Week of December 7, 2015   Volume 3 Issue 15
It's Holiday Kick Off Week!
W&J's first ever Holiday Kick Off Week begins today, with events continuing throughout the week! 

Today
4:45 pm - Lighting of the Campus
5:00 pm - Holiday Dinner, the Commons
8:00 pm - Holiday Concert, Olin Fine Arts Center
*Please note, the concert was incorrectly listed as 7:30 pm in last week's edition.

Wednesday
6:00 - 10:00 pm - Ice Skating, Rossin Patio
7:00 - 9:00 pm - Holiday Event, Ballroom (more details below in "Upcoming Events")

Thursday
11:00 am - 2:00 pm - Food Around the World, Commons Dining Room

Sunday
3:00 pm - An Olde Fashioned New England Christmas, Olin Theatre (tickets required, details in "Upcoming Events" section)

This Week's Schedule of Events

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Go to the Schedule of Events
Today's Events
Holiday Kick Off Week: Lighting of the Campus

Today at 4:45 pm
Holiday Kick Off Week launches today by lighting up the campus! The JayBirds will be outside the Campus Center to sing some holiday favorites starting at 4:45 pm with a special holiday dinner following in the Commons Dining Room at 5:00 pm.

Open Gym Night

Today from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Church of the Covenant
W&J students are invited to attend an open gym night at the Church of Covenant tonight. Stop by and relieve some stress!

Announcements
Extended Library Hours for Finals

The Library will be open the following extended hours for Reading Days and Finals.
Saturday, Dec. 12: 9 am to 9 pm
Sunday, Dec. 13: 11 am to 3 am (snacks from 9 pm to midnight)
Monday, Dec. 14: 7 am to 3 am (snacks from 7-10 am and 9 pm to midnight)
Tuesday, Dec. 15: 7 am to 3 am (snacks from 7-10 am and 9 pm to midnight)
Friday, Dec. 18: 8 am to midnight

A Note from Information & Technology Services

As we approach the holiday season and the end of the 2015 Fall term, the Office of Information & Technology Services would like to thank you for helping us maintain a secure and stable computing environment across campus.  Please take a moment to review our recently updated Terms of Service agreement, which includes helpful information on the use of technology resources, as well as new information on supported and unsupported devices.  The ITS HelpDesk is available to assist all members of the Campus community.  Please feel free to call the HelpDesk at campus extension 6022, or send an email to helpdesk@washjeff.edu.
 
Winter Break Closing

Halls close at 10:00 am on Sunday, December 20th. All students should vacate the halls by this time, but are expected to leave within 24 hours after their last final. Halls will reopen on January 6th for any student enrolled in an Intersession course or participating in a W&J sanctioned activity during the month of January. The halls will reopen on Tuesday, February 2nd for the Spring Semester. 

Keep Your Bike Warm This Winter!

Do you have a bicycle on campus, but don't have anywhere to store it this winter and don't want to have to take it home? The Sustainability Committee is offering indoor bike storage to students on campus! This is only available to a limited number of students, and it will be on a first come first serve reservation basis. The bike storage unit will be in the lower level of Beau in a locked unit, and you will be able to lock your bike to wall-mounted bike racks in the room. Students utilizing the bike storage will receive a key to the room. If you have questions or would like to reserve a spot for your bicycle, please email sustainability@washjeff.edu.
 
Athletic Facilities Holiday Hours of Operation

Swanson Wellness Center
Dec. 19-20: Closed
Dec. 21-23: Open 8:00 am - 6:30 pm
Dec. 24 - Jan. 3: Closed
Jan. 4 - Jan. 6: Open 8:00 am - 6:30 pm
Jan. 7 - Resume normal business hours
 
Henry Memorial Center
Dec. 19-20: Closed
Dec. 21-23: Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Dec. 24 - Jan. 3: Closed
Jan. 4 - Jan. 6: Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Jan. 7 - Resume normal business hours
 
Henry Memorial Pool
Dec. 19 - Jan. 6: Closed
Jan. 7:  Resume normal business hours
 
Swanson Tennis Courts
Closed for winter (December 9 - March 1)

Intersession Housing

If you intend to live on campus for Intersession, you must complete the Intersession Housing Request Form, which can be accessed on the Residence Life Spire page, to have swipe access to your residence hall over the Intersession Term.  The Office of Residence Life will not automatically include you on the approved roster for Intersession Housing just because you register for a course.

Intersession housing is designed for students that are registered for Intersession classes, student athletes in season, students working for a campus office, or an international student approved to stay.  For student workers on campus, your office will need to contact the Office of Residence Life at reslife@washjeff.edu or 724-229-5120 to verify that you are going to be working over Intersession.

Intersession housing will open on Wednesday, January 6th, at 12:00 pm. Classes begin the following day.

Important Info: Next Semester Meal Plans

It is that time of year again when W&J students have the opportunity to change their meal plans. Once again, we are doing it online so please follow the link below in order to change your meal plan for next semester.  If you want to stay on the same meal plan as the Fall 2015 semester you do not need to do anything! 
Please remember that you only have until Spring Semester drop/add to change your meal plan which is Wednesday February 10, 2016, there will be no meal plan changes taken after this date. 

 
If you have any questions about meal plans please contact Heather Breedlove in the Business Office.  She can be reached at hbreedlove@washjeff.edu or 724-223-6013

Student Employment Opportunities!

Student Ambassadors & Student Fellows for Fall 2016
 
The Office of Admission seeks articulate, responsible, and
energetic students to represent the College by interacting with prospective students and families, providing campus tours, interviewing prospective students, assisting with Admission events, and performing office tasks.
 
Start Date:  Fall Semester 2016 (training occurs in Spring semester 2016)
 
 
Applications are due by 5:00 PM Friday, January 15th.
Selected applicants invited to interview will be contacted the following week to set up interviews!
 
Student Ambassadors
 
Job Description:  Student Ambassadors work with the Office of Admission staff to ensure successful and informative campus tours, events, open houses and overnight programs for visitors.  The nature of the work will require some weekend and evening commitments, especially during the spring semester.  Ambassadors will assist with a variety of office responsibilities including, but not limited to: campus visit and event coordination, office communication, application processing, etc.
 
A successful candidate must be able to work independently with little direction and have strong organizational skills. Students must also possess outstanding interpersonal skills and enjoy communicating with a variety of people. In addition, Student Ambassadors must be able to adapt to the changing needs of the office environment.
 
Student Fellows
 
Job Description:  We are seeking current freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are articulate, responsible, and show great leadership within the College community. Student Fellows are a prestigious and select group of students who assist our office in interviewing prospective students who visit the College.  Not only do interviews with a Student Fellow give prospective students a chance to meet with a person who can give them first-hand information about the W&J experience, but it will give our Student Fellows the opportunity to assist in recruiting potentially successful students to our College.  Student Fellows will primarily conduct interviews on Saturdays.
 
Students do not have to be work study eligible to apply.
However, this position may be used for work study hours if eligible.
 
Questions/Concerns?  Please contact Katelyn Glaser at kglaser@washjeff.edu

Japan - Intersession 2017

Interested? Contact Dr. Miller
Registration for Intersession 2016 and Spring Term is just around the corner. Any students who are interested in the Japan 2017 Intersession trip should talk with their parents over fall break about how to use the Intersession experience and begin making plans now. If you are interested in taking the 2017 Intersession trip to Japan, Please see Dr. Miller (Old Main, 204 F) or e-mail him at smiller@washjeff.edu as soon as possible.

Winter Tales 14

Submission Deadline is December 31
Winter Tales 14 is W&J's next annual 10-minute-play festival, which will premier eight new plays this February.  This year, we present a line of dialogue to inspire any playwrights who might suffer from writer's block upon reading this message.  The line is "What's that thing for?"  All students, faculty, alumni, and staff are invited to submit up to two 10-minute plays, which may be on any subject and may contain the line "What's that thing for?"  Please limit the play's number of pages to nine and the number of characters to four or fewer.
 
Submit your 10-minute play to Professor T.S. Frank at sfrank@washjeff.edu.  If chosen, your play will be produced as part of an evening of concert readings.  This year the winner of the best student-written 10-minute play will receive a $100.00 cash prize.  Manuscripts should follow industry format in 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, with margins at 1 inch.  The deadline for submissions is 12/31.

Upcoming Events
This Week's Parkhurst Dining Events

Today
Holiday Dinner at the Commons

Tuesday
General Tso's at G&T's

Thursday
Food Around the World Lunch at the Commons

Friday
Sushi at G&T's

Saturday
Late Night Breakfast at Commons (starts at 10:00 pm)

Free Martial Arts class for W&J Community!

Lesson for Beginners is held on Tuesdays from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Are you interested in self-defense techniques or do you want to learn martial arts? We meet every Tuesday from 6:30 - 7:30 pm in the Alley (the basement of the HUB). Martial Arts class is free and open to students, faculty and staff. No experience necessary! The instructor is Dr. Matsuno, an associate professor of Chemistry.
 
Green Club Meeting

Tuesday at 7:00 pm
The Green Club will be having a meeting this Tuesday at 7:00 pm in the Common Room of Alex Hall.
 
Holiday Kick Off Week: Ice Skating

Wednesday from 6:00 - 10:00 pm on the Rossin Patio
What goes better with the holidays than ice skating? Head to the Rossin Patio this Wednesday evening to skate with friends! Special skates will be provided free of charge (so you can leave yours behind!)
 
Holiday Kick Off Week: Holiday Event

Wednesday from 7:00 - 9:00 pm in the Ballroom
Come to the Ballroom this Wednesday to celebrate the holiday season! There will be a variety of events including:
  • Gingerbread House Building, Ugly Sweater, & Door Decorating Contests; 
  • Craft/Activities
  • Music
  • Snow Globe Photos
  • Holiday Desserts
  • Hot Chocolate Bar
  • Fraternity & Sorority Life Information Tables
Join us for the Inspired Speaker Series

This Thursday
W&J students, faculty, and staff are invited to join members of the Sustainability Committee to attend the Inspired Speakers Series with the Green Building Alliance in Pittsburgh on Thursday. The committee is sponsoring a limited number of tickets, so you will be able to attend for free! Transportation is provided via W&J van and will depart from Rossin Campus Circle at 4:00 pm. Light food and drinks are included at the event. The speakers are Jeremy Rifkin, the bestselling author of twenty-one books on the impacts of scientific and technological changes on the economy, workforce, society, and environment and Bill Generett, the inaugural President and CEO of Urban Innovation21, a regional public-private economic development partnership. Van will return to campus by 8:00 pm. To reserve your spot, email sustainability@washjeff.edu.

Model UN Buffalo Wild Wings Fundraiser

This Thursday
Model United Nations will be having an "Eat Wings, Raise Funds" fundraising event at Buffalo Wild Wings on Old Mill Blvd. This will be an all-day event. Buffalo Wild Wings will donate 10% of all pre-taxed sales (less promotional discounts) from any guest who presents the flyer, be it a print-out version or on the guest's phone, to Model UN to help stem the costs of attending the Harvard National Model United Nations Conference in Boston this February.


Honors Seminar
 
"Reducing the impact of acid mine drainage by characterizing phytoremediation mechanisms of wetland ecotypes."
 
Rebecca A. Wilkes
Biology major, Chemistry and Computing & Information Studies minors
 
1:30pm on Friday, December 11, 2015
Dieter-Porter (DP) 100
 
All are invited to attend!

Shuttle Service Sign-Up Deadline

Sign-ups Close this Friday 
The deadline to submit shuttle services to the airport, bus, and train stations is this Friday (December 11, 2015) at 5:00 pm.

Finals Study Break: "Elf"

SAIL Movie this Friday at 6:00 pm in the Media Room
Head out through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, across the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and through the Lincoln Tunnel this Friday for a free screening of the popular holiday film "Elf". Sponsored by SAIL.

PAWS for a Study Break is Back

Saturday from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm 
Get ready for the puppies! PAWS for a Study Break returns to U. Grant Miller Library's Walker Room on Saturday from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Animals are a proven stress-reliever, so take a break from studying, and come hang out with volunteers from Pittsburgh's Therapy Dogs International chapter. This popular event typically draws close to 200 students, so come early to guarantee some quality canine time.

Finals Study Break: "A Christmas Story"

SAIL Movie this Saturday at 6:00 pm in the Media Room
Unfreeze your Oldsmobile and bring your favorite "major award" leg lamp and head down to the Media Room this Saturday for a free screening of the classic holiday film "A Christmas Story". Sponsored by SAIL.

Finals Study Break: Late Night Breakfast

Saturday from 10:00 - 11:30 pm in the Commons
Head to the Commons for a free late night breakfast served by faculty and staff members! Sponsored by Student Life & Parkhurst Dining Services.

Finals Study Break: "The Grinch"

SAIL Movie this Sunday at 12:00 pm in the Media Room
Grab a slice of roast beast and head to the media room on Sunday to catch a screening of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". Warning: this film contains grumpy green grinches. Sponsored by SAIL.

An Olde Fashioned New England Christmas

Sunday at 3:00 pm at the Olin Fine Arts Center
A heartwarming return to a gentler time. Gather the community and celebrate! From O. Henry's Gift of the Magi, and Dickens' Christmas Stories, to rousing holiday exclamations by Frost, Service and a host of others. An audience sing-along and hot cider and cookie reception make this an event you won't want to miss, a secular program to summon up the ghosts of Christmas past. Tickets required for this show.

Two FREE tickets per W&J Id, but family (siblings, parents) qualifies for extra. Call or stop by Olin M-F, noon-6 pm. 724-223-6546

For more information on Joshua Kane's, An Olde Fashioned New England Christmas go to: http://www.joshuakane.com/index.html

Study Snacks at the Library

The Library will be offering light snacks at the User Services Desk on several occasions during finals week:
Sunday, December 13 from 9:00 pm to Midnight
Monday, December 14 from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and 9:00 pm to Midnight 
Tuesday, December 15 from 7:00 am to 10:00 am

Finals Study Break: Finals Feast

Monday, December 14 from 8:00 - 10:00 pm at the Church of the Covenant
Take a break and enjoy donuts, refreshments, games and an open gym! Sponsored by the Church of the Covenant.

Textbook Buyback & Rental Return

Next Week
The Campus Store will be hosting a Textbook Buyback & Rental Return event next Tuesday (December 15) through Friday (December 18) from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Saturday (December 19) from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Be sure to bring your ID. Rental books are due by December 21.

Finals Study Break: Chair Massages & Relaxation

Tuesday, December 15 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the Hub
Indulge in a chair massage and learn some guided relaxation techniques to help reduce any finals stress. Sponsored by Student Life

Finals Study Break: Popcorn & Hot Cocoa

Wednesday, December 16 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm in Student Life (Rossin UL)
Join the Student Life staff for popcorn and a hot chocolate bar! Sponsored by Student Life.

Finals Study Break: Coloring Stress Relief

Thursday, December 17 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the Media Room
Remember coloring when you were a kid without a care in the world? Go back to a simpler and stress-free time with fun coloring pages! Sponsored by Active Minds Chapter of W&J.

Finals Study Break: Grab & Go Bags

Friday, December 18 Starting at 9:00 am in the Hub Lobby
Stop by the Hub to grab a snack pack. Great for packing and traveling time! 9:00 am until gone. Sponsored by SAIL.

Volunteer Opportunities
Give Back with Produce to People 

Register Today!
What better way to celebrate the holiday season and the end of the semester than to volunteer?! The Greater Washington County Food Bank Produce to People food distribution is in need of volunteers on Tuesday, December 8 from 8:00AM - 1:00PM at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Produce to People is the Food Bank's large-scale produce distribution program. Volunteers are needed to assist with anything from passing out the produce, to acting as runners and support. Volunteers can sign up for the full experience or for shorter shifts. Transportation is provided, and a shuttle leaves campus on the hour each hour and returns to campus on the half hour. Student volunteers are eligible to win a $50 gift card to a local restaurant or store! To register to volunteer, fill out the form here. Please register by 5:00 pm today.

Reusable Food Containers Available!

Help reduce the use of disposable products. Last academic year W&J consumed approximately 238,000 styrofoam "to go" containers and paper boats, which were used for only minutes before heading to the landfill. The Sustainability Committee and Parkhurst are proud to offer the opportunity to use reusable "To Go" containers.  How it works: Take the container to the cashier at G&Ts or the Commons. You hand the container to the cashier, she/he will then hand you a clean container in which to place your food. You enjoy your delicious food and then rinse out the container. Next time you head to G&Ts or the Commons for food, simply bring your used container with you. Place your order with the cashier, hand him/her your used container, and the cashier will hand you a clean container in which to place your food. To get your first container or if you have any questions or concerns please e-mail jmarch@washjeff.edu.
 
Schedule of EventsEvents
Monday
4:00 pm - Dean Eva's Open Office Hour (until 5:00 pm), Rossin UL
4:45 pm - Lighting of the Campus, Rossin Circle
5:00 pm - Holiday Dinner, Commons
5:30 pm - Adoration, Newman Center
6:00 pm - Mass, Newman Center
6:30 pm - Newman Club Homemade Dinner, Newman Center
7:00 pm - Open Gym (until 9:00), Church of the Covenant
7:00 pm - SAB Weekly Meeting, Fireplace Lounge (Hub UL)
8:00 pm - Holiday Concert, Olin Theatre
8:45 pm - Orthodox Christian Fellowship Meeting, Ski Lodge

Tuesday
Parkhurst Event - General Tso's at G&T's
8:00 am - Produce to People (until 1:00), Washington County Fairgrounds
6:30 pm - Martial Arts Class, The Alley (Hub LL)
7:00 pm - The Rush, Campus Ctr. Circle
7:00 pm - Green Club Meeting, Alex Common Room

Wednesday
6:00 pm - Ice Skating (until 10:00), Rossin Patio
7:00 pm - Holiday Events (until 9:00), Rossin Ballroom
7:30 pm - Student Recognition Recital, Olin 211
8:30 pm - Holiday Contest Winners Announced, Rossin Ballroom

Thursday 
11:00 am - Food Around the World, Commons
12:00 pm - Dean Eva's Open Office Hour (until 1:00 pm), Rossin UL
7:00 pm - The Rush, Campus Ctr. Circle

Friday
Parkhurst Event - Sushi at G&T's
1:00 pm - Free Bowling with W&J ID (until 3:00), Alpine Lanes
1:30 pm - Rebecca Wilkes Honors Seminar, Dieter-Porter 100
5:00 pm - Frisbee Friday, Tech Center Lawn
5:00 pm - Deadline to Submit Shuttle Service Requests
6:00 pm - SAIL Movies: "Elf", Media Room
6:30 pm - Pittsburgh Pipeline (departs 6:30, 8:30, & 10:30), Campus Ctr. Circle
9:00 pm - Monticello's, Hub LL

Saturday
9:00 am - Library Open (until 9:00), U. Grant Miller Library
11:00 am - Pittsburgh Pipeline (departs 11:00, 1:00, & 3:00), Campus Ctr. Circle
11:30 am - PAWS for a Study Break (until 1:30), U. Grant Miller Library
6:00 pm - SAIL Movies: "A Christmas Story", Media Room
6:30 pm - Pittsburgh Pipeline (departs 6:30, 8:30, & 10:30), Campus Ctr. Circle
10:00 pm - Late Night Breakfast (until 11:30), Commons

Sunday
11:00 am - Library Open (until 3:00am), U. Grant Miller Library
11:30 am - PAWS for a Study Break (until 1:30), U. Grant Miller Library
12:00 pm - SAIL Movies: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", Media Room
2:00 pm - DIY: Essential Oil Rollerballs (until 5:00), G&Ts
3:00 pm - "An Olde Fashioned New England Christmas", Olin Fine Arts Center
7:00 pm - Mass, Newman Center
9:00 pm - Snacks in the Library (until 12:00), U. Grant Miller Library




Want your event or announcement in the next W&J Weekly?
Email weekly@washjeff.edu by this Wednesday!