VPBA Newsletter

Kerry's Korner ...... A while back, I indicated that we would be considering a new Business Affairs' recognition program. We're diligently working on it and hope to introduce it to everyone in September. I think you will like how it is tied into our vision theme of "In All We Do, We Do with Excellence."

Speaking of recognition, did you know that research from various world renowned organizations reveal that less than a third of people report that they frequently receive praise or recognition for good work? Less than one out of every three people! To this, Marcus Buckingham, in his book, The One thing You Need to Know, says, "This suggests either that they did something at a level of excellence and no one praised them for it, or that they haven't performed at a level of excellence recently. Of course, neither is a good thing."

Let's look for opportunities this week to say a word of thanks or extend praise to a colleague for service above and beyond what's expected. And let's make this a part of our routine, daily job. Catch someone bumping the lamp this week and praise them for it.

More on the recognition program next month! Bump the Lamp!

Upcoming Events:

VPBA Breakfast
August 17, 2005
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
MB 3.106

Roadrunner Days
August 19-25

Classes Begin
August 24, 2005

Labor Day
September 5, 2005

Spotlight on...
Mr. Pete

“Pedro “Mr. Pete” Esquivel has been part of the UTSA Facilities Services Grounds unit for more than 15 years. He began as a Grounds Laborer position on May 16, 1990, working with the crew members who maintained the rough, undeveloped terrain on 1604 Campus. After two years, he was reassigned to work in the Central / Sombrilla area, with his duties including the inner building patios of the surrounding buildings and containerized outdoor planters. In February 1998, Mr. Pete was reclassified to a Groundskeeper I, due to his hard work and dedication. Before coming to UTSA, Mr. Pete worked at Kelly AFB and Fort Sam Houston, performing grounds maintenance for over 10 years. When not working at UTSA, Mr. Pete enjoys spending time with his wife, especially attending dances together. They have two daughters, one son, and five grandchildren. When we think of Mr. Pete, we picture a dedicated, reliable, “always doing something” grounds member - who holds the record for attendance and sick leave balance - over 1,017 hours. "He is greatly appreciated within our unit," according to Bernadette Berain, Grounds Maintenance Supervisor. Thank you, Mr. Pete, for your many years of dedicated service!

79th Legislature Update
Status Change for Return-to-Work Retirees:

The 79^th Legislature passed HB 3540, which includes provisions that affect current employees who retire and return to work as active employees. Specifically, HB 3540 provides a “new employee” benefit status to all return to work retirees who are hired on or after June 1, 2005. The “new employee” status means accrual of longevity pay, vacation leave, benefit replacement pay (BRP), and hazardous duty pay would be computed and based on the new employment date. In the past, return to work retirees were able to maintain their pre-retirement longevity, vacation, BRP, and hazardous duty pay levels. HB 3540 does not affect current employees who retired prior to 6/1/05.

New Student Dining Facility

The Roadrunner Cafe official opening is Saturday, Aug. 20th. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. (breakfast); 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch); and 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (dinner); Monday-Friday. The cafe is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays; as well as from 5 to 7 p.m. for dinner. Shuttles will be available from the Main Building and the Humanities and Social Sciences Building to Chaparral Village and back.

Roadrunner Cafe will open to the UTSA community from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 19 to give faculty and staff a first taste. Cost of the lunch is $6 per person.

Staff Relations Council Members have placed numerous suggestion boxes in the facilities services areas. Locations are:

1	BSA Front office (BSA 1.01.26)
2	FSA Shop (FSA 1.302)
1	BSA Breakroom (BSA - 1.212)
1	Front of Work Control (FSA 1.302)
1	One box travels to different locations (zones) within the custodial department

Q & A from VPBA Forum

Flex hours yearly?

Flex hours are up to individual departments, keeping in mind that departments are to be manned 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with a qualified employee to answer questions.

David J. (Dave) Riker has accepted the position of Associate Vice President for Facilities in the office of Business Affairs effective September 12, 2005. Dave is currently the Work Management Program Manager at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico. Prior to this he served as Public Works Director for the County of Los Alamos and served as a Civil Engineering Officer in the United States Air Force. David Riker

Dave received his BS degree in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University, his MS degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, and a second MS degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado. He also has earned certifications as a Facility Manger (CFM) and as a Facility Management Administrator (FMA).

Dave’s education and experience will serve the university well as he will be primarily responsible for the leadership, planning, implementation, management and operation of the university’s facilities services department and the facilities planning and development department. He will also assure that these departments provide timely and cost-effective customer-oriented services to support the construction, maintenance and operations of all campus facilities. Please join me in welcoming Dave to business affairs and to UTSA.

David A. Kapalko has recently joined us as our Director of Parking and Transportation Services.

Dave comes to UTSA with more than 13 years of experience in higher education, serving as director of parking and transportation at the University of Texas at Austin, Virginia Tech and George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.

Prior to coming to UTSA, Dave was director of parking and transportation services at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and he previously worked for Carl Walker Inc., Dallas, as senior planner and project manager responsible for master planning, feasibility studies, parking garage financial planning and supply-demand studies.

At the University of Texas at Austin, his responsibilities included the shuttle bus system, the largest university transit system in the United States with 13 routes and more than 8 million passenger trips annually. At Virginia Tech, he was part of the planning and construction process of an $11 million project involving parking lot expansion and a 500-car parking deck.

Dave's education and experience will serve the university well as he will be primarily responsible for the leadership, planning, implementation, management and operation of the university's new stand-alone department for parking and transportation services, Please join me in welcoming Dave to business affairs and to UTSA.

FAQ's Parking and Transportation

Q: Will there be a formal grace period for parking tickets at the start of the semester?

A: No. Students are expected to order their permits before August to ensure they receive them before the start of the semester. 2005-2006 parking permits will be valid August 15, 2005 to August 14, 2006.

Q: How do I know if my permit will be mailed?

A: Permits by mail

Fall/Spring 2005-2006 permits ordered online before Receive-by-Mail deadline of July 31, 2005

Permits to pick up

The Parking & Transportation Services office (MS 1.02.38) will temporarily move to MS 2.02.24 from August 15 through September 7 in order to better manage long lines.

Fall/Spring 2005-2006 permits ordered online after July 31, 2005
Summer permits
Temporary permits