Human Resources Newsletter ~ October 2023

HUMAN RESOURCES NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pg. 1 - Overview

From the Office of HR

Pg. 2 & 3- Important Updates

Performance Evaluations

Anti-Racism Statement & Policy

Pg. 4 & 5- Core Values

Core Value of the Month

Call for Core Values Ambassadors

Golden Compass Award Nominations

Pg. 6, & 7 - Health & Well-Being Initiatives

Employee Yoga

Health

New England Wellness Webinar

Magellan Healthcare Webinars

TIAA Financial Education Webinars

Breast Cancer Awareness

Flu Shot Clinic

World Mental Health Day

Employee Assistance Program

Pg. 8 -Employee Assistance Program

Pg. 9 -Community Happenings

Hispanic Heritage Luncheon

Wildcat Pantry

Community Luncheon Schedule

Pg.10 -BPU Community Discount

Pg.11 & 12 -HR Team & Contact Us

FROM THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

As we embark on a new month, we are excited to bring you the latest edition of our Human Resources newsletter. In this issue, you will find a wealth of information and updates that we believe are essential to your journey here at Bay Path University.

This month, we are proud to highlight our Core Value of the Month: "We Pledge to Foster Inclusion and Belonging." It's a testament to our commitment to creating a workplace where every member of our community feels valued, respected, and included. In October, we took significant steps forward by announcing our new Anti-Racism statement and making important updates to our Anti-Discrimination & AntiHarassment Policy. We believe these changes are vital in our ongoing pursuit of an inclusive and equitable workplace.

But that's not all you'll find in this issue. We have also included important updates and deadlines related to Human Resources matters to keep you informed and prepared. Additionally, we will share details about upcoming community events, including our support for Breast Cancer Awareness and World Mental Health Day. Together, we can raise awareness and make a positive impact on these crucial issues.

We sincerely hope that you enjoy the October edition of the HR newsletter. As always, happy reading!

Community Luncheon

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Blake Dining Hall 11:30 - 1:30pm | Hybrid Presentation @ Noon

IMPORTANT UPDATES

STAFF PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS

This is a friendly reminder that self-evaluations should be submitted in Hirezon by the end of the day on Friday, October 13, 2023

To complete the self-evaluations, please use the Hirezon platform, accessible through the following link: https://www.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp

After a successful launch of the Performance Review Process last year in Hirezon we have made some changes and improvements to the process this year.

Removed the job description attachment from the form. Managers will receive the job descriptions for their direct reports.

Extended timeline for both employees to complete their self-review and managers to write their evaluations. This adjustment is designed to provide ample time for thoughtful reflection and feedback. The supervisory competency section will now be sent exclusively to managers, eliminating unnecessary steps for other individuals to whom it does not apply. This change is applicable to all those who manage people, including work-study students. Ability to review previous evaluations (if completed in Hirezon).

Guides to the process on our new Performance Evaluation page on BPU Community.

Ability to sign up for a personal zoom session with HR for guidance

2023 Staff Performance Evaluation Timeline

SEPTEMBER

9/26: Performance Evaluations Begin 9/26-10/13: Employees complete and submit SelfEvaluations.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

10/13-11/17: Managers Complete Evaluations. Manager & Employees Meet to Discuss Evaluation & Employees Sign Off on Evaluations.

11/17: All Evaluations Signed and Completed in Hirezon

IMPORTANT:

All staff hired prior to July 1, 2023 should receive both a 90 day evaluation and an annual evaluation. All staff hired July 1st or later should complete a 90 evaluation in the appropriate time frame.

Training Materials

Employee Performance Module Hirezon User Guide

Manager Performance Module Hirezon User Guide

If you have any questions about performance evaluations or access to the system, please sign up for a time to meet with HR here or email HR@baypath.edu.

We invite you to check out our new Performance Evaluation page on BPU Community here. This will be your main source for all information and training materials related to this year ' s process.

IMPORTANT UPDATES PRESENTATION

ON ANTI-RACISM STATEMENT & ANTI-DISCRIMINATION & ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

It has been exciting to share that Bay Path has adopted an Anti-Racism statement. This significant milestone represents our commitment to addressing issues of racism and discrimination, a commitment that was initially sparked by student voices years ago during the events surrounding George Floyd's tragic death. Not only did they ask for the University to commit to an anti-racism statement but to support it with a policy

On Wednesday, October 4th, staff and faculty gathered for a presentation during which our newly adopted AntiRacism statement and the updated Anti-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment policy was introduced to our community. Colleagues shared how the statement and policy came to fruition and Chelsie Vokes, Associate Attorney from Bowditch, provided a comprehensive overview of our policy and shared great examples.

The recording of the presentation and the slide deck of the presentation will be shared with everyone during the week of October 8th (it is currently out for captioning), and it is mandatory for all staff and faculty to view it no later than December 1, 2023.

All staff and faculty are also being asked to demonstrate their commitment by signing a copy of the Anti-Racism statement via Adobe Sign. It's important to note that this request stems from our students, who are asking to not only hear but to see our dedication to this essential work. We will be publicly sharing the collected signatures as a demonstration of our unity as a community and of our commitment.

Please note that we will be rolling out the Anti-Racism statement and policy to our student body in the next couple of weeks. We are intentionally sharing the statment and policy with all of you so that you can be an informed resource for our students Your commitment and support will set a powerful example for our students as we embark on this important journey together.

ANTI-RACISM STATEMENT

The Bay Path Community is deeply committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment. We stand firmly against policies, practices, or people that create inequalities for our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students and colleagues Racism, power, and privilege are often embedded in the structures and culture of higher education, and we acknowledge that our institution is not an exception. We are dedicated to proactively assessing and understanding our current reality through data, evidence, and honest dialogue so that we can systematically work to close the equity gap that our BIPOC students and colleagues face.

We acknowledge and are committed to the incredible amount of work needed to become an anti-racist institution, and it will require the commitment and efforts of the entire Bay Path community.

CORE VALUE OF THE MONTH

We Pledge to Foster Inclusion and Belonging

We value the work of being anti-racist and truly accessible to our diverse population of learners, faculty, and staff, where every voice is encouraged, heard, and respected, and authentic selves are valued In so doing, we strive to create an environment of not just mere inclusion but true belonging.

HOW TO INSPIRE THE ART OF BELONGING

GOLDEN COMPASS AWARD NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN

Laura Ramirez's, who is currently Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Trinity Industries, Inc, shares a powerful message on belonging in this TEDx talk.

Laura's TEDx talk focuses on the transformative power of belonging and how it can drive positive change

Her narrative encourages individuals and organizations to embrace diversity and foster inclusive environments.

The talk delves into her personal journey, emphasizing the importance of diversity, inclusion, and the art of belonging.

Laura Ramirez's story exemplifies the transformative potential of turning adversity into advocacy, and her efforts continue to inspire positive change in the realm of diversity and inclusion.

The Bay Path Golden Compass Award is a monthly award, presented at our Community Luncheons, 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? Drop a note in the virtual nomination box letting us know. The form is quick, fast, and requires minimal information We hope you’ll use it often.

We know that the good work is underway, and the nomination form is officially open. Who have you noticed living our Core Values?

CLICK HERE to access the nomination form!

Click here for Video

GOLDEN COMPASS AWARD WINNER

OCTOBER

GOLDEN COMPASS AWARD ANDREA CORDIS

Andrea was nominated by Jea e Zobel, who consents to being recognized.

Jeanne's nomination focused on the follow core values:

Our Learners Come First, Innovation and Excellence Drive Us, and Health and Well-Being Matter

Jeanne’s Nomination States

"Due to her many contributions to the Bay Path community, Andrea Cordis is deserving of the Golden Compass award. Although Andrea contributes to our community in a variety of ways which embody many of the core values, Health and Well-being is the core value which first comes to mind when thinking of Andrea Cordis. Over the years, Andrea has led yoga classes for OT students and OT faculty without charge. These classes have been greatly appreciated as she intentionally scheduled her yoga sessions during times when improved focus and relaxation are most needed. Recently, BPU Human Resources has hired Andrea as a weekly, all-campus yoga instructor for staff, faculty and students. In addition to the mental health and physical health benefits, Andrea's classes promote community building.

In addition to yoga classes, Andrea invites people to join her on local hikes to get outside, de-stress, get some exercise and get to know each other outside of work. Of course, Andrea's delicious healthy, home-baked treats are generously shared by her and are always appreciated!"

SEPTEMBER

GOLDEN COMPASS AWARD JOSH PLOUFFE

Josh was nominated by Kara Murray and another colleague who wishes to remain anonymous.

The core Value identified in this nomination are:

Our Learners Come First Innovation and Excellence Drive Us We Work Best as a Community that Collaborates

Kara’s Nomination States

Josh Plouffe is an incredible colleague and a tremendous asset to the Bay Path community He has been pulled in to work with the Student Financial Services Office on several projects to streamline processes to help our students. He is personable and genuine, knowledgeable and humble. He dives right in, takes the time to get to know our staff, is curious about our workflows and brainstorms ideas. No question or comment is dumb to Josh (at least we never feel that way when we talk to him)! One time when we reached a dead end, instead of giving up, he connected me with his boss and another representative from another office to help...and even though he was silent for most of the meeting, his role was extremely important because he put the right people in the room to solve the problem...and we figured it out in TEN MINUTES and alleviated confusion for our students on the billing portal! He has been hailed a hero in the Annex and we think he is well-deserving of this recognition. Thank you, Josh, for all that you do for us, our students, and our entire community

The Second Anonymous Nomination States

Josh made it so much easier for both staff and students when using their Employer's tuition benefits to pay for their classes. He created an application that is totally online, so it is a smooth passage for both the student, their supervisor and BPU to receive their paperwork in a timely manner. Josh sat in our meetings for updating this process and was always available when questions came up during the week. His innovation gave us suggestions we did not even know were possible! He is so worthy of this award!

HEALTH & WELL-BEING INITIATIVES

EMPLOYEE YOGA

Hybrid yoga classes with Andrea Cordis, Occupational Therapy Fieldwork and Clinical Assistant and Yoga

Instructor will take place weekly from 5:30 - 6:30 PM at the Breck Fitness Center Dance Studio as well as on Zoom on the following days:

Monday, October 16, 2023

Monday, October 23, 2023

Monday, October 30, 2023

Monday, November 6, 2023

Monday, November 13, 2023

Monday, November 20, 2023

Monday, November 27, 2023

Monday, December 4, 2023

Monday, December 11, 2023

Monday, December 18, 2023

For virtual access, Click here!

HEALTH NEW ENGLAND WELLNESS WEBINAR

Health New England has partnered with WebMD Health Services to offer you live webinars to educate, engage and empower your health journey. These webinars will take place once per month at noon and consist of 60minute webinars. Anyone who registers using their work email and attends, will be entered into a raffle for a $10 Panera Gift Card, as well as a larger raffle for all attendees $50 Amazon Gift Card.

October 12th at 12:00PM:

Fitness for All Ages & Abilities

There are so many benefits to exercise for physical, mental/emotional well-being, and disease risk reduction. Discuss components of fitness, intensity levels, and recommendations based on where you are in your lifecycle and personal fitness journey.

MAGELLAN HEALTHCARE WEBINARS

Sessions will be recorded for future access on Health New England’s YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/Health New England.

Leading an Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle |

October 11 Register here!

Join this webinar to:

Examine the connection between diet and mood

Define habits that promote an anti-inflammatory lifestyle

List foods that impact inflammation

Financial Wellbeing Monthly Webinars

Understanding Medicare | October 10 Register here: 12:00 PM | 3:00 PM

Health care costs are typically one of the biggest expenses in our budget The Medicare federal health insurance program can help to cover some expenses for those over 65 or for certain younger people with disabilities. But what if we want to retire before age 65 or have access to an employer-sponsored health care plan after 65? This class will review how your out-ofpocket expenses may go up or down depending on when you retire and start receiving your Medicare benefits.

Estate Planning: Financial Basics | October 26 Register here: 12:00 PM | 3:00 PM

Many of us know we should have an estate plan, but we don’t know how or when to get started. We will discuss the common components of an estate plan and explain how your plan may change as you go through different stages of life. Lastly, we will cover the pros and cons of hiring an attorney, versus doing most of the work yourself.

HEALTH & WELL-BEING INITIATIVES

TIAA FINANCIAL EDUCATION WEBINARS

Invest for success 5 principles you need to know

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 3 to 4 PM

No matter where you are in your career journey, this webinar can help you understand the key principles of investing for retirement. This includes compounding, taxes, choosing investments and more.

CLICK HERE to register!

Generative AI Cyber Security New insights and actions to strengthen security and boost productivity

Thursday, Oct. 19, 2 to 3 PM

Hear from cybersecurity leaders who will share the latest insights onAIcyberattacksandstepsprofessionalscantaketoavoidthese crimes.Thisincludesthelatesthighereducationandgovernment initiativesfocusedongenerativeAIcybersecurity.

CLICK HERE to register!

Maximize your Health Savings Account (HSA)

Contributions are more powerful than you think Wednesday, Oct. 25, 11AM to 12PM

HSAs can do more than cover current healthcare expenses Learn how this unique fund can support your needs over time. This includestaxadvantagesandwhatyourfundscanbeusedfortoday andinthefuture.

CLICK HERE to register!

BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS

Save The Date!

Clinic 1: 10/23 | 1:00PM - 4:00PM

Helliwell Conference Room, Longmeadow

Clinic 2: 10/24 | 1:00PM -4:00PM

Ryan Health Center, 1st Floor Atrium, E. Longmeadow

Health Services, in cooperation with Big Y Pharmacy, has scheduled two Flu Clinics for this Fall. We encourage all members of the campus community to receive a flu vaccine every year to help prevent the spread of illness on our campus. More information is forthcoming.

If you have question, please contact healthservices@baypath.edu

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY OCTOBER 10TH

Tuesday, October 10, 2022, marks World Mental Health Day a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness and educating communities about mental health. The primary objective is to dismantle the stigma, break down barriers, address inequities, and dispel misconceptions surrounding individuals living with mental health disorders World Mental Health Day shines a spotlight on worldwide efforts that emphasize the importance of inclusion, preventative measures, accessible care, and ensuring the safety of those facing mental health crises.

When should I seek help from a professional? Click here for Video

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month we would like to remind all employees that Bay Path’s Medical Plan with Health New England considers the annual mammogram a wellness visit, which means there is a $0 copay Most insurance providers provide the same benefit. Remember to check with your providers and schedule your mammogram annually.

In this talk, Dr. Somers will review common psychiatric conditions, what their most typical symptoms are, and what the signs are that you or your loved one may benefit from working with a mental health professional.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR

EMPLOYEES

Bay Path offers a complimentary Employee Assistance Program for Employees. Please continue to page 8 for details on how you can access this benefit.

COMPLIMENTARY EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM YOUR LIFE’S JOURNEY—MADE EASIER!

No matter where you are on your journey, there are times when a little help can go a long way. From checking off daily tasks to working on more complex issues, your program offers a variety of resources, tools and services available to you and your household members.

Your program is here to help you along the journey of life. No situation is too big or too small. When you and your household members need assistance, reach out anytime and we will help get you on the right path to meet your needs.

Key features

• Provided at no cost

• Includes telephonic consultation

• Confidential service provided by a third party

• Available 24/7/365

Core services

Consultation Consultants can provide support for challenges such as stress, anxiety, grief, relationship concerns and more Health and wellness Access education, tools and resources to eat better, move more and get the most out of your daily life.

Work-Life Web Services

Save time and money on life’s most important needs Access webinars, live talks and articles that offer insights and strategies focused on key life events and day-to-day challenges for parents and seniors. Topics include: child and elder care, education, parenting and more.

Workplace stress

Self-care programs

Digital emotional wellness tools to build resiliency, manage stress, improve mood, sleep better or simply find daily inspiration.

Here’s how to get started

Give us a call and we will connect you with the right resource or professional. Learn more about all of the services available at MagellanAscend.com.

Numerous studies show that job stress is a major source of stress for American adults. Causes of stress include workload, relationships and juggling work and personal issues. Your program offers many resources to help you better manage your stress

Resiliency

Being resilient generally means you’re able to adapt to hard times, to challenges, and to other sorts of adversity in life. Fortunately, you can develop skills to become more resilient and your program provides many resources to help you on your journey.

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

COMMUNITY LUNCHEON SCHEDULE

2023-2024

Hispanic Heritage Month Luncheon

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Blake Dining Hall

Halloween Luncheon

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Blake Dining Hall

Gratitude Luncheon

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Blake Dining Hall

Employee Recognition Ceremony & Holiday Luncheon

In honor of our Core Value of the month: We Pledge to Foster Inclusion and Belonging, we are delighted to extend an invitation to you for our upcoming Community Luncheon in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. For those joining virtually, join us via the link below at Noon.

ZOOM LINK

WILDCAT PANTRY

Pantry Hours: Monday-Friday | 9 am-4 pm

Free and open to the Bay Path community

Food, self-care, and clothing donations are accepted (feminine hygiene products, professional and casual clothing)

Email: pantry@baypath.edu to set up a time for donation drop-off or go to Amazon for their Wishlist

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2M62SUWB70

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For more information contact Tanya Coles-Dailey at tdailey@baypath.edu

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Blake Dining Hall

Health & Well-Being Matter Luncheon

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Ryan Center

Black History Month Luncheon

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Blake Dining Hall

Employee Appreciation Day Luncheon

Friday, March 1, 2024

Blake Dining Hall

Academic Achievement Day Luncheon

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Blake Dining Hall

Juneteenth Luncheon

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Blake Dining Hall

HUMAN RESOURCES TEAM

Ashley Pereira

Assistant VP for People & Culture

Responsible for:

Strategy

HR Operations

Compensation

Employee Relations

Core Values

Meghan Rosenberger

HR Business Partner

Responsible for:

Recruitment

Onboarding

Performance Evaluations

Training

Employee Relations

Colby Cabral

HRIS Specialist

Responsible for:

HR Information Systems

Reporting

Collecting Employee Data

Data Requests

HR Metrics Assistance

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Jeannette Mojica

HR Support Specialist

Responsible for:

General Assistance

HR Communication

HR Events

Org Chart

Special Projects

Lisa Berezin

HR Assistant (PT)

Responsible for:

Job Postings

Onboarding New Hires

New Adjunct Faculty

Background Checks

I-9's Compliance

Lori Moccio

Payroll Supervisor

Responsible for:

Payroll Procedures and Process Updates

Adjunct Contracts Payroll

Management

Direct Deposit Requests & Changes

Paid Time Off (PTO)

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact HR@Baypath.edu

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

The Human Resources Newsletter is a great way to get reminders as well as to advertise your own news to the rest of your colleagues.

If you have something you would like to have included in next month’s newsletter, be sure to send an email to hr@baypath.edu so that we can add your information to the issue.