5XÉçÇø

Salary Increase Announced for Unrepresented Employees

The Board of Trustees on May 11, 2016, approved the operating budget for FY 2017. Recognizing the important role our employees play in advancing the goals and objectives outlined in the , the budget includes a 2-percent funding increase for salaries of classified and unclassified employees not represented by a union. This increase will be an across-the-board increase in pay and will become effective on Sept. 1 for eligible employees. The Division of Human Resources has provided the following noteworthy dates as the salary increases are applied:

Classified Employee Pay Increase Timetable

• The pay increase will take effect Aug. 21, 2016, since it is the start of the pay period that includes Sept. 1, 2016 . The increase will be reflected in the Sept. 16, 2016, paycheck.
• Employees hired on or after Aug. 21, 2016, will not be eligible for the increase.
• Upon completion of a probationary period, employees hired between May 1, 2016, and Aug. 20, 2016, will be eligible for the pay increase.
• To be eligible for a pay increase, classified employees must have a current satisfactory, signed performance evaluation on file in Human Resources. Employees who receive an overall performance rating of "Needs to Improve" on their evaluation will not receive any pay increase until they reach the "Usually Meets" level of performance.
• Employees must be eligible for a paycheck on Sept. 16, 2016, in order to receive the pay increase. 

Unclassified Employees Pay Increase Timetable

• Pay increases for unclassified employees are effective Sept. 1, 2016, and will be reflected in the Sept. 15, 2016, paycheck.
• Employees hired on or after June 1, 2016, will not be eligible for the increase.
• Employees with promotions, market and/or salary adjustments effective on or after June 1, 2016, will be eligible for the pay increase unless indicated otherwise through discussions with the Compensation Department.
• To be eligible for a pay increase, unclassified employees must have a current satisfactory, signed performance evaluation on file in Human Resources. Employees who receive an overall rating of "Unsatisfactory" on their performance evaluation will not receive any pay increase.
• Continuing unclassified employees will be eligible for this pay increase. Grant-funded and term positions will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the applicable department and approved by the appropriate appointing authority through the initiation and processing of appropriate paperwork. However, all of these groups must have met the performance evaluation eligibility criteria as stated above.
• Employees must be eligible for a paycheck on Sept. 15, 2016, in order to receive the pay increase. 

The salary increase is just one part of your overall compensation package, which also includes university contributions for health benefits, retirement plans, tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave. For questions regarding compensation, please contact the Compensation office at 330-672-8325 or compensation@kent.edu.

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Employee Appreciation Day - Sept. 13

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. when the Kent Student Center Ballroom will turn into a fun-filled employee appreciation event!

As the cross-divisional committee works out the additional details and activities, you will be hearing much more regarding the complimentary lunch, entertainment, games, giveaways and more that will make up this day of appreciation. Lunch and events will take place concurrently throughout the three-hour period, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., so that departments may schedule release time for staff, and employees will be able to have the same experience. Employees are not required to use designated sick or vacation leave to attend; however, the time for participation in this event should be coordinated with encouragement and guidance from their supervisor or manager.

In addition to the daytime festivities, a special evening Employee Appreciation Event will be held for second- and third-shift workers from 10-11:45 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Ballroom on Sept. 1. Evening attendees will also enjoy a meal, music, games, lip-sync competition, prizes and more. 

For meal planning purposes, all employees who wish to attend should register for this event by selecting the day or evening event button on the . All employees who have registered by Sept. 2 will automatically be entered into our free prize drawings.

The university administration is looking forward to bringing this event to all full-time and part-time faculty and staff for all they do to make 5XÉçÇø a great place to work!

If you have questions, please contact the Employee Engagement and Outreach Office at 330-672-2100 or hrweb@kent.edu.

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Human Resources Partners With uConfirm for Employment Verification

Employees in the process of buying a home, applying for a loan, renting an apartment or purchasing a car will soon have access to uConfirm, which provides essential, cost-effective employment and income data in a timely manner.

5XÉçÇø has contracted with uConfirm, a leading national provider of employment verification solutions for employers, to make the employment verification process more secure and improve workflow. The company can also help speed up the verification process for employees and verifiers.

Car dealers, landlords, lenders and others who need proof of your employment and income, use uConfirm's online service to complete the verification process.

Around the middle of August, employees who need their employment or income verified should refer the verifier to uConfirm's website at , where they will complete the verification process. Email questions to uConfirm's customer support center, support@uconfirm.com, or call 404-382-5400 and select Option 2.

No special codes are required by verifiers. If needed, verifiers will provide uConfirm with a copy of the authorization you previously signed. Further, this is a free service for employees. If you are charged by a verifier for uConfirm's service or if a verifier refuses to use uConfirm's service, please contact uConfirm for assistance.

Kent State's account manager at uConfirm is Doris Dzirson. She may be contacted for special assistance toll free at 866-312-8266, ext. 108, or email doris.dzirson@uconfirm.com.

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Energy Conservation Reminder

We all know the importance of conserving energy in the workplace, but there are certain days when energy conservation efforts can have a significant impact on energy costs. Frank Renovich, associate director of energy operations, says there are 10 to 15 days a year designated by the utility companies as "peak load days." These days correspond to times when electricity consumption is at a peak on the electric grid. The dates and times can occur anytime, but often take place during hot afternoons or early evenings between June and September.

Any load reductions that the university can achieve during a peak load day can help offset future energy costs. While Kent State usually receives advance notice of a possible peak load day, it is often short notice (24 hours or less). Renovich's team will begin informing building curators when a peak load day is occurring. On those days, Kent State faculty, staff and students are asked to make a special effort to turn off any lights, equipment, appliances, computers, etc. that are not in use. 

Questions should be directed to Renovich at 330-672-0775 or frenovi2@kent.edu.

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Mail Services Offers New Shipping Options

Mail Services has added two new options for mailing packages that are available through FlashPac, the department’s online shipment service. First, a carrier has been added for packages going to international destinations, including Kent State locations abroad. DHL specializes in international shipments and is now one of the options to select as a carrier in FlashPac.

Mail Services also now accepts overnight shipments. These shipments will be guaranteed to arrive sometime during the following day. Departments can select the carrier online in FlashPac but must call Mail Services by 12:30 p.m. on the day shipment is requested in order to guarantee next-day delivery. Departments that want a specific delivery time (e.g., 10 a.m., 2 p.m.) must contact the carrier directly.

Questions should be directed to Steve Finley at 330-672-8703 or sfinley7@kent.edu.

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Title IX Training for Faculty and Staff

Beginning in September 2015, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action will be conducting a series of customized Title IX* trainings for faculty, staff and students.

The monthly sessions will consist of topics such as:

• What is Title IX? Defining sexual harassment/sexual misconduct;
• How and where to report issues related to Title IX; 
• Statistics on sexual violence; 
• The university’s responsibility; and 
• What happens after you report a Title IX issue?

Advance registration is required for these facilitator-led trainings, and dates are subject to change or cancelation if an insufficient number of participants sign up. All sessions will be held at Heer Hall in Room 107.

Please choose from the sessions below by selecting the audience (Faculty and Staff or Student Only) and date you are requesting. All sessions can also be found by searching the Human Resources Training Catalog, facilitator-led training, under Title IX Faculty/Staff Training and Title IX Student Training sessions.
 

Audience	Date	Times
Faculty and Staff	Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016	1:30-2:30 p.m.
Students	Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016	2:30-3:30 p.m.
Faculty and Staff	Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016	1:30-2:30 p.m.
Students	Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016	2:30-3:30 p.m.
Faculty and Staff	Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016	10-11 a.m.
Students	Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016	11 a.m.-noon
Faculty and Staff	Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016	10-11 a.m.
Students	Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016	11 a.m.-noon
Faculty and Staff	Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017	10-11 a.m.
Students	Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017	11 a.m.-noon
Faculty and Staff	Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017	1:30-2:30 p.m.
Students	Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017	2:30-3:30 p.m.
Faculty and Staff	Tuesday, March 21, 2017	2-3 p.m.
Students	Tuesday, March 21, 2017	3-4 p.m.
Faculty and Staff	Wednesday, April 26, 2017	9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Students	Wednesday, April 26, 2017	9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Faculty and Staff	Tuesday, May 16, 2017	9:30-10:30 a.m.
Students	Tuesday, May 16, 2017	10:30-11:30 a.m.
Faculty and Staff	Wednesday, June 14, 2017	1:30-2:30 p.m.
Students	Wednesday, June 14, 2017	2:30-3:30 p.m.
Faculty and Staff	Tuesday, July 11, 2017	9:30-10:30 a.m.

*Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational institutions such as 5XÉçÇø. Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual assault, which will not be tolerated at Kent State. 

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Vacation Reminders From Human Resources

If you are an employee who accrues vacation, be sure to check your leave balances to see if you are at risk of losing any accrued vacation time. According to the , the maximum amount of vacation an employee can accrue is that which can be earned in a three-year period.

Employees who are over their accrual maximum must use the time by Sept. 30; if not, they will lose any vacation hours accrued beyond the maximum. Vacation hours are earned each pay period and vary according to the employee's years of service with Kent State and job appointment (i.e., classified or unclassified status). An explanation of vacation accrual rates, eligibility and usage is available at .

All employees who earn vacation are reminded to report and submit their leave promptly.  Accurate and timely reporting is important to make sure the time is being deducted correctly, and that you are not exceeding your accrual maximum. Employees can easily check their leave balance in FalshLine. After logging in, click on "Employee" and then click on "Dashboard." Once you are in your Dashboard, click on the "Employee Profile Dashboard" located in the Top Employee Resources panel. You may then compare your balance with the Vacation Leave Accrual chart that can be found at the website listed above. 

The HR Records office will be contacting employees by email if they are at risk of losing any vacation hours over the policy maximum. Email notifications are expected to go out the week of Aug. 8.

If you have questions, please contact a member of the HR Records team at 330-672-8316. 

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Job Description Website - Update

The Human Resources Compensation team is completing a project to update the university's job description website.

The new website application has incorporated several new features for departments, individual employees and other casual users of the website. Some of these features are listed below. 

• Each job description will display its pay grade and pay range.
• Summary job information is available for each description to assist the user in determining which jobs to view in more detail.
• Enhanced search and filter capabilities.
• A bility to view job descriptions on a mobile device.
• When creating a draft job description using the website application, users have the ability to:
  •  Add and change job description content 
  • Link comments to the job description content for reviewers to address
  • Keep track of the most current draft version
  • See any edits/changes made to the draft from the prior published version

Human Resources expects the new site to go live in late August. Employees who are typically involved in the job description process will have the opportunity to attend open lab sessions in August. More announcements to come.

If you have any questions, please contact Vanessa Vesely, manager of compensation, at 330-672-8325 or vvesely@kent.edu.

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Dates to Remember

Aug. 1 
Deadline for master's thesis or doctoral dissertation to be filed in college office for August graduation

Aug. 6
Summer II classes end

 

Aug. 19           
National Aviation Day

Aug. 20
Summer III classes end.
Advanced and Baccalaureate degree commencement ceremony, 9:30 a.m.  Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. Visit for more information.

Aug. 21
National Senior Citizens Day

Aug. 22
Fall International Student Orientation

Aug. 23-24
Fall Graduate Student Orientation

Aug. 26
University Convocation

Aug. 26-28
Destination Kent State: Welcome Weekend

Aug. 29
Fall Classes Begin  

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Tell Us What You Think

This e-newsletter is designed to keep you, the managers and supervisors, informed. Please take a few minutes to let us know what you think of it, along with any comments or suggestions. You may contact us at managersfeedback@kent.edu. We look forward to hearing from you.