MyLU Insider

MyLU Insider

Internal Communications

Summer Renewal

Summer was an exciting time of renewal at Lawrence. Students, faculty and staff returned to campus a few short weeks ago to a number of changes and improvements to our campus and community – the result of a busy summer on the part of our facilities, HR and other departments. These were deliberate efforts, consistent with our strategic plan, to invest in physical and human capital over the short term to avoid major costs in the long term. Many of these changes were accomplished from the generosity of donors as well as planned investments from our annual operating budget.

Walking through campus, one can’t help but notice many improvements to our physical appearance. When the underground chiller system was replaced last spring, we took the opportunity to redesign the plaza between the library and the art center. Additional seating and upgraded landscaping was funded by one of our many generous donors.

In addition, several changes were made to add parking capacity in anticipation of the city’s new parking plan. Fifty-six new spaces were constructed for faculty and staff daytime parking next to the chapel. In addition, parking behind Plantz Hall was reconfigured to provide student parking immediately behind Plantz and faculty/staff daytime parking in the lots at Meade and Washington.

To facilitate additional parking in the future, while preserving the historic character of the City Park neighborhood, the house formerly located at 122 N. Union was moved to 229 N. Union where it now sits across the street from the park. Ultimately, the house will become the residence of our Provost.

Other notable physical changes to campus include the resurfacing of the Chapman Hall parking lot and the replacement of broken sidewalks in front of the building to provide a more welcoming experience for first-time visitors to campus. In addition, the renovations made to Colman Hall last year were finalized with the addition of new landscaping in the courtyard.

Several improvements have been made to the small houses on Boldt Way. And, another section of stained glass was removed, rebuilt and reinstalled in the chapel.

Other improvements include the second phase of the bathroom remodels in Ormsby Hall, made possible by an anonymous donor. The third and final phase will be completed in future years.

One of the biggest changes to campus is not to our facilities but to our community itself. This academic year, we will welcome some 85 new colleagues to our faculty and staff. Among these are new faculty – tenure-line, adjuncts, part-time teachers, fellows and Academy faculty. Others include several staff positions, assistant coaches, and residence hall directors.

Much has been accomplished during the summer months that will have a lasting impact to our campus and to our community.

 

 

Wellness Fair – Save the Date!

Join us at the annual Lawrence University Wellness Fair.  The Wellness Fair will be made up of exhibitors offering resources to encourage our campus to make healthy choices and enrich all aspects of our lives.  Flu shots will also be available onsite at the Wellness Fair.

Date:                     Wednesday, October 18th

Times:                   11:00 am – 1:00 pm & 6:00 pm – 8:00pm

Location:              Warch Campus Center – Somerset Room

WELLU Massage program

WELLU is pleased to offer subsidized full-body therapeutic massage services beginning September 15, 2017. Sign up started September 11th and we still have space available. Appointments are available for 60min and cost $20 and will be held at the YMCA. Massage opportunities are scheduled with the YMCA. Students, staff and faculty may schedule an appointment by contacting Erin Buenzli at erin.buenzli@lawrence.edu or 920-832-7190. Limit one per term.

New Hires/Job Changes 9/21

The following colleagues have been hired, rehired or have a new position within the last two weeks. If you see them on campus, please welcome them to Lawrence or congratulate them on their new position!

  • Rebecca Hollinger, Executive Assistant (Office of Diversity and Inclusion)
  • Daniel Frost, Custodian (Custodial)
  • Rissel Peguero Almonte, Collaborative Pianist – Girl Choir (Academy of Music)
  • Blong Lee, Technology Specialist (Information Technology Services)
  • Kevin Lebeau, Associate Director of Annual Giving (Development)

Campus Flu Shots

It may seem too early to be thinking about flu season – but it’ll be here before we know it. Take a minute now and plan ahead to get vaccinated at one of the upcoming flu shot clinics:

Lawrence Wellness Fair, 10/18/17, 11 am – 1 pm and 6 – 8 pm

Warch Campus Center, 10/24/17, 11 am – 1 pm in the Esch Hurvis Room

Bjorklunden, 10/27/17, Starting at 9 am, and by appointment.

The Conservatory, 10/31/17, 1:30 – 3:30 pm in the Shattuck Lower Level Lobby

If these dates don’t work for you, you will have the opportunity to schedule an individual appointment for a flu shot. More information regarding scheduling individual appointments will be available at a later date.

Plan to get a flu shot, and do your part to keep the Lawrence community healthy.

Personal Health Assessment (PHA) Registration is Now Open

What is a PHA?

The Personal Health Assessment is a tool that highlights how our lifestyle choices directly impact overall health. Two scores are provided:

  • Your Lifestyle Rating is based on your self-reported daily habits related to nutrition, physical activity, alcohol consumption, stress and depression, and tobacco use.
  • Your Biometric Score is based on tobacco use, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar.

The Personal Health Assessment Report provides personalized feedback, tips to improve your lifestyle habits, and resources for more information.

Who is eligible to participate?

All staff and faculty are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the PHA process.  Participation is also encouraged for the following individuals covered under the Lawrence University medical plan: spouses/domestic partners of employees, retirees and spouses/domestic partners of retirees.

Note for Medical Plan Participants

Participation by employees, retirees covered under the medical plan, and spouses/domestic partners covered under the medical plan will provide the discounts to the medical plan premium.  All participants must complete both the biometric screening and the lifestyle questionnaire to receive the premium discount. The questionnaire can be completed 5 days after your biometric screening appointment.

How do I sign up?

Scheduling directions can be found in the attached 2017 PHA Instruction Sheet or click here to sign up:  https://www.thedacare.org/pha. The PHA schedule books quickly.  To ensure you receive your preferred appointment time, do not delay in scheduling your appointment.

What is the PHA schedule?

The PHA schedule is as follows:

Location Date Time
Lawrence University, Warch Campus Center – Appleton 9-27-16 6:30 am – 10:30am
Lawrence University, Warch Campus Center – Appleton 9-28-17 6:30 am – 10:30am
Lawrence University, Warch Campus Center – Appleton 9-29-17 6:30 am – 10:30am
Lawrence University, Warch Campus Center – Appleton 10-4-17 6:30 am – 10:30am
Lawrence University, Warch Campus Center – Appleton 10-5-17 6:30 am – 10:30am
Lawrence University, Warch Campus Center – Appleton 10-6-17 6:30 am – 10:30am
Lawrence University – Bjorklunden 10-9-17 7:00 am – 9:00 am
NOTE: this appointment requires each participant to fast for at least 8 hours prior to the appointment time.

Please contact your HR Representative if you have any questions regarding the PHA process including scheduling your assessment.

The Task of Liberal Education Today, presented by Roosevelt Montas – 9/28

Dear Colleagues,

I’m writing to invite you to a talk by Roosevelt Montas, Director for the Center of Core Curriculum at Columbia University. The event will take place on Thursday, September 28, at 4:30 pm in the Esch-Hurvis Room of the WCC.

Roosevelt’s talk “The Task of Liberal Education Today” will reflect on the place of liberal education in the undergraduate curriculum.  What does the current moment in the history of higher education and in the history the country demand of liberal educators?  What is the relationship between college education and civic culture?  How do we respond to the rapid changes affecting higher education and society more broadly?

After the talk, there will be time for discussion and Q&A. I’ve heard Roosevelt speak several times and he’s thoughtful, generous, and engaging. I’m hoping this will be an opportunity for faculty and staff to continue discussions about why we value critical thought and liberal thinking and what it means to be teaching Freshman Studies right now. Refreshments will be provided.

Hope to see you there!

Elizabeth

 

Elizabeth Carlson

Associate Professor of Art History

Director of Freshman Studies

Lawrence University Wellness Fair

Join us at the annual Lawrence University Wellness Fair.  The Wellness Fair will be made up of exhibitors offering resources to encourage our campus to make healthy choices and enrich all aspects of our lives.  Flu shots will be available onsite at the Wellness Fair.

Date:                     Wednesday, October 18th

Times:                   11:00 am – 1:00 pm & 6:00 pm – 8:00pm

Location:              Warch Campus Center – Somerset Room

Learning at Lawrence – September

Please join us for the September Learning at Lawrence about Trends in Higher Education, presented by President Mark Burstein. This session will be held on Sept. 28 at 11:10 am in Youngchild 121.

President Burstein will share recent trends in higher education, the impacts to Lawrence, and further explain our strategy in this changing environment.

Please visit the Learning at Lawrence page for a schedule of future learning opportunities!