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Hello colleagues,
Earlier this week, we gathered at the Strip View Pavilion for our fall Business Affairs All-Staff Meeting. This was my first as vice president/CFO, and I was so happy to see the excitement and engagement from everyone who attended. I recognize that staffing needs can make it difficult for some to attend in person, so I’d like to share a brief recap.
We kicked off with an update on UNLV’s fall enrollment and projects impacting campus. Official Fall 2026 enrollment is 33,629, just below last fall’s record and the second-largest in university history. While overall headcount declined slightly, weighted student credit hours, which is used to determine state higher education funding, increased due to growth in upper division, doctoral, and professional programs. Despite challenges across higher education, UNLV remains well-positioned, and Business Affairs plays a critical role in making our progress possible.
Sustainability
Business Affairs continues to make an impact in sustainability. Thank you to Sustainability Coordinator / Recycling Manager Tara Pike, former student worker Trinity Reynoso, and the Sustainability Council for leading two important initiatives:
- UNLV earned the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability through their work on the application process. See the full story below.
- A new Sustainability Awards program will recognize faculty, staff, and students whose work advances sustainability outcomes aligned with the Rebel Climate Action Plan (Rebel CAP). Watch for more information in the coming months.
Brussels Street Parking Garage
The new Brussels Street Parking Garage is a major project supporting campus growth. Scheduled for completion in summer 2027, the garage will add 1,250 parking spaces and relocate the UNLV Food Pantry to a more convenient location in the heart of campus.
The garage will also support sustainability goals with rooftop solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations. Thank you to all the teams who have worked on this project including Planning and Construction, Parking and Transportation Services, and Risk Management & Safety.
Campus Services Building Improvements
Several improvements are underway or now available in the Campus Services Building (CSB):
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Lactation room - CSB 215A: A private space for nursing mothers and employees; reserve through Google Calendar.
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Hoteling space - CSB 202: A first-come, first-served flex space available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., with seven individual workstations and an open meeting area.
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Exterior signage: Updates are underway to better identify building entrances, including the main entrance, Human Resources entrance, and upper-corner CSB sign.
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Golf cart parking lot: Thank you to everyone who completed the golf cart parking lot survey. We are reviewing your feedback alongside project requirements and available funding and will share next steps by email soon.
CARE Update
Our lead CARE ambassador team—Chelsea Meggerson, Jan Lasagna, Michael Bailey, Liz Davis, and Heather Ortiz—provided an update on our service standards and led an interactive team-building activity. Teams put their communication and collaboration skills to the test to build the tallest structure possible out of spaghetti and marshmallows. Congratulations to Financial Planning, Budget, and Analysis, our winning team!
This summer, we began our three-year review of the departmental and universal standards. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on what should be changed, removed, or added. We’re incorporating that feedback now and will share updated standards by email later this fall.
We’re also preparing for our annual Business Affairs customer service survey, which we expect to distribute in mid-October.
Institutional Engagement and Experience
We welcomed Associate Vice President for Institutional Engagement and Experience Kyle Ethelbah, who shared how we can work with his team and provided an overview of the 2025 Great Colleges to Work For survey results.
I encourage you to visit the Institutional Engagement & Experience Initiative webpage to learn more about culture-enhancing initiatives, including the Team Building Development Fund which supports efforts that foster collaboration, improve morale, and promote inclusion.
Employee Appreciation
We wrapped up by acknowledging our Business Affairs Employee Appreciation Award recipients for the first half of 2026 and taking a new division photo. Congratulations to all the recipients! As we head into the final months of 2026, I encourage everyone to nominate colleagues whose work embodies our culture standards. Monthly recipients receive $100 and a swag bag and are eligible for the employee of the year award, which includes a $1,000 prize.
Business Affairs Holiday Celebrations
Looking ahead to the holiday season, we have some celebrations planned! Please save the date for the following events. I look forward to seeing you there!
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Nov. 16: Division Holiday Party
We’re gathering a little earlier this year! We know the holiday season can get busy quickly, so we’re kicking things off in November with an opportunity to gather, celebrate, and express our gratitude for all we’ve accomplished as a division. The party will take place at Thomas & Mack Center’s Strip View Pavilion We’ll share more details, including the time, as we get closer.
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Dec. 9: Holiday Decoration Competition.
We’re bringing back our holiday decor competition! Judging will take place on Dec. 9 with more details to come.
Sincerely,
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