April 22, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

UMW Staff Advisory Council

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Below is important information about UMW’s new Staff Advisory Council that seeks to strengthen employee awareness of mission-critical issues and foster positive morale by increasing communication throughout all levels of the institution.

Why a Staff Advisory Council?

  • Communication and synergy between staff, teaching faculty, and the University administration is critical in creating the best public liberal arts university in the nation.
  • Within the UMW Strategic Pla n are the seeds for the creation of a Council to share (communicate) the ideas, needs, and concerns of classified, wage, and administrative staff.
  • Recognizing the pivotal role that staff plays in the success of the University of Mary Washington, a task force was convened with the express intention of creating an elected representa tive body, where none had previously existed—the creation of a Staff Adviso ry Council (SAC).

What is the Staff Advisory Council?

  • An elected body of classified, wage, and administrative staff whose purpose is to promote collaboration a nd ensure open communication channels throughout all levels of the University.
  • An avenue for emplo yee input and feedback, a means of participating in the design, development, and implementation of University programs, projects, and services.
  • A means of strengthening employee awareness of critical issues and providing a valuable perspective for the University community and administration on matters of significant concer n to wage, classified, and administrative staff.

Who makes up the Council?

  • Thirty elected representatives and one ex-officio member:
    • fourteen representatives from Cabinet-level division
    • sixteen representatives of staff classifications (wage, classified, and administrative faculty)
    • one ex-officio member is appointed by the University President to serve as a liaison to the University Administration

The number from each division and each staff classification are proportional to the numbers of staff being represented.

  • Standing and ad hoc committees will be formed, including:
    • Activities Committee—plan, coordinate, manage special events to promote staff morale and University spirit
    • Communications Committee—create and maintain the Staff Advisory Council website and other communication channels
    • Election Committee—manage the election and orientation of members

HOW does the Council work for me?

  • Council members listen to and communicate the views of their constituency—your division and your job classification.
  • Members bring ideas and matters of importance and concern to the attention of the Council.
  • The council advises the President and senior leadership on matters that are important to staff.
  • All meetings are open to members of the UMW Community.

WHAT CAN I DO?

  • Nominate representatives from your division and job classification.
  • Vote in the election!
  • Consider serving if nominated.
  • Seek a council seat in the Council’s inaugural year and ensure a great start!

Let your representative (and thus the Council) know about your ideas, concerns, and thoughts.

Coming soon….

  • October 12:  Employee Recognition Luncheon, introduction of SAC
  • Presentations in division and departmental meetings–ongoing
  • October 13-20: Nominations of representatives
  • October 14: Drop by our SAC information table and find out more!
  1. Seacobeck 11:30-1:30
  2. Stafford Campus 3:00-3:30
  3. Facilities Services TBD
  • October 28—look for a SAC taskforce visit with goodies and information
  • October 25 – 29: Questions to Nominees
  • Week of November 1st:  Meet the Candidates
  • November 8 – 12:  Election
  • Eagle Eye will provide more detail and information as it develops…STAY TUNED

For more information, visit  sac.umwblogs.org.

IT Projects and Initiatives

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To remain informed about current Information Technologies division projects and initiatives, please refer to http://www.umw.edu/doit/projects/default.php.  This information will be updated regularly.  Recent postings include updates about the Novell system retirement and exactly what is being replaced.  Other updates included FAQs about UMW’s deployment of SharePoint as well as the upcoming upgrade to Banner.

GLBTTQQIAAP Celebration

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Outside the Box: Transcending Labels, Prejudices, and Stereotypes of Gender and Sexuality

People assign so many labels – man, woman, straight, gay, white, black – that we get focused on seeing differences in one another and forget how alike we all are. When we accept the identities people define themselves by, we discover being human is more than one word can capture. PRISM, People for the Rights of Individuals of Sexual Minorities, promotes discussion and learning about sexual orientation and gender identity. Our acronym – GLBTTQQIAAP: gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning, intersex, ally, asexual, and pansexual – is just one way for us to define our identities. The James Farmer Multicultural Center and PRISM strive to teach tolerance and acceptance of each member of the community. Through this celebration, we seek to educate the UMW and Fredericksburg-area communities on the spectrum of gender identities, how sexuality and gender are distinguishable, and how we can embrace a world where people think outside the simple notions of “male” or “female.”

– James Farmer Multicultural Center & People for
the Rights of Individuals of Sexual Minorities

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Oct. 18
GLBTTQQIAAP Kickoff Celebration

5-7 p.m., Ball Circle

Everyone’s invited to enjoy music, games, and refreshments
at PRISM’s second annual GLBTTQQIAAP Cultural Celebration!
Read “PostSecret” style coming-out stories and be inspired by
the experiences of your peers. Email umwprism@gmail.com.

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Oct. 19
GLBTTQQIAAP 101

5-7 p.m., Seacobeck Hall, Dome Room
Dinner costs one meal card swipe, $8.85 Flex, or $9.90 for
EagleOne, cash, or credit cards.

Stop by after dinner for dessert of cake and sherbet, and learn
more about the GLBTTQQIAAP community. Co-sponsored by
Dining Services. Email umwprism@gmail.com.

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Oct. 20
Queer Film Festival
Red Without Blue and XXY

6-10 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411
(Parental discretion advised)

PRISM’s sixth annual film fest, co-sponsored by Orpheum,
features two films, followed by a discussion. Email
umwprism@gmail.com.
Red Without Blue: Using candid interviews, this
documentary follows a pair of identical twins for three years
as one transitions from male to female. What appeared to be a
happy childhood is revealed to have been tragic. Memories of
it are interwoven with the twins’ present desire to reunite and
reconcile their differences with their parents, each other, and
their inner selves.
XXY: Alex, an intersex teenager, was raised as a girl, but
faces the emotional and hormonal turmoil of uncertain gender.
As puberty forces hard decisions, this Spanish film shows Alex
exploring her sexual identity, her difficult relationship with her
family, and her ultimate self-discovery.

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Oct. 21
Sex and the Founding Fathers: George Washington,
Manhood without Issue, from Weems to Wikipedia

7 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411

Dr. Thomas Foster, director of DePaul University GLBTQ
Studies, discusses the public memory of George Washington’s
personal life, which reveals 18th-century connections between
sex and masculinity and traces them through the modern
era. Foster will also explore the interconnected discourses
of sex and manliness as linked to the national project of
remembering George Washington as a model man in his public
and private life. Foster’s op-ed columns have appeared in the
San Francisco Chronicle and the Chicago Sun-Times.
He is author of the upcoming New Men: Manliness in
Early America. Co-sponsored by the Dept. of History and
American Studies and the Women’s and Gender Studies
Program.

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Oct. 25
Panel Discussion
Study Abroad: Exploring Gender and Sexuality
Around the World

6 p.m., Lee Hall, Room 411

Embark on a cultural journey without having to pack your
bags! Join UMW PRISM members, faculty, staff, and students
to discuss gender and sexuality in various cultures. Email
umwprism@gmail.com. Co-sponsored by Gender Neutral
Housing.

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Oct. 27
Open Mic Night

7:30 p.m., The Washroom, Woodard Campus Center

PRISM celebrates every kind of identity, so join us for a night
of self-expression! Through short stories, spoken word, poetry,
personal accounts, music, art, and more, individuals are
invited to express themselves using every creative and artistic
outlet. If you want to perform, please contact Lee Gilliam at
lee.gilliam@gmail.com.

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Oct. 29
PRISM’s GLBTTQQIAAP Celebration Keynote
Performance Katastrophe and Athens Boys Choir

7 p.m., Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall
(Parental discretion advised)

Rapper and producer Katastrophe (Rocco
Kayiatos) weaves a lyrical tapestry of
personal themes, protest, funky and soulful
beats, and rap riffs. One of hip-hop’s first
openly transgender artists, Katastrophe’s
debut album earned him Out Music Awards’
Producer of the Year. His music has been
featured on MTV’s LOGO and Showtime’s
The L Word. His latest album, The Worst Amazing, is a
coming-of-age triumph over addiction and depression.
Katz began touring as Athens Boys Choir (ABC) in 2003 and
released the debut album Rhapsody in T. As Athens Boys
Choir, Katz fuses hip-hop with sharp humor to create edgy and
engaging music. He delivers spoken-word pieces that deal with
issues such as gender, love, sex, and politics. Warning: Katz
may shock sensibilities. He doesn’t push the envelope,
he shoves it!

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Oct. 30
Charity Prom and Dance-a-thon

8 p.m., Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center
Cost: $3
(Formal attire strongly encouraged)

If you missed the prom or just want to relive it, here’s a
second chance – with a twist. PRISM offers you the prom’s
trappings – to music, dancing, photos, and refreshments – and
the opportunity to help a great cause. All Dance-Throughthe-
Decades Dance-a-thon donations and pledges go
Richmond’s Fan Free Clinic Transgender Program.
Co-sponsored by Gender Neutral Housing.
Email umwprism@gmail.com.

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
For more information, contact the James Farmer Multicultural
Center at ; Lee Hall, 211 or at www.umw.edu/multicultural

Latino Identities Month

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Civil right issues are still prominent in today’s society and recent legislation highlighting the Latino and Latino-American populations in Arizona have awakened many to this truth. U.S. citizens now face ramifications from these legal changes, which facilitate racial discrimination and encourage prejudice. Imagine walking through campus and suddenly being asked for proof of citizenship because of your race. What kind of anxiety would you feel if you did not have this documentation; if you were accused of being a criminal or treated as a second-class citizen? This is a dilemma that will be potentially facing many American citizens if we resign ourselves to apathy and regression.

We must strive to remind our community that our country from its inception has been nation of immigrants and these individuals have significantly contributed to the progression of our nation.  The preamble to the United States Constitution, written by our Founding Fathers who were also immigrants, calls for domestic tranquility and the blessings of liberty, both of which will be in jeopardy if prejudice and discrimination continue to be incorporated into institutions and the legal system. As we further explore the issues surrounding these topics, it will help us build a better understanding of Latino- American citizens as well as immigrants, and their contributions to society.

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September 22nd

Panel Discussion

Driving While…Well Any Color!

6 p.m., Lee Hall, 411

Individuals of all ethnicities have encountered prejudice or racism at some point in their lifetime, whether it is perceived or intentional. Join University of Mary Washington students as they discuss their personal experiences with such issues and how it has affected their lives and perceptions of other races. FOOD AND DRINKS WILL BE AVAILABLE! For more information, please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at .

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September 24th

Latino Identities Month Keynote Performance

hereandnow Theatre Company & Teatro Nueva Alma present Sin Titulo

7 p.m., Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall

Sin Título lunges deep into motives of the mind and spirit of young Latinos. Thrusting sights and sounds of Latino passions, this production offers inspiration to anyone who is searching for strength and peace within their culture. Bound to the beauty of their language and experiences audiences leave with a lasting poetic rhythm after experiencing a Teatro show.

The dilution caused by the casual cultural clumping of the growing number of Latinos in Southern California obscures true nationality. “We are not all Mexicans,” is a statement that has perhaps been said too often in a yielding manner. Argentines, Chileans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans and the many other Latino nationalities should have an equally fervid voice. “Sin Título” delicately exposes the opposing differences that exist among this intensifying hybrid of Latino culture in America while still acknowledging…WE ARE ALL STILL AMERICANS.

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October 1st

“Soulmenco”

Featuring Ebony Tay and Carlos Revollar

8 p.m., The Underground

Experience “Soulmenco” with global soul guitarist and songstress Ebony Tay and world-renowned Flamenco guitarist, Carlos Revollar. Combining the passion-filled rhythms of the gypsy (Flamenco) with the soulful hymns of African slaves, this cool new twist on Flamenco will give you an exciting night of hands, feet, and guitar, while uniting elements of various cultures to enhance the true essence of one love through music. For more information, contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at .

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October 4th

A Day in the Life of an Immigrant

6-8 p.m., Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center

Visiting a different country can be fun and exciting for a short-term traveler, especially when you know that you’ll soon return home to a familiar life. But for immigrants, they must quickly find a job, a place to live, and settle into a routine as they adapt to life in their new country where everything seems different. A Day in the Life of An Immigrant is an interactive experience where participants will gain first-hand insights into many of the struggles and challenges that recent immigrants face. This event is co-sponsored by LUCHA Ministries, Inc. For more information, please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at .

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October 5th

Pass the Test

6 p.m., Lee Hall 411

One of the most important tests an individual will take during their lifetime will be that to grant citizenship into the Unites States; however, the contents of this test are unknown to many nor are the several other steps of the naturalization process; a process that continues to remain a barrier for many immigrants to overcome. Please join the Latino Student Association and Professor Jessica Locke, Assistant Professor of Modern Foreign Languages, as they test your knowledge of this process and critical test! Do you have what it takes to pass the test? FOOD AND DRINKS WILL BE AVAILABLE! For more information, please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at (540) 654-1044.

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October 6th

Resolved? A Melting Pot No More

7 p.m., Lee Hall 411

Recent changes to U.S. immigration reform policies have contributed to heated debates across the country, and while emotions run high and opinions vary, the once perceived “melting pot” is quickly becoming unwelcoming territory for a large population of U.S. citizens. Join the members of the UMW Debate Program debate U.S. immigration policy for the 21st century.For more information, please contact Dr. Timothy O’Donnell at todonnel@umw.edu.

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October 7th
The Story of Esperanza:
An African Woman in Colonial Mexico

7 p.m., Red Room, Woodard Campus Center
Dr. Joan C. Bristol is the author of a variety of books and articles and her new project explores the intersection of gender and racial ideologies in Colonial Spanish America. Event cosponsored by Women’s and Gender Studies and the Department of History and American Studies

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October 15th

Feria de UMW Festival

5 – 7 p.m., Ball Circle; (Rain Location: Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center)

UMW comes alive in celebration of Latino culture through dance, music, and food! Festivities include live entertainment, traditional Latino foods, and raffles with countless prizes. Games, crafts, and activities will round out this evening of fun! This program is geared toward promoting understanding, equality, and acceptance of Latino culture and heritage. For more information, contact umwlsa@gmail.com

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
For more information, contact the James Farmer Multicultural
Center at ; Lee Hall, 211 or at www.umw.edu/multicultural

The UMW Web Site Overhaul Begins!

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The University has formed a new Web Advisory Committee, comprising representative students, faculty, and staff from all areas of the University.  The committee is co-chaired by George Farrar, Associate VP of University Relations, and myself, Cathy Finn-Derecki, University Webmaster.

The first meeting of the committee was held today, September 17. The committee discussed how the web site is being used now, with the goal in mind of developing “a compelling, unforgettable public Web presence that acts as a primary recruiting tool and helps position UMW as the top public liberal arts and sciences institution in the country.”

With that objective in mind, we took a look at the road ahead. This will be the first major overhaul of the site since 2006, and, as such, is a broad-reaching project. Needless to say, feedback from all areas of the University, via the members of this committee, will be sought as we move forward. If you’d like more information, read my blog about the committee’s progress as we move along, and maybe answer a poll there while you are at it!

In the interim, look for a fresher face on our home page in the coming weeks!

UMW: A Great Place to Work:

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Did you Know?

  • UMW’s “New Beginnings” will be celebrated at this Fall’s Service Award Luncheon on Tuesday, October 12, from 11:30-1:30 in the Great Hall.
  • 463 employees participated in departmental customer service training this last Spring and Summer in an effort to continuously improve our service– Way to go, UMW!
  • A Staff Advisory Council is currently being formed– elections begin this Fall!

Psychology Lecture, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 16

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The lecture, “Hidden Wounds of War: Psychological Treatment of Returning Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder,” will be held at 7:30 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16. The talk will be given by Dianna Rowell, staff psychologist at the Veterans Administration  Health Care System, who has been named Graduate-in-Residence for UMW’s Department of Psychology.

Painting the Town

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UMW students will help color Fredericksburg streets with art at the first annual Fredericksburg Via Colori festival Friday, September 24 through Sunday, September 26.

The event features street drawings in the centuries-old tradition of volunteer artists creating large-scale pastel artwork on the pavement of city streets. UMW studio and art majors, under the direction of Distinguished Professor of Art Joe DiBella. will focus on several key figures in the history of art.

More than 70 artists will paint large squares on Sophia and Charlotte streets, including world-renowned street painter Curtis Goldstein, who has been featured on the CBS Early Show. Painting will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Each square is sponsored by a business, organization or other entity and proceeds from the sponsorships will be used to support arts-based education in the community.

Via Colori also features performances by musicians, a children’s area, street vendors and roving entertainers. The event is free to the public.

Via Colori is co-sponsored by the University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra, which will perform at Dodd Auditorium in George Washington Hall during the Music Department’s Showcase concert on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The showcase is free and open to the public.

Via Colori was organized by the Fredericksburg Arts Commission, whose mission is to promote, expand and support the arts in the Fredericksburg region.