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Services available for university faculty and staff impacted by layoffs

The Office of Human Resource Services regrets that the current budget circumstances have resulted in a number of employee layoffs at the University of Florida. This is a difficult time for individuals directly impacted by the layoffs. We also understand that the impact is felt by concerned colleagues and by the campus community at large. Our office is committed to providing helpful service during this time. A web site has been created with critical information related to the decisions that have been made at the university, how the layoff process works, and the available services for impacted employees. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.

Consultants available to help employees with 403(b) retirement planning

Investment company representatives are on-site on a regular basis at the HRS Building, 903 W. University Avenue. Please refer to the schedule below if you wish to call for an appointment.

AIG Retirement
1-800-892-5558, x87260
Mondays

Fidelity
1-800-550-4068
June 19, July 23

TIAA-CREF
1-877-267-4510 x5109  
June 9-11, July 15-17

Representatives from ING and MetLife are available to meet with you at a location of your choice. Please call to schedule an appointment.

ING
(352) 372-1802

MetLife
(352) 371-7638

Blue Cross/Blue Shield members can purchase discounted bicycle helmets

Summer is just around the corner and Blue Cross and Blue Shield has an exclusive arrangement with SafeTech, a division of Troxel Helmets.

Members can purchase bike helmets at savings of up to 40 to 50 percent off the regular retail price. Prices start at just $8.00. Use the Safety Helmet Order Form and fax or mail it with your payment (check or credit card) to the address/fax number on the form. For more information contact UF Benefits at 392-2477 or benefits@ufl.edu.    

Partners in Democracy

The University of Florida is collaborating with the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office by reminding faculty and staff of important election dates and deadlines as well as information on updating personal voter registration, early voting, and voting by mail.

You must register to vote at least 29 days prior to an election to be eligible to vote.

Primary Election - August 26

  • Register to vote or change your party affiliation by July 28
  • Early voting starts August 11

General Election - November 4

  • Register to vote by October 6
  • Early voting starts October 20

Online registration and updates

Florida law requires voters to keep their legal residence address current with the Elections Office and to vote in the precinct of their legal residence.

You may register to vote, update your voter information, or update your signature online.

The success of this partnership will produce informed voters and increase the number of citizens available to work at the polls.

Save gas! Alternative transportation options available for faculty and staff

With all the buzz about gas prices and climate change in the news, you may wonder what you can do to cut your gas consumption. Whether you pick the bus, carpooling, or even walking, picking an alternative form of transportation to get to, from, and around campus is a great way to help out and save some cash. 

To support your switch, UF will be hosting One Less Car this fall. Members of the UF community will be asked to pledge to take a form of transportation other than a single occupancy vehicle to campus at least once a month. The campaign will kick off in late October with an alternative transportation fair and One Less Car day. Registered participants will get a free t-shirt and be eligible for great prizes. In the meantime, take a moment to explore all the great alternatives UF offers to that $4.00 per gallon commute.

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Personal leave days update

If you have unused personal leave days or personal holidays, now is the time to use them. Any unused USPS personal holidays or TEAMS/faculty personal leave days not used by the end of the fiscal year will expire.

Eligible employees have until the end of the pay period in which June 30 (the end of the fiscal year) occurs–-meaning July 10, 2008, to use unused personal holidays (if USPS) or personal leave days (if TEAMS or eligible faculty). 

You can determine whether you have personal leave time to be used by following this navigation: My Self Service>Payroll and Compensation (Home)>View Leave History. Select the most recent pay period end date by clicking on it in the drop-down box. USPS employees should look for an ending balance for USPS Hol to determine if they have the 2007-08 personal holiday available to them. TEAMS employees and faculty should look for TMSFacPer and check the ending balance. If there’s a balance, it should be used by July 10.

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Seats available in summer training workshops; register today!

Registration is now open for Training and Organizational Development’s summer course offerings. This summer's schedule features the Pro3 Series, including the new Academic Department Support track; computer application training; myUFL workshops; the Supervisory Challenge; and more. To register, log on to myUFL and follow the links to “My Self-Service” and “Training and Development,” or visit http://www.hr.ufl.edu/training/schedule.asp for more information as well as a schedule of courses.

Retirement Series

This summer, University Retirement is offering informational workshops for employees who want to make informed decisions regarding their investments, retirement planning, and financial well-being. Visit the Training and Organizational Development web site to register and view a full list of classes.

GET602 Roth 403(b) Plan
This session will outline the benefits of saving for retirement using a Roth403(b) plan.

Tuesday, June 10, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., HRS Building, Room 120 

Instructors: Craig Morrison and John McAvoy, ING

Friday, July 11, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., HRS Building, Room 120  

Instructor: Kirk Kinsman, MetLife

Thinking about retirement?

University Benefits and Retirement offers the following reminders regarding separation or retirement from UF.

  • Employees who are separating from the university and receiving sick or vacation leave payments of $2,000 or more will be automatically enrolled in the Special Pay Plan. For more information, please visit the Special Pay Plan section of HRS’ web site.
  • If you are a member of the Florida Pension Plan, please remember that the eligibility window for DROP begins the first day of the month you reach your normal retirement date based on age (62 for regular class membership, 57 for Special Risk)  OR in the month following the month you reach your normal retirement date based upon your years of service (30 years for regular class, 25 for Special Risk), whichever comes first.

    The eligibility window ends 12 months after you reach your normal retirement date. Please review the DROP Brochure or visit the Retirement section of the HRS web site for more information. If your normal retirement date will occur within the next three months and you participate in the Pension Plan, please call the Retirement office at 392-2477 to discuss your options.
Employee Education Program information session offered June 16

The Employee Education Program (EEP) is a popular benefit made available to eligible UF faculty and staff. The program covers the matriculation fees of up to six credit hours of covered college-level courses for eligible employees. To better inform employees of the procedures and paperwork associated with participating in the EEP, Human Resource Services, in collaboration with the Registrar’s Office, will provide a short information session on Monday, June 16, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in Room 120 of the HRS Building.

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Experiencing a work or life-event status change?

UF employees experiencing a “qualifying status change” should contact University Benefits and Retirement as soon as possible to ensure their benefits are properly adjusted for the remainder of the plan year. Employees have only 31 days after a qualifying event occurs to make coverage changes.

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Baby Gator offering sign language classes

Baby Gator Child Development and Research Center at UF is offering sign language classes for families with young children from infancy through age five beginning July 2008. These parent-targeted strategy and activity sessions will give parents resources to begin using American Sign Language (ASL) with their children at home. The program uses a whole-child approach and supports relationship building, learning, and communication.

Classes will be held on three consecutive Saturdays beginning in mid-July for a total of four hours. Class times vary. Enrollment is limited and is open to the public; the cost is $65 per family.

If you have questions or wish to enroll, please visit the Baby Gator web site or contact Karen Shea at karenshea@ufl.edu.