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Student
Resources - 2012-2013
Welcome to the 2012-2013 academic year
at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Following is
important information and links to resources designed to help you
get off to a smooth start in your studies.
For new and returning
students:
News
from the Dean’s Office
Welcome to the 2012-2013 academic year at
United Theological Seminary.
We hope this will be a great year for you!
The summer mailing to new and returning students
was mailed on Friday, Aug 10. If you didn't receive a summer packet,
please contact Deb Olsen, deolsen@unitedseminary.edu.
Transitions
On July 2, 2012, United welcomed The
Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Holmes as its 8th president. Prior
to coming to United, she was professor of ethics and African American
religious studies at Memphis Theological Seminary, where she also
served as dean from 2005-10. She attended Columbia Theological Seminary
in Atlanta and earned her Ph.D. in religion (ethics) at Vanderbilt
University. She is an ordained minister recognized in the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ). There will be opportunities during
Orientation and Community Day to meet and get acquainted with our
new president.
I look forward to seeing each
of you as you start you study here. This promises to be an exciting
year at United, and I am glad you will be part of it.
~ Sue
Ebbers
Dean of the Seminary
Director of the Library
Professor of Theological Bibliography
Faculty
News
At their April 2012 meeting, the board of
trustees promoted Barbara Anne Keely to Schilling
professor of leadership and economic life of the church. Barbara
Anne assumed her new role as of July 1, 2012, and will continue
her duties as faculty officer for masters admissions. We congratulate
Barbara Anne on her promotion.
United's associate professor
for worship, and theology and the arts, Jann Cather Weaver,
retired as of June 30, 2012. In recognition of her years of distinguished
service to the seminary, to theological education broadly, and to
the church and the wider community, the board of trustees voted
to confer on her the status of professor emerita. We welcome Jann
back in spring term 2013 as part of our adjunct faculty.
Sabbatical Leaves
Professor of Preaching Chris
Smith will be on sabbatical during spring and summer terms
2012-2013. Letters to students with information about temporary
advisors during her sabbatical will be sent from the assistant dean
in late December.
We welcome back Barbara
Anne Keely and Carolyn Pressler who were
on sabbatical for spring and summer terms of last year.
We extend a warm welcome to adjunct
faculty teaching in 2012-2013:
| During Fall Term: |
| Lisa Friedman |
CH340 UU History & Polity I |
| Linda Gesling |
CH430 Women's History
& Experience in the Christian Church |
| Cindi Beth Johnson |
TR271 Theological Interpretation of the Arts and
TR272 Arts Practicum |
| Tony Jones |
CL550 The Emergent Church Movement & New Ecclesiology |
| David McMahill |
CH310 United Church of Christ History
and Polity I |
| Russ Myers |
CL625 Chaplaincy in a Pluralistic Age (co-taught with Bob
Albers) |
| Cia Sautter |
TR714 World Religions |
| Scott Stapleton |
CH365 American Baptist History &
Polity |
| Pam Wynn |
IS100 Principles of Writing and Critical
Thinking in Theological Interpretation |
| Wilson Yates |
TR235 The Church, Spirituality and the Arts |
| During Winter Term: |
| Jeanyne Slettom |
TR546 James Luther Adams |
| Kim Vrudny |
CS732 Global Justice Trip to South Africa (co-taught
with Chris Smith) |
| During Spring Term: |
| Diana Barber |
CH330 PC (USA) Polity |
| Katie Brink |
CH162 Older Testament in the Life of the Church |
| Beth Donaldson |
CL336 Preaching |
| Rob Eller-Isaacs |
CH341 UU History & Polity II |
| John Gustav-Wrathall |
CH462 American Religious Histories |
| Cindi Beth Johnson |
CL894 Evangelism through the Arts |
| Tony Jones |
CL550 The Emerging Church Movement & New Ecclesiology |
| David McMahill |
CH311 UCC History & Polity II |
| Steve Newcom |
IS152 Integration of Ministry & Local Theologies (co-taught
with Carolyn Pressler) |
| Herb Perkins and Margery Otto |
TR331 Antiracism Dialogue: Theory and Practice |
| Ted Tollefson |
TR748 Taoism |
| Jann Cather Weaver |
CL330 Worship of the Church |
| During Summer Term: |
| Yvette Flunder |
"Race, Sexuality & Gender: Analyze! Preach!"
Women's Studies elective on race, gender and sexuality (course
number TBA) |
Fall
2012 Dates to Remember
September 5 - Orientation, Advising and
Registration Day
New students are expected to attend. Please be sure to register.
Schedule/Registration
Form Please register by Monday, August 27.
September 6 - Community Day: "The
Art of Community"
SAVE THE DATE! Community Day is a time for new and returning students,
staff and faculty to gather and renew our ties as the United community.
More information about the event will be sent via email.
Registration
is required. Please reserve your place by Monday, August 27.
September 10 - First Day of Classes
Welcome to the 2012-2013 academic year at United Theological Seminary!
September 11 - Opening Communion
We will open the seminary's year as a worshipping community
by celebrating the Eucharist during the regular chapel time on
Tuesday, September 11, at 11:35 AM. Celebrants will be Chris
Smith and Eleazar Fernandez.
September 20 - Fall Convocation
The seminary’s fall convocation, which ceremonially marks
the beginning of the new academic year, will be held during chapel
time on Thursday, September 20. We welcome United president Barbara
A. Holmes as our speaker. Faculty will process.
September 25 - Introduction to Unit I
Consultations
12:30-1:00 PM
Students in masters degree programs at United are required
to participate in Unit I developmental consultations
at North Central Ministry Development Center (NCMDC) as part of
their educational program. Read more
September 28 - Get-acquainted
pot-luck gathering for students of color. Families welcome!
Read more
October 17 - Antiracism Workshop (required
of 2012 newly matriculated M.Div., M.A.R.L., and M.A.)
Read
more
Hybrid
Online Course
One
course will be offered in an online hybrid format this year. Participants
must be prepared to logon to the courses using high speed Internet.
Visit the Registration
Bulletin for more information.
CH161
Orientation to the Older Testament: Pentateuch and Former Prophets
Instructor: Carolyn Pressler, offered in fall term
course
description
Highlighting
New and Revised Courses
We are pleased to announce the offering of several new courses this
academic year. Visit the online Registration
Bulletin for more information.
CH465 American Baptist
History & Polity
Instructor: Scott Stapleton
course
description
CL550 The Emerging
Church and New Ecclesiology
Instructor: Tony Jones
course
description
TR546 James Luther Adams
Instructor: Jeanyne Slettom
course
description
CH407 Jesus after
the Gospels
Instructor: Paul Capetz
course
description
TR632 Race, Sexuality
& Gender: Analyze! Preach!
(Women's Studies elective
in Summer Term 2013)
Instructor: Yvette A. Flunder
course
description
Anti-Racism
Workshop - a requirement for newly matriculated students*
Students matriculating into the masters degree programs
in summer or fall terms of 2012 are required to attend a one-day
workshop on Wednesday, October 17, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. "Creating
a Culture of Inclusion, Mutuality, and Solidarity - Transformational
Processes" will be presented by Herbert Perkins,
Ph.D., M.Div. (UTS '10), and Margery Otto, J.D.
Perkins and Otto are United adjunct faculty and are recognized as
skilled and compassionate dialogue facilitators. The workshop is
a prerequisite to enroll in IS152 Integration of Ministry and Local
Theologies. Students admitted in spring term 2011-2012 are strongly
encouraged to attend. Read
more.
REGISTRATION
IS REQUIRED - Deadline to register:
September 14, 2012
New masters degree students register by emailing Deb Olsen,
deolsen@unitedseminary.edu.
The workshop schedule and pre-workshop readings will be sent upon
receipt of registration. The email should include "antiracism
workshop" in the subject line. Please note any dietary restrictions
in your registration email.
The workshop will not be offered again
during this academic year, so plan now to attend.
* Non-degree students matriculating
or planning to matriculate into a masters degree program are
encouraged to attend the workshop if they have not yet taken IS152.
Contact Deb Olsen, deolsen@unitedseminary.edu,
to register.
* Newly admitted non-degree
students who would like to participate should register
to attend. A notice of available seats in the workshop will be sent
when all degree students have registered. Contact Deb Olsen, deolsen@unitedseminary.edu,
to register.
Community
Day - "THE ART OF COMMUNITY"
Thursday,
September 6, 2012
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Community Day is an opportunity for all students, faculty, staff,
and their guests to casually make new acquaintances, renew friendships,
and engage in a variety of activities. We encourage partners and
spouses to attend! Watch your seminary email for more information
about activities and the schedule of the day.
Registration
is required. Register by Monday, August 27 by
emailing Deb Olsen and provide the following information:
- your
name (there may be name tags)
- the
name of your guest
- any
food restrictions for you or your guest
Masters
Student Handbook
Over the course of the last academic year the seminary did a thorough
review of the Masters Student Handbook. The revised handbook
will be available online in early August in a searchable PDF format
for your convenience. You are encouraged to refer to the Masters
Student Handbook (located in the Student Services area),
as it holds important information about your studies at United.
There are too many changes to note here, but revisions are dated.
For the most up-to-date news about faculty,
adjunct faculty, course offerings, and any revisions to the Masters
Student Handbook throughout the course of the academic year,
please read the seminary’s weekly e-newsletter, Monday
Morning.
News
from the Registrar’s Office
The letters from the registrar include helpful information about:
- The Student Information Form and the Religious
Affiliation Denomination release
- Student ID cards
- United seminary email
- Registration deadlines
- Registration forms - which one to use?
Welcome
to New Students (PDF)
Welcome
to Returning Students (PDF)
United’s
Registration Bulletin
United posts course registration materials online. Visit the Registration
Bulletin page of the seminary’s website (under Academics),
and you will find convenient links to registration information for
each term of the coming academic year. In addition to course information,
you will find links to course descriptions, textbook lists, and
syllabi when available.
United
Email Accounts
We provide an email address to every student taking courses for
credit. The account is yours as a student and alum. In your United
email in box you will find:
- Tuition statements
- Monday Morning, the seminary’s
weekly e-newsletter
- Important communications
from United faculty and staff
New students will receive login information
in their summer letter or in their student mailboxes on Orientation
Day. See the PDF brochure on instructions
for email to learn how to manage your email. Once activated,
the account can be set up to redirect email to an account you check
regularly.
Redirected emails remain in your seminary
account’s deleted folder. You must periodically clear
out your deleted folder.
Student
Mailboxes
Student mailboxes are located in the first floor corridor
between the Context Café and the stairs to the library and
classroom wing. Lists are posted on the mailbox endcaps with your
name and mailbox number. The mailbox is located below the
number plate. In your student mailbox you will find important
items such as:
- Your student ID card, which is also your United
library card
- Graded papers and exams
- Important information/notices from Student Executive
Council
Accessing
Essential Student Services
New students receive a paper copy of this helpful resource in their
Orientation packets, but returning students may find it helpful
as well. You can find the Accessing
Essential Student Services document on Moodle.
Monday
Morning
The seminary’s weekly e-newsletter, Monday
Morning, is sent so it arrives in your United email in
box every Monday during the school year. Please read it regularly,
as it will list important things you need to know such as:
- changes to the Masters Student Handbook
- new courses or changes to current courses
- financial aid information
- guest lectures
- seminary events
- events of interest outside the United community
Monday
Morning is issued by the dean’s office. Announcements
for Monday Morning should be sent to Deb
Olsen by 5:00 PM on Thursdays. Please reference ‘Monday
Morning’ in the subject line.
Technology
Moodle
United uses Moodle as our course management software. Moodle
uses the same password as email. Your instructor will advise if
they are using Moodle in a course. Click
here for more information about Moodle.
Wireless Access
United is wireless throughout the classroom wing, Spencer Library,
Context Café, and Steckel Learning Center. For information,
visit Student Services Computer Support on Moodle.
Technology Questions
For assistance with computer questions, contact computersupport@unitedseminary.edu.
News
from the Director of Financial Aid
Financial Aid
If you are planning to apply for need-based financial aid for the
2012-2013 academic year, you must first complete the FAFSA (Free
Application for Federal Student Aid). File electronically by going
to www.fafsa.ed.gov
and use the school code for United: G02386. There is no guarantee
that need-based funds will be available at this late date. Federal
Direct Stafford loans will be available if you wish to apply.
Student Loans
If you are borrowing a Federal Direct student loan, your
first disbursement will be ready for pick up on Friday, 9/14/12.
The second disbursement will be available on Friday, 2/8/13. We
need to certify your student loan two weeks before the term begins
for the funds to be available the first week of class. Tuition and
fees will be deducted from the loan and any balance will be issued
to the student for living expenses on these dates.
If you have questions about financial aid, please
contact Michelle Turnau, director of financial aid and housing,
at mturnau@unitedseminary.edu
or 651.255.6117.
News
from the Housing Director
On-Campus Housing
Students who plan to use the on-campus commuter apartments should
contact Michelle Turnau at 651.255.6117 or mturnau@unitedseminary.edu
to schedule the nights needed. Space is limited. The cost is $20.00
per person per night.
Apartments Available
We have one-bedroom apartments available. The monthly rent is $700.00
and includes all utilities, basic cable TV, and wireless Internet
service.
If you have questions about housing, please contact
Michelle Turnau, director of financial aid and housing, at mturnau@unitedseminary.edu
or 651.255.6117.
News
from the Business Office
Statements
Your fall 2012 statement will be sent in the annual summer letter.
Please pay your balance in full -or- set up a payment
plan by Friday, 9/14/12 -or- complete your student
loan application by Monday, 8/27/12,
to avoid a $50 late payment fee and/or problems with your registration.
(The $50 late payment fee will be charged on Monday,
9/17/12, and you will receive another billing by email.) If your
bill still has not been settled, the registrar will revoke your
registration on Monday, 10/1/12. A copy of the revocation letter
will be sent to you and your instructors.
Payments
Tom
Lockhart and Sue Johnson will be available to process payments (checks/credit
cards-Visa, MasterCard or Discover) from 9:30 AM-6:00 PM on Monday,
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during the first week of classes. Payments
can also be made by phone - check your summer letter packet for
details.
Payment
Plans
If
you don't have a balance due from previous terms and you'd like
to spread your payments out over the current term, please contact
Sue Johnson to
set up a payment plan. Your first payment needs to be made by 9/14/12,
and your account needs to be paid in full by 12/18/12. There is
a $25 administrative fee for payment plans.
Student
Loans
If
you are planning to pay your balance with student loans, please
see the note from the director of financial
aid.
Questions?
If you have questions about paying your bill, please contact Sue
Johnson, financial services coordinator, at 651.255.6114 or sjohnson@unitedseminary.edu.
News
from the Multicultural Coordinator's Office
Dear New and Returning Students of Color,
Welcome and welcome back to United Theological Seminary of the Twin
Cities!
The Office of Multicultural Affairs supports the
overall mission of the seminary with a deliberate focus for students
of color in their goal to achieve academic success. In addition
to classroom participation, all students are invited to enhance
their global social justice and diversity learning experience through
local and international travel as well as by participating in campus
events, such as workshops, lectures and many special chapel services.
Details of such events and opportunities will be
listed in Monday Morning, our weekly electronic newsletter,
which will come to you via email. In the meantime, I invite you
to plan to attend these two highlighted very important events:
Friday, September 28, 2012, 5:00-8:00
PM
Get-acquainted event for New & Returning Students of Color
New and returning students of color are invited to a
get-acquainted pot-luck gathering on Friday, September 28, from
5:00-8:00 PM. Families welcome!
Location: Professor Sharon Tan’s home, 1960 Inca Lane, New
Brighton, MN
Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 11:35 AM
Palestine/Israel Group Presentation & Experience
Location: Bigelow Chapel
Leaders: Professor Eleazar Fernandez and Brenda B., Helen C.,
Pamela C, Margaree L., Jan M., Katherine P., and Karen S.
November 16-17, 2012
Overcoming Racism Conference
Location: Metropolitan State University
For more information, visit www.overcomingracism.org.
I am in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesday from
9:00 AM-2:00 PM. Feel free to stop by, call 651.255.6118 or email.
Peace and Blessings,
Margaree Levy, M.S.
Multicultural Coordinator
mlevy@unitedseminary.edu
Want
the recipe for how to nurture
your creative and spiritual life while at United?
Step 1:
New students should stop by the Art Studio
on Orientation Day!
The studio will host an Open House Bookmaking Workshop!
Orientation Day, September 5, 2:00-4:00 PM
- This workshop is open to new students.
- Bring 4 or 5 copies of pictures from your adventures
this summer!
- You will be using these photos to create a
simple book.
- Ideally these pictures should be 3x5"
or 4x6" in size.
- Not sure if you want to
try this? Come and cheer others on!
Step 2:
All students are invited to participate
in United's Fall Art Show in response to the anti-marriage amendment:
Holy Families: A Celebration of Love. Read
more
Step 3:
Through the year, make sure to utilize
the Art Studio as your creative pit stop!
- Open Studio events
- Art lunches
- Stop by and do something creative
- Sign up to do an arts demonstration or plan
your own event. Talk to Amanda Hunter, ahunter@unitedseminary.edu,
for more info about reserving the studio or to plan an event.
Read
more about the Art Studio.
Online
Directory
Photos of new students will
be taken on Orientation Day. The photos will be added to the seminary’s
online directory. Look for photographers in the Context Café
as the day begins or during the lunch break. If you are a returning
student and would like to have your picture taken, please see the
admissions office.
Copyright
Law Compliance by Students
It is the policy of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
that its faculty, staff, and students shall comply with the laws
of the United States pertaining to copyright, with particular attention
to Title 17. Read
more about the copyright laws (PDF)...
North
Central Ministry Development Center (NCMDC)
Consultation Schedule 2012-2013
Students in the masters degree programs at United are required to
participate in one or more developmental consultations at the North
Central Ministry Development Center (NCMDC) as part of their educational
program. Depending on the student’s program, one, two or three
units is required.
The seminary requires these assessments and consultations
because religious leadership in all its many forms is deeply personal.
Thus deepening one’s self-awareness is an important part of
graduate theological education. NCMDC consultations are one of the
means by which we support you in cultivating such self-awareness.
These consultations are not used by the seminary to evaluate you.
Instead they are designed to be part of your educational process
- education about yourself. You are the primary “client”
in these consultations, not the seminary. Since we all bring some
degree of self-awareness with us to seminary, not everything the
consultations will tell you about yourself will be new. Some of
it will confirm things you already know about yourself. That too
is an important result.
Each unit involves a two-step process. The first
is your completion of certain psychological inventories during a
scheduled time period. The second is either an individual or group
consultation about what the inventories show. For Unit I this consultation
is individual and takes place in an appointment you make with a
member of the NCMDC staff. For Units II and III a group consultation
is used that is integrated into the teaching/learning processes
of a specific class (CS252 for Unit II; IS351 for Unit III).
The schedule for those consultations for the 2012-2013
academic year is as follows:
Unit I
(Required of ALL M.Div., M.A.R.L., and M.A. students.):
Tuesday, September 25, 12:30-1:00 PM in the Strobel
Room, for orientation to the process and receiving the needed information
to take the inventories online. Students who miss this orientation
must contact NCMDC directly at 651.636.5120. In November, students
will schedule individual appointments directly with NCMDC for the
interpretation of results.
Unit II
(Required of students in CS251-252):
Friday, September 14, 11:45 AM: introduction to completion of inventories
online
Friday, November 16, 9:00 AM: group interpretation of the results
Unit III
(Required of students in IS351):
Tuesday, September 11, 8:00 PM: completing inventories, and
Tuesday, October 30, 6:00 PM: group interpretation of the results
Immunization
Law
When you enroll in college in Minnesota, you may need to
show that you’ve been vaccinated against five major, vaccine-preventable
diseases. Read
more (PDF)...
Student
Employment Opportunities
Faculty
Clerical Assistant
United Theological Seminary is seeking a Faculty Clerical Assistant
to provide clerical support for the faulty and academic staff and
general support for administrative operations during the academic
year for up to 12 hrs/wk. This is a student position. The ideal
candidate will have work experience in an office setting, possess
excellent organizational, communication, and relational skills;
and have the ability to respond to multiple requests and prioritize
tasks to meet deadlines with minimal supervision. To apply, please
email a letter describing your work experience relating to the needs
of this position to Vonda Pearson at vpearson@unitedseminary.edu
by Wednesday, August 15. If applying after August 15, email your
letter to Deb Olsen, deolsen@unitedseminary.edu.
Assistant
to the Registrar
United
Theological Seminary is seeking an Assistant to the Registrar to
assist the registrar with routine maintenance of student records
and office files including filing documents, helping with mailings,
making copies of forms, updating student mailboxes, organizing student
and office files, and light computer work. This is a student position
and will average 4 hrs/wk although some projects may require more
hours. The ideal candidate will have clerical experience in an office
setting; possess excellent organizational skills; and have the ability
to maintain the highest level of confidentiality, attend to details,
and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
To apply, please email a letter describing your work experience
relating to the needs of this position to Susan Hastings at shastings@unitedseminary.edu
by Friday, August 24.
Young
Adult Recruitment Coordinator
United
Theological Seminary is seeking a Young Adult Recruitment Coordinator
to assist the Admissions team implement strategies and admission
goals, especially those focused on recruiting young adults. This
is a position for a student currently enrolled in a degree program.
Applicants need to be a peer of this target demographic; have experience
with youth and young adult ministries; display familiarity with
the faith traditions from which United draws its students; have
strong interpersonal and communication skills; and be committed
to the church. The ability to travel by car and/or plane at various
times during the week and on weekends is required. Email resumes
and current contact information to: gherrington-hall@unitedseminary.edu
Deadline: Monday, August 20. References will be requested should
an interview be scheduled.
Online
Bookstore at United
Beginning with summer term 2013, United will post books for courses
on the seminary's Online
Bookstore at United powered through Amazon.com. If you shop
on Amazon, consider shopping via the seminary's Amazon portal. Every
purchase you make through the United Theological Seminary website
ensures that a percentage of your purchase goes to support United.
So go ahead, make those Amazon purchases, and support a worthy cause!
Interested
in Rural Ministry?
Check out a course being offered at Luther
Seminary this fall:
RM 4520 01 - FOUND OF SMALL TOWN AND RURAL MIN (1.00 course)
Instructor(s): Alvin Luedke
Description
This course is an introduction to the local, national, and global
influences which are shaping small town and rural (STaR) life and
ministry today. An emphasis will be placed on the realities of the
small town and rural context and ways in which congregational leaders
can creatively and faithfully respond in mission.
Schedule: S - 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, (LUNCH BREAK 12-1PM)
9/8/2012
9/29/2012
10/13/2012
11/3/2012
12/1/2012
For more information visit the Luther
website.
United
Theological Seminary Student Health Plan Options
Some or all of the options listed below are available depending
on the plan selected:
- Co-pay or Major Medical Plans
- Preventive Care
- Co-pays for Formulary Generic/Brand Drug Prescriptions
- Unlimited Lifetime Maximum
For more information such as Plan Benefit
brochures, rates, and online enrollment, visit www.davidagencyinc.com.
For more information or if you have questions, call Tim Donovan
of The David Agency at 952.277.0674 |
Assistant Dean for