I am pleased to share that the 2023-24 ASR annual report is now available. This document highlights key metrics and accomplishments from each unit in the period of September 2023 to August 2024. It’s nice to see all of ASR’s work in one place. Thank you to the UX team and the content contributors for all of the work to create this report! It will be added to the ASR website by the end of the week.
The directors and I will be using this document as a tool to share a comprehensive overview of all we do for the University community and leadership. It may also be especially useful for new staff and our partners outside of ASR to learn more about our work. Feel free to share with anybody you think would be interested, and thank you so much for everything you do for our University and its students!
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Upcoming Project Request deadlines
Now that Q3 2025 is officially underway we will begin reviewing project requests for Q4 2025 (May-July) and beyond. Please submit project requests as early as possible to allow time for review. Full details of the project request process, the complete ASR quarterly planning calendar, and additional resources are available on the ASR Staff Site.
Dates and deadlines for Q4 2025:
- Project request deadline: March 6
- Project prioritization meeting: April 10
- Start of ASR planning quarter: May 5
Sports wagering
As we approach basketball and March Madness season, please be aware of the laws 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.” If you have questions or concerns, contact Colleen Harms (harms231@umn.edu).
- 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.” If you have questions or concerns, contact Colleen Harms (harms231@umn.edu).
2025 eAgreement
Starting March 6, all students will receive a pop-up message in MyU for the annual renewal of the Student Financial Obligations and Responsibility eAgreement. Students are notified in MyU two weeks prior so they have the opportunity to review the updated text on the One Stop website prior to accepting the agreement.
Be aware of your surroundings
Recently, the One Stop Student Services locked administrative area was accessed during open office hours by an individual unaffiliated with our office. Security footage shows that they accessed the space by catching the door before it fully closed/locked and drifted in behind a staff person who did not see them. Items were taken from several offices, but most were recovered after they were left in the hallway.
This is a good reminder for everyone to stay mindful of their surroundings, ensure that office doors close securely behind you when entering and exiting, and take the necessary precautions to keep your laptop secure by signing out whenever you step away. If you don’t recognize someone, it’s an opportunity to introduce yourself and ask them for their name and what unit they work in to ensure a safe and secure work environment.
This is a good reminder for everyone to stay mindful of their surroundings, ensure that office doors close securely behind you when entering and exiting, and take the necessary precautions to keep your laptop secure by signing out whenever you step away. If you don’t recognize someone, it’s an opportunity to introduce yourself and ask them for their name and what unit they work in to ensure a safe and secure work environment.
Celebrating World Day of Social Justice
The UN General Assembly decreed February 20 as World Day of Social Justice in 2007. Since then, this internationally recognized day aims to recognize and fight for human rights in international and national policies. 2025’s "Empowering Inclusion: Bridging Gaps for Social Justice” theme encourages us to analyze and understand systemic injustices within our own communities.
We know it’s not easy to understand and combat systemic injustices–particularly at an individual level. But knowledge, empathy, and understanding are all powerful tools in the fight for social justice. Here are a few ways you can learn more about social justice at home:
We know it’s not easy to understand and combat systemic injustices–particularly at an individual level. But knowledge, empathy, and understanding are all powerful tools in the fight for social justice. Here are a few ways you can learn more about social justice at home:
- Participate in the From Global Standards to Local Justice: 60 years in the struggle against racial discrimination and police violence event. (February 17-21, sponsored by the University of Minnesota’s Human Rights Program).
- Go to the Scallen Lecture with Collette Flanagan discussion. Flanagan is the founder of the Dallas-based org Mothers Against Police Brutality. (February 20, 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Elmer L. Andersen Library.)
- Attend the Northern Exposure 2025: A Gathering of Visual Storytellers event (April 4-5, University of Minnesota's Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication).
- Join a social justice event sponsored by the Hennepin County Library.
- Explore these World Day of Social Justice book recommendations and add them to your library list.
- Sign up for the UMN Human Rights Program’s newsletter for more social justice and human rights events.
Upcoming DEI Coffee Hour - February 28
On Friday, February 28 the ASR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee will be hosting a drop-in coffee hour from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. via Zoom. Whether you have questions, are feeling stressed, or just looking for community, we invite you to join us for an open-ended conversation. We welcome you to bring topics you would like to discuss, reading/listening/viewing materials you would like to share, or any resources you think would be useful to the broader ASR community.
You will see an invite on your calendars with a Zoom link attached. If you have any questions, please reach out to the ASR DEI Committee at asrdei@umn.edu.
You will see an invite on your calendars with a Zoom link attached. If you have any questions, please reach out to the ASR DEI Committee at asrdei@umn.edu.
Mental Wellness in the Workplace
Managing burnout - Conversation starters
Based on your feedback, we are offering resources to help you identify when your workload is too much and how to have conversations with your direct reports about stress, burnout, and workload. Here are some questions that may be helpful to get you started.
From supervisor to staff
Workload management
Based on your feedback, we are offering resources to help you identify when your workload is too much and how to have conversations with your direct reports about stress, burnout, and workload. Here are some questions that may be helpful to get you started.
From supervisor to staff
Workload management
- What tasks/responsibilities have taken longer than expected?
- What are your top priorities for today/this week/etc.?
- Are there any barriers in your job? What can I do to help remove those barriers?
- What tasks are most stressful? What part of the workday do you find most stressful?
- What do you consider your personal successes today/this week/etc.?
- How can I help you be successful at work?
- What is the best way to give you meaningful feedback about your performance (positive or negative)?
- What suggestions do you have for improvements in the work? The office?
- Is there anything new going on that you’d like to talk about?
- What can I do to support you?
- What are the top one or two things concerning you right now?
Join the Study Space Art Inclusivity Work Group
The Office of Classroom Management is launching our Study Spaces Art Inclusivity Project and would love for you to join! By joining, you will play a hands-on role in updating and diversifying the artwork displayed in general purpose study areas across the Twin Cities campus, thus improving utilization and the student experience. You will also have the opportunity to learn more about art, art curation, and installation.
The group will meet bi-weekly from March 17 through mid-June, with an estimated time commitment of about 6-8 hours outside of meetings. Some tasks will require in-person participation.
If you are interested, add the virtual information meeting to your calendar, which will be on March 3 at 1 p.m. If you cannot attend the meeting but still want to be involved, or if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Kristina Laskowski, OCM Learning Space Planner, at lask0062@umn.edu.
The group will meet bi-weekly from March 17 through mid-June, with an estimated time commitment of about 6-8 hours outside of meetings. Some tasks will require in-person participation.
If you are interested, add the virtual information meeting to your calendar, which will be on March 3 at 1 p.m. If you cannot attend the meeting but still want to be involved, or if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Kristina Laskowski, OCM Learning Space Planner, at lask0062@umn.edu.
Digital Playground
The next Digital Playground session will be on March 12 at 9 a.m. The topic will be Zoom features and tools. Also, if you haven’t already, join the Google Group to find recordings and resources from previous sessions on Gmail and Google Drive organization. If you have any questions or would like to join the Google group, reach out to Pete Fleenor at fleen010@umn.edu.
ASR Staff Engagement February 20 Survey
This week’s ASR Engagement Survey assesses your workspace. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.
According to the last survey, most staff do not believe Punxsutawney Phil was correct with his prediction of 6 more weeks of winter (38.5%). Most answered correctly that the groundhog has only predicted early spring 21 times since 1887 (30.8%).
Finally, we asked about the accuracy of the groundhog’s predictions. Approximately 40% of the predictions on Groundhog Day have been accurate (42.3% answered correctly). Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
February 6 survey results
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this year, predicting 6 more weeks of winter. How do you feel about the prediction?
According to the last survey, most staff do not believe Punxsutawney Phil was correct with his prediction of 6 more weeks of winter (38.5%). Most answered correctly that the groundhog has only predicted early spring 21 times since 1887 (30.8%).
Finally, we asked about the accuracy of the groundhog’s predictions. Approximately 40% of the predictions on Groundhog Day have been accurate (42.3% answered correctly). Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
February 6 survey results
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this year, predicting 6 more weeks of winter. How do you feel about the prediction?
- I like it! We need more winter. (15.4%)
- Boo! I want an early spring (23.1%)
- I don’t care either way (23.1%)
- I don’t believe the groundhog (38.5%)
- 13 (19.2%)
- 21 (30.8%)
- 42 (23.1%)
- 64 (26.9%)
- 15% (34.6%)
- 25% (11.5%)
- 40% (42.3%)
- 60% (11.5%)
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Project prioritization for Q3 2025
ASR has prioritized 6 new projects for Q3 2025 (February-April). This is in addition to the 17 projects that are currently in the discovery, analysis, or implementation phase. Refer to ASR Projects for a public summary of all projects. For a description of activities completed during discovery and analysis phases, please see ASR Projects: Discovery and Analysis.
Any project requests that were not prioritized for the upcoming quarter will be held in the project backlog for reconsideration. Please submit project requests for the next quarter (Q4 2025) through the ASR Project Request form by March 6.
Any project requests that were not prioritized for the upcoming quarter will be held in the project backlog for reconsideration. Please submit project requests for the next quarter (Q4 2025) through the ASR Project Request form by March 6.
Supporting user experiences - UX and Content Strategy team
The UX and Content Strategy team supports the user experiences (UX) of ASR’s services, systems, processes, products, and communications. Centering people in all of our work, the team aligns with ASR’s DEI Vision Statements through ensuring ASR’s virtual spaces and collaboration tools are accessible, improving processes based on user research and usability studies, and employing a content strategy using plain language that is inclusive to all.
The UX and Content Strategy team is proud to highlight the following upcoming projects and DEI initiatives in our day-to-day work:
Thank you - Kaity Sharp
As she steps away after 4 years of service, the ASR Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) committee would like to thank Kaity Sharp for her work on the ASR DEI committee. Kaity was instrumental in creating the new employee DEI orientation and the DEI vision statements. Kaity is still in ASR and is completing her master's degree. We will miss her on the committee, but her contributions and commitment to diversity helped bring awareness to issues and build a supportive DEI culture within ASR.
The UX and Content Strategy team is proud to highlight the following upcoming projects and DEI initiatives in our day-to-day work:
- Updating ASR’s web content to comply with the new Title II, federal digital accessibility regulations. These new regulations require that public entities comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2. We have until April 24, 2026 to update all of ASR’s digital content into compliance with this standard. Fortunately, our team has been working on meeting these standards for a while, making the transition easier, despite the amount of work it will take to complete.
- Incorporating all of the 7 Core Skills of Accessibility as part of our DEI goals. The core skills focus on making our digital content more inclusive, accessible, and equitable for our users.
- Providing space in News & Notes for ASR’s DEI Committee to share important conversations relevant to our communities and work. The stories we write involve extensive research and interviews with campus and community members, while providing resources so ASR staff can learn more and create their own DEI-specific goals.
Thank you - Kaity Sharp
As she steps away after 4 years of service, the ASR Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) committee would like to thank Kaity Sharp for her work on the ASR DEI committee. Kaity was instrumental in creating the new employee DEI orientation and the DEI vision statements. Kaity is still in ASR and is completing her master's degree. We will miss her on the committee, but her contributions and commitment to diversity helped bring awareness to issues and build a supportive DEI culture within ASR.
Mental Wellness in the Workplace
What does burnout look like within your staff?
Based on your feedback, we’re offering resources to help you identify when your workload is too much and how to have conversations about stress, burnout, and workload. Supervisors who want to identify burnout in their direct reports may find these resources helpful:
Based on your feedback, we’re offering resources to help you identify when your workload is too much and how to have conversations about stress, burnout, and workload. Supervisors who want to identify burnout in their direct reports may find these resources helpful:
- Employee burnout (10min read)
- Employee burnout questionnaire
Digital Playground
Digital Playground will host its next session on February 12. This session’s topic is “drop in” appointments, where you can schedule a 15 minute session to talk about a tech-related professional development topic of your choice. You can also join the Google Group to ask questions and find recordings and resources from previous sessions on Gmail and Google Drive organization. If you have any questions, reach out to Pete Fleenor at fleen010@umn.edu.
ASR Staff Engagement February 6 Survey
This week’s ASR Engagement Survey tests your Groundhog Day knowledge. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.
The last survey tested your knowledge about winter. If you are afraid you have frostbite, you should not rub the affected area with snow (80% were correct). This could damage the skin tissue and a better alternative is to use warm, but not hot, water. A regular snow crystal starts with a six-sided structure (48.6% were correct).
According to Guinness World Records, the largest snowflake was 15 inches wide (17.1% were correct). This was recorded in 1887 in Montana. Unfortunately, there was no photographic evidence. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
January 23 survey results
If you have been out in the cold and are afraid that you have frostbite, you should rub the affected area with snow. True or False?
The last survey tested your knowledge about winter. If you are afraid you have frostbite, you should not rub the affected area with snow (80% were correct). This could damage the skin tissue and a better alternative is to use warm, but not hot, water. A regular snow crystal starts with a six-sided structure (48.6% were correct).
According to Guinness World Records, the largest snowflake was 15 inches wide (17.1% were correct). This was recorded in 1887 in Montana. Unfortunately, there was no photographic evidence. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
January 23 survey results
If you have been out in the cold and are afraid that you have frostbite, you should rub the affected area with snow. True or False?
- True (20%)
- False (80%)
- Four (0%)
- Six (48.6%)
- Nine (11.4%)
- It depends (40%)
- 3 inches (31.4%)
- 5 inches (37.1%)
- 10 inches (14.3%)
- 15 inches (17.1%)
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