, Staff Senate masthead, photo of the UNT University Union with the words UNT Staff Senate Newsletter across the photo

Staff Senate Newsletter • March 19, 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Stay informed about UNT's response regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by going to University of North Texas Health Alerts.  You can learn about:

  • campus updates
  • resources for faculty, staff and students
  • links to CDC recommendations
  • and more!

Staff Evaluations

Message from HR

In light of the current health situation and the subsequent changes to working arrangements to support business continuity, UNT is postponing the staff employee performance evaluation period for 2020. Normally, staff employees receive performance evaluations between April 1 and May 31 each year. The evaluation period will open for 2020 one month from the date that the university resumes normal operations, including the transition to the electronic performance evaluation system.

Training for supervisors for the PeopleAdmin Performance Management module will resume once normal operations are underway, and any training currently scheduled will be cancelled.

Working Remotely

Go to UNT Online to find information on working remotely.

UNT System's Organizational Development & Engagement (ODE) team recommends two LinkedIn Learning courses to help team members smoothly transition to remote working/supervising:

Additionally, ITSS has provided cyber security tips for working at home. 

UNT Eagle Alerts

Review your contact information on the UNT Online Directory and ensure you are set to receive Eagle Alerts. Go to my.untsystem.edu and select Personal Information and check all tabs; emergency alerts are located under Phone Numbers.  

Self-care Tips

By Shaureece Park, Director Library Administrative Services

This is a difficult time for everyone and taking care of yourself is critically important. I wanted to share some ideas and resources for self-care. The CDC provides this resource on managing stress in light of the current situation. Develop or practice self-care activities consistently to help yourself remain healthy and focus on the things you can control. Of course, hygiene and social distancing top the list but below are some other ideas for self-care whether we are telecommuting or just not being able to go out and be social on the evenings and weekends. I have input some links just as a starting point.  We each have to sort out what works for us individually. 

  • Eat healthy.
  • Exercise- go for a walk around the block, stretch, or try equipment free workouts at home.
  • Take several deep breaths when feeling stressed.
  • Try meditation…again.  There are lots of good YouTube videos and phone apps for this. 
  • Read a book or twelve. 
  • Interact with others.  This can be over the phone, text, Facetime etc.  Call an old friend you have not talked to in a long time.
  • Take a bath to relax.
  • Write a list of things you are grateful for.
  • Start a new hobby or restart an old one.
  • Learn something new.
  • Take a free online course. Here is a list of many available MOOCs.
  • Catch up on some of those home projects you’ve been putting off. Make them small projects like decluttering or weeding a flowerbed instead of a large remodel which can produce more stress. 
  • Take breaks from the news and ensure the source is reliable. 
  • Teach your pet a trick. 
  • Clean out a closet. 
  • Do other things you enjoy.

Remember the EAP is here to help if you need to talk to a counselor. Click here for details. They have also provided a number of great resources to deal with COVID-19.

Thanks to Shaureece Park, Director Library Administrative Services, for providing this information to the UNT Libraries' employees and allowing me to share with the rest of the UNT community!

Staff Senate Committee SpotlightPicture of 2019-2020 Staff Senate Communications and Public Relations Committee

We are highlighting Staff Senate committees this month!

Learn more about what the Staff Senate Communications and Public Relations Committee does HERE!

2019-2020 members include: Erin McKinnis, Kaitlin Anderson, Alexis Guess, Craig Howard, Jesse McBroom, Audra O'Neal, Jim Rogers, Margarita Venegas, and Lisa Cuevas.

You are Invited: Come to a Meeting!

Staff Senate meets once a month at 3 p.m. The next meeting is April 14, 2020. Meetings are open to all UNT staff members. 

For meeting agendas and minutes, click HERE. 

Please check our website to see if any changes occur. 

Contact Us!

If you have an article, announcement or suggestion relating to this newsletter, contact Lisa Cuevas or staffsenate@unt.edu to have it included.