SU Today

All who are in supervisor roles at Seattle University are invited to an information meeting about forming Communities of Practice (CoP) for Supervisors. The meeting will take place over Zoom, Wednesday, May 22, 1:30–2:30 p.m. Information will be provided on what a Community of Practice is, as well as what materials are being developed to assist campus supervisors in running their own CoP groups. Results from a recent survey of supervisors indicated a strong interest in CoPs. The goal is to launch at least one supported pilot program for supervisors, followed by development of templates and materials so that similar CoPs can be formed for colleagues in different roles on campus. Please contact Kit Morse with any questions at kmorse@seattleu.edu.

Dear SU Community,  

Let's celebrate excellence together! Nominations for the Seattle University Staff Awards are now open. Take a moment to recognize a deserving staff colleague who embodies our mission and values. You can read descriptions of the awards here: Staff Awards & Nominate them here: 2024 Staff Award Nominations.

Interested in shaping the selection process? Join the Staff Awards Selection Committee! We’re seeking volunteers to help review nominations and ensure a fair process. All are welcome to participate, regardless of position, role or length of time at SU. Sign up here: Awards Selection Committee.

Nominations and Volunteer Deadlines: May 29, at 11:59 p.m.

For any questions or more information please contact the planning committee at staffcelebration@seattleu.edu.

Thank you for recognizing the exceptional talent within our community. We are looking forward to celebrating together June 18!

Best Regards, 

Celebration of Staff Planning Committee

The campus community is invited to the CFO Town Hall on Tuesday, May 21, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., in Pigott Auditorium. Topics will include a budget and facilities update and review of key initiatives. CFO Chris Malins will be joined by Joe Cater, Associate Vice President and Controller; Bret Myers, Director of Treasury & Risk Management; Rob Schwartz, Associate Vice President for Facilities Services; and Ivette Serna, Assistant Vice President of University Budget Office. The town hall will include a Q&A session with the panel.

Tuesday, June 4, 6-8 p.m.
Le Roux Conference Center (STCN 160)

Join the Seattle University Alumni Association for Going Gold, a chance to welcome the Class of 2024 to the alumni community. Gather with our (almost) 2024 grads and recent alums to celebrate and enjoy free food and beverages. Family and friends, as well as faculty and staff, are welcome to join the party! Learn more and RSVP.

Need a new headshot? Faculty and staff headshots will be taken Wednesday, May 22, 4:30–6:30 p.m., in the Wyckoff Reading Room (313) of the Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons. Please sign up for an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome. Contact University Photographer Yosef Kalinko with questions at kalinkoy@seattleu.edu.

Tuesday, May 28, 12:30 p.m.
Stuart Rolfe Room in ADAL
RSVP for the event
Light lunch will be served.

Join the Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability for the 2023-2024 Student and Faculty Fellowship presentations.

• Laudato Si’ Faculty Fellows are Tapoja Chaudhuri, presenting “Putting Down Roots,” and Lauren Bibin, whose study focuses on “Seattle University Sustainability Transformation Assessment in Nursing.”
• Gary L. Chamberlain Student Fellows, Gabe Veltri and Olivia Roberts, will present “Composition of Moss Dwelling Invertebrate Communities in Southern Seattle: Duwamish Valley vs. Seattle Parks.”
• Francis Student Fellow, Angela Su, will present on her study “Examining Sexual and Reproductive Health Education Strategies and Their Impact on Measures of Social Sustainability.”

For more information, visit CEJS Fellows.

Staff Council’s Professional Development Committee is proposing to create an annual Staff In-Service (or Professional Development) Day as part of the Professional Formation for Staff goal in the Reignited Strategic Directions. This day will provide dedicated time and space for staff to engage with personal and/or divisional skill-building and growth opportunities. But before the committee begins writing the official proposal, they want to hear from you!

The committee has collected their ideas on a Padlet, linked here, and they are curious which items most resonate with our staff colleagues across campus.

Explore the SU Staff Professional Development Day brainstorm Padlet here; “heart” the posts that speak to you and add your own comments and ideas for the committee to consider. 

Why is the committee doing this?

In the most recent Staff Voices survey, more than 80 percent of staff respondents rated professional development as “moderate” to “high” priority, yet more than a third indicated that they didn’t participate in any development work over the last year. Top reasons included their being unaware of any opportunities available to them and/or not having work time or bandwidth to engage in existing opportunities. In response, Staff Council’s Professional Development committee has used this year to explore various ideas to improve access to professional development for deserving staff colleagues.

Please take a few minutes between now and Friday, May 31, to browse the Padlet of ideas for this new annual event. Click the heart button or leave a comment on any posts that speak to you. You can also click the “plus” button underneath any of the column headings to add a new idea for the committee to consider. 

Thank you in advance for your engagement and support for this idea.

Dear Campus Community,

We hope this e-mail finds you well. We are writing to inform you that the field and surrounding track at SU Park will be closed for an important renovation project from June 1 through August 3. The field has surpassed its expected lifespan, making it necessary to replace the turf for the safety and well-being of our community.

The timing of this closure has been strategically planned to minimize disruption, as this season typically sees fewer programs and milder weather conditions, which are needed to complete this work. The benefits of this project are extensive. By transitioning to a cork infill and installing a padding underlay for more cushion, the turf will improve safety and provide a better experience to all who use the field. 

We understand the closure may cause inconvenience. For local outdoor recreation during this closure, the university recommends such campus spaces as the Tennis Courts and Track at Championship Field, The Quad and The Green or the nearby Cal Anderson Park.

For any questions regarding the scope, timeline, or process of the project, please reach out to Shannon Britton, Assistant Director Grounds and Waste Management. If you require alternative recreational options during this period, please contact UREC.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work towards enhancing the safety and quality of SU Park for all.

- Seattle University 

CEIE Assistant Director Rev. Dr. Kara Markell talks with John Philip Newell about his latest book, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, and explores the gifts of the Celtic Christian Tradition for the world today. You can listen to this podcast and many others at CEIE Podcasts.

A production company, Novus Select, will be on campus June 20–22 conducting a still photo shoot for a tech company marketing in the field of education, and they are looking for talent from within the Seattle University community. These are paid roles, the casting process will be managed by a professional casting agent, and no modeling experience is necessary. Contact conferences@seattleu.edu for more information and to apply. The submission deadline is this Friday, May 17.

Zoom Workplace (version 6.0) will be available to all SU-managed workstations beginning Monday, May 13. Visit Company Portal on your laptop or desktop computer to search for and download the latest version of Zoom.

New features include:

• Updated desktop client and in-meeting interface
• In-meeting buttons at the bottom have a new look and can also be moved around (drag and drop)
• Multi-speaker view available
• Multi-share screen available (tabs at the top of in-meeting screen)
• Meeting wallpapers and color themes (can use dark mode)
• Customizable waiting room and wallpaper for webinars

More information is available on the ITS Zoom page. Contact servicedesk@seattleu.edu with any questions or issues.

You are invited to the 37th annual Projects Day on Friday, May 31. SU's Project Center is pleased to partner with businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations regionally and nationally to bring hands-on projects to our students. SU students worked on 38 projects for a diverse range of companies and organizations, including Amazon, F5, Kenworth, King County, Sound Transit, Seattle City Light and many more! The results and deliverables for these projects will be highlighted at the 37th annual Projects Day which will be in person and livestreamed. There will be presentations on assessing levee effectiveness on salmonoid habitats, modeling complex hydrodynamics in Washington reservoirs, creating platforms to make social services more accessible, and many more interesting projects. 

SCHEDULE

Noon | Check-in and Registration (Sullivan Hall West Entrance)

12:30 p.m. | Welcome to Projects Day

12:45 p.m. | Presentation Session 1

2 p.m. | Presentation Session 2

3:15 p.m. | Presentation Session 3

4:15–6 p.m. | Poster Session and Reception

This event is open to the public and sponsored by the College of Science and Engineering. For more information and to register, click here or contact Rachael Brown at brownra@seattleu.edu or 206-296-2822.​

Saturday, May 18, 5 p.m.
LeRoux Conference Center (STCN 160) 

This year’s Quadstock features performances from students, TikTok’s DJ Mandy and headliner Alexander 23. For more information and tickets, check out @seac_seattleu.

E-mail chaydon@seattleu.edu with any questions.

The EMS Web App is open for booking major event spaces through December 22, 2024. If you have any space requests during that time, please navigate to the EMS Web App. Please be aware that classroom bookings are currently open through June 2, 2024. 

As part of Bike Everywhere Day, a regional effort to celebrate bicycling, SU will host a celebration station at the Bellarmine Turnaround (12th and E. Columbia) from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 17. All are welcome to stop by the station on the morning commute to campus.

An annual event during Commencement Weekend, Baccalaureate Mass is a celebration for the entire university community to give thanks for our graduating students and bless them as they complete their time at SU, transitioning into the future as bearers of our university mission, leaders for a just and humane world. As a Jesuit university, we observe this in the context of a Catholic Mass, but people from all religious, secular and spiritual identities are welcome to attend and participate in this meaningful ritual celebrating this significant transition in our students’ lives. Graduating students, family and friends, current students, faculty, and staff are all invited.

This year, Baccalaureate Mass will take place on Saturday, June 8, at 2 p.m., at St. James Cathedral (804 9th Avenue).

Campus Ministry is currently recruiting volunteers to fill a variety of roles for the Mass.

• The 2024 Baccalaureate Mass choir will be open to the entire Seattle University community; staff, faculty, students and alumni with or without prior singing experience can sing in a choir together with a core group of SU Choirs students and a quartet of professional cantors. The time commitment is minimal, and the music is very accessible. For more details about the rehearsal schedule and to sign up, please fill out this form as soon as possible.
  
  
• If you’re interested in volunteering as a Liturgical Minister—an usher, candle bearer, reader (in English or a second language you speak), gift bearer or communion minister—please fill out this form as soon as possible to let us know your preferences. More information on eligibility and training can be found on the form.

More information, including specific instructions for graduating students, faculty, staff and administrators who wish to robe and participate in the academic procession can be found at the Commencement website. Your presence is meaningful to our graduating students and their families and friends. Questions? Contact Bill McNamara, Campus Minister for Liturgy, mcnamarw@seattleu.edu.

Tuesday, May 28, 2–3 p.m.
Pigott Auditorium + Zoom
RSVP to HR Quarterly Connect Q2
*This event will be hybrid and a Zoom link will be shared shortly before the event.

During the HR Quarterly Connect Q2 session, you will hear from HR’s Academic Operations and Compensation teams to learn about the annual merit planning process for both faculty and staff, get a quick update on forthcoming APR Evolution sessions and find out about our upcoming demographics survey. All staff and faculty are invited to attend.

The event will be recorded for later viewing and will be in a hybrid format. Please RSVP and let us know what questions you’re hoping to get answered during this event. 

You may access past session materials and see additional details on the HR Quarterly Connect Website.

Monday, May 13, 1–3 p.m.
Oberto Commons (Sinegal Center)
RSVPs are required: Please register here.

The Department of Public Affairs and Nonprofit Leadership presents the spring installment of its quarterly Conversations series, featuring University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce and Seattle University President Eduardo Peñalver. This interview-style will cover political polarization and its impacts on universities. Interviewers are journalist Joni Balter and professor Dr. Larry Hubbell. 

Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement Director Dr. Michael Reid Trice speaks with Dr. Eric Alterman, CUNY Distinguished Professor of English and Journalism at Brooklyn College, about the hypocrisy of modern America.

Listen to the podcast here.

Human Resources is excited to announce that SU’s Careers Site will be going mobile-friendly within the next few weeks. With the growing reliance on mobile devices for browsing and accessing information, ensuring our SU Careers Site is optimized for mobile devices is a significant step toward ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience for applicants.

HR believes this upgrade will not only make the job search process smoother for applicants but also provide our current employees with a more convenient way to explore internal opportunities.

Each year, the Center for Jesuit Education sponsors 5-7 faculty and staff members to make the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL) retreat through our Ignatian partner, SEEL Puget Sound.

SEEL is a transformative retreat experience in everyday life consisting of a nine-month commitment to:  

• Daily prayer, reflection and discernment
• Monthly Saturday morning retreats and
• Twice-monthly meetings with a spiritual director

The Center for Jesuit Education is seeking faculty and staff who are drawn to participate in the SEEL program next year. The center provides a significant subsidy to make this retreat accessible.

Does this pique your interest? If you are curious to learn more, please contact Andrea Fontana or Natch Ohno, S.J., by June 1.   

Wednesday, May 22, noon–2 p.m.
LeRoux Conference Room (STCN 160)
Please RSVP here by noon on May 15

Join the Office of Sponsored Projects in celebrating the investigators who submitted grant proposals, received new awards and carried out sponsored projects over the 2023–24 academic year, as well as five years of lightning talks and all the faculty and staff who made them possible. Lunch will be served. Questions can be directed to osp@seattleu.edu.

Plan to attend the CFO Town Hall on Tuesday, May 21, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., in Pigott Auditorium. During a Q&A session, the CFO and a panel of subject matter experts will answer your questions. Topics will include a budget and facilities update and review of key initiatives. The speakers are Chris Malins, CFO of Seattle University; Joe Cater, Associate Vice President and Controller; Bret Myers, Director of Treasury & Risk Management; Rob Schwartz, Associate Vice President for Facilities Services; and Ivette Serna, Assistant Vice President of University Budget Office. Please come prepared to ask questions.

A reminder that Seattle University has in place a policy regarding raffles used for fundraising. Please refer to information provided here as you plan events that include raffles. You can also contact Elise Rannestad at erannestad@seattleu.edu with any requests or questions. For any legal questions please reach out to the Seattle University Office of University Counsel.

During the nominations period (Monday, May 6–Wednesday, May 15), the campus community is encouraged to nominate themselves or a colleague to run for a seat on the Staff Council. Candidates will be asked to submit a brief statement of interest and photo for the voter’s pamphlet. Submit a nomination here.

In order to continue the success Staff Council has seen, a robust collection of nominations across all staff areas is needed. Please consider nominating yourself or a colleague for Staff Council!

For more information about the nomination and election process, please visit the Staff Council website or e-mail staffcouncil@seattleu.edu.    

Staff and faculty are invited to help find candidates for open staff positions. Please view the full list of postings or check out this week’s highlighted opportunities: 

eProcurement Administrator and Analyst (Procurement)

Manager of Financial Support & Education (University Budget Office)

Counselor, One Stop Services (Student Financial Services)

Budget and Operations Administrative Assistant (College of Nursing)

Faculty Legal Administrative Assistant (School of Law)

Admissions Evaluator

Tuesday, May 14, 6:30–8 p.m.
Register here for this webinar

Join the Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement (CEIE) for a free webinar with a diverse group of professionals to learn more about the terrain of loneliness and share creative and innovative ways to reconnect with ourselves and others.

The panel, moderated by Rev. Dr. Kara Markell of CEIE, includes, Dr. Luke Lavin, SU Campus Ministry; Deanne Liu, SU MOSAIC Center; and Rev. Mia Baumgartner, UW Spiritual Care. Each presenter will share insights and tools, and there will be time for participant questions.

Tuesday, May 21, 4 p.m.
Public reception at 3:30 p.m.
Le Roux Room, Student Center 160
RSVP here (In-person and remote options available)

Please also join ICTC for lunch with Fr. Burke:

Tuesday, May 21, 12:15 p.m., in STCN 210
Please RSVP to ICTC@seattleu.edu

 The final chapter of Denise Levertov's remarkable poetic journey (1923-1997) unfolded in Seattle, where she moved in 1989. That same year she also entered the Catholic Church and several years later she engaged in a six-month process of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola under the direction of a Northwest Province Jesuit Lee Kapfer, S.J.

Born in London into a Jewish-Christian family, Levertov is recognized as one of the greatest American poets of the post-WWII generation. Her poetry reveals deep political passions in the causes of peacemaking, racial and social justice, and care for the earth, along with a profound interreligious spirituality from which she wrote some of the finest Christian poetry in the English language since Gerard Manley Hopkins.

Kevin Burke, S.J., grew up in Wyoming and after entering the Society of Jesus, taught at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Mass., before becoming Dean of the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif. He currently serves as Professor of Theology and Vice President of University Mission at Regis University in Denver, Colo. The author or editor of seven books, including the first book-length examination of the liberation theology of the Salvadoran Jesuit martyr, Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J., Fr. Burke is currently completing a book tentatively entitled Opening the Doors of the World: Theology in the Poetry of Denise Levertov.

Hello Campus!

During the month of May, Undergraduate Admissions is offering Admitted Student Fridays. These Friday events allow admitted students to personalize an extended visit to campus including a class visit, Student Financial Services drop-in opportunity and Housing and Orientation Next Steps. Please keep an eye out for students looking for their class(es) and offer a helping hand if they look lost. 

Tuesday, May 14, 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Bannan 107
Register here

“The nation's growing divides—by geography, income, race, and age—are reflected in and exacerbated by inequalities in housing markets.”

Join this book talk with Jenny Schuetz, author of Fixer-Upper: How to Repair America's Broken Housing Systems. This event is organized by the Albers School of Business and Economics and the College of Arts and Sciences.

A Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro, Dr. Schuetz's research focuses on improving housing and land use policies. Before joining Brookings, she served as a principal economist at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Dr. Schuetz was also an assistant professor at the University of Southern California and a post-doctoral fellow at NYU Furman. She is a nonresident senior fellow at GWU’s Center for Washington Area Studies and teaches in Georgetown’s urban planning program.

Dr. Schuetz earned a PhD in public policy from Harvard University, a master’s in city planning from M.I.T., and a BA with Highest Distinction in economics and political and social thought from the University of Virginia.

The talk will be facilitated by Seattle University faculty members Mark Markuly and Kevin Ward. Mark Markuly, PhD, is currently a professor in the Albers School of Business and Economics, teaching ethics, business communication, business leadership in social justice and career discernment. Kevin Ward, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Director of the Public Affairs program at Seattle University.

May 8–11 and 16–18 at 7:30 p.m., and May 18, 2 p.m.
Lee Center for the Arts (905 12th Ave.)
Tickets: Ludus - Seattle University Theatre Program

Directed by Johamy Morales
Music by Byron Au Yong

The SU Theatre Program is proud to present Mary Zimmerman’s The Secret in the Wings. This story adapts a group of lesser-known fairy tales to create a theatrical work that sets their dark mystery against Zimmerman’s signature wit and humor. The framing story concerns a child and the frightening babysitter with whom her parents leave her. As the babysitter reads from a book, the characters in each of the tales materialize, with each tale breaking off just at its bleakest moment before giving way to the next one.

Still on Classic Teams? Use the toggle in the upper left corner to switch to the New Teams experience. Enjoy more features like faster performance, reply-to options, message forwarding, new apps like Loop and more. Questions? E-mail servicedesk@seattleu.edu for more information. 

Student Employment is implementing a new academic year hiring process for student employees.

What does this mean? When you hire a student employee, you will hire them for the academic year ending June 30 (unless you indicate a sooner end date).

What if my students will continue working next year? In May–June, you will just submit re-hire form(s) to let us know that the student(s) will continue working and we will extend their employment to June 30 of the next academic year (or a sooner date). Never fear; this form is super simple with minimal workflow!

Why are we doing this?

• Better data– At this time, we rely only on the Notice of Separation form to terminate students from their positions. This means we have students on payroll who are not actually working. A clearer picture of who our student employees are at any given time and within an academic year is needed—this will allow for more informed decisions to support student employees and students seeking employment.
  
  
• Security– When students are not working or end their employment, they should not have access to staff systems. Not having accurate data on student employees presents a security risk.
  
  
• Summers off– With the re-hire form, you have the ability to let Student Employment know if your student will take the summer off and will start again in the fall. No more zero timesheets! No more timesheets that need to be “re-activated” in the fall!
  
  
• Eligibility and work-study review– To ensure our funding-source-blind hiring process works effectively and efficiently, SFS needs to review the re-hire form to select the appropriate funding source for the academic year based on the student’s work-study status. Student Employment will also review the student’s work eligibility.
  
  
• The future– The re-hire process is the first step in building a structure that will support new programs and support for student employees and supervisors.

What’s next: Stay tuned for the release of the re-hire form on May 13, 2024. You will have until June 8, 2024 to re-hire your students.

Learn more: Join Sharon Leary, Student Employment Director, for a review of the new process and demo of the re-hire form!

• Academic Year Hiring Process Review & Demo
  Monday, May 13, 10 a.m.
  Virtual via Zoom | RSVP HERE
  This session will be recorded for those unable to attend. E-mail Sharon Leary with any questions about this new process.

All members of the Seattle University community have the opportunity to attend the inaugural Bloomberg Green Festival for free. The festival, which takes place July 10–13 in Seattle, will immerse attendees in solutions-driven experiences with world-renowned experts to inspire climate action. Please provide your name and e-mail on this form to receive a link to your complimentary pass.

Friday, May 10, 3:30 p.m.
STCN 130
Light refreshments will be served.
Learn more and RSVP here 

It is vital that faculty have access to inclusive spaces for sharing conversation about our Catholic and Jesuit educational mission from the perspectives offered by our diverse academic disciplines. In service to this goal, the Division of Mission Integration sponsors a series of gatherings for faculty titled “Interdisciplinary Dialogues on Social Justice,” facilitated by Michael Jaycox (Theology and Religious Studies Department).

All faculty members are warmly invited to attend the third gathering in this series, which is titled “Environmental Justice and Black Health,” with guest Keisha Ray (McGovern Center for Humanities & Ethics, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston).

The Multidisciplinary Generative AI Research Project Funding attracted nine submissions from five distinct colleges/schools within the SU community during this inaugural call for proposals. These applications were meticulously evaluated by the Project Funding Review Committee according to the established award criteria. Please congratulate the inaugural recipients of the Multidisciplinary Generative AI Research Project Funding.

Project 1

Proposal Title: Eye tracking data improvement for visually guided prosthetic devices

Abstract: The project addresses the challenge of upper extremity paralysis by enhancing webcam-based eye-tracking with generative AI. This approach aims to refine data quality, making gaze-controlled assistive devices more accessible and affordable. By comparing innovative AI techniques with traditional data correction methods, the project seeks to establish a new standard in eye-tracking technology, facilitating the development of assistive devices and broadening the application of eye-tracking across various fields. The anticipated outcome is a significant advancement in assistive technology, offering a cost-effective alternative to complex systems and empowering individuals with motor function impairments.

Team Members

Lisa Milkowski (Computer Science, College of Science and Engineering)
Brittany Heintz Walters (Kinesiology, College of Arts and Sciences)

Project 2

Proposal Title: Exploring the Ability of Large Language Models to Produce Physical Objects

Abstract: This research explores the integration of generative AI, specifically large language models (LLMs), with CAD software to overcome the text-only limitation of LLMs. By pairing LLMs with OpenSCAD, an open-source CAD tool, the project aims to generate 3D models from text prompts. The interdisciplinary team, combining expertise from fine arts and mechanical engineering, will train LLMs to create CAD designs, addressing challenges and evaluating the potential of an AI-driven CAD framework for future academic and creative endeavors.

Team Members

Josh Hamel (Mechanical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering)
Trung Pham (Fine Arts, College of Arts and Sciences)

Project 3

Proposal Title: Facilitating Ethical Legal Technology Development Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Abstract: This project seeks to revolutionize legal tech innovation by leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance access to justice. It underscores the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration among lawyers, technologists, and educators to overcome communication barriers and create shared resources. By integrating law and computer science through practical experiences like the Access to Justice Tech Fellows program and a legal tech tool by a Computer Science graduate, the initiative aims to cultivate ethical innovation in legal tech. The proposed joint practicum, supported by experts from various fields, will provide graduate students with the necessary framework to ethically integrate AI into legal practice, meeting high legal and ethical standards and addressing the increasing interest in AI within the legal academic community.

Team Members
Margaret Chon (School of Law)
LeighAnne Thompson (School of Law)
Julie Kang (Graduate, Executive, and Professional Education, College of Education)
Steven Hanks (Computer Science, College of Engineering)

The Multidisciplinary Generative AI Research Program, supported by a gift from Trustee Brenda Christensen, fosters collaborative projects between students and faculty to explore innovative uses of emergent generative AI at Seattle University. Annually available to all full-time faculty at Seattle University starting each February, the funding encourages the pursuit of educational and research excellence. Your submissions for the upcoming cycle of the Multidisciplinary Generative AI Research Project are eagerly anticipated.

Thursday, May 16, 4–6:30 p.m.
Poster Presentation | 4 p.m. | PACCAR Atrium
Event Program | 4:45 p.m. | Pigott Auditorium
Pigott Auditorium
More Info & RSVP

The College of Nursing invites you to attend the Dr. Luth M. Tenorio College of Nursing Dean’s Endowed Lectureship on “Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Perspectives from Nursing.” This will be a thoughtful discussion with leaders from the nursing profession about potential ethical impacts of Artificial Intelligence on health systems and patient care. Prior to the event program, enjoy a poster presentation featuring scholarly work by nursing faculty and students.

EVENT SPEAKERS

Rozzano Locsin, PhD, RN, FAAN, PAASE
Professor Emeritus at Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Author of Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing and co-author/editor of six books regarding Nursing, Technology, Caring, and Robotics. A former Fulbright Scholar to Uganda, recipient of the Fulbright Alumni Initiative Award, and Fulbright Senior Specialist in Global and Public Health, his interest in global nursing nurtures his appreciation of the dynamic nature of human beings, influential in valuing “knowing persons as caring" as a process of Nursing, grounded in the theory of Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing.

Liz Stokes, PhD, JD, RN
Director, Center for Ethics and Human Rights & Nursing Practice and Work Environments, American Nurses Association

International speaker on the Code of Ethics for Nurses and an Associate Editor for the Journal of Bioethical Inquiry with demonstrated expertise in public policy on ethical issues including end-of-life, intellectual disabilities, artificial intelligence, and reproductive health. Her sphere of influence as a nurse-attorney-bioethicist enables a unique contribution to nursing ethics, law and policy.

Presentations will be followed by a discussion with local leaders in nursing.

• Sofia Aragon, JD, BSN, RN, FAAN, Executive Director, Washington Center for Nursing
• David Keepnews, PhD, JD, RN, FAAN, Executive Director Washington State Nurses Association
• Renee Rassilyer-Bomers, DNP, CMSRN, RN-BC, FAAN, Chief Nursing Officer, Providence Swedish Puget Sound Central Service Area
• Mila Sprouse, EdD, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, NE-BC, Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, Virginia Mason Medical Center

For more information, visit the College of Nursing’s event page, or contact events@seattleu.edu.

On Monday, April 29, 2024, the Department of Education published its new Final Rule under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The new regulations, which govern universities’ obligations to address sexual misconduct, become effective and enforceable on August 1, 2024. 

In close collaboration with the Provost and Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, a working group is in place, carefully reviewing the new regulations and assessing their impact on current university policies. The working group will focus on an implementation plan for the campus including any potential proposed policy updates that will reflect both compliance with the new Federal Regulations and high-impact practices that align with Seattle University’s Mission and Values. Members of the working group include a cross-section of campus partners from the Office of Institutional Equity, Office of University Counsel, Academic Affairs, Student and Campus Life, Human Resources, Athletics and Student Success. We will use existing governing structures to consult and engage with various community stakeholders to receive appropriate levels of feedback. The commitment remains to a fair and equitable process, as well as education and prevention.

More information will be forthcoming. For more information, feel free to contact Elizabeth Trayner, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity/Title IX Coordinator/504 Coordinator, at etrayner@seattleu.edu.  

The “How to Hire a Student Employee” training series educates on-campus employers, supervisors and campus partners with the knowledge they need to hire student employees, comply with policies and procedures and provide students with experiences that support their career and professional development. Register here for the following sessions. 

Part 1: Drafting & Posting Job Descriptions
Wednesday, May 15 | 10–11:30 a.m. | Virtual via Zoom

This training will cover how to draft intentional job descriptions to support student career development and equitable hiring. A demo will also be provided for posting jobs and managing applicants in Handshake. 

Part 2: Hiring & Onboarding
Wednesday, May 22 | 10–11:30 a.m. | Virtual via Zoom

In this training, the step-by-step process for hiring and onboarding your candidate(s) effectively and efficiently will be reviewed. It will also include a deep dive into the SEAF, requirements and processes for new hire paperwork (I-9s, W-4s, and Direct Deposits), start dates, onboarding/orientation best practices and more.

Hiring International Students On Campus
Thursday, May 23 | 11 a.m.–noon | Virtual via Zoom

While hiring both domestic and international students in parts one and two will be covered, this session will focus specifically on the hiring process for international students. Policies, challenges these students face, ensuring equitable access to on-campus jobs and supporting a smooth transition to work will be discussed.

REGISTER HERE for the sessions. (Sessions will be recorded and made available for those unable to attend live.)

Thursday, May 16, 12:30 p.m.
Pigott 205
Lunch included
Please RSVP to ICTC@seattleu.edu

"Environmental impact assessment should not come after the drawing up of a business proposition or the proposal of a particular policy, plan or programme."  

- Laudato Si': 183 

Join ICTC for a faculty fellowship research presentation with Dr. Meena Rishi of Albers.

Laudato Si' underlines the intertwined relationship between human welfare and the state of the environment. Traditional approaches to sustainability often neglect this interconnectedness, leading to fragmented solutions that fail to address root causes. Environmental impact assessment methodologies play a crucial role in evaluating the consequences of human actions on the environment. These assessments are vital for informing policy decisions, project evaluations, and legal cases involving environmental damages. Air quality is an example- without an assessment of the value individuals place on clean air, insufficient funds are being allocated to deal with air pollution and the air-quality problems have not been resolved. Thus, impact assessment methodologies play a crucial role in valuing the environment to evaluate the consequences of environmental policies.

This project focuses on the use of the Willingness to Pay (WTP) method to assess the value humans place on environmental preservation such as clean air initiatives. WTP estimates can provide guidelines for budgetary allocations for environmental policies. 

Wednesday, May 15, 4–5:30 p.m.
Oberto Commons, Sinegal Building 200
RSVP required

Released in March 2024, Women Called to Catholic Priesthood: From Ecclesial Challenge to Spiritual Renewal is the result of many years of research and interviews conducted by co-authors Professor Emerita Sharon Callahan, PhD, and Professor and ICTC Executive Director Jeanette Rodriguez, PhD.

The authors explore the contexts, calls, journeys, spirituality and theology of women called to priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church in this compelling and carefully crafted ethnographic work.

Under the direction of the honorable Pat Howell, S.J., ICTC funded the initial research through a faculty research grant in 2019. Join in celebrating their dedicated work and learn more about the process of writing this book.

Tuesday, May 7, 11:45 a.m. – 2 p.m.
International Student Center Lounge, PAVL 160
(via external door on south side)

Drop by to watch the collision of pop culture and geopolitics for the first semifinal of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Eurovision began in 1956 to test live broadcast technology, while also bringing together the countries of war-torn Europe through a common love of music.

Reaching 160 million viewers, Eurovision is the most watched TV entertainment show in the world, featuring 37 countries from Portugal to Azerbaijan and Iceland to Australia.

Bring your lunch (and all your Eurovision questions) and join students, staff and faculty to watch the first semifinal live from Malmö, Sweden, where 15 nations compete for 10 places in Saturday’s Grand Final. Stay for as much or as little as you like.

The live show itself starts at noon PDT, featuring multiple genre-smashes, as well as Irish hyperpunk, Aboriginal Australian synth pop, Azerbaijani mugham, Portuguese downtempo and Ukrainian folk-rap.

Co-sponsored by International Studies and the International Student Center. For more information, contact David Green at greend@seattleu.edu.

Please join in welcoming the talented individuals who have recently joined (or rejoined, in the case of Jamariues) Seattle University, each bringing their own unique blend of skills, passion and dedication.

• Michael Blake, Maintenance Plumber (Operations & Maintenance)
• Braden Wild, Data Systems Manager (Center for Community Engagement)
• Peter Altier, Project Manager for Interiors & Furniture (Facilities Administration)
• Allie Sisson Erstad, Associate Director (School of Law—Center for Professional Development)
• Jamariues Simanton (re-hire), Campus Public Safety Officer

The time has come for RedhawkTHON’s silent auction.

The silent auction features an array of items such as wine bundles, Seattle sports merchandise and even a one-night stay at the Grand Hyatt. Get your bids in now!

The silent auction will end on May 4. If you want to pick your item up the day-of organizers will be in Campion Ball Room from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Can’t make it? No problem; they can bring or even ship it to you!

All funds raised from the auction will be donated to Seattle Children’s Hospital. Questions? Contact nneumeier@seattleu.edu.

Students: Learn to assess, maintain and work on your car or bike so they perform at their best: Bike Tune-Up Session, May 7, 12:30–1:30 p.m., Sinegal Plaza (facing Bannan); and Car Tune-Up Session, May 14, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Library Plaza (facing Bellarmine).

Dear Campus Community, 

Our Facilities team has been working hard this week to maintain the beauty of our campus and assure that our buildings are in top shape. Here are a few highlights of our current work:

1. The team is installing air conditioning Hunthausen Hall. The classrooms on the main floor get extremely hot in the summer and these new chillers will make a world of difference for summer programs.
   
   
2. After a year of being under a black plastic tarp to kill invasive weeds, the garden on the Union Green has been tilled and replanted. The restoration work continues, but it looks fantastic now and is worth a visit. Special thanks to student groups from SLLH Env Law Students and Engineers for a Sustainable World for volunteering their time to help plant the beds.
   
   
3. There are important projects underway this summer and the planning and contracting phase in in high gear. Here is what is we’ll see happening this summer:

• Athletic Performance Center renovation and SU Park field turf replacement
• Broadway Garage Security improvements, including gate arms and perimeter access control.
• Marion Entry, including repainting the seal in time for commencement and installing a historic clock on the upper mall
• Loyola 204 kitchen upgrades. We are conducting a pilot to see if we can self-perform this work at lower cost without using a general contractor.  
• Arrupe Security Fence 

The Human Resources team thanks all who attended the first Quarterly Connect as well as those who have provided feedback to guide their topics for next quarter’s Connect. As a reminder, April 30 is the last day to share feedback. If you haven’t had a chance to share with HR what you want to know please do so here: HR Quarterly Connect Survey. HR looks forward to seeing you at the next Connect.

Students: Send a free postcard anywhere in the world to a friend, family member or anyone who might enjoy getting some mail: May 13, noon–2 p.m., and May 14, noon–2 p.m. at the Lemieux Library Floor 2 Atrium (near the Byte Café). Learn more at Postcard Pop-Up.

Join in celebrating our students’ projects at the Student Research and Creativity Conference (SRCCon) on Friday, May 10, from noon to 4 p.m. in Lemieux Library (Floor 3). This is a great way for students to stand out on resumes and applications, taking their academic and professional work to the next level. Learn more at SRCCon.