The DeSales Daily

Where all DeSales U campus announcements converge

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COVID-19 Updates

Until further notice — to centralize campus information during this unprecedented event, any and all updates regarding the campus response to COVID-19 will be posted on: 🔗 https://desales.edu/COVID-19.

You may still submit your updates regarding campus events, changes, etc. to dsudaily@desales.edu where they will be aggregated and vetted to be added to the COVID-19 page. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Please join us in praying for those whose health and life are impacted by this virus.

Questions? kristin.laudenslager@desales.edu

Give Now to Hearts on Fire!

Only two weeks until DeSales University’s 3rd Annual Day of Giving. Wednesday, February 10, 2021, is our chance to deliver a love letter to the University, and show our true love and appreciation. Whether Centaur or Bulldog, every alum, student, parent, athlete, family, faculty, and staff member can celebrate. Every gift will impact and strengthen the future of our students.

Don’t want to wait until February 10, 2021? Make your Hearts on Fire gift today at desales.edu/heartsonfire.

How to Make a Gift

  • Make a one-time gift online, or increase your impact by becoming a monthly donor.
  • Employee payroll deduction is available! Reach out to Director of Annual Giving, Catherine Logan, at Catherine.Logan@desales.edu for more information.
  • Want to wait until February 10? Stop by the Hearts on Fire table outside the University Conference Rooms on February 10 from 9AM to 4PM.

Challenges and Prizes

Social Media – From January 24 to February 10, social media posts during Hearts on Fire will receive one of the following items. (Must use #HeartsOnFireForDSU)

  • Most Creative – Brand new Space Gray iPad (128GB)
  • Best School Spirit – DeSales University blanket
  • Silliest – DeSales University cooler backpack

Full-Time Employee Challenge – If 200 full-time DeSales University employees donate during Hearts on Fire, Father Greenfield will award the University with a day off on Friday, July 2, 2021.

Alumni Participation Challenge – The academic division on campus that receives the highest alumni participation percentage will be awarded $5,000.

For more challenges and contests, check out desales.edu/heartsonfire.

Questions? Catherine.Logan@desales.edu

Faculty: Trexler Library Resources and Support Available for Your Class

Faculty, do you have research assignments coming up this semester? Trexler librarians are here to help! We know this semester may be flexible and challenging, so we are providing a variety of ways to assist, including virtual support for you and your students. We can provide information literacy instruction for  your courses to teach students the vital skills needed for successful research assignments. This can be done as a live class or through asynchronous videos and tutorials tailored to your courses.

In addition, Trexler Library has prepared resources to help faculty and students navigate the library this semester. Our Library Services during COVID-19 guide includes our updated policies and safety procedures as well as a new virtual tour of the library. We also have a Reopening FAQ page to answer all your questions about changes to the library.

For more information on library research support, contact us at reference@desales.edu

Dining Daily: Spring Semester Opening Weekend Dining Hours

Friday 1/29

DUC:

  • Breakfast: 9:30AM – 10:30AM
  • Lunch: 11AM – 1:30PM
  • Dinner: NO DINNER

*In-Person Orders only*

Saturday 1/30

DUC:

  • Breakfast: NO BREAKFAST
  • Lunch: 11AM – 3:30PM
  • Dinner: 4PM – 7:30PM

*Mobile Orders only*

Sunday 1/31

DUC:

  • Breakfast: NO BREAKFAST
  • Lunch: 11AM – 3:30PM
  • Dinner: 4PM – 7:30PM

*Mobile Orders only*

Sandella’s:

  • Late Night: 7:30PM – 1AM

*Mobile Orders only*

Monday 2/1

Normal Hours at all locations

Weekly Safety Tip: Preventing Fatigue

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 15 million Americans work irregular schedules, including full-time evening shifts, night shifts, and rotating shifts (where workers alternate between working nights and days in a given week). These kinds of shifts have been associated with safety and health risks, and certain jobs (such as disaster response) are at higher risk.

This is because an irregular sleeping pattern disrupts your circadian rhythm. A circadian rhythm is a 24-hour, internal cycle that controls when you feel alert and when you feel sleepy. Disrupted circadian rhythms lead to worker fatigue. Fatigue can also be exacerbated by long work hours or insufficient rest during the workday.

Effects of Fatigue             

  • Decreased ability to focus for extended periods of time
  • Increased chance that you will not pay full attention to the task at hand, such as operating a machine or a vehicle
  • Increased errors that could cause accidents or injuries
  • Decreased ability to perform tasks effectively
  • Decreased physical and mental health

Fighting Fatigue during the Day

  • Adjust lighting or temperature (or request that they be adjusted) if either is impairing your alertness at work.
  • Eat nutritious meals at regular times.
  • Exercise regularly. However, do not exercise too close to bedtime.

Managing Your Workload             

  • Moderate your workload as much as possible. If shifts are long, try to choose lighter tasks. If the work is intense, try to work shorter shifts.
  • Schedule heavy or demanding work at times when you are more alert to decrease the risk of an accident.
  • For demanding work, take frequent rest breaks every couple of hours.
  • Get at least 10 consecutive hours per day of off-duty time so that you can get 7-8 hours of sleep. This is the recommended amount of sleep for adults.

Improving Sleep Quality

  • Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
  • Find a schedule that works for you. Some experimentation may be required, especially if you work a night shift.
  • Circadian rhythms are affected by light, so make sure your room is sufficiently dark.
  • Assure there will be no noise or distractions, or block out noise that will keep you awake.
  • Regulate the temperature.
  • Assess your bed’s comfort level and make improvements if needed.
  • Do not eat large meals before bedtime. Especially avoid greasy foods and alcohol.
  • Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evenings.
  • Avoid using amphetamines or other stimulants, as well as sleeping pills, which can affect your performance the next day.
  • Monitor any medications which may affect sleep or work abilities.

If you have sleeping problems or chronic fatigue that continues after implementing all of these strategies, consider seeking medical help.

Questions? Dennis.Rasley@desales.edu

Request Additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your Office and Employees

Are you in need of additional Personal Protective Equipment for your office and employees for the Spring 2021 Semester?

If your department anticipates a need to procure these types of items (i.e. gloves, goggles, face shields, hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes), please review the following guidance:

  • If your area routinely purchases these items and is able to procure them from your usual supplier at the usual price, please proceed with the purchase as you would normally.
  • If your area routinely purchases these items and is unable to procure them from your usual supplier at the usual price, please specify the types of items and estimate the quantities you will need to operate for the spring semester and email the information to safety@desales.edu.
  • If you have not purchased these types of items in the past but anticipate needing them for the spring semester, please specify the types of items and estimate the quantities you will need to operate for the upcoming spring semester and email the information to safety@desales.edu.
  • If you anticipate you will have a need for these types of items but are unsure of product specifications or quantities, please contact Dennis Rasley (Dennis.Rasley@desales.edu) for additional guidance.

Thank you for your cooperation in coordinating this considerable effort. Please have your purchase information submitted to safety@desales.edu no later than Friday, January 29, 2021.

The DeSales University Occupational Safety & Health Team is available to provide any assistance you may need on the selection and quantity of items needed.

All requested items will be delivered to your location in a timely manner.

Please contact Dennis Rasley, Director of Occupational Safety & Health at ext. 1513 or Dennis.Rasley@desales.edu with any questions.

Members of the Student Nurses’ Association Became ‘Angels’ Over the Holidays

angel gifts

During winter break, the Student Nurses’ Association became ‘Angels’ to the residents at the Cedarbrook nursing home in Allentown, PA. Our ACCESS class liaison, Jennifer Bush, delivered the gifts to the residents during her time off from school. The residents were extremely thankful for our gifts!

Want to learn more about the Student Nurses’ Association? Contact Allison Nicinski at an8524@desales.edu.

3rd Annual Hearts on Fire Faculty & Staff Challenges

On Wednesday, February 10, 2021, whether you are a Centaur or a Bulldog, we ask all alumni, students, parents, athletes, families, faculty and staff, both near and far, to celebrate this incredible Day of Giving. Every gift, no matter what the size, will help impact and strengthen the future of our university.

Alumni Participation Challenge

  • The Academic Division on campus that receives the highest alumni participation will be awarded $5,000.

Full Time Staff Challenge

  • If 200 full-time DeSales University staff members make a gift to Hearts on Fire, Father Greenfield will award the University with a day off on Friday July 2, 2021. Part-time employees are encouraged to donate, but are not eligible for the day off.

Social Media Challenge

  • The best DeSales University Hearts on Fire social media post winner will receive a brand new iPad! Must use hashtag #HeartsOnFireForDSU to qualify.

Payroll deductions are available, and can be set up with Director of Annual Giving, Catherine Logan, at Catherine.Logan@desales.edu

Mileage Reimbursement for 2021

Effective January 1, 2021, the University’s business mileage reimbursement rate will be $0.56 per mile.  This rate equals the Internal Revenue Service reimbursement rate for the use of a personal vehicle for business mileage.

For travel dates in calendar year 2021, please use the 2021 Travel Expense Report located in MyDSU/University Forms and Documents/Business Office forms section.

If there are any questions, please contact Deb Naso at debra.naso@desales.edu