Latest Issue of CELT Notes
December 10, 2025

Grading parties, CELT Lunch, advising and Community of Practice invite

Note from Assistant Director, Christy Vrtis

Hi, all.

One of the major takeaways from the faculty survey CELT distributed at the end of November was that faculty appreciate opportunities to gather together and chat, share ideas, and mingle with folks outside their departments and disciplines. In that spirit, CELT will host a drop-in sandwich bar lunch during our grading party on Thursday, December 18. The sandwich bar will be open from 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. in the CELT Conference Room, Valders 242. We will have a variety of bread/rolls (including gluten free), meat, cheese, sandwich toppings, chips, fruit, dessert and drinks available. 

Next week’s CELT Notes will announce programming for January Term and the very beginning of Spring semester. 

I hope the last week of classes and final exams go smoothly for all. As always, please reach out to me or Erin with any questions or if you are in need of support as we wind up the fall semester. I hope to see you next week at one of our grading parties and/or our end of semester lunch!

Warmly,

Christy

1:1 Consultations | vrtich01@luther.edu | Valders 240 | 563-387-1587 | Mobile: 804-201-1688

Note from Instructional Designer, Erin Zidlicky

Plan Ahead: Very Short Turnaround Between Finals and Break

There is a very short turnaround between the end of finals on December 18 and the start of the holiday break just three working days later on December 24. Grades are officially due on December 29, but holiday breaks are meant to be true breaks — not workdays!

To help you finish grading comfortably before break begins, CELT is hosting three Grading Parties with support, snacks, and space to get things done:

• Tuesday, December 16 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., CELT Office, Valders 240
• Thursday, December 18 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., CELT Office, Valders 240. (A light sandwich-bar style lunch will be provided between 11-2 today in the CELT Conference room, Valders 242 for instructors. Drop-in and make a sandwich, chat with other faculty, and save a little $ before the holidays!)
• Monday, December 22 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., CELT Office, Valders 240

Drop in as your schedule allows. Let’s get everything wrapped up by the 24th so everyone can truly enjoy the holidays!

Note from Director of Advising, Heather Cote

Important Guidance on Paideia 112

Some students who need to be registered for Paideia 112 (all first-year students and a few others) are not currently enrolled in the course. There are seats available at 12:15 but the sections at 8:00 and 2:45 are closed. As you work with the few remaining students who need to register for PAID 112, please:

1. Make every possible effort to see if the student is able to build a schedule that would allow them to take PAID 112 at 12:15. They can then register for the open seat in that course themselves.
2. Treat the 8:00 and 2:45 sections as you would any other closed section. 

If you have a student with a need for access to a closed section (8:00 or 2:45), you must provide rationale for the student’s need to take the course at that particular time to paideia@luther.edu, with a copy to Associate Provost Jeff Wilkerson at wilkerje@luther.edu

Thanks for your support in getting these last few students registered.

Last Day to Cancel Credit/No Credit Authorization – Friday, December 12th – The last day to cancel credit/no credit authorization for a full-semester and 2nd 7-week courses is Friday, December 12. Please encourage your students to stop by the Registrar’s Office to do this by 5 p.m. (Students would have had to authorize credit/no credit by September 12th for a full-semester course or by October 28th for a 2nd 7-week course in order to cancel it).

Students not registered or under-registered – The Office of Student Success is currently reaching out to students who are not registered or under-registered for JT/Spring 2026. As advisors, you can help by encouraging your advisees to:

1. Contact Financial Aid (Main 27) to review loan options.
2. Visit Financial Services/Student Accounts (Main 118) to set up a payment plan if needed.

In most cases, taking these two steps clears the hold quickly. A gentle nudge from you can make a big difference in helping them register on time. Please let me know if you have questions or need support.

Note from Director of Community Based Learning, Britt Rhodes

Invitation to join a Community of Practice spring 2026!

A community of practice is a small group learning experience where individuals who share an interest come together to share knowledge and experience.  CoPs aim to enhance capacity for community engagement through research, resources and collaboration.  This spring SEED Coalition will be offering TWO communities of practice (CoPs) for faculty and staff at member schools in Iowa and Minnesota (an impressive list, including Luther):

Beyond Recidivism:  Reconsidering the Value and Purpose of Higher Education in Prison and Community-Engaged Learning:  Deep Dive (Scroll down on the same page!)  These are great opportunities to learn with colleagues from other schools around community engaged learning and civic engagement.

Informal CELT Programming

Friday Flow

Friday Flow is an opportunity to gather in the CELT Office and write. What you write is up to you, and the possibilities are boundless. Think of Friday Flow as your accountability partner or the friend that says “hey, you CAN take 30 minutes to reflect on the week – or write a poem – or outline your journal article – or work on your novel!” There will be snacks and drinks and, at points throughout the semester, time to share your work.

Friday, Dec. 12, (Drop-in anytime, 1-4 p.m.; CELT Office, Valders 240)

Mindful Monday

Join Christy in the CELT office, Valders 240, from 12:15-12:45 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15 for a 15 min meditation session. This week, we will again engage with Thich Nhat Hanh’s 4 Pebbles meditation, using pebbles collected from Star Lake in northern Minnesota. All are welcome.

Wellness Wednesday

Meet up with Christy in the CELT Office, Valders 240, at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17 for a 20-30 minute walk around campus, weather permitting. All are welcome.