Update from Stacey

I’ve mentioned before that I enjoy a variety of podcasts, many of which are not work related. Freakonomics often has surprising connections to work. If you are looking for some broad context on the state of higher education, concerned about the expense of college, or just like to learn stuff, I highly recommend the Freakonomics back to school collection, which is a selection of re-broadcasted episodes all about higher ed. Listening to a good podcast helps me sit through the construction all around campus while transitioning from work to home. If you have any podcast recommendations, share them with me at tidball@umn.edu.

Mid-quarter project prioritization review updates

Thank you to everyone who has submitted project requests, and a special thanks to all ASR staff who are working to keep ASR’s prioritized projects moving forward from analysis to implementation to completion.

During the mid-quarter review meeting on September 6, directors considered new time-sensitive requests (1), projects ready to move from analysis to implementation (2), and some deferred project requests from the last prioritization (4).

Projects prioritized for implementation this quarter:

• UMN Morris Concurrent Enrollment Data Extract Script (Project Lead: Helen Li)
• Automate "You are being Reviewed" notification (Project Lead: TBD)
• Please note that there is a reported Oracle issue that is blocking this work at the moment. OIT is aware and working on a fix. Work can start once the issue is resolved.
• Expand FFH hold to include state aid (Project Lead: Stephanie Kearley)
• Upgrade to Salesforce Lightning Implementation (Project Lead: Sara Cokl)
• Development of Ruby Gem Oracle Enhanced Adapter for U (Project Lead: Tony Thomas)

As a reminder, any requests approved at mid-quarter can begin immediately. A comprehensive view of the status of all ASR projects is available on the ASR Project Plan Preview.

Civic engagement resources

The University has a long history of being a place where people express diverse views and opinions. Some helpful resources are now available related to free speech and peaceful protest:

• Bridging Differences website - Find information on activities, conversations, and educational opportunities related to civic engagement and the free expression of perspectives and ideas.
• Supporting Free Expression website - A guide from the Office of Human Resources for employees interested in exercising their right as a private citizen to protest while still complying with University policies, state and federal law, and local regulations.
• Understand your responsibilities when participating in planned or spontaneous civic engagement events on campus, and learn about the University's framework for responding to policy violations.
• Freedom of Expression website - A site from the Office of Student Affairs with information about the law, individual rights, and campus policies.

Latinx Heritage Month

Latinx Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15, honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Latinx communities in the United States, which is the nation’s largest racial or ethnic minority—18.9% of the total population. The month begins in mid-September to coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. It serves as a time to recognize the diverse identities within the Latinx diaspora, acknowledging the social, political, and cultural impact Latinx individuals have made across various fields. The celebration also aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by Latinx communities, including issues of immigration, education, and economic disparity.

Latinx communities in the U.S. face a range of challenges. Immigration policies and enforcement create significant uncertainty for many Latinx individuals, especially those who are undocumented or have family members with uncertain legal status. This can lead to difficulties accessing services, fear of deportation, and separation of families.

In education, Latinx students frequently encounter barriers such as language access, underfunded schools in their communities, and lower college enrollment and graduation rates compared to other groups. Many Latinx individuals also face wage gaps, limited access to healthcare, and housing instability, further exacerbating economic challenges. The combination of these factors continues to limit upward mobility and contributes to systemic inequities for the Latinx population. Many organizations, such as United We Dream and Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment Through Research (HACER), are working to address those barriers and promote equitable representation at all levels of institutional decisions and policy change.

Hispanic Heritage Month celebration resources:

• Latino Culture: Learn about the diverse Latino culture and how it has contributed to the society and culture of the United States.
• Latin Independence Days: Learn about the different Independence Days across Latin America and how they are celebrated and honored each year.
• Latin Food: Explore Latino recipes and learn about special events that Latino dishes are a central part of.
• Famous Latinos: Learn about famous Latinos and Latinas who have helped to shape the history and culture of the United States.

U of MN Resources

• Celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of people in the U.S. with Hispanic/Latinx ancestry (Department of Neurosurgery)
• National Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month (Office for Equity and Diversity)

Twin Cities Events

• Gala Latina: Thursday, October 3, 2024 - CLUES Gala Latina celebrates Latino leadership and culture in Minnesota. Enjoy Latino food, a silent auction, an inspiring program, and performances from local Latino artists.
• LatinoFest Brooklyn Park: Friday, October 11- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with our Hispanic community. This event will feature food from a local Hispanic owned restaurant and cultural performances.

Travel tip: Lodging

The Traveling on University Business policy addresses many aspects of travel as well as defining what is considered allowable expense. When arranging lodging, please be aware of the following:

• When submitting lodging expenses in Chrome River, always complete the “Allowable Total” field during the itemization so the correct policy rules are applied.
• A full itemized receipt/invoice from the hotel is always required for supporting lodging expenses regardless of how the reservation was made. Reservation confirmation notifications or cost estimates/summaries from third-party travel sites do not qualify as itemized receipts/invoices as they do not outline all of the charges.
• In most travel scenarios, the allowable expense is defined as 150% of the lodging per diem for the nightly rate (before taxes):
• Domestic per diem: US General Services Administration (GSA)
• Alaska/Hawaii per diem: US Department of Defense
• International per diem: US Department of State
• When traveling for a conference, the standard per diem limit may be exceeded when there is a documented conference negotiated rate. Be sure to check the Pre-Negotiated Conference Rate checkbox on the Chrome River lodging itemization. However, if the conference rooms are fully booked and/or unavailable, the standard 150% per diem rule applies even if the reservation is at the conference hotel.
• In the event that it is not possible to find a hotel within the per diem limit for the destination within a reasonable proximity, it is possible to request an exception to the per diem limit prior to making the reservation. Travelers can submit a Request for Lodging Exception to their supervisor outlining the circumstances and why the higher rate should be viewed as acceptable. If approved, the reservation can be made and the approved exception form attached to the Chrome River expense report along with the itemized receipt/invoice from the hotel.
• Use of vacation rental sites is permissible (but not necessarily preferred) if there is a cost savings over traditional lodging and other related travel expenses (e.g., car rental, ground transportation). However, the use of vacation rentals requires pre-approval via a Request for Lodging Exception. The 150% per diem rule still applies to the nightly cost. Additionally, any extra fees should be reviewed beforehand to ensure all of the extra costs are allowable within University policy.

ASR Staff Engagement September 19 Survey

This week’s ASR Engagement Survey is an ergonomics quiz. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences!

According to the last survey, most staff want to do a corn maze and take a hayride rather than one or the other (50%). When asked about your favorite places to go in the fall, apple orchards were mentioned most frequently followed by traveling up north to see the changing colors.

Finally, we asked your favorite fall foods or drinks. Many folks are ready for apple treats, such as apple cider, apple donuts, and apple pie. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.

September 5 survey results

Would you rather go through a corn maze or on a hayride?

• Corn maze (15.6%)
• Hayride (21.9%)
• Why not both? (50%)
• Neither, please! (12.5%)

Where is one of your favorite places to go in the fall?

• Up North to see the changing colors!
• Minnesota Renaissance Festival
• Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake
• Vineyard tours
• My recliner with a blanket and book

What's one of your favorite fall foods or drinks?

• Any type of cider. Homemade, store bought, doesn't matter. Apple doesn't get enough love in the fall since the focus is always on pumpkin-flavored things!
• Chicken noodle matzo ball soup
• Ice coffee with pumpkin spice foam
• A hot toddy
• Maple cayenne latte

Tony's Tech Terms: Infrastructure as Code

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is a way we automate the setup of the technology needed for websites and applications, rather than doing it manually. It works like following a recipe: instead of configuring servers, networks, and databases by hand, we use code to create a blueprint for this setup. This approach makes the process more consistent, reduces errors, and allows us to quickly make changes or recover from issues. We use a tool called Ansible to help automate these steps, and the code can be stored and reused for future projects.

Update from Stacey

The start of the fall term is one of my favorite times of the year, even though I sometimes feel breathless as meetings and emails stack up. I really appreciate the energy of seeing students back on campus and participating in events. Most of all, I enjoy seeing all of our hard work culminate into noticeable outcomes: students are starting classes and receiving aid, classrooms are ready for instructors and students, and colleagues are reaching out to ASR as a go-to resource. Thank you to ASR for all of your important work this time of year. Start of the term would not be successful without all of you!

An interview with Delaney Anderson of COIN

One of the great advantages of the DEI corner is the opportunity to showcase diverse UMN groups. The Circle of Indigenous Nations (COIN) is a student services and support office for American Indian/Native American, Alaska Native, and First Nation(s) students on the UMN Twin Cities campus. We had the opportunity to interview Delaney Anderson, American Indian Student Engagement Specialist with COIN, about the organization.

What should folks know about COIN?

COIN creates and maintains a welcoming on-campus space—with the best view might I add—where Native and global Indigenous students are able to build relations with each other through shared interests, cultural values/traditions, and historical experiences. As staff, we put a lot of care and effort into our work with students to make sure that they feel a sense of belonging on campus.

One of the shared values across Native cultures is community and the belief of looking out for the next seven generations in the way that previous generations have for us. This value is what drives my work—I’m a first-generation college student. When I was going through college, I had no idea what I was doing. I first found community in college through Native organizations on campus, and it was my community that helped me get through my undergraduate degree. Because I was fresh out of college when I found this job, I thought there was no better way to give back than to use my recent experience to help guide and hold space for Native students who might be navigating similar struggles as I did.

COIN helps University students with professional development, support, and advocacy during their academic careers. What kind of advocacy/support work is done most often?

We support students through academic, cultural, and social programs that help them connect to resources, navigate academia as a system, build skills they may need throughout their academic career, and feel a sense of belonging. The cultural programming is to help them continue to connect with their culture and learn more about their own identities as well as reach beyond their own cultural background to learn about the backgrounds of others. We also heavily emphasize the importance of upholding our cultural values throughout their academic journey—Native students have knowledge and ways of knowing that they can bring into conversations (if protocol should allow that to be shared).

How can people support COIN? Are there events, fundraisers, or any other opportunities to get involved?

People can support COIN by sharing the word that we exist as a resource! We’re happy to share more about what our specific programming looks like and find areas to collaborate, or discuss Native student needs. You can also volunteer at our annual welcome program called Native & Indigenous Kick Off, or you can volunteer at the American Indian Student Cultural Center’s annual Spring Powwow to show support to Native students directly. We have an Instagram (@umncoin) and a newsletter if you’re interested in keeping up with the work we’re doing, or to share opportunities/resources/events that you think would interest our network of students.

Can non-indigenous folks attend COIN events?

Non-indigenous folks can definitely attend COIN events. There are certain affinity groups, such as the Oceti Sakowin community gathering, the Queer & Two Spirit Indigenous group, and certain ceremonies or cultural practices that we heavily prioritize Native & Indigenous-identifying folks in order to maintain cultural protocol. We will explicitly state if Native & Indigenous attendance is prioritized!

ADA Title II and the UMN webinar

On Thursday, September 26 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., members of the new Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA), in collaboration with the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) and UMN Libraries, are presenting a webinar about the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II rule changes and their implications for the University community. If you are interested in registering for the webinar or want to learn more, see Accessibility Ambassadors: ADA Title II and the UMN.

Amplified sound on Northrup Mall

On Wednesday, September 18, presidential inauguration activities will take place around the Northrop Mall area from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. These activities will include amplified sound that may be heard in the buildings. Normally, this would not be allowed as part of the Using and Leasing University Outdoor Space: Twin Cities policy, but an exception was granted. Please plan accordingly if you are planning to work in person on September 18.

ASR Staff Engagement September 5 Survey

As we move into September, this week’s ASR Engagement Survey is fall themed. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.

According to the last survey, most staff are feeling okay going into the fall 2024 semester (50%), while other respondents are feeling good (28.6%), or feeling stressed (21.4%). We received a lot of great advice for new employees as we start the new school year. You can check them out below!

Finally, we asked what instrument you would learn if you could snap your fingers and plan on an expert level. Piano received the most votes (42.9%), followed by guitar (25%), and violin (10.7%). Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.

August 22 survey results

How are you feeling going into the Fall 2024 semester?

• Feeling good! (28.6%)
• Feeling okay (50%)
• Feeling stressed! (21.4%)

What advice would you give to new employees as we near the start of a new school year?

• Take each day one task at a time. The work will still be there, even if you don't finish everything.
• It will be winter break before you know it. Don't stress too much!
• Everything seems urgent to everyone. Step back and breathe.
• Don't be afraid to say when your plate is too full!
• Take your time. Absorb the culture of your office/team/work and try to really understand it. Head down, ignore the static.
• It'll be crazy busy, but there's always support ready to assist, so don't hesitate to ask.
• Fasten your seatbelt!
• Remember to take a breath! Start of school is always a bit chaotic, but we get through it every year. Ask for help when you need it!
• Take care of yourself. Take lunch. Stretch.
• Enjoy the ride, and don't forget to schedule at least one on-campus visit for enjoyment. Watch or participate in something - sports, music, art, theater, presentation, student run enterprise - whatever sounds interesting. This helps me feel connected (in some small way) to the greater community we serve and are a part of!
• If you're on campus, enjoy the liveliness and buzz of activity.
• Enjoy the energy and do something kind for a stranger
• Just go with the flow the best you can at this busy time!
• Pay attention. This is a cyclical business.
• Take breaks and ask questions!
• Support each other and don't be afraid to ask for help.
• Come to campus. Enjoy your lunch on the mall during a balmy autumn day!
• It's stressful every year.
• Do one thing at a time! Don't try to multitask.
• Take 1 day at a time and breathe
• Ask for help when needed. Don't be scared to reach out!!!

If you could snap your fingers and learn to play one instrument on an expert level, which instrument would you choose?

• Piano (42.9%)
• Guitar (25%)
• Violin (10.7%)
• Drums (7.1%)
• Cello (7.1%)
• Saxophone (3.6%)
• Flute (3.6%)

Tony's Tech Terms: Continuous Integration

Continuous Integration (CI) is a practice where we frequently merge code changes into a shared repository, allowing us to automatically test each update to ensure it integrates smoothly with the existing code. This approach helps us detect and resolve issues early, reducing the risk of major problems and speeding up the development process. CI enables us to focus more on building new features rather than fixing integration issues.

Currently, we use two tools for CI: Drone CI and GitHub Actions. Drone CI, an open-source platform, offers flexibility and extensive customization but requires us to maintain our own instance. GitHub Actions, built into GitHub, provides a convenient solution with pre-built workflows for teams already using GitHub for code management. Since some of our applications have moved to GitHub Enterprise Cloud, Drone can no longer run tests on them. Therefore, we are transitioning all applications to use GitHub Actions. Once this transition is complete, we can decommission the servers running Drone.