TUESDAY 5/19/2020

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: www.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.

Virtual Commencement
Join us for a Virtual Commencement on Sunday, May 24, at 10 a.m. CDT. You’ll find elements of baccalaureate and spring concerts, student speakers, and of course, the conferring of degrees. The pre-recorded event will be broadcast through Luther College’s Facebook page. If you have a Facebook account, visit the event page, and select “going” so you will be prompted to join on May 24. If you don't have a Facebook account, you can still join the broadcast and see the encouragement offered to our graduates through Luther College's Facebook Page. You also have the option to visit luther.edu/commencement and join from there.

Academic calendar
A temporary academic calendar has been adopted for 2020-21. The revised 1-2-2-4-1 calendar contains September Term, two Fall Quarters, Spring Semester and June Term. September Term has a phased return of students to campus, with all other students returning in October for in-person classes during the first Fall Quarter. Study-away courses originally scheduled for January 2021 have been shifted to June.

July camps and conferences
All camps and conferences scheduled for July have been canceled. Camps and conferences will not be rescheduled for August. The Campus Programming Office will be in contact with all camp and conference directors to explore mechanisms for refunding deposits to registrants.

Staff furloughs
Rolling staff furloughs for most staff will occur in June and July. Affected staff will be furloughed for one week each in the month(s) that they are scheduled to work. Staff will retain their benefits, including health insurance, and should qualify for unemployment benefits while on furlough. All affected staff have received a message from Human Resources with further details.

Temporary suspension of TIAA retirement contribution
The 5% institutional TIAA retirement contribution will be suspended for all members of the faculty, staff and administration beginning June 1, 2020 and continuing through May 31, 2021. No employee TIAA retirement contributions are required between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021; employees may opt-out of the minimum retirement contribution (3%) during this time period.

We encourage all employees and students to continue to wear face coverings while on campus and to practice social distancing and other preventative actions identified by the CDC. While no single measure eliminates risk, these measures taken together help to mitigate it. Luther College values the well-being of everyone in our community, and we remind all employees and students to prioritize behaviors that support individual and community wellness. Recommended actions include:

• Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (or, if soap and water is not available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol)
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Staying home or in your room when you are sick
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Covering your cough or sneeze
• Frequently cleaning and disinfecting touched objects and surfaces

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

Sign up for the June wellness screening

During 2020, employees and spouses covered by the Luther College health care plan have additional wellness benefits and requirements. Sign up for the Tuesday, June 9, blood screenings with Winneshiek Medical Center here on campus by contacting <wellness>. 

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

While the major league teams are still debating whether to play ball, Luther is inviting you to join our summer fitness program, Take Me Out to the Ballgame! This is a fun baseball-oriented game where you can score a home run from the comfort of your home! The program begins on June 1 and runs through the end of July. For more information or to sign up to play, contact <wellness>.

Internet maintenance period

On Sunday, May 24, between 7 p.m. and midnight, maintenance will be performed on our internet connection through the Decorah MetroNet. Access to the internet will not be down the entire time, but there will be multiple short outages during the maintenance period and you should avoid using the system. 

Messages of prayer and care for Wellington Place

This week we'll be reaching out to residents and staff at Wellington Place in Decorah. If you or someone you love lives or works at Wellington Place and would like to get a message of care and prayer from College Ministries, send the resident or employee's first and last name to <ministry>. If you missed sending names for prayer for Eastern Star or Aase Haguen in previous weeks, send us those too!

Book Shop news - Greeting cards available

The Book Shop has greeting cards set up outside of the Book Shop. Graduation, birthday, sympathy and encouragement cards are all available for $2.50. Leave cash in the basket.

Submissions requested for Intersectional Feminist Club Monologues 2020

The new Intersectional Feminist Club Monologues 2020 is looking for Luther students, staff or faculty (of any gender expression) to write a brief piece about their experiences, struggles and triumphs with their body, gender, intersectionality or their sexuality. We will also accept visual interpretations. This is in an effort to broaden the stories that are told through the monologues and show a diverse set of experiences. Authors may choose if they would like their name published or if they would like to remain anonymous. Please fill the form to add your submission or email <valdpa01>.

Closing out the fiscal year

As the end of the fiscal year is fast approaching, the Office of Financial Services asks for continued assistance in closing out the fiscal year as smoothly as possible. All outstanding travel expense reports, original invoices, supporting purchase orders/purchase permits or account adjustments should be sent to OFS by June 12 to be included in the FY 19-20 budget. All items for deposit should be sent to the OFS by June 5. Thank you in advance for helping OFS close out the year in a timely manner.

HR update - Teladoc services

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Teladoc has rapidly scaled to meet the new demand and sustain its commitment to clinical quality and high member satisfaction. Thousands of board-certified physicians have been added to Teladoc’s network and the number of providers actively taking consults has more than doubled. Since March 30, visit requests are resolved in less than 15 minutes on average. Teledoc’s coronavirus member website offers a self-assessment questionnaire, access to a test finder and more.

Library due dates extended to Sept. 1

The due date on all Preus Library materials currently checked out to returning faculty/staff/spouses/emeriti/dependents has been extended to Sept. 1. However, faculty leaving Luther continue to have a due date of May 15. Early returns can be made anytime through the book slot in the library entryway or through appointment by contacting <library>. Questions about interlibrary loan materials should be directed to Emily Mineart <ill> as these materials have different due dates set by the lending libraries and will be handled on an individual basis.

Luther now a chapter of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society

Luther is now a recognized chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD). ALD is a national honor society known for recognizing first-year student success in higher education with a mission to promote a continued high standard of learning and encourage superior academic achievement. In its first year, Luther will be inviting eligible sophomores and juniors to be members of this prestigious honor society.

EVENTS

Chapel this week

There will be no chapel this week due to finals.

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 Tuesday, June 30.

COMMUNITY

Celebrations this week

Birthdays

May 19: Meg Hammes
May 20: Denise Creek, Kari Yauk
May 21: Carla Hanson, Kelly Sacquitne
May 23: Rick Hughes
May 24: Tammy Hove, Michelle Larson, Paul Vanney, Roxanne Wellborn
May 25: Amanda Jenkins, LaDonna McGohan, Jill Wilson

Sympathy

Sympathy to Matt and Melissa Bills and family during a very sad time. Melissa’s mother passed away on May 8. The immediate family gathered at St. Paul Lutheran in Villa Park, Illinois, for her funeral on Tuesday, May 12.

Sympathy to Jean Ryan and her daughter and Luther student, Sara Gehling. Jean's mom died on Friday, May 15. Private services are planned for later this week. The obituary for Jean's mom can be found here. 

ARTICLES, CREATIONS, HONORS

Mark Thorne's book chapter "Caesar and the Challenge of Commemorating the Battle of Pharsalia" appeared recently in the volume "Commemorating War and War Dead, Ancient and Modern" (Steiner Verlag, 2019). The chapter explores how Julius Caesar tried to commemorate his most important military victory – and his most controversial, since it was won in a civil war over his fellow Romans, and thus the traditional means of victory commemoration were off the table.

Four Luther College students have each received a $1,000 Karen Julesberg Scholarship for the 2020-21 academic year. The recipients are Jacey Davis, Ga-Young Kim, Erica Kruse and Rebekah (Lazzeroni) Nteso. Congratulations! 

Ideas and Creations
In "Luther: 10 Years Later," Aaron Zander shares what he's learned in his relationship with Luther College as a former student and in his current role.

In "A Letter to My Students on the Last Day of Class," Rachel Brummel shares a letter to the students in her ENVS 250 course and reflects on the importance of learning and community.

UNCLASSIFIED ADS

For rent: 2 bedroom lower level apartment for rent. Right next to Luther College at 415 Riverview Drive. Includes a shared garage, private patio, and onsite laundry. Available now. One year lease. No smoking. No pets. $650/month. Contact Angie at 605-759-4617 or email [email protected] if interested.

For sale: Horse property on paved road just six minutes from downtown and Luther campus. 4 BR, 2 bath home on 4.77 acres. 3,896 finished sq ft. Barn with 2 box stalls. $605,000. See Zillow for photos and details. Email [email protected] or call 419-2466. 

EDITORIAL COMMENT

And finally...

It's rhubarb season - hurry up and grab it before it's gone! Here is a pie recipe you might want to try.