New study space tool available

A new study space tool has launched for students that includes images, building features, and locations. This is a joint project between the Office of Classroom Management (OCM), University Libraries, Student Unions, Office of Information Technology (OIT), AHC Classroom Services, and Facilities Management (FM). Technical fixes are still in progress, but issues should be resolved by the end of August. Find more information on the OCM blog. 

IDPs should be review in August

It is time for IDP review again. Supervisors should meet with employees to review IDPs in the month of August. In case you missed it, Sue shares information about her IDP in her recent ASR Monthly video.

What’s in a name?

It’s important to understand the student perspective on various topics related to our work. U of M student, Narmada Venkateswaran, shares her experiences related to her name and identity. Read Narmada's full article on the Campus Climate website. How does your name affect your identity?

Welcome Students Posters

This year’s poster to welcome students (which has been created annually for the past 20 years), highlights the many languages spoken by our students on campus. Posters are available to all students, staff, and faculty. Learn more on how to get your free poster. 

Employees can now cancel absence requests

The PeopleSoft Tools update that took place over the weekend included a great new improvement in Absence Management: Employees can now cancel a vacation, personal holiday, or comp time absence request themselves. To do so, the absence request must be in a Saved, Submitted, Approved, or Pushed Back status. The cancellation of an absence will be routed to the employee's supervisor for approval.

OHR has updated the job aids on editing and approving an absence request:

• Approving Absence Request or Absence Cancellation Request job aid 
• Editing or Canceling an Absence Request job aid

HR updates

Congratulations and best wishes to Marit! Marit Gladem is retiring September 8. Mary Stein, another member of the HR team, will be the new HR partner for ASR effective September 11. Mary worked as an HR generalist with OIT, and later as an administrative assistant in the Vice Provost's office. She has been with the Morrill Hall Shared Services team since April 2015. She is highly knowledgeable in the area of human resources as well as with the Office of Undergraduate Education and the University in general, so she will be an excellent fit for ASR.

New ASR Class: Data Driven Decisions

The Project & Work Facilitation (PWF) team is excited to announce a new workshop that will be offered semi-annually in September and March: PWF 303: Data Driven Decisions is aimed at the person who is interested in analytics and data-driven decisions. We will discuss theory around the practice of using analytics to inform everyday decisions, as well as expose attendees to some key foundational concepts. The course's focus is on the possible applications of analytical and statistical concepts and not the mathematical equations or complex processes involved. No prior analytics training necessary. The first session will be on September 19 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in Fraser B20. To register check out the PWF 303 page at the ASR Projects site. Registration is also available for other ASR workshops in the Project Management series. Upcoming Project Management Workshops There are 3 more project management classes this quarter:

• PM 202: Creating & Maintaining a Project Plan - Thursday 8/17, 10a-11:30a, Fraser B20
• PM 203: Project Risk Management - Thursday 9/14, 10a-11:30a, Fraser B20
• PM 301: Evidence-based Portfolio Management - Thursday 9/27, 10a-11:30a, Fraser B20

All classes in the PM series are also available to register for the fall quarter (October-December). Check out ASR Project Short Courses page to register for all available classes. Winter and spring 2018 (January - June) course sections will be available for registration in early September.