ABA NEWS

Reprographics: Supporting Student Success

You may not be aware, but Reprographics Services serves more than just campus administrative departments, colleges and auxiliaries. The University's official print shop also serves students directly, offering services for class assignments that not only support student success but produce award-winning results.

In 2010, Laura Lockett, assistant to the director of Reprographics Services, approached the Graphic Design department, while a student herself, to suggest an approach that would yield better results for student projects that Reprographics had recently begun to accept for printing.

Students who opted to use Reprographics Services as their printer often presented files that varied wildly in terms of readiness for printing. While Reprographics' staff was supportive in providing guidance to students, Lockett saw an opportunity. She met with academic program instructors to recommend and help develop pre-printing standards that would make student project submissions "print ready" and prepare them for real-world demands.

Over time, Reprographics has taken on more student work, and now handles printing for student produced magazines, font books, business collateral, posters, postcards and final portfolios. "Reprographics assists the students by offering our quality print services at a discounted price," said Brian Geimer, supervisor of Reprographic Services. "It is our quality and service that is typically better than normal copy centers."

Geimer and Lockett serve as advisors to the students, resolving preparation concerns and finalizing submissions so the students have their projects printed with the proper fonts and colors. They have recently begun to invite students to tour the facility. "We have, in the last year, included a class field trip to Reprographics so that we can show the students, many for the first time, the inner workings of a live print shop," said Geimer. "The lessons they learn in the relatively short time with Reprographics could benefit them throughout their careers, with awareness of what is commonly expected when submitting jobs to commercial print shops."

This support has demonstrated its worth many times over, but most remarkably through the awards received by students for their work. Featured above, Peter Maloney holds his ADDY award from the Sacramento Ad Club. Peter wanted others to know how much Reprographics assisted him with his project: "I'm glad I went to Reprographics to have my magazine printed. Laura and Brian couldn't have been more helpful. Brian was available to answer any questions I had about the printing process and I am extremely happy with the results."

And this is not a first. In 2010, a student received a similar award for a project printed by Reprographics. "The entire Reprographics team is to be commended for their dedication and professionalism to these students," said Geimer. From the moment Reprographics first began assisting academic departments back in 2009, they have grown to support the Graphics Design Program, Interior Design Program, Psychology and groups and clubs that are part of Student Organization and Leadership and ASI.

For more information about Reprographics Services, check out their website.

ABA Volunteers Step up to March

At the invitation of Sacramento State President and 2014 Local March of Dimes Chair Alexander Gonzalez, ABA volunteers came out in force to support the spring March of Dimes: March for Babies event. The 2014 campaign was especially heartfelt in its focus on "preemies," or babies born prematurely, often at risk for short and long term complications, including disabilities, and physical or mental growth impediments.

A dozen or so ABA staff members marched as a team, alongside hundreds of others who descended on the steps of the capital to participate and show their support for babies. The sponsorships of the ABA team amounted to over $1,500, which went to the campaign.

For three weeks during the campaign drive, ABA Director Kirtland Stout made a unique contribution, playing piano in the University Union for donations, earning a total of $651.58, all of which went toward the campaign.

In thanks, Kirt said, "It wasn’t about me and it wasn’t about the music – it was about the generosity of the hundreds who contributed to a cause." Kirt has a vested interest in helping, as two of his grandchildren were born prematurely. They are both now healthy young girls, thanks to March of Dimes support.

A video of Kirt playing piano is available here.

The money raised by contributors supports programs in the local community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies, and funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten the health of babies.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's campaign a huge success!

New Track Hosts Trials, Wows Competitors

In June, Sacramento State hosted the 2014 United States of America Track and Field Trials (USATF). Many have fond memories of Sac State hosting the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2000 and 2004, so bringing back professional track and field competition was a major goal for the University. From June 25- 29, athletes competed in multiple events in Hornet Stadium, including sprints, hurdles, discus, high-jump and other disciplines.

What helped make a vision become a reality was the installation of a new track and field surface spanning the entire length of the Hornet stadium track, as well as the practice track. The new track surface, named the Mondo Super X 720, has been described as both the newest, and potentially fastest, track in the world.

"These championships are a terrific example of what we can accomplish in Sacramento. The potential is just enormous. The University is an integral part of the community and we are poised and ready to bring more events like this to Sacramento," said President Gonzalez.

A true spirit of teamwork ensured that the USATF trials were a success. ABA offices, working closely with key campus and community departments and agencies, played a major role. The Vice President's Office served as liaison with internal and external agencies, with oversight for coordination of agreements, negotiations and logistics. Facilities Management was instrumental in preparing the stadium with upgrades and safety corrections and coordinating with contractors for installation of the track, not to mention the provision of custodial, utility and grounds services.

UTAPS and Space Management worked together to provide adequate parking, and UTAPS conducted traffic planning and provided a shuttle between the 65th Street Light Rail Station and The WELL. Contracting services and financial analysis, as well as vendor negotiations, were conducted by Financial Services and Procurement & Contracts, while Risk Management Services assisted with risk assessment and acquisition of event insurance.

Public Safety provided overall security planning and development of incident action plans, in coordination with allied agencies, including the Sacramento Police Department, the Sacramento Fire Department, the Sacramento Sheriff's Department, the FBI, Homeland Security, the State Fire Marshall, and the Sacramento Sports Commision.

Coverage of the event included national televised coverage from NBC. Spanning four days, Hornet Stadium saw 32,783 spectators, as well as several hundred athletes. The new track surface - paid for by the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau - received glowing reviews from athletes. "They love the track, particularly in the jumps, where they have to move their steps back. It's so fast," said Kathleen Raske, Sac State’s director of track and field. "People are very, very happy."

 

 

Mugs Spell Success for ABA

An organization's mission, vision, values and code of conduct (MVVC) are important because they create a shared context within which to align activities toward common goals. But it's not uncommon for memories of an organization's MVVC to fade like the latest fad.

ABA has created its new MVVC to meet that challenge. ABA's MVVCs are so brief, in fact, that they fit on a coffee mug - an object that most of us keep close by and look at daily!

At the spring ABA Staff Professionals meeting, each staff selected a mug of their choice adorned with a newly designed ABA collage and bearing either the ABA mission, vision, values or code of conduct. With a few extra mugs on hand, Vice President Mike Lee challenged ABA staff members to start a collection, offering a second one to staff who volunteered to read or discuss the meaning of one or more of the MVVC.

Developed over several months at ABA Administrative Council and Management Council meetings, the MVVC was crafted to embody the purpose and philosophy of ABA in the most concise and memorable terms. The mugs are hoped to continually remind ABA staff of the division's purpose, vision for the future and core values, and to inspire collegial conduct.

With the supply of mugs remaining, watch for more opportunities to expand your collection! And, if you haven't yet received one, please contact Andrew Stiffler at stiffler@csus.edu.

For more information on ABA's strategic plan, view the division Mission, Vision, Values, and Code of Conduct here.

 

On Duty 24/7, Public Safety Publishes New Brochure

This spring, Public Safety published its new brochure for faculty, staff, students and visitors. The brochure communicates information about the department, including statistics for incidents on campus, as well as programs and services that are available to the campus community.

"It is our hope that the information in our brochure will provide valuable insight about the department, and the operations and services provided, as well as our role within the academic environment here at Sacramento State," said Serena Fuson, executive assistant to the Chief of Police. "We believe that safety is a shared responsibility. We understand the importance of cooperation, education, and police-citizen partnerships in making our campus and our local community safe and enjoyable."

The brochure is available online, and printed copies are available in the Public Safety building's main lobby.

 

2012/13 ABA Report of Accomplishments Online

Join us in celebrating the many accomplishments of our staff and highlights of the year by reading the recently released 2013/13 ABA Annual Report of Accomplishments.

To view the report, click here.