We started the spring semester with the need to adapt to the surge of the omicron variant by enhancing COVID protocols as well as weather a few winter storms. During the inclement weather, many staff in our division worked above and beyond to remove snow and ice, organize overnight accommodations and meals for staff staying close to campus, monitor weather conditions and more. I want to extend my sincere gratitude for all those who stepped up to keep the university operational during those moments.

Our division remains instrumental to a multitude of university efforts. The continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic, delivery of transformative capital projects, groundbreaking of a solar farm that will help the university achieve its sustainability goals and development of new ways to recruit and retain top talent are just a few of the many examples that showcase our cross-divisional and institutional collaboration and innovation. It is the people in our division and at the university at large that drive these and many other efforts. I continue to encourage you to check in with one another and yourselves and utilize campus wellbeing resources as we all work toward our collective and personal goals in these challenging times.

Let’s continue to lead change, strive for excellence and show our empathy and compassion for one another.

Sincerely,

Eric Kopstain,
Vice Chancellor for Administration

In Focus Sessions

The next In Focus Session on Feb. 16 will feature leaders in the mobility and transportation office presenting Transportation 101: The Transit Crisis and MoveVU. We encourage you to register for what will be a very interesting session on the state of Nashville public transportation and what Vanderbilt is doing to make it better.

Visit the In Focus Sessions webpage to watch a recording of the January presentation on Health, Wellness and an update on COVID-19 and register for future sessions.

DofA In Focus Sessions will be held every third Wednesday of the month from noon to 1:00pm via Zoom and feature topics of interest within our division. Have suggestions for topics for future sessions or feedback you want to share? Contact divisionofadministration@vanderbilt.edu.

Ways to Engage this Month

Check out some of the ways you can engage, virtually or in person, this month.

February is Black History Month, a time to acknowledge and appreciate the history, experience and accomplishments of Black people on the Vanderbilt campus, across the country and globally. Vanderbilt is celebrating with a monthlong series of events open to all members of the community.

Upskill your new year with HR Employee Learning and Engagement

Upskilling—training or education that teaches new skills or advances or upgrades existing skills—is linked to greater satisfaction with one’s job or career, improvement in quality of life and increased standard of living, according to the Gallup organization. The HR Employee Learning and Engagement team invites you to participate in at least one learning experience this semester. Learn more and register here.

The University Staff Advisory Council (USAC) is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee for a virtual food drive this month. Second Harvest has experienced a significant increase in demand since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and more people than ever are using the food bank’s resources for the first time. For 2022, USAC’s goal is $6,000 to provide 24,000 meals. Learn more and donate here to support those in need.

Work Plans Going Forward

As you are all aware, the beginning of the year presented many challenges including the surge of the omicron variant. The university continues to monitor community transmission rates, data from our testing programs and contact tracing efforts very carefully. All decisions regarding protocols continue to be evaluated in close collaboration with public health experts. Our division includes those staff whose roles are required to be on campus, as well as staff who have remote or hybrid arrangements. If you are working on campus in person or in a hybrid format, you must follow the university’s protocols when on campus – which includes masking at all times indoors unless actively eating or drinking or working in a private office alone. You are encouraged to maintain physical distancing when possible.

If you have any concerns regarding these policies, or questions regarding your personal work arrangements and scheduling, please follow up with your manager and area leadership. Decisions regarding work arrangements will continue to be made at the operational level. Thanks for all that you are doing to keep our campus safe. For more information regarding the university’s current COVID-19 response, please visit the FAQ page.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Two Vanderbilt University buildings earn LEED certification

Vanderbilt University celebrates 2021 Service Award recipients

VUPS Emergency Management adds operational continuity, special events security and safety to office oversight

New email security enhancements prevent spoofing, increase deliverability

2021 W-2s now available

Prescription benefit now covers over-the-counter COVID-19 tests

Vanderbilt to provide KN95 masks for all students, faculty, postdocs and on-campus staff

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

Health and Safety Protocols

Wellbeing Campus & Community Resources

University Staff Advisory Council

Past Division of Administration Newsletters