Category: HR Buzz

Save the Date: Free Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

When and where?
Thursday, November 5, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Hicks Banquet Room.

Who can attend?
Students, faculty and staff, retirees, and spouses or partners of faculty, staff, and retirees.

What vaccines are available?
Walgreens will offer flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Get one or both at no cost.

Do I need an appointment?
Pre-registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. Up to 10 appointments will be available every 10 minutes. Registration instructions will be shared soon.

What information will I need to register?

  • Your name,
  • K or personal email address,
  • requested vaccine(s), and
  • health insurance information.

Questions?
Contact human.resources@kzoo.edu.

Calling for Nominations – Respecting Differences

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Respecting Differences is an annual event held in April, sponsored by

  • Kalamazoo College,
  • Western Michigan University,
  • Kalamazoo Valley Community College,
  • County of Kalamazoo,
  • City of Kalamazoo,
  • City of Portage, and
  • Integrated Services of Kalamazoo

for the purpose of making our organizations more inclusive. About 500 employees of these organizations attend each year at Miller Auditorium. Learn more about past Respecting Differences events.

The Steering Committee is comprised of a representative from each organization. The Committee meets for about one hour on the second Tuesday of each month, mostly in-person (Portage) and occasionally online. The Committee is in the early stages of planning the next event.

If you are interested, or know a colleague who is interested, please follow these steps by September 20, 2026.

  1. Discuss with your supervisor or department chair,
  2. Send the first and last name of the nominee to human.resources@kzoo.edu.

Renee will review the list of nominees to determine who our next representative will be from Kalamazoo College.

Contact Renee Boelcke at renee.boelcke@kzoo.edu with questions.

HR Buzz: Together, We Thrive

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

It takes a village to help one another grow, thrive and succeed. When families, friends and communities come together, we create connections that foster support, belonging and strength for everyone.

The Power of Connection

Social connections play an important role in overall wellbeing. Supportive relationships can help reduce feelings of stress and isolation while providing encouragement during difficult times. For parents and caregivers, having trusted people to lean on can make the demands of daily life feel more manageable. These connections also benefit children by introducing them to positive role models, strengthening their sense of community and helping them develop important social and emotional skills. Strong relationships within and outside the home create opportunities for families to learn, grow and support one another.

Building Our Village

Family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, schools and community groups can all play a role in supporting family wellbeing. Building a village begins with recognizing and strengthening the connections that already exist in our lives. Taking time to identify your circle of support can help you better understand where encouragement and assistance are available and where additional connections may be helpful. While building new relationships can sometimes feel challenging, small steps such as joining community activities, volunteering, attending family events or reaching out to others can help expand your support network. Every connection matters and together those connections create the village that helps us thrive.

Your Commitment

Identify and embrace one opportunity to grow your village. Examples could be

Reminder: Growlers Present Campus Colors Summer Classic

Posted on by Renee Boelcke
Black and White K with the athletics Hornet

This Campus Color Classic will feature all three local colleges — Kalamazoo College, WMU, and KVCC — with mascots, select sports teams, and plenty of fanfare for an unforgettable night.

Date: Thursday, July 30th
Gates Open: 5:35 PM
First Pitch: 6:35 PM
Ticket Area: 1st base Grandstand, Section Reserved for K
Ticket Options: $20 Reserved Box Seat with event-specific K-College Hat OR $18 Reserved Box Seat

Claim Your Tickets Here or visit WWW.GROWLERSTICKETS.COM and enter PROMO CODE “KCollege26”.

For more information or questions, please contact Brandon Camp at 269.492.7965 or via brandon@growlersbaseball.com.

Sending a special thank you to Advancement and Athletics for bringing this opportunity to life.

Summer is Here — Don’t Let Your Financial Plan Take a Vacation

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

While you’re planning summer activities, don’t forget to give your retirement plan some attention too. A mid-year review can help you make adjustments while there’s still plenty of time to act before the end of the year.

This month’s planning sessions can help answer questions like:

  • Am I maximizing my retirement contributions before the year is over?
  • If I’m 50 or older, am I taking advantage of catch-up contributions?
  • How can I plan ahead for any major expenses coming later this year?

Every employee has the opportunity to go through comprehensive financial planning sessions and receive a customized financial plan illustrating your goals. If you have a spouse or significant other, they are encouraged and welcome to attend as well.

Advisors from HUB Investment Partners are available to meet virtually to:

  • Answer questions about your retirement plan.
  • Provide financial advice to help achieve short-term and retirement goals.
  • Offer holistic financial planning.
Click Here to Schedule a Virtual Meeting with an Advisor

Have you been meaning to change, or begin, your contributions to your retirement account? Visit the Retirement Saving page to get started.

It’s Black Joy Week – You are Invited!

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Mark your calendars for a week of community, fun, and JOY!

Black Joy Week Fundraiser

This year’s celebration will also include a special opportunity to recognize and celebrate the incredible work and recent successes of Cradle Kalamazoo, whose mission is to “reduce infant death and promote respect for families, women, and their children.”

We are inviting members of our community to make a donation to this worthy cause to support this important and meaningful work. Every contribution, big or small, helps sustain efforts to reduce Black infant mortality in our county and ensure that all babies, especially Black babies, can thrive in our community. Make your gift by June 19 and receive a Black Joy Week tshirt!

Learn more about the Cradle Kalamazoo Fundraiser.

Select the dates below for more details

Monday, June 1: Black Joy Week Picnic

Lower Quad: 11am – 1pm

Like years past, kick-off Black Joy Week with music, good food, and more! Hamburgers, hot dogs, and some sides. 

Tuesday, June 2: 3 v 3 Basketball Game (Register now!)

Anderson Athletic Center: 4:30pm

Sign-up or come watch! 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals and prizes will be awarded to the winning teams + bragging rights!

Rules: 3-4 people per co-ed team with at least 1 female on the court at all times.

Sign-up by June 1, 2026

Wednesday, June 3: Paint, Punch, Popsicles

Quad (rain: Hicks): 11am – 1pm

Spark joy and rejuvenate yourself through art and somatic movement! 

Join us for painting or joyful movement with Heather Mitchell. Students are welcome to paint a canvas, small flowerpot, or tote bag.

Thursday, June 4: Throwback Thursday

Quad: 11am – 1pm

Don’t miss dancing with the Black Student Organization (BSO)! Music will be provided by our very own Dr. Ron Dillard.

Friday, June 5: Scavenger Hunt

All over campus: All day

Start The Hunt!

Team up and take on a campus‑wide scavenger hunt filled with clues, challenges, and surprises. Whether you’re in it to win or just to explore, this is all about connection, laughter, and discovery.

Hot tip: there may be some great prizes in store for scavenger hunt winners!

THANK YOU for making Black Joy Week happen!

Black Joy Week could not be accomplished without the hard work, love, and care from our community.

  • Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership
  • Chemistry & Biochemistry Department
  • Black Student Organization (BSO)
  • Center for Civic Engagement
  • Coach Nick Giard
  • Human Resources
  • Information Services
  • Intercultural Center
  • President’s Office

Final Reminder: Help Shape Future Faculty/Staff Engagement

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

THANK YOU to the 80+ faculty and staff who already participated in the campus engagement survey

This survey is an opportunity to share your perspective on faculty and staff activities—what’s working, what’s not, and where we can make engagement more meaningful, accessible, and cost‑effective. Your feedback directly helps inform future decisions that shape our campus experience.

A few things to know:

  • The survey takes about 5–7 minutes to complete
  • Participation is voluntary and all questions are optional
  • Responses are anonymous, unless you choose to share identifying information
  • Ideas of all sizes are welcome and valued


The survey closes May 1, 2026. You are encouraged to add your voice and help guide future engagement efforts.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and for everything that you contribute to our community.

Human Resources

Summer Hours 2026

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Spring term has started, snow is gone, and trees are waking from their slumber.
It must be time to announce 2026 Summer Hours!

Regular business hours between June 15, 2026 through September 4, 2026 will be:
Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – 2:00 p.m + 3 paid hours

There is no reduction in the amount of paid time, however the workweek is reduced by 3 hours during summer hours.
Visit the link below for more details.

sunshine
Summer Hours

2026–27 Holiday Schedule Now Available

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

We’re happy to share that the 2026–27 Kalamazoo College Holiday Schedule is now available on the Human Resources website.

The holiday schedule outlines all College‑observed paid holidays and holiday break days for the upcoming fiscal year. Employees are encouraged to review the schedule when planning time off, coverage, and personal calendars for 2026–27.

👉 View the full 2026–27 Holiday Schedule

A Few Helpful Reminders

  • Paid holidays apply to benefit‑eligible employees who are scheduled to work on the day the holiday is observed.
  • Holiday eligibility and pay follow the College’s Holiday Policy and Procedures.
  • Holidays that occur during approved vacation time do not count against vacation balances.

As always, the Human Resources team is here to help. If you have questions about holiday eligibility, scheduling, or paid time off, please contact HR at human.resources@kzoo.edu.

We wish you a wonderful year ahead at K!

HR Buzz: Access Free Virtual Doctor Visits with Amwell

Posted on by Miasha Wilson

Taking care of your health just got easier—and more convenient.

Did you know that you have access to free virtual doctor visits through Amwell? Whether you’re feeling under the weather, need quick medical advice, or simply want to avoid a trip to urgent care, Amwell provides a simple, accessible way to connect with a healthcare provider from the comfort of your home.

What is Amwell?

Amwell is a telehealth platform that allows you to connect with board-certified doctors via phone, tablet, or computer. Appointments are available 24/7, making it a great option for both planned and unexpected healthcare needs.

Through Amwell, you can receive care for a variety of common concerns, including:

  • Cold and flu symptoms
  • Allergies
  • Sinus infections
  • Minor skin conditions
  • General medical questions
What’s the Benefit?

Employees can access virtual visits at no cost by using the coupon code:

ASRCOPAYWAIVED

This means no copay for eligible visits—making it even easier to prioritize your health without worrying about out-of-pocket costs.

How to Get Started

Getting started is quick and easy:

  1. Visit the Amwell website or download the Amwell app
  2. Create an account (if you don’t already have one)
  3. Enter your insurance information
  4. Apply the coupon code ASRCOPAYWAIVED at checkout
  5. Connect with a provider

That’s it! In just a few steps, you can be on your way to receiving care.

Why Use Virtual Visits?

Virtual care is a great option when:

  • You need care outside of regular office hours
  • You want to avoid exposure to illness in waiting rooms
  • You’re traveling or unable to visit your primary care provider
  • You need quick answers without the wait

It’s healthcare designed to meet you where you are.

A Simple Way to Stay Well

We understand that balancing work, life, and health can be challenging. Resources like Amwell are here to support you by making care more accessible, flexible, and convenient.

If you’ve been putting off a visit or just need quick medical guidance, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of a valuable benefit—at no cost to you.

If you have any questions about your benefits or how to access Amwell, please feel free to reach out to us in Human Resources at HR.Benefits@kzoo.edu or 269.337.7225.