The Campus CONNECTION Issue 22 December 2015
In this issue Employee Corner P2 Employee Enrichment P3 Supervisor Corner P4
Now You Know Current Staff Openings
Secretary II - Education Department -College of Education and Liberal Arts
Part-time Library Clerk
Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Moves Forward on Recreation and Wellness Center for A&M-Texarkana COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents in November authorized Chancellor John Sharp to negotiate a public-private partnership that will enable Texas A&M University-Texarkana to move forward with construction of an anticipated $11 million, 38,000square-foot recreation and wellness center on the Bringle Lake campus in Texarkana, Texas. Key features of the center will likely include a regulation-sized intercollegiate basketball/volleyball court that could double as space for recreational sports, retractable bleachers, student recreation space, classrooms, student-study areas, locker rooms, a wellness center and training room for student-athletes, and offices for faculty and staff. Sharp will be negotiating with Eagle Lake Development of Texarkana, Texas, which emerged as the final candidate in a request-for-proposals process to work with A&M-Texarkana on construction of the center. A&M-Texarkana will raise funds to furnish and equip the building for student and community use. “The Texas A&M University System is a leader in using public-private partnerships to keep costs down, saving money for our students, their parents and Texas taxpayers,” said Sharp. “Innovation is key to providing high-quality facilities while keeping a university education affordable.” “As a growing destination university, it’s very important for us to create high-quality experiences for our students and for the Texarkana community,” said Dr. Emily Cutrer, president of A&M-Texarkana. “These types of experiences often translate into increases in enrollment, retention and graduation rates for the university community, and they generate positive benefits for the community at large in terms of economic and workforce development.” A&M System Regent Judy Morgan of Texarkana, Texas, said the new center could play a significant role in keeping A&M-Texarkana relevant in today’s higher education marketplace. “From the Board of Regents’ perspective, student-engagement opportunities help to build a community in which students may develop not only as scholars, but as well-rounded individuals,” Regent Morgan said. “The new recreation and wellness center is a win-win situation for everyone involved. We look forward to partnering with private industry and donors to create a wonderful building dedicated to the pursuit of recreation and fitness. The project also will have a tremendous impact on local business and industry in the region.” Groundbreaking for the recreation and wellness center is tentatively planned for this winter, Dr. Cutrer said. Construction is expected to take approximately 15 months. “We are so proud to provide the Eagle family with this opportunity for student and community interaction,” Dr. Cutrer said. “The recreation and wellness center will become the living room of our campus, and it will be a welcoming place to invite our guests.”
Employee Corner Employee of the Month October BIRTHDAYS
Kathleen Drew Morton Missildine Norma McCormick Shannon Barbara Wilson Gustafson Don Koontz Vicki Huckabee Chris Sinquefield Venus Lillis Ellen Wood Corrine Hinton Rebecca Sheri Brady Martindale Ginger Mann Kenneth Charles McDonald Robertson Robert Owen Debora Brittany Barnett Shidemantle Kristie Avery Nurul Alam Jeff Hinton
Meet Our Kathy May Shipping and Receiving Clerk Started: 11/18/2015
Billy Giddens Police Officer Start Date: 12/1/2015
Ricky Ray Ricky Ray loves data and enjoys sharing it with others. Ricky’s job is to prepare reports using data found in Banner and other databases. He reports data internally to President Curter, administrators, and other groups such as Enrollment Management and Student Success. Ricky also submits reports to external groups such as The Texas A&M University System and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. These reports are detailed and sometimes difficult to prepare. Once they are prepared, Ricky has to check and double check the reports for accuracy. Ricky responds to data requests quickly, and his interactions epitomize customer service— he is always friendly and eager to help. In the past few months, he has helped several departments resolve questions regarding data reports, and he takes the initiative to develop new reports for the benefit of staff and administrators on campus. While his work is often done behind the scenes, he provides essential data that enables others to make decisions based on solid evidence. We appreciate Ricky! The Campus Connection
Employee Enrichment Sleep-Wake Cycle Needs to be Consistent Sleeping late now and then may feel like a luxury. But an inconsistent sleep schedule can throw off your body’s sleep and waking pattern, or circadian rhythm, according to sleep specialists writing in the Harvard Health Letter. Inconsistent cycles can lead to sleepless nights. To get sleep and waking patterns back on track, talk to a sleep expert. The first step is a physical exam to rule out underlying health conditions that may cause insomnia. If no underlying cause is found, try a sleep journal. Each morning, write down the wake time, the bedtime from the night before, how long it took to fall asleep, and whether there was any waking in the night—and if so, how many times. After two weeks, a pattern will emerge. It can help pinpoint any changes that need to be made. The wake time is most important to getting on a schedule again because it anchors the circadian sleep rhythm. Use an alarm clock to stick to the schedule. Make bedtime about seven or eight hours before the alarm will sound. It also helps to make a wind-down period part of the bedtime routine. That means stopping the use of all electronics an hour and a half before bed, keeping the lights low, and doing relaxing yet nonstimulating activities such as reading. Filling the day with more structure will also reinforce the circadian rhythm. Keep a regular schedule for work, meals, exercise, and activities such as grocery shopping, socializing, or housework.
Avoid... Controversial or argumentative emailing. When you engage in an emotional discussion via email, the emails will fly. Emotional issues should never be handled by email; a phone call or person-to-person handling of the situation is best, both for the sake of your inbox and the health of the office dynamic, according to The Egan Group.
Don’t Turn that Ignition! If you are feeling stressed and anxious before you even start your trip, then take time to calm down now, not after you are on the highway. Take that deep breath you always heard would work. You might even try counting from 1 to 10, inhaling on 1, exhaling on 2, up to 10 and back to 1 again.
An EAP Reminder Life Can Be Hectic. The EAP Can Help You Find Your Balance. Deer Oaks, your EAP, is always available to you and your household members. If you are struggling with children, finances, or just want some practical advice on health or the mind-body connection, contact Deer Oaks by calling the Helpline. Counselors are available 24/7 to provide you with immediate care.
The Campus Connection Issue 22 December 2015
Supervisor’s Corner Be a Great Boss When You’re Swamped
When you are overwhelmed with work, you may unknowingly take your stress out on your employees. You become more demanding, curt or rude. However, no matter how stressed out, frazzled or overwhelmingly busy you are, you still have to be a great boss. Follow these tips to do just that: • Schedule time to talk with staff. Specifically when it comes to addressing performance or behavioral issues, meet with employees within 48 hours. If you wait too long, your feedback won’t be meaningful. Additionally, block off time in your schedule to walk around and connect with employees. First thing in the morning is ideal. You can discuss any concerns and answer any questions, ensuring that everyone is more productive throughout the day. • Respond to emails quickly and thoughtfully. Employees may be choosing email to communicate because they sense you don’t want to be disturbed in person. Read their messages carefully, and follow up as soon as possible. Don’t respond with gruff one-word answers either. Instead, answer all of their questions carefully to avoid another round of emails. • Apologize for your behavior. Everyone becomes stressed out—and turns into a jerk—from time to time. When you catch yourself raising your voice, acting impatiently or demanding more than is fair, say: “I’m sorry for being so scattered/tense/busy/absent this week. It’s been incredibly hectic, but things will be back to normal very soon.” However, don’t make a habit of apologizing every week for your bad behavior. If you are constantly overwhelmed, you may need to assess your time-management skills and make some changes.
I am a new supervisor. I am sure there will be many challenges, but with all the different personalities of employees I supervise, how can I best help each one perform to his or her peak? Understanding that each of your employees will see you differently, will relate to you differently, and will need different things from you is the place to start. Many managers make the mistake of seeing their employees as “the troops.” As such, they communicate with them as though they are Marines in a barracks waiting for orders. Take the opposite approach. It takes time, but over months and years, pay attention to how your employees are unique in five key ways: 1) Communication style and needs. 2) Career goals, hopes, dreams, education desires. 3) Motivation triggers and reward preferences. 4) Limitations, avoidances, and dislikes. 5) Leadership and problem-solving capacity. There are more, but these five hit most of the bases. Growing to understand each one will help maximize employee job satisfaction and productivity. The Campus Connection