Currently@Carleton

Quarterly Meeting reminder for today, at 10 a.m. in Great Hall.  I hope you will be able to join your colleagues for some refreshments and conversation as well as introductions and updates.  I look forward to seeing you there.

Rob Oden, President

I am pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees voted at its recent meeting to award tenure to the following seven of our colleagues:

• Eric S. Egge, Department of Mathematics
• Baird Jarman, Department of Art and Art History
• Daniela Kohen, Department of Chemistry
• Lori K. Pearson, Department of Religion
• Parna Sengupta, Department of History
• David E. Wiles, Department of Theater and Dance
• Serena Zabin, Department of History

Scott Bierman, Dean of the College

Former Northfielder, Thaddeus Hinnenkamp, spent 14 months as an international human rights worker in Guatemala. Simply by accompanying indigenous Mayan people, Hinnenkamp helped to protect them as they publicly testified against former Guatemalan dictators regarding the events of the early 1980s, in which hundreds of Mayan villages were exterminated and over 200,000 innocent civilians were murdered. Mayans, who are still attempting to bring the perpetrators to justice through their testimony, fear for their safety.  The presence of international accompaniers such as Hinnenkamp helps to prevent violence against them. His talk on Thursday, February 26, at 7 p.m. in the Gould Library Athenaeum, is co-sponsored by the Gould Library, Office of the Chaplain, Career Center, and Northfield People for Peace and Goodwill. For further information, contact Professor Joel Weisberg at jweisber@carleton.edu or at x4367.

Joel Weisberg, Physics and Astronomy

• “Carleton Power Hour,” a talk by Bruce Anderson, is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24 at 7 p.m.  Anderson is the founder of Sustainable Community Solutions and a member of the Northfield Task Force.
•  “Unnatural Causes:  Is Inequality Making Us Sick?” a documentary film screening, followed by reflections, will be held on Wednesday, February 25 at 6 p.m. This screening is the last in a series looking at the complex interaction between health issues and social, economic, and physical factors throughout the U.S. The event is sponsored by ACT.
• This year’s Veblen-Clark lecturer, Gregory Clark, Professor of Economics at the University of California-Davis, will hold an open, informal discussion on Thursday, February 26 at 4 p.m.
• “Former Northfielder Speaks on Year in Guatemala as International Human Rights Accompanier,” a presentation by Thaddeus Hinnenkamp, will be given on Thursday, February 26 at 7 p.m. Hinnenkamp spent 14 months as an international human rights worker in Guatemala. Simply by accompanying indigenous Mayan people, Hinnenkamp helped to protect them as they publicly testified against former Guatemalan dictators regarding the events of the early 1980s, in which hundreds of Mayan villages were exterminated and over 200,000 innocent civilians were murdered.
• “El Universal Politico (in English),” a lecture by Javier Gomá Lanzón, will be given on Friday, February 27 at 5 p.m. The speaker is the director of the most important foundation that promotes cultural activities in Spain: Fudación Juan.
• “Health Policy Regulation and Change in the Obama Age,” an event organized by the American Medical Students Association, will be held on Saturday, February 28 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Merry Hoekstra, Gould Library

• "Who is Northfield? Issues in Health"—Tuesday, February 24, at noon in Severance Great Hall. Panelists will explore issues of health care, access, and privilege. Panelists will include: Mary Crow, V.P. of Operations and Chief Operating Officer of Northfield Hospital; Mary Ho, Director of Public Health for Rice County and HealthFinders representative; Janet Muth, Project Coordinator for Rice County Growing Up Healthy; Jennifer Pelletier, Director of the Music Therapy Program at Laura Baker; and Sarah Shippy, Program Director for Omada Behavioral Health. Staff, students, faculty, and anyone in Northfield are highly encouraged to attend.  The event includes a buffet lunch and is free and open to the public.

• "Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making us Sick?"—Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m. in the Library Athenaeum. This is the fourth part in an award-winning documentary series on issues in healthcare and social justice. Pizza will be served.

David Hirsch, The ACT Office

• Ash Wednesday Service—Wednesday, February 25, 8:30 p.m., Chapel Main Sanctuary.  Service will include the imposition of ashes.
• Centering Prayer Meditation—Thursday, February 26, noon, Chapel Lounge.  A brief time for Christian meditation and prayer led by Jill Tollefson.
• Torah Study—Thursday, February 26, 5 p.m., Reynolds House.  Led by Rabbi Shosh Dworsky.
• Buddhist Meditation—Thursday, February 26, 8:15 p.m., Chapel Main Sanctuary.  Led by students. 
• Shabbat Service—Friday, February 27, 6 p.m.  Led by students.  Dinner after the service.
• Multifaith Service of Prayer and Praise—Sunday, March 1, 5 p.m., Chapel Main Sanctuary.  Led by Professor Lawrence Burnett, Choir Director, and the Carleton choirs.  A reception follows the service.

Jan Traux, Chaplain's Office

This is a reminder that today is the day for the Carpool/Vanpool interest meeting from 2 to 3 p.m.  Please note that the location has changed to Hill Lounge. Light refreshments will be served.

Presenters include Randy Rosvold of the Metro Council Van-GO! vanpool program, as well as Eric Hinsdale, coordinator of Carleton's own Van-Go! vanpool. This will be a marvelous opportunity to consider the ins and outs of starting a vanpool, maintaining a healthy vanpool/carpool, the benefits of pooling, pool-etiquette, and so on. The St. Olaf community has been invited to attend as well, therefore, there will hopefully be ample opportunities to network and form pool-partners. Just because we have one vanpool doesn't mean that we couldn't have a second one. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Noel Ponder at x7185. We look forward to seeing you!

Noel Ponder, Campus Services

Carleton has recently engaged an external firm to conduct an objective analysis of our Bookstore operations and to help us envision what role the Bookstore will play at Carleton three to five years from now. Campus Bookstore Consulting (CBC) will be on campus four to five times over the next ten weeks working with us on this project.

The five objectives that have been assigned to CBC are as follows:

1. To provide an independent assessment of the Carleton College Bookstore operation;
2. To assist the College with assessing Bookstore facility location options;
3. To “Benchmark” the Bookstore's historical financial performance and project the financial and service potential of the Bookstore;
4. To identify the Strategic Initiatives necessary to improve the financial return, to improve the level of service, and to remain competitive; and
5. To assist the College administration with evaluating the Bookstore management options (i.e., continued self-operation and contract management) available.

CBC's next visit to Carleton will be March 3 and 4. During that two-day period, we’re expecting them to talk to groups of faculty, staff, and students for informal discussions and listening sessions. I’d like to invite any individual who would be willing to provide commentary on personal experiences with the Bookstore, or insight into the future of the Bookstore at Carleton, to visit with representatives from CBC either as part of a small focus group or in an individual interview. Kelly Roehl will be coordinating these sessions. Please contact her at x5180 or by e-mail at kroehl@carleton.edu if you'd like to participate in the conversation. Thanks for your help.

Dan Bergeson, Auxiliary Services

The Carleton community will gather in Great Hall on Tuesday, March 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., to support the Northfield Food Shelf Program. For details and to register, visit this Web site.

Christine Krejci, Luncheon Chairman

We have our first Campus Activities Director candidate on campus February 23 and 24! We hope you can participate in the interview session designed for non-student life colleagues on Tuesday, February 24 at 1:30 p.m. in Hill Lounge.  This position will interface with many offices across campus through New Student Week, leadership development, and campus programming.  We'd love your input! Please let Tammy Anderson at tanderso@carleton.edu know of your attendance plans.  Thank you so much for your participation! The candidate's resume and a feedback form will be provided.

Search Advisory Committee

Thanks to Northfield's extended ice season, the Northfield Skating School will be hosting a Spring Skating Camp for skaters of all levels, ages four to adult. The camp will take place March 15 and 17. Highlights include professional instruction with Northfield Skating School's staff (many of whom are Carleton students!) and Twin Cities guest coaches, specialized on- and off-ice workshops, private lessons for advanced skaters, dance classes, a parent information session, and a wrap-up celebration. The camp will conclude with a performance featuring campers and other local skaters from surrounding cities. Spring Skating Camp is not limited to experienced skaters. Three ability tracks will be offered and beginners and adults are welcome. Skating scholarships and family discounts are available. For more information or to register online, see www.northfieldskating.org. Registration deadline is March 6.

Carey Tinkelenberg, Northfield Skating School