Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Update from directors
The directors attended a retreat on Wednesday, June 18 to focus on our work and ourselves as a team. We spent time talking about our strengths and how we work together. We also set goals around succession planning and leadership bench development. We will be focusing on talent review, definitions for leadership roles aligned to competencies, stretch assignments, and cross-functional knowledge for development and organizational solutions. We look forward to sharing plans in the near future.
ASR in-persona all-staff and picnic
The picnic is coming up on Thursday, July 24! We’ll be meeting in Tate Hall B50 at 9 a.m. for the all-staff assembly, where Raj Singh, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education, will be speaking. Individual team time will follow the assembly, and the picnic will begin at 11:30 a.m. Please don’t forget to fill out the food order form by the end of day Wednesday, July 9. We will share more details as we get closer to the picnic.
Agenda
Agenda
- 9:00 am - Brief introduction from Stacey
- 9:00 - 10:00 am - Updates from Raj Singh
- 10:00 - 11:30 am - Team time
- 11:30 am - 1:00 pm - Lunch
- 1:00 pm - Wellness afternoon
Pride Month spotlight - Marsha P. Johnson
As Pride Month comes to a close, we want to celebrate the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson, a central activist during the gay liberation movement. While often overlooked by the mainstream media, Marsha is gaining more recognition as a pioneer for her queer activism. A prominent figure during the Stonewall uprisings, she was relentless in her calls for social and economic justice, and also refused to conform to traditional gender roles as a self-identified drag queen and transwoman.
As a part of her activism, she co-founded the activist group Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with her long-time friend, Sylvia Rivera, which advocated for young transgender people by providing them with housing, clothing, and food. Marsha was also a member of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF), helped prompt the first pride parades, and advocated for AIDS patients as a part ACT UP before tragically passing away in 1992.
As a black, queer, gender-nonconforming person living on the streets, Marsha was perhaps the most marginalized of people. Yet, as Susan Stryker, an associate professor of gender and women’s studies at the University of Arizona, says, “Marsha had this joie de vivre, a capacity to find joy in a world of suffering…and channeled it into political action.” As the fight for social justice and equality continues, we can all draw inspiration from Marsha’s capacity to find joy and channel it into the following action:
As a part of her activism, she co-founded the activist group Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with her long-time friend, Sylvia Rivera, which advocated for young transgender people by providing them with housing, clothing, and food. Marsha was also a member of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF), helped prompt the first pride parades, and advocated for AIDS patients as a part ACT UP before tragically passing away in 1992.
As a black, queer, gender-nonconforming person living on the streets, Marsha was perhaps the most marginalized of people. Yet, as Susan Stryker, an associate professor of gender and women’s studies at the University of Arizona, says, “Marsha had this joie de vivre, a capacity to find joy in a world of suffering…and channeled it into political action.” As the fight for social justice and equality continues, we can all draw inspiration from Marsha’s capacity to find joy and channel it into the following action:
- Continue learning about Marsha by reading Marsha by Tourmaline and watching the documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
- Participate in and celebrate Pride events
- Volunteer or donate to LGTBQ+ services and organizations
- Learn more about “overlooked” historical figures
Digital accessibility highlight: Contrast
As we work on ensuring all of ASR is compliant with Title II requirements, we will be highlighting the 7 Core Accessibility Skills that are important for everyone to learn.
Color plays an important role in presenting information. What may first come to mind is creating data charts, but this also applies to icons, buttons, and error messages. It is a very powerful part of visual communication, but it needs to be used appropriately so that it is effective and accessible. In short, the foreground (including text) and background must have a minimum amount of contrast (the amount depends on the size) to meet accessibility standards. Color should also not be the only way that information is conveyed (for example: color plus shape or color plus words). This is important with those who have low vision or colorblindness, but also situationally such as looking at a phone screen in bright light or with an older computer monitor.
If you would like to check contrast for Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides you can use GrackleDocs. You can learn more about the importance of contrast and find some contrast checkers on the Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) website.
Color plays an important role in presenting information. What may first come to mind is creating data charts, but this also applies to icons, buttons, and error messages. It is a very powerful part of visual communication, but it needs to be used appropriately so that it is effective and accessible. In short, the foreground (including text) and background must have a minimum amount of contrast (the amount depends on the size) to meet accessibility standards. Color should also not be the only way that information is conveyed (for example: color plus shape or color plus words). This is important with those who have low vision or colorblindness, but also situationally such as looking at a phone screen in bright light or with an older computer monitor.
If you would like to check contrast for Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides you can use GrackleDocs. You can learn more about the importance of contrast and find some contrast checkers on the Office for Digital Accessibility (ODA) website.
Digital Playground
Digital Playground’s next session will be on July 9 at 9 a.m. Elliot Carpenter, from the Office of Classroom Management, will be hosting the session, and the topic will be on TDX. He will share how to customize TDX to create useful reports, streamline work processes, and workflows. You can join the Google Group to find recordings and resources from previous sessions on Gmail, Zoom, and Google Drive organization. If you have any questions or would like to join the Google group, reach out to Pete Fleenor (fleen010@umn.edu).
ASR Staff Engagement June 26 Survey
In light of the recent hot weather, this week’s ASR Engagement Survey tests your knowledge on heat safety. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.
According to the last survey, cardinals received the most votes for favorite local bird (33.3%), followed by chickadees (12.5%), and red-winged blackbirds (12.5%). When asked about your favorite natural areas in Minnesota, the North Shore and Lake Superior were frequently mentioned as well as many state parks, such as White Water State Park and Temperance River State Park.
Finally, we asked to shout out a local business or event in your area that you would recommend to others. We received many great responses, which are all included in the N&N blog. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
June 12 survey results
What's your favorite local bird?
According to the last survey, cardinals received the most votes for favorite local bird (33.3%), followed by chickadees (12.5%), and red-winged blackbirds (12.5%). When asked about your favorite natural areas in Minnesota, the North Shore and Lake Superior were frequently mentioned as well as many state parks, such as White Water State Park and Temperance River State Park.
Finally, we asked to shout out a local business or event in your area that you would recommend to others. We received many great responses, which are all included in the N&N blog. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
June 12 survey results
What's your favorite local bird?
- Cardinal (33.3%) It’s too hard to choose one! (20.8%)
- Red-winged blackbird (12.5%)
- Chickadee (12.5%)
- Crow (4.2%)
- Loon (4.2%)
- Cooper’s Hawk (4.2%)
- Lake Superior and Itasca State Park
- White Water State Park
- Pokegama Lake Grand Rapids, MN
- Lake Bemidji State Park
- Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Lakes, great for long walks or for kayaking across.
- North Shore
- Little Thistle Brewing - Rochester, MN
- Edina Farmer's Market! It's every Thursday in the summer and there are food trucks and tons of stalls and lots of people and good vibes.
- Bluenose Coffee in Farmington has the best chai lattes!
- Level Up Games in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Hastings
- Marketfest in White Bear Lake Thursdays during the summer
- Bogarts Donuts! Try the brown butter ice cream!
- Foxden Boardgame cafe - nice atmosphere, good snacks, and a wide array of games to sample if there's been any you want to try before you buy!
- Alebrijes exhibition in St Paul's Raspberry Island.
- VN Express in Lake Elmo - Vietnamese - great for take out. Had fabulous Bahn Mi last night!
- NE Minneapolis Farmer's Market
- Mac's Diner - North Saint Paul, MN
- Kingfield Farmers Market is so fun, with great vendors and an amazing breakfast sandwich.
- Waldoch Farm
- Heather's in Minneapolis
- St Paul Farmers Market - Satellite locations
- Abogados Cafe
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
June is Pride Month: Local events spotlight
Pride Month is here! Although there are events year-round honoring and celebrating LGBTQ+ people (the Duluth Superior Pride Festival is held in late August), many celebrations occur in June as an acknowledgement of the Stonewall Uprising, which began on June 28, 1969. The Stonewall Uprising stretched over six days and started when police raided a gay bar and LGBTQ+ protesters fought back. This was not the first time protesters fought back—the Pepper Hill Club raid in 1955 was one of the earliest recorded events—but Stonewall became well known as it was an culmination of years of activism and uprisings opposing police and state brutality targeted at LGBTQ+ communities in the United States.
Pride Month is the continuation of this long history of fighting against discrimination, inequality, and violence. If you are interested in being involved and learning more, take a look at the upcoming Pride events and mark your calendars:
Pride Month is the continuation of this long history of fighting against discrimination, inequality, and violence. If you are interested in being involved and learning more, take a look at the upcoming Pride events and mark your calendars:
- Systemwide Summer Book Club - Presented by the Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer & Trans Life via Zoom
- Register to get your FREE copy of Marsha by Tourmaline
- The first session will take place on June 23
- Trans Teach-in - June 25 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (lunch served at 11 a.m.) in the Beacon Room (MPLS RecWell)
- Virtual participation is an option
- Registration required
- Saint Paul Ice Cream Social - June 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the lawn outside the Saint Paul Student Center
- Golden Gopher Ice Cream will be provided (dairy-free options will be available)
- Twin Cities Campus Pride Events
- Twin Cities Pride
New DEI Committee member spotlight - Bob Balfour
Hello, my name is Robert (Bob) Balfour. I have worked at the University for 24 years, with 23 of those years as either an accountant or scholarship fund manager in the Office of Student Finance (OSF). College can be expensive, so I take great pride in collaborating with the foundation and the OSF scholarship unit to maximize the support we can provide students through scholarships.
I wanted to join the DEI team to build upon their previous work and offer input on how the committee can ensure that ASR continues prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in its daily practices. I have always valued a diverse and inclusive community and am committed to bringing these values and my personal experiences to the committee.
I wanted to join the DEI team to build upon their previous work and offer input on how the committee can ensure that ASR continues prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in its daily practices. I have always valued a diverse and inclusive community and am committed to bringing these values and my personal experiences to the committee.
Mental Wellness in the Workplace
Supporting you in supporting others
When you are prepared to help others in your daily work and personal life, you support your own mental health. The following resources will help you support others:
When you are prepared to help others in your daily work and personal life, you support your own mental health. The following resources will help you support others:
- Take a free online Narcan training and learn how to administer naloxone (Narcan) as it is the one factor attributed to lowering death rates from drug overdoses.
- Naloxone locations on campus
- Naloxone in ASR is in 311 Bruinicks and 130 Williamson
- Watch UMN Supporting Student Mental Health, a six-video series on how to support student mental health.
- Why You Should Be Involved in Supporting Student Mental Health and Wellness (3 mins)
- What Your Role is and isn't in Supporting Student Mental Health (9 mins)
- Listening Intentionally to Support Student Mental Health & Wellness (9 mins)
- Making Effective Referrals (5 mins)
- Responding to a mental health crisis (8 mins)
- The Police Response to Mental Health Calls (6 mins)
ASR Staff Engagement June 12 Survey
This week’s ASR Engagement Survey asks about your Minnesota favorites. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.
According to the last survey, most would prefer to swim in a pool (36.1%) over a lake (25%) or an ocean (19.4%). When asked about your favorite ice cream, mint chocolate chip was the runaway favorite (22.2%), followed by vanilla (13.9%), and pistachio (11.1%).
Finally, we asked for one of your favorite things about summer. Many folks mentioned the warmth of the sun and having longer days. Outdoor activities and going to the cabin were also mentioned frequently. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
June 12 survey results
Would you rather swim in a pool, ocean, or lake?
According to the last survey, most would prefer to swim in a pool (36.1%) over a lake (25%) or an ocean (19.4%). When asked about your favorite ice cream, mint chocolate chip was the runaway favorite (22.2%), followed by vanilla (13.9%), and pistachio (11.1%).
Finally, we asked for one of your favorite things about summer. Many folks mentioned the warmth of the sun and having longer days. Outdoor activities and going to the cabin were also mentioned frequently. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
June 12 survey results
Would you rather swim in a pool, ocean, or lake?
- Pool (36.1%)
- Ocean (19.4%)
- Lake (25%)
- None of the above! (19.4%)
- Mint chocolate chip (22.2%)
- Vanilla (13.9%)
- Pistachio (11.1%)
- Chocolate chip cookie dough (8.3%)
- Strawberry (5.6%)
- Rocky road (5.6%)
- Butter pecan (5.6%)
- Great for grill outs and outdoor trails
- Events that you can do outside
- Warm summer evenings sitting outside in something screened in!
- Bright sunshine and colors—flowers, sky, grass
- Going camping, watching my gardens grow, and just generally being outside!
- The sun staying out late
- Hearing the loons on the lake.
- All of the outdoor festivals and fairs (MN State Fair and Renaissance Festival shout-out)
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