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January 2007 A Monthly Update for Faculty and Staff @ Union Institute & University
@ the President’s Desk On January 5, it was my pleasure to greet our newest Ph.D. learners to Union Institute & University and welcome back those who began their educational journey with us last July. I spoke to them about the value of education — one of the greatest benefits that we have in the United States. While our institutions face challenges about quality at all levels of education across the country, the fact is that we still have the best educational system in the world. This is not a benefit nor a privilege that we can take for granted. It must be cherished and nurtured by all of us and particularly by those who find themselves in leadership roles across all sectors. For much of our institutional life, UI&U has existed on the periphery of higher education, having been founded in 1964 in the midst of social upheaval and general unrest. Working outside the mainstream provides a certain opportunity for experimentation and creativity. While exciting and often exhilarating, this approach carries the same sense of responsibility for high quality as that of more traditional methods. In fact, because alternative approaches are often suspect, there is a higher expectation for outcomes from non-traditional institutions than our more traditional sister institutions. Is that expectation fair? No! Is it something that we should welcome? Yes, absolutely and with enthusiasm! Over the last 42 years, there have been times where it appears that Union’s deserved pride in our unique role allowed us to lapse into a kind of self-satisfaction around quality. Those lapses have been costly to the institution, our learners, our faculty, our staff and administration, our board, and our alumni. You are working at UI&U at a time which has seen a renewed commitment to the original vision of the founders of this remarkable university and a strong desire to provide the best possible learning environment for our adult learners. Our chief goals today are to assist each of our learners in challenging themselves to achieve their maximum potential and produce the highest quality research possible. In pursuit of those goals, I believe that a leader has two primary responsibilities: 1) to tell the truth; and 2) to point toward hope. Each of our employees and every learner and graduate should expect those principles to be followed in their relationships at Union. With this in mind, I’m pleased to present the preliminary drafts of a new mission statement, a new vision statement, and a set of values and principles. These drafts came out of some extensive work done by a committee of the Board of Trustees, and I hope to have your input and feedback as we move forward towards adoption by the trustees this spring. Mission: Vision: Principles:
Values:
While these are still under review and will need additional comment from the broader community, they do reflect my most current thinking as our team prepares to lead UI&U from a base of commitment to adult learning to a national role as a premier institution of higher education devoted to adults and their unique learning needs. As we face upcoming changes with our property sales, it is important to ensure that we are working diligently to serve our learners, alumni, and our fellow employees throughout the transition. We’ve all experienced many changes over the past few years and we know that more changes exist on the horizon. But the time is soon coming when we can focus on our core purpose and implement our mission to serve adult learners in their journeys to make a difference in their own lives, the lives of their communities, and the world. After all, this is not about me or even about you, it is about a dynamic, socially motivated university that strives to be the best it can be, and to produce the most highly qualified graduates possible who will do no less than change the world. As you think during the coming days about how you can contribute to the betterment of the university, let me encourage you, in the words of American architect and urban planner Daniel H. Burnham, “to make no little plans; they have no magic to stir [the] blood…Make big plans…aim high in hope and work.” Roger H. Sublett
Victor Ehly, dean of the Vermont College Undergraduate Program, contributed his creativity, energy, and long hours last month to create a wonderful holiday celebration on December 19 for the community and children of Montpelier. According to Jamie Kline, assistant director, learner services for the Vermont College Undergraduate Program at Brattleboro, Victor’s effort displayed “a sincere demonstration of the ‘spirit of giving.’” Kudos, Victor — you 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 This holiday season many of us were fortunate to attend celebrations at two of our campuses – Montpelier and Cincinnati. Both events were festive occasions complete with food, laughter, and a spirited gift exchange. The Montpelier campus has had a long tradition of holding a Yankee Gift Exchange. This year, we brought it to the Cincinnati campus and had a great time. The most popular gift item in Cincinnati was a set of six scratch-off lottery tickets. President Sublett demonstrated his zest for fundraising by stealing them back at every opportunity and valiantly trying to hold onto them. Alliances to split the proceeds formed during the exchanges. In the end, HR Generalist Melissa Evans went home with them. Unfortunately, upon scratching them, she discovered that the tickets were worthless. The most popular item in the Montpelier campus’ Yankee gift exchange turned out to be a large framed print of an owl that exchanged hands almost every round. National Marketing Director Ann Cardinal gained final possession of the prized owl, which she coveted in order to donate it to Gesine's Confectionary & Gourmet Market, a local shop owned and operated by Sandra Bullock’s sister. Their family has a generations-long tradition that one daughter in each generation is the keeper of an owl. Before their mother passed away a few years ago, she gave Gesine the family’s prized owl, which now serves as a logo for the store. Thanks to Ann’s thoughtfulness, the much sought-after owl from Montpelier’s Yankee gift exchange now prominently resides on the wall at Gesine’s to complement the family’s original. The one thing that struck me the most from these events is how much we really have in common. As a university, we are spread from coast to coast, but when we stop to think about it, we are more of a family sharing common values and goals. What we experienced at the holiday celebrations was the camaraderie of a workplace that accepts us for who we are: That sense of belonging where you work — of feeling included and supported — that is vitally important to who we are as individuals and to our sense of success as a university. So how do we contribute to making our daily tasks more conducive to camaraderie? How do we make our workplace more hospitable, friendly, and welcoming? How do we develop a strong sense of community and good fellowship? It starts in the hearts, minds, and actions of each of us. Each of us makes an important contribution to the whole. The way we interact with each other on a daily basis is probably the most important factor to making a positive workplace. We need to ask ourselves some important questions as we each go through our workday: Are we trying to understand the other person or only focused on making our viewpoint heard? Are we looking for ways to support others or only concerned with our own job responsibilities? Do we stop to think about how our actions and interactions affect others? When folks cooperate within and across departments, keep others’ needs and feelings at the forefront, and strive for mutual understanding of differences, they become successful stewards of the workplace. The movie The Emperor’s Club summed up this philosophy well: “It is not living that is important, but living rightly.”
@ First Glance Gary R. Mueller, Network Analyst, Computer Services, Cincinnati Campus, 12/01/06 Jane N. Steele, A.A., Human Resources Assistant, Cincinnati Campus, 12/18/2006
@ Close Up This Month: Travel & Conferencing (T&C) Services, Cincinnati Headquarters Campus Since 1990 Union Institute & University has maintained a rare if not unique department in higher education, its own in-house travel agency. Over the years, the Travel & Conferencing (T&C) Services department has met some daunting challenges, such as working with the National Park Service to locate an adjunct living on an Alaskan glacier; transporting faculty and learners from major national airports to the smallest of airstrips in the Yukon; or renting a U-Haul truck to serve as ground transportation for stranded faculty and learners while car rentals and air traffic were at a standstill immediately following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. With access to all flight services, hotel accommodations, car rentals, and handicapped accessibility service providers, UI&U’s travel agency serves a broad clientele, including:
Since many academic programs hold their residencies and seminars on UI&U properties, T&C schedules and coordinates these events. The office also contracts when necessary with outside properties, which in the past has included retreat sites, international locations, and campgrounds. When meeting off site, T&C staff coordinates audio-visual needs and equipment, meals, room accommodations, and ground transportation, while also keeping all registered participants and faculty informed. If needed, T&C contracts with sign language interpreters and agencies; schedules wheelchair-accessible transportation/buses; and arranges on-site equipment such as optical readers and printers. The two-person staff of Travel & Conferencing maintains its efficiency and success thanks to many years of experience:
UI&U’s longest-serving veteran (since 1981) who last year celebrated her 25th anniversary with the university, Kathy is responsible for overall management of travel arrangements and conference services. She provides travel service to the academic program deans and directors, as well as all faculty, learners, administration, and staff. She also provides logistical support for on-site events at the Cincinnati campus and coordination of service for non-Cincinnati events.
With UI&U since 2003, Tina Marie processes and updates learner enrollment into doctoral seminars and residencies, and provides site and travel information to registered participants and faculty. She audits and processes expense reports for authorized doctoral learner travel, arranges conference calls, and provides on-site support during faculty meetings, academic residencies, seminars and other events.
@ Attention The Genteel Art of Netiquette: Minding Our E-Mail Manners Does this sound familiar? You firmly push the “Send” button and suddenly realize, “Oh, no! I didn’t mean to hit ‘Reply All!’” No matter how proficient we become at mastering the wonders of electronic communication, we’re only human — which makes any of us vulnerable to committing e-mail indiscretions that range from awkward to awful. As one concerned UI&U colleague who requested an article on this topic notes, although we all want to be sensitive, polite, and genuinely helpful, it can happen to even the most well meaning staff or faculty member at all levels, in any department. Since most of us will not likely attain sainthood no matter how much we strive for perfection, the most effective deterrent to guard against such blunders is to brush up on our “netiquette” or network etiquette, the informal rules that blend common courtesy, effective communication skills, and the proper and generally accepted uses of electronic communication technology developed over the years among e-mail, discussion board, listserv, and newsgroup users. A Google search for “e-mail etiquette” yields an abundance of Web sites offering rules and advice. Two of the most extensive and often cited are:
Both sites allow you to test your knowledge of netiquette with informative online quizzes or delve into extensive lists of topics, including historical, business, social, legal, and philosophical issues around the still-developing concept of netiquette. Sometimes, a breach in netiquette is a result of simple haste, an honest attempt to provide a quick reply or useful information, or the (hopefully) rare instance of a burning desire to issue a personal opinion, correction, or commentary. In any event, the result can be devastating: hurt feelings, mistrust, anger, and most importantly, a severing of collegial relationships in a nationwide university community that depends upon cohesiveness and good communication to best serve our learners and others. Above all, these seemingly little things may make a big difference in how our university is perceived by our current and prospective learners, alumni, colleagues and competitors at other higher education institutions and organizations, and even potential donors or grantmakers. So please resolve in this new year to take a moment to brush up on your netiquette, mind your Ps and QWERTYs, and think before you plink. Important Notice: Electronic Communications and Learner Social Security Numbers A netiquette-related reminder: A recent e-mail from the university’s Office of Federal Compliance and Financial Aid bears repeating here: “As you are aware, identity fraud is on the rise, having detrimental consequences for both individuals and businesses. As a means of protecting our learners’ identities and not exposing UI&U to any potential liability, please follow the guidelines below when corresponding via any electronic mode of communication (e.g., e-mail, facsimile) concerning a learner:
If an e-mail or fax is misdirected, following these guidelines will help reduce any potential for identity fraud.” @ The News Stand
The project was carried out by UI&U’s National Marketing Director Ann Cardinal; with assistance from Carolyn Krause, executive assistant to the president and director of communications; Neal Meier, associate provost for enrollment management, and Webmaster James Foster.
@ Union this Month 12/28/06 - 1/8/07 1/5/07 – 1/13/07 1/8/07 - 1/19/07 1/12/07 - 1/14/07 1/13/07 - 1/14/07 1/14/07 11:45 AM 1/14/07 11:00 AM 1/19/07 - 1/27/07 1/24/07 7:00 PM
@ Our Best A Warm Welcome for New Learners
Members of the Doctoral Admissions staff [Ed. Note: Watch for a feature on the new process for doctoral academic residency and professional development experience in the February issue.]
@ Your Service Deadline for submissions for the February issue: |
12/28/06 - 1/8/07 1/5/07 – 1/13/07 1/8/07 - 1/19/07 1/12/07 - 1/14/07 1/13/07 - 1/14/07 1/14/07 11:45 AM 1/14/07 11:00 AM 1/19/07 - 1/27/07 1/24/07 7:00 PM
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Straight talk and timely information from President Roger Sublett
M. Kathleen (Kathy) Smith
Tina Marie McClintock
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