Nota Bene: Weekly Update

As I shared on Friday, Governor Ralph Northam has lifted some restrictions placed on Coastal Virginia, and the region now joins the rest of the commonwealth in Phase Three of the “Forward Virginia” plan for social and economic recovery. This news came as the University completed its third week of face-to-face instruction. To date, we have had one confirmed case and this individual has since been released from isolation and may return to class. There was also a reported case earlier in the week that could not be confirmed. That individual is no longer reporting to campus. In total, the University has investigated 67 reports of symptomatic individuals or those who may have been exposed since August 20. Since then, 14 individuals have quarantined and seven remain in quarantine. All of these individuals are doing so from home off campus. As a precautionary measure, individuals that may have been exposed are required to quarantine, but this does not mean that they have or could have the virus. While we are delighted for the opportunities that Phase Three allows, Governor Northam reminds us: “We cannot let our guard down—we all must continue practicing social distancing, wearing facial coverings, and following all public health guidelines. If we want to keep moving forward, we must stay vigilant and do the things that we know will keep our communities safe.” The changes announced last week will have minimal impact on University practices other than the ability to provide limited seating in Boyd Dining Center (starting today) and relaxed restrictions on gatherings, which will aid in offering student activities. Please continue to follow the prevention guidelines in place and regularly reference the “Returning to Campus Fall 2020 COVID-19 Guide.”  As we begin week four, I want to applaud our Virginia Wesleyan community for doing their part, day in and day out, to keep our campus safe. I’m grateful for the spirit of cooperation I continue to observe.

I am pleased to announce that Virginia Wesleyan has earned the prestigious distinction of ‘All-Steinway School’ Status, a distinction which raises the level of excellence in music education at the University. From practice rooms to recital halls, all pianos on our campus are now Steinway or Steinway-designed pianos. This achievement provides VWU students and faculty with the best instruments possible for the study of music.    Established by Steinway & Sons, ‘All-Steinway Schools’ demonstrate an institution’s full commitment to excellence that raises the bar in music education, providing a consistently high level of learning opportunities for students. Read more here.

Our annual Founders Day celebration proceeded virtually on September 10. I am grateful to Anthony Walters, President and CEO of the YMCA of South Hampton Roads and VWU Board of Trustees member, for his inspiring and heartfelt words to students during these unprecedented times. Once again, I congratulate this year's Alumni Awards honorees - Lee Stevenson '85 (Distinguished Alumnus Award), Dr. James Embrey '72 (Alumni Service Award), Dominique Fowler '12 (Graduate of the Last Decade Award), and Lori Simpers Harris '94 (Outstanding Service to Alma Mater). The 2020 Alumni Awardsrecipients represent the very best of VWU and its alumni, and we thank our recipients for their time, energy, and kind words during the ceremony. If you missed the virtual Founders Day event, you can watch the video read more here.

We also held the Batten Honors College Convocation on September 10 in the Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. Since the founding of this distinctive program in the fall of 2017, this intimate recognition ceremony has been held for the newest Batten Fellows and Shumadine Scholars. A ceremonial pinning of each student represents their completion of orientation and formal induction into the elite program. As the Batten Honors College has flourished, the ceremony has also grown to reflect this. We welcomed Ian H. Solomon, Dean of the Frank Batten School for Leadership and Public Policy of the University of Virginia, as our virtual keynote speaker. He was introduced by Ebonie Johnson '20, the first Batten Honors College graduate and a current student at the UVA Batten School. Read more about this event and watch the video here.

ET CETERA

Virginia Wesleyan Named Among U.S. News 'Best Colleges' Virginia Wesleyan University has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report in three categories of its recently released 2021 Best Colleges rankings. VWU is ranked 24th in “Ethnic Diversity” among National Liberal Arts Colleges and is featured among 221 selective "Best National Liberal Arts Colleges.” The University is also recognized 66th in this category as a “Top Performer on Social Mobility.” This is the fourth consecutive year Virginia Wesleyan has been ranked among the most ethnically diverse National Liberal Arts Colleges. We are proud to hold this designation, as it represents the diverse, global community in which our University is located. We are a welcoming, inclusive campus with an outstanding, nationally prominent academic reputation—and we take pride in fostering the kinds of values and traditions that make our students proud to have chosen us for their career and life success. Read more here.

Commemorating Constitution Day at VWU September 17 is recognized annually in the United States as Constitution and Citizenship Day to commemorate the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. To celebrate the occasion, VWU will offer a series of opportunities (listed below) this Thursday. Build That Wall: A Deist President, Connecticut Baptists, and Religious Freedom Dr. Craig Wansink, Joan P. and Macon F. Brock, Jr. Director of the Robert Nusbaum Center, will speak on Thomas Jefferson, the Constitution, and the term "wall of separation," which frequently is used to describe the relationship between church and state. The event will be held virtually from 6-7:30 p.m. on September 17. To attend, please register at 757.455.3129. Civil Rights and the Constitution: A Series of Vignettes The Robert Nusbaum Center is releasing a series of four video vignettes to draw attention to major anniversaries of milestone decisions in our country’s ongoing struggles for civil rights, and to remind us to remain ever vigilant in efforts to protect and preserve our rights and freedoms. The vignettes may be viewed on the Robert Nusbaum Center website beginning on Constitution Day 2020. The videos feature VWU students and highlight the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment, granting Black men the right to vote; the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote; the 65th anniversary of the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965, abolishing a quota system based on natural origin; and the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, prohibiting discrimination of Americans with disabilities in all areas of public life.

President to President: Fostering Innovation The first chapter of the 2020-2021 President to President thought-leadership series, of which I am proud to serve as co-editor, is now available online. In "Leveraging Institutional Culture to Foster Innovation," California State University, Monterey Bay President Dr. Eduardo M. Ochoa, describes how his relatively young institution transformed itself into a vibrant, bustling campus in only a few short years. He explains how an ongoing focus on innovation helps the University remain aligned with the needs of today's students and the surrounding community while staying true to its founding principles.

Tidewater Collegiate Academy/VWU Project Amplify Tidewater Collegiate Academy at Virginia Wesleyan University is offering a new program to provide meaningful, personal, and affordable educational options for students during COVID. Project Amplify is an online, pre-college program designed to equip college-bound students for success in the transition to college through authentic, thought-demanding, hands-on, community-based learning experiences. Rising 11th graders will join a two-year cohort, engaging in a series of coursework based on the TCA innovative learning model while taking dual-enrollment classes at VWU concurrently. This will include one VWU class their first fall semester, and then two courses the next three semesters. Students will graduate with an Advanced High School Diploma and potentially 28 college credits. For more information, please contact Dr. Wendy Scott, Founder and Director of TCA.

White House Briefing: Campus COVID-19 Considerations I share with you a readout from last week's briefing I attended with Vice President Pence and Secretary of Education DeVos, and members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Read it here.

Work and Learn Program I visited with Jason Seward (Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management) this week and explored progress in our new Work and Learn Program (WLP). The impacts of the program can already be seen throughout campus with students providing valuable assistance and support in campus functions such as the Scribner University Store, Duplication & Postal Services, Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, Greer Environmental Sciences Center, and Sodexo Conference and Dining Services. The WLP is designed to annually accommodate roughly 40 percent of our traditional students, providing them an immersive on-campus work experience while making their Virginia Wesleyan education more affordable. Learn more about the program here. Special thanks to our many donors who have provided valuable assistance to grow this valuable program.

Faculty/Staff Deadline Approaching for Title IX training Earlier this month, I emailed faculty and staff regarding mandatory Title IX training. If you haven’t already, we ask that you review the presentation materials and complete the online test no later than this Friday, September 18. The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights requires every institution of higher education to define our responsibilities under Title IX. Whether we are a member of the student body, faculty or staff, understanding our roles in matters involving Title IX is a priority for each of us. Mandatory training related to Title IX is being provided to our campus community and includes a presentation for your review on WebAdvisor. The following topics associated with Title IX are addressed: 1. What is Title IX? 2. Sexual Misconduct Offenses 3. Reporting Incidents 4. Consent 5. Bystander Intervention 6. Q&A Session (Please contact one of our Title IX Coordinators provided below.) Following review of these materials, ALL students, faculty and staff are required to complete the online Title IX test also found on WebAdvisor. We appreciate your time and attention. Should you have any questions directly related to your responsibilities under Title IX, you may contact:

Mrs. Karla Rasmussen Director of Human Resources Title IX Coordinator 757.455.3316 krasmussen@vwu.edu Mrs. Heather Campbell Acting Vice President for Enrollment Deputy Title IX Coordinator 757.233.8785 hmcampbell@vwu.edu

Mrs. Sarah Guzzo Director of Student Activities Deputy Title IX Coordinator 757.233.8869 sguzzo@vwu.edu Mr. Brandon Elliott Head Softball Coach Deputy Title IX Coordinator 757.455.3307 belliott@vwu.edu

Mr. Jason Seward Associate Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management Deputy Title IX Coordinator 757.455.2124 jseward@vwu.edu

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Look for the Helpers: Remembering 9/11  On Friday, September 11, at 9:03 a.m., the campus community gathered in the Peace Garden outside of Clarke Hall for a 9/11 Remembrance. Representatives from Marlin Ministries, ROTC, the Robert Nusbaum Center, and Wesleyan Engaged reflected on the healing power of "helpers” during the tragic events of 9/11 and throughout ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. During the ceremony, VWU's newly created unity flag was on display. The flag, "A Beacon of Hope," will represent the Commonwealth of Virginia as a symbol of the values and virtues that distinguish America as a beacon of light and hope for the rest of the world at the final presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville on October 22.

Coastal 61 at Oxford Village Opens We are excited that Coastal 61 at Oxford Village, located across the street from our main entrance on Wesleyan Drive, opens this month. Faculty and staff are eligible for discounted rates through the Preferred Employer Program. Those interested can learn more here.

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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  College Planning & Management  President to President

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