Colleagues,

Given the success and continuation of the hybrid/flex work policies, the growth of the UR team, and the limitations of our current space configuration, it is important for our division to review and continue to reimagine how our office space is used.

In the long term, we expect to remodel ESC to include a variety of spaces – quiet library zones, social cafe spaces, conference and huddle rooms of various sizes, and phone booths – that will empower more colleagues to utilize our office space.

In the short term (the next 9-12 months) we are targeting changes with modest financial impact that will allow us to most effectively use our current space. Our goal is to ensure our spaces at Eddy and Grace are welcoming, collaborative, productive, and positive work environments for all.

With this vision in mind, Space Force, a volunteer committee of 15 colleagues representing different teams and working arrangements, has spent the past two months collaborating on short-term experimental policies to address demand for hoteling space and meeting rooms, especially as the team continues to grow. These policies include:

1. A specific space allocation policy for Grace and ESC:
   • If you are working remotely 3+ days a week, when you come into the office, you may utilize a hoteling/hot desk, as available.
   • If you are working in the office 3+ days a week, you are eligible for an assigned desk, as available.
   • If you manage 3+ people and are in the office 3+ days a week, you are eligible for an office space with a door, as available.
2. Individual offices for SRDs (assuming eligibility as described above), which will in turn open up meeting rooms for other teams
3. Reservable spaces
4. Designated “hot desk” spaces throughout the office (non-reservable, first-come, first-served)
5. Additional monitors and other technological resources throughout the office

The deadline for managers to implement these changes is July 1, 2022. Signage to identify hot desks, reservable spaces, and non-reservable spaces, is forthcoming. We will have post-it notes in the experimental areas for you to provide immediate feedback, and you can always provide anonymous feedback via the Leadership is Listening platform.

We realize that there are issues yet to solve, and we’re expecting to learn a lot. Our hope is that this first iteration of changes will help inform final policies and decisions for the larger overhaul of ESC to come. If you have any questions regarding your individual space situation, please direct them to your manager. Thank you for your collaboration, flexibility, and feedback!

-Space Force
Kathryn Valenti
Nancy Cole
Andrew Frye
Bridget Gilman
Lori Tinkey
Mary Flynt
Andrea Swanagan
Brian Diss
Grace Prosniewski
Jeff Faust
Jason Scarlett
Anne Overly
Amy Schell
Jesse Meyer
Jessica Reasons

Colleagues,

On behalf of the Central Region, I would like to welcome Mitch Dansky to the team. Mitch joins us from Notre Dame Athletics where he served as the Assistant Swimming Coach for the Fighting Irish.

Mitch wrote his master’s degree thesis on the need to endow Olympic sports and is passionate about creating opportunities for young people and is excited to do it through the Catholic mission of Notre Dame.

Mitch enjoys reading non-fiction books and real estate investing. Mitch is married to Mary Dansky, who is an elementary teacher in the Penn Harris Madison School District and has also been a swimming coach herself. Mitch and Mary have a newborn daughter named Skyler and a cat named Milo.

Welcome Mitch to the Central Region!

Thanks,
Jason

The Stewardship & Donor Relations team is currently partnering with the Office of Strategic Planning and Institutional Research to conduct a University-wide review of the current state of stewardship toward better understanding, coordinating, and ultimately enhancing these activities for University benefactors as part of the next fundraising initiative.

Recognizing that members of the regional development team take varied and highly personalized approaches to stewarding benefactors in their respective portfolios, we are asking for your assistance with this effort! If you currently carry a portfolio of individual benefactor families or provide administrative support for those who do, we ask that you please assist us by completing the short six-question survey linked here by Friday, June 17.

Please note that other units within Development that engage in stewardship activities will be contacted by their respective stewardship liaisons to engage in similar discussions on the topic.

Thank you for your continued partnership, especially during this busy time. Any questions about this effort should be directed to Mary Fisher.

Congratulations to Tim Kelly and his family on the recent birth of their daughter, Maeve Thayer Kelly! Maeve was born on April 19th, 2022. Welcome to the Notre Dame family, Maeve!

Dear colleagues and graduate students,

Over the past several months, we have gradually resumed University-related international travel. Recognizing that travel is critical for academic and professional pursuits, we are committed to facilitating travel under safe conditions.

With the resumption of international travel, we are also updating important measures to ensure that we can respond quickly and effectively if conditions change abroad. When crises occur, knowing our travelers’ locations and contact information is essential.

As part of Notre Dame’s COVID-19 response, the University has required travel registration for all international trips taken by faculty, staff, and graduate students. (It has long been required for undergraduates.) The registration for faculty, staff, and graduate students will soon be incorporated into the University’s ongoing travel policy. In addition, proof of registration will be required for approval of the related expense report or for reimbursement by Notre Dame for all international travel.

Effective July 1, 2022, all faculty, staff, and graduate students traveling abroad on University business must register their travel in advance and attach their confirmation email to their Concur expense report. This process is similar to the requirement to attach an agenda when traveling for a conference. Expense reports will not be approved nor reimbursements made without travel being registered. This policy will take effect for international travel commencing after June 30, 2022.

The University no longer requires vice president or dean approval for international travel; however, individual units may choose to administer their own approval process. Please check with your business manager if you have questions regarding approval for international travel.

Read the full travel protocol here

Our priority will always be the safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff. We appreciate your attention to this important requirement for international travel.

Sincerely,
Chris Maziar, Interim Provost
Shannon Cullinan, Executive Vice President

Happy birthday to all our UR employees celebrating their special days in June! We wish you lots of Summer fun!

6/1 – Rebecca Lane
6/2 – Joseph Sheehan
6/3 – Cristi Ganyard
6/3 – Pier White
6/4 – Kelsey Forry
6/5 – Courtney Quinlan
6/8 – Dawn McGrath
6/8 – Megan Andedo
6/8 – Maureen Daday
6/8 – Matt LaFlash
6/8 – Sharon Keane
6/10 – Danielle Filgueira
6/11 – Bill Ribera
6/12 – Carolyn Lax
6/16 – Lauren Donahue
6/16 – Rich Reynolds
6/19 – William Mitchell
6/21 – Brigette Kinney
6/22 – Anastasia Envall-Latowski
6/28 – Monica May
6/29 – Mark Witucki
6/30 – Jessica Witous
6/30 – Sara Aycock

Please join me in welcoming our new Senior Director of Corporate Relations, Dr. Ken Camm. Ken’s most recent role was as Global Technical Account Director at Johnson Matthey, a global sustainable technologies company, where he worked for 14 years in the UK and the US.

Ken received his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Leeds in the UK, and subsequently carried out Postdoctoral research at the University of Ottawa in Canada. In addition to bringing knowledge of academia and years of experience with corporate engagement, Ken also brings to the role a commitment to the mission of the University.

Ken lives in Granger with his wife Heather and two children, Penelope and Edward. We are thrilled that Ken begins his role with the CFR team on June 1.

-Michelle

Dear Colleagues,

On Thursday, June 2, 2022, the Badin Guild will host a cocktail reception from 2-4 at the Wind Family Terrace at the Morris Inn PM for Badin Guild members and their guests.

Please see the list of registered attendees for detail on benefactors who will be attending this event.

If you have questions regarding this event, please contact Laura Walker.

On Sunday, May 22, a day after her birthday, our colleague, Isabel Dance, and her husband, Austin, welcomed their little girl, Lillie Kathleen! Lillie entered the world at 6 pounds, 7 ounces and 18 1/2 inches. Both Lillie and Isabel are doing well. Please join me in welcoming Lillie!! Congratulations Isabel and Austin!!

If you’re thinking about applying for the Senior Director, Academic Advancement role, don’t wait too long! It will close this Thursday 5/26/22 at 11:59PM EST.

We’re excited to post the Development Associate, Academic Advancement role, which will be open until Tuesday, June 7th. If you’re ready for a new challenge, please apply! If you know someone who would love this role – please share! Questions? Reach out to Tara Gilchrist: tgilchri@nd.edu, or schedule 15 minutes to chat with this link.