Comprised of Division features, accolades and achievements, as well as valuable "In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)" news you can use, each edition of the newsletter highlights key information and resources across the Division's departmental, operational and service unit areas. To subscribe to this listserv, click HERE.

Dear Administration and Finance colleagues:

I hope you and your families are safe and healthy. I want to share my congratulations to all employees on the successful launch of the Spring 2022 semester. I am so appreciative of all the effort from each of you in ensuring a successful start to classes. I also hope that you had an opportunity to read the recently distributed A&F 2021 Annual Highlights publication, and are proud as I am of the many achievements of our divisional employees in moving the university forward.

In this month’s newsletter, we have a number of accomplishments and reminders, including:

• Updates on shortages and potential supply chain impacts on our campus services and programs.
• A reminder to make an eye exam appointment at the University Eye Institute during Glaucoma Awareness Month.
• Spring 2022 Events and promotions from UH Dining Services.
• Upgrades made to the Emergency Operations Center.
• The addition of Zone Managers and Customer Service Liaisons to expedite work orders.
• The launching of virtual meter parking with a text-to-pay feature. 
• Houston's Response to COVID-19 presented by Houston Public Media.
• The latest episode of Career Frontier: New Year, New Job.
• The installation of mail and package lockers at the Ezekiel Cullen Building.
• Crime prevention tips and resources to enhance personal safety and security on campus.
• The A&F Student Ambassador tabling events to promote divisional services and programs.

As a division, we continue to look for ways to highlight the successes of our departments and employees. Included in this month’s issue is the listing of our A&F Communication Council representatives and the areas within the division they represent. If you have a departmental accomplishment to highlight in an upcoming newsletter, I encourage you to reach out to the A&F Communication Council representative for your area. I am so grateful to each of you for your contributions to the success of the division.

Administration & Finance 2021 Annual Highlights

The 2021 Annual Highlights Publication provides a year in review for Administration and Finance services and programs. The infographics and design highlight the amazing work and dedication of all of our staff that exhibit the S.P.I.R.I.T. of service excellence daily. Read more on the Administration and Finance 2021 Annual Highlights. 

COVID-19 Supply Chain and Economic Impact to Auxiliary and Service Departments

Shortages and impacts to the supply chain are still being experienced by many of our campus services. This means that there may be times when a favorite or desired product is available in our dining commons, vending machines, campus retail, or Copy & Print Services. Read more about the shortages that are affecting our campus services and programs.  

Glaucoma Awareness Month

A reminder from UH Occupational Health Services: January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. Anyone can get glaucoma, but some individuals may be at higher risk. 

Glaucoma has no early symptoms and the only way to find out if you have glaucoma is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. There is no cure for glaucoma; but early treatment can often reduce the risk of eye damage and protect your vision.    

To learn more about the risk factors and symptoms of Glaucoma, please visit the National Eye Institute web site.  To schedule your on-campus appointment for an eye exam, please visit the University Eye Institute web site.

UH Dining Services - Upcoming Events & Reminders

UH Dining Services has exciting activities and events planned for the spring semester. To stay connected with the latest activities and promotions, visit the UH Dining Services web site.

Office of Emergency Management Operations Center Update

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has been activating the Emergency Operations Center since its inception in 2011. To meet the growing demand of the campus and surrounding community, a new state-of-the-art video wall was recently installed to improve response to disasters. This effort was managed by the Office of Emergency Management and Information Technology.  Read more about the evolution of the Emergency Management Operations Center. 

UH Facilities/Construction Management Continues to Revolutionize Customer Service

A new team has been added to UH Facilities/Construction Management to further revolutionize customer service and expedite service requests. The FIXIT Frontline team members will arrive at the door in 24 and can be easily identified by their FIXIT Frontline shirts and the wrapped FIXIT Frontline carts. The frontline team members are well-trained and knowledgeable technicians that are working hard to complete work orders using the available resources. Click here to learn more about your Zone Manager or customer service liaison. 

Virtual Meter Parking/Text-to-Pay

UH Parking is enhancing the parking experience through the implementation of virtual meter parking. Payment is no longer accepted through physical meters. There is signage at each of the virtual meter locations on campus explaining how to pay to park in these visitor spaces, which are marked with orange striping. Learn more about the text-to-pay virtual meter parking. 

Houston Public Media Presents Tested: Houston's Response to COVID-19

Over the last two years, healthcare providers have taken on unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the final episode of TESTED, St. Luke's Health’s CEO, Doug Lawson, Ph.D., Texas Medical Center President, William McKeon, and Dr. Eric Boerwinkle of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) discuss the likelihood of future pandemics and how Houston will be better prepared to address future outbreaks. This series is in partnership with St. Luke's Health.  

Watch the full series >>> https://lnkd.in/eKCZJAZ  

Career Frontier: New Year, New Job 

We kick off 2022 with everyday challenges to starting a new job. How do you make a good impression and feel accepted on day one? How long before you can expect co-workers to be on-board with your ideas and suggestions? And what if you make a mistake in the early days? Check out episodes of Career Frontier.   

UH Police Department - Crime Prevention Awareness Talks

You play the most important role in your own safety. The UH Police Department is sharing safety tips and precautions that you can take to reduce the risk to yourself and discourage those who commit crimes. The UH Go Blue Phone feature is another resource at your fingertips, along with the Security Escort Program, and Cougar Ride. 

Contact Sergeant Dina Padovan at preventcrime@uh.edu to schedule a crime prevention presentation or talk for your office or group. 

A&F Student Ambassador Spring 2022 Tabling Event

The A&F Student Ambassadors are kicking off the Spring 2022 semester by promoting Administration and Finance services. The ambassadors are hosting tabling events at the Student Center South through Friday, January 28. Please stop by to see the ambassadors in action.

Contact Nancy Nguyen if your department has interests in partnering with the A&F Student Ambassadors on promotion and outreach of key programs and initiatives. 

Congrats to A&F Cougar Cudos Honorees! 

Cougar Cudos goes to Pam Muscarello, Ronald Sampson, Maria Vega, Captain Bret Collier, Assistant Chief of Police Chandra Johnson, and Corporal Brittaney Harvey who were honored by Staff Council for exceptional service to the University in December.

To nominate a fellow Staff member and learn more, click here. 

Staff Focus: Moving Forward Together, Stronger Than Ever 

Over 175 staff joined the 2022 Staff Focus virtual event on January 13 featuring President Renu Khator and Staff Council President DaNesha Allen. Special guests included Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance Raymond Bartlett and Associate Vice President for Human Resources Gaston Reinoso, who joined President Khator in answering staff's questions. 

Watch the 2022 Staff Focus: Moving Forward Together, Stronger Than Ever!

Introducing the A&F Communications Council

The A&F Communications Council consists of representatives from each department within the division of Administration and Finance. Below is a complete list of council representatives. 

• Auxiliary Services – Sarah Cantu
• Campus Safety - Courtney Washington
• Copy, Print, & Delivery Services – Kathy Fieldcamp
• Equal Opportunity Services - Mandisa Oliver
• Facilities/Construction Management - Jennifer Rea
• Houston Public Media – Kori Lee
• Human Resources – Sandra Armstrong & Mia Thomas
• Office of Administration – DaNesha Allen
• Office of Finance – Nancy Nguyen
• Parking & Transportation – Richard Zagrzecki
• Public Art – Ileana Yordan Cuevas
• Police Operations – Sergeant Dina Padovan
• University Information Technology – Catherine Ellett

Please contact your department's representative to share items for inclusion in A&F communications. 

Mail and Package Lockers Installed at the Ezekiel Cullen Building

Delivery Services is installing mail and package lockers at select locations across campus to improve operational efficiency and provide a better experience for the UH community. The latest mail and package locker installation at the E. Cullen Building will service E. Cullen and the Cullen Performance Hall.

Read more about how mail and package lockers are improving the campus experience through innovative technology. 

UHS Enhanced Email Security 

Public Art Introduces CollageShop with UH Alum, Tay Butler

In celebration of Black History Month, Public Art UHS is bringing multidisciplinary artist and UH alum Tay Butler back to his home base of Houston to host two free CollageShop workshops in partnership with UH Center for Diversity and Inclusion on February 2nd and the BLAFFER Art Museum / William R. Jenkins Architecture, Design, and Art Library on February 3rd.

Learn about the history of collage and create your own artwork during these hands-on workshops which are free and open to everyone.

Space is limited. RSVP today! 

Save the Date for the Auxiliary Services Town Hall

Check out the latest updates on UH Dining, Campus Store, vending, and more at the Auxiliary Services Town Hall on Friday, February 4, at 11 am. Visit UH Auxiliary Services to learn more. 

This event will be live streamed via Microsoft Teams Live.