Recently in CLA Dean's Office Category

The following is a message from the CLA Chief of Staff, Jennifer Cieslak:

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to let you know that Scott Elton will serve as interim chief of staff during my upcoming FMLA. I am expecting a baby in late June and am planning a 12-week leave.  Scott and I have begun to work together to ensure a smooth transition in the chief of staff work and to ensure a smooth transition as Dean Parente concludes his service as dean and the college prepares to welcome an interim dean. Consistent with my chief of staff responsibilities, Scott will also provide interim leadership for the college's Media and PR team during the period of my leave.

Best,

Jennifer Cieslak

The following is a message from the CLA Chief of Staff, Jennifer Cieslak:

Dear Colleagues,
 
The Dean's Office is searching for an Assistant to the Chief of Staff following Julia Sollien's February departure for a new opportunity at Rasmussen College.  Please see requisition #183300.  Applications received by Monday, March 18 will receive priority. Scott Elton is serving as search committee chair and is available to answer questions. We welcome your interest and/or assistance in encouraging talented candidates to apply.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Cieslak

As new department chairs and center directors transition into their roles this summer Dean Parente will delegate appropriate authorities to these individuals. Staff in the dean's office will manage the administrative work of requesting delegation additions or changes through the Office of Institutional Compliance. If you have any questions please contact Julia Sollien at jsollien@umn.edu or 612-624-8187. 

CLA AdministratorsOHR Jan 23 memo to Deans, Directors re card filing.docx

Next Campus Conversation, What's at stake at the legislature - a call to action, on Thursday, March 31, 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM in Room 209 Akerman Hall.

Greetings,

Please join us for the next "Campus Conversation." This month's important conversation will focus on advocating for the University at the legislature in tough budget times. The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 31, 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM in Room 209 Akerman Hall (map).

The shape and substance of the State of Minnesota's budget carry important implications for the University and our campus community. The budget plans currently being developed by the legislature lay out a policy and financial road map for Minnesota and the University for the next two years. Some legislators are proposing very deep cuts to the University. President Bruininks testified before the House Higher Education Committee recently and warned of a tipping point in which the U would no longer be able to sustain additional cuts in state funding and how that tipping point is fast approaching. A short video highlighting his testimony can be found here (Youtube).

This campus conversation will provide the unique opportunity to learn how you can be an advocate for the University during the current legislative session. It is important that we come together to urge policy leaders and decision makers to not divest in education and innovation, as the impact will be felt statewide, and the damage will be permanent.

Presenters:
Donna Peterson, associate vice president for government and community relations
Bill Otto, legislative advocacy coordinator

A discussion period will follow the presentation.

Please RSVP to intcomm@umn.edu if you plan to attend. Visit Campus Conversation's website on the day of the event, to join by UMConnect.

Feel free to forward this information to others who may be interested in attending.


Ann

Campus Conversations provide a monthly forum to discuss issues of interest to the University community. All meetings are open to faculty, staff, and students.

--
Ann Freeman
Director, Internal Communications
University Relations
University of Minnesota
work: 612-624-1663
cell: 612-710-3437
afreeman@umn.edu

Next Campus Conversation, What's at stake at the legislature - a call to action, on Thursday, March 31, 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM in Room 209 Akerman Hall.

Greetings,

Please join us for the next "Campus Conversation." This month's important conversation will focus on advocating for the University at the legislature in tough budget times. The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 31, 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM in Room 209 Akerman Hall (map).

The shape and substance of the State of Minnesota's budget carry important implications for the University and our campus community. The budget plans currently being developed by the legislature lay out a policy and financial road map for Minnesota and the University for the next two years. Some legislators are proposing very deep cuts to the University. President Bruininks testified before the House Higher Education Committee recently and warned of a tipping point in which the U would no longer be able to sustain additional cuts in state funding and how that tipping point is fast approaching. A short video highlighting his testimony can be found here (Youtube).

This campus conversation will provide the unique opportunity to learn how you can be an advocate for the University during the current legislative session. It is important that we come together to urge policy leaders and decision makers to not divest in education and innovation, as the impact will be felt statewide, and the damage will be permanent.

Presenters:
Donna Peterson, associate vice president for government and community relations
Bill Otto, legislative advocacy coordinator

A discussion period will follow the presentation.

Please RSVP to intcomm@umn.edu if you plan to attend. Visit Campus Conversation's website on the day of the event, to join by UMConnect.

Feel free to forward this information to others who may be interested in attending.


Ann

Campus Conversations provide a monthly forum to discuss issues of interest to the University community. All meetings are open to faculty, staff, and students.

--
Ann Freeman
Director, Internal Communications
University Relations
University of Minnesota
work: 612-624-1663
cell: 612-710-3437
afreeman@umn.edu

CLA NOW Meeting Location Change; March 24, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM; Dean Parente Attending and Discussing Budgeting and Planning Process

CLA NOW Meeting - Thursday, March 24, 2011, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
New Location: Science Teaching Student Services, Room 220 Map

Dean Parente will attend the meeting to discuss the FY12 Budget and
Planning Process. A full agenda will be sent out next week.

CLA has convened a cross-functional team to address University Closure matters.  Scott Elton (elton003@umn.edu, 6-0950) is the facilitator, and can bring your questions to the team for discussion.  Information pertaining to the U closure will be placed in the University Closure section of CLA NOW.  Messages will have been vetted by the team, and decisions will be made to determine the targeted audience of the communication.  Therefore, at times, information that appears in the U Closure section of CLA NOW may also be sent to other members of the college. 

Message from the Office of Human Resources regarding the University Closure and Furlough Days

The Meeting Minute is a tool to provide University of Minnesota supervisors and managers with important topics to address with their employees. Please be sure to add the following item to your next staff or team meeting agenda.

 Agenda Item: Closure and Furlough Days, Twin Cities Campus

Planning for the upcoming University closure and furlough is the responsibility of each college/campus/administrative unit. Supervisors and managers must work with their leaders to ensure that plans are in place and broadly communicated. Plans should address the following questions:

   * How will workflow be modified to accommodate the closure days?
   * How will students and stakeholders be notified of the closure?
   * Are there critical staff who must work or services that must operate?

*Supervisors and managers should:*

  1. Communicate the expectation that the vast majority of programs and services will not operate during the closure
  2. Identify any critical services in your area that must be provided during the closure and develop a proposed plan to ensure their operations
  3. Get approval for your plan from the appropriate college or administrative unit leaders, following the procedures each has described for such approval
  4. Ensure that all Civil Service and Bargaining Unit employees understand how and when the furlough will impact their paychecks
  5. Ensure that all academic staff are either using their personal holiday, vacation days, or voluntary furlough days during the closure or have a plan for working offsite unless required to work onsite
  6. Discuss the following items with your employees

*Discussion point 1:*
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus will be closed from December 24, 2010 through January 2, 2011. During this time, heat will be turned down and buildings will be locked but accessible through
normal security. The closure period includes two weekends, official holidays on December 24 and 31, and a floating holiday on December 27. In addition, the closure includes three furlough days, December 28-30, for all Civil Service and Bargaining Unit employees. Academic employees will be expected to work offsite or take their personal holiday, vacation days, and/or voluntary furlough days December 28-30.

*Discussion point 2:*
With the exception of notified staff, Civil Service and Bargaining Unit employees will not be expected to work and will not be paid for December 28-30. These three unpaid, mandatory furlough days will impact paychecks on January 12. Be sure to remind your employees to review their personal budgets and plan for this one-time reduction in pay. Employees who are required to work during the furlough must complete a Furlough Request Form <http://ecommunication.umn.edu/t/209965/18621317/74915/0/ and arrange alternate furlough dates with their supervisor.

*Discussion point 3:*
Academic staff are encouraged to use their personal holiday, which can be combined with vacation time and/or voluntary furlough days, to take time off during the closure. Academic staff not using their personal holiday, taking vacation time, and/or taking voluntary furlough days are expected to work offsite December 28-30 unless required to work onsite. Work plans for these days must be discussed with supervisors, following the procedures they have established.

*Discussion point 4:*
Closing the University of Minnesota for one week is a complicated task. It impacts everyone in our system, and it impacts each of us in different ways. We want to make sure that every member of our community has the information needed to plan accordingly. Watch your inbox for more information on this topic, and check our online Closure Q&A <http://ecommunication.umn.edu/t/209965/18621317/69494/0/> if you have additional questions.