Welcome!

April 15, 2013

Dear Colleagues:

I would like to thank you for attending the monthly CATS sessions.

Since May 2003, the CATS committee has strived to bring an agenda to you that is pertinent to the fiscal season, address topics that might be interesting to you in your fiscal and administrative duties or to present a new policy/system on the horizon. Some of the topics may not relate to your current position - the desire of the CATS Committee is that you would continue to attend CATS each month and be a sponge and learn all you can. Monthly CATS sessions are intended to provide information to you as an IU employee and as an important member of your respective unit’s fiscal and administrative team. This information is designed to help you perform your respective job responsibilities with additional knowledge and for it to serve as a pathway for you to follow and to know the individuals to access that will help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free to provide us with recommendations, at any time, of topics for future meetings that are of an interest and concern to you.

In June 2013 I will be completing my year 45 as an employee of Indiana University-Bloomington; the last 45 years have been a privilege. With that privilege I have accepted the responsibility of learning and respecting. Over the years I have seen and experienced many changes, many of you have experienced these along with me – I’m sure you will agree the greatest change has been technology. Technology is a wonderful tool: our jobs are more efficient/effective, creates lots of opportunities and is more fun, plus IU produces tons of data! It is our responsibility to use these tools with integrity and respect. Access to various data such as: student, budget, compensation/HR, to name a few: our responsibility is to use all systems and data with respect – this same respect and privilege should be used if you have been given access to calendars. Calendars and e-mail - like other systems and data described previously - should be given the same integrity and respect as you would sensitive data, treat it as you would your own. It is our responsibility to the colleagues that with faith gave us access to their calendar. Respect any entry on any calendars with ethical behavior, make no assumption of what you may or may not see, the calendar owner has the right to use the calendar to fit their preferences.

The next several months we are going to present “the top common courtesies”. Some may be fun and some may be serious. For example, at this April session:

#1           Say please when making a request, the receiver will know you are appreciative, Say Thank You, nothing flowery just a simple thank you goes a long way. Maybe even write a simple thank you note.

#2           If you arrive at an entrance at the same time as others, step back allow them to go forward or perhaps offer to open the door, what’s the hurry.

#3           Access to calendars should be used with respect, this privilege is a convenience to you not to be shared or misused, what is posted on calendars is the right and the responsibility of the owner not yours. Treat access to calendars the same way you would sensitive information and to your own calendar.

#4           If a request is made to you, you should try to respond with options. "NO" is not acceptable unless a policy/procedure prevents the activity.

#5           E-mail manners – this is difficult because the sender may highlight words for your attention, means nothing other than that. A rule of thumb, use the phone to call the other party if email is not accomplishing your intent or if there may be a misunderstanding.

#6           Frustration for whatever can be eased by taking a 10-minute walk with a friend.

If you have any common courtesies that you would like to share, please let me know. Thanks to everyone for attending CATS and being such wonderful colleagues.

Love Your Hearts!

- Rozzie Gerstman

Send us an email at cats@indiana.edu

Bloomington Fiscal Officers Development Committee

Campus Administrative Training Series
Budgetary Administration & Planning
Bryan Hall 212
107 S. Indiana Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405
Email: cats@indiana.edu