UT System Connect Newsletter

May 7, 2024

In This Email:
1. Latest News
2. Upcoming Events of Interest
3. Employee Spotlight

LATEST NEWS

The Employee Experience Monitor has returned! Launched last Tuesday, McLean & Company sent out emails containing links to the survey, which asks a singular question, "How likely would you be to recommend this organization to a qualified friend or family member as a great place to work?" Employees are also given an opportunity to add confidential comments. Note that the email is from McLean & Company, not UT System.

The UT System adopted the one-question approach to minimize the burden on employees, to allow employees an opportunity to provide more frequent feedback and to better enable us to act on employees' feedback in a more agile way. 

Responses will be returned to McLean & Company to facilitate confidentiality. UT will receive anonymous summary reports. 

If you haven't completed the survey yet, we strongly encourage you to do so by May 15. Your feedback helps ensure we continue to stay true our Be One UT values! 

A Professional headshot photo session is being planned for Tuesday, June 4 on the 12th floor of UT Tower for UT System Administration employees. Sessions will be offered in six-minute time slots. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

The Department of Labor has increased the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) annual threshold from the current rate of $35,568 to $43,888, effective July 1, 2024. Essentially, this determines if an employee is eligible for overtime pay.

There will be no change to the duties test associated with these exemptions and there are appeals expected that could potentially impact this timeline. In the meantime, human resources will be reviewing the new FLSA rules and implications for employees. We understand that this news may raise questions and concerns, and we are committed to providing further updates and guidance as we navigate this process. Our priority is ensuring compliance with the updated regulations while supporting our valued employees.

The DASH project go-live has been extended to January 2025, giving adequate time to ensure proper technical and organizational readiness as we adopt this change. Please review the important DASH update and timeline announcement on the Friends of DASH website, as well as the DASH Extension FAQs for additional details.  

The Spring 2024 edition of the University of Tennessee System's quarterly alumni magazine is currently available online. From one UT Knoxville alumnus's selfless journey up to the world's highest peak to a County Technical Assistance consultant showcasing the impact drones can have on public safety, the latest issue of Our Tennessee is full of exciting and fascinating stories about the impacts our students, faculty and staff are having across the state, throughout the nation and around the world. 

To access the UT Tower and the respective floors it operates on, UT System Administration employees must have the appropriate building badge. While that is far from being new information, what MAY be news to you is where you can obtain new or replace old badges - right here at UT Tower! Gone are the days of heading to the courthouse downtown. Now, if you need assistance with any building badge issues, you can have them handled at UT Tower. Contact Chelsea Mongeon or Sherry Sims for any badge needs or requests. 

As you may remember, DASH's Compliment a Colleague—a program that allowed employees to acknowledge the contributions and efforts of their peers—was expanded to include all UT System Administration employees earlier this year. This gesture of appreciation, which can be shared anonymously or with attribution, has had a significant impact among DASH and UTSA working groups, with employees experiencing a greater sense of connection with their colleagues and pride in their work. 

"The Compliment a Colleague program is more than just an initiative; it's a catalyst for creating a vibrant, supportive workplace culture," said Brian Dickens, chief human resources officer. "We've seen firsthand how recognizing colleagues' efforts and achievements fosters a sense of belonging and community."

It's springtime and that means spring weather—which can be severe at times! Courtesy of UT System Emergency Manager Mike Gregory, below are some reminders to ensure you're prepared in the event of a severe weather event.

First, get to know your floor captains:

Second, please take a moment to review these tips on places to go, and places to avoid, when seeking shelter during a severe weather event. 

Lastly, download the UT System safety app - Rave Guardian.  

Colleagues on the Institutional Effectiveness team led a March Madness competition where brackets clashed and champions, and the opposite of champions, emerged. Give it up for the March Madness 'Bracket Beast' Aaron Harper, graduate assistant with the IE team! He dominated the competition with slam-dunk picks! On the flip side, our sympathies to Ashley Ludwig, assessment coordinator with the IE team, who valiantly earned the honor of the toilet trophy for the first 'flushed' bracket. Keep that bracket sharp for next year, Ashley!

UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Join President Randy Boyd for a Smokies baseball game on Friday, Aug. 23. Please mark the date on your calendars and keep an eye out for more information in your inbox!

The Employee and Organizational Development (EOD) team has launched two resource groups in an effort to provide more support for UT System Administration staff. The Young Professionals of System (YPS) group aims to create an environment for young professionals to build relationships, share learning opportunities, and explore what the UT System has to offer through meet-ups and online communication. If you are interested in or have questions about YPS, please contact Sarah Crichton.  There is also a Students of System (SOS) group for employees who are currently pursuing educational advancement. SOS aims to foster an environment where members can exchange resources, share experiences and receive encouragement. For more information or questions regarding SOS, please contact Alyssa Thom. 

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Senior Enterprise Project Manager

Loman Martin joined the UT System on April 24 from UT Chattanooga where he has spent the last five years in financial and project management. Prior to UT Chattanooga, Martin worked in customer support in the private sector and taught high school government and economics. Martin is excited to collaborate with student support offices across the UT System to develop a student-centered system that is secure in operations, intuitive in design and will automate the way student data is processed through integrative technology. Martin holds an undergraduate degree in political science and a master’s in educational leadership from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia. In his free time, you can catch Martin watching any Florida State University sporting event, reading a good legal thriller or spending time with his family and their golden-husky Dolly.

eLearning Coordinator and LMS Technical Assistant, Employee & Organizational Development

Josiah Roberts joined the UT System on April 11. Originally from Atlanta, Roberts has a bachelor's and master's from Johnson University. He has seven years of experience in learning and development, learning experience design as a Tier 1 support specialist, as well as experience as a fifth-grade teacher. In his spare time he enjoys woodworking, board games, Dungeons and Dragons, video games, reading, baseball, traveling, photography and spending time with family, friends and his pets.

DASH HCM Business Analyst, Department of Technology Solutions

Nancy Gorrell joined the UT System on April 15. She is originally from Westminster, California, but now lives in the Knoxville area. Gorrell has a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from Clearwater Chirstian College and a Master of Arts in education from Vanguard University of Southern California. Her professional background includes 12 years as a senior data analyst with Azusa Pacific University, and more than six years with Covenant Christian Academy where she served in many roles including principal, and middle school algebra, English and drama teacher. When Gorrell is not working, she enjoys baking, reading, hiking and spending time with family and friends.

Accounting Specialist, Accounts Payable

Amanda Clapp joined the UT System on April 22. Clapp is originally from upstate New York but currently resides in Clinton. She has an associate degree in science and has spent the last 15 years with UT Knoxville in parking and transportation.  When not at work, Clapp stays busy with her three kids who are involved with Boy Scouts and sports. Otherwise, you can find her roaming outside in the mountains. 

Data Visualization Designer, Institutional Effectiveness

Noah Adams joined the UT System on April 22 and is a native of Mooresville, Indiana. Adams has worked in a number of technical and professional roles, most recently as a market research project director for Clarion Research. A skilled technology and technical writer, Adams holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and has spent the last two years working with aspects of data visualization. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, completing DIY projects and aviation. 

Administrative Coordinator, Office of Audit and Compliance

Shetauja Coburn joined the UT System on May 1 and is native of Shaw, Mississippi. She has a Bachelor of Science in office administration from Mississippi Valley State University and an MBA from Strayer University. Coburn, who's professional background is in higher education, enjoys traveling when she's not working. 

IT Administrator, Department of Technology Solutions

Heather Hubbard joined the UT System on May 1. An Atlanta native, Hubbard has a professional background in Azure-900 and Azure-104. She has been an Azure administrator for six years and when she's not working, Hubbard enjoys flying planes and growing plants.

The University of Tennessee is a statewide system of higher education with campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and Memphis; the UT Institute of Agriculture with a presence in every Tennessee county; and the statewide Institute for Public Service.