Faculty Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
The Minervas are an excellent way to become involved in life here at Union. Not just a social apparatus for students, the Houses are tools to facilitate faculty-staff-student involvement, provide space for academic events and classes, as well as funding for those programs and events. The system is flexible and responsive, encouraging creativity and free expression, and its only limitations are the ones created by a lack of imagination. Please feel free to work within this system to enhance your time here at Union.
· Online Event Requests
Our main site listed above has links to each Minerva House’s Website, as well as direct links to the Event Request Procedure and Room Reservations. You may fill out the form, and submit it electronically to your House Council. If your Council approves your request, they can help with planning and implementation.
· Minerva Calendar
This calendar displays all upcoming Minerva events, and is maintained by the House Communication Chair; your House website also has a link to events happening in just your House. All events are open to the Campus community.
· Minerva Office
This office is available as a resource for you assistance. If you have any questions, or comments---or if you would like assistance in planning an event, reserving a room, getting in touch with your House Council, or anything else Minerva related---please contact us at any time.
Faculty Representative by Minerva House
Blue House – Shelton Schmidt, Economics
Golub House – Melinda Lawson, History
Green House – Hugh Jenkins, English
Wold House – Peter Bedford, Religious Studies
Sorum House – Suzie Benack, Psychology
Breazzano House – Chad Orzel, Physics
Your Faculty Representative is an excellent resource for Minerva information. The Office is always available to you as well.
Faculty/Staff FAQ from Suzie Benack
What is my status, exactly, as a faculty/staff member affiliated with a Minerva House?
You are a member of your Minerva House, exactly the same as the students who are members. Faculty, students and staff members have the same privileges (except that only students can live there)! You can join a committee, hold an event, have office hours there, hang out, cook in the House, etc.
What can I do in my House? What House resources are available to me?
You can use the spaces in the House for events for your classes, meetings, review sessions, office hours, lunches, etc. You can ask for House funds for 1) events for your classes held in the House, 2) all-campus events held in the House, 2) events open only to House members, whether held in the House or not (including off-campus events).
How can I tell if an event is appropriate for Minerva funding versus, say, IEF?
If it’s held in the House or is for House members, it’s appropriate for Minerva funding. So, for example, having dinner and a movie for your class in the House would be Minerva funding – taking your class to an off-campus movie would be IEF funding. An off-campus trip to a museum or concert open only to House members would be Minerva fundable – if it was open to the whole campus, however, it would be more appropriate for IEF or Student Activities.
How do I reserve space in the House and get House funds?
Go to the main Minerva webpage – there are links for reserving rooms and applying for funds at the bottom. Funding requests are approved by House Councils. Once approved, Ben Foster and Michelle Pawlowski in the Minerva Programs Office will help with ordering food, processing purchases, a/v, furniture set up, etc.
Do I have access to all the Houses?
Your ID card gives you access to all of the Minerva Houses from 7:30am to 2am during the academic year. If you need access at another time, ask Ben Foster (fosterb@union.edu).
What about teaching in the Minervas?
Each Minerva has a seminar room holding 14 – 20 people, with electronic capability (you must bring a laptop; ITS will give you one for the term). Classes can also be scheduled in the common rooms of many of the houses. Requests to teach in the seminar rooms go through the regular procedure (tell you department chair your preference); requests to teach in the common rooms go to your House Coordinator (listed on the Room Reservation page).
How can I find out about events in the Houses which would interest me?
There is a weekly email to faculty/staff listing upcoming Minerva events. Or visit the main Minerva calendar, which lists events in all the Houses.
I have a question/suggestion/complaint/idea/problem -- Who do I call?
In general, your Faculty Representative is a good starting point (listed above). Tom McEvoy is available to talk about any ideas, concerns, suggestions for the Minerva program. For “nuts and bolts” issues (purchasing, food, a/v, etc.), Ben Foster or Michelle Pawlowski in the Minerva Programs Office are good resources.