VPBA Newsletter

Kerry's Korner......

Greetings and Happy New Year!

Being the New Year, it’s time to remind ourselves of what’s really important, i.e., faith, spouse, family, friends, health, profession, service. This list might go on and on with varying individual priorities. I have reminded myself (again this year) of how important it is to keep a balanced life – one that makes proportionate time for all that’s important to me and my family. Though I have no statistically valid data, I believe those who keep a healthy perspective of and balance in their life are generally less stressful and more productive, creative and happy.

Let’s also remind ourselves of the vital role we each have in the success of the university, and what’s most important when it comes to serving our many customers. We need to communicate clearly and often, develop caring relationships, meet needs, manage expectations, take risks, dream, and be gracious and appreciative.

Thanks to each of you who are dedicated to making UTSA an institution of first choice for students, staff and faculty. Wishing you the best New Year!

Kerry

Upcoming Events

Employee Holiday
Martin Luther King
January 16, 2006

Spring 2006 Semester Starts
January 17, 2006

VPBA Breakfast
January 18, 2006
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Roadrunner Cafe

BSE Dedication
February 10, 2006
Time to Be Determined

Spring Break
March 13-17, 2006

Go Red for Women is a nationwide movement to wipe out heart disease. Go Red for Women at UTSA is a campaign in February to educate students, faculty and staff about heart disease. Please watch the UTSA Today page for more information on dates and activities.

Spotlight on..... John Rivenburgh

John Rivenburgh has worked in Facilities Services as a carpenter for the past 16 months. He was chosen as Facilities employee of the month for December 2005. Prior to coming to UTSA, John worked as a foreman for a construction company and was self employed as a general contractor for four years. A native San Antonian, he graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1994. He is the son of John and Robin Rivenburgh.

John loves going back to nature. His hobbies include fishing and backpacking in the mountains. "I enjoy fishing because it's the most relaxing thing I can do. My wife, Alison, often comments on how at peace and relaxed I look when I get back home from a day of fishing." John is a fourth generation custom furniture builder. "It's in my blood." His father is a custom furniture builder and learned the trade from his grandfather and great grandfather. John has one brother, Chris, who is 25, and two sisters: Rachel, 22 who is in public relations and a beautiful 4 year old sister who is getting ready for kindergarten. Thanks, John, for your excellent work and dedication to the university.

David Hernandez
Director of Public Safety
and Chief of Police

Chief Hernandez begins his duties Thursday, January 12. As you see him around campus, please welcome him to the university and to Business Affairs.

REMINDER:

Postage Stamps
increase
January 8th to
39 cents

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARKING
AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Please join the Office of the Vice President for Business Affairs in welcoming Jane Wilcox, the new Assistant Director of Parking and Transportation Services. Jane began her position at UTSA on January 4th, assisting Dave Kapalko, Director of Parking and Transportation Services, in providing parking operations services to the university community.

Jane comes to UTSA with more than 8 years of experience in higher education parking operations, most recently as the Parking Manager at The University of Texas at Austin. In her last position, Jane was responsible for the day-to-day operations and staff supervision for all surface parking activities including permit distribution, special events, citation appeals, revenue collections, and customer service.

STAND ALONE TRAVEL OFFICE

Effective January 1, 2006, the Travel Management Office has been created as a stand alone office, separate from the Disbursements Office. Due to space considerations, Travel staff will remain in the Disbursements suite at JPL 4.04.26 for the time being. Deby Bailey, longtime Disbursements staff member, has been promoted to the position of Travel Manager, reporting directly to the Business Manager, and will oversee all aspects of the travel process at UTSA. Please join us in congratulating Deby on her new position. We are confident that her knowledge and dedication will benefit UTSA travelers.

University Traveler's Support Announcements

When traveling on university business in your personal vehicle after January 1, 2006, mileage reimbursement is now calculated at .445 per mile. If your duty station (headquarters) is UTSA 1604 Campus or University Heights, your origin would be UTSA. If your duty station is UTSA Downtown campus or ITC, your origin would be San Antonio.

In the Texas Mileage Guide drop down menu, select either UTSA, TX or SAN ANTONIO, TX depending on your duty station.

Annual performance appraisals are due to HR on March 1, 2006

It's time to start thinking about the 2005 Performance Evaluations. The current performance year ends January 31, and completed evaluations will be due to Human Resources by March 1, 2006. Performance Evaluation forms should be completed for all full and part-time employees (50% appointment or greater) who have completed their probationary period by January 31, 2006. Employees who are still within their probationary period after January 31, will receive a probationary evaluation per the established schedule. Feel free to contact HR, ext. 4250 if you have any questions on the Performance Evaluation process.

Looking forward to the 2006 performance year, remember, you should meet with your employees by mid-March to discuss performance expectations for 2006. If you did not take SU 298, Performance Evaluation Form and Guidelines last Spring/Summer, you will want to enroll in SU 302, Performance Planning.

FERAL HOGS SITED ON 1604 CAMPUS

A small pack of feral hogs has been observed on the UTSA 1604 campus. The hogs have typically been seen in the evenings and early mornings on the west side of the campus. The hogs have been rooting up various turf areas including damaging parts of newly constructed intramural fields. The local Texas Wildlife Services Office will trap and remove the hogs from campus, which could take several months. The traps have been placed at various locations and will be set starting Tuesday, January 17, 2006. The trapping process may take several months.

Should students or staff see the hogs, they should contact University Police at 458-4242. Feral hogs can be aggressive so they should not be approached. Site information provided could be helpful in locating traps.