Business Affairs Bulletin
November 5, 2021
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The inside scoop on the people and projects that support UNLV
Please print and post for those who do not regularly access email.
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In this issue:
- First-Generation Celebration Week
- UNLV Chosen as a Finalist in Coalition of Urban Serving Universities Video Contest
- RMS Safety Tip: Change Your Clocks and Check Your Smoke Alarm Batteries
- Rebel Reset: Mindful Bodies Macronutrients
- Faculty Length of Service Recognition Program Honorees
- Congratulations
- All Three COVID-19 Booster Shots Now Available at Campus Health Centers
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First Generation Celebration Week |
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November 8 kicks off First-Generation Celebration week. This is a week where UNLV and other universities across the country celebrate the dedication and commitment of students who have the honor of being the first members of their families to go to college. First-generation students have traditionally made up fifty percent of the enrolled student population at universities nationwide.
Many of our own Business Affairs team members were first-generation students. Here’s what some of them had to say about their experience.
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“I knew that my parents did not have the means to help me pay for tuition so I joined the Marine Corps and received my degree at the same time. I took advantage of my GI Bill education benefits to go to graduate school at UNLV with no student loan debt. Receiving not only a bachelor's degree but a graduate and doctorate as well as inspired others in my family to attend college. Since my first graduation, I’ve watched many of my family members graduate, and I believe my experience inspired them as they saw it was possible despite the obstacles.” Michael Lawrence, DPP Associate Vice President for Administration
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“The biggest support I received was from my fellow classmates and colleagues. I worked on campus at UNLV as a student employee and my managers understood that school came first. As a student, my fellow engineering classmates were willing to sit down and work through schoolwork together rather than trying to figure out tough concepts on our own. It didn’t feel competitive. Instead, it felt like there was a group of us trying to beat the odds and succeed.” Rebecca Paulson Manager & Senior Software Developer B.S. Computer Science
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"My biggest support I had as a first-generation college student was my parents. All I really wanted to do was to make them proud of all of my accomplishments. I still, even though it was just three years ago, remember their faces after I walked across the stage. They were so over the moon and I could just see how happy they were. At that moment, I knew I did it!" Jayd Sorenson Parking and Transportation Administrative Assistant B.A. Criminal Justice
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Others had these words of encouragement and advice to give. |
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“It is okay to be a little selfish! To be successful, you need to put yourself first and don't feel guilty about it. Luckily, my sister, Beatriz, was my self-care rock. She brought me meals when I had no time to prepare something for myself. She gave me pep talks when I felt like I could go no further. I could not have done this without her. Looking back, it’s important to work hard, but equally important to blow off steam. Make sure you get involved in the college experience. Make friends! Befriend your instructors-- you’ll need them to write letters of recommendation!” Liliana Garcia, Business Analyst Workday Support Team B.S. Business Administration
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“Be patient with yourself and your families as you transition to university studies. The classwork, study requirements, and social distractions can be a lot to handle and explain to your family. It's okay to take time to explore and open your eyes to new interests that are different from what you thought you wanted. Keep an open line of communication with the intent to expand understanding so that when you need it, help will be there.” Heather Ortiz, Business Affairs Communications Director, B.A. Dance, M.A. Journalism, and Media Studies
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“I would encourage students to talk to someone in the field that they want to major in. My senior year, I did an internship, unpaid, and gained further insight into many of the jobs in retail at that time. It was extremely helpful. Also, it is important to have a fallback plan if your major does not provide the skills for a career. It has actually been my business courses that I took that have helped me in my career since I left college.” Nancy Dooley, Accounting Assistant, Controller, B.A. Clothing and Textiles
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“Seek out mentors, ask a ton of questions, and don't be afraid to say you need help. We don't always have the best mentors being first-gen and thus need extra support. This will give you access to information--mentorship is critical for success.”
Regina Bailey, Project Coordinator, Business Affairs, Administration Technology Services, B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies, M.S. Psychology
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For more information on how to get involved with supporting first-gen students or participate in the week-long celebration, go to the UNLV first-gen website.
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UNLV Chosen as a Finalist in Coalition of Urban Serving Universities Video Contest |
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UNLV competed in The Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU) Advancing Racial Justice and Equity Intensive + Pitch Competition video contest with the theme of Designing and Innovating to enSure underRepresented University Personnel Thrive (DISRUPT). Congratulations to Kate Shapiro from BA Communications for being a part of this accomplishment.
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“I am so proud of the work the team did on this project. It shows how great minds can come together and create a wonderful innovative look at success. Thanks for making UNLV look so great in a national spotlight.”
-President Whitfield
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RMS Safety: Tip: Change Your Clocks and Check your Smoke Alarm Batteries
Daylight savings time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 7. This is a perfect opportunity to check the operation of your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries if need be.
Many new detectors are sealed units with a 10-year battery life, so while you do not have to change the batteries twice a year, you should still test the detector functionality.
Properly installed and maintained smoke detectors play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Studies on homes with reported fires by the National Fire Prevention Association reveal the risk of dying is twice as high in homes without working smoke alarms.
Modern homes contain synthetic materials that burn faster than natural materials. Fire testing suggests that escape times in homes can be as little as three minutes. Early smoke detection and alarm notification help occupants escape quickly.
Luckily, Facilities Management and Risk Management & Safety have it covered on campus. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on campus are checked regularly by maintenance. Recently, all new smoke detectors were replaced with new units in student residential rooms.
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Rebel Reset Highlight: Mindful Bodies Macronutrients |
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The Rebel Reset Mindful Bodies series will be holding another workshop on Tuesday, November 16 at 9 am in the Student Union. Register to learn all about macronutrients.
Macros are all the buzz, but what are they, and what do they do? Get down to the nitty-gritty to discover the amazing power of food in balance with the body. Carbs, fats, and proteins can work together to fuel our bodies and brains.
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Faculty Length of Service Recognition Program Honorees
Newly-inducted individuals received a commemorative pin or medallion based on their length of service. Business Affairs members honored in this year's ceremony are:
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Rosalie Garcia, Office of the Controller - 40 years
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Toni Arcadipane, Facilities Management - 40 years
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Maisara Abebe, Facilities Management - 10 years
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Ricky Rideout*, Risk Management & Safety - 10 years
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Zhanlei Yao, Financial Planning, Budget & Analysis - 10 years
*Ricky has served longer than ten years, but has not yet received this milestone recognition.
Congratulations and thank you for your service! Business Affairs has many long-serving employees recognized in past ceremonies. You can see the full list of honorees online.
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Parking and Transportation Services
The Southwest Parking and Transportation Association (SWPTA) awarded Parking & Transportation Services with several awards for their outstanding work in the following areas:
- Best Overall Parking Program
- Best Programmatic Pivot Due to COVID-19
- Caleb Abad - Parking Employee of the Year
- Jon Keanini - Emerging Leader of the Year
- Sandy Ziegler - Parking Leader of the Year
This is incredible as 2021 had the largest number of nominations ever! UNLV won five out of seven total awards.
Congratulations to Caleb, Jon, Sandy, and the rest of the Parking & Transportation Services team!
Radiation Safety Team
The Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System (NMMSS) presented a certificate of achievement for “Excellence” in NMMSS reporting to the Risk Management & Safety radiation safety team.
The radiation safety team is required to track nuclear material and provide timely reports of any receipt, transfer, or disposal of material. The team also provides a rigorous and comprehensive annual reconciliation inventory.
The certificate states:
“Upon review of the material transaction and inventory reports submitted by your company during the calendar year 2020 to the Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System (NMMSS), we are presenting you this certificate of achievement for the “Excellence” in NMMSS reporting. This certificate is a testament to the quality and high standards of your personnel.”
Congratulations to the team:
- Brian Rowsell
- Reginald Stewart
- Christina Hall
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All Three COVID-19 Booster Shots Now Available at Campus Health Centers
Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shots now are available on campus for UNLV faculty, staff, and their dependents who meet eligibility requirements at the Faculty and Staff Treatment (FAST) Center. There is no cost for COVID-19 vaccination, including third doses and boosters. Vaccines will also be available on a walk-in basis, with no appointment required, on November 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and November 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
To make an appointment faculty, staff and dependents may call the FAST Center at (702) 895-0630. Please bring your Rebel Card or another picture ID. If you have received one or more previous doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, you must bring your vaccination card or record with you.
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New Hires
- Hamilton McKinnon, Rebel Recycling
- Alexander Skinner, Delivery Services
- Denise Kagebein, Parking and Transportation Services
- Bryan Chavez, Facilities Management
- Joe Costa, Risk Management and Safety
- Justin Wheeler, Risk Management and Safety
- Christine Luu, Planning and Construction
- Rayson Ruiz, Facilities Management
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Promotions
- Colin Tewey, Delivery Services
- Ronald Singer, Planning and Construction
- Nichole Staker, Planning and Construction
- Harry Schiffman, Facilities Management
- John Pagan, Facilities Management
- Doncarlos Zurita, Facilities Management
- Nicholas Carelli, Cashiering and Student Accounts
- Cory Martin, Facilities Management
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Dates to Remember
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November 7: Daylight Savings Ends
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November 8: Business Affairs Employee Appreciation Event
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November 11: Veterans Day
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