ASR values finalized

The directors have finalized changes to the ASR values (viewable anytime on the ASR Intranet). Thank you for providing thoughtful feedback over the last several weeks. While our mission hasn’t changed (to make a positive difference in students' lives), we revisited the values to make sure they encompassed what is most important to our work as time moves forward.

Each of the six values has a value statement and multiple defining characteristics, bringing depth and clarity of meaning. When reading the values, use this framework:

• We value [value] by [defining characteristic].
• We [value statement] by [defining characteristic].

Example: We go above and beyond by serving where and when help is needed.

Things we do (outside work): Dawn Demaske photography

Did you know that Dawn Demaske, OSF staff member, is a photographer? She holds a degree in art with a minor in photography, and while she's a third party billing expert, few things give her more thrill than the sound of a lens shutter.

Over the last several years, Dawn has amassed a portfolio of beautiful images taken with a Nikon DSLR camera. She focuses on nature and landscape photography and has recently been exploring night and astrophotography. Her most recent work includes photographs taken along the north shore of Minnesota—imagery full of dark, starry skies, towering evergreens, and sunsets cast across the frozen shores.

Dawn's other images include scenes from locations such as Wyoming, Utah, and South Dakota. Her full portfolio is available to view at dawnjdemaskephotography.smugmug.com.

Changes to professional development classes

ASR-IT’s Project & Work Facilitation team is making some changes to the Project Management Series. PM 102, PM 201, & PM 301 will only be offered three times a year going forward; all sections for the remainder of the calendar year are available for registration.

It has been decided to combine the content of PM 202 and 203 into one 2-hour course. Each existing course will be offered one more time (202 in May and 203 in June) this year; if you have taken one course and not the other, we encourage you to register for one of these sections. The new combined course, PM 204: Project Planning & Risk Management, will be offered for the first time in November and fall into the 3 times a year cycle in 2019. This new course will be a great opportunity for folks to get Project Planning content with more in-depth Risk Management information all in one course.

Check out the ASR Project Short Courses for information and registration.

• PM 101: Intro to Project Management Fundamentals - REQUIRED for all ASR staff
• Tuesday, 7/10/18, 10:30—11:30 a.m. (new section)
• Tuesday, 10/2/18, 10:30—11:30 a.m. (new section)
• PM 102: ASR Business Needs Lifecycle
• Wednesday, 8/8/18, 10:30—11:30 a.m. (new section)
• PM 201: Supporting Effective Project Teams
• Tuesday, 5/1/18, 10:00—11:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, 9/11/18, 10:00—11:30 a.m. (new section)
• PM 202: Creating & Managing a Project Plan
• Tuesday, 5/5/18, 10:00—11:30 a.m. (last offering in current format)
• PM 203: Project Risk Management
• Tuesday, 6/5/18, 10:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m. (last offering in current format)
• PM 204: Project Planning & Risk Management (Combined Course)
• Registration available soon - Tuesday, 11/5/18, 9:00—11:00 a.m.
• PM 301: Evidence Based Portfolio Management
• Monday, 9/24/18, 10:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m 

To check your professional development transcript for workshops you have completed or are registered for, go to learning.umn.edu, click “learner login” in top right, then navigate to “my enrollment history” once logged in.

Email pwf-team@umn.edu with any questions about these opportunities or would like to facilitate a professional development offering for your colleagues.

ASR Suggestion Box

It’s been awhile since we had an open suggestion box, but we do now: ASR Suggestion Box. From now on you will be able to find the link to the form in the footer of this newsletter, or on the ASR Intranet in the quick links sidebar. You can also bookmark the form for quick access when a thought arises.

All responses are anonymous. The purpose is to capture observations, ideas, concerns, kudos, or any other wild thing that comes to mind about working in ASR. We just ask that you keep it professional. You can share a thought you have in the moment, or something you’ve been thinking about for awhile. Come back to the form as many times as you like, it’ll be there.

Tuition refund appeals—new form

A new workflow for Tuition Refund Appeals (TRA) is available for Twin Cities students on the One Stop website, Forms page. It was previously available in PDF form only. The new workflow will enable the committee that reviews the appeals to process them faster, as well as improve data validation.

Information about tuition refund appeals has also been updated on the One Stop website, Refunds page. If you have questions about appeals or the form, contact Richard Campo (campo035@umn.edu).

Fraser 200 doors will be locked (but open)

Starting Tuesday, May 1, the main entry doors of 200 Fraser will be locked 24/7; however the doors will be propped open during business hours when front desk staff are present.

The doors will be closed and locked when the front desk is not staffed, so please remember to take your UCard with you as you come and go to help prevent an unexpected lockout. If this should happen, the 2nd floor elevator lobby door is unlocked from 7am - 4pm. If you experience card access issues, please contact Lindsay Bork Nichols (lindsay@umn.edu).

It’s coming up—the Spring Staff Event!

By now you have received an invitation to the ASR Spring Staff Event coming up on May 16. Remember to RSVP your attendance on your Google Calendar event. Full event details and breakout session descriptions are available on the ASR Intranet.

The time you spend at the event, including lunch, are considered part of your normal working hours. All staff are welcome and expected to attend. This year lunch will be catered by Broders’ Cucina Italiana and there will be places for everyone to sit and share conversation.