Andrews University Agenda

Andrews University Agenda http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/ News and Events at Andrews University en-us Copyright 2024, Andrews University Tue, 5 Nov 2024 11:18:00 +0000 Tue, 5 Nov 2024 11:18:00 +0000 webmaster@andrews.edu webmaster@andrews.edu April Fool's Day at Andrews http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45365 On April 1, 2017, the Andrews University website homepage embraced the spirit of <a href="http://April Fool's Day">April Fool's Day</a> by offering to the pubilc a collection of articles and a video in the form of pranks and hoaxes. The idea behind this mini-campaign is to portray Andrews in a lighthearted manner and demonstrate that we can make fun of ourselves. Andrews University's reputation for serious and rigorous academics and being a frequent thought leader for the global Adventist Church is well-known, but it's only one part of the larger scope that makes coming here special. For several years there has been a <a href="https://www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/best-higher-education-april-fools-day-stories">precedent of higher-ed institutions</a> engaging in April Fool's humor. Reputable national marketing and development organizations such as CASE and HigherEdExperts have been publishing <a href="http://eduvation.ca/2017/03/aprilfool2017/">lists of top April Fool's pranks on university websites,</a> and have gained a fair amount of traction on social media. Although this is not a new idea, in 2016 <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/40989">Andrews was the first </a>among Adventist institutions of higher education to engage with this tradition in a significantly visible way. We hope this will help students and others around the world realize that coming to Andrews can be a whole lot of fun. <h3> Campus Collaboration</h3> Several University employees worked together to create the 2017 April Fool's edition of the homepage. With the endorsement of University administration, the following is a list of the collaborators on this year's project. Lathan Bidwell Ellie Chuah Darren Heslop Maxine Murray Becky St. Clair <h3> Full List of Stories</h3> <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45350">Andrews University: Going British</a> <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45318">Administration Announces Name Change for Andrews</a> <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45326">A Guide to British Vocabulary</a> <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45322">Left is Right</a> <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45321">Beefeaters Stationed at Gate House</a> <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45349">A Spoonful of Sugar</a> <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45325">'No Going Halfsies'</a> <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45324">Treacle Tarts, Bubble & Squeak and Mincemeat Pie</a> <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45323">'Big Ben' No Longer 'Big'</a> <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45319">Mooooove 'Em Out!</a> <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45317">Our Daily Cuppa</a> <h3> Screenshot of Homepage on April 1, 2017</h3> Click on image to enlarge view <a href="https://www.andrews.edu/img/2017-april-fools-homepage.png"><img alt="" src="https://www.andrews.edu/img/2017-april-fools-homepage.png" /></a> Wed, 05 Apr 2017 12:44:16 +0000 Administration Announces Name Change for Andrews http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45318 Andrews University will change its name to Andrews-Upon-St. Joseph, administration announced Thursday. This change is part of the new five-year strategic plan to transition the University to a British institution. “Britain has a strong tradition of excellence in academics,” says Christon Arthur, provost. “Some of the world’s most brilliant minds attend and have attended Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and we want to be part of that.” Since Andrea Luxton moved into her role as president in July 2016, the Board of Trustees has been discussing options for a more British-styled name for the University. “We chose Andrews-Upon-St. Joseph because it is reminiscent of the standard British way of naming towns located next to rivers, and there is a river right here on our campus,” Arthur explains. “Also, many people around the world are already aware of St. Andrews University in Scotland, famous for its royal graduates." St. Andrews University has garnered much attention in recent years as the institution which introduced Prince William and Kate Middleton. “When trying to follow mentions of the University's name in traditional and social media, we found it frustrating that so many times we were receiving erroneous notifications that were really for the university in Scotland,” says Stephen Payne, VP for Integrated Marketing & Communication. “We finally decided that if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Now maybe we’ll get more students if we use a similar name." Though the Board briefly considered simply using St. Andrews University, the sainting of J.N. Andrews inferred in such a name made many members of the Board and University administration uncomfortable. The switch to using the river’s name was a simple, agreeable alternative. “Probably the most well-known town in Great Britain using this naming scheme is Stratford-Upon-Avon,” says Meredith Jones Gray, chair of the Department of English. “William Shakespeare was born there, and in addition to reflecting our new British culture, we feel this new name pays homage to the Bard, who is widely considered to be the most famous writer in the English language.” The University will officially become Andrews-Upon-St. Joseph on July 1, the one-year anniversary of President Luxton taking office. Fri, 31 Mar 2017 12:00:45 +0000 Andrews University: Going British http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45350 <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bjDXj0-L3qA" width="560"></iframe> Fri, 31 Mar 2017 11:56:08 +0000 A Spoonful of Sugar http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45349 For many years, the Crayon Box, located in Marsh Hall, has nurtured and cared for children ages 0-5 years. Offering not just daily childcare but a foundation for future academic learning, the Crayon Box provides developmentally appropriate programming in a cheerful, fun-filled environment. Recently the idea was presented to bring in a highly qualified individual to offer Crayon Box-specific training, rather than sending staff to outside training events. “We were thinking kind of along the lines of Super Nanny,” says Kristy Conklin, director of the Crayon Box, referring to a popular cable television show where professional nannies enter a home to help parents improve their child-rearing skills. “We were looking for someone who has taken care of children, and successfully advised their parents, for many years and has experience in a variety of ages, families and situations.” Their initial query returned dozens of applications, from which Conklin set up numerous interviews, coincidentally all scheduled for the same day. However, something strange happened on the morning of the scheduled interviews. “I had just arrived at the office and noticed that several of the interviewees were already outside waiting for their appointments,” she recalls. “As I hung up my coat and straightened my desk, I heard a whirling of wind outside the window.” Conklin remembers going to her office window and watching debris whip around in the sudden strong gust, which disappeared as quickly as it started. When Conklin opened the door to invite in the first of the interviewees, she found only one applicant where minutes before there had been a group. Confused, Conklin peered up and down the sidewalk outside Marsh Hall, but no one else was nearby. “Since the one remaining applicant seemed very respectable and well-put-together, I invited her in,” says Conklin. “I noticed, in particular, her very unique umbrella with its parrot-head handle.” The applicant’s name was Mary Poppins, and her resumé was, according to Conklin, “practically perfect in every way.” The most notable item listed was her previous experience with a well-known British family in the early 20th century. “It seems crazy that someone could have possibly cared for children 100 years ago and yet still be viable to care for them in today’s world,” says Conklin with a shake of her head. “But the results of her intervention with Jane and Michael Banks are irrefutable and her reputation is impeccable. We couldn’t let this opportunity pass by.” In the end, Poppins was hired by the Crayon Box to do a complete Andrews-specific training for the Crayon Box staff connected with each age group. Her month-long consultation begins May 1. Some items on her training list include kite-flying, horse racing, Step In Time and precise measuring of a “spoonful” of sugar. Fri, 31 Mar 2017 11:50:05 +0000 A Guide to British Vocabulary http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45326 By Becky St. Clair “Going British” isn’t just physical. In addition to changes in building names, cafeteria menu options and what type of bovines are housed at the dairy, there is a lot of new vocab for the campus community to learn. Below are some common English words that Andrews University students, staff and faculty will have to adopt into their vernacular in exchange for the old American words. <table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 500px"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <h3> American (Old)</h3> </td> <td> <h3> British (New)</h3> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Sweater</td> <td> Jumper</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Suspenders</td> <td> Braces</td> </tr> <tr> <td> French fries</td> <td> Chips</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Potato chips</td> <td> Crisps</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Cookie</td> <td> Biscuit</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Hungry</td> <td> Peckish</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Zucchini</td> <td> Courgette</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Baked potato</td> <td> Jacket potato</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Apartment building</td> <td> Block of flats</td> </tr> <tr> <td> First floor</td> <td> Ground floor</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Second floor</td> <td> First floor</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Pharmacy</td> <td> Chemist's</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Line</td> <td> Queue (pronounced: kyew)</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Trunk (of the car)</td> <td> Boot</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Hood (of the car)</td> <td> Bonnet</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Trash can</td> <td> Dust bin / Rubbish bin</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Trash/garbage</td> <td> Rubbish</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Mail</td> <td> Post</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Vacation</td> <td> Holiday</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Main Street</td> <td> High Street</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Elevator</td> <td> Lift</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Bathroom</td> <td> Loo / W.C.</td> </tr> <tr> <td> TV</td> <td> Telly</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Popsicle</td> <td> Ice lolly</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Cotton candy</td> <td> Candy floss</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>   Wed, 29 Mar 2017 18:43:55 +0000 'No Going Halfsies' http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45325 After what was deemed a “record-breaking” short meeting, Andrews University administration and the Board of Trustees has unanimously voted to make some name changes around campus. “If we’re really going to be serious about going British, we need to create an entirely British environment,” comments Andrea Luxton, University president, who grew up in England. “There’s no going halfsies on this; we’re going to do it right.” In an effort to create a more British feel on campus, several places and buildings will be renamed to reflect the new setting. The list voted in Cabinet last week is as follows: <ul> <li> Campus Mall to Trafalgar Square</li> <li> Pioneer Memorial Church to St. Paul’s Cathedral</li> <li> The Howard Performing Arts Center to the Royal Albert Hall</li> <li> James White Library to the Bodleian Library</li> <li> The Administration Building to Buckingham Palace</li> <li> The Globe Entrance to Stonehenge</li> <li> Nethery & Buller Halls to the Tower of London</li> <li> Terrace Cafe to The Rose & Crown</li> <li> The Gazebo to The Royal</li> </ul> Sources also say that the University Bookstore will now be selling bird and squirrel food, “tuppence a bag." Wed, 29 Mar 2017 18:39:17 +0000 Treacle Tarts, Bubble & Squeak and Mincemeat Pie http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45324 In an effort to more properly reflect the University’s ties to the United Kingdom, Dining Services  has added several new items to its menu, with a goal of preparing at least one of the new British dishes each week. “We’re proud of our country’s British heritage,” says Mark Daniels, manager of Dining Services. “If Andrews is to truly become part of the British realm, that shouldn’t just come in the form of medieval architecture and driving on the left side of the road. It should also be a part of our everyday sustenance.” Though the British are not well-known for their cuisine, there are a few famous dishes to which the U.K. can lay claim. Most famously, of course, is the English staple, fish and chips. “One of the most challenging parts of crafting this new menu is creating the vegetarian versions of all of these dishes,” says Daniels. “We also prefer to locally source as much of our fresh food as possible, which means we need to find local farms that produce the kinds of foods typically used in British cuisine.” Other menu items being added include beans on toast, treacle tarts, bubble and squeak, pease porridge, Yorkshire pudding, custard and the vegetarian versions of haggis, bangers and mash and mincemeat pie. Before any of these menu items hit the serving line, however, each recipe will be taste-tested by the University’s resident Brit, President Andrea Luxton. “I think this will be something that makes Andrews really stand out not only among other American universities, but also within the community,” Daniels comments. “Our authentic ethnic cuisine is unrivaled in the region, and perhaps in the country. I look forward to providing edible cultural experiences for the campus and the community.” In addition to adding menu options, Dining Services will also be transitioning all of their recipes over to the metric system, measuring everything in grams and litres. Wed, 29 Mar 2017 18:36:04 +0000 'Big Ben' No Longer 'Big' http://www.andrews.edu/agenda/45323 For most of his life, Ben Panigot, director of Campus Safety, has been known to his friends as â€œBig Ben.â€ â€œItâ€™s kind of unavoidable when you stand 6â€™ 4â€ tall, youâ€™re broad-shouldered and large-footed and your name is Benjamin,â€ he says with a laugh. â€œItâ€™s better than being called Bigfoot.â€ This longstanding pseudonym has come to an end, now that there will be an actual â€œBig Benâ€ on campus. Well, sort of. â€œMany people donâ€™t realize that â€˜Big Benâ€™ is the name of the bell inside the clocktower,â€ says Carole Woolford-Hunt, chair of the Department of Graduate Psychology & Counseling, who was born and raised in London. â€œWe donâ€™t have a bell yet, but we do have a clock.â€ The clock to which Woolford-Hunt refers is the black and gold landmark that stands between the Administration Building and Nethery Hall, a gift from the class of 2004. â€œWeâ€™ve designed a shell-like structure to be placed over the campus clock to make it look like the tower housing Big Ben in London,â€ explains Kristin von Maur, assistant professor of architecture. â€œIt will be weather-proof for the harsh conditions it will endure every summer and winter, and will be an exact scale replica of the belltower on the Houses of Parliament.â€ The clock wonâ€™t just visually hark back to the Universityâ€™s British ties; administration has also asked the Department of Music to identify an exact recording of the sound Big Ben makes when it chimes every quarter hour. â€œThe difficulty in not having a bell in your belltower is that you donâ€™t have a straightforward way to make the clock chime,â€ says Claudio Gonzalez, professor of music. â€œWe are working tirelessly to locate a sound recording that replicates the sound of Big Ben, and weâ€™re very close to finalizing it.â€ Plant Services has procured the hardware which will allow the clock to chime once the recording is obtained, and ITS has finished the programming required for the clock to chime accurately every fifteen minutes. â€œThis has really been a team effort,â€ comments Lorena Bidwell, Chief information Officer. â€œI think the result will be very impressively British.â€ The clock is expected to be finished in time for graduation. Â  Wed, 29 Mar 2017 18:34:29 +0000