employee news – Page 2

To listen to Cliff Thornton speak with prospective students and parents is to feel included, even if you’re eavesdropping. Thornton is associate dean of admission at Wesleyan, covering a wide geographic and socioeconomic range: the South Central U.S. from Kentucky to Louisiana, Manhattan, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean. Having served these communities—and Wesleyan—now for more than 30 years, it makes sense that he would demonstrate an ease and fluency in his relations with so many different people from such different backgrounds. He’s had a lot of practice. But something unique about Thornton, which by many accounts…

Wesleyan’s Sustainability Action Plan (SAP), developed in 2016, is a five-year plan that reflects Wesleyan’s commitment to a sustainable future. Written with input from more than 130 students, faculty, and staff, the plan establishes goals, objectives, strategies, timelines, metrics, and responsible parties in topic areas. In November, Wesleyan's Sustainability Office released its first Sustainability Action Plan Progress Report, This report highlights progress made toward SAP strategies between 2016 and 2018 in the areas of planning, engagement, health and well-being, academic operations, curriculum, buildings, dining, energy, grounds, purchasing, transportation, waste, and water. The report also outlines Wesleyan's vision for 2021 and summarizes…

Wesleyan Public Safety and Greek Life hosted a Stuff a Cruiser event Dec. 3–7 at Usdan's Huss Courtyard and Dec. 8 at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore. The University partnered with the Middletown Fire Department by collecting donations to benefit local children in need during the holidays and throughout the year. Several members of Psi Upsilon also helped staff the event and Bon Appétit Management Co. provided free coffee vouchers for anyone who made a donation. “The Wesleyan community has been so generous during our Stuff a Cruiser event,” said Sgt. Kathy Burdick. “We've collected many toys and cash donations, and…

Wesleyan faculty and staff volunteers are needed for the 2018–2019 Connections Mentoring Program. This is an informal program that connects first-year students (Class of 2022) with Wesleyan staff and faculty to form casual networks of support. Although most mentors meet infrequently with their student mentees throughout the year, some mentoring pairs establish friendships and meet more frequently over coffee or lunch. Many mentors and students have characterized their experiences with the program as fun and inspirational. In addition, anyone interested in mentoring students who are the first in their families to attend college can indicate that preference on the registration…

The Office of Human Resources announces the following hires, transitions, and departures for May through July 2018: HIRES Nicole Potestivo, administrative assistant in Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies, on May 7 Lucas Fernandez, postdoctoral research associate in physics, on May 22 Alex Kavvos, postdoctoral research associate in mathematics, on May 29 Miya Tokumitsu, curator at Davison Art Center, on June 14 Lilibeth Soto, public safety dispatcher, on June 18 Edward Morehouse, postdoctoral research associate in mathematics, on July 1 Zeyad Abdulkareem, desktop support specialist in ITS User Services, on July 2 Andrew White, Caleb T. Winchester University Librarian, on July…

(By Christine Foster) Imagine being chosen to oversee a vast treasure trove, including more than a million items ranging from art and music to government documents and—oh, yes, books. Such is the job set before Andrew White, who was chosen in April to be the University’s next Caleb T. Winchester Librarian. Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Joyce Jacobsen wrote in a campus-wide email announcing White’s appointment that the search committee was drawn to his experience working collaboratively with different groups of people. The previous librarian, Dan Cherubin, died suddenly last September, after having made an outsized impact…

Right at the edge of campus, tucked away via a nondescript parking lot side entrance in the basement of Russell House, you’ll find the on-campus home of Israela Adah Brill-Cass, Wesleyan's first ombudsperson. Walking through the unmarked screen door can feel a bit unnerving, like trespassing unannounced or entering through a secret back entrance, but Brill-Cass soon welcomes you into the comfort of her office. It’s a small and simply decorated space with bright textile prints on the wall and soft music offsetting the quiet that comes with being the only inhabitant on the entire floor. The remote location and…

On June 8, the Office of Human Resources hosted the fourth annual Faculty and Staff Ice Cream Social. Attendees were treated to ice cream sundaes, soft pretzels, popcorn, and refreshments. Activities included a tie-dye station, lawn games, board games, volleyball, and dancing. Photos of the event are below: (Photos by Olivia Drake) (more…)

(By Alessio Gallarotti ’15) This summer, the Sustainability Office, in conjunction with Human Resources, is encouraging Wesleyan employees to get out and walk. In 2016, with the approval of President Roth and his cabinet, as well as with strong grassroots support, the Sustainability Office began implementation of a five-year sustainability action plan (SAP), which included approximately 160 initiatives to promote holistic sustainability on campus. The term “sustainability,” while typically used to refer to topics like recycling, resource efficiency, and emissions, is a much broader concept, including social and economic components. Promoting walking promotes well-being and appreciation for place, both of which…

The following employees received Cardinal Achievement Awards during the past few months for demonstrating extraordinary initiative in performing a specific task associated with their work at Wesleyan University. This special honor comes with a $250 award and reflects the university’s gratitude for their extra efforts. The awardees include: Benjamin Michael, WESU general manager, WESU Radio Geralyn Russo, administrative assistant IV, University Relations Kathleen Logsdon, library assistant V/binding supervisor, Olin Library Kate Lynch, assistant director, the Wesleyan Fund, University Relations Miroslaw Koziol, senior electronics technician, Scientific Support Services View all Cardinal Achievement Award winners here.

On May 29, Wesleyan's Physical Plant–Facilities personnel began their 2019 fiscal year major maintenance and capital projects. The University is investing in projects at 120 locations on campus, which are described in this interactive map. "Each year the work is prioritized, then scheduled to minimize the impact on the academic calendar," said Joyce Topshe, associate vice president for facilities. "Consequently, much of the work is done during the summer. Projects include modernizing our infrastructure, energy conservation, structural repairs, replacing roofs and windows, and renovating dozens of buildings." Projects this summer include: Demolition and renovation of the second-floor bathroom at 146 Cross…

(Article submitted by Vince Spiars, information security and operations manager) Passwords are like house keys In this article, we compare passwords to house keys and talk about why you should use a different password for each website. We also remind you that Wesleyan, or any reputable organization, will never ask for your password, or ask you to log in to verify your account. Protecting your password is as important as keeping the keys to your house safe and secure Just like the physical keys you have on your key ring, passwords unlock access to your private digital places such as…

Thornton Leaving Legacy of Student of Color Recruitment at Wesleyan

Wesleyan Publishes Sustainability Action Plan Progress Report

Public Safety, Greek Life Stuff a Cruiser to Benefit Local Children in Need

Mentor a New Student through the Connections Mentoring Program

Employees on the Move

Staff Spotlight: Andrew White Takes on Library’s Top Job

Wesleyan’s Inaugural Ombuds Celebrates Her First Year

Employees Mingle at 4th Annual Ice Cream Social

Walking Paths Help Employees Avoid Sedentary Lifestyles at Work

5 Employees Honored with Cardinal Achievement Awards

Physical Plant Begins Tackling 120 Maintenance, Renovation Projects on Campus

ITS Urges Users to Use Different Passwords at Different Websites