Staff Senate Newsletter • September 18, 2020

2020 State of the University

Please plan to join President Smatresk for the virtual 2020 State of the University beginning at 3 p.m. Sept. 24. In addition to celebrating UNT's resiliency during higher education's most tumultuous year and highlighting those who made significant impacts in response to COVID-19, the president will outline our plans and goals moving forward. The event will be broadcast on UNT's YouTube channel.

Reminder to Check Next Month's Pay Check

We encourage you to review the paycheck you will receive on October 1, 2020. September begins a new benefit plan year. If you made any changes to your benefits during summer enrollment, those changes should be reflected on this paycheck. In addition, life insurance and disability premiums are based on salary as of September 1, 2020 so you may see an increase in those premiums. Life insurance rates are also based on your age as of September 9, 2020 so an increase may be seen there as well.

If you are concerned that your paycheck benefit deductions don’t reflect your summer enrollment changes, login to your ERS online account and review your Benefit Summary. If there is a mismatch between your ERS charges and your paycheck deductions, reach out to a Human Resources Benefit Coordinator at HRbenefits@untsystem.edu immediately so they can get it resolved.

Barnes & Noble Flash Sale

Barnes & Noble is having a flash sale that ends today! Shoppers can take an extra 50% off clearance items both in-store and online.

Staff Senate Spotlight

Allyson Gardner

Associate Director, Learning Center

Announcements

The city of Denton's reconstruction of W. Hickory Street has begun, with various lane and sidewalk closures on Hickory between N. Welch and Bernard streets through the end of the year. The entire reconstruction, which began at Bonnie Brae and will extend to Carroll Boulevard, is expected to be complete by summer 2021.

The window for the staff midyear performance review is now open and runs through Nov. 15. Supervisors will use the new Performance Management module of the PeopleAdmin System for the reviews.

If you have holidays on your mind, be sure to check the FY21 holiday schedule. This academic year, staff members have two floating holidays in lieu of Spring Break Day. Schedule them for any date, with supervisor approval.

And if you're hungry, Avesta has a new Dinner for Two option you might find tempting. The ready-to-reheat meal kits are available by 5 p.m. each weekday at the Corner Store in the Union, while supplies last.

Fall 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Training Dates

The Division of Institutional Equity & Diversity has upcoming Fall 2020 Diversity & Inclusion training dates open to all UNT Denton employees. Registration is available through UNT Bridge.

New UNT 130 Mark

A mark for UNT's 130th anniversary has been developed for use by UNT divisions, colleges, schools, departments and organizations to provide distinction to communications throughout the year. It can be used to show pride for this UNT milestone on web and printed collaterals, environmental graphics and promotional items. The anniversary celebration officially launched on Founder’s Day and closes with commencement in May 2021.

COVID Update

Even with many of us back on campus, when feasible it's a good idea for meetings to continue to be hosted in whole or in part using tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams or the humble telephone. Limit in-person meetings and make sure individuals can still remain six feet apart. You may need to remove or rearrange chairs and tables or add visual cue marks in meeting rooms to support social distancing, and remember that attendees sharing space in a common room are required to wear face coverings. Read more workplace guidelines.

Join Us at Our Next Meeting!

Meetings are open to all UNT staff members. The next meeting will be held on October 13, 2020 at 3 p.m. Please check back for meeting details.

For meeting agendas, minutes and recordings, please visit the Agendas and Minutes page.

Contact Us!

If you have an article, announcement or suggestion relating to this newsletter, email staffsenate@unt.edu to have it included.