Announcements

10/8/24 - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Althouse 204

Come to the check-in event, where Professor Zhu will report on rankings-to-date, common mistakes, a general Q&A, and a presentation from the Career Center about how to utilize this experience in your job search. Light snack provided.

October 10, 2024 – 12-1 p.m. – ATS-B

“What coffee can show us about beauty, brokenness, and restoration in the marketplace." Founder and co-owner of Denim Coffee, Matt Ramsay outlines the beauty and complexity of the coffee business, inherent problems, and Denim’s plan to face those problems. For coffee fans, business folks, and anyone interested in trying to work in the world with purpose, catch Matt holding on to a vision for better coffee and justice while facing the realities of the marketplace.

Dear Colleagues,

As reported at the May 2023 Faculty Meeting, the Academic Program and Standards Committee approved the Language Executive Committee’s (LXC) proposal to simplify the process for international students who wish to fulfill the language requirement with their home language. As a reminder: Some incoming students completed their secondary degree in English but speak another language at home, which requires external testing if the latter is not taught at Dickinson. The new process allows these students to fulfill the college's language requirement thanks to internal resources when available. We are reaching out to all college employees to find those fluent in a foreign language other thanlanguages offered at Dickinson and who are interested in helping our students by being an occasional language rater. Qualifications may vary based on the language they will rate. They can include (1) self-reported literacy; (2) daily use at home; (3) a secondary degree or higher received in the language. (4) a minimum proficiency test result at the advanced level. LXC will confirm interested candidates and send that information to the Registrar to be included in the centralized list of raters available to students.

Raters are required to verify whether the students’ language proficiency meets the Intermediate Low level in the following five (5) areas, based on theACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and the ACTFLWorld-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages: speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture. Intermediate-level qualifiers connect language users’ ability to (1) participate in simple, direct conversations in informal settings; (2) ask and answer questions about familiar topics; (3) understand and produce meaningful discrete sentences and connecting strings about familiar topics; (4) create with the language by adapting instructed materials to their own experience and communicative needs; (5) avoid basic cultural errors. Each rater is permitted to identify and use materials for testing that work best for them. Once the evaluation has been completed, the rater will notify the Registrar via email.

At this time, we have a particular need for testers fluent in Vietnamese.

If you contacted me last year, you do not need to contact me again unless you can no longer test in your language(s).

If interested, please contact me at haquek@dickinson.edu, including the language(s) in which you are fluent along with a brief description of your qualifications.

On behalf of the LXC and the Registrar's Office, I thank you!

Best wishes,
Kamaal

Kamaal Haque
Associate Professor of German

Attend Tuesday, October 8, from 12-2pm to meet with Cathy Andriadis '80 in Biddle House 102. Cathy has experiences in corporate, PR, environment, products, issues and crisis management. She will facilitate a "Marketing/Communications Case Study" workshop, 12-1pm is the interactive program & 1-2pm will be a first-come, first-serve 15min office hours. Produced by Jonathan Lopes, MA / Center for Career Development.

The Dickinson College Farm invites you, your family and your friends to explore its fields and pastures with farm staff and students on Saturday October 12th from 11am - 2pm. Come and learn about our production models, field research, renewable energy projects, and more! Theme-specific walking tours will begin every half hour starting at 11am. A hayride tour for those unable to walk will run from noon until 1pm. Our pop-up farm stand gives visitors an opportunity to purchase certified organic and 100% grass-fed products raised on the farm. We hope you will join us! Can't make it? Keep an eye out for our spring public tour in May 2025!

President John Jones '77, P'11 and Student Senate President Andrew Garcia '26 will be available in the Dining Hall at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 9 to visit with students. Stop by to share what is on your mind.

Monday, October 14 | 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | HUB Social Hall

We are happy to offer flu vaccinations to students and employees of the College.

Flu shot facts: Of course, the flu shot fights the flu. But what exactly is the flu? It’s a virus that can cause respiratory infection. It spreads quickly. And it can lead to pneumonia and other complications.

Pre-registration is required. Sign-up for your free flu vaccine today by clicking on the more information link below.

Vaccinations will not be available for spouses and/or dependents. Please be sure to schedule an appointment with their primary care provider or a pharmacy offering flu shots.

The next clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, November 6, from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

October 15; 11.a.m.-2 p.m. on Britton Plaza

Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland & Perry Counties (DVSCP) and Dickinson’s Department of Public Safety are dedicated to providing support for survivors of dating and domestic violence. They ensure a response that prioritizes the safety and well-being of survivors. Our Public Safety officers are trained to handle sensitive situations with care and professionalism, and DVSCP staff offer critical resources such as counseling, emergency shelter, and advocacy services. Come out to meet our professionals that help and support so many people. Free donuts, decorate a DPS cruiser, and pumpkin voting.

The Makery is having a Halloween costume workshop. Join us for music, snacks, and access to what you need to make an awesome costume. We have sewing machines, cloth, cardboard, hot glue, tools, and a cauldron load of useful items. Come get creative and crafty. Our space is available year-round, but this monster mash comes once a year!

On Thursday, October 17, 2024 wear purple and stand up against domestic violence. Purple Thursday is a national day of action each October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Everyone is encouraged to wear all things purple as a symbol of peace, courage, survival, honor, and personal dedication to domestic violence awareness.

As a convenience to all employees, the October 2024 issue of Vitality is now available via the Human Resource Services homepage through the Vitality icon in the left sidebar area, where there is also an access link for archived issues.

October brings the scents and sounds of the fall season! Dickinsquirrelians scurry around campus collecting acorns; leaves fall all around us; and the musty fall weather both entices and engulfs us with challenges of raking leaves while enjoying the cooler weather. The fall season offers many opportunities to engage with the campus community while also exploring and/or enjoying some seasonal favorites that come back each year!

Consider signing up for any of the programs and events offered this fall, both on campus and in the local community to expand your horizons or just try something new. October is LGBTQ History Month as well as Domestic Violence Awareness Month – a time to reflect, learn and become aware of the many resources within our community.

National Fire Prevention Week occurs from October 6-12, and is a great reminder to CHECK your smoke alarms at home. Keeping yourself and loved ones safe by checking only takes a few minutes! The October issue also highlights upcoming events in November – see the list below for just some of the many options!

• Blood Pressure Screening | Tuesday, Oct. 8 from noon-1 p.m.
• Dressings, Dips & Sauces Cooking & Tasting Demo | Wednesday, Oct. 9
• What Coffee Can Show Us About Beauty, Brokenness, and Restoration In the Marketplace | Thursday, Oct. 10 from noon-1 p.m.
• United Way Day of Caring | Friday, October 11 kicks off at 8 a.m.
• Out on Britton | Friday, October 11 from 1-5 p.m.
• Flu Vaccine Clinic | Monday, Oct. 14 – BY APPOINTMENT – 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Substance Misuse & The Drug Free Workplace | Tuesday, Oct 15 from noon – 1 p.m.
• Supporting Survivors: Compassionate Disclosure Practices | Thursday, Oct. 17 & 24
• CPR, First Aid & AED Training | Tuesday, Oct 22 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Fidelity: Prepare for the Reality of Health Care in Retirement | Wednesday, Oct. 23 (virtual presentation)
• Free Biometric Screening | Thursday, Oct. 24 from 7-8:30 a.m.
• Ethics Common Read: Failures of Forgiveness | Monday, Oct. 28 from 4:30-6 p.m.
• Goal Writing | Thursday, Nov. 7 from 9-11 a.m.
• Preparing for Life’s Transitions | Thursday, Nov. 21 from noon-1 p.m.
• Ceramics Nights | Thursday, Nov. 21 & Dec. 12 from 7-8 p.m.
• Health Advocate Wellbeing Webinars | various dates
• TIAA 1:1 Consultations | Thursday, Nov. 6
• TIAA & Fidelity Financial Education Webinars | various dates

Enjoy a variety of other community-based programs, events and opportunities that are also shared in the monthly issues of Vitality throughout the year. For details and more information regarding events offered this summer, check out the October 2024 issue of Vitality – and remember to register via Totara in the Gateway!

It's On Us is a national organization which seeks to empower students to become leaders and peer educators on their campuses in the fight to end sexual harm. During the month of October, the Dickinson Chapter of IOU is hosting a pledge drive along with 20 other schools asking students, staff and faculty to recognize the harmful norms that contribute to sexual harm and to create an environment in which it is not able to be normalized. The drive ends on October 25 and every signature counts! Click "More Information" below to Sign the Pledge.

An iPad with keyboard case were found in Denny and turned into Public Safety. You must be able to describe the iPad and case plus provide the correct password to unlock the iPad to claim it. Public Safety is open 24/7 so please come collect your missing iPad and keyboard case.

Wednesday, October 9 | noon - 1 p.m. | HUB Social Hall West

Want to explore some tasty dips, dressings, and sauces that can take a meal or snack from dull to delightful?! If you worry that your store-bought versions are leading to nutrition pitfalls with added salt, sugar, fat, and other additives, this session is for you!

Join the Wellness Center's registered dietitian, Courtney Hager, as she demonstrates simple ways to make your own yummy dips and dressings. Enjoy tasty samples and walk away with recipes to try at home!

Enroll and sign-up in Totara.

Thursday, October 10 | 10 and 4 p.m. | Online Presentation

Presenter: Angela Dora Dobrzynski, LPC Trainer Health Advocate

Domestic violence occurs when one person in a relationship purposely hurts another person physically or emotionally. It often begins as threats and verbal abuse and then escalates to physical violence. Many people may not even recognize that their relationship is unhealthy, or they may be hopeful that their partner will change.

Join Health Advocate for this webinar to better understand this important issue, how to identify an abusive relationship, and where to find resources to help those affected.

Register for the session the best fits your schedule by clicking on the more information link below.

The Emeriti Plan provided through Emeriti Retirement Health Solutions will begin its move to a retirement healthcare program offered by TIAA. Employees (and retirees) who are part of this plan, should be receiving a letter from TIAA with more information.

Those considering or close to retirement, can obtain more details about these changes and ask questions of TIAA and representatives from Via Benefits, during one of the upcoming in-person or virtual meetings:

--Monday, October 14 | 3-4 p.m. | HUB Social Hall West | RSVP via EngageD

--Tuesday, October 15 | 10-11 a.m. | HUB Social Hall East | RSVP via EngageD

--Tuesday, October 22 | 3-4 p.m. | Virtual Meeting | RSVP by copying and pasting the following address in your browser:

https://webinars.on24.com/client/DickinsonandTIAA

Learn more about these changes.

Tuesday, October 15 | noon - 1 p.m. | HUB Mary Dickinson Room

Presented by Missy Stine, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Counseling and Psychiatric Services, Dickinson College Wellness Center

We live in a complicated world -- and these complications stress us out, leading some to turn to self-medicating or other options to cope with life's challenges or issues. Did you ever wonder why some become addicted to substances, or how to recognize substance use or potential substance abuse?

This employee workshop is designed to provide brief education on substance misuse and related problems. You will learn about the warning signs of a substance use disorder, how to support persons struggling with substance misuse, and the connection between substance misuse and Dickinson’s Drug Free Workplace policy. This program will also provide information on available resources.

Enroll and sign-up in Totara by clicking on the more information link below.

Tuesday, October 22 | 8-1 p.m. | DPS Training Room, Kaufman Building

This hands-on skills training prepares participants to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies in adults, children age 12 or younger, and infants. Being certified will provide you with valuable skills that will prepare you to handle a potentially life-threatening situation. Successful participants will learn and achieve the skills needed to demonstrate and pass the written certification exams.

Enroll and sign-up in Totara, by clicking on the more information link below, to reserve your spot in this program.

To successfully complete this certification there is a mandatory completion of the online materials BEFORE arriving for the live training session on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Participants will receive a link to complete the blended learning portion of this training in early October to allow plenty of time to complete prior to the live session. Please send an email to diamondj@dickinson.edu with any questions.

Thursday, October 24 | 7:00 - 8:30 a.m. | Facilities Management Breakroom, 5 N. Orange St.

The Biometric Screening provides a snapshot of your health looking at your fasting total cholesterol and glucose. Blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) also should be examined for a fuller picture. This is a collective review of your risk factors for developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes known as Metabolic Syndrome. The number of people with metabolic syndrome increases with age, affecting more than 40 percent of people in their 60s and 70s. Several factors increase your risk for developing the syndrome – high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood sugar, a lack of physical activity, smoking, and family history. Monitoring your blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol levels and BMI gives you the ability to stay on top of your overall health. Knowing your numbers provides the information to you for conversations with your personal physician. Do you know your numbers? If not, please plan to complete this health screening. For 2024-2025, the free biometric screening is available to the first 100 registrants or complete this screening during your annual well visit for your physical exam with your healthcare provider. Your Biometric screening must be completed on or before Friday, May 30, 2025 to meet the deadlines of the 2024-2025 Wellness Incentive Program Challenge!

Click the more information link to enroll and sign-up now for your biometric screening appointment. The free biometric screening includes a lipid/glucose profile. Fasting is required for 10-12 hours prior to your scheduled appointment time for the most accurate results. Additional optional screenings are available for a small fee that can be paid via payroll deduction.

BONUS: Biometric Screening participants will receive a Farm Works Gift Card for being a good steward of their health and wellbeing!