UMass HR Insider—April 2025 | Volume 3, Issue 4

Content

HR Is Here for You—Now at UMass Downtown!

Where Campus Spirit Meets Community Connection

Located at 108 N. Pleasant St., UMass Downtown is a vibrant spot where campus spirit and community connection come together. It’s a place for lectures, meetings, readings, performances, and other small events. You’ll also find a boutique retail space with new and classic UMass favorites curated by the UMass Store. In addition to events and shopping, it doubles as a campus welcome center during regular business hours for the community.

Human Resources is now on-site at UMass Downtown every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—no appointment is necessary!

Services Include:

• Application Assistance
• CORI Verifications
• General Interview Guidance
• Onboarding Support

Whether you're a job seeker, a new hire, or simply curious about exploring opportunities at UMass, HR is here to help you every step of the way. Learn more about UMass Downtown.

Open Enrollment: Through May 1, 2025

It’s that time of year again! Open enrollment is our once-annual opportunity to enroll for, cancel, or change GIC health insurance coverage; enroll (or re-enroll) in a Flexible Spending Account; or enroll in the GIC Buy-Out Program. Here’s what you need to know:

GIC Health Insurance

This is your opportunity to enroll, cancel, or make changes to your health insurance plan and/or dependents. Not registered for the MyGIC Portal yet? Now’s the time to do it!

GIC Flexible Spending Accounts

You can enroll or re-enroll in the Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) and Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP). Just a heads-up—annual re-enrollment is required to continue your coverage.

MetLegal Insurance

If you’re interested in MetLegal insurance, you can enroll or cancel coverage easily online through Corestream/Compass.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Interested in long-term care coverage? You can get a quote from Trustmark, the university’s LTC insurer. Watch for emails coming from Trustmark with more info.

Please note: Open enrollment in April and May does not apply to dental insurance. For more details, check out your dental plan’s webpage.

UMass Black Presence Social + Black Advisory Council Kickoff

OEI proudly invites faculty and staff to the spring relaunch of the Black Advisory Council at UMass!

Led by the Black Advisory Council (BAC), this gathering will feature spring 2025 updates from the BAC along with the unveiling of new initiatives and updates from the W. E. B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies, as well as explore the visionary plans for the former Malcolm X Cultural Center. Do not miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and celebrate Black presence at UMass Amherst. Join us as your schedules allow; refreshments will be provided. For more information and accommodations, please contact amlanejr [at] umass [dot] edu (subject: ) (Arnold Lane (he/him)). 

Wednesday, April 23, 4–6 p.m.
Berkshire Hall in the former Malcolm X Cultural Center
RSVP today

Keep Your Emergency Contact Info Up to Date

Did you know that the Emergency Contacts page in SPIRE plays a crucial role in your safety? It lists the name, address, and phone number of the person (or people) who should be contacted on your behalf in case of an emergency.

Since SPIRE and  HR Direct are primary sources of information for most campus offices, it's essential to make sure your emergency contact information is complete and current. Take a moment today  to add an emergency contact if you haven’t already, and review your existing information to ensure it’s up to date. It’s a small step that could make a big difference.

Matching Volunteers with Nonprofits: Find the Right Fit for You!

Are you interested in volunteering at a nonprofit organization? Do you want to share your skills or learn new ones? The UMass Amherst Community Campaign (UMACC), UMass Downtown, and the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region are cohosting a fast-paced (think speed dating) event to match volunteers with nonprofits. Whether you're looking to give back or learn more about local causes, this event is for you!

Limited to 20 UMass faculty and staff, it will take place May 8 from 5:30–7 p.m., with networking from 7–7:30 p.m. Register and learn more here. 

We're Here for GOOD! Wins Prestigious Educational Advertising Award

We’re proud to share that UMass Amherst Human Resources and University Relations have received a Gold Award in the 40th Annual Educational Advertising Awards for our impactful marketing campaign, We’re Here for GOOD!

This national recognition celebrates excellence in marketing and communications across higher education. This year’s competition was especially competitive, with more than 2,000 entries submitted by over 1,000 colleges, universities, and schools from all 50 states and several countries.

The judging panel—composed of experienced higher education marketers, creative directors, and advertising professionals—recognized We’re Here for Good for its originality, creativity, and strategic execution.

Created to recruit and retain top talent, the campaign employs a broad multimedia strategy— including digital ads, television, radio/streaming audio, and more—to make a strong and lasting impact across the Pioneer Valley and beyond.

In addition to its external reach, the campaign also seeks to foster internal engagement, encouraging all of us across campus to take pride in our shared mission and actively participate in recruitment efforts.

Workplace Learning and Development (WLD)

Explore New Learning Opportunities – For You and Your Team

At UMass Amherst, your growth matters. Whether you're looking to sharpen your own skills or strengthen your team's dynamics, Workplace Learning & Development has you covered.

For Individuals: From skill-building workshops to career development resources, our Individual Development offerings are designed to match your unique learning goals. Choose your path, follow your curiosity, and grow with intention.

For Teams: Boost collaboration and performance with customized Team Development programs that foster communication, trust, and shared success.

Start exploring today—and take the next step in your professional journey.

The Partnership for Worker Education

Building Bridges Showcase Celebrates UMass Worker Artists

The 8th annual Building Bridges Showcase took place on April 1 at the Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts, drawing hundreds from the UMass and local community. The day-long event featured the creative talents of over 90 UMass staff members, with workshops, live demonstrations, performances, and a stunning range of artistic works—from stained glass and quilting to poetry, music, and medieval costumes.

The exhibit also included large-scale displays by Our Immigrant Voices, sharing personal stories through participatory action research.

A heartfelt thank you to our 40+ campus co-sponsors, union partners (PSU, USA, and AFSCME), and core Building Bridges collaborators: the Partnership for Worker Education, Human Resources, Equity and Inclusion, and Civic Engagement & Service Learning. Special thanks to John Solem for the event photography.

Learn more about Building Bridges.