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I&S Employee Newsletter - October 2022

Broadway bridge in fall

VC's Corner

Chris Ewing

Improving our structure

Dear Infrastructure and Sustainability team,

I hope this letter finds you well. As the semester progresses, and I witness the campus community interact more deeply with our facilities, it serves as a subtle reminder; acting in the best interest of the university and those who use its space has always been the motivation behind I&S work. It is you who makes this possible. 

The university is a leading research institution in sustainable solutions, and I want to take a moment to recognize our campus's structure to aid in climate action. With our living environment changing, there is crucial work that needs to be done to expand our existing climate-improving programs. The Campus Master Plan (CMP) and the Energy Master Plan (EMP), serve as guides for CU Boulder to achieve net zero emissions, ensuring a well-planned, sustainable and equitable future. Additionally, over the next year, we will be updating CU Boulder’s Climate Action Plan, which was first completed in 2009. 

As a department, we are dedicated to making I&S a welcoming environment that purposefully practices inclusive excellence throughout all of our divisions. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are multifaceted and can vary from person to person. Thank you for the efforts of Kelsey Draper and the staff who have created the next DEI initiative called “We CU.” As we begin to roll out We CU over the next few months, the program will provide professional development, health, and wellness as well as financial wellness and literacy. There is much work to be done. 

I would also like to recognize the work Brandon Boger has accomplished as assistant vice chancellor of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). Brandon has played an instrumental role in implementing key procedural changes within EH&S, while providing support and care for students, faculty, and staff. As of Sept. 1, Brandon has stepped down from his role as assistant vice chancellor, transitioning into retirement after a 23-year tenure at the university. Thank you, Brandon. Holly Gates-Meyer is serving as the interim assistant vice chancellor of EH&S.

I&S is leading the way toward creating healthy and social environments for all communities to take advantage of on our campus. Together we are contributing to environmental stewardship and solidifying CU Boulder’s leadership in higher education. These efforts foster collaboration and a sense of well-being between departments and encourage leaders to emerge in our research, academic, and community space. I am grateful to work with you and thank you all for your devotion to the betterment of the university. 

With gratitude,

Chris Ewing, interim vice chancellor for infrastructure and sustainability

News and Notes

Winter break information

As the end of the year approaches, we know many of you are already planning your holiday schedules. 

Last summer, Chancellor DiStefano announced that the university would close campus offices from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1 annually for winter break. This year, that includes paid holiday leave for three of the five workdays during that time, with staff using two days of vacation leave. Like last year, Infrastructure and Sustainability employees will be given 16 hours (prorated for part-time appointments) of administrative leave to be taken between Dec. 25 to Jan. 1 so they will not need to use their own vacation leave.

HR will send an email in November or December with details on how staff should put in their time for these admin days. 

We realize that essential services employees may be required to work during that week to ensure continued operations of building systems and other critical needs. Please rest assured that any holiday time or administrative leave days that you are unable to use due to these work requirements can be taken at a different time in coordination with your supervisor.

Jason at work

A continuous routine, Boulder Daily Camera

The Boulder Daily Camera included a piece on the supportive work of our team in maintenance and operations in this week's edition. Follow along as Jason Schlosser, director of maintenance and operations, takes us through the university's behind-the-scenes work to increase air quality. Read the article here.

Employee Spotlight

Carolina Pire

Carolina Pire, Supervisor OCC

How long have you been working at CU? I’ve been working at CU for seven years.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Spend as much time as I can with my two year old daughter and cooking. I love to cook! 

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.  I have a background in radio broadcasting and TV production. I was an Artistic Director for a dubbing studio. And on and off voice-over actor. 

What do you love about CU Boulder? I love the beauty of our campus. In addition, every person I interact with is amazing. I’ve never worked with so many people that are passionate and caring about their job and community. 

What are you currently reading? I’m currently reading two books and listening to one:

  1. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck. This book is about applying a growth mindset in all parts of life. It brakes down the difference between a fixed mindset vs growth mindset.  I always have it with me and read it when I need a reminder. 
  2. It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler. My daughter’s favorite at this time.
  3. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez (audiobook) Just started listening. This book is about the struggles of an independent Latina woman and having to meet her family’s expectations.

Recycling Tip of the Month

compost

Recent policy changes requiring that the compostable material we provide for downstream markets be free of contamination have resulted in loads being rejected and penalties imposed.  By working together we can avoid having rejected loads in the future.  But we need to act now!

Determining what to put into compost bins is fundamentally simple.  If it was alive during your lifetime and is not plastic coated, then it’s compostable.  Additionally, service-ware items such as plates, cups, and utensils must have the BPI logo or the word “COMPOSTABLE” on them.  Don’t contaminate compost with plastic (including plastic-coated), metal, glass, latex gloves, or trash.  When in doubt, throw it out!  For a complete guide, check out the Environmental Center’s compost pages. Separating our discards properly into compost, recycling, and landfill bins is our obligation as stewards of our environment and a requirement for us to become good ancestors to the generations that follow.

Staff members are invited to learn more about our work at the Recycling Operations Center and become more proactively involved.

Safety Hatter Chatter

Be Safe.

Safety Committee updates

We are nearing the halfway point of the semester, and as the academic year progresses, stress levels can accumulate. Increased stress levels can expose you to greater risk of accidents. Stress can come from a variety of factors, so make sure to communicate clearly with your colleagues and leadership about what may be contributing to your unneeded stressors. Your causes of stress are unique to your individual and occupational environment. 

For resources, support, and tips on handling stress, get in touch with The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP). FSAP partners with the university to provide and foster psychological wellness, emotional resilience, and equitable accessibility to mental health to help positively change lives and communities 

Exploring with ISIEC

ISIEC

October is LGBT History Month – an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements.  This coincides with National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11 and commemorates the first and second marches on Washington for LGBT rights in 1979 and 1987.

Want to learn more about resources here at CU Boulder?  Visit our colleagues in the Pride Office or explore the list of relevant resources for the CU community.

Other opportunities to learn at CU Boulder:

  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Studies is an undergraduate program dedicated to the academic study of gender and sexuality. The program offers coursework, programming, and internship opportunities for students looking to explore queer and trans issues through an intersectional lens.
  • Creating Trans-affirming Universities – In this interactive workshop, participants will build an understanding of the intersectional experiences of trans and non-binary students, faculty, and staff and practice strategies for interrupting transphobia, transmisogyny, and cisgenderism on campus. Open to all: staff, faculty, students, alumni, and the general public.

ISIEC General Education Development (GED) preparation program launches this fall

Earlier this year, ISIEC was awarded a President's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) grant. The funds are to be used to help prepare I&S staff members to navigate the process of preparing for and earning their State of Colorado high school diploma equivalency (HSE) or GED certificate. If you or any of your team members are interested in learning more about the program, please contact ISIEC co-chair Shawna Stushnoff at shawna.stushnoff@colorado.edu. 

Find more information and ways to get involved on the Infrastructure & Sustainability Inclusive Excellence Committee (ISIEC) website.

Employee Resources

Perk of the Month: Free access to the Global Sustainability Conference

CU Boulder faculty, staff and students will have full access to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE’s) virtual Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education. The conference is the largest stage to exchange effective models, policies, research, collaborations and transformative actions that advance sustainability in higher education and surrounding communities.

Flu shot clinics coming to CU Boulder in October

CU Health Plan members and covered spouses can receive a free flu shot at a campus clinic coming up in October. If you aren't a plan member, you can receive a shot for just $39. Registration is required.

employee passport

How the SRS Employee Passport works

The Office of Strategic Resources and Support (SRS) has debuted a new Employee Passport aimed at fostering faculty and staff engagement—complete with the chance to be entered into an end-of-semester drawing for an Apple iPad or one of 10 CU Book Store gift certificates in the amounts of $100 (5) or $200 (5). Each time you participate in an activity and “stamp your passport," you will be entered into a prize drawing at the end of the semester. The more you engage, the more chances to win.

WorkTango

Kazoo is now called WorkTango

Kazoo was acquired by WorkTango earlier this year. While the name has changed, none of the functionality of the platform has. Log on and recognize your colleagues today. Some differences include:

  • Anywhere you previously saw the Kazoo branding will now show as WorkTango
  • Email notifications now come from WorkTango. Please check your spam settings as we have been notified that some email recognitions sent with the new name are going into the “Junk Email” folder.

We encourage you to update your mobile app (or download it if you don’t have it yet). You can do so by visiting the App or Google Play stores and searching for “WorkTango” or “Kazoo HR” and then clicking “Get” or “Update.”

September Comings and Goings

NEW HIRES

  • Sunita Lama, CBS, Custodian
  • Abdallah Bazzan, Utility and Energy Services, Energy Data Analyst
  • Deven Chavez, FM Operations, Electrician
  • Francisco Elizalde Zamora, CBS, Custodian
  • Michael Gawrlyczik, CBS, Custodian

PROMOTIONS/TRANSFERS

  • John Kline, FM Operations, Planner/Scheduler Fire Systems 
  • Lori Black, PD&C, Project Administrator 
  • Mark Lapham, EH&S, Director, Environmental Compliance
  • Timothy Lockhart, EH&S, Director, Occupational Health and Safety
  • Holly Gates-Mayer, EH&S, Interim AVC for EH&S
  • Brandon, EH&S, Director, Special Projects EH&S
  • Christopher Sachs, PD&C, Project Management Team Lead
  • Rick Miller, CBS, Custodian I 
  • George Kavadas, JILA, JILA Building Manager
  • Jennifer Salyers, CUPD, Sr. Human Resources Generalist 

MOVING ON

  • Roberto Sanchez, CBS, Custodian
  • John Thompson, Transportation Services, Transportation Accountant
  • Robert Schumaker, FM Operations, Structural Trades Shop Supervisor 
  • Saraswoti Lama, CBS, Custodian
  • Susmita KC Karki, CBS, Custodian

  • I&S Employee Website
  • I&S Homepage
  • I&S SharePoint Site
  • Kazoo employee recognition platform
  • Employee Recognition Program

Infrastructure & Sustainability

University Administrative Center
914 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80309
E-Mail: vcis@colorado.edu
Phone: 303-735-4508

CU Boulder acknowledges that it is located on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Ute and many other Native American nations. Their forced removal from these territories has caused devastating and lasting impacts. Full CU Boulder land acknowledgment

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