UMass HR Insider—February 2025 | Volume 3, Issue 2
Content
We Are a Health Promoting University: February Is National Heart Month
In honor of National Heart Month, we’ve got tips, insights, and resources to help you take care of your heart in every way. Whether you're looking to boost your physical fitness or manage stress and emotions, we’re here to guide you toward a healthier, happier you.
- University Health Services (UHS) is the on-campus health care center of UMass Amherst, serving students, faculty, and staff, as well as their domestic partners, spouses, and dependent children. UHS is open seven days a week during the academic semester and Monday through Friday during intersession.
Enjoy healthy eating options at Hampshire Dining Commons. Hampshire prides itself on providing health-conscious food choices, sustainability, world flavors, and community. It offers a variety of options, including a vegetarian line, gluten-free options, noodle bowls, hand-rolled sushi, authentic street food, a grill station, and much more. Dining on campus isn’t just for students—did you know UMass employees can purchase a meal plan and enjoy award-winning dining as well?
As UMass employees, you have access to Recreation and Wellbeing (RecWell), offering a wide range of programs designed to support your health and fitness goals. Whether it's taking advantage of state-of-the-art facilities, participating in fitness classes, or engaging in wellness programs, we encourage you to prioritize your health and make time for exercise, both on and off campus. Learn more about employee RecWell memberships here.
Go take a hike! Amherst and its surrounding towns boast beautiful scenery, often best viewed from the peak of a hiking trail. We are fortunate enough to have access to countless hiking spots, all within a short drive from campus.
The Employee Counseling and Consultation Office (ECCO) is a free and confidential counseling, consultation, and referral service that assists employees in resolving personal, work-related, and family problems.
Workplace Learning and Development (WLD) has many resources devoted to stress and wellness. WLD-certified coaches are happy to meet individually with staff and faculty for consultations.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion hosts a variety of Employee Resource Groups that facilitate employees’ connections around shared identities.
UMass is committed to helping you live a healthier, happier life—inside and out. Let’s make Heart Health Month the start of a full year of wellness!
Tax Season Is Here: W-2 Wage and Tax Documents
W-2 forms are now available on HR Direct. If you haven't opted for electronic-only delivery, your W-2 will be mailed to your home. Learn more.
New2U Thrift Store Grand Opening
Don’t miss the grand opening of the New2U Thrift Store in Hampden 205 today from 1–2 p.m. (open until 5 p.m. for Valentine’s shopping!). Access the store via the Southwest Concourse on the second floor of Hampden, just left of the main lobby.
Enjoy refreshments, meet our new student team, and celebrate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Run by students and staff and supported by Facilities, Campus Services and many other campus partners, New2Uis in its 10th year and continues to offer affordable, gently used items while diverting more than 100,000 pounds from landfills.
GIC Annual Public Information Sessions Now Online
In preparation for open enrollment, April 2–May 1, 2025, the MA Group Insurance Commission (GIC) held public information sessions on January 28 and January 30. Visit the GIC's 2025 Annual Public Information Sessions webpage to download the Public Information Sessions Presentation and watch a recording of these sessions.
Be sure to check your UMass email as GIC open enrollment approaches. The university and GIC will share more information as it becomes available.
UMass Amherst Attends the All-Industries Job Fair Hosted by MassHire
UMass Amherst recently participated in the All-Industries Job Fair hosted by MassHire at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. With over 400 job seekers in attendance, representatives engaged with applicants from a variety of fields, including dining, facilities, IT, advising, and student affairs. Many former employees also stopped by to share positive feedback about their experiences at the University.
The event offered a valuable opportunity to connect with the local community, enhance the University's partnership with MassHire, and promote brand awareness.
Looking ahead, UMass will attend another job fair today at Greenfield Community College, reinforcing our commitment to being a leading employer in Western Massachusetts. Do you know someone who might be interested in working at UMass? Let them know we’re here for GOOD!
It’s Beneficial: Computing Discounts for Faculty and Staff
Discounts on computers and technology, as well as many other products and services, are available to UMass Amherst faculty and staff through the UMass Compass program (powered by Corestream). Learn more here.
Workplace Learning and Development
LinkedIn Learning: Rock Your LinkedIn Profile
Explore how to create a LinkedIn profile that brings your personal career story to life, whether you’re just starting out or seeking to advance your career. Rock on!
Staff Competencies For the Common Good
With the release of the 2024-2034 Strategic Plan, WLD has reviewed the resources available in LinkedIn Learning and selected courses, guided by the goals outlined in the plan. Learn more.
Navigating Change With WLD
Workplace Learning and Development can help your team and department navigate change. Our consultants guide your team through workplace change by designing and implementing tailored change management solutions, including custom sessions and retreats. Would you like to learn more? Visit our website and reach out to schedule some time to discuss your team's current change challenges.
Your Learning Journey Starts with Workplace Learning and Development at UMass Amherst!
Elevate your skills and take the next step in your professional development journey.
New Supervisor Orientation
Are you a new supervisor or new to supervision at UMass Amherst? Complete this self-paced Canvas course to learn the basics of supervising and gain an understanding of your responsibilities, how to build positive relationships, provide feedback, set expectations with your staff, and more! Enroll today.
Unlock the Power of Canva: Boost Your Creativity
UMass Amherst now offers all staff and faculty the professional version of the graphic design tool Canva. While Canva is intuitive, mastering its features can elevate your design work. Training can help you make the most of this versatile platform, whether for personal projects or professional growth, and the Partnership for Worker Education will be providing training in the new year. We invite campus staff to take just 60 seconds to let us know how you intend to use Canva. We will use this information to better customize our overview and training sessions for you! Take the survey.
In the meantime, you can dive in with these LinkedIn online tutorials to begin designing like a pro!
Canva Essential Training (Two hours, 23 minutes)
Canva: Designing Engaging, Accessible Presentations (One hour, 10 minutes)
The Partnership for Worker Education
Opening Reception—Institute for Applied Life Sciences/Building Bridges Special Projects Installation and Random Acts of Kindness Campaign
Thursday, February 20, 2025, 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Location: LSL S330-340, Conference Center
As the Building Bridges team prepares for its eighth annual Showcase Event, the initiative's Worker Artists Group is launching their annual Random Acts of Kindness Through Art campaign. This year, the campaign will launch in conjunction with the opening reception of a special projects installation at the Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS). This special installation features the creative work of 12 Building Bridges Worker Artists and can be viewed in the Life Science Laboratories. Learn more.
The annual Random Acts of Kindness campaign aims to bring joy through handmade, meaningful art, continuing the tradition of promoting positivity on campus. Attendees can view the artwork, pick up free art and meet the artists.
Call for Makers 2025: Building Bridges Showcase Event on April 1
The Partnership for Worker Education invites all UMass staff members to share their creative work in the 2025 Building Bridges Showcase Event. The event will take place on April 1 at the Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts, organized by the Showcasing Worker Artists at UMass group and the PWE.
We want YOU to define how creativity how creativity appears in your life. Whether it's sand art, gardening, woodworking, mixed media, journaling, food making, bookbinding, painting, drawing, songwriting, storytelling, metalwork, fly tying, knitting, poetry, music, or anything else, we encourage you to share your work with us.
Please fill out this short survey by Friday, February 28, 2025. Or contact nchangamire [at] umass [dot] edu (subject: ) (Nyari Changamire) with any questions.
Career Opportunities—Tell a Friend
Human Resources Business Partner I (Hybrid)
The College of Natural Sciences (CNS) seeks a dedicated and dynamic Human Resources Business Partner I (HRBP I) to join their collaborative team. Reporting to the Human Resources Business Partner II in the Dean’s Office, the HRBP I will support an academic grouping within CNS, ensuring smooth and efficient HR operations while contributing to short- and long-term strategic goals.