USPA Fall Assembly
October 5, 2015 / 12 – 1:30 p.m.
The luau-themed 2015 Fall Assembly opened with Hawaiian music and visits to the photo booth. Along with a variety of fun Hawaiian/beach props, Ozzie Osprey was on hand to make the photo booth a popular place to be. Thank youto the 152 USPS employees that attended the luncheon.
Sunshine Isbell announced the Facebook giveaway. Those interested are to visit the USPA Facebook page, like the event and make a comment by noon, Friday, Oct. 9. The drawing for this year’s prize, Jacksonville Sharks’ autographed football and poster pack, will then take place at 2 p.m.
Our first speaker was Tim Giles, Director of Continuing Education. He reminded us that a 50% discount for most of the CE programs began in June for all current UNF staff, faculty and students. They offer personal enrichment, fun classes on various topics like languages, art, writing, and wine-tasting, as well as professional development courses. For more information and list of classes, visit UNF’s main website page and find Continuing Education under the Academics section.
Next up was Vanessa from the Swoop Squad to help us all work on our Osprey pride! She taught us that SWOOP stands for Students With Outstanding Osprey Pride and how to do the swoop. Thank you, Vanessa!
Catherine & Sonjawith the Healthy Ospreys, along with their Director Shelly Purser, shared the importance of having a healthy mind and body. They encouraged us as staff to set a good example for them as students, as they look up to us as role models. They recently joined Partnership for a Healthy America and are sponsoring many campus events to encourage good health. Information can be found on the Healthy Osprey web page or via e-mail at or ; we can also sign up to receive bi-weekly e-mails.
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Our keynote speaker was Dr. Tom Serwatka, Vice President Chief of Staff, who spoke on 40 and 12 years of history, referring to his 40 years here at UNF and John Delaney’s 12 years as president. Tom focused his presentation on three sections, UNF’s mission, finances and campus.
As to mission, UNF began in 1972 as a regional college with open enrollment, giving community college students a place to go for a four-year degree. Now, UNF is a well-known, nationally ranked university with high admissions standards (currently tied with USF for third in the State). UNF is a vital part of the city, and Jacksonville needs us to prosper as much as we need them. UNF focuses on research programs that will benefit Jacksonville’s and surrounding area’s economies. We have become an award-winning school, so be proud to be here!
The funding finances model has changed three times during John’s presidency, from FTE funding, where students paid 25% of their educational costs, to no funding, where students paid 50% of tuition costs, to the current performance-based funding, where students are paying 40%. UNF is currently one of the least expensive schools for in-state students, but one of the most expensive for out-of-state, which Tom said they are hoping to change. Our current 2015-16 Education & General budget is $157,464,343 (total budget $273 million).
And Tom’s third point focused on comparing today’s campus to the campus he first came to back in 1972. It used to look like a shopping mall, a few two-story buildings surrounded by parking lots! He’s seen a lot of growth in his 40 years, and much of it has been in the last 12. UNF has gone from 2000 students, no dorms and 2,815,581 sq. feet of building space to a residential campus with 16,300 students and 4,672,879 sq. feet of building space! And the beauty of the campus is unsurpassed.
Tom gave credit to John and his vision for UNF, as well as those that have worked to make it happen, like Chuck Hubbuch and his crew that have made UNF one of the most beautiful campuses in Florida. But Tom stressed that it’s the personal touch that is most important to the students and those that work here. Being seen as a person, not just a number, having relationships with those that care, makes all the difference. Tom encouraged us to be in the moment, to remember that the person we are talking to is the most important person at that time and deserves our full attention. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge mistakes, apologize and then do something to make things right. Tom concluded that he can’t imagine that his life would have been any better any place else.
Matt Driscoll, Osprey men’s basketball coach, also spoke highly of his time here at UNF. He said everyone has a job and all are important; none is more important than the other. He visits lots of schools, but he’s never visited one that’s more friendly or caring than UNF. Matt remembers his dad telling him, “Your name is on everything you touch,” so do everything to the best of your ability. The book of Mark says “I came to serve, not be served” and Matt tries to live that every day; he wants to make a difference in one person’s life each day and he encouraged us all to do the same. According to Matt, no one like you, no place like this is true for each of us.
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Human Resources’ Debbie Bundy shared that the open enrollment period for benefit changes will be Oct. 19 – Nov. 6, so watch for packets coming in the mail. Any changes made will become effective January 2016. She also announced the Benefits fair is coming up Wednesday, October 21, and will be held in the very same room (Student Union Grand Ballroom). Debbie also mentioned some new features, like adding a spouse or child up to age 26 and lower life insurance rates (not lower coverage) for those retiring. All information can be found on the HR website. If any questions, stop in or call the HR office.
Door prizes were given away at the conclusion of the assembly. Thank you to our sponsors for their generosity and support. Following is a list of prizes and winners:
UNF Bookstore thermal mug: Erica Rahman
Mellow Mushroom gift card: Louanne Harris-Bryant
Carbux Car Wash gift card: Donna Carlson
UNF Bookstore Osprey car flag: Kelly Mulholland
Suni’s Vintage Wares Jewelry earrings: Latasha Scott
Comedy Zone free passes: Marilyn Williams
Sweet by Holly gift certificate: Catherine Johnson
UNF Bookstore book: Laurel Lee
European Street Café gift card: Devon Zook
Carbux Car Wash gift card: Claudia Vargas
Suni’s Vintage Wares Jewelry earrings: Erin Campbell
Vystar Credit Union Visa gift card: Margaret Saunders
UNF Bookstore umbrella: Natalie Mack
Comedy Zone free passes: Thien Nguyen
Culhane’s Irish Pub gift card & wine glasses: Jessica Russell
Suni’s Vintage Wares Jewelry earrings: Howaida Mousa
UNF Bookstore thermal mug: Katrina Willis
Carbux Car Wash gift card: Wendy Rahman
Courtyard Marriott gift certificate: Joy Magnon
Suni’s Vintage Wares Jewelry set: Chellie Jones-Harris
Silpada gift certificate: Wendy Rahman
Respectfully submitted,
Debby Fliger
USPA Secretary/Treasurer
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