At their monthly meeting last week, December 11th, Â鶹ӰԺ Campus Staff Council approved their letter of support for the Right to Fair Compensation and Comprehensive Benefits.

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The Conflict Resolution program at CU Â鶹ӰԺ operates from the understanding that conflict is inevitable and, by employing effective strategies for managing conflict, we can turn challenging exchanges into opportunities for growth and understanding.

Trainings & Presentations
Trainings and presentations are available for staff, faculty, and students with the goal of promoting effective conflict management on campus. Participants can explore techniques for de-escalating heightened situations, learn the unique styles that people utilize when in conflict, and gain skills for mediating conflicts when they arise. These group trainings are interactive and tailored to the specific needs of the participants. A full list of trainings and presentations is available here.

Services & Resources
Circle Processes are facilitated dialogues through which groups come together and share experiences as they relate to a topic or context. The process is valuable for its ability to elicit individual perspectives, allow for meaningful reflection, strengthen community, and alter normative dynamics of communication. At CU this process has found success in helping groups to process high impact incidents, manage transition, resolve conflicts, and establish systems of support among members.

The Conflict Resolution staff are also available to provide guidance around the management of conflict. Individual conflict coaching offers a space for participants to consider their approach to conflict while developing skills and strategies for conflict management. Facilitated Mediation is also available for students experiencing conflict with their peers.

A full list of Conflict Resolution services and resources is available here.
Interested in organizing a Conflict Resolution training, Circle Process, or utilizing another Conflict Resolution service? Visit us online or email us directly at Conflictresolution@colorado.edu.
 

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Basketball season is right around the corner. Men’s basketball head coach Tad Boyle leads a preseason top-25 squad and All-American vote recipients Tyler Bey and McKinley Wright IV. The Buffs were picked to finish second in the Pac-12 behind only Oregon and are seeking a return to the NCAA Tournament in March. Women’s basketball coach J.R. Payne leads a young and talented roster that will welcome non-conference opponents Wisconsin and Denver, as well as top-5 nationally ranked teams Stanford and Oregon. Season tickets for staff are discounted at 20% for up to two tickets, be a part of the action this season at the CU Events Center and visit .
 

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Mental Health First Aid is now available free for faculty and staff. Mental Health First Aid training helps a person with no clinical training assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Participants are introduced to risk factors and warning signs, engage in experiential activities, and learn about evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies. See open sessions or sign-up online.

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Are you interested in learning a new language or brushing up your existing skills? The Anderson Language and Technology Center (ALTEC) offers evening language classes at a radically reduced rate for staff and current CU affiliates.

These non-credit classes are perfect for busy adults with a desire to learn new languages and cultures for use in their profession, social life and travels—read what our past students have to say. Learning languages is the ultimate brain training with an added bonus of social and cultural enrichment!

Spring 2020 classes begin January 27. Subscribe to the ALTEC mailing list to be notified about schedules and registration. Classes fill up quickly, so you are encouraged to enroll as soon as registration begins in December.

Curious about what else ALTEC has to offer? Swing by the HIVE in Hellems 159 (an open collaboration space) to borrow language resources including comics and DVDs, check out the exhibit on bats, and join a conversation table to practice your language skills!
 

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We at CU should all strive to be an ally in our community. Below we list just a few actions you can take in your day to day life to be a better ally.

Ally (plural allies): (noun) an individual who is not a member of a particular group but who works for the rights of that group; e.g., a white person who works against racism, a man who works against sexism, a heterosexual who works against heterosexism.

1. Think We instead of us and them. We really are all in this together.
2. Recognize the skills you have and use those skills for a worthy cause to help others.
3. Knowledge is power. Educate yourself about groups you don’t belong to: see a film, read a book, listen to a podcast. Share what you have learned with others.
4. Notice what stereotypes come to YOUR mind. Risk a little bit of discomfort…and you’ll not only help to change the world but you’ll grow as a person.
5. Be aware of casual comments that perpetuate stereotypes. Ask others to think about them too.
6. Ask about things that you don’t understand. People may be will be willing to talk with you. Remember you are responsible for your education.
7. Become media savvy. You can learn a lot of good stuff from the media - and you can learn a lot of misinformation. Learn to tell the difference.
8. Be willing to help others but don’t assume you know what they need. Ask.
9. Know your own culture. Everyone has a culture – often multiple cultures.
10. There are many ways to be active. Do what fits: Sign petitions, attend cultural events, write to officials, write a letter to the editor, march, stuff envelopes. Stretch a little.
11. Remember, it is not others’ job to assert their identity in a way that is convenient or comfortable for you.
12. Communities of people exist, but don’t forget: they are made up of individuals like you and me.
13. Become an active bystander. If you see something, say something. Don’t just let inappropriate comments or actions go. It’s on us - ALL of us!

For more information on how to activate your allyship, you can attend any number of the talks taking place at the CU Diversity Summit, November 12th and 13th.

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Get involved with the CU Â鶹ӰԺ Staff Council and make an impact!  Most staff know the Council as the folks that hand out free ice cream at the end-of-summer Ice Cream Social, serve up the bacon and eggs at the Staff Appreciation Breakfast, and provide fun, games and snacks at the springtime Field Day—but we do more! The thirty-five Staff Council representatives on the CU Â鶹ӰԺ campus meet monthly to advocate for you on a wide variety of issues.

The Council has historically worked hard to be a positive force with resolutions and progress on issues important to staff. We’ve advocated for improvements in the tuition benefit and fought hard to achieve significant advances on paid parental leave for university and classified staff.  There’s always more to be done as we work to continuously improve morale and advocate for the rights of staff. This year the Council is proud to focus on Diversity and Inclusive Excellence. We invite you to participate at any level you possibly can during this year’s twenty-ninth , November 12th and 13th.  

The Council’s six standing committees meet monthly to do the work where the rubber meets the road. Any interested member of the CU staff can join a committee, so check out the Staff Council calendar on our website and consider joining a committee that interests you.  

As our campus grows in both physical size and employee census, we look to represent our diverse staff to the greatest degree possible. Your involvement on a committee can make a difference, starting now. And in February our Elections Committee will put out a call for nominations to serve on the full Council. Elections will be held later in the spring. We strongly encourage you to start thinking now about serving or nominating a colleague to run for Staff Council. So be Â鶹ӰԺ, and be involved!

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Join us for the annual staff appreciation breakfast, hosted and sponsored by Staff Council and the Office of the Chancellor.  The event will be held on Wednesday, December 4 in the Glenn Miller Ballroom at the UMC, From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.. Please come any time as there is not a formal program, just free breakfast!

The event is open to all staff in appreciation for all you do for CU Â鶹ӰԺ throughout the year. As always, campus administration will serve the meal as an expression of thanks.  
 
Bring your Buff OneCard (required) and enjoy breakfast while you socialize with your fellow staff, and be served by the Chancellor, Provost, Deans, and Associate Vice Chairs.
 
Donations for will be accepted as part of this event. Specific needs this year include:

• Canned chili
• Canned fruit
• Cereal
• Canned tuna
• Granola bars
• Toilet paper
• Laundry Soap
• Toothbrushes

But any non-perishable item is appreciated. Please bring what you would like to donate and drop it off at the welcome table in front of the ballroom. We thank you in advance for your generosity.
 
Date:  Wednesday, December 4
Time:  7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Location:  UMC – Glenn Miller Ballroom (Buff OneCard Required)

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At their monthly meeting yesterday, October 9th, Â鶹ӰԺ Campus Staff Council unanimously approved their letter of support for Youth Climate Action.

This resolution has been approved by the following CU groups:

• Climate Reality Campus Corps of CU Â鶹ӰԺ
• CU Chapter for Citizens’ Climate Lobby
• United Government of Graduate Students
• Â鶹ӰԺ Faculty Assembly

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At their monthly meeting yesterday, October 9th, Â鶹ӰԺ Campus Staff Council unanimously approved their letter of support for the Los Seis Sculpture.

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