RSSP - Newsletter - April

We are writing to inform you about the latest news that will impact Residential & Student Service Programs (RSSP) staff. First, we wish to thank you for all of the hard work each and every one of you do every day to provide students with the best possible experience. RSSP is a world-class operation because of you.

Today, as you may have seen, the university’s new plan was announced to address the housing needs of current and prospective students. There will be a realignment of some functions between RSSP and Administration & Finance/Real Estate. Detailed plans are still being developed, but it’s estimated that the planned transition will take place over the course of 18-24 months.

We realize today’s news may come as a surprise to many, and we want to ensure all of you feel supported during this transition period. Transitional periods can sometimes be unsettling, and the following resources are available for you. Please also feel free to talk with your supervisor for additional details on ways to address any concerns.

• CARE Services (counseling and mental health needs): Staff assistance program providing free, confidential problem assessment and referral. Also available to partners/spouses and family dependents. Services are completely confidential. Contact: (510) 643-7754 / careserv@uhs.berkeley.edu / www.uhs.berkeley.edu/facstaff/care/

• CAREER Counseling for Staff: Provides assistance with career questions, goals, and plans. Involves assessment and self-exploration of interests, skills, and goals. The personal and confidential nature of the meetings will be respected at all times. Contact: (510) 642-2367/ uhs.berkeley.edu/facstaff/careercounseling.shtml

• Student Affairs Learning and Development (professional development services): Can partner with managers to facilitate conversations with staff regarding the proposed organizational changes. Contact: (510) 643-9333 / kyang@berkeley.edu / sa.berkeley.edu/ld

• CSS HR Business Partners: Provides resources and support, and helps build relationships while focusing on the mission and objectives set forth by senior leadership in the division.

  • Ellen Loyd – Supervisor: (510) 643-0437 / ellenloyd@berkeley.edu

  • Roy Cockrell – Cal Dining: (510)643-1857 / royscockrell@berkeley.edu

  • Jenee Jackson – Maintenance and Trades, Custodial Services, Design: (510) 643-1438/ jennee.jackson@berkeley.edu

  • Laura Cragg – Early Childhood Education Program: (510) 643-6926 / laura.cragg@berkeley.edu

Many of you may wonder exactly which areas are going to be impacted by this plan. Impacted units transitioning from Student Affairs/Residential & Student Service Programs to Administration & Finance/Real Estate will include:

• Custodial: All custodial services including those that provide custodial support for housing units 1, 2, and 3; Foothill; Clark Kerr; University Village Albany; the RSSB office building; and Early Childhood Education Program buildings (Real Estate already provides custodial services for the rest of the campus).

• Restaurants: RSSP campus restaurants including Golden Bear Cafe, Pat Brown’s, Ramona’s, Terrace Cafe, and Qualcomm.

• Design & Project Services: Designers and project managers that set standards and implement minor capital maintenance projects for university housing, dining, and conference facilities.

• Maintenance, Trade, & Grounds: Includes maintenance staff, painters, plumbing staff, stationary engineers, steamfitters, groundskeepers and supervisors, locksmiths, carpenters, fire alarm electricians, electricians, and project crews.

We are still in the initial planning phases for this transition, as we have more concrete information we will share. In this morning's meeting we addressed several of your questions but unfortunately weren't able to address all. For the questions we did not answer, some were comments or related to other topics such as CalTime, others were specific to Real Estate. We want all parties to be able address your questions and we have saved the questions and will share them with our partners. We are committed to keeping the RSSP team informed throughout the process. We have a list of Frequently Asked Questions on bit.ly/ucb-facilities-transition and we will continue to update them to answer your questions. 

We are planning meetings across RSSP to listen to your concerns and address questions you may have. Please see an initial list of meetings below. To schedule AVC Sutton to come to your work location, please contact Kathy Kwong at (510) 642-9624 / kkwong01@berkeley.edu.

• April 2, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Unit 3 APR. ECEP staff in particular.

• April 3,

  • 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Unit 1 Slottman L12;

  • 1:00-2:00 p.m. Unit 3 Library;

  • 2:00-3:00 p.m. RSSB Santa Barbara room;

  • 3:00-4:00 p.m. RSSB San Diego room.

• April 6,

  • 3:00-4:00 p.m. RSSB Los Angeles room;

  • 4:00-5:00 p.m. RSSB San Diego room.

• April 7,  3:30-4:30 p.m. Clark Kerr Campus Bld 1 D1.

Thank you, and remember to please reach out to your supervisors with any questions you may have. We know that as a team we can support each other during this transition period.

Regards,

AVC LeNorman Strong

AVC Stephen C. Sutton