Over
the past few semesters several units have submitted requests to CLA HR to hire
non-exempt employees into exempt teaching appointments. Due to federally
mandated regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), these requests
are quite complex and must be handled with care. It's important to note that
according to FLSA, if an employee's primary appointment is non-exempt all
duties performed by that individual will be treated as non-exempt. That being
said, overtime rates will apply to hours worked in excess of forty in any given
workweek. CLA strongly discourages this practice due to costs associated with
these appointments which include staff time, overtime payout and the potential
of exposure to FLSA violations. However, we recognize that some rare exceptions
may need to be considered. Please contact your Personnel Specialist, Tihara
Chadwick at 4-0098 or Millie Reid at 6-7648 should this need arise.
November 2010 Archives
All CLA Administration deadlines, meetings and events are now in Google Calendar. You can subscribe to the CLA NOW calendar by clicking this link: http://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/umn.edu/render?cid=http%3A//www.google.com/calendar/feeds/umn.edu_2d35373032303038372d373139@resource.calendar.google.com/public/basic
If you are not on Google calendar but still want to view the CLA NOW Calendar, click on this link: http://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/umn.edu/embed?src=umn.edu_2d35373032303038372d373139@resource.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicago
OR, visit the CLA Intranet http://cla.umn.edu/intranet/ and click "view" under CLA NOW Calendar.
There will be a one-week overlap between Spring Semester 2011 and May Session 2011. May Session begins on May 23, 2011 and Spring Semester does not end until May 29, 2011. This overlap may have scheduling and staffing implications for departments if they employ international graduate students.
Most graduate teaching assistants will be allowed to exceed 40 hours of work during the week of May 23-May 29, making it possible for them to hold both a Spring Semester 2011 appointment and a May Session 2011 appointment. However, foreign nationals (including F1 and J1 student visa status) cannot exceed 40 hours of work during this one-week overlap under any circumstances according to INS Regulations. We are requesting that departments review their Spring Semester 2011 and May Session 2011 instructional assignments to avoid any scheduling issues that may arise as a result of this policy. Please note that spring semester documents cannot be modified, due to the impact it would have on the student's tuition benefits.
The Student Technology Fee Committee is now accepting proposals from CLA faculty, staff, and departments seeking funds for technology equipment and technology-rich projects that enhance the learning experience for our undergraduate and graduate students.
For
a description of the grants, please refer to the Student Technology Fee web
site at http://infotechfees.cla.umn.edu.
Applications for all the grants are available on the web site under the section
titled Faculty & Staff.
All proposals should be submitted via
the Student Technology Fee web site at http://infotechfees.cla.umn.edu by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3, 2010.
Any questions regarding this call for proposals should be directed to Sarah
Knoblauch, Project Manager (CLA-OIT), at 624-7874 or sjk@umn.edu.
The
Graduate School, on behalf of the Provost's Interdisciplinary Team, will award
a limited number (approximately 10) of one- and two-year Interdisciplinary
Doctoral Fellowships for 2011-12 to outstanding Graduate School students with
interdisciplinary dissertation topics who would benefit from interaction with
faculty at one of the University's interdisciplinary research centers or
institutes. The Institute for Advanced Study is pleased to be one of the
sites for the Graduate School's Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowships.
Interdisciplinary graduate fellows at the IAS are full members of the
intellectual community of the IAS. They are given an office with computer in
the Nolte Center, participate in weekly lunches with residential faculty
fellows and visiting fellows, and make an informal presentation of their work
in progress to other IAS fellows once each semester. Graduate fellows are
expected to be in residence at the Nolte Center for their year of fellowship
and to participate actively in IAS programs.
Graduate students who intend to apply for an Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Study for 2011-12 must submit a preliminary application directly to the IAS by January 25, 2011. This application includes letters of support from a potential faculty member and the student's DGS. Full instructions are available at http://www.ias.umn.edu/fellowsgradapply.php
Graduate students who intend to apply for an Interdisciplinary Doctoral Fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Study for 2011-12 must submit a preliminary application directly to the IAS by January 25, 2011. This application includes letters of support from a potential faculty member and the student's DGS. Full instructions are available at http://www.ias.umn.edu/fellowsgradapply.php
The Office for Conflict Resolution provides an integrated conflict management system for University employees who have workplace concerns. Their goals are to encourage dialogue, identify interests, generate options, build accords, and conduct fair hearings. Non-bargaining unit University employees, including administrators, faculty, P&A, civil service, and student workers (including research and teaching assistants), are eligible for services. This program is also available to faculty emeriti. (Employees represented by a labor organization may not use this process, but instead should pursue concerns through the process established in their collective bargaining agreements.) For info: http://www1.umn.edu/ocr/.
Please encourage all supervisors in your units to attend these two trainings sessions.
Understanding the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Organizational Effectiveness is offering a course for University supervisors on Understanding the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This interactive session will provide a refresher for understanding the eligibility and notification requirements of FMLA and clarify the relation of FMLA to other leave policies. Participants will be able to discuss issues related to complex FMLA situations.
To register: www.umn.edu/ohr/supervisors/courses/index.html#fmla
Dates: December 9, 2010, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. OR June 22, 2011, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Location: 210 Donhowe
Co-requisite: Managing Hidden Disabilities
This interactive session will provide a refresher for understanding the eligibility and notification requirements of FMLA and clarify the relation of FMLA to other leave policies. Participants will be able to discuss issues related to complex FMLA situations.
Participants will:
- Understand the legal framework of the FMLA
- Know how University policies, rules, and contracts are affected by the FMLA
- Understand what obligations the University has to employees regarding FMLA
- Learn when to involve Disability Services in FMLA issues
Technology
During the University Closure, both central OIT and CLA-OIT will maintain key systems like the college web server, Moodle, the terminal server, email servers, and the Active Directory file servers. Access will be essentially the same as any normal weekend. If you can currently access a University or CLA system off campus on a Sunday, then you should be able to access it off campus during the closure.
As the University will be officially closed, CLA-OIT support staff will not be working. Support for individual connection problems or other troubleshooting will be addressed when the University reopens on January 3, 2011. However, we will respond to emergency situations that affect access to systems.
If you do experience a significant problem, please email it to help@cla.umn.edu or call 612-624-4357 and leave a message; we will monitor email/voicemail and triage the requests for emergency issues.
If you do require or desire access to University or CLA network resources during the closure (or at any time), please make sure you are able to connect off campus well before December 23rd so we can guide you through the process while we are still here before the closure. For starters, please refer to connect.cla.umn.edu and contact the Service Desk (624-4357) for additional guidance.
All CLA Administration deadlines, meetings and events are now in Google Calendar. You can subscribe to the CLA NOW calendar.
If you are not on Google calendar but still want to view the CLA NOW Calendar.
OR, visit the CLA Intranet http://cla.umn.edu/intranet/ and click "view" under CLA NOW Calendar.
During the University Winter Closure buildings will be locked and only accessible by authorized U Cards or exterior keys (for non-card reader doors). If faculty, staff or students need access to a card reader-controlled building during these days, please ensure their U cards have been authorized for access ahead of time.
Central Security will have a reduced staff working in case of emergencies during the closure, but their policy only allows Department Access Coordinators, Deans, Directors, or Department Heads to request Central Security key and access services. Please be aware that these procedures will remain in place during the furlough days.
The Horace T. Morse-U of M Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education and the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Post baccalaureate, Graduate, and Professional Education. Guidelines for the "Nomination Materials" can be found on the awards page at http://www.scholarswalk.umn.edu/awards/aoce/
The one-page collegiate nomination forms are due Friday, November 12th by 4:00 p.m. in 115 Johnston. The CLA specific nomination forms are located at http://www2.cla.umn.edu/admin/acadprog . Direct any questions to Barbara Schwab at schwa133@umn.edu or 612-625-7994.All CLA Administration deadlines, meetings and events are now in Google Calendar. You can subscribe to the CLA NOW calendar by clicking this link: http://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/umn.edu/render?cid=http%3A//www.google.com/calendar/feeds/umn.edu_2d35373032303038372d373139@resource.calendar.google.com/public/basic
If you are not on Google calendar but still want to view the CLA NOW Calendar, click on this link: http://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/umn.edu/embed?src=umn.edu_2d35373032303038372d373139@resource.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicago
OR, visit the CLA Intranet http://cla.umn.edu/intranet/ and click "view" under CLA NOW Calendar.
October
TIP assessment has been delayed to December. The UM Foundation invoicing
deadline for December TIP is November 15, 2010 (noon). TIP is charged on
deficits of more than $15,000 across the Fund-ZDeptId rollup. More information
about TIP will be coming later this month about future changes to TIP
assessments. The next and final TIP date for FY11 will be June 2011.
The University has developed a website regarding the University's Winter Closure. The website is http://www1.umn.edu/tchome-stage/faculty-staff/closure/index.htm. This site will continue to provide updated information regarding the closure, so please check it frequently and determine the pertinent information to communicate within your unit. The Office of Human Resources (OHR) sent a message to the Faculty and P/A employee group, and one to the CS/BU employee group regarding the Winter Closure. Those messages are listed below. For questions, please contact Scott Elton (elton003@umn.edu, 6-0950) or Margaret Yzaguirre (mmy@umn.edu, 6-9352)
==========================================================
To: Academic Staff, Twin Cities Campus
From: Carol Carrier, Vice President for the Office of Human
Resources
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus will be closed from December 24, 2010, through January 2, 2011. During this time, heat will be turned down and buildings will be locked but accessible through normal security. The closure period includes:
- Two weekends, December 25-26 and January 1-2
- Official University holidays on December 24 and 31
- A floating holiday on December 27
- Three work days, December 28-30, for all academic staff
- Three furlough days, December 28-30, for all Civil Service and Bargaining Unit staff
Academic staff took a temporary pay cut for fiscal year 2010-11, so you are not being asked to take unpaid furlough days during the closure. However, you are encouraged to use your personal holiday, which can be combined with vacation time and/or voluntary furlough days, to take time off during the closure. If you do not use your personal holiday, take vacation time, and/or take voluntary furlough days, you are expected to work offsite December 28-30 unless required by your supervisor to work onsite. Work plans for these days must be discussed with your supervisor, following the procedures they have established.
Please note that the closure period includes one payday on Wednesday, December 29. For those on direct deposit, paychecks will be deposited as usual. For those not on direct deposit, paychecks will be mailed on December 27 to home addresses. Please allow time for mail processing and check Employee Self-Service to be sure that we have your correct home address. If you are interested in signing up for direct deposit, you can do so through Employee Self-Service.
Closing the University of Minnesota for one week is a complicated task. It impacts everyone in our system, and it impacts each of us in different ways. We want to make sure that every member of our community has the information needed to plan accordingly. Watch your inbox for more information on this topic, talk with your supervisor about impacts specific to your work group, and check our online Q&A for additional information.
*Note that coordinate campus closure dates vary. See the online Q&A for dates by campus.
To: Civil Service and Bargaining Unit Employees, Twin Cities
Campus
From: Carol Carrier, Vice President for the Office of Human Resources
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus will be closed from December 24, 2010, through January 2, 2011. During this time, heat will be turned down and buildings will be locked but accessible through normal security. The closure period includes:
- Two weekends, December 25-26 and January 1-2
- Official University holidays on December 24 and 31
- A floating holiday on December 27
- Three furlough days, December 28-30, for all Civil Service and Bargaining Unit employees
With the exception of notified staff, Civil Service and Bargaining Unit employees will not be expected to work and will not be paid for December 28-30. These three unpaid, mandatory furlough days will impact paychecks on January 12. Be sure to review your personal budget and plan for this one-time reduction in pay. Employees who are required to work during the furlough must complete a Furlough Request Form and arrange alternate furlough dates with their supervisor.
Please note that the closure period includes one payday on Wednesday, December 29. For those on direct deposit, paychecks will be deposited as usual. For those not on direct deposit, paychecks will be mailed on December 27 to home addresses. Please allow time for mail processing and check Employee Self-Service to be sure that we have your correct home address. If you are interested in signing up for direct deposit, you can do so through Employee Self-Service.
Closing the University of Minnesota for one week is a complicated task. It impacts everyone in our system, and it impacts each of us in different ways. We want to make sure that every member of our community has the information needed to plan accordingly. Watch your inbox for more information on this topic, talk with your supervisor about impacts specific to your work group, and check our online Q&A for additional information.
*Note that coordinate campus closure dates vary. See the online Q&A for dates by campus.
The deadline is extended for both the Horace T. Morse-U of M Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education, and the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Post baccalaureate, Graduate, and Professional Education. Guidelines for the "Nomination Materials" can be found on the awards page at http://www.scholarswalk.umn.edu/awards/aoce/
The one-page collegiate nomination forms are now due Friday, November 12th by 4:00 p.m. in 115 Johnston. The CLA specific nomination forms are located at http://www2.cla.umn.edu/admin/acadprog. Direct questions to Barbara Schwab at schwa133@umn.edu or 612-625-7994.
All CLA Administration deadlines, meetings and events are now in Google Calendar. You can subscribe to the CLA NOW calendar by clicking this link: http://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/umn.edu/render?cid=http%3A//www.google.com/calendar/feeds/umn.edu_2d35373032303038372d373139@resource.calendar.google.com/public/basic
If you are not on Google calendar but still want to view the CLA NOW Calendar, click on this link: http://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/umn.edu/embed?src=umn.edu_2d35373032303038372d373139@resource.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Chicago
OR, visit the CLA Intranet http://cla.umn.edu/intranet/ and click "view" under CLA NOW Calendar.
