Category: Announcements

January 2024 Live Webinars

Posted on by Miasha Wilson

Dear Colleagues,

Below is the TIAA webinar information for the upcoming month.  To register, please click on the appropriate link or visit TIAA.org/webinars at any time.

Quarterly economic and market update: understanding volatility and recent trends

Hear from our chief investment officer about challenges investors are facing and tips on how to navigate them.

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

12:00 p.m. ET

Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4424776/42118FAF2F24F5E8F997A3C562E21557

Invest for success: Five principles you need to know

Start the New Year off right! This webinar can help you understand the key principles of investing for retirement. From compounding to taxes to choosing investments, you’ll learn that how you invest for retirement is just as important as how much you save.

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

2:00 p.m. ET

Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4424780/55EDEC762869A10AAD5F71F1585448FA

Take control of your financial life: Five steps to managing money and debt

Start the New Year off right! If you’re just starting out or want to improve your day-to-day financial skills, this webinar will help you learn how to manage your money and balance your priorities so you can enjoy life now and save for the future.

Thursday, January 18, 2024

3 p.m. ET

Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4431683/BFEAC3141FA0C46990DFD3BD1701387B

Cybersecurity/identity theft protection for elders

Are you concerned about identity theft and your family’s security online? TIAA’s Information Security team will discuss how elders can protect themselves and their families from cybercriminal social engineering.

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

1:00 p.m. ET

Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4428214/22581EAA24C67EABCEC4EFF4F9EBEE44

Be well,

Miasha Wilson

HR Manager

HR Buzz: New Concierge Service for Employee Benefits

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Do you have questions regarding how a procedure will be covered under our health plan? Or maybe a puzzling explanation of benefits? Enrolled in the Black Plan and want to know when the College’s MRA should be applied to a service?  Or just tired of all the red tape and confusing language? 
We hear you!

Benefits Concierge

616.541.1245
concierge@acrisure.com

8:00am – 5:00pm ET, Monday – Friday
Pro tip Save as a new contact!

K College is proud build on our relationship with Acrisure to deliver employee benefits concierge services. Connect with a dedicated contact, Ginger, who can walk you through any question or concern you have with your employee benefits. Whether you have a difficult question or you just need a little guidance, confidential and professional assistance is just a call or email away. Leave the complex issues to our exports while you focus on being your healthiest self.

Calls are returned by the end of the business day. Calls placed outside of business hours are returned the following business day. During the initial conversation you will receive a resolution timeline.

HR Buzz: November Live Webinars

Posted on by Miasha Wilson

Below is the TIAA webinar information for the upcoming month.  To register, please click on the appropriate link or visit TIAA.org/webinars at any time.

Prepare for your future: A guide to saving and investing

Developed for anyone interested in making a comprehensive plan! This webinar covers core concepts of investment strategies, taking on life’s challenges, a financial personality type quiz and goal setting.

Wednesday, November 1. 2023

12:00 PM EDT

Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4325978/091C1E36C64CAFBF1DA7BD6DA3BFD2A2

Create a legacy: Your guide to charitable giving

Understand the strategic differences between gifting during life or at death, the tax impacts of each and how to maximize your charitable donations. This webinar offers tips for choosing organizations to benefit and determining what asset type to donate.

Thursday, November 2, 2023

3:00 PM EDT

Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4326010/C17BE5C8EE421A2BB13B092068325560

Take control of your financial life: 5 steps to managing money and debt

Learn how to manage your money and balance your priorities so you can enjoy life now and save for the future. This webinar covers balancing income and expenses, creating a spending plan, debt strategies and building your credit score.

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

2:00 PM EDT

Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4326037/9681F47D2948CDA3099FEE038F8ABFA7

Invest for success: Fine-tuning your retirement strategy

If you’re in or near your peak earning years, move beyond the basics to build a secure retirement. This includes adopting a saving lifestyle, avoiding pitfalls that can sabotage your saving and planning carefully before retiring.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Noon EDT

Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4326043/102AC817004BFDE391CBDCA955CCCF74

Each month we will post TIAA’s webinars here so that you can reference them. If there are any questions or concerns, please reach out to hr.benefits@kzoo.edu.

Be a quitter

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Effective January 1, 2024, Kalamazoo College is a smoke and tobacco-free campus, as was announced at the Fall All-Campus Gathering.

Kalamazoo College aspires to provide a healthy and safe learning, living, and working environment. Community-centered individual decisions aligned with public health guidance play an important role in supporting our collective health. We call upon each other to intentionally support K’s steps toward an enhanced culture of health and wellness. Community members will have opportunities for involvement to further support our culture of wellness, including awareness events and activities.

Questions

To whom does this policy apply?

This policy applies to all employees, temporary employees, students, clients, all visitors (e.g., vendors), consultants, independent contractors, and/or their employees on College property.

Where does this policy apply?

The Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus Policy applies to all College property and College-owned vehicles, regardless of the location. This includes all sites whether owned or leased. The only excluded areas are public sidewalks and public roadways that border the campus.

Is vaping permitted under this policy?

No, vaping is not permitted under this policy. In addition to traditional forms of tobacco consumption, the policy includes any electronic smoking device, whether manufactured, distributed, marketed, or sold as an e-cigarette, e-cigar, e-pipe, e-hookah, dab rig or vape pen, or under any other product name or descriptor.

Is smokeless tobacco permitted under this policy?

No, smokeless tobacco is not permitted under this policy. Smokeless Tobacco includes chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco (dip), snuff, nasal tobacco (snus) and/or any other variation of smokeless tobacco products.

What kind of assistance is available to quit using substances under this policy? How would nicotine patches be viewed under this policy?

Kalamazoo College is strongly committed to supporting individuals to become nicotine-free. If you would like assistance in quitting, please contact or visit the resources provided.

Nicotine replacement therapy products (e.g., nicotine patches, gum) for the purpose of cessation are permitted provided they do not give the appearance of smoking.

Contact Renee Boelcke or Haley Mangette with questions.

Resources

QuitAssist (R)
Become an EX Smoker
MI Tobacco Quitlink
Smoke and Tobacco-Free Policy
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Fall All-Campus Gathering

Free, delivered COVID tests return

Posted on by Renee Boelcke
COVID tests

As of September 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.

Highlights

  • Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of free at-home tests through https://www.covid.gov/tests.
  • A “set” includes four (4) individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.
  • Orders will ship free through USPS starting the week of October 2, 2023.
  • No credit card is needed.
Place your free order

Expiration Dates Extended

Tests may show “expired” dates on the box, but FDA has extended those dates; see the full list of extended expiration dates.

How do I find you?

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

New students and colleagues arrive at K all year, with most people arriving to campus as the trees show off their beautiful hues and the night air becomes crisp. Help keep the Departmental Phonebook up to date so that students and colleagues know how to locate you.

Pro Tip: Not sure if your campus information needs to be updated? Search for yourself in the Departmental Phonebook. If the results are accurate, no action is needed. If the results are not accurate, select the button below.

Update your campus information

Congratulations and Thank you!

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

Did you see that Forbes included Kalamazoo College as a Best Small Employer?

Forbes Ranks K Among Best Small Employers
Great article! Thank you, Andy Brown!

This is an important recognition for all of us – every decision that we make every day contributes to the K culture. Moments of kindness matter! Sometimes those moments feel big and sometimes those moments feel smaller. Every. Moment. Matters.

  • Continue to strive for excellence
  • Embrace your Hornet pride
  • Ask how a colleague or student is doing
  • Hold the door

Thank you and Congratulations!

HR Buzz: Embracing an Attitude of Gratitude – Let’s Appreciate and Thrive Together!

Posted on by Renee Boelcke

As we navigate through the ups and downs of life’s journey, it’s important for us to take a moment and reflect on the power of gratitude. We are reminded about the incredible impact that an attitude of gratitude can have on our workplace environment and our collective success.

Gratitude is not just about saying “thank you” for the sake of politeness; it goes far deeper than that. It is a mindset—a lens through which we view the world, our colleagues, and the opportunities presented to us. When we embrace gratitude, we cultivate an environment of positivity, respect, and appreciation. It allows us to recognize and celebrate the efforts of others, fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity within our community.

Expressing gratitude is not limited to grand gestures; it can be as simple as acknowledging a job well done, offering a kind word of appreciation, or taking a moment to listen and empathize with a colleague. By showing genuine gratitude, we uplift one another, boost morale, and support a workplace that inspires collaboration, creativity, and growth.

In the midst of deadlines, challenges, and the ever-evolving demands of our roles, it can be easy to overlook the many fortunes that we have. However, by consciously practicing gratitude, we develop resilience, perspective, and an ability to find joy in both the big and small wins.

All of us are encouraged to take a moment each day to reflect on the positive aspects of our work, the support we receive from one another, and the opportunities we have to make a difference. Let’s make gratitude an integral part of our interactions, not only during meetings or special occasions but also in our day-to-day interactions. Remember, a heartfelt “thank you” can have a profound effect on someone’s day and inspire them to continue giving their best.

Together, let’s fully commit to a workplace culture that thrives on gratitude—a culture where appreciation and recognition are woven into the fabric of our team. By embracing an attitude of gratitude, we will not only enhance our own well-being but also contribute to a stronger, more harmonious work environment that propels us towards greater achievements.

So, write the note, send the kudos, and be the change that you want to see.

Thank YOU!