A Note from the P&A Senate Chair
Chair Toni Abts and other P&A members of the University Senate attended a Forum for the University Senate with President Cunningham and Provost Ritter on January 29. They enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation on topics of interest to the University community. Attendees greatly appreciated the opportunity to directly connect with senior leadership.
Upcoming Engagement:
- U of M Day at the Capitol (Feb 24): Join Chair Abts and Government Relations to advocate for the U. Become a UMN Advocate for details.
- Officer elections (March 27): Elections for P&A Consultative Committee and University Senate will occur at our next P&A Senate meeting on March 27. Reach out to current PACC/U Senate members, including Chair Abts, with any questions about this opportunity.
Senate Work
Professional Development & Enrichment Subcommittee
Alex Bajcz and Joshua Braverman, co-chairs
The PD&E subcommittee remains committed to providing P&A staff with relevant, high-impact learning opportunities.
- Recent event recap: "Managing Up to Me: Creating Positive Supervisory Relationship, took place on February 12. If you were unable to attend, the recording and associate materials will be available in the upcoming week. Most recent events are recorded and available on the P&A Senate’s website.
- Upcoming Policy Pop-Up: UMN Leave Policies (April 8th): As a follow-up to last year’s policy pop-up on Earned Safe and Sick Time (ESST), we will be hosting a policy pop-up on UMN’s leave policies on April 8th from 12-1:30 pm.
- Note: This event will not be recorded. We encourage you to attend live to get your specific questions answered.
We are also seeking suggestions for professional development opportunities for P&A employees, with an emphasis on those offered within UMN at no cost. If you have suggestions or want to be involved in this effort, please reach out to Joshua Braverman, [email protected].
Outreach Subcommittee
We are thrilled to announce that midterm elections are complete! Please join us in welcoming our 10 new senators and alternates representing campuses and units across the UMN system:
- Academic Affairs - Chris Kwapick seated as an alternate
- Dentistry - Casie Fenner seated as an alternate
- CEHD - Becky Hegstad seated as a senator; Tom Boyle seated as an alternate
- HR - Rikita Davis seated as an alternate
- IT - Eve Raymond seated as a senator
- CLA - Stephanie Galarneault seated as an alternate
- OACA - Andre Peri seated as an alternate (moved to senator)
- Research - Autumn Van Ravenhorst seated as an alternate
- UMC - Michelle Christopherson seated as a senator
- UMD - Steven Rantala seated as an alternate
In addition to welcoming new members, the subcommittee is currently transitioning onboarding documentation to a Canvas course to improve access to shared governance resources.
Additional Updates
Performance Reviews and Goal Setting
Many campuses, colleges, and units hold their performance reviews during the spring semester. As you begin to think about next year, take a moment to review the elements of what makes a great goal, Setting clear intentions creates a roadmap for success and helps facilitate meaningful development conversations with your supervisor throughout the year.
Digital Accessibility
All digital materials must be federally compliant by April 24, 2026. The Office for Digital Accessibility can support you with learning about digital accessibility and bringing your materials into compliance. Accessibility Ambassadors a group dedicated to promoting accessibility at the University of Minnesota, also holds frequent webinars related to various accessibility topics.
Immigration-Related Resources
The University continues to monitor federal enforcement activity; stay updated via the Rapid Response website.
Minnesota Paid Leave & Policy Changes
Minnesota Paid Leave is now live! The new program provides partial wage replacement and job protection to care for your own serious health condition, take care of a family member, or address safety concerns. Payroll deductions for employees who work at least 50% of the time in Minnesota began January 1, 2026. Learn how to request a leave and more about MN Paid Leave on the Office of Human Resources website.
Leaves and Time Off
Employees are able to take time off for their own mental or physical health, to care for a family member’s mental or physical health, or to care for children due to school closures.
- Employees can use their Earned Sick and Safe Time hours or other sick time options.
- Civil service and labor-represented employees can use their traditional sick bank.
- Faculty and P&A can use the first 10 days of Academic Medical Leave.
- Employees who are not able to work from home but feel unsafe in the workplace are able to use vacation or personal holiday time with supervisor approval.
Free Expression in the Workplace
- The University supports individual free speech.
- In the work environment, individual expression may need to be balanced by the need to support the University’s mission during work hours. Learn more about free expression in the workplace and Civic Responsibilities at the University of Minnesota.
- Contact your local HR lead if you need help with a workplace conflict related to freedom of expression.
- Important information! Time away from work to protest or march is handled like any other request to leave work during scheduled hours. Employees need supervisor approval; vacation can be used to cover their time away. Leaving work without approval could lead to discipline.
Do you have suggestions for newsletter content? The subcommittee is planning the April issue now. Please contact Angel Sandriepe or Lydia Tonoyan with your ideas.