May 2017
Volume 14 | Issue 10
University Employee Separation Plan
The 5X社区 Board of Trustees has approved a voluntary separation plan for staff members. To be eligible, employees would need to have at least 15 years of service to Kent State or be eligible for retirement effective July 1, 2017.
The timeframe for choosing to participate runs through May 31, 2017. Individuals that elect to participate in the voluntary separation plan receive 100 percent of their annual base salary, to a certain maximum, divided into 60 equal monthly payments and paid into a 403(b) account. Participants would agree to retire or separate from employment effective July 1, 2017, although there is no requirement that employees actually begin taking retirement benefits as of that date, either under OPERS or the Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP).
The plan is not available to part-time, temporary or contracted employees, those in grant-funded positions, or those who have been terminated, laid off, or who have in writing, prior to March 2, 2017, notified the university of an intention to resign or retire, as well as those who previously resigned or retired and have been subsequently rehired. In addition, faculty are not eligible for this program at this time.
You can . All questions regarding the plan should be directed to Donna Sansonetti at 330-672-8333 or dsansone@kent.edu.
Cellular Device Authorization Renewals Due in June
As communicated in the , the university is taking steps to reduce expenditures related to cellphone stipends per a recommendation from the 5X社区 Board of Trustees.
The final step in this process is for department heads and their respective vice presidents to assess which employees are eligible to receive a stipend according to the business purpose guidelines .
In April, each vice president was provided a list of their employees who currently receive a stipend and asked to identify those who will no longer be eligible as of July 1, 2017. Employees in your area who will no longer be eligible should be notified so they do not submit a renewal workflow.
Each employee who remains eligible for a cellphone stipend or university-owned cellular device must complete the workflow, including all required approvals, by Monday, June 26. The payroll effective date for stipend renewals is July 1.
General questions regarding cellular device authorization should be directed to Procurement at 330-672-2276 or procurement@kent.edu. Questions regarding authorization for employees paid from a sponsored project should be directed to Debra Leonard at 330-672-0988 or dleonard@kent.edu.
Annual Steam Shutdown and Power Interruptions Coming Soon
Don't forget that the annual steam shutdown will take place this month on the Kent Campus. The Power Plant will shut down from Sunday, May 14, at 6 p.m. until Sunday, May 21, at 6 p.m., in order to perform necessary maintenance on the boilers, steam transmission systems and electrical distribution systems.
Because of the steam shut down, most buildings located on campus will not have hot water to sinks and showers, heat and/or air conditioning.
In order to test and verify the operation and integrity of the electric power systems, there will also be a maximum of three power interruptions on Thursday, May 18, at 10 p.m. and on Friday, May 19, at 12 a.m. and 2 a.m.
Each test will start by shutting off the power campus wide. Power will be restored over a period of approximately 30 minutes. Normal electric utility power will be switched on approximately 90 minutes after the start of the test. There is the possibility of a short power interruption lasting about 15 minutes during this switching procedure.
Those on campus can assist in this testing process by reducing energy consumption as much as possible during testing times. This means turning off computers, printers and any other equipment before leaving for the day on May 18.
For more information about the steam shutdown and the power interruptions, contact Associate Director of Energy Operations Frank Renovich at 330-672-0775 or frenovi2@kent.edu.
Annual 20-Year Club Ceremony Coming
The 20-Year Club Service Awards Program is an annual event established in 1966 to honor classified and unclassified employees who have dedicated 20 years of continuous service to Kent State.
The 20-Year Club dinner will be held Thursday, May 25 , in the Kent Student Center. Family, friends and co-workers join in honoring inductees at the awards dinner. Upon reaching this milestone, employees may select one of three items: a chair for home or office or a bench or tree to be placed on campus in their honor.
This year, some 40 staff members will log 20 years of continuous service at Kent State. The list of inductees and dinner information is available on the .
For 20-Year Club registration and information, please contact Amber James at asavier2@kent.edu.
Mail Services: Is Your Department on the List?
Did you know that Mail Services has an email list-serv for anyone who handles mail or packages in respective offices and departments? The Mail Handlers list-serv is a good way to stay current on the services offered by Mail Services, as well as receive periodic updates about any changes in postal rates, mailings, etc. If you would like to have someone from your department added to the list or confirm that someone is already on it, please contact Steve Finley, mail services manager, at 330-672-8703 or sfinley7@kent.edu.
Join us for National Get Fit Don't Sit Day on Wednesday May 3
On National Get Fit Don't Sit Day, held the first Wednesday of May each year, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) strives to increase awareness of the dangers of prolonged sitting and the importance of getting up and moving throughout the day - including at work. Research shows that sitting for long periods of time increases the risk of health complications and chronic diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
The ADA recommends short bursts of movement every 30 minutes during the workday. Moves like stretches and chair exercises are quick and simple, and can be performed in just about any workplace setting. Walking, leg extensions or overhead arm stretches - every 30 minutes, are also easy to incorporate throughout the day.
Each year, thousands of businesses, organizations and industry leaders participate in National Get Fit Don't Sit Day and take steps to support the health of their employees. On the Kent Campus, an Open Walk on May 3 will allow employees to walk between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Employees attending the walk will receive an informational handout and can also attend a Safe Stretching session. Ministretching sessions will be led at 11:30 a.m., noon and 12:30 p.m., to demonstrate safe stretching techniques for before and after your walks.
The Kent Campus open walk will take place on the blue outdoor track behind the DeWeese Health Center (weather permitting). In the case of inclement weather, the event will move to the indoor track on the second floor of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
Please encourage your employees to grab their walking shoes and water bottle and get on the move to Get Fit Don't Sit on May 3! This event is open to all full- and part-time employees. No registration required.
Dates to Remember
National Asian-Pacific Heritage Month
National Older Peoples Month
May 12 Spring Advanced Degree Commencement, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Field House, Kent Campus.
May 13 Spring Baccalaureate Commencement, Dix Stadium, 10 a.m., Kent Campus. Visit the above for more information.
May 14 Mother's Day
May 15-22 Campus Steam Shutdown (6 p.m. on May 14 to 6 p.m. on May 21)
May 20 Armed Forces Day
May 19 College of Podiatric Medicine Commencement Ceremony
May 29 Memorial Day (university closed)