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CTL Lunch Seminar for Faculty and Staff on Oct 22

October is Disability Awareness Month and CTL is sponsoring a lunch seminar on the topic of Mental Health. A speaker from NAMI - National Alliance for Mental Illness will present in conjunction with CLASS and CCHP. Come here about trends in mental health, resources on campus and off and how academic accommodations help students with anxiety, depression and other impacting mental health issues.

Thursday, October 22 from 11:50 to 1:00
Minneapolis Room Christensen Center

RSVP to Terry Martin (martin@augsburg.edu) to get on the lunch list. Lunch will be the cafeteria line so please arrive early enough to get your lunch and get settled.

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Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebration of Immigrants

The Economic Impact of Immigrants

Minnesota has a small but rapidly growing population of immigrants. The foreign-born population comprises 7% of the entire Minnesota population, as compared to 13% nationwide, and includes documented and undocumented individuals representing a wide range of ages, cultural backgrounds, educational backgrounds and skill levels. The economic impact of immigrants in today's economy is very large. Some key facts about contributions of immigrants are:
• The U.S. Council of Economic Advisers estimates that the country's net gain from immigration is $37 billion per year.
• Immigrant-owned businesses in Minnesota generated $331 million dollars in net income to the state in 2000.
• Hispanic-owned firms in the state have grown 350% since 1990.
• Foreign-born workers account for the majority of growth in the labor force in Minnesota.
• Nationally immigrants represent 25% of physicians and 40% of engineers holding doctoral degrees.

Research clearly shows that immigration stimulates job creation as industries expand and hire new workers to supply the growing need for goods and services. Without new, young workers, certain sectors of the economy will contract, and continue to contract. For example, one estimate demonstrated that if immigrants were removed from the labor force Minnesota would lose over 24,000 permanent jobs and $1.2 billion in personal income.

In September and October we celebrate the contribution of Hispanics in the United States, so we highlight their contributions here. The Hispanic family in the United States today has more workers than the average non-Hispanic family. Specifically, the Hispanic household averages 3.4 persons, with 1.6 of those being wage earners, while the typical non-Hispanic household has 2.4 persons and only 1.3 are wage earners. Between 1980 and 2006, the total U.S. labor force increased by 41.65 percent, or 44.6 million workers. Hispanics contributed 14.5 million workers to this number, accounting for nearly a one third increase in the U.S. labor force during the last 26 years. At the same time, mean households income among Hispanics showed an impressive growth rate of 56 percent in real dollars, which rose from $32,335 in 1972 to $50,575 in 2006. The aggregated net worth of the U.S. Hispanic population reached $945 billion in 2006, a stunning 111.1 percent increase from 1996. A recent study showed that U.S. Hispanic's purchasing power surged to nearly $870 billion in 2008 and is projected to reach as much as $1.3 trillion by 2015.

In Minnesota, comprehensive federal immigration reform is essential if the state is to continue to realize the fiscal benefits of immigration. Such reform must include increases in visas to match the demand for labor as well as legal path toward long-term employment. There is also a critical need for local efforts to ensure that full social and economic integration of immigrants such as state-sponsored programs to improve high school graduation rates for youth, and employer-sponsored programs that ensure opportunities for job training and advancement. The need for reform is exemplified by a U.S. Labor Department report that the nation has an immediate shortage of 126,000 nurses, and rural Minnesota faces a predicted shortage of 8,000 RNs by 2019.

There are widely discrepant estimates, and disagreements, about who qualifies as an immigrant, how many immigrants reside in Minnesota. The most specific indications of who is an immigrant come from a census question about "place of birth." However, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official use the term ‘immigrant' much differently, in reference to anyone who has been issued a permanent resident visa or green card. Based on the numbers from the census (from place of birth), there were 334,000 foreign-born Minnesotans in 2007, representing 6.5% of the population. Of these there are an estimate 60,000-80,000 undocumented residents in Minnesota. It is important to note there is little agreement about what different terms means, such as "immigrant" and "foreign-born" are often used interchangeably.

The lesson that we can draw from this article is that immigrants constitute an important resource to our nation and to our great state of Minnesota. Due to their entrepreneurial activity, consumer spending, tax payments, and participation in the labor force as along with less tangible, but no less important contributions, they are vital to the social and cultural fabric of our United States of America.

Sources: KATHERINE FENNELLY and ANNE HUART, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota and Hispanic Magazine 2009.

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New Look and Option for your Account Activity

Have you seen the updated account activity page online (this lists your tuition and fee charges and your tuition payments)? Log into Augnet Records and Registration and click on the link "Make a Payment/Account Activity" to see what all the talk is about! In this area you can view your tuition charges and payments, make a payment to your student account and most importantly, sign up your parents or a third party to have viewing rights to your account activity. Once signed up they will be able to view your billing history and be able to make payments to your account online. The information is limited to the billing history and does not include your financial aid award, grades or email. Please note, parents will need to be signed up to be able to make a payment to your student account online.
Here's how to get started:
1. Log into Augnet Records and Registration and click on "Make a Payment/Account Activity".
2. Under the Parent Pin heading, click on "Add New". You will be prompted to create a login name for them and to also list their email address.
3. Once submitted, they will receive an email with instructions on how to access your account.
If you have any questions, contact the Enrollment Center at 612-330-1046.

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Transit to Green Space Fall Hike

Transit to Green Space: Lebanon Hills Fall Colors Hike
Saturday, Oct 24, 2009

Enjoy fall colors on a day hike of 5 or 6 miles in Lebanon Hills Park.
We'll arrive by bus at the Minnesota Zoo and walk from there into this fabulous regional park.

Meet us at the Mall of America transit center (near the light rail) at 10:50am. Use the LRT or many buses that converge on MOA to reach the transit center. We'll then take the 11:02 #441 bus

Bring water and a lunch (snacks provided) and be ready for "adventure transit" and a moderate walk in the woods. We'll aim to return between 3 and 4 pm.

For help with transit schedules or more information, and to RSVP, contact Deb at 651-699-9667 or deb.alper@northstar.sierraclub.org

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24 Days Left in Benefit Enrollment Period

The annual enrollment period for benefit eligible staff is open now through Monday, November 9. All forms must be turned into Human Resources by Monday, November 9. No late forms will be accepted.

Please plan to attend one of the following benefit information sessions (if you are benefit eligible):

Friday, October 23, 2009 at 10:00 am, Sverdrup, Room 2
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 10:30 am, OCG, Room 200
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 2:00 pm, Christensen Center, Minneapolis Room

All enrollment forms are located in the public HR folder:

I:\Human Resources\Benefits\2010 Benefits

Please contact Human Resources at x1058 with any questions.

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Faculty-Staff Campaign Focus Group Invitation

As you know, Augsburg is in the quiet phase of a very ambitious fundraising campaign. The campaign is focused on two crucial areas, growing The Augsburg Fund, both in dollars and participation, and raising an unprecedented amount of money to build Augsburg's signature academic building, the Center for Science, Business, and Religion.

President Pribbenow and members of our Institutional Advancement team have been hard at work with prospective major donors, and I am optimistic about the prospect for major gifts during the current fiscal year.

I hope you will join me and other faculty and staff members for a one-hour focus group discussion at either of the following times:

3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20 -- hosted by Mark Engebretson in OCG 103

11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21 -- hosted by Lee Clarke in OGC 103

The purpose of the discussion will be to answer three questions in areas that I know you have some knowledge and opinions:

1. Why do you support Augsburg College financially?
2. How will growing The Augsburg Fund and building the Center for Science, Business, and Religion help Augsburg better carry out its mission and vocation?
3. How can we best share these ideas and the potential impact of these projects with our fellow faculty and staff members in ways that will motivate them to support the campaign?

Following the focus group meeting, I will follow up with you regarding the opportunity to serve as a volunteer, promoting the campaign to others in our community.

I aim to have a variety of opportunities for service, so if your first reaction is concern at the thought of soliciting colleagues, I want to assure you that you can serve productively in many ways, of which solicitation is just one. Perhaps you could write a story for the Echo about your own commitment or write thank-you notes to fellow donors.

Feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions. Thank you very much for your consideration and your support of Augsburg.

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ASAC Spring Music Jam Survey

ASAC wants your help choosing what kind of music we have for this year's Spring Music Jam! Click the link and cast your vote http://augsburg.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_a4MLGF3vnOoCloM&SVID=Prod

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Like Saving Money?

Augsburg's Day Student Government knows that everyone's budgets are getting tighter these days. In light of this, we have arranged for the Student Savings Club to be available to all of our students, faculty and staff – at no charge to you.

The Student Savings Club is a group of local restaurants and other retail businesses that are offering discounts to our school. In most cases, all you have to do is show your valid school ID to receive these discounts. A few businesses are also providing a downloadable coupon for you to print and bring in. You don't have to do anything to join. If you go to school or work here, you can get these discounts.

To see a list of participating businesses and their discounts, click on this link: www.studentsavingsclub.com

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AClub Closed till Monday

AClub will be closed to help prepare for the Grand opening on Monday, Oct. 19. Sorry for any inconvenience that this may have caused. But believe you me, when you see it on Monday, it will be worth the wait. You will see... well , you will just have to come check it out.

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National Disability Employment Awareness Month

To help raise awareness during this month, we will be posting brief notes on how we as a community can be supportive of persons with disabilities.

Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a comprehensive civil rights act for people with disabilities. On July 26, 1990, President George Bush signed the ADA into law as wide-ranging legislation intended to make American society more accessible to people with disabilities and to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. The act is divided into five titles:
1. Employment. Businesses must provide reasonable accommodations in all aspects of employment to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.
2. Public services. People with disabilities cannot be denied participation in public service programs or activities that are available to people without disabilities.
3. Public accommodations. All new construction must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.
4. Telecommunications. Telecommunication companies must have a telephone relay service for individuals who use telecommunications devices for the deaf (TTYs) or similar devices.
5. Miscellaneous. This title includes a provision prohibiting coercing, threatening, or retaliating against individuals with disabilities or those assisting them in asserting their rights under the ADA.
The protection of the ADA applies primarily, but not exclusively, to individuals with physical and mental disabilities.
Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/americans-with-disabilities-act?cat=biz-fin

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Augsburg Dining Hours

Commons:
M-F 7:30am-7pm
Hot Breakfast: 7:30-9am
Hot Lunch: 11am-1:30pm
Hot Dinner: 4:30 pm-7
Saturday & Sunday
Brunch: 11:30-1pm
Dinner: 5-7pm

Coopers:
M-F 7:30-8pm
Saturday 7:30-5pm
Sunday (non WEC) Closed
WEC Sundays: 7am-2 pm

Aclub Grille
M-F
11am-2pm & 5-9pm
Grill Closes at 8:30pm C-Store Open till 9pm

Nabo:
M-Th
7:30-8pm
Fridays
7:30-6pm
Non WEC Saturdays
9-3pm
Non WEC Sundays
Closed
WEC Saturdays 7am-3pm
WEC Sundays 9am-1:30pm

Hours subject to change

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Women's Studies Get-Together TODAY at 3:30

We invite Women's Studies faculty, majors, minors, and all students interested in the Women's Studies Program to a special get-together. We will meet at 3:30 in the Women's Resource Center (207 Sverdrup) and then carpool to the Turtlebread Company for delicious treats followed by a visit to True Colors (formally known as Amazon) Bookstore to learn about its history as one of the oldest feminist collectives in the country.

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Free Health Screening

Augsburg is hosting a free health screening for all staff and faculty who are currently enrolled in Augsburg's health plan.

The health screenings are taking place during the following times:

- Friday, October 23, 2009 from 8:00 am - noon
- Thursday, October 29, 2009 from 8:00 am - noon
- Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from 8:00 am - noon

Please see the link below to find out more information on the free screening:

http://web.augsburg.edu/hr/2010_Benefits/2010HealthScreening.pdf

If you choose to participate in the health screen, you must sign up in advance at:

https://www.summithealth.com/Appt/Syntel.RHN.Web/Login.aspx?M416zrHN9xyddnklQECVPiZZ1iCDkvux

Once you receive the results from the health screening you will be able to input the data into a Health Risk Assessment. Taking your Health Assessment (http://www.mybluecrossmn.com) can be your first step to a healthier life. Simply answer questions about your health history, nutrition, physical activity, lifestyle and more. It takes just 20 minutes and is confidential. You'll get a clear picture of your health with an instant results report. You'll also receive tailored health tips, access to online coaching modules and other support as appropriate. You can take advantage of these important tools to learn, set goals and get healthier, step by step.

*Participate in the health screen and the complete the Health Risk Assessment for a $25.00 A'viands credit on your employee ID card.*

Please contact Human Resources with any questions at x1058.

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All Hands Meeting

The Augsburg Community is invited to attend an All Hands Meeting on Tuesday, November 3, 11:15-11:45 a.m., in the Hoversten Chapel.

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Flu Shot for All Faculty and Staff

The seasonal flu shot clinics for Thursday, October 29, 2009 and Wednesday, November 4, 2009 have been cancelled due to low sign up.

However, you still have one more chance to get your flu shot on campus:

-Friday, October 23, 2009, 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm, Christensen Center, Minneapolis Room.

This is sponsored by Human Resources through Homeland Health Specialists. Augsburg strongly encourages all employees to get the flu shot. Homeland Health Specialists will submit the claim to your health insurance. If you do not have health insurance, the cost of the flu shot will be paid for by Augsburg.

Please contact human resources at x1058 to sign up for your flu shot.

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Oct 21 - Env Stewardship Committee Meeting

All students, faculty and staff are welcome to join us Wednesday, October 21 from 3:45– 5:00pm in the Minneapolis Room, Christensen Center, for the October public meeting of Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC).

Along with our usual subcommittee discussions, We'll review plans for 350.org Day of Action, report on a discussion with some Regents later this week, and host a presentation about some community projects that Seward Redesign is working on: Greenhouses & an Anerobic Digester!

We'll also review a list of Green initiatives on campus we compiled this month with the help of Steve Peacock in Community Relations - please review the attached and let us know if we missed anything!

Do you have green projects in mind or already in process? Come tell us about it - we'd love to collaborate! Respond to this email to get your item added to the agenda.


1. Greenhouses & Anerobic Digester –Seward Redesign
2. Graduation Pledge of Social & Environmental Responsibility
3. SAM wrap up and 350.org Day of Action plans
4. ESC initiatives list – anything to add/edit?
5. Report on Board of Regents discussion
6. Reports from subcommittees:
• Carbon neutrality
• Communications & Events
• Finance
• Curriculum
• Food and Gardening
• Transportation
7. Miscellaneous reports/announcements

Next meeting:
Wed, Nov 18, 3:45-5pm, Cedar Room

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Auggie Athletics Update

Auggie Athletics Update (click on link for story/stats):

Thursday, Oct. 15:
Volleyball -- Augsburg 3, Concordia-Moorhead 2 (18-25, 16-25, 25-19, 25-20, 15-10)
http://athletics.augsburg.edu/news/2009/10/15/vb101509.aspx?path=wvball


Upcoming Events:
http://athletics.augsburg.edu/

Saturday, Oct. 17:
M/W Cross Country at Wisconsin-La Crosse Invitational, 10:30 a.m.
Women's Soccer at Carleton, 1 p.m.
Football at Concordia-Moorhead, 1 p.m.
Men's Soccer vs. Carleton, Edor Nelson Field, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 20:
Men's Soccer vs. St. Scholastica, Edor Nelson Field, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 21:
Volleyball vs. St. Catherine, Si Melby Hall, 7 p.m.
Women's Soccer vs. Wisconsin-River Falls, Edor Nelson Field, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 23:
Men's Soccer vs. Hamline, Edor Nelson Field, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 24:
Football vs. Gustavus, Edor Nelson Field, 1 p.m.
Women's Soccer at Hamline, 1 p.m.
Women's Swimming hosting Augsburg Pentathlon at St. Catherine, 1 p.m.

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