A number of “Run Like Hale” T-shirts are available for purchase. Proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society in honor of Gwen Hale, director of the UMW Writing Center.

http://www.booster.com/runlikehale?type=2&side=front

President Troy D. Paino has announced the appointment of Nina Mikhalevsky as UMW’s provost, effective July 1, 2017.  Dr. Mikhalevsky has worked at the University of Mary Washington since 2006 and currently is serving as acting provost.

In announcing Mikhalevsky’s appointment, Paino cited her proven administrative capability and commitment to Mary Washington. He noted, “Nina Mikhalevsky is an extraordinary academic leader who has demonstrated a deep commitment to the public liberal arts mission of UMW. I am pleased to have her as an energetic and visionary member of my leadership team.”

As provost, Mikhalevsky will serve as the University’s chief academic officer, responsible for oversight of all academic programs, academic planning and budgets, and faculty matters. Working with the deans and the faculty, the provost provides leadership of major university initiatives in teaching, research and creative activities, and has responsibility for all university educational and academic policies.

Dr. Mikhalevsky has served in a variety of administrative positions at UMW, including vice president for strategy and policy, acting provost, and interim dean of the college of education. Prior to coming to Mary Washington, she was assistant dean for academic programs and planning at the George Washington University. She also held a number of other significant administrative and leadership roles at GW.

Dr. Mikhalevsky, a gifted and highly recognized teacher and scholar, holds a tenured position as professor of philosophy. She earned a Ph.D. and an M.A. in philosophy from Georgetown University, as well as a B.A. in philosophy from Boston University. Named the Ambassador John M. Steeves Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Dr. Mikhalevsky was also awarded a teaching fellowship and a university fellowship at Georgetown University. She is the recipient of the Elizabeth J. Somers Award for Outstanding Leadership in Women’s Education from Mount Vernon College. She is a member of the American Philosophical Association, and the American Society for Aesthetics.

Dr. Mikhalevsky’s areas of academic expertise and research include aesthetics, ethics, and political theory, as well as women in STEM, women’s education and pedagogy, and the history of women’s education.

UMW Staff,

The Commonwealth of Virginia Auditors of Public Accounts conducts an annual audit of the UMW’s technology security program. As a result of their last audit, the auditors have asked the IT Department to implement additional security controls around VPN access and local administrator accounts. This email outlines the important changes we are making to comply.

These new security controls have been presented for review and comment to the Staff Advisory Council, University Faculty Council, CAS Department Chairs, and the President’s Leadership Council.

VPN Access

VPN (virtual private network) access is used by some faculty and staff to access certain internal UMW systems from off-campus. In the past, the use of VPN has been available to all faculty and staff by downloading and installing the VPN client software, and logging in using a UMW NetID and password. In the future, the following additional security controls must be followed to use VPN:

• A request must be submitted to the IT Security Office for you to be given, or to retain, the ability to use VPN to access UMW systems.
• When your request is submitted, your supervisor will be copied and must review and approve the request.
• A two-factor authentication system, called Duo, must be used when authenticating into a VPN connection.
• A VPN connection used to access internal UMW systems can only be made using a UMW-issued device. A personally-owned computer or laptop cannot be used to access UMW internal systems.
• A personally-owned computer or laptop can be used to establish a VPN connection to access the Internet only.

Who needs to go through this VPN approval process now? 

If you don’t currently use a VPN connection, then you probably don’t need this type of connection and don’t need to go through this process.  If you do have a current VPN connection and want to keep it, then you will need to complete this process.  If your needs change in the future, you can go through the approval process at that time.  If you are uncertain or have questions, please contact the IT Help Desk and we can help you determine if you need a VPN connection.

If you are currently a VPN user, and would like to continue to utilize this service, please submit your request by April 30, 2017. The new security controls described above will be activated on May 16, 2017

For more detailed instructions on how to request, install, and utilize VPN access, follow this link: http://technology.umw.edu/connecting/off-campus-access-umw-network-using-vpn/

Local Administrator Accounts

In the past, UMW faculty and staff were issued two accounts to login to their UMW-issued computer.  The first account, intended for daily use, was accessed using your NetID and password.  The second “local administrator” account, using a different login and password, was used to perform actions like updating software, or installing programs. The local administrator account has the highest level of system privileges on your computer, and this account can be exploited by viruses or malware. In the future, the following additional security control must be followed to use a local administrator account:

• A request must be submitted to the IT Security Office to be given, or to retain, a local administrator account.
• When your request is submitted, your supervisor will be copied and must review and approve the request.

Who needs to go through this Local Admin Account approval process now? 

If you don’t currently use your local administrator account, then you probably don’t need to go through this process.  If you use a local administrator account, and would like to continue to use it, please submit your request by April 30, 2017. Beginning May 16, 2017, IT staff will begin to remove local administrator accounts from faculty and staff computers that don’t have an approved request for a local administrator account.

If your needs change in the future, you can go through the approval process at that time.  If you are uncertain or have questions, please contact the IT Help Desk and we can help you determine if you need a local administrator account.

For more detailed instructions on how to request, install, and utilize local administrator access, follow this link: http://technology.umw.edu/hss/admin-accounts/

Thank you for your understanding and support as we implement these new security controls. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these new security controls, please contact the Help Desk at x2255 or helpdesk@umw.edu

 

Hall Cheshire

Chief Information Officer

University of Mary Washington

540-654-1379

hcheshir@umw.edu

 

 

The following message is from UMW’s Center for International Education:

UMW students and staff who plan to travel to South Florida, Texas, or outside the U.S. during Spring Break should educate themselves about the Zika virus, a dangerous disease carried by mosquitoes.

Before traveling, check the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Zika Travel Information site. Pack insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts and pants, and bed netting if mosquitoes can get to where you will be sleeping. While you are in Zika-prevalent areas, use insect repellent (remember to apply sunscreen first) or cover exposed skin. Do not forget that Zika can be spread through sexual contact, so always use protection if you have sex.

When you return home, keep an eye out for symptoms of the Zika virus and contact your healthcare provider immediately if you think you may have Zika. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint or muscle pain, conjunctivitis, and headache.

For more information about Zika, visit http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/zika/. We wish you all a safe and happy Spring Break!

The following message is from the University Title IX Office and the Office of Student Affairs:

To the campus community:

Regardless of actions on the federal level, UMW upholds its commitment to supporting transgender students in its policies and practices. Safe access to gender neutral bathrooms and gender neutral housing remains a priority.

As the welfare of every UMW citizen is important to sustaining the optimal learning environment, please utilize resources on campus that work to promote safety, diversity, and inclusion. These include the James Farmer Multicultural Center, the Talley Center, the Title IX office, the Office of Student Life, and the UMW police. Also, students are reminded to download the Rave Guardian safety app on their mobile devices and to utilize the University escort service as needed.

 

 

Dear fellow students, faculty, and staff:

We, as a group of diverse and active students, would like to address the recent disturbing incidents that have taken place not only on our campus and in the surrounding community, but throughout our nation.

In the last few weeks, there have been several known instances of white supremacist propaganda appearing on our campus. The most jarring include Nazi imagery and a homophobic slur that seek to isolate and alienate people from our community. Here at the University of Mary Washington, we want our fellow students to know that we condemn such acts of terror. Hate speech goes against our community’s core values and will not be tolerated on our campus.

History has taught us the dangers of this propaganda, and the memory of such horrors guides us to fight against these harmful ideas and to push back against actions that target members of marginalized groups and identities. We want students, no matter their affiliation, to know that their peers here at Mary Washington will voice their strong views against such heinous acts.

Students in Madison Hall and others who feel concern for their safety and well-being on campus should know that they have our continued support in the fight for justice, and are valued members of our community. We hear your frustration, and we are working alongside our administration to promote a more open dialogue about our campus climate and the needs of our students.

If anyone on campus witnesses discriminatory behavior, actions, or publications, there are many resources available for reporting them. Please do not sit idly by while injustice occurs; the only way to dispel these harmful ideas is to actively acknowledge and challenge them. Document and report them to the University by filing a bias incident report (see link at bottom).

In addition, please utilize resources on campus that work to promote safety and diversity, such as the James Farmer Multicultural Center, Talley Center, Title IX office, and the UMW police. If possible, download the Rave Guardian safety app on your mobile device to help stay safe on and off campus.

This is our UMW. Our community is built from our differences and with our differences. We are built on respect for each other, for faculty, and for staff. We construct the ideals of our campus community on the pillars of our morality and our intellect. We are here to learn, not just from the classroom, but from each other. Together, we are one UMW. Together, we are UMW United. In Solidarity,

Women of Color

Islamic Student Association

Young Democrats

College Republicans

People for the Rights of Individuals of Gender and Sexual Minorities

Judicial Review Board

Student Government Association

Campus Programming Board

Environmental Action Coalition

Diversity and Unity Coordinating Committee

Geek Alliance

Association of Computing Machinery

Classics Club

Japanese Animation and Dramatic Entertainment

League of Legends Collegiate Club

Pokemon Club

UMW Competitive Super Smash Bros. Club

Tabletop Game Club

UMW Whovians

Video Game Club

Western Animation Club

No Labels

InterClub Association

Class Council

Arab Culture Club

Asian Student Association

UMW Breakers

Eagle Bhangra

Association of Residence Halls

UMW Middle Eastern Dance Club

#UMWUnited

 

For filing a bias incident report: http://www.umw.edu/concerns/

Dear Classified Employees and Supervisors:

As you know, President Paino has made a commitment to evaluate and address compensation for UMW’s classified staff.   As part of that commitment, the University has launched a compensation study for classified staff with the following goals:

• Measure the University’s compensation market position for classified staff
• Identify pay structures, policies, and guidelines to facilitate internally equitable and market competitive compensation for classified staff

A compensation advisory committee*, comprised of classified staff from different departments and functional areas within the university, is helping to guide the study under the direction of HR and our compensation consultant, Heather Kazemi, CCP, SPHR, Segal Group, Washington, D.C.**

You are encouraged to learn more about the approach to the study and the process at an information session on March 2 at 4 p.m.( location pending).

Thank You

*We extend gratitude to the Compensation Advisory Committee for their service on behalf of all classified employees:

Michael Hall, Police Department

Andrea Correa, Housekeeing

Michelle Brooks, Residence Life

Ali Hieber, Events

Beth Hunsinger, Advancement

James Deloatch, Procurement

Angela Lily, Finance

Connie Souza, Facilities

Michael Morley, Muisic

Susanne Tomlin, Registrar

Kelly Eury, Admissions

Andrea Cordray, College of Businsess

**About our Consultant:

Ms. Kazemi is a Vice President and Senior Compensation Consultant for the  Segal Group’s office in  Washington, D.C. office. For the past 22 years, Heather has worked with public institutions and other public sector entities to evaluate the internal equity and external competitiveness of their total rewards

programs, as well as modernize job classification structures and performance evaluation programs.

Heather has partnered with numerous higher education institutions, k-12 school districts, and

other organizations to build strategic compensation philosophies and develop sustainable

solutions that are aligned with their culture.

In Virginia, she has led compensation projects for:

• George Mason University
• Virginia Tech, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
• James Madison University
• Northern Virginia Community College
• Virginia Community College System
• Prince William County Public Schools
• Fairfax County Public Schools
• Loudoun County Public Schools
• Albemarle County
• Spotsylvania County
• Prince William County
• City of Salem
• City of Manassas
• Fairfax Water Authority

 

Undergraduate Commencement Volunteers Needed!!

Undergraduate Commencement: Saturday, May 13, 2017, on the Fredericksburg campus.

Volunteers are needed to assist with questions, meet/greet, drive golf carts and direct guests.  All volunteers on Saturday, May 13, 2017 will receive a ticket to the picnic. Email Tameka Brown in the Office of University Events and Conferencing at tjalal@umw.edu if you are interested in this opportunity. Volunteers will need to arrive by 6:30 a.m., and all assignments will end at 3 p.m.