Mandatory first-round interview question for all ASR positions

The HR recruiting system now defaults eligibility to work in the U.S. as "no". A review of applicants has shown that all are missing this question so we need more information at the interview stage.

Going forward, as part of the first round interview for each and every candidate, this question must be included:

• If you were offered this position, would you be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. within one week of a job offer?

It is not allowable to ask if they have a work visa, require sponsorship, etc. This question is also listed in the hiring checklist (z.umn.edu/asrhire) with a link to examples of work authorization.

Please email asrcentral@umn.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

Extended hours for Bruininks One Stop office

During the first two weeks of the fall term, One Stop Student Services will have extended in-person hours at the Bruininks Hall location:

September 3-6, 2019
- Tuesday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

September 9-13, 2019
- Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Join ASR working group: Mental Health in the Workplace

Building off of the NAMI presentation at the July all-staff assembly (video, 56 min), Amber Cellotti announced at the August all-staff assembly that she’ll be leading a volunteer working group on mental health in the workplace for ASR. The group will focus on examining the culture in ASR, expanding on current resources, and developing recommendations/best practices. If you would like to be part of the working group, reach out to Amber at knap0071@umn.edu. Thank you to those in the Office of Student Finance, Office of the Registrar, One Stop, and ASR Central who have already volunteered. This group will be kicking off in late September- early October.

Pilot for Stellic graduation planning tool

This fall, the College of Science & Engineering (CSE) on the Twin Cities campus will pilot a graduation planning tool offered by Stellic. All CSE undergraduates, advisors, and directors of undergraduate studies will be able to access the tool. The pilot’s purpose is to better understand gaps in student and advisor needs/wants and to validate the accessibility and usability of Stellic’s tool. Lindsay Bork Nichols will lead the project with additional team members: Jaime Wascalus, Jenni Peterson, Terri Tuzinski, Dan Sagisser, and special assistance by staff in Continuity & Compliance, ASR-IT, OTR, and the MyU Portal team.

Appreciation certificates

Is there someone that you wish you could formally recognize for all the great work that they do? We have created an appreciation certificate you can use to recognize staff members outside ASR for their great work. Instructions on how to request appreciation certificates is available.

Homecoming Parade! Friday, October 4

ASR will march again at this year's Gopher Homecoming Parade and you and your family members are invited to march along! Mark your calendars for this fun family event. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Contact Richard Campo (campo035@umn.edu) if you’d like to participate in ASR’s march.

We raised $1,727!

We had a great time last week at the ASR picnic and raffle. Here’s a list of the raffle winners. Our donations totaled $1,727! That’s a 26% increase over what we raised last year for the Student Success Fund. Thank you for your contributions!

Individual Development Planning

During the month of August, create or review your IDP (Individual Development Plan) with your supervisor. Schedule some time to talk about your interests, challenges, and goals for the next six months and update your IDP form.

If you are new to ASR or need a refresher, information about IDPs is available on the ASR Intranet under the Professional Development tab. You can find resources on professional development and a link to the IDP template. For questions, talk with your supervisor.

Supervisors, please also remember that the website asrsupervisors.umn.edu is available. The site focuses on a six-step model for having developmental conversations with your employees.

ASR service project

Starting in mid-August, we will begin collecting donations of non-perishable food items for The SLP Birdfeeder. We’ll have donation boxes in Fraser, Williamson and Bruininks. Although any food is welcome, the ideal foods are ones that require little to no cooking. A list of top ten foods requested is available. The program is also happy to accept new backpacks in addition to food.

The SLP Birdfeeder is a student-run community service project within St. Louis Park High School to fill backpacks with non-perishable food items for high school students (or their families) who are food insecure to ensure that they have food when they are not in school over the weekends. ASR chose to work with the SLP Birdfeeder for two reasons: 1) an ASR staff member has a connection with this program, and 2) we want to support high school students who may be contemplating college, regardless of whether or not they know donations come from UMN.

If you’d like to identify and/or coordinate future service projects ASR can participate in, contact Tina Falkner, rovic001@umn.edu.

A long-awaited degree

Dan Cylkowski had a long road to his University of Minnesota degree. He always wanted to be a carpenter, so he enrolled in vocational school after high school. After two weeks of that, he enlisted and served our country proudly in the US Army in World War II, and like many, attended college on the GI bill at the University of Minnesota.

Dan Cylkowski, US Army, 1940s

Dan Cylkowski, US Army, 1940s

Dan was hoping to be part of the architecture program but needed to start in the General College. By the spring of 1947, he thought he had finished all requirements for an associate of arts degree. He had tickets for his family to attend commencement but there was a fee and he needed to work that day, so he didn’t attend, assuming the University would mail his diploma. He later found out he hadn’t graduated due to a missing requirement: he could not afford to pay for the medical exam that was required at the time.

Mr. Cylkowski continued to work in carpentry. He got married to his wife, now of 68 years, and together they had two sons. Since retirement, he keeps himself busy with yard work and projects around his house. Now, at 94 years old, his granddaughter Alicia (a third-generation Gopher) encouraged him to push for his U of M diploma. She reached out to the College of Liberal Arts to find out whether it was possible to make his dream come true. He still had original documentation to support his case! After some teamwork and research between CLA, CEHD, and OTR, we waived the medical requirement and OTR posted an associate of arts degree to Mr. Cylkowski’s record backdated to 1947.

All the excitement inspired Emily Holt to run over to the bookstore and pick up a diploma cover and U of M baseball cap for the new graduate. All members of OTR signed a card for him (“from his fans in the Office of the Registrar”) and a surprise package was on its way.

Mr. Cylkowski was very excited to receive his package and bring resolution to an earlier chapter in his life.

Dan Cylkowski in 2019 with his diploma and UMN cap

Dan wrote a heartfelt letter of thanks, which is available to read in full below. It is truly rewarding to make a difference in a student's life!

To the staff at the registrar office of the University of Minnesota.

Dear friends;

Imagine my surprise when I saw a box from the University of Minnesota at my front door. I immediately knew this was it. My degree from the U of M. After many years of delaying the process of applying for it, my degree was finally coming to me. I didn’t attend the graduation ceremony in 1947 because I couldn’t afford the requirement of a physical before graduation. Thanks to all the individuals who spend so much time and effort to research the graduation process my prayers were answered. I am tremendously grateful to each and every one of  you and will never forget what you did for a 94 year old World War II veteran. Thanks again and God bless each and every one of you.
 

In addition to receiving my degree I was really thrilled to receive the university cap that was included in the box. Thank you ever so much for your generosity. I love it and will wear it with pride. 

Sincerely,

Dan Cylkowski