[mottde]

Hi Michael, we had to add Welcome Desk tasks to our events team.? In fact, our staffing in operations did everything for awhile.? The shift was easy since they all sit in an open work space.? Our staffing levels have just recently (last three weeks) started to get to the levels where the Welcome Desk staff will be a separate position.? However, what we learned is that the Welcome Desk can also help out the events team on various projects or weekly tasks.? Everyone is cross training these days.

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Deb Mott
Director, Memorial Union
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR
(541)737-6688
deb.mott@oregonstate.edu
https://mu.oregonstate.edu/home

Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Mary’s River or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855, Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

Learn more about the land on which you live and work and Oregon’s native communities.
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2022 15:42
From: Michael McKean
Subject: Welcome Desk

I recall a few universities had mentioned limiting or all together removing Welcome/Information desks from their operations.  We are experiencing short staffing and are exploring whether a reduction in Welcome Desk hours or all together removing the welcome desk from building operations.  Can anyone help me out with examples of a reduction in staff?  Also if you changed the description of your welcome desk operations- I’m thinking maybe merging scheduling desk with information?  

Any examples would be helpful.

Thanks

Michael McKean

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Michael McKean
Associate Director
Texas A & M Commerce
Commerce TX
903-886-5819
michael.mckean@tamuc.edu
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[Candice Germany]

I’ve had to make reductions of front desk staff due to cuts in our budget here. Our building managers sit at the front desk all day before the cuts were made. We only have a 89,000 square foot building and there’s only so much walking around they can do. I’ve cut our front desk staff from 1-5 pm everyday, since that has statistically been our low period. We will bring in staff if we have an event that truly needs it during that time frame. The building manager does a tour/checks events about once an hour and puts up signage/forwards the front desk phone when they are away. It hasn’t been an issue.

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Candice Germany
Assistant Director of Campus Life Events and Operations
Millikin University
Decatur IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2022 15:42
From: Michael McKean
Subject: Welcome Desk

I recall a few universities had mentioned limiting or all together removing Welcome/Information desks from their operations.  We are experiencing short staffing and are exploring whether a reduction in Welcome Desk hours or all together removing the welcome desk from building operations.  Can anyone help me out with examples of a reduction in staff?  Also if you changed the description of your welcome desk operations- I’m thinking maybe merging scheduling desk with information?  

Any examples would be helpful.

Thanks

Michael McKean

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Michael McKean
Associate Director
Texas A & M Commerce
Commerce TX
903-886-5819
michael.mckean@tamuc.edu
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[Katheryn Paynter]

Hi Michael,?
Our Scheduling and Information Desks both use the same set of student workers but they are cross-trained to be able to to both jobs. We have the expectation for them that whichever desk they are working is the task that is their main priority. Scheduling should focus on scheduling and Info should focus on giving directions, phone calls, and whatever else. But if one desk gets swamped (they are both within ~15 feet of each other) they should jump in and help out to make sure we are providing excellent customer service. If the Info desk is slow they are to assist with answering scheduling emails. We’ve also used the info desk as an opportunity to ease students into scheduling so they can get some training before jumping into a solo scheduling shift.?

Kat

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Katheryn Paynter
University Center Events Coordinator
Texas A&M University?Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2022 15:42
From: Michael McKean
Subject: Welcome Desk

I recall a few universities had mentioned limiting or all together removing Welcome/Information desks from their operations.  We are experiencing short staffing and are exploring whether a reduction in Welcome Desk hours or all together removing the welcome desk from building operations.  Can anyone help me out with examples of a reduction in staff?  Also if you changed the description of your welcome desk operations- I’m thinking maybe merging scheduling desk with information?  

Any examples would be helpful.

Thanks

Michael McKean

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Michael McKean
Associate Director
Texas A & M Commerce
Commerce TX
903-886-5819
michael.mckean@tamuc.edu
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