Project Request deadline today

If you have a project request for Q4 2025 (May-July), please submit your requests by today, March 6. Full details of the project request process, the complete ASR quarterly planning calendar, and additional resources are available on the ASR Staff Site.

Dates and deadlines for Q4 2025:

• Project request deadline: March 6
• Project prioritization meeting: April 10
• Start of ASR planning quarter: May 5

Reach out to osi-projects@umn.edu with any questions.

Rapid Response website

Due to the number of recent policy changes and reversals introduced by the new presidential administration, the University of Minnesota has created the Rapid Response website to share the latest updates on a range of issues. A group of University leaders are monitoring developments and assessing how these changes affect our community and operations systemwide. You can view the University’s response to each issue on the Rapid Response website by topic, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Federal Immigration Policies, the Department of Education, and National Institute of Health (NIH) Funding.

International Women’s Day: Accelerate Action

International Women's Day (IWD), observed annually on March 8, celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide while advocating for gender equality. Beginning in 1909 and eventually garnering international attention in 1975, IWD celebrates a different campaign theme each year. Accelerate Action is the campaign for 2025, which calls for urgency in addressing the systemic barriers that women face around the globe.

At the current rate of progress, we will not reach full gender equality until 2158, according to the World Economic Forum. You can help accelerate that progress by going to events that support and celebrate women, donating to women-centered or led organizations, or even just expanding your knowledge about notable women and their achievements.

Notable women from Minnesota

• Lena O. Smith (1885-1966): A prominent civil rights lawyer and activist, Lena O. Smith was the first African American woman licensed to practice law in Minnesota and fought for civil rights in the Twin Cities.
• Nellie Stone Johnson (1905-2002): A fearless labor organizer and civil rights activist, Nellie Stone Johnson was the first Black elected official in Minneapolis when she won a seat on the library board and also helped found the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party.
• Ann Bancroft (b. 1955): One of the world’s leading arctic explorers, Ann Bancroft was the first woman to cross the ice by dogsled to the North pole, then later led an all-women team to the South Pole.

University of Minnesota IWD Events

• Predatory Data: Feminist Resistance to Eugenics in Big Tech
• Join Dr. Anita Say Chan on March 6, 2025, 5-7 p.m. at the Humphrey Forum (105) as she talks about her new book, Predatory Data: Eugenics in Big Tech and Our Fight for an Independent Future.
• The Women’s Center’s Events and Programs
• The Women’s Center offers signature programs, such as Celebrating Changemakers, and ongoing initiatives, like Feminist Fridays and Our Voices, which centers the voices of indigenous women and women of color students.

Mental Wellness in the Workplace

Managing burnout: Conversation starters

Based on your feedback, we are offering resources to help you identify when your workload is too much and how to have conversations about stress, burnout, and workload with your supervisor.

From staff to supervisor 

• What am I doing that is working well and why? What am I doing that needs to change? 
•  What do you see as the highest priorities for me right now? What are lower priorities? 
• Could we discuss re-evaluating/postponing/removing X from my workload? 
•  What parts of my work are most important for you to be up to date on and how can we check-in? Where can I be more autonomous? 
• What projects or tasks do you think are coming around the corner? 
• What would you like to know about my work? 
• What causes you to feel stressed related to my work? What gives you confidence? 
•  What skills do you think are most important for me to work on to support my career progression? What steps should I be taking? 
•  If I need help with something, what's the best way to get your input or support? 
• Is there anything I need to know about you or the team to support you right now? I feel it’s important for you to know… 

See our additional resources on having meaningful conversations.

Join the Mental Wellness in the Workplace Committee

Are you interested in shaping and supporting mental wellness in ASR? The Mental Wellness in the Workplace Committee is looking for new members, and welcome anyone interested to join us! Depending on our workload and capacity, we meet about every two weeks. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, you can reach out to a committee member.

CPR/AED Familiarization training opportunities

University Health and Safety offers a monthly free one-hour class that teaches you what to do in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. You will learn hands-only CPR and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). This class is not for professional certification, but provides the fundamental knowledge to help save a life in an emergency. If you’re interested in the class, you can register in Training Hub (course UHS906).

Digital Playground

The next Digital Playground session will be on March 12 at 9 a.m. The topic will be Zoom features and tools. If you haven’t already, join the Google Group to find recordings and resources from previous sessions. If you have any questions or would like to join the Google group, reach out to Pete Fleenor (fleen010@umn.edu).

ASR Staff Engagement March 6 Survey

This week’s ASR Engagement Survey examines the spring season. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.

According to the last survey, most say they are either satisfied with their current workspace(s) (41.9%) or very satisfied (32.3%). When asked about adding one element to your workspace, many responses mentioned updating lighting or a better chair or desk.

Finally, we asked about your “go-to” lunch meals. Most folks mentioned sandwiches (with a few specific shout-outs to Potbelly), followed by salads, and leftovers from the night before. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.

February 20 survey results

On a scale from 1 (not satisfied) to 5 (very satisfied), how satisfied are you with your current workspace(s)?

• 1 (0%)
• 2 (0%)
• 3 (25.8%)
• 4 (41.9%)
• 5 (32.3%)

If you could add one element to your workspace, what would it be?

• Adjustable lighting
• More enclosed spaces (even without video conferencing ability) for undisturbed work time
• Cute but functional and ergonometric stationary, vertical pen holder, and mug warmer
• Christmas/Fairy lights
• A poster of a cat that says "hang in there"
• Sit-stand desk!
• An ergonomic chair that isn't ugly
• Windows!
• A better chair for my home office

What's your 'go-to' lunch meal?

• Potbelly Mediterranean sandwich!
• Any type of pasta/noodle dish along with a salad (fruit, greens, veggies, etc)
• Leftovers from yesterday's dinner
• Caesar salad every day (classic)
• Large salad w/protein
• When we don't have leftovers, frozen potstickers!
• I cook "dinner" for lunch. It's the main meal of the day in my home. So something warm and filling, always.
• Meat and Cheese - the adult "Lunchable"!