Announcements

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 acheivements; 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.

Submit Your Announcement

Saint Joseph’s University Bookstore Flash Sale

The Saint Joseph's University Bookstore is having a one-day 50% off clearance sale for faculty, staff and students on Thursday, Oct. 24. Stop by the Bookstore from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and save money on already reduced items.

Annual ‘Boo Crew Trunk-or-Treat’ Call for Participants

Campus Ministry and Human Resources will host the annual ‘Boo Crew Trunk-or-Treat’ for Samuel Gompers Elementary School and other local school children on Saint Joseph’s campus on Friday, Oct. 25 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. 

We invite employees to decorate a car for trunk-or-treat or donate candy for the event. Employees are also welcome to bring their children to trick-or-treat at the event.

If you’re interested in participating in ‘Boo Crew Trunk-or-Treat’ any of these ways, please sign up. The last day to register your department’s trunk is Friday, Oct. 18. Trunks will be allotted on a first come, first served basis.

Any questions may be directed to Beth Ford McNamee, assistant director, Campus Ministry or Tenisha McDowell, human resource specialist.

President’s Brown Bag Lunch To Explore Intersection of Mission and Enrollment Strategy

Pack your lunch and join University President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D. and AVP for Enrollment Management Bob McBride as they discuss the enrollment opportunities and challenges that being a mission-driven and tuition-dependent institution present. The two will explore the University’s financial aid strategies for low-income students and McBride will share how his personal background and his time in the Ignatian Colleagues Program have informed his work at Saint Joseph’s. 

The discussion will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in McShain Hall, Seminar Room 1. In order to encourage lively and meaningful conversation, seating will be limited. Responses will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Please RSVP to Eileen Suplee at esuplee@sju.edu. Drinks and dessert will be provided.

IT Outage:  Banner Job Submission, Appworx, ODS, and Cognos - Sunday, Oct. 13

On Sunday, Oct. 13, Banner Job Submission and the Job Schedule software (AppWorx) will be unavailable from 9 a.m. until around 1 p.m. as we perform upgrades to Banner.

ODS and Cognos will also be unavailable on Sunday as we perform this upgrade.  

Banner Job Submission and AppWorx will resume normal operation around 1 p.m. and Cognos/ODS will resume by the morning of Monday, Oct. 14.

Adobe Creative Cloud Updates

The Office of Information Technology is excited to announce new options for using the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications.

What is the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop App?

Creative Cloud for desktop allows you to quickly install, launch and update Adobe apps, as well as manage and share your assets stored in Creative Cloud.

When will I have access to the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop App?

Beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 16, all faculty and staff will be able to sign into the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop app on their SJU-provided computer using their SJU credentials. This will allow faculty and staff to use the latest version of Adobe applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere. 

Students will be able to access Adobe applications as well as projects created using Adobe tools in labs and classrooms where the software has been installed.

If you have any questions, please contact the Technology Service Center at 610-660-2920.

Discounted Faculty/Staff Season Tickets Available Now

The SJU men's basketball 2019-20 season is just around the corner and we need you there to help cheer on the Hawks! Season ticket plans start at just $160. Please click here or email ticket@sju.edu to request your season tickets now.  

Please note faculty and staff members can only purchase a maximum of four season tickets using the discount. The deadline to use the faculty and staff discount code is Friday, Oct. 4.

Department of Sociology and Graduate Criminal Justice Program Relocation

The Department of Sociology has moved to Post Hall Room 130 and the Graduate Criminal Justice Program has moved to Post Hall Room 110.

Any questions may be directed to Marie Stortini, administrative assistant.

Men's Basketball Faculty & Staff Season Tickets

The SJU men's basketball 2019-20 season is just around the corner and we need you there to help cheer on the Hawks! Prices start at just $160. Please click here or email ticket@sju.edu to request your season tickets now.  

Please note faculty and staff members can only purchase a maximum of four season tickets using the discount.

Celebrate Spirit Day With the Administrative Staff Council

Wear your best and brightest Saint Joseph’s apparel and join the Administrative Staff Council for refreshments as we “fall” into the new academic year. The campus bookstore provides a 20 percent employee discount on the Thursday before Spirit Days.

Date: Friday, Oct. 4

Time: Noon to 2 p.m.

Location:  Campus Ministry/Wolfington Lawn – (facing Campion)

Be a part of our SJU mission by donating to those affected by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas.  Please consider purchasing one or more of the following items and bring them with you when you join us on Spirit Day or donate items at drop box locations listed below:

Diapers (all sizes)

Baby wipes
Toiletries
Underwear and socks (all sizes)
First aid items/kits
Cleaning supplies
Trash bags
Mops and buckets
Towels and towelettes
Rubber gloves/work gloves
Hand sanitizer
Disinfectant wipes
Flashlights and batteries
Bug spray
Water filtration devices
Canned goods
New bed pillows and blankets

Drop boxes are in the following locations:

Maguire Wolfington Welcome Center
Campus Ministry 1st floor
Quinn Hall
Duperreault Hall  
Mandeville Hall Advising Center 148

For more information on how you can support the Bahamas please click here. Any questions may be directed to Eileen Conroy, assistant director, Transfer and Adult Admission.

Whistleblower Hotline and Online Reporting Program

The whistleblower hotline and on-line reporting program is for University employees who wish to anonymously report suspected violations of standards of conduct, policies or regulations.

The hotline and on-line program are offered to facilitate anonymous reporting under the Whistleblower Policy to report  dishonest, fraudulent or other conduct that may be criminal. Examples of such conduct include, but are not limited to: misuse of University assets, theft, embezzlement, bribery, kickbacks and conflicts of interest.

The University’s hotline program is operated on the University's behalf by Lighthouse Services, Inc., an independent firm. Lighthouse Services, Inc. may be contacted by phone or on-line. The compliance hotline number is 1-833-770-0008, and the on-line program can be accessed here. 

Name Change for Department of Communication Studies

The Department of Communication Studies has been renamed to the Department of Communication and Media Studies. This new name, which was approved by governance in the spring semester, reflects the robust multimedia, multi-platform curriculum that students within the department study.

Office of Information Technology Updates

Below are some quick updates from the Office of Information Technology (OIT) about technology initiatives currently underway at the University. We hope to update you throughout the semester with additional information related to our evolving technology landscape.

Technology Refresh

• Classrooms - A total of 292 computers were replaced in 49 learning spaces (nine research spaces, three public computer labs, 35 technology-enhanced classrooms, and two departmental labs). OIT continues to roll out the Windows 10 operating system and is on target to upgrade all SJU computers before Microsoft ends support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020. 
• Network - As part of the summer upgrade schedule, Network Engineering replaced older hardware in several locations throughout campus, improving reliability and expanding service. In addition, older wireless hardware was upgraded with newer equipment that provides faster speeds to connected clients. Some locations that are currently benefiting from these improvements include Maguire Wolfington Welcome Center, Connelly Hall, Boland Hall, the Perch and the Chapel of Saint Joseph.

Academic Software

• Qualtrics for Faculty and Student Research - We are pleased to offer Qualtrics, a leading survey and research tool, to all faculty, staff and students. Nearly 400 members of the University community have activated accounts, creating more than 1,200 surveys with nearly 63,000 responses. To access Qualtrics, log in with your University username and password. For complete information about Qualtrics, visit our Service Catalog.
• Adobe Creative Cloud - Adobe recently introduced a new way to use their Creative Cloud applications. Beginning after the fall break, we will begin deploying the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop App to both Macs and PCs, which will allow you to download and install any of the Adobe apps that the University is entitled to on your SJU issued computer. Here’s a knowledgebase article that will help guide you through the new process. All existing versions of Adobe apps that are currently installed on your SJU computer will no longer work as of November 30, 2019, so it will be important to begin the transition ahead of then. 
• Canvas - We are now a full year into using Canvas as SJU’s Learning Management System. OIT is continuing to offer open support sessions every Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Faculty Learning Lounge (Drexel Library 160) and online via Zoom throughout the fall semester. 
• Starfish - As a reminder, Starfish provides instructors a better way to connect with students about class performance and provides student support staff with a means to better assist students who may be facing academic difficulty.  You can access Starfish from Canvas, The Nest, SJU Mobile, or sju.edu/starfish. 
• Safety App - Last but certainly not least, the Office of Public Safety and Security is now offering a custom safety app called SJU Safe. SJU Safe features include:
  • Mobile BlueLight - Sends your location and calls Public Safety simultaneously
  • Virtual/Friend Walk - Allows for a member of Public Safety or a friend to virtually escort you to your destination
  • Safety Alerts - Receive push notification of emergency and safety alerts
  • Report a Tip - Send a tip to Public Safety
  • Check-in feature for students who are studying abroad

As always, should you need any technology assistance, please contact the Technology Service Center.

University Singers Call for Faculty and Staff

John Grecia is the newly appointed director of Saint Joseph’s University Singers. This year, they are making a return to the original constitution of the Singers and opening the ensemble up to all faculty and staff who are interested and love to sing. The University Singers perform a major concert at the end of the fall and spring semesters, as well as performing at events both on and off campus throughout the year. A wide array of musical periods and styles are represented each semester providing a feast for the singer and audience member alike. Rehearsal takes place on Monday evenings in the Nicoletti Music Studio (Maguire Campus) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

If you have interest in joining the University Singers, please email John Grecia.

Registration Open for Contemporary Botanical Illustration Course

The Barnes Arboretum at Saint Joseph’s University is pleased to announce that certified botanical illustrator Marylyn Waltzer returns this fall for an 8-week course.

The course begins with drawing: learn form, perspective, lighting, and texture.  Using different techniques, create drawings with contrast, balance, layering, and design.  Develop your artistic eye using a small range of graphite pencils.

Following the same layering technique you learned in pencil drawing, move into watercolor. Learn how colors interact with each other in hue and value and how to select the right colors to blend, best representing your subject.  Advanced students work on the artistic study of a living plant, from graphite to watercolor. Demonstrations will be given along with attention to individual needs.

Course Details

Title: Contemporary Botanical Illustration

Dates: Thursdays from October 3 to November 21 (8 classes)

Time: 1 to 4 p.m.

Fee: $350

To register, please visit www.sju.edu/barnesarboretum. Click on Register for Classes and Workshops on the small menu on the left. You will be requested to complete a rather extensive form. Please note you are not required to answer the optional questions NOR the question about adjudication. Scroll down the page to the following list of courses and make sure to select Botanical Illustration and any other course, workshop, or tour you would like to take.  Then click on <Submit> at the bottom of the page and you will be registered. Payment will be requested at a later date.

Any questions may be directed to Bill Rein, Coordinator of Horticulture Programs and Living Collections, Arboretum of the Barnes Foundation at SJU.

Mindful Mondays - Drop-in Meditation

On Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to noon, students and employees are welcome to drop in to Sunroom 1 in Campion and sit for a meditation session. The guided mindfulness sessions typically consist of an introduction, a short meditation of five minutes or so, a brief check-in and a longer meditation of around 15 minutes. Each session is led by an experienced meditation teacher via recording. The weekly classes begin on Monday, Sept. 16. No experience is necessary. For more information, contact Greg Nicholls, Ph.D., director of Counseling and Psychological Services.

University Calendar and News Tips Reminders 

Last semester we were excited to debut Hawk Hill This Week, our e-newsletter delivered to faculty and staff inboxes on Mondays, which features important University news, events and announcements. Below are reminders regarding the University Calendar and submitting information to SJU News. 

University Calendar

Members of the community are encouraged to submit events to the University Events Calendar. The calendar submission form can be accessed here. Please provide as much detail as possible when submitting calendar requests. 

To see a daily digest of University events, you may subscribe to the University calendar here. 

Send Us Your News Tips

Members of the campus community are asked to send all news, story ideas and announcements to sjunews@sju.edu for consideration. On a weekly basis, our editorial staff will evaluate submissions and determine appropriate coverage. For consideration in Hawk Hill This Week, submissions must be received by 10 a.m. on Mondays, one full week in advance of desired publication. Although more advanced notice (two to three weeks) is always helpful, and often necessary, for more in-depth reporting. 

Any questions may be directed to sjunews@sju.edu.

Celebrate Spirit Day

Spirit Day continues to be held every first Friday of the month. The first Spirit Day of the new semester is Friday, Sept. 6. We invite you to show your spirit by wearing your favorite SJU attire. Throughout the year, the Office of Human Resources will be hosting fun Spirit Day events. Please be on the lookout for communications prior to each Spirit Day.

Early Morning and Weekend Swim Location Change

The early morning and weekend swims in the Maguire Pool will now be held at the O'Pake Pool. The operating hours of the pools are as followed:

O’Pake Pool

• Weekdays - 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Weekends - noon to 5 p.m.

Maguire Pool

• Weekdays - 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

SJU Safe Test Successful

The Office of Public Safety and Security conducted a successful, full-scale test of the emergency notification system, SJU Safe on Aug. 29, 2019. Please note that the line 610-660-2911 is an outgoing number only. It is not monitored to receive calls. If you need to reach OPSS, please call 610-660-1111.

To date, the SJU Safe app has been downloaded 1,426 times. Please encourage your colleagues and students to download the app if they haven’t already. 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.