Newsletter summer pause

The UX and Content Strategy team is working to improve the newsletters it maintains. To assist with this, News & Notes and The Record will not be sent in June or July. When publication restarts in August, there will be updates based on best practices, technology updates, and feedback from readers. Information that needs to be shared to ASR staff during the pause can be sent using the ASR Staff Google group or in direct emails. If you have any questions, email asrux@umn.edu.

ASR Staff Engagement Survey

With the pause in newsletters for the next two months, we don’t have a new survey this week, but we wanted to share the results from the last survey.

Most of us are feeling pretty good with spring semester wrapping up! When asked for one of your coping strategies for dealing with stress, many folks mentioned going for a walk or a run as well as planning vacations, gardening, and snuggling with pets. Finally, most are planning to travel out of state this summer (68%). Thanks all for your continued participation!

Update from Stacey

It is definitely the season of new beginnings. The semester will be kicking off shortly with many welcome week traditions, such as Pride & Spirit and Convocation. Many of you are supporting the start of the semester, and I know it can be a busy time (for example, check out the OCM updates below). I am feeling the uptick as well, but I am still trying to grab the last bits of summer. 

We snuck in a quick trip with our family this weekend, and next we're figuring out when we will go to the State Fair. In my experience, people have strong opinions about the fair, and personally, I’m a big fan. I drag my family through the animal barns, we look at the fish in the DNR building—even though the kids have outgrown this—we watch the parade, and we eat our every-year favorites and try at least a few new items. I hope you are finding some summer enjoyment and feeling as ready as you can for the start of fall. Thank you for everything you do!

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!

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:

• 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)

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.

• True (80.8%)
• False (19.2%)

True or False: Children can withstand the heat better than adults.

• True (23.1%)
• False (76.9%)

A heat rash is most likely to occur:

• In a dry environment (16%)
• In a humid environment (80%)
• When swimming
• At high altitudes (4%)

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?

• 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%)

What's one of your favorite natural areas in Minnesota? (example: state park, lakes, etc.)

• 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

Shout out a local business, event, farmer's market, etc. in your area that you would recommend to others.

• 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

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?

• Pool (36.1%)
• Ocean (19.4%)
• Lake (25%)
• None of the above! (19.4%)

What's your favorite ice cream?

• 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%)

What is one of your favorite things about summer?

• 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)

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?

• Yes (61.1%)
• No (30.6%)
• It depends (8.3%)

Do you prefer iced tea or lemonade on a hot summer day?

• Iced tea (13.9%)
• Lemonade (41.7%)
• I don’t like either! (5.6%)
• Give me a mix please! (Arnold Palmer) (38.9%)

You are invited to a BBQ/picnic and asked to bring a side dish. What would you bring?

• 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)

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?

• Lightly browned (21.4%)
• Evenly browned all around (50%)
• Close to burnt or burnt (25%)
• I don’t like roasted marshmallows (3.6%)

Do you like to go camping?

• Yes (25%)
• No (50%)
• It depends (25%)

What's a song that always reminds you of summer?

• 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

ASR Staff Engagement May 1 Survey

With a new season just around the corner, this week’s ASR Engagement Survey is summer-themed. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.

According to the last survey on meeting preferences, most prefer non-interactive presentations (54.5%) followed by those whose preference depends on the situation (42.4%). When asked about your comfort in asking questions during meetings, most say their comfort depends on the meeting (48.5%), while others say they typically feel comfortable asking questions (42.4%).

Finally, we asked what speaker you would invite to an ASR all-staff meeting if you could invite anyone. Barack Obama and Rebecca Cunningham were mentioned most frequently. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.

May 1 survey results

Do you prefer presentations that are interactive (ice breakers, games, etc). or noninteractive (listening to a speaker, etc.)?

• Interactive (3%)
• Non-interactive (54.5%)
• I could prefer one or the other depending on the situation (42.4%)

Do you typically feel comfortable asking questions in meetings?

• Yes (42.4%)
• No (9.1%)
• It depends (48.5%)

If you could invite anyone to speak at an ASR all-staff meeting, who would you invite?

• President Cunningham
• Goldy Gopher
• President Obama
• Jeni Britton-Bauer - Founder of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. Her philosophies on business, employee engagement, customer service, building community, innovation, and learning/growing from challenges and mistakes is really inspiring.
• Danny Devito
• I like hearing directly from the individuals doing the work.