UF campuses will be tobacco-free effective July 1
New smoking cessation program starts March 23
The University of Florida is gearing up to go “Tobacco-Free Together” in July of this year.  In anticipation of this change, the university is offering a variety of resources and programs to assist employees and their family members to kick the habit before the policy takes effect.

Important reminder for UF supervisors: It's time to complete staff performance appraisals
It is time to issue annual performance appraisals for USPS and TEAMS employees. The evaluation period for all USPS and TEAMS employees is from March 1, 2009, through February 28, 2010, with appraisals completed by March 31, 2010.

Employee Education Program accepting applications for summer semesters
The Employee Education Program (EEP) is a popular benefit available to eligible UF faculty and staff. The program provides tuition assistance for up to six credit hours of eligible college-level courses per semester.

When am I considered officially “retired”?
Benefits-eligible faculty and staff participate in one of three state-administered retirement plans:  Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan, FRS Investment Plan, or the State University System Optional Retirement Program (SUSORP). 

2009 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) claim forms
due by April 15
Employees who were enrolled in a medical or dependent-care reimbursement accounts for the 2009 plan year must submit claims by
April 15, 2010.

University Payroll and Tax Services offers new direct deposit options
Effective March 15, current employees will be able to view and edit their direct deposit information in myUFL.  The navigation is My Self Service > Payroll and Compensation > Direct Deposit. 

Conference for parents of young children offered on
March 20
On Saturday, March 20, Baby Gator Child Development and Research and the Harn Museum of Art will hold a conference for parents of young children, Guiding and Teaching Our Remarkable Children (G.A.T.O.R).

Campaign aims to increase pedestrian safety
in Gainesville
Traffic accidents involving pedestrians occur almost three times per week in Gainesville. This statistic has sparked a police-enforced campaign, called High Visibility Enforcement, to increase pedestrian safety on the University of Florida campus and in and around Alachua County.

myUFL reporting survey to be distributed soon—
We want to know what you think!
Employees with the reporting security role of ER_User should be on the lookout for a reporting survey sent to their UF e-mail addresses. 

Fifty TEAMS employees will receive tuition assistance for their children
The drawing for the University of Florida’s Higher Education Opportunity (HEO) program for the 2010-11 academic year will be held on Wednesday, March 31, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Human Resource Services Building, Room 120. 

Network with local businesses at the 19th Annual Small Business Conference and Trade Fair
On March 24, the University of Florida will host its 19th Annual Small Business Conference & Trade Fair at the Hilton Hotel & Conference Center.

©2010 University of Florida Office of Human Resource Services
The InfoGator is a monthly e-publication produced by the University of Florida’s Office of Human Resource Services. It is distributed electronically to UF faculty and staff and is available online. Please direct questions or comments to its editor, Angela Gould; Human Resource Services; P.O. Box 115006; (352) 392-4626; TDD 800-955-8771. The InfoGator is available in an alternative format upon request.