CARES and student emergency funds update

The final round of the $12.9 million in CARES Act funds were disbursed to students this fall. Emergency CARES funds are no longer available. In addition, ASR worked with the Asian Pacific American Resource Center (APARC) to disburse $106,690 of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) CARES funds to 113 students. Student emergency funds and other resources are available, and potential cases should be referred to One Stop, or to Richard Campo (campo035@umn.edu), with any questions.

Connect to VPN once a month

All University computers should connect to the VPN once a month. This helps to maintain a healthy connection and reduce vulnerability while working remotely. You should follow these steps at least once every 30 days:

1. Log into device at home
2. Connect to University's Split Tunnel VPN
3. Leave the VPN connected for most or all of a business day to ensure that each piece of software connects and updates

Veterans Day

We would like to wish a happy belated Veterans Day to those who have served or are currently serving in the military in ASR. We appreciate your service. Usually, University Veterans Services would host an in-person Veterans Appreciation event to honor University veterans who have served. However, due to the COVID-19 health emergency, they have decided to create a Veterans Appreciation slideshow instead.

Even in times of a national emergency, we feel it is important to honor the sacrifices of our veterans and service members. Thank you to those of you who have served.

Update from Sue

We are headed into the season of giving, and in my opinion, ASR has been giving all year long. The staff in ASR are serving our University community very well while still juggling many personal issues in our lives. We continue to give and give without much reward at times. However, there are many around the University and beyond that are very thankful for everything that we do.

Similarily, it was nice to hear from Jennifer Reckner today and her sincere acknowledgement and appreciation of the work that all of you are doing. Your work truly is noticed.

I know we are getting tired, but try to find a way to keep energizing yourselves. The University has many resources available for employees, so take advantage of them. We are still doing so many exciting things, and you all should be proud of all your accomplishments. Start to jot these down and look at them on a regular basis. Great job everyone!

ASR Staff Engagement Nov. 19 Survey

This week’s ASR Staff Engagement survey focuses on preparing for the holidays during COVID-19. Visit the November 19, 2020 ASR Engagement Survey/Quiz to submit your feedback. We’d love to hear from you!

The responses to the last survey showed overwhelmingly that responders are viewing remote work opportunities more positively than before our COVID-19 work experience. When asked about the ideal mix of remote and in-person work, the most popular answer was for three days remote and two days in-person. This information will be helpful to ASR in planning ahead for when Fraser Hall goes offline.

Finally, staff reported some very interesting favorite "home office equipment" with responses ranging from my new co-workers (pets) to the best window views, and of course, large monitors. The specific results of the survey are available below.

November 5, 2020 survey results

As a result of the COVID19 pandemic have you become more positive about remote work?

• 97% Yes
• 3% No

Post COVID-19 what is your optimum mix of remote and in person work?

• 0 days remote = 2%
• 1 day remote = 0%
• 2 days remote = 13%
• 3 days remote = 39%
• 4 days remote = 16%
• 5 days remote = 30%

What's your favorite home office piece of equipment?

• Various answers, such as pets, window(s), natural light, lamp, office chair, couch, ottoman, recliner, laptop, Macbook, large monitor(s), privacy, patio/deck/backyard, wireless mouse, blankets, yoga pants, Costco sit/stand desk, noise blocking airpods, essential oil diffuser, and music.

Update from Sue

The election is now over, and it is alright to reflect upon what you might be experiencing. I enjoy the uniqueness of ASR and its employees, so it is understandable everyone might be going through different emotional experiences right now. Remember to focus on what needs to get done and think about how to accomplish those tasks. We, in ASR, have been through a lot this year and continue to stay focused on our mission. I am so proud of the work all of you are doing. I am sharing a piece of the MOR article I read earlier this week that resonated with me. I have always said that I enjoy the openness of staff and the curiosity that has enabled our unit to perform at its best to help with student success.

Respect and Appreciate Alternative Views

“Lastly, to help us all move forward, put a focus on respecting and appreciating views different from our own. As leaders we need to create an inclusive environment. Despite a divisive backdrop, we want to have our teams adopt openness as a norm. When people have such contrasting views it is helpful to be curious. Seek to understand. We do not need to agree with every view on the team, but we do need to create the physiological safety where people are free to share them. The future is going to need a heavy dose of innovation; we will not get there with closed mindsets. Practicing this openness today with questions and curiosity will help model the behavior we would like to see become the norm.”

Congratulations ASR retirees

With the University’s Retirement Incentive Option, several people in ASR will be retiring over the next few months. While not everyone is ready to share their news publicly, we want to congratulate the following staff that are sharing the news:

• Jim Fisk, Infrastructure Analyst with Classroom Technical Services, is retiring this week after 14 years of service.
• Deb Pusari, Associate Director in the Office of Student Finance, is retiring November 13 after 30+ years of service.

We will miss you in ASR! Thank you all for your wonderful service to the University. Enjoy retirement!

Change to One Stop Student Services and Student Account Assistance in-person service

Beginning Monday, November 30, One Stop Student Services and Student Account Assistance (SAA) will temporarily suspend in-person services in Bruininks Hall until the week before the start of the spring term. However, students and staff can continue to contact One Stop or SAA. The drop boxes in Bruininks Hall will remain open and be checked by staff. SAA is developing a plan for any scholarship checks that remain unsigned when the closure begins.

University Veterans Services, Graduate Student Services and Progress (GSSP), the Helping U desk, and One Stop’s West Bank and St. Paul locations will remain closed for in-person service.

ASR conference room layouts

Conference room layouts have been made for spaces in Williamson and Fraser to accommodate 6’ physical distancing guidelines. The layouts for the rooms can be found in the 6’ distancing conference room folder for those of us currently on campus using conference rooms.

ASR Staff Engagement Nov. 5 Survey

This week’s ASR Staff Engagement survey is now available. Visit the November 5, 2020 ASR Engagement Survey/Quiz to submit your feedback.

The responses to the last survey show that staff is well informed. Staff recognized that remote work enables organizations to embrace diversity and inclusion by hiring people from different socioeconomic, geographic, and cultural backgrounds and with different perspectives. Additionally, staff also recognized that the major barrier organizations face with remote work is simple resistance to change. Lastly, while some staff have found ways to take breaks, others are still searching for ideas. The results from the last survey are available below.

October 22, 2020 survey results

Remote work creates a barrier for companies to embrace diversity and inclusion.

• 88% False
• 12% True

Number 4 in the “The Benefits of Working From Home: Why The Pandemic Isn’t the Only Reason to Work Remotely” shows that this is in fact false!

What do you think is the most cited barrier to remote working?

• 53% Changing an organization's long standing non-flex work culture
• 3% Privacy concerns
• 3% Data Security concerns
• 12% Lack of understanding of benefits to remote work
• 3% Technology requirements
• 26% Fear about impact to overall organization's culture/community

Check out “How People and Companies feel about working remotely” to learn about some of the different benefits and barriers to working from home.

What do you use to remind yourself to take a break, move, drink water, stretch, rest your eyes, etc.?

• 17% Calendar - I use it to schedule breaks
• 6% Phone - I use it to set an alarm
• 3% Buddy Breaks - schedule time with coworker
• 29% Fitbit or other fitness monitor
• 45% Other - haven't found something that really works yet...

If you haven’t found an effective way to take a break, or are searching for some alternative methods, check out “9 Creative Ways to make yourself take breaks at work.”