New Gmail web interface

Google has updated their Gmail web interface, but it won’t be available to the University community until July. The new interface will be optional from July to October, after which it will become the University’s standard Google web mail interface. The new interface will include features that allow you to:

• Organize emails without having to open them
• Snooze emails until a future date or time that's more convenient for you
• Use Calendar, Tasks, and Keep in the same tab while in Gmail

Learn more about Gmail’s new interface.

Sharing Google Calendars—suggestion box submission

Someone recently submitted a question about whether or not ASR has a policy or best practice about sharing Google Calendars. The answer is yes, we do, and we should all be sharing our calendars.

For reference, there is an ASR Administrative Support Resource Guide with a section on “Calendar Expectations.” The guide explains that all staff should set their calendar to be visible by everyone in the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities organization. You are also expected to respond to meeting invites promptly, and keep your calendar and meeting attendance as up to date as possible. This communicates your availability and allows others to know what to expect for meetings where your participation is needed.

Access the admin resource guide via z.umn.edu/asr2 or find a link to it in the footer of the ASR Intranet.

Personal pronouns and gender identity in MyU

This summer, the University will begin offering students and staff the option to share their personal pronouns and gender identity through the My Info tab of MyU. Sharing personal pronouns and/or a gender identity will be optional. Students’ pronouns will be available on Class Rosters, through the Advisor Center, and in APLUS.

Gender identity information will not be shared at this time, though authorized University staff with access to private information in PeopleSoft may view it when performing their job duties. A fact sheet with more information is available.

A refreshed ASR Intranet

If you haven’t visited it yet, check out the refreshed ASR Intranet site, accessible through asr.umn.edu/asr-intranet. The site houses all kinds of information about ASR: our history and vision, resources for work and development, policy info, and the latest on our big projects. Go poke around. You can bookmark the site or continue to access it through asr.umn.edu.

Fiscal year-end in a few weeks

The fiscal year-end is June 30. All expense reimbursements, requisitions, POs, supply orders, etc., need to be submitted by Monday, June 18. Between June 18-30, only PCards may be used for purchases. For questions, contact lindsay@umn.edu.

How to access ASR Team Drive

Team Drive is being put to use in ASR. (Learn more about Team Drive.) The ASR Staff Team Drive has already been moved, and each ASR-IT group (including the Project & Work Facilitation folder) is in the process of migrating files. We are working to make sure permissions and access remain in place while we move things around, so if you notice anything awry, say something to your team lead.

There are a few ways to access Team Drive. The easiest is to open Google Drive in your web browser and use the sidebar on the left to navigate to Team Drive folders. ASR Staff Team Drive files are also accessible in the main menu of the ASR Intranet.

Cleaning day approaches

Every year ASR plans a cleaning day so we can clean up/out our workspaces. Cleaning day is June 13 from 12—4:00 p.m. Take a break from your normal schedule to disturb the dust bunnies, recycle or shred those old mounds of paper, and spruce up your decor. Oversized bins for trash and recycling and other cleaning supplies will be available.