All-Staff Meeting - Sept 24th, 2025

Welcome from the Provost

Dr. Steven Berberich

SSB Extension Construction Camer


Staff Council Executive Team:

Chair: Sarah Goskie Stg7f6@umsl.edu

Vice Chair: Jackie Wilmes jackiewilmes@umsl.edu

Secretary/Treasurer: Mindy Stratmann-Sebol stratmannm@umsl.edu

Past Chair: Britne Bacca-Haupt bbacca@umsl.edu

 

Staff Council Members:

Amy Benwell

Matthew Becker

Yuan Chen

Devin Dixon

Katie Fraizer

Morgan Garvey

Allison Heimsath

Kelly Hogenmiller

Sean Marshall

Jennifer McEwen

Blain McVey

Afua Owusu- Agyeman

Lauren Pflug

Valonda Roberts

Justin Rubin

Betsy Sampson

Zach St. Clair

Bob Summers

Sophie Theiss

  

www.umsl.edu/services/sassoc/director


 Ways to Attend Meetings

-   3:00 PM

  • Meetings will be held in person; MSC Chamber
  • Staff Council Meetings
 Staff Community Groups

https://www.umsl.edu/services/sassoc/community-groups.html

Scan to create a group!

Brief Overview of Digital Accessibility

Digital accessibility is the ability of a website, mobile application, video, or electronic document to be easily used by a wide range of people, including those who have visual, auditory, dexterity or cognitive disabilities who use assistive technology.

Accessible design benefits all users by making online content more flexible and versatile.

 

Timeline of recent events:

  • 2022 – UM System Digital Accessibility Policy adopted
  • 2023 – Office for Civil Rights: Dear Colleague Letter
  • 2024 – New ADA regulations issued for all public entities
  • 2024 – UMSL Accessibility Taskforce Formed
  • April 2026 – Deadline for implementing new regulations

 

ADA Title II: A Quick Look

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal civil rights law enacted in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, state and local government, transportation, and telecommunications. ADA Title II applies to all public universities (state and local government programs.)

 

Two important things that ADA requires:

  • Effective Communication (information is clear and usable for all)
  • Timely Manner (waiting too long can equal non-compliance)

 

Courts and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) do not look for intent, they look at impact. Being proactive is critical.

 

What Does This Mean for Digital Accessibility at UMSL?

Our digital landscape must adhere to the technical standard adopted by the DOJ, as set by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1 Level AA. The focus is on three key areas:

  • Web content
  • IT procurement (web applications, mobile applications)
  • Academic course content

WCAG 2.1 Level AA includes 4 “POUR” key principles (perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust).

  • Each principle follows a set of guidelines to ensure digital content is accessible to everyone. 
Be Informed

Know the Policy. Know the Exemptions.

Plan for Accommodation.

Departments should review the limited exemptions and create processes for:

  • Identify what content, if any in the scope of your department, may be exempt and logging where/why it is exempt.
  • Providing timely accommodations or alternate formats if anybody requests an accessible 
5 Exceptions to the Regulations
  1. Archived web content (No longer in active use, kept for reference, research, or recordkeeping – cannot be updated)
  2. Preexisting conventional electronic documents (Documents publicly available before April 2026, but the information is not currently relevant or in use)
  3. Content hosted by a 3rd party without a contract (Content posted by the public, not controlled or required by UMSL)
  4. Password-protected individualized documents
  5. Preexisting social media posts

In short, all content and applications we access through a computer or mobile screen must be made accessible if it does not fall within an exception. Even if content falls under an exception, you must have the means to provide that content in an accessible format in a timely manner.


Be Involved

Designate an Internal Point of Contact or Accessibility Liaison

Each department should identify someone (or a small working group) responsible for:

  • Staying up to date on guidance from the Digital Accessibility Taskforce and the UM
  • Sharing training resources and communicating expectations within the
  • Email OIEC@umsl.edu to let us know who your department point of contact will

Understand How the Regulations Apply to Your Work

Establish a Content Accessibility Assessment Process

Whether you’re reviewing existing content or building new materials, departments should:

  • Inventory digital materials (webpages, PDFs, media, ).
  • Develop a review process to identify accessibility gaps and double check for compliance (content posting / campus communication checklists, syllabi/ course content review, setting internal guidelines for accessible meetings.)
 Build Daily Accessibility Habits

"Tackling accessibility starts with changing how you think about it." – Frank Spillers

  • Use clear, descriptive text when using Avoid “click here” or vague labels.
  • Structure content properly by using
  • Whenever content can be described as a list of something, it should be properly formatted as a list (bullet points or numbered list.)
  • Check color and contrast to ensure text stands out from
  • Pause before posting/sharing Ask: “Can someone with assistive tech access this the same way?”

- Use Accessibility Checkers.

 
Checking for Accessibility in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

The way you operate the accessibility checker is the same for each program.

  • Open the Review
  • Select Check Accessibility
  • Make corrections as needed
  • Manually double check your document. Accessibility checkers can’t catch everything

Accessibility in Outlook
  • Open the Message
  • Click the Ellipsis menu.
  • Select Check Accessibility

Accessibility in Outlook (continued)
  • Turn on “Prefers Accessible Content”
  • Settings > General > Accessibility
  • Manually check your work even if the Accessibility Checker clears you

Steps to Ensure Canvas Course Accessibility

  • Run TidyUp
  • Run Ally Accessibility Report
  • Consult with AT Team about the Ally report
  • Meet with an ID to resolve challenging content

Resources and Tools to Support Staff What questions do you have?

HR UPDATES

UMSL Staff Association Meeting

Office of Human Resources 09/24/25

  • Compliance training frequency
    • First 31 days of start date (all)
    • Annual training varies (e.g., Optometry)
    • Merit eligibility
  • Vacation Payout
    • 12/31/25 Last day to use VAC hours
    • Feb 2025 Last vacation payout
  • Veterans Day Holiday
    • 11/11/2025
    • Sat/Sun – honored on Monday
  • Student Employment Titles HR-204
    • Graduate Assistantships
    • All other student employees
  • Unpaid Appointments HR-513
    • 09/26/25 Last day under current process
    • 10/01/25 New process for new appts
    • 02/28/26 All appointments transition

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCE

Information Technology Services - News

Staff Association – All Staff Meeting

Chris Scheetz | Interim CIO

 September 24, 2025


New Printer Fleet

Kyocera replaced Xerox

  • Latest Printer Technology
    • Reduced jamming, improved quality, cost efficiencies
  • Printers in more public locations
  • Additional flexibility for all users
    • Email to Print
    • Web Print
    • Secure Release 
  • Direct Support from SumnerOne

www.umsl.edu/tritonprin


The Rise of Artificial Intelligence

How do I protect UMSL data?

  • ChatGPT
    • Paid

Windows 10 – end of life

October 14, 2025

https://www.umsl.edu/technology/resources/windows_10_to_windows_11_upgrade.html

  • ITS will reach out to impacted users
    • If system meets requirements – upgrade will be in Self Service
  • Requirements
    • Solid State Drive (SSD)
    • 30GB hard drive space
    • TPM chip
  • Which version do you have? Where is your start menu

 

Technology initiatives in departments?

Exploring new hardware or software tools to improve efficiencies?

  • Campus Relations and Communications Team
    • IT Portfolio & Relationship Managers
    • Project Managers

Questions?

 

https://help.umsl.edu