ABA NEWS

UTAPS Senior Director Retires

Nancy Fox, senior director for University Transportation & Parking Services (UTAPS) is retiring in December, after 36 years of service to Sacramento State.

Fox’s career in parking began with an interim directorship in UTAPS 22 years ago. Her appointment followed the completion of a degree in Liberal Studies, and plans were in place to earn a teaching credential. But the world of parking captured her interest, and Fox’s administrative skills were a needed commodity in UTAPS. The career shift has served both the campus and Fox well.

Over the years, Fox has earned a reputation on the campus for administering the University’s parking program with a steady hand and a level of patience that is rare. 

“UTAPS has grown into the program it is today due to Nancy’s leadership, commitment and hard work,” said Abbi Stone, associate vice president for Business & Administrative Services. During her tenure, the program expanded to include sponsored ridership on local RT busses; conversion of the shuttle bus fleet to 100 per cent clean fuel compressed natural gas, winning Sac State a clean air award from Breathe California in 2010, and an ongoing commitment to alternative transportation and sustainability. Not to mention the construction of parking structures I, II and III, which increased capacity for a growing campus with a large commuter base.

Fox’s professional activities have helped the campus build partnerships with local transportation agencies and state affiliates. Fox was named the 2005 Parking Professional of the Year by the California Public Parking Association (CPPA).

While these accomplishments define an impressive career, Fox’s greatest job satisfaction has been mentoring staff and students.  According to former student assistant Tiffany Wilson, “People worked hard for Nancy not because they felt like they had to but because we had incredible respect for Nancy's leadership, work ethic and professionalism! It has been 11 years since I worked at UTAPS and, like so many other students Nancy has mentored over the years, I still keep in touch because I consider her to have played an incredibly important role in my success in life.” Tiffany went on to become an educator,   earning a Teacher of the Year award from the Sacramento City Unified School District in 2009.

Fox joins her husband, Ronald Fox, former Sac State professor of Government, in retirement. Her future plans include enjoying time with family and friends, photography, travel and volunteer work.

ABA Reaches Out

With a new fall semester comes new students. And, this fall, as always, ABA was on hand to help the incoming freshman become familiar with the campus and the many services ABA offers them.

With a goal of continuous process efficiency, ABA offices introduced new or expanded business practices to better serve their customers.

"OneCard Services focused on promoting the ever expanding OneCard discount program. As of October 2012 the list of discounts has grown to 115 local vendors and over 55 online discounts!" said Candace Ensley-Kehoe, administrative support coordinator for OneCard Services. "OneCard Services also had the opportunity to work with ABA and IRT to implement a new OneCard website using the new 'monet' template." More discounts and a newly organized and redesigned webpage go far in helping customers get the information and benefits they need.

OneCard was not alone in their student-focused efforts. UTAPS stepped up as well. "We created our Facebook page and upgraded our website!" said Gina Lombardo, director of administration, UTAPS. "We definitely had the smoothest "semester start" in the history of UTAPS.  The UTAPS staff is awesome, and we managed our lines extremely well." Gina credits their information outreach efforts for the smooth lines and shorter wait times.

On Move-In Day, UTAPS and OneCard were again on hand with information booths to assist students.

The Student Financial Services Center (SFSC) and UTAPS thank ABA staff who volunteered their assistince during these busy weeks. In UTAPS, they helped distribute prepaid parking permits and information sheets. In SFSC, volunteers passed out commuter sleeves. Slipped over a student's OneCard, these sleeves allow students to ride local Regional Transit busses and light rail for free.

Process improvements, outreach and volunteer assistance all contribute to reduced wait times, aleviation of congested lines, and improve the overall experience of students during the first two weeks of the semester.

Did your office do something unique or different this semester to better serve your customers? If so, let us know!

We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do!

ABA employees show spirit this semester by wearing Sac State colors to promote Hornet Sports.

With t-shirts provided by Adam Primas, director of marketing in Intercollegiate Athletics, it has never been so easy to show one's pride!

The partnership originated as Primas approached ABA's Facilities Services division to help spread the word for Sac State football.

"Facilities Services has long supported Athletics in various ways," said director of Administrative Services, Bena Arao. Every Friday, Facilities Services employees can be seen supporting their green and gold. Facilities then passed out remaining shirts to other ABA offices.

Other ABA offices are known for their participation in spirit days. Student Financial Services Center staff, for instance, don t-shirts and decorate their offices, etc., all to show pride in Hornet Athletics. Go Hornets!

Campus Master Plan Task Force Takes Shape

On October 18, ABA's Mike Lee, Ali Izadian and other campus personnel, met with SMUD partners, city of Sacramento planners, community representatives, Chancellor's Office staff and others who form the Campus Master Plan Task Force. The occasion was the inaugural meeting to discuss renewal of Sacramento State's master plan.

Every ten years, CSU campuses go through a master planning process to identify features and physical aspects and functions that will inform the future physical plan for the University.

The task force includes community and local industry partners, as well as campus delegates to capitalize on their expertise and experience and ensure that campus constituents and neighbors are well representated. This is just the first step in discussions that will formulate a vision and components of the plan. "The job of this task force requires a delicate balance. We are a state agency and have to do things according to rules and procedures, which doesn't always happen quickly. It's important we bring all views together and take some time with this process," said Mike Lee, vice president for Administration and CFO.

The formal process begins with a draft of the Master Plan that includes specific technical details. From there, the plan is submitted to the Chancellor's Office. Once it is reviewed for suggestions and adjustments, the plan is submitted to the CSU Board of Trustees for review and final approval.

The task force plans to meet again by the end of the year to review concept ideas.

Leah Davis Runs to Support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

On October 14, Leah Davis of Procurement & Contract Services, participated in a half marathon run in San Francisco in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).

With support from ABA, Davis raised a significant donation for the cause."Through the sale of (homemade) lumpia (a popular Filipino dish) on and off campus, and other generous donations, I was able to raise $2,500 that went directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society," said Ms. Davis.

Davis combined her support for the LLS and her interest in running into something positive: "I have always been a casual supporter of LLS and when I started to run for exercise I found out that Team In Training coached and encouraged others to become a key supporter of one of my favorite charities; it just seemed like a natural fit."

ABA employees and Davis can be proud that all of their hard work and generous donations go directly to the LLS. "All funds raised by Team In Training go directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society where the society uses the funds to assists patients with blood cancers and their families meet unmet Medicare needs, and fund research and advances in medicine," said Davis.

Participating in the half marathon was challenging "Going up the hill starting at the Golden Gate after already running over six miles was a killer," said Davis. But with her Daughter and friend at her side, she was able to push through and complete her run.

With over 25,000 runners and walkers, this year was a great success for the LLS, which "gives our blood cancer patients and families hope for a cure," said Davis. If you are interested in learning more about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, visit their Greater Sacramento Chapter website here.

 

'Tis the Season for Giving

It is that time of year again! With the holiday season just around the corner, Sacramento State has launched the annual California State Employees Food Drive on campus.

As a participant for the last 38 years, Sac State employees proudly support local food closets and children and families in our community during the winter holidays.

UTAPS coordinates the program and staff members provide collection support each year. This year, collection begins November 5 and concludes on December 18.

Donation boxes for non-perishable food have been distributed to different offices around campus. (Look for the boxes that have been wrapped in decorative paper.) In addition, individuals may drop off their goods at either information booth on campus. Avoid carrying those heavy bags, and donate without leaving your car!

Perhaps even more important than food donations are cash donations. Cash makes it possible to purchase bulk resources throughout the year. Every dollar contributed purchases an average two and a half pounds of food. There are no administrative fees deducted - all money raised is used to buy food for those in need. If you wish to make a cash donation, make your check payable to "California Emergency Foodlink." Mail to Nancy Fox at campus zip 6076, or drop it off at the UTAPS Office in Folsom Hall, 7667 Folsom Blvd. Remember, your monetary donations are tax deductible.

For the second year in a row, the campus will participate in a "turkey drop" on November 15 from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Individuals can drop off turkeys, or vegetarian alternatives, at either information booth on campus or the UTAPS offices. All turkeys are delivered directly to Food Link. Turkeys are in great demand during the holidays, and your donation will be appreciated.

Please give generously. Let us help contribute to a record-breaking year in 2012. In 2011, the campus donated 7,775 pounds of food . Donations have steadily increased since 2009. View the graph above for more information.

If you have any questions regarding the California State Employees Food Drive, please feel free to call Nancy Fox at 278-5241.

 

Halloween 2012 Winners!

There was no better way to end the long month of October than a Halloween celebration! ABA offices took part in this yearly celebration to make this year's Halloween one to remember.

The University Staff Assembly visited each participating office to judge in three distinct categories: Individual Costume, Office Costume, and Office Decoration.

Several ABA offices participated, including Student Financial Services and Space Management.

As stated on the University Staff Assembly website "Everyone who participated did a very good job and put a great amount of effort into it. It was an extremely difficult decision to make, but we have decided on the winners." These were the final results:

2012 Individual Costume Winner: Dawn Frederick, University Enterprises, Inc. as "The Mad hatter"

2012 Office Costume Winner: University Advancement as "Zumba Zombies." Honorable mention to our own Student Financial Services for their office costume "Las Vegas!"

2012 Office Decoration Winner: Partnership between ABA's Space Management, and Enrollment Operations and Document Imaging for their pirate theme as "The Green Emerald Shop, The Mysterious Island, & The Pirates Booty Cave.