From the Desk of Willie Brown V5N5

HDAE Town Hall Recap

Thank you for attending the Town Hall Meeting on April 27, 2023. We had a full agenda, with much information to share and many folks to celebrate. At the meeting, I was pleased to announce organizational changes intended to improve our services. Residential Operations is now handling all aspects of the HDAE physical plant, including the custodial teams at the University and Events Centers. Distribution & Logistical Services has transitioned to the Residential Operations portfolio as it is more compatible with their functions. 

Residential Operations and Residential & Community Living are exploring and planning for organizational restructuring in the higher levels of those departments. There will be more to come as these changes become clear. Brian Graham’s and Kristen Burnett’s new titles are Executive Director to align with similar positions in HDAE. 

I also shared that we are working on a Sr. Executive Director of Auxiliary Services position that still requires higher level vetting and approvals. We hope we will be able to move forward with recruitment soon. This position will oversee the Campus Store, Conference & Hospitality Services, Transportation & Parking Services, and the University and Events Centers.

As I mentioned at the fall town hall meeting, the intention of these changes are:

• To ensure that HDAE is responsive to our constituents and to ourselves, consistent with our WE CARE values
• To realign the organization to recognize more clearly defined functional areas
• To recognize and continue to develop talent internally
• To respond to the current local and national trends in higher education, particularly as they relate to our work environment 

We will continue to work on these changes and will keep you updated along the way. 

Shalauna Miller, my Chief of Staff, came next on the agenda and reviewed the McLean Employee Engagement Survey Results. An in-depth article will be in a future Compass newsletter, so stay tuned for more information. I can share that as we plan for where to improve, we’ll focus on three areas based on your feedback — recognition, career advancement, and work-life balance. Thank you to all who participated in the survey. 

Julie Levangie, Director of Multimedia Communication & Marketing, appreciated the many staff who supported the Housing Fair at UCSB’s annual Open House. We were treated to a video documenting the successful event with various stats you can view via the Fun in the Sun article. 

Jared Martinez and Leslie Ramirez shared the various Wellness Program opportunities available to HDAE staff, including Homestretch, Yoga and Total Body Workout classes, Wellness Workshops and the UC Moves Challenge. Take a look at the Wellness Intranet page to learn more. 

Nestor Covarrubias, Director of Transportation & Parking Services, presented about the relocation of TPS from Stadium and Mesa Road to Navigator Way. The move will relocate everyone currently at the Facilities and Transportation Services yard on Mesa Road along with Parking Services to make way for future development. TPS will be occupying one of three buildings that UCSB will lease. Design & Construction Services will be their upstairs neighbor. All TPS operations will be housed in the same location for the first time allowing them to further integrate their operations and provide better support. There is no specific schedule yet, but they anticipate moving this September. 

Nestor also touched on CalTrans’ project to replace the State Route 217 bridge over San Jose Creek. The project is expected to take two years. For updates, please follow Cal Trans District 5 on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The CalTrans QuickMap is also a good resource for real-time traffic information.

We then celebrated 68 staff members with a combined 1,130 years of service! Congratulations to the honorees listed below for reaching a service milestone. Thank you for your outstanding contributions to the University! (Click on the image to expand.)

Amy Jacobs, Human Resources Business Partner, followed this by introducing new and promoted employees. Since the last Town Hall in October 2022, we’ve had 32 promotions! This information is also shared in the regularly published article “Comings & Goings” in the Compass. 

Sprinkled throughout the Town Hall Meeting, WE CARE Thank You notes were randomly selected and prizes were presented. The WE CARE Thank You note program is an excellent opportunity to recognize and appreciate your fellow staff members when they embody our values. 

Overall, it was a fantastic Town Hall! If you were unable to attend, I hope my recap is helpful. Enjoy a few photos below.