done by June 17, 2011. If you anticipate any problems with this temporary freeze, (i.e. traveling during the freezing period) please contact us immediately so we can address your specific situation with the bank.
Please keep in mind that we will keep the accounts payable (A/P) purchasing card open for any emergencies and we will be happy to assist your department with any last-minute needs during the freezing period.
Also please remember the following:
- If you will be gone before the end of June and have June charges on your P.C., please contact Cynthia before you leave so you can get your log sheet early, complete it and turn it into A/P before you leave for the summer.
- If you will be here but your supervisor will be gone at the time June log sheets are due, please contact Cynthia to obtain an early log.
- If you will be gone all summer and will not need your P.C., we suggest you leave it in a locked desk at Whitworth or send it to A/P for safekeeping to prevent using it by mistake. It causes a great difficulty when charges are made against P.C.s, log sheets are generated, but the employee and/or supervisor is off campus for the summer.
- If you are a P.C. holder and will be off campus during the summer, please check your e-mail periodically around the end of the month to see if there are questions regarding your PC log.
3. Other Procurement Less Than $5,000. This includes honorariums, pending invoices, mileage reimbursements, petty cash expenses, and expense reimbursements. Any goods and/or services rendered/received prior to or on June 30, 2011, need to follow the same requirements as Purchase Orders and Purchasing Card transactions, i.e. all documentation and check requests need to be submitted for reimbursement as close as possible to June 30 and no later than July 15, 2011. Unless we are notified before or on that date that a specific good or service was received before June 30 and that there are delays in receiving billing documents, we will post all documents received after July 15 against next year's budget. July 15 is the date we start closing our books in preparation for the auditors’ visit.
Please remember that, just as it has been done in the past, items or services (other than travel and memberships) with a value greater than $200 purchased this year but to be used/distributed next fiscal year (i.e. airline tickets, publications, memberships, etc.) will be considered as "pre-paid expenses" and will be charged to next year's budget.
4. Departments That Have Been Notified about Overspent Budgets. Please remember that unless timely funding transfers are processed, we will be unable to process further expenses (i.e. Purchasing Cards charges, invoices, reimbursement etc.). This includes operating lines as well as all student employment lines.
Budget officers, please note that incurring additional expenses once the department’s budget is exhausted is in direct violation of the university’s policy and qualifies as a work-performance issue.
5. Payroll: deadlines for web timecards in June are the same as other months. For the June 1-15 pay period to be paid on June 27 for students and June 30 for staff, all web time must be entered by June 18 for students; by June 20 for semi-monthly; and by June 24 for monthly staff.
Regarding the June 16-30 pay period, the student pay date is July 12, with timecards closing on July 3. The staff pay date is July 15, with timecards closing on July 5. All web-time must be entered by July 5. As always, any changes to the W-4 form or direct deposit information need to be submitted to the Whitworth Payroll Office two weeks prior to pay day.
We really appreciate your help with the compliance of these deadlines and all our policies. Please feel free to call us with your questions, comments or concerns regarding these deadlines or any other issues.
Thanks much in advance for your help.
Blessings,
Luz Merkel
Associate Vice President
Finance and Administration
509.777.4225
lmerkel@whitworth.edu
As we approach the end of another fiscal year, please see below for a review of our end-of-year deadlines. By meeting these deadlines you will help us better prepare for our audit and successfully close fiscal year (FY) 2011.
REVENUE PROCESSING
1. Deposit/Notification of Gifts (in cash, checks, credit cards and in-kind). All funds and/or notification of in-kind gifts are expected to be submitted to the Whitworth Institutional Advancement Office (June Hansen) as soon as they are received (please deliver cash and checks by hand). In order for these funds to be posted to FY 2011, please submit your deposit/notification into June’s office by 12 p.m. on June 30, 2011.
2. Deposits of Miscellaneous Revenues. As normal, all deposits are expected to be submitted to the cashier daily (please remember to deliver cash and checks by hand). In order for the deposits to be posted in FY 2011, please submit all cash and checks to the cashier’s window by 12 p.m. on June 30, 2011.
EXPENSE PROCESSSING
1. Purchase Orders (P.O.s): We anticipate that if the P.O.s were in place by May 31, all items will most likely be received by June 30. For the exceptional cases where this does not happen, departments will need to contact us and submit documentation (i.e. e-mails, correspondence, etc.) evidencing that all possible efforts were made with the vendors to receive the items by June 30. Unless we hear from the departments before July 15 reporting that there have been unforeseen issues delaying deliveries, we will assume that all items received after June 30 are to be charged to the 2012 budget.
2. Purchasing Card (P.C.) Transactions: As long as the purchased items and services are received by June 30 and the funding to pay for those items is still available in the department’s budget at the end of the year, we will process this procurement against the FY 2011 budget. As in prior years, in order to avoid posting delays in P.C. transactions, we have requested PNC Bank to temporarily freeze our purchasing cards from June 20-30, 2011. This means that all purchases and travel charges to be paid with the purchasing card must be done by June 17, 2011. If you anticipate any problems with this temporary freeze, (i.e. traveling during the freezing period) please contact us immediately so we can address your specific situation with the bank.
Please keep in mind that we will keep the accounts payable (A/P) purchasing card open for any emergencies and we will be happy to assist your department with any last-minute needs during the freezing period.
Also please remember the following:
- If you will be gone before the end of June and have June charges on your P.C., please contact Cynthia before you leave so you can get your log sheet early, complete it and turn it into A/P before you leave for the summer.
- If you will be here but your supervisor will be gone at the time June log sheets are due, please contact Cynthia to obtain an early log.
- If you will be gone all summer and will not need your P.C., we suggest you leave it in a locked desk at Whitworth or send it to A/P for safekeeping to prevent using it by mistake. It causes a great difficulty when charges are made against P.C.s, log sheets are generated, but the employee and/or supervisor is off campus for the summer.
- If you are a P.C. holder and will be off campus during the summer, please check your e-mail periodically around the end of the month to see if there are questions regarding your PC log.
3. Other Procurement Less Than $5,000. This includes honorariums, pending invoices, mileage reimbursements, petty cash expenses, and expense reimbursements. Any goods and/or services rendered/received prior to or on June 30, 2011, need to follow the same requirements as Purchase Orders and Purchasing Card transactions, i.e. all documentation and check requests need to be submitted for reimbursement as close as possible to June 30 and no later than July 15, 2011. Unless we are notified before or on that date that a specific good or service was received before June 30 and that there are delays in receiving billing documents, we will post all documents received after July 15 against next year's budget. July 15 is the date we start closing our books in preparation for the auditors’ visit.
Please remember that, just as it has been done in the past, items or services (other than travel and memberships) with a value greater than $200 purchased this year but to be used/distributed next fiscal year (i.e. airline tickets, publications, memberships, etc.) will be considered as "pre-paid expenses" and will be charged to next year's budget.
4. Departments That Have Been Notified about Overspent Budgets. Please remember that unless timely funding transfers are processed, we will be unable to process further expenses (i.e. Purchasing Cards charges, invoices, reimbursement etc.). This includes operating lines as well as all student employment lines.
Budget officers, please note that incurring additional expenses once the department’s budget is exhausted is in direct violation of the university’s policy and qualifies as a work-performance issue.
5. Payroll: deadlines for web timecards in June are the same as other months. For the June 1-15 pay period to be paid on June 27 for students and June 30 for staff, all web time must be entered by June 18 for students; by June 20 for semi-monthly; and by June 24 for monthly staff.
Regarding the June 16-30 pay period, the student pay date is July 12, with timecards closing on July 3. The staff pay date is July 15, with timecards closing on July 5. All web-time must be entered by July 5. As always, any changes to the W-4 form or direct deposit information need to be submitted to the Whitworth Payroll Office two weeks prior to pay day.
We really appreciate your help with the compliance of these deadlines and all our policies. Please feel free to call us with your questions, comments or concerns regarding these deadlines or any other issues.
Thanks much in advance for your help.
Blessings,
Luz Merkel
Associate Vice President
Finance and Administration
509.777.4225
lmerkel@whitworth.edu
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Meet Your Colleague: A Q&A with Bonnie Wakefield, Assistant Director of Graduate Studies in Business
Name: Bonnie Wakefield
Job title: Assistant Director
Department: Graduate Studies in Business
How long have you worked at Whitworth? 14 years
What do you like best about your job? Working with students and seeing the changes in their lives after obtaining their master’s degree
In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? We are very student service-oriented in our department and I hope my ability to serve and truly care about students is reflected in my work.
Favorite book: Usually the one I’m reading if it’s a good one. Currently, Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Favorite movie: “The Princess Bride,” because our family knows lots of the funny lines
Favorite food: Italian and Middle Eastern
Favorite quote: “Keep looking up,” my dad
Favorite music: 70s oldies and Christian artists like Fernando Ortega
Favorite animal: Golden retrievers, especially puppies
Guilty pleasure: Baskin-Robbins peanut butter and chocolate ice cream
Hobbies: Playing with my grandchildren
Best vacation ever: Yellowstone Park when our kids were young
Birth place: Seattle
We’d be surprised to know that…I won $10,000 during a Seattle Storm halftime basketball shooting contest with my husband and daughter (a former Whitworth women’s basketball player).
I collect…pictures of my grandchildren.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Greece
If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? I would start a business training golden retrievers to be seeing eye/helper dogs
What is your favorite sound? A baby’s giggle
What is your life motto? To love God and love people
If the whole world was listening, what would you say? “Love one another”
Favorite childhood book: Lassie Come-Home
Favorite childhood TV shows: “JP Patches” and “Captain Kangaroo”
Least favorite word: Sucks
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 would go with my husband and visit all the national parks in the U.S. (and visit our grandchildren along the way).
Best high school class subject: I went to an experimental high school and we didn’t have traditional classes, so I would say hanging out with my friends...by the way, the experiment failed and regular classes were instituted two years after I graduated.
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