Reserve a Dedicated Study Space on Campus

Need somewhere on campus to study, do homework, or log into your virtual or online course?

SEATS is an online software tool that reserves a dedicated, quiet, and comfortable space for you to use on campus. Instead of wandering around looking for space, we encourage you to use the SEAT registration app. On-site registration is available, but we encourage reserving your seat ahead of time.

Visit weber.edu/coronavirus/take-a-seat.html to learn more and reserve a space at either our Ogden or Davis campuses.

COVID-19 Testing: Entry Testing Available Jan. 4–22

Consistent with the state of Utah’s latest public health order issued Dec. 18, and the Utah System of Higher Education’s COVID-19 Intensive Testing Plan, we will be testing all enrolled students living, working or attending an in-person course on one of our campuses. The state expects this entry testing to be completed within 10 days of the start of spring semester. 

Entry testing will be available Jan. 4–22, 2021. Testing is available to any member of our campus community (students, faculty and staff), even if you don’t regularly come to campus. You may sign up for a test using the COVID testing form.

Ogden Campus

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8 a.m. –noon

• Wednesday: 4–6 p.m. 

• Tuesday, Thursday: 1–5 p.m. 

Davis Campus

• Monday: 10 a.m. –noon 

• Thursday: 3–6 p.m. 

Symptomatic Testing
We will continue to offer symptomatic testing. Members of the campus community who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, may register to be tested by filling out a self-report form.

Request for Feedback on Policies

Weber State University invites its community to submit feedback on the following proposed policy revisions by emailing policy@weber.edu before or on Tuesday, January 26, 2021.  Your feedback is greatly appreciated. 

PPM 3-5a, Employment of Persons with Criminal Records

A proposal to revise PPM 3-5a - Employment of Persons with Criminal Records is now available for review and feedback. Information about the revisions, a redline version, and a clean version are available here. All policy updates are available here.

 PPM 4-19, Grading Policies

A proposal to revise PPM 4-19 - Grading Policies is now available for review and feedback. Information about the revisions, a redline version, and a clean version are available here. All policy updates are available here.

PPM 1-17, Selection and Evaluation of Academic Deans

A proposal to revise PPM 1-17 - Selection and Evaluation of Academic Deans is now available for review and feedback. Information about the revisions, a redline version, and a clean version are available here. All policy updates are available here.

Missed Professor Kendi?

We are so happy that Professor Kendi came to our campus. Even with a full house, we did not forget our fellow campus community members who had other obligations.

To this end, we have recorded the event and it is available for viewing. However, due to contractual agreements, the recording is available to students, staff, and faculty with Weber State access and is only available for 14 days starting today. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns at tianero@weber.edu!

To review recording, go to this link: https://www.weber.edu/DiversityOffice/2021MLKSpeaker.html

Thank you all who participated and we look forward to this week of service. To participate in MLK Week of Service go to this link: https://www.weber.edu/ccel/mlk-week.html 

COVID-19 Testing: Randomized Surveillance Testing

After Jan. 22, students, faculty and staff will be randomly selected to take a COVID-19 test. We anticipate being able to offer 400 randomized surveillance tests each weekday and an additional 500 symptomatic and targeted tests weekly. The goal is to help WSU monitor the spread of the virus on campus. During this time, we will also continue to offer non-symptomatic testing to any students, faculty or staff who would like to be tested.

You will receive email notification if you are selected to be part of this randomized surveillance testing.

All tests are available free of charge to members of our campus community.

Symptomatic Testing
We will continue to offer symptomatic testing. Members of the campus community who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, may register to be tested by filling out a self-report form.

Get Canvas Tech Support 24/7

Faculty and students can now get basic Canvas tech support, 24/7 — even on holidays. A partnership between the Utah System of Higher Education and Instructure has made it so you can receive basic tech support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Utah CARES Act has provided funding for the enhanced service. 

For the fastest response using this new feature, use the live chat (located in the Help menu under the global navigation sidebar). You may also contact support via phone by calling 877-215-0831 anytime. During times of high call volume, you may receive a wait-time notification.

Get Involved... WSUSA Elections and Appointed Positions Packets Now Available!

WSUSA Elections are just around the corner. Submit a Candidacy Declaration Form and download the complete Elections Packet to run a campaign and become a voice for the students. For more information on WSUSA Leadership visit https://weber.edu/StudentInvolvement/about.html. 

Declaration Forms due: Friday, February 12, 2021 at 5:00 pm. 

Elections Week: March 1- March 4, 2021

Interested in other leadership opportunities? Apply for an appointed position within WSUSA leadership and join a team! Submit your application for an appointed position online at: https://weber.edu/StudentInvolvement/appointed.html.

Walker Institute Statement on Violent Protest

Violence and destruction is never acceptable when protesting. What we've seen starting last year, and culminating last Wednesday at the US Capitol, is an egregious display of dangerous actions that should not be repeated. At the Walker Institute we will continue to promote civic education and constructive involvement in the political process, which can (and often does) include peaceful protests. We will also continue to foster a politically engaged campus, which includes respect for the vibrant political diversity on the left and the right, demonstrated by our students, faculty, and staff. We invite you to read the Op-Ed linked below and let's all focus this new year on building something positive that will create a lasting legacy.

https://www.standard.net/opinion/guest-commentary/wiser-murray-remember-the-founders/article_e2dbbc0c-6d95-5d69-9247-d360012d9562.html

Ivory Prize for Excellence in Student Leadership and Community Engagement

NEW THIS YEAR!!!

The Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation - Ivory Prize for Excellence in Student Leadership and Community Engagement (Ivory Prize) encourages and recognizes the extraordinary efforts of Weber State University students who positively impact student success and/or provide leadership in community engagement.

Each year, the recipient of the Ivory Prize for Excellence in Student Leadership and Community Engagement will receive a cash prize of $2,000 (less taxes, etc.) along with up to a $10,000 donation towards the recipient's cause, initiative, and/or team.

Nomination Deadline: March 1, 2021

For details and to submit a nomination, see https://weber.edu/ccel/awards.html#ivory

Blomquist Hale Processing Group

Blomquist Hale will be facilitating a one-time processing group on January 21st from 1:00-2:00 pm for faculty and staff to engage in discussion about dealing with trauma and taking care of ourselves in order to be able to take care of others.

Please register for this event on Training Tracker: #800-40. Class size will be limited and more sessions could be added.

Need funding for professional development?

Staff Development Grant Funding Round 3
Accepting applications through Feb. 1, 2021

This program provides funding for professional development of Weber State’s exempt and non-exempt staff members.

Office of Workplace Learning will be offering a training via Training Tracker:

"Applying For and Using a Staff Development Grant" (class 135-01) on January 13
Questions? Cindy Reinhard cynthiareinhard@weber.edu 801-626-7710
For more information and to apply:
 weber.edu/staffdevelopment

Keeping Connected: Virtual and In-Person Services and Engagement Opportunities

We are still here for you! Find virtual services, events, ways to connect, ways to deal with stress and anxiety, and more.

weber.edu/keepingconnected

Nominations for John A. Lindquist Award

JOHN A. LINDQUIST AWARD

Spring 2021

EXPLANATION OF AWARD

The John A. Lindquist Award is given annually to a current Weber State University faculty or staff member who has demonstrated sustained and outstanding commitment to mentoring WSU students in learning through community engagement.  It recognizes university-community partnerships in support of students’ learning and honors John A. Lindquist’s devotion to education and community.

Learning through community engagement is a dynamic and collaborative process wherein students immerse themselves in situational problems of a social, economic or environmental nature.  They consider possible outcomes and create potential solutions that benefit communities.   As students apply their skills, knowledge and research to community issues, they in turn develop civic leadership.  Frequently, they are models of how an education can improve and sustain the well-being of individuals in their communities.

CRITERIA

The recipient of the John A. Lindquist Award must demonstrate that she or he has provided an excellent education to WSU students and has addressed needs in surrounding communities.   

Describe the faculty or staff member’s accomplishments according to the following criteria:

1.          The nominee has demonstrated sustained (minimum of five years) and outstanding commitment to mentoring WSU students in learning through community engagement.
2.          The nominee’s Community Engaged Learning projects have made a demonstrable impact on both the student and the community. Actions taken are making a positive difference on the campus, in the community, regionally, and beyond.
3.          The nominee has succeeded in making a sustained, long-term commitment to campus and community service as well as evidence of consistent positive performance reviews. 
4.          The nominee has used sound pedagogy that combines research, theory, community action, self-reflection and assessment in planning learning objectives and community engagement activities for students. (This criterion is primarily applicable to faculty nominees.)
5.          The nominee’s projects involve a strong relationship with the community partner(s) based on a foundation of mutual ownership and commitment and address complex and important community issues.
6.          The nominee has been able to integrate community engagement with her or his own continued research and teaching.  Teaching may be through a mentoring relationship or in the classroom.  Preference will be given to those individuals who have shown evidence of embracing the institution’s commitment to community engaged learning through association with the Center for Community Engaged Learning. 

In summary, the committee will evaluate candidate packets against the following criteria:

• Breadth of community engaged work geographically -- locally or internationally
• Longevity in community engaged learning
• Sustained and varied community partnerships 
• Demonstrated impact on community members and organizations
• Work with CCEL or other promotion of CEL among faculty and staff
• Demonstrated impact on student learning and their relationship to a complex and diverse world 
• Reflection on his/her own transformation as a faculty/staff member

AWARD

$8,000 cash (less benefits and withholding taxes)

RESPONSIBILITY OF RECIPIENT

The recipient of the John A. Lindquist Award will give a presentation to faculty, staff, and students regarding his/her work with WSU students and the community.  This presentation is expected to occur within a year of having received the award.  Additionally, the recipient must continue to be employed at WSU for a minimum of one year after receiving the award.

NOMINATION PROCESS

Submit via email a 1-2 page letter of nomination that addresses the award criteria listed above to Dana Gibson (danagibson@weber.edu) no later than January 29, 2021.

If a nominee accepts the nomination, he or she will be responsible for submitting the following additional information to Dana Gibson (danagibson@weber.edu) by February 16, 2021:

1. A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing the award criteria and reflecting what community engagement means to the nominee
2. A 2-3 page resume reflecting a community engagement focus
3. Three 1 to 2-page letters of reference. One reference should be a community member with whom the nominee has partnered to mentor WSU students through community engaged learning.  One reference should be a student (current or former) who has personally benefited, or been involved with, the person being nominated. Students’ letters should include how community engagement enhanced their learning and reflection in meaningful ways. The final reference should be a colleague who is familiar with the work of the nominee. 

A selection committee consisting of two college representatives from Academic Affairs, the dean of students, provost, vice president for Student Affairs, Associate Provost for High Impact Programs, Executive Director of Student Affairs Strategic Initiatives, Student Association vice president for service, and two community partners will be appointed by the offices of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.  A member of the Lindquist family will also serve on the committee.  The selection committee will review the nomination materials and select the award recipient.

SCHEDULE

Drop In Zoom Chat With HR

Bi-Weekly Chat With HR

From 11 a.m.–noon, every other Friday, Jessica Oyler will host an Open Zoom Room for folks to just drop in and connect. (Click Here)  We can discuss concerns or challenges, what we’re doing to decompress, or anything else folks want to chat about.

Feel free to stop in for a few minutes or the full hour to connect with colleagues.

January 29^th

February 12^th

February 26^th

March 12^th

Mindful Meditation Sessions for Faculty/Staff

Mindful Meditation Sessions

Beginning Tuesday, January 12th, Craig Oreshnick will be hosting 30-minute mindful meditation sessions every Tuesday and Wednesday from 12:30-1:00pm.​ ​To participate in the sessions, please join via the following link. (Click here)

Passcode: 4fdf939b

​If you would like to be added to a recurring appointment for either or both of these days, please email Jessica Oyler (joyler@weber.edu)

Blomquist Hale Supervisor Training

Start the New Year off on the right foot by learning how to best support your employees as the pandemic continues. 

This training will include a discussion on the common stressors faced by employees during the pandemic, how supervisors can recognize and manage their own stressors as well as those of their employees. The role and importance of communication between supervisor and employee during this stressful time as well as resources available through Blomquist Hale to support supervisors during this difficult time.

This training is open to all whether you supervise full-time employees, hourly students, or do not supervise at all. Some resources discussed during the training may only be available to benefits-eligible employees. 

Class Dates/Times:

Wednesday, January 20, 3:00-4:00 pm

Thursday, January 28, 12:00-1:00 pm (this will be a Q&A class)

Please register on Training Tracker: 800-37

This training will be recorded and saved to Bridge for those who can not attend but would like to learn more. 

Tuesday Teaching Tips

Please join the Teaching and Learning Forum for Tuesday Teaching Tips at Two once a month this spring semester. These virtual events will showcase some of the best practices for teaching in virtual and online formats presented by faculty members from all colleges. Presentations will be in the format of GIFTS sessions (Great Ideas for Teaching Students) with Q&A opportunities at the end of each showcase. You can find the schedule of sessions and a registration form on our website. You will receive a calendar invitation and Zoom links for all sessions you wish to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

Lindquist Lecture

Please join us for two Lindquist Lectures this spring:

Wednesday, February 10, 2:30-3:30pm

Forrest Crawford "Teaching 'Grit': The Pedagogical Core of Knowing, Caring and Acting"

https://weber.zoom.us/j/97503227096?pwd=bUdhblJmS3ZHK2tDSFBnR3JoYTZWQT09

Meeting ID: 975 0322 7096, Passcode: 156763

Tuesday, March 16, 2:00-3:00pm

Adam Johnston "Accidental Community Engaged Learning for Introverts, Skeptics, and Curmudgeons"

https://weber.zoom.us/j/93373598968?pwd=MTFENzBqNk55NlZqYUxwRGFSa3c4UT09

Meeting ID: 933 7359 8968, Passcode: 158484

Adjunct Faculty Retreat

All adjunct faculty are invited to join the Teaching and Learning Forum for a virtual Adjunct Faculty Retreat on February 5 from 1:00pm-3:30pm. Sign-up on the TLF website.

Get Your Peer Mentor!

Get support and guidance from other Weber State students! Check out all the free programs for students and find the one that fits your needs for the new year. 

Intercampus Free Shuttle and 75% Off Lyft Rides

Traveling between Weber State’s Ogden and Davis campuses just got easier!

HOP ON WEBER'S FREE SHUTTLE OR TAKE A LYFT AT 75% OFF!

FREE SHUTTLE

Shuttle service between the Ogden campus and WSU Davis runs Monday-Friday 6:45 a.m.-1:40 p.m. Shuttles run from Ogden campus residence halls to Davis campus building D2. Visit the shuttle bus web page to view the schedule and shuttle stops map.

INTERCAMPUS LYFT SERVICE

WSU’s partnership with Lyft provides 75% off rides between Ogden campus and Davis campus. Discounted rides must have an on campus pick-up and drop-off location and will be available Monday through Friday, between 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Get signed up to use the intercampus Lyft here. For more information, visit our website.

"Forging the Norsatch" - Episode #11 Megan Christensen of the Davis County Loan Fund

See https://www.weber.edu/econdev/forging the norsatch.html for helpful and informative links.

We meet with Megan Christensen of the Davis County Economic Development Office to learn about the Davis County Small Business Loan Fund 

Also: We'll talk about the Importance of Cash Flow with Dr. Matt Mouritsen of WSU’s Goddard School of Business and Economics

Listen via Anchor: https://anchor.fm/norastch-podcast/episodes/11--Megan-Christensen-of-the-Davis-County-Loan-Fund-eou279

Listen via Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5PJBLamQPXRN2sWfCpRu44

ALSO See: 

• https://www.daviscountyutah.gov/ced
• https://www.weber.edu/goddard

Follow the 'Forging the Norsatch’ on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/Forging-the-Norsatch-111814073983039

Today Starts Spring Semester's Weekly Geoscience & Society Virtual Seminars

This seminar series introduces students and the campus to the critical role that geosciences play in modern society. We focus on natural resources, natural hazards, climate change, and applied geoscience careers. 

Public lectures: Fridays 1:00-2:00 pm

Student workshops + discussion follows the lectures: 2:00-2:30 pm

Students: Get credit by registering for GEO 4990 (SUS) CRN 31031, 2 credits. Counts as an upper-division elective.

Seminar Series Schedule

Speakers and topics are subject to change due to cancellations or other rescheduling needs.

Jan 15		Dr. Carie Frantz Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Weber State University	Introduction to geoscience & society
Jan 22		Dr. Stephanie Mills Senior Geologist Metals Mining Utah Geological Survey	Utah's mineral resources
Jan 29		Dr. Jani Ingram Professor, Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Northern Arizona University	Environmental health studies on Navajo lands
Feb 5		Michael Vanden Berg Energy and Minerals Program Manager Utah Geological Survey	Utah's changing energy landscape
Feb 12		Justin Owen Energy Manager Weber State University	Weber State University's progress toward carbon neutrality
Feb 19		Katherine Standefer Author, Teacher	Lightning Flowers - The environmental and human costs of saving a life
Feb 26		Dr. Anne Nigra Environmental Health Scientist, Superfund Research Program Columbia University	Environmental justice
Mar 5		TBD	Soil health and climate change
Mar 12		Spring Break, No Seminar
Mar 18-19		Intermountain Sustainability Summit 2021 Virtual Conference	Various talks and workshops see https://www.weber.edu/issummit Events on Thursday, 3/18, are free for Weber State University faculty and students. Workshops on Friday, 3/19, require paid registration.
Mar 26		Dr. Derek Mallia Research Assistant Professor Department of Atmospheric Sciences University of Utah	Climate change, wildfires, air quality, and the Intermountain West
Apr 2		TBD	Climate change
Apr 9		TBD	Other natural hazards
Apr 16		Dr. Robin Craig Distinguished Professor S.J. Quinney College of Law University of Utah	Environmental law and regulations
Apr 23		Student Presentations	Geoscience-related policy

Utah's Mineral Resources G&S Virtual Seminar

Geoscience & Society Virtual Seminar Presents

Utah's Mineral Resources

Dr. Stephanie Mills
Senior Geologist
Metals Mining
Utah Geological Survey

Friday, January 22nd, 2021
Zoom with us at 1:00 p.m.

Add it to your calendar today!

Recognition for National Mentoring Month

January is National  Mentoring Month! Create and promote a culture of mentoring by recognizing and thanking your mentors this month.

Option 1: Post a picture of your mentor on Instagram, share why they are awesome and tag @wsu_mentors

Option 2: Fill out this form and add a picture.

All submissions will be entered into a drawing and highlighted in the weber.edu/mentors page for Thank Your Mentor Day (Jan. 29, 2021). All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate.

For more information about mentoring services for students, visit www.weber.edu/mentors or email mentors@weber.edu

MLK Week of Service

2021 MLK Week of Service

Monday, Jan. 18

MLK Holiday Commemoration

(all day, social distancing and masks encouraged when participating)

Make this "a day on, not a day off" by engaging in your community to make a positive impact.

Tuesday, Jan. 19

(all day, social distancing and masks encouraged when participating)

Give to a Nonprofit

Donate your time, money and/or resources to local nonprofits whose missions focus on social justice, food insecurity, education, or housing.

Wednesday, Jan. 20

(all day, social distancing and masks encouraged when participating)

Environmental Impacts

Do your part in Pliking (picking up litter while hiking), collecting items to recycle, picking up garbage in parks, or assisting local organizations who are focused on environmental justice.

Thursday, Jan. 21

(all day, social distancing and masks encouraged when participating)

Connect with Your Community

Focus on connecting with others by writing letters to a veteran, to an elderly individual, or to your state/local representatives.

Friday, Jan. 22

(all day, social distancing and masks encouraged when participating)

Acts of Kindness

Give back to others. Pay for someone's order at a drive-thru, shop for someone who is high-risk, donate money or resources to a local community organization, or assist someone in need.

Contact: Rylie Howard at ryliehoward@weber.edu

Share all interactions and your community engagement on social media using @weberserves and @wsuccel. Students, please record your community engagement hours at weber.edu/ccel/track-hours.html. Benefit-eligible employees may use this week as part of your Service Leave.

Spring Virtual Career and Internship Fair

Spring Virtual Career and Internship Fair 2021

• Tuesday, Jan. 26
• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

To Register & Meet With Employers:

1. Login to Handshake and register for the fair: weber.joinhandshake.com

2. Then remember to sign up for one-on-one sessions with employers

Student Fees Meetings

The Student Fee Recommendation Committee (SFRC) will be holding open meetings each Friday beginning Jan. 22, 2021, to decide where your student fees will go beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. Zoom links for each meeting, as well as the dates and times for each, can be found on the SFRC website.

Virtual Seminar — Observational Astronomy: Socially Distant Since 13.7 Billion B.C.E.

Presented by Dr. Stacy Palen
Physics Department, Weber State University 

Date:  Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Time:  1:30 pm - 2:20 pm MDT

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://weber.zoom.us/j/99165662493?pwd=Ui9CcWs3UWJDVkROMDhDcXJRcVZYQT09
Meeting ID: 991 6566 2493

Abstract:

This has been a tough year for everyone, and astronomers are no exception.  However, there are some bright spots!  For years, I have been struggling to make an Observational Astronomy course match up to the dreams that I had for it.  I will talk about how the shut-down last March, and the push to prepare to go all online in the Fall of 2020, finally led to the maturation of the Observational Astronomy course as a focused course for non-specialists.  This involved working with a whole host of people all around the world, to quickly solve a huge number of problems over the summer, and even while the course was in session.  I will discuss the equipment, the software, the assignments, the compromises and the successes that made possible a course that brought 10 students from "zero" to "observer" in eight short weeks, and resulted in four publication-quality papers.  Several of these students are now working at home, gaining experience as Telescope Operators for the KTP Observatory.

Open Educational Resources and Affordable Course Materials Workshop

Open Educational Resources and Affordable Course Materials Workshop

Presented by: Michael Whitchurch, Media Literacy Librarian at Brigham Young University’s Harold B. Lee Library

Please join the Teaching and Learning Forum and the Library for a virtual conversation about open educational resources and identifying affordable course materials for your students. The workshop will be presented via Zoom on January 27 and January 28 from 2-4 pm by Michael Whitchurch.