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February 2021

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR:


What is Professional Staff Council (PSC)? What do we do and how does what we do benefit UToledo’s more than 1,200 professional staff?
 
PSC is a peer-elected and administratively appointed group of professional staff who are responsible for interacting with institutional leaders and advocating for the professional staff at the university.
 
I am happy to report that PSC is consistently meeting with UToledo leadership, including Interim President Postel, as well as Finance and Administration and Human Resources (HR). We are an integral part of the administrative team and, throughout collaborations, are looking at ways to become increasingly more active and vocal in future conversations, fostering open dialog in hopes to strategically assist administrators in inclusive decision-making … in the room where it happens; “Hamilton” fans, anyone? 
 
One limitation of PSC that we recognize is that we are not part of a bargaining unit like one of the many unions represented on campus. That said, PSC serves in an advisory capacity to the President of the University. While this may be considered a disadvantage to some, it also presents us with a unique opportunity to have both formal and informal conversations with our leaders in an effort to affect change.
 
We have heard from some staff that they are unsure of how PSC helps move the needle to improve the overall staff experience at UToledo. While we also share in their frustrations that staff may feel undervalued and overlooked at times, our interactions with President Postel have been positive. He has proven to be open to discussions on topics that are of importance to the professional staff and has been willing to listen and consider our suggestions and concerns.  
 
UToledo is an inclusive, collaborative environment of talented people who work diligently to lift others up, especially our students. While we have many challenges ahead, we can be more successful by working with our leadership teams to provide clear, concise, and respectful communications to our faculty, staff, students, and administrators. 
 
Starting this month with the PSA Voice newsletter, we are launching a feature called You Said … We Did as a better way to communicate with professional staff on how we are addressing concerns and interacting with UToledo leadership. Again, please continue to respectfully forward us your comments, concerns, and recommendations moving forward at utpsc@utoledo.edu and confidentially here.
 
We have formed an HR Subcommittee comprising of longtime staff and previous PSC chairs to focus on outstanding HR topics and to enhance coordination between professional staff and HR. We are benchmarking our peer institutions on various policies and procedures that are applicable to professional staff and sharing this information with HR and UToledo leadership.
 
Staff members have asked for professional development opportunities and we are answering that call. We have hosted two compelling sessions this month on topics including Microsoft Teams and Emotional Intelligence (see more about these sessions below). We are also looking to partner with HR to improve and grow these offerings in the future.
 
We want to thank everyone who has put in the long days and nights and weekends this past year to continue our mission to improve the human condition and to create a rich environment for our students to learn and thrive.
 
Keep up the great work and know that we are with you and will continue to advocate for you. 

Go Rockets!
James A. Molnar
New Feature: You Asked … We Did

Change in medical prescriptions coverage

You asked us to clarify new changes pertaining to the fulfillment of medical prescriptions for staff and dependents enrolled in the university health plan. 
 
We confirmed the changes effective Jan. 1, 2021, which states that all medical prescriptions for enrolled staff and dependents in the university health plan are to be ordered through one of the on-campus pharmacies. A 14-day, short-term supply of prescriptions may be ordered through an external pharmacy in the event of an emergency. More information about the prescription plan can be found here.
 
 

Reduced hours and remote work policies 

You asked us to advocate for employees that have had their hours reduced and have inquired about the remote work policy. 
 
In response, members of the Professional Staff Council have met with members of the senior administration to convey the questions and concerns submitted by employees pertaining to reduced hours and termination of employees due to budgetary changes. Our Human Resources professionals and senior administration leadership are in the process of working with each department to ensure transparency and communication of the latest policies and procedures. Please work with your supervisor for a more individual response. 
 
Members of the Professional Staff Council are also in the process of benchmarking best practices pertaining to remote work policies across several higher education institutions and are sharing the results with Human Resources as part of an ongoing collaboration. We will share more information when it becomes available. 
 
 

Professional Development Opportunities

You asked for professional development opportunities that are accessible and offered at a free or reduced cost.
 
We have offered (and will continue to offer) monthly programs on a variety of topics for members of the Professional Staff Association. More information on these programs can be found by visiting our Professional Development webpage.
 
 
Do you have a question or area of concern?
Send your feedback to us at ProfessionalStaffCouncil@utoledo.edu
Keeping Campus Safe
Face masks required UToledo artworkAs we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, please keep in mind Rocket Prevention Principles:
  • Monitoring for symptoms. 
  • Requiring face coverings. 
  • Practicing social distancing. 
  • Keeping a clean workspace.
  • Limiting travel.
Learn more about Rocket Prevention Principles

COVID-19 updates

Employees and students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, tiredness, dry cough or changes in their sense of taste or smell, should call The University of Toledo Medical Center’s testing line at 419.383.4545 to schedule an appointment.
 

Rapid COVID-19 tests available

The University of Toledo is offering students, faculty and staff the opportunity to register for a free, rapid COVID-19 test as part of the University’s ongoing surveillance testing program. Tests, which are in limited supply, are available for asymptomatic individuals who are working or studying on campus. Read more in UToledo News.
 

Registering for the vaccine

Those who would like to receive a COVID-19 vaccine should pre-register for notification of future phase eligibility, using the health department’s online registration form. The health department will notify pre-registered individuals when they are eligible to receive the vaccine with a list of available locations, including UTMC, for scheduling their vaccination appointment. Visit the UToledo vaccine website for more information. 
 

Online registration required in advance of events

On-campus events with attendance expected to exceed the state of Ohio guidance — currently set at 10 individuals — must be preapproved by a college dean or department vice president. Read more in UToledo News.
Dr. Jason Huntley, associate professor of medical microbiology and immunology, explains the importance of completing both doses of available COVID-19 vaccines.
UToledo offers enhanced assistance program
Take advantage of the numerous complimentary resources available through UToledo's employee assistance program provided by Impact Solutions.  
 

Orientation Sessions

Learn more about the services offered by Impact Solutions and how to navigate the newly enhanced website.

Upcoming Webinar

Resiliency 101: Learn to eat adversity for breakfast
Presented by Adam Feiner
Wednesday, March 24, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Register here

Resiliency or one's toughness in the face of adversity is not simply a characteristic that one either has or lacks. Like leadership skills, greater resiliency can be developed. In this training, attendees will learn what resiliency is and the thinking patterns and skills one can learn that will enable a person to strengthen his or her tenacity in the face of adversity.
 

24/7 Web Resources

To access the upgraded website, please use these updated access instructions:
  1. Visit MyLifeExpert.com
  2. Click on "SIGN UP" next to "Create a new account with your company code"
  3. Enter Company Code "uteap" and follow the instructions in your activation email.
Vist MyLifeExpert.com
Professional Staff Development opportunities
Photo of University Hall with text "Professional Development" on photo.
The Professional Development Committee is hard at work planning monthly development opportunities for you. Here is an upcoming event for your consideration:
 

Supplemental Benefits

Presented by: Beth Wiley, Manager Total Rewards

Thursday, March 25, 3:00 p.m.

Please join us in discovering some of the lesser known benefits available to you as a UToledo employee. This presentation will explore some of the benefits you may not know are available or that you may have forgotten about!

Register Here

Professional Development opportunities 

We have a full list of upcoming trainings and events on our website.
Video: Microsoft Teams 101
Presented by PSC Vice Chair Davlon Miller, watch the recording
of the introductory training session (attended by more than 100 people!)
on how to use Microsoft Teams. 
Recap: February’s Professional development Emotional Intelligence
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for Beyond I.Q. to E.Q. presented by Pat Schultz.
 

Here are some key takeaways: 

  • You have to manage yourself before you can effectively manage others.
  • If you are unable to get in touch with your own feelings and emotions, how do you expect to be able to get in touch with someone else’s emotions?
  • Control your emotions, do not let emotions control you.
  • Disruptive emotions cause distorted thinking.
  • Use constructive techniques to manage the disruptive emotions: positive self-talk, thought stopping, alternative explanations for the situation, humor, or journaling.
  • Don’t ignore red flags, recognize what you are feeling and ask questions of others to learn more about what they are feeling. Find out their reality and provide feedback/coaching.
Reflective Cycle chart: Select incident to review, then How did you feel, then Did this affect the outcome, then if yes how, then what would you do differently, then your action plan, then back to the beginning.
Slide about Self Control: Think logically about scenarios, help control and manage emotions even when stressed and angry, important skill for motivating a team, team looks to manager for what is acceptable, amygdala hijacking, breakdown build up slowly; symptoms are overlooked, trigger event.
Slide about Disruptive Emotions and Distorted Thinking. Identify whether your interpretation of an event is constructive or destructive. Catastophizing: thinking the worst about every event. Overanalyzing: examining an event repeatedly, reading too much into every detail. Tunnel vision: looking at an event with too narrow a perspective. Permanence: thinking an event will affect your life forever. Pervasiveness: thinking an event will affect every other part of your life. Personalization: thinking an event is all about you.
Slide on Managing yourself exercise. Identify a recent situation in which you believe your reaction was inappropriate. Describe the situation. What was your interpretation? Can you categorize your interpretation as one of the following destructive responses: Catatrophizing; overanalyzing; tunnel vision; permanence; pervasiveness; personalization? If so, which one? Describe the situation again, this time with a positive interpretation. Choose one of these constructive techniques: Positive self-talk; thought stopping; alternative explanation; writing/journaling; humor. Describe your new thought process and reaction.
Slide on Modern Workplace: People generally try to maintain an appearance of harmony; be aware of subtle signs that something may be wrong; what happens if conflict is not properly managed?
Complete anonymous Campus Climate Survey
Staff are asked to complete an anonymous online survey to continue the University’s ongoing discussion about relationship and sexual violence and its impact on the campus community.

The survey was sent to the campus community on Monday, Feb. 1.

“We shortened up the survey this year, so it will take less time to complete while still gathering critical information,” said Vicky Kulicke, UToledo Director of Title IX and Compliance and Title IX Coordinator.

“It’s important for everyone to provide feedback to help shape our education and prevention programming on campus. We are here to listen and help everyone, and one of the ways we can do that is through this survey, which will assess education, prevention and awareness efforts.”

It will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete the survey.

Staff received a link to the anonymous survey from the Division of Student Affairs, Dr. Flapp Cockrell, via email and were asked to complete the survey. 

If you have not taken the survey yet, the link for employees to complete the survey can be found here: Campus Survey on Sexual Misconduct and Relationship Violence.

Responses are requested by Friday, Feb. 26.

The Title IX Office partnered with the University Bookstore to help incentivize the survey this year. Those who complete the survey will receive a 20% off coupon for one regular-priced item at the Barnes and Noble bookstore located at the corner of Dorr St. and Secor Rd. or Rocky’s Locker located in Savage Arena.

UToledo is conducting the survey in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Changing Campus Culture initiative. For more information, email titleix@utoledo.edu, call 419.530.4191 or visit the Title IX website.
Take the survey
Accepting applications: Higher Education Online Master’s Degree program
Dear Colleagues,

The faculty in the Higher Education Program at The University of Toledo are pleased to announce the launch of the recruitment campaign for the fall 2021 online master's cohort with a focus on Higher Education Administration. We hope you will consider this professional development opportunity, and forward this information to other colleagues who might be interested in pursuing a master’s degree with us. 

The six-semester program is designed to prepare individuals for careers as administrators and professional staff in college and university settings. The fully online 30-hour program consists of 10 eight-week courses, taught by the program faculty, all of whom have been trained in online instruction through Quality Matters. Students will be admitted on a rolling basis till the admissions deadline of Aug. 15, 2021.  

You may request more information about this professional development opportunity by completing the form found on the program website.

Sincerely,
Ron Opp, Ph.D.
Coordinator, Higher Education Online Master's Program
Ron.Opp@utoledo.edu
Learn more
PSA Scholarship application open until March 15
The PSA Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 academic year scholarship. Only UToledo students enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours with at least a sophomore standing (30 earned hours) and a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale should apply. Applicants must also submit the name and email address of a PSA member who can provide a recommendation, write a 500-word essay explaining why they are deserving of the award, and have a completed FAFSA on file, as financial need is a consideration. 

Applications must be completed using the online scholarship application form no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021

Please encourage all qualified students to apply for this non-college specific scholarship, which can be used to fund tuition, fees, books, or other educational expenses, and let them know they can list you as their recommender!
Learn more about the PSA Scholarship
UToledo celebrates Black History Month
The University of Toledo is celebrating the heritage and history of African Americans with a series of virtual events and activities for students, faculty and staff throughout Black History Month.

The keynote speaker for 2021 Black History Month celebrations is Tamika Mallory, an influential Black voice who is co-chair of the Women’s March and co-founder of Until Freedom. She will speak on issues of racial justice in the current climate at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, in a virtual presentation.
Read more in UToledo News
Reminder: Deadline for proposals is Feb. 21 for 2021 Womxn of Color Symposium
The University of Toledo’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women will host the Third Annual Womxn of Color Symposium on Friday, March 26, 2021. The program will take place virtually and is open to all members of the UToledo campus community and surrounding Toledo area.
 
This year’s theme “HerStory is Our Future” focuses on the rich historical and contemporary stories of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) womxn (cisgender, transgender, and non-binary). We wish to explore how BIPOC womxn’s art, history, music, literature, personal narrative, and poetry are shaping the future of our communities and our nation. 

Please submit your proposal of 100-500 words by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21. Proposals must include the following: 
  • Title and type of presentation proposed (research presentation, workshop, roundtable, artistic performance, or virtual art display)
  • Topic of presentation and its relevance to the theme “HerStory is Our Future”
  • Brief bio and picture for all presenters
Acceptance or rejection of your proposal will be sent to you by end of day March 3, 2021. 
 
For more information, contact Malaika Bell.
Learn more and submit your proposal
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Elliott Oberneder

Clinical Simulation &
Educational Research Associate

Lloyd A. Jacobs Interprofessional
Immersive Simulation Center (IISC)

How long have you been a Rocket and in what capacity?

I have been a rocket for almost half of my life. I graduated from The University of Toledo in 2015, and had started at UTMC during my undergraduate studies. In 2018, I started working for the Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center. I enjoy my role at the simulation center due to the varieties each day has to offer.
 

How would you describe your job?

I work at the Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center and I am a Clinical Simulation Education and Research Associate. I assist in creating, developing, and implementing medical simulation for a diverse set of specialties that attend The University of Toledo. My end goal is to make sure our learners have a good experience that is both educational and rewarding. It is rewarding to watch learners grow through the years and gain confidence in the skills they have learned at the simulation center.
 

What distinguishes UToledo from other workplaces?

The dedication of the faculty and staff I work with every day. Everyone is always prepared to try new things or go the extra step for our learners.
 

What resources from UToledo are your “must-haves” to perform your job?

For me personally, the amount of the specific technology I get to work with. Not only does it allow for the students to have a good experience but also gives faculty proper feedback on the performance of students. Students can learn in a safe environment where they can take the lead in the situation that they may experience in the future healthcare setting.
 

What is your favorite thing about UToledo?

The diverse group of medical specialties I get to work with daily. Whether it is setting up a simulation for the anesthesiologist in our simulated operating room or helping Athletic Training students practice scenarios on a human patient simulator. I enjoy working with and learning the vast complexities of all the groups that step into the simulation center. No day is ever the same, and I am constantly learning new things every day.
 

Can you tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know or would be surprised to learn?

I met my wife while attending nursing school at The University of Toledo. We have been married for 3 years and just had our first child together a few months ago.
Want to be in the Spotlight, or know someone who should?
Nominate yourself or a colleague for a Spotlight feature
in an upcoming newsletter with our web nomination form.
Get involved, join a committee!
You made it to the end of the newsletter! Thank you for reading the PSA Voice. We hope you enjoyed the content. 

We hope that you become active in the PSA and join us in our efforts to advocate for all professional staff employees.  Please feel free to contact any of the PSC members directly to learn more.

Please consider joining a committee (see the full list of committees below).

The Professional Staff Association (PSA) of The University of Toledo consists of all classified exempt, classified salaried, and unclassified administrative and professional employees who do not belong to a bargaining unit and do not have faculty rank. The group of approximately 1,200 employees
was officially recognized by the University in 1992.

The Professional Staff Council (PSC) is the elected body that represents PSA to the administration on topics such as compensation, changes in health benefits, assisting with the Outstanding Staff Awards and other various issues.

Please contact PSC with any questions, concerns and ideas.
There is also an anonymous feedback form.
PSA Committees
Website
Email
Facebook






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