CAMPUS SERVICES BY THE NUMBERS

WHAT’S NEW IN CAMPUS SERVICES

Campus Services

Larry Elsasser Memorial Scholarship Established

The staff of Campus Services recently established the Larry Elsasser Memorial Scholarship Fund with the UC Foundation. A well-known Bearcat, Larry Elsasser, Ed ’65, MEd ’73, served as an employee at the University of Cincinnati (UC) for 35 years. For most of those years, Larry served as the director of Tangeman University Center.

In 1961, UC recruited Elsasser to play baseball and basketball. Although baseball was his passion, he had a memorable basketball career, playing guard when UC defeated Ohio State in 1962 for the NCAA championship. After graduation, he played professional baseball for the Kansas City Athletics, the forerunner to the Oakland A’s. He later became a Cincinnati Public school teacher, then a math teacher at Raymond Walters College, where he also worked as assistant director of the Campus Center. In 1970, he transferred to the Uptown Campus as assistant director of Tangeman University Center, where he became director in 1976. He retired as director in 2005. In 1989, UC inducted him into the UC Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2007, when the Missouri Valley Conference celebrated its centennial as the nation’s second-oldest NCAA Division I conference, it recognized Elsasser as a key player who had been in the league prior to 1975.

Larry’s commitment to the university and to the students at UC was always enthusiastic and professional. With Larry’s passing in 2010, his friends in Campus Services established a scholarship in his name to recognize students who also serve the university as student employees. The scholarship will be awarded annually in the amount of $500 to at least one student employee working at the university who meets the following criteria:

• The student must be enrolled as a full time student at the University of Cincinnati;
• The student must be employed by the university as a enrolled student employee at the time of application for the scholarship and award;
• The student must have completed or is in the process of completing two semesters of academic work and hold a cumulative university grade point average of 3.0 or better; and
• The student must submit the required forms including a reference from their supervisor at the university.

A university committee consisting of representatives from Campus Services and Student Affairs will review all applications submitted for the scholarship. Determination of the scholarship recipient will be based on:

1. Completion of the required forms;
2. Demonstrated need for the scholarship;
3. Demonstrated work as a student employee; and
4. Supervisor review and comments.

The first scholarship will be awarded in fall 2012. This scholarship will be the focus of the Campus Services’ Faculty/Staff Campaign, as part of the Proudly Cincinnati campaign. For more information on how to donate to the Larry Elsasser Memorial Scholarship Fund, please contact Amy Browns Taylor at amy.browns@uc.edu or 556-1713, or stay tuned for Faculty/Staff campaign information, which will be distributed in early May.

Campus Recreation

UC Campus Recreation Makes Strong Showing at National Conference

The University of Cincinnati Campus Recreation (CR) staff was highlighted in several ways at the recent National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Conference in Tampa. The staff received three scholarships – one national and two state – to cover registration for the conference.

CR staff was presented with two NIRSA Creative Excellence Awards:

• 1^st Place in the Audiovisual Category for the iRec Anthem video
• 3^rd place in the overall Website Category

During the Creative Excellence session at the conference, committee co-chairs had the following comments on the iRec Anthem video, “This is a perfect example of why the Creative Excellence Awards were created” and “In the history of the Awards, this is one of the best videos we have seen.” Check out the iRec Anthem video by going to the Campus Recreation website at www.uc.edu/reccenter.

Several staff members also presented at the conference and the CRC staff has demonstrated strong leadership within the association on the national, regional, and state level. Several staff members were appointed to positions and three of the last six presidents of ORSA have been UC CRC staff members. See the STAFF ANNOUCEMENTS section (below) for details.

Winter Programs Recap – Aquatics

The Campus Recreation Center Aquatics staff conducted an American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course, which had 18 participants, and brought in $4,300. It was the first Lifeguard Training course taught by the Rec Center staff since fall 2008.

The number of individuals purchasing private or semi-private swimming lessons has increased by 70%. More private and semi-private swimming lessons have been sold to date in FY12 than were sold in all of FY11.

Birthday Parties Rentals Increase

There were 30 birthday parties at the Campus Recreation Center during winter quarter, generating $5,543 in revenue and bringing 602 people into the facility. Revenue generated by birthday party rentals in FY12 year-to-date has surpassed the FY11 total by 22%.

Intramural Sports

Spring Intramural Soccer and Softball are at 100% capacity. Softball drew in 66 teams. Soccer drew in 104 teams.

Minutes-to-Win-It Challenge

The Minutes-to-Win-It Challenge was a six-week incentive program designed to increase utilization of the Campus Recreation Center by encouraging students to log their physical activity minutes to earn prizes. Results of the program included:

• A total of 130 people participated in the Minutes-to-Win-It Challenge;
• 18% of participants logged their physical activity minutes a minimum of three times per week during the challenge;
• 75% of participants logged their physical activity minutes at least one time during the challenge; and
• 27% of participants logged at least 1,500 minutes of physical activity in six weeks, winning a t-shirt for the accomplishment.

Nutrition Makeover Results

The Campus Recreation Center hosted the second 8-Week Nutrition Makeover class, producing outstanding results among the participants. Registration for the 8-Week Nutrition Makeover increased 50% from winter 2012. Participants lost an average of 8.25 inches, according to circumference measurements.

Parking Services

Parking Services Announces Traffic Camera Installation

In an effort to improve customer service, UC Parking Services recently installed cameras to assist with traffic in some parking facilities. The cameras will provide visual communication between customers using the pay-in-lane units and Parking Services staff, as well as reduce tailgating activity of those who are trying to exit without paying by capturing recordings of offenders’ license plates.  

The cameras have been installed in the following garages: Calhoun, Campus Green, Clifton Court, Corry, Varsity Village, Woodside, and University Avenue. Cameras will be installed in all other facilities in the near future.

Darlene Bunton, Director of Parking Services, says, “We hope the installation of the cameras will expand our customer service to assist those who have difficulties using the pay-in-lane units, as well as deter unauthorized exiting of the garage. Our goal is to minimize maintenance costs, which will in turn keep parking costs down for students, faculty, staff and visitors.”

Complimentary Parking Offered for Commencement – June 8 and 9

The all-university commencement ceremonies are just around the corner. Doctoral hooding will now be a part of the commencement ceremonies, which are scheduled to take place at Fifth Third Arena June 8 and 9. Immediately following each ceremony, there will be a reception for all graduates and guests at the Russell C. Myers Alumni Center. Parking Services is pleased to offer complimentary parking for all ceremonies in West Campus garages. Click here for further details on the event and schedules.

Customer Appreciation Days Held March 26-28

Parking Services held Customer Appreciation Days on March 26-28. A survey was conducted to get feedback from customers about campus Parking in an effort to provide better services and communication. Survey results showed that initiatives taken to encourage online purchase of permits have worked. In the past year, the number of people to purchase permits online went from 9% to 36%. These initiatives include installing permit sales message on gate arms, improving website navigation, and utilizing Twitter (@UCParking). There was also a drawing to select three customers for complimentary parking for a quarter. Congratulations to winners John Salter, a UC employee, and students William Platten III and Kayla Kelly.

Employees’ Vehicle Information Needs Updating

Parking Services personnel are asking all employees to update their license plate information. If you have changed your license plate and/or your car in the last six years, you need to update the Parking Services’ database with the new information. This information will be used to contact employees in case of emergency and to also help validate permits in order to avoid citations.

To update details:

• Go to uc.edu/parking.
• Click on view your account.
• Log in through your Central Login.
• Verify that your information is current and accurate.

Please verify accounts by May 18, 2012. For any clarification or information, contact Parking Services at parking@uc.edu or 556-2283.

Energy Saving Project Coming Soon to Kingsgate Garage

In an effort to be more environmentally friendly and socially responsible, Parking Services has proposed measures to replace 175-watt fixtures at the Kingsgate Garage with high-efficient fluorescent fixtures. The new fixtures, while inexpensive, will also reduce energy consumption by one-third. Parking staff hopes to further such energy- and cost-saving practices in other garages in the future.

University Dining

Mick & Mack’s

Executive Chef Jonathan Hunt has rolled out an updated lunch menu for spring quarter. The new menu features an updated buffet rotation that includes themes such as a “Taste of Italy” and “Kentucky BBQ.” The menu maintains many customer favorites but includes some new items such as fish and chips, strawberry house salad, and carne asada. Dine at Mick & Mack’s for lunch today and sample our new menu choices. Click here to view the complete menu.

In addition to the new spring menu, Mick & Mack’s has also seen an increase in the number of attendees at the monthly Wine Tastings and Epicurean Delight’s events. Total attendance year-to-date at the Wine Tastings has increased 16% over FY11, while attendance at Epicure’s Delights has doubled. Please join us at one of the upcoming Think Thursdays events.

Residential Dining

Independent Meal Plan Sales continue to grow with winter quarter 2012 showing a 15% increase over winter quarter 2011.

UC Bookstores

Students Continue to Show Increased Interest in Renting Textbooks

On average, renting textbooks saves students 50% off the new book price and has quickly become very popular. Over the past year, rental sales increased 68% and accounted for approximately 20% of the total UC Bookstores textbook sales. Textbooks not on the rental list can be considered for the rental program with a four-term commitment to the rental program.

Housing

Campus Housing 2012
Demand for on-campus housing for fall 2012 continues to be strong. In the month of March, applications increased by 750 over the same time period last year. February 1 marked the first day that confirmed new students could apply for campus housing.

Bellevue Gardens

Current and incoming residents now have the option of paying rent and other miscellaneous fees online by credit card or e-check. Additional lighting on the upper portions of the building facades along MLK was installed to enhance security for the residents occupying garden apartments.

Kingsgate Conference Center and Hotel

Kingsgate Achieves Top Guest Satisfaction Scores
Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center recently achieved a 92.2% overall guest satisfaction score. This makes Kingsgate the number one Marriott hotel in the region and number eight in the brand overall, out of 337 Marriott hotels nationwide. Additionally, Kingsgate ranked number one in the brand in three other categories – Everything in Working Order, Speed of Internet, and Ease of Accessing the Internet. All categories and scores are listed below:

• Overall Guest Satisfaction – 92.2% (8 in the brand)
• Hotel Staff Service overall – 93.3% (21 in the brand)
• Room overall – 87.6%  (23 in the brand)
• Everything in working order – 96.6%  (1 in the brand)
• Hotel restaurant quality of service – 93.1% (4 in the brand)
• Departure experience – 94.2% number (13 in the brand)
• Speed of internet – 94.3% (1 in the brand)
• Ease of accessing internet – 93.3% (1 in the brand)

PNC Bank

Winter Quarter Workshops

PNC's focus this year has been to expand financial seminars and educational opportunities for UC students, faculty, and staff. During winter quarter, Workplace Banking presented three workshops: one to UCAAMP on Identity Theft on February 15; one on Budgeting on February 7 and one on Raising Money – Smart Kids on March 27, both part of the HR’s UC Wellness series.

Staff from the University Branch in TUC presented their Money/Budgeting 101 workshop to four student groups including a sorority, two learning communities, and a residence hall. Additionally, PNC staff presented a workshop on Banking in the U.S. as part of International Student Check-In on March 23.

MainStreet

MainStreet Wins First Place in ACUI’s Steal This Idea Competition

The staff of MainStreet Operations and Campus Services Marketing were awarded first place in the Animation category for the 6^th Annual MainStreet Stride animation promotion in the Association of College Unions International’s Steal This Idea award competition.

Catskeller Had a Successful Winter

This past winter, the staff of Catskeller hosted the 3^rd Annual Stout & Porter Festival and a Belgian Festival, featuring Belgian-style beers paired with chocolate, in which 400 people participated. Additionally, Catskeller was an official venue of Cincinnati’s first Cincinnati Beer Week in February, in which 1,000 customers participated. Finally, an NCAA Watch Party was held in Catskeller on March 16, in which 163 Bearcat fans participated. These events brought in more than $12,000 in revenue and nearly 1,600 patrons.

Winter Events in TUC Bring 6,000 Visitors

TUC had a busy schedule of events this winter including the Winter Quarter Hoxworth Blood Drive in which 1,000 people donated, two Admissions events with 2,100 attendees, and the annual Cincinnatus Scholarship Competition. The 27^th Annual Student Leadership Conference was held in TUC on February 27. Additionally, the annual Jets Competition was held on March 7 and the annual Science Fair competition was held on March 9. More than 6,000 people participated in these and other major events held in TUC.

Trademarks & Licensing

UC Partners with Licensees to Help Others

In February, the University of Cincinnati joined a national program called Operation Hat Trick (OHT), a co-branded program that generates royalties that go back to support UC and the Veteran’s Administration General Post Fund. Now alumni, fans, and supporters of UC are able to purchase these specially licensed co-branded caps that support the University and our American military veterans.

OHT caps are produced under license by ’47 Brand, one of the country’s leading collegiate headwear manufacturers. In the initial product roll out, ’47 Brand is offering three different UC/OHT cap styles, including adjustable camouflage and team color versions, and a stretch fit style also in team color. The UC/OHT caps are available for purchase in the UC Bookstores.

The university is also helping victims of recent tornadoes by partnering with Knights Apparel in donating UC-branded merchandise to be distributed through local charities. This partnership started through an organization called Fashion Delivers, which is a nonprofit organization that works with adult apparel and fashion industries to collect new products donated for distribution to individuals and families in need.

Fashion Delivers coordinates the donations and delivers the product to local charities in the affected areas for distribution. Knights Apparel provided a range of new UC-branded merchandise from men’s and women’s hoodies, to t-shirts, youth shirts, and even infant apparel. All are in route for distribution to families in need in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Trademarks & Licensing staff is also working to coordinate a donation of product to recent storm victims in Indiana.

• PNC Bank will present two workshops as part of the HR’s UC Wellness Brown Bag Series:
  • April 24 – Identity Theft
  • May 15 – Retirement Planning
    Visit www.uc.edu/hr/wellness for more information.
• Catskeller will host the 5^th Annual Worldfest Tasting on Thursday, April 26, as part of UC’s annual Worldfest festivities which run through Sunday, April 29. The tasting will be hosted by Adam Bankovich and Jeff Dunn of Cavalier Distributing and feature beer from around the world paired with appetizers from Classic Fare Catering. Cost is $10 and is limited to 50 attendees.
• Family Fun Day at the CRC is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The event will include an hour of fun family fitness activities followed by a 60-minute session with a registered dietitian, who will help the families prepare a healthy picnic. After the food is prepared, families are welcome to picnic on Sigma Sigma Commons.
• Upcoming Mick & Mack’s Wine Tasting themes are Rosés & Sparklers on Thursday, May 3, and Brian Scott’s Favorites on Thursday, June 7. Admission is $15 per person and includes a flight of five wines paired with hors d’oeuvres. Due to the popularity of the tastings, reservations are recommended. Call 556-3653 or email mick@mack@uc.edu.
• On Sunday, May 6, the university community will come together as the annual All University Recognition Ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of members of the community. The ceremony acknowledges student leaders, faculty, staff and student organizations for their contributions to the university. The Student Employee of the Year Award, established by Campus Services, will be given at this ceremony for the sixth year.
• A Great Lakes Brewing Company Festival will take place on Thursday, May 10, in Catskeller, featuring eight drafts from the Cleveland brewery.
• Don’t miss the final lecture in the four-part series “A desultory and meandering, yet strangely entertaining History of the University of Cincinnati” as narrated by Greg Hand each month at the MainStreet Cinema, TUC Level 2. The final lecture in the four part series “The Red & the Black & the Bearcat & the Kraut” will take place on Thursday, May 17 at 12:30 p.m. Brown-baggers are welcome and the event is open to all.
• Upcoming Epicure’s Delights at Mick & Mack’s are Beer-infused Delicacies and Craft Beer Tasting on Thursday, May 17, and South American Heritage and Tequila Tasting on Thursday, June 21. The three-course dinner and drink pairings are $20/person. Due to the popularity of the dinners, reservations are recommended. Call 556-3653 or email mick@mack@uc.edu.

• The 7^th Annual MainStreet Stride, sponsored and organized by Campus Services on behalf of the President’s Office, will take place on Friday, May 18 at Noon, and kick off Spring Alumni Weekend. This year’s grand marshals are the Men’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball Team. Student organizations, as well as students, faculty and staff representing offices across the university, dress up in their best (and often most creative) red-and-black getups and parade their pride through campus. The parade begins at the plaza at University Pavilion and culminates outside of the Alumni Center with a free picnic, awards ceremony, performance by the Bearcat Band, and the student government inauguration.
• Beautiful Lengths is coming to the University of Cincinnati on Saturday, May 19 at 1 p.m. in Great Hall. Beautiful Lengths is a partnership between Pantene and the American Cancer Society to encourage UC women and men to donate eight inches of their hair, so that Pantene can turn this hair into free, real hair wigs for women with cancer.
• Bring your family to Mother’s Day Brunch at the Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center’s Caminetto Euro-American Bistro. Enjoy a festive buffet prepared in celebration of your mom. Savor traditional favorites from chef-crafted waffles and omelets to honey mustard glazed ham and roast prime rib of beef carving stations, and a delicious variety of desserts.
  • Mother’s Day Brunch in Caminetto
    Sunday, May 13, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    $29.95 per person; $23.95 for seniors; $15.95 per child ages 6 and up; children under 5 eat free.
    Free parking provided. Show your UC ID and receive complimentary mimosas or orange juice. For reservations or more information, please call 513-487-3800.
• Catskeller will celebrate American Craft Beer Week May 14-19 for the fifth year in a row and feature eight rotating taps dedicated to a different style of craft beer from multiple breweries. Featured styles will include American Pale Ale, American IPA, American Stouts/Porters, American Amber, American Pilsner, American Innovation/Eccentric, American Imperial IPA, and American Wheat.
• Hoxworth Blood Center’s next All-Campus Blood Drive will take place Monday, May 21 – Friday, May 25, at the Campus Rec Center, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
• R.E.C. Kids Summer Camp will begin Monday, June 11, and run for 10 weeks. Reservations/registrations are up 142% from last year at this time. Currently, there are 377 spots reserved out of a possible 700, or 53.8% full.

NACAS College Services Magazine – Spring 2012 Edition

“The University of Cincinnati Joins the Celebration,” an article about National Student Day, was featured in the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) spring edition of College Services magazine.

• Two Housing & Food Services staff members continue UC’s involvement with NACUFS (National Association of College & University Food Services). Director of Food Services John Hautz was recently named as a member of the Benchmarking Committee and H&FS Program Coordinator Katy Higbee is serving as a judge on the Loyal E. Horton Award Committee.

• Campus Recreation’s Assistant Director of Facilities & Operations Jim Jamriska became the newly appointed Ohio Recreational Sports Association (ORSA) President and the NIRSA State Director for Ohio.

• Campus Recreation’s Assistant Director of Membership Emily Piercey made her first national presentation, “Membership Sales Strategies and Success Stories,” at the 2012 NIRSA conference in March. This was the only membership-based session offered during the conference. 

• Emilie Saltz, Campus Recreation membership coordinator, was recently appointed to the newly created ORSA position of Marketing Coordinator. 

• Campus Services Senior Associate Vice President Steve Sayers has been appointed chairperson of the finance and budget committee and the audit committee for the National Association of College Stores (NACS). Steve is currently serving his final year as a trustee on the board for the association.

• Kim Schmidt, director of Campus Recreation and interim director of MainStreet, served on the executive panel, “Emerging Trends in Campus Recreation,” at the 2012 NIRSA conference in March. Additionally, she served on NIRSA’s Region III Award of Merit Committee.

• Erik Smith recently joined Parking Services as the parking facility supervisor. Previously, he worked as an assistant store manager and an assistant dining room manager. He has degree in sociology from Ohio University.

• Director of Marketing Amy Browns Taylor served on the “National Student Day: Be the Hero on Campus” panel at the 2012 National Association of College Stores (NACS) Campus Market Expo (CAMEX) in Salt Lake City in March. Additionally, she authored “The University of Cincinnati Joins the Celebration,” an article about National Student Day, which was featured in the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) spring edition of College Services magazine. 

• Natalie Thomas-Hunter joined Parking Services as public inquiries assistant in February. Natalie has been employed with the University of Cincinnati for more than 10 years, most recently with the School of Education graduate program.

• Campus Recreation’s Assistant Director of Fitness & Wellness Ashley Varol presented “Moving Past Imposed Programs: A Call to Action to Move Toward Offering Programs Employees Want,” a webinar for the National Wellness Institute on March 22.

• Campus Recreation’s Associate Director of Facilities & Operations Kendra Violet assisted in facilitating discussion regarding the future of regional workshops and conferences during the regional meeting at the 2012 NIRSA conference in March. Additionally, she serves as co-chair of NIRSA’s Region III Networking Task Force.