The Division of Finance and Administration invites university employees to attend the Making Your Day Work Carnival, scheduled for March 28. This unique event serves not only to showcase the various departments across campus who work to enhance the overall employee experience, but also to raise awareness among employees regarding the diverse and exceptional services offered by the university that may be overlooked in the hustle of daily routines. 

This event offers an opportunity for staff and faculty to connect face to face with units they may have previously interacted with only virtually or over the phone. It will feature a "Family Feud" style game show with Chancellor Robinson — winners will receive lunch for their department. Attendees can visit the registration table upon arriving to collect a wristband and tickets to receive items at each booth. Snacks and small bites will be provided.

KEY DETAILS

• Date:  Thursday, March 28

• Time:  11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Location:  Arkansas Union Ballroom and Connections Lounge

• Save the Date:  Add to your calendar

DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT: PROCUREMENT SERVICES AND SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT

The Procurement Services and Supplier Management Office is key to maintaining operational efficiency and financial integrity within the university. These functions aim to enhance the university's effectiveness and success through strategic management of procurement activities and fostering strong supplier relationships. This includes ensuring regulatory compliance and optimizing cost and quality in acquiring vital resources and services for the university's operations.

Procurement Services and Supplier Management contributes to the university's resilience and strategic growth initiatives. Several key areas include:

Compliance and Risk Management
The university is subject to a wide range of regulations and standards, including financial controls, data protection laws and ethical considerations. Efficient procurement and supplier onboarding ensure compliance, reducing legal and financial risks by vetting suppliers for financial stability, ethical labor practices and environmental standards.

Cost Savings and Financial Efficiency
Procurement ensures that the university gets the best possible value for public funding. This is crucial in higher education, where funding is often tight, and institutions must maximize the impact of every dollar spent.

Enhancing Educational and Research Capabilities
By procuring and securing high-quality technologies, equipment and services, the university can significantly enhance educational and research capabilities. This not only benefits current students and faculty but also increases the university's attractiveness to prospective students and staff.

Supporting the Local Economy
Procurement decisions in higher education often involve significant spending that can have a substantial impact on the local economy. By choosing local suppliers or engaging in community-based procurement initiatives, the university supports local businesses and contributes to economic development.

Supplier onboarding and procurement are not just about purchasing goods and services; they are strategic functions that support the financial health, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance and strategic goals of the university.

Employees are invited to learn more about the services that the Procurement Services and Supplier Management team provides by visiting their booth at the carnival. Their booth will feature "The P2P Pyramid" — a trivia game inspired by Jeopardy! -- where participants select questions to answer from various difficulty levels. The harder the question, the more tickets they earn. Supervisors are encouraged to allow team members the flexibility to attend the carnival during working hours to foster a sense of connection across campus, celebrate the impactful work done by each unit and to develop their knowledge and relationships among the departments in attendance.

Collaborating Hosts

The Making Your Day Work Carnival is a collaborative effort led by several departments that comprise the VCFA (Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration) including User Solutions, University IT Services (UITS), Human Resources and Financial Affairs. For more information about the event, contact Jennika Smith at jennikas@uark.edu or Jen Gilbert at jeng@uark.edu.