Access Request Form information

The ASR website has a new subtab page under Training & Support which is dedicated to Access Request Form (ARF) information. A resource on the page, which may interest managers, is a list of PeopleSoft Campus Solutions pages that may be viewed after you have taken Student Data Inquiry training.

This page was added as part of the organizational effectiveness effort to streamline the ARF process. It is intended to complement information provided by the Office of Information Technology. Additional information is expected to be added to the ARF page as work continues.

Staff office location changes

Recently, David Crane relocated to the Classroom Technical Services admin office area (160G). Jessica Franck now resides in his previous location (160-41).

Robert Wilson is moving from Williamson Hall to 200 Fraser Hall.

Tech Tuesday: Google Drive File Stream

Join us on Tuesday, March 10 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in Fraser B20 to learn about Google Drive File Stream and how it can be used in your daily work. Similar to the S: Drive or H: Drive, Google Drive File Stream enables you to view all of your Google files. It also allows you to edit documents offline. So bring your lunch and come join us!

If you can’t make it, that’s ok! Resources will be sent out to all staff after the meeting detailing how to use Google Drive File Stream, which will also contain demo videos.

ASR Digital Cleaning Day

Following Tech Tuesday on March 10, ASR’s Digital Cleaning Day is on Wednesday, March 11. The afternoon has been set aside for staff to take time to organize their digital “workspace.” This is a great opportunity to clean out your H: Drive, organize the files within the S: Drive, and move things over to Google.

2019 Staff Engagement Survey news

The 2019 Staff Engagement Survey results were shared with ASR leadership at the end of January. Once again, Congratulations to ASR for the highest participation rate (96%).

The overall ASR results are encouraging with strong showings in the key metric of Commitment and Dedication as demonstrated by the top three Most Favorable items:

1. My department is committed to providing high quality customer support (i.e., responsiveness, flexibility, turnaround).
2. The people in my department are committed to delivering high quality services.
3. I have enough authority to carry out my job effectively.

The overall results also revealed that staff reported positive changes in these top three areas of action since the last survey:

1. Training and Development
2. Leadership and Direction
3. Work Life balance

Next, the Directors, Managers, Supervisors, and Unit Engagement team representatives will review the unit level results and facilitate discussions with staff between March and April. Additionally, there will be a short presentation at the ASR Assembly in March. Staff should expect to hear more as units begin to select initiatives in spring.

Travel cards

Previously, the use of travel cards was limited to registrations and expenses incurred while traveling on business (except regular meals, which use per diem). Now, there are a few more allowable, non-travel expenses including membership purchases and business meals, such as new employee lunches. Remember, while traveling each UMN employee should pay for their own meals under the per diem policy; business meals purchased while traveling are only allowed if hosting non-UMN attendees.

If you do not have a travel card but make these kinds of purchases at least once a year, consider requesting a travel card by electronically completing this form. Your director will have to sign the form and then return it to Megan or Lindsay.

Celebrating Black History Month

What is it?
Black History Month is an annual celebration of African American achievements and contributions to U.S. history and culture, and a time for recognizing the struggles black Americans faced to achieve citizenship in American society.

African American and African Studies at the U
At the University of Minnesota, we should take a moment to appreciate the achievements of our African American students, faculty, and staff. One way you can join in the celebration is by attending This Free North, a documentary that examines black history at the University and celebrates 50 years of African American and African Studies.


Register for This Free North
Tuesday, Feb 18, 6:00 p.m. at Northrop. This documentary is produced by TPT and explores obstacles and achievements in black history on the Twin Cities campus. It is free and open to the public, but requires tickets for entry.



If you aren't able to attend the event, take five minutes to read more about the Department of African American & African Studies (AAAS), their beginnings with the Morrill Hall Takeover, and how they support students, faculty, and staff across the University.

Learn more about the history of this celebration

The story of Black History month starts in 1915, but it wasn’t until 1976 that an American president officially recognized Black History Month. Learn more about the key black voices, from activists to artists, and movements of resistance that influenced, and continue to influence, U.S. history and culture today.

Did you know?

• February is dedicated to black life, history, and culture because both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass have birthdays this month!
• Each year, Black History Month has a specific theme. This year’s theme is “African Americans and the Vote” in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, which grew out of the abolitionists movement and granted women the right to vote, and the 150th anniversary of the Fifteenth Amendment, which granted African American men the right to vote after the Civil War.

ASR Wellbeing Champions - Who Are We?

We are volunteers for ASR who want to help you connect to all the resources available through the Wellbeing program. Our goal is to provide communication, community, and wellness support at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. If you have questions or feedback, feel free to contact us at asr_wellness@umn.edu.

You can also reach out to one of us directly:

• Santiago Fernandez-Gimenez (Continuity & Compliance)
• Kendall Spase (ASR IT)
• Rachel McKessock (ASR Central)
• Phil Hunter (OCM)

Like all University employees that participate in the U’s health insurance plan, ASR staff have the opportunity to complete activities to earn Wellness points. Rather than scrambling to get your points late in September this year, consider a few of these options to earn points throughout the year:

1. Informal ASR Wellness groups can earn points.
   Activities, such as knitting circles, regular lunch walking groups, bowling league teams, workout groups, rec-sports leagues, and staff who volunteer together, can be used to earn points! Additionally, if you are part of a group and want others to join, you can contact us at asr_wellness@umn.edu. ASR’s Wellness Champions would like to help connect people with groups that already exist and promote the group to colleagues via News and Notes.


2. Track physical activities daily or weekly to earn points.
   Physical activities like walking your dog, working in your garden, or shoveling your walk can even earn points! You don’t need expensive technology like an Apple watch or a Fitbit to track your activity. You can enter activities manually online using “Track it” on your RedBrick Portal.


3. There are lots of ways to think about wellness and earn points.
   You can also earn points for volunteering at a school, an animal shelter, taking advantage of a learning or development opportunity, or any sort of non-profit community service. You can earn points for up to five different experiences under “Wellness Your Way.”