Please see below for updates and announcements from the Office of Human Resources.
Important Dates and Deadlines
October 30 - November 10: Benefits Open Enrollment
November 6: All Staff Meeting
November 14: Campus Climate Survey Closes
November 22: Wellness Day
November 23 - November 24: College Holidays
Benefit Open Enrollment for 2024 is Now Open!
Employees who do not re-enroll by 5:00 pm on November 10, 2023, will be defaulted to their current 2023 benefit elections except for any employee contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Employee contributions to a HSA or FSA will default to $0 for 2024 if the employee does not re-enroll and elect to add employee HSA or FSA contributions.
Employees who need to add a dependent or beneficiary must do so before they complete the benefits election and the open enrollment process. To add a dependent or beneficiary, employees must log into IC HR Cloud and click on the Add a Dependent or Beneficiary Request Form link and follow the instructions provided.
There are a variety of resources and tools to assist employees throughout the open enrollment process: IMPORTANT: Re-enrollments must be completed by 5:00 pm EST on November 10, 2023.
Campus Climate Survey
As a college that is committed to being an employer of choice, it is imperative that we foster a culture that fully embraces our core values of inclusion and equal access where all individuals can find a sense of belonging that allows them to tap into their exceptional potential. To achieve this aim, it is important that we take this opportunity to listen and to understand the unique perspectives and experiences of our campus community and the Campus Climate Survey is a vital resource in this endeavor. This fully confidential and anonymous opportunity for you to share your thoughts and concerns will play an integral role in informing our strategic planning around policies, programs, and initiatives that will truly shape the future of the Ithaca College experience. The survey will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete and must be completed by November 14, 2023.
All Staff Meeting
Please join us for the next All Staff Meeting on Monday, November 6, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:00 pm in Emerson Suites. The agenda will be focused on the ICHR’s Transformation Strategy created following data received from the HR Effectiveness Survey last spring and the open feedback sessions held this past summer and early fall. A livestream link will be shared with staff prior to the event.
TIAA Webinars in November
Keep your financial goals on track and learn how you can take action for a more secure future by attending TIAA live webinars in November include: - November 1: Prepare for your future: A guide to saving and investing
- November 2: Create a legacy: Your guide to charitable giving
- November 8: Take control of your financial life: 5 steps to managing money and debt
- November 15: Invest for success: Fine tuning your retirement strategy
Visit TIAA.org/webinars to register for these upcoming live webinars.
Student Loan Forgiveness
Ithaca College is excited to announce that we have partnered with Savi and Silver Lion to provide you with resources to assist you down the path of reducing your monthly student loan payment and/or broadening your understanding of the process and road to student loan forgiveness. Programs provide you with an opportunity to attend webinars, schedule one-on-one meetings, and to gather other important information to assist you in maneuvering through the complexities of the process of student loan forgiveness. For more information, click here to be directed to our Student Loan Debt Resources web page.
Medicare Consulting Services Available
We are excited to share with you that on November 3, 2023, at 12 noon, Stephen Porto, a licensed, professional Medicare advisor from Gallagher, will be hosting a webinar on Medicare for employees, retirees, and friends/family of the Ithaca College community. The webinar will include information on the basics of Medicare, avoiding late enrollment penalties, and retirement planning coverage choices, considerations, and resources. Click here to join the November 3rd Medicare webinar. Additional core services offered by Gallagher include: - One-on-One Medicare Consulting: This is a full-service program with dedicated Medicare constant, Stephen Porto. This service can be used on inquiries from simple Medicare questions to complete analysis, plan enrollment, and year over year servicing.
- Gallagher Medicare Guide: This is a great, simplified resource to educate yourself on Medicare and find access to custom support services.
- Medicare Resource Center: This is your one-stop online for simplified Medicare education, access to key resources, and personalized consultation.
Emeriti Retirement Health
Medicare open enrollment is from October 15 to December 7. Emeriti is once again providing open enrollment webinars to assist you with answering your questions related to healthcare options for the upcoming year. To register for a webinar please click here: www.emeritihealth.org/enrollment-webinar-registration
To contact the Emeriti Service Center: 1-866-363-7484 or log onto https://www.emeritihealth.org/ and click on “Contact Us” button and a representative will assist you. Additional information can be found in the Emeriti Retirement Health Fall 2023 Flyer.
Financial Education Resource for Employees
WellCents is a comprehensive, holistic financial wellness solution designed to help you create confidence in your financial life and to develop a real-life action plan to move you toward being financially well, and in turn, help you secure a financially sound retirement. They provide financial wellness education, awareness, and access to financial advisors free of charge for our employees. You'll begin with an online Wellness Assessment. This brief survey will ask general questions regarding your financial history to get an estimate of your current overall financial wellness. Please visit https://mywellcents.com/ithacacollege to learn more about WellCents.
Health and Wellness Support Services Available through Sanvello
Looking to learn more about Ithaca College’s latest mental health and wellness resource? Sanvello is an industry leader in digital health and wellness support services and it is available to all current Ithaca College faculty, staff, and students with an active IC email address. To learn more about Sanvello or to access the links to download the app for apple, android devices, and web-based access click here.
Finder’s Fee Incentive Program Pilot Ending October 31, 2023
As you may recall, in August of 2022, we piloted a Finder’s Fee Incentive program to address the challenges we were having at that time to recruit and retain front-line, non-exempt dining, auxiliary services, and facilities staff. Ithaca College employees could earn up to $500 for each employee they refer to one of these front-line staff positions and we are happy to say that we gained 14 staff in these positions that are still employed by Ithaca College today!
While we continue to face challenges recruiting for these positions, as well as others across campus, we will not be extending the pilot Finder’s Fee Incentive program beyond October 31, 2023. Referrers of new employees who were hired into these front-line positions prior to October 31, 2023, and as a result of this program, will continue to remain eligible for the finder’s fee should the new employee successfully complete the 30 and 180 day requirements outlined by the program.
Thanks to all that participated in this important pilot initiative!
Mandatory Annual NYS Preventing Harassment and Discrimination Training
Our annual Preventing Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace training will be completed this year using IC HR Cloud. Employees will receive an email notification with a link to the training Journey in IC HR Cloud by mid-November. The training has been updated from previous years, is self-paced, and will take most employees about one hour to complete. Employees do not need to complete the training in one session. They may exit the training, return to it later, and pick back up where they left off. Completion of this training is required for all employees annually and this year's training must be completed by December 31, 2023. Questions about the training should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at 607-274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu.
End of Year New Hires and Onboarding Sessions
As we approach the end of the year and the upcoming holidays, we will not be scheduling new hires to begin work the week of November 20 or after the week of December 4, 2023. December 4, 2023, will be the last in-person onboarding session for the year. Remaining in-person onboarding sessions are scheduled for November 13, November 27, and December 4, and are held on the Garden Level of the Peggy Ryan Williams Center, G052, from 9:00AM to 11:00AM. New hire start dates and in-person onboarding sessions will resume Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 607-274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu.
Years of Service Pictures
We were delighted to host our Years of Service Celebration this past October and extend our deepest gratitude to all the honorees for their commitment and unwavering dedication to the IC community. Please check out our Recognition page to access a list of honorees and photo galleries from the event. We are looking forward to and eagerly anticipate future celebrations!
Staff Council Corner
Staff Council encourages your participation in the following events: - October 31: American Red Cross Blood Drive, Emerson Suites:
11:30 am - 4:30 pm - November 9: Veterans Day Celebration, Ford Hall/Whalen Center:
12 Noon - 1:00 pm
Staff Council welcomes Mack Rovenolt to staff council to represent staff in CAPS, Case Management, BIPOC Unity Center, LGBTQ Education, Outreach and Services, MLK Scholars and First Gen Programs, Religious and Spiritual Life, and Student Equity and Belonging.
The Employee Engagement Committee is looking for staff to join the committee. Responsibilities include: - Brainstorm and plan events
- Help form connections across campus
If interested, contact staffcouncil@ithaca.edu IC Warm Welcome!
Samuel Aldridge
Benjamin Basem
Caitlin Cameron
Zachary Croft
Allison Davis
Devi de Oliveira
Mike Fusilli
Jessica Hoff
Connor Lange
Tom Leonard
David Ott
Brigette Pereau
Bob Regan
Joshua Rice
Kenneth Smelser
Ryan Somelofske
Beckey Squire
Kim Suddaby
Megan Wheeler
Dominique Winchester |
