Thursday, December 17, 2015
OUE Leavers project outreach efforts underway
One Stop Student Services has begun another round of outreach in the Leavers project to help retain 122 undergraduate students in their first year at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The Leavers project is a proactive Office for Undergraduate Education initiative with cooperation between many UMN departments and units. One Stop is collaborating with the Office of Student Finance and Student Account Assistance to reach out to first-year students with past due balances who are not registered for classes, find possible solutions, and help them resolve any issues.
ImageNow kickoff recap and upcoming test labs
The OIT ImageNow team held a kickoff event on December 7 and continues to progress towards upgrading to version 7.1 which includes bug fixes, new features, improved search performance, and a new product name - Perceptive Content - among other enhancements. The upgrade to 7.1 is scheduled to take place February 6-7, 2016. In order to prepare for the upgrade, OIT has scheduled test labs for users through January 7, 2016. Prior to attending a test lab, please send any capture profiles that you are using to the team at oia-imaging@lists.umn.edu.
A copy of the December 7 kickoff presentation is available here and the webcast recording can be accessed here.
A copy of the December 7 kickoff presentation is available here and the webcast recording can be accessed here.
One Stop & SAA preparing spring 2016 cancels list
One Stop Student Services will begin working on the cancel list for students who are registered for classes but have a past due balances at the University. If students are registered for spring 2016 and have a past due student account, their registration will be cancelled. Each account is examined closely to ensure that students do not have any aid options or charges that look out of the ordinary. One Stop works closely with the Office of Student Finance and Student Account Assistance to present any options to students to retain their registration.
Lessons learned at the ASR staff appreciation event
By: Marcia DeGaetano
I arrived later than I hoped to the ASR staff appreciation event and walked into a sea of crowded tables at The Library Bar. I thought to myself that I would be lucky to find a seat when I spotted a table with three lovely ladies, two who I did not know, and one empty seat. I asked the group if I could sit with them.
During the raffle, in between trying to remember our ticket numbers and straining to hear Ingrid's enthusiastic calling of the numbers, I resigned myself to not really caring if I received a prize as we had decided to get to know each other. A prize in and of itself. But, then I heard Ingrid announce that the DVD player was the next prize. I chuckled and said, "Oh.. but I would like that prize.” My son and I had just recently had a conversation about needing to purchase one if we wanted to watch our favorite holiday movies together.
The number was called and, low and behold, the winning ticket belonged to one of the women sitting at my table who I had just met. When she returned to the table, prize in hand, she handed me the DVD player! I tried to resist her generosity, but she insisted. I was extremely touched. I handed her my raffle ticket and wished her luck. The very next number called was that ticket! So, what are the lessons you ask? You decide! There is more than one. Thanks, again, Val!
I arrived later than I hoped to the ASR staff appreciation event and walked into a sea of crowded tables at The Library Bar. I thought to myself that I would be lucky to find a seat when I spotted a table with three lovely ladies, two who I did not know, and one empty seat. I asked the group if I could sit with them.
During the raffle, in between trying to remember our ticket numbers and straining to hear Ingrid's enthusiastic calling of the numbers, I resigned myself to not really caring if I received a prize as we had decided to get to know each other. A prize in and of itself. But, then I heard Ingrid announce that the DVD player was the next prize. I chuckled and said, "Oh.. but I would like that prize.” My son and I had just recently had a conversation about needing to purchase one if we wanted to watch our favorite holiday movies together.
The number was called and, low and behold, the winning ticket belonged to one of the women sitting at my table who I had just met. When she returned to the table, prize in hand, she handed me the DVD player! I tried to resist her generosity, but she insisted. I was extremely touched. I handed her my raffle ticket and wished her luck. The very next number called was that ticket! So, what are the lessons you ask? You decide! There is more than one. Thanks, again, Val!
Fuji upgrade to ServiceNow is complete
The ServiceNow upgrade to Fuji was successfully completed. While extensive testing was completed, the Office of Information Technology would like to encourage users who encounter technical issues to contact Technology Help at (612) 301-4357 (1-HELP on campus), help@umn.edu or online chat.
Save the date: January ServiceNow and IT process improvement event
The latest upgrade has generated many questions about the state of ServiceNow and IT process improvement at the University. In response to this growing interest, the Office of Information Technology will host an interactive event on the topic on Wednesday, January 6 from 10-11:30 a.m. in 312 Bruininks Hall.
ASR Staff Engagement team looking forward to 2016
The results from October’s Employee Engagement survey are scheduled to be released to the Office of Undergraduate Education’s leadership team in January 2016. The results are expected to be available for ASR leadership’s consideration in February. Moving into the 2016 year the current ASR Staff Engagement team structure will remain the same and the group will continue to facilitate collaboration across ASR Units to identify development opportunities as a result of the survey.
Even as the group begins looking towards next year, they continue to actively implement initiatives identified from the October 2014 survey. Most recently the group has recommended piloting a group of ASR staff to participate in the new cohort for Leadership Training for Individual Contributors offered by the Office of Human Resources in January. The program uses personal development assessments and feedback, group work and presentations, and an Individual Development Plan. It is well aligned with ASR’s current plans regarding employee development.
Even as the group begins looking towards next year, they continue to actively implement initiatives identified from the October 2014 survey. Most recently the group has recommended piloting a group of ASR staff to participate in the new cohort for Leadership Training for Individual Contributors offered by the Office of Human Resources in January. The program uses personal development assessments and feedback, group work and presentations, and an Individual Development Plan. It is well aligned with ASR’s current plans regarding employee development.
Leadership development plans ongoing
The ASR directors held an all-day meeting on December 16th to continue work on the items discussed in the TED-style talks at the ASR staff event, including strategic planning, breaking down silos, and creating a line of sight to our processes. A more detailed email communication will be sent very soon. There have been initiatives related to leadership development in ASR since October. For example, a team has been working on the design of our Individual Development Plan process and documents. The team has a draft form and supporting document and are currently gathering feedback. The directors have looked at leadership training and other opportunities already available to ASR staff such as the OHR training previously advertised in The Brief. A thorough inventory of these opportunities will be created in January 2016. Look for updates in News & Notes and via email to the ASR staff list.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Sunsetting the Perkins Student Loan program
Many people do not realize that there is another federal loan program besides Direct Loans - but there is! The Perkins Loan program started in 1958. Perkins loans are only awarded to students who still have financial need after having been awarded Pell grants and Direct loans, so the Perkins Loan program is much smaller than the Direct Loan program.
Unlike Direct Loans, the Perkins Loan fund consists of money provided by both the federal government and the University. Money in the Perkins loan fund “revolves,” which means that the University gives it to students, who then repay the loan to the University. The University then re-awards the funds that have been repaid to a new group of students.
Congress has not given additional money to the Perkins loan for about 10 years. So why has it only reached its “sunset” now?
A few years ago, a clause was added to the Higher Education Act (HEA), which authorizes all major federal aid programs, that states that the Perkins program would “sunset,” or end, on September 30, 2014. The clause was added so Congress could list the Perkins loan program as an asset when compiling the federal budget. It had not been listed as such previously. The “sunset” provision means that the program stops and the money is to be given back to the federal government.
Congress did not Reauthorize the HEA by the September 30, 2015 (after a one-year extension) date. For the other major aid programs, there was no immediate impact, as those programs are “forward funded,” so continue to have funds through this year. However, the Perkins loan sunset clause took effect.
What impact does this have on the University of Minnesota?
As of September 30, 2015, the University cannot award Perkins funds to new borrowers. If a student was awarded a Perkins loan for the 2015-16 academic year and received their first advance by September 30, they can still receive the rest of their 2015-16 award. However, if their first advance was not completed by September 30, they will not be eligible to receive that funding. When that happens, a Grandfather Clause takes effect. This clause allows the school, if they choose, to award a Perkins loan to a student who had received a Perkins loan from that same school prior to June 30, 2015 and is still studying in the same degree program. If a student changes schools or change their degree program, they lose eligibility.
What now?
A bill was recently passed with bipartisan support in the House that would extend the Perkins program for one year. A majority of the Senate has signed a letter of support for the extension of Perkins. Many letters of support have also been sent to Congressional leadership from higher education organizations. These letters included one from the Big 10 Presidents, which President Kaler signed. A coalition of 535 schools and 53 higher education organizations produced an additional letter, which was also signed by President Kaler. The champions of the Perkins program in both the House and Senate continue to work to get the extension passed outright or attached to another bill. The University supports their work.
If you would like to learn more, watch the Let’s Save Perkins Now video or visit the Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations website.
Unlike Direct Loans, the Perkins Loan fund consists of money provided by both the federal government and the University. Money in the Perkins loan fund “revolves,” which means that the University gives it to students, who then repay the loan to the University. The University then re-awards the funds that have been repaid to a new group of students.
Congress has not given additional money to the Perkins loan for about 10 years. So why has it only reached its “sunset” now?
A few years ago, a clause was added to the Higher Education Act (HEA), which authorizes all major federal aid programs, that states that the Perkins program would “sunset,” or end, on September 30, 2014. The clause was added so Congress could list the Perkins loan program as an asset when compiling the federal budget. It had not been listed as such previously. The “sunset” provision means that the program stops and the money is to be given back to the federal government.
Congress did not Reauthorize the HEA by the September 30, 2015 (after a one-year extension) date. For the other major aid programs, there was no immediate impact, as those programs are “forward funded,” so continue to have funds through this year. However, the Perkins loan sunset clause took effect.
What impact does this have on the University of Minnesota?
As of September 30, 2015, the University cannot award Perkins funds to new borrowers. If a student was awarded a Perkins loan for the 2015-16 academic year and received their first advance by September 30, they can still receive the rest of their 2015-16 award. However, if their first advance was not completed by September 30, they will not be eligible to receive that funding. When that happens, a Grandfather Clause takes effect. This clause allows the school, if they choose, to award a Perkins loan to a student who had received a Perkins loan from that same school prior to June 30, 2015 and is still studying in the same degree program. If a student changes schools or change their degree program, they lose eligibility.
What now?
A bill was recently passed with bipartisan support in the House that would extend the Perkins program for one year. A majority of the Senate has signed a letter of support for the extension of Perkins. Many letters of support have also been sent to Congressional leadership from higher education organizations. These letters included one from the Big 10 Presidents, which President Kaler signed. A coalition of 535 schools and 53 higher education organizations produced an additional letter, which was also signed by President Kaler. The champions of the Perkins program in both the House and Senate continue to work to get the extension passed outright or attached to another bill. The University supports their work.
If you would like to learn more, watch the Let’s Save Perkins Now video or visit the Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations website.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
System Campus retention and recruitment consultations
With the new Board of Regents Maroon and Gold Progress Card initiative released this past October, all the campuses have begun exploring how to meet the stated goals.
As part of this exploration process, Sue and Eleanor have been invited to attend meetings with each campus in December and January to discuss their proposals for the University’s system-wide recruitment, retention and graduation initiatives, as well as share best practices from ongoing efforts on the Twin Cities campuses. These meetings will begin next week with Morris and Crookston.
As part of this exploration process, Sue and Eleanor have been invited to attend meetings with each campus in December and January to discuss their proposals for the University’s system-wide recruitment, retention and graduation initiatives, as well as share best practices from ongoing efforts on the Twin Cities campuses. These meetings will begin next week with Morris and Crookston.
Image Now upgrade kickoff meeting
The OIT ImageNow team has begun work on an upgrade to version 7.1, scheduled for completion in February 2016. There will be a Kickoff Meeting/Webcast hosted by the OIT ImageNow team for unit and departmental administrators on December 7, 2015 from 11-12 p.m. in room 140 of the Nolte Center for Continuing Education. The session will cover:
Contact oia-imaging@lists.umn.edu with any questions.
- New features in version 7.1
- Testing approach, timeline and a request for your involvement
- Planned production upgrade dates
- Future plans for ImageNow
Contact oia-imaging@lists.umn.edu with any questions.
Bringing the house down: Fraser Hall ceiling demolition begins
On November 30, two huge moveable scaffolding apparatus were erected in 200 Fraser Hall—a sure sign that the ceiling removal process will begin in the near future. As mentioned in previous articles, the 200 Fraser Hall space will be off limits during the deconstruction and construction work. In order to access the area in the back of the 2nd floor you must enter the building through the south door (closest to Appleby Hall) or take the elevator from the first floor. If you don’t use the elevator, you will require UCard access for the Fraser Hall doors. Please contact Mara Schneider to be added to the access list.
Search update for new OSF director
ASR has received applications for the Office of Student Finance director position. Jeremy Todd will be leading a small search committee that includes staff, assistant directors, and system campus representatives to determine if we have viable candidates. We will keep you posted if they believe we can move to interviews.
Twin Cities transitioning to new voicemail system
UMN IT began the process of introducing a new voicemail system to the UMTC campus in late October. All current voicemail users will need to transition to the new system before December 11, 2015, in order avoid interruption in their voicemail service. Visit z.umn.edu/voicemail for more information.
Williamson Hall elevator repairs beginning on December 28
The elevator in Williamson Hall needs to undergo a mandatory mechanical upgrade that will take seven working days to complete. The work has been scheduled for December 28, 2015 through January 7, 2016.
Duo prompt to be updated by vendor on December 8
An update to DUO's authentication prompt, is scheduled for implementation by the vendor on Tuesday, December 8. The authentication prompt is the method by which you choose how to verify your identity each time you log in (push, phone call or SMS password). DUO users will not need to take any action when the change occurs. Functionality will remain the same, but the prompts will have a different look.
ServiceNow upgrade
ServiceNow users who would like to familiarize themselves with the new Fuji interface before the Dec. 12-13 upgrade can do so in test environment at z.umn.edu/tst.
Watch a short video about the Fuji upgrade.
Watch a short video about the Fuji upgrade.
Electronic W-2 forms available for first time
For the first time, you may elect to receive your W‐2 statements online through MyU Self-Service in an IRS-approved PDF format. This allows you to print and send the online form with your tax return. Federal regulations require that employees give their consent to receive the W-2 in an electronic format. Once you consent, it carries forward each year and does not need to be repeated.
Step-by-step guide from HR:
Please contact HR with questions or visit HR’s webpage on taxes for additional information.
Step-by-step guide from HR:
- Sign in to MyU with your username and password (secure access login).
- From MyU, click on My Pay.
- Click on W-2/W2C Consent.
- Click on the checkbox giving your consent to receive your W‐2 statement online.
- Click Submit.
- The system will then prompt you to enter your password, providing an extra level of verification. This is the same password you use to log in to MyU.
- You will receive an email from the University verifying your consent.
Please contact HR with questions or visit HR’s webpage on taxes for additional information.
Evaluating the ASR performance evaluation, what’s next?
ASR’s performance appraisal process is undergoing some renovation by five small task teams. The 1-5 rating system is being revised, metrics of quantity, quality and timeliness are being reviewed, self and peer evaluation procedures are getting clarified, and achievement and goal documentation is being reviewed. In addition, the possibility of providing a 360 degree-type evaluation for supervisors is being considered.
The teams are actively working on these identified areas and expect to make a final report on their efforts by March 2016. Please contact John Vollum or Stacey Tidball with questions.
The teams are actively working on these identified areas and expect to make a final report on their efforts by March 2016. Please contact John Vollum or Stacey Tidball with questions.
CSE Light Show premiers on December 4
College of Science and Engineering students are again presenting their Winter Light Show. This year’s effort will be twice as big as last year featuring more than 200,000 LED lights set to music!
The show premieres on Friday, December 4, with additional shows on December 5, 10, 11 and 12. Shows are at 5:30, 6:00, and 6:30 p.m. each night. Find out more.
The show premieres on Friday, December 4, with additional shows on December 5, 10, 11 and 12. Shows are at 5:30, 6:00, and 6:30 p.m. each night. Find out more.
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