Join Gaye Adegbalola as she speaks and performs on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 7 p.m. in Dodd Auditorium.
This event is free and open to the public.
For more information, call 540-654-1023.
Students Create Art During Festival
Ten students from the UMW design principles art classes worked together throughout the weekend to create a 10 x 10 foot chalk drawing on the streets of downtown Fredericksburg as part of this year’s Via Colori Festival.
Via Colori is an annual event where people come together to create chalk art on Charlotte and Sophia streets in Fredericksburg. Read more about the Via Colori Festival in the Free Lance-Star.
Mindfulness Week at UMW
Have you noticed the references to ‘Mindfulness’ popping up in unexpected places and wondered “Just what is mindfulness?” An answer to that question, and more, will be provided during UMW’s Mindfulness Week starting September 30. Often described as open, non-judging awareness of the present moment, mindfulness has been shown to be beneficial in recognizing and resolving habitual patterns, in managing stress, and in improving performance, both academic and athletic. Join in on the talks and discussions, the film viewings, and the guided mindfulness practices during Mindfulness Week to learn more.
Mindfulness Week Activities
Introduction to Mindfulness
Dr. Angela Pitts and Dr. David Ambuel
Monday, September 30
7-8:15 p.m.
Ridderhof-Martin Gallery
Guided Mindfulness Meditation Practice
Bill Brooks
Tuesday, October 1
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Monroe Hall, Room 115
Mindfulness and Personal Performance
Dr. Nina Mikhalevsky
Tuesday, October 1
7-8:15 p.m.
Lee Hall, Room 412
Mindful Eating
Dr. Nicole Surething
Wednesday, October 2
Noon-12:45 p.m.
Seacobeck
Once Dumb, Twice Crazy, Third Time Wise: A Tale of Buddhist Pilgrimage
Documentary Film
Dr. David Ambuel
Wednesday, October 2
4-5:30 p.m.
Lee Hall, Room 411
Keynote Address: Mindfulness and Stress Management – The Practice and the Science
Dr. Hugh Byrne
Wednesday, October 2
7-8:30 p.m.
Monroe Hall, Room 116
Reception to follow
Guided Mindfulness Meditation Practice
Bill Brooks
Thursday , October 3
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Monroe Hall, Room 111
Lifeless – Film and Presentation
Zakaria Kronemer
Thursday, October3
5-6 p.m.
Monroe Hall, Room 116
Mindfulness and the Brain
Dr. Christopher Lillis
Thursday, October 3
7-8:15 p.m.
Lee Hall, Room 412
T’ai Chi Practice
Patinya Ambuel
Friday, October 4
Noon-2 p.m.
Woodard Campus Center, Great Hall
CVC 2013 Kicks Off!
The 2013 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign officially kicks off next week throughout the state. Here at UMW, there will once again be designated Ambassadors that will help manage our internal campaign, and you should hear from your designated ambassador soon with regard to making a pledge.
Meanwhile, we will be holding a ‘charity fair’ on October 1 and 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., outside of the faculty-staff entrance to Seacobeck. Several charities will be on hand for you to talk with, and we will have a table set up with CVC information as well as pledge forms. We will also have a 2013 CVC Directory of Charities on hand, so that you can determine which organization you would like to support. And remember, if you have recently participated in a fund raising event or give regularly to a listed non-profit (any time between March 1 and December 30, 2013), you qualify as a CVC participant. Contact me (or your Ambassador) about how to make your giving count towards the UMW campaign.
Please contact Lori Izykowski at lizykows@umw.edu with any questions related to this year’s campaign. Our goal this year is to improve our overall participation rate. Last year we increased it to 10 percent, up by 3 percent over the prior year. I think we as an institution can do much better. We are, after all, the little university with the big heart!
PCS Ready to Kick Off Academic Year 13-14
The President’s Council on Sustainability (PCS) held its first meeting of the new academic year on Friday, September 13. Members discussed future action goals for the upcoming year, as well as reviewed the 2012-13 Annual Report that was presented to President Hurley this summer. Some of the accomplishments of the PCS last year included establishing a composting program in Seacobeck Dining Hall, the launching of a pedestrian initiative (increasing walk-ability and safety on campus) by faculty members Dr. Andi Smith and Dr. Eric Bonds, the continuation of an Environmental Studies Research Colloquium series led by Dr. Jeremy Larochelle, as well as many other noteworthy projects and initiatives. To read the entire report, please go to: http://sustainability.umw.edu/programs/pcs/.
The PCS, formed in the fall of 2009, consists of faculty, staff, and students, giving the PCS a dynamic perspective on sustainability on campus. The council reports both to the executive vice president for administration and finance and the provost. As such, PCS has a critical role in shaping administrative goals and objectives relating to campus sustainability.
On Wednesday, October 2 from noon-2 p.m. the PCS will be holding a pot luck picnic on the lawn between Randolph and Mason Hall. Please stop by for some food and to chat with members of the PCS.
New Fundraising Opportunity for Students
The Advancement Office is offering a brand new tool to help students receive special funding for projects, research, and/or organizational activities beginning this year.
The UMW Community Outreach Initiative is a grassroots campaign allowing students, in need of funding, a chance to be featured on the UMW website. Through an application process, students will submit their ideas, and a committee consisting of UMW Alumni and Advancement staff will select four qualifying applicants. The Advancement Office, in conjunction with the selected student or group, will then promote and encourage unique fundraising opportunities to encourage giving from alumni, parents, friends, and current students. The showcase promotion for each project ends when fully funded or at the close of the campaign.
For more information and to access the application, please visit http://giving.umw.edu/umw-community-outreach-initiative.
News from Human Resources
Another Chance to take a Health Assessment and Earn Premium Rewards
We are hosting another free onsite biometric screening on September 30 in Lee Hall, Room 412. Visit http://adminfinance.umw.edu/hr/employee-relations/worklife/whats-new-2/ for more information.
Flexible Reimbursement Account Deadline for July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013. For more information: http://adminfinance.umw.edu/hr/employee-relations/worklife/whats-new-2/
Service Award Recipients
Congratulations to our service award recipients for the month of September. Please visit http://adminfinance.umw.edu/hr/2013/08/16/service-awards/ to view the list.
Fidelity Representative on site October 3
Our Fidelity Representative will be on site for individual counseling on Thursday, October 3 in GW106. For more information go to: http://adminfinance.umw.edu/hr/employee-relations/worklife/whats-new-2/
Save the Date! Employee Fall Luncheon in the Great Hall
Tuesday, October 15 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Wear UMW spirit ware for extra raffle tickets!
Employee Discounts – As a state employee, please remember you can take advantage of the discounts on this page: http://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeediscounts.html.
Employee Banking Opportunities and Discounts: To view the list of participating financial institutions, visit: http://adminfinance.umw.edu/hr/benefits/banking-information/.
BJs Special Savings just for Employees of UMW.
For more information: http://adminfinance.umw.edu/hr/employee-relations/worklife/whats-new-2/.
UMW Campus Center Groundbreaking
UMW will celebrate the beginning of construction of the new campus center in a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Sept. 20 at 4 p.m. on Ball Circle. The four-story building, in the footprint of the former Chandler Hall, will have an entrance facing both Ball Circle and College Avenue.
Latino Identities Month Keynote Speaker: Christine Chavez
Christine Chavez once heard her grandfather, Cesar Chavez, say, “We don’t need perfect political systems; we need perfect participation.” Taking it to heart, she has mastered modern-day campaigning and community organizing. She is the farmworker coordinator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and formerly was the United Farm Workers’ political director. Latina Magazine recently named Chavez one of its top Latinas for her longtime involvement with civil rights issues, particularly her work on marriage equality. She will be giving a keynote address entitled “Cesar Chavez: the Past and Current Struggle for Hispanic Americans” on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7 pm in Lee Hall, room 411.
Campus Dining Upcoming Features
Monday, September 23: Mindful Menu Showcase, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Please join us for a special Mindful Showcase Lunch in the Faculty and Staff Dining Room at Seacobeck on Monday. We will be featuring dishes from Sodexo’s new Mindful Menu, which is designed to provide a wide variety of choices with balanced nutrition and enticing flavors. The menu will include apricot rosemary glazed chicken, Thai citrus beef stir fry, and many other mindful offerings. No reservations needed. Cost is $5 for faculty and staff or $8.35 plus tax for guests.
Tuesday, September 24: Hispanic Heritage Fiesta Dinner, Smart Market. Campus Dining’s Fiesta will include chicken or mushroom quesadillas, a big ole burrito bar with lime cilantro rice, southwestern roasted vegetables, fried plantains and a salsa and tortilla chip bar with your choice of several delicious salsas. Dinner will be served between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Smart Market and Dome Room. Cost is $5 if you are a member of the faculty and staff. Cost for guests is $10.75 plus tax.
Wednesday, September 25: Smokehouse Wednesday Lunch. Next week’s Smokehouse Feature in the Faculty and Staff Dining Room will be smoked sirloin of beef! Every smokehouse feature is slow-cooked in our own smokers, and the meats are tender and delicious! Serving 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $5 for faculty and staff or $8.35 plus tax for guests.