Subject: summer safety reminder
Submitter: Bruce K Bengry, Safety Specialist, Public Safety

Message: As the weather is getting warmer, and we turn to fun outdoor activities. The department of Public Safety would like to remind people about the safety of outdoor cooking and campfires. Have a safe and fun filled summer.


OUTDOOR COOKING

There's something about cooking and eating outdoors that seems to make the food taste just a little more special. But cooking outdoors, whether it involves using a charcoal or gas grill or an open campfire, requires special safety precautions.

Always make sure the cooking surface of the grill is clean. Use a steel wool kitchen scrubbing pad or a brush to remove any baked-on food residue. Rinse thoroughly with water after scrubbing. Avoid using chemicals or cleaning solutions as they may react to the heat.

Keep your grill on a level surface away from anything flammable. Supervise children when cooking outdoors and keep them away from the grill or fire. Never leave a grill or fire unattended.

Avoid wearing loose or baggy clothing. Wear an apron made of fire resistant material and use long-handled equipment when cooking.

Line the bottom of the barbecue with aluminum foil covered by an inch of ash, to absorb any grease drippings. Stack charcoal in a pyramid at the center of the grill.

Only use lighter fluid specifically for charcoal and never squirt starter fluid on a fire or hot coals. The chemical's contact with heat can cause a flare-up and the potential for severe burns. Never use kerosene, gasoline or other petrochemicals to start charcoal. These chemicals are highly volatile and create toxic fumes. In addition, these chemicals can penetrate the food and are poisonous if ingested. If cooking over an open campfire never use any of the above chemicals to start a fire.

Once coals have soaked in the lighter fluid (approximately 1 minute), throw a lighted match in the center or use a long fireplace match. Never use a cigarette lighter to start either charcoal or a campfire. After the coals have become covered with ash (approximately 1/2 hour) use a long handled non-flammable poker to spread them out evenly. They are now ready for cooking. Replace food rack and begin.

Always keep water close at hand to douse a fire in case of a sudden flare up, even if you are using a propane gas grill. When cooking outdoors at home, bring a fire extinguisher within reach of the cooking area.

When finished, douse a charcoal grill or campfire with water and close the grill vents. Smother an open campfire with sand or dirt. Allow the coals to cool overnight and dispose of coals and embers properly, preferably in a non-flammable container.

Never burn charcoal indoors or in a tent - lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide could build up.

If you use a propane gas grill, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions on proper maintenance and how to check for leaks. You can use your gas grill all year round, but if you choose not to in the winter there are a few options for safely ending your grilling season. If you remove the propane tank, make sure it is properly plugged and stored away from the living areas of the house in a garage or shed. Another option is to empty the tank after your final grilled meal by simply letting the gas burn away.

CAMPFIRES

When building a campfire, make sure the fire pit is large enough to contain the fire. Avoid building fires on windy days. Check with the Fire Marshal for any restrictions regarding open fires and to obtain any necessary permits.

Subject: Lindell Library closed May 25-28
Submitter: Jane Ann Nelson, Director Lib Svcs, Library

Message: Lindell Library and Student Computing will be closed FRIDAY through MONDAY, May 25-29, for the Memorial Day remembrance.

Hours are always available from the “Hours" link on the Lindell Library web site: www.augsburg.edu/library

Online library resources are also available 24/7 on that web site.

Subject: The Campus Kitchen Needs You!
Submitter: Rachel Vallens, Campus Kitchen Coordinator, Center for Service Work and Learning

Message: The Campus Kitchen at Augsburg has an immediate need for volunteers to prepare and serve meals for low income people in our neighborhood.

Volunteers are needed to prepare meals June 6, June 13, & June 20 (Wednesdays), 7-9 PM.

We also need volunteers every Tuesday and Thursday until the end of June to deliver meals 3:30-5 PM.

Build community, make a difference and support YOUR Augsburg Campus Kitchen! Use your Community Service Time Off!

To sign up, contact Rachel at vallens@augsburg.edu, 330-1624.

Subject: VENDOR/AUTHORIZATION INVOICES
Submitter: Amy Daugherty, Accounts Payable, Administrative Accounting

Message: Any vendor and authorization invoices that should be paid in this fiscal year (which ends May 31st) MUST be turned into Administrative Accounting by FRIDAY, JUNE 8TH. Thank you for your help regarding this request ~~~ it is greatly appreciated.

Subject: Faculty Input: Selection Process for Dean
Submitter: Douglas E Green, Professor, English

Message: In light of the discussion at the last faculty meeting (4 May), the Committee for the Selection of Nominees for Dean of the College (hereafter the SNDC Committee) would like input from the faculty:

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PROCESS OF SELECTING THE NOMINEE(S) FOR DEAN OF THE COLLEGE? PLEASE PROVIDE THE RATIONALE FOR YOUR VIEWS.

As we confer with the President, this is your opportunity to be heard. We would like to hear from each and every faculty member by 5 pm, Friday, 1 June.

Please note that the SNDC Committee is interested in the reasons behind your position, so that we can better understand faculty views about the process for selecting the Dean. All responses will be read only by the SNDC Committee; the President and the Interim Dean will not see them. They will be treated confidentially by all Committee members.

We also insist that in order for us to give due weight to all faculty and their views that responses be written; in addition, they must be signed or, in the case of e-mail, identifiable. In other words, we must know the identity of the author or authors. While individual Committee members are happy to discuss issues with you, we ask that you submit your responses and comments in writing to us, so that your views are officially presented to the whole Committee for consideration and discussion.

All responses are due by 5 pm, Friday, 1 June. They may be submitted either by e-mailing the following address deansearch@augsburg.edu or by submitting a hard copy to Lois Bosch (CB 253), Nancy Fischer (CB 116), and Mark Strefeler (CB 230).

If you have questions, please feel free to contact individual members of the Committee. We appreciate the time and effort your participation requires and look forward to hearing from you by 5 pm, Friday, 1 June.

Doug Green, Chair
Lois Bosch
Nancy Fischer
Alex Hoselton
Marie McNeff
Mark Strefeler
Wayne Kallestad
Gaye Lindfors

Subject: China presentation 2:00 pm TODAY
Submitter: Kathleen A Tuckner, Project Manager, Office of the President

Message: Professor Edmund Kwok, PhD, Executive Vice-President of United International College (UIC) in Zhuhai, China, will be on campus today, May 23, accompanied by his wife, Christine.

Dr. Kwok is anxious to meet with American educators, students, and administrators to tell you about UIC and how Augsburg College fits into his vision for the future of liberal arts education exchange opportunities.

Please spread the word to your colleagues and join us this afternoon at 2:00 pm in the Kennedy Center classroom 305.

Dr. Kwok is in Minnesota as a guest of the Minnesota Private Colleges Council. He will be visiting six Minnesota colleges and universities as a follow-up to a visit to China in 2005 by an MPCC group. MPCC has agreed to affiliate with UIC for the purpose of student and faculty exchange.