Announcements

Are you staying in the area for the mid-term pause this fall and want to get some writing done? The Center for Teaching, Learning & Scholarship and the Norman E. Eberly Writing Center are co-sponsoring a writing mini retreat for faculty and staff on October 20 and 21. The writing retreat will be a two-day event (you can attend one or both days) held in the Waidner-Spahr Library. The retreat will begin at 10 am and will go until 3 pm. Writers can come and go as needed throughout the day. Goal setting and reflection will be facilitated. A light lunch, snacks, and hot beverages will be provided. Optional consulting appointments and writing break activities will be available. The writing retreat will be a brief oasis to make individual progress on a writing project in a supportive, semi-social environment. Spaces are limited so please register to save your place using this form https://forms.office.com/r/i0qtq4Mmu0.

The CGSE will hold its annual Study Abroad Fair where students can learn more about the off-campus opportunities Dickinson offers.

All Dickinson and Partner semester and academic year programs, as well as all Dickinson summer 2026 programs, will be represented. Students are encouraged to stop by to meet the CGSE staff and to speak with students who previously studied on each program as well as faculty who help to oversee each program.

The Quantitative Reasoning (QR) Center including DSRL and Math & Computer help rooms will be closed from Friday, October 17th until Tuesday, October 21st for Fall Pause. All tutoring will resume with normal hours on Wednesday, October 22nd.

If you want priority as a Declared Major during Course Request Processing, Major Declaration Forms are due in CLIQ by 4:00 p.m., Monday, October 27th. Please go to your CLIQ, select the Registrar tab in the left menu, then select Registrar Office Forms in the drop down, select Major Declaration Form.

Thursday, October 16 | 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Allison Hall Community Room

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.

Registration is required. Sign up in Totara for your free flu vaccine today by clicking on the more information link below. If you do not receive a calendar invitation reminder via Teams or email, you are not registered. Please complete the online flu vaccine participation form or bring a PDF copy to your scheduled appointment.

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 Thursday, November 13, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Dickinson’s partnership with the media outlet The Conversation has connected the college’s scholars with an enormous audience and highlighted academic excellence. In an effort to reach more faculty members who wish to write for this media outlet, representatives of The Conversation will be on campus for a series of one-hour informational sessions with faculty members on Tuesday, Oct. 14, and Wednesday, Oct. 15. Interested faculty members may sign up for sessions by visiting the "more information" link below and filling out the Microsoft form (you must be signed in to your Dickinson account). Please contact Director of Media Relations Craig Layne (laynec@dickinson) with any questions.

Mix and match your favorite last chance apparel during our Buy One, Get One Free event on all items marked with the orange sticker! Can’t make it to the store? No worries! Shop the same great deal online and choose in-store pickup for added convenience or ship to your home!

Please note: This offer cannot be combined with other discounts, and department charge discounts do not apply to clearance items.

We're thrilled to launch Recover—a sustainable solution that transforms old apparel into brand-new garments crafted from 100% recycled and organic materials.

Give Back & Get Rewarded:
Bring in your old clothes and shop the Recover collection in the same visit to receive $5 off your Recover item purchase.
1 item donated + 1 item purchased = $5 off

This exclusive offer is available in-store only, so stop by and be part of the change!

The office of Human Resource Services and Student Employment will be closed on Friday, October 17, from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. During this time, the human resource services staff will not have access to email or voicemail. We appreciate your patience as responses will be delayed.

Attn Employees: Cumberland County is doing a strategic plan and would appreciate your input. Share your feedback on Cumberland County's services to help us better meet the needs of our community and establish funding priorities.

Workday Project Update

October marks important milestones for the Workday implementation.
Payroll Parallel Testing (PPT) began in mid-September. PPT allows us to run payroll in Workday alongside our current system to ensure accuracy and confirm that calculations, deductions, and processes are performing as expected.

The User Readiness Review (URR) is underway. Nearly 40 colleagues from offices across campus are participating in URR, a hands-on practice run of Workday functions they will use in their daily work. URR feedback helps us to confirm that processes are working as intended and that instructional guides are clear.

Customized Workday training materials will be posted to our Workday Training Resource webpages later this month, with additional resources posted as they are finalized through go-live and beyond. Training materials include:

~Job aids – short, step-by-step reference guides that walk users through specific tasks in Workday.
~Just-in-time videos – quick tutorials designed to provide support when it’s needed. 

As we move closer to our Go-Live date in early December, we continue to progress through the final stages of our Workday implementation, and are grateful for all of the collaboration across campus. Together, we’re transforming our technology into a modern system that will support Dickinson well into the future.

Workday Training sessions are now open for registration in EngageD! Register now by signing into Engaged via the Gateway, and searching on the key word "Workday" to sign-up and learn more about Workday. To read the full October 2025 Workday News, click the More Information link below!

The Print Center is excited to help you prepare for the 2025 holiday season! To best assist all of our customers, we have updated our procedures—learn more below.

Key Dates & Details:
Order Deadline: All holiday card orders must be submitted by Monday, November 24.

Artwork Scanning: If you need artwork scanned before production, please call us at 717-245-1427 to schedule a time that works best for you.

Digital Artwork: Already have your artwork in digital format? Great! Just use our request form at www.dickinson.edu/printrequest.

Order Minimums: A minimum of 20 cards is required. If you’re using multiple designs, please ensure an equal quantity of each.

Pickup Deadline: All orders must be picked up by Wednesday, December 17.

We look forward to helping you spread cheer this season. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!

As a convenience to all employees, the October/November Edition of Vitality is now available by clicking on the more information link below. You can also find this edition and past issues via the Human Resource Services homepage through the Vitality Newsletter block at the bottom-middle of the page.

Upcoming program and event highlights:

-- Join Health Advocate for a Domestic Violence Awareness Webinar at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 16. Learn how to recognize the signs of an abusive relationship and explore resources to help those in need.

-- College Prep for Parents:
Part I - High School Counseling and Admissions - Thursday, October 16
Part II - Financial Aid and Tuition Benefits - Thursday, October 30
Human Resource Services, Admissions and Financial Aid, in conjunction with local area high schools, offer workshops for employees and their families to learn more about the college selection and financial aid process. Sessions will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the McCauley Room, Old West. RSVP in EngageD.

-- Flu Vaccine Clinics are scheduled for October 16 and November 13. Limited spots are available. Register now in Totara.

-- Biometric Health and Wellness Screening: Tuesday, October 28, from 7-9 a.m. Pre-registration is required through UPMC.

-- Employee Tailgate: Bring your family and join colleagues to cheer on our Red Devils on Saturday, November 1. Registration is required by Tuesday, October 28.

-- Fidelity Investments – Medicare Explained Podcast: Join Fidelity’s Medicare Services team as they break down one of the most important aspects of retirement planning: Medicare.

-- TIAA on campus consultation: Thursday, November 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in HUB Side Room 202.

Navigating this version of Vitality in Canva:
Click on the Vitality link
Use your mouse to navigate through pages
Increase the size, using the magnifier glass at the bottom right of your screen (this helps when links are at the bottom of the page)
Most links are red buttons or red text; fitness images also contain links

Domestic violence affects individuals of every background, including members of our college community. This month, we stand together to raise awareness, support survivors, and promote healthy relationships. Join us in wearing purple, attending campus events, and learning how you can be an ally. Together, we can break the silence and build a culture of respect, safety, and healing.
If you or someone you know needs support, resources are available on campus and in the community. Visit Dickinson.edu/titleix for information on resources or to make a report.

Thursday, October 16 | 10 – 11 a.m. | 4 – 5 p.m.

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 Angela Dobrzynski, LPC, of Health Advocate, for a free webinar to learn how to recognize the signs of an abusive relationship and explore available resources to help those in need.

To register, click the "More Information" link below.

Part I - High School Counseling and Admissions - Thursday, October 16

Human Resource Services, Admissions and Financial Aid, in conjunction with local area high schools offer workshops for employees and their families to learn more about the college selection and financial aid process. The program will provide guidelines for starting the college search while attending high school, when to apply for college admission and early tuition grants, what is available through Financial Aid, and a summary of Dickinson’s three tuition programs. We encourage all parents to attend if your child is a junior or senior in high school and planning to attend college.

Tuesday, October 28 | 7 - 8:40 a.m. | HUB Side Rooms 204-205

Click on the more information link below to schedule your screening appointment online and complete the preregistration paperwork with UPMC.

Nurses and wellness educators from UPMC will be on-site at Dickinson College to offer biometric health and wellness screenings for our valued faculty and staff. This initiative is designed to help you better understand key health indicators, promote awareness and prevention, and empower you to make informed decisions about your well-being. It also provides a chance to detect minor health concerns before they develop into more serious issues.

If you've participated in previous biometric screenings, you may recall waiting for your results to appear on the UPMC patient portal. This time, results will be available on-site within minutes, offering a faster and more convenient experience.

This session is limited to the first 35 sign-ups. A breakfast certificate will be provided for the Dining Hall the morning of your screening.

Students interested in a biometric health and wellness screening should contact the Wellness Center to schedule their screening at studentwellness@dickinson.edu or by phone at ext.1663.

Thursday, Oct. 16, 12:00 - 1:15 PM at The Trout Gallery

Join Erin Woods-Burke, Lecturer in Dance at Dickinson College, for an exploration of the Sonic Meditation practices pioneered by composer Pauline Oliveros (1932-2016) in conjunction with the exhibition To Listen Deeply at The Trout Gallery. Inspired by Oliveros’s work with sound, performance, and meditation, Woods-Burke will lead participants through gentle exercises to focus on increased attention to our bodies and environment.

This guided experience will be followed by a discussion and complimentary lunch. Space is limited; we kindly ask that guests RSVP.

RSVP at troutgallery.org on our Events page.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, you are invited to a reception on Friday, Oct. 24 from 5-6 p.m. in Rector Atrium. The trustees are very interested in meeting you and hearing about your experiences as a student and your post-graduation plans. This will be a great opportunity for you to learn more about the Young Alumni Trustee program while meeting these very dedicated volunteers and hearing why Dickinson remains such a high priority in their lives.

Please RSVP in EngageD by Friday, October 17. Business to business casual attire recommended.

Please save the date for the employee holiday reception hosted by John '77, P'11 and Beth Jones P'11. The reception will be on Friday, Dec. 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Whispering Pines of Carlisle. Pre-registration will be required and available later this fall.

Attention Employees: Bring your family and join colleagues to cheer on our Red Devils on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Noon: Field Hockey vs. Washington College
1:30-3:30 p.m. (Belvedere Field): Employee Tailgate
3:30 p.m.: Football vs. Carnegie Mellon University

Food trucks and beverages will be free of charge to employees and their guests, including Next Level Pizza, Grappling Crab Shack, Italian Job, Mad Dash Artisan Grilled Cheese, Hellenic Kouzina, 717 Tacos, Chef Tony’s, Shorty’s Funnel Cakes, Back Porch Brewing and Castlerigg Wine Shop. Food (excluding alcoholic beverages) may be purchased by students and other visitors.

We will also be selling 50/50 raffle tickets (cash only) to support the United Way Campaign. The winner will be announced during halftime of the game.

Pre-registration is required. The deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 28.

We hope to see you there!

The Campus Life office is planning a Halloween BINGO event for October 31st from 7-9pm as an alcohol alternative event for our students and we would love your help! Would your office be willing to provide a themed gift basket as a prize for one of our 10 BINGO rounds? We would love it if the basket could be worth somewhere between $50-$100, but whatever you can do it fine. We just want this to be a super fun and attractive event for our students. Additionally, if someone from your office would be interested in serving as the BINGO caller for the round when your basket is the prize, we would LOVE to have you come and join us! Please let us know if you would like to join us for this event by contacting Kimberly Steiner.

This January, the Center for Civic Learning & Action is pleased to sponsor our annual service trip focused on Public Health & Supporting Maya Communities to Guatemala, from January 4 to January 15, 2026! CCLA’s service trips combine learning about communities and their history along with social issues and volunteer service. Our main community partners is Asociación de Mujeres de Altiplano (AMA). We will be hosting two information sessions on Wednesday, October 8 from 4:30 – 5:30pm and Tuesday, October 14 from 4:30-5:30pm (both in HUB Side Room 202).