VP for Human Resources search narrows to three candidates
Three finalists have been selected in the search for UF’s newly created position of vice president for human resources. The finalists are Paul Michaud, director of human resources at Florida International University; Kyle Cavanaugh, human resources director at the University of Texas-Austin; and Loretta Harper, vice president of human resources at the University of Utah.

The VP for human resources will carry out UF President Bernie Machen’s vision for reorganizing and streamlining the human resources functions at the university. Final interviews are currently underway, and President Machen is expected to announce the new vice president finalist later this month.

The Small Business Conference and Trade Fair scheduled for March
The 14th annual Small Business Conference and Trade Fair is scheduled for March 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hilton Conference Center.

Participants may register on line for conference workshops and trade fair or registration forms may be obtained by contacting the Division of Small Business and Vendor Diversity Relations at (352) 392-1331, ext. 308 or via e-mail at bmills@ufl.edu.

Vendor spaces are still available and can be purchased for $125 for small/minority businesses, $150 for government agencies, and $300 for corporations.

Group Benefits Enrollment now available on a biweekly basis
In an effort to help new employees sign up for their benefits packages, University Benefits and Retirement is now offering Group Benefits Enrollment on a bi-weekly basis. New employees may enroll in the various insurance options provided by the university—including health, life, and supplemental insurance plans; flexible spending accounts; and a variety of other options.

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Experiencing a work or life-event status change?
UF employees experiencing or expecting to experience a “qualifying status change” should contact University Benefits and Retirement as soon as possible to ensure they receive the appropriate benefits. Employees have only 31 days after a qualifying event occurs to make coverage changes.

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Announcing open enrollment for term life insurance
The annual open enrollment for term life insurance will be held from March 1 to 31 for all eligible employees with an FTE of .50 or greater. Current participants will have an opportunity to increase or decrease coverage levels, and non-participants will have an opportunity to enroll.

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Added dependents to any plans lately?
If you added dependents to any of your state-sponsored benefits plans during last fall’s benefits open enrollment period as a new hire or due to a qualifying status event, the People First Service Center—UF’s new state-sponsored benefits administrator—is requiring dependent documentation. Please submit appropriate documentation (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate, Social Security number) to the People First Service Center along with your social security number on all documents. Coverage will be cancelled unless you provide documentation within 60 days of the qualifying event.

According to the current plan administrator, the following are considered eligible dependents:

• An employee's legal spouse
• An employee's natural children, legally adopted children, and children placed in the home for the purpose of adoption in accordance with Chapter 65, Florida Statutes
• Stepchildren
• Foster children
• Children for whom an employee has established legal guardianship pursuant to Chapter 744, Florida Statutes, or court-ordered temporary custody
• All children must be unmarried, under the age of 19, and dependent upon the employee for support. For coverage to continue from age 19 through the end of the calendar year in which a child turns 25 years of age, children must be dependent upon the employee for support and either live with the employee or be a full- or part-time student.

Children who are mentally or physically disabled are eligible to continue coverage (if already enrolled) after they reach 25 while the subscriber's family coverage is in effect, provided they are incapable of self-sustaining employment and are chiefly dependent upon the subscriber for support and maintenance.

If you have questions about documentation or dependent eligibility, please contact University Benefits at 392-2477 (SC 622-1225) or benefits@ufl.edu or your HR satellite office.

Double deductions begin for 9- and 10-month Academic Personnel
To ensure continued coverage for health, state life, optional and supplemental insurances during the summer, 9- and 10-month academic personnel will have double deductions taken from their paychecks beginning with the February 4 paycheck and continuing through May 13.

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Don’t allow others to create an online resume using your sign-on
As a UF employee, you should use the portal to apply for other TEAMS/USPS positions. To view current job postings go to My Self Service > Jobs at UF > View Job Postings.

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Develop your project management or communications skills
Training and Development will present several week-long series of programs designed to improve the performance of UF faculty and staff. All Training and Development sessions are provided as a benefit of employment and are, therefore, free to UF employees.

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Training Interest Group (TIG) will meet February 11
Kim Raymond, assistant director for the Career Resource Center, will discuss the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) and discuss how both organizations can provide a resource for networking and professional development.

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