Update from Stacey

As we approach performance appraisal season and the close of 2025, it’s a time of great reflection. As we think about our work, I would like you to reflect on what your supervisor could do to help you be more effective in your job. Do you have actionable feedback for your supervisor? Have you shared it with them or their supervisor or your unit director? Many of our units create structures for sharing this type of feedback, and it’s very valuable to ASR as an organization.

I invite all of you to share feedback with me as well, regarding the folks that report to me, or about my own performance and what you would like me to continue doing, stop doing, or adjust. As we think about feedback, it’s also great to recognize each other and all of our wins. If you spot excellent work in ASR, please let me know so we can potentially feature it in an upcoming issue of News & Notes.

Stacey’s 2026 drop-in schedule

With a busier than usual schedule, Stacey will not be hosting regular Zoom or in-person drop-ins this January. She will still be having the in-person coffee/tea sign up drop-in, however, which are for a maximum of 4 employees at a time. If you are interested, please fill out this Google form to secure a sign-up spot.

Stacey’s drop-in schedule for the first quarter of 2026

• January
• Thursday, January 8 — in-person coffee/tea signup 9:30-10:30am
• February
• Monday, February 2 — Zoom 2-2:45pm
• Wednesday, February 11 — in-person 10:15-11am
• Wednesday, February 25 — in-person coffee/tea signup 11am-12pm
• March
• Thursday, March 5 — in-person 2:15-3pm
• Wednesday, March 11— in-person coffee/tea signup 11am-12pm
• Monday, March 23 — Zoom 10-10:45am

If you have any questions, please reach out to ASR Central.

Using non-UMN email to communicate with students

Work is currently underway to improve the guidance and streamline the process for how staff should communicate with students via email, including how and when a non-umn.edu email address can be used. If you communicate with students, please review the first draft of the guidance. Please complete the feedback form linked at the bottom of the guidance document if you have suggestions, questions, or circumstances to share that would be helpful. If you have a specific case that requires a response, please email ferpa@umn.edu.

Creating Accessible Google Documents

As ASR prepares for compliance changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Regulations, it is important for us all to understand the importance of accessible electronic documents. A great place to start is understanding how to create accessible Google Documents and how to verify if those documents are accessible. Making a document accessible doesn’t just help those who use assistive technology, but also makes documents more usable for everyone.

Resources for making accessible Google Documents

• Watch the Accessibility Ambassadors workshop about creating accessible Google Documents. The following core skills are highlighted:
• Using headings
• Reducing and simplifying tables in word documents
• Ensuring the document is high-contrast (e.g. black text on a white background)
• Download and familiarize yourself with GrackleDocs. This is an approved browser extension for checking the accessibility of Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
• Explore the Digital Accessibility: Create Accessible Documents online training. This course is part of the digital accessibility badging program.

Office of Digital Accessibility 10-week challenge

The Office of Digital Accessibility will launch a 10-week, opt-in email campaign covering digital accessibility topics and resources starting in January 2026. Each week, the campaign will focus on a different topic and how accessibility can be integrated into existing work. You can sign-up for the Accessibility Challenge and receive more information from the Office of Digital Accessibility.

Mental Wellness in the Workplace

Mindfulness programs information session

The Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing is offering a free well-being seminar, Mindfulness Programs Information Session, on December 16 at 12 p.m. via Zoom. It is also worth 200 well-being points. The 1 hour session includes an introduction to mindfulness meditation, a short mindfulness meditation, time to ask questions, examples for practicing mindfulness at work and at home, and an overview of the Bakken Center's mindfulness resources and programming. The Mental Wellness in the Workplace group encourages you to take a break during your day and practice mindfulness with a Bakken Center instructor.

One Stop availability December 22-January 2

In-person services at all One Stop Student Services locations will be unavailable from December 22-January 2. Phone, email, Zoom, and chatbot support will remain operational during normal business hours. All services for One Stop, GSSP, Student Account Assistance, Third-Party Billing, and University Veterans Services will be unavailable from December 24-26 and on January 1 for the University scheduled holidays.

Student account payments can still be made online, by mail, or via the dropbox at the Helping U desk. All modes of service will resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. These details are being communicated to both staff and students across multiple platforms. Please share this information with others as needed.