[bold on]Liz Bogut[bold off][fm][bold on][bold off][bold on][bold off]Staff Reporter[fm]
Hundreds of University employees mulled through the Washington Avenue Bridge on Thursday afternoon to enjoy food, fun and recognition.
Members of the University’s Civil Service Committee hosted the second annual Staff Day, an event that recognizes all University civil service and bargaining unit staff.
The event, planned for all University campuses, provided staff members with free lunch, live music, information and miniature golf. An event was planned for all second- and third-shift employees.
“It’s a day for people to relax and take time out,” said Dana Langseth, Staff Day committee co-chairwoman.
Twelve committee members and about 30 volunteers served ice cream, handed out information and bagged almost 6,000 lunches for University staff.
In addition, the Staff Day included an awards program honoring eight outstanding University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus departments: Academic and Distributed Computing Services; Administrative Group for Medicine; Dermatology and Neurology; Department of Economics; Facilities Management; Financial Systems Support; General College; Office for Special Learning Opportunities; and Purchasing Services.
Members of a committee determined the winning departments by 13 different criteria, including team-building efforts and providing outstanding facilities.
“It’s a new tradition to recognize and honor outstanding departments,” said Bob Bruininks, executive vice president and provost. “There is a really demanding set of criteria for the outstanding departments to meet.”
Six other University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus departments were also recognized for their achievements: Department of Chemistry; Environmental Health and Safety; Printing Services; Theatre Arts and Dance; University of Minnesota Child Care; and University Services Human Resources.