Ithaca College

 

Important Dates and Deadlines 

Date 

Event Details 

Fridays May 23 – August 1

Summer 2025 Restorative Fridays (Wellness Days)  

August 25 

First Day of Classes 

August 31 

Cash Award Deadline for Fall 2025  

September 1 

Labor Day 

October 16 

Years of Service in Emerson Suites, 11:30am – 1pm 

October 29 

IC Thrive: Benefits and Wellness Expo in Emerson Suites, 10am – 2pm 

October 27 - November 7 

Open Enrollment 

November 20 

All Supervisors Meeting in Emerson Suites, 1pm – 2:30pm 


 

Important Update Regarding Dependent Benefits 

Attention parents of young adults. If you have a dependent that you cover under the Ithaca College dental, vision, or dependent life insurance plans, between the ages of 19 and 25, Please read the important message below.  

If your dependent between the ages of 19 and 25 has recently graduated or is no longer a full-time student, it is important that you update their full-time student status with our office.   If your dependent is no longer a full-time student, and you do not update their records, you could be paying for coverage that is not in effect. Please use the online Dependent/Contact Update Form  to provide updated information.  Recent graduates or those not returning to full time study will currently be covered under the above referenced plans and will lose coverage as of September 1, 2025.  

Dependents will be offered the opportunity to continue coverage under COBRA.  Information will be mailed to your home address.   

If you have a child 19 years or older, that will be a full-time college student this fall, and you are not receiving education benefits, please update your dependents record with us by completing the Dependent/Contact Update Form and include a copy of the students tuition bill or schedule, confirming full time status. 


 

IC 403(b) Retirement Plan 

Annual Automatic Increase and Auto-Enrollment for the IC 403(b) Plan is Set for August 1. 

Auto-Increase in Contributions
Each year on August 1, employee contributions to the 403(b) plan will automatically increase by 1 percent, up to a maximum of 15 percent. This feature has been in place since 2018 and helps employees grow their retirement savings gradually over time.

Auto-Enrollment for Eligible Employees
If you are eligible but not currently enrolled in the 403(b) plan, or if you contribute less than 3 percent of your salary, you will be automatically enrolled at a 3 percent contribution rate starting August 1.

This amount will be deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis and invested in the Target Income Moderate Model portfolio.

These features are designed to support your long-term financial wellness by making it easier to save for retirement.

Have questions or want to change your contribution? TIAA is available to answer any questions you have regarding your 403(b) plan with Ithaca College by phone, in-person, or virtually. Stephen Smith, Ithaca College’s dedicated TIAA representative, is available for in-person appointments most Mondays at the Peggy Ryan Williams Center. To schedule a meeting, contact Stephen directly at SteSmith@tiaa.org or 607-274-6454.

 

 

TIAA Webinars in August  

TIAA offers live and on-demand webinars to help you better understand your retirement options and make confident financial decisions.

Upcoming Webinar
August 14, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Your Guide to Living Well in Retirement
Click here to register: Your guide to living well in retirement

Explore More Webinars
A full list of webinars for 2025, including registration links, is available at www.tiaa.org/webinars2025.

Watch at Your Own Pace
TIAA's Webinar Lounge gives you on-demand access to recorded sessions and helpful tools. Browse the library here: TIAA Webinar Lounge.

Market Volatility Resources
Concerned about market changes? TIAA’s Market Volatility Resource Hub offers tools and insights to help you stay informed and make sound decisions during uncertain times.
Visit: www.tiaa.org/market-volatility
 


 

Educational Benefits  

Dependents receiving tuition remission benefits should complete the student section of the application. The application will then be routed to the student’s parent/legal guardian for completion.  After the student and employee have completed the application, it is then routed to the Office of Human Resources for review.     

Applications for dependent and employee tuition remission Fall 2025 deadline was July 15, 2025.  Deadline for Fall 2025 cash awards is August 31, 2025. Please note, an application is required for each semester. Applications can be found at: https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness/family-friendly-wellness-benefits/educational-benefits.  


 

Awardco Platform to be Discontinued

Redeem Points by Sept. 1, 2025

As shared in President Cornish’s May 8 Administrative Review Update, the College will discontinue the Awardco employee recognition platform, including the distribution of points for years of service. This change supports efforts to align College budgets. 

Employees with remaining Awardco points must redeem them by September 1, 2025. After this date, any unused points will expire. 


 

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT - ATTENTION HIRING MANAGERS: Updates to Specialized Hiring & Requisition Management 

As part of our continued commitment to equitable hiring practices, all student employment positions, including specialized roles like TAs, must now be publicly posted for a minimum of two business days before hiring. The previous Waiver to Post process has been discontinued. You can find more information on this new process here. 

Supervisors are also reminded to close out job requisitions once the hiring process is complete by submitting the Student Employee Help Request. This ensures our records remain up to date and prevents confusion for future hiring cycles. 

Requisitions created before the recent background check update may no longer be reused. If you’re planning to hire again, create a new requisition to ensure compliance with current protocols. 

Questions? Reach out to studentemployment@ithaca.edu. 

 

Supervisor Reminder: I-9 Completion Required for Student Employees Before They Begin Work 

To comply with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), all newly hired student employees must complete the Form I-9 in person with Human Resources to verify identity and work authorization. 

Additionally, in accordance with the New York State Wage Theft Prevention Act (WTPA), all student employees are required to complete a WTPA form. This form outlines key employment details such as your hourly rate, pay schedule, and overtime rate. 

To support the timely completion of both forms, the Office of Human Resources will be offering student employee onboarding sessions on the following dates: 

Fall 2025 New Student Employee Onboarding Sessions
Location: Peggy Ryan Williams Center, Garden Level, Room 052

 

DAY 

DATE 

TIME 

Thursday 

August 14 

10:30 AM to 1:30 PM 

Friday 

August 15 

10:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

Thursday 

August 21 

9:00 AM to 10:00 AM 

Friday 

August 22 

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 

Tuesday 

August 26 

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 

Wednesday 

August 26 

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM 

Thursday 

August 28 

12:00 PM to 2:00 PM 

Tuesday  

September 2 

11:00 AM to 2:00 PM 

Wednesday 

September 3 

9:00 AM to 11:00 AM 

Thursday 

September 4 

12:00 PM to 2:00 PM 

Tuesday 

September 9 

12:00 PM to 2:00 PM 

Thursday 

September 11 

12:00 PM to 2:00 PM 

What to Bring: 
Bring original, unexpired documents to verify identity and work eligibility. Photocopies cannot be accepted. 
View the list of acceptable documents

Important: 

  • The I-9 process may take up to 20 minutes, so plan accordingly. 

  • Students cannot begin working until the I-9 is completed. 


 

New Employee Orientation and Onboarding Sessions Continuing in FY26 

Following positive feedback and initial success, the enhanced onboarding sessions will continue through FY26, with plans to expand speaker participation and content. 

Each onboarding session focuses on a different topic, including College policies, IT, payroll, and benefits, and also provides opportunities for new employees to connect with others. Please ensure your new hires have time blocked to attend these sessions during their first month. 

Sessions are held on Mondays. If Monday is a holiday, the session will be held on Tuesday. Invitations are sent to new employees after they attend orientation.  

Sample New Employee Orientation and Onboarding Schedule  

Week  

Event  

Location  

Time  

Weekday 

Week 1  

New Hire Orientation  

PRW G052  

9:00 – 11:00 am  

Monday 

Week 2  

Onboarding Session 1  

Teams  

2:00 – 3:00 pm  

Monday 

Week 3  

Onboarding Session 2  

Teams  

2:00 – 3:00 pm  

Monday 

Week 4  

Onboarding Session 3  

Teams  

2:00 – 3:00 pm  

Monday 

  

  

LinkedIn Learning: Free, On-Demand Training for All IC Employees 

All Ithaca College employees have free access to LinkedIn Learning, an online library of over 20,000 expert-led courses to support professional growth and personal development. 

Whether you're looking to strengthen your leadership capabilities, improve communication, build project management skills, or stay current with technology trends, LinkedIn Learning has something for you. 

Courses range from a few minutes to full learning paths and include certificates of completion. 

Trending Topics for 2025 include: 

  • AI literacy and workplace integration 

  • Leading through change 

  • Emotional intelligence 

  • Conflict resolution 

  • Time and productivity management 

New Feature: AI Role Play 
AI Role Play is an interactive tool within LinkedIn Learning that lets you practice real-world scenarios such as delivering feedback, managing conflict, or presenting ideas, safely and privately. It’s a hands-on way to build confidence and improve how you apply your skills in the workplace. 

To get started, follow the instructions in this Knowledge Base Article to log-in to explore a topic, and start learning at your own pace. 


 

Wellness@IC Highlight: Support Your Safety and Well-Being with the New SAFE IC App 

As part of our ongoing commitment to employee wellness and campus well-being, we’re excited to share a new personal safety tool from the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management: SAFE IC, a mobile app designed to keep our Ithaca College community informed, connected, and safe. 

The SAFE IC app replaces the RAVE Guardian app starting August 1, 2025, and is free for both iOS and Android users. 

Key Features: 

  • Emergency Alerts sent straight to your phone 

  • Quick Access to call campus safety or 911 

  • Mobile BlueLight & Friend Walk features for safer travel 

  • Anonymous Reporting of safety or facilities concerns 

  • Campus Maps and Resources for quick reference 

This new app promotes environmental, emotional, and occupational wellness - three dimensions of the Wellness@IC model, by helping you stay informed, reduce stress in emergencies, and feel more confident navigating campus. 

We encourage all employees to download SAFE IC and explore how it supports both personal safety and our collective well-being. Learn more by visiting the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management website. 


 

Staff Council Corner  

Veterans’ Day Committee  

  • The Veterans’ Day Committee needs help planning the annual celebration. Those interested can contact staffcouncil@ithaca.edu or sshank@ithaca.edu  

Interested in becoming a JJ Scholar? Visit the JJ Scholar page. 

Interested in being a staff council member?  Contact staffcouncil@ithaca.edu.     

  • We have several areas that still need representation.  Representatives can be from the area, or someone interested in participating as an at large member.    

  • Bookstore/Business-Finance  

  • School of Music, Theatre, and Dance 

  • Business/Park School  

  • Advancement  

  • Facilities Maintenance  

  • Facilities Academic  

  • Facilities Grounds   
       

Get in touch with Staff Council   

Contact your representative, Email: staffcouncil@ithaca.edu, Fill out a Request for staff council action form. View Past Meeting Minutes.   

Next Monthly SC Meeting: August 14th 2025, 2-3:30pm – Zoom   

  
 

IC Warm Welcome 

Cheng Chen (Art, Art History, Architecture) 

Julia Hamilton-Louey (Composition and Music Studies) 

Michelle Landers (Corporate and Foundation Relations) 

Justine Weber (Department of the Environment) 

Brandon Bump (Facilities Grounds and Transportation) 

Jacob Martin (Facilities Services Acad I) 

Anthony White (Facilities Services Acad II) 

Yvonne Adsitt (Facilities Services Acad III) 

Chadd Kirk (Facilities Setup and Events) 

Jiawei Chen (Finance and International Business) 

John Crawford (Finance and International Business) 

Amanda McGee (History) 

Elizabeth Thompson (Intercollegiate Athletics) 

Aaron Bouyea (Intercollegiate Athletics) 

Cefari Langford (LGBTQ Education, Outreach and Services) 

Jeong Yeon Lee (Literatures in English) 

Arjang Attar Shoushtari (Marketing) 

Farida Abdul-Wahab (Media Arts, Sciences and Studies) 

Walter Colley (Media Arts, Sciences and Studies) 

Alaric Rocha (Media Arts, Sciences and Studies) 

Ashley R Smith (Media Arts, Sciences and Studies) 

Michael Gorup (Politics) 

Ingrid Johnston (Provost and Academic Affairs) 

Annaliese Parker (Speech Language Pathology and Audiology) 

Ali Talcott (Sport Management) 

Lance Warwick (Sport Management) 

Robin Guiver (Theatre and Dance Performance) 

Amanda Morton (Theatre and Dance Performance) 

Devin Croad (Music, Theatre and Dance) 
 

Contact the Office of Human Resources   
 Request HR Help | humanresources@ithaca.edu | (607) 274-8000     
     Ground Level of PRWC  

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Ithaca College - 953 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY 14850