Institute for Excellence Now Accepting Applications for 2014
The Institute for Excellence is now accepting applications for its 2014 Administrator and Individual Contributor programs. The Institute for Excellence is Kent State's 10-month leadership development initiative led by Human Resources Training and Development.
The mission of the Institute for Excellence at Kent State University is to develop and promote a culture of excellence for faculty and staff. Research has shown that while there are many important qualities inherently associated with excellence - collaboration, agility, foresight and strategic thinking - these traits can also be learned. When that learning takes place, the result is improved performance for the individual and their work unit.
Kent State will offer a unique development opportunity for administrators and individual contributors to develop their skills. Both the Administrator and Individual Contributor programs are scheduled to begin in January 2014; all-day and half-day sessions will be held monthly.
The application period is open through Nov. 22. For more information about the programs and to apply, click here.
Register Now for Your Independent Contractor Workshop
Register now for the Independent Contractor workshop where you will learn about recent changes in tax laws, updated information from Accounts Payable, and how to determine status and use independent contractors in your work area.
Even if you are familiar with the current independent contractor determination process, you will still want to come and learn about newly added features to the electronic form.
Please select the date and time most convenient for you. Each workshop will last one hour and will be located in Heer Hall, Room 107. Click the workshop below and select the Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. or Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. session.
- For the workshop on Nov. 20 at 9 a.m., click here.
- For the workshop on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m., click here.
For questions, contact Sandy Taylor at 330-672-0771 or staylor4@kent.edu.
Affirmative Action – Clarifying the Myths
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action invites you to attend an interactive presentation on “Exploring the Myths: Positive Answers to Negative Questions About Affirmative Action” on Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. The presentation will be held in the Division of Human Resources, Heer Hall Training Room at 635 Loop Road.
Take advantage of this educational opportunity to learn about the misnomers of affirmative action. The presenter will be Marshall Rose of Bowling Green State University. Register early, seating is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis.Click here to register.
For questions, contact Pam Fitzgerald, Affirmative Action coordinator, at 330-672-2521 or pfitzge3@kent.edu.
Honoring All Who Serve on Nov. 7
Come join this year’s Veterans Day program, Honoring All Who Serve, which takes place Thursday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. on the Student Green at Risman Plaza.
The outdoor program will include a flag-raising ceremony conducted by a joint color guard from the Army and Air Force ROTC programs and remarks from Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton. Former Staff Sergeant for the U.S. Air Force Andrew Altizer will be the guest speaker for the event. Altizer is a recipient of the Air Force’s Airmen College Scholarship and a current student at Kent State. A reception in the Kent Student Center Kiva lobby will follow the brief program.
All are invited to come and honor America’s veterans. A special invitation is extended to Kent State faculty, staff, students and community members who are veterans, active service members or who have family members in the military.
Managers are asked to arrange departmental coverage so employees who wish to attend the program may do so. Reservations are requested and can be made by contacting Joshua Rider at 330-672-0510 or jrider@kent.edu by Nov. 5. The rain location is the Kiva.
Payroll Requests Early Time Card Approval for Thanksgiving Week
Kent State University will be closed on Nov. 28 and 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday (offices are open normal hours onNov. 27 even though classes end at noon). Because many employees may be taking additional leave time that week, and in anticipation of the shortened payroll processing period, the Payroll Office is asking managers to approve timecards early for the week ending Saturday, Nov 16. Managers may approve timecards as early as Friday, Nov. 15, after the employee(s) has/have clocked out at the end of his/her shift.
The only exception to the early approval is for employees who work on the last day of the pay period (Nov. 16). In those instances, the timecards cannot be approved until after their Saturday shift has ended.
All timecards for the week ending Nov. 16 must be approved by 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19. If you have questions, contact the Payroll Office at 330-672-8640 or payroll@kent.edu.
Professional Development Opportunities
Managers are asked to share these professional development opportunities with your faculty and staff:
HR Webinar Series Coming Soon!
Interested in a training workshop, but can’t get away from the office? Look no further than your computer monitor!
Beginning in December, Human Resources Training and Development launches a webinar series that holds topics for everyone’s interests. The online offerings contain new material and information on your favorite topics, including Listening with Purpose, Dealing with Difficult Behaviors and How to Complete a Position Request Authorization (PRA). While some of these webinars will be pre-recorded, others will be live and interactive. Information on all available sessions can be found at www.kent.edu/hr/training/hr-learning-materials.cfm. Below are some of the live webinars coming soon. Please note that all dates and times are subject to change.
NEW - Communication Effectiveness (12/10/13 from 10 – 11 a.m.)
This 60-minute webinar explores models and competencies that develop us into better communicators by understanding how different communication styles affect your personal communication style and create the best possible climate for communicating.
Employment Law (1/16/14 from 10 - 11 a.m.)
Guest: General Counsel representative
This webinar gives managers the fundamental understanding of laws that impact employment.
NEW - Hiring for Excellence (2/5/14 from 10 – 11 a.m.)
Guest: TA staff TBD.
Ever have a question about the Kent State hiring process? Here’s your chance to get answers as several Talent Acquisition members discuss steps to the hiring process, including necessary forms, interviewing guidance and more.
A complete listing of webinars, dates, times and registration information is available at www.kent.edu/hr/register. Once there, click the link for Facilitator-led. All offerings are open to all faculty and staff. If you have questions, contact Ron Smith at 330-672-2602 or rsmith5@kent.edu.
New Coaching Workshop for Managers
Looking for another tool for your managerial arsenal? Keep your eyes open for a new coaching workshop coming in early 2014. Coaching is a unique discipline that is distinct from supervising and managing, although they can work well together. This new workshop will provide a methodology that allows you to self-assess your coaching style, learn when and when not to coach, and discover the fine art to conducting an effective coaching meeting that empowers your employees to achieve greater personal and professional excellence.
For information, contact Ron Smith at 330-672-2602 or rsmith5@kent.edu.
Minimum Wage Going Up in January
Ohio’s minimum wage will increase from $7.85 to $7.95 per hour Jan. 1, 2014. More information on Ohio’s 2014 minimum wage is available on the Department of Commerce website.
With this increase, the Student Employment Pay Plan will be adjusted accordingly. Please keep in mind that departments do not need to take action on the minimum wage increase. Career Services will adjust the hourly wage for all students who are below the minimum for each of the three pay levels beginning Jan. 1. However, the hourly wage for students who are at or above the new minimums will not be adjusted. If you wish to increase the hourly wage for a student employee who is currently at or above the new minimums, please submit a Pay Raise Request form.
You can contact Ami Hollis at 330-672-8380 or ahollis@kent.edu for more information.
Dates to Remember:
National American-Indian Heritage Month
Nov. 3 Daylight Savings Time Ends (turn clocks back one hour)
Nov. 5 General Election Day
Nov. 7 Kent State Veterans Day Observance, 11 a.m., Risman Plaza
Nov. 11 Veterans Day (Kent State closed on Monday, Nov. 11)
Nov. 16 International Day for Tolerance
Nov. 27 Fall classes end for first- and second-year students at the College of Podiatric Medicine
Nov. 28 Thanksgiving (classes end at noon on Nov. 27; offices are open normal hours). University closed Nov. 28 and 29
Tell Us What You Think
This e-newsletter is designed to keep you, the managers and supervisors, informed. Please take a few minutes to let us know what you think of it, along with any comments or suggestions. You may contact us atmanagersfeedback@kent.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.
For information about events and programs for university employees, please check out the Faculty and Staff calendar and share the information with your staff.