MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
April 2019
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Committee Work Shows a True Commitment to Service Excellence
This month we celebrated the power of collaboration and partnership toward common goals of success at the second annual Division of Administration & Finance Advisory Committee Reception encompassing 135 committee members serving on nine committees.
I applaud the extraordinary work of committee and ex-officio members, advocates and support staff on advisory committees this year. Your ideas and input at meetings and the ongoing work done between sessions are very much valued at the University of Houston.
Committee work is at the core of the institution’s belief in the shared governance process – one that is inclusive and representative of the community we serve. Each one of you has given of your time and talent toward collectively making things better for our students, faculty and staff not for any accolades or attention, but because you truly care about service excellence.
And in the A&F SPIRIT of service excellence – that’s what we are all about! Please see the full story and more highlights of achievements and accolades across the division within this month’s issue and keep up the great teamwork!
Best regards,
Jim McShan
Senior Vice Chancellor and
Senior Vice President
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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
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Gaston Reinoso has been appointed as the next chief human resources officer for the UH System and will be joining the University of Houston in July. He is coming from Louisiana State University and was selected following a nationwide candidate search.
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A special reception was held to thank the students, faculty and staff who volunteered their time over the past year to serve on the various committees that help provide input and suggestions for departments and services within the A&F Division.
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Catalyst will feature innovative new programs and is designed to provide opportunities for University of Houston staff to enhance their skills in their current roles, as well as participate in developing skills for future opportunities at UH.
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Emergency and Safety Preparedness Event
Brings Together Staff, Campus Safety Leaders
UHPD, Office of Emergency Management, Fire and Life Safety, CAPS and Risk Management representatives provided answers to employee questions and offered vital information on a wide range of safety topics that help support the co-producer mindset approach to campus safety at UH.
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The latest issue of the biannual magazine for Facilities/ Construction Management highlights the new executive director of Project Management, the inaugural UH System Facilities Forum event and the space management team.
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UH Dining Services has partnered with Chartwells Higher Education, MATTER and General Mills Foodservice to engage students and provide healthy snacks and nutrition education to fight food insecurity. It kicked off with volunteers putting together 200 healthy snack boxes that were donated to a local food pantry.
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Hosted in Houston for the first time, the Latino-focused event inspired the broader "Spring of Latino Art," which includes more than 70 art exhibitions and other forms of cultural engagement throughout the city of Houston. Public Art of the University of Houston System held a public art tour and launched its Temporary Public Art Program in conjunction with the conference.
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The first class at the University of Houston completed year one of the program, whose goal is to ensure UH has stellar talent in critical positions. In addition, a new mentoring program gives these participants an opportunity to receive guidance from senior leadership.
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A half century after the University of Houston became the first Texas university to adopt a Percent for the Arts program, the collection has grown to include hundreds of pieces of art spanning across all of the universities in the UH System.
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Dr. Emily Messa participated as an expert on a nationwide panel with "CR80 News," the NACCU trade publication, to discuss policy considerations related to the privacy and management of all data on campus ID cards. Plans are underway to issue the new smart chip-enabled Cougar Card this fall. The panel discussion took place at NACCU's 2019 Annual Conference.
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In addition to the usual fare, all campus snack machines will now contain Canteen’s Choice Plus product line of “better-for-you” items, which will make it easier to know which snacks are better ones to choose. The University’s Wellness Planning Committee worked together with Auxiliary Services to implement the new options.
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Located in different parts of the campus, the pathways are of varying distances and can be completed in 15 to 30 minutes. They are an initiative of the University's Wellness Planning Committee and are being promoted by the POWER UP Employee Wellness Program as a way for staff to pursue a healthier lifestyle.
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Participants from across A&F took part in the inaugural Administrative Leadership Support meeting this month with keynote speakers from UIT and Internal Communications. Governed by the A&F Administrative Support Council, the newly launched quarterly meetings provide an opportunity to connect, align and network.
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Recruiters can be found doing many different things to bring the best and brightest to the University of Houston, including participating in speaking engagements and attending job fairs out in the community.
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The Administration & Finance Division was proud to partner with Staff Council and Athletics to host a pre-game tailgate prior to the UH-Texas A&M baseball game April 16. Employees and their families enjoyed a menu of street tacos, empanadas and refreshments prior to cheering on the Coogs to a 4-1 win.
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A&F ACCOLADES
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Reta Morris was honored for being proactive and taking a quick co-producer of safety response when she notified UHPD after spotting a trespasser during her overnight shift of transporting students across campus. She was given a certificate and gift card for going above and beyond in her actions.
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The department was given the award for its dedication to being hands-on in SGA's work over the past year, and for implementing many of the initiatives that SGA requested, including addressing food insecurity among students. The award reaffirms Auxiliary Services’ commitment to student success.
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“Always and Never: 20 Truths for a Happy Heart” aims to provide encouragement, inspiration and optimism to any age group, but it is particularly for young people who are entering into adult life and business. The idea for the book began when she wanted to write some advice and guidance for her own children.
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UH's radiation and laser safety officer is a seasoned radiation safety professional who has been an active member of the organization at both the state and national level since 2006. He was elected to serve a three-year term.
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Department leaders from within the division made the trip to Tuscaloosa last month to learn best-industry practices for growth opportunities. Representatives from Auxiliary Services, Cougar Card Services and Copy, Print and Delivery Services took part.
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The sustainability coordinator with the Office of Sustainability – which helps maintain a pocket prairie on the UH campus – believes that prairie grass is the key to maintaining a more cost-efficient yard while also contributing positively to our flood-prone environment.
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The department, which has served the University of Houston campus for seven decades, was recognized by the Printing Industries of the Gulf Coast, an association that serves as the official representative of the graphic arts industry in the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast area.
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The NACAS Foundation presented Esmeralda Valdez the scholarship, which is intended to promote the advancement of diverse, career-minded higher education professionals and to enhance their auxiliary services skill and knowledge base through NACAS professional development programs. Award winners receive $750 that can be used toward any NACAS event.
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The University of Houston Police Department and campus safety partners rely on telecommunicators to respond quickly to unexpected emergencies every day. They play a crucial role in the lifesaving process, providing an invaluable connection between emergency services and the people who need them.
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UHPD participated in the free, family-friendly event that featured personnel, equipment and interactive activities from more than 20 emergency response agencies serving the Greater Katy community. The University of Houston at Katy will have its grand opening this fall.
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Importance of Keeping Drains Clean
Taught to Scouts from Houston Area
Keep Houston Beautiful Board members Susan Cita, Walter Hambrick and Dr. Emily Messa, associate vice chancellor/associate vice president for Administration, taught Houston scouts the importance of keeping drains clean in order to protect Galveston Bay during the Houston Scout Fair.
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