News for Employees

With the arrival of April comes Spring Fling, the UA's signature springtime carnival event. But this month isn't just about cotton candy and carnival rides. You'll also have the chance to give back to the community, catch a flick with some of the UA's film experts, and see the marvels that UA seniors have created.

The UA@Work website lists information for about 25 campus clubs and organizations. Adding yours is easy.

University faculty and staff are being asked for help in encouraging freshmen and seniors to complete the National Survey of Student Engagement, which collects information from undergraduates about their college experience. "NSSE results can provide you with a wealth of data," says Gail D. Burd, senior vice provost for academic affairs.

As part of LQP's Learning to Learn series, Lisa Elfring offers tips to help students become better learners. Elfring, who says she "struggled mightily" when she started college, explicitly addresses six learning practices in her classes. "This has led to better conversations about how to prepare for exams and what strategies to use when they are struggling with concepts," she writes in this guest column.

Congratulations to these recent honorees: Shirin Antia, Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies; Monica Kraft, Department of Medicine; Brian Enquist, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; David Gramling, Department of German Studies; Dean Papajohn, Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics; Jannelle Weakly and Gina Watkinson, Arizona State Museum; the marketing team at Housing and Residential Life; and the UA E-Cigarette Policy Review Taskforce.

Six UA faculty members will explore ways to revolutionize teaching and learning across an array of disciplines as the inaugural Center for University Education Scholarship Distinguished Fellows. The fellows will present their projects during an interactive event on April 6. Debra Tomanek, CUES director, says she hopes the event sparks "a feeding frenzy" around ideas related to teaching and learning.

A framework for UA job functions and families has been developed, marking a milestone in the University Career Architecture Project. "The framework will provide the structure required to make informed compensation decisions, create a shared language for common career models, and define career possibilities for the vast array of professions at the University," says project director Jan Myers.

The "On Our Own Time" art exhibit has returned for the eighth year in a row to showcase the artistic talents of UA employees and their immediate family members. The exhibit runs through March 24.

Nearly 200 people shared their thoughts about the UA's future during an interactive strategic planning event held on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus last week. The event included a Q&A with President Robert C. Robbins and the co-chairs of the strategic plan.

Henry Koffler, the first UA alumnus to serve as president, oversaw the University's ascension to the top ranks of major research universities. External research funding more than tripled during his tenure. "Henry believed that the core mission of a university requires recruiting, developing and retaining outstanding talent, and, at the same time, creating a working environment where talented people can be productive," said former UA Provost George Davis.