Published: Oct. 3, 2022

10-4-22 Staff Update

In this message:

Staff Info

  • Climate Justice Workshop this Saturday 10/8
  • Front desk shift open Mondays noon - 3 pm
  • Sign up to work next Saturday 10/15 Football game - special pay rates!
  • Sign up to work 10/17 Campus Housing Fair
  • Fond Farewell to Zero Waste Program Manager Dan Baril!
     

Opportunities for Engagement

  •  Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education 10/18, 10/26, 11/3 - free CU registration 
  • Right Here Right Now Global Climate Summit at CU Boulder in December
  •  Sign up for a Free EcoVisit
     

And other Resources for student staff such as schedule of pay days, paid sick time info, staff contact list, and more.

Read on for details…

 

Staff Info

Climate Justice Workshop this Saturday, October 8th:  Healing and Action

9am - 3 pm, Fleming Idea Forge
This workshop hosted by the E-Center's Climate Justice Team will introduce climate justice through presentation, activites and practical applications of community resilience in the face of overwhelming issues such as climate change and resource management.   Guest speakers Nii Armah Sowah and Ean Tafoya bring bring community leadership skills to the climate justice movement, sharing first-hand experience of political activism and what climate justice work looks like at the ground level to make big changes higher up.  Come be a part of the solutions by allowing yourself to be empowered to heal and learn the best ways to to take action now.   More info here.

Front Desk shift open Mondays from noon - 3 pm

Do you have open time in your schedule on Mondays between 12 - 3 pm?  The Environmental Center needs a front desk staffer at that time.  Greet visitors, answer phones, assist with projects.  Email dkelly@colorado.edu for more info.

 

Zero Waste Football next Saturday October 15th, Noon kick-off - Special payrate $18 - $20 for your work!

The Environmental Center is offering a special pay rate of $18 - $20 for your zero waste work this weekend!  Sign up here to work paid shifts through the E-Center.  Staff also get a free wristband so you can attend the game.

Zero Waste crews staffed by the Environmental Center make zero waste possible at CU Football home games.  Last year we composted and recycled 120,000 pounds of waste at football games!  Through the effort of over 60 student staff we were able to divert 88% of the entire season's waste from the landfill.  Keeping game and fan waste from the landill depends on lots of hands!

There are several opportunities for you to sign up for paid work:  zero waste tailgating crew, recycling on Franklin Field, and lots of staff needed for sorting waste after the game.  Your pay will be $18/hour if your normal E-Center payrate is $15 - $16.75, or $20/hour if your normal E-Center payrate is $17 and above.  Sign up here to work

Work the Off Campus Housing Fair, Monday October 17th

The Outreach and Promotions team would love your support in sharing information on the E-Center's programs at the Off Campus Housing Fair.  We will primarily be focusing on EcoVisits and Sustainable Transportation.  If you are involved with either of those teams we would love to see you there - and even if you are not, you can get some extra hours and help us talk to students.  Here is the link to sign up (if a shift does not have availability, you can still work - the more the merrier!)  Email earthelp@colorado.edu if you have any questions.

 

Dan Baril farewell

After 16 years leading zero waste education with CU Recycling and the E-Center, Dan Baril is moving to Moab, Utah to operate the Red Moon Lodge.  Thank you Dan, for your work and passion leading zero waste's next leaders!

- Contribute well wishes to Dan's Kudoboard electronic card: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/GiS6aZJj

- Please add any photos you'd like to share with Dan to this Google album:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1A7TLrsnS3Btp2AxsHc5N6kRVpcwjG7ee?usp=sharing

 

 

Upcoming Events and Opportunities for Engagement
 

Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education
Streaming Live Oct 18, Oct 26 and Nov 3

Free access for all CU Boulder students, faculty and staff!  CU Boulder is an official Host Institution of AASHE's Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education (GCSHE).  You are invited to join virtually at the world's largest platform for advancing sustainability in higher education and beyond.   With a theme of "The Urgency of Now", this year's conference is a clarion call for transformative sustainability solutions that match the speed and scale of the challenges we face.  GCSHE offers 3 full days of live content and networking, plus on-demand access (through Dec 31).

Fill out the CU Boulder access request form to recieve conference sign up instructions.

 

Right Here Right Now Global Climate Summit at CU Boulder
December 1 - 4, 2022

From rising sea levels, extreme weather events, wildfires and droughts, to food insecurity, health impacts, mass migrations and increasing global conflict, there is no denying climate change is a humanitarian crisis.  As a leader in climate, environmental and energy research, the University of Colorado Boulder is proud to co-host with United Nations Human Rights.  CU will gather some of the world's foremost human rights, scientific, political, educational, cultural, and industry leaders to commit to specific poutcomes that will address the adverse effects of climate change on human rights.

Register now for virtual attendance , read about keynote speakers and watch for volunteer and student engagement opportunties through the Environmental Center.

 

Sign up for a Free EcoVisit
Reduce your carbon footprint at home.  If you live in a campus residence hall or off-campus in Boulder, you can get a Free EcoKit and talk with EcoVisits students to learn more about reducing your environmental impact where you live.  Your free EcoKit includes compost bin, recycle bin, LED light bulb, bike lights, reusable bag, reusable utensil kit, energy and water saving items.  And you get a free Pizza with your EcoVisit!  Sign up here.
 

More Environmental Center spring events listed on our online calendar.

 

Resources

Pay Dates for the Fall 2022 semester

Two-Week Work Period Time sheet Complete and Submit Deadline Friday Pay Day (2 weeks after work period ends)
Aug 7 - Aug 20 Monday, Aug 22 September 2
Aug 21 - Sept 3 Monday, Sept 5 September 16
Sept 4 - Sept 17 Monday, Sept 19 September 30
Sept 18 - Oct 1 Monday, Oct 3 October 14
Oct 2 - Oct 15 Monday, Oct 17 October 28
Oct 16 - Oct 29 Monday, Oct 31 November 11
Oct 30 - Nov 12 Monday, Nov 14 November 25
Nov 13 - Nov 26 Monday, Nov 28 December 9
Nov 27 - Dec 10 ** Monday, Dec 12 December 23
Dec 11 - Dec 24 
** Last Day graduating seniors can work is Thursday Dec 8		 Monday, Dec 26 January 6, 2023

 

E-Center Staff Contact List
Online list of all E-Center student and professional staff contact info

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wRHxnmVzLTUq9yyy8dgbQq6i6zxBmaH0HXOqqDcBmZ0/edit#gid=0
 

Follow Environmental Center social media channels!

  • Connect on LinkedIn  www.linkedin.com/company/cu-environmental-center/
  • Redditor?   Upvote Anabel as she shares resources and engages in dialogue, and helps bring sustainability to the CU subreddit.  Search for posts @ justasustainablebuff
  • Tweet us
    • @ EcenterCU
    • @CUGreenStampede
  • Follow us on Instagram
    • @EcenterCU
    • @cuzerowaste
    • @ecosocialjustice
    • @shouldertoshoulder
  • Facebook like us
    • @CUBoulderECenter
    • @envjustice.cu
  • View us on Vimeo, https://vimeo.com/cuecenter

     

Sick leave - Paid time off for CU student staff
All CU student employees accrue paid sick leave to help when you have to miss a work shift (for any work since Jan 1, 2021).

  • Always reach out to your supervisor with advance notification of any work you have to miss.
  • For every 30 hours you work (beginning Jan 1, 2021), you accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave (.034 hr leave for every 1 hour worked). 
  • Sick leave balances can be viewed on a tile in the MyCUinfo portal, under CU Resources, My Info and Pay.  
  • Hours worked across all jobs at CU are eligible for leave that can be taken at any CU job. 
  • Sick leave may be used for physical illness, mental illness, health condition, medical treatment or diagnosis, preventative medical care, or non-work injury, or to care for a family member.  It can also be used when an employee or family member has been the victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or harassment and needs to be absent from work.  There are some other instances when sick leave can be used, which can be viewed here.
  • You can only request as much paid time as you have accrued - any time off beyond your sick leave balance will be unpaid.  
  • To request paid sick leave for an Environmental Center shift that you have to miss, select "Sick (part time) Paid Time Off" from the Program drop-down list in your Quickbooks Time/TSheets timesheet, then enter the amount of time you want to take (within your balance available).  For sick time to be used at other CU jobs, check with your supervisor or departmental payroll administrator at that job to find out how to request sick time off.  Note that the sick leave balance in TSheets is an estimate and may not accurately reflect your balance if you work other CU jobs.
  • Questions?  Reach out to dana.kelly@colorado.edu

 

Work-Study:  What is it?  Are you Eligible?
Work-Study is need-based financial aid that allows students to earn money for college expenses by working a part-time job.   Work-study jobs are funded by the federal and state government and include both on and off-campus positions.  Work-study is a program that benefits both the employee and employer:  Students earn a pay check, as with any job, but a majority of the wages are paid by financial aid funds rather than the employing department.  When students with work-study awards work with the Environmental Center, our staffing budget goes further and we can hire more students!

Are you eligible for a work-study award?  First you have to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).   CU Boulder receives a limited amount of work-study funding from federal and state sources each year. Not all eligible students receive a work-study award.  If you think you might be eligible, please check with the Student Employment office to find out more! 
 

Ergonomic Recommendations for Healthy Work Habits
When you work on a computer for hours at a time, proper office ergonomics — including correct chair height, adequate equipment spacing and good desk posture -- can help you and your neck, shoulders, wrists, and back stay comfortable and healthy over the long term.

The goal is for your shoulders, neck, back, arms and wrists to be relaxed and not stressed, reaching, or at angles.

  • The top of your display monitor should be straight in front of you or *slightly* below eye level
    • Use a laptop stand or books, box, etc on a table, to prop display up to correct level
  • Use remote keyboard and trackpad/mouse, preferably on your lap,  so that you are not reaching up onto a table or out in front of you, or bending your wrists to type/ point
  • When sitting
    • feet should be flat on the floor or on a footrest
    • back should be straight and supported by the back of your chair
  • Vary positions throughout the day.  Stand sometimes, sit sometimes.
  • Take lots of breaks.  Get up and walk around.  
  • Give your eyes a break too: Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds and focus on something 20 feet away.

More info and visuals available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169
 

Food Resources

Campus Financial Aid & Payment Assistance

 

Campus Technology

Health & Well-Being

  • And, anyone on the E-Center staff can provide you with information and resources if you or your family/friends/roommates etc. are struggling or sick and need help. We are here for you!  Email staff individually or at ecenter@colorado.edu.
     

University of Colorado COVID Updates and resources
www.colorado.edu/covid-19
 

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
www.aashe.org/
Explore AASHE resources and programs to find materials to support campus sustainability leadership, and ways you can develop and prepare yourself for entering the workforce.
 

Environmental Center Student Staff Handbook
A summary of best work practices and expectations for student staff
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zijwkEkzw7rcEEGCS-scYGOnqRU_X0gWlvh4rkBgeIM/edit?usp=sharing
 

Environmental Center New Hire Information
www.colorado.edu/ecenter/newhireinformation
Info for new student hires at the Environmental Center, including new hire forms, instructions for Direct Deposit, timesheets, required trainings, and more

Past E-Center staff weekly updates
www.colorado.edu/ecenter/student-staff-resources