Quarterly prioritization and planning

ASR is starting 5 planned projects in Q2 2026 (Nov-Jan). This is in addition to the 15 projects that were previously planned or are in progress. Refer to the Executive Project Dashboard for a summary of all projects and their status.

Any project requests that were not planned will be held in the project backlog for reconsideration. Please submit project requests for the next quarter (Q3 2026) through the ASR Work and Project Request form.

The 16th annual Veterans Appreciation Event

Come celebrate our veterans with the 16th annual Veterans Appreciation Event Thursday, November 6, in the Great Hall in Coffman from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public! The event will feature food and refreshments, a military history exhibit by UMN Archives, and more. Visit the Veterans Appreciation Event webpage to learn more about the event.

Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead)

Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican and Latinx holiday honoring the deceased. It is a rare holiday where mourning is exchanged for celebration. Celebrated on November 1 and 2, families build altars, decorate gravesites, enjoy food, dance to music, and create ofrendas (offerings) for deceased family members. Altars are typically decorated with yellow marigold flowers and photos, while calaveras (sugar skulls) are an iconic decoration of the holiday itself.

Events and resources

• Visit the Día de Muertos Community Ofrenda on campus at the Weisman Museum between October 29 - November 9.
• Check out upcoming events celebrating Día de los Muertos around Minneapolis.
• Learn more about the holiday on The Day of the Dead website.

ASR DEI Coffee Hour

Please join us for our next ASR DEI Coffee Hour on Friday, November 14, 2025 at 11 a.m. via Zoom, where we’ll be setting aside some time to discuss accessibility, digital accessibility, and ableism. The invite is already added to your calendar. We will also save space for an open ended conversation about any topics you would like to discuss. Whether you have questions, need to recharge, or are just looking for community, we invite you to join us!

ASR/OUE E-forms & Workflow Services: New help email

Over the next several months, ASR E-forms & Workflow Services will be transitioning to a new help email: asr-eforms-help@umn.edu. This will replace asrprojectsupport@umn.edu as the contact for the team. We’ll be updating Jadu forms and documentation and ask that you update your documentation as well. The old email will remain active and continue opening tickets throughout the next 8-9 months until everything is updated and folks get used to the new contact method. Those who email the old address will receive an automated message reminding them of the transition and to update their contact records.

WorkflowGen sunsetting and retirement

ASR E-forms & Workflow Services, all of ASR, and our system-wide partners can finally celebrate! After first talking about WorkflowGen (WFG) retirement in fall 2021 and working on transition projects and retirement planning since then, we launched the new solutions for our final 8 processes that were in WorkflowGen on Monday and Tuesday of this week! Over the past 4 years we transitioned/retired 28 processes:

• 19 processes have new solutions built in Jadu
• 3 processes transitioned to automated PS query/checklist processes
• 3 processes have forms built in Qualtrics
• 2 processes were no longer needed and retired
• 1 process is now a TDX ARF

Thank you to everyone who worked on these projects and for your support and patience through these changes.

WFG Retirement Important Dates

• Now through January 2, 2026—All WFG processes are in “archive” status. No new requests can be submitted. Any in progress requests can and should be completed within WFG.
• January 2, 2026—WFG is turned to Read-Only status. Any in-progress requests are frozen. Data can still be pulled from the system if needed.
• January 3, 2026—WFG is turned off and inaccessible to everyone. OIT will finalize data and system deletion.

If you have any questions about the retirement or need help pulling data for a process through the end of January, please contact asr-eforms-help@umn.edu.

ClickUp 4.0

We will be enabling ClickUp 4.0 for the ASR Workspace on November 10. This newest version of ClickUp provides an improved navigation and more customizations to help you organize your work. Those in ASR who have participated in the trial have provided positive feedback!

You may already have seen some updates associated with the new version of ClickUp, including the change from “Watchers” to “Followers.” See ClickUp Tips & Tricks with updated tips on working with followers and creating a personal view.

ASR Staff Engagement October 30 Survey

This week’s ASR Engagement Survey continues our seasonal theme. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.

According to the last survey, most would prefer going to a baking party (38.1%) rather than a costume party (23.8%). When asked what books/movies/tv/games folks are reading, watching, or playing this month, many spooky movies were mentioned such as Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic, and The Conjuring. Several games were also mentioned including Overcooked 2 and Pokemon Legends ZA.

Finally, we asked what’s one thing you want to do before fall ends. Many folks mentioned doing “spring cleaning” or backyard clean up. Crunching more leaves and going to an orchard was also mentioned frequently. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.

October 16 survey results

Would you rather attend a baking party or costume party?

• Baking party (38.1%)
• Costume party (23.8%)
• Neither! (14.3%)
• Why not both? (23.8%)

What books/movies/tv/games are you reading, watching, or playing this month?

• Reading "Let Them" by Mel Robbins and watching the new season of "Love is Blind" on Netflix
• Watching: Dexter: Original Sin, Reading: Imaginable by Jane Mcgonigal, Playing: No Man's Sky and D&D with my kids
• The Diplomat
• A Pair of Wings by Carole Hopson. TV: Loot, The Morning Show, The Diplomat, and Task
• Practical Magic and It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
• Gopher Hockey

What's one thing you want to do before Fall ends?

• Watch Hocus Pocus as many times as possible.
• Rake a leaf pile for my kid to jump in (his first time!)
• See Purple Rain at the Orpheum
• Go to my favorite apple orchard and get some donuts!
• Have more backyard bonfires
• Bake something pumpkin flavored

Update from Stacey

Thank you to the folks who have stopped by my drop-in hours or signed up for a coffee meeting with me. I have really enjoyed getting to know people better and discussing your concerns and ideas for the future. I want to encourage you to drop in, especially if we have not had a chance to connect in a small group or individual setting before. If you would prefer a dedicated 1:1 meeting about a particular topic, please reach out to asrcentral@umn.edu for scheduling assistance.

If you still need to take the Employee Engagement survey, please submit yours by October 31. It took me about five minutes to complete. It's an opportunity to share feedback using a tool supported by research and the ability to benchmark results across the institution and externally. See more information below.

Engagement Survey

The Employee Engagement Survey became available on Monday, October 13 and will close on October 31. The link to the survey was sent from UofMNSurvey@qualtrics-survey.com and should be available to take in your inbox. The survey is the most consistent opportunity for you to share your feedback with ASR and the University.

When you take the survey, some of the questions will refer to terms such as your “department” or “college leadership.” Since ASR is not structured like a college, please use the following definitions when filling out the survey:

• Campus – Twin Cities
• College leadership – OUE
• Department – Your ASR department (OCM, OTR, OSF, ASR-IT, One Stop, OSI)
• Manager – Your direct supervisor (person who does your performance review)

Performance appraisal timeline

Your 2025 performance appraisal is just around the corner. See the timeline below:

• Monday, December 1 - Jadu form becomes available for ASR staff.
• Friday, January 2 - Due date for employees to submit their form in Jadu.
• Monday, January 5 - Friday, February 6 - Supervisors must submit completed forms in Jadu.
• Friday, February 6 - Friday, February 20 - Directors complete review on all appraisals for their unit.
• Monday, February 23 - Friday, March 20 - Supervisors and employees meet to review the appraisal.

The University of Minnesota Selected for National LER Accelerator Cohort to Advance Digital Credentialing

The University of Minnesota (UMN) has been selected as part of the LER Accelerator’s inaugural cohort, an initiative of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers that boosts the adoption of Learning and Employment Records (LERs) in post-secondary education.

The University of Minnesota’s project was one of 25 projects selected. This project will develop an implementation plan for a system-wide Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR). The LER Accelerator initiative aims to create a more transparent and equitable system for both learners and employers. Visit the LER initiative website for more information about the program.

Williamson 160 repairs

On Thursday, September 25, a water fountain on the second floor of Williamson sprung a leak and damaged some of the 160 space. Facilities Management (FM) ran fans and dehumidifiers for a week after the event, and Abatement is expected to fix all of the damaged drywall, ceiling tiles, and carpet. The Department of Environmental Health & Safety (DEHS) has also inspected the space and reported that there is no mold. While repairs are still underway, the fans have since been removed, and people may work in the undamaged offices and flex spaces on the 160 side again.

Hooray for Homecoming!

One Stop joined the legion of Gopher nation in our most cherished annual tradition: the Homecoming Parade!! It was a beautiful night, and we handed out even more candy than last year. Come join the fun next year—all are welcome!

International Pronouns Day

International Pronouns Day is celebrated on October 15. Though the official day has passed, it is important to observe pronouns awareness year-round. Using correct pronouns is a cornerstone of affirming human dignity and fostering a culture of support and respect in the workplace. Misgendering impacts everyone, particularly transgender and gender non-conforming colleagues, including members of the Two-Spirit community. These observances are a reminder of our collective responsibility to make a daily effort to be respectful, inclusionary, and support all of our communities while cultivating a healthy workplace culture.  

Resources

• Learn how to set your pronouns and gender identity in MyU.
• Take the free online course: Inclusive Practices for Names and Pronouns.
• Check out the resources from Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life.
• Partake in the LGBTQIA faculty and staff group: Pride @ Work.

Wellbeing Program

2025-26 Wellbeing Program Year

All full- and part-time employees are eligible to earn points from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026 to be eligible for the 2027 Wellbeing Program medical rate reduction. Additional information about the program can be found on the OHR website.

Wellbeing-Health Coaching Webinars (200 points per webinar)

If you want a quick and easy way to earn 200 points, you can register for the Wellbeing-Health Coaching Webinars available on the OHR website.

Mental Wellness in the Workplace: Benefits of routines

Most of us have heard the suggestion to step out of our box and to learn and experience new things. This is important to our professional and personal growth. However, routines are important to our mental and physical wellbeing as well. Doing something routine can be calming after doing something new, challenging, and stressful. Take our Mental Wellness in the Workplace Survey to share tips regarding your routines.

Routine resources:

• Routines: Comforting or Confining? (2 minute read)
• The Importance of Creating Habits and Routine (6 minute read)

ASR Staff Engagement October 16 Survey

This week’s ASR Engagement Survey continues our seasonal theme. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.

According to last week’s survey, about a third of respondents are planning to carve a pumpkin this year (31.4%). There is a strong preference for hot apple cider (65.7%) versus apple cider that’s served cold (11.4%).

Finally, we asked if you like scary movies. There was a fairly even split between those who like scary movies (37.1%), dislike scary movies (34.3%), or like spooky movies but not scary ones (28.6%). Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.

October 2 survey results

Are you planning to carve pumpkins this year?

• Yes (31.4%)
• No (48.6%)
• I’m not sure (20%)

Do you prefer your apple cider served hot or cold?

• Hot (65.7%)
• Cold (11.4%)
• It depends (14.3%)
• I don’t like apple cider (8.6%)

In general, do you like scary movies?

• Yes! (37.1%)
• No! (34.3%)
• I like spooky movies, but not scary ones (28.6%)

Update from Stacey

Things have been very busy! As I write this, we are just concluding our site visit with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as part of our re-accreditation process. The visit is designed to supplement our assurance argument materials submitted to the HLC, which allows peer reviewers to ask questions and verify whether the materials and the “on the ground” experience are consistent. We will receive a report from the accreditation team in several weeks. We anticipate receiving positive feedback as well as suggestions for further improvements. I have learned so much participating in this process. The 35,000-word assurance argument document is a wealth of information about how the University operates and continues to improve.

Every year I wonder—is September always this busy? I think this year might have been an especially busy start of the term. Thanks to all of you. We have contributed to a successful start of the term in so many ways!

Community Fund Drive

The University holds an annual Community Fund Drive from October 1 to October 31. There are many ways to give, including donating to charities, nonprofits, and on-campus fundraising events. Your donation affects hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans battling poverty, injustice, chronic disease, and more. You can learn more and how to donate on the Community Fund Drive website.

Student Account Assistance (SAA) service model

Student Account Assistance (SAA) will transition from drop-in service to scheduled in-person and Zoom appointments beginning October 6. This transition will enhance the privacy and security of student data during meetings. Appointments will be held in the private offices adjacent to the One Stop Counter instead of the service window at the SAA office. Students can schedule an appointment through the SAA tab on the One Stop contact page and are encouraged to pay online or place payments in the drop box located at the HelpingU desk on the third floor of Bruininks Hall.

This enhanced service model is the result of a collaborative effort between SAA and One Stop staff, who have worked diligently on website updates, signage, and resource documents to reflect the new service model.

Fun fall DEI activities

Fall is finally here. While this is the season of apple picking and pumpkin patches, there are other exciting fall events you can add to your calendar. Ready to diversify your fall outings? Here are a few unique ideas to consider:

• Get your steins and lederhosen ready and attend the 15th Annual Twin Cities Oktoberfest at the Historic Progress Center on the fairgrounds (October 3-4).
• Attend the 2025 Mid-Autumn Festival at the China Friendship Garden in Phalen Regional Park (October 3).
• Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Cine Latino FILM Festival at The Main Cinema (October 8-12).
• Zoom into the Weaving a Wider Community: Seeing and Countering Racism in Our Own Backyard online community conference (October 10).
• Explore 28 art galleries during the Fall 2025 St Paul Art Crawl (October 10-12).
• Go to Saturday Drag Bingo at LUSH Lounge & Theater. All proceeds benefit the Aliveness Project (weekly until December 27).

ClickUp Tips & Tricks: How to create a ClickUp Watcher view

Looking for a way to monitor all your ClickUp tasks efficiently? You can create a dedicated view that consolidates all of the tasks you’re watching in the “Everything” space. If you are an Assignee, you are automatically added as a Watcher, so this custom view enables you to eliminate manual searches and reduce the risk of overlooking tasks.

To create the Watcher view:

• Navigate to the “Everything” space
• Locate the "+ View" button in the horizontal menu bar (near existing views like "List" or "Board")
• Choose "List" from the view options
• Click the "Filter" button in the top toolbar
• Under "Add Filter," select: "Watcher" → "Includes" → [Your Name]

You can find more tips in the ASR ClickUp Tips & Tricks in the ClickUp Member User Guide.

ASR Staff Engagement October 2 Survey

As we move into October, this week’s ASR Engagement Survey continues our seasonal theme. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.

According to last week’s survey, most would prefer to put on a sweater (55.2%) instead of a jacket (20.7%) when it’s chilly outside. Chicken wild rice soup received the most votes for your favorite soup (27.6%), followed by broccoli cheddar (17.2%), and tomato soup (13.8%).

Finally, we asked whether you’ve successfully completed a corn maze. Over half of respondents have made it out of one (55.2%), while 10.3% have tried but never completed it, which begs the question: are you still trapped in the corn maze today? Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.

September 18 survey results

You go outside and there is a slight chill in the air. Do you put on a sweater or jacket?

• Sweater (55.2%)
• Jacket (20.7%)
• No, I brave the cold with whatever I am wearing (17.2%)
• Why not both! (6.9%)

What is your favorite soup?

• Chicken Wild Rice (27.6%)
• Tomato (13.8%)
• Broccoli Cheddar (17.2%)
• French Onion (10.3%)
• Chicken Noodle (6.9%)
• Minestrone (3.4%)
• Chowder (3.4%)
• I don’t like soup (3.4%)

Have you ever completed a corn maze?

• Yes (55.2%)
• No (34.5%)
• I’ve been in a corn maze, but never completed it (10.3%)