Several weeks ago, I listened to a Freakonomics podcast episode on sludge, and I continue to think about how that concept applies to ASR. Sludge is essentially what makes a process more challenging, slow, or even inscrutable to users. For example, think about a gym membership that you cannot cancel unless you find the hidden web form or make an uncomfortable phone call, or consider going to the DMV and not being able to discern exactly what paperwork you must complete. Sludge often uses friction to dissuade someone from making the decision that is best for them.
In a unit like ASR, we thrive on process because it helps us serve the needs of our very large student body and makes work more predictable. The risk, of course, is that we end up with sludge—stuff our students don’t understand, or stuff that doesn’t bring us value but it’s been in the process so long we don’t see it anymore. This is bad for all of us, but especially for students who are new to higher education. Identifying and getting rid of sludge can make things better for our first generation students, folks with disabilities, and the University community broadly. I invite you to start looking at your work with a detective’s eye. Where do we have sludge? How can we make it better? I’m curious to hear your ideas!
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Student Degree Progress team
Last month, the Student Degree Progress (SDP) team, Rachel McKessock and Tracy Fischer, moved from ASR to the Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) and began reporting to Jennifer Reckner. This change aligns with OUE’s strategic needs and broader initiatives, and offers a closer relationship to the vice provost.
Many of Rachel and Tracy’s primary job responsibilities will remain the same, and there will continue to be strong ties between the SDP team and ASR. Their work in student degree progress is crucial to our shared commitment to student success across OUE and ASR.
Many of Rachel and Tracy’s primary job responsibilities will remain the same, and there will continue to be strong ties between the SDP team and ASR. Their work in student degree progress is crucial to our shared commitment to student success across OUE and ASR.
Upcoming project request deadlines
If you have a project request for Q1 2026 (August-October) or 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 Q1 2026:
- Project request deadline: June 5
- Project prioritization meeting: July 11
- Functional area leads planning: July 16
- Start of ASR planning quarter: August 4
Reflecting on Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
As Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month comes to a close, it is a good time to reflect on its importance. AAPI Month is a time to celebrate, recognize, and honor the historical achievements of those of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. The month of May was chosen based on the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to the United States on May 7, 1843 and to celebrate the Chinese immigrants who worked on the transcontinental railroad, which was completed on May 10, 1869.
Beyond remembering these historic contributions, AAPI month also offers an opportunity to reflect on being an ally. In the article How to Be a Better Ally to Your Asian Colleagues, Evelyn Nam shares her thoughts on how the South Korean concept of Hyo (효)—gratefully reciprocating care and support received from parents—can be applied to the workplace. She states “I believe adapting this practice to the workplace could be an impactful way to create inclusive and equitable environments.” This is a good reminder to hold gratitude for those we work with.
To celebrate AAPI Month and get involved you can:
Beyond remembering these historic contributions, AAPI month also offers an opportunity to reflect on being an ally. In the article How to Be a Better Ally to Your Asian Colleagues, Evelyn Nam shares her thoughts on how the South Korean concept of Hyo (효)—gratefully reciprocating care and support received from parents—can be applied to the workplace. She states “I believe adapting this practice to the workplace could be an impactful way to create inclusive and equitable environments.” This is a good reminder to hold gratitude for those we work with.
To celebrate AAPI Month and get involved you can:
- Check out the UMN Asian Pacific American Resource Center (APARC), which is committed to offering a sense of belonging for Asian American and Pacific Islander students.
- Find ways to celebrate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Minneapolis.
- Learn about Asian American stories through the PBS documentary series Asian Americans.
ASR Staff Engagement May 29 Survey
This week’s ASR Engagement Survey continues our summer theme. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.
According to the last survey, most prefer outdoor seating at restaurants when it’s available (61.1%). In addition, a majority of respondents prefer lemonade (41.7%) or a mix of lemonade and iced tea (38.9%) over iced tea (13.9%) on a hot summer day.
Finally, we asked what side dish you would bring to a BBQ/picnic. Different types of salads, such as potato salad, corn salad, and pasta salad, were mentioned the most, followed by different types of bruschetta and dips. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
May 15 survey results
When you go to a restaurant in the summer, do you typically opt for outdoor seating when available?
According to the last survey, most prefer outdoor seating at restaurants when it’s available (61.1%). In addition, a majority of respondents prefer lemonade (41.7%) or a mix of lemonade and iced tea (38.9%) over iced tea (13.9%) on a hot summer day.
Finally, we asked what side dish you would bring to a BBQ/picnic. Different types of salads, such as potato salad, corn salad, and pasta salad, were mentioned the most, followed by different types of bruschetta and dips. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
May 15 survey results
When you go to a restaurant in the summer, do you typically opt for outdoor seating when available?
- Yes (61.1%)
- No (30.6%)
- It depends (8.3%)
- Iced tea (13.9%)
- Lemonade (41.7%)
- I don’t like either! (5.6%)
- Give me a mix please! (Arnold Palmer) (38.9%)
- Avocado chimichurri bruschetta on baguette
- Pickle pasta salad!
- Orzo pasta (arugula, garlic, pine nuts, orzo, S&P, with a light oil/vin dressing)
- Italian potato salad
- "Rice con Queso" (Spanglish, I know) from the book, Diet for a Small Planet.
- Potato salad with cheese and bacon
- Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread muffins
- Grilled veggies with some kind of savory sweet sauce.
- Horiatiki (Greek salad)
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to highlight the importance of mental health, while offering resources for those in need. It’s also a great time to examine how mental health intersects with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the workplace.
A lack of representation, microaggressions, implicit bias, and other stressors can impact an employee’s mental health and psychological safety at work. As Dan Gillian, the CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), states, “The effect of racism and racial trauma on mental health is real and cannot be ignored.” Challenges related to racial discrimination, institutional prejudice, social isolation, political repression, and economic marginalization can all affect a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health.
But by prioritizing mental health in DEI initiatives and understanding how the two are greatly intertwined, we can work towards fostering a safe and supportive workplace where employees feel valued, respected, and accepted. We can prioritize mental health in our DEI initiatives by:
A lack of representation, microaggressions, implicit bias, and other stressors can impact an employee’s mental health and psychological safety at work. As Dan Gillian, the CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), states, “The effect of racism and racial trauma on mental health is real and cannot be ignored.” Challenges related to racial discrimination, institutional prejudice, social isolation, political repression, and economic marginalization can all affect a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health.
But by prioritizing mental health in DEI initiatives and understanding how the two are greatly intertwined, we can work towards fostering a safe and supportive workplace where employees feel valued, respected, and accepted. We can prioritize mental health in our DEI initiatives by:
- Starting the conversation and creating a culture of open communication
- Taking implicit bias training to help build diverse teams and celebrating cultural differences
- Offering flexible work arrangements to accommodate different needs and encourage employees to take time-off
- Promoting mental health resources and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Update from Stacey
Final exams are just finishing, and with that, spring 2025 is coming to a close. I always love seeing the students in their commencement robes on campus, even if I don’t love the related traffic. The end of a semester is a nice time to stop and reflect on what has gone well. Thanks to each of you. You have all contributed to the successes of the last several months. We have disbursed millions of aid dollars, made sure technology is up-to-date, answered daily questions from students and staff, planned classroom projects, and soon, thousands of diplomas will reach students. I can’t list everything here or it would take over the newsletter, but take a moment to pat yourself on the back and thank a colleague that supported you!
SAA summer hours 2025
To best utilize resources, in-person service at the Student Account Assistance (SAA) window will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, between May 27 and August 22, 2025. Virtual service remains available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ASR Staff Engagement May 15 Survey
This week’s ASR Engagement Survey continues our summer theme. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.
According to the last survey, most prefer their roasted marshmallows to be evenly browned all around (50%) followed by those that prefer close-to-burnt or burnt marshmallows (25%). Similarly, most say that they do not like to go camping (50%), while some (25%) say they do enjoy camping.
Finally, we asked what songs remind you of summer. Summertime by Kenny Chesney, Smooth by Santana and Rob Thomas, and Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter were mentioned most frequently. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
May 1 survey results
How do you like your roasted marshmallows?
According to the last survey, most prefer their roasted marshmallows to be evenly browned all around (50%) followed by those that prefer close-to-burnt or burnt marshmallows (25%). Similarly, most say that they do not like to go camping (50%), while some (25%) say they do enjoy camping.
Finally, we asked what songs remind you of summer. Summertime by Kenny Chesney, Smooth by Santana and Rob Thomas, and Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter were mentioned most frequently. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
May 1 survey results
How do you like your roasted marshmallows?
- Lightly browned (21.4%)
- Evenly browned all around (50%)
- Close to burnt or burnt (25%)
- I don’t like roasted marshmallows (3.6%)
- Yes (25%)
- No (50%)
- It depends (25%)
- Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
- Summer Nights from Grease
- Summertime by Kenny Chesney
- Fishin in the Dark by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Toes by Zac Brown Band, Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band. Basically, lots of country!
- Doin' Time by Sublime
- Brown-Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
- Summer Days by Martin Garrix, Fall Out Boy, Macklemore
- Pontoon by Little Big Town
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