Got Something to Say?

The large white board near the lost & found area has been designated as our graffiti board. We can all use words of wisdom and/or a good chuckle now and then, right? Pick up a marker and share your words or the quotes you've come across with the rest of us. Just keep it clean and respectful, OK? And be sure to take a minute to read what others have posted. You never can tell...what's written there just might be what you need to hear. Happy finals week to you!

Award Winners!

Part of the fun at this year's pizza party (besides good pizza, good company, and Emily's surprise tangerine juggling routine) was the presentation of this year's Caught in the Act Awards. That's Ross and Erin pictured smiling above. Both were recognized as having gone the extra mile to provide outstanding service to BUSP's guests. In appreciation, each was presented with a gift card from Target. Thanks again, you two, for paying such close attention at the desk, really listening to our guests, and going the extra mile to meet their needs in a friendly and efficient way.

Congratulations, Nick!

Nick Jacobs is another BUSP senior, graduating with a major in Policy Analysis. A native of Bloomington, Nick began his time at the IC as a freshman in the fall of 2008. He left BUSP employment for a time to complete an internship in Washington DC, and also to put in many hours as an integral part of the IDS staff. But he always returned, and we’re very glad he did! His favorite part of BUSP employment was the flexible scheduling and his great co-workers. What will he miss the most about his college days? That would be Friday included as a week-end day…and the occasional free pizza found on campus. After graduation Nick hopes to land an internship at The Onion, where his satire will be right at home. His advice to you? “Pick a major you actually enjoy, and find ways to exercise what you study on campus.”

Nick certainly followed his own advice during his years at IU. Now that they’re coming to a close, we wish him the very best. Congratulations, Nick, on a job so completely well done!

WEDNESDAY, Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!

Next Wednesday, April 25, is PARTY TIME at BUSP! We've worked hard this year - we deserve a party, right? Come by anytime between 11:30-1:00 to enjoy pizza and some trimmings. Being the last Wednesday of the month, we'll have cupcakes for our dessert. (You might have been able to guess that.) Cash awards will be given to two students who have provided outstanding customer service to our guests this year. And last but not least, your finals week survival goody bag will be available for pick-up during the party or anytime afterwards.

We want to have plenty of pizza for YOU, so please send Terry a quick e-mail (treynold@indiana.edu) to let her know you'll be joining us on Wednesday.

Birthdays we're celebrating this month include two who won't be here during the summer months:

Angela (June 28)
Bob (April 12)
Michael (July 8)

Thanks for all!

Congratulations, Sydney!

Our congratulations go to Sydney Weaver, a graduating senior from Fort Wayne. Sydney joined the BUSP staff in the fall of 2010 as a Peer Research Tutor through the Hutton Honors College. During this time, BUSP was closed for remodeling and all its employees were housed at the Wells Library. Sydney made the move with the staff into our new facility and became a Public Service Assistant working at our service desk. She is an English major with minors in Business, Sociology, and Community & Culture. (Whew!) During her time at BUSP, she enjoyed getting to know her co-workers and her supervisors. She also appreciated the opportunity to catch up on some homework during slow times at the desk. After graduation, Sydney will be moving back to Fort Wayne where she will be busy looking for employment and planning her wedding, which will be celebrated on June 29, 2013. She knows she’ll miss the many friends she’ll be leaving behind. She also knows she will miss IU basketball games, being surrounded by 40,000 of her peers, and the beauty of Bloomington. She leaves you with this advice, “Take advantage of your time here at IU, because it goes by faster than you can imagine!”

Thanks for all you’ve done, Sydney. Working with you has truly been a pleasure. We wish you the very best.

Congratulations, Justin!

Justin is another of our graduates this year. He began his college career in his home town of Indianapolis, later joining the IU campus. He became a member of the BUSP staff last summer, and in no time at all, became a very valued member. Beginning this fall semester, in addition to his hours spent at the service desk, he also served BUSP as a back-up Senior Circulation Assistant. With a General Studies major and Geography minor, Justin’s plans after graduation include traveling, working, and thinking about grad school. He cannot tell a lie: He freely admits his favorite thing about working at the IC is cupcakes on birthday party days. When he leaves our community, he knows he will miss his friends and also the Bloomington Farmers’ Market. Before leaving, he wishes you luck with the rest of your school career. He also advises you to “keep your head up – time flies!”

Ah Justin, you will be so missed! May Life bring you the best it has to offer. Our good wishes will be traveling with you.

Caught in the Act

Picture this: The desk is surrounded by hungry I-Core students desperately wanting rooms. There is a lone employee at the desk...smiling...working as quickly as he can. That student was Charles.

Need boxes?

Are you moving at the end of the semester? BUSP has boxes for you to use. The boxes that hold our printer paper are strong, a decent size for packing, and even have slits making them easy to carry. If you want some, stake your claim by letting Jeri or Terry know soon.

Congratulations, Ryan!

Ryan Hindes joined the BUSP staff four years ago during his freshman year, and in just a few short weeks he’ll be graduating and heading out into the Big Wide World. Ryan, who grew up in Glenview, Illinois, will be leaving us with a degree in Entrepreneurship. His favorite thing about working at BUSP was meeting people, both guests and other employees, and he made many good friends because of the time he spent working here. What he’ll miss most when he leaves IU is the daily contact with the large community of young people that make up the campus community. He cherishes the memories of many good times, including proud accomplishments with his athletic career. Besides being a full-time Kelley student and a BUSP employee, Ryan has been a very important part of the IU Track Team for four years. He topped off his senior year by breaking two school records (the 600 meters and the 4X400 meter relay) and being a part of a team that won a Big Ten Championship. The relay went to Nationals, where the team finished All-American. After wearing his cap and gown, Ryan plans to retire from athletics and coursework and begin employment at Eckim, an affiliate marketing company. He leaves you with this piece of good advice, “Develop a routine to stay busy. “ He firmly believes this will help you get your work done.

Thank you, Ryan, for your many contributions to BUSP. Our best wishes go with you into the new chapter of your life!

Scheduling Fall Semester Hours

I will begin scheduling fall semester hours at 9:00 a.m. next Monday, April 23. See me as soon as you can after that time. The sooner you schedule, the greater your chances of getting the work schedule that is perfect for you. If you can't come in, just give me a call (812-855-8552) to schedule, but please do not send me an e-mail. Past experience has proven to me that scheduling via e-mail just does not work.

If you haven't registered for classes by next Monday, you can still schedule your BUSP hours. Just build your work schedule around the class schedule you hope to have. If it ends up you don't get the classes you want, our schedule is written in pencil and can be changed.

Thanks for all you do!

--Terry

Hey, where did the reservation book go?

It has disappeared because there are no room reservations from now until the end of the semester. (How about that, life at the desk just got a teeny tiny bit easier!) If you see a key in either basket, go ahead and check it out. Red tape or no tape, all room keys are handled the same right now.

So why did we stop reserving rooms? It's because the rooms are in such high demand from now until the end of the semester, and we want to get as many people into them as possible. As you know, when we reserve a room it takes the room out of circulation, not only for the two hours of the reservation, but for a time period before that too. We'll start reserving rooms again once this semester is over.

Have any questions about this? See your supervisor.

Ready, Set, Go!

I-Core will be upon us next week, so get your rest and tune up your lungs for calling out names from the wait list. The fun begins on April 9 and will last until April 19.

Easter Sunday & BUSP

First the bad news: Yes, we're open Easter Sunday. If you can't work your shift that day, please send out a message to the listserv.

Now the good news: Anyone subbing on April 8 will receive one full hour of time bank credit for each hour subbed, instead of the usual 1/2 hour. If your time bank is low, working on Easter Sunday is a great time to beef it up.

More good news: The Rabbit usually visits BUSP.

Caught in the Act

Matt F. has been caught in the act of paying close attention to detail which results in better service to our guests. He was also caught keeping his cool when a guest in front of him was not so cool.

What Do You Do when a Guest is Troubled and/or Potentially Dangerous?

It's that time of year when stress is high and tempers and self control may be at a low for some people. At BUSP, we do not have a red "help" button under the desk to use in emergencies or difficult situations, but we do have each other. Pay attention to your co-worker's interactions with guests. If you see a guest treating your co-worker in a questionable manner, by all means, leave the desk and report this to your supervisor immediately. If you are alone at the desk, tell the guest you think your supervisor can serve him/her better, then excuse yourself to get your supervisor. In no way, shape, or form are you paid to deal with angry, mean, insulting, or belligerent people.

A life-threatening incident has never happened at BUSP, but if it does, dial 911 immediately.