Employee Vaccination Drawing Week 3 Winners:
Week three winners of the 5XÉçÇř employee vaccination drawing have been announced. Congratulations to the lucky winners!
| Kristin Bechter | $100 | Asst Dir, Alt Credit & Artic |
| Frank Lindsay | $100 | Mgr, Information Technology,RC |
| Ronald Hoagland | $100 | Business Mgr |
| Aimee Ward | $100 | Faculty Part-Time -Semester |
| Debra Dobrilovic | $100 | IT Vendor Mgmt/Proc Analyst |
| Andrea-Louise Sosa Fontaine | $100 | Assistant Professor |
| Clarissa Thompson | $100 | Associate Professor |
| Lo Denmon | $100 | Asst Dir, LGBTQ Stu Center |
| Donald Woods | $100 | Stationary Engineer |
| Bradley Morris | $100 | Associate Professor |
| Kent Crytzer | $100 | Faculty Part-time-Semester |
| Jayita Datta | $100 | Psychologist, Intl Stdt Focus |
| Jennifer Richmond | $100 | Administrative Assistant |
| Laurie Crissman | $100 | Food Service Worker 1 |
| Jennifer Dougherty | $100 | Dir, Philanthropy |
| Christian Combs | $100 | Research Technician |
| Michael Bell | $100 | Inst Research Info Officer |
| Patrick Wolf | $100 | Sr IT User Support Analyst |
| Joshua Twitchell | $100 | Groundskeeper |
| Stephanie Jalwan | $100 | Academic Advisor II-INR |
| David Grober | $250 | Sr Dir, Philanthropy |
| Stephanie Monastra | $250 | Dir, Conf Ctr, KSU Stark |
| Emily Vanicek | $250 | Academic Advisor II |
| Kelly Junglen | $250 | Academic Records Specialist |
| Adam Nowicki | $250 | Parking Facilities Attendant |
| Elizabeth Jackson | $250 | Administrative Clerk, CPM |
| Rachael Blasiman | $250 | Associate Professor |
| Sanhita Gupta | $250 | Associate Professor |
| Dana Lawless-Andric | $500 | Assoc VP, Univ Outreach & Eng |
| Allison Gillis | $500 | Case Mgr, Student Affairs |
| Katherine Marksz | $500 | Custodial Worker |
| Louise Hookway | $500 | Inst Data Info Officer |
| Kristina Yerian | $1,000 | Academic Program Coord |
| Karen Steiner | $1,000 | Cooperative Education Coord |
There is still plenty of time to get vaccinated and enter to win. Visit the Corona Virus Updates website to register your vaccine information and be eligible for upcoming drawings. Good luck!
2022 OPEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS OCTOBER 18
Save The Date! Open Enrollment begins Monday, October 18, and runs through Friday, November 5, 2021
The Open Enrollment Employee Benefits and Wellness Kickoff Forum will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, October 12, from 9 – 11 a.m. To connect simply go to www.kent.edu/zoomopenenrollment. During the session, we will cover:
- Strategic initiatives as they relate to healthcare and wellness
- Medical plan updates for 2022 and optimizing your choices
- Tools for decision-making and first-hand testimonials from fellow Flashes
- Need-to-know information related to flexible spending accounts for healthcare and childcare
- How HSAs are paired with HDHPs to allow you to maximize healthcare dollars today and prepare for the future
- Learn more about supplemental life and long-term disability insurance benefits for you and your family through Securian Life and UNUM
- Employee Wellness Rewards and offerings
Presenters for this session will be Jack Witt, vice president for Human Resources and Kim Hauge, executive director for Employee Benefits, Wellness and Health Promotion. This session will also be videotaped so employees who are unable to attend the live Zoom can view the recorded edition from our Employee Benefits webpage beginning the week of October 18. The video will be available throughout the Open Enrollment period.
There will be time allotted during our live presentation to submit questions to the presenters. A follow-up post card reminder will be sent to all full-time, benefits-eligible employees reminding them of the Open Enrollment Kick Off meeting, as well as the Open Enrollment election period. In the interim, mark your calendars and save October 12, 9 – 11 a.m., for your .
For your planning purposes, please note the Open Enrollment period will begin Monday, October 18, and will end at 4:59 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2021. All changes are effective January 1, 2022.
Faculty and staff with questions regarding benefit choices for 2022 may contact the Employee Benefits Office at 330-672-3107, or benefits@kent.edu. For questions related to employee wellness programming or rewards, call 330-672-0392, or wellness@kent.edu.
Ohio Employee Ownership Center's Report for Ohio
Last week the , an outreach center based in the College of Arts and Sciences, , Building Legacies: Retaining Jobs and Building Wealth Through Employee Ownership, that outlines three major challenges faced by Ohio today:
1. Baby-Boomer Business-Owners Set to Retire in Massive Numbers
In Ohio, baby boomers own 54 percent of businesses, representing 94,000 firms employing 2.6 million workers. Though more than half of these business owners plan to retire in the next decade, 80 percent do not have a formal succession plan. And, when put on the market, only 1 in 5 businesses actually sell.
2. Workers Face Low Wages and Instability
Today half of workers aged 18-64 earn a median annual income of only $17,950. Poorly paid, insecure employment is growing, and women and people of color are disproportionately represented in low-wage industries.
3. Wealth Inequality is at Historic Highs
Since 1980, the share of income going to the bottom 50 percent of earners has halved, while the share going to the top 1 percent has doubled. The report emphasizes that the need for economic development strategies that treat business retention, work precarity, and economic inequality as inextricably linked has never been greater and sees the expansion of the number of employee-owned companies as a proven pathway to create a more equitable economy. Drawing on decades of research, Building Legacies demonstrates that worker ownership has advantages for multiple stakeholders.
- Employee advantage: Employees at worker-owned businesses have higher wages and better benefits.
- Selling Owners: can take advantage of a flexible succession strategy that ensures their legacy continues.
- Company advantage: Worker-owned companies are more profitable and productive.
- Community advantage: Worker-owned businesses are less likely to close, relocate, or lay off workers during downturns.
NEW NONPROFIT NETWORK LAUNCHES
To expand the number of employee-owned companies the Ohio Employee Ownership Center has also co-launched Ohio's Worker Ownership Network (OWoN) a network of nonprofits committed to expanding the prevalence of worker ownership in Ohio. The network includes 10 member organizations in every region and major metropolitan area of Ohio. Members are excited to begin working together to expand the worker ownership network by pooling resources and working cooperatively to achieve the common goal of creating an economy that works for all.
Recent press coverage about the report is available on , an ABC TV affiliate in Cincinnati, as well as a .
For more information, contact Michael Palmieri at 973-951-9831, or email mpalmie2@kent.edu.
Two Case Managers Added to Cares Center Staff
The Crisis, Advocacy, Resources, Education, and Support (CARES) Center recently hired two new staff members to support its mission.
The CARES Center works collaboratively with students to secure resources that meet their basic needs. The center connects Kent State students with both on and off-campus resources supporting their financial, food, housing, and mental well-being basic needs.
Brenda Schmucker is one of the two new Case Managers hired during the summer. Ohio-born, she graduated with a Master of Social Work from Edinboro University in 2018 and picked up valuable experience interning and then working as a family therapist with children and adolescents at a community, non-profit organization. She also interned as a Case Manager at a shelter for adults experiencing homelessness.
Allison Gillis was welcomed in as the second Case Manager in the center. A Licensed Social Worker, Allison graduated in 2018 with a Master of Social Work from California University of Pennsylvania. Before her current role at Kent State, she worked as a CARE Case Manager at the University of Akron, providing triage and follow-up support to students experiencing crises or overall well-being concerns.
9th Annual Bra Recycling Drive
5XÉçÇř’s Office of Sustainability, the Women’s Center, and Employee Wellness and Health Promotion, is hosting a bra recycling drive October 5 through 29, to collect reusable or worn-out bras and reduce the number of textiles in landfills. Bras that are in good condition will be donated to the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center. Worn-out bras will be recycled. As a reminder, the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center accepts clothing donations.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Employee Wellness is pleased to sponsor onsite 3D mammography screenings at the Kent Campus from October 4 – 8, in the Heer Hall parking lot at 635 Loop Road (near the ice arena). You can schedule an appointment for a mammogram or donate a reusable or worn-out bra at the screening location.
Since the start of the Bra Recycling Drive over 1,000 bras have been collected. Since 2012, 75 percent of bras collected have been sent for reuse to the Phyllis Zumkehr County Clothing Center, and 25 percent have been sent to The Bra Recyclers.
2021 Drop-off Locations
Bras that are washed and clean can be dropped off from October 4 - October 29, at the following locations:
- Women’s Center Williamson House Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Student Recreation and Wellness Center Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. - 10p.m.; Friday from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sunday 7 - 8 p.m.
- Mammogram Screening at Heer Hall Parking lot October 4 - 8, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Bras can also be sent via intercampus mail to the Women’s Center in Williamson House or the Office of Sustainability in Harbourt Hall.
October LinkedIn Learning Toolkit
The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. Just in time for pumpkin spice and apple cider weather, the has information on the LinkedIn Learning Hub, a new monthly challenge, seasonal promotional materials and much more.
Contact Training and Development with questions about LinkedIn Learning at hrd@kent.edu.
Don't Leave Your Remaining $200 Wellness Reward Dollars on the Table
Full-time, benefits-eligible faculty and staff who completed Tier 1 and are working toward Tier 2 of the Wellness Your Way Rewards Program have until October 15, 2021, to rack up 350 Tier 2 points and qualify for their $200 wellness reward. To earn Tier 2 points, participating employees have the opportunity to engage in wellness activities of their choosing. There are several ways to earn your Tier 2 reward, whether you choose to focus on physical, emotional, financial well-being or a combination thereof.
Join Employee Wellness for our final reward points-eligible offering before we close out Tier 2 for 2021, a financial wellness webinar on Oct. 12, which will cover how advertising influences our spending behaviors. .
There are also several activities you can complete on your own to earn your remaining Tier 2 points. The options below can be completed on your own time from any location with internet access. To view the full menu of Tier 2 activities, as well as download and submit related forms, login to the and click on “Wellness Reward Program” under “My Wellness”. Open the Tier 2 dropdown box. Forms are located under the “What to Submit” column. Completed forms can be uploaded to the portal using the “Submit” button next to each category or submitted to Be Well Solutions using the contact information provided on the bottom of each form.
|
Activity |
Points |
How to Complete |
|
Health Coaching and Nutrition Counseling |
Up to 90 |
To schedule a complimentary health coaching or nutrition counseling session with Be Well Solutions, login to your and click on “Worksite Health Coaching” or “Virtual/Telephonic Nutrition Counseling and Health Coaching” under “My Appointments”. Be Well Solutions will automatically apply your points following the session. If you complete a session with another health coach or registered dietitian of your choosing, submit form 6-Health Coaching or form 7-Nutrition Counseling. |
|
3/3/30 Exercise Tracker |
50 |
Have you exercised 3+ times each week for at least 30 minutes for the past 3 months?. Report your exercise using form 9-3/3/30 Exercise Tracker and submit it to Be Well. |
|
Wellness Your Way Form |
Up to 40 |
Fill out form 12-Wellness Your Way by describing a self- directed wellness activity of your choosing. This may range from training for a 5K to daily meditation. Can submit twice. |
|
Wellness Promoter Form |
20 |
Use form 13-Wellness Promoter to describe how you promote wellness at Kent State in such a way that encourages your fellow employees to participate in wellness programming. Examples include being an Employee Wellness Ambassador or informally encouraging coworkers with walks/rides at lunch. |
|
Small Group Book Discussion |
Up to 40 |
Book clubs are a great way to enjoy a book while building camaraderie, comfort, and teamwork. Identify a book (100+ pages), read it in full, and participate in a book discussion with at least two other KSU employees. Visit our book club page for inspiration and good reads! Following your discussion, submit form 14-Small Group Book Discussion. |
|
Be Well Video Library |
Up to 30 |
Login to the and click on “Video Library” under “My Resources”. Watch an educational video and complete and pass the quiz to earn Tier 2 points. |
|
Be Well Solutions Scavenger Hunt |
20 |
Complete form 18-Be Well Scavenger Hunt and get to know more about the portal, as well as Be Well Solutions services and how Be Well can support your personal wellness journey. |
|
IMPACT Solutions Scavenger Hunt |
20 |
Did you know your IMPACT Solutions Employee Assistance program provides services to you, your eligible dependents, and your parents and parents-in-law? Complete form 19- IMPACT Scavenger Hunt (form will be available soon) and get to know more about eligibility, programs, and services! |
As a reminder, you do not have to be enrolled in the university health plan to participate in the rewards program, but you must have completed Tier 1 to be eligible for the Tier 2 reward. Final Tier 2 paperwork must be completed and submitted to Be Well no later than Oct. 30, 2021.
If you have any questions regarding your Tier 2 total or how to access your portal, please contact Be Well Solutions at 1-888-935-7378 or ksu@bewellsolutions.com. For questions related to wellness programming, feel free to contact the Kent State Employee Wellness Office at 330-672-0392 or wellness@kent.edu.
Important Information about Final Grading of Fall 2021 First 7 Weeks Classes
Online final grading for Fall 2021 First 7 Weeks (POT W1) begins Monday, October 11, via FlashFAST. Grading is also now available for any Fall 2021 course section that was flexibly scheduled. The deadline for grading submission is midnight on Sunday, October 17. Any final grades for Fall 2021 courses not reported in FlashFAST by the grades processing deadline will have to be submitted using the Grade Change Workflow. These Fall 2021 courses will be available in the Workflow on Tuesday, October 19.
To access Final Grades via FlashFAST, log into FlashLine and click on the Faculty & Advisors Category/Faculty Dashboard / Grading Resources Section.
Blackboard Grading Process:
The Grade Push application has been developed as an option to assist in streamlining the university grading process. The use of this application is not mandatory, though it is encouraged. Grade Push will allow you to “push” the final grades recorded in Blackboard into our KSU Final Grade Roster, thus eliminating the time and effort spent manually entering them.
To access Grade Push, log into FlashLine and click on the Faculty & Advisors/Faculty Dashboard/Grading Resources. If you have questions or concerns, please go to support.kent.edu and search “Grade Push.”
Incomplete Mark Workflow:
The instructor must create and submit an Incomplete Mark contract via the workflow. Instructors are no longer able to select the incomplete mark (IB+, IC+, IC-, etc.) from the final grade roster in FlashFAST (Self-Service Banner). The primary instructor must initiate and submit the contract using this new workflow process, which mimics the old paper process. Once the contract has been accepted by the student and approved by the department chair/campus dean, the student’s grade will be updated automatically. The primary instructor will be able to initiate and submit the contract for a student after the deadline to withdraw (10th week of a regularly scheduled section in fall and spring, or prorated for flexibly scheduled sections) through the end of final grading.
Access the Incomplete Mark workflow in FlashLine from the Faculty Dashboard under Grading Resources or Faculty Workflows.
NF/SF Administrative Marks:
The administrative mark NF (Never Attended–Fail) denotes that the student neither attended one class session nor formally withdrew from the course. If a student has never attended your course, mark the student as “Not Started” on the Academic Presence Verification Roster, and the NF will automatically populate to your Final Grades roster.
The administrative mark SF (Stopped Attending–Fail) denotes that the student stopped attending the course and did not formally withdraw and must be accompanied by a date of last attendance in the course. If a student has stopped attending your course the SF can be entered on the Final Grade Roster along with the student’s last date of attendance.
For complete information on university grading policies including Incomplete Mark and NF/SF grading policies, procedures and timelines, please visit the Grading Policies and Procedures section in the University Catalog.
Grades Processing Tips and FAQs may be found on the Registrar's website. Any faculty member needing personalized instruction on submitting their grades via FlashFAST should contact their campus Registrar's Office during normal business hours for assistance.
Troubleshooting TIP:
FlashFAST is accessible from any Internet-capable computer that has the cookies function enabled. We recommend that you clean out your cookie and cache files regularly to help your computer run faster, and to potentially restore and/or improve your access to FlashFAST and/or FlashLine by improving your connection to the server. Our Helpdesk is prepared to help with these issues. Please contact them at 330-672-HELP (4357) for one-on-one assistance and technical issues.