Hello, my name is Robert (Bob) Balfour. I have worked at the University for 24 years, with 23 of those years as either an accountant or scholarship fund manager in the Office of Student Finance (OSF). College can be expensive, so I take great pride in collaborating with the foundation and the OSF scholarship unit to maximize the support we can provide students through scholarships.
I wanted to join the DEI team to build upon their previous work and offer input on how the committee can ensure that ASR continues prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in its daily practices. I have always valued a diverse and inclusive community and am committed to bringing these values and my personal experiences to the committee.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Mental Wellness in the Workplace
Supporting you in supporting others
When you are prepared to help others in your daily work and personal life, you support your own mental health. The following resources will help you support others:
When you are prepared to help others in your daily work and personal life, you support your own mental health. The following resources will help you support others:
- Take a free online Narcan training and learn how to administer naloxone (Narcan) as it is the one factor attributed to lowering death rates from drug overdoses.
- Naloxone locations on campus
- Naloxone in ASR is in 311 Bruinicks and 130 Williamson
- Watch UMN Supporting Student Mental Health, a six-video series on how to support student mental health.
- Why You Should Be Involved in Supporting Student Mental Health and Wellness (3 mins)
- What Your Role is and isn't in Supporting Student Mental Health (9 mins)
- Listening Intentionally to Support Student Mental Health & Wellness (9 mins)
- Making Effective Referrals (5 mins)
- Responding to a mental health crisis (8 mins)
- The Police Response to Mental Health Calls (6 mins)
ASR Staff Engagement June 12 Survey
This week’s ASR Engagement Survey asks about your Minnesota favorites. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and experiences.
According to the last survey, most would prefer to swim in a pool (36.1%) over a lake (25%) or an ocean (19.4%). When asked about your favorite ice cream, mint chocolate chip was the runaway favorite (22.2%), followed by vanilla (13.9%), and pistachio (11.1%).
Finally, we asked for one of your favorite things about summer. Many folks mentioned the warmth of the sun and having longer days. Outdoor activities and going to the cabin were also mentioned frequently. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
June 12 survey results
Would you rather swim in a pool, ocean, or lake?
According to the last survey, most would prefer to swim in a pool (36.1%) over a lake (25%) or an ocean (19.4%). When asked about your favorite ice cream, mint chocolate chip was the runaway favorite (22.2%), followed by vanilla (13.9%), and pistachio (11.1%).
Finally, we asked for one of your favorite things about summer. Many folks mentioned the warmth of the sun and having longer days. Outdoor activities and going to the cabin were also mentioned frequently. Thanks all for your continued participation! It is very much appreciated.
June 12 survey results
Would you rather swim in a pool, ocean, or lake?
- Pool (36.1%)
- Ocean (19.4%)
- Lake (25%)
- None of the above! (19.4%)
- Mint chocolate chip (22.2%)
- Vanilla (13.9%)
- Pistachio (11.1%)
- Chocolate chip cookie dough (8.3%)
- Strawberry (5.6%)
- Rocky road (5.6%)
- Butter pecan (5.6%)
- Great for grill outs and outdoor trails
- Events that you can do outside
- Warm summer evenings sitting outside in something screened in!
- Bright sunshine and colors—flowers, sky, grass
- Going camping, watching my gardens grow, and just generally being outside!
- The sun staying out late
- Hearing the loons on the lake.
- All of the outdoor festivals and fairs (MN State Fair and Renaissance Festival shout-out)
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Update from Stacey
Several weeks ago, I listened to a Freakonomics podcast episode on sludge, and I continue to think about how that concept applies to ASR. Sludge is essentially what makes a process more challenging, slow, or even inscrutable to users. For example, think about a gym membership that you cannot cancel unless you find the hidden web form or make an uncomfortable phone call, or consider going to the DMV and not being able to discern exactly what paperwork you must complete. Sludge often uses friction to dissuade someone from making the decision that is best for them.
In a unit like ASR, we thrive on process because it helps us serve the needs of our very large student body and makes work more predictable. The risk, of course, is that we end up with sludge—stuff our students don’t understand, or stuff that doesn’t bring us value but it’s been in the process so long we don’t see it anymore. This is bad for all of us, but especially for students who are new to higher education. Identifying and getting rid of sludge can make things better for our first generation students, folks with disabilities, and the University community broadly. I invite you to start looking at your work with a detective’s eye. Where do we have sludge? How can we make it better? I’m curious to hear your ideas!
In a unit like ASR, we thrive on process because it helps us serve the needs of our very large student body and makes work more predictable. The risk, of course, is that we end up with sludge—stuff our students don’t understand, or stuff that doesn’t bring us value but it’s been in the process so long we don’t see it anymore. This is bad for all of us, but especially for students who are new to higher education. Identifying and getting rid of sludge can make things better for our first generation students, folks with disabilities, and the University community broadly. I invite you to start looking at your work with a detective’s eye. Where do we have sludge? How can we make it better? I’m curious to hear your ideas!
Student Degree Progress team
Last month, the Student Degree Progress (SDP) team, Rachel McKessock and Tracy Fischer, moved from ASR to the Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) and began reporting to Jennifer Reckner. This change aligns with OUE’s strategic needs and broader initiatives, and offers a closer relationship to the vice provost.
Many of Rachel and Tracy’s primary job responsibilities will remain the same, and there will continue to be strong ties between the SDP team and ASR. Their work in student degree progress is crucial to our shared commitment to student success across OUE and ASR.
Many of Rachel and Tracy’s primary job responsibilities will remain the same, and there will continue to be strong ties between the SDP team and ASR. Their work in student degree progress is crucial to our shared commitment to student success across OUE and ASR.
Upcoming project request deadlines
If you have a project request for Q1 2026 (August-October) or beyond, please submit project requests as early as possible to allow time for review. 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 Q1 2026:
- Project request deadline: June 5
- Project prioritization meeting: July 11
- Functional area leads planning: July 16
- Start of ASR planning quarter: August 4
Reflecting on Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
As Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month comes to a close, it is a good time to reflect on its importance. AAPI Month is a time to celebrate, recognize, and honor the historical achievements of those of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. The month of May was chosen based on the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to the United States on May 7, 1843 and to celebrate the Chinese immigrants who worked on the transcontinental railroad, which was completed on May 10, 1869.
Beyond remembering these historic contributions, AAPI month also offers an opportunity to reflect on being an ally. In the article How to Be a Better Ally to Your Asian Colleagues, Evelyn Nam shares her thoughts on how the South Korean concept of Hyo (효)—gratefully reciprocating care and support received from parents—can be applied to the workplace. She states “I believe adapting this practice to the workplace could be an impactful way to create inclusive and equitable environments.” This is a good reminder to hold gratitude for those we work with.
To celebrate AAPI Month and get involved you can:
Beyond remembering these historic contributions, AAPI month also offers an opportunity to reflect on being an ally. In the article How to Be a Better Ally to Your Asian Colleagues, Evelyn Nam shares her thoughts on how the South Korean concept of Hyo (효)—gratefully reciprocating care and support received from parents—can be applied to the workplace. She states “I believe adapting this practice to the workplace could be an impactful way to create inclusive and equitable environments.” This is a good reminder to hold gratitude for those we work with.
To celebrate AAPI Month and get involved you can:
- Check out the UMN Asian Pacific American Resource Center (APARC), which is committed to offering a sense of belonging for Asian American and Pacific Islander students.
- Find ways to celebrate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Minneapolis.
- Learn about Asian American stories through the PBS documentary series Asian Americans.
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