A message from Hayley Harris
Dear Faculty and Staff:
As 2021 comes to a close and we depart campus to spend time with family and friends, I write to wish everyone a restful and restorative holiday break. Special thanks also goes out to those employees who will continue working over break to maintain essential services, particularly in support of our students who have been impacted by positive COVID cases. We hope everyone stays safe and healthy as we continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape.
As I approach each new year, I take time to reflect on the year that has passed and plan for what I would like to accomplish in the year to come. I have a set of reminders that I include at the beginning of each of my yearly planners and am sharing them here- I hope you find them useful.
- Focus on what you can control rather than worrying about what you can’t
- Make progress toward goals every day
- Small steps add up- change happens incrementally
- Enjoy the little things
- Trust your instincts
- Problems are often opportunities
- You have the power to change anything in your life
Sending all my best for a happy holiday season!
Hayley Harris, Vice President, Human Resources and Planning
Holiday and Pay Day Reminder
Due to the IC Holidays, both the bi-weekly and semi-monthly payday will occur on Thursday, December 23, 2021.
Winter Break
To acknowledge and celebrate the daily contributions and accomplishments of our dedicated faculty and staff and consistent with our strategic goal of being an Employer of Choice, this year, Thursday, December 23, 2021, has been added to our Winter Break.
Winter Break runs from Thursday, December 23, 2021, through Saturday, January 1, 2022 (The College will reopen on Monday, January 3, 2022)
More specific information regarding Holiday Time can be found in the policy manual.
The Importance of Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Shots
Everyone ages 16 and older can get a booster shot. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 vaccines are working well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. However, public health officials are beginning to see reduced protection and recommend getting a booster shot. Results from clinical trials showed a booster shot increased the immune response of participants.
In his article, Boost It: The Importance of Boosters, Dave Gondek, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Ithaca College, reiterates the importance of vaccinations, calling them ‘the best source of personal defense against diseases like SARS-CoV2 and influenza.’
For specific guidelines on when to get a booster and which booster you can get check with your healthcare provider and review the CDC guidelines. For information how on to access a booster shot, please visit the Tompkins County Health Department website.
We also ask that employees submit documentation via the confidential secure HR form once they have received their booster shot.
Mask Mandate
December 10, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul announced masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement. According to the mandate’s guidance, everyone must wear masks at all times regardless of vaccination status except when eating, drinking, or alone in an enclosed room. We ask individuals working in cubicles to wear masks at all times.
To find more about Ithaca College’s framework for campus health and safety for all during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic use this link.
Save the Date: All Supervisors Meeting
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Textor 102
Agenda items will include workload assessment, staff retention and training on labor relations.
More details to come in early January.
Annual NYS Preventing Harassment and Discrimination Training
Ithaca College believes in the importance of creating a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment for all our employees and community members. To this end, we have partnered with EVERFI to provide trainings that will help us all be informed on topics vital to achieving our goal. Please use the link included in the email from EVERFI to complete a training that focuses on Preventing Harassment and Discrimination in the workplace, by December 17, 2021.
All employees have the right to a workplace free from sexual harassment. Per New York State Law, Ithaca College has a sexual harassment prevention policy in place that applies to all employees, paid and unpaid interns, and non-employees in our workplace, regardless of immigration status.
Thank you for your participation, and for helping us to build an inclusive, supportive community. If you have any questions regarding this annual training, please contact your HR Business Partner.
Aetna Id Cards
In October, we reported that, due to regulatory and compliance requirements, new Aetna ID cards would be mailed to all employees by January 1, 2022. As a result of more recent guidance, Aetna has reassessed this approach and will not be issuing new ID cards by January 1, 2022. We expect to receive additional information by March 2022, regarding the requirements for issuing ID cards to all our employees. New ID cards will continue to be issued for anyone who has plan changes or changes in their level of coverage.
Wellness Leadership Council Recruitment
This is a reminder that the Wellness Leadership Council is currently recruiting for several wellness working groups. We would greatly appreciate involvement on the different groups from faculty and staff with a passion for championing the wellness of our IC community in this crucial work.
Below is a list of the workgroups that are available & the goals: - Workgroups:
- Communication Workgroup Goals
- Development of a centralized Health and Wellness website
- Establish a content calendar and develop distribution strategy for health and wellness resource highlights
- Develop recruitment communications to participate on the WLC for the next academic year
- Develop a communication plan to keep the campus community informed of WLC updates and progress
- Curricula Workgroup Goals (Integrating Health & Wellness into Academic Curriculum)
- Create canned classroom presentations and/or assignments
- Create a platform for faculty to easily access and utilize these assets
- Build connections with faculty to share this new resource
- Wellness Wheel Workgroup (Identification of Health & Wellbeing Resources)
- Self-study of already available health and wellness resources
- Identify gaps in services and/or resources and make recommendations to adopt new wellness services and tools
- Promote a mental health phone application that would be helpful for students, staff, and faculty
- Develop and adopt a calendar that highlights the various dimensions of wellness and features these dimensions by monthly focus
Please be sure to fill out this form if you are interested! https://forms.gle/XNxo9Dcc71FX7HjG7
Emeriti Retiree Health Care Program
The Emeriti Retiree Health Care Program provides a way for you to save for the cost of health care during retirement and offers retiree health insurance options once you become eligible for Medicare. Ithaca College will contribute to your Emeriti Health Account provided you are at least age 35 and in an eligible class. You may also make voluntary contributions and currently, there are no limits on the amount you can contribute. Your contributions will be made on an after-tax basis, but all contributions and earnings will accumulate and be paid out tax free for your retiree health insurance and other qualified medical expenses. Have questions? Please review additional information about the program through this link.
Policy Manual Update
Sections 5.03 Compensation Program and 5.08 Rehire of the Policy Manual have been updated. Use the links below to review the policies.
5.03 Compensation Program | Volume V: Staff | Ithaca College
5.08 Rehire | Volume V: Staff | Ithaca College
Clarifying Enhancements to Ithaca College’s 403(b) Retirement Plan
Please see attached link to a communication sent out on December 21, 2021 to provide more information on the enhancements to our 403(b) plan. Additional training, information sessions and opportunities will be provided in January- more to come soon. |
