What is an RFP? Want to participate?

OSF has created a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit bids from collection agencies and use their services to collect on student loans. In an effort to make the RFP committee inclusive, OSF has reserved a spot on the committee for someone within ASR who is interested in learning more and participating in this process. Participation will require a few long meetings (1 to 2 hours) over the next few months to review the RFP and responses received from bidders, and available time to make reference calls and ask scripted questions.

If you are interested and have your manager’s approval, send your name to Tom Schmidt by Friday, March 11.

OCM’s Year in Review

The OCM Year in Review is an account of how well we have met our charge during the past year. It is an opportunity to highlight trends that will impact decisions and services in the Office of Classroom Management through the next year and beyond.

Transition to Windows 10 OS for University computers

Members of the University community who use Microsoft Windows computers are encouraged to transition to Windows 10, if they have not done so already. This summer the Windows computers in the public labs Coffman B60, Humphrey 50 and Walter 101 will be transitioned to Windows 10. All other OIT supported teaching labs will be moved to Windows 10 in conjunction with faculty and staff input.

IT Governance Process

It's Spring Semester and the input phase of the IT governance process begins! Learn more about IT governance and ways you can help us gather input from University faculty, staff and students.

Tech Tuesdays: Google Drive tips and tricks

It’s very easy to drag files and folders around in Google Drive, too easy in fact, and dragging items moves them for everyone in your domain… so take care.

If you are about to “Move” a folder Google does warn you – so watch out for pop-up windows warning about sharing, if you see one, carefully consider whether you do want to “Move” the folder out of a shared area.

When working with shared files and folders, it is important to remember to use the Add to My Drive button instead of dragging the file/folder to My Drive. Using the Add button does just that: it adds the item to your drive without changing the location of the file or folder for other users. Dragging the item moves it for everyone and some users may lose access. If you attempt to add something to your drive and see a pop-up warning that you are moving the item, take heed and do not continue unless you are sure that you want to move it out of the shared area.

Check out this Google support document to Add files to My Drive for additional help.

If you are looking for a file or folder you have shared with someone else and can no longer find it, click on the information icon (the small i in a circle) on the upper right of your drive to see recent activity. You can see which items have been moved, removed (trashed), renamed, shared/unshared, edited, and more, so it may help you locate what you are looking for.

Join the ASR Tech Tuesdays Google Group here, which will give you access to all past posts, presentations and materials, as well as membership to a community of like-minded and helpful people.

The Importance of Resilience

Resilience (or resiliency) is our ability to adapt and bounce back when things don't go as planned. Resilient people don't wallow or dwell on failures; they acknowledge the situation, learn from their mistakes, and then move forward.

According to the research of leading psychologist, Susan Kobasa, there are three elements that are essential to resilience:

• Challenge – Resilient people view a difficulty as a challenge, not as a paralyzing event. They look at their failures and mistakes as lessons to be learned from, and as opportunities for growth. They don't view them as a negative reflection on their abilities or self-worth.
• Commitment – Resilient people are committed to their lives and their goals, and they have a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning. Commitment isn't just restricted to their work – they commit to their relationships, their friendships, the causes they care about, and their religious or spiritual beliefs.
• Personal Control – Resilient people spend their time and energy focusing on situations and events that they have control over. Because they put their efforts where they can have the most impact, they feel empowered and confident. Those who spend time worrying about uncontrollable events can often feel lost, helpless, and powerless to take action.

Read more at MindTools.com or check out this article from the New Yorker. 

New Office of Student Finance director announced

We are pleased that Tina Falkner has accepted the position of Director of the Office of Student Finance (OSF) within Academic Support Resources, effective immediately. Tina has served as the Interim Director of the OSF since May 2015. During that time, she has focused on sustaining an inclusive, engaged environment for the team and has helped build bridges between (and within) OSF and their key stakeholders.

Thanks again to the search committee, interview committee and everyone who attended the open forums to learn about Tina’s vision for the Office of Student Finance.