Campus Update – Apr 21, 2025
Dates and Deadlines HR Updates Reminders In The News Dates & Deadlines May 2: Deadline to sign up to become a commencement volunteer…
University Announcements
Sign up to become a commencement volunteer
Employees are encouraged to volunteer to work one or as many as four spring commencement ceremonies, May 9-10, at Morrow Field House. The ceremonies are 6 p.m., May 9; and 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m., May 10.
- Sign up by completing an online form.
- Represented employees will be compensated for working in accordance with their collective bargaining agreement for hours worked.
- All team members will receive a uniform shirt and meals.
For more information, contact the Commencement Office at 724.738.2849 or commencementoffice@sru.edu.
Dates & Deadlines
March 12: Planned power outage for upper campus
The upper section of SRU’s campus will have a planned electrical service power interruption on March 12 from approximately 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Employees who work in affected buildings should contact their supervisor to make work arrangements for the day. Most employees will work remotely. See last week’s email for more details.
March 4, 13, 18 and 27: Academic Records and Registration drop-in sessions
Faculty and staff are invited to attend open drop-in sessions via Zoom hosted by the Office of Academic Records and Registration to learn more about Rock Audit, registration, graduation, OneSiS, or any other academic record inquiries. No appointment is necessary. Just log on using your SRU single-sign-on at any time during the following periods:
- March 4, from noon to 1 p.m. (click here).
- March 13, from noon to 1 p.m. (click here).
- March 18, from noon to 1 p.m. (click here).
- March 27, from noon to 1 p.m. (click here).
For more information, contact Academic Records at 724.738.2010 or academic.records@sru.edu.
March 14: Nominations due for Cultural Enrichment Award
Nominate an SRU faculty member for the Above and Beyond Cultural Enrichment Award, which honors faculty members for:
- Their unrecognized work in creating strong support for historically underrepresented and at-risk students;
- Embracing SRU’s vision, mission and values; and
- Efforts that extend beyond their assigned duties to foster a culture of belonging and opportunity.
Submit a nomination by completing an online form by March 14. The award will be presented at SRU’s Celebration of Achievement on April 1.
March 17: SCORE grant proposals due
Proposals for SRU’s Summer Collaborative Research Experience grant program are due 4 p.m., March 17. This grant provides up to $5,000 in funding to introduce undergraduate students to academic research and gives faculty a research assistant during the summer months. Download the RFP for more information about how to apply or visit the Grants Office webpage.
March 18: Faculty Travel Grant applications due
Applications for the Faculty Travel Grant are due March 18. The grant supports the professional development of SRU faculty members by providing funds to present the results of their research or creative activity at professional conferences or artistic venues. Applications submitted by March 18 are for travel scheduled between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2025). Download the application form for more information about how to apply or visit the Grants Office webpage.
March 18 and 27: OneSIS training
Training is available for faculty and staff using the OneSiS student information system that the University is currently transitioning to. The training will provide a brief overview of the project and how it will impact the Fall 2025 semester, and it is for anyone who frequently uses the MySRU portal, Banner or is preparing to advise students for fall registration. The training will take place during Zoom:
- March 18, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. (click here).
- March 27, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. (click here).
For more information, contact Academic Records at 724.738.2010 or academic.records@sru.edu.
March 18: Faculty Travel Grant applications due
Applications for the Faculty Travel Grant are due March 18. The grant supports the professional development of SRU faculty members by providing funds to present the results of their research or creative activity at professional conferences or artistic venues. Applications submitted by March 18 are for travel scheduled between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2025). Download the application form for more information about how to apply or visit the Grants Office webpage.
March 19: RSVP for the Employee Service Recognition Celebration
Employees planning to attend the Employee Service Recognition Celebration must RSVP by completing an online form on or before March 19. The event is happening from 12:30-1:45 p.m., April 8, in the Smith Student Center Ballroom.
March 24-25: Brand analysis workshops
- The SRU community is invited to attend a series of workshops as part of a strategic brand analysis by Carnegie Higher Education to answer the question of “who we are” as the University plans to grow its enrollment, awareness and the reputation. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to sign up online and select one workshop each day offered throughout the day on March 24 and March 25. More information is available in the March 7 all-campus email.
HR Updates
Ginny Kopko retirement celebration
There will be a retirement celebration for Ginny Kopko, associate director of financial aid and scholarships, from 2-4 p.m., March 27, in the Campus Success Center, Room 152.
Spring Break hours
The University will observe a temporary change to the regular work schedule for office personnel during spring break, March 8-16.
- During this period, the University will observe an 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. work schedule with a half-hour lunch. Business casual dress is permitted. Offices currently open during lunch will remain open during this temporary schedule.
- The University will resume its regular work schedule, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a one-hour lunch, March 17.
- Some campus services and offices that are available for students will have modified hours of operation during spring break, March 8-16. A listing is available online.
Please direct questions to the Human Resources Office at 724.738.2070.
Retirement planning sessions available
SRU employees can receive one-on-one counseling for retirement planning from Vincent Roney, a representative from TIAA. Appointments are available for:
- March 11, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., in Old Main, Room 008.
- March 25, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., in Old Main, Room 008.
Appointments can be scheduled by visiting TIAA.org/schedulenow or by calling 800.732.8353.
Reminders
SRU’s actions to address power and HVAC outages
SRU is taking the following steps to evaluate the causes and implement reforms regarding the University’s preparedness related to recent power and HVAC outages, as mentioned in President Karen Riley’s message to campus last week. The actions were detailed in the March 3 Campus Update.
Parking at All Saints not available on Wednesdays
Due to church programming, supplemental parking at All Saints Lutheran Church, at 351 S. Main St., is no longer available to faculty, staff and students on Wednesdays. For more information, contact the Parking and ID Office at 724.738.4785 or email at sruparking_id@sru.edu.
SRU’s application for Carnegie Community Engagement reclassification
SRU’s application for the Carnegie Community Engagement reclassification is available for viewing.
- The application will be submitted by April 1.
- Feedback and questions should be submitted by March 19 to steering committee chair Jeffrey Rathlef, director, Center for Community Engagement, by emailing at jeffrey.rathlef@sru.edu.
- SRU first earned this classification in 2020.
- The University will be notified about its reclassification status in January 2026.
- Steering committee members also include Mohammad Kazemi (College of Engineering and Science, Melissa Swauger (College of Liberal Arts), Betsy Kemeny (College of Health Professions), Amy Orville (College of Education), Douglas Strahler (College of Business) and Josette Skobieranda-Dau, associate director, Center for Community Engagement.
SRU celebrates Women’s History Month
SRU is celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of women during March. The University is also empowering women and educating the entire campus community with a series of Women’s History Month programs and events. See all events and more details on the University’s news release.
Kind Closet seeking donations, providing clothing
SRU’s Kind Closet is now accepting donations of new or gently used professional and casual clothing for college students attending field/clinical experiences, internships, job interviews and more.
- Donations can be made 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, in Carruth Rizza Hall, Room 012.
- Students can access items for free.
For more information, contact Katie Leckenby, associate professor of special education, at 724.738.2457 or katie.leckenby@sru.edu.
In the News
Recent media coverage of SRU from around the web:
Feltenberger hired to lead Butler County human services –– Butler Eagle
SRU men fall in PSAC tourney –– Butler Eagle
New principal announced for Woodland Elementary School –– WITN (Greenville, N.C.)
Lancaster County College News –– Lancaster Online
What’s On Stage Pittsburgh for the week of March 3rd to the end of April, 2025 –– onStage Pittsburgh