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December 2006 A Monthly Update for Faculty and Staff @ Union Institute & University
@ the President’s Desk ‘Tis the Season to Celebrate Dear colleagues: This month, as we focus on the holiday season and prepare to ring out another year, we recognize more and more how much we need one another, regardless of where we live and work, to thrive in the world. This is a time to focus on friends and family. It is a time to celebrate those important things in life that give real meaning to our existence. Think of the excitement, when as a child, you knew that the holidays were near. How exciting it was to see the lights and decorations, smell great food cooking in your home, and know that family and friends would soon be gathering to celebrate the season of love. Each of us has our own unique traditions and beliefs, and that is what makes this season so wonderful. It may well be the one time of the year when “it isn’t all about us.” It is about others and how we celebrate others. How do we find the right gift? How do we help others? And, how do we find the time to reflect on our past year and dream about the possibilities for 2007? As I write this column, it is yet another election day, and I suspect that most of us feel as if the world is spinning out of control, racked with violence both at home and abroad. We have endured another season of political campaigns and ads, most of which have little to do with substantive issues that concern us. The distrust seems overwhelming and the future not particularly hopeful. Yet, we vote because we have hope for the future, and we know that we can do better. The same is true for our bright hopes for the future at Union. Because of the positive steps we have already taken together to improve our programs and services, as well as our efforts to combat negativity both inside and outside of our university and correct unfounded rumors, we know that we are doing better and will continue to thrive. So much in life is about choices; we can choose to focus on how bad the present is, or we can focus our hopes and dreams on a future that we build together. We can keep our eyes on the horizon and our compass set for true north. We can believe in one another; we can celebrate our accomplishments together, and we can find ways in which our journey is both exciting and filled with the joy of knowing that we are approaching new levels of success and accomplishments. As you approach the holiday season—a true season of love—fill your hearts and minds with hope. Look for the good in everyone, and keep your vision as bright as the glimmering candles, holiday lights, and winter stars. Thank you for your encouragement, support, and caring concern for one another within our diverse university family that celebrates the very best of the human spirit. And thank you for your hard work to maintain UI&U’s founding vision of a bright future for adults who seek meaningful education. Best wishes for a most joyous holiday season and a happy new year! Roger H. Sublett
Dan Price, Ph.D., interim dean of Cincinnati’s undergraduate academic center, recently shared an update from Fort Worth, Texas alumnus Jesus Aranda, who earned his B.A. in 2003 through the former Center for Distance Learning. Jesus has since earned his master’s in psychology and is now a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology in the Texas School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. “Thank you for your initial support,” Jesus wrote to his former faculty advisor. “In hindsight 20-20, I see how much I needed the support you and Union provided, and how easy you personally made it for me to start then what I am almost finished with now.” Kudos, Dan — you and each staff and faculty member who goes above and beyond to support and encourage our learners really make a difference! NOTE: Do you know of a coworker or colleague at UI&U who really “makes a difference” in the lives of others, either at work or out in the community? Someone who does the little things with great skill everyday, someone who devotes time to a cause or to others without fanfare, someone who practices what President Sublett calls “leading from the heart?” Please send your words of kudos to @UI&U so we can shine a light on these not-so-random acts of kindness by our colleagues who make a difference @ the Heart of It.
@ the Water Cooler Information System Upgrade As many of you know, UI&U’s integrated administrative information system, which has been in place since about 1988, is based on early 1980s technology. While we have updated both the hardware and software many times, the life cycle of this combination is coming to an end. The campus management software, used for functions related to Human Resources/Payroll, Financial Aid, Applicant Tracking, Development, and Courseware, has several weak modules and inflexible security protocols. The university is using additional third-party software packages to supplement the weak modules, but this causes communications problems between the various systems, and requires double or triple data entry to keep all systems current. In essence, the university is using an outdated and inefficient information system, including the AS400 software package, which has always been difficult for departments, programs, and administrators to use for best practice reporting and management decisions. The President’s Council has investigated alternative systems several times in the last seven or eight years but always deferred the decision to switch to a new system due to cost constraints and the expected useful life of the current system. New timelines announced by IBM plus the increased use of third party software packages have increased the importance of converting to a new more efficient and user-friendly system. You may remember in 2005 that we asked a consulting firm, COLLEGIS, to conduct a comprehensive systems assessment, which now can serve as the foundation for this important decision. Enterprise-wide information/management systems have become as much a part of the university infrastructure as telephones and basic utilities. We will consider several comprehensive software packages already used by hundreds or even thousands of colleges. This process will involve administrators, staff, and faculty from all user departments to determine the overall best fit for a new system. Goals include:
We expect to consider a server-based Windows product to improve user acceptance as we move from the 1980s green screen technology of the AS400. President Sublett will announce formation of a systems conversion team in the near future. That team will work with the President’s Council to establish a timeline for system selection, ordering hardware and software, data mapping, initial training and conversion tasks, and a testing period to ensure data integrity and process performance before fully exiting the AS400. You may expect this process to take between 20 to 36 months. If you are a heavy user of the current administrative software or of one of the third-party packages, we may ask you to evaluate proposed systems. More information will be shared as available.
@ First Glance Pamela L. Baker, Academic Support Coordinator, College of Undergraduate Studies, Florida Academic Center, 11/13/06 Mirsada Brkic, Weekend Housekeeper, Vermont College Facility Operations, Montpelier, 11/06/06 Thomas C. Greene M.F.A. 1996 VC, Administrative Director, Vermont College M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program, Montpelier Campus 11/20/2006 Barbara G. Lynch, Administrative Assistant, Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Program, Graduate College, Brattleboro Center, 11/01/2006 Anu M. Mitra, Ph.D., Part-Time Faculty, Graduate College, 07/01/06
@ Close Up On hiatus for December, but we invite each department to take a cue from previous monthly features and compile similar information for your department or program. We’ll spotlight a different department/office each issue. If your department is ready for its close up, please reply to @UI&U and we’ll be in touch.
@ Attention Two New Learner Services Coordinators Named for Vermont centers. Provost Richard Hansen recently announced the following in a letter to Vermont -based learners: “…We are moving to a learner service model that is used at many universities. We have created and staffed two new Learner Services Coordinator positions. Sharon Sprague and Melissa Neilson have been appointed to these two new positions and will handle your questions and certain transactions involving financial aid, the registrar and the bursar’s functions. Both Sharon and Melissa bring years of experience and familiarity with the offices’ functions and the programs. They will have further training in all three areas, be able to handle most transactions and, most importantly, be both problem-solvers and trouble-shooters. They are based in Montpelier and be fully supported by staff in Cincinnati, who will be able to back them up when the residency schedules are particularly heavy. Sharon and Melissa will report to Associate Provost for Administration and Dean of Enrollment Management Dr. Neal Meier. Sharon can be reached at (802) 828-8566 or via email at sharon.sprague@tui.edu. Melissa can be reached at (802) 828-8570 or via email at melissa.neilson@tui.edu. …” New on the Web
@ Union this Month 12/1/06 - 12/5/06 12/13/06 – 12/17/06 12/16/06 12/15/06 – 12/17/06 12/16/06 – 12/17/06 12/28/06 - 1/8/07
@ Our Best
After a year filled with challenges, hard work, and exceptional service, it’s only fitting that UI&U staff and faculty employees take a brief respite to “clown around,” in this case on Halloween at the Cincinnati campus and headquarters. A big honk of the horn for the winner of “best costume” at the October 31 potluck luncheon: Carol Mueller, executive administrative assistant in the Graduate College.
@ Your Service Deadline for submissions for the January issue: |
12/1/06 - 12/5/06 12/13/06 – 12/17/06 12/16/06 12/15/06 – 12/17/06 12/16/06 – 12/17/06 12/28/06 - 1/8/07
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Straight talk and timely information from President Roger Sublett
Who Says UI&U Employees are Bozos?
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