Dean’s Update 10/3/22

October 4, 2022

Contact: Anisa Zvonkovic | 706-542-4879 | More about Anisa

Beyond “Just FACS”

Going “beyond facts” this morning, I wanted to let you know, in case you haven’t noticed, that I’ve changed the schedule of these college updates to be monthly, around the first of the month. This different schedule might mean you get a few extra emails with time-sensitive information throughout the month. I’ve now been your dean for 90 days, and am reflecting back on the first 90 days and planning for the next. I’ve been to each academic unit meeting and have toured most of the spaces, with a goal of touring them all in the next month. I’ve started meeting with administrators of centers and interdisciplinary groups within the college. I’ve met with alumni and friends in Atlanta and at a gathering in Macon, with two more events involving travel to alumni later this semester. I’ve participated in several activities and meetings with the Alumni Board. I finally met Hairy Dawg at our “Donuts with the Dean” event! As I mentioned in the previous update, my goal with navigating around is to open up lines of communication to help me in articulating the story of FACS as we move FACS forward.

I’m really looking forward to seeing you all at the FACS Homecoming Tailgate on Oct. 15 and at future events. We have a College Assembly planned for November 14, 2022 at 3 p.m. with a focus on the Clinical & Translational Science Alliance (CTSA) and what we have contributed and can contribute to that effort.

DEI Update – FACS’s strategic plan was reviewed and Melissa Landers-Potts (DEI committee chair and Assistant to the Dean for Diversity and Inclusion) and I received feedback on the plan from Michelle Cook and Nathan Moore. The plan was described as strong, succinct, and easily understood. We are grateful to Cara Simmons for her leadership of the committee last year. Our next steps are for the committee to go over the suggested revisions. In sum, we were told that the plan was outstanding in outreach, which is a strength of the college. The final edited version will be submitted in October. Upcoming work related to DEI for FACS includes:

· Reaching out for graduate and undergraduate student representatives who can provide feedback on DEI issues and determining the best forums for gathering feedback

· Replenishing the DEI committee

· Considering avenues for sharing the good DEI work that is being done by alumni, faculty, staff, and students and creating networks within the college for collaboration on addressing DEI issues (through Brown Bag/Speaker Series; dedicated attention on website; a FACS DEI newsletter and/or working with Cal to highlight accomplishments; possible affinity or other type working/networking groups)

· Generating opportunities to expand our collective understanding of DEI issues (through trainings, Brown Bags/speakers)

· Recognizing DEI efforts of alumni, faculty, staff and students (through new DEIB awards, Brown Bags, speaker series)

· Increasing representation and retention of diverse individuals among our faculty, staff, and student body (through strategic recruitment and retention efforts, Brown Bags/speaker series, possible affinity or other type working/networking groups)

FACS Instructors: Consider joining the UGA Relentless Welcome. This was detailed in the 8/29/22 Office of Instruction email. The program is about the intentional and en masse creation of learning environments in which students feel seen, heard, supported, and cared for. When we do this for our students, their energy and focus are freed up for learning, and we increase the likelihood that they will thrive and succeed. Sign up here: https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b7rJ5DSHmPGxN4y

Faculty Advisory Committee: New Public Service and Outreach representative, Dr. Pamela Turner, will serve through Spring 2023. This committee has been working on the updates to the annual review process that must be done based on USG policy. Please note that two open forums about these updates are scheduled: October 6, from 10 - 11 a.m., and October 1, from 12-1 p.m., both in Dawson 202.

Associate Dean for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship: This position is now posted and I ask that you share it with your networks: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/283537

Help us win the Beat Week giving challenge vs. Auburn!

Beat Week is a one-week fundraising challenge between UGA and Auburn leading up to the big game. I need you to help us extend our winning streak in the competition to three years. The campaign kicked off today and runs through Saturday, Oct. 8. The winner will be decided by the total gifts raised – not the amount! We hope you will designate your gift to FACS, of course, and any one of the FACS-specific funds listed on the secure giving page. Go to auvuga.com to see the head-to-head numbers, as it will refresh daily so you can keep track of the competition. Please encourage your colleagues and friends to join the competition. All gifts will help us make a difference in the lives of our students

Follow our social media this week for some fun content promoting the challenge. Please enjoy our introductory video featuring UGA football standout and FACS student Darnell Washington.

OTIS Update

Apporto - Apporto is a virtual desktop environment that provides access to software such as SPSS, Lectra, Excel, SketchUp, Creative Cloud, etc. on a virtual PC interface without having to download the software to your computer. There are two desktops available for our students, one for our design and fashion students and another dedicated to statistical and financial analysis.

There are tools for accessing files (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox), screen sharing, and collaboration. Faculty can view the desktops of all students in their class simultaneously and offer assistance, respond to questions in the chat, share files with the class, and more. Take a look at the videos below to see how you can use Apporto.

Getting Started Tutorial for Students - (https://youtu.be/ots0MCApWdw) 7:14

Getting Started Tutorial for Faculty - (https://youtu.be/OY3mwEff8tY) 10:56

You can access these virtual desktops by going to https://uga.apporto.com and signing in with your UGA MyID credentials.

Did you know…Frequent back-ups make recovery of corrupted or lost files possible, or at least easier. Types of back-ups include cloud-based storage such as Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or Apple iCloud, network storage on our local servers, and desktop storage using an external hard drive or a separated part of the hard drive, often called a partition. Many of these are freely available to you as a member of the FACS community. If you want to learn more, send a message to helpdesk@fcs.uga.edu (from your registered email address) and we will be happy to assist you in developing a plan to preserve your data.

And remember to leave your computer on at all times so that your system software and antivirus will remain up to date. Best practice is to restart your computer on Friday and leave it on through the weekend.

Virtual Desktops are available for students through uga.apporto.com allowing software to be used on personal computers (including SPSS, R, etc.).

Facilities Updates

New furniture, including benches, chairs, and tables. New microwave in the breakroom

Communications Update

Due to rising paper costs and supply chain issues, we decided earlier this year to not print our annual FACS Magazine. In its place, we are working on a robust electronic newsletter that we plan to distribute later this fall.

Homecoming Tailgate

Join the College of Family and Consumer Sciences for the 2022 Homecoming Tailgate at Dawson Hall on October 15 beginning at 12:30 p.m. Your ticket includes a meal catered by White Tiger Gourmet, soft drinks, and beer and wine for guests ages 21 and over.

https://gail.uga.edu/events/facs/2022-facs-homecoming-tailgate

Please note that parking is not provided. Deadline to register is October 6.

Staff Update

Paulette Rush, who worked at UGA for 23 years, retired in September and we sent her off into retirement with a party!

Please also help us welcome Charles Nichols and Brenda Haynes, new (to Dawson) Building Service department.

Annual UGA Motor Vehicle Use Policy Training

Members of the UGA community may have work assignments that involve driving a vehicle to accomplish university business. The UGA Motor Vehicle Use Policy, effective since July 1, 2020, requires all UGA faculty, staff, volunteers, and independent contractors to complete the following every year:

Online Training in the Professional Education Portal (PEP)
Driver Acknowledgement Form
Motor vehicle check, if driving 3 or more days per week on university business

Important: This year, we have improved the process by adding automated annual training reminders. For those who have completed the PEP training at least once, no immediate action is needed. You will receive an automated message from PEP to renew your annual training certification. The PEP training includes links to the driver acknowledgment form and the motor vehicle check form.

For those who have not previously completed the above requirements, please begin with the PEP course link. Contact the UGA Insurance and Claims Office at vsilcott@uga.edu or 706-425-3083 with any questions.

USG benefits open enrollment 2023 Open Enrollment for the 2023 calendar year will take place October 24 through November 4, 2022. This is an Active Enrollment year, meaning all employees must complete the tobacco use and working spouse certifications. If you take no action during Open Enrollment to complete these certifications, you will default to the $150 monthly surcharge for each item. During this time period, employees can also enroll and make donations to the Shared Sick Leave Pool for 2023. To learn more about Open Enrollment here.

https://hr.uga.edu/Current_Employees/Benefits/open_enrollment/2023/ USG benefits fairs This year, we are Better Together! Attend an in-person or virtual benefits fair for more information about the USG benefits programs. Virtual benefits fairs The USG virtual benefits fair with live presentations and chat will be offered throughout the Open Enrollment period, from October 24 through November 4. We encourage all faculty, staff, and retirees to attend a fair to learn about the changes to the benefit plans for 2023. You will receive a registration email in October for the virtual benefits fair. In-person benefits fair The in-person benefits fair will be held on Monday, October 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Georgia Center for Continuing Education’s Mahler Hall. Learn more about Open Enrollment here.