November 25, 2024

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Nominations for Eagle’s Summit Open Through July 26

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UMW announces the launch of the Eagle's Summit leadership program for employees.

UMW announces the launch of the Eagle’s Summit leadership program for employees.

UMW’s Continuing and Professional Studies, Human Resources and President’s Cabinet announce the launch of Eagle’s Summit, Advancing Supervisory Leadership at UMW. This program is the next phase of implementation of the Quality Enhancement Plan and Life After Mary Washington, and is the product of a cross-functional team representing multiple areas of UMW. QEP Co-Directors Jennifer Walker and Kimberly Young thank Teresa Segelken for chairing the Staff Development working group along with Sarah Appleby, Deborah Burton and Wes Hillyard, who were active working group members providing their insight, experience and expertise.

Eagle’s Summit is designed using the contemporary best practices of developing leaders, combining both leadership theory and practical application with cohort development to build a stronger university culture.

“We are writing the next chapter in leadership at UMW. Eagle’s Summit is an important part of developing our community and ensuring our supervisors are well prepared to support their teams,” said UMW President Troy Paino. “UMW is a great place to work, and investing in our leaders will enhance the experience.”

Eagle’s Summit integrates leadership best practices with the 10 core competencies that were established as part of our QEP. “By focusing on a common set of competencies between student career readiness and our own leadership development, we begin to create a common language and culture around career development that not only helps our students prepare for their lives after Mary Washington, but also supports our leaders in their careers at Mary Washington,” said Associate Provost of Career and Workforce Kimberly Young. “We envision an opportunity for our Eagle supervisors to use the competencies to support their teams and reflect on their own career journey. This will deepen our connection to the competencies, furthering the goals of Life After Mary Washington.”

“This program is another step toward weaving the core competencies of the QEP into the fabric of the UMW culture. Eagle’s Summit will provide further opportunity for supervisors to grow professionally and transform the concept of Life after Mary Washington while impacting their careers at Mary Washington,” said Provost Tim O’Donnell.

Eagle’s Summit is centered on the idea that leadership requires knowing yourself well, understanding your team and planning for the future. The program will also build connections across the UMW community, permeating unintentional silos and building our interdependence. “Contemporary leadership moves supervisors away from being task monitors to team empowerers. Good leadership is like growing a garden – it takes skill and the right ingredients to nurture, but will sustain a group when done well,” said Director of Continuing and Professional Studies Teresa Segelken. “Our region is rapidly growing, and it is vital that we invest in growing the capacity in our community. We have an opportunity to work together to build leadership skills in our supervisors to serve our larger community.”

The program will include dedicated classroom time to learn leadership best practices, a book discussion with members of the President’s Cabinet, mentoring and a capstone project.

Learn more about the requirements, and nominate participants using this form by July 26. Eagle’s Summit will kick off on August 15, 2024, and conclude in May 2025.

Farnsworth Pens Piece on Nation’s Sentiments Toward Kamala Harris for ‘The Conversation’

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Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth penned a recent piece for The Conversation titled “GOP attacks against Kamala Harris were already bad – they are about to get worse.” Public opinion polls suggest that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is doing slightly better than Joe Biden was against Donald Trump, Farnsworth wrote in the piece – which was picked up by multiple outlets – but Republican attacks against her are only now ramping up. Read more.

Other recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:

Virginia convention delegation backs Harris, turnout to be key, analysts say (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“Harris may generate some increased support among those people sometimes called the ‘double haters,’ people not happy with either Biden or Trump as nominees,” said Stephen Farnsworth,  a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.
https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/virginia-kamala-harris-democratic-national-convention/article_84b8c018-48f6-11ef-8e71-dbe9c21554c0.html

Tippett’s Work With Students Featured in ‘Chesapeake Bay Magazine’

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Adjunct Professor of Earth and Environmental Science John Tippett

Adjunct Professor of Earth and Environmental Science John Tippett

Adjunct Professor of Earth and Environmental Science John Tippett was featured in a recent article in Chesapeake Bay Magazine titled “How To Explore The Disappearing Shark Tooth Island.” A research team from the University of Mary Washington is seeking to use the sandbar as an example of the effects of rising sea levels and groundwater withdrawal, educating the public on the reasons for and effects of climate change. “Our goal is to use the island to make the concept of climate change real and personal by showing the effects on a place people really care about,” says Professor John Tippett, who has been advising a team of researchers since October. Read more.

Gately Performs With the National Symphony Orchestra

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Department of Music Senior Lecturer Doug Gately

Department of Music Senior Lecturer Doug Gately

Doug Gately performed with the National Symphony Orchestra on the PBS July 4th Concert, “A Capital Fourth.” The concert was televised live from the U.S. Capitol. Guest artists with the orchestra included Alfonso Ribeiro, Fantasia, Smokey Robinson, Loren Allred, Fitz & Noelle, Sheila E, Chloe Flower, Darren Criss and Sister Sledge.

Williams Earns Headlines for Unveiling of On-Campus Civil Rights Trail Markers

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James Farmer Multicultural Center Assistant Director Chris Williams

James Farmer Multicultural Center Assistant Director Chris Williams

James Farmer Multicultural Center Assistant Director Chris Williams earned a series of recent headlines for the July 16, 2024, unveiling of five on-campus markers that are part of the Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail, “Freedom, A Work in Progress.” Williams, along with the City of Fredericksburg’s Victoria Matthews, spearheaded the project, working to create the trail, which was included as part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail earlier this year. Local and regional headlines include:

Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail completed with UMW stops (The Free Lance-Star)
A crowd gathered Tuesday morning outside Combs Hall on the campus of University of Mary Washington to witness the unveiling of two new informational signs.
City, UMW unveil on-campus stops for U.S. Civil Rights Trail (Fredericksburg Free Press)
Five new stops on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail were unveiled Tuesday morning in front of Combs Hall on the campus of the University of Mary Washington.
 
Campus Stops On The Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail Unveiled (FXBG Advance)
Almost four years to the day after an email exchange that initiated work on the Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail, city and University of Mary Washington leaders unveiled five wayside panels that complete the trail.
UMW Installs Five New Fredericksburg Civil Rights Wayside Panels on Campus (FXBG Fredericksburg, Virginia Economic Development; WHRO; Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce)
The University of Mary Washington and the City of Fredericksburg unveiled five new Fredericksburg Civil Rights Wayside Panels installed on campus, on Tuesday, July 16.

U.S. Civil Rights Trail unveils new historical markers in Fredericksburg (VPM)
Five panels along the U.S. Civil Rights Trail were unveiled Tuesday at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.
https://www.vpm.org/news/2024-07-17/us-civil-rights-trail-mary-washington-fredericksburg

‘Struggle for freedom was real’: Five historic markers document civil rights movement at UMW (Augusta Free Press)
Five markers unveiled this week at the University of Mary Washington tell the story of a college campus and the perseverance of its community members following the civil rights movement of the 1950s and ’60s.

Sharing Sad News in the Passing of Former Executive Director of Development Zachary Hatcher

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The following message is from the Chief of Staff:

Campus Colleagues,

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Zachary Hatcher, former executive director of development at UMW. Zach and his partner Chris Kucera died Monday night in a single-engine airplane crash at Long Island MacArthur Airport. News is just being shared after this tragedy, and we’ll update our campus on ways to connect and remember our former colleague as services are scheduled. For those seeking additional support, please remember that the Employee Assistance Program, which is available at no cost with state employee health insurance plans, may be accessed through the Human Resources website. Any students coping with this news can access TimelyCare from anywhere they are this summer.

Zach had recently been appointed CEO of the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region after many years as senior director of development for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. He previously worked in the Fredericksburg region, for six and a half years at UMW and as executive director of the Fredericksburg Area Health and Support Services (FAHASS) prior to his work on campus. In each role, his leadership and enthusiasm advanced so many important initiatives and organizational missions.

At UMW, Zach served as senior director of corporate, foundation and individual giving – a program he helped to build. He advanced into the role of executive director of development, where he led fundraising efforts for Arts & Culture initiatives and was instrumental in the development of the Beyond the Classroom endowment. He’s known for being an expert in volunteer leadership, and his colleagues recall how he strived to leave a place better than he found it. Thanks to this approach, his impact at UMW will live on for decades to come.

Zach and Chris also renovated historic properties, known online and by many colleagues and friends for their hospitality at their White Plains Farm in King George County. His voice is recognizable and resonates with many as co-host of the Art Snap podcast.

Our sympathies and support go to his family, as well as members of our campus community who worked closely with him and benefitted from his work and generosity. He will be dearly missed.

Jeff McClurken
Chief of Staff

Larus Comments on U.S.-China Arms Dialogue for ‘Sputnik News’

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Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus

Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus spoke to Sputnik News for a recent segment titled “Analysis-No Chance for Substantive U.S.-China Arms Dialogue Until After U.S. Presidential Election.” On the episode, Larus says, “I expect a fair amount of shuttle diplomacy with U.S. diplomats, like Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan meeting their Chinese counterparts, likely in a third country. This is bad timing to bring conversations back on track. The Biden Administration is focused on the 2024 Presidential election, with ex-President Donald Trump leading in most polls.”

Action Requested: Telework Agreement Review

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Dear Colleagues,

It is time again to review existing telework agreements and make any needed changes.  Any employee (other than teaching faculty) who engages in any amount of telework must have a telework agreement in place.  In an effort to reduce the amount of time it takes to complete and return new telework agreements, UMW has decided to roll existing telework agreements into the new fiscal year as long as no changes have been made. Supervisors should review all existing telework agreements and do the following:

  • If the approved number of telework days has not changed from the previous agreement, supervisors should complete and sign the Telework Confirmation Form and return it to HR.
  • If there is a change to the number of approved telework days, a new telework agreement must be submitted, per the guidelines below.

New telework agreements must be approved by supervisors and turned in to HR before teleworking may begin.

For Classified employees, UMW has the authority to approve telework for one day per week; state level approval is required for telework schedules of two or more days per week. A fillable version of the state’s standard agreement is attached below – please use this version of the form (rather than the version on DHRM’s website or any others that may come from the Commonwealth). Please see below for next steps.

Action Items for New or Updated Agreements:

·         Classified Employees: Complete the new Classified Telework Agreement and name it based on the following: LastNameUMW1 or LastNameUMW2 or LastNameUMW3 – the numbers represent the number of telework days per week (use 3 for three or more days per week). Typing your name in the signature box on the form sufficiently documents your signature.

·         AP Faculty or Wage Employees: Complete the Non-Classified Telework Agreement form and sign it.

·         Email your completed form to the following simultaneously:

o    Your supervisor;

o    Your Cabinet Vice President;

o    Human Resources at Telework@umw.edu. Agreements for 2 or more telework days per week will be forwarded to the Secretary of Education’s office.

*If you do not know your employee ID, please contact Deborah Burton in HR (dburton@umw.edu).

·         Supervisors and Cabinet: notify all parties immediately if a telework agreement is not approved or needs modification.

Please also visit the Telework Policy and Procedure webpage for helpful information and resources about telework and flexible work schedules.

Beth Williams
Executive Director for Human Resources
540 654-1294
bwilli22@umw.edu

Summer Maintenance Projects

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This summer, we’ll be working on several maintenance and repair projects across campus, including projects started in the spring or extended from prior summers. Below are summaries and estimated dates of the projects, with more information available on the Campus Construction website or linked with each project.

The Underground Utilities Project continues for a fourth summer with plans to complete and conclude the replacement of steam and waterlines throughout the Fredericksburg Campus. The summer 2024 portion will be located on the green space between Mason and Randolph Halls, with work beginning in June and concluding by early August. Impacts to sidewalks should be minimal and both residence halls are offline during the project. When it concludes, the project will have replaced more than 5,000 linear feet of waterlines and steam pipes on the Fredericksburg campus, upgrading aging infrastructure and improving efficiencies in our water and heating systems. See the FAQ online.

George Washington Hall HVAC systems will be replaced on the second and third floors, which have been closed for the spring semester due to prior water damage. The project includes repairing or replacing fan-coil units, completing mold remediation, and restoring the offices impacted. The second and third floors of GW Hall are closed during this process, with offices contained during the work. The first floor, Dodd Auditorium, and accessible restrooms in the basement are open. The balcony of Dodd Auditorium also remains open to Dodd staff to facilitate events. The project is already in progress with an expected completion in early August. Learn more about this project online. 

The Monroe Hall roof reconstruction has begun, and Monroe Hall is closed. A construction fence added in April also closes a portion of the parking spaces in the Monroe Hall North Lot. The project will continue through the summer and early fall and includes a full roof reconstruction. Classes and offices have been relocated to other buildings. Please visit the online directory for new locations of offices or use the student information system to find course information. Read more about this project online.

Goolrick Pool repairs are in progress, and the pool area is closed while the area is drained and tile is replaced. Starting May 21, a contractor will be placing a dumpster on Alvey Drive behind the Goolrick Pool Deck, creating a single-lane condition throughout most of the summer. The pool is anticipated to re-open in the fall 2024 semester for the start of fall sports and activities. Anyone seeking alternative pool locations can contact Campus Recreation for recommendations or read more about the project online. The Fitness Center, auxiliary gym and main gym, along with primary locker rooms remain open.

Simpson Library has been scheduled for several upgrades in its building systems and features, including reupholstering of the beloved treehouses. In addition, this summer we’ll begin work on structural repairs in the stairwells on each end of the building. One stairwell will be closed at a time, maintaining access via the center stairwell or opposite end of the building. The work is scheduled to begin in June and will continue through December.

Ball Circle reopened recently for Devil-Goat Day and Commencement. This major green space will be open through Reunion, then closed briefly for maintenance leading into the fall semester. Ball Circle will be open for activities in fall 2024. Read more about the multiyear restoration project online.

Eagle Landing Parking Deck repairs will take place on various floors through the end of June in segmented sections to minimize closures at any one time. This work is a continuation of the winter maintenance and will impact residential parking areas with spaces marked off as the work is completed. Floors not impacted by the work will remain open for resident parking as well as faculty/staff and retail spaces as marked.

Entrance signs on the Fredericksburg Campus and Stafford Campus will be updated to the current UMW brand. This work includes brickwork restoration on the monumental entrance signs on the Fredericksburg campus and replacement of the stonework. The sign at the corner of Sunken and William St. will have a temporary signage update through the upcoming theatre project. The work begins June 3 to conclude by early to mid-July.

UMW’s new theatre is still in the planning stages, along with renovations to duPont, Melchers and Pollard Halls. More information will be available following the design review with construction expected to begin following the demolishing of Russell and Marshall Halls in summer 2025. Read more about this project through recent new stories.

This summer also includes smaller-scale projects such as plumbing repairs, carpet cleaning, and floor waxing in residence halls, new stair treads in high-traffic areas, HVAC replacements and lighting replacements.

For any questions, contact Executive Director of Facilities Operations Brian Gorham at bgorham@umw.edu or Capital Outlay Director Gary Hobson at ghobson@umw.edu.