UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Human Resources

Human Resouces: Mandatory Professional Development Session on Oct. 14

The University will present professional development opportunities for all staff during the week of fall break (October 14-18, 2019), according to Sandy Chung, Human Resources. All sessions on Monday, October 14 are mandatory for staff. Exceptions to this requirement are as follows:

  • Certain departments due to operational necessity, as pre-approved by the University
  • Staff with a vacation day or other off-campus day, as pre-approved by the supervisor
  • Staff with an absence related to sick time related reasons or a HR-approved leave of absence.

Faculty members are welcome to attend as well.

Human resources will provide more information about the presentations on October 14, as well as other workshops available that week, via email.

Please email hr@up.edu if you have any questions. Also, an Outlook save-the-date which you can copy to your Outlook calendar is available to download at this link.

News from Human Resources: Employee Assistance Program

The UP Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Cascade Centers, offers many free services to employees, including access to exclusive savings on thousands of recreational, wellness, travel, and cultural activities locally and throughout the U.S. through their partner LifeBalance. Visit LifeBalanceProgram.com for more information about access for you and your family.

Also, log into Cascade EAP Services at www.cascadecenters.com to learn about the many supportive services they can offer you as a UP employee and your benefit eligible family members. Their services are free and confidential.  You can also call them at: 800-433-2320.

For more information contact HR at hr@up.edu.

July 4 Holiday: Offices Closed, No Classes

The Independence Day holiday will be observed for University of Portland employees on Thursday, July 4, according to the 2019 University holiday schedule. All University offices will be closed and classes will not be held.

For more information, contact human resources at x8484 or hr@up.edu. Contact the provost’s office at x7105 or staten@up.edu for more information regarding classes.

Fall 2019 Tuition Remission Application Deadline: June 20

Tuition remission requests for fall 2019 are due by Thursday, June 20, according to Laura Barnard, human resources. Please note, this date has been moved up to allow appropriate processing time by HR, financial aid, and student accounts. Forms can be found at the Human Resources Benefit Website. Remember, a tuition remission request form must be submitted every semester an employee or eligible dependent is intending to take courses. Please submit the requests by the following deadlines to avoid a late fee from student accounts:

  • Fall term: June 20
  • Spring term: November 5
  • Summer term: April 15

Please note, there are separate forms for undergraduate and graduate course work. Keep in mind, 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. When an eligible spouse receives graduate level tuition remission, the entire tuition remission amount is taxable to the employee and subject to applicable withholdings. This taxable benefit will be reflected on the employee’s W-2 form of the tax year the remission was applied. Details regarding the taxable benefit can also be found on the Human Resources Benefit Website.

TIAA Representative Visit, May 28-30

A representative from TIAA, which administers the University’s retirement accounts, will be on campus for financial counseling sessions on May 28, 29, and 30, according to Laura Barnard, human resources. Appointments with Rebecca Rohleder (pictured) are available during work hours on those days in the Career Center in Orrico Hall. Schedule your appointment today at www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow or by calling TIAA at 877.842.2028 (press 5 to schedule an appointment). This will be the last TIAA campus visit until school resumes in September.

Please email benefits@up.edu with questions.

TIAA Representative on Campus March 26-28

A representative from TIAA, which administers the University’s retirement accounts, will be on campus on March 26-28, according to Laura Barnard, human resources. Financial counseling appointments with Rebecca Rohleder (pictured) are available during work hours on those days in the Career Center in Orrico Hall. Schedule your appointment today at www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow or by calling TIAA at 877.842.2028 (press 5 to schedule an appointment).

Please email benefits@up.edu with questions.

 

 

Title IX Informational Session for Faculty: Feb. 13

Title IX Informational Session for faculty members will take place on Wednesday, February 13, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., in Mago Hunt Center Theater. Sandy Chung (vice president for human resources and Title IX coordinator for compliance) and Matthew Rygg (associate vice president for student development and Title IX coordinator for education) will be present, as will Tom Greene, provost. Chung and Rygg will provide an overview of the work done this year by the Title IX team, and will respond to questions. Please submit questions in advance using this form.

New IRS Retirement Contribution Limits

The 2019 employee contribution limits to 403(b) accounts have been set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Employees can contribute up to $19,000 to their 403(b) plans in the 2019 calendar year. For those age 50 and over, an additional “catch-up” amount of $6,000 is allowed by the IRS for a total maximum limit of $25,000. Those who wish to change their individual retirement contributions for 2019 can do so by filling out the Voluntary Retirement Contribution Form on the Human Resources Benefits website and email the completed form back to benefits@up.edu.

You can also sign up for a TIAA counseling session with Rebecca Rohleder, who will be on campus during work hours starting Tuesday, January 29 through Thursday, January 31, in the Career Center at Orrico Hall. Schedule an appointment today at www.tiaa-cref.org/schedulenow or by calling TIAA at 877-872-2028 (press 5 to schedule an appointment).

2018 Staff Awards: Congratulations!

Staff awards for 2018 were presented at the annual Staff Christmas Luncheon on Monday, December 17. The winners are:

  • Charles Miltner, C.S.C., Award – Mike Murphy, housekeeping
  • Hooyboer Outstanding Professional Staff Award – Aimee Davidse
  • Margaret W. Henzi Award for Outstanding Office Support – Kelly Margheim
  • Ted Deiss/Joyce and Virgil Dodson Outstanding Physical Plant Employee Award – Maria Esther Andrade
  • President’s Citation – Daniel McGinty
  • President’s Team Award – University Relations

Employees were also honored for milestone years of service to the University:

  • Five years: Maria Erb, Ben Kahn, Nancy Nofziger, Karina Handeland, Alison Knoedler, Dan Seabeck, Pasha Spencer-Levitan, Belgin Inan, Dave Houglum, Connie Ozyjowski, Jared Rees, Ann Harris, Curt Pederson, David Bachman, Bret Sorg, Brian Tatro, Yodit Derese, Peterson Luksh, Julia Marquez, Susan Rudolph, Carmen Ruiz, Emina Haurdic, Roland Hutabarat, Molly Cullen, Abby McMahon, Tyler Hale, Jessica Wode, Colin Dunn, Andrew Ridenour, Michele Sunderland.
  • Ten years: David Taylor, Eric Barger, Kim Nguyen, Anne Rassmussen, Allen Hansen, Janet Turner, Kelly Margheim, Melissa Peterson, Maria Vega, Jim Ravelli, Daniel Kabele.
  • 15 years: Jason Brough, Melissa McCarthy, Bryce Strang, Manu Jauregui, Jeromy Koffler, Sheila Smith, Rev. Edwin Obermiller, C.S.C.
  • 20 years: Jason McDonald, Marty Williams, Karen Lee, Aimee Davidse, Jamie Strohecker, Sharon Haner, Catherine Coulter, Thomas Greene, Brenda Greiner.
  • 25 years: Deborah MacKinnon, Beth Rumely.
  • Over 35 years: Connie Tamashiro
  • 40 years: Vicky Hamilton.

For more information contact HR at hr@up.edu or x8981.

Title IX Brown Bag Lunch Session: Jan. 11

There will be a brown bag lunch session on Title IX open to all employees on Friday, January 11, from noon to 1 p.m., in the quiet side of Bauccio Commons, according to Meg Farra, human resources. Please come if you have questions or would like to learn more about the University’s efforts to address Title IX requirements.

Please RSVP to Farra at farra@up.edu.