Each year the OA Council solicits nominations for folks who go above and beyond to improve the University of Oregon. This year, more than 73 OAs were nominated by their peers for outstanding service to the UO community. Congratulations to the 2022 OA Star recipients!

• Tom Driscoll, director of university housing, University Housing: led the accommodations and dining planning and implementation for Oregon22, the largest and most complex conference hosted on campus with over 120,000 meals served and 50,000 bed nights.
• Mariko Lin, assistant director education and prevention outreach director, University Health Services Counseling Services: oversees counseling services mental health outreach on campus, was responsible for JED campus distinction, implemented Kognito and other initiatives to assist students with mental health concerns.
• Sarah Rivas, executive assistant: with staff departures, she took the lead on planning and executing campus wide events like homecoming, spring parent and family weekend, and commencement. She works tirelessly and diligently to cultivate the best experience.
• Chantelle Russell, associate director, Physical Education and Recreation: developed and oversees the Thrive Healthy Living academic residential community (ARC), oversees over 140 PE classes per term for nearly 4,000 students.
• Anna Shamble, senior project manager, Office of the Provost: manages and executes academic initiatives, incorporates innovation and inclusion in the provost’s initiatives. Her colleagues describe her as the unsung hero that keeps the university functioning.

Over the past several years, one thing has been evident: OAs across campus are rock stars! Each year, the OA Council recognizes Officers of Administration who have made an exceptional, positive impact on the University. We invite you to participate in this process by nominating up to three exceptional OAs for an OA Star Award! Honorees will be recognized at an upcoming Oregon football game.

Officers of Administration selected to receive OA Star Awards distinguish themselves by applying their professional efforts for the betterment of the entire institution and the university community. They excel not only in their positions and departments, but they also embody a spirit of collegiality and vision, working with peers and partners across departmental and divisional lines. They strive for continuous improvement by building cross-campus relationships and offering creative solutions that improve the University for all stakeholders.

Please submit nominations by Wednesday, August 24 on this Qualtrics form.

OA Council recognized that the upcoming vacation cap accrual expiration was a concern to many OAs. As a result of the Spring OAC listening sessions and interactions with our OA colleagues this summer, the OA Council went into action to advocate for fellow OA’s. Back in June 2020, the UO temporarily increased the vacation cap accrual from 260 hours to 340 hours as a result of the pandemic’s impact on OAs’ inability to take vacation time. This temporary cap expansion was to end September 30, 2022. Knowing that many OAs would be negatively impacted by the looming deadline, OA Council met with UO leadership asking for more insight on the impact and advocating for another option. As a result, we are pleased that the UO instituted a step down approach giving OAs, managers and teams an ability to plan thoughtfully for time off, ultimately working toward “work-life harmony” at the UO.

It’s up to all of us to know how the step down process works. On October 1, 2022, the maximum vacation accrual balance will reduce to 300 hours. On October 1, 2023 the vacation allowance will revert to the regular maximum allowance of 260.

For more information related to OA vacation accrual, visit HR’s website.

We would like to hear what is on your mind as the UO prepares to navigate a post-pandemic world. We have also invited our partners in Human Resources to attend and hear your thoughts. Please save the date for a special OA Council Listening Session!

Thursday, February 18
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
https://uoregon.zoom.us/j/95534169957
Meeting ID: 955 3416 9957

Missed the OA Council Fall Open Meeting on Thursday, November 12?

You can watch the recording here: https://uoregon.zoom.us/rec/share/O_O5ofHQ4sYcTmcRdfVz_O-82Jgm3veJ53KtuuVVXTLil6hHKDThH0avYGyszg_t.XZVFwmB3SRHd02QZ

Passcode: WUd*eQ6=

At this meeting, the OAC shared our 2020-21 Goals and provided other updates. We heard from UO’s Wellness Ambassador Program and learned about resilience as it applies to OAs from Mariko Lin, Education and Prevention Outreach Director and Senior Staff Psychologist. Dr. Lin’s presentation was excellent. We encourage you to check it out if you missed! (Begins at 32:40).