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Â鶹Æƽâ°æ College leadership updated staff on strategic planning, benefits open enrollment, training requirements, campus events, and college priorities. President Marc C. Conner emphasized the importance of community feedback in shaping the College’s next Strategic Plan.

Updates from Human Resources 

Human Resources introduced 12 new staff members across various departments, including Campus Safety, Dining Services, Athletics, and academic departments. Staff were reminded about mandatory training, which must be completed by Dec. 6 and now includes a two-part series covering Title IX updates. , covering workplace discrimination, harassment, and the protection of minors. Part two, which will include Title IX regulations and the Violence Against Women Act, will be released in two weeks. 

Upcoming Human Resources dates and deadlines 

Open Enrollment begins on Wednesday, Nov. 6, and must be completed by 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. 

• Recorded Information Sessions: 
  • (password: +t=6x%O*) 
  • (password: @q1#5pfQ)
• Benefits Fair: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6, in Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, second floor 

Professional Development Workshops: 

• Managing the Multi-Generational Workplace (for supervisors) — 9-11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12 ‌ 
• ‌Navigating the Multi-Generational Workplace — 9-11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13 ‌ 
• ‌Managing the Wave of Change (for supervisors) — 9-11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 5 ‌ 
• ‌The Wave of Change — 9-11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 12

Strategic planning updates 

Specialized committees are gathering input from the community through events, forums, and surveys for Â鶹Æƽâ°æ’s five strategic planning themes. Representatives shared key updates in the planning process: 

• Sustainability:

  • Environmental sustainability: Kurt Smemo, chair of the Environmental Studies and Sciences Department and faculty director of sustainability, said the College is emphasizing sustainability literacy, potentially joining the Climate Leadership Coalition, and integrating sustainability into the curriculum and student experiences. 
  • Economic sustainability: Daniel Konstalid, vice president for finance and administration, shared that the budget subcommittee is reviewing financial assumptions and trade-offs to maintain a balanced budget and ensure long-term financial health. 
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Mariel Martin, director of the Wyckoff Center, shared that forums scheduled for Nov. 14 and 15 will gather input on DEI goals. This feedback will shape Â鶹Æƽâ°æ’s approach to inclusivity across campus. 
• Increasing the endowment for need-based financial aid: Jess Ricker, vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid, emphasized the importance of growing the endowment for need-based aid to reduce reliance on tuition and support top students regardless of financial background. 
• Creativity and academic excellence: Dorothy E. Mosby, dean of the faculty and vice president for academic affairs, and Smriti Tiwari, associate professor of economics and faculty vice chair of strategic planning, shared that Â鶹Æƽâ°æ’s academic affairs team gathered input from faculty on creativity and academic excellence. Key themes that emerged included interdisciplinary integration (notably with AI), the value of practical and preprofessional programs, connecting natural sciences with humanities, diversity and inclusion, branding, and administrative efficiency. 
• The residential student experience: Josh Maxwell, SGA president, and Julia Routbort Baskin, associate dean of student affairs in health and wellness, shared that the residential experience team is focused on well-being, inclusivity, and engagement in clubs and career development to strengthen students' sense of belonging and growth outside the classroom. 

Staff members were encouraged to continue engaging in the strategic planning process and to monitor their email and Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Weekly Bulletin for more information on how to provide feedback on these themes. Additional updates will be provided at the Dec. 6 Staff Meeting. The College aims to complete the strategic planning draft by early February for Board review later that month, with a final version expected in May. 

Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Cares 

President Conner noted that the annual Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Cares initiative will take place the week before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, Nov. 20, and Thursday, Nov. 21. Community members are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to the Scribner Carriage House between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (an after-hours drop box will also be available).  

Student support resources for the election 

The Counseling Center, Health Promotion/Peer Health Educators, Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion, and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life are collaborating to provide opportunities for students to pause, take a break, and process in the days surrounding Election Day. 

The next Staff Meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6.