Susan Geller, Portal project director, recently announced that she would be leaving the University to join Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners (iocp.org) in the role of associate director. William Dana, Student project director, has accepted the additional role of Portal project director for ESUP. William is very excited for this opportunity and planning is underway to ensure a smooth transition for both teams. Congratulations, William!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Join the Communications Committee
In 2013, a Communications Committee was formed to improve communications within ASR and other units who communicate with us. The committee is looking for a few new members who would like to join. The committee meets monthly, usually brings a treat to share, works to identify barriers that block good communication and opportunities for improving how we are interacting as a whole or within our smaller units.
If you like to think creatively outside the box, then this might be the committee for you! The next meeting is January 31, 2014 in 290 Fraser Hall at 1:30 p.m. Please feel free to join us!
Committee members include Tina Falkner, Deb Wilkins, Cheryl Johnson, Pat Rickard, and Jackee Wernersbach.
If you like to think creatively outside the box, then this might be the committee for you! The next meeting is January 31, 2014 in 290 Fraser Hall at 1:30 p.m. Please feel free to join us!
Committee members include Tina Falkner, Deb Wilkins, Cheryl Johnson, Pat Rickard, and Jackee Wernersbach.
There's still time to donate!
If you haven't donated to one of ASR's service projects yet, there's still time to do so! Look for boxes in various locations throughout our offices to donate items for the following projects:
- Toys for Tots (toys or other gifts for children of all ages). Donations accepted through December 20. Drop-off boxes located in 160 Williamson Hal, 130 Coffey Hall, and 120 Fraser.
- Gift cards for the campus-based Student Parent Help Center (gift cards to stores where student parents can purchase everyday necessities). Donations accepted through January 3. Drop-off box located in 160 Williamson Hall, 120 Fraser, and 130 Coffey Hall.
- Items for the Ronald McDonald House connected with the University's Amplatz Children's Hospital. Donations accepted through January 3. Drop-off box located in 160 Williamson Hall.
- Animal Humane Society (items for all kinds of animals from dog treats to pet dishes and much more). Donations accepted through January 3. Drop-off box located in 225 STSS or at West Bank or St. Paul One Stop locations.
Contact Tina Falkner if you have any questions.
- Toys for Tots (toys or other gifts for children of all ages). Donations accepted through December 20. Drop-off boxes located in 160 Williamson Hal, 130 Coffey Hall, and 120 Fraser.
- Gift cards for the campus-based Student Parent Help Center (gift cards to stores where student parents can purchase everyday necessities). Donations accepted through January 3. Drop-off box located in 160 Williamson Hall, 120 Fraser, and 130 Coffey Hall.
- Items for the Ronald McDonald House connected with the University's Amplatz Children's Hospital. Donations accepted through January 3. Drop-off box located in 160 Williamson Hall.
- Animal Humane Society (items for all kinds of animals from dog treats to pet dishes and much more). Donations accepted through January 3. Drop-off box located in 225 STSS or at West Bank or St. Paul One Stop locations.
Contact Tina Falkner if you have any questions.
Online Student Data Update training
The Academic Support Resources (ASR) Training Team recently launched Student Data Update (SDU) training that may be used in lieu of in-person SDU training. SDU training is necessary to be granted update access in PeopleSoft. Registration for online training began Monday, December 16.
Registration and training is available in ULearn, the University's Learning Management System that allows for administration, tracking, and reporting of training content. The online training videos and related activities will take approximately 60-90 minutes to complete. Following confirmation of having completed the training, as well as submitting the Access Request Form, access to update data in PeopleSoft will be granted.
Online training provides users a self-paced environment that can be re-launched for future use. In-person training will still be available, but it is no longer required. Registration for both in-person and online training will be in ULearn.
Registration and training is available in ULearn, the University's Learning Management System that allows for administration, tracking, and reporting of training content. The online training videos and related activities will take approximately 60-90 minutes to complete. Following confirmation of having completed the training, as well as submitting the Access Request Form, access to update data in PeopleSoft will be granted.
Online training provides users a self-paced environment that can be re-launched for future use. In-person training will still be available, but it is no longer required. Registration for both in-person and online training will be in ULearn.
Annual service outage January 4 & 5
The University's annual data center maintenance outage is scheduled for 6 a.m. Saturday, January 4, with restoration scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. Sunday, January 5, 2014. The maintenance outage requires a complete shutdown of the primary data center and will affect many IT services, including One Stop self-service applications, PeopleSoft, and Moodle. It is expected that all affected services will be restored by noon Sunday.
The list of affected services, as well as updates during the maintenance period, will be available on the University's IT Service Status page. (Note: You may need to expand the Planned Maintenance section to view the list). Click here for a complete list of affected services.
Questions and concerns should be directed to Data Center Operations Services service owner Joe Zanmiller at jpz@umn.edu.
The list of affected services, as well as updates during the maintenance period, will be available on the University's IT Service Status page. (Note: You may need to expand the Planned Maintenance section to view the list). Click here for a complete list of affected services.
Questions and concerns should be directed to Data Center Operations Services service owner Joe Zanmiller at jpz@umn.edu.
System Status retires Friday, Dec. 20
System Status, the web page used to communicate IT outages, will be retired on Friday, December 20 and will be redirected to its replacement, IT Service Status. Generated by the University's IT Service Management tool, ServiceNow, IT Service Status can be accessed by the public and does not require authentication.
Unlike System Status, Service Status does not rely on the University network, enabling IT to communicate with the University even if the network is down. Another advantage is the ease in which incident, problem, and change records can be associated and tracked. Take a quick video tour of the new IT Service Status page and learn how to create outages in Service Now.
Unlike System Status, Service Status does not rely on the University network, enabling IT to communicate with the University even if the network is down. Another advantage is the ease in which incident, problem, and change records can be associated and tracked. Take a quick video tour of the new IT Service Status page and learn how to create outages in Service Now.
Whether or if?
Many people believe whether is interchangeable with if, but it isn't. If introduces one condition. Here's an example: "If we save money, we can afford a trip to Europe." Whether expresses a condition where there are two or more alternatives. For instance, "I'm not sure whether I will study at the library or the coffee shop."
Thursday, December 5, 2013
People in Your Neighborhood: Mike Brown
Mike Brown is a lifelong learner. "One of my biggest fears is getting too comfortable and not progressing and learning," he said.
Hailing from Largo, Florida, Mike received his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of South Florida. After college, Mike wasn't sure what career he wanted to pursue, he just knew he wanted to be in higher education.
"I love biology and science, but didn't like the lab work and research," he said. "I began tutoring math and science at St. Petersburg College."
Soon after, Mike got involved with the administrative and student services side of higher education and found his passion. He moved to Minnesota in May 2012 to start at Hamline University's registrar's office as a transfer coordinator.
But Mike wanted to be more involved in process improvement. So, about six months ago, he started working in the Graduate Student Services and Progress (GSSP) office as a GSSP Coordinator.
With his job, he focuses primarily on the Graduate Degree Plan (GDP). He processes the GDP and advises graduate programs on policies and processes. He also troubleshoots student degree progress process problems. On top of these tasks, he is the day-to-day supervisor of the ASR front desk student workers in 160 Williamson Hall.
"I really enjoy working in GSSP. My position affords me more opportunities to be engaged in processes and make large-scale, systematic changes," he said. "The environment is very collaborative and student-centric. It's a great place to work."
Mike plans to apply to the master's program in classics and near-eastern studies in fall 2015. For now, Mike is taking prerequisite classes classical Hebrew language courses as a non-degree student. He hopes to add an advanced understanding of biblical Hebrew to his repertoire so he can conduct academic research on ancient texts.
When he's not at work or brushing up on his ancient texts, Mike lives in Richfield with his wife of three years, Domini, and his sister-in-law. He has an Australian Shepherd named Tonks and a cat named Ferdinand.
In his spare time, Mike likes to read, skate, snowboard, fish, and play video games. He also loves bad science fiction movies and books. Mike also enjoys surfing, but that's proven to be a bit difficult to do in Minnesota.
Mike's Materials
1. Mike can do a roundoff back handspring and juggle (not at the same time).
2. He says people would describe him as friendly, silly, and nerdy.
3. His favorite book is the The Silmarillion by J.R.R Tolkien.
4. Wedding Crashers is his favorite movie.
5. Star Trek is Mike's favorite TV show.
6. If he could be any character for a day, he'd be Sonic the Hedgehog. "He's fast, and I'm slow."
7. His favorite food is cheese.
8. Mike loves punk rock music.
9. Sum 41 was his first concert, though he wants everyone to know that they don't count as punk music.
10. Mike grew up wanting to be a professional folk musician, but says he didn't have the discipline.
Hailing from Largo, Florida, Mike received his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of South Florida. After college, Mike wasn't sure what career he wanted to pursue, he just knew he wanted to be in higher education.
"I love biology and science, but didn't like the lab work and research," he said. "I began tutoring math and science at St. Petersburg College."
Soon after, Mike got involved with the administrative and student services side of higher education and found his passion. He moved to Minnesota in May 2012 to start at Hamline University's registrar's office as a transfer coordinator.
But Mike wanted to be more involved in process improvement. So, about six months ago, he started working in the Graduate Student Services and Progress (GSSP) office as a GSSP Coordinator.
With his job, he focuses primarily on the Graduate Degree Plan (GDP). He processes the GDP and advises graduate programs on policies and processes. He also troubleshoots student degree progress process problems. On top of these tasks, he is the day-to-day supervisor of the ASR front desk student workers in 160 Williamson Hall.
"I really enjoy working in GSSP. My position affords me more opportunities to be engaged in processes and make large-scale, systematic changes," he said. "The environment is very collaborative and student-centric. It's a great place to work."
Mike plans to apply to the master's program in classics and near-eastern studies in fall 2015. For now, Mike is taking prerequisite classes classical Hebrew language courses as a non-degree student. He hopes to add an advanced understanding of biblical Hebrew to his repertoire so he can conduct academic research on ancient texts.
When he's not at work or brushing up on his ancient texts, Mike lives in Richfield with his wife of three years, Domini, and his sister-in-law. He has an Australian Shepherd named Tonks and a cat named Ferdinand.
In his spare time, Mike likes to read, skate, snowboard, fish, and play video games. He also loves bad science fiction movies and books. Mike also enjoys surfing, but that's proven to be a bit difficult to do in Minnesota.
Mike's Materials
1. Mike can do a roundoff back handspring and juggle (not at the same time).
2. He says people would describe him as friendly, silly, and nerdy.
3. His favorite book is the The Silmarillion by J.R.R Tolkien.
4. Wedding Crashers is his favorite movie.
5. Star Trek is Mike's favorite TV show.
6. If he could be any character for a day, he'd be Sonic the Hedgehog. "He's fast, and I'm slow."
7. His favorite food is cheese.
8. Mike loves punk rock music.
9. Sum 41 was his first concert, though he wants everyone to know that they don't count as punk music.
10. Mike grew up wanting to be a professional folk musician, but says he didn't have the discipline.
You're appreciated!
The annual ASR staff appreciation event is Thursday, December 12 from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Library Bar and Grill in Dinkytown. All ASR staff, including student staff, are invited to celebrate the hard work and progress made in 2013. As in years past, there will be a raffle for prizes. You are welcome to bring a prize for the raffle if you'd like. See you there!
One Stop and University Veterans Services limited service on Dec. 12
On December 12, if a student needs to meet with a counselor after 1:30 p.m., please direct him or her to the One Stop in the Science Teaching and Student Services building.
Lending a helping hand
Each year, ASR staff have the opportunity to participate in a service project. We're mixing things up a bit this year though. Rather than supporting only one project, staff may give to several different causes. Look for boxes in various locations throughout our offices to donate items for the following projects:
- Toys for Tots (toys or other gifts for children of all ages). Donations accepted through December 20. Drop-off boxes located in 160 Williamson Hall and 120 Fraser.
- Gift cards for the campus-based Student Parent Help Center (gift cards to stores where student parents can purchase everyday necessities). Donations accepted through January 3. Drop-off box located in 160 Williamson Hall.
- Items for the Ronald McDonald House connected with the University's Amplatz Children's Hospital. Donations accepted through January 3. Drop-off box located in 160 Williamson Hall.
- Animal Humane Society (items for all kinds of animals from dog treats to pet dishes and much more). Donations accepted through January 3. Drop-off box located in 225 STSS or at West Bank or St. Paul One Stop locations.
- Second Harvest (non-perishable food items for children, families and seniors in our community; you may also make a cash donation). Donations accepted through December 18. Drop-off box located in 160 Williamson Hall.
Contact Tina Falkner if you have any questions.
- Toys for Tots (toys or other gifts for children of all ages). Donations accepted through December 20. Drop-off boxes located in 160 Williamson Hall and 120 Fraser.
- Gift cards for the campus-based Student Parent Help Center (gift cards to stores where student parents can purchase everyday necessities). Donations accepted through January 3. Drop-off box located in 160 Williamson Hall.
- Items for the Ronald McDonald House connected with the University's Amplatz Children's Hospital. Donations accepted through January 3. Drop-off box located in 160 Williamson Hall.
- Animal Humane Society (items for all kinds of animals from dog treats to pet dishes and much more). Donations accepted through January 3. Drop-off box located in 225 STSS or at West Bank or St. Paul One Stop locations.
- Second Harvest (non-perishable food items for children, families and seniors in our community; you may also make a cash donation). Donations accepted through December 18. Drop-off box located in 160 Williamson Hall.
Contact Tina Falkner if you have any questions.
Thank you, veterans!
The 7th annual Student Veterans Appreciation Day went off without a hitch on November 12. The event, which was held in Coffman Memorial Union, celebrated the contributions of University student veterans, military members, and their families. This year's event featured a short program, including:
- The University's Military Color Guard
- The University Marching Band
- Remarks from veteran and University head wrestling coach J. Robinson; and
- Remarks from University student veteran Zach Benson.
Thank you to all of our student veterans for your sacrifice and service!
- The University's Military Color Guard
- The University Marching Band
- Remarks from veteran and University head wrestling coach J. Robinson; and
- Remarks from University student veteran Zach Benson.
Thank you to all of our student veterans for your sacrifice and service!
Winter coat drive
The Student Parent HELP Center has volunteered to organize a winter coat drive for low-income students and their children. If you'd like to donate gently used, clean, women's, men's, or children's coats, please drop off your items in the large gold box outside room 24 in Appleby Hall.
Children's boots that are in good shape are also accepted, as well as hats and gloves/mittens that still have their mates. The deadline to donate items is Wednesday, December 11.
Children's boots that are in good shape are also accepted, as well as hats and gloves/mittens that still have their mates. The deadline to donate items is Wednesday, December 11.
Student work stream finishes IDPs!
For the past nine months, University business analysts, subject matter experts, and members of functional steering committees have been in IDPs evaluating what PeopleSoft has delivered and what our business requirements are. Read more about all of their hard work and what's up next.
Brainy biologists
If you have a chance, be sure to check out the second floor of STSS this Friday. Biology 2002 students will be presenting their final capstone projects from 8-10 a.m. in the general purpose study space on the second floor.
The students have been working hard on their projects all semester and often have fascinating results to share. Dean Bob Elde from the College of Biological Sciences (CBS) also encouraged staff to check out the students' work during his keynote address at the fall 2013 ASR staff event.
The students have been working hard on their projects all semester and often have fascinating results to share. Dean Bob Elde from the College of Biological Sciences (CBS) also encouraged staff to check out the students' work during his keynote address at the fall 2013 ASR staff event.
Changing bus routes
Beginning December 7, Metro Transit and other regional public transportation providers will resume bus service on Washington Avenue. U of M Campus Connector buses will also return to Washington Avenue on Monday, December 9. For more information on the new routes and bus stops, click here.
Holiday shopping online
Are you planning to avoid the crowds this holiday season and shop online instead? The November issue of "OUCH!" has a few tips for doing so securely. Take a minute to also download and share "OUCH!" to share with your family, friends, and other would-be online shoppers.
Stay updated on campus emergencies
If you haven't done so already, remember to sign up for TXT-U, the University's emergency notification text messaging system. You can register or update your information online at TXT-U, and add up to two numbers to keep family members or others informed.
Bring vs. take
You'll probably be doing a lot of bringing and taking this holiday season. But how do you know which action you are really performing? If you are moving something toward a person or a place, then you are bringing something. (Ex: I'm bringing gifts to my parent's house.) If you're moving something away from a person or place, then you are taking. (Ex: I'm taking our packages to be gift wrapped at the store.)
Thursday, November 14, 2013
People in your neighborhood: Sarah Naranjo
Teaching and education is vital to Sarah Naranjo. She has been active in higher education and in K-12 education for years.
Sarah has a bachelor's degree in sociology and German from the U and a master's degree in teaching from St. Thomas. She speaks fluent German and has studied abroad in Germany multiple times.
Her previous jobs include spending a summer in Alaska with an organization called Youthworks and working in the College of Continuing Education for 4-5 years. Most recently, Sarah worked in North St. Paul as a middle and high school German teacher.
"I really enjoyed teaching middle and high school German," Sarah said. "But I knew that I always wanted to come back to the U."
Two years ago, Sarah began working in One Stop Student Services as a counselor. She currently works in the West Bank location. She counsels students about financial aid, registration, and billing. "I really like working with students," she said. "We see a lot of the same students on West Bank so we can get to know the them a little bit."
And, even though many other people don't like drama, Sarah says she doesn't mind hearing about other people's personal problems. "I like listening to people and helping them through their issues."
Beyond her daily work tasks, Sarah is on the Tuition Refund Appeal committee and a new member of the Financial Literacy Committee.
"I'm excited to be able to use some of my creativity and presentation skills with the Financial Literacy committee," she said. "I can help students understand financial impacts of their decisions and develop skills to gain future financial success."
Originally from Owatonna, Sarah currently lives in Minneapolis, about a mile and a half from West Bank so she can bike to work. She lives with her husband of four years, Francisco, and their 2 ½ year old son, Andrew. She is also currently expecting her second child due on November 11.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys being active outdoors. She loves camping and taking walks or bike rides.
Sarah is also pretty artsy. She loves to sing and go salsa dancing. In fact, she met her husband salsa dancing at First Avenue. She also enjoys cooking and doing art and crafts projects with her son.
Fun fact about Sarah: her last name means "orange tree" in Spanish.
Singen Sarah
1. Sarah is a landlord. She owns a duplex with her brother that they used to live in but now rent out.
2. Her favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption.
3. She loves the show 24.
4. If Sarah could have a superpower, she'd want to be Supermom.
5. Favorite type of music is salsa music, especially Bachata.
6. Her mom's food is her favorite food.
7. Sarah is very afraid of flying.
8. The last book she read was Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child.
9. Her first concert was The Monkees.
10. She couldn't live without good, healthy food and companionship.
Sarah has a bachelor's degree in sociology and German from the U and a master's degree in teaching from St. Thomas. She speaks fluent German and has studied abroad in Germany multiple times.
Her previous jobs include spending a summer in Alaska with an organization called Youthworks and working in the College of Continuing Education for 4-5 years. Most recently, Sarah worked in North St. Paul as a middle and high school German teacher.
"I really enjoyed teaching middle and high school German," Sarah said. "But I knew that I always wanted to come back to the U."
Two years ago, Sarah began working in One Stop Student Services as a counselor. She currently works in the West Bank location. She counsels students about financial aid, registration, and billing. "I really like working with students," she said. "We see a lot of the same students on West Bank so we can get to know the them a little bit."
And, even though many other people don't like drama, Sarah says she doesn't mind hearing about other people's personal problems. "I like listening to people and helping them through their issues."
Beyond her daily work tasks, Sarah is on the Tuition Refund Appeal committee and a new member of the Financial Literacy Committee.
"I'm excited to be able to use some of my creativity and presentation skills with the Financial Literacy committee," she said. "I can help students understand financial impacts of their decisions and develop skills to gain future financial success."
Originally from Owatonna, Sarah currently lives in Minneapolis, about a mile and a half from West Bank so she can bike to work. She lives with her husband of four years, Francisco, and their 2 ½ year old son, Andrew. She is also currently expecting her second child due on November 11.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys being active outdoors. She loves camping and taking walks or bike rides.
Sarah is also pretty artsy. She loves to sing and go salsa dancing. In fact, she met her husband salsa dancing at First Avenue. She also enjoys cooking and doing art and crafts projects with her son.
Fun fact about Sarah: her last name means "orange tree" in Spanish.
Singen Sarah
1. Sarah is a landlord. She owns a duplex with her brother that they used to live in but now rent out.
2. Her favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption.
3. She loves the show 24.
4. If Sarah could have a superpower, she'd want to be Supermom.
5. Favorite type of music is salsa music, especially Bachata.
6. Her mom's food is her favorite food.
7. Sarah is very afraid of flying.
8. The last book she read was Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child.
9. Her first concert was The Monkees.
10. She couldn't live without good, healthy food and companionship.
ASR represents at UMACRAO
ASR was well represented at UMACRAO (the Upper Midwest Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) this October. Kess Knight and Mandee Nguyen presented to a packed house on the role of differing social media platforms in the registrar and admissions offices. They showed how various tools like Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, and Facebook can be used strategically to build brand loyalty and engage audiences well beyond the traditional marketing and recruitment purposes. Amber Cellotti talked about the change management in the graduate education transformation process and shared some best practices for those who may undergo this process in the future. Ingrid Nuttall led a group of participants through the Individual Development Process where each attendee mapped out long and short-term goals and what it will take to achieve them. Tina Falkner (with Clare Dingley from the Morris campus) talked about the upgrade strategy and ways to minimize data entry mistakes and methods to help find them, and Tina also lead FERPA Jeopardy for a crowd of over 50 participants.
All Campus update
On November 11-12, about 60 people from all campuses gathered in Brainerd to lay the foundation for the next phase of the ESUP project. Participants reflected upon the challenges and successes of the IDP (Interactive Design and Prototyping) phase and discussed how best to move forward with creating business process guides and test plans (the next phase). The next phase will require some different approaches to maintain involvement from all campuses, as the process for creating these documents is different. Each of the student workstreams shared major changes that will be occurring to their business process or for their end-users as a result of the upgrade, so discussions about potential integrations can begin.
Give to the Max is today!
Give to the Max Day is the University's annual online giving initiative to support important causes. Today, you can select one (or two!) you care about most and provide a donation. You can choose among undergraduate scholarships, community and research, medicine and health, Gopher athletics, and more.
New Google feature
Google's on the move again. Within the next few weeks, they will release a new feature that will automatically update University Calendar events when changes are made in associated Google Groups. For more information, check out Google Group changes.
Since and because
This grammar rule is a little tricky. Since refers to time, whereas because refers to causation. For instance, "Since I stopped studying, I have not done well in school." Since refers to the time when the person stopped studying. Here's another example: "Because it was so hot, I had to drink lots of water during my run." Because refers to the heat, which caused the person to be thirsty and drink water.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Survey reminder
On October 14, you received an email from the Hay Group, the external vendor chosen by the University to conduct a survey of engagement. The email contains a link to the online survey. Please take 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. The results will help the University in creating an employee engagement program for staff and faculty.
Each survey link is unique so the Hay Group can provide data analysis to the University. If you can't find your email from Hay Group, email them at UofMNsurvey.US@haygroup.com to request a new link.
Each survey link is unique so the Hay Group can provide data analysis to the University. If you can't find your email from Hay Group, email them at UofMNsurvey.US@haygroup.com to request a new link.
Last day to donate to Community Fund Drive
The 2013 Community Fund Drive, the U's annual charitable giving campaign, ends today! So far, $1 million has been raised toward the $1.5 million fundraising goal. You can have funds taken out of your payroll automatically or give a one-time gift. If you prefer to use a paper form, download one from www.umn.edu/cfd. The website also has information on our seven federation partners and weekly prize drawings, plus a grand prize drawing.
Veterans Appreciation Day
Join fellow University of Minnesota students and staff at the 7th annual Student Veterans Appreciation Day on November 12, 2013 at Coffman Memorial Union. The event recognizes the important contributions of University student veterans, military members, and their families to our country. This year's event will feature a short program, including:
- The University's Military Color Guard
- The University Marching Band
- Remarks from veteran and University head wrestling coach J. Robinson, and
- Remarks from University student veteran Zach Benson.
A chili luncheon will be provided for guests. The best part? It's free! For more information, including program details, visit the event web page.
- The University's Military Color Guard
- The University Marching Band
- Remarks from veteran and University head wrestling coach J. Robinson, and
- Remarks from University student veteran Zach Benson.
A chili luncheon will be provided for guests. The best part? It's free! For more information, including program details, visit the event web page.
IT@UMN Google group
Join the IT@UMN Google group to get updates on IT services (e.g., product rollouts, disruption notifications), information on current and emerging technologies, IT events, and more. IT@UMN is a system wide movement to build community among staff who work in IT and others who have an interest in IT at the U. The Google group is its established means of communication. To join, visit it.umn.edu and click Join the Google Group.
ASR goals for 2014
Have you had a chance to review ASR's goals for 2014? If not, you can check them out here. In addition to overarching goals for the department as a whole, each unit within ASR also has a unique set of priorities for the coming year.
Recap of staff event
The fall 2013 ASR staff event went off without a hitch. Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Bob McMaster began the morning with an update on undergraduate education. He shared priorities and goals for the coming year, as well as retention and graduation rates. Dean Bob Elde from the College of Biological Sciences (CBS) followed Bob's presentation with an update on CBS and how influential ASR has been to the college.
Following Dean Elde's keynote address, staff were shown a video entitled "What does ASR do for U?" Associate Vice Provost and University Registrar Sue Van Voorhis then closed the event with a recap of ASR priorities and its direction moving forward. If you were unable to attend the event, you may view it here.
Following Dean Elde's keynote address, staff were shown a video entitled "What does ASR do for U?" Associate Vice Provost and University Registrar Sue Van Voorhis then closed the event with a recap of ASR priorities and its direction moving forward. If you were unable to attend the event, you may view it here.
Benefits open enrollment
Do you need to make a change to your benefits? If so, or if you'd like to open a flexible spending account for 2014, be sure to adjust your medical or dental plan choices during November. (The open enrollment period ends Dec. 2.) During this time, you may increase the amount of your existing short-term disability by up to $200 by completing a paper application, and, if eligible, you may enroll in or increase long-term disability coverage. You may also add child life insurance. Make your changes online via Employee Self-Service by Dec. 2. For more information, see the benefits guide or call 4-UOHR (612-624-8647).
Admission decision inquiries
The Office of Admissions recently began mailing freshman admission decisions to fall 2014 applicants. Although most students and their families contact the Office of Admissions directly regarding admission decisions, there are students and families who inquire to personal contacts who work elsewhere at the University. To ensure that responses to students are timely and accurate, students and their families should be directed to the Admissions office when they have inquiries about their admission decision.
Farther vs. further
This rule is similar to our last one regarding fewer and less. The word farther implies a measurable distance. For example, "I ran two miles farther than Kate." Further should be used for abstract lengths you can't always physically measure. For instance, "The rising cost of gas caused further implications."
Thursday, October 17, 2013
People in Your Neighborhood: Jody Seiler-Peterson
Jody Seiler-Peterson's passion is financial aid. She grew up in Fargo, North Dakota and received her bachelor's degree in sociology from Minnesota State Moorhead University (MSUM). As a student, she worked in the financial aid office and knew she had found her calling.
Soon after, she started working in ASR as a counselor in the Loan Unit. Through the years, she moved on to become a business analyst (BA) and a project coordinator.
Now, after 13 years in ASR, Jody is a BA in FA-IT. "My heart goes toward financial aid," she said. "I like to be more hands on and I love helping students."
As a BA, Jody supports multiple business processes, including the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) and various loan processes. She makes sure everything from the ASR-IT side is running smoothly so the business process can successfully be completed. One of her big projects recently was the implementation of the loan exit counseling system.
She says she loves working in ASR because of her coworkers. "I also really like being on campus," she said. "It's great to be a part of all the great ideas that flow around the University."
Beyond her daily duties, Jody is also involved in ESUP project work. "I'm really excited to learn and use the new 9.0 system and all the tools that come with it," she said. "The upgrade could potentially make old business processes more efficient and create new ones."
In recent years, Jody also received her master's in educational policy and administration from the U.
When she's not working, Jody loves to read and watch movies. She also loves to spend time with her family. She has been married to her husband John for nine years. They live in Apple Valley and have a one and a half year old named Olen.
"We love to be active outside, like playing baseball, going for walks, and jumping on the trampoline," she said. "Olen also likes to look at worms."
And here's something you may not have known about Jody; she was roommates with Tracy Fischer (Continuity and Compliance) for four years.
Joyful Jody
1. Garth Brooks was her first concert.
2. Jody says she has really good reflexes. "I can react quickly to something dropping or when something is thrown at me," she said. "Now people are going to throw things at my face to test me though."
3. Her favorite TV show is the Amazing Race.
4. She loves planning trips, including looking for a flight and hotel, and researching things to do/unique experiences.
5. Jody traveled through Europe with her brother a few years ago.
6. Jody couldn't live without coffee and laughter.
7. Jody says people would describe her as "quiet, agreeable, and compassionate."
8. She grew up wanting to be a lawyer.
9. If she could have any superpower, it would be to know when people are lying. "It would make life a lot simpler."
10. The last book she read was Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.
Soon after, she started working in ASR as a counselor in the Loan Unit. Through the years, she moved on to become a business analyst (BA) and a project coordinator.
Now, after 13 years in ASR, Jody is a BA in FA-IT. "My heart goes toward financial aid," she said. "I like to be more hands on and I love helping students."
As a BA, Jody supports multiple business processes, including the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) and various loan processes. She makes sure everything from the ASR-IT side is running smoothly so the business process can successfully be completed. One of her big projects recently was the implementation of the loan exit counseling system.
She says she loves working in ASR because of her coworkers. "I also really like being on campus," she said. "It's great to be a part of all the great ideas that flow around the University."
Beyond her daily duties, Jody is also involved in ESUP project work. "I'm really excited to learn and use the new 9.0 system and all the tools that come with it," she said. "The upgrade could potentially make old business processes more efficient and create new ones."
In recent years, Jody also received her master's in educational policy and administration from the U.
When she's not working, Jody loves to read and watch movies. She also loves to spend time with her family. She has been married to her husband John for nine years. They live in Apple Valley and have a one and a half year old named Olen.
"We love to be active outside, like playing baseball, going for walks, and jumping on the trampoline," she said. "Olen also likes to look at worms."
And here's something you may not have known about Jody; she was roommates with Tracy Fischer (Continuity and Compliance) for four years.
Joyful Jody
1. Garth Brooks was her first concert.
2. Jody says she has really good reflexes. "I can react quickly to something dropping or when something is thrown at me," she said. "Now people are going to throw things at my face to test me though."
3. Her favorite TV show is the Amazing Race.
4. She loves planning trips, including looking for a flight and hotel, and researching things to do/unique experiences.
5. Jody traveled through Europe with her brother a few years ago.
6. Jody couldn't live without coffee and laughter.
7. Jody says people would describe her as "quiet, agreeable, and compassionate."
8. She grew up wanting to be a lawyer.
9. If she could have any superpower, it would be to know when people are lying. "It would make life a lot simpler."
10. The last book she read was Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.
Visa now accepted for tuition payments
Effective Monday, October 7, the University began accepting Visa credit and debit cards for online tuition and fee payments. The University's credit card processing vendor assesses a non-refundable 2.75% service fee whenever a credit or debit card is used. Those planning on paying with a debit card can avoid that service fee by paying directly from a bank account. Questions? Contact One Stop Student Services at onestop@umn.edu or 612-624-1111.
Feedback, please!
The third ASR employee survey for 2013 is now open. If you haven't completed the survey yet, you will receive an email with a link to the survey on Monday morning. The survey is anonymous and your feedback is appreciated. Please complete the survey by October 25. If you have questions, please contact a member of the survey team (Amber Cellotti, Trinity Muller, Maggie O'Neill, or Matt Tveter).
ASR ESUP standout
Guidelines for mobile apps
In response to recent inquiries from University groups on the topic of mobile application development and branding, University Relations has created guidelines and requirements for branding University-related mobile apps. For more information, check out the mobile app guidelines.
Outside consulting
Looking for some extra opportunities on the side? Outside commitments by University employees may be beneficial and are allowed, as long as they do not interfere with employment responsibilities, compete with coursework offered by the University or services offered by the employee's unit, or exceed the time limits allowable for outside consulting by eligible faculty and academic professional and administrative (P&A) employees. For more information and to review this policy, visit the University of Minnesota Board of Regents Policy.
Fewer and less
This one isn't too tough if you can remember that fewer should be used for things that you can actually quantify or count. For example, "There are fewer than 10 apples on the table." Less, on the other hand, is used for hypothetical quantities or things you can't physically count. For instance, "I have less success in school when I don't study."
Thursday, October 3, 2013
The People in Your Neighborhood: Betsy Hawes
Betsy Hawes is a small town girl. She grew up in Ottertail, Minnesota, a town with little more than 500 residents.
One of her first jobs was working at a small ice cream shop called Otter Treat in her hometown. "I was an ice cream 'specialist,'" she said. "It may not have been the most interesting job, but it was definitely the most fun."
Her hometown is surrounded by lakes so one of Betsy's favorite pastimes is being on the water. She also loves to be with her friends and family, especially while playing and watching sports. Her favorite sport is volleyball and she is currently in a league.
In fact, Betsy loves sports so much that if she could be anything, she would be a professional golfer. "It'd be fun to travel and play golf all the time," she said.
Betsy also likes adventuring and traveling. The most adventurous thing she's ever done is kayaking through a creek full of wild animals in the Bahamas. She also traveled through Spain with two friends for three weeks.
Betsy currently lives in Hopkins with her fiancé, Jackson. The two recently got engaged and are getting married in June 2014 at his parent's lake house. "Wedding planning is overwhelming," she said. "But I'm excited to start!"
Professionally, Betsy grew up wanting to be a teacher. She received her bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato (MNSU) in elementary education. However, after college, Betsy's goals changed. She instead wanted to work on a college campus helping students. So she went on to receive her master's degree in educational leadership from MNSU and began working in Residence Life as a Hall Director at the same university.
Then, this past April, Betsy started in ASR as a One Stop Counselor. "I love having the one-on-one time with students at the counter," Betsy said. "Interacting with and helping students is my favorite part of my job."
As a counselor, she helps students, parents, and staff navigate the enrollment, billing, payment and financial aid processes.
She says the best part about working in ASR is the people. "Everyone is so friendly," she said. "When I started in April, I felt so welcomed into such a fun environment. This is a great place to work."
Bit O' Betsy
1. Her first car was a woody station wagon.
2. Betsy's favorite movie is The Shawshank Redemption.
3. She loves music from Cities 97, like Ingrid Michaelson, The Lumineers, and David Gray.
4. The last book Betsy read was Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer.
5. Foo Fighters was her first concert.
6. Her favorite book is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, a book about a professor diagnosed with cancer who gives his last lecture.
7. If she had a superpower, it would be invisibility. "I could see when people are having a hard time and help without them knowing."
8. Her family grows giant pumpkins.
9. She loves Subway sandwiches.
10. Betsy can't live without chapstick and a toothbrush.
One of her first jobs was working at a small ice cream shop called Otter Treat in her hometown. "I was an ice cream 'specialist,'" she said. "It may not have been the most interesting job, but it was definitely the most fun."
Her hometown is surrounded by lakes so one of Betsy's favorite pastimes is being on the water. She also loves to be with her friends and family, especially while playing and watching sports. Her favorite sport is volleyball and she is currently in a league.
In fact, Betsy loves sports so much that if she could be anything, she would be a professional golfer. "It'd be fun to travel and play golf all the time," she said.
Betsy also likes adventuring and traveling. The most adventurous thing she's ever done is kayaking through a creek full of wild animals in the Bahamas. She also traveled through Spain with two friends for three weeks.
Betsy currently lives in Hopkins with her fiancé, Jackson. The two recently got engaged and are getting married in June 2014 at his parent's lake house. "Wedding planning is overwhelming," she said. "But I'm excited to start!"
Professionally, Betsy grew up wanting to be a teacher. She received her bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato (MNSU) in elementary education. However, after college, Betsy's goals changed. She instead wanted to work on a college campus helping students. So she went on to receive her master's degree in educational leadership from MNSU and began working in Residence Life as a Hall Director at the same university.
Then, this past April, Betsy started in ASR as a One Stop Counselor. "I love having the one-on-one time with students at the counter," Betsy said. "Interacting with and helping students is my favorite part of my job."
As a counselor, she helps students, parents, and staff navigate the enrollment, billing, payment and financial aid processes.
She says the best part about working in ASR is the people. "Everyone is so friendly," she said. "When I started in April, I felt so welcomed into such a fun environment. This is a great place to work."
Bit O' Betsy
1. Her first car was a woody station wagon.
2. Betsy's favorite movie is The Shawshank Redemption.
3. She loves music from Cities 97, like Ingrid Michaelson, The Lumineers, and David Gray.
4. The last book Betsy read was Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer.
5. Foo Fighters was her first concert.
6. Her favorite book is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, a book about a professor diagnosed with cancer who gives his last lecture.
7. If she had a superpower, it would be invisibility. "I could see when people are having a hard time and help without them knowing."
8. Her family grows giant pumpkins.
9. She loves Subway sandwiches.
10. Betsy can't live without chapstick and a toothbrush.
Ingrid Nuttall accepts Academic Records director position
Ingrid Nuttall has accepted the Academic Records director position of the Office of the Registrar (OTR) within ASR. In her new role, she will bring her wealth of experience to OTR, which will contribute to fostering student success. Her involvement in many ASR-wide projects will assist in a smooth transition. During her time in ASR, Ingrid has taken on several major initiatives and completed them successfully. Congratulations, Ingrid!
Staff appreciation event
The annual ASR staff appreciation event is Thursday, December 12 at the Library Bar in Dinkytown. Come celebrate the end of another successful fall semester with your co-workers. The event will feature soda, coffee, appetizers, and door prizes!
Politics at work
A friendly reminder to keep any political conversations respectful of other people's differences. ASR embraces a diversity of opinions and the directors believe that a healthy debate about ideas is important. However, it is also important to respectfully disagree without dismissing or minimizing the beliefs of others.
January data center outage
The annual primary data center maintenance and related service interruption is scheduled for Jan. 4-5, 2014. The outage is set for 6 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, with restoration beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5. It is expected that all affected services will be restored by noon Sunday. For more information, see data center.
Happy homecoming
One Stop Student Services was well represented in the Homecoming 2013 Parade last Friday. ASR staff walked in the parade with colorful posters and lots of Ski-U-Mah spirit. Parade goers even started chanting "One Stop!"
Viewing classroom availability in Astra Schedule
When using Astra Schedule, schedulers should reply on the request forms to view classroom availability. Using the grid calendars is no longer necessary to request a classroom. You can now request space and see availability in the same place.
To view the schedule of a specific general purpose classroom, use the General Purpose Classroom Search. Choose the building you are interested in, then select the room name. The room details will appear on the right hand side of the screen. Click on the "Room Schedule" link to bring up the daily calendar for the classroom. If you prefer to see an entire week or month at a time, you can easily switch your view by using the buttons on the upper left-hand corner of the calendar.
To view the schedule of a specific general purpose classroom, use the General Purpose Classroom Search. Choose the building you are interested in, then select the room name. The room details will appear on the right hand side of the screen. Click on the "Room Schedule" link to bring up the daily calendar for the classroom. If you prefer to see an entire week or month at a time, you can easily switch your view by using the buttons on the upper left-hand corner of the calendar.
Watch list in ServiceNow
Ever assign a ticket to another group and wonder what happens to it? Maybe it never comes back to you and you have no idea how, or if, it was resolved? Consider using the Watch List--it's located on the bottom right of the initial fields. By clicking on the little 'person' icon, you can add yourself (or someone else) to the Watch List and will be notified of all updates to the ticket. This is also a good way to keep certain people in the loop about the project.
*Upcoming issues of News & Notes will feature additional ServiceNow tips and tricks.
*Upcoming issues of News & Notes will feature additional ServiceNow tips and tricks.
Sneaky serial commas
The serial comma is often a matter of opinion between writers and editors. If you need a quick refresher, it's a comma placed immediately before a coordinating conjunction, such as and, or, or nor. For example: England, France, and Spain. Many style guides favor the use of a serial comma (like the Chicago Manual of Style), but others do not (like the Associated Press Stylebook).
Ah, choices! But there is a time when using one is needed. If the way the sentence is written may cause confusion, then use a serial comma. For example, "I called two friends, Amy and Steve." It's not clear whether the two friends are Amy and Steve or whether Amy and Steve are in addition to the two friends. A serial comma would make that clear: "I called two friends, Amy, and Steve."
Ah, choices! But there is a time when using one is needed. If the way the sentence is written may cause confusion, then use a serial comma. For example, "I called two friends, Amy and Steve." It's not clear whether the two friends are Amy and Steve or whether Amy and Steve are in addition to the two friends. A serial comma would make that clear: "I called two friends, Amy, and Steve."
Thursday, September 19, 2013
The People in Your Neighborhood: Danielle Amira
If you had to use three words to describe Danielle Amira, they would be outgoing, positive, and fun.
She is a farm girl at heart. She grew up on a family farm in Gaylord, Minnesota and is incredibly close with her family.
"I have a twin sister and two other sisters," she said. "I spend a lot of time with my family on the farm. We especially love to four wheel and go shopping."
Danielle received her bachelors degree in political science from the U. One of her favorite parts of studying at the U was the study abroad opportunities. Danielle studied abroad in Florence, Italy. She also traveled to Ireland, Scotland, and Paris on a week break while studying abroad.
While studying in Italy, she met her husband, Mahdi. Her husband is originally from Algeria, but he moved to France when he was 18. He eventually moved to Italy to become a chef and lived there for about 10 years before he moved to Minnesota in 2007 to be with Danielle. Soon after, they married.
After college, Danielle began working at the University Press in 2009. She eventually moved to work in the Williamson Hall Cluster office as an Executive Account Specialist. A year ago, she was promoted to Accountant 1.
"The Cluster serves seven departments around the University, ASR being one of them," she said. "I work with McNamara Alumni Center and University Counseling & Consulting Services."
Danielle plans and forecasts the two department's budgets. She has monthly meetings with both of them to determine their needs. Her favorite part of working for the Cluster is the group of people she works with and her easygoing boss.
Outside of work, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband bought their first home in Columbia Heights and are expecting their first child; a boy due on November 6. "I'm a constant worry wart so my mom jokes that I'm going to follow my kids around with a Clorox wipe," she said. "But cleaning is a de-stresser for me."
One final Danielle fun fact: she cannot live without coffee and hair products.
Danielle's Deets
1. Hope Floats is her favorite movie.
2. Her husband says she resembles Monica from Friends because she's a "clean freak."
3. Danielle likes all types of music, but some of her favorites now are influenced by her husband. She likes Arab musician Amr Diab and Italian musician Nek.
4. Danielle is a good swimmer.
5. She would love to be involved in the fashion/design world, either as a designer or an interior designer.
6. Italian is her favorite type of food.
7. She loves to read fashion magazines.
8. She would like to own her own clothing boutique one day.
9. If she had a superpower, it would be to read minds. "It'd help me understand people better."
10. Her favorite movie as a kid was Clueless.
She is a farm girl at heart. She grew up on a family farm in Gaylord, Minnesota and is incredibly close with her family.
"I have a twin sister and two other sisters," she said. "I spend a lot of time with my family on the farm. We especially love to four wheel and go shopping."
Danielle received her bachelors degree in political science from the U. One of her favorite parts of studying at the U was the study abroad opportunities. Danielle studied abroad in Florence, Italy. She also traveled to Ireland, Scotland, and Paris on a week break while studying abroad.
While studying in Italy, she met her husband, Mahdi. Her husband is originally from Algeria, but he moved to France when he was 18. He eventually moved to Italy to become a chef and lived there for about 10 years before he moved to Minnesota in 2007 to be with Danielle. Soon after, they married.
After college, Danielle began working at the University Press in 2009. She eventually moved to work in the Williamson Hall Cluster office as an Executive Account Specialist. A year ago, she was promoted to Accountant 1.
"The Cluster serves seven departments around the University, ASR being one of them," she said. "I work with McNamara Alumni Center and University Counseling & Consulting Services."
Danielle plans and forecasts the two department's budgets. She has monthly meetings with both of them to determine their needs. Her favorite part of working for the Cluster is the group of people she works with and her easygoing boss.
Outside of work, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband bought their first home in Columbia Heights and are expecting their first child; a boy due on November 6. "I'm a constant worry wart so my mom jokes that I'm going to follow my kids around with a Clorox wipe," she said. "But cleaning is a de-stresser for me."
One final Danielle fun fact: she cannot live without coffee and hair products.
Danielle's Deets
1. Hope Floats is her favorite movie.
2. Her husband says she resembles Monica from Friends because she's a "clean freak."
3. Danielle likes all types of music, but some of her favorites now are influenced by her husband. She likes Arab musician Amr Diab and Italian musician Nek.
4. Danielle is a good swimmer.
5. She would love to be involved in the fashion/design world, either as a designer or an interior designer.
6. Italian is her favorite type of food.
7. She loves to read fashion magazines.
8. She would like to own her own clothing boutique one day.
9. If she had a superpower, it would be to read minds. "It'd help me understand people better."
10. Her favorite movie as a kid was Clueless.
U named Military Friendly School
Following a recent survey of more than 12,000 schools, the University was named a 2014 Military Friendly School for the fourth consecutive year in a row. This puts the U in the top 15% of schools nationwide, according to a survey administered by Victory Media, a veteran-owned business and publisher of G.I. Jobs and the Guide to Military Friendly Schools. The survey weighting, methodology, and resulting schools list was independently certified by Ernst and Young. Way to go, Minnesota!
Upcoming Astra Schedule user groups
A series of Astra Schedule user groups is scheduled for this fall. Session topics will address issues that schedulers experience in their day-to-day use of Astra Schedule. They also serve as an opportunity for users to share ideas with each other and receive help solving specific problems.
No registration is required to attend. Locations and times for each session are as follows:
Thursday, September 26, 9-10:30 a.m., Nolte Center 140
Friday, October 25, 1:30-3 p.m., STSS 512B
Tuesday, November 19, 9-10:30 a.m., Nicholson Hall 110
Tuesday, December 17, 9-10:30 a.m., STSS 512B
No registration is required to attend. Locations and times for each session are as follows:
Thursday, September 26, 9-10:30 a.m., Nolte Center 140
Friday, October 25, 1:30-3 p.m., STSS 512B
Tuesday, November 19, 9-10:30 a.m., Nicholson Hall 110
Tuesday, December 17, 9-10:30 a.m., STSS 512B
Online Student Data Inquiry Training
The Training Team is in the final stages of developing an online Student Data Inquiry (SDI) video that can be used in lieu of in-person training. SDI training is necessary to be granted view access in PeopleSoft. Registration for online training begins Monday, September 30.
The online video and related activities will take approximately 40-60 minutes to complete and will include information regarding FERPA and a short, interactive quiz. Following confirmation of having completed these steps, as well as submitting the Access Request Form, PeopleSoft access will be granted. In-person training will still be available, but it is no longer required.
The online video and related activities will take approximately 40-60 minutes to complete and will include information regarding FERPA and a short, interactive quiz. Following confirmation of having completed these steps, as well as submitting the Access Request Form, PeopleSoft access will be granted. In-person training will still be available, but it is no longer required.
Williamson Hall display case
If you haven't taken a peek at the Williamson Hall display case recently, check it out. Sarah Hollerich, ASR's graphic designer, updates the theme of the display a few times a year. Right now, the theme is "Four Years in Focus" and offers tips and advice on how to graduate in four years. Past displays have covered topics such as saving money on discretionary spending, study spaces on campus, the Live Like a Student Facebook page, and Graduation Planner.
Veterans roundtable
One Stop's Julie Selander attended a veteran's roundtable with Senator Klobuchar on Aug. 26 at Saint Mary's University Center in Minneapolis. Discussion focused on issues important to student veterans. Channing Riggs, director of Government Relations from the U of M, was in attendance, along with approximately 100 others interested in veterans issues.
Accessing personnel files
As an employee of the University, you have the right to include or update information in your personnel files that may be pertinent to your performance of job duties. You may also review your personnel record upon written request.
An employee is entitled to review his or her personnel record once every six months. A former employee may obtain a copy of his or her personnel file free of charge once a year for as long as the record is maintained. For more information, check out the ASR Employee Handbook.
An employee is entitled to review his or her personnel record once every six months. A former employee may obtain a copy of his or her personnel file free of charge once a year for as long as the record is maintained. For more information, check out the ASR Employee Handbook.
Subpoenas... and what to do with them
Subpoenas or court order issues for student education data are fairly common in higher education, and there's a chance you'll receive one during the course of your work. All subpoena requests received in ASR should be forwarded to Debbie Henderson.
A day in the garden
U of M Day at the Landscape Arboretum will take place Sunday, Sept. 29. All current U of M faculty and staff will be admitted to the arboretum free of charge. Activities include the arboretum's Auxiliary Harvest Sale, a sale of herb crafts and potpourris, and events for kids. For more information, see U Day at the Arb.
Which vs. that
This one can be pretty tricky, but here's how to figure out whether you use which or that. Use that before a restrictive clause and which before everything else. A restrictive clause just means you can't get rid of it because without it, the sentence wouldn't make sense. Here's an example: A dress that is white is usually worn by a bride. If you remove "that is white," the meaning of the sentence would change. Without it, you would be saying a dress is usually worn by a bride, not specifically a white dress.
Here's an example for which: Movies, which are fun to see, are going up in price. If you take out "which are fun to see," the sentence doesn't lose its original meaning. This means that "which are fun to see" is a nonrestrictive clause--it can be left out without changing the meaning of the sentence.
Here's an example for which: Movies, which are fun to see, are going up in price. If you take out "which are fun to see," the sentence doesn't lose its original meaning. This means that "which are fun to see" is a nonrestrictive clause--it can be left out without changing the meaning of the sentence.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
September Astra Schedule demonstrations
In May, the Office of Classroom Management (OCM) implemented a new, system-wide classroom and event scheduling system called Astra Schedule. You can use Astra Schedule to request both departmental and general purpose classroom space for an event. A quick start guide is available for additional step-by-step instructions. Demonstrations of Astra Schedule will be held at the following locations on campus:
Friday, September 6, 9-10 a.m., STSS 512B
Friday, September 13, 2-3 p.m., STSS 512B
Friday, September 6, 9-10 a.m., STSS 512B
Friday, September 13, 2-3 p.m., STSS 512B
ASR employee survey results
The results from the second 2013 ASR employee survey are now available. The survey team (Trinity Muller, Anya Norton, Maggie O'Neill, and Matt Tveter) reviewed and analyzed the responses. Recommendations based on those responses were presented to ASR directors in August. The third 2013 survey will be sent out in early October.
Professional skills building
As an ASR employee, you may request to attend professional development activities that help you become more successful in your current position or to advance to the next level in your career. You can view the professional development policy by employment group in the ASR Employee Handbook. ASR employees are also eligible for the Regents Scholarship, which covers 100% of the tuition for a first bachelor's degree and 75% for graduate and professional degrees, if you decide to go back to school. Nice!
Football fun
The ASR Athletic Academic Eligibility/APAS team was invited by the McNamera Academic Counselors (for football) to be the honorary coaches for the Gopher football team in the game against UNLV on August 29 (though they didn't actually get to call any plays). They participated in the pre-game rituals, including the "Victory Walk," pre-game warm-ups, Coach Kill's pre-game pep talk to the players, and running out on the field with the players at the start of the game. How cool is that?
New training newsletter
The ASR Training Update is a monthly newsletter covering training initiatives, general updates, tips and tricks, and other matters that may be of interest to you. The newsletter will be sent the third week of each month. Currently, the newsletter is being sent to key contacts for the Student Records Training and Support Team, but that audience will expand. For more information, click here. To begin receiving the ASR Training Update, contact Kess Knight (knigh161@umn.edu).
Tech priorities
To get the latest scoop on the University's IT news and activities, check out the IT priorities video by Vice President and CIO Scott Studham. He outlines the progress made during the past year, as well as the University's IT priorities going forward.
Honoring MLK's Dream speech
On Aug. 28, the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus honored the 50th anniversary of The March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. The historical event was celebrated by chimes sounding across campus. Just before the chimes rang, a brief message was read to the campus community commemorating the speech and King's call to "Let freedom ring." The national and international bell-ringing events were organized by The King Center based in Atlanta.
Me, myself, and I
Can't figure out whether you should use me, myself, or I? Here's a quick trick: when deciding between me or I, ask yourself if the sentence makes sense if you take out the other noun or pronoun. For example, "Sophia and me went out to lunch." If you removed "Sophia" from the sentence, it would read, "Me went out to lunch." That doesn't make sense, right? So, in this case, you would say, "Sophia and I went out to lunch." Here's another example: "The dog licked Alex and I." If you take out Alex, the sentence reads, "The dog licked I." That sure doesn't sound correct! The sentence should be "The dog licked me."
As for myself, this one is easy peasy. Only use myself when you've already referenced yourself in the sentence. It can't be used as a substitute for me. How does this sound? "Jon and myself visited the Mayan ruins." If you remove Jon from the sentence, it would say, "Myself visited the Mayan ruins." That sounds all sorts of funny. It should be "Jon and I visited the Mayan ruins."
A last example: "I think the book was excellent, if I do say so myself." Here, "myself" refers back to I. I've already mentioned myself in the sentence, so "myself" is the correct choice. (Thanks to Melanie Paradise in One Stop for suggesting this grammar tip.)
As for myself, this one is easy peasy. Only use myself when you've already referenced yourself in the sentence. It can't be used as a substitute for me. How does this sound? "Jon and myself visited the Mayan ruins." If you remove Jon from the sentence, it would say, "Myself visited the Mayan ruins." That sounds all sorts of funny. It should be "Jon and I visited the Mayan ruins."
A last example: "I think the book was excellent, if I do say so myself." Here, "myself" refers back to I. I've already mentioned myself in the sentence, so "myself" is the correct choice. (Thanks to Melanie Paradise in One Stop for suggesting this grammar tip.)
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
ASR org structure
ASR is a service unit that reports to the Office of Undergraduate Education and furthers the University's mission of education, research, and outreach. You're probably aware that ASR is made up of six units, but do you know what each one does? Take a peek at the ASR Employee Handbook to learn the responsibilities of each unit and to view the current ASR organizational chart.
Willey Hall and STSS projects underway
During summer, the large motorized partition in Willey Hall 125 and 175 was replaced. Check out photos of the construction and finished product here.
Two classrooms in Science Teaching & Student Services (STSS) are also undergoing construction. In order to provide more room for an Active Learning Classroom (ALC), STSS rooms 114 and 118 have been combined. The new room will seat 171 students and offer the same active learning functionality as before. The project will be completed by the start of the fall semester.
Two classrooms in Science Teaching & Student Services (STSS) are also undergoing construction. In order to provide more room for an Active Learning Classroom (ALC), STSS rooms 114 and 118 have been combined. The new room will seat 171 students and offer the same active learning functionality as before. The project will be completed by the start of the fall semester.
System campus relationships
Eleanor Pijut, ASR system campus relations coordinator, has been diligently working to further establish and support relationships between the University's Twin Cities and system campuses. Here, she shares an update on her recent visits to the system campuses.
Sue Van Voorhis, Jeannine Rich, and I visited Crookston campus at the request of the registrar, Ken Myers, on July 25-26 to perform a review of the Office of the Registrar (OTR) office. We enjoyed meeting with people from across the campus, including Chancellor Fred Woods, and listening to input, criticisms, and compliments regarding Crookston's OTR operations. The Crookston campus is experiencing an exciting time, as it has recently filled several key leadership positions. We met the new Admissions Director, Carola Thorson, and the new Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, Barbara Keinath, and were impressed by the level of energy and commitment they expressed about the future of Crookston. We just sent a report with several suggestions that will improve the presence and reputation of Crookston's Registrar's Office.
Sue and I also visited Rochester this week to share information and gather feedback. Our meeting included Rochester staff from the following offices; Registrar, Admissions, One Stop, Advising/Coaching, and Information Technology. Even Chancellor Stephen Lehmkuhle, and Vice Chancellor, Claudia Neuhauser were in attendance. We sought out questions and concerns they had for us and we provided them updates on current projects, and the status of the ESUP Student IDPs. They provided us with updates and expressed thanks and gratitude to all the Twin Cities and system campus staff who have been willing to support Rochester's efforts in their organizational review and restructuring. They are especially excited about the pending implementation of APLUS on campus this fall and working toward full implementation of Astra Schedule in the near future.
On Aug. 20, I visited Duluth. I sat in on the Student ESUP Transcript IDP session with Carla Boyd, Duluth's Registrar's office, and experienced firsthand the full spectrum of remote access via Join.me. I was able to spend additional time with Carla to plan out the agenda for the campus visit scheduled for Duluth in September. We will coordinate that visit with some of the ESUP change management group. I then sat in with the Financial Aid Director, Brenda Herzig, on the Financial Aid IDP session.
It sure is different being "in the field," but it's wonderful to find the campuses fully engaged and in great shape for the start of fall term.
Sue Van Voorhis, Jeannine Rich, and I visited Crookston campus at the request of the registrar, Ken Myers, on July 25-26 to perform a review of the Office of the Registrar (OTR) office. We enjoyed meeting with people from across the campus, including Chancellor Fred Woods, and listening to input, criticisms, and compliments regarding Crookston's OTR operations. The Crookston campus is experiencing an exciting time, as it has recently filled several key leadership positions. We met the new Admissions Director, Carola Thorson, and the new Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, Barbara Keinath, and were impressed by the level of energy and commitment they expressed about the future of Crookston. We just sent a report with several suggestions that will improve the presence and reputation of Crookston's Registrar's Office.
Sue and I also visited Rochester this week to share information and gather feedback. Our meeting included Rochester staff from the following offices; Registrar, Admissions, One Stop, Advising/Coaching, and Information Technology. Even Chancellor Stephen Lehmkuhle, and Vice Chancellor, Claudia Neuhauser were in attendance. We sought out questions and concerns they had for us and we provided them updates on current projects, and the status of the ESUP Student IDPs. They provided us with updates and expressed thanks and gratitude to all the Twin Cities and system campus staff who have been willing to support Rochester's efforts in their organizational review and restructuring. They are especially excited about the pending implementation of APLUS on campus this fall and working toward full implementation of Astra Schedule in the near future.
On Aug. 20, I visited Duluth. I sat in on the Student ESUP Transcript IDP session with Carla Boyd, Duluth's Registrar's office, and experienced firsthand the full spectrum of remote access via Join.me. I was able to spend additional time with Carla to plan out the agenda for the campus visit scheduled for Duluth in September. We will coordinate that visit with some of the ESUP change management group. I then sat in with the Financial Aid Director, Brenda Herzig, on the Financial Aid IDP session.
It sure is different being "in the field," but it's wonderful to find the campuses fully engaged and in great shape for the start of fall term.
Welcome Week work
The Live Like a Student (LLAS) committee has been working hard with the ASR Communications Team to revamp its Welcome Week presentations. Featuring a new game show format (based on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?), more than 5,000 incoming students will learn quick tips about credit cards, tuition, transportation, campus jobs, and textbooks.
In an effort to increase student participation in financial literacy conversations, students will be hosting the game show. Prizes for participants include Ramen (a quick, easy, and cheap meal!), LLAS sunglasses, and LLAS fanny packs. Students will also be advised to follow us on Facebook for a chance to win future prizes by participating in financial literacy efforts at the University. (Thanks to Nate Peterson, assistant director of One Stop, for sharing this update!).
Check out some of the Welcome Week videos below!
The above videos will be captioned and presented at Welcome Week on Aug. 30. They will also be posted on YouTube.
In an effort to increase student participation in financial literacy conversations, students will be hosting the game show. Prizes for participants include Ramen (a quick, easy, and cheap meal!), LLAS sunglasses, and LLAS fanny packs. Students will also be advised to follow us on Facebook for a chance to win future prizes by participating in financial literacy efforts at the University. (Thanks to Nate Peterson, assistant director of One Stop, for sharing this update!).
Check out some of the Welcome Week videos below!
The above videos will be captioned and presented at Welcome Week on Aug. 30. They will also be posted on YouTube.
Student Portal project team ramps up
A cross-functional team of ASR staff and several other staff from the University community will spearhead a project team focused on how the upcoming ESUP student portal will deliver student-business-oriented functionality. Sounds like an easy task, but with so much student business performed in many different locations (e.g., the One Stop websites on each campus, Moodle, housing and residential life) and with having so many different audiences (e.g., types of students, general public, academic advisers) the team will have to balance many different objectives.They will determine what processes and information will remain static on One Stop website, what processes will occur in the portal, and what information should be standardized across campuses, among other things. (Thanks to Tina Falkner in ASR for sharing this news.)
Hairy hyphens
When do you hyphenate words such as full time, off campus, part time, etc.? Well, it depends upon how you're using the word in a sentence. Use a hyphen only when modifying a noun. Here's an example: Alex is a full-time employee. (Full-time modifies employee.) But he works full time. Here's another example: She lives off campus. It's an off-campus house. (Off-campus modifies house.) With a little practice, you'll start to get the hang of it!
Food for thought
Wise words: "The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today."
-- Elbert Hubbard
-- Elbert Hubbard
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Working the better way
We all know the core of ASR's mission is to make a positive difference in students' lives. But have you taken the time to also brush up on our vision and values? Or our customer service philosophy? They're equally as important! You can read all about them in the ASR employee handbook.
Beware of phishing
Phishing is a serious security problem that you should be aware of. If you're not already familiar, phishing is the practice of using fraudulent emails and copies of legitimate websites to obtain financial data from computer users for purposes of identity theft. U of M Information Security has established a phishing examples blog listing examples of phishing targeting the University community. Of particular importance are phishing schemes that exist to compromise accounts in order to target individual PeopleSoft self-service options.
Coffey Hall power outage
On Saturday, Aug. 10, an entire building electrical outage will occur in Coffey Hall. A new fire pump will be installed as part of the building fire sprinkler project. The outage is expected to last from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Checking Gmail space
If you're wondering how much Gmail storage you have left in your account, take a look at the bottom left corner of your inbox screen. Google provides information on how much data storage you're using. For University accounts, it's typically noted as xx GB (xx%) of 30 GB used. You can use this to determine whether you need to free up some space in your account. Click here for more information about storage limits. (Thanks to Jeremy Todd in OCM for sharing this helpful tip.)
Businessweek shout out to Carlson School
Businessweek.com recently ran an article about the Carlson School of Management's efforts to recruit veterans for its MBA program. (Thanks to Kess Knight in ASR communications for sharing this cool article.)
More than vs. over
This is a tough grammar rule, because, well, folks are on both sides of the fence about it. When do you use "more than" instead of "over" to mean "in excess of"? For a long time, American journalists argued that "more than" should always be used before a numeral. For example, "There are more than 100 people in line." The consent now is to use whichever sounds better in the sentence. Here's an obvious example: "There was over one suggestion for how to fix the problem." That sounds sort of silly, doesn't it? "There was more than one suggestion for how to fix the problem" sounds a lot better. So, though "more than" is typically used in front of a number, when in doubt, choose whichever you prefer. How's that for rule bending?
Thursday, July 25, 2013
People in Your Neighborhood: Josh Martin
Don't let his appearance fool you. Underneath it all, Josh Martin is not as scary as he looks. "People have told me they are intimidated by my size," he said. "But I'm pretty laid back and easygoing. I don't think I'm big enough to warrant intimidation."
Josh has worked as a VA Coordinator in the University Veterans Services office in One Stop Student Services for two and a half years. His background in the armed forces and bachelors degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota aid him as a student counselor.
Along with doing typical One Stop Counselor duties like answering student inquiries about registration, billing, and financial aid, Josh also provides counseling to student veterans.
Josh works with the roughly 750 students who receive GI Bill benefits and state benefits at the U. "I help student veterans get started at the U," he said.
Every year, University Veterans Services hosts Veterans Appreciation Day in November. The planning for that important event is starting now and Josh is helping with some of the details.
Josh's knowledge of veterans services comes from his own experience as a United States Army Airborne Infantry veteran. He served for three years. "I was the guy that jumped out of planes and then did work on the ground," he said. Josh did training jumps from about 1,200 feet.
He narrowly missed being deployed to Afghanistan after September 11. "My unit was next to deploy, but I was exempt," he said. "I didn't have enough time left in my contract to be deployed so I stayed in the States while my unit went overseas."
"In the military, you get to meet people from all over the nation, and sometimes the world. And you are all there for the same reason," he said. "Then you get to see the good side of people. You learn so much about yourself and others."
Beyond work, Josh and his girlfriend of seven years enjoy spending time with their daughter, Mikayla, and pitbull-mix, Ernie.
"My daughter is 18 months old and she's the smartest kid I know," he said. "One of my biggest fears is her not being a decent person when she grows up. But I'm not too worried about it."
Josh and his daughter love going to the park and "swinging for 10 second intervals." He says his favorite vacation spot is his house because he just enjoys staying home with his family and not doing things.
He also plays in softball two nights a week and tournaments on the weekends. "I used to play more often, but I've gotten too old," he said.
One of his other past times is eating and cooking. "I love to cook, but my girlfriend and daughter don't really appreciate what I make," he said. "My cooking mainstay is buffalo sauce. It's a really big thing in my life."
He also loves Facebook. In fact, the two things Josh can't live without are his daughter and Facebook. "I'm amazing at Candy Crush Saga," he said.
Through everything, Josh maintains his sense of humor. In fact, that's the main reason he loves working in ASR. "The people I work with in One Stop and University Veterans Services are awesome," he said. "We have similar personalities and get along really well. We are always joking around."
One surprising thing about Josh: Though he has jumped out of numerous airplanes in the military, he has never been skydiving and isn't really interested in trying it.
Josh Jokes
1. His favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption.
2. Growing up, he wanted to be a professional athlete.
3. For Halloween last year, he dressed up as a smurf.
4. His favorite food is Jimmy John's sandwiches or the Buffalo Chicken Burrito from Burrito Loco with extra buffalo sauce. "Buffalo sauce is very important in my diet."
5. His first concert was Reba McIntyre.
6. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien is his favorite book.
7. If he could be anything, Josh would be rich. "I'd like to give it a try."
8. His favorite type of music is country and rap.
9. The last book he read was The Big Book of Pulps.
10. If he could have any superpower, it would be to fly. "It's nice to be in the air."
Josh has worked as a VA Coordinator in the University Veterans Services office in One Stop Student Services for two and a half years. His background in the armed forces and bachelors degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota aid him as a student counselor.
Along with doing typical One Stop Counselor duties like answering student inquiries about registration, billing, and financial aid, Josh also provides counseling to student veterans.
Josh works with the roughly 750 students who receive GI Bill benefits and state benefits at the U. "I help student veterans get started at the U," he said.
Every year, University Veterans Services hosts Veterans Appreciation Day in November. The planning for that important event is starting now and Josh is helping with some of the details.
Josh's knowledge of veterans services comes from his own experience as a United States Army Airborne Infantry veteran. He served for three years. "I was the guy that jumped out of planes and then did work on the ground," he said. Josh did training jumps from about 1,200 feet.
He narrowly missed being deployed to Afghanistan after September 11. "My unit was next to deploy, but I was exempt," he said. "I didn't have enough time left in my contract to be deployed so I stayed in the States while my unit went overseas."
"In the military, you get to meet people from all over the nation, and sometimes the world. And you are all there for the same reason," he said. "Then you get to see the good side of people. You learn so much about yourself and others."
Beyond work, Josh and his girlfriend of seven years enjoy spending time with their daughter, Mikayla, and pitbull-mix, Ernie.
"My daughter is 18 months old and she's the smartest kid I know," he said. "One of my biggest fears is her not being a decent person when she grows up. But I'm not too worried about it."
Josh and his daughter love going to the park and "swinging for 10 second intervals." He says his favorite vacation spot is his house because he just enjoys staying home with his family and not doing things.
He also plays in softball two nights a week and tournaments on the weekends. "I used to play more often, but I've gotten too old," he said.
One of his other past times is eating and cooking. "I love to cook, but my girlfriend and daughter don't really appreciate what I make," he said. "My cooking mainstay is buffalo sauce. It's a really big thing in my life."
He also loves Facebook. In fact, the two things Josh can't live without are his daughter and Facebook. "I'm amazing at Candy Crush Saga," he said.
Through everything, Josh maintains his sense of humor. In fact, that's the main reason he loves working in ASR. "The people I work with in One Stop and University Veterans Services are awesome," he said. "We have similar personalities and get along really well. We are always joking around."
One surprising thing about Josh: Though he has jumped out of numerous airplanes in the military, he has never been skydiving and isn't really interested in trying it.
Josh Jokes
1. His favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption.
2. Growing up, he wanted to be a professional athlete.
3. For Halloween last year, he dressed up as a smurf.
4. His favorite food is Jimmy John's sandwiches or the Buffalo Chicken Burrito from Burrito Loco with extra buffalo sauce. "Buffalo sauce is very important in my diet."
5. His first concert was Reba McIntyre.
6. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien is his favorite book.
7. If he could be anything, Josh would be rich. "I'd like to give it a try."
8. His favorite type of music is country and rap.
9. The last book he read was The Big Book of Pulps.
10. If he could have any superpower, it would be to fly. "It's nice to be in the air."
Supervisor skills
If you're a supervisor, your role is critical to the success of your team. A strong supervisor-employee relationship encourages high employee performance and trust. Here are some great suggestions and resources for doing just that. Your employees will appreciate your effort!
Congrats, graduates!
Spring 2013 diplomas were recently awarded by OTR. Approximately 6,500 were mailed to graduates. Nice job!
Williamson Hall update
One Stop Student Services has moved out of its Williamson Hall location. All visitors to 160 Williamson will be able to enter through the front doors during business hours or check-in with a staff member at the front desk to reach their party. GSSP will also continue to serve graduate and professional students at this location. Click here to see the new floor plan.
Professional skills courses
Looking to enhance a few professional skills? Check out a variety of courses offered on campus that cover topics ranging from communicating across cultures and conflict fluency to engaging in change and discovering your strengths at work.
Branded Google templates
U of M branded Google doc templates have been released by University Relations and are now available for the Twin Cities campus. (Templates for system campuses are underway.) These templates should be used when creating official University-branded docs, spreadsheets, presentations, and Blogger websites. For guidelines and instructions, see Google Apps Templates.
iPad training
Got an iPad but not quite sure of all the ins and outs? Technology Training and Usability Services offers iPad Learning Bytes. They're short, 30-minute sessions that show you how to use an iPad more effectively for taking notes, drawing sketches, making presentations, and more. Click here for more information.
Then or than?
When do you use "then" rather than (no pun intended) "than"? Here's the trick: Then is used with "if then" combinations. For example, "If you drive too fast, then you may get a ticket." Than is used in "rather than" combinations, such as, "Rather than waiting to the last minute, I'll go today."
Thursday, July 11, 2013
ASR Google presentations
ASR-branded Google presentations have been created for each unit. They are available in the "ASR Google Presentation and PowerPoint Templates" folder. (They can also be accessed via the ASR intranet.) The templates are similar to the PowerPoint templates, but they can be edited by several people at once just like a regular Google Document.
Staff BBQ
Don't forget the ASR staff BBQ is next Thursday, July 18 at 11:00 a.m! Join colleagues behind Fraser Hall and enjoy burgers, bratwurst, hot dogs, fresh fruit, potato salad, baked beans, cookies, and beverages. Yum! If you have any questions, please call Debbie Henderson at 612-625-9019.
Quoting 101
When you quote someone in writing, what is the correct order of punctuation marks? Here's the rule: periods and commas go inside the quotes. (Example: When I asked her what she wanted to do, she said, "I'd like to go to the park.") Semicolons and colons, on the other hand, go outside the quotation marks. You can check out additional quick grammar tips here. It's updated weekly!
New mass email template
University Relations recently released a new mass email template. The template is compatible with multiple screen sizes, from mobile to desktop. Guidelines for using the template are also available.
Health and safety at work
Staying healthy and safe at work is important. ASR has many resources available to help with this. From wellness initiatives to an employee assistance program to a walkstation, the University is committed to ensuring happy, healthy, and well-supported employees. The ASR Employee Handbook also includes information regarding emergency preparedness and workers compensation.
Summer movies in the garden
Grab some popcorn and soft drinks! The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will be showing family-friendly movies in July and August. The films include The Mighty Ducks on July 11 and Miracle on August 8. Movies are free with gate admission. For more information, click here.
Food for thought
Wise words: "Far and away, the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." -- Theodore Roosevelt
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Internal customer service resources
Last week, the Internal Customer Service Phase II team (Philip Hunter, Jennifer Love, and Ingrid Nuttall) presented a toolkit of internal customer service resources to ASR supervisors. The toolkit includes an onboarding customer service training video which highlights the customer service attributes, customer service resources for supervisors, and potential IDP goals for customer service.
Feedback shared at that meeting has been incorporated into the toolkit and the video, which are all available on the ASR Intranet. Additional feedback that was out of scope for this team's work will be incorporated into the charge for the next Internal Customer Service team.
Philip Hunter, Elyse Paxton, and Sarah Hollerich have worked diligently to create the video highlighted in the toolkit. The video will be available and tracked via ULearn, and will support the orientation of new employees in ASR. Click here to view the ASR customer service training video.
Feedback shared at that meeting has been incorporated into the toolkit and the video, which are all available on the ASR Intranet. Additional feedback that was out of scope for this team's work will be incorporated into the charge for the next Internal Customer Service team.
Philip Hunter, Elyse Paxton, and Sarah Hollerich have worked diligently to create the video highlighted in the toolkit. The video will be available and tracked via ULearn, and will support the orientation of new employees in ASR. Click here to view the ASR customer service training video.
ESUP Student: eliminating modifications
As of June 20, the student workstream has 65.3% of IDP topics either complete or in progress and has recommended that 64.7% of current modifications to PeopleSoft for the associated business processes be retired. This reflects the hard work the ESUP Student work stream has done in examining the differences in functionality between 8.9 and 9.0. Whenever possible and practicable, modifications to the system are being retired. In many instances, this has not been easy as the modifications were made for good reasons.
Helpful numbers and websites
Whether you're new to ASR or been here for years, the ASR intranet includes a list of useful phone numbers and websites. You can quickly look up the web address or campus phone number for a variety of services and departments, such as Employee Benefits, Employee Self-Service, Human Resources, Payroll, and the Regents Scholarship Program, among others. Take a peek; it's all just a click away.
Who vs. whom
Ah, this is a tricky one! Let's take a stab at it. "Who" is the subject of a verb while "whom" is an object in the sentence. Or another way to look at it: Who is the subject, and whom is the object. You can substitute a personal pronoun (he/him or she/her) for who/whom. If he or she would be the correct form, the correct choice is who. If him or her would be correct, use whom.
Here are a few examples:
Here are a few examples:
- Who is that person on the sidewalk? (Who is the subject.)
- The four women, three of whom were brunette, walked into the store. (Whom is the object.)
- Mrs. Anderson dined with a doctor whom she had met in Chicago. (She met him in Chicago.)
- Sally is the woman whom I married last year. (I married her.)
Way to go, OCM!
In 2011, the Office of Classroom Management (OCM) and the Office of Information Technology (OIT) announced a partnership that added video conferencing capabilities to the classroom technology system in Humphrey Center 25. The partnership was such a success that OIT is transferring three additional video conferencing rooms into OCM's inventory. The new video conferencing classrooms will be used for courses and events beginning fall semester 2013.
The new classrooms include:
A fourth classroom, Peters 155 (St. Paul), will be converted into a general purpose classroom during fall semester and will be ready for spring 2014 courses and events. Nice job, OCM!
The new classrooms include:
- Magrath 4 (St. Paul)
- Peters 145 (St. Paul)
- Peik Hall 165 (East Bank)
A fourth classroom, Peters 155 (St. Paul), will be converted into a general purpose classroom during fall semester and will be ready for spring 2014 courses and events. Nice job, OCM!
Sign out a portable data projector
As mentioned in a previous issue of News & Notes, you can sign out a laptop or netbook through Google calendar. Now, you can also check out a portable data projector. As a reminder, you'll need to "invite" the projector to a meeting, as you would a regular conference room. You'll find the two projectors and VGA cable under equipment (EQ). Here's the info:
(EQ) ASR-Epson Projector I
(EQ) ASR-Epson Projector II
(EQ) ASR-VGA 25ft Cable
When it's time to pick up a projector, please contact Debbie Henderson, and she'll have it ready for you!
(EQ) ASR-Epson Projector I
(EQ) ASR-Epson Projector II
(EQ) ASR-VGA 25ft Cable
When it's time to pick up a projector, please contact Debbie Henderson, and she'll have it ready for you!
Bursar Office closure
The Bursar Office will permanently close after June 28, 2013. Students are encouraged to make tuition payments online through their Student Account. Due dates and payment options are available on the One Stop Student Services website. Drop boxes in Williamson Hall, Coffman Union and the St. Paul Student Center will no longer be available. The drop box in the Science Teaching and Student Services (STSS) building will remain. To pay by mail, students will need to print a copy of their bill and send it with a check, money order, traveler's check, or cashier's check to the following address:
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
NW 6443
PO Box 1450
Minneapolis, MN 55485-6443
Student questions regarding tuition payments should be directed to One Stop Student Services at 612-624-1111 or onestop@umn.edu. Questions from staff on how student payments will be processed should be directed to Student Account Assistance at 612-625-8007 or sfcmail@umn.edu.
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
NW 6443
PO Box 1450
Minneapolis, MN 55485-6443
Student questions regarding tuition payments should be directed to One Stop Student Services at 612-624-1111 or onestop@umn.edu. Questions from staff on how student payments will be processed should be directed to Student Account Assistance at 612-625-8007 or sfcmail@umn.edu.
Friday, June 14, 2013
People in your neighborhood: Sarah Johnson
Sarah Johnson can remember pretty much anything. She remembers the exact date of her first concert when she was 14 (a 13-hour dance-a-thon hosted by KDWB called Thanks-going Hop). She can even remember exactly what she was wearing. She also remembers the first day she started in ASR.
About 33 years ago, Sarah started in the Office of the Registrar (OTR) as a senior clerk. Currently, Sarah is a student services support assistant.
Sarah is responsible for all degree applications and postings for the College of Education and the School of Nursing. She also works with those colleges on degree clearances.
On top of degrees, Sarah handles all student records and transfers for these two colleges. She is also responsible for transcript work, including transcript requests that come from students with the last names S-Z (excluding X) and being on-call for the transcript helpline.
Another task that she is responsible for is maintaining student grades prior to fall 1999. "If a student has an incomplete from a class they took prior to 1999 and they finish the class, I enter the new grade into the system and archive it," she said. "There aren't a ton of these requests, but there are more than you'd think."
"I have the good fortune of working with people who are mutually supportive and also stimulating, funny, and intelligent," she said. "I have so much history here at the U."
Before joining ASR, Sarah worked in the College of Liberal Arts for a few years. Overall, Sarah has been with the University for a total of 43 years.
"There is a level of intellectual stimulation at the U that you can't get anywhere else," she said. "People here are intellectually curious and informed about the world. It's a great atmosphere."
Sarah currently lives in a loft off East Hennepin in Minneapolis. She recently sold her big Victorian house to downsize. She has two children (a son who is 30 and a daughter who is 43) and four grandchildren.
Sarah loves to learn and has taken a number of journalism and art history classes at Stephens College in Missouri, Minnesota School of Business, and the U.
Her passions are books and music. She has collected records for years, but also enjoys using iTunes to create mixes for her friends. She also goes to a lot of concerts. Her favorite band is the Rolling Stones because "they are the greatest rock and roll band in the world."
Overall, Sarah's coworkers in OTR described her as someone who has a great memory and loves to laugh but is also opinionated and sentimental.
Suddenly Sarah
1. If Sarah could be anything she would be "on time."
2. Her favorite book is "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon.
3. For Halloween in 1973 she dressed up as Trisha Nixon.
4. If she could have a superpower, it would be to reverse environmental damage. "I want the world to be great for my grandkids."
5. Scotland is her favorite vacation spot.
6. She loves to cook and container gardening on her balcony.
7. She loves lutefisk.
8. She loves Indian food, especially with lamb.
9. Love Actually is her favorite movie.
10. "People may be surprised to find out that I'm basically introverted and I need a lot of alone time."
About 33 years ago, Sarah started in the Office of the Registrar (OTR) as a senior clerk. Currently, Sarah is a student services support assistant.
Sarah is responsible for all degree applications and postings for the College of Education and the School of Nursing. She also works with those colleges on degree clearances.
On top of degrees, Sarah handles all student records and transfers for these two colleges. She is also responsible for transcript work, including transcript requests that come from students with the last names S-Z (excluding X) and being on-call for the transcript helpline.
Another task that she is responsible for is maintaining student grades prior to fall 1999. "If a student has an incomplete from a class they took prior to 1999 and they finish the class, I enter the new grade into the system and archive it," she said. "There aren't a ton of these requests, but there are more than you'd think."
"I have the good fortune of working with people who are mutually supportive and also stimulating, funny, and intelligent," she said. "I have so much history here at the U."
Before joining ASR, Sarah worked in the College of Liberal Arts for a few years. Overall, Sarah has been with the University for a total of 43 years.
"There is a level of intellectual stimulation at the U that you can't get anywhere else," she said. "People here are intellectually curious and informed about the world. It's a great atmosphere."
Sarah currently lives in a loft off East Hennepin in Minneapolis. She recently sold her big Victorian house to downsize. She has two children (a son who is 30 and a daughter who is 43) and four grandchildren.
Sarah loves to learn and has taken a number of journalism and art history classes at Stephens College in Missouri, Minnesota School of Business, and the U.
Her passions are books and music. She has collected records for years, but also enjoys using iTunes to create mixes for her friends. She also goes to a lot of concerts. Her favorite band is the Rolling Stones because "they are the greatest rock and roll band in the world."
Overall, Sarah's coworkers in OTR described her as someone who has a great memory and loves to laugh but is also opinionated and sentimental.
Suddenly Sarah
1. If Sarah could be anything she would be "on time."
2. Her favorite book is "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon.
3. For Halloween in 1973 she dressed up as Trisha Nixon.
4. If she could have a superpower, it would be to reverse environmental damage. "I want the world to be great for my grandkids."
5. Scotland is her favorite vacation spot.
6. She loves to cook and container gardening on her balcony.
7. She loves lutefisk.
8. She loves Indian food, especially with lamb.
9. Love Actually is her favorite movie.
10. "People may be surprised to find out that I'm basically introverted and I need a lot of alone time."
Changes to the Williamson Hall Service Center this summer
One Stop Student Services will move out of its Williamson Hall service center location later this summer. After analyzing its traffic volume since last August, it has become apparent that a majority of students stop by with questions or concerns for Graduate Student Services and Progress (GSSP) rather than One Stop.
After the One Stop center in Williamson has closed, all visitors to 160 Williamson will be able to enter through the front doors during business hours or check-in with a staff member at the front desk to reach their party. GSSP will also continue to serve graduate and professional students at the Williamson Hall location. A plan is being developed to address staffing needs to accommodate the needs of both in-person graduate and professional student services and other visitors to 160 Williamson.
One Stop has done an outstanding job of supporting GSSP, as well as the rest of the Williamson Hall staff during the past year, and their work is much appreciated.
A transition and external communication plan is being developed, and the transition is expected to be finalized by the end of July. Additional updates regarding this change will be published in future issues of News & Notes and PBED Digest.
After the One Stop center in Williamson has closed, all visitors to 160 Williamson will be able to enter through the front doors during business hours or check-in with a staff member at the front desk to reach their party. GSSP will also continue to serve graduate and professional students at the Williamson Hall location. A plan is being developed to address staffing needs to accommodate the needs of both in-person graduate and professional student services and other visitors to 160 Williamson.
One Stop has done an outstanding job of supporting GSSP, as well as the rest of the Williamson Hall staff during the past year, and their work is much appreciated.
A transition and external communication plan is being developed, and the transition is expected to be finalized by the end of July. Additional updates regarding this change will be published in future issues of News & Notes and PBED Digest.
New to ASR?
Have you recently joined ASR? If so, welcome! You probably feel inundated with new information right now, but when you have a chance, check out ASR's checklist for new employees and employee guide to the University. You'll learn a bit more about resources available on campus and what types of items to discuss with your new department.
Your thoughts matter
The second 2013 ASR employee survey is now open. If you haven't already, please check your email for the survey invitation and take five minutes to complete it. A reminder email will be sent next week to those who have not yet completed the survey. As always, the survey is anonymous, and your feedback is appreciated. The survey deadline is Friday, June 21.
Lunch and learn
If you're looking for tips to enhance your project leadership skills or to more effectively manage daily tasks, look no further. The Project and Work Facilitation unit is hosting a brown bag session about the benefits of understanding project management principles and how they can also be applied to your daily work.
Grab your lunch and join an interactive introduction and discussion about resources available to all ASR staff. To register, click here. The brown bag session will take place Wednesday, June 19 from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm in STSS 119.
Grab your lunch and join an interactive introduction and discussion about resources available to all ASR staff. To register, click here. The brown bag session will take place Wednesday, June 19 from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm in STSS 119.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Successful staff event
ASR's spring staff event last week hit it out of the park. The half-day event included a recap of ASR priorities, updates on ESUP, a helpful reminder to take advantage of a vacation day every once in awhile to avoid burnout, and an ASR staff video.
Staff were also treated to a presentation from Brave New Workshop where improv challenges illustrated ASR's priorities of embracing and navigating change, as well as maintaining effective communication. Late morning breakout sessions gave ASR members a chance to explore professional development ideas, things to do in the Twin Cities, and how to prioritize the people and things that mean the most to them.
Staff were also treated to a presentation from Brave New Workshop where improv challenges illustrated ASR's priorities of embracing and navigating change, as well as maintaining effective communication. Late morning breakout sessions gave ASR members a chance to explore professional development ideas, things to do in the Twin Cities, and how to prioritize the people and things that mean the most to them.
AACRAO insights
Tina Falkner, Director of Continuity and Compliance, attended the AACRAO (American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) annual meeting April 14-17. Here, she reflects on her biggest takeaways from the event.
Several ASR staff members attended and presented at AACRAO. They presented on topics ranging from Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) to data usage to title IV audits. I also found a few sessions really resonated with me. For instance, one session focused on how campuses are using preferred name for students, faculty, and staff. Most schools are doing what we currently do (or hope to do in PeopleSoft 9.0): offering students the option to select a preferred name for their diploma, but using their official name on transcripts, and modifying their student information to reflect a preferred name on class rosters, class schedules, and other "external" facing documents.
The other session that really gripped me was an incident that hits close to home. External pressures on Dickinson State University in North Dakota caused some administrators to bend policies for international students. Though the requested actions "felt wrong," some members of the campus still chose to engage in behavior that was contrary to policy and procedure because they were told to do so. This really made me think about how easy it is to get caught up in the moment and to consider making an exception. It's important we all continue to follow our policies and procedures, bring up issues if they seem improper, and to be mindful that we have policies in place for a reason.
Several ASR staff members attended and presented at AACRAO. They presented on topics ranging from Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) to data usage to title IV audits. I also found a few sessions really resonated with me. For instance, one session focused on how campuses are using preferred name for students, faculty, and staff. Most schools are doing what we currently do (or hope to do in PeopleSoft 9.0): offering students the option to select a preferred name for their diploma, but using their official name on transcripts, and modifying their student information to reflect a preferred name on class rosters, class schedules, and other "external" facing documents.
The other session that really gripped me was an incident that hits close to home. External pressures on Dickinson State University in North Dakota caused some administrators to bend policies for international students. Though the requested actions "felt wrong," some members of the campus still chose to engage in behavior that was contrary to policy and procedure because they were told to do so. This really made me think about how easy it is to get caught up in the moment and to consider making an exception. It's important we all continue to follow our policies and procedures, bring up issues if they seem improper, and to be mindful that we have policies in place for a reason.
Performance appraisals
With annual reviews right around the corner, it's nice to know exactly how our job performance will be appraised. Check out the ASR Employee Performance & Development Appraisal Form to see how your job expectations will be assessed, and don't forget to update your IDP!
A look back in time
Have you ever wondered what ASR was like more than a hundred years ago? Think handwritten student records and the advent of scholarships and loans. Take a peek at the ASR history timelines to see where our office started and how far we have come.
New survey tool
Qualtrics, a new survey tool, is now available systemwide to University of Minnesota faculty, staff, and students. The tool is more robust and user-friendly than UMSurvey, which will be decommissioned Aug. 2.
MOOC madness
Massive open online classes (MOOCs) are up and running among the higher education realm. Coursera, a leading MOOC platform, has some big numbers to boast: more than three million users worldwide and free courses from 62 colleges and universities. Click here for more information about the latest news on MOOCs.
New ASR templates
Check out the new ASR PowerPoint templates that have been created. Now we can all be on the same page when it comes to preparing presentations!
Summer music
Looking for some cheap entertainment this summer? Northrop will be hosting free outdoor concerts on Northrop Plaza beginning June 7, as part of its 59th Annual Northrop Summer Music Festival. Concerts are held on selected Wednesdays at noon and Fridays at 7 p.m. during June and July. Free food and beverages will be featured throughout the series from various local vendors. For more information and the full schedule, see Northrop summer concerts.
Online training videos
If you're looking to bolster your software, design, or business skills, look no further than lynda.com. Students, faculty, and staff can log in with their x.500 and register for high-quality, online training videos for all skill levels. Check out some of the topics you can learn about. (Thanks to Christa Nicols for sharing this useful info!)
On the move
Third Party Billing will be closed on Monday, June 3 as they will be moving to their new location, 169 Fraser Hall. Movers will be in and out of Williamson 160 throughout the day.The office's email address, phone number, and payment address will not change. However, the mailing address for third party authorization sponsors will change to the following:
Third Party Billing, Office of Student Finance
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
169 Fraser Hall
106 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Third Party Billing, Office of Student Finance
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
169 Fraser Hall
106 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
The i's have it!
If you're not sure of the difference between the words complementary and complimentary, you're not alone. It's a tricky one, and one simple vowel change is the only thing that denotes which definition of the word is correct. Complementary (with an "e" not an "i") means completing something, forming a whole. Complimentary (with an "i" not an "e"), on the other hand, means flattering or praising.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Portal priorities survey
If you haven't already, take a moment to fill out the 10-15 minute survey for the U's new Enterprise Portal. The deadline is May 20th.
This survey is just one tool to allow the Portal team to begin to gauge the "opportunities" that have been identified so far. They are still listening and collecting, and will continue to do so, so it's important to continue to give them your feedback, ideas, and thoughts. They want to deliver the best possible portal and can only achieve that by hearing from everyone. Please share the survey widely with your networks.
This survey is just one tool to allow the Portal team to begin to gauge the "opportunities" that have been identified so far. They are still listening and collecting, and will continue to do so, so it's important to continue to give them your feedback, ideas, and thoughts. They want to deliver the best possible portal and can only achieve that by hearing from everyone. Please share the survey widely with your networks.
People in your neighborhood: Sharon Nollan
Family and running are Sharon Nollan's passions. Sharon and her husband Chris have three children--Michael, Erich, and Victoria. She grew up in Hastings, but has lived in Cottage Grove for over 20 years.
She says that the two things she could not live without are her husband and her kids. Victoria is a junior and Erich is a senior at East Ridge High School in Woodbury. Michael is a junior majoring in education at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and plans to become a math teacher.
Sharon's other passion is running. In 1990, Sharon ran her first marathon. Since then, she has run 41 marathons in over 20 U.S. states and on five different continents. She has yet to run a marathon in Africa or Australia.
"I enjoy distance running," she said. "It has given me the opportunity to combine things I love. I love to travel, I love to meet new people, I love to go to new places, and I'm passionate about running."
Sharon belongs to the 50 States Marathon Club and Marathon Maniacs. She travels with both groups to run races in different states and countries.
Most recently, Sharon completed two marathons in a 24 hour period on two different continents--South America and Antarctica. She started her marathon of marathons in Punta Arenas, Chile and ended her trip in King George Island, Antarctica.
"It was pretty incredible. I had to dig down deep to make it happen, but it was an extraordinary experience," she said. "It's an amazing feeling to be elbow-to-elbow with people who come from all walks of life and you're all running to the same goal."
Beyond marathons, Sharon has also completed an Ironman triathlon in 14 hours.
"I was smiling ear-to-ear once I completed the 2.4 mile swim," she said. "The swim was my weakest leg because I had just taught myself to swim about three years before and I'm scared of swimming in open water. So I knew I had it, once I completed the swim."
Sharon is also passionate about giving back to the sport she loves. She volunteers as coaching staff for the Moms on the Run and Girls on the Run. She coaches moms and middle-school aged girls to run their first races.
"I cannot express how rewarding it is to be by the side of a new runner as the cross the finish line of their first race," Sharon said.
After all the marathons Sharon has completed, she has a few favorite memories. She ran a marathon on the Great Wall of China. Sharon also ran a marathon in Walt Disney World. She received a Mickey Mouse medal when she finished.
"My time was awful because I stopped to take pictures with all the characters," she said.
But overall, she says that her favorite one is the Twin Cities Marathon.
After all these amazing accomplishments, Sharon still manages to be an amazing asset to ASR. In fall 2011, she started as a business analyst in the Student Financials Unit in ASR-IT. In January, she joined the ESUP Portal Project team. The team is currently gathering requirements for the Portal and encouraging stakeholder engagement.
"This is a great opportunity to create a dynamic and trend setting portal tool for the entire University," Sharon said. "I enjoy being part of a brainstorming think tank."
Sharon's Strides
1. Sharon loves Italian food. "Lots of pasta for this runner."
2. Sharon has a bachelors degree in psychology and business administration and a master's in software design and development.
3. Sharon has a fear of public speaking, but she is getting involved with the Art of Hosting to help ease that fear.
4. Phil Collins was her first concert.
5. Sharon loves to landscape and garden in her backyard.
6. If she could be anything, she'd be a landscape designer.
7. Sharon's favorite author is Wayne Dyre.
8. Sharon enjoys Jim Carrey movies.
9. Before coming to the U, Sharon worked on the IT web strategies team at Capella University.
10. Sharon loves traveling to the North Shore with her family.
She says that the two things she could not live without are her husband and her kids. Victoria is a junior and Erich is a senior at East Ridge High School in Woodbury. Michael is a junior majoring in education at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and plans to become a math teacher.
Sharon's other passion is running. In 1990, Sharon ran her first marathon. Since then, she has run 41 marathons in over 20 U.S. states and on five different continents. She has yet to run a marathon in Africa or Australia.
"I enjoy distance running," she said. "It has given me the opportunity to combine things I love. I love to travel, I love to meet new people, I love to go to new places, and I'm passionate about running."
Sharon belongs to the 50 States Marathon Club and Marathon Maniacs. She travels with both groups to run races in different states and countries.
Most recently, Sharon completed two marathons in a 24 hour period on two different continents--South America and Antarctica. She started her marathon of marathons in Punta Arenas, Chile and ended her trip in King George Island, Antarctica.
"It was pretty incredible. I had to dig down deep to make it happen, but it was an extraordinary experience," she said. "It's an amazing feeling to be elbow-to-elbow with people who come from all walks of life and you're all running to the same goal."
Beyond marathons, Sharon has also completed an Ironman triathlon in 14 hours.
"I was smiling ear-to-ear once I completed the 2.4 mile swim," she said. "The swim was my weakest leg because I had just taught myself to swim about three years before and I'm scared of swimming in open water. So I knew I had it, once I completed the swim."
Sharon is also passionate about giving back to the sport she loves. She volunteers as coaching staff for the Moms on the Run and Girls on the Run. She coaches moms and middle-school aged girls to run their first races.
"I cannot express how rewarding it is to be by the side of a new runner as the cross the finish line of their first race," Sharon said.
After all the marathons Sharon has completed, she has a few favorite memories. She ran a marathon on the Great Wall of China. Sharon also ran a marathon in Walt Disney World. She received a Mickey Mouse medal when she finished.
"My time was awful because I stopped to take pictures with all the characters," she said.
But overall, she says that her favorite one is the Twin Cities Marathon.
After all these amazing accomplishments, Sharon still manages to be an amazing asset to ASR. In fall 2011, she started as a business analyst in the Student Financials Unit in ASR-IT. In January, she joined the ESUP Portal Project team. The team is currently gathering requirements for the Portal and encouraging stakeholder engagement.
"This is a great opportunity to create a dynamic and trend setting portal tool for the entire University," Sharon said. "I enjoy being part of a brainstorming think tank."
Sharon's Strides
1. Sharon loves Italian food. "Lots of pasta for this runner."
2. Sharon has a bachelors degree in psychology and business administration and a master's in software design and development.
3. Sharon has a fear of public speaking, but she is getting involved with the Art of Hosting to help ease that fear.
4. Phil Collins was her first concert.
5. Sharon loves to landscape and garden in her backyard.
6. If she could be anything, she'd be a landscape designer.
7. Sharon's favorite author is Wayne Dyre.
8. Sharon enjoys Jim Carrey movies.
9. Before coming to the U, Sharon worked on the IT web strategies team at Capella University.
10. Sharon loves traveling to the North Shore with her family.
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