An Iowa College in the Liberal Arts Tradition
Tuesday, May 5
TUESDAY 5/5/2020
The most recent version of the Tuesday is always available online at: http://www2.luther.edu/tuesday/
Published for faculty and staff by the Luther College Media Relations office • Copy deadline: Friday, 3 p.m., 75-word limit • Phone: (563) 387-2992 • Email: <Tuesday>
Note: All campus telephone numbers are in the 563 area code, all campus email addresses end in @luther.edu • ©2020
Submit an item for the Tuesday at: www2.luther.edu/tuesday/submit/
ANNOUNCEMENTS / COLLEGE OPERATIONS / EVENTS
COMMUNITY / ARTICLES, CREATIONS, HONORS / UNCLASSIFIED ADS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Coronavirus updates
Each week, we will use this section to highlight key messages to various members of the Luther community and summarize developments and decisions over the past week. Whenever possible, we will also signal forthcoming messages.
Academic year 2020-21
In case you missed it, please see the message from President Ward to the Luther College community regarding planning for the 2020-21 academic year. In consultation with the leadership of the Board of Regents, President Ward convened a task force to consider a number of different scenarios for how to restructure the academic calendar in response to the pandemic. The group has begun vetting scenarios with others and hopes to share details by mid-May.Remote work
All employees at Luther College who are able to work remotely will continue to do so through at least Monday, May 31.
Regents Center
The Regents Center, including the Legends Fitness for Life Center and the Aquatic Center, will remain closed through at least Monday, May 31.
Financial relief for students
Students with demonstrated eligibility for Title IV financial aid and who filed a FAFSA for the current academic year were contacted by the Financial Services Office regarding how the emergency aid provided by the CARES Act will be disbursed to them. International and DACA students were also contacted by the Financial Services Office; while ineligible for financial support from the CARES Act, these students will be provided additional financial support from Luther College's institutional resources.
Admissions goes test-optional
In response to canceled test dates and other education disruption, Luther College will not require ACT/SAT scores for students applying for entry in fall 2021. The college’s admissions process will continue to place an emphasis on academic achievement (high school transcript), leadership examples, a personal statement and letter of recommendation. Prospective students applying for entry in fall 2021 may choose to submit a standardized test score for consideration, but it will not be required.
Summer online courses with laboratory components
Through the start of the Fall 2020 term, summer online courses with laboratory components offered by other institutions will now be allowed to fulfill all-college requirements, academic program requirements and prerequisite requirements.
Virtual Commencement update
Kristen Underwood, director of campus programming, is working with partners across campus to plan the Virtual Commencement ceremony that will be released to the public on May 24. There was strong participation from seniors in the Virtual Grad Finale, and the Book Shop is packaging their caps, gowns, tassels and other celebratory items to be sent to their current addresses. Please stay tuned for an email this week that will provide faculty and staff with instructions and a request for your participation as well.
Please continue to monitor the Health Advisories webpage for information connected to Luther College’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Iowa Department of Public Health, and answers to frequently asked questions.
COLLEGE OPERATIONS
Union flashing repair - Phase 1
On Monday, May 4, we began phase 1 of a 2 phase project on the east side of the Union. The project entails re-flashing window openings to prevent water migration. Phase 1 will be the south side of the building, mostly affecting the Bookshop, admission counselors and marketing & communications. The work is expected to be completed by late June. During this time we ask that you use the northeast entrance or the entrance off the patio near the mailroom instead of the main entrance. Signs will be posted at each entrance that you may use.
HR updates
Economic Impact Payment
The IRS has a website with frequently asked questions and a link to check on the status of your Economic Impact Payment.
Call for proposals
The Paideia Endowment Governing Board invites members of the Luther community to propose presentations on the theme “Building Community in a Changing Society” for the 2020-21 Texts and Issues Lecture Series. Participants are encouraged to address the theme from the perspective of a wide variety of texts drawn from the arts, sciences and humanities. If interested, please submit a tentative title and a brief 250-word proposal by Monday, May 18.
2020-21 work-study resource allocation project
College departments have the opportunity to request funding for 2020-21 academic year work-study positions. Work-study budget dollars will be allocated to positions that comprise robust development opportunities for students and meet institutional needs. Departments interested in submitting requests should contact Andrew Bailey <bailan01>, 387-1697, or Amy Wrightsman <wrigam01>, 387-1532, for more information.
Messages for residents at Eastern Star
This week we'll be reaching out to Luther-connected residents at Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah; if you or someone you love lives at Eastern Star and would like to get a message of care and prayer from College Ministries, send the resident's first and last name to <ministry>.
New Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching proving valuable
The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) has proven to be an invaluable resource during this distance learning period. As signs started to point to the inevitable shift to online learning, CELT assembled a team that would be ready to help faculty members make the switch. A big thank you to the CELT distance learning team! Read more.
New additions to CEPE's "Examine COVID-19" video series
New videos include interviews with infectious disease experts, Dr. Michael Osterholm '75, and Dr. Sameer Dixit '94; Jim Martin-Schramm speaks on COVID-19 and Christian ethics; Librarian Freeda Brook speaks on COVID-19 and news consumption; Piper Wood '21 interviews leaders of the Decorah Mutual Aid Network; April Rowe-Neal interviews Asst. Nursing Manager Martha Oldenburg '09. Subscribe to the channel to keep up to date. The Center is indebted to all those who have made the videos possible.
Annual steam shutdown to start May 26
As a reminder the annual steam shutdown is planned for the afternoon of May 26 through June 2. A limited number of buildings will have hot water and some HVAC systems will be cooler than usual. Please contact Facilities Services (387-1146) with questions.
2020 Discovery Camps canceled
It is with great sadness that we are announcing the cancelation of the 2020 Discovery Camp programs this June. Given the uncertainty of the times and to best protect our beloved campers and their families we have determined this is our best course of action at this time. Full refunds will be issued to families who have already registered. We strongly encourage all of our families and campers to continue to explore the natural world together and we look forward to planning the best summer yet for 2021. If you need ideas and inspiration for your outdoor explorations, contact Emily Neal, <nealem01>.
Wellness during COVID-19
During this time of prevention and distance learning and working in response to COVID-19, the Wellness staff is here to help you stay healthy and well. Learn more about wellness services, opportunities and resources available here.
Spring wildflowers and garlic mustard removal
Luther's natural areas are rich in spring wildflowers, but threatened by garlic mustard. Garlic mustard removal can be accomplished with appropriate social distancing, while enjoying the outdoors. Thursday, April 30 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m., RSVP required. Can't attend either afternoon, but want to help other times? Contact Molly McNicoll <mcnimo01>. Volunteers should be able to hike over difficult terrain.
Book Shop news
Book Shop - closed but you can still make a purchase
If you'd like to make a departmental or personal purchase, email <[email protected]> or call x1036. There are great $10 deals found here and BOGO promos. When checking out, remind us you work at Luther and we'll intra-campus your purchase.
Greeting cards available for purchase, including Mother's Day
The Book Shop has greeting cards set up outside the Book Shop. Mother's Day (May 10th), Graduation, Birthday, Sympathy and Encouragement cards all for $2.50. Just leave cash in the basket.
EVENTS
Chapel this week
Join College Ministries Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 10:30 a.m.-10:50 a.m. for a time of prayerful connection through Luther Zoom Chapel. You may join the service at: https://zoom.us/j/811331503.
Wednesday, May 6: Coach Loran Storts
Friday, May 8: Asha Aden, senior chapel
Monday, May 11: Gather Morning Praise
Home sporting events
The American Rivers Conference has canceled spring schedules.
Events this week
The health and safety of our students, staff, faculty and neighbors are of the utmost importance to us. Following directives from President Ward, effective immediately all events at Luther College are canceled through at least Thursday, May 21.
COMMUNITY
Celebrations this week
Birthdays
May 5: Joelle Nielsen, Tammi Skoda
May 6: David Bishop, Ryan Crabel, Dorotea Sipac de
May 7: Jeff Wilkerson
May 9: Beth Lynch
May 10: Sam Oyloe, Linda Silber
May 11: Kris Bigler, Diane Gossman, Mike Johnson, Gereon Kopf, Renee Lillibridge, Tyler Mattson
Retirement
Robert Fitton, director of projects and laboratories in biology, who has worked at Luther for more than 42 years; and Marsha Nierling, laundry attendant in Regents, who has worked for Luther for more than 38 years have announced their retirements effective May 29 and June 5 respectively. We congratulate Robert and Marsha and thank them for their dedicated service to the college.
ARTICLES, CREATIONS, HONORS
Robert Christman's invited article "Bremen’s First Reformers: Between the Low Countries and Wittenberg,” was recently published in the volume "Die andere Reformation: Reformationen in Bremen und in Nordwesteuropa," (Evangelische Verlagsanstalt: Leipzig). The article reevaluates traditional scholarly understandings of the early Reformation in the German city of Bremen, and is an outgrowth of Christman’s recently published monograph.
Maryna Bazylevych spoke at the panel "Fraying at the Seams?: Europe, the European Union, and the COVID-19 Pandemic" as a part of the mini conference online "The COVID-19 Pandemic in Europe" on April 29, 2020. The panel addressed the response of European nations to the pandemic and the implications for the European governance structure.
Six Luther College students have each received a $1,000 Steven Mark Anderson Scholarship for the 2020–21 academic year. Recipients include Isabel de la Cruz Hexom, Trina Elsinger, Samantha Feucht-Vandemore, Abigail Miller, Ochain Okey and Thuan Tran.
Ideas and Creations
Schedules, work and home life are all in transition during this time. In the article "Dispatch from 5th Avenue, Decorah, Iowa", learn how Brooke Joyce is managing it all with his family and how it involves an occasional round of the classic Parker Brothers game, "Masterpiece."
UNCLASSIFIED ADS
For rent: 2 bedroom upstairs apartment in a duplex house. Close to downtown. No smoking, no pets. Looking for a quiet and responsible renter. $550 a month. Utilities not included. Available June 1. Call 546-7785.
For sale: NetGear dual band wi-fi router, new condition. Includes all necessary items in original box. $25 or best offer. Email inquiries only to <bjerkr01>.
For sale: Gently used Harry Potter complete series set in original box. $20. Email inquiries only to <bjerkr01>.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
And finally...
It is National Teacher Appreciation Week. During this time of separation between educators and their students, it is important to reach out and #ThankATeacher for the work they do and the impacts they have on our youth.
A special thank you to our faculty for adapting during these times and managing to educate and nurture relationships with Luther students remotely. You are appreciated.
Here is one dedicated librarian from Lincoln, Nebraska, who has launched her own TV series from her basement, which has become must-see TV for kids. This week she got quite the surprise on her front lawn.