UBS Employee Enrichment Committee

Background

University Business Services (UBS) supports the research and academic mission of the university by providing accounting, human resources, and information technology support to their clients. After the founding of UBS in 2019, staff expressed an interest in employee enrichment opportunities. All three member units will participate: Business and Financial Services (BFS), Human Resources Support Services (HRSS), and Technology Resources (TRecs).

Purpose

The UBS Employee Enrichment Committee will seek out opportunities for UBS staff to explore, cross-train, and innovate through collaboration with staff in other areas. Activities that result from the Committee’s work should incorporate process improvement, professional development, and/or relationship building.

Guiding Principles

Members of the committee should conduct their efforts in accordance with these guiding principles.

• Establish positive working relationships with other staff and establish contacts across UBS and campus.
• Utilize advances in technology as potential solutions to issues, while recognizing the strengths of current methods.
• Promote an environment that encourages staff to continuously refine processes.
• Share knowledge and experiences with others, and seek out those who will share theirs.
• Find ways to provide excellent customer service, maximize efficiency, and ensure compliance.
• Consider the benefits to staff members of receiving professional development.
• Share and promote ideas with community members.

Projects

• UBS Employee Exchange Program

Membership and Meetings

The UBS Employee Enrichment Committee welcomes interested UBS staff to, with approval from their supervisor, request membership from the Assistant Vice President for University Business Services. Committee size will vary based on interest and need. The Committee will meet regularly to discuss new ideas and project progress.

• Tommy Adams, Buyer II, BFS
• Eran Gronquist, Senior Systems Administrator, TRecs
• Loren Hinkle, Assistant Director, BFS
• Shane Purgason, Stores Clerk III, BFS
• Elisabeth Ruggles, Accounting Analyst, BFS
• Sara Somabhatta, Assistant Director, TRecs
• Estelle Thomas, Buyer II, BFS
• Wendy Whipple, Interim Director, HRSS
• Jonathan Williams, Manager, BFS

Review and Approval

The Committee will discuss, research, and propose suggestions for projects. This should include accepting recommendations and requests from UBS staff. Projects should not begin without a project charter that clearly outlines a timeframe, goal, participants, and needs has been approved by the Assistant Vice President for University Business Services. To submit ideas, email the committee (ubsadmin@austin.utexas.edu).