Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

We have some very exciting news to share regarding the University's dining facilities. A complete redesign of the Boyd Dining Center is in store. These improvements will feature modernized and contemporary seating with service areas intended to enhance our campus community's dining experience. This project is scheduled for the summer months with an expected completion of fall 2020. The Marlin Grille, located in the Jane P. Batten Student Center, will also undergo updates this coming January. Improvements will include a fully updated appearance as well as new and in-demand dining options. Finally, we are very excited to announce plans to add a convenience store, which will meet the needs of many on campus, especially students--our number-one priority.

On college campuses, dining facilities have come to serve as a "Third Place" for students. "Third Place," a concept first presented by sociologist Ray Oldenberg, focuses on the importance of welcoming space that cultivates essential social experiences. Third places are typically areas separate from where you sleep and work. Recognizing the impact and importance of this philosophy, we are pleased that this new project will support the development and well-being of our students.

Updates will be shared as plans progress. For a preview of the excitement to come, I invite you to view the schematics here.

ET CETERA

Oxford Village

Progress continues on Coastal 61 at Oxford Village. Virginia Wesleyan University and The Franklin Johnston Group broke ground in June on the new eight-building, 248-unit apartment complex located on the north side of our campus on Wesleyan Drive. The luxury complex is anticipated to open in the fall of 2020. View recent photos and learn more about the project.

The Pharos

The Pharos is a monthly email newsletter celebrating the professional development successes of Virginia Wesleyan faculty and staff. These achievements include publications, performances and shows, grants, positions and awards in professional organizations, campus and community presentations, and more. Read the latest edition here.

eSports Arena Open House

Thanks to all faculty and staff who attended the Marlin eSports Arena Open House on Friday. Located in the Jane P. Batten Student Center, the new facility is equipped with 17 high-end gaming PCs featuring Intel Core i7-9700K processors, ASUS Prime Z390-P motherboards, MSI RTX 2070 Armor video cards, and MSI Optix gaming monitors. The Arena is home to Virginia Wesleyan University's co-ed club eSports program, led by eSports Program Director and Head Coach Chris Davis. VWU is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), and will begin competing with local and national teams as early as January 2020. Read more here.

DACA Update

As I shared last week, Virginia Wesleyan joined an amicus brief in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in the case before the Supreme Court. In September 2017, the administration rescinded DACA, an initiative that provides work permits and protection from deportation for upwards of 700,000 undocumented students, often known as "Dreamers." Oral arguments on this rescission will be held at the Supreme Court on November 12. Virginia Wesleyan is committed to inclusiveness and acceptance of all, especially those seeking academic and life success at our institution and others across the nation. To show our support for DACA and immigrant students, we were proud to join this "friends of the court" brief.

Breaking news this past week included three preliminary injunctions against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS') public charge rule, being issued by federal judges in New York, California, and Washington. The injunctions temporarily blocked the public charge rule, which sought to bar millions of immigrants from obtaining legal status and chill the use of state and federal benefits among immigrant households, from taking effect on October 15.

Generations Uniting to Address Climate Change

In case you missed it, Virginia Wesleyan University and The Gunn Group are hosting a one-day conference, "Generations Uniting to Address Climate Change," on Friday, November 8, at 1:30 p.m. in the Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. This event is open to our entire campus community, but is being designed to help students understand how climate change is altering our environment and what they can do to make a difference. To help guide the conversation, we are conducting a survey to gauge which topics you would like covered. Share your input here: https://bit.ly/2M7OfXK. More information about the conference can be found on the VWU website.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

It was an engaging discussion of regional branding with leaders of the Virginia Beach business community led by John Martin, President and CEO of the Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc. (SIR). SIR is a 48-year-old market research company headquartered in Richmond that has conducted over 13,000 research studies utilizing focus group, ethnography, and survey research to help organizations identify their unique selling propositions, formulate strategies, explore new products and services, and measure the overall effectiveness of marketing programs. Thanks to Paul Merritt, President of Virginia Beach Vision, for hosting the event at Aldo's Ristorante in Virginia Beach.

Congratulations to John Rudel, Professor of Art at VWU, who will be represented by the Linda Matney Fine Art Gallery with his new artwork to be featured in the CURRENT Art Fair at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center in Richmond from October 24-27.

Our monthly meeting of the Athletics Management Council (AMC) was held last week. The AMC provides strategic oversight of all academic matters related to intercollegiate athletics and all policies that impact student-athlete academic success and welfare. Pictured here with fellow 2019-20 Council members Larry Hultgren (NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative), Sue Larkin (NCAA Faculty Representative), Megan Sherman '20 (Vice President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee), Amber Matalus '20 (President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee), Andrea Hoover-Erbig (Academic Integration Coordinator), and Tina Hill (Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics). Learn more here.

Kudos to VWU student Javonni McGlaurin, author of the Natural Travelista blog, who hosted "Wearing My Kinks and Curls Around the World" on campus recently. This session included a panel of students who have studied abroad, and an interactive DIY table for participants. Thanks to the Black Student Union, Naturalista, and The Lighthouse for organizing a wonderful event which was featured in The Virginian-Pilot.

A new HVAC system was installed on the roof of the Jane P. Batten Student Center recently and a new roof for Smithdeal Hall at Virginia Wesleyan is in progress.

I enjoyed a productive meeting on campus with colleagues from Montero Medical Missions, VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads, and Virginia Wesleyan University.

At the Chrysler Museum of Art last week, Kaufman and Canoles celebrated their 100-year anniversary. It was a wonderful celebration of the legacy they have built. Congratulations to our many friends at the firm.

Robert A. Crum, Executive Director of HRPDC, recently discussed Regional Transportation Priority Projects during the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Regional Board and Trustee Meeting at The Main.

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REFLECTIONS

I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:

The Virginian-Pilot

University Business

Daily Press

Enrollment Manager