Human Resources Newsletter ~ August 2023

AUGUST 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pg. 1 - Overview

From the Office of HR

Pg. 2 - Important Updates

Summer Hour Schedule Reminder

Brass Attack Summer Concert

Human Resources Staffing Update

Pg. 3 - Core Values

Core Value of the Month

Call for Core Values Ambassadors

Golden Compass Nominations

FROM THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Greetings Colleagues, and happy August! We sincerely hope that you enjoy the final few weeks of summer as we look onward to the fall. As a reminder, with the season winding down, our summer hour schedule will be coming to an end on August 18, 2023.

Pg. 4 - Health & Wellness Initiative

Open Health New England Wellness

Events

Magellan Healthcare Webinars

Pg. 5 - Professional Development

TIAA Financial Education Webinars

Pg. 6 - Community Events

Community BBQ

Pg. 7 - Employee Discounts

Pg. 8 - Human Resources Team Profile

Pg. 9 - Contact Us

You may have noticed some changes to the HR team and you can learn more about the updates and new additions we have made to our staff on Page 2. One of the most notable updates you read about in Michael Giampietro's announcement, is our very own Ashley Pereira's recent promotion to Assistant Vice President for People and Culture. Our team is tremendously proud of this accomplishment and we ask you to please join us in congratulating her!

As is true in every issue, we are pleased to offer you complimentary access to health and wellness and financial education webinars made possible by our partners at Health New England, Magellan Healthcare, and TIAA

Looking ahead to another successful school year, we are excited for Academic Affairs kick-off week and the annual BPU Community BBQ on Tuesday, August 29, 2023! See page 6 for more details.

We hope that you enjoy this month's issue of the Human Resources Newsletter. As always, happy reading!

IMPORTANT UPDATES SUMMER HOUR SCHEDULE REMINDER

As summer is soon coming to an end, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you that the summer hour schedule ends after Friday, August 18th.

Beginning the week of August 21st - 25th, Bay Path University will return to our standard university schedule Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.

We sincerely hope that you were able to take advantage of this great benefit to get more out of your summer.

HUMAN RESOURCES STAFFING UPDATE

We would like to share an important staffing update with you all. Over the past year, the HR department has been diligently working on streamlining our operations and increasing efficiency. As a result of these efforts, we have decided to merge the roles of HR Generalist and Benefits Specialist into one comprehensive position.

Combining these roles will allow us to optimize our resources and better serve our staff and faculty. By integrating responsibilities, we aim to provide a more cohesive and efficient HR support system. This change comes as a result of our ongoing commitment to enhance our services and align with the evolving needs of our organization.

BRASS ATTACK SUMMER CONCERT

Co-sponsored by Bay Path University and Westfield Bank, we are excited to share with you the details for the Rotary Club Brass Attack on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. Brass Attack performs classic hits from the last 50 years including featured artists such as KC & the Sunshine Band, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bon Jovi, Journey, Cheap Trick, Chicago and many more

The parking and shows are completely FREE! Bring friends, a blanket or chair, and your wallet as there will be a concession stand for snacks and beverages. This event takes place on August 2, 2023 and begins at 7:00 pm. All concerts take place at East Longmeadow High School (address below). We hope to see you there!

East Longmeadow High School180 Maple Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028

Furthermore, we have made significant progress in automating various HR processes and implementing new systems. This has paved the way for greater efficiency, freeing up time for the new HR Generalist to focus on providing exceptional customer service and personalized support to our employees.

We are actively seeking a dynamic individual to fill the position of HR Generalist and contribute to our mission of delivering top-notch HR services. If you know anyone who is dedicated, customer-oriented, and keen on being part of our vibrant team, please refer them to us.

In the meantime, Maddy Liu from temp agency, KNF&T Staffing Resources has been supporting the HR Team through this transition. Please feel free to connect with Maddy if you have any questions. See page 8 for her contact information.

CORE VALUE OF THE MONTH

WE WORK BEST AS A COMMUNITY THAT COLLABORATES

Working collaboratively is where we function best. In solving problems across silos, communicating transparently, embracing challenge together, and inspiring each other, we strengthen our community and, in tur, fulfill our mission. Collectively, we take pride in our work and celebrate our success.

CALL FOR CORE VALUE AMBASSADORS GOLDEN COMPASS NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN

The Core Values Committee is charged with developing and implementing key actions to ensure that Bay Path University's Core Values are strategically maintained and upheld and that all members of the Community have every opportunity to embrace and celebrate our shared Values. This will be accomplished by:

Activating Core Values Ambassadors

Recognizing individuals who embody the Core Values.

Incorporating the Core Values into the employee life cycle.

Encouraging dialogue and continuous review of the Core Values.

Assessing the impact the Core Values have on the BPU Community, both individually and collectively.

As you may know, last October, Bay Path officially launched its Core Values Committee. Since then, comprised of four sub-committees, each designated to a different area, from student support, to health and wellness, to University branding and marketing, to DEIB, our Ambassadors worked diligently to carry out their efforts in each respective area. After a brief summer hiatus, the committee is now re-convening and is happy to welcome aboard new members!

To submit an application to become an Ambassador, please fill out the following application. If you are selected to join, your supervisor will be notified and must approve your participation in this effort.

The Bay Path Golden Compass Award is a monthly award that highlights a small but mighty act of working to bring our Core Values to life. The nomination process is simple - consider it a virtual comment box for your coworkers. All community members able are encouraged to submit a peer they want to commend for being intentional with applying the Bay Path Core Values to their work and relationships. See someone exemplifying “We Pledge to Foster Inclusion and Belonging”? Drop a note in the virtual nomination box letting us know. Notice someone making an active choice to promote diversity or innovation? Tell us using the form below!

CLICK HERE to access the nomination form!

HEALTH & WELLNESS INITIATIVE

HEALTH NEW ENGLAND WELLNESS EVENTS

Nurture greater health and happiness all throughout August with the following health and wellness activities!

National Coloring Book Day - August 2, 2023

Coloring can be a fun and relaxing way to reduce stress no matter your age! Try these free coloring pages as an act of self-care.

National Friendship Day - August 7, 2023

Keeping in touch with friends can help keep you feeling your best. Old friends, new friends, family friends they’re all good for your well-being.

Annual Medical Check-Up Day - August 11, 2023

Knowing your numbers is the first step toward lasting well-being. Did you know that you can receive Healthy Choices points and rewards by completing your Health Assessment? You can also earn points by submitting proof of your annual well visit to healthydirections@hne.com.

National Relaxation Day - August 15, 2023

We all need time to kick back and relax. Today, take extra time to relax in the ways you like best.

National Grief Awareness Day - August 30, 2023

Acknowledging grief is the first step toward healing and growth. For help continuing to move forward, try the "Cope With the Blues Daily Habits Plan."

Learn more and find support from the Health New England Healthy Directions program. Watch the Grief and Growth After Loss webinar & fill out the webinar completion form for your chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card! Winners will be selected on September 1, 2023.

MAGELLAN HEALTHCARE WEBINARS

Social Security and Your Retirement Plan

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

We contribute to the Social Security system through payroll deductions, but we don’t always know our options for taking those distributions after retirement. This webinar reviews how benefits are calculated and recommends when to start receiving distributions.

Click here to register for the 12 PM session!

Click here to register for the 3 PM session!

Parenting with Your Best Self

Wednesday, August 8, 2023, at 2 PM

When you consider the concept of caring for yourself, does it seem frivolous or even unnecessary? It shouldn’t. Particularly if you’re caring for a family, it’s important to look after your own wellbeing each day. By doing so, you’re helping your loved ones just as much as yourself. In this session, you will...

Describe how to model positive relationships

Learn how to set boundaries

Identify how to prioritize self-care

Click here to register!

Money Basics: Let's Build a Plan

Thursday, August 24, 2023

To feel more confident about your personal finances, adopt a plan that has four components: controlling spending, managing debt, prioritizing savings and maintaining good credit. Learn how to get started and cut your financial stress.

Click here to register for the 12 PM session!

Click here to register for the 3 PM session!

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL EDUCATION WEBINARS

We are pleased to invite you to the following live financial education webinars sponsored by our partners at TIAA! These interactive sessions are designed to give you practical, useful information on personal finance and long-term investing that can help you manage your financial life. These complimentary webinars are open to all institutional employees!

You may register for the live session here: www.tiaa.org/webinars. You will also be able to access the recordings of any of the webinars up to 30 days after the airing.

Live with Confidence in Retirement: 5 Steps to Creating Your Retirement Income Plan

Wednesday, August 9, 2023, @12:00 PM (ET)

If you ' re thinking about making the transition to retirement, this webinar is essential for understanding how to create an income plan that helps you maximize your savings. In five steps you'll learn how different sources of income work, how to build your strategy for lifetime income, and what to consider when planning withdrawals from your retirement assets.

CLICK HERE to register now!

W2W Charting Your Course: A Financial Guide for Women

Thursday, August 17, 2023, @ 2:00 PM (ET)

Your money shouldn't be sitting around doing nothing, and, in this session, you won't be either. Our goal is to help give you an idea of where you are, figure out where you want to be, and of course, figure out how you are going to get there.

CLICK HERE to register now!

Basic Social Security Strategies

Wednesday, August, 23, 2023 @ 3:00 PM (ET)

Social Security will likely play a significant role in building your retirement income. It’s part of a critical safety net for most retirees. When you’re formulating your retirement plans, it’s helpful to have an understanding of how and when you can rely on Social Security income.

CLICK HERE to register now!

Invest for Success: Fine Tuning Your Retirement Strategy

Tuesday, August 29, 2023 @ 1:00 PM (ET)

If you’re in or near your peak earning years and want to do all you can to build a secure retirement, this webinar is for you. We’ll move beyond investing basics to help you fine-tune your saving and investing strategies for retirement. CLICK HERE

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

HUMAN RESOURCES TEAM

Ashley Pereira Assistant Vice President for People and Culture

Meghan Rosenberger HR Business Partner

Monica Roche HR Support Specialist

Strategy

HR Operations

Compensation

Employee Relations Core Values

Responsible for:

Responsible for: Recruitment Onboarding Performance Evaluations Training Employee Relations

Responsible for:

Benefits

Employee Handbook

Offboarding

Unemployment

Employee Verifications

PSLF

Responsible for: & Events

Mass Communications HR Community Updates

HR Newsletter Special Projects General Assistance

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Responsible for:

Job Postings

Onboarding New Hires

New Adjunct Faculty

Background Checks

I-9's Compliance

HR Information Systems Reporting

Collecting Employee Data Data Requests

HR Metrics Assistance

Responsible for: If you have any questions or concerns, please contact

Responsible for: and Process Updates

Payroll Procedures

Adjunct Contracts Payroll

Management

Direct Deposit Requests & Changes

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Maddy Liu HR Generalist (Temp)

Lisa Berezin HR Assistant (PT)

Colby Cabral HRIS Specialist

Lori Moccio Payroll Supervisor