Announcements
Hawk Hill This Week
Hawk Hill This Week is an online newsletter for Saint Joseph's University employees. This weekly email digest is delivered Monday mornings. It includes news about faculty, staff and student achievements; key deadline reminders; policy updates; tips on community resources and more.
In the spirit of community, all faculty and staff are encouraged to share their news through this newsletter by emailing us.
Week of March 30
The University has established a Student Support Fund to direct critical resources to those who find themselves with urgent expenses they’re unprepared to meet. Emergency travel and temporary housing for those unable to return home are among the immediate needs for many students. There are also unexpected expenses related to food, transportation, safety and security, as well as the packing and shipping associated with moving. Contributions to the Student Support Fund are appreciated and will be directed immediately to where they will have the greatest impact.
Saint Joseph’s Zoom Backgrounds
Are you looking for ways to spice up your virtual conference room? You now have the option of displaying something besides your kitchen cabinets or a blank wall, while also showcasing the new Saint Joseph's brand. Visit the brand section of our website to find downloadable Zoom backgrounds featuring scenes from Hawk Hill, plus instructions on how to use.
Additional Canvas and Zoom Trainings
As the Office of Information Technology continues to support faculty delivering virtual instruction, we are hosting additional training and open support sessions via Zoom. Starting the week of March 30, you can attend any of the following sessions:
- Coffee and Answers (Daily, 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.): Drop in and ask Canvas, Zoom, or academic technology questions in an open and supportive environment
- Innovation Hour (Monday, Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.): Join your fellow faculty members where you can:
- Collaborate with colleagues from across disciplines
- Brainstorm alternative assignments, activities, and assessments
- Guidance as you think through your course design
- Open Support Session (Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m.): Drop-in sessions with OIT where you can ask anything
- Joy Bursts (Daily, noon): Get a daily dose of positivity where you can share moments of student success, positive energy, appreciation and inspiration.
You can find the full schedule in our knowledge base. Registration not required.
Finance and Administration has created a new activity code that employees should use to track and document any purchases related to COVID-19. When reconciling transactions, be sure to use activity code COV19. If you have any questions, please reach out to Alicia Jessop-DeFreitas.
Payroll Updates and City Wage Tax Info
You can find the latest information related to payroll and the Philadelphia City Wage Tax in this University Announcement.
As we move into our third week of a mostly virtual campus, we’re still looking for pictures, tips and innovative ideas from the campus community on how you’ve adapted to learning, teaching and working while practicing physical distancing. Tag us on social media using #HawksAtHome or send an email to sjunews@sju.edu.
Week of March 23
The University has established a Student Support Fund to direct critical resources to those who find themselves with urgent expenses they’re unprepared to meet. Emergency travel and temporary housing for those unable to return home are among the immediate needs for many students. There are also unexpected expenses related to food, transportation, safety and security, as well as the packing and shipping associated with moving. Contributions to the Student Support Fund are appreciated and will be directed immediately to where they will have the greatest impact.
University Calendar Event Removal
All events and meet-ups on the University calendar through May 15 have been removed due to the suspension of all on-campus activities. If you have an event that has been rescheduled to a later date or re-imagined in the virtual environment, you can resubmit the event for the calendar by completing this form.
A lot has changed in the past two weeks — we’ve moved to a mostly virtual campus, our classrooms and offices now contain couches, spouses and pets, and we’ve all had to quickly learn how this Zoom thing works. The important thing to remember is that we’re all in it together. Let’s do what Hawks do best and share with our community the photos, tips and innovative teaching ideas we’ve all adopted using the hashtag #HawksAtHome. Or shoot us an email at sjunews@sju.edu.
Week of March 16
On Sunday, March 20 from 7 to 9 a.m., The Nest will be unavailable as the Office of Information Technology performs system upgrades. Please plan accordingly.
If you have any questions about this outage, please contact the Technology Service Center at 610-660-2920.
Campus Support Services During Virtual Transition
During virtual instruction, a number of campus services will remain available for students. A comprehensive list of open status and hours is available online, and will be updated regularly.
Be sure to visit sju.edu/coronavirus for the latest information and updates regarding the University’s plans and responses to COVID-19. If you haven’t already done so, download the SJU Safe app, which is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play. Future updates may be shared there.
Week of March 9
Information pertaining to the University’s response to the coronavirus can be found at sju.edu/status/coronavirus. Please remember the best protection is prevention. Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, sneeze and cough into your elbow or a tissue, and if you’re feeling ill, please stay home. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your supervisor.
Students, faculty and staff are welcomed to tour Saint Joseph's new esports Lab at an open house before the public launch. The space will be open from 11 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. on the first floor of Merion Hall. Try out the latest games and learn about this growing industry with student members of the esports club.
The University is actively monitoring the developments of coronavirus across our area. Be sure to download the SJU Safe App to receive critical information and updates. You can find it by searching SJU Safe App in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Join us for the final community lunch of the year on Thursday, March 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Doyle Banquet Hall. The Feast of Saint Joseph will coincide with our annual Day of Giving and costs $8 to attend. Please note this is cash-only.
Week of March 2
Coronavirus Status Website Available
Faculty, students and staff can keep abreast of the latest news and University resources regarding coronavirus at sju.edu/status/coronavirus.
The site includes relevant University Announcements, the latest information from the CDC and Instructional Continuity resources.
An initiative of the Basic Foods and Basic Needs Committee, Lent a Hand will collect items for the Hawk Hub, a food and needs pantry for students, during the Lenten Season. Each week, the committee will highlight different items they are collecting. You can drop off your donation at Campus Ministry, Maguire Wolfington Welcome Center, Merion Writing Center, Student Senate Office, Post Learning Commons and Bellarmine Hall G-10. Donation themes are as follows:
Week of March 4-6: Fruit Cups and feminine hygiene
Week of March 16- 20: Pasta, PB&J and Tide Pods
Week of March 23-27: Breakfast food and body wash
Week of March 30- April 3: Tuna, toothbrushes and toothpaste
The University will launch a bystander intervention training program known as Green Dot over the next few months. This program aims to reduce the incidence of sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking by teaching faculty, staff and administrators how to spot and safely intervene in these situations.
Overview presentations will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2:30 – 3:45 p.m. in Sun Room 1 in Campion Student Center and Thursday, March 12, noon – 1:15 p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room in Campion Student Center. If interested, be sure to sign up to attend one of the sessions.
Saint Joseph’s University is offering you the chance to lose weight and improve your health — at no cost to you — with a program called Naturally Slim®.
Unlike diets, which rely on your willpower and “eat this and not that” advice, Naturally Slim teaches you simple, repeatable skills to help you lose weight, keep it off, and improve your health in the real world, without giving up the foods you love.
You can access the program via computer or mobile device so you can complete it at a time and place that is convenient for you.
To be considered, you must complete the online application today. Don’t wait, space may be limited! Visit the above link for more information about the program as well.
Employees, spouses and covered dependents over age 18 are eligible to participate in the program.
Showcase your Hawk pride and celebrate National Nutrition Month on Friday, March 6 from 1-2 p.m. by joining us in the Mandeville First Floor Dining Room for a demonstration on how to make cauliflower mac and cheese. The presentation will be given by Family Food and the recipe will contain gluten and dairy.
How Well Do You Know Hawk Hill?
Put your knowledge of Hawk Hill to the test with our Hawk Trivia – rack up points to make it onto our weekly leaderboards and show off your score on social media to challenge your fellow Hawks! And while you are there, make your gift for Saint Joseph's Day, too!
Week of February 17
University President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D., recently updated the campus on several developments within the Jesuit community at Saint Joseph’s and the region. They are as follows:
• Fr. Robert L. Keane, S.J., will serve as the new Superior of the Loyola Center/Manresa Hall Jesuit community effective September 15, 2020. Fr. Keane is currently the Rector of the Boston College Jesuit Community and previously served as a U.S. Navy chaplain for 23 years. He will succeed Fr. Brendan G. Lally, S.J., who will serve as Delegate for Senior Jesuits, effective January 1, 2021.
• Construction on the new Jesuit residence on Lapsley Lane, known as Arrupe Hall, continues and should be completed by the late summer. This residence – conceived, designed, and funded by the Maryland Province – will be the home of a new, multi-apostolic Jesuit community for Jesuits working at the University, St. Joseph’s Prep, Gesu School, and Old St. Joseph’s Church. Fr. Eugene M. Geinzer, S.J., the first Superior of the new community, arrived on campus in the summer, is preparing for the new residence’s completion, and is teaching an undergraduate course this semester.
• The Jesuits are also making some improvements to Loyola Center/Manresa Hall. While some of the projects are routine upgrades, others will enhance the quality of community and spiritual life for the Jesuits living there. Given the timing and scope of these renovations, the annual Mardi Gras reception will not be held this year; instead, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the special lunches being offered in the Doyle Banquet Hall this semester, in particular the one on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph.
• This summer will mark a significant organizational change for the Maryland and Northeast Provinces, as they will join together to become the USA East Province. This completes a multi-year plan to consolidate Jesuit provinces in the United States into four – USA West, USA Midwest, USA Central and Southern, and USA East. Fr. Arturo Sosa, S.J., Superior General, announced in October that Fr. Joseph M. O’Keefe, S.J., will serve as the Provincial, effective July 31, 2020.
Naturally Slim Applications Open
Saint Joseph’s University is pleased to introduce Naturally Slim, an online program that will teach participants how to eat, instead of what to eat. The program does not include starving, counting calories or spending hours prepping. The program gives eligible participants the chance to learn how to eat the foods they love while reducing the risk of developing serious conditions, like diabetes or heart disease.
Space is limited. Apply between Feb. 17 and March 2. Applications and additional information about the program and eligibility can be found at www.naturallyslim.com/SJU.
Week of February 10
Faculty and Staff Appreciation Basketball Game
Faculty and staff are invited to claim up to four free tickets and show their Hawk pride during the men’s basketball game against Davidson College on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Hagan Arena.
In addition to the four tickets, as Hawk fans and valued employees of SJU, you will receive a concessions special that is valid for two meals at $5 each. This offer includes one hot dog, a bag of chips and a canned soda. Just be sure to present your employee ID to secure this deal.
If you arrive early, you can also take advantage of the Hawk Happy Hour, a partnership between the 2020 Go Move Challenge and Hawk Hill Bites and Brews. Beginning at 5 p.m. you can enjoy half-priced drinks and food. This is a great way to interact with your colleagues outside of the traditional work setting.
Each year, tuition remission for the Executive MBA Program is available for one University employee for the one-year model. To be eligible, you must be an accepted student in the Executive MBA Program. Visit sju.edu/emba to begin your application.
Once admitted, submit the completed tuition remission scholarship application, along with the tuition remission agreement to the Office of Human Resources by Friday, March 13. A committee will review the list of accepted students and recommend qualified candidates to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs for approval of the final selection. Classes for the upcoming one-year cohort will begin on Friday, May 8. For more details on the tuition benefit, please refer to the employee handbook on the web.
For more information on SJU's Executive MBA program, please contact Christine Anderson to discuss the program features and prerequisites at 610-660-2252.
Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Program for Educational Leaders
Contingent upon the availability of University financial resources, tuition remission for the Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Program for Educational Leaders (IDEPEL) is awarded as a scholarship each year to one qualified applicant per cohort.
To review the full program and requirements, please see the Staff & Administrative Employment Handbook. Applications for the scholarship cohort beginning fall 2020 are now being accepted in the Office of Human Resources. All applications must be submitted by March 20. The scholarship recipient and all other applicants will be notified by the end of April. For details on the IDEPEL program, please visit the IDEPEL website.
If you have questions or wish to obtain an application and agreement, please contact Catherine Bock in the Office of Human Resources at 610-660-1287.
We are collecting stories about students and staff who are graduating with a degree from the University this spring. Share your nominations by emailing sjunews@sju.edu and include the person’s name, degree and/or major and why they would be a good feature for our upcoming series.
Sponsored by the Business Intelligence and Technology Student Society, the University is collecting brand new, packaged boys pajamas for children living in emergency shelters throughout the region. You can drop off your donations from now until Feb. 14 at one of three locations:
Bellermine 209
Mandeville MBA Suite in from of 280 - 290
DSS Suite - outside of 342
For more information, contact William Burrough at 609-922-1692.
Encourage your students and student workers to attend the spring career fair on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. in the Athletic Center. Employers representing diverse industries and organizations will be on campus recruiting students of all majors for full-time, internship, co-op, part-time and volunteer/service opportunities. There will also be a Linkedin photo booth and tour for students that are new to the fair. Students can download the Handshake App to see a list of employers attending the fair.
Week of February 3
SJU's Executive MBA - One-Year Program
Each year, tuition remission for the Executive MBA Program is available for one University employee for the one-year model. To be eligible, you must be an accepted student in the Executive MBA Program. Visit sju.edu/emba to begin your application.
Once admitted, submit the completed tuition remission scholarship application, along with the tuition remission agreement to the Office of Human Resources by Friday, March 13. A committee will review the list of accepted students and recommend qualified candidates to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs for approval of the final selection. Classes for the upcoming one-year cohort will begin on Friday, May 8. For more details on the tuition benefit, please refer to the employee handbook at https://sites.sju.edu/humanresources/policies-and-handbooks/. Questions may be directed to John Cline, jcline@sju.edu, or Megan Guarni, mguarni@sju.edu.
For more information on SJU's Executive MBA program, contact Christine Anderson at sjumba@sju.edu
Society of Professional Women February 20 Luncheon
As a member of the Main Line Chamber of Commerce, SJU is a sponsor of the Society of Professional Women Luncheon Series. The next event is Thursday, February 20 at the Radnor Valley Country Club and features speaker Cheldin Barlatt Rumer, CEO of i-g creative and executive producer and host of This Is It TV. Rumer's topic will be “Scream Your Dream - Finding Your Marketing Voice.” For additional information, visit http://spwmainline.com/.
Six seats available to Saint Joseph’s employees for this luncheon. If you are interested in attending, contact Patty Martin, director, Government and Community Relations. You must provide your own transportation to and from the luncheon. The deadline to respond is Friday, Feb. 14. Seats will be reserved on a first come, first served basis.
Day of Dialogue Registration Open
The University will host its inaugural Day of Dialogue on Thursday, Feb. 20 beginning at 12:30 p.m. The day is meant to build upon conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion that have already begun throughout the campus community by providing practical, participatory, and action-oriented sessions. SJU community members are encouraged to participate in the full day experience; however, the program is organized so that participants can join sessions throughout the day as their schedule permits. Registration for the day is now open. For a full schedule of events and to sign up to attend, please visit the event page.
Week of January 27
Nominate a Senior Student Scholar/Leader for an Award
Each year, the University Student Senate recognizes outstanding student achievement by selecting three members of the senior class to receive the leadership, the service, and the scholarship awards. These awards will be presented at the Senior Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 15. Any member of the SJU community can nominate a senior by filling out the nomination form.
Tuition Exchange / FACHEX Renewal
SJU employees with dependents enrolled in college that are currently receiving a Tuition Exchange (TE) or FACHEX Scholarships at another institution must complete a TE/FACHEX renewal application by Thursday, Jan. 30 for the 2020-2021 academic year to continue receiving the scholarship. To complete the application, log into The Nest, go to Employee Resources / Employee Tuition Benefits & Resources, proceed to your Employee Records Account, and Click Tuition Benefit for Family-Exchange & FACHEX form. If you have questions, please reach out to the Financial Aid Office.
Just a friendly reminder that the deadline for the VSP program is Friday, Jan. 31. Please refer to The Nest for more information and to submit your application.
Win an Echo Dot by participating in the 2020 Go Move Challenge! This year’s challenge takes place Saturday, Feb.1 through Saturday, Feb. 29. The goal of the challenge is to have the most minutes of movement among your peers at SJU and across all competing institutions. The challenge encourages us to keep moving throughout the cold winter months. Register online here, and visit our Go Move webpage for events and updates. For any questions, please contact Megan Guarni, HR specialist, benefits and compensation.
Week of January 21
Campus-Wide ENS Test on Jan. 23
The University will test the new emergency notification system on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020 during free period. If you do not receive an emergency notification at that time, please update your information in the Nest. As a reminder, the University Office of Public Safety now offers SJU Safe, a custom safety app available for download in the App Store or through Google Play. Log in with your SJU credentials during download to access all available features. SJU Safe consolidates a number of existing resources — emergency plans, phone numbers and campus map — and adds new features like virtual walks, mobile BlueLight activation and push notifications for safety alerts.
2021 Study Tour and Summer Program Proposals
The Center for International Programs is now accepting faculty proposal for the 2021 Study Tours and Summer programs. Faculty are invited to submit proposals to offer or teach a course. The deadline for submissions Wednesday, Feb. 15 and decisions will be in early May. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Illana Eger, Manager of Study Tours and Programs.
Writing Center Open for Spring 2020
The Writing Center will officially open for the spring semester on Tuesday, Jan. 21 for online and in-person appointment. The center is located in Merion Hall 162 with a satellite location in PLC 128. Please visit their website for more information and hours of operation.
Just a friendly reminder that the deadline for the VSP program is Friday, Jan. 31. Please refer to The Nest for more information and to submit your application.