University classified staff will have the opportunity to interact with the newest members of the campus community and to earn extra pay under a new program announced Aug. 7.<\/p>\n
Cindy Corwin, director, Office of Human Resources, and Chris Beiswanger, director, Student Recruitment and Admissions Counseling, will co-chair the Chancellor\u2019s Ambassador Initiative. The initiative will run from Aug. 13 to Sept. 6 and will place information stations in key areas on campus designed to help new students feel more comfortable on campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first day on campus \u2013 the first week, really \u2013 can be overwhelming to a new student,\u201d Beiswanger said. \u201cStudents are trying to figure out where they are going, who they are going to hang out with, and how to accomplish their personal goals. Our job is to make those students feel a little more comfortable during this new experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stations will be placed near Columbine Hall, the Kraemer Family Library and along the campus pedestrian spine. The stations will be operated by members of the Student Success Division wearing \u201cAsk Me\u201d buttons and equipped with both personal knowledge and specially created \u201cHow Do I\u201d documents that outline commonly asked questions. For the first time, Student Success Division efforts will be formally supplemented by classified staff members from other university departments.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one is expected to know, for example, the ins and outs of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination or how to navigate the MyUCCS portal,\u201d Beiswanger said. \u201cBut we do want people to know that there is a Student Health Center and where it is located as well as where to get help with the portal.\u201d<\/p>\n
The information stations have been a staple of the first week of classes at UCCS for several years. The Chancellor\u2019s Ambassador Initiative broadens the scope of the effort by making it possible for classified staff members to participate and to have the potential to earn extra money by working hours beyond their regular shift. Participants must have their supervisor\u2019s approval and should visit the Human Resources Office in Cragmor Hall for various forms and timesheets required.<\/p>\n
Professional exempt staff members may participate in the initiative as volunteers.<\/p>\n
The ambassador idea was developed by campus leadership in concert with Staff Council. Both groups were concerned that classified staff did not receive salary increases this year, their fourth consecutive year without a general inflationary base increase. Paying for extra hours worked at a peak time of campus activity was a way to meet both campus and individual needs, Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak said.<\/p>\n
For Beiswanger, the potential of extra help is appreciated. But he also thinks classified staff will find benefits beyond financial reward.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wonderful chaos of the first week of classes is something that everyone should experience,\u201d Beiswanger said. \u201cSeeing students in person puts meaning behind the small tasks that we all do to make the university work.\u201d<\/p>\n
For details about the program or to volunteer, contact Corwin, ccorwin@uccs.edu<\/a>, or Beiswanger, cbeiswan@uccs.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"