Work never stops on a college campus, even during the summer.
University of Oregon faculty and staff members accomplished a great deal in three months, as evidenced by a look back at a bevy Workplace stories that appeared over the season. The Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact project progressed with a new bridge over Franklin Boulevard and Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall began filling with advisors and College of Arts and Sciences employees. The upgraded Erb Memorial Union carillon bells also sounded after a yearlong hiatus.
The occasional feature on employee awards, honors and accolades lauded several professors and Purchasing and Contracting Services. Two advisors were honored at the annual undergraduate advising awards and 10 faculty members were named Presidential Fellows in Humanities Studies.
During the recently concluded legislative session, Government and Community Relations staff, along with student groups, testified before various legislative committees on behalf of the UO. Campus saw several financial successes, but university administrators were tasked with reducing the budget by $11.6 million. Decreased staffing in custodial services added new duties to building occupants.
The Office of Human Resources reported a majority completion rate on the updated, web-based workplace harassment and discrimination prevention training. Officers of administration position descriptions went through a revamp in the job family process.
Information Services began steps to fortify defenses against cyberattacks with features such as URL link protection for email and two-factor authentication. Staff and faculty members started the migration from Webmail to UOmail. The Transform IT restructuring process added work streams and a new position.
A new director took the helm at the UO Alumni Association, while the campus community mourned the passing of two former deans from the Lundquist College of Business and the College of Education. Staff from the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will participate in professional growth opportunities through a partnership with the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
The Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance conducted the first student-directed employee survey, a survey separate from the recent 2019 AAU Campus Climate Survey conducted last spring.
To wrap up the summer, the UO Board of Trustees met in Portland to approve the name of the Black Cultural Center and the construction of two modern residence halls.
The 2019-20 academic year will kick off with convocation Sept. 28. Students, their families, faculty members and staff are invited to participate.
—By Jennifer Archer, University Communications