A capacity crowd of UCCS professional exempt and classified staff filled University Center room 303 March 13 to have lunch and hear a series of speakers.
PESA President Stephanie Hanenberg, director, Student Health Center, said she thought it was the first time reservations had to be closed for such an event. The room was reserved to its 75-person capacity, and no larger rooms were available. Complying with fire safety code regulations, she informed the campus via email on March 9 that only those with reservations would be able to attend.
Speakers at the luncheon included Jay Dedrick, editor, CU Connections, Michele McKinney, director, CU External Relations and Advocacy, and members of the UCCS Recreation Center staff.
Dedrick gave an overview of the CU system online newsletter, encouraging staff to read it and build engagement with it. He said in addition to news regarding the CU system and its campuses, the online publication features news items from groups whose actions affect CU. He cited the Colorado Legislature, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, and the Public Employees’ Retirement Association of Colorado among them. Dedrick said news from the legislature is provided by CU’s government relations team, and CCHE meetings are covered when actions regarding CU are anticipated.
Dedrick urged staff to share opinions with CU Connections. He said the letters to the editor column features controversial topics that are “not being quashed by the president’s office.”
McKinney described the CU Advocates program and urged UCCS staff involvement as she promoted CU Advocacy Day at the state capitol which occurred March 16. She said UCCS employees comprise 12 percent of the participants in the advocacy program, and more would be welcome. McKinney said the program’s purpose is to harness the energy and enthusiasm of CU supporters in an organized effort. Citing the state’s fiscal budget as the source of a number of problems, she said finding support and funding elsewhere is now necessary.
UCCS staff are familiar with the work and accomplishments of their campus as part of CU’s overall value to the state and are qualified to carry forth the message, she said. By talking with industry and community leaders about that value and how CU benefits the state, advocates garner alternative support and funding. By promoting CU to prospective students and their parents, advocates help the university grow. The program features many volunteer opportunities. Advocates receive CU pins and other small tokens of appreciation along with a great sense of satisfaction, McKinney said. More information is available at https://www.cusys.edu/cuadvocates/.
A group of UCCS Recreation Center personnel presented “Health and Wellness in the Workplace.” Matt Gaden, director, Campus Recreation Center, KB Lindsey, manager, and Daniel Bowan, manager, took turns offering tips on stress management, exercise and nutrition with an emphasis on how habits in a workplace environment influence overall wellbeing and health. In addition to common sense ways to create a healthier lifestyle, they provided a number of resources available to assist in individual wellness development, including http://www.uccs.edu/campusrec/wellness.html and www.uccsdining.com.
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