Archive for August, 2015

In the next few days you will receive through campus mail a reference card intended to offer basic guidance on how to respond to a student in distress. “Be a Lifesaver: Quick Reference Guide for Intervention and Suicide Prevention” was developed by members of our Behavior Intervention Team. It is intended to serve as a general guide on how to respond to students who may or may not be a threat to themselves or others. If you have any questions please contact Dean of Students Mark Lewis at x2772, or Mark.Lewis@acu.edu.

This summer Human Resources announced an update to ACU’s Holiday Benefit and Calendar. Classes remain in session on Labor Day so the decision was made to repurpose the Labor Day floating holiday to a closure on Fall Break.  Effective this academic year, offices should remain open on Labor Day, September 7, and be closed on Fall Break, October 23. Staff are still welcome to use a vacation day on Labor Day with their supervisor’s approval.

Since mid-2014, Christian Village of Abilene (CVA) has been operating at a significant and unsustainable financial loss each month, despite constant efforts to turn around the vacancy rates. Without new revenue or cash from a major donation, CVA would be forced to close in the near future. The CVA Board of Trustees approached ACU to search for new opportunities and those discussions turned to the possibility of a purchase of the facility by ACU. The CVA Board has reached an agreement with ACU giving the university the option to purchase the facility. ACU will decide whether to exercise its option on or before late September. If ACU does exercise its option to complete the purchase, the closing would occur on or about February 2016, giving the residents plenty of time and assistance to transition into a new residency. This will allow the residents to receive a healthy return on their investment and provide future residence hall space for students.

Each fall during the first week of school, I have the opportunity to share a message with the student body during the Tuesday Chapel following Opening Assembly on Monday. This year, I would like as many faculty and staff as possible to attend on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 11 a.m. in Moody Coliseum. Your presence will reinforce how much we believe in our students and are here to support them in their time at ACU and beyond.

Employees and spouses (if applicable), who are covered on ACU’s plan, must complete BOTH items for the wellness premium. If you would like to save a minimum of $600 in your health insurance premiums next year, you will need to complete the following:

ACU’s office of Multicultural Affairs and student organization Hispanos Unidos want to invite you to join them as they celebrate the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with their Hispanic Heritage Month Banquet. Gabe Salazar will be the guest of honor for this inspirational evening. He is a motivational speaker who brings a message of encouragement, purpose and empowerment. He has spoken for companies and venues such as I Am Second, Exxon Mobil, the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, and many more. In 2011, Popular Hispanic Magazine recognized him as America’s #1 Latino Youth Speaker. For more information, please visit this link.

The banquet will be held on September 15th beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Hunter Welcome Center at Abilene Christian University. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 general admissions. For more information, or to purchase your ticket, please visit acu.edu/oma and follow the “Purchase Event Tickets” link or call Prentice Ashford at 325-674-6562. Seating is limited, so be sure to order your tickets today!

While construction is ongoing, the official name of the Foster Science Building will change to the Robert R. and Kay Onstead Science Center (Onstead Science Center for short) as the Fall 2015 semester begins. The Banner abbreviation for the facility will change from FSB to OSC.

It’s never too early or too late to start planning for retirement. ACU and TIAA-CREF offer a robust plan with several options to reach your goals. The plan allows you to change your allocations at any time and a three year cliff vesting. Visit HR’s website for more information.

Kent Brantly, M.D., a 2003 graduate of ACU who is medical missions advisor for Samaritan’s Purse, is on a national tour promoting a new book he authored with his wife, Amber (Carroll ’06), Called for Life: How Loving Our Neighbor Led Us Into the Heart of the Ebola Epidemic. He will sign books from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the McCaleb Conference Center on Monday, Aug. 24. Books also will be available for purchase on site. Brantly will receive an honorary doctorate from ACU at Opening Assembly that morning, and be the guest speaker.