Volume 9, Issue 7 January2009 Concordia University, St. Paul

Faculty Bulletin can be accessed directly from the Academic Affairs web page: (Or go to the Faculty/Staff Portal, click on “Academic Affairs, and then click on Faculty Bulletin. The bulletin will emphasize faculty policy and business issues, upcoming events, professional development opportunities, and DEADLINES. News items for the faculty and the Concordia community are publicized through the weekly CSP Update. It is expected that faculty will fully read the Faculty Bulletin and respond, if requested. Articles for publication in the Faculty Bulletin may be submitted via email to at least three working days prior to publication. The next issue will be sent on February2, 2009. The submission deadline for articles for the next issue is January 26, 2009.

*** Special Announcement ***

The 2009-2010 Book of the Year Selection Process has begun, and your nominations are welcome!

  • Faculty, staff and students are welcome to submit nominations for the 2008-2009 academic year.
  • Selection Criteria:
  • quality of the literature
  • connection to classes, curriculum and the fine arts
  • possible connection to Minnesota’s Sesquicentennial
  • potential to involve students, faculty and staff and to generate meaningful campus-wide activities,
  • connection to the fine arts, such as theatrical/musical presentations, discussions, and events
  • relevance to the university’s mission, vision and strategic priorities.
  • potential for convocations/presentations/discussions, i.e. bringing the author on campus.
  • Previous years’ Book of the Year selections:
  • 2000-2001:The Greatest Generation Speaks by Tom Brokaw
  • 2001-2002:Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde
  • 2002-2003:Profiles in Courage For Our Time introduced and edited by Caroline Kennedy
  • 2003-2004:Choice of Weapons by Gordon Parks
  • 2004-2005:Growing An Inch by Stanley Gordon West
  • 2005-2006:The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
  • 2006-2007:The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
  • 2007-2008:Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
  • Nomination Process: Please include the following items:
  • author name
  • book title
  • publication date
  • publisher
  • ISBN number
  • list of curriculum areas that can possibly connect to the book
  • rationale for nomination
  • if available, professional review of book
  • list price
  • number of pages
  • hard back and/or soft cover
  • other items, i.e. is or has it been on the New York Times Best Seller list
  • Deadline for submissions: February 8, 2007
  • Send all materials electronically to

The Minnesota Chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America and the Department of Religion and Theology at Concordia, St. Paul co-host a lecture in the AIA's monthly lecture series on Thursday, February 5 at 6:00pm in the E.M. Pearson Theatre.Dr. Mark Schuler will speak on Glory and decline of a Roman/Byzantine urban center: the 10-year international excavation at Hippos of the Decapolis, Jordan Valley, Israel. The lecture is free and open to the public

The Faculty Professional Activityreport is due February 1….go to Information you submit will be stored in a database. The submissions support our compliance with accrediting agencies, our university image within the community and for recruitment and marketing, and our goal to recognize and share our strengths and contribution. Articles for CSP publications and reports for accreditations and grants will be drawn from these submissions. The submission process is simple! If you have any questions, call the Office of Academic Affairs at X8730 or email .

Please remember that what you submit to me for the faculty bulletin or to Jill Johnson for the CSP Update

DOES NOT get into the Faculty Professional Activity Report – you must submit it to the link above.

Thank you!

General Competency Assessments

As we prepare to assess student learning on the general competencies (writing, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, information literacy, oral communication and values development), please keep in mind that the Accomplished level on the descriptive rubrics the level of achievement that we expect in our graduating seniors (BA-level). For instructors of courses with primarily freshmen and sophomores, this means that you will likely have very few students who have reached the accomplished level of student learning on the rubrics. See the Assessment Council website to find the descriptive rubrics ( and/or talk to your college representative to the Assessment Council for more information.

is working with LINC-Twin Cities and the Minnesota South District LCMS to highlight efforts to reach the next generation for Christ. This movement is sometimes identified as “Emerging Church” or “Gen X Outreach” or “Reaching Millennials for Christ.” If you have any thoughts about important resources (people working in this area, particularly helpful books, videos, etc.), please contact Mark Press at 651-641-8830 or . We are considering a symposium in the spring, followed by a fuller seminar/workshop during the summer months.

  1. The university freeze on discretionary spending is a necessary step to proceed cautiously in very trying times, so unless an item is needed for reserves in your spring courses, we do not plan to process any materials requests. We will, however, accept requests that could hopefully be honored in the coming budget year.
  1. Please be aware that all library funds have been frozen for this year and future requests will be kept for next year.
    Thank you for your understanding
    Charlotte

Faculty Development Grants

Applications Due: Friday, March 6

For application information:

As you plan your courses for Spring Semester, please keep in mind the opportunity to have a guest lecturer come to your classes.

Mar. 16-18: Woodrow Wilson Fellow: Anil Singh-Molares: Global entrepreneur, former Microsoft executive, philanthropist

Born in Holland and raised in Europe and the United States, Anil Singh-Molares is a global citizen and businessperson. Fluent in Spanish, French, and English, he is a citizen of Spain and permanent resident of the United States. Drawing on his liberal arts education, cross-cultural upbringing, and managerial skills, Singh-Molares advanced during 1991-2003 from managing a Microsoft foreign language team (40 translators and terminologists) to overseeing all internationalization vendor relations for the company (more than $200 million in annual expenditures). Winner of the Microsoft Achievement Award, he negotiated all contracts related to internationalization vendors, giving him a deep understanding of the pros and cons of outsourcing. Since leaving the software giant, he founded and serves as CEO of EchoMundi LLC, a rapidly growing international services firm that helps corporations do business abroad. Responding to the experience of many around him who have dealt with a life-threatening, pregnancy-related disease, he is co-founder and board member of the Preeclampsia Foundation.

Contact Cate Vermeland at to schedule class visits.

What:Thursday’s in the Middle of Everywhere [TITMOE]: Brown Bag Series

When:1st Thursday of the Month - 11:30-12:30

Where:Chapel & Cross of Christ Fellowship Center

Date / Book Theme / Chapter / Focus
Feb. 5th / Young Adults – “ Is There a Marriage Broker in Lincoln”: / Ch. 7 / Customs of Living and Dying
Mar. 5th / Family-“ A Bundle of Sticks Cannot Be Broken” / Ch. 3 &
Ch. 8 / We are Family… or Are We?
Apr. 2nd / Healing in All Times and Places / Ch. 10 / The Gift of Reconciliation
May 7th / Home-A Global Positioning System for Identity & A Village of Kindness / Ch. 11 &
Ch.12 / One as We are One

Convocations & Campus-Wide Events:

What / When
Immigration Experience through Art / January-February
Convocation: Literacy for Life / February
Convocation: Immigration Concerns Panel / March
Earth Day:A tree grows In the Middle of Everywhere / April 22
Festival of Nations / April 29

Visit the Book of the Year BLOG at

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Chaplain

Dr. Steve Arnold officially became the University Chaplain on July 1, 2008. Steve is officed in Cross of Christ Fellowship Center 102. His phone extension remains 8213 and his e-mail is . The role of the chaplain is to provide spiritual care and support to the students of Concordia University and to oversee the campus ministries that serve our diverse student population both on and off campus. For emergencies after 4:30 p.m. that could be supported by the University Chaplain you may the call the switchboard by dialing zero (0) on a campus phone.

Campus Ministry Associates

Mr. Andy Jones and Mr. Billy Schultz serve as Campus Ministry Associates and are officed in the Campus Ministry Center located in the tunnel under Meyer Hall. The phone number is X8765. Andy can be reached at . Billy can be reached at . Campus Ministry Associates support the work of the chaplain, assist in planning and leading the ten chapels per week, coordinate peer ministry and small group ministry, and, build relationships with the traditional student body.

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Campus Ministry Office Hours

During the summer:8-4:30 Monday through Friday.

During the traditional academic school year: 10:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday

Chapel Schedule

Summer:Monday through Friday:11:00 a.m.

Traditional Academic Year:

Monday through Friday: 11:00 a.m.

Monday through Thursday: 10:00 p.m.

Sunday Eucharist: 8:00 p.m.

Prayer Requests

Prayer requests may be made by contacting any of the campus ministry staff or by sending an e-mail to . Please note that the prayers will be publicly prayed so be sure that the person for whom you are requesting prayer gives permission for the prayer to be offered publicly. If you do not wish the prayer to be offered publicly and would prefer that only the campus ministry staff pray for the individual or situation, please be sure to indicate that this is a private prayer request.

Sundays in Buetow: Faculty Recital SeriesMonthly Friday afternoon Student Recitals:

2:00-2:50 p.m. in Buetow Music Center Auditorium

February 15, 2009 – 3:30 p.m.Friday, January 30

Jeana Ogren, pianistFriday, February 27

Aaron Isakson, percussion

Buetow Music Center Auditorium

All events except the Orchestra Hall concert are free and open to the public.

Staged Reading 2/21-22 Westlund theatre

Student Show 3/20-22 Westlund Theatre

Dames at Sea April 30-May 3

Spring Student Showcase May 10 TBA

What Can You Do To Make a Difference!

How can the little changes you make in your office make a difference to all of us at Concordia? Quite a bit when everybody makes those changes together! Here are a few recent suggestions from staff members, when implemented throughout the institution, could help create cost savings and reduce waste. Do you have an idea on how to make a difference? If so, send your suggestions to Dr. Eric LaMott, vice president for Administration. You ideas will be included here and the CSP Update.

  • Eliminate/consolidate faculty/staff mini fridges –suggested by Beth Peter, director of Administrative Computing. They’re oh so handy, but these appliances have a chilling effect on the University’s power budget. If you have the more energy efficient full-size fridge within reasonable access to your work space, please consider pulling the plug on your personal fridge.
  • Turn off monitors and computers when leaving for the night –submitted by Jason DeBoer-Moran, Help Desk coordinator. It’s handy to just touch the mouse and have your computer snap to life, but stand-by mode requires power. Even when they’re not running, our electrical devices use power. A recent article on CBS News.com explains that items like cell phone chargers, PDA cradles, CD players, etc., are “energy vampires” that use up energy anytime their electronic “fangs” are in the power outlet. So, power down laptops, computers and monitors for the night and consider unplugging other appliances when not in use.
  • Print in duplex mode to save paper-submitted by Lindsey Brown, Publications/ Advertising Coordinator. It just takes a moment during the printing process to change your printing mode to print double-sided documents. That could result in thousands of sheets of paper saved each month, thousands of dollars saved in printing costs and even a few trees that may not be sacrificed to be stashed in a file on your desk.
  • Use copy stations to scan documents for class or meetings rather than printing documents –submitted by Brad Wickham, Document Services manager. It’s important for everybody to be “on the same page,” but do they all have to be holding the actual page in their hand? Consider using overhead projectors or scan documents and email them to your class or meeting participants.
  • Reuse three ring binders.Gretchen Beecroft, Executive Assistant to the President suggested instead of tossing outdated materials binder and all, recycle all the old paper and reuse the binder for new projects.
  • Print on used paper. Save sheets of copy paper that have minimal printing on them for the times when you’re printing a document to proofread or printing an email for temporary quick reference. These can be at the ready in your copy/printer’s by-pass tray. The Copy Center cautions, however, that pages with any significant amounts of printing on them can flake off on the printing drum of your copy/printer, so use this option judiciously. Consider duplex printing as an alternative.–Gretchen

Reminder: Students requesting accommodations due to disability (extensions of time, alternative testing, etc) should provide faculty with an accommodation (VISA) form prior to academic adjustments or services being provided. VISA forms can either come from our office or the student directly. Please meet with a student to discuss what is on the accommodation form as well.If you are unclear about the VISA form, what it means, how they are developed or how you should implement approved accommodations in your classes, please contact either Melissa Fletcher or Josie Hurka.

Testing: Disability Services requires 3-5 days notice in order toproctor exams. Finals will require one week notice due to space and staff scheduling. We appreciate when faculty are clear regarding testing dates to ensure timely provision of services. Faculty may provide extended time at their own discretion if this deadline is missed.

New Microsoft Issues

Office 07 Word documents (.docx) are not only inaccessible to some students, they are not compatible with WebCT. It attempts to open the document as if it is a zip file. While these documents can be saved as earlier versions, people using Internet Explorer 7 attempting to access Word 97-2003 documents (.doc) and PowerPoint presentations instead receive a login prompt when they click on that item. The only way to get to that item is to click on the Cancel button (attempting to login does not grant access).

While these are both known/reported issues with the most recent Microsoft updates, it can be very confusing and frustrating to WebCT users. Our recommendation is to save Word documents as PDF or .html files (web pages) by using the options under Save As. The instructions for converting and posting a PowerPoint Presentation are on the Support Wiki,

New Faculty

As an educational institution, we increasingly rely on access to technology. When contracting new faculty, please bear in mind some of Concordia’s technology details:

  • It can take 1-2 weeks after the HR contracting announcement to complete all of the technology account and details for new faculty members. Please notify faculty contracted near or after the start of a course that they will not have immediate access to all of their resources.
  • Faculty that will be using WebCT:
  • Resources that are immediately available are the checklists, instructions, and Online Learning Modules (videos) found in the WebCT Instructor Guide,
  • Please provide faculty with the Concordia Technology Requirements prior to contracting them,
  • Once a new faculty member’s Concordia e-mail account is created, all other technology access information is sent to that account.Please inform new faculty members immediately of their e-mail access information and remind them that, according to University policy, their CSP e-mail account needs to be utilized for all subsequent University-related communication.

General Reminders

  • Non-Cohort Programs: If you utilize WebCT for traditional, non-cohort courses, you must request a new WebCT course creation each term. Courses are deleted at the end of the following term. To request course creation, please submit the Non-Cohort Course Creation form, which is found in the “Instructor Guide” section of the “WebCT Resource Center”.Please make your submission at least two weeks before the time you need to begin utilizing the course.
  • Cohort Programs:If you need access to a cohort course, please contact the department/program head directly.
  • All Programs:Semi-annual technology breaks occur the first week of January and the first week of July. During this time some or all WebCT and other university technology services may be unavailable in order to perform upgrades and maintenance.Please plan accordingly.
  • For All WebCT Inquiries and Support: Please utilize the appropriate links on the WebCT Resource Center (different people/departments support various areas of WebCT).

Thank you for using WebCT. We look forward to the opportunity to continue to support you!

1) SPAM Senders Target Concordia University Faculty and Staff.
The Concordia University Help Desk and IT Staff will never ask you for your username and password. You should never tell anyone your username and password. We have had an increase of attempts by SPAM mail senders trying to compromise our e-mail system by sending fake official notices posing as IT Professionals at Concordia requesting log in information. To learn more about phishing attempts please visit the following article in our Support site: