I wanted to share a couple of updates on items I’m working on that are less visible to ASR. The first I’ve mentioned before—the preparation for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reaccreditation process. My main role has been leading the drafting of the Federal Compliance Report and assembling the appendix. The overall materials for the HLC will be over 100 pages but the federal compliance report itself is relatively short. It spans instructional time requirements, federal aid requirements, ethics in admissions, and several other topics. I’m nearing the finish line and we will be submitting our materials to the HLC in the coming weeks to prepare for the site visit this fall.
The second item is preparing briefing materials for the new provost to learn about ASR and OUE. Dr. Gretchen Ritter officially starts on July 31, but she is already engaging in meetings and reading background. For ASR, I’m providing the annual report materials—thank you to all of you that participate in that process—and additional narrative to help contextualize the information in the report and highlight work that will need her input in the near future. I am excited to work with her and help get her up to speed prior to our HLC site visit.
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Merit/market increases
P&A and Civil Service staff have started receiving notices about their merit/market increases that start with the 7/14-7/27 pay period. These notices come from a NoReply email with the subject line “Important: Your pay has changed” and include a link to the Employee Pay Change dashboard, which will display your current and prior pay history. Your merit/market increase will start on the August 6 paycheck.
Bargaining unit increases have not been determined. Contract negotiations are still ongoing for AFSCME Clerical and Technical employees, since their contract expired on June 30, 2025. Once the increase amounts are approved and ratified by union membership, units will be informed about the timeline for implementation. Bargaining unit employees will be entitled to retro pay for the difference in pay rates dating back to the contract expiration date.
If you have any questions about your pay, please reach out to your collective bargaining agreement (if applicable), supervisor, manager, or local human resources staff. For general questions, contact OHR’s Contact Center at ohr@umn.edu.
Bargaining unit increases have not been determined. Contract negotiations are still ongoing for AFSCME Clerical and Technical employees, since their contract expired on June 30, 2025. Once the increase amounts are approved and ratified by union membership, units will be informed about the timeline for implementation. Bargaining unit employees will be entitled to retro pay for the difference in pay rates dating back to the contract expiration date.
If you have any questions about your pay, please reach out to your collective bargaining agreement (if applicable), supervisor, manager, or local human resources staff. For general questions, contact OHR’s Contact Center at ohr@umn.edu.
Project prioritization for next quarter
ASR will begin 4 new projects in Q1 2026 (August-October). This is in addition to the 18 projects that are currently in the analysis or implementation phase. Refer to the ASR Projects ClickUp View for a public summary of all active projects and accepted project requests.
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 (Q2 2026) through the ASR Work and Project Request form.
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 (Q2 2026) through the ASR Work and Project Request form.
Disability Pride Month - We Belong Here, and We’re Here to Stay
July celebrates the signing of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is a defining moment for people with disabilities and a recognition of the decades of protest and activism. While we celebrate some of the gains, people with disabilities continue to experience barriers in housing, employment, education, and healthcare. People with disabilities are also four times more likely to experience violence than persons without disability.
Disability justice highlights the ways in which marginalized identities experience disability differently and recognizes that disabilities are transitory and fluid. Many of us will experience a disability over the course of our lives. According to the World Health Organization, 15% of the world’s population experiences some form of disability and one in four people in the US are considered disabled. That is about 70 million people.
Want to learn more?
Disability justice highlights the ways in which marginalized identities experience disability differently and recognizes that disabilities are transitory and fluid. Many of us will experience a disability over the course of our lives. According to the World Health Organization, 15% of the world’s population experiences some form of disability and one in four people in the US are considered disabled. That is about 70 million people.
Want to learn more?
- Office for Equity & Diversity: Equity Certificate Hosted Online courses includes a module on Abelism & Disability Justice
- Disability Pride Month activities (bottom of the page)
- Recommended reading from St Paul Public Libraries: Adult fiction, adult nonfiction/memoirs, teen fiction/nonfiction, and kids fiction/nonfiction
- Connect with ACT: Advocating Change Together - supports the leadership of people with disabilities to fight ableism and build inclusive communities
- Podcasts recommendations
Digital accessibility highlight: Headings
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.
Headings are useful for any written material. They help to organize and structure the content, making it easier to read. When it comes to digital content, it’s important that the headings not only visually look good, but also are properly formatted using styles and following a hierarchy. This hierarchy identifies headers for assistive technologies and allows users to skim and locate content in an accessible way. Google docs have built-in tools to apply these styles and make them visually appealing as well.
There are accessibility evaluation tools, including Pope Tech (for websites) and GrackleDocs (for Google docs), that can help you check if headings are being used correctly. You can learn more about the importance of headings, how to use them appropriately, and watch a video of someone using a screen reader to navigate with headings on the ODA website.
Headings are useful for any written material. They help to organize and structure the content, making it easier to read. When it comes to digital content, it’s important that the headings not only visually look good, but also are properly formatted using styles and following a hierarchy. This hierarchy identifies headers for assistive technologies and allows users to skim and locate content in an accessible way. Google docs have built-in tools to apply these styles and make them visually appealing as well.
There are accessibility evaluation tools, including Pope Tech (for websites) and GrackleDocs (for Google docs), that can help you check if headings are being used correctly. You can learn more about the importance of headings, how to use them appropriately, and watch a video of someone using a screen reader to navigate with headings on the ODA website.
ASR Staff Engagement July 24 Survey
This week’s ASR Engagement Survey asks about your road trip preferences. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.
Last week’s survey tested your knowledge on staying hydrated. About one third of respondents (28%) were correct that it is technically false that you “should” drink at least eight glasses of water per day. There is no evidence to back up the specific “eight glasses a day” claim. Most were correct that alcohol is more dehydrating than coffee or sugar-sweetened soda (76%).
Finally, 36% of you were correct that approximately 55% to 75% of your body weight is water (up to 60% on average). Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
June 26 survey results
True or False: You should drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
Last week’s survey tested your knowledge on staying hydrated. About one third of respondents (28%) were correct that it is technically false that you “should” drink at least eight glasses of water per day. There is no evidence to back up the specific “eight glasses a day” claim. Most were correct that alcohol is more dehydrating than coffee or sugar-sweetened soda (76%).
Finally, 36% of you were correct that approximately 55% to 75% of your body weight is water (up to 60% on average). Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
June 26 survey results
True or False: You should drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
- True (72%)
- False (28%)
- Alcohol (76%)
- Coffee (16%)
- Sugar-sweetened soda (8%)
- 15% to 35% (4%)
- 35% to 55% (12%)
- 55% to 75% (36%)
- 75% to 90% (48%)
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Update from Stacey
I think of the 4th of July as the halfway point—halfway through the summer and halfway through the year. In fact, July 2 marks the midpoint of the calendar year and acts as a great time to reflect on how things are going. It can be a good time to revisit resolutions that were made back in January or set new goals before the year is out. I’m not much for resolutions, but it was a jumpstart to look at whether I’m making progress on goals I’ve set for myself. Fall term also looms larger this time of year, and I even saw school supplies on display at a store this weekend. Hopefully, you still have some summer fun to squeeze in while we get ready for fall term across ASR. Take care and I look forward to seeing you at the picnic!
ASR in-person all-staff and picnic reminder
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. Name tags will be provided for everyone to wear. Individual team time will follow the assembly, and the picnic will begin at 11:30 a.m. We will have food set up in Williamson Hall.
Agenda
Agenda
- 9 a.m. (Tate Hall, room B50) - Brief introduction from Stacey
- 9-10 a.m. (Tate Hall, room B50) - Updates from Raj Singh
- 10-11:30 a.m. (various locations, rooms reserved in Williamson) - Team time
- 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Williamson Hall, enter 145 by the Gold Finch room and exit back into the main area of 130) - Lunch
- 1 p.m. - Wellness afternoon
One Stop availability during the ASR picnic
One Stop Student Services will be closed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 24 for staff to attend the ASR Picnic. During this time, phone, email, and in-person services will be unavailable at all One Stop Student Services locations. Offices impacted are One Stop, University Veterans Services, Graduate Student Services & Progress, Student Account Assistance, and Third-Party Billing.
The East Bank One Stop location, Graduate Student Services & Progress, and Student Account Assistance will reopen at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 24. All other locations and offices will be closed the remainder of the day. Full service will resume at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 25. This closure is being communicated to staff and students through multiple channels. Please share this information as needed.
The East Bank One Stop location, Graduate Student Services & Progress, and Student Account Assistance will reopen at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 24. All other locations and offices will be closed the remainder of the day. Full service will resume at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 25. This closure is being communicated to staff and students through multiple channels. Please share this information as needed.
Diversify your summer activities
Summer is the season Minnesotans look forward to most. Longer days and warmer temps mean soaking up the sun and fun celebrations, activities, and holidays like Independence Day.
Though the Fourth of July has passed, it’s important to remember that not all of us can celebrate freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in this country. It’s equally important to educate ourselves and examine perspectives outside our own experiences. Diversifying your summer activities can be a great way to expand your mind and learn something new. Luckily, there are plenty of mind-opening summer activities for folks of all ages in and throughout the Twin Cities.
Here are a few activities you can add to your summer calendar:
Though the Fourth of July has passed, it’s important to remember that not all of us can celebrate freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in this country. It’s equally important to educate ourselves and examine perspectives outside our own experiences. Diversifying your summer activities can be a great way to expand your mind and learn something new. Luckily, there are plenty of mind-opening summer activities for folks of all ages in and throughout the Twin Cities.
Here are a few activities you can add to your summer calendar:
- Visit the More Various, More Exquisite, and More Terrible: Thinking with Baldwin: exhibit at the Weisman Museum (now-May 2026)
- Check out the Four Sisters Farmers Market, a local Indigenous-run farmer's market that operates every Thursday from June-October
- Lace up your walking shoes and attend this year’s Unity Walk, sponsored by Twin Cities Pride (July 25)
- Bring some friends to the the Monthly Drag Brunch at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre (July 20)
- Attend the “Better Together” themed Twin Cities Black Pride festival (August 13-17)
- Mark your calendar for the 2025 IndiaFest celebration at the Minnesota State Capitol (August 16)
Applying for a corporate card
When applying for a new corporate card (PCard or T&E Card), it is important to submit your application as early as possible and follow the correct next steps. To the extent possible, new card applications should be submitted at least 4 weeks before transactions need to be made to allow for processing and mailing time. Prospective cardholders and directors should send signed applications to ASR Central (asrcentral@umn.edu). The forms should be filled out electronically. Submitting an incomplete application will result in delays.
ASR Staff Engagement July 10 Survey
This week’s ASR Engagement Survey tests your knowledge on staying hydrated. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.
Last week’s survey tested your knowledge on heat safety. Most were correct that water is the best thirst quencher (80.8%). Sports drinks and juices are okay, but you would have to drink more of them to get a comparable amount of water in your system. Most were also correct that children do not withstand heat better than adults (76.9%). Children lose water at the same rate as adults.
Finally, 80% of you were correct that a heat rash is more likely to occur in a humid environment. This happens because high humidity doesn’t allow sweat to evaporate. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
June 26 survey results
True or False: Water is the best thirst quencher.
Last week’s survey tested your knowledge on heat safety. Most were correct that water is the best thirst quencher (80.8%). Sports drinks and juices are okay, but you would have to drink more of them to get a comparable amount of water in your system. Most were also correct that children do not withstand heat better than adults (76.9%). Children lose water at the same rate as adults.
Finally, 80% of you were correct that a heat rash is more likely to occur in a humid environment. This happens because high humidity doesn’t allow sweat to evaporate. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
June 26 survey results
True or False: Water is the best thirst quencher.
- True (80.8%)
- False (19.2%)
- True (23.1%)
- False (76.9%)
- In a dry environment (16%)
- In a humid environment (80%)
- When swimming
- At high altitudes (4%)
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