Staff Association Council Newsletter - May 2016
Read the newsletter in your browser
Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
SAC Website
SAC Website
Instagram
Instagram

What SAC Does For YOU

Check out the SAC historical timeline for a list of issues tackled by the Staff Association Council on your behalf. Among the accomplishments: preserving Winter Break, initiating Falk Pharmacy prescription delivery, hosting an annual assembly for Pitt staff, and establishing staff access to parking on campus. 
Direct Text & Email Notifications from SAC
Sign up for text and email notifications directly from SAC by logging into the my.pitt.edu portal, click on "Profile", then "Pitt Text Message Updates", then check the box next to Staff Association Council.  You can also text "SACatPitt <your username>" to the number 41411.  We will share news and events through this portal.  This is yet another great way to stay in touch with the Staff Association Council.

GOOD TO KNOW

OPEN HOUSE AT THE CENTER FOR CREATIVITY

Please join the Staff Association Council on Thursday June 9th as we get acquainted with the University’s new Center for Creativity, located on the lower level of the University Bookstore on Fifth Avenue, between 11:30am - 1:30pm.

Register here!

Write your thoughts on the dry-erase walls, paint your masterpiece on canvas, take out your frustrations on the “thinking putty”, and print or draw your idea into reality with the 3-D printer or pens. Staff and faculty will be available at several spaces around the Center to discuss how creative pursuits can help relieve stress and increase relaxation through “play”.

This is the first event in a series which brings together University resources and speakers to demonstrate how the humanities and social sciences can help staff, faculty, and students achieve a satisfying work-life balance, when making a living while making a life is an ongoing challenge. Our next event will be on Mindfulness & Meditation Presented by Dr. Anthony Silvestre, Director of the University's new Center for Mindfulness and Consciousness Studies (CMCS) on June 28th!
 
SAC Announces Staff Award, Honors Frisch

The Staff Association Council was proud to announce the creation of The Ronald W. Frisch Staff Professional Development Award at its Spring Assembly on May 10th. The Award will provide full and part time staff from all five campuses the opportunity for financial resources to defray the costs of University of Pittsburgh tuition and fees, professional conferences, workshops and training, and other opportunities determined to provide direct benefit to the staff member’s career at Pitt.

Ronald W. Frisch, Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, has served as Staff Association Council advisor and mentor for 21 years, helping to promote SAC initiatives, ensure affordable benefits and positive staff policies, and advocate for a better staff experience.

YOU can help to foster a more productive and supportive work environment by contributing directly to the award at http://engage.pitt.edu/frischfund today!
 
Fair Labor Standards Act Update

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced changes to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), effective December 1, 2016. Please see a link to a University Times article detailing the announcement in the highlights section.

The new rule is intended to extend overtime pay requirements to more American workers. One of the key provisions raises the salary threshold under which overtime pay is mandatory to $47,476. However, there are also exceptions to this salary threshold that are applicable to many employees who work in higher education.

The University of Pittsburgh is reevaluating the exempt and nonexempt eligibility of employees. Read a memo from Senior Vice Chancellor of Business and Operations Greg Scott here.
 

Pitt Departments Tops in the World

Several University of Pittsburgh departments ranked high in the 2016 QS World University Subject Rankings with Pitt's Philosophy Department leading the way at number one in the WORLD! Read more about the Philosophy Dept.'s outstanding achievement and those of other Pitt departments here.

Hail to Pitt!
 

Commuting Alternatives
 
The Parking Services Office is collecting stories from individuals that use commuting alternatives to get to campus. This is your chance to celebrate your sustainable choices and share what you love about your commute.
 
Parking Services has a commuting alternatives story form that you can fill out here: http://pts.pitt.edu/commuting/documents/Commuting-Story-Form.pdf. The completed form can be scanned and emailed to commuting@bc.pitt.edu.

Additionally, version 6 bike maps from BikePGH are here and have neat additions, including the Healthy Ride stations and the protected bike lanes. To obtain a map, and for more information on commuting alternatives available to you contact Gina Gowins, Alternative Transportation Coordinator.
 

Opiate and Heroin Awareness

The Staff Association Council hosted a Brown Bag on Opiate and Heroin abuse and the impact it has on families and communities. The May 24th session provided resources and outreach support in an effort to raise awareness within the University community and beyond. Sponsored by LifeSolutions, the session featured panel presentation from a LifeSolutions account manager for the University, a substance abuse expert, ER Nurse/family therapist, and a University of Pittsburgh Police Sergeant. Please contact the Staff Association Council for information from the speakers if you were not able to attend.

Pennsylvania is one of several states in the Appalachia region experiencing the traumatic and tragic consequences of the country's opioid and heroin epidemic. Read more about the how Pitt's Public Health classes are advising on intervention methods from the May 12th issue of the University Times. Additionally, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently featured the first installment of a series on the crisis and how it has escalated over the past five years.
 

Staff and Faculty Summer Fitness

Faculty and staff are encouraged by the Department of Health and Physical Activity to register for summer fitness classes today! Membership to fitness classes and fitness center include over 20 class offerings, access to Trees Hall Fitness Center, personalized fitness programs, and equipment orientations.

Learn more about the Health and Fitness Program’s wide range of group classes and fitness center membership offerings here.

Get registered today! Call 412-648-8320 or e-mail befit@pitt.edu.
 
Pitt-Johnstown marks 44th Commencement

The University of Pittsburgh's Johnstown campus celebrated it's commencement ceremony at the beginning of May, during which Monty Hoffman, Pitt-Johnstown alumni class of 1983, addressed graduates with a few keys to being successful. Hoffman is the founder and CEO of PN Hoffman, an architectural redevelopment firm based in Washington D.C.

Read more about Johnstown's commencement here!

Pitt Passport login coming to University services

A new login page called Pitt Passport is coming to the University services you use every day, including My Pitt, pitt.box.com, CourseWeb, PRISM, PittSource, and more. Pitt Passport is a Single Sign-On solution that will deliver a consistent, trusted login experience across University services.

The new Pitt Passport login page will replace the variety of different login pages you currently see when accessing University services. The new page will always begin with passport.pitt.edu in the address bar of your browser, and it will look like the image below:

To learn more about Pitt Passport, visit http://technology.pitt.edu/pittpassport.
 
Staff and Faculty Pre-Travel Health Assessment Services

Planning on traveling this summer? Don't gamble on health precautions - let student health services prepare you for that family vacation or business conference. Clinical health assessments, preventative vaccinations, and wellness guidance will help make your summer carefree!

Read more about Student Health Services Pre-Travel Health and Assessment offerings here!
 
University Times Highlights
Staff members interested in receiving a digital subscription to the University Times via email should subscribe to UTDirect through the Times’ website.

 

Pitt is reviewing new overtime regulations

 

Trans student access guidelines explained

 

Pitt's top 25 non-officers in FY15

SAC honors Frisch
 

Staff Highlights
Meet May's featured SAC member Brian Deutsch!

Brian Deutsch is an Admissions Officer and Administrator in the English Language Institute.  He is responsible for processing incoming applications for international students who wish to study English as a Second Language at Pitt.   As the first point of contact for students, visitors and applicants, Brian handles inquiries from prospective students and provides student support for all manner of questions (ranging from applying for a visa to finding an apartment or paying an electric bill). He also serves as a liaison to other departments that are interested in assisting their students or faculty members improve their English skills.  As Administrator, he is responsible for processing the Institute's payments and managing purchases.  He also publishes the weekly student newsletter and manages the department’s Facebook page. Brian has worked for the University for almost five years.

His involvement with SAC?  This is Brian’s first year in SAC.  He currently serves on the External Relations Committee.  

Why did he join SAC?  Brian says, “I joined SAC to meet people across other departments who do similar things that I do. As the only full-time staff person in my particular area, I am rather isolated on a day-to-day basis and I wanted to connect with my peers face-to-face. I also wanted to learn from others the best practices for managing their particular areas and juggling all the various responsibilities.  I like that it brings together people from all over campus and advocates for the issues important to well-being of staff here at Pitt.”

What is Brian’s vision on how SAC can impact the University of Pittsburgh?   Brian says, “SAC can impact the University of Pittsburgh by inspiring and empowering its members to be the best that they can be while maintaining a healthy work-life-personal balance. The programming (sponsored) by SAC, from (the) Brown Bag presentations to volunteer opportunities, offer a richer Pitt experience away from the office and the computer screen.”

Fun Facts about Brian: Brian says, “Before coming to Pitt I lived, worked, and studied in South Korea for 4 ½  years and had the opportunity to travel throughout East Asia. I am still interested in most things Korean. Most of my time now is devoted to my two sons, ages 2 ½ years and 5 months. They're my favorite job, and we're raising them to be bilingual. I am a little embarrassed to say my oldest already speaks better Japanese than I do. I will, finally, begin coursework in Linguistics and Education here at Pitt in the hopes of completing a Master's degree while working full time.”
 
Interested in being featured? Click here to complete our featured SAC member questionnaire today!
Events and Programming
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Memorial Day Celebration

Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust, Inc. will host their annual Memorial Day celebration on Monday, May 30, 2016 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
 
The FREE event is the only celebration of this type held in Pittsburgh and is open to the public. It begins at 11:00 a.m. in the Auditorium with a reflective ceremony remembering all fallen Pennsylvanian service members from the War on Terrorism.  Pennsylvania has lost nearly 300 service members in our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. 
 
A unique attraction this year includes the 2016 U.S. Open Championship Golf Trophy Tour.  Visitors can take their picture with the trophy and have a chance to enter and win tickets to the final round of the U.S. Open. Activities throughout the day include, a special USCT Drum Corp appearance, our “Patrioteer” Challenge, and a patriotic concert performance by The Brass Roots, ensemble-in-residence, at 3:00 p.m.   Other fun activities include children’s fun house and craft area, face painting, balloon artist, costume characters, photo booth and more. Country music station Y108 will be on hand with a live broadcast from Noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the memorial and museum are free.
 
Beverages & traditional food will also be available for purchase and individuals are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to picnic on our front lawn. Visit www.soldiersandsailorshall.org for further details.
 
 

Construction Continues

The soon to be new UPMC Presbyterian is going up fast (so to speak!). SAC member Deb Downey informs us that the marketing surrounding the project says it will be completed this summer. Fingers crossed!
 
Is your department or area of campus experiencing construction, renovations, or changes to the landscape? Let your colleagues know by submitting updates to the newsletter at sac@pitt.edu. 
 

All University of Pittsburgh staff members in good standing are invited to become members of the Staff Association Council.  Please contact us if you have interest in becoming a member of the Staff Association Council.

 
Peter Adams – Critical Care Medicine
Marissa Arlet - Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Tammeka Banks - Office of Research
Susan Benton - Division of Laboratory Animal Resources
Barbara Bowers - Anesthesiology
Mario Browne - SVC Health Sciences
Camille Burgess - College of Business Administration 
Lucy Cafeo - Biomedical Informatics
Paula Carpinelli - Purchasing Services
Cindy Cercone – Physics
Angela Coldren - Research Conduct and Compliance Office
Rich Colwell - Swanson School of Engineering/IT
Tricia Connell - Office of Institutional Advancement
Monica Costlow - Biostatistics/Comparative Effectiveness Research Core
Allyson Delnore – UCIS
Brian Deutsch – English Language Institute/Linguistics
Karen Dicks - Department of Computer Science
Kenny Doty - Swanson School of Engineering/IT
Deborah Downey - Falk Library of the Health Sciences
Rick Fabean - Pharmacy
Ric Fera - Education Technology and Innovation
Diane Fleishman - Continuing Dental Education
Kathleen Hansell-Prigg – Systems Neuroscience Institute
Tami Haslett – Printing Services
Carol Hodgkiss - Nursing/Educational Technology and Innovation
Nicole Hudson – Katz Graduate School of Business
Robyne Ivory - University Library System Technical Services
Christine Jackson - Occupational Therapy
Samantha Jakiel – School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Corey James – School of Information Sciences
Michael Jandrasits - Athletic Department - Ticket Office
Sara Jones – Office of International Services
Lisa Joseph - Collections
Michele Kiraly - CSSD
Hillary Koller - College of Business Administration Career Services
Robert Kornosky Jr. – SHRS – Sports Medicine and Nutrition
Michael Laughlin - Fiscal Services
Marsha Lee – University Times
Monika Losagio – Languages and Classics Staff Support Team
James Lyle - Engineering-Information Technology
Adriana Maguina-Ugarte - Center for Comparative Archaeology/Anthropology
Nicholas Mance - Bioengineering
Meg Mayer-Costa - Student Health Service
Jonah McAllister-Erickson - University Library Services/Admin
Maura McCall – Nursing/Center for Research and Evaluation
Rocco Mercurio – Epidemiology
EJ Milarski – Alumni Relations – IA
Babs Mowery - A&S Advising Center
Beth Ann Pischke - School of Law
Brian Pasquini – CSSD
Beth Anne Pischke – School of Law
Matthew Richardson – Cross Cultural & Leadership Development
Pamela Rikstad - Swanson School of Engineering, Office of the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Lindsay Rodzwicz - Bioengineering
Bobbi Jo Rosol - Computing Services
Fiona Seels - School of Education -Technology Department
Megan Soltesz - School of Social Work
Nancy Spice - School of Pharmacy
Andy Stephany - Medicine/Research Administration
Clayton Steup - Medicine/Physician Scientist Training Program
Barbara Stolarz – Office of Child Development, School of Education
Scott Szypulski – School of Medicine – Critical Care
Peng Tang - Research/Cost Accounting
Tiwanda Taylor - College of Business Administration
Jessica Tebbets - Medicine-Orthopaedic Surgery
Alex Toner  - Archives Service Center
Michele Tschannen - Pitt Program Council
Michael Wahl - School of Dental Medicine Office of the Dean
Debora Whitfield - Dental Medicine, Office of Patient Services
Barbara Zischkau - Pitt Annual Fund
 
Copyright © 2016 University of Pittsburgh - Staff Council, All rights reserved.


unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp