Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues:
We all know that Oxford College is a special community nestled in vibrant, diverse, and dynamic Newton County. We pride ourselves in the partnerships Oxford has built with organizations and members of the broader community to support and learn from each other through speaker programs, sponsored programs, service projects, and community-based learning opportunities. And most importantly, we've seen that the leaders of our community can come together despite political differences to do what is best for the community.
Thank you for all you have done for Oxford College, each other, and our students this year. We can now glimpse 2021 on the horizon.
Best,
Doug
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Notes from ChapLyn — May Rest & Joy Be Yours
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As we near the end of the first full semester of hybrid learning for our students, I’m keenly aware of how exhausting it has been. Many of you have told me about your own experiences with exhaustion. I’ve seen it on the faces of our students. I have felt it too. Even though we are not quite there yet, the end of the semester is in sight. My prayer is that we will all take time to rest over this break. I hope we will find ways to care for ourselves even as we may need to continue to care for others too.
There is a sense of stoicism that I associate with American Protestantism that urges us to keep going no matter how difficult the circumstances. Certainly, sometimes that is all we can do. But in her new book, Building Resilience Through Contemplative Practices, Atlanta campus colleague Bobbi Patterson reminds us that letting go of this helps us develop capacity for life-long service. She says, “Do less. Pay attention more. Aim low. Burnout and breakdowns are part of the process.”
May this break afford you the opportunity to do less and pay attention more. If you get a moment to express gratitude to someone, do it. If you discover a sliver of a break from work or caregiving, take it. If you have not yet developed a consistent practice for contemplation, make that a priority before returning to work next year. Here’s a website that might be helpful: http://www.contemplativemind.org/practices/tree
May you find rest and uncover joy during the coming break. It is a joy to be your chaplain.
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Chaplain Lyn Pace's column "What nourishes you?" appeared in the Covington News on November 17.
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Daniel Walter, assistant professor of German and linguistics, was quoted in
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Faculty publications and presentations |
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Tasha Dobbin-Bennett, assistant professor of art history and studio art, presented at the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) virtual annual meeting 2020 on November 14. Dobbin-Bennett's presentation, "Raglan Remembers: A Bes-Type Figurine in the Raglan and District Museum, NZ" was part of The Secret Lives of Objects: Counter Histories and Narratives session. The focus of this session was on the importance of context and object histories and how current object-based research encourages a dialogue of challenging ethical issues. The presentation examined how meaning and reception were constructed and renegotiated through the lenses of war, time, and memory. She discussed the history behind the acquisition of the Bes-figure, how it came to reside in New Zealand, and the impact that “war souvenirs” had on the shared local history.
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Teresa Romano, assistant professor of economics, co-authored "Ex Ante Returns and Occupational Choice," with Peter Arcidiacono, Joseph Hotz, and Arnaud Maurel. The article was published in the Journal of Political Economy this month (December 2020).
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Eric Solomon, visiting assistant professor of English and American Studies, and Dave Hayward, founder and coordinator of Touching Up Our Roots: Georgia's LGBTQ+ Story Project (TUOR), have received a grant from the Georgia Humanities Digital Tour Initiative to develop and present Mapping Queer Atlanta History: Touch Up Your Roots with the LGBTQ+ Story Tour. Building off Dave Hayward and Maria Helena Dolan’s “Story Tour,” a live event held in coordination with June’s Pride-related festivities in Atlanta, this project partners TUOR with Queer Studies scholar Solomon to craft a digital version of the tour for moments when the tour cannot be coordinated live (such as during this pandemic) and for those who are not able to access the tour in its live version. In recording audio and crafting an app-like user-friendly interface, the project aims to reach more LGBTQ+ people and allies across Atlanta and the South to remind everyone to learn queer history and as Dave Hayward likes to say, “touch up our roots.”
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Oxford Cookbook still available |
There's still time to support the Oxford College Chaplaincy Fund and receive your digital copy of the Oxford Cookbook. Place an order for a digital copy of the cookbook now by making a minimum $5 donation using this link. The Chaplaincy Fund is a discretionary emergency fund that allows the Oxford College chaplain to help faculty, staff, and students who request financial assistance in times of crisis. Digital copies of the cookbook will be delivered via email after completing the form linked above. Questions? Please contact Brenna Valentine, who is coordinating the distribution of the cookbook on behalf of the Oxford Staff Organization.
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Flu Shot requirement for faculty and staff goes into effect December 15 |
Emory University is now requiring that all students, faculty, and staff who will be on campus for the spring semester get a flu vaccine no later than December 15. It takes about two weeks for the body to develop immunity from the vaccine so getting a flu vaccine prior to December 15, gives adequate time for you to develop flu antibodies before being on campus for spring semester.
Here is how you can get a free flu shot through your health plan coverage:
• OPTION 1 (Recommended): Visit any in-network retail pharmacy such as CVS, Walgreens, Target, Publix, or Kroger. You will need to present your Emory CVS/Caremark prescription drug card (or other insurance card, if you are not covered by Emory’s plan).
• OPTION 2: Get a flu shot as part of your preventive exam at your doctor's office (Tier 1 & Tier 2 Emory medical plan in-network doctors only). Note: if you've already had your annual preventive exam and make an appointment for a flu shot, you may be charged for the visit. If you are not covered by an Emory medical plan, call the telephone number on the back of your medical plan’s membership card. Or call your doctor, your local pharmacy, or go to www.vaccinefinder.org.
In order to receive clearance to be on campus for the spring semester (January-May), all faculty, staff, and students will be required to go through the university’s onboarding clearance process which will include the requirement of a flu shot. Individuals who need a medical, religious, or other exemption from the flu shot requirement will have the opportunity to note that when completing the onboarding process. Faculty, staff, and students who do not adhere to the new requirement will not be eligible to come to campus. More details about this process will be provided as part of the onboarding process.
Please note that if you plan to be on campus between January and May for any length of time (even if only occasionally, to pick up mail, etc.), you must complete the onboarding process. Even if you do not plan to come back to campus in the spring, we highly recommend you and your family get a flu vaccination this year to help keep your family and those in our community safe and healthy.
As a reminder, we ask employees who are able to do so, to continue to work from home through early 2021 while we develop guidelines for a moderated return to campus, keeping the density controlled and considering the needs of individual units. We do not expect that every staff member who has been working remotely will be back on campus full time in January. More details about Emory’s moderated return to campus will be announced as it is available. Thank you in advance for your commitment to helping Emory maintain a safe and healthy environment for our entire community. Please remember to wear a mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands.
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Emory-coordinated on-site Atlanta Campus flu shot clinics week of Dec. 7-11 only |
Only for University employees who are required to be on campus in the spring.
Emory is partnering with CVS Pharmacy to offer onsite flu clinics the week of December 7 on the Emory campus. You must register below and pick an appointment time to receive the vaccination. You will not need your insurance information to complete your registration, just select “Skip this for now” when you get to that section of the registration process.
Monday, December 7 from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Health Sciences Research Building Ground Floor Café Area
1760 Haygood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322
Tuesday, December from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Campus Services Complex Bldg. B, Training Room
201 FM Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322
Wednesday, December from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Whitehead Research Bldg., Ground Floor Auditorium
615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA 30322
Thursday, December from 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Campus Services Complex Bldg. B, Training Room
201 FM Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322
Friday, December 11from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Whitehead Research Bldg., Ground Floor Auditorium
615 Michael Street, Atlanta, GA 30322
If you are not required to be on campus, you can get a free flu shot at any in-network retail pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, Target, Publix, and Kroger. Remember to take your CVS/Caremark card with you.
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Next issue of the Campus Update on January 6 |
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This is the final newsletter issue of the fall semester. Campus Update will resume weekly distribution with the January 6 issue. Please continue to submit news or items during the winter break for inclusion in the January 6 issue.
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"The Necessity of Compassion for the Survival of Humanity:
A Dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama"
Register online here to receive event link | 10:30 p.m. EST
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To submit a news item for the next Campus Update, please email Ansley Holder.
Thanks for reading!
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