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February 2022
February 2022
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to this first issue of ElmsNews!
We all know that effective communication is vital for a well-functioning team. In response to your feedback, members of the Cabinet and I have been looking for ways to ensure that all members of the Elms College community receive timely, accurate, and complete information about key aspects of our campus life. As a result, the Office of the President is pleased to introduce the monthly newsletter ElmsNews. The goal of the newsletter is to keep faculty and staff informed on important College issues, developments, and achievements; including but not limited to:
Academic initiatives
Student Life updates and initiatives
Employee programs, benefits, and training
Faculty and staff achievements
Strategic plan, budget, and administrative updates
The link for new editions of the Newsletter will arrive in employees’ inboxes at the end of every month, excluding campus holidays. In addition, a link will be available on ElmsConnect where employees can access the landing page for the current issue and previous issues at any time.
My sincere gratitude goes to Bevin Peters and Kristin Kirwan who have taken on the task of coordinating, designing, and publishing this monthly Newsletter. A designated point person from each Division has been identified to provide them with key updates for inclusion consideration. Thank you to those designated individuals as well.
The ultimate goal of this effort is to ensure that we remain a cohesive community in solidarity with one another and in pursuit of our common mission. To that end, everyone's feedback is very important. Please let us know what you think and what types of stories and information you’d like to see in future editions by sending an email to petersb507@elms.edu.
Thank you for all that you do for the College. I hope that you enjoy the first edition!
Harry E. Dumay, Ph.D., MBA
President
STAFF TOWN HALL
For those who were unable to attend the February 18 Staff Town Hall, you may access the recording here. and the agenda here. The next Staff Town Hall is scheduled for Friday, April 29, 9 a.m.-10 a.m., staff and faculty are welcome. Additional details are forthcoming.
COVID PROTOCOL UPDATE
As always, we are proud of the Elms College community's commitment to supporting each other and we understand now more than ever the increasing importance of taking care of ourselves and of one another. We have continuously monitored the Covid-19 numbers and reports from the CDC to ensure the safety of everyone.
Happily, because the data has shown a drastic and consistent decrease in cases, it has been decided that effective March 7, 2022, wearing masks in all indoor spaces will no longer be required. This includes classrooms. Please know that wearing a mask is optional and even encouraged if there are any underlying medical issues or if it is the individual’s preference. Also effective March 7, 2022, the College will discontinue the use of Healthy Roster.
We are all concerned about the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and our students, and we continue to monitor the data. If conditions change, we will communicate any relevant updates or revisions if or when necessary.
3rd Annual Rev. Hugh Crean Distinguished Lecture
3rd Annual Rev. Hugh Crean Distinguished Lecture
"Reflections on 'the Hour of the Laity'" Join us on Tuesday, March 29 at 4 p.m. for the third annual Rev. Hugh Crean Distinguished Lecture. This year's speaker is Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law, Emerita, at Harvard University, and a former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. She chaired the U.S. State Department Commission on Unalienable Rights (2019-2020) and has served as a member of the Commission on International Religious Freedom and the U.S. President's Council on Bioethics. Her books include The Forum and the Tower, Traditions in Turmoil, A World Made New: Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, A Nation Under Lawyers, and Rights Talk. The event is free and open to the public with a limited number of in-person seats available. There will also be a virtual option. You may register here.
COMMENCEMENT 2022 is currently scheduled to take place in the Mass Mutual Center on Saturday May 14, 2022. The Commencement Speaker and two Honorary Degree Recipients are:
Commencement Speaker: Francis Kirley, President and Founder of Nexion Health, Former Member of the Elms College Board of Trustees
Karen Ansara, Founder and Board Chair of Network of International Donors
Maureen Kervick, SSJ, Site Supervisor Passionist Volunteers International, Jamaica; Former Elms College Administrator
OFFICE OF DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
The 5th Annual Black Experience Summit was hosted by Elms College on Thursday, February 17, 2022. This year’s theme was: Stories of Our Becoming: The Shoulders on Which We Stand. Opening and closing keynote addresses were given by Dr. Gina Athena Ulysse, Professor of Feminist Studies at UC Santa Cruz and Dr. Treva Lindsey, Associate Professor of Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies at the Ohio State University. One panel was moderated by Elms College students and President Dumay moderated another panel conversation among area College Presidents, Dr. Tracy Espy (Mitchell College), Dr. Robert Johnson (Western New England University), and Dr. Lynn Wooten (Simmons University).View the Recording Here
A campus reading from National Book Award Poet, Martin Espada will take place on Thursday, March 31 at 6 p.m. in Veritas Auditorium to kick off Solidarity/Allyship week. As a poet, essayist, translator, editor, and attorney, Martín Espada has dedicated much of his career to the pursuit of social justice, including fighting for human rights and reclaiming the historical record. His critically acclaimed collections of poetry celebrate—and lament—the working class experience. Whether narrating the struggles of immigrants as they adjust to life in the United States, or chronicling the battles that Latin Americans have waged against their own repressive governments, Espada has given voice to otherness, powerlessness, and poverty into poetry that is at once moving and vivid. Register Here.
ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS
In-person classroom activities have continued uninterrupted during the fall and beginning of spring semesters. Several important Academic Affairs activities have taken place:
The College received a very favorable report from the NECHE site visit for the Haiti Nursing Continuing Education Program
The School of Nursing hosted the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) for a site visit
The Division of Education hosted the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for a site visit
The Computer Science/Computer Information Technology program received an external program review.
Advisory Board meetings were held for the Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology Program; the Center for Ethics, Religion, and Culture; and the Business Re-Positioning Effort.
At the February Board of Trustees meeting a motion was approved the Tenure and Promotion Recommendations of the Academic Affairs Committee which include:
Brittney Carlson, Au.D./Ph.D. for Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor
William Gilbert, Ph.D. for Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor
Laura Hanratty, Ph.D. for Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor
Beryl Hoffman, Ph.D. for Promotion to Professor
Laura McNeil, Ph.D. for Promotion to Professor
Nina Theis, Ph.D. for Promotion to Professor
HUMAN RESOURCES
The College is paying particular attention to employee morale during fiscal year 2022. While the United for Elms’ Future Working Group is working on a report with recommendations for practices that improve employee satisfaction and morale at the College, a number of new activities have been initiated, including:
President’s breakfasts with small groups of faculty members to promote accessibility and communication
New Employee Orientation to ensure that new employees are well onboarded
Leadership Development for mid-level managers across the organization
Coffee Drop and Q&A with the VP of Finance and Administration held every other Friday, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. The next is scheduled for Friday, March 4. Stop by Berchmans Hall, Room 110 or join via this Zoom Link
New Employee "Cookies & Coffee" Meet and Greet on Friday, March 4, 12:45 p.m. -1 p.m. being held in the Dining Room Annex
"Circles of Trust" led by Fr. Mark Stelzer, Campus Ministry, and ITPS. Next session will take place, via zoom, Feb. 28, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
President’s Open Office Hours for all employees Signup Here to reserve a 15-minute time slot
In addition, the College is making every effort to fill open faculty and staff positions. Searches are in process for 10 faculty positions. Hiring managers are working with the new Director of Human Resources, Cheryl Smith, to generate pools of diverse candidates for open positions. Current employees are encouraged to refer candidates for positions through the new Employee Referral Program.
FINANCE UPDATE
The Fiscal Year 2023 budget process is underway and the budget packets along with instructions have been sent to the appropriate department contact. The projected budget aims at ensuring proper support of our students for the best learning experience possible while maintaining a comfortable margin that keeps Elms in a healthy financial position and allows us to invest in strategic initiatives that are important for our future health. If you have questions regarding budget review please email terlikj@elms.edu
STUDENT LIFE
The Elms Mercantile, co-sponsored by the Center for Student Success and the Dean of Students Office, offers students free school supplies and personal items. The space is located in the hallway directly outside the Student Affairs office (CC110). If you would like to volunteer at the Mercantile click here. Here is a link to our Amazon Wishlist.
The Dean of Students Office launched The Career Closet to remove financial barriers and provide a place for students to come and select an outfit for a job or internship interview. Here is a link to our Amazon Wishlist.
Student-athletes successfully completed their first semester of competition in the Great Northeast Atlantic Conference (GNAC). Click here for more updates on our Blazers!
Every day, college students struggle to concentrate on their studies and keep up their grades all while incorporating quality and nutritious snacks. Please consider donating items such as granola bars, healthy snacks, fruit, etc. and dropping them off on the second floor of the Alumnae Library.
ELMS IN THE NEWS
February 1, 2022: iObserve.org published the press release announcing that Elms College is virtually holding the 5th Annual Black Experience Summit.
February 2, 2022: BusinessWest Daily Blog published the press release announcing that Elms College is virtually holding the 5th Annual Black Experience Summit.
February 2, 2022: Western Mass Economic Development Council published the first two paragraphs of the Black Experience Summit press release along with a link to the BusinessWest article.
February 2, 2022: wwlp.com published the press release announcing that Elms College is virtually holding the 5th Annual Black Experience Summit.
February 7, 2022: BusinessWest published an article regarding a panel discussion on ethics in the business world. Dr. Peter DePergola is one of the panelists.
February 7, 2022: BusinessWest published an article regarding internships and experiential learning in the age of COVID-19. Alan Bloomgraden is quoted throughout the article.
February 10, 2022: The Republican published the press release announcing that Elms College is virtually holding the 5th Annual Black Experience Summit in the print edition.
February 18, 2022: BusinessWest published the press release announcing that Elms College is virtually holding the 5th Annual Black Experience Summit in the print edition.
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