OUT &ABOUT
A&F Notes
enhancing our culture by sharing informationNo. 9: Spring ,1999 (without graphics)
Paul's Page: A message from the vc of A&F
Meet... the people who feed students & more
A&F STAFF CELEBRATE WINTER
On January 28, 1999, over 350 A&F staff and their families and friends came together to enjoy an afternoon and evening of fun in appreciation of the staff's contributions over the year. The evening offered something for everyone - ice skating, lip synching contest, raffles, basketball, sumptuous food and good conversation. This year the event was held in the main arena at the Mullins Center so that all the activities were located in the same area.
Many thanks to the party organizers for a great time! Kathy Gallivan, Budget Office, Marty Smith, Facilities Planning, Christine Newman, Auxiliary Services, Holly Lankowski, Administrative Systems, Elizabeth Tedford, Controller's Office, Lorraine Weimann, Human Resources, Cindy Hamel, VC Office, and Maxine Greenblatt, Controller's Office.
UMA Hockey Coach Joe Mallen and members of the UMA Hockey team posed with family and friends from A&F. Coach and team joined rink skaters on the arena ice. If you would like a copy of the picture please call Cathy at 545-1581 or email your request to admfin@admin.umass.edu
Luanne Herrick, Rosa Marques, Neil Barry, and Deb Grosberg, Auxiliary Services, kept the buffet tables well stocked. Everyone agreed that the food was spectacular - from the sumptuous dessert table to the individually cooked ravioli to all the tasty finger foods, the buffet was a big success. Thanks to the A&F employees who worked so that the rest of us could eat.
Paul's Page: A message from the vc of A&FThis issue of A&F Notes focuses on training and development. As we began in Administration and Finance to undertake the task of organizational transformation, training was recognized as a key cornerstone of our efforts. Staff surveys clearly indicated that we needed to place increased emphasis at all levels of the organization on training and development. During the past nine months as I've met with folks throughout A&F to review our progress and talk about the future, one of the frequent topics of discussion was training. There was general agreement that the recently instituted supervisory leadership development core, emergent and advanced training program has been useful and well received. There were concerns expressed, however, that we need to do more to enhance specialized job skills throughout the organization. This must be a priority for us to flourish, grow and serve our customers well.
There is little doubt that training is an important component of a comprehensive approach toward increasing organizational effectiveness. Often, however, it is perceived as the sole answer to all our problems. To be truly effective, training must be relevant, timely, proactive and woven into the fabric of job performance. Managers and supervisors need to make adequate time available for employees to enhance their skills by taking advantage of training opportunities both on and off campus. Employees attending training also have a responsibility to devote themselves to gaining as much as possible from these opportunities by willingly and actively participating in classroom work, readings and other aspects of the program and bringing their learning back to their work.
We should also think about training from two perspectives, as trainees and trainers. In many of our areas we will be involved in instituting changes in many of our processes. As a result we will be called upon, more and more, to serve as trainers. We have already experienced this as the ProCard and new travel program have been implemented. Staff who were previously involved in processing transactions are now fulfilling a different role - training, mentoring and coaching departmental staff in new and changed processes and responsibilities. Training is a two-way street.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Elizabeth Dale, Director of Facilities and Business Services in the Campus Center, who was recently selected as an American Council on Education Fellow for next academic year. This highly competitive national program allows recipients to spend a year at another institution in a learning capacity. Training occurs at all levels and in many forms. Congratulations Elizabeth!
Training and development part of many A&F divisions
Training and staff development are a priority on the Amherst campus and in Administration and Finance. Through the Training and Development (T&D) Unit of the Division of Human Resources, any staff member at the Amherst campus has the opportunity to participate in a myriad of workshops. T&D also maintains an extensive library of training and development materials. Some divisions in A&F have put together training programs to address their own specific needs. Others offer training to individuals or campus departments regarding programs they offer. Listed below are some examples of the kinds of training available to A&F staff or provided by A&F departments to the campus.
Auxiliary Services
Pat Crutchfield coordinates and conducts workshops on diversity, customer service, team building, safety etc.
Controller's Office
Users of travel reimbursement and accounts payable can participate in several programs:
TRIP (Travel Reimbursement Incentive Program) - contact Phil Lambert
Accounts Payable - contact Dolores Parsons or Jayne Krause
Campus Services
Irene Oliver is available to train department staff in the Corporate Card Program.
Dining Services
Ken Toong, Manager of Dining Services has brought in private consultants to talk to staff about food management, food safety and collegiate cuisine.
Human Resources
Human Resources offers workshops in retirement planning, supervisor issues and participates in the orientation fair.
Physical Plant
Offers 40 workshops on topics ranging from word processing and spreadsheets to safety, supervisory skills and customer service. Physical Plant also maintains a library of training materials: books, videos and tapes- contact Cheryl Braxton, Training Officer
Procurement
People interested in using the ProCard should contact Brenda Clemmons and for the On-Line Purchasing System, Tom Stolarski
Spot Awards
Auxiliary Services - Christopher Drake, Carlos Garcia, Kim Pham, Luanne Herrick, Doris Lingley, Marion Linscott, Debora Grosberg, Neal Barry, Glen Cavanaugh, Robyn Mason, Kim Pham, Inson Chagnon, Gina Roncalli, Jeannine Labossier, Donald Sabola, David Fill, Lester Kopinto, Edward Bodzinski, Al Holzhauzer
Transit Services - Diana Noble
Campus Distribution Services - Cathy Collins, Jeremiah Kermensky, Sean Tobin, Lori Wiles
Controller's Office - Terry Lucas
Small Group Recognition
WinterFest Committee
Chris Newman, Lorraine Weimann, Kathy Gallivan, Betty Tedford, Cindy Hamel, Holly Lankowski, Marty Smith, Maxine Greenblatt
OUT & ABOUT
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Variety, Quality, & 5 Stars - Eating at the Dining Halls? YUP!
by Phantom GourmetAs one of a group of "phantom diners" from A&F Notes, I recently enjoyed an excellent lunch at the Worcester Dining Hall. My goal was to sample from several food groups. I selected the following: browned sausage with green peppers and onions (delicious!!), tasty and filling "steak soup", corn, crisp, sliced cucumbers, high quality sliced turkey and ham from the sandwich bar, canned peaches and pears (nice and cold), a slice of date bread for dessert, and a great cup of coffee.
I would have returned for another of those yummy sausages, but I had such an assortment of food on my plate that I couldn't finish what I had. The service and self-service was well organized. I was truly amazed at the excellent, wide variety of choices, two full dinners (at lunch yet), vegetarian selections, fresh salad and sandwich fixings, fresh fruit, and the favorite hamburgers and fries.
I give the variety, nutritional value, quantity and quality of the food 5 stars!
I recommend highly that you give the Dining Halls a try - I'll be back for more and I'm sure you will too.
Meet...the people who feed students & more
We all know that Dining Services feeds students, but did you know that they feed staff and visitors as well? Dining Services was responsible for the fantastic food that we enjoyed at A&F’s Winterfest at the Mullins Center (see front story). If you have ever attended Campus Appreciation Day festivities (this year on June 3) you had burgers, tofu-kebabs, salads and refreshments supplied by Dining Services and cooked on their equipment. Dining Services also operates a bakery where cakes and other goodies can be ordered by calling 545-2472. The snack bars in Whitmore, Physical Plant, and Hampden, which serve breakfast, hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and refreshments, are run by Dining Services. The Convenience Stores, also run by Dining Services, are great places to pick up your favorite food-to-go and sundry items.
Staff and visitors are also welcome to have breakfast, lunch or dinner at any of the four Dining Halls (Worcester, Franklin, Hampshire, Berkshire). For $3.95 (breakfast) $6.20 (lunch) $7.70 (dinner) patrons can choose from Basics (lacto-ovo and vegan vegetarian selections), Deli Bar (soups, salads, cold cuts), Quick Stop (hamburgers,hot dogs, hot chicken sandwiches), Pastabilities, Baked Potato Bar, StoneWilly’s Pizza, breakfast items, drinks, desserts, in an all-you-can-eat format (see food review in Out & About, page 2). Meal plans and five-day meal strips are available for commuters and staff. Dining Services employs 267staff and 1,167 students.
Visit Dining Services on the World Wide Web at http://www.aux.umass.edu/diningservices
Auxiliary Services Review Underway
The Amherst campus selected Campus Bookstore Consulting, working in concert with Cornyn/Fasano Group, as the consulting firm to help with the process of retail food and bookstore operations. Many of you may have met with the consultants as part of open meetings, focus groups or individual meetings. Vice Chancellor Paul Page has put together an advisory team, comprised of faculty, staff and students to work with the consultants to insure that concerns, issues and data are identified and considered and to advise the administration on the advantages and disadvantages of various methods of service delivery. Chancellor Scott will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees on June 1.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Planning and executing Undergraduate Commencement is appropriately recognized as a University-wide responsibility. Administration & Finance plays a major role in almost all aspects of this logistically complicated undertaking. Those intimately involved know how much labor and planning is involved over a concentrated period of time, to successfully carry out an event, that lasts for only 2 hours! And you do so superbly. As the Commencement Coordinator I am most appreciative for your efforts, which never fail to impress our visitors and truly give the seniors a "class send-off". Without fail, annually, your support both in terms of quality and quantity, has been invaluable. On behalf of the Commencement Planning Committee, thank you all for what I know will be jobs very well done.
Robert N. Brooks, Director,Student Affairs Special Services, Undergraduate Commencement Coordinator
Letters to the Editor must be signed (name will be withheld upon request). All letters are subject to editing with the author's approval. Depending on space and other factors, not all letters will be printed.
Are you ready for Year 2000?
Here are some helpful websites sponsored by the University with information on Y2K.
A&F ON THE WEB
Training and Development recently launched their own webpage. You can view T&D's spring 1999 catalog and register on-line for workshops. And also check out T&D's full library of print, audio, cd-rom and video materials under Resources.
Charlene Jones, Cyn Horton, Diane Coleman, Carol Therrien, Jennifer Lozier & Tammy Russell from the Bursar's Office celebrated Madri Gras by wearing Madri Gras costumes.