UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Human Resources

2013 Faculty and Staff Campaign

1aStaff Christmas150The annual Faculty and Staff Campaign kicks off on Tuesday, October 1, with a promise: “We know you’re busy and your time is valuable. Participa­tion is what matters. A gift in any amount is welcome. The next 30 school days are the only time you will be asked for a gift this school year.” Check your campus mail box for campaign information and a giving form. While employees are urged to give to whatever they care most about, one focus this year is the new Recreation and Wellness Center, scheduled to break ground in summer 2014 on the current Public Safety lot. Make your gift by October 9 and receive a free coffee card in appreciation.

Last year’s campaign set new records, with 61.7% participation for a total of over $169,000. Of the 421 donors, more than 75% made gifts ranging from $1 to $249. And nearly 50% of all gifts were made via payroll deduction. This year’s aim is to exceed 70% participation. A in any amount has a positive impact on everyone on campus – especially our students – and has a positive influence on the grants we receive.

Thank you from the Faculty and Staff Campaign committee: Bahram Adrangi, Fay Beeler, Jason Brough, Thom Faller, Sandy Galati, Khalid Khan, Gwynn Klobes, Amy Kwong-Kwapisz, Karen Lee, Tisha Morrell, Bill Reed, Andy Sherwood, Craig Swinyard, and Kaye Wilson-Anderson. For more information contact any member or committee liaison Diane Dickey, development, at 8130 or dickey@up.edu.

TIAA-CREF Counseling On Campus

1aUnder2The University’s TIAA-CREF representative, Yasemin Under, will host a brown bag lunch presentation on new investment options for participants as well as overall retirement planning strategy on Wednesday, October 2, and Monday, October 7 at noon in the Terrace Room. Please contact Andy Sherwood, human resources, at sherwood@up.edu for more information. Snacks will be provided. Under will also be on campus on Tuesday, October 1 and Wednesday, October 2 to conduct one-on-one retirement planning sessions. To schedule an appointment call TIAA CREF at 866-928-4221 (press 0) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or schedule online at http://tinyurl.com/ngclhvw.

TIAA-CREF Representative Visit

1aheadUnder150The University’s TIAA-CREF representative, Yasemin Under, will host a brown bag lunch presentation on the new investment options for participants as well as overall retirement planning strategy on Wednesday, September 11, at noon in the Terrace Room in Bauccio Commons. Contact Andy Sherwood, human resources, at sherwood@up.edu for more information. Snacks will be provided.

In addition, Under will be available for individual financial counseling sessions on Tuesday, September 10, Wednesday, Septem­ber 11, and Thursday, September 12. To see available times and sign up, go to www.tiaa-cref.org/ScheduleNow, or call TIAA CREF at 866-928-4221 (press 0) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

TIAA-CREF Counseling Sessions

YasUnderTIAA CREF investment counselor Yasemin Under will be available for individual financial counseling sessions on campus. The fall 2013 dates will be Tuesday, September 10, Wednesday, Septem­ber 11, and Thursday, September 12. To see available times and sign up, go to www.tiaa-cref.org/ScheduleNow, or call TIAA CREF at 866-928-4221 (press 0) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information contact Andy Sherwood, human resources, at 8981 or sherwood@up.edu.

Tuition Remission Deadline

tuition remission Aug5Employees are reminded that fall 2013 tuition remission should be applied for as soon as possible in order to avoid late charges on students’ accounts, according to Bryn Sopko, human resources.

There is a separate application form for undergraduate course work (http://tinyurl.com/42haqs2) and graduate courses (http://tinyurl.com/7sx5zs8). A tuition remission summary is also available on the HR website at http://tinyurl.com/c8f6j2x.

For more information, stop by the HR offices on the fifth floor of Waldschmidt Hall or e-mail hr@up.edu.

Faculty Deferred Pay Option

payrollAll nine-month faculty members can opt in to be paid over a 12 month span, according to Debbie Schwartzkopf, payroll. This process begins with September paychecks and holds a portion aside for nine months, then pays out over June, July, and August of the following summer. To sign up for this option please contact payroll at 8338 or payroll@up.edu. Faculty who sign up for this program remain enrolled until they give written notice that they do not want to participate in the program. There is no need to renew paperwork each year. All forms must be submitted to the payroll office no later than Friday, September 13, 2013 to be eligible for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Tuition Remission Reminder

please_note July 1If an employee would like to obtain tuition remission benefits for themselves, their spouse, or dependent child, they will need to apply for tuition remission for each semester courses are taken. Employees are encouraged to request remission in advance with the following recommended schedule: Fall term, by July 1st; Spring term, by November 15th; and Summer term, by April 5th.

There are separate application forms for undergraduate course work (http://tinyurl.com/42haqs2) and graduate course work (http://tinyurl.com/7sx5zs8) tuition remission. For more information contact human resources at 7461 or hr@up.edu.

Independence Day Holiday

fireworks150The Independence Day holiday will be observed for University employees on Thursday, July 4, according to the 2013 University holiday schedule (http://tinyurl.com/n7jo7mq). Classes will not be held and University offices will be closed. Please note that hourly staff performing essential services who are required to work on a designated holiday will receive holiday pay. For more information, contact human resources at 8981 or hr@up.edu.

Tuition Remission Due July 1

please_note-283x300Faculty and staff applications for tuition remission will only be accepted via online forms and can be accessed through the human resources website at www.up.edu/hr/, according to Bryn Sopko, human resources. The HR office will no longer accept paper forms. In addition to easier access, HR has updated the application dates for remission to match deadlines in student accounts, so please keep these dates in mind:

  • Spring term: November 15
  • Summer term: April 5
  • Fall term: July 1.

Please note that there are separate tuition remission application forms for undergraduate and graduate course work, and that any graduate level tuition remission benefits will be taxable to the employee on the value above $5,250 for attempted credits and subject to applicable withholdings, and will be reflected on the W-2 form of the tax year the remission was applied. A summary on tuition remission and links to the online forms are available at http://tinyurl.com/c8f6j2x. For more information contact human resources at 7461 or hr@up.edu.

Personnel Changes

miss youThe financial aid office would like to congratulate Alex Gonzalez, who has been hired full-time by the Office of Admissions. Alex has been working part-time in financial aid as the document imaging clerk. Congratulations also go to Brian Flynn, who was recently hired by the Office of Web and Administrative Services. Both Alex and Brian will transition out of the financial aid office on July 1. For more information contact Janet Turner, financial aid, at 7311 or turnerj@up.edu.