http://www.uaf.edu/grapevine/Questions about UAFus-enThu, 12 Mar 2009 14:42:31 GMTMon, 23 Nov 2009 14:26:44 GMThttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssROXEN RXML and RSSgrapevine@uaf.edugrapevine@uaf.edu60 https://www.uaf.edu/grapevine/index.xml<p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">QUESTION</span></b></p> <p /> <p /> <p>I don't know if this is a question for the grapevine, but I don't know who to turn to. I work with a supervisor who is consistently rude and somewhat demeaning. I don't think that the things this person does warrant a formal grievance, as they seem to just indicate a lack of basic social skills. Examples include inappropriate interruptions, checking a PDA during meetings, talking over me, showing up late for meetings, and making small curt and biting comments on a regular basis. On their own, any one of the behaviors could be overlooked, but in sum, I do feel consistently demoralized working in this atmosphere. This is the first time in my career I have encountered this sort of problem, and I don't know how to deal with it. I brought it up to my direct supervisor some time ago and was told that it wasn't that person's job to smooth over our relationship and that I probably shouldn't worry about it so much. Growing a "thicker skin" is easier said than done. Can I get a suggestion on how I might make this situation better? I like the job, and quitting because of this person doesn't seem like an option in this economy.</p> <p /> <p /> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">RESPONSE</span></b></p> <p /> <p /> <p>Human Resources promotes fair treatment, provides for continuing opportunities for training and development, values and recognizes productivity and achievement, and respects the worth and dignity of all individuals who comprise the university’s workforce. If you'd like to talk directly with someone about suggestions for resolving this issue, the appropriate offices to contact are Human Resources department at 474-7700 or Earlina Bowden in the Office of Equal Opportunity at 474-6600.</p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> https://www.uaf.edu/grapevine/index.xml<p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">QUESTION</span></b></p> <p /> <p /> <p>I heard that the library is staying with Meeting Maker, and not switching to Google Calendar. If no exception is being granted to Statewide staff despite late communications on the issue and the fact they were originally told they had until the end of December to make the move to Google Apps, how come the library gets one?</p> <p /> <p /> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">RESPONSE</span></b></p> <p /> <p /> <p>The personal staff accounts at the library have switched over to Google calendar, and the library is requesting Google calendar resource accounts with the intent to use them asap to avoid straddling both Google Calendar and Meeting Maker.</p> <p>Those who want to schedule events in the library's meeting rooms or the instructional computer lab should contact them via phone at 474-7072, or by e-mail, at fymedia@uaf.edu, or in person.</p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> https://www.uaf.edu/grapevine/archives/2009/october/index.xml<p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">QUESTION</span></b></p> <p /> <p>On the financial services website, the format for the list of account codes has changed to a very un-user friendly format. Is an effort being made to return to a more efficient and easier to read format? THANKS!<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)"><br /> </span></p> <p /> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">RESPONSE</span></b></p> <p /> <p /> <div>Thank you for pointing this out. Financial Services has had similar requests and is exploring ways to improve the format.</div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> https://www.uaf.edu/grapevine/archives/2009/september/index.xml<p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">QUESTION</span></b></p> <p /> <p>Will non-H1N1 flu shots be given on campus again this fall? If so, will staff and faculty have to pay for them?</p> <p /> <p /> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">RESPONSE</span></b></p> <p /> <p>The university is working with a private contractor to try to set up a seasonal flu vaccine clinic for employees on the Fairbanks campus. If this becomes available, it will be advertised to staff and faculty. Under the current plan, the charges would be submitted through your insurance.</p> <p>Feel free to contact your medical provider and request the seasonal flu vaccine there. </p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> https://www.uaf.edu/grapevine/archives/2009/september/index.xml<p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">QUESTION</span></b></p> <p>Having recently come from a university that uses an online payroll system, I have been nothing but frustrated with UA's paper timesheet system. Paper time sheets represent a relic of the last century, not to mention a huge loss of time and paper resources. In 2005 Northwestern switched to ETES (Electronic Time Entry System). It handles all levels of university employment through email/web communications, even off-campus work-study employees.</p> <p>I suggest your administrators contact Barry Sexton, Assistant Director of Payroll (<a href="mailto:b-sexton@northwestern.edu">b-sexton at northwestern.edu</a>). Barry was instrumental in integrating ETES into the NU Work-Study Office payroll system when I was a staff employee in the Financial Aid Office. Once UA switches over to an online system everyone will wonder why you didn't do it sooner!<span style="color: rgb(41, 97, 20)"><br /> </span></p> <p /> <p /> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">RESPONSE</span></b></p> <p /> <p>Electronic timesheets and a companion issue, electronic grant effort reporting, are two projects that VCAS Pat Pitney is interested in moving forward. UAF HR is assisting her in the "discovery" phase of electronic timesheets and is in the process of vetting the costs and other issues in implementing electronic timesheets. The first phase will be to identify and contact other institutions which have implemented electronic timesheets. </p> <p>We do need to free ourselves from paper, improve our reporting to federal agencies, improve our management reporting internally for grant expenditures, eliminate hours of employee time involved in printing, distributing, tracking, signing, alphabetizing, data-entering, alphabetizing again, storing and microfilming paper timesheets.</p> <p>We thank you for providing another possible contact on this issue. Many of us are looking forward to the day when we can look back and say, "Remember when we had paper timesheets?" </p> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> https://www.uaf.edu/grapevine/archives/2009/september/index.xml<p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">QUESTION</span></b></p> <p /> <p>In the Chancellor's Convocation I heard a reference to student services staff in rural campuses added to work with regional, local high school students. Is this a newly funded position for each campuses? For the current year?</p> <p /> <p>P.S. Unfortunately because of sound quality and background noise, I wasn't able to hear all portions of the presentation.</p> <p /> <p /> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">RESPONSE</span></b></p> <p>Chancellor Rogers was referencing President Hamilton's request to the Board<br /> of Regents, which includes the previously grant-funded student services positions.<br /> <br /> These positions are not yet funded. However, it is part of the proposed Student Success Initiative.</p> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> https://www.uaf.edu/grapevine/archives/2009/september/index.xml<p /> <p /> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)"><b>QUESTION</b></span></p> <p /> <p /> <p>A co-worker and her computer are having a heck of a time switching to Google Applications. Office of Information Technology specialists have practically lived in this office the past two weeks trying to fix the problems. What is UAF doing to address these problems? Might we have some more time to switch over - past the end of this year? Thanks.</p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">RESPONSE</span></b></p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">From <a href="mailto:karl.kowalski@alaska.edu" target="_self">Karl Kowalski</a>, <a href="http://www.alaska.edu/oit/" target="_self">Office of Information Technology</a> </span></b></p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p>Not knowing the particular situation regarding your co-worker's computer, we cannot address specifics here. However, the vast majority of conversions have been smooth and uneventful. Support staff continue to be available to work with individuals that may have extenuating circumstances. <br /> <br /> The university is still on target to have all users migrated by Dec. 31 and maintain a six-month forwarding beyond that. At this time, we do not anticipate extending the switch over beyond this date.<br /> <br /> Additional questions can be sent directly to me at <a href="mailto:karl.kowalski@alaska.edu">karl.kowalski@alaska.edu</a>.</p> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> https://www.uaf.edu/grapevine/archives/2009/september/index.xml<p /> <p /> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">SUGGESTION</span></b></p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">There seems to be a major marketing/advertising push telling community members to "sign up for class!" before the last day of registration which is a week into classes being held.  I'd like to recommend that the advertising push happen earlier (say, mid-August) so that when those people in the community do decide to attend it's not a frustrating experience because the can't get admitted  immediately, can't get financial aid immediately, and they wont miss the first day of class.</span></p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">RESPONSE</span></b></p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">From <a href="mailto:mmrenfrew@alaska.edu" target="_self">Michelle Renfrew</a>, <a href="http://www.tvc.uaf.edu/" target="_self">Tanana Valley Campus </a></span></b></p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p>Thanks for the feedback. Our registration campaign began July 31 and ran through the last day to register for classes, which is Sept. 11.  We always encourage people to register early (beginning in April).  However, many students are not ready to register in April and unfortunately do wait until the last minute no matter how much we encourage early registration.  We do our best to assist our students in the process and try to make it as easy as possible regardless of when they decide to register. We appreciate the feedback and will take it into consideration for the next campaign.      </p> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> https://www.uaf.edu/grapevine/archives/2009/september/index.xml<p /> <p /> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)"><b>QUESTION</b></span></p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Is it true that there was a dumpster outside Butrovich that had to be removed because someone didn't like the way it looked?</span></p> <p /> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Is there a policy not to have storage containers located on campus? I heard some had to be removed because of complaints?</span></p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">RESPONSE</span></b></p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">From <a href="mailto:dmedson@alaska.edu" target="_self">Darrin Edson</a>, <a href="http://www.uaf.edu/fs/" target="_self">Facilities Services</a> </span></b></p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">The second dumpster at the Butrovich Building was not needed and was removed and located elsewhere.</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">It’s general policy not to locate Conex-type storage units on the campus unless absolutely necessary.</span></p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> https://www.uaf.edu/grapevine/archives/2009/september/index.xml<p /> <p /> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)"><b>QUESTION</b></span></p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p>All the gnats, no-see-ums, bugs on the main campus. Is there a cause for the explosion of bugs?</p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">RESPONSE</span></b></p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">From <a href="mailto:mahebert@alaska.edu" target="_self">Michele Hebert</a>, <a href="http://www.uaf.edu/ces/" target="_self">Cooperative Extension Service</a> </span></b></p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">It is just a natural thing to have bug explosions, especially in the fall when late hatches get ready for winter overwintering. Enjoy nature!</span></p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> https://www.uaf.edu/grapevine/archives/2009/september/index.xml<p /> <p /> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)"><b>QUESTION</b></span> <br /> </p> <p /> <p /> <p>I was told that the bookstore building, Constitution Hall, is going to be changed into a fast food/lounge building while the book store will be moved to the library study area and the post office will be moved to a new building on the Wood Center. Is this true? Will there be another fee for the students to run this? Can I suggest improvements to this idea?</p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0)">RESPONSE</span></b></p> <p><b>From </b><a href="mailto:lzanazzo@alaska.edu" target="_self"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><b>Linda Zanazzo</b></span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><b>, </b></span><b><a href="http://www.uaf.edu/fs/" target="_self"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Facilities Services</span></a></b></p> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p>We have not heard this. UAF has hired a consultant to design an elevator and ADA restroom renovations for Constitution Hall. One idea raised during the design process is to install a coffee bar near the proposed elevator lobby. However, no decisions have been made about changing uses in Constitution Hall and there are no plans to move the Bookstore. The campus is always open to ideas and welcomes any suggestions you may have for improving services and use of facilities. </p> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p /> </div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <p />