spirit
BIG MOVE TO BARC Relocating 65 employees at one time is no easy task, and to do it without interruption of work has proven to be a minor miracle, says Carol Osenga, administrative assistant in University Advancement, who handled the logistical coordination for one of the largest moves in University history.
GONZAGA FACULTY AND STAFF NEWSLETTER
“It couldn’t have happened without great support from Plant Services, ITS, Telecom, Sodexo and our friends at DeVries,” Osenga says. The goal for University Advancement Vice President Joe Poss was to bring his division together in one place, the BARC, and create optimum synergy for Alumni Relations, Development, Donor Relations, Organizational Effectiveness and Marketing & Communications, departments that do so much work together on behalf of the University. “By consolidating our workspace and resources, we are much better able to serve the needs of our University community, as well as our benefactors, alumni and friends,” says Associate Vice President Dori Sonntag, who oversaw development of the space, formerly occupied by GU’s temporary dining hall.
Dori Sonntag, center, took space formerly configured as a dining hall and helped create an area maximizing workspace and resources to help colleagues best serve GU.
work on the new website, due for unveiling later this year. The space also includes Gonzaga’s telefund center, manned nightly by student callers.
Bringing enrichment to women leaders
Staged by Professional Studies, “The programs are designed to reengage alumni, and educate and empower women for professional and personal enrichment, and workplace advancement,” says Sherri Lynch, outreach and recruiting specialist in the School. “And these conferences are not just about women; they’re for men, too. We need their voices to help women’s voices to be heard. “Gonzaga alumni have told us that what they really want is networking opportunities within our alumni base,” Lynch
›› Sodexo chief hands-on, 3 ›› Empowering women, 4 FEB. 2017 | VOL 18 | #5
Being Engaged Citizens, Modeling for our Students
“We worked closely with UA to understand the processes – who was doing what where, and which groups needed to be together,” says Campus Architect Mac McCandless, who coordinated design work with ALSC Architects. “We were able to incorporate natural light The new UA offices include 90 workstations, able coming in on three sides, developed many to accommodate employees who work remotely collaborative areas, and enabled everyone to have their own space.” from the Seattle and Portland areas, as well as student workers and others doing business with For longtime employees, the move proved to be the division, including those helping to finish
Considering the massive worldwide women’s march in January, Gonzaga’s two all-day Women’s Leadership Conferences seem quite timely: March 15 at Hemmingson Center, and May 19 in Seattle.
›› Gonzaga Day Feb. 11, 2
says. Time is set aside in both conferences for just that. The Spokane conference features an interactive presentation by Sara Jordan-Bloch, Stanford University Clayman Institute for Gender Research, on Untying Double-Binds, and a panel discussion with Sr. Madonna Buder, ‘Iron Nun;’ Kay LeClaire, oldest woman to successfully climb the 7 Summits; and Sandra Williams, activist, filmmaker and publisher of the Black Lens. Seattle’s conference features speakers Caroline Simard, senior research director at Clayman; GU Basketball Coach Lisa Fortier; and discussions focusing on emotional intelligence and embodying core leadership values. Learn more: gonzaga.edu/ womeninleadership.
an exercise in downsizing, one veteran staffer explaining he filled four 30-gallon recycle bins. For more recent hires, the move was a cinch, made possible by synchronized organization. In all, 75 computers needed to be transferred and reinstalled, and GU’s new Polycom phone system has employees reaching for their instruction manuals. Modern Languages will consolidate its department in lower level College Hall where part of UA was previously housed. It will include language labs. Campus Security & Public Safety, and Emergency Preparedness & Risk Management will move to the Huetter Mansion, Alumni’s Relation’s former home.
BENEFIT UPDATES Teladoc: Employees covered under GU’s medical plan can now use Teladoc to speak with and get prescriptions from a U.S. board-certified doctor 24 hours a day, with a $25 copay. GU Living: Our new concierge service provides GU employees 24/7 free personalized research and referrals for everyday needs. Livongo: Employees and covered dependents on GU’s medical plan can use our new diabetic management program offering a state-of-the-art meter, coaching, lancets and test strips at no cost. ZAGFit: There are new ways to earn ZAGFit points and new goals added to trackers. To learn more visit http://benefits.gonzaga.edu
Upcoming Financial Seminars - 25 ZAGFit Points Register at www.gonzaga.edu/Training Designing Your Financial Roadmap: March 30, noon-1 p.m., Hemmingson Auditorium Social Security Seminar: April 4, 2:30-4 p.m., Hemmingson Ballroom Within Reach: May 23, noon-1 p.m., Hemmingson Auditorium Transitioning to Retirement: Aug. 10, noon-1 p.m., Hemmingson Auditorium Gaining Insight: Dec. 5, noon-1 p.m., Hemmingson Auditorium
VIEW ONLINE AT: www.gonzaga.edu/spirit
Welcoming back the faculty to campus following the holidays, President Thayne McCulloh remarked how the break came on the heels of a tumultuous fall including the national elections that have been the topic of frequent conversation. One of the issues that has been top of mind for McCulloh are questions surrounding the new administration’s position regarding “undocumented” students and higher education. “We have students who are very concerned about the potential crumbling of the DREAM Act,” says McCulloh. “We are working to understand what their needs are and position the institution’s support for them to optimize the completion of their education at Gonzaga.” What impact will the federal and state policies have, especially on private institutions such as Gonzaga? Funding K-12 education in Washington state has implications for how much money the legislature will be able to provide to public and private universities. McCulloh notes that while private schools have been favored less, there is much activism occurring on behalf of Gonzaga and others, especially considering Washington’s 10 independent universities collectively confer 20 percent of the state’s baccalaureate degrees but use only 6 percent of state dollars. However, he says, “Not everyone is in support of state funding going to private education, much less religious private education.” While in Washington, D.C. for a meeting of independent college leaders, President McCulloh met with our region’s senators and representatives. “Members on both sides of the aisle were stunned by the outcome of the election,” says McCulloh. “Regardless of one’s political affiliations, the phenomena of this moment constitutes an invitation to engage our students across a broad spectrum of topics.” Earlier in the faculty meeting, AVP Patricia Killen had discussed a desire for our students to engage in tough issues fearlessly in a time of uncertainty and volatility. McCulloh remarked, “In this I hear an invitation to all of us to think about and encourage such engagement. How will we share our own reactions to the national political scene? We must acknowledge that
The president encouraged colleagues to engage students in conversation, reminding them that our students pay attention to what we say, what we do and how we do it.
Continuing work toward our goals 1. Entering the second phase of “Gonzaga Will” – our capital campaign 2. Designing and beginning construction on the Center for Integrated Sciences and Engineering 3. Optimizing the University’s administrative structure for the greatest benefit to faculty and to students. 4. Reviewing & implementing clearer compensation systems for both faculty and staff 5. Bolstering our institutional values and a work culture rooted in mission identity 6. Nurturing and developing the UW-GU partnership 7. Engaging faculty in dialogue around the future of higher education 8. Exploring non-tuition sources of revenue 9. Expanding campus engagement around ecological sustainability 10. Addressing issues of racial, ethnic and cultural diversity, equity and inclusion
we’re constantly involved in modeling: Our students pay attention to what we say, but also to what we do, and how we do it.” A steadfast belief in the democratic process depends on engaged citizens, he continued. “We have an opportunity – and responsibility – to engage young people who are consistently barraged with a message that being involved in civic life does not matter, that there are too many issues and participants for any one individual to have significant impact. These are questions that really matter. Will our students choose to become more, or less, engaged in democratic process going forward?” Amid difficult evening news and related conversations on campus, McCulloh reminds us of Ignatius’ instruction to his own community of brothers – that we assume the best intentions in our colleagues as we grapple with difficult decisions. “There is a search for truth at all universities, but the Jesuit institutions bring something in addition: They’re about hope. Gonzaga is very powerfully possessed of hope: a belief in people and that people can make a difference for the future of our world.”
FEB 2017