Reporting FERPA breaches

In the past, we have been told to send an email about FERPA breaches to abuse@umn.edu. While that email address still works, the official reporting email is security@umn.edu. As a refresher, please take a few moments to review the procedure on reporting suspected FERPA breaches. If you have any questions, contact Stacey Tidball (tidball@umn.edu).

FERPA breaches can happen in many ways. Here are a few examples:

• Devices that contain student data are lost or stolen
• Sending student information to the wrong recipient
• Leaving documents with private student data in a publicly accessible location
• Through technology errors

Reporting suspected breaches helps the University determine whether a breach occurred, helps us correct errors, and notify impacted students.

Veterans Appreciation Event

The 13th annual Veterans Appreciation event will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Great Hall in Coffman Memorial Union. The event recognizes the sacrifice and service of University veterans, military members, and their families. This event is free and open to the public. It will feature:

• T-shirts for veterans and drawstring bags for guests
• Pizza, beverages, snacks and games for all
• University and community partner information fair
• Massage therapy and Pet Away Worry and Stress (PAWS)

Fraser Hall discussion in Board of Regents meeting

Some of you may have heard from Regents meetings or legislative requests that there is a request for Fraser Hall to be renovated and converted to use by the Chemistry department. We wanted to make sure to let you know that these conversations are only preliminary; no concrete plans exist at this time. We will keep all of you informed if there are any decisions made concerning Fraser Hall.

ASR suggestion box: Williamson Hall update

Regarding the temporary supports in Williamson Hall entryway: the structural support was added after a review of the design of the Pillsbury Hall rehabilitation project. The review noted that the tunnel was not correctly specified to support large vehicle traffic on Pillsbury Drive SE. The temporary support structure was added as a precaution until the design is complete for Pillsbury Hall and the surrounding roadway infrastructure. Williamson Hall building is safe for staff and visitors. The temporary structural support will remain in place this academic year (2019-20). Next summer we expect an active construction project for Pillsbury Hall.

ASR Book Club fall reading

The ASR Book Club continues this fall in early October with our next book, How Full is Your Bucket? Expanded Anniversary Edition, by authors, Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton (Clifton is the author of Strengths Finder). If you’d like to participate, fill out the ASR Book Club form by Thursday, September 26. The group will likely meet every other week for a handful of meetings over a brown bag lunch hour. We’ll discuss key points in the book as well as our own perspectives on the topic. Melissa Gasper and Eleanor Pijut have volunteered to facilitate. ASR is looking into purchasing the book for those who participate.

In this quick read (less than 100 pages) the book provides strategies grounded in 50 years of research. It offers ways to increase positive interactions in the workplace, professional relationship insights, and engaging stories that inspire lasting changes in our interactions. Additionally, there is an access code included with the book that gives you access to take the Clifton Strengths assessment.

Enter your pet for Pets, Pastries, and Philanthropy

To take part in the annual, University-wide Community Fund Drive, ASR will be hosting an event called Pets, Pastries, and Philanthropy on Thursday, October 24 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. in Fraser B20. All proceeds will go towards the TC Student Success Fund. Pets, Pastries, and Philanthropy will feature an ASR pet picture gallery and treats. You’ll be able to purchase votes with cash and vote for your favorite/cutest pets.

To prepare, we need photo submissions of your pets! To participate, send an email to Megan Wollner (woll0122@umn.edu) by Thursday, October 17. Include a photograph and name of your pet. (Note: if your pet won sometime in the past few years, please refrain from re-entering them this year.)

GPAS team has moved

Earlier this week, the GPAS team members (Stacia Madsen, Clare Dingley, and Chris Abts) relocated from Williamson Hall to Fraser Hall. The entire Degree Audit Team, including GPAS and APAS team members, is now located in the 133 Fraser hallway.