I&S Employee Newsletter - November 2022

Dear Infrastructure and Sustainability team,

It’s hard to believe, but the end of the semester is right around the corner. I encourage you to use the university's resources as we navigate the holiday season. Health and Wellness Services offers all staff self-care workshops, training, and counseling services. Campus is supporting staff wellness with this self-care assessment, which is designed to help you better understand your relationship with well-being, what works for you, how to achieve your goals, and how to mitigate the stresses that come with work and personal matters. Please be mindful of your self-care needs over the holiday season.

There is exciting momentum regarding equitable solutions and climate action as we approach the end of the year. The Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, taking place December 1–4, will focus on specific actions aligned with local, national and international efforts to address climate change and human rights. Registration is live! I encourage supervisors to allow for staff attendance, so please communicate about scheduling if you are interested in attending.

CU Boulder also began developing a Climate Action Plan (CAP) last month. The CAP is in its earliest phase and as it evolves, there will be opportunities to take part in the conversation. Your participation will help us achieve our university climate goals, harvest new ideas and foster campus support to aid the university's goal of achieving climate neutrality.

It is a great privilege to be a part of the Infrastructure and Sustainability family. I look forward to having members of our team get involved in the university’s efforts around climate action. Thank you for the work you do, and take good care of yourselves this holiday season.

With gratitude,

Chris Ewing, interim vice chancellor for infrastructure and sustainability

Employees enrolled in the CU Health Plan (High Deductible) are eligible to maintain a Health Savings Account (HSA). An HSA is a savings plan where you save tax-free money to be used for qualifying medical expenses. HSA contributions can be updated any time throughout the year, but fall open enrollment is your opportunity to make new changes effective on January 1. Current HSA enrollees can elect to update their contributions for 2023 in response to IRS contribution limit increases, or take no action and current contributions will continue as before. Enroll in an HSA or update your HSA contributions for 2023 between November 14 and December 2. Watch your email for details!

As you notice I&S employee(s) working to make the campus a better place to work, study, or visit, please consider nominating them for one of several awards. Individual staff winners will receive a plaque and a $100 Visa gift card. Student winners will receive a certificate and $25 Visa gift card. Team winners will receive a group meal or a party. Learn more about the annual awards categories and nominate a colleague or a team here.

As the end of the year approaches, we know many of you are already planning your holiday schedules. Last summer, Chancellor DiStefano announced that the university would close campus offices from December 25 to January 1 annually for winter break. This year, that includes paid holiday leave for three of the five work days during that time, with staff using two days of vacation leave. Like last year, Infrastructure and Sustainability employees will be given 16 hours (prorated for part-time appointments) of administrative leave to be taken between December 25 and January 1 so you will not need to use your own vacation leave.

Monday, December 26 (holiday)

Tuesday, December 27 (holiday)

Wednesday, December 28 (see below for how to enter your time )

Thursday, December 29 (see below for how to enter your time)

Friday, December 30 (holiday)

CU Boulder will resume campus operations on Monday, January 2, 2023.

We realize that essential services employees may be required to work during that week to ensure continued operations of building systems and other critical needs. Please rest assured that any holiday time or administrative leave days that you are unable to use due to these work requirements can be taken at a different time in coordination with your supervisor. Individuals who are required to work during the break can flex holiday and administrative days. Flex days should be used between November 7 and February 15. Please discuss with your supervisor how you would like to flex these days.

Administrative leave granted by Interim Vice Chancellor Chris Ewing should be entered as follows:

FAMIS users 

• Work order: TADLV
• Pay code: ADLV – the pay code will default to ADLV in FAMIS, do not change that default
• Comments: add the comment “winter break leave” into the comment field

Please reach out to your supervisor or Tanya Patzer if you have any questions regarding winter break leave.

You’ve worked hard for the University of Colorado, and if you’re contemplating retirement, we want you to know how CU can work for you. At first glance, making these foundational plans for your upcoming retirement might feel overwhelming. Employees are urged to begin planning their transition into retirement three to five years before their anticipated retirement date. A crucial part of that planning includes taking steps to ensure your ongoing benefits coverage. 

The Retirement Ready site offers resources to simplify retirement planning. As your retirement plan develops, there are university checklists for both 401(a) and PERA to use in the months leading up to your retirement.

If you are within two to three months of your retirement date, it is essential that you schedule an appointment to discuss your eligibility and options with a benefits professional. Email benefits@cu.edu to schedule your appointment.

Medicare Open Enrollment is fast approaching, and commercials for Medicare plans are everywhere. CU faculty and staff nearing retirement age who are covered by a CU Health Plan may be surprised to learn they are not required to enroll in Medicare. Be sure to examine all your options and compare them to your CU Health Plan before enrolling. Learn more on the Active Employment and Medicare Eligibility site.

CU Boulder Property Services will hold a public auction of surplus property and equipment on Saturday, November 5. Items will be available for preview beginning at 8:00 a.m. and the auction will begin at 9:00 a.m. Auctions are held on the east side of the CU Distribution Center at 3300 Walnut Street. Please enter through the back of the building.

Thursday, November 3 is set aside specifically for CU Boulder departmental viewing and purchasing via speedtype. To best serve our campus, we want to give CU Boulder departments a chance to acquire surplus items before they go on sale to the public. Preview times for CU Boulder departments are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Friday, November 4 is set aside for a public preview of items from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Items may not be purchased at this time.

State of Colorado (including CU) employees are welcome to preview items on Friday and participate in our live auction on Saturday.

For more information, contact Randy Gibbs or call (303) 492-1120.

How long have you been working at CU? I have been with the university for seven years.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Supporting and spending time with family and friends.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you. I like to build computers in my spare time.

What do you love about CU Boulder? I really enjoy the opportunity to speak with the researchers on campus. It is fascinating the different types of research that go on within our community.

What are you currently reading? I am currently reading “The 5th Sun”. It is the history of the Aztec people and told through their own words.

Universities have a unique composting challenge simply because of the volume of material that needs to be processed. Being familiar with what is and what isn’t compostable is the first step to improving the health of our compost streams. A quick and easy rule of thumb is this: if it was alive in your lifetime and would decompose quickly, then it’s compostable. If you’re unsure of whether or not an item is compostable, it’s best to throw it out. We can solve this issue by working together toward our common goals of reducing our carbon footprint and being more sustainable. Read more compost tips here.

“Sue Norton joined the Utility and Energy Services (UES) team before the Covid shutdowns, and helped the entire UES team through the logistics of working from home and working on site. She has also led the planning of recent renovations to EDEP for the addition of the Operations Control Center to the building. Sue is always there for anyone who needs assistance. I personally want to acknowledge her for her constant desire to help me with anything I need, whether it be helping me navigate the Concur system, or keeping me up to date on office communications. She has been an invaluable addition to UES!” 

In recognition of Sue’s efforts, she was awarded the Star Award in the month of September and received a $75 gift card from the I&S Employee Recognition Committee. Congratulations Sue!

"Electronics Specialist John Kline is currently attending STOP (Safety Training Observation Program) classes. Following his first class, John inspected the ladders his team uses and noticed the ladders were worn and needed to be replaced. Since John was concerned a worn ladder may lead to a potential safety hazard for one of his team members, he took the initiative to order new ladders. Proper equipment is critical for our safety, and John has set the example to make sure his team has safe and updated equipment. He learned from his STOP classes and previous work experience, the importance of observation each day for his team’s safety."

In recognition of John’s efforts, he was awarded a Safety Award in the month of October and received a $25 gift card from the Facilities Management Safety Committee. Congratulations to John for taking the initiative to keep his team safe!

With Health and Wellness Services' transition to Strategic Resources and Support, check out some of the activities available, from Rec Center memberships to massage therapy, pharmacy pickups, trauma counseling and more.

We’ve added some new ways for I&S employees to earn points this quarter in the Kazoo (now called WorkTango) online recognition platform:

• Cornerstone – sign off on your personal performance management plan (earn 25 points)
• Get your flu shot (earn 25 points)
• Report a facilities safety hazard (earn 25 points)
• Nominate a colleague for an annual award (earn 50 points)

Once you log into the platform, click on the ‘incentives’ tab on the left column, then click on the ‘earn’ button to let us know which incentives you have completed. Log on and recognize your colleagues today.

All CU employees have access to one-on-one financial planning consultations with a TIAA professional. Appointments are available as online video sessions, over the phone and now in person. Whether you’re enrolled in a TIAA or PERA plan, schedule your appointment today!

NEW HIRES

• Stephanie Yearwood, Campus Building Services, Lead Custodian
• Dev Chaudhary, Campus Building Services, Custodial Program Manager
• Elizandro Gonzales, Distribution Services, Materials Handler
• Trisha Jernberg, Operations Control Center, Service Dispatcher 
• Mark Van Den Abbeele, Transportation Services, Campus Bus Driver
• David Byrne, Jr., Planning, Design and Construction, Sr. Project Manager
• Joshua Porosky, Planning, Design and Construction, Sr. Project Manager
• Suky Yasui, Campus Building Services, Custodian
• Devin Hammett, Environmental Health and Safety, Hazardous Materials Specialist 
• Joan Jenkins, Environmental Health and Safety, Hazardous Materials Specialist
• Jon Schneider, Campus Building Services, Custodian
• Padma Lhamo, Campus Building Services, Custodian
• Sarah Kaiman, Environmental Health and Safety, Chemical Safety Officer
• Alex Hughes, Outdoor Services, Groundskeeper
• Kevin Steen, Outdoor Services, Groundskeeper
• Eric Suggs, Transportation Services, Campus Bus Driver

PROMOTIONS/TRANSFERS

• Jessica Bradley, Facilities Management, Director of Facilities Services
• Bee Mahathongdy, Campus Building Services, Lead Custodian
• Wesley Henson, Maintenance and Operations, Electronic Security System Specialist
• Alexander Evangelista, Maintenance and Operations, Metal Worker/Welder
• Henry Gugler, Housing Facilities, HVAC Technician 

MOVING ON

• Kirk Headrick, Campus Building Services, Custodian
• Jasper Elkins, Campus Building Services, Custodian 
• Heriberto Alvarenga, Campus Building Services, Custodian