Each year, Stetson University takes a day away from classes to explore our commonly shared values.  This year, Values Day will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019.

The Values Planning Committee invites proposals for 75- or 150-minute workshops that promote the theme, “Activism Through The Arts.” The theme is meant for individuals to explore ways in which they can utilize art to move their audience to action around a social issue, with the ultimate goal of social change. Workshops should engage the Stetson community in a hands-on exploration in one of the following four tracks:

Activism Boot Camp
Workshops will explore a variety of activities essential to the practice of everyday activism. These sessions will emphasize skills training and provide the fundamentals necessary to kick-start activist practices in our daily lives.

Owning Our Narratives
Workshops will provide tools for reflecting on and refining our narratives, addressing themes, such as social responsibility, self-exploration and self-awareness, cross-cultural competencies, and/or the intersectionality of identities.

Coalition-Building
Workshops will offer strategies for organizing and motivating diverse groups of people with a common cause. Topics may range from grassroots movements to the art of leveraging corporate connections for social change.

Mind, Body, Spirit, and Activism
Workshops will focus on balancing our personal well-being with our commitment to others through activism. Sessions should provide techniques and practices for self-awareness, reflection, self-care and/or contemplation.

Proposal Submission Form
Proposal Deadline: Aug. 12, 2019

On Thursday, July 11, at 1 p.m., the Stetson Emergency Management Team will conduct a test of the Hatter Alert emergency notification system. This system allows us to contact all Stetson community members by text message, phone and email in the event of a critical incident on campus.

We encourage all Stetson community members to ensure that their personal contact information on file with the university is up to date.

Students can update their Hatter Alert contact information by logging into https://my.stetson.edu, then going to the One Stop tab, Personal Info dropdown, Stetson Hatter Alert.

Employees (Faculty/Staff) can update their Hatter Alert contact information by logging into https://my.stetson.edu, then going to the Employee tab, My Job, Stetson Hatter Alert.

On Thursday, July 11, at 1 p.m., the Stetson Emergency Management Team will conduct a test of the Hatter Alert emergency notification system. This system allows us to contact all Stetson community members by text message, phone and email in the event of a critical incident on campus.

We encourage all Stetson community members to ensure that their personal contact information on file with the university is up to date.

Students can update their Hatter Alert contact information by logging into https://my.stetson.edu, then going to the One Stop tab, Personal Info dropdown, Stetson Hatter Alert.

Employees (Faculty/Staff) can update their Hatter Alert contact information by logging into https://my.stetson.edu, then going to the Employee tab, My Job, Stetson Hatter Alert.

If you use Google’s free calendar service to schedule business or personal events, be on the lookout for fake notifications going around. The bad guys are using unsolicited Google Calendar notifications to trick you into clicking phishing links so they can steal your information or install malware on your computer.

Here’s how it works: Scammers send a realistic-looking Google Calendar invite complete with a meeting topic and location information. Some of these fake events even claim that you’re entitled to a cash payment. The event details contain a link that you’re prompted to click to “see more information.” At first glance, the link appears to take you to a Google website, but beware! If you click the link, your computer could be infected with malware, or your bank (or other) account information could be stolen if you unknowingly provide any data to the scammers.

Remember the following to avoid falling for scams like this:

• Never click links in emails or in calendar notifications that you weren’t expecting. Even if you were expecting an email or an event invite, pick up the phone or use an alternative channel of communication to confirm whether the sender is legitimate.
• Always hover over links to see where they’re taking you before clicking. The link may take you to a different address from the URL that is shown.
• Don’t fall victim by clicking a link to gain something of value – like an unexpected payment. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Delete suspicious emails or follow the reporting procedures put in place by your organization.

Remember, think before you click.

Questions or comments, contact IT at support@stetson.edu.

The Hollis Center will be closed on July 4.

Starting July 5, the facility will shift to Summer 2 Hours, listed below.

Weekdays
Hollis Center: 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Pool 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Weekends
Facility and Pool: Closed

Contact wellnessandrec@stetson.edu with any questions.

Stetson University has named Jason Evans, Ph.D., as the interim executive director of the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience (IWER). His role begins on Aug. 15. Evans will fill the position while Stetson searches for a permanent replacement for Clay Henderson, J.D., who is retiring.

Evans is an associate professor of environmental science and studies at Stetson as well as faculty director of IWER. Evans is looking forward to the leadership opportunity.

“My leadership style is about trying to develop new networks of connection for the benefit of Stetson’s students and our understanding of the natural environment,” said Evans who would like to see the IWER make a bigger difference in Central Florida.

“My overall goal is to continue the vision and momentum developed by many individuals during the past decade for IWER to become one of the nation’s premier interdisciplinary environmental institutes,” said Evans. “While that might sound ambitious, Central Florida faces incredibly complex environmental problems, such as climate change, sea-level rise, harmful algal blooms, freshwater scarcity and loss of green space to suburban sprawl, which requires deep thinking and innovation.

“As a respected private institution with a storied history of developing business and political leaders in Florida, Stetson is well-positioned to be at the vanguard of change toward a more sustainable economy and environment for Central Florida and beyond,” said Evans.

Evans has four goals that he hopes to accomplish during his IWER tenure:

• Equip the environmental field station at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center (SSAC) by partnering with Stetson and others to conduct regular monitoring of water quality and algal bloom conditions in Lake Beresford and the St. Johns River.
• Work with Volusia County and the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council to implement a green infrastructure project within the stormwater system of the SSAC through funding provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and United States Environmental Protection Agency.
• Work with faculty, students, staff and other partners on a solar photovoltaic array for SSAC’s facility and grounds.
• Hold symposium-style workshops, one focusing on sustainable landscaping and green infrastructure, and another on climate change and flood insurance.

Clay Henderson, a Stetson graduate, attorney and leading scholar of environmental policy, has served as IWER’s executive director for four years and taught environmental activism, law, planning and policy, and water policy courses.

Stetson has honored Henderson’s achievements with the Distinguished Alumni and George and Mary Hood Awards. Henderson’s Stetson accomplishments include developing and organizing IWER and its staff, including the advisory and faculty steering committees, affiliate faculty and endowment; creating and administering the Sustainable Farming Fund to incentivize sustainable agriculture in the Suwannee River basin; and planning and conducting fundraising associated with the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center.

“My biggest achievement is the Sustainable Farming Fund, which opened a lot of doors on many levels for the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience,” said Henderson. “I really enjoyed teaching, particularly at Stetson University College of Law, and taking students to the St. Johns River to discuss environmental concerns.”

Henderson will be relocating to Boston to write about environmental topics. He is excited about Evans temporarily taking the helm at IWER.

“Dr. Evans is an up-and-comer and recognized expert in his field with a good track record in working with local governments and obtaining grants,” said Henderson. “He will be taking the institute to the next level of success.”

“I’m excited to work with Dr. Evans and pleased that he’s willing to step into the executive director role on an interim basis during this critical juncture,” said Shelley Gentile, the institute’s program manager. “In addition to his bona fide academic skills, he brings a true gift for making connections. His expertise in resilience planning has and continues to put him in very high demand and adds a new dimension and richness to the institute’s network and resources.”

Evans and Henderson will be discussing the IWER leadership changes during a community reception on Friday, June 28, 6-8 p.m., at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center, 2636 Alhambra Ave., DeLand, 32720. Light refreshments will be served during the event.

Guests can honor Henderson and his environmental contributions by making a donation to IWER during the reception or online.

Stetson University will be hosting its Summer Blood Drive on Thursday, June 13, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  The bloodmobile will be parked in front of the Carlton Union Building.  Special incentives for donating blood include a free Epic Theater gift card, and a wellness checkup including blood pressure, temperature, pulse, iron count and cholesterol screening. Remember that you will need a photo ID to donate blood.  If you would like to schedule an appointment for this drive, please go to www.oneblooddonor.org and use sponsor code #10215.

All blood donated through OneBlood remains in our area and is used at local hospitals.  Your friends, neighbors and family depend upon our donations for blood and blood products.  Please donate and encourage your friends, colleagues and students to donate also.  Help meet the urgent need for blood during the summer vacation season.

Please contact Lisa Guenther for any additional information at 386-822-8930.

Stetson Dining’s Coffee Shop will no longer be offering the Chef’s Table, as the Commons will be open for lunch to accommodate summer camps and conferences.  There will still be plenty of snacks and grab and go items offered in the Coffee Shop for the remainder of the summer.

The Coffee Shop will still be open Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

The hours in the Commons will vary for meal periods in the summer. Check dineoncampus.com/stetson for the most updated hours throughout the summer.

The Gillespie Museum will re-open to visitors on Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., during the month of June for browsing current exhibits and the museum’s collection.

On Thursday afternoons (1– 3 p.m.), the museum staff will offer table-top, hands-on science workshops. These activities, usually taking approximately 30 minutes, provide a summer approach to science — cool and informal.  The first Thursday Takeaway, Fun with Fossils, begins this week, June 6.

Additional workshops are Herbarium How-to (June 13), Crystal Crafts (June 20), and Stories of Stones (June 27).  Learn something new; take something home. For additional information about the museum: http://www.stetson.edu/gillespie.

The bad guys are currently using fake legal threats to scare you into downloading their malicious attachments. These email scams typically inform you that your organization is going to be sued. You’re instructed to review the attached file for details and to respond within a few days or further action will be taken against you. Once you open the attachment, which is usually a Microsoft Word document, your computer is instantly infected with Malware.

Remember the following to avoid falling victim to scams such as this:

• Attackers are known for using shocking, aggressive, and time-sensitive scenarios to pressure you into opening attachments or clicking links. Always stop and think before clicking on links in emails or downloading any attachments.
• Never open any attachments that you weren’t expecting. Even if the attachment appears to be from someone you know, pick up the phone to verify it’s legitimate.
• If your organization was being sued, it likely would not be notified via email. Research the supposed sender and reach out to them over the phone if you’re concerned it may be legitimate.

Remember, think before you click.

Questions or comments, contact I.T. at support@stetson.edu.

Stetson University will be hosting its Summer Blood Drive on Thursday, June 13, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  The bloodmobile will be parked in front of the Carlton Union Building.  Special incentives for donating blood include a free Epic Theater gift card, and a wellness checkup including blood pressure, temperature, pulse, iron count and cholesterol screening. Remember that you will need a photo ID to donate blood.  If you would like to schedule an appointment for this drive, please go to www.oneblooddonor.org and use sponsor code #10215.

All blood donated through OneBlood remains in our area and is used at local hospitals.  Your friends, neighbors and family depend upon our donations for blood and blood products.  Please donate and encourage your friends, colleagues and students to donate also.  Help meet the urgent need for blood during the summer vacation season.

Please contact Lisa Guenther for any additional information at 386-822-8930.

This week, the Office of Public Safety will begin tagging bicycles left on campus bike racks for the summer.  If you plan to continue using your bicycle throughout the summer, simply remove the tag. All remaining bicycles will be collected and stored for safe keeping on June 14.

Contact Public Safety with any questions.

The bad guys are known to use holidays to try to get you to click on a dangerous link or download a malicious attachment. Whether you’re traveling this Memorial Day weekend, or staying home to take advantage of online shopping deals, be cautious when performing any types of online transactions. Be suspicious of any out-of-the-ordinary emails, and be mindful of what information you’re sharing over your phone when you’re on the road.

Here are some things to look out for this approaching Memorial Day weekend:

• Scammers are known to pose as charities asking for donations around holidays. Never click on links or download attachments from unexpected emails, unless you’re certain the sender is legitimate.
• Attackers often pose as familiar online retailers, offering deals that seem too good to be true. If you find unbelievable offers in your inbox, navigate to that retailer’s website through your browser (not through links in the email) to check whether the email message is valid.

If you’re traveling this holiday weekend, turn your mobile device’s Bluetooth off when not in use. Cyber criminals can pair with your phone’s open Bluetooth connection and steal personal information

Remember, Think before you click.

Questions or comments, contact I.T. at support@stetson.edu.