Keep Tuesday, Oct. 15 open on your calendar from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. for the Employee Luncheon in Great Hall. Wear any UMW clothing item and receive two extra raffle tickets. Please visit the HR website for more information.
Washington Diner Open During Fall Break
The Washington Diner will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the Fall Break. Please check the dining web site at www.umwdining.com to view the special serving schedule.
UMW Hosting Minding the Future and OpenVA October 14 and 15
Across the nation, higher education has seen a recent flood of initiatives that seek to leverage the advantages of the “virtual” domain to improve affordability, degree completion rates, and educational outcomes. Many of these initiatives are being driven by calls to fundamentally change the landscape of higher education as we know it — but is this supported by thorough conversation or vision about what the new landscape should look like?
To examine this question, the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV), alongside of a wide range of Virginia’s public higher education institutions, are putting on a two-day event at UMW that will investigate these calls for disruptive change, and chart a path for Virginia public institutions to navigate the possibilities and challenges in the future.
Minding the Future
On Monday, October 14, five thought leaders from multiple disciplines and professional domains will examine the issues, in light of the national landscape of higher education. A series of focused talks throughout the afternoon will be capped by a panel discussion dealing specifically with whether or not public institutions have their head in the sand when it comes to topics such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), distance learning, and the “electronic delivery revolution.” This event is free and open to the public, but you must RSVP to Jim Groom at jimgroom@gmail.com by Friday, October 11.
When: 2:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Jepson Executive Alumni Center
Website: http://openva.org/minding-the-future/
OpenVA
On Tuesday, October 15, an all-day event will include a series of presentations, displays, and panels that showcase digital innovation at Virginia’s state public institutions while grappling with questions about what this innovation means for the future of higher education. The final panel session will integrate the discussions of both days and introduce possible avenues for Virginia’s public institutions to leverage their individual, isolated innovations through broader and more focused collaboration. This event is free and open to the public, but you must RSVP to Jim Groom at jimgroom@gmail.com by Friday, October 11.
When: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: University Hall, Stafford Campus
Website: http://openva.org
CVC 2013 is Here
The 2013 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign officially kicked off this week throughout the state and with a charity fair 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.
Please contact Lori Izykowski at lizykows@umw.edu with any questions related to this year’s campaign.
News from Human Resources
Free Document Shredding at Virginia Credit Union – Click here for more information.
Service Award Recipients – Congratulations to our service award recipients for the month of October.
Fall Luncheon – Tuesday, October 15
#1 FAN Program – This program is to recognize outstanding service provided by fellow employees.
Employee Discounts – As a state employee, please remember you can take advantage of many discounts listed here.
BJs Special Savings just for Employees of UMW – Get more information on the HR website.
Campus Dining Events
CLASH OF THE CARTS – Thursday, October 10, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Campus Walk near Trinkle. The Wholly Habaneros crew has challenged the Eagle Express Grillers to see whose fare you find most enticing and delicious! We’ll be offering up some Wholly Habaneros favorites along with some new grill specials. Please join us!
FALL BREAK DINING SCHEDULE
The Bistro Dining Room will be closing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 10. On Friday, October 11 the Smart Market and Faculty and Staff Dining Rooms will close at 1:30 p.m., and the Washington Diner will end dinner service at 7 p.m.
All retail dining facilities will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, October 11 and reopen according to their regular schedules on Wednesday, October 16.
During the break, October 12-15, the Washington Diner will be open for breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.; for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and for dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m. On October 15 the Washington Diner will serve dinner from 4 to 8 p.m.
UMW Philanthropy Class Accepting Grant Applications
University of Mary Washington students enrolled in a philanthropy class are seeking applicants for $10,000 in grant money to be awarded to local nonprofit organizations.
Each fall, UMW’s philanthropy course awards a total of $10,000 to area nonprofit agencies.
The students have formed a foundation called the University of Mary Washington Philanthropic Society (UMWPS), and hope to fund programs that promote social justice through community development, including, but not limited to, career training, educational programs, and health services according to their mission statement.
The class will award a total of $10,000 to one or more nonprofits on Wednesday, December 4. The deadline for electronic applications is Friday, November 1 and the deadline for paper applications is Monday, October 28.
Eligible applicants must come from the City of Fredericksburg; the counties of Spotsylvania, Orange, King George, Stafford, Caroline, Culpeper and Prince William; the Middle Peninsula or the Northern Neck region. This year, the primary interest of the Economics of Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector class is in projects that foster community development, and they are willing to consider a wide variety of alternatives..
Since 2005, classes under the instruction of Robert Rycroft, professor of economics, have provided grant money to local nonprofit organizations. The funding comes from philanthropist Doris Buffett’s Learning by Giving Foundation.
The Learning by Giving Program has supported similar undergraduate courses in philanthropy at institutions across the country. The success of the program led to the recent creation of the Learning by Giving Foundation.
UMW Staff Volunteered at Day of Caring
University of Mary Washington staff participated in the Rappahannock United Way’s “Day of Caring,” on Friday, September 27.
UMW staff members volunteered at Micah Ministries as part of the Day of Caring.
Twenty-one staff members from 15 different offices across the university came out to work in teams at local nonprofit organizations and schools. One team spent their day at Micah Ministries’ sponsored transitional house, where they repaired shelving, cleaned and organized a storage shed. Other teams volunteered at the Fredericksburg Hope House and Hartwood Elementary School.
“It’s a great way for the university to show how much we care for the Fredericksburg community,” said Christina Eggenberger, director of service. “It’s a positive experience for everyone involved.”
One team of volunteers spent the day at Hartwood Elementary School.
Staff members were able to complete 99 hours of service in total.
The “Day of Caring” partners volunteer teams from local businesses with local non-profit organizations and schools to complete meaningful projects and make a difference in their community. This was UMW’s fourth year volunteering at the event.
Staff members from 15 different offices completed 99 hours of service.
Special Offer from Baba Ganoush
Starting Friday, October 4, off-campus merchant partner, Baba Ganoush, is offering 20 percent off their lunch buffet for faculty and staff with a UMW ID.
Ray Usler Named Excellent Eagle Employee
Congratulations to Ray Usler, director of IT security and ISO, who has been selected as the Excellent Eagle Employee for the month of October.
Here is what one of his co-workers said about him:
“Ray is always ready to help with anything needed. He was a tremendous asset to family weekend events, and continually adds to the new employee orientation experience. He is truly an excellent eagle employee!”
To nominate someone who you believe is an Excellent Eagle Employee, send an email to Priscilla Sullivan (psulliva@umw.edu) with Excellent Eagle Employee in the subject line. In your email, be sure to list the person’s name, department, work location (with the most convenient parking lot), and of course, the reason why you believe they should be recognized. Please spread the word to other employees about this wonderful opportunity to recognize a co-worker(s).