UMass HR Insider—October 2025 | Volume 3, Issue 10

Content

Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025: Stay Safe Online

This October, UMass Amherst is joining in Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025, with the theme Stay Safe Online. Cybersecurity awareness helps protect personal information, institutional data, and the university’s digital infrastructure.

Key Security Tips 

For more details, resources, and weekly updates, visit UMass’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month page.

Systemwide Cybersecurity Training Required for All UMass Employees 

Recently, UMass Amherst employees received an email announcing the launch of the university’s new systemwide cybersecurity training course, Security Awareness for End Users. 

All employees are required to complete this 30-minute training within 30 days of receiving the assignment. The course can be accessed directly through the “View Assignments” link in the email, or by clicking here.

This cybersecurity training is required annually as part of the new fiscal year’s compliance cycle. It is separate from the training assigned last February and from the version completed by new employees during onboarding. For questions about the requirement, email compliance [at] umass [dot] edu (subject: ) (compliance[at]umass[dot]edu).  

Generative AI at UMass: What You Should Know

Using ChatGPT, Copilot, or another AI tool for your work or academic tasks? You are not alone—but you must be careful about what you put into those tools. Free versions of AI tools don’t always safeguard your data.

UMass Amherst classifies data into levels to guide where and how information may be used: 

• Level 1 (Public) — safe to share
• Level 2 (Internal) — stay inside UMass systems
• Level 3+ (Sensitive or Confidential) — handle with heightened protection 

If you need to use AI for work or coursework, use the UMass GenAI Platform or Microsoft Copilot (via NetID). Both are cleared for internal and sensitive data use.

To learn more about these tools and their appropriate use, visit UMass IT’s GenAI Products page. 

Save the Date: UMass Football Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night!

Join UMass Football for an evening of campus spirit and community at Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 7 p.m., as the Minutemen take on Northern Illinois on national TV!

All UMass Amherst employees, families, and friends are invited to celebrate together at McGuirk Alumni Stadium and take advantage of a special $10 package that includes both a game ticket and a parking pass. Show Your UMass Pride!: Bring friends, family, and coworkers—and let’s pack the stands and cheer for the Minutemen!

Get your tickets: www.umassathletics.com/appreciation 
Purchase deadline: November 12, 2025, at 7 p.m. 
Want to attend as a group?: Departments or offices can purchase ticket blocks to sit and tailgate together. Call the UMass Athletics Ticket Office at 866-UMASS-TIX to coordinate. 

Join Pack the Pantry: Campuswide Food Drive | November 1–18

From November 1 through November 18, join Pack the Pantry, a campuswide food drive supporting ASC@UMass: The Campus Pantry, located at 472 North Pleasant Street (lower level). The Campus Pantry provides free groceries to support the basic needs of UMass students, faculty, and staff. 

This initiative is organized by the UMass Amherst Community Campaign (UMACC), Basic Needs Initiatives, and UMass Athletics. 

Your donations will help stock the pantry and support the initiative of the UMass student–athletes as they compete against the University of Buffalo to see which school’s student–athletes can collect the most food items for a local organization fighting hunger.  

We’re collecting nonperishable, easy-to-eat items that are especially useful for people with limited kitchen access. Popular items include: 

• Soups and pasta with pull-tab lids
• Instant oatmeal and cereal bars
• Snacks and single-serve items like applesauce or noodles 

Find donation bin locations and sporting events where you can drop off food here. 

If you’d like to organize a collection in your office or department, please contact bridgethynes [at] umass [dot] edu (subject: ) (Bridget Hynes) or jengallant [at] umass [dot] edu (subject: ) (Jen Gallant).

Let’s work together to support well-being campuswide at UMass!  

Pickleball Meetup for Faculty and Staff 

RecWell invites faculty and staff to an early-morning pickleball meetup every Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. The program runs from September 19 through December 5 on Court 1 at RecWell.

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, making it easy to learn and enjoyable for players of all abilities. These weekly sessions offer a chance to stay active, sharpen reflexes, and connect with colleagues in a fun, low-pressure environment.

All skill levels are welcome. Bring your sneakers and a paddle if you have one, or borrow equipment at the court.

For details or to sign up, contact Jeff Smith at jbsmith [at] umass [dot] edu (subject: ) (jbsmith[at]umass[dot]edu).

Perks and Discounts: Enjoy the Benefits of Working at UMass Amherst!

Did you know that as a UMass Amherst employee, you have access to a variety of perks and discounts? These benefits are available to support you in both your personal and professional life.
 

Learn and Grow with Workplace Learning & Development

Workplace Learning and Development (WLD) offers opportunities for UMass Amherst employees to learn new skills, strengthen communication, and grow in their careers. Through interactive workshops and programs, WLD helps individuals and teams build confidence, improve performance, and support a positive workplace culture. 

Check out a few upcoming sessions open to all employees this month: 

De-Mystifying the Performance Management Cycle 
Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 10 a.m. 
400 Venture Way, Room 125 
With Danielle Johnson 

What is performance management? What are the policies and procedures at UMass? Join this workshop to learn about performance management, the different steps, and tips and tricks on navigating it as an employee and supervisor. 

Mindful Tech Use 
Monday, October 20, 2025, at 1 p.m. 
Zoom 
With Gordon Hall 

It’s easy to overlook how much time we spend using computers and smartphones. This session offers a thoughtful discussion on how our tools shape us, how to make the best use of their strengths, and how to manage their drawbacks. 

Use This One Word to Diffuse Any Tension or Conflict! 
Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 9 a.m. 
400 Venture Way, Room 125 
With Melissa Scheid Frantz 

A single word can help ease tension and reduce conflict. In this workshop, you’ll learn and practice using “I messages” to express your needs, feelings, and thoughts without blame—helping create understanding and open communication.    

Veterans Day Breakfast: Honoring Those Who Have Served

The UMass Veterans Affinity Group invites all student and employee veterans of the Armed Forces to a Veterans Day Breakfast on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the Old Chapel, Great Hall.

Join fellow veterans for a complimentary breakfast and the opportunity to connect with those in the UMass community who have served. The program will include remarks from Veterans Affinity Group members and special guest speaker Maj. Gen. Sean Collins, Air National Guard Assistant to the Air Force Surgeon General.

RSVP by 5 p.m. on Monday, November 3.