ASR poll participation

As mentioned in the previous issue of News & Notes, we'll be featuring poll questions in order to elicit feedback on ASR matters. This week, we're asking a more serious question in addition to something fun. Questions are being included in News & Notes rather than in a larger employee survey; however, ASR directors are still very interested in receiving feedback from staff about what is going well and what can be improved upon. We're hoping this new delivery format will encourage more staff to complete the survey questions so we can continue to improve ASR. If there is a significant drop in the response rate, though, we may need to revert to the previous format.

Our inaugural poll question asked whether you preferred donuts or cookies as office treats. Donuts edged out cookies by nine votes with a final count of 36 to 27. Stay tuned for when donuts will be making an appearance in your area!

All responses are anonymous. If you have ideas for questions you'd like to see here or other ideas for improvement, please submit them through the ASR suggestion box. Results from both questions will be shared with the ASR directors, as well as in future issue of News and Notes.

Answer this week's poll questions!

OCM classroom projects underway

The Office of Classroom Management (OCM) has completed two-thirds of its 2014 Classroom Technology Renewal projects. In many classrooms, systems have been enhanced by adding a document camera and class capture outputs. Additionally, OCM has completed its summer project in the West Bank Auditorium located in the West Bank Skyway.

OSF update

With the exception of Duluth's Graduate & Professional careers (MED, PHARM, and GRAD), all campuses and all careers have been packaged at least once. Additionally, responses are rapidly coming via the Electronic Financial Aid Award Notification (eFAAN). The 2015 aid year marks the first year the Twin Cities campus will be continuing to package our Borrower-Based Aid Year (BBAY) populations in batch throughout the year. (BBAY populations are MED, DENT, PHAR, and VMED.)

One Stop hot topics

During the first half of July, the top questions received by One Stop Student Services included the following topics:

1) Financial aid packaging
2) Billing/payment
3) Transcripts
4) Loans
5) FAFSA

One Stop will also welcome five new counselors on Wednesday, July 23.

Tasty treats

To have some fun and to ensure ASR directors continue to receive input from staff, we'll be introducing a poll question or two in future issues of News & Notes. We'll include both serious (questions regarding how to improve ASR or your opinion on particular work-related topics) and lighthearted questions. Response(s) will be recorded and noted by the ASR directors.

For today's issue, our inaugural poll question asks about your favorite treat. Be sure to respond so we know which to surprise you with in the coming weeks!

Question: Which performance-boosting treat would you like next month? Choose between cookies and donuts!

Google Blogger selected to replace UThink

As UThink blogs will be decommissioned by University Libraries and University IT later this year, the communications team has decided to transition to Google Blogger. During the next few months, they'll work on transferring publication content (including this newsletter!) to Blogger. Stay tuned for updates in future issues of News & Notes. For more information about the retirement of UThink, see UThink decommissioning.

CTS earns AMX Innovation Award

ASR's Classroom Technical Services (CTS) recently earned an AMX Innovation Award for its collaboration practices in higher education. The award category required submissions to address how technology was used to foster collaboration through a distributed video application, video conferencing, or other specialized audio-visual installation. You can view the full list of finalists on the AMX Innovation Awards website.

Participate in ASR's first annual fundraiser

In an effort to continue to make a positive difference in students' lives, ASR will host its first annual silent auction this summer. The event will take place as part of the ASR picnic and BBQ in August and will raise money for an existing student scholarship. This is an opportunity to showcase your hidden talents and discover those of your colleagues!

Think about what you love to do--painting, drawing, sewing, writing, crafting--and plan to share your talents for a good cause. For example, here are some beautiful stained glass windows that ASR's Sue Johnson has made.



You can also donate something you think others would enjoy, such as a spa basket, candles, DVDs, baked goods, or a house or garden plant. More information about the event will be published in future issues of News & News.

One Stop hires additional student workers

One Stop Student Services recently hired 13 student workers who will be located at the STSS and St. Paul locations. The students will begin work on July 7 and participate in a three-week training period. The new Customer Relations Representatives will answer phone calls about the One Stop website, due dates, and other general topics. One Stop Counselors will remain in their current roles and focus on more complex issues related to specific student accounts, financial aid and records. If you have any questions about these changes, please contact Nate Peterson.

Open house for ASR conference rooms

Williamson Hall conference rooms received an upgrade in April, which included several technology enhancements. To learn how to use the new webcams, touch display, and HDMI connections, OCM's Jeremy Todd will host an overview of the new systems for Williamson 160B, 162, and 164. He will repeat an overview every 15 minutes during the dates and times below in Williamson Hall 160B:

Friday, 6/6, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Monday, 6/9, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, 6/11, 2-3 p.m.
Thursday, 6/12, 11-12 p.m.

If you aren't able to attend a session but would like to learn more about the classroom technology, contact Jeremy Todd to schedule an alternative time for an overview.

New faces in Fraser

Some new folks have moved into Fraser Hall to work on Delegated Access, which is the new identity management approach allowing a student to delegate access to a parent and/or guest. Two PeopleSoft developers, Lee Douglas and Mike McAnulty, have joined the ESUP team and will be located in Fraser B25. This will allow them to be near the student business analysts. In addition, Mike Reeves from OIT will spend the next 1-2 weeks in Fraser consulting on the identity management approach.

Additionally, University Relations staff will be moving to Fraser 345 the week of June 23. They will work there throughout the summer while their space in Morrill Hall space is being remodeled.

Successful spring staff event

The ASR spring 2014 staff event yesterday was a success! The morning began with an update from Sue Van Voorhis, ASR Director & University Registrar, followed by a keynote address from Dr. Danita Brown Young, Vice Provost for Student Affairs & Dean of Students. Staff then headed to their first breakout session, which was followed by two additional mini-breakout sessions. Staff was then treated to lunch from The Lunch Cube.

A huge thanks to the Development Team for organizing and hosting a great event! Development Team members include Grant Clavelle, Laura Goldsmith, Olga Kavun-Wozniak, Kess Knight, Christine Mounts, Ruth Newman, Christa Nicols, and Ryan Ricard.

ASR suggestion box

Did you know there's a page on the ASR intranet for sharing your thoughts, comments, and suggestions? Your anonymous submission will be reviewed by the directors. If you would like a response to your comment or concern, you can provide your name and email address. Changes or improvements that come about as a result of a suggestion will be acknowledged in a future issue of News & Notes, although your identity will remain anonymous. The directors value your feedback, so please feel free to share any thoughts you may have.

OCM summer classroom projects

The Office of Classroom Management (OCM) will be busy this summer renovating or upgrading several classrooms spaces on campus. Projects will occur in Humphrey School 50, Blegen Hall 4th floor, Fraser Hall 101 and 102, Keller Hall Atrium, and the West Bank Auditorium, among others. You can read more about these projects, and the specific details of each one, on the OCM project page.

ASR spring staff event

We're gearing up for a great ASR Staff Event! As a reminder, the event is on Wednesday, May 21 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. in Science Teaching & Student Services (STSS). Check-in any time between 8-8:30 a.m. outside of STSS 230. The morning will kick off with an update from Sue Van Voorhis, ASR Director & University Registrar, followed by a keynote address from Dr. Danita Brown Young, Vice Provost for Student Affairs & Dean of Students.

Staff will then head off to a breakout session followed by two mini-breakout sessions. Lunch from The Lunch Cube will be served at noon in STSS 412.

A few reminders:

- The River Walk tour is rain or shine - pack an umbrella if needed!
- Both River Walk sessions are first come, first served and capped at 50 people. If you plan to attend either River Walk session, please mention it to staff at check-in.
- If you plan on attending the "Apply Your Strengths" breakout session, you must have completed the StrengthsQuest assessment before the session begins. If you need to do so, please contact Christa Nicols at nicol072@umn.edu.

The full agenda, including session details and speaker bios, can be found on the ASR Intranet. Copies of the agenda, including session locations, will be available at check-in.

ASR cleaning day

Get ready for the ASR cleaning day on June 5! Beginning at noon and ending at 4:30 p.m., you are encouraged to spend the afternoon organizing your workspace. You may choose to organize your files (paper and electronic), wipe down surfaces, and get rid of old or unused equipment. Clearly labeled hampers will be available for paper and office product recycling. Any confidential recycling should be disposed of in the locked confidential recycling container in your office.

New Astra Schedule tutorial

Have you recently submitted a room request? If so, you may want to check on the status of your request. To do so, you can now watch a quick Astra Schedule tutorial that shows you how to view and manage room requests. It is available on the Astra Schedule homepage and on the Office of Classroom Management (OCM) website. Please feel free share these links with anyone else who may be interested.

ASR conference room upgrades

Classroom Technical Services (CTS) is in the process of updating the conference room technology in Williamson Hall 160B, 162, and 164. The rooms will offer a 70" display, installed computer, webcam, and ceiling microphones for use with Google Hangouts video conferencing. Williamson 160B has been completed, and the other rooms will be available next week.

Fraser 261 also had a new router installed to improve wireless connectivity.

New online scholarship application

In an effort to help students apply for all scholarships they may be eligible for in one place, the Office of Student Finance (OSF) has created an online scholarship application. Students can access the online scholarship application using their University ID/password. The application tool currently includes four OSF scholarships and recognizes the student based on his or her login information. The application will soon be expanded to also include scholarships available through a student's college, department(s), and other University units.

The tool automatically merges student data collected by the Admissions, Registrar, and Financial Aid offices, which eliminates the need for a student to enter data the University already has on file. OSF staff are able to use the tool to manage application cycles, edit application questions, review student submissions, and streamline their awarding process.

2014 ASR priorities

ASR directors are currently planning a roadmap for their 2014 priorities. The roadmap will detail where the organization is headed and reaffirm ASR's mission, vision, and values. Directors have also met with supervisors to help develop short-term goals and initiatives, as well as long-term strategies. ASR will also ensure its priorities aligns with the University strategic plan.