Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

As we continue to experience the devastating impact of COVID-19, we know that many students and their families are facing significant challenges. With its effect on the economy, we need to find creative ways to help students fund their education while simultaneously developing skills to enhance their marketability in the post-graduation job market. Toward that end, I am pleased to announce an important campus initiative--the Work and Learn Program (WLP)--that will assist our students financially and support their personal and professional growth.

We are currently formalizing the WLP, which is intended to enhance on-campus student employment opportunities while providing a variety of experiences. All on-campus student employment opportunities will fall under this program, consisting of four components: the Federal Work-Study Program, Opus, Campus Cooperative (non-work-study employment), and Residential Leadership (resident assistants). It is my intention to eventually add an off-campus cooperative model in partnership with a number of our community partners, offering students career preparation in their fields of study.

The WLP is dedicated to providing students with meaningful work opportunities that allow them to better engage with the Virginia Wesleyan University community. Students will develop the skills and experiences necessary to be competitive in today's job market while also having the opportunity to actively contribute toward the cost of their education.

Initially, 400 meaningful work opportunities will give students the ability to earn up to $2,500 per academic year--a concept that will also serve as an effective recruitment and retention tool. Students awarded federal work-study will continue to receive bi-weekly paychecks while other positions will receive tuition credits applied directly to their student accounts. Similar to federal work-study and Opus, students will engage in on-campus work for a specified number of hours (between 10-15 per week) in exchange for their earned tuition credit.

The program will be led by Jason Seward '05, Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management. This is a natural fit as Jason has led a robust and successful student-work program for many years managing operations for the Jane P. Batten Student Center. In this new initiative, he will be assisted by Teresa Rhyne, Director of Financial Aid, and Jessica Harrington, Director of Career Development. In addition, staff leaders from across campus will be selected to assist in overseeing the various components of the program.

For example, eligible students with an interest in environmental sciences might work in the Greer Environmental Sciences Center gardens and greenhouse under the guidance of Dr. Eric Johnson (Associate Professor of Biology and Greenhouse Supervisor) and Brian O'Neil (VWU/Norfolk Botanical Gardens Director of Living Landscapes). Likewise, eligible students with an interest in business might work in the Office of Finance and Administration or the Scribner University Store.

Other opportunities will include, but are not limited to, the following areas/locations on campus:

Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center
Jane P. Batten Student Center
Office of Marketing and Communications
John Trinder Center for Advancement
Coastal Market and Harbor Grill
Center for Enrollment Services
The Lighthouse
The Learning Center
Hofheimer Library
Civic Engagement and Service Learning
Office of the President
Offices of Intercollegiate Athletics/Sports Information
Birdsong School of Social Science
Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities
D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies
Batten Honors College
VWU Global Campus
Facilities Management
The Trails at Wesleyan Woods

A user-friendly website with program specifics, detailed descriptions of all available positions, and the ability to apply online for positions will be released later this summer.

To support our focus on affordability of a Virginia Wesleyan education, we have implemented a variety of initiatives over the years to assist students and their families. This includes the freezing of tuition for three consecutive years, offering low cost and expanded January Term and Summer Sessions, development of the Opus student-work program, our four-year guarantee, and expanded early- and dual-enrollment programs.

Our newest initiative will grow these efforts significantly, expanding our reach and providing a longer term plan that will support our students and University community on many levels.

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Thank you to VWU Trustee Howard Kern, CEO of Sentara Healthcare, and his colleagues for a generous gift/grant to fund significant equipment upgrades for our Sports Medicine and Athletic Training program. The gift will help improve the quality of care we are able to provide our student-athletes. We value our partnership with Sentara Healthcare and appreciate Howard's advocacy for this support.

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The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC), composed of a select group of 15 private colleges in the Commonwealth, has been an instrumental organization in Virginia Wesleyan University's success throughout our history. They have played a critical role in prioritizing financial support for our University from throughout the Commonwealth, most recently by establishing an emergency fund dedicated to supporting undergraduate students financially impacted by the crisis. Thanks to this lead gift, we have created the VWU Student Life and Learning Fund to address the most pressing needs of our students during COVID-19 and beyond.

Typically, the VFIC holds its Council of Presidents and annual Board of Directors meeting in early June at the historic Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia. This year's experience was a little different--as most all things have been--and both meetings were held virtually via Zoom instead. It was an honor to be elected Vice Chair of the VFIC Board of Directors and Chair of the Council of Presidents for 2020-21. I thank Matthew Shank, President of VFIC, and the VFIC Board for their outstanding philanthropic leadership on a variety of critical issues.

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I also extend my gratitude to the Virginia Private Colleges (also referred to as the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia) for their key leadership on legislative issues, healthcare, retirement and facilitating important discussions with the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV) regarding the
re-opening of higher education this fall.

More recently, Virginia Private Colleges has played a critical role in our COVID-19 crisis planning. VPC President Robert Lambuth and his staff have facilitated important discussions among the 27 member institutions, the state, and relevant agencies.

We also thank colleagues at Duke University and the University of Virginia for serving as valuable resources during this time.

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Our Emergency Response Team continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation, complying with all mandated regulations and guidance from local, state, and federal sources. Based on careful thought and evaluation, we began our first phase of reopening following the Commonwealth. This included the return of some personnel on June 1, and others returning this Wednesday following the lift of the Governor's "Stay at Home" executive order. Prior to employees' return, we distributed this "Returning to the Workplace" comprehensive guide with important health and safety information to our faculty and staff.

This "new normal" on campus will include social distancing, increased sanitation practices, and--in compliance with Governor Northam's recent mandate--will require the use of face masks or face coverings while on University grounds. We have masks available for employees in need to ensure accessibility and enable implementation of this prudent safety measure. I continue to be proud of our University community for their resilience and adaptability as we navigate this challenging time.

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A reminder as you return to campus that several office moves have occurred:

Dr. Brian Kurisky, Executive Director of Civic Engagement and Service Learning and the University's Chief Diversity Officer, recently moved to The Lighthouse in Clarke Hall.

The Office of Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning (INTEL) is now located on the first floor of Clarke Hall, adjacent to The Lighthouse.

The area formerly known as the Mail and Copy Center has been renovated and houses several offices and suites. Sarah Guzzo, Director of Student Activities, relocated across the foyer in the Alumni Galleria of the Batten Student Center to the new Student Activities suite. The Office of Greek Life is also located there.

The remaining space in the former Mail and Copy area has been renovated as the Sodexo Dining Services suite, to include catering and events management. Tim Lockett, General Manager of Sodexo, and Catering and Conference Services staff now have offices in this location.

Renovation of Scribner University Store, to include Duplication and Postal Services, was completed this spring. Apparel, books, printing and mail services are available in this more efficient one-stop shop.

Karla Rasmussen, Director of Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator, and Amy Dudley, Payroll Coordinator, have relocated their office space to the former Student Activities suite.

Dr. Keith Moore, Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management, along with Executive Assistant Michele Obenour, have moved into the former Civic Engagement and Service Learning suite.

Jason Seward '05, Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management, has relocated to the former office of Dr. Moore--adjacent to the Kramer Commuter Lounge, and Willie Harrell '97, Director of Recreation and Wellness, has moved to Mr. Seward's former office across from Scribner University Store in Batten Plaza.

Dr. Sue Larkin, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, has moved into the suite adjacent to the Office of Academic Affairs on the second floor of Clarke Hall. Dr. Paul Ewell, Dean of VWU Global Campus, and Dr. Steven Emmanuel, Dean of the Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities (effective July 1), are also located in this suite.

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On our list of continuing campus construction projects is the completion of the Boyd Dining Center renovation. I am pleased to report that demolition of the former East and West Dining Rooms began last week, and renovation to the dish return foyer and main serving area is scheduled to occur over the next six weeks.

Earlier phases of the dining services renovation and expansion project included significant upgrades to the private dining wing last year. This specifically included refurbishment of Founders Foyer, the President's Dining Room, and the Board of Trustees Suite (Shafer Room). In February, we opened the Coastal Market convenience store in the newly renovated Batten Plaza of the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Coastal Market offers more options than ever for our campus community with hours that expand access to on-the-go food options, toiletries, and more.

Work was completed on several projects in Batten Plaza, an area recently rebranded to help better identify the multiple corridors of the Jane P. Batten Student Center and Boyd Dining Center. Projects included the transformation of the Marlin Grille to the new and improved Harbor Grill.

The final phase will be completed in 2021 with the expansion of the area connecting the Jane P. Batten Student Center and Boyd Dining Center. The addition will be named Brock Commons in honor of Trustee Emerita Joan P. Brock and her late husband Macon.

The expansion will provide a beautiful new main entrance to both facilities from the campus quad and additional dining space. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2021. The architect of this project is Michael Schnekser of Tymoff + Moss.

Brock Commons is the final phase of renovations and expansion to our University dining facilities outlined in the 2016 Campus Master Plan.

ET CETERA

VWU Offering Free Online Courses

In support of our community, especially during this time of crisis, we are pleased to offer 10 free online courses. The fully online self-paced tutorials are part of the continuing education offerings through VWU Global Campus and join the University's other non-credit course options. Learn more here.

"President to President" Series

Colleagues and I wrapped up the 15th year of "President To President," a thought-leadership series featuring significant topics authored by recognized leaders in American higher education. My thanks to good friend, longtime colleague, and co-editor Dr. Marylouise "Weezie" Fennell for being an outstanding partner on this project. Special thanks to our sponsors throughout the years, Sodexo and Aramark.

This year's book, titled "The Next Big Thing," explores some of the most pressing issues in higher education today. When the theme was selected before launching the series last fall, we could not have predicted that the "next big thing" would be a global pandemic that would fundamentally change many facets of higher education.

Viewed through the lens of this still unfolding event, the topics covered in this year's President to President series hold even greater relevance. From the value of forming strategic partnerships and the need to rethink the role of higher education in workforce readiness to ideas for leveraging digital learning and strengthening community relations, college and university presidents shared myriad concepts over the course of 10 chapters. Download the full 2019-2020 series here.

You might also enjoy the series "Presidential Perspectives," linked here.

TCA Virtual Summer Camp

Tidewater Collegiate Academy at Virginia Wesleyan University is offering virtual summer camp programs to develop 21st-century skills with a specific emphasis on service learning. All programs are supervised by licensed teachers with expert guests including local artists, scientists, lawyers, professors, and engineers. Learn more here.

Condolences to Craig Wansink

It is with sorrow that I share the passing of John Charles Wansink, father of VWU's Dr. Craig Wansink (Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center). John passed away on June 2 in Virginia Beach at the age of 93. He lived a fascinating life and was a special person. I had the pleasure of connecting with him when he visited campus, and it is a memory I will cherish. It was clear to me then how proud he was of Craig. Please join me in keeping Craig and his family in your thoughts in the days and weeks ahead.

Mr. Wansink's obituary can be found here.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Last weekend, my son-in-law Justin and I spent some time shooting drone videos of our beautiful campus, including a tour of Coastal 61 at Oxford Village. Currently under construction and expected to open this fall, the project is a public-private partnership between Virginia Wesleyan and The Franklin Johnston Group. The eight-building luxury apartment community is located on the north side of campus on Wesleyan Drive. Enjoy the footage here.

Phase I work started this week on Susan Beverly Hall (formerly known as the Fine Arts Building). Phase I includes a new heating/cooling system and roof. Over the next six months, renovation of the entire building will occur to include these newly-named facilities: The Robert G. Cabell III and Maude Morgan Cabell Foundation Visual Arts Studios, The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation Ensemble Rehearsal Room, Alison J. and Ella W. Parsons Fund Fine Arts Entrance & Lobby, and the James A. Hixon Music Studios. Hofheimer Theater will also receive some much needed attention. View photos here.

Work started this week for a new roof on Monumental Chapel and Beazley Recital Hall. Funded through private support, the new roof is a part of an extensive renovation of the entire facility which will now serve the University Chaplain and our acclaimed music program.

Construction was completed this week on additional office space in Pruden Hall. Also funded through private support, the new offices will accommodate our newest faculty members in teacher education--Drs. Clair Berube and Rebecca John. View photos here.

STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES

Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine

The Pharos

REFLECTIONS

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

The Virginian-Pilot

University Business

Daily Press