U
CONNECTING SEPTEMBER. 2017
In this issue of ConnectingU - September 2017, you will find: Courtside Café Silver Horton Award Winner South Dining Commons Grand Opening Jen O’Connor Elected VP of ICBA Board The Union’s New Mother/Daughter Duo Farewell to Alecia Stultz Director’s Corner with David Mucci The Shop at Chalmers Hall Updated Admin Office Space Cyndie Faircloth Named Employee of the Month August Recap New Hires/Position Changes @KUunion Discover the Union online at
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upcoming events
U
CONNECTING SEPTEMBER. 2017
HIGHLIGHTS
SILVER HORTON AWARD WINNER In May of this year, the DeBruce Center's Courtside Café was awarded the prestigious Silver Horton Award in the Retail Sales—Multiple Concept/Marketplace category. The Horton Awards are given out each year by the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS). More than 75 colleges submitted entries this year. “The entries submitted by the various NACUFS institutions showcase some of the best trends and ideas in college and university dining service programs across the country,” said Dawn Hearne, Hendrix College, Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards chair. To learn more about NACUFS' Horton Awards and to see the full list of this year's winners, visit https://www.nacufs.org/ recognition-dining-awards/.
SOUTH DINING COMMONS GRAND OPENING The KU Memorial Union hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for KU’s new South Dining Commons on Wednesday August 9th, 2017. The event showcased KU Dining's fall menu and tours of the new kitchens were given. A ribbon cutting and program took place, featuring Tammara Durham, Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Harneet Sanghera, KU Memorial Union Corporation Board President, Mark Petrino, Director of KU Dining, and Sarah Waters, Director of KU Housing. South Dining Commons is not only be home to a new dining hall; it is where the newly implemented commissary will be housed. Food is stored and sometimes prepared for all KU Dining locations through the commissary, providing KU Dining an opportunity to offer fresh food everyday. The dining location also houses a grab and go grocery store, providing students the option to quickly grab a bite and extend available food option hours. Thank you to everyone who made the grand opening a success!
JEN O’Connor ELECTED VP of ICBA Board
THE UNION’S NEW MOTHER/DAUGHTER DUO We sat down with two recently hired members of the Union team -mother-daughter duo Tonie Sachs and Bailee Myers -- for a quick interview: Q: What's your job?
Another notable achievement—Jen O’Connor was elected vice president of the Independent College Bookstore Association and will advance to the presidency within the year. Congrats and thanks for taking on this responsibility for the stores across the nation. -David Mucci Director KU Memorial Union
CYNDIE FAIRCLOTH NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Tonie: "I'm the Commissary Manager for KU Dining Services. I oversee production of the cold kitchen (aka grab-and-go items) and coordinate all food deliveries to retail locations and residence halls."
Bailee: "I'm the Marketing and Events Coordinator for the KU Memorial Union. I assist in the planning and execution of Union-wide events and also advise students in SUA."
Q: Favorite part of working so close to each other? Tonie: “I get to see Bailee more often. About twice a week usually, which is more often than when she was in college at KU!"
Bailee: "Seconded. I enjoy being able to talk about work with my mom. We are able to celebrate each other’s accomplishments even more because we work for the same organization."
Q: Favorite thing to do together outside of work? Tonie: "Going to Royals' games."
Bailee: "Getting our nails done."
We're very glad to have Tonie and Bailee both working here at the Union!
FAREWELL TO ALECIA STULTZ
KU recently recognized Cynthia Faircloth, Manager at KU Dining Services' Courtside Cafe, as an August Employee of the Month! Be on the lookout for Cynthia in a future edition of KU Today. Congratulations, Cyndie!
We recently bid farewell to a member of the KU Dining Services team, Alecia Stultz. In the words of KU Dining Services' Director Mark Petrino, "Alecia has passionately served in her position as Assistant Director for Retail Dining for over 11 years. Her contributions have played a major role in the success of KU Dining Services, which is very much appreciated." All of us here at the Union so appreciate all her hard work and dedication to our students, and we wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors.
THE SHOP AT CHALMERS HALL DIRECTOR’S CORNER The loss of the Kansas Union renovation referendum was disappointing it proved instructive. We learned the scope of campus needs and the limits of financial support. These new understandings allow us to advance. The Memorial Corporation Board has initiated a strategic planning effort spanning the organization. Bolstered by consultant analysis, campus surveys and best practices, the Board will shape this information into revised goals and future priorities. The Kansas Union renovation will be bare bones to keep student fees to a minimum while addressing critical structural, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, code and bathroom needs. Funding will be a hybrid of fees and generated revenues. Renovation will be a protracted, sporadic effort geared to critical system replacement as funds allow and systems fail. On the happier end of the spectrum, Burge Union opens in early spring of 2018. Getting the space ready will be the immediate focus. The Jayhawk Boulevard upgrade occurs over the next two summers (funding allowing) and will allow us to address deteriorating plaza pavement while creating new functionality at the Kansas Union entrances. Revitalization of the Kansas Union third level seating area will be undertaken in the upcoming year. This will coincide with a review of Market offerings. The conversion of the Jay Room storage space into an program, exhibit and entertainment spot follows next. Our situations continuously evolve for better outcomes. Union tradition is one of dynamic change; this will not vary as we approach our 100th anniversary in 2021. Ultimately, these endeavors fulfill our mission as KU’s community center—providing needed programs, services and learning experiences for the campus. -David Mucci Director KU Memorial Union
The KU Bookstore's newest location, The Shop at Chalmers Hall, officially opened to students at the start of this academic year. The Shop not only provides a place for art and design students to buy supplies, but also serves as a grab-and-go location with coffee and snacks. Learn more about the new space here. The recently renovated space in Chalmers Hall also includes a seating area outside of The Shop in which students can gather and study or simply enjoy the space. The tables are all made from reused wood. The wood for one of the tables (pictured bottom left) was actually sourced from a Jaybowl bowling lane. The Jaybowl had been the main feature on Level 1 of the Union since 1953. It permanently closed at the end of the 2014-2015 school year. We're glad to see a piece of the Jaybowl live a second life in this new space in Chalmers Hall.
UPDATED ADMIN OFFICE SPACE Come see our newly updated administrative offices in the Kansas Union! While it’s certainly more colorful and bright, the reason behind the updates extends far beyond fun colors and furniture. Coming to the “admin office” for a service and being greeted by dark furniture that created both visual and physical barriers was not the sort of welcome we wanted. The new look and function of this space is all about fun and offers a variety of ways for us to engage our KU community. Whether you partake in self-care stuff like silly putty or bubbles, or sit in one of the gravity defying stools, we hope your visit makes your day just a little bit better!
AUGUST RECAP
August always brings the excitement of a new year. The students return and the buildings spring back to life with our regular routines. UnionFest, coordinated by SUA and supported by all who work in the Kansas Union, again welcomed students back, showcasing the Kansas Union to 8,194 attendees. With the largest amount of student groups ever featured, attendees were able to explore involvement, learn about KU Dining options, explore the KU Bookstore, and learn about all the Kansas Union has to offer. The Kansas Union Welcome Desk reopened under its new name, now featuring a partnership with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center. It’s new location on level 4 of the Kansas Union coupled with extended hours (8 AM to 7 PM) have enhanced the services we are able to offer. Additionally located next to KU INFO allows Jayhawk Walk to serve as a one-stop shop for all guests who pass through our doors. The Union’s newest space, the Roll20 Esports Lounge, was officially opened on level 1. All three donors, Riley Dutton, Nolan T. Jones, and Richard Zayas, were able to join SUA for a ribbon cutting on August 31. The Roll20 Esports Lounge, located on Level 1 of the Kansas Union (formerly the Hawks Nest), has been made possible by a partnership between the Kansas Union, Student Union Activities, and Roll20. The space features flat screen TVs, reservable console gaming (currently featuring a Playstation 4, Wii, N64, and three Xbox 360s), computer stations for PC gaming, and reservable board games. Roll20 (The Orr Group, LLC) was founded by three KU alumni who are dedicated to enabling gamers to unite across any distance via easy-to-use gaming tools. With a few more equipment pieces yet to be installed, this new space has been eagerly used by KU student groups seeking gaming resources. Saturday, September 16 SUA hosted their 10th Annual Campus Carnival at the Lied Center of Kansas parking lot. With rides, games, face painters and more, this event is a regular welcome back for Daisy Hill residents, KU families, international students, and those young and young at heart. KU Dining delighted with typical carnival fare including walking-tacos, cheese filled pretzels, and corn dogs. With 3,108 student, staff, and faculty attendees, the event was popular from before gates opened to past closing time.
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NEW HIRES NAME
DEPARTMENT
JOB TITLE
Labrum, Breanna Lynn Bakery Commissary Baker Sachs, Tonie Lee Commisary Commisary Manager McCabe, Brett M Commisary Lead Storekeeper Simpson, Michael Andrew Custodial - 1st Shift Custodial Worker - 1st Shift - Sat-Wed Cook, Nikolas Adam Debruce Dining Supervisor - Courtside CafĂŠ & Performance Din MacFarland, Michael Jason KJHK General Manager - KJHK - Memorial Unions Harper, Jonell Marie KU Bookstores - Merchandise Manager General Merchandise Manager - KU Bookstores Closs, Evan William Mrs E's Cook - Smokey's - Ekdahl Dining Byrne, Gabriel Aiden-Ramirez Mrs E's Cook - Ekdahl Dining Fowler, Hayden Patrick Production Cook - Production Ready, Sarah Anna South Dining Commons Administrative Assistant - Oliver Dining Allen, Martin Brett South Dining Commons Lead Supervisor - South Dining Commons Cecil, Joshua Hannon South Dining Commons Utility Cook AM - Oliver Dining Boone, Zachary Allan South Dining Commons Senior Cook - Oliver Dining - Sun-Wed Crowe, Mekenna Laree South Dining Commons Procurement Supervisor - South Dining Commons Flory, Austin C South Dining Commons Lead Supervisor - South Dining Commons Isbell, Sharon Kay Underground Associate - Underground
POSITION CHANGES NAME Corona, Yulissa Halvorsen, Edith Adriana Ostrander, Kirby D Esperance, Lesly Gerald C. Neal, William Duane Rule, Mary Elizabeth Yager, Kirk Nguyen, Thuy Thi Doktor, Monika Helena Sosa, Maria Lucila Coleman, Randy Lee Oatis, Jeffery Lyndel Hill, Benjamin David Lee Beyer, Frankie Lynne Chambers, Brian Wesley Woodson, Randall C. Shirley, Keaton Lee Anthony, Nathanael Jon Fox, Whitney L. Clarke, Nikolas P Willingham, Sarah Adrienne Thimmesch, Shane Michael Colhouer, Kolton William Wilson, Elizabeth May Ballard, Katlyn Lee Kamau, Princellah Njoki Wiethop, Allison Michelle Raynesford, Justin Thomas Welty, Patti Lynn Brown Jr., Bobbie Joe
DEPARTMENT
Bakery Commissary Baker Bakery Commissary Baker Building Services - Administration Building & Event Serv Systems Administrator Catering Supervisor - Catering Commisary Delivery Driver - Commissary Commisary Cook - Commissary Commisary Cook - Commissary Commisary Cook - Commissary Commisary Cook - Commissary Commisary Associate - Commissary Commisary Associate - Commissary Commisary Delivery Driver - Commissary Commisary Delivery Driver - Commissary Commisary Lead Supervisor - Commissary Commisary Lead Supervisor - Commissary Custodial Group Leaders Supervisor - Custodial Services Debruce Dining Cook Courtside CafĂŠ - Debruce Center #1 Dining Service Administration Senior Supervisor - Buying & Receiving Dining Service Administration Catering Conference Manager KU Bookstores - KU Medical Center Sales Associate - KUMC Bookstore KU Bookstores - Tech Shop Lead Service Technician - KU Bookstores Maintenance Facilities Technician I Market FSW - Brellas - Union Market Market Associate - Market Production Catering Production Cook - Bakery South Dining Commons Cook - South Dining Commons South Dining Commons Sen Sup-AM- New Dining Center Oliver-Tues-Sat South Dining Commons Cook - South Dining Commons South Dining Commons FOH Assistant Manager - Oliver Dining Studio Cook - Studio
@KUunion Discover the Union online at
union.ku.edu
JOB TITLE
upcoming events