Announcements
CENTER FOR STUDENT LIFE UPDATE
AND INVITATION TO MEET WITH ARCHITECTS
Monday and Tuesday, August 22 and 23, 2011
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Wilson Center
Following is a brief update on our progress toward developing a final plan for our proposed Center for Student Life. There are still concerns about how well the needs of the academic program will be met in the new facility. In order to provide our architects with a full picture, it is important for those with concerns, as well as those who support the project, to contact me or attend one of the sessions and provide needed feedback.
Here is a summary of the work completed during the summer:
In late June, a committee* interviewed five firms from throughout the U.S. and ultimately selected BLDD Architects for architectural and design work on the Center for Student Life. BLDD is a proven commodity and they have done great work for Augustana on a number of projects. They know us and we know what to expect from them.
In late July, a contractor was selected. We chose Russell Construction-the team that built Swanson Commons-from five firms. Through a process called Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), which will ensure the architects present realistic building options, Russell Construction and BLDD will partner together from the beginning.
We also have selected consultants for the library and dining services. Shepley Bulfinch, the firm involved in the original design for Tredway Library, will work with the library staff, BLDD and Russell. Robert Rippe & Associates was selected to work with dining service staff, BLDD and Russell. Both consultants were selected after receiving proposals through a competitive bidding process.
On Tuesday, August 9, we held a brief meeting with BLDD and Russell to begin to chart a path toward starting construction in the summer of 2012. As you can imagine, there is much to be done.
On August 22 and 23, representatives from BLDD, Rippe & Associates and Shepley Bulfinch will be on campus to meet with various stakeholders. They will be available in the Wilson Center from noon until 1 p.m. each day to field questions and gather input. We hope members of the faculty will take advantage of this time to help us all think about the following questions:
- Are there ways to strengthen or improve the existing plan for a Center for Student Life?
- Are there as-yet-unidentified ways a Center for Student Life can better connect to the academic program?
- Do you have suggestions about the feel of the Center or parts of the Center that might be helpful to consider as we engage in the design?
- Finally, you are invited to review a copy of a paper developed over the summer, which describes what we hope to achieve with the Center for Student Life. You may access the paper and other materials related to the Center for Student Life here.
We hope everyone in our community will be pleased with the vision outlined, and the great potential a Center for Student Life can bring to learning and living at Augustana.
*Committee members involved in the selection of an architect: Randy Hengst, Carla Tracy, Brad Foley, Dennis Hittle, Paul Pearson, Steve Bahls, Joe Luntz, Lori Roderick, Ellen Hay, Pareena Lawrence and Kent Barnds.
WVIK Annual Anniversary Open House
Saturday, August 27, 2011
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
639 38th Street
WVIK, Augustana Public Radio, will open its doors for its annual anniversary open house. The station will offer tours, a special edition of Saturday morning live, and $5 bratwurst lunches.
Convocation
Thursday, September 1, 2011
10:30 - 11:20 AM
Centennial Hall
Marc Prensky and Mark Bauerlein debate
Are we living Bradbury's vision?
This Augie Reads convocation, inspired by Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, explores questions surrounding technology and its impact on social interactions today. Debating questions on this topic are authors Marc Prensky and Mark Bauerlein. Prensky and Bauerlein have very different views on technology and social relationships. The moderator will invite questions from students and faculty as we explore the issues raised by Bradbury almost 60 years ago.
Marc Prensky is an internationally-acclaimed speaker, writer, consultant, game designer, and author in the field of education and learning. He holds degrees from Oberlin, Middlebury, Yale and Harvard, and has taught at all levels from elementary to college. Prensky is the author of three books: Digital Game-Based Learning, Don't Bother Me Mom - I'm Learning and Teaching Digital Natives: Partnering for Real Learning.
Mark Bauerlein earned his doctorate in English at UCLA. He has taught at Emory since 1989, with a two-and-a-half year break in 2003-05 to serve as the Director, Office of Research and Analysis, at the National Endowment for the Arts. He has published many academic books and articles on American literature, history, and philosophy. His latest book is The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future; Or, Don't Trust Anyone Under 30.
New Exhibit in Special Collections
"Food For Thought"
Interest in food and sustainability issues has been growing at Augustana, as exemplified in programs such as Farm to Fork, Augie Acres, and last year's Food Reads series. But what did an interest in food look like before the current century? Usually food isn't allowed in Special Collections, but the exhibit "Food for Thought: Books on Food and Cooking from Special Collections" uses historical food-related books to examine that question. This exhibit will be on display in Special Collections, on the first floor of the library, throughout fall term.
Augustana Faculty Recognized by
National Institute of Learning Outcomes Assessment
As was noted at the retreat, the Augustana faculty was recently recognized by the National Institute of Learning Outcomes Assessment for its focus on improving student learning. Staff from NILOA will be visiting Augustana during the fal to further study changes that we have made in our curriculum and its assessment. You can read more about their preliminary findings HERE.
National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipend Competition
Summer Stipends support individuals pursuing advanced research that is of value to humanities scholars, general audiences, or both. Summer Stipends provide $6,000 for two consecutive months of full-time research and writing. Recipients must work full-time on their projects for these two months and may hold other research grants supporting the same project during this time. The Summer Stipends program accepts applications from researchers, teachers, and writers, whether they have an institutional affiliation or not. Applicants with college or university affiliations must, however, be nominated by their institutions
All applicants for Summer Stipends must submit their proposals through Grants.gov, the central federal government portal for all grant applications. What follows is a step-by-step guide for submitting your application through Grants.gov.
Online applications accepted through September 29, 2011. More information can be found at http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/stipends.html#program
IMPORTANT DATES
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS
LSFY Meetings
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Wilson Center
Monday, August 29, 2011 (week 2)
Monday, September 12, 2011 (week 4)
Monday, October 3, 2011 (week 7)
Monday, October 24, 2011 (week 10)
Monday, November 28, 2011 (week 3)
Monday, January 16, 2012 (week 7)
Monday, February 6, 2012 (week 10)
Monday, March 19, 2012 (week 3)
Monday, April 16, 2012 (week 7)
Monday, May 7, 2012 (week 10)
DEANS' MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT & PROGRAM CHAIRS
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Wilson Center
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Thursday, December 14, 2011
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Faculty Senate Meetings
Hanson Hall of Science 102
Thursday, September 8, 2011
11:30 - 12:15
Thursday, September 29, 2011
11:00 - 12:00
Thursday, October 20, 2011
11:30 - 12:15
Thursday, December 1, 2011
11:30 - 12:15
Thursday, January 12, 2012
11:00 - 12:00
Thursday, February 2, 2012
11:00 - 12:00
Thursday, March 22, 2012
11:30 - 12:15
Thursday, April 12, 2012
11:00 - 12:00
Thursday, May 3, 2012
11:00 - 12:00
Thursday, May 10, 2012
11:00 - 12:00
Full Faculty Meetings
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Olin Auditorium
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Celebration of Learning
Saturday, May 5, 2012
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Recognition of Student Honors Program (for underclassmen)
Saturday, May 5, 2012
11:30AM - 12:00 PM
Hanson Science 102
Senior Honors Convocation
Saturday, May 19, 2012
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Centennial Hall
Baccaulaureate Service
Sunday, May 20, 2012
10:00 AM
Centennial Hall
152nd Annual Commencement Convocation Ceremony
Sunday, May 20, 2012
3:00 PM
iWireless Center, Moline, IL