Friday, May 20, 2022
Personal holiday reminder
As a reminder, University employees have until June 30 to take any remaining personal holidays, including the two additional holidays President Gabel announced in December. The Board of Regents approved the two extra personal holidays to acknowledge the dedication of faculty and staff during the pandemic. Check your personal holiday balance in the My Time tab of MyU. For details on eligibility and scheduling your holidays, visit the Office of Human Resources.
Update from Stacey
It’s the end of an era for ASR with the move out of Fraser Hall. Goodbye Fraser and hello Williamson Hall! The updated 160 space and 130/140 space are well designed for our hybrid environment, and I’m excited for the new finishes. The paint colors, new carpet, sit/stand desks, and other finishing touches are impressive. Thank you so much to everyone involved in this project.
We also reached the end of spring 2022 and started May session. Last year at this time, I was just stepping into my interim role and campus was a quieter place. This year, I’ve really appreciated seeing the graduates posing for pictures around campus and the energy of campus tours.
The last month and a half has been difficult for many of us in ASR. I have definitely felt this. I miss my coworker and friend and the work doesn’t seem to wait patiently when I need it to. However, I think it’s important to acknowledge that there have been some silver linings too. Many of you and other university colleagues have reached out to support each other. We’ve also raised over $13,000 for the scholarship fund in Tina’s memory. Thank you for making this a good place to work even in tough times.
We also reached the end of spring 2022 and started May session. Last year at this time, I was just stepping into my interim role and campus was a quieter place. This year, I’ve really appreciated seeing the graduates posing for pictures around campus and the energy of campus tours.
The last month and a half has been difficult for many of us in ASR. I have definitely felt this. I miss my coworker and friend and the work doesn’t seem to wait patiently when I need it to. However, I think it’s important to acknowledge that there have been some silver linings too. Many of you and other university colleagues have reached out to support each other. We’ve also raised over $13,000 for the scholarship fund in Tina’s memory. Thank you for making this a good place to work even in tough times.
Mental Wellness in the Workplace
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we wanted to share the resources that the Mental Wellness in the Workplace working group has compiled, which includes mental health resources from the University and State of Minnesota as well.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we wanted to share the resources that the Mental Wellness in the Workplace working group has compiled, which includes mental health resources from the University and State of Minnesota as well.
Thursday, May 19, 2022
ASR Staff Engagement May 20 Survey
This week’s ASR Staff Engagement Survey May 20, 2022 examines how we use our work calendars. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences!
According to the last survey, most folks are feeling a moderate level of stress (33.3%), followed by 25.9% who are stressed, and 22.2% who are very stressed. When asked whether you feel that you are able to “unplug” after work, most feel that they are sometimes able to “unplug” when their work time ends (48.1%), followed by 44% who feel that they are able to “unplug” after work.
We had lots of excellent advice shared for new employees regarding managing their workload, which are all available on the N&N blog. Thanks all for your submissions! Finally, we asked about your favorite thing to eat for breakfast. Coffee, peanut butter toast, and cereal were the most popular responses. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated. The results from the last survey are available below.
May 5, 2022 survey results
What is your current stress level? (1=not stressed, 5= very stressed)
According to the last survey, most folks are feeling a moderate level of stress (33.3%), followed by 25.9% who are stressed, and 22.2% who are very stressed. When asked whether you feel that you are able to “unplug” after work, most feel that they are sometimes able to “unplug” when their work time ends (48.1%), followed by 44% who feel that they are able to “unplug” after work.
We had lots of excellent advice shared for new employees regarding managing their workload, which are all available on the N&N blog. Thanks all for your submissions! Finally, we asked about your favorite thing to eat for breakfast. Coffee, peanut butter toast, and cereal were the most popular responses. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated. The results from the last survey are available below.
May 5, 2022 survey results
What is your current stress level? (1=not stressed, 5= very stressed)
- 1 - (3.7%)
- 2 - (14.8%)
- 3 - (33.3%)
- 4 - (25.9%)
- 5 - (22.2%)
- Yes - (44.4%)
- No - (7.4%)
- Sometimes - (48.1%)
- Don't be afraid to say "no". People will respect you for it if you do. Set boundaries and stick to them.
- Ask questions! Ask for help. Make suggestions.
- Don't work outside your regular work hours. Once it is your personal time, don't look at your email or answer phone calls/texts etc.
- Protect your time and communicate expectations.
- Ask questions about due dates and specific deliverables.
- We have a service window for a reason. If you're feeling burnt out trying to answer every email immediately, take a break and relax!
- Shut your computer OFF at the end of the workday, don't have your Gmail connected to your phone, go outside!
- Take time to list and prioritize tasks.
- Students first.
- Clearly communicate any items where you are having trouble completing; it helps to get others perspectives on how to move things forward
- You can always ask for help.
- Breathe. There is only so much you can do in a day. Tomorrow is another day.
- Eggs
- Nachos
- Breakfast burritos
- Caribou Raspberry White Chocolate Scone
- Pizza
- Anything from Patisserie 46
- COFFEE
Thursday, May 5, 2022
DegreeCat update
At the beginning of April, the DegreeCat Project determined that the necessary progress had not been made to be confident in a successful launch of Stellic to the first wave of students on May 30. That launch was postponed and an executive review of the project was completed.
As a result of this review, University work on Stellic has been paused until at least January 2023. At that time, a determination will be made on if the University has a good path forward to launching Stellic with confidence or if different options to meet the institution’s needs should be explored.
This decision was not made lightly. It was after careful consideration of the current status of the project and the resources needed to be successful with the Coursedog (our replacement for ECAS, PCAS, and University Catalogs) implementation.
The DegreeCat project team has done a tremendous amount of work over the past year to keep things moving forward with the Stellic implementation and to ensure University students have a system they can trust for degree planning. They will take the next few weeks to wrap up work and document what has been done before fully shifting focus to the implementation of Coursedog.
If you have any questions about the DegreeCat project, please contact degreecat@umn.edu.
As a result of this review, University work on Stellic has been paused until at least January 2023. At that time, a determination will be made on if the University has a good path forward to launching Stellic with confidence or if different options to meet the institution’s needs should be explored.
This decision was not made lightly. It was after careful consideration of the current status of the project and the resources needed to be successful with the Coursedog (our replacement for ECAS, PCAS, and University Catalogs) implementation.
The DegreeCat project team has done a tremendous amount of work over the past year to keep things moving forward with the Stellic implementation and to ensure University students have a system they can trust for degree planning. They will take the next few weeks to wrap up work and document what has been done before fully shifting focus to the implementation of Coursedog.
If you have any questions about the DegreeCat project, please contact degreecat@umn.edu.
ASR Staff Engagement May 5 Survey
This week’s ASR Staff Engagement Survey May 5, 2022 assesses how we are feeling going into the final month of the spring semester. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.
According to the last survey, a slim majority report that they have mostly bad posture while they are working (37.5%). This was followed by 33.3% who say their posture is sometimes good and sometimes bad, and 25% who say their posture is mostly good. In addition, when asked about how often you stand up after sitting and working for a while, most report that they stand up and move around at least every hour (45.8%). Most respondents report not making sure to stretch most days (54.2%).
Finally, we had many great stories shared when asked about your favorite movie experiences. Memories of movie theater popcorn were frequently mentioned as well as fond movie experiences with family and friends. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated. The results from the last survey and additional resources regarding ergonomics are available on the N&N blog.
April 21st, 2022 survey results
How is your posture while you are working?
What is one of your favorite experiences when seeing a movie at the theater? What movie was it?
According to the last survey, a slim majority report that they have mostly bad posture while they are working (37.5%). This was followed by 33.3% who say their posture is sometimes good and sometimes bad, and 25% who say their posture is mostly good. In addition, when asked about how often you stand up after sitting and working for a while, most report that they stand up and move around at least every hour (45.8%). Most respondents report not making sure to stretch most days (54.2%).
Finally, we had many great stories shared when asked about your favorite movie experiences. Memories of movie theater popcorn were frequently mentioned as well as fond movie experiences with family and friends. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated. The results from the last survey and additional resources regarding ergonomics are available on the N&N blog.
April 21st, 2022 survey results
How is your posture while you are working?
- Mostly good - (25%)
- Sometimes good, sometimes bad - (33.3%)
- Mostly bad - (37.5%)
- I’m not sure - (4.2%)
- At least every hour - (45.8%)
- At least every 2 hours - (33.3%)
- At least every 3 hours - (16.7%)
- I’m not sure - (4.2%)
- True - (45.8%)
- False- (54.2%)
What is one of your favorite experiences when seeing a movie at the theater? What movie was it?
- Pulp Fiction when it was first released on the largest IMAX screen in Ireland with a beer in my hand.
- Seeing Mary Poppins when it was re-released in movie theaters. It was great to see it on the big screen.
- During my college days, I held a position with Columbia Pictures. Setting up screenings, having actors visit and just watching the movies I promoted was cool enough for me. Cheers.
- I had seen Signs already but brought my 12 yo brother to it. I waited and then grabbed his arm at the same time as the aliens grabbed the kid on screen. Brother jumped up, screamed, and then collapsed back into his seat. He doesn't like to sit near me in the theater anymore.
- The Force Awakens! It was such a good audience (not being disruptive or anything) and everyone was so jazzed to be watching a new Star Wars movie!!! I honestly cried when the Blockade Runner theme played 😂
- I love getting to see everything on the big screen and really get into it! Though due to COVID I've gotten really used to streaming movies from the comfiness of my couch. The last movie I saw in theaters was the newest Spider-Man. I am also excited for the new Jurassic World movie - dinos on a big screen is amazing.
- 1.) Rocky Horror Picture Show, and 2.) Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May marks the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, an annual recognition of the contributions of the AAPI community to American history and culture. The term AAPI includes cultures from the continent of Asia (East, Southeast, and South) and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
While this month is a celebration of the entire AAPI community, it is important to recognize the immense diversity of identities that exist under this umbrella term. Some of the largest AAPI communities in Minnesota, for example, include Hmong, Asian Indian, and Chinese populations, all of which have distinct histories and cultures. While the term “Asian American” was used by activists in the 1960s to build political power and create unity toward a common goal, some argue that such a broad term may also obstruct or erase the unique challenges of various groups under this single label.
We encourage you to take some time this month to celebrate, learn about, and support the work of AAPI members in our community by exploring the resources below. It is also critical to note the increased violence and xenophobia directed at Asian Americans in recent years and the urgency of supporting the AAPI community beyond this month. You can explore ways to get involved through organizations like Stop AAPI Hate or by attending a virtual training to intervene or respond to anti-Asian American harassment.
Resources
Subscribe to our DEI Google Group to discuss the latest news, connect with the committee, and keep up-to-date with DEI initiatives. More information about the group and DEI committee can be found on the ASR Intranet.
May marks the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, an annual recognition of the contributions of the AAPI community to American history and culture. The term AAPI includes cultures from the continent of Asia (East, Southeast, and South) and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
While this month is a celebration of the entire AAPI community, it is important to recognize the immense diversity of identities that exist under this umbrella term. Some of the largest AAPI communities in Minnesota, for example, include Hmong, Asian Indian, and Chinese populations, all of which have distinct histories and cultures. While the term “Asian American” was used by activists in the 1960s to build political power and create unity toward a common goal, some argue that such a broad term may also obstruct or erase the unique challenges of various groups under this single label.
We encourage you to take some time this month to celebrate, learn about, and support the work of AAPI members in our community by exploring the resources below. It is also critical to note the increased violence and xenophobia directed at Asian Americans in recent years and the urgency of supporting the AAPI community beyond this month. You can explore ways to get involved through organizations like Stop AAPI Hate or by attending a virtual training to intervene or respond to anti-Asian American harassment.
Resources
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Coalition of Asian-American Leaders
- Asian American Organizing Project
Subscribe to our DEI Google Group to discuss the latest news, connect with the committee, and keep up-to-date with DEI initiatives. More information about the group and DEI committee can be found on the ASR Intranet.
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