In preparation for Open Enrollment, the People First Service Center will be available beginning mid-September to provide general information and assistance in obtaining your People First User ID and helping to establish/reset passwords needed to log into the People First web site. However, plan changes cannot be accepted until September 22. To contact People First, please call 1-866-663-4735.

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Open Enrollment web site packed with news and information

Human Resource Services has established a section of its web site filled with additional articles and important information relevant to this year's Open Enrollment period. Please visit the site for the following news stories and much more!

• Benefits Fair, information sessions provided

• Watch your mail and visit People First's web site for current Open Enrollment news

• Keep track of your People First User ID and password

• Open enrollment timeline

• UF-sponsored plans available to add or update during Open Enrollment

• Watch for state-sponsored plan changes

• New dependent health coverage option for dependents up to age 30

• Vision care plan is back

• Want to add or supplement your term life or personal accident insurance?

• Long Term Disability Plan offered during Open Enrollment this year

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Drug-free workplace annual notification

The federal law entitled the Drug-Free Workplace Act requires the University of Florida to maintain a drug-free workplace. The University of Florida is committed to providing a campus environment free from the abuse of alcohol and the illegal use of alcohol and drugs. To enhance this commitment, the university has adopted and implemented programs that seek to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by university community members.

For more information and to read UF’s Drug-Free Workplace Statement, please visit the Employee Relations section of HRS’s web site.

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Political activity reminder

During this election season, it’s important to remember federal and state law requirements concerning political campaigns. 

Institutions like the University of Florida may not participate in any political campaign or provide anything of value to support or oppose a candidate for public office. University facilities (unless rented through Business Affairs), e-mail, logos, and other resources may not be used for campaigning. 

Of course, University employees have the important right to freely participate in political campaigns in their personal capacity at times that do not interfere with their work responsibilities. Also, the University and its employees may conduct educational and academic research activities about candidates and issues. 

University employees may not participate in elective campaigns during their work time, use their offices to influence or interfere with an election, or solicit funds from other state employees to support or oppose a candidate in a coercive manner. In University buildings, funds may not be solicited from anyone to support or oppose a candidate (unless the space is rented from Business Affairs).

Certain areas of the campus, such as the Plaza of the Americas, are open for public speech, including political speech. Speech activities in these areas are encouraged, and may be conducted within UF's reasonable regulations that ensure activities do not interfere with University work and do not create unsafe conditions or violations of law. 

When necessary to avoid confusion, employees should make clear they are expressing personal opinions--and not speaking in their official roles or on behalf of the University--when taking a position for or against a candidate. 

Thank you for keeping this information in mind. Feel free to contact Employee Relations at (352) 392-1072 if you have any questions.

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Davis Award nominations due September 30

Nomination forms for the 2009 Prudential Financial Davis Productivity Awards program, which annually honors state government employees throughout Florida, are now available. In addition to honoring “innovation, creativity, and smart work,” the awards program recognizes individuals and work units that have adapted or implemented previous years’ award-winning achievements to create added value. Eligible for nomination are individuals, teams, and work units as well as entire state agencies or their divisions, regions, districts, and institutions. Nominations are accepted each year in the fall with award winners announced in March.

Davis Productivity Award nomination forms must be completed and submitted online. From the HRS web site, you can link to the Davis Productivity Awards site and begin the nomination process. Instructions are available to walk you through the online process.

Nominations for the 2009 Davis Awards must be submitted online to the Agency Awards Coordinator, Ruth Hernandez, by Tuesday, September 30, 2008.

The program presents cash awards ranging from $250 to $2,500 as well as commemorative plaques, certificates of commendation, and letters of honorable mention. For information regarding the 2009 Davis Productivity Awards program and a link to the online application, please visit http://www.hr.ufl.edu/awards/davis.

The following are the award categories for the 2009 Prudential Financial - Davis Productivity Awards (DPA):

• INDIVIDUAL NOMINATION - This form is to be used for nominating one state employee.
• TEAM, WORK UNIT, OR PARTNERSHIP NOMINATION - This form is to be used to nominate teams, work units, and partnerships consisting of two or more persons.
• EXEMPLARY ACHIEVEMENT OF A STATE AGENCY NOMINATION - This form is to be submitted by heads of agencies ONLY to nominate an Agency, Division, District, Institution, or comparable organization (consisting of 100+ employees).
• ADAPTING AND IMPLEMENTING NOMINATION - This form is to be used to nominate an individual, team, or work unit for adapting or implementing a previous Davis Productivity Award.
• SUSTAINED EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE NOMINATION - This form is to be used to nominate previous DPA winners who have demonstrated exemplary performance for five years or longer. There are separate forms for nominating an individual versus nominating a team, work unit, district, institution, or comparable organizational unit.
• RECOGNITION OF LONG TIME NOMINATORS - This form is to be used to nominate individuals who have submitted nominations to the Davis Productivity Awards program over a period of ten or more years.

The Prudential Financial Davis Productivity Awards program is chaired by Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp and is sponsored by Florida TaxWatch, The Florida Council of 100, and the State of Florida.

If you have questions, please contact Ruth Hernandez, training coordinator, at (352) 392-4626 or ruth-hernandez@ufl.edu.

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New online sexual harassment prevention training available this fall

Starting this fall, sexual harassment prevention training will be offered to faculty and staff online. This “Preventing Sexual Harassment” online training course will replace training certification previously offered through sexual harassment conference attendance.

• All new employees are encouraged to complete the online training within their first 30 calendar days of employment.
• Any existing employees who have NOT previously attended the classroom training (GET119) Seminar on Sexual Harassment (also known as Mini-Conference on Sexual Harassment) are asked to complete the online training by the end of the fall semester. To confirm previous attendance at this classroom training, please check your training summary in the myUFL system. (Navigate to My Self Service, Training and Development, Training Summary.)
• Refresher training will begin in Fall 2009 and, moving forward, will occur every two years.

“We’re pleased to provide this important training online for faculty and staff,” said Kyle Cavanaugh, senior vice president for administration. “This topic is an important one, and ensuring that all of our employees—both faculty and staff—are aware of their roles and responsibilities associated with keeping our workplace free from sexual harassment is crucial.”

Look for additional details in future communication. Any sections of GET119 scheduled for the fall semester will be cancelled, and registered participants will be contacted with this information via e-mail.  Reports with information about who has attended previous classroom training will be sent to each dean's office. 

If you have questions about sexual harassment training, please contact UF Training and Organizational Development at training@ufl.edu. If you have a sexual harassment complaint or need assistance, please contact the Institutional Equity & Diversity office at 392-1075.

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Superior Accomplishment Awards nomination period kicks off Sept. 15

Do you know someone who is a UF staff or faculty member who makes the extra effort to succeed? Why not nominate him or her for a Superior Accomplishment Award?

The University of Florida’s 2009 Superior Accomplishment Awards nomination period runs from September 15 through October 31, 2008. Eligible for nomination are Academic Personnel, TEAMS, and USPS employees.

This awards program honors faculty and staff members who contribute outstanding and meritorious service in their fields or to the university. It also seeks to recognize those employees who have made exceptional contributions to the University of Florida’s efficiency and economy or to the quality of life provided to students and employees.

Superior Accomplishment Awards are presented each spring semester for the period covering the previous academic year. The 2009 awards honor work done between August 1, 2007, and July 31, 2008. Awards are given in the following six categories, first at the divisional level and then at the university level:

• Clerical/Office Support
• Support Service
• Scientific/Technical
• Administrative/Supervisory
• Administrative/Professional
• Academic Personnel

Division-level winners each receive $200 along with a certificate of appreciation and university memento. Each division winner then is eligible to be selected for one of six university-level awards of $2,000 each or one of eight $1,000 awards sponsored by The Gabor Agency (four awards) and HRH of Gainesville Inc. (four awards). In addition, each of the six university-level winners and his or her guest will be invited to attend a University of Florida football game in the President’s Box the following season.

For additional information about the Superior Accomplishment Awards program, nomination criteria, and nomination forms, please visit the awards’ web site or contact your divisional committee chairperson, listed below. The divisional award committees are responsible for the nomination processes and for winner selections in their divisions. Self-nominations are not accepted.

DIVISION 1 – All departments, divisions, and units under the Office of the President, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Administration, the Office of Research and Graduate Programs, the Office of the General Counsel, and the Office of University Relations as well as all UF departments, divisions, and units under the Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs (UFF)
Contact: Melissa Orth, 249 Tigert Hall, P.O. Box 113157, 392-4574, Fax 846-3124, maorth@ufl.edu

DIVISION 3 – All schools, colleges, departments, and units under the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Contact: Elaine Green, 1403 Norman Hall, P.O. Box 117047, 392-0723 ext. 223, Fax 392-5929, egreen@coe.ufl.edu

DIVISION 4 – All schools, departments, and units under the Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources (IFAS)
Contact: Joel Mcquagge, Bldg 459 Shealy Drive, P.O. Box 110910, 392-6363, Fax 392-7652, mcquagge@ufl.edu

DIVISION 5 – All colleges, departments, and units under the Senior Vice President for Health Affairs (Health Science Center to include Vet Med)
Contact: Colette Cimino, 1600 SW Archer Rd Rm D4-6, P.O. Box 100405, 273-5802, Fax 392-3070, ccimino@dental.ufl.edu

DIVISION 6 – All departments and units under the Vice President for Student Affairs
Contact: Myra Morgan, 155 Tigert Hall, P.O. Box 113250, 392-1265 x401, Fax 392-7301, myram@ufl.edu

DIVISION 7 – All departments, divisions, and units under the Vice President for Business Affairs
Contact: Tom Cassarly, 2008 NE Waldo Rd, Rm 118, P.O. Box 113359, 273-1381, Fax 392-1285, tcassar@ufl.edu

UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE CHAIR – Kevin L. Clarke, Employee Relations, Office of Human Resources, P.O. Box 110281, 392-4777, kevin-clarke@ufl.edu

UF’s Superior Accomplishment Awards program was developed to recognize deserving university employees and is coordinated Human Resource Services. The success of this program depends on all of our participation as we seek to express appreciation for exceptional employees and their superior accomplishments.

For more information, please visit the awards’ web site or contact Kevin Clarke at (352) 392-4777.

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Sick Leave Pool Open Enrollment held throughout October

Qualifying University of Florida employees may sign up for the Sick Leave Pool during its Open Enrollment period from October 1 to 31. Please note that the Sick Leave Pool Open Enrollment period is separate from the annual benefits Open Enrollment held each fall.

The University of Florida’s Sick Leave Pool enables participating employees to combine a portion of their individually accrued sick leave for collective use. As a member of the Sick Leave Pool, you may draw upon the pool—with approval from the Sick Leave Pool Committee—in instances in which you have used all of your leave hours because of personal, not family, catastrophic injury or illness.

All Academic Personnel, TEAMS, or USPS employees are eligible to participate in the Sick Leave Pool. Employees must have a minimum balance of 64 hours of sick leave. If the employee is a part-time employee, the minimum sick leave balance requirement is pro-rated.

All applications must be received by the Sick Leave Pool administrator by 5 p.m. on October 31. Once the application is approved, employees will contribute eight hours of sick leave to the Sick Leave Pool that will be deducted from their account automatically. This is a one-time contribution of eight hours, unless the total available hours in the pool drops to an unacceptable level.

Applications for membership may be obtained at any human resources satellite office or online. Current members of the Sick Leave Pool do not need to rejoin. For more information, please contact Central Leave Administration at (352) 392-2477 or central-leave@ufl.edu.

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EAP courses target mental health

The university's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), in partnership with UF Training and Organizational Development, is offering a range of workshops this semester. Sign up today to take advantage of these development opportunities:

GET111 Psychoneuroimmunology I
Monday, October 13, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Two follow-up sessions also are available:
GET210 Psychoneuroimmunology II
Monday, October 27, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
GET211 Psychoneuroimmunology III
Monday, November 17, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Psychoneuroimmunology is an interdisciplinary field that has provided a foundation for understanding the pathways between the brain and immune system as well as the importance of the mind in influencing physical and mental health.

NEW! GET220 Working with Troubled Students
Monday, September 15, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday, September 22, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

This workshop will provide participants with information to help recognize the risk factors and warning signs associated with troubled and disruptive students. Recommendation for appropriate interventions, referrals, and follow up will be discussed. The second part of this workshop will provide QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training. The goal of this second part of the workshop will be to train campus “gatekeepers” (faculty, staff and students who regularly interact with others in the course of their work) in how to effectively recognize and refer persons in distress to campus and community resources.

GET113 Self-Healing with Traditional Chinese Medicine: Qigong
Monday, October 6, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Participants in this session will learn Qigong (Chi Kung), effective self-healing exercises for both wellness and healing, and will be given a daily routine specifically tailored to their personal requests (typically for stress, anxiety, depression, chronic illness, chronic pain, and weight concerns). Everyone is welcome—no need for fitness or flexibility; no specific attire necessary.

GET101 Stress Management
Monday, September 29, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.

The pressures of work, relationships, and other responsibilities can affect how we think, feel, and behave. This workshop will identify the patterns that increase stress and identify ways to relieve stress.

To register for any of these workshops, please visit the myUFL system—my.ufl.edu—then My Self Service, Training and Development, Request Training Enrollment.

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Phishing scams pose ongoing threat

The start of a new academic year is a good time for us all to remember the external risks and security practices essential to protecting our critical information resources and personal identification information. Like all large universities, UF is a prime target for phishing scams that can be used to compromise GatorLink accounts.

Compromised accounts potentially can be used to access your personally identifiable information and other protected data resources.

While UF e-mail filters block large portions of phishing attempts, scammers are constantly adapting their tactics to bypass filters. The highest level of protection requires constant vigilance and care on the part of end users. As a UF e-mail recipient, please be vigilant and keep your eye out for scams. Here are some good practices to incorporate in your routines of using computing resources:

• Don't click on web links found in e-mail
• Never provide your password to ANYONE
• If you think you've been the victim of a scam, change your password immediately

Scammers cleverly try to impersonate a trusted source, such as UF IT staff. To avoid being duped, NEVER respond to email asking for your personal information, even if appears to come from a trusted source like UF IT workers. Scammers are also crafty about luring people to phony web sites that look just like the real thing. To be safe on the web, NEVER follow links found in e-mail. Instead, manually enter the web site name or use your favorite search engine.

ACT IMMEDIATELY if you've been "phish-hooked." For UF accounts, contact the UF Helpdesk at 352.392.HELP or helpdesk@ufl.edu.

PLEASE REPORT SCAMS even if you haven't responded to a suspicious e-mail. At UF, report any suspicious e-mail to abuse@ufl.edu.

For up to date information about scams that are targeted at UF users, visit the IT Security Advisories section of CNS's web site. To learn more about phishing scams, see its E-mail Security Awareness page.

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RTS conducting survey on UF Employee Bus Pass Program

The RTS UF Employee Bus Pass Program is a benefit available to all students, faculty, staff, and spouses that provides pre-paid unlimited access to all RTS Fixed-Route Services. No fee is required; a valid Gator 1 ID card is all that is necessary.

Funding for the RTS UF Employee Bus Pass Program is provided by UF and the Florida Department of Transportation. Student funding is provided by the UF Student Transportation Access Fee.

The City of Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS) is conducting a research project on UF’s Employee Bus Pass Program. RTS would like UF employees to fill out a short survey to find out who uses the service, why they use it, and what RTS can do to improve its transit system.

RTS strives to provide the community with a safe, courteous and reliable transportation alternative. Survey responses will provide the data necessary to ensure future service development funding and, in turn, provide the transit service the community needs and deserves.

Please take the time to fill out the short survey before September 30, 2008. For more information and to access the RTS Employee Bus Pass Survey, visit RTS's web site, or go directly to the survey.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact RTS at (352) 334-3676. Thank you for helping RTS with this important research project.

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