March/April 2023 Inside RBS Newsletter

Staff Spotlights

Alyssa Clauhs

• National Disability Month

• April Fool’s Day Origin

• Human Resources Update

• RBS Spring Events

• National Autism Awareness Month

• Arroz con Gandules Staff Recipe

• Rutgers Day

A Message from Dean Lei

The warmer weather and festive atmosphere on campus remind us that it is commencement season. And while it’s a time for celebration for our graduating students, it’s also a time for appreciation for all of us at RBS whose hard work and dedication have made this season possible in so many ways. On behalf of the senior leadership team, I want to thank you for supporting our students during their time at RBS and preparing them for fulfilling futures. Your efforts make a difference. Lei

Newsletter Committee Updates

Inside RBS seeks enthusiastic guest contributors to share their expertise, department news, local reports, and creative writing with staff. Do you have a special talent or hobby? What innovative things are happening in your department? Can you recommend a favorite day trip destination, ethnic restaurant, or a good book to read? We want to hear from you! Please help us keep the RBS Staff Newsletter interesting, current, and collaborative and send your articles and suggestions to RBSstaffnews@business.rutgers.edu

As the end of the academic year approaches, the committee would like to hear from our staff members who will be graduating from any programs this upcoming May. Please email the committee no later than May 15th, so that we can share your academic achievements!

This issue’s contributors: Brenda Anderson, Dana Greene Harris, Alyssa Clauhs, and Karin Crimmins

Staff Spotlights

Alyssa Clauhs

Editorial/Media Assistant

Years of Service: 1.5 years at RBS

Job Duties: Supporting journal editors with editorial and administrative functions, including receiving manuscript submissions and reviewing them for plagiarism, accuracy and adherence to submission guidelines.

What television show or movie are you ashamed to admit you love?

I get really invested in The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise.

What are the three words that best describe you: Reserved, creative and caring.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

I would use the money to pay off student loans first, and then I would invest the rest.

Did You Know?

The Origin of April Fools’ Day

April Fools’ Day—occurring on April 1 each year—has been celebrated for several centuries by different cultures, though its exact origins remain a mystery. April Fools’ Day traditions include playing hoaxes or practical jokes on others, often yelling “April Fools!” at the end to clue in the subject of the April Fools’ Day prank. While its exact history is shrouded in mystery, the embrace of April Fools’ Day jokes by the media and major brands has ensured the unofficial holiday’s long life.

Origins of April Fools’ Day

Some historians speculate that April Fools’ Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. In the Julian Calendar, as in the Hindu calendar, the new year began with the spring equinox around April 1.

People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1 and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 became the butt of jokes and hoaxes and were called “April fools.” These pranks included having paper fish placed on their backs and being referred to as “poisson d’avril” (April fish), said to symbolize a young, easily caught fish and a gullible person.

In 1996, Taco Bell, the fast-food restaurant chain, duped people when it announced it had agreed to purchase Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and intended to rename it the Taco Liberty Bell. In 1998, after Burger King advertised a “Left-Handed Whopper,” scores of clueless customers requested the fake sandwich. Google notoriously hosts an annual April Fools’ Day prank that has included everything from “telepathic search” to the ability to play PacMan on Google Maps.

For the average trickster, there is always the classic April Fools’ Day prank of covering the toilet with plastic wrap or swapping the contents of sugar and salt containers.

A Brief, Totally Sincere History of April Fools’ Day. Washington Post. History’s Greatest April Fools Jokes. National Geographic. Some of the greatest April Fools’ pranks of all time. CNN. 15 Best April Fools’ Day Hoaxes. CBS.

HR News

Vacation or Staycation...Time to Use Your Days!

As we approach the end of the current fiscal year, a friendly reminder that pursuant to university policy and negotiated agreement, staff employees who are eligible to accrue paid time off may only carry forward into the next fiscal year the equivalent of one year of accrued vacation days. In order to avoid forfeiting credited vacation time in excess of the carryover cap, staff members are encouraged to work with their supervisors now to review workload and staffing requirements for their department, and to develop a plan to use excess vacation time prior to June 30, 2023.

Employees may review their available vacation time by going to the Absence Balances and Details information tab in the Employee Self Service section. Employees who are not able to exhaust all credited vacation time in excess of the cap may wish to support colleagues suffering from catastrophic medical conditions by donating excess vacation time to either the Compassionate Leave Program or the Staff Leave Donation Program. Please note participation in these banked leave programs is governed by the terms of collective negotiation agreements and university policy.

Remember, you accrue your vacation time monthly for the previous month worked, when planning to exhaust excess time, please note that you will be credited vacation time accrued for the month of June on July 1st.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and if you have any additional questions, please contact OneSource Rutgers Faculty and Staff Service Center at 732-745-SERV (7378).

RBS-HR Meeting: Occurs bi-weekly: Next meeting is scheduled for May 9th at 3 pm.

The RBS-HR meetings cover topics related to Human Resource matters.

Platform: Zoom Click here to join the meeting

Presenter: Deidre “Dee” White, Human Resources Manager

Current RBS Job Opportunities

Stay tuned for future postings.

Staff Changes

Stay tuned for more updates!

Community News

Tales from the Guttenberg Bible

George Street Playhouse

April 25 - May 21

Vesselin Kourtev Solo Exhibition

Alfa Art Gallery

March 21 - May 6

Macbeth NBPAC

April 27-30

Spring is in the air when Rutgers Day is almost here. Join the fun on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for one of the most exciting days of the year. Enjoy more than 500 programs across four campuses and learn all about the wonderful things happening at your state university.

There will be hands-on activities, demonstrations, mini-lectures, and a variety of performances. Admission and parking are free! Check out sample itineraries, a full list of programs, and maps of the programming areas.

Cap off the day at SHI Stadium with Rutgers Scarlet and White Football game at 3 p.m.

The Nutrition and Bone Lab at Rutgers University is recruiting women, ages 50-79, who are interested in participating in a 6-month weight loss study. Recruitment for the spring groups will be closing within the next few weeks. Click here: Clinical Trials - Bone and Nutrition Lab, Rutgers University

May5-7

Rutgers Gardens Spring Flower Fair

Thursday, May 11, 2023 3 p.m.

Undergraduate - New Brunswick Convocation

Jersey Mike's Arena (formerly known as the RAC) Livingston Campus

Tuesday, May 16th - 9 a.m.

Rutgers Newark - Undergraduate Commencement

Prudential Center

25 Lafayette St., Newark, NJ 07102

Professional Development & Committee Updates

The OneRED, a Rutgers' Employee Development : High-Impact Leadership Program is a strategic growth opportunity for high performing, high potential Director level and above Rutgers staff leaders. Offered in partnership with University Human Resources, Division of Continuing Studies, and Institutional Planning & Operations, it is designed to create a network of leaders with a university-wide, “One Rutgers” perspective, who will play critical roles in shaping the future of the university.

The OneRED: High-Impact Leadership Program combines networking and instruction with focused activities and multiple opportunities to assess and apply leadership styles and strengths. It is designed to build the Leadership competencies that Rutgers has identified, which define the qualities of exemplary leaders and align to our value propositions.

Through the program, leaders will have the opportunity to build an active university-wide network at Rutgers and to exercise their leadership strengths to help build a more diverse, talented, and resilient university.

For more information click here.

RBS Social Events Committee - RBS Health Week Step Challenge Winners!!

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the RBS Health Week Step Challenge. Step challenges are a proven way to increase workplace well-being. While there are many different ways to conduct a step challenge, the goal is the same—fostering a sense of workplace engagement while promoting healthy lifestyle habits that benefit employees across the board. So, congratulations to the winners from both the Newark/New Brunswick campuses for stepping up to the challenge!

Newark

Jalaj Upadhyay (Winner of $25 Gift Card) Total steps 74,789

Jay Badiani (Winner of $10 Gift card) Total steps 48,703

Melinda Pardo (Honorary mention) Total steps 46,780

New Brunswick

John Renaldo (Winner of $25 Gift Card) Total steps 103,727

Christine Yannuzzi (Winner of $10 Gift card) Total steps 51,291

Cristina Cushing (Honorary mention) Total steps 24,372

Finance-Pro

Fin-Pro has created a new Procurement Accounts Payable Guide.

Have You Had a Requisition Rejected?

If you've ever had your requisition(s) rejected by Procurement, most likely it's due to one or more of the reasons listed belows.

Incomplete descriptions

1. Old forms used (ICED, Statement of Work, etc.)

2. Forms incomplete/missing information

3. Late explanation not added as a comment (required for REQs submitted after goods/services have been received) Requisitions are also being auto rejected if form (Quick, Services, Goods) is not compatible with the Commodity Code or Account/Expenditure Type entered.

You can find more information provided in the guide. Click here: RBS Procurement & Accounts Payable Guide

RBS Fin-Pro Meeting: Occurs bi-weekly. The next meeting is scheduled for May 2nd at 11:30 am. The Fin-Pro meeting covers topics related to finance and procurement.

Platform: Microsoft Teams Click here to join the meeting

Presenter: Nicole McCray, Business Manager

Facilities

RBS-PTL and Facilities: Occurs monthly on the second Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is scheduled for May 8th, at 11:30 am.

The RBS-PTL and facilities meeting covers topics related to part-time (class 7 and 8 teaching and non-teaching appointments) and facilities-related questions.

Platform: Zoom Click here to join the meeting

Presenter: Kenia Montijo, Sr. Department Administrator, PTL Office

RBS-Facilities: Karin Crimmins and Gavin Cummings (100 ROCK), Daquan Dorsey, Kathryn Yannes, and Efi McMillan (1 WP)

Over the winter and spring semesters the team worked hard to transition room 5111 and 5119 into new spaces. A fresh coat of paint and new furniture were added. Room 5111 is the new PhD Lounge and 5119 is the new PTL Lounge. The former PTL Lounge, room 5031 will be combined with conference room 5038 to build a new classroom. We will keep you updated!

SUMMER PURGE 2023 is coming to Newark and Livingston Campuses. This will be the chance to shred old documents and clean out your spaces. Departments should focus on storage rooms and areas, closets and shared office locations. Project bins will be placed in various locations and if you have a specific request, please be sure to sent it into rbsfacilities@business.rutgers.edu.

Due to popular demand the back doors to the north tower of 100 Rock have been reopened. The schedule is as follows: Sunday –locked, Monday – Friday 8am – 7pm, Saturday 8:00am – 4:00pm.

Coffee and Conversations: Occurs on the first Friday of the month. Platform: Click here to join the meeting

Facilitator: Melissa Rivera, Sr. Associate Dean for Finance and Administration

Staff News

Spring Means Baseball...

Spring is here and it has brought some bright smiles and cheerful kids back to the baseball mound in Middelsex County, NJ.

Featured here is Aidan Crimmins senior outfielder for Sayreville High School. Aidan is so happy to be hearing to Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences this coming fall and plans to transfer to RBS!

Staff Shared Recipes

Arroz con GandulesRice with Pigeon Peas

Shared by Nicole McCray

Equipment

5qt Caldero or Dutch oven

Ingredients:

Spice Blend

1 tablespoon (15 grams) Adobo (or 1-2 teaspoons for low sodium option)

2 1/2 teaspoons (10 grams or 2 packets) Sazón con achiote

2 teaspoons (6 grams) onion powder

2 teaspoons (6 grams) granulated garlic

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

3/4 teaspoon (3 grams) black pepper

For the Arroz con Gandules

1 cup (2 small or 200-300 grams) pork chops* cut into small chunks

1/4 cup (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil or achiote oil (see post)

3 cups (655 grams) long grain rice rinsed 3-4 times in cold water

1/2 cup (130 grams) sofrito

1/2 cup (120 milliliters or 4 ounces) tomato sauce

6 manzanilla olives pitted

1 teaspoon capers

1 teaspoon (8 grams) chicken bouillon base (or vegetable base), optional

2 cups water plus liquid strained from gandules

15.5 ounce can (439 grams) gandules (pigeon peas) (strain liquid from can into the water for boiling)

kosher salt or Adobo to taste

Instructions:

Make the spice blend and season the meat (Can be done a day ahead)

1 In a small bowl, combine the adobo, sazón, onion powder, granulated garlic, oregano, and black pepper. Stir together to combine well

2 In a mixing bowl, sprinkle 1 heaping teaspoon of the spice blend onto the chunks of pork. Toss to coat the meat in the spice blend and allow the seasoning to penetrate the meat for 30 minutes to 24 hours

3. Reserve the remaining spice blend for seasoning the rice.

Prepare the Arroz con Gandules

Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a 5-quart caldero (or heavy bottom Dutch oven).

When the oil begins to shimmer, add the seasoned pork chunks to the pot. Quickly brown the pork stirring frequently with a large spoon. Cook the pork for 3-4 minutes, or just until it begins to brown. Stir the rinsed rice into the pot with the meat and sauté the grains of rice in the fat rendered from the pork and the olive oil.

Toss the rice frequently as it toasts, and sauté for 2-3 minutes over medium-high heat, or until the grains of rice look glossy. Add the sofrito to the pot.

Sauté the sofrito for 2 minutes making sure to scrape the bottom of the caldero to keep the rice from sticking too much. (If you’re using frozen sofrito, don’t worry if it’s not thawed completely at the end of this cooking time, it will continue to thaw as the rice cooks).

If the rice is beginning to stick or burn on the bottom of the pan, lower the heat to medium. Add the tomato sauce, the remaining spice blend, the water and reserved liquid from the gandules to the pot. Stir to make sure the rice and liquids are combined well.

Lastly, add the olives, capers, chicken base, and the drained gandules. Stir everything well to incorporate it into the rice mixture. Finally, bring the water in the pot up to a boil.

Boil, then Steam the Rice

• Allow the water boil until the surface of the rice peeks through: this can take anywhere from 8-10 minutes over medium to medium-high heat. Once the water has evaporated, and the top layer of rice peeks through the bubbling liquid, fold the rice from the outside of the pot to the center- all around the pot.

• Spread the rice back into an even layer in the pot and reduce the cooking heat to low. Lay a square piece of aluminum foil, wide enough to overlap the sides- over the pot. Press the lid of the pot firmly onto the foil, sandwiching it between the pot and the lid, to create a tight seal which steams the rice more effectively.

• Steam the rice for 20 minutes over low heat. Don’t lift the lid until the 20 minutes of cooking time is finished. After 20 minutes, fold the rice from the outside to the inside of the pot once again. Give it a little taste. The rice should be soft and tender.

• If the rice is still hard after 20 minutes of steaming, pour in 1/4 cup of water and seal it again with the lid and foil. Steam for an additional 10 minutes over low heat. If, on the other hand, the rice is mushy and clumps together, continue to cook it, uncovered, for another 10 minutes to dry it out a bit.

• Once the rice is cooked, replace the lid, turn off the burner, and leave the pot to sit on the warm burner until ready to serve it. When you’re ready to serve, scoop the rice and dish it out. Serve as an entree with a side salad or as a side dish.

• The crunchy bits on the bottom of the caldero are called pegao. This crispy rice is flavorful and highly coveted amongst many Puerto Ricans.

• To store leftovers: transfer the arroz con gandules to a food storage container and keep it in the fridge for 3 days.

March is National Disability Awareness Month

This is the 28th Year the United States has recognized and celebrated March as National Disability Awareness Month!

On February 26, 1987 President Ronald Reagan officially declared Proclamation 5613 making March National Disabilities Awareness Month. The proclamation called for people to provide understanding, encouragement and opportunities to help persons with disabilities to lead productive and fulfilling lives.

Everyone wants, and deserves, to enjoy life, and feel productive and secure. But in March, we take extra steps to raise awareness about the supports and rights of people with disabilities and to celebrate their contributions to our communities and society as a whole!

All individuals, agencies, and organizations supportive of people with disabilities are encouraged to observe the month of March with appropriate observances and activities directed toward increasing public awareness of the contributions and the potential of Americans with disabilities.

April is National Autism Awareness Month

National Autism Awareness Month raises awareness for autism and Asperger’s syndrome during April. Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person’s ability to communicate, respond to surroundings, and form relationships with others.

National Autism Awareness Month began in 1972 as National Autistic Children’s Week. The Autism Society founded the event to increase awareness, advocate awareness, and spark change in schools, communities, medical facilities, and businesses.

According to WHO, about one in 270 people in the world has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a group of developmental disabilities that causes challenges in many areas of one’s life. Some of the profoundly affected areas include social, communication, and behavior. Children with ASD are usually nonverbal or they have restricted or repetitive behaviors. ASD also affects people of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The month-long observance takes place during World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), celebrated each year on April 2nd. WAAD was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 to shine a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis. WAAD activities increase world knowledge of autism and impart information about the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention. Additionally, WAAD celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism around the world.

Spring Word Search

April Showers

Baseball

Birds

Bloom

Breeze

Buds

Butterflies

Bunny

Caterpillar

Crocus

Daffodil

Flowers

Garden

Hatch

Hyacinth

Kite

Ladybug

Nest

Picnic

Our Next Issue

The RBS staff newsletter committee is gearing up for the next Inside RBS issue and are seeking academic achievements from our RBS family! Are you graduating from a Masters Program this May? Is your child graduating from High School this June? Is your child or grandchild graduating Preschool? We would love to hear from you! Please share stories and photos with committee at RBSStaffNews@business.rutgers.edu to be featured in our May/June issue!

Puddles

Rabbit

Rain

Rainbows

Seeds

Springtime

Sunshine

Tulip

Umbrella

Warm Weather

Picture source: Forbes.com

Looking for a great photo opportunity for your graduating students? Check out the recent art installation in front of the Athletic Performance Center on the Livingston Campus.