HR News

As the shared reading program gets underway for all first-year and transfer students entering this fall, the campus community is invited to get involved too. Free copies of Trevor Noah’s memoir “Born A Crime” are now available at the Syracuse University Bookstore for current students, faculty and staff with valid SU I.D.

To obtain your complimentary copy of “Born A Crime,” visit the Customer Service Desk on the third floor of the Bookstore and present your valid SU I.D.

Those who read the book are also encouraged to consider facilitating a five-week discussion session with new students during the fall semester. Discussion groups will be co-led by a student peer facilitator and a lead faculty, staff or graduate student facilitator. Additionally, training facilitators with previous dialogue experience are needed to train peer and lead facilitators. Facilitators will be compensated and receive training.

The Syracuse Reads shared reading and discussion sessions are part of efforts to enhance the first-year experience by engaging new students in shared reflection and discussion about themes of identity, belonging, diversity, inclusion and health and wellness. Campus community members are invited to host their own discussions or book club readings with colleagues as well.

For more information on the Syracuse Reads Program and the First-Year Experience Initiative, contact Amanda Nicholson and Kira Kristal Reed, co-chairs of the First-Year Experience Initiative.

In an effort to modernize decades-old timekeeping systems and improve core Human Resources transactions (e.g., iJANs and Appointments), cross-functional teams are working to introduce new, simpler processes and one modern system. The upgrades are planned for launch on July 30, and MySlice will remain the main access portal. This project will bring more efficiency and reliability to the way employees record their time, whether they are hourly employees tracking time or salaried employees reporting exceptions. The improved system replaces paper punch cards, paper timesheets and manual data entry with technology to swipe ID cards or online entry including mobile devices.

The system and process changes are designed to reduce administrative burdens across the university.

Training and reference materials to prepare student employees, faculty and staff for the change will be released in July, and additional support will be in place as the 2018-19 academic year gets underway.

Interested in learning more about the role of the new system and the changes it could mean for employees? Here’s an overview of what you need to know:

How will timekeeping change for hourly employees? Link

Currently, timekeeping for hourly employees varies by department, with some using time clocks and punch cards and others using paper timesheets that an administrator manually enters into the system. After the July 30 system launch, time will be recorded directly by employees electronically via a computer or mobile device, or in other cases, by swiping ID cards in time clocks at venues like the Dome.

Will salaried/exempt employees need to record their time every day? Link

Salaried/exempt employees will not need to record their time daily or weekly, but will use the system to input their time off, including vacation and sick days.

Which HR transactions will be handled through the new system? Link

HR transactions previously conducted via iJAN or Online RAP will now be conducted in the new system. Managers will be able to easily view employee information including leave accruals. In addition, they will be able to request new positions, address vacancies, access job descriptions and request compensation changes. The ability to conduct these transactions will be limited by department rules based on administrative roles

Will managers who rely on administrative support staff to conduct iJAN and Appointment transactions be expected to perform the function themselves after July 30? Link

The intent is that the system will be easy enough that managers and supervisors will be able to initiate transactions themselves via simple online forms that capture the necessary information HR needs. They will also be able to easily track where a specific transaction is in the process. Depending on the rules of their particular department, administrative support staff may be able to initiate these responsibilities as well.

How will timekeepers and administrative support staff with significant job responsibilities in these areas be affected? Link

At the university level, we expect the overall administrative burden and activity to be reduced as a result of the system’s advanced technology. How that translates to the individual level will vary based on department and other job duties. For some employees, their workload may not change, but may become easier to manage. For others, the new technology may free their time up to engage in other important activities and functions that advance the mission of the University and the Academic Strategic Plan. The specifics of those changes may not become apparent until after the new system goes live.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.

Summer office hours for Syracuse University will begin on Monday, May 14, and will be in effect through Friday, Aug. 24. Summer office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Academic-year hours will resume on Monday, Aug. 27.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 315.443.4042 or hrservice@syr.edu.

Syracuse University faculty and staff are invited to view and enjoy their colleagues’ creative works of paintings, photos, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and other creations in the On My Own Time exhibition in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel.

The exhibit features more than 75 pieces of art and is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Employees are encouraged to view all entries and vote for pieces that may be displayed at the Everson Museum of Art in October, and also share favorite artwork via social media using #SUOMOT18.

Now in its 45th year, On My Own Time is a collaboration of CNY Arts and the Everson Museum of Art.

Questions? Contact Lucille Murphy at 315.443.4042 or lumurphy@syr.edu.

In an effort to reduce the administrative burden on schools, colleges and other units, Syracuse University has announced it will upgrade its timekeeping, payroll and human resources technology. This technology, which will go into effect on July 30, will introduce new, simpler processes that result in the quicker inputting of more accurate data, ultimately allowing employees to spend less time on administrative functions and more time on their individual priorities.

The timekeeping process change brings more efficiency and reliability to the way employees track their time, whether they are hourly employees tracking time, or salaried employees reporting vacation. This replaces a decades-old system that often involved antiquated paper punch cards, paper timesheets and manual data entry with technology to swipe ID cards or online entry including mobile devices, ensuring time is accurately recorded in human resources and payroll systems.

Many core human resources transactions, including approvals, position requests, hiring and mid-year compensation changes will be simplified. The system replaces the iJAN (Job Action Notice) and Appointments tools with simpler online forms designed for each transaction. Security for viewing data and approving transactions can be tailored for each school, college or administrative unit to ensure reliability and confidentiality of the data.

The streamlined system is mobile-friendly and provides flexibility for managers and employees.

Additional details on the initiative, including training and reference materials to prepare student employees, faculty and staff for the change, will be released prior to the July 30 launch, and additional support will be in place as the 2018-19 academic year gets underway.

If you have specific questions about this initiative, contact hrservice@syr.edu or call 315.443.4042.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is committed to providing Syracuse University’s health plan members with the highest level of customer service. As part of this commitment, a seasoned and knowledgeable representative from Excellus will continue to hold office hours on campus twice a week to assist members with any medical plan inquiries.

We encourage members to meet with an Excellus BCBS representative for personalized assistance regarding your health plan questions. Registration is not required and the schedule can be found on hr-test.syr.edu.

If you require assistance outside of the on campus office hours, you may contact our Excellus Dedicated Customer Care Team at 800.493.0318 (TTY/TTD: 800.662.1220) Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. EST. Friday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. EST.

Do you have creative skills or artistic work that you would like to share with your colleagues and friends at Syracuse University? Now is the time to present your inspiration through the On My Own Time exhibit April 30 through May 16.

Any full- or part-time Syracuse University faculty, staff, or instructor is eligible to submit up to three pieces of artwork in the categories of painting, ceramics, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, photography, collage/assemblage, fiber art, glasswork, computer art, metalwork, and mixed media. Criteria for submission are listed on the registration form, which is due by Monday, April 23. Submissions are due Thursday, April 26 at the Strates Lounge on the lower floor of Hendricks Chapel from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On My Own Time at Syracuse University opens with an in-house exhibit on April 30 in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel. It will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m.– 5 p.m. through May 16.

A panel of professional artists assembled by CNY Arts will serve as judges. Artwork selected by the panel will be featured in a public exhibit at the Everson Museum this fall. Visitors to the on-campus exhibit will be able to vote for a “Best of Show” piece. The winner of this and other categories will be announced at a closing reception for the University community, artists and their family members, and volunteers on Wednesday, May 16 at 4:30 p.m. in the Noble Room.

Volunteers Needed

If you want to help with the show, volunteers are needed to check in art on April 26, set up the show on April 27, and other duties on May 16.

For questions about On My Own Time, please call Lucille Murphy, human resources shared services representative at 315.443.4042 or email lumurphy@syr.edu.

In April 2018, the On My Own Time exhibition will commemorate 45 years of celebrating the arts in the Syracuse community and continuing to recognize the artistic works of faculty and staff.

Syracuse University is committed to ensuring we have a high performance, professional culture. An essential component of any high performing institution is continuous communication and feedback between supervisors and staff regarding performance expectations. This ensures alignment between individual, departmental and University goals and provides opportunities for staff to develop themselves professionally.

Participation in the annual Performance Partnership process is a critical step in ensuring the University sustains this culture. Below are key events and important dates to help assist you throughout the process.

To achieve the most meaningful and effective Performance Partnership process, it is important to follow University processes and deadlines. All Performance Partnership Forms [DOC] for staff must be completed and submitted to the Office of Human Resources by June 1, 2018. Once received by HR, the reviews are retained as part of the documentation that contributes to a staff member’s work history at Syracuse University.

Visit the Performance Partnership page for more information; including resources, training sessions, FAQs and steps to success.