I want to thank you all for the great work you have been doing in these challenging circumstances. ASR is doing so much to support students right now, such as implementing a chat feature on the One Stop website, making S-N grading work for students, creating processes for refunds for housing and dining hall costs, and more. I’m proud to work with all of you!
As you read the rest of News & Notes, pay attention to all of the ways we can remain connected to each other, continue to have fun, and support our students. Stay safe, stay healthy, and I look forward to when we can all see each other in person again.
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Equipment for working at home
If you need to take or have taken University-issued equipment home with you during this COVID-19 work from home period, please complete this google form. This does not need to be completed for your laptop, but it does for other accessories or equipment (keyboard, monitor, etc.). If you have any questions, contact asrcentral@umn.edu.
Performance appraisal meetings in April
The last component of the performance appraisal process is supervisor and employee meetings to review and discuss each completed performance appraisal form. Please schedule a meeting with your supervisor in April. Given our work from home advisement, these meetings will need to happen virtually this year.
Your Google Calendar: No need to state working from home
As the University is now under extended reduced operations, and there is a work from home advisement in place, these special circumstances negate previous calendar expectations for publishing work from home time.
Please remove any “work from home” daily messaging from your calendar to improve ease of scheduling. As a part of this work from home advisement, it is expected that you are available virtually. Consult with your supervisor on any team-specific needs.
Please remove any “work from home” daily messaging from your calendar to improve ease of scheduling. As a part of this work from home advisement, it is expected that you are available virtually. Consult with your supervisor on any team-specific needs.
ASR virtual meetings resources
As we continue to work and meet together from home, it might be nice to remind everyone of the ASR Virtual Meetings guide. The resource contains instructions for setting up both Google Hangouts and Zoom meetings, including a comparison chart, additional resources, and an alternative set-up method for zoom.
If you have any questions or need additional assistance with virtual meeting set up, please email asrcentral@umn.edu.
If you have any questions or need additional assistance with virtual meeting set up, please email asrcentral@umn.edu.
Join ASR-wide Slack workspace
We’ve had a big shift in how we’ve had to work due to COVID-19, and we wanted a way for all of ASR to come together online to support each other. While there is no perfect method for communication, we’ve turned to Slack for an additional way to help us connect.
What is Slack?
Slack is a communication tool that allows for organizations and teams to collaborate and message each other in one place.
Do I need to join?
Participation in this ASR-wide Slack workspace is completely optional, but highly encouraged. It is intended to provide a space for ASR staff to connect, collaborate, and ask questions across the department. All need-to-know information in ASR will still be provided as usual through emails, meetings, and News & Notes will continue to be published bi-weekly.
How do I get started?
What is Slack?
Slack is a communication tool that allows for organizations and teams to collaborate and message each other in one place.
Do I need to join?
Participation in this ASR-wide Slack workspace is completely optional, but highly encouraged. It is intended to provide a space for ASR staff to connect, collaborate, and ask questions across the department. All need-to-know information in ASR will still be provided as usual through emails, meetings, and News & Notes will continue to be published bi-weekly.
How do I get started?
- Create an account with this ASR Slack Workspace link.
- Check out the getting started with Slack guide.
- Review the ASR Slack content guidelines and tips and browse the linked Slack how-to guides.
Internet access resource
Due to the impact of COVID-19, some internet providers are offering free or discounted internet services for individuals who qualify. If you find that you need a new or different internet provider as we continue to work from home, this internet access resource lists several internet providers, their COVID-19 statements, and contact information.
Project Management Foundations
As we previously mentioned in News and Notes, ASR’s Project Management course series is looking to refresh its content. While we continue to meet remotely and make progress evaluating new content for all of our offerings, we wanted to provide an alternative course available on LinkedIn Learning during this period of avoiding gatherings and working from home.
The Project Management Foundations course on LinkedIn Learning covers the project management lifecycle and even provides an introduction to Agile. It is self-paced, and within each chapter, there are short quizzes to test your knowledge.
We encourage you to work with your supervisor, and take advantage of this resource, if it aligns with your development goals. As a bonus, you can download a Certificate of Completion that the Project Management Institute (PMI) recognizes for 3.25 PDU/contact hours when you successfully complete the course. The certificate can also be linked to your LinkedIn profile.
If you complete the certificate, please email pwf-team@umn.edu so we can track completion and invite you to an in-person session in the future. Even if you’ve completed the ASR PM course(s), there is still value in taking the courses on LinkedIn Learning, and we’d love to hear your feedback if you do decide to take a course.
The Project Management Foundations course on LinkedIn Learning covers the project management lifecycle and even provides an introduction to Agile. It is self-paced, and within each chapter, there are short quizzes to test your knowledge.
We encourage you to work with your supervisor, and take advantage of this resource, if it aligns with your development goals. As a bonus, you can download a Certificate of Completion that the Project Management Institute (PMI) recognizes for 3.25 PDU/contact hours when you successfully complete the course. The certificate can also be linked to your LinkedIn profile.
If you complete the certificate, please email pwf-team@umn.edu so we can track completion and invite you to an in-person session in the future. Even if you’ve completed the ASR PM course(s), there is still value in taking the courses on LinkedIn Learning, and we’d love to hear your feedback if you do decide to take a course.
Thursday, March 12, 2020
COVID-19 virus impact on stress management and social stigma
With the influx of information about COVID-19, there is a lot of focus on physical health preventative measures (e.g., handwashing, refraining from touching one’s face, etc.), but news about the virus also contributes to stress, anxiety, and social stigma. The Mental Health in the Workplace working group and the ASR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee want to pass along the following resources:
Mental health:
As part of ASR’s mission, vision, and values, we must uphold our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by supporting and respecting our staff and external audiences of various backgrounds and experiences at the University of Minnesota.
You can support yourself and help prevent social stigma by knowing the CDC facts and sharing with others. If you are experiencing bias on campus, please contact the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action office or the Bias Response and Referral Network (BRRN).
Mental health:
- The Minnesota Department of Health has this quick, two-page article with information about recognizing your stress reactions and psychological first aid (PFA) strategies.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has information dedicated to Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19.
- The CDC has provided information on stigma and resilience related to COVID-19.
- NPR published “When Xenophobia Spreads Like A Virus” (25-minutes audio).
- Campus Climate provides U of M news, perspectives, and resources to follow.
As part of ASR’s mission, vision, and values, we must uphold our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by supporting and respecting our staff and external audiences of various backgrounds and experiences at the University of Minnesota.
You can support yourself and help prevent social stigma by knowing the CDC facts and sharing with others. If you are experiencing bias on campus, please contact the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action office or the Bias Response and Referral Network (BRRN).
Sports wagering
As we enter basketball and March Madness season, be aware of the rules on sports wagering and gambling.
In short, all ASR employees are prohibited from sports wagering per the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This is because ASR plays a role in student athletics, specifically in that we:
The NCAA bylaw prohibits “student-athletes, athletics department staff members, and conference office staff from engaging in sports wagering (Bylaw 10.3). NCAA rules also prohibit non-athletics department staff members who have responsibilities within or over the athletics department, such as chancellors or presidents and faculty athletics representatives from engaging in sports wagering. NCAA national office employees are also prohibited from engaging in sports wagering.”
An article from the Daily Compliance Item may be helpful in understanding this law.
If you have questions or concerns, contact Stacey Tidball (tidball@umn.edu).
In short, all ASR employees are prohibited from sports wagering per the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This is because ASR plays a role in student athletics, specifically in that we:
- Certify that athletes are academically eligible to play
- Administer financial aid for student athletes
- Participate in faculty governance for oversight of athletics
The NCAA bylaw prohibits “student-athletes, athletics department staff members, and conference office staff from engaging in sports wagering (Bylaw 10.3). NCAA rules also prohibit non-athletics department staff members who have responsibilities within or over the athletics department, such as chancellors or presidents and faculty athletics representatives from engaging in sports wagering. NCAA national office employees are also prohibited from engaging in sports wagering.”
An article from the Daily Compliance Item may be helpful in understanding this law.
If you have questions or concerns, contact Stacey Tidball (tidball@umn.edu).
Planning for Fraser Hall
The University has made a request to the state legislature that would result in a major construction project to dedicate Fraser Hall to Chemistry labs. We do not expect an official decision until May or June, but ASR has started preliminary conversations with the University on the impacts to staff currently in Fraser, including options for relocation.
If the legislature approves the request, demolition and construction could begin in late spring of 2021. As the legislative process and the planning effort continues, we will keep you updated.
If the legislature approves the request, demolition and construction could begin in late spring of 2021. As the legislative process and the planning effort continues, we will keep you updated.
Pay Increases for AFSCME Clerical, Health Care, and Technical Employees
As a result of recent contract negotiations, central OHR will be manually updating PeopleSoft records with step realignments and pay increases to employees represented by AFSCME Clerical, Health Care, and Technical.
The salary plan and grades will be updated this week. The step realignments and pay increases will be updated in employee job data from February 24 to March 4. The new hourly rates will take effect in the 2/17/20–3/1/20 pay period and will be paid on the 3/11/20 pay date.
Effective Dates
Clerical:
The salary plan and grades will be updated this week. The step realignments and pay increases will be updated in employee job data from February 24 to March 4. The new hourly rates will take effect in the 2/17/20–3/1/20 pay period and will be paid on the 3/11/20 pay date.
Effective Dates
Clerical:
- Step realignment: Effective 6/10/2019
- Annual increase: Effective 12/23/2019
- Step increases: Have been programmatically entered monthly (June 2019–March 2020)
- Step realignment: Effective 6/10/2019
- Annual increase: Effective 12/23/2019
- Step increases: Will be entered based on employee's progression/anniversary date
- Step realignment: Effective 6/10/2019
- Annual increase: Effective 06/10/2019
- Step increases: Effective 10/1/2019
What does user experience in ASR mean to you?
Christina Yoong from the communications team is researching user experience for her capstone project in the MS in Scientific and Technical Communication program. She would greatly appreciate it if you complete her 5-minute survey on user experience in ASR. Your responses will help explore perspectives on UX within ASR and may be used for future strategic planning and initiatives.
How does this research relate to ASR?
This research contributes toward ASR’s 1-year target (2019-2020) to “introduce initiatives to advance automation, usability/user experience, accessibility, and best practices in developing systems and processes” listed under the enhancing systems and processes focus area. In 2019, Jaime Wascalus formed rock groups to explore a variety of topics, including user experience. The capstone project and survey will start to help assess UX knowledge and interests within ASR that may be used for strategic planning and future initiatives.
How will responses be documented? Is it voluntary?
Your survey responses will be collected anonymously, and no identifiable information will be included in any report. At the end of the semester, the research project will be available on the UMN Digital Conservancy. The survey is completely voluntary and each question is optional. The research plan has been approved by Jaime Wascalus, Stacey Tidball, and the University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board (IRB).
What’s next? As a follow-up to the survey, Christina plans to conduct a few semi-structured interviews. Please email leigh138@umn.edu if you would be willing to meet for an interview or if you have any questions. Thank you!
How does this research relate to ASR?
This research contributes toward ASR’s 1-year target (2019-2020) to “introduce initiatives to advance automation, usability/user experience, accessibility, and best practices in developing systems and processes” listed under the enhancing systems and processes focus area. In 2019, Jaime Wascalus formed rock groups to explore a variety of topics, including user experience. The capstone project and survey will start to help assess UX knowledge and interests within ASR that may be used for strategic planning and future initiatives.
How will responses be documented? Is it voluntary?
Your survey responses will be collected anonymously, and no identifiable information will be included in any report. At the end of the semester, the research project will be available on the UMN Digital Conservancy. The survey is completely voluntary and each question is optional. The research plan has been approved by Jaime Wascalus, Stacey Tidball, and the University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board (IRB).
What’s next? As a follow-up to the survey, Christina plans to conduct a few semi-structured interviews. Please email leigh138@umn.edu if you would be willing to meet for an interview or if you have any questions. Thank you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)