The Grapevine is administered by the UAF Marketing and Communications Department and was designed to dispel rumors, clarify misconceptions and clear up misunderstandings about UAF topics of a general nature to improve communication between the administration and the UAF community. Submit your question or suggestion here.

As always, building and facilities issues that need attention should be forwarded to dispatch@fs.uaf.edu or reported directly to 474-7000. Unsafe conditions should be reported to Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management here.

QUESTION

When we travel for official university reasons, why do we have to use a personal credit card to book and pay for hotel rooms and get reimbursed later? For many people I know this would prohibit them from traveling to conferences and other professional development opportunities.

RESPONSE

UA employees can obtain the UA individual travel card. This credit card is in the traveler's name on UA credit. The traveler is responsible to pay the bill but has 60 days to pay this off before interest starts accruing. Information on how to apply for the UA individual travel card can be found at http://www.uaf.edu/procurement/procard-travel-card-infor/travel-card-information/.

QUESTION

With all the construction on campus this summer and the budget shortfall why are facilities like the Wood Center being kept open rather then moving their services out of the construction zone and saving on some energy and cleaning costs? I know I don't plan on doing anything on campus this summer and bet a lot of other people will be avoiding it too.

RESPONSE

From Lydia Anderson, Wood Center director

Just the Wood Center general office area (about 9 percent of the current facility) is being renovated, therefore we decided to keep the facility open with reduced hours. The Wood Center will be open from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and closed on weekends. To keep costs at a minimum, we relocated some staff to Copper Lane and the balance of our reduced summer staff have relocated to other parts of the building. Wood Center games and bowling alley are open this summer to serve residential students living on campus. Our staff provides room scheduling, programs for Summer Sessions and is also planning for the fall semester, so we need adequate work space. Please visit our website for staff locations and updated information on construction.

SUGGESTION

Staff Appreciation Day was awesome this year. I know a lot of hard work went in to making it successful. Perhaps next year it could not coincide with both the last day of open enrollment and the day final grades are due. This would allow for more people to participate in the day's events.

RESPONSE

Thank you for your suggestion. There are many considerations when scheduling Staff Appreciation Day. The staff committee tries to schedule the event after commencement and before employees on nine and ten month contracts are off contract. The committee also takes into consideration the school district calendar, other major events on campus, building schedules and the chancellor's schedule. Employees have indicated that Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays are the least optimal days. Because Staff Appreciation Day fell on the same day as open enrollment, Human Resources consultants were asked to be a part of the health and resource fair at Wood Center to make it more convenient for those employees who waited until the last day to turn in their forms.

QUESTION

Who decided that it would be appropriate to put a message on the main HR phone (x7700) that says that the HR office is closed from 1 - 5 p.m. May 15 due to Longevity Awards?  Perhaps that person didn't realize that May 15 is the last day of Open Enrollment and there may be some employees who might have a last minute question. Longevity Awards are important, but it would have been great to leave someone who is not receiving an award at the office. 

RESPONSE

Brad Lobland, UAF Human Resources

The Office of Human Resources was aware that May 15 was the last day of open enrollment and also Staff Appreciation Day. Because of our heavy involvement in both activities, we arranged to have two HR consultants set up with computers, benefits forms, and other resources in the Wood Center all day for employee convenience. Consultants also handled questions forwarded to them from the main office. The HR office was open and staffed until 2:45 p.m., with receptionists and a consultant available for last minute questions about open enrollment.

We agree that we could have done a better job of communicating and will plan to do so next year and we apologize for any inconvenience.

SUGGESTION

Staff Appreciation Day was awesome this year. I know a lot of hard work went in to making it successful. Perhaps next year it could not coincide with both the last day of open enrollment and the day final grades are due. This would allow for more people to participate in the day's events.
 

RESPONSE

There are many considerations when scheduling Staff Appreciation Day, including commencement and making sure to include those employees on nine and ten month employees go off contract. We also take into consideration, the school district calendar, other major events on campus, building schedules and the chancellor's schedule. Employees have also indicated that Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays are the least optimal days. Because Staff Appreciation Day fell on the same day as open enrollment, Human Resources consultants were asked to be a part of the health and resource fair at Wood Center to make it more convenient for those employees who waited until the last day to turn in their forms.

QUESTION

Who decided that it would be appropriate to put a message on the main HR phone (x7700) that says that the HR office is closed from 1 - 5 p.m. May 15 due to Longevity Awards?  Perhaps that person didn't realize that May 15 is the last day of Open Enrollment and there may be some employees who might have a last minute question. Longevity Awards are important, but it would have been great to leave someone who is not receiving an award at the office. 

RESPONSE

Brad Lobland, UAF Human Resources

The Office of Human Resources was aware that May 15 was the last day of open enrollment and also Staff Appreciation Day. Because of our heavy involvement in both activities, we arranged to have two HR consultants set up with computers, benefits forms, and other resources in the Wood Center all day for employee convenience. Consultants also handled questions forwarded to them from the main office. The HR office was open and staffed until 2:45 p.m., with receptionists and a consultant available for last minute questions about open enrollment.

We agree that we could have done a better job of communicating and will plan to do so next year and we apologize for any inconvenience.

QUESTION
Why is it that HR consistently creates PDF files which don't have forms fields that can be filled in electronically?  Not only are fields that can be filled in convenient but they also reduce any kind of transcription errors that come from poor handwriting. The most recent relevant form is the FY 14 UA Choice Enrollment Form.

This lack of quality control before publishing PDFs that should have form fields is both mind-boggling and frustrating at the same time.

RESPONSE

Erika Van Flein, UA Human Resources

Great suggestion. We'll make sure they are enterable next year. Eventually, we would like to have an online enrollment, but the current version of Banner doesn't support it. The system was not created with this in mind, and it's something that will require additional resources to implement. We're looking at other options too.

As a result of your Grapevine question, UAF Marketing and Communications staff created enterable forms for tuition waivers this morning and they will be made available online soon.

QUESTION

With finals week not ending before Saturday, May 15, how is it that the construction in the Music Wing forced an Art/Music/Theatre/Film Multimedia Lab to be emptied before May 12? When did such construction projects take priority from academics?

RESPONSE

From Martin Klein, Facilities Services

Scheduling construction projects a UAF can be a challenge. The contractors frequently have a large amount of work to do and we ask them to do it in a very short summer window. This project has a projected completion date before the start of school in the fall to avoid disruption to academic activities. Our apologies for the inconvenience you may have experienced with this start up, but hopefully this will allow less disruption next fall.

For more information about construction projects, visit www.uaf.edu/construction.

QUESTION

Is there a way to get a schedule ahead of time for the Polar Perk daily lunch special? Since there is only one option available each day, it would be nice to plan ahead for the items that sounds appealing.

RESPONSE

Polar Perk is trying some new items in an effort to determine the best food options for the summer. UAF Dining anticipates posting a set menu for Polar Perk for the summer after the Memorial Day holiday.  Breakfast pastries, grab and go sandwiches and salads will always be available during the summer. The menu will be posted at www.uafdining.com.
 

QUESTION

Are the dining locations going to be available at the Wood Center through the summer?

RESPONSE

Thanks for your inquiry regarding the summer hours in the Wood Center. University officials have been working diligently to ensure food service is available at multiple locations around campus this summer. As such, the summer food service hours on campus will be as follows:

Wood Center (Monday - Friday):  7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. (lunch:  11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
West Ridge Cafe (Monday - Friday):  7:30 a..m. - 3 p.m.
Campus Cache (located inside MBS):  Monday - Friday 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. / Sat. - Sun. 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Museum Cafe (7 days per week):  10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Lola Tilly Dining Commons will also be open for lunch and dinner during the summer. Please check

www.uafdining.com

for hours of operation as hours may vary. Please note the website will be up-to-date after May 20 as times are currently being finalized with visiting groups.

SUGGESTION

Kudos to whomever arranged for dog petting in the Rasmuson Library at exam time. It was calming and uplifting for students, staff, and faculty (and the dogs were very happy as well).  This is an idea that should be repeated in many contexts and situations around UAF. Hoorah for fuzzy wellnness breaks!



QUESTION

Various students and media outlets have said recycling is being discontinued on campus. Initially, it sounded like only the Taku dumpsters were being removed. Please clarify.

Is all recycling on campus going away, or are just the one set of dumpsters being removed?

Recycling on campus will continue. We are just removing the Dumpsters from the Taku parking lot. While we will continue recycling waste generated as part of university operations, the university is no longer able to provide an open-access drop-off point for the public. For more information about other options for recycling items from your home, visit Interior Alaska Green Star online at http://iagreenstar.org.

QUESTION

Could somebody please explain to the shuttle drivers that pedestrians in crosswalks have the right of way? This isn't just a good idea; it's the law. Yesterday one finally stopped six inches away from me. As an act of impudence, the driver honked his horn three times. So much for safety and courtesy.  

UAF shuttle drivers should yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks and come to a complete stop if pedestrians are crossing or preparing to cross. However, there are some conditions that could lead up to the type of situation you described, including poor traction for vehicle and/or pedestrian, poor visibility which can be affected by the time of day, weather conditions and foliage as well as structures that affect line of sight. That said, if you have an issue, please call 474-RIDE(7433) and let us know when the incident takes place, so we’ll be able to better address the issue.

Included here are some important safety tips for using the crosswalks that are located throughout campus. Whether you walk, bike or drive, take a few seconds to read and follow these crosswalk safety guidelines:

PEDESTRIANS:

• Always cross at marked crosswalks.
• Obey any pedestrian signals and look left right left. By doing this you insure that the road is clear in both directions before crossing.
• If a vehicle approaches, make eye contact with the driver to be sure they see you before you cross.
• Look before walking past stopped vehicles. Do not cross just because a driver waves you on. Be sure all lanes are clear first.
• Remember that bicyclists are not considered pedestrians unless they are walking their bikes. Otherwise, they are considered vehicles.

 BICYCLISTS:

• Yield to pedestrians. 
• Remember that bicyclists are not considered pedestrians unless they are walking their bikes.
• Obey vehicular traffic signals and laws on the roadways. 
• Use extra caution as you transition between bike paths, roads and sidewalks. Be aware that your actions are unpredictable to drivers and pedestrians.

DRIVERS:

• Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks and at intersections.
• Be prepared to stop at all marked crosswalks. Stay alert and reduce speed in areas with crosswalks.
• Come to a complete stop if pedestrians are crossing or preparing to cross.
• Never pass another vehicle that has stopped or is slowing down at a crosswalk.

QUESTION

Does Chancellor Rogers have weekly lunch with students like previous chancellors did?

No, Chancellor Rogers doesn't have a standing meeting with students on campus at this time. However, he meets with the ASUAF president and vice president two or three times a semester and hosts student forums usually about once each semester. Student groups are welcome to submit a request  to have Chancellor Rogers attend a specific event. He participates in many student activities throughout the year including Scholarship Breakfast, Orientation, Research Day and many others.

QUESTION

From Laura McCollough, Residence Life

Thank you for voicing your concern about selecting housing. The process of Room Selection does give priority to current residents. The proxy option is available to current residential students or non residents (exchange students, study abroad). We have already worked with a study abroad student and helped them select their room for fall 2013. If you would like to reserve an on campus room for fall 2013, please email housing and we can work with you. Or, if you have contacts on campus, they can submit your proxy form for you. You can email housing@uaf.edu.  I look forward to hearing from you.

QUESTION

Employees may take up to eight credit hours of university course credits per semester, with no tuition fee, to a maximum of 16 credit hours per calendar year (including Summer Sessions).

The updated employee educational benefits regulation is online.

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SUGGESTION

KUDOS TO ABM! It is so nice to walk into a bathroom and it look & smell clean, not have garbage cans overflowing and be supplied with paper products! The floors of the buildings are getting vacuumed and the open access areas are cleaner! 

QUESTION

How much did the Chancellor's Gala bring in for the Circle of Hope project and the dental hygiene program?

The UAF Chancellor’s Gala raised $25,000 for the Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation to support the Circle of Hope Breast Cancer Program at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and $25,000 to support CTC’s dental assistant and dental hygiene program. 

QUESTION

I've heard about the new biometrics requirement that will be phased into our health care. Based on what I've read so far it mostly lists BMI as an indicator of health. I have reservations about this as BMI can seriously mis-represent a certain population; that is healthy people who have a high muscle mass and healthy body fat percent can be categorized as obese by BMI calculations. Has this been discussed? Will there be other alternatives offered if this is the case? My husband and I fall into this category.
 

From Erika Van Flein, UA Human Resources

The proposed wellness program will collect biometric information from participants, to include such measures as cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, weight and waist circumference. BMI is a calculated measure from weight and height measurements and is a useful tool for determining risk but mostly on a population level. As you point out, it has shortcomings when applied to some individuals. For this reason, BMI will not be a sole determinant in evaluating risk for an individual. The messaging from the Joint Health Care Committee and the university have not emphasized BMI when describing the wellness program.

Statewide Voice article.

Today's health tip from WIN for Alaska was about the importance of waist circumference in determining risk for heart disease and diabetes.