Month: November 2017

A time to give thanks for the Gator Good

While the University of Florida worked to ensure the safety and well-being of our community in the weeks leading up to the National Policy Institute’s event held on the UF campus on Oct. 19, no one could have predicted how events would unfold that day. But as President Fuchs wrote in an Alligator column just hours after the event concluded, “The whole world was watching, and the whole world saw how we responded to a hateful and despicable bully.”

Strategic Communications Academy prepares leaders to be more effective advocates

Designed for faculty and staff in leadership positions or for thought leaders in their fields of study, the eight-month program helps participants improve their professional performance by using evidence-based communications strategies rooted in psychology, sociology, neuroscience, political science and communications science.

Debra Anderson: Ensuring international students feel at home

While the safety, well-being and status of international students are some of the UF International Center’s top priorities, Debra Anderson wants them to feel that the University of Florida is their true home. During her 17 years as the director of International Student Services, Anderson has made it her personal mission to befriend students as soon as she meets them.

Expanded Benefits & Wellness Fair, ALEX enhance Open Enrollment experience

The 2017 UF Benefits & Wellness Fair was bigger than better than ever, with 61 vendors representing UF’s many benefits and financial planning vendors as well as a range of organizations dedicated to providing an enhanced quality of life for UF’s faculty and staff.

Benefits Open Enrollment extended to Nov. 10

Faculty and staff now have until Friday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. EST to make enroll in or make changes to their benefits plans.

Faculty and staff merit, minimum wage increases take effect Jan. 1

As UF President Kent Fuchs announced in July, a 3 percent salary increase pool has been established to provide merit increases to faculty and staff this academic year. Individual increases determined by criteria established by colleges and units will take effect on Jan. 1.

How the Equifax breach affects you

In September, Equifax revealed a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of more than 140 million Americans. Because of this breach, your social security number, driver’s license number, credit card numbers, date of birth and address could now be on the Dark Web.

Do you have dependents covered by a state insurance plan? Be on the lookout for verification requests to ensure continued coverage

Last May, the Division of State Group Insurance (DSGI) began requesting a random sample of employees’ documents as part of a quality assurance review to confirm employees’ dependents, both newly added and existing, are eligible for insurance coverage. Effective Dec. 1, this audit will include all employees with dependents enrolled in state plans.

Maintain, don’t gain, this holiday season

Many Americans gain between one and five pounds each holiday season. While it might not sound like much, most people never manage to lose those extra pounds. To resist the added weight gain, you are invited to join the 11th annual Eat Smart, Move More, Maintain, don’t gain! Holiday Challenge.

December Leave Cash-out Period is Nov. 6-14

If you are a TEAMS employee, you may be eligible to cash out up to 16 hours of vacation leave during the pay period of Nov. 3 to 16 if you have at least 40 hours of vacation leave remaining on balance after the end of that pay period. Eligible participants will receive the cash-out payment on their Nov. 22 paycheck.