Smith eDigest for March 19, 2024
Smith College eDigest

March 19, 2024  –  Grecourt Gate  |  News Archive  |  Calendar  |  Submit an Item

Smith College
Faculty/Staff Notices

Volunteer for Smith Arts Day 2024

We are looking for volunteers to help out with Smith Arts Day 2024, taking place in various locations across campus on Saturday, April 13. It will be a day-long celebration of the artistic and creative community at Smith College presented by the new Smith Office for the Arts (SOFA). If you are interested in helping out, we would love to have you, whether you have 2 hours or the whole afternoon/evening. If you are interested, please email Leigh Fagin, Director of the Smith Office for the Arts, at lfagin@smith.edu.

Nominate Students, Staff, and Faculty for Impact Awards

The Impact Awards recognize and honor members of our community who demonstrate the creativity, courage, and collaborative capacity to make positive change at scales both large and small. There are categories to nominate individuals, groups and collaborative partnerships between faculty/students or staff/ students. We welcome both self nominations and nominations of others. The nomination form can be found here: forms.gle/1f7Zmt95Xz3wMgZr8 and the deadline to nominate is March 15th. For questions please email Annie DelBusto Cohen at atcohen@smith.edu.

Liberal Arts Lunch Series

Thursday, March 14, 12:10 p.m., Neilson Library 102

March 14, the Liberal Arts Lunch series welcomes Stephanie Steele, Assistant Professor of Psychology, to present "Implicit Assessment of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)." Lunch is provided for the first 40 attendees.

Sherrerd Center March Teaching Circles Kick Off

Friday, March 15

Sherrerd Center March teaching circles kick off on Friday, March 15th in the Campus Center Carroll Room and include the Big Questions Circle (RSVP at forms.gle/M8Ekdryr1DEdsP7MA); Let’s Talk OERs! (RSVP at forms.gle/EyxvFM9CicSNXMzXA); Teaching Languages (RSVP at forms.gle/KGhzQoPse1SdPvQm9); and Ungrading (RSVP at forms.gle/SFTQSSWWamK7ZWT98). The NTT Faculty Teaching Circle will be held on Wednesday, March 27th at lunch in Burton Hall (RSVP at forms.gle/NaR4NAXy8qx5GiTQ8). Please visit the Sherrerd website for more details and descriptions: smith.edu/about-smith/sherrerd-center/circles. Google calendar invitations will be sent with locations for each circle once RSVPs are received. Lunch is provided.

Reminder: 2023 FSA Account Spending Deadline

Friday, March 15

All employees with a remaining 2023 FSA account balance are reminded that the IRS deadline to spend 2023 funds is March 15th. The deadline to submit claims for qualifying purchases made by March 15th is March 31st. Qualifying over the counter items may be purchased at fsastore.com or any other participating retailer. Unused funds are forfeited so don't miss this important deadline!

Reimagine Your Personal Brand: Executive Education Community Keynote

Tuesday, March 26, 1 p.m., Virtual Event

Our March keynote guides you through the process of leveraging your network of peers and colleagues to understand your current personal brand and strategies for intentionally managing your leadership presence. Presented by Wendy Cocke, best-selling author of Reimagine Your Work and former Executive Education participant, the insightful takeaways for this keynote answer this vital question: What do you want to be known for? Visit events.blackthorn.io/en/i0hMsA6/g/jn7WQ8Fean/reimagine-your-personal-brand-4a3tS641Lh/overview to register.

Art of Leading Teams: Navigating Diverse Communication Styles in Your Team or Department

Tuesday, March 26, 12:15 p.m., Neilson 102, Browsing Room

HYBRID, open to all staff and faculty. RSVP for lunch (available at noon in Neilson 102) OR Zoom: forms.gle/3Fi1RjYDVqveT8QJ8. Each member of a group brings with them a different communication style, which is rooted in our personalities, cultural backgrounds, and diverse experiences. These differences can bring great diversity to a team or department, but also provide fertile ground for misunderstanding and miscommunication. Join the Wurtele Center and guest co-facilitator, Director of Accessibility EJ Seibert, for an ALT session on how to navigate these differences and practice active listening to aid in better communication.

Education Session: Mid- to Late-Career Financial Preparation for Retirement

Wednesday, March 27, 11 a.m.-noon, Lilly Hall 308

Join Certified Financial Planner Matt O'Brien from Voya as he presents an informative one-hour session on financial preparation for retirement. This session is geared to employees who are planning to retire in less than 10 years. Come learn a framework around putting together a comprehensive retirement income planning strategy that can sustain a multi-decade retirement. Organization, cash flow, taxes, and estate planning will be discussed. This session is limited to 20 participants, please RSVP to: matthew.obrien@voyafa.com

Education Session: Early- to Mid-Career Retirement Savings Strategies

Wednesday, March 27, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Lilly Hall 308

Join Certified Financial Planner Matt O'Brien from Voya as he presents an informative one-hour session on early career cash flow and savings strategies that will give you a great foundation for future financial success (including retirement). This session is geared toward early to mid career employees in their 20's and 30's. The session is limited to 20 participants, please RSVP to: matthew.obrien@voyafa.com

Meet & Greet With Certified Financial Planner Matt O'Brien from Voya

Wednesday, March 27, Noon-1 p.m., Lily 308

Certified Financial Planner Matt O'Brien from Voya will be on campus March 27th. Matt will be available for a limited number of pre-scheduled one on one appointments. To schedule, email matthew.obrien@voyafa.com. Matt will also host a drop in meet and greet from noon to 1pm in Lily Hall 308 for employees who would like general information.

Sherrerd Center Teaching Arts Luncheon: What Is a Syllabus For?

Friday, March 29, Noon, Neilson Library 102

We often think of the syllabus as the cornerstone of our courses. There is so much that we ask this one document to accomplish. As we expect more and more from our syllabi, they can get long and cluttered--making them less useful. This community conversation is to help reflect on the role of the syllabus in articulating and achieving pedagogical goals. What are the most important pieces and approaches? Your thoughts will help provide useful advice to all of our instructors, especially new and incoming faculty. Lunch at noon; presentation at 12:20 pm. RSVP: forms.gle/Uk1mCRffyvU3dPAv7.

Register Now: Toward Equity - Faculty Workload Equity

Wednesday, April 3, 12:15 p.m., Lilly Hall 206

How can we collectively improve faculty workload at Smith so work within departments/programs is more equitably distributed? How do we recognize invisible labor and address identity taxation? In this session, we will present the work of the Faculty Workload Equity initiative led by the provost’s office. Faculty engaged in this work will discuss evidence-based practices to increase transparency, clarity and accountability around faculty workload within academic units. Part of the Spring 2024 Faculty Development Series (smith.edu/about-smith/provost/faculty-development). Register at forms.gle/jYAc1UYYDskevbcE7

Smith College
Student Notices

Student Financial Services Closed March 18; Reopens March 19

The Student Financial Services Office will be closed on March 18. Our office will reopen March 19.

Spring Concentrations Application Deadlines

Archives, Community Engagement & Social Change, Collaborative Innovation, Environmental, Global Finance, Interdisciplinary Making, Journalism, Poetry and Translation Studies Concentrations are all accepting applications in the next two weeks. Please see individual concentration websites for application requirements and deadlines. Feel free to reach out to the respective directors or concentrations@smith.edu with any questions.

March Version: OSE Programming Feedback Form

The Office of Student Engagement wants to reflect on our activity and programming offerings so that we can better serve our community, and we can't do that without student feedback. Please fill out this Google Form! Link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8Lh1rC5xNxoIfINJxLqZyB3EHuQWerMiK5zrOCN-OXrYLEw/viewform?usp=sf_link

NEW User Experience Lab Open Drop-In Hours! Learn How To Do UX.

Through May 8, Alumnae Gym 306

Do you want to learn about user experience (UX) for people-centered design? Are you working on a website, creative application, or media project? You’re invited to visit: Alumnae Gym, Room 306, March 11 through May 8, 2024, on Mondays 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. AND Wednesdays, 3 - 5 p.m. The usability testing lab and collaboration room are available for Smith students. Come by to learn more about surveys, prototype testing, eye tracking and more! At libguides.smith.edu/ux you can learn and set up a consultation in person or by Zoom. Sika Berger, User Experience Librarian; SCL Learning, Research & Technology.

Accepting Proposals: Celebrating Collaborations

Deadline: March 15

Students are invited to submit proposals to participate in "Celebrating Collaborations: Students and Faculty Working Together," which will take place on Friday afternoon, April 19, 2024. Proposals for posters, presentations, or exhibitions or performances will be accepted. Proposals should derive from special studies, honors theses, concentration capstones, or research projects. For more information and to submit a proposal online, visit smith.edu/news-events/events/collaborations. Proposals are due by Friday, March 15, 2024. Additional information for applicants is available here. Contact collabs@smith.edu with questions.

2024 ISP Leader Application Now Open!

Deadline: March 17, 11:59 p.m.

Qualified students are invited to apply to be an orientation leader for the 2024 International Student Pre-Orientation (ISP) program, guiding new international students through their first days on campus and in the US! Leaders will need to be available from Monday, August 19 to Tuesday, August 27. Housing and meals will be provided to leaders during the training and following program. Applications can be found on the ISSO website and should be submitted by email to interstu@smith.edu by Sunday March 17th at 11:59PM. smith.edu/isso

Apply To Be a Peer Writing Tutor for the Jacobson Center!

Do you like writing? Do you like reading your friends’ papers, and helping them improve their writing? The Jacobson Center needs you! We’d love to consider you for a job as a Peer Writing Tutor in 2023-24. If you’re the person friends go to for proofreading and editing help, chances are good this is the job for you. Go directly to Workday to find the job announcement for Jacobson Center Peer Writing Tutor, and email Sara Eddy, Assistant Director of the Jacobson Center, (seddy@smith.edu) with any questions.

Host a Prospie, Get a $10 Northampton Gift Card!

April 12 or April 18

The newly admitted Class of 2028 will be coming to campus this April to see if Smith is the right place for them. We're seeking Smithies who can host overnight on Friday, April 12, or Thursday, April 18. This is a great chance to meet students who could be your future classmates, housemates, and club members! This year, hosts who complete the overnight program will receive a $10 Northampton gift card! Register here: apply.smith.edu/register/2024admithosting.

Nominate Students, Staff, and Faculty for Impact Awards

The Impact Awards recognize and honor members of our community who demonstrate the creativity, courage, and collaborative capacity to make positive change at scales both large and small. There are categories to nominate individuals, groups and collaborative partnerships between faculty/students or staff/ students. We welcome both self nominations and nominations of others. The nomination form can be found here: forms.gle/1f7Zmt95Xz3wMgZr8 and the deadline to nominate is March 15th. For questions please email Annie DelBusto Cohen at atcohen@smith.edu.

Complete This Survey on Student Experiences With Campus Healthcare

In collaboration with the Smith Alliance for Justice & Equity (SAJE) Fellowship, Morgan Fizer ‘25, Jeanette Falotico AC ‘25, Josephine Neumann ‘26, Yena Perice ’26J, and Vanessa Nicole Silva-Burgos ’24, kindly ask you to complete this IRB-approved anonymous survey. It will be used to identify gaps in healthcare services affecting college students by exploring gender, race, and disability-based discrimination and the quality of health care at college health centers. Results from this survey will be shared with community partners and used to inform advocacy work on Smith Campus. Follow the team on Instagram for more at @campuscarecollective. (smithcollege.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_57HD9OkQt5uh0KW)

Public Service & Foreign Service Awards - Spring Push Info Session

Thursday, March 14, Noon, Lazarus Center, Drew

This session will focus on fellowships for public service awards and foreign service awards with application deadlines in early and mid-Autumn. Come meet the Fellowship Advisors and get started early. Learn about eligibility, deadlines, and overall application tips for awards including the Truman, Rangel Summer, Boren, Public Policy & International Affairs Junior Summer Institute, Scoville, and the Pickering/Payne/Rangel Graduate fellowships.

HSS Labs Presentation: Professor Shannon Audley's Respecting Children and Teachers Lab

Thursday, March 14, 12:15 p.m., Campus Center 103/4

Students who participate in Professor Shannon Audley's Respecting Children and Teachers Lab, will present their research at the next Humanities and Social Science Labs (HSS Labs) monthly presentation. Open to the Smith Community. Lunch provided the first 35 attendees.

Writing Workshop: Telling Stories of Our Body

Thursday, March 14, 4:15 p.m., Schacht Center for Health, Schacht

What stories would you like to tell about your body? How do you share and exchange your stories with others? In collaboration with Greenlee Brown, LCSW, the staff therapist at Schacht, the community health organizers present this writing workshop on the theme of telling the stories of our bodies. This workshop provides the student with a space to gather, reflect, and listen to different kinds of relationships one might have with their body and body image. This event will be held in the Schacht classroom on the second floor. Participants have the chance to win a boba gift card.

CRUSH Magazine Acccepting Submissions

Until March 17

CRUSH Magazine is Smith’s literary & arts magazine that aims to promote artists and writers of color. Does this sound like you? Email crushmag@smith.edu or visit CRUSH’s Social Network at socialnetwork.smith.edu/organization/crush with any questions or submission inquiries. We are interested in everything: art, poetry, prose, music, film, and more! Accepting submissions until March 17.

Hiring Summer Tour Guides; Info Session

Monday, March 25, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center Main Level Table

Going to be staying in the Northampton area this summer and looking for a full or part-time job? Admissions is hiring Summer Tour Guides. You have questions, so come ask them on March 25th from 11:30 to 1 pm. You can find the job posting on Workday!

Holy Boba: SmithCycle Design Contest

Submit by Monday, March 25

Free boba for you and 5 friends. Calling all artists: CEEDS is seeking original line drawings of the following items to highlight in all SmithCycle communications. A stack of five books, some paperback and some hardcover (no need for words or titles); An image of a desk lamp, a fan, and a stack of folded bedding; 3-5 recognizable packaged food items and packaged toiletries without any brand or text on them; 2-3 winter clothing items (including coats and boots); 3-5 clothing items. Files should be in png format. Please email your submission to ceeds@smith.edu by the end of day Monday, March 25.

Panel Discussion - Beyond the Classroom: Exploring Various Careers in Education

Wednesday, March 27, 2 p.m., Virtual Event

The “Exploring Various Careers in Education” Panel is meant for students to learn more about the various career paths that exist alongside and outside of traditional classroom teaching. Open to the 5 Colleges. Zoom Link: 986 631 7385 smith.zoom.us/j/9866317385 For more info, contact the Education Department Student Liaisons: Sierra Fraser, sfraser@smith.edu or Diamond Jones, drjones@smith.edu

SCMA March 28 Art After Hours: Smithies in the Wild

Thursday, March 28, 5 p.m., Museum of Art

On Thursday, March 28, from 5–7p.m., celebrate the start of spring with your fellow Smithies at the art museum! Make a pom-pom animal, take it into the galleries, and snap a selfie to win a special prize. There will be snacks, face painting, and more! This event is free and open to all Smith students!

Five College Trans* Mixer

Sunday, March 31, 1-3 p.m., Great Room, Mount Holyoke College

Gender+, an organization for trans and nonbinary students at Mount Holyoke, would like to invite Smith students to a Five College Trans* Mixer on March 31st from 1-3pm in the MHC Great Room. This is right off of the Blanchard Bus stop. (A transportation plan is in the works and information will be shared soon.) Come back from spring break the right way and have fun with other 5C students! There will be snacks and sushi, fun games and collaborative art projects! Feel free to reach out and email with questions to genderplusmhc@gmail.com or @genderplusmhc on Instagram.

Smith College
Technology News

IT User Support Center Closed

Friday, March 15, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Seelye B8

On Friday, Mar 15, the IT User Support Center in Seelye Hall B8 – including OneCard support – will be closed for a staff meeting from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Support requests can be submitted anytime by emailing ithelp@smith.edu

Change to Ivanti VPN Login Process

Wednesday, March 13

Beginning Wednesday, March 13, community members who use Ivanti VPN to connect to Smith systems will automatically be directed to the Smith login page for authentication. The VPN login process will no longer display the Ivanti login box or the prompt for a secondary password.

Smith College
Lectures/Symposia

Book Presentation with Author Adrián Gras-Velázquez

Thursday, March 14, 4:30 p.m., Poetry Center, Wright

“Lo que hago en mi habitación” book presentation with author Adrián Gras-Velázquez in conversation with Reyes Lázaro. Discussion will be in English.

Afro-Italian Literature: Ubah Cristina Ali Farah's Commander of the River

Wednesday, March 27, 5 p.m., Seelye 201

“Afro-Italian Literature: Ubah Cristina Ali Farah’s Commander of the River,” public lecture by the Somalian-Italian writer Ubah Cristina Ali Farah, Wednesday, March 27, 5:00 p.m., Seelye 201. Commander of the River is a coming-of-age story set in contemporary Italy that explores themes of racism, trauma, and adolescent rebellion. Sponsored by the Smith College departments of German & Italian, World Literatures, and the Translation Studies Concentration, and the Italian Studies programs at UMass Amherst and Mount Holyoke College. Free and open to the public.

Abortion as a Human Right: A Dialogue

Thursday, March 28, 6 p.m., Campus Center Carroll Room

How might embedding abortion in the human rights framework contribute to the global fight against authoritarianism and in defense of democracy more broadly? To discuss this and other questions, join a panel of national leaders in the reproductive justice, racial justice, and human rights movements at “Abortion as a Human Right: A Dialogue.” Learn more about the panelists: smith.edu/news-events/news/abortion-human-right-dialogue

Philosophy of Experimentation in Biology

Friday, March 29, 1:30 p.m., McConnell 103

Dr. David Glass, Regeneron, author of Experimental design for Biologists, will present this talk on understanding fundamental disagreements in scientific experimentation and what kind of conclusions are permissible from prior knowledge. This lecture is part of the Spring 2024 Mary Elizabeth Dickason King M.D. Annual lecture Series in the Life Sciences in Memory of Professor Howard Parshley. Light snacks will be served at 2:30 p.m. after the talk. Free and open to the public. Visit smith.edu/biology/events.php for the full schedule.

Smith College
Performing Arts/Films/Fine Arts

Valley Classical Concerts: Espressivo! Piano Quartet

Thursday, March 14, 7:30 p.m., Sweeney Concert Hall, Sage

Anna Polonsky, piano, Jaime Laredo, violin, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, viola, Sharon Robinson, cello perform works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Brahms. Tickets required: tix.com/ticket-sales/tix/6428

BUS: A Teacher in Transit - An Essay in Photographs and Text

Wednesday, March 27, 5:30 p.m., McConnell Hall Lobby

Smith College visiting professor of creative writing Russ Rymer presents an essay in photographs and wall text about the experience of teaching, the nature of reality and perception, and the conjoined arts of science and writing – all told through Rymer’s experience commuting to Northampton on the intercity bus. The ten images in the show, shot with a rudimentary camera during those commutes and blown up to enormous size, capture the magical light show infusing his bus rides, rides Rymer likens to “blasting through space in a kaleidoscope.” The exhibit and reception are in McConnell Hall Lobby.

Smith College
Religious Life

Jummah

Friday, March 15, 12:30 p.m., Chapel Sanctuary

The CRSL invites students to join us for Jummah at the Hampshire Mosque in Hadley. The group will meet in front of the Helen Hills Hills Chapel at 12:25 pm. The van will leave campus by 12:30 pm and return to campus no later than 2:30 pm. Remember to bring a prayer rug and complete your ablution beforehand. There are extra prayer rugs in the Blue Room, if you need one! Sponsored by the Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. To RSVP, email crsl@smith.edu.

Shabbat

Friday, March 15, 5:30 p.m., Kosher K Kitchen, Jordan House

The Smith College Jewish Community invites you to the “K”, the Kosher Kitchen in Jordan House, for Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday nights at 5:30pm! Join together in song and prayer to welcome in Shabbat as a community. Services will often be followed by Kosher vegetarian meals. All are welcome! Please reach out to scjc@smith.edu with any questions.

Smith College
Other Events and Activities

Schacht Center Closed for Spring Break

Friday, March 15, 4:30 p.m., Schacht Center for Health, Schacht

The Schacht Center for Health and Wellness is closed for Spring Break on Friday, March 15 at 4:30 pm, and will reopen on Monday, March 25 at 9 am. For a list of Health and Wellness resources that are available during Spring Break, please visit:smith.edu/your-campus/health-wellness/break

Bookstore Hours for Spring Break

The Smith College Bookstore will have limited operating hours during Spring Break. Spring Break Hours: Monday, 3/18 - Friday, 3/22 10:00am-2:00pm Or always available online: bkstr.com/smithstore/home

Smith College

Smith College  |  Grécourt Gate  |  Smith Directory  |  Smith Portal

Smith College eDigest Web Link

Smith College eDigest

Smith eDigest is published bi-weekly during the academic year. If you would like to have an item or event included in eDigest please use this form.
Smith College official correspondence.

{{{Organization.Address}}}
{{Unsubscribe}}