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We had a small agenda for our first luncheon.  We did not want it to feel like work so we started with introductions.  It was truly amazing to hear of the longevity of many of the assistants. 

That only corroborated my belief that UCLA is THE place to be employed.  We also gave input regarding the Performance Management Program.  It was pleasing to hear that the assistants’ collaborators are giving good reviews on the Performance Management Program and believe it is a great program. 

“I don’t think a lot of us knew what to expect and were a little quiet today, an opportunity to be able to discuss some department needs or wants or better ways to accomplish our tasks is a little foreign to some of us.  What a gift!!”, said Linda Oglesby from the Office of Residential Life. 

There was lots of optimistic feedback after the luncheon.  “Thank you for organizing today’s quarterly assistant luncheon – it was nice to be able to match faces to names and see the real people who hide behind all the correspondence in Student Affairs. Such an event as this luncheon is another opportunity to network and make use of the varying resources and talents of the assistants here on campus – I look forward to our meeting next quarter”, said Johanna Canlapan from the Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center.  Linda Oglesby from the Office of Residential Life was extremely pleased with the luncheon and also said, “thank you so much for organizing this luncheon, projecting a budget and helping this become a reality for all of us.  I feel this is a wonderful way for all of us to connect and truly feel a part of the Student Affairs Team”, she went on, “it is so good to know faces that go with the e-mails and phone conversations we so often have.  I look forward to our next Quarterly Luncheon and feel the participation and conversations will grow and be more informative and educational.”  Linda also suggested, “perhaps at each of the luncheons we could have a different department report on what they do for our students and ways we can interact with them and help or ways they could help us, it might expose some of us to resources and referrals we can use in our areas when trying to assist students.”

Since this was our first quarterly assistants’ luncheon it was asked if the assistants wanted to continue with the luncheons.  The responses were positive.  “Thank you for a wonderful time.  It was great to meet all of you and I look forward to seeing each of you at future events”, said Lesli Santillan from Undergraduate Admissions/Relations with Schools.  Jake Gildea, who is also from Undergraduate Admissions/Relations with Schools, said, “I thought the meeting was a great beginning for our quarterly lunches. I echo Lucy’s thoughts, that it was awesome to see the faces behind some of the personnel that have kept UCLA running for the past decade or more.  Many thanks.”

Robert Shaw from the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center was also delighted with the luncheon.  “Thank you, Lucy.  I thoroughly enjoyed the meeting. You did an excellent job putting it all together and then keeping it going. And, yes, it is so nice to put a face with an email address or phone voice.  I look forward to the next one.” 

Some of the assistants were new and especially happy to be at the luncheon.  “Thank you so much for the luncheon today. Please, let’s definitely keep it going!!! Got to meet some new people and learn new things about the university, which is always great for me since I haven’t been working at the university very long. Looking forward to meeting again next quarter!!!  Thank you!!!!”, said Roxana Rubio also from the Office of Residential Life.

We plan to continue with our Quarterly Assistants’ Luncheons every quarter and learn more about each other and gain knowledge about each department.  In doing so we hope to find out what does it take to succeed at UC, what are some best practices already in place, and what more is needed.  And, at the same time have a good time doing it as was felt by Senoria Land from Student Academic Services, “Lucy:  The luncheon was great!  I enjoyed it!  All of us getting together chatting, laughing, eating and getting to know each other was a great idea of yours of arranging this.  Keep the good work up!”  Alex Lopez from the Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center agrees, “I agree with Senoria.  We are an important group, we make things happen...  Thank you for getting it started...”