Faculty/Staff News Now: Week 5 Vaccination Winners!; John Granny Dedication; Glauser School "Voices of Protest"; Trumbull Students' Art Exhibit; uConfirm Accepts Loan Forgiveness Forms; Vets Day Ceremony; Myhub; Health Screenings; Holiday Schedule

Employee Vaccination Drawing Week 5 Winners

Week five winners of the Kent State University employee vaccination drawing have been announced. Congratulations to the lucky winners!

The clock is ticking but there is still plenty of time to get vaccinated and win big bucks! Visit the COVID-19 Requirements and Guidelines to register your vaccine information and be eligible for upcoming drawings. Good luck!

Geauga Campus Holds John Granny Memorial Patio Dedication

Join Kent State University Geauga Campus as it dedicates the newly installed John Granny Memorial Patio on Friday, October 22, from 1 – 3 p.m. The ceremony will take place outdoors, near the patio, at the Geauga Campus in Burton.

John Granny was the Director of Business Affairs and Operations and worked enthusiastically for Kent State for more than 30 years. John unexpectedly passed away in July 2020. The Geauga Campus chose to memorialize John and his immense Kent State spirit by installing the John Granny Memorial Patio.

The patio will be a place for Granny’s friends and family as well as the campus community to gather, meet, or study. The outdoor space will have a hint of blue and gold (which John wore proudly) and will overlook the new Berkshire School complex – a project John enthusiastically supported.

Many Kent State current and former employees, community members, friends, and family sponsored personalized bricks that were installed in the patio’s walkways.

To join the event, RSVP by contacting Amy Murfello at amurfell@kent.edu or 440-834-3702.

Kent State Students Capture Resiliency and Purpose with “Dismissed Abilities” Art Exhibit

Kent State University students Alexa Daher and Kristyn Wagner are showcasing their exhibit, “Dismissed Abilities” at The Butler Institute of American Art now through January 3. 

The series of portraits captures the hardships of living with disabilities and thriving despite them.

Daher grew up with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSH, FSHD) and in high school was also diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. 

“Because of my FSHD it is difficult to show drastic changes in my emotions. Initially, people around me have a hard time knowing if I am happy, sad, or mad.” Daher said. “I want a way to show the public that I am happy and accepting of my disability, changing the way the media typically portrays people with disabilities.”

Daher wants to crush misconceptions that disabilities all look the same and that people with disabilities cannot live independently, care for or take help from others, be successful, or be disabled without the use of mobility aids.

She chose her best friend, Wagner, to help carry out the idea for this series.

“Since she has been there through my experiences and understands portrait photography, I felt she would be an important part in telling my story,” Daher said. 

Daher took Elizabeth Anne Babb’s Art as a World Phenomenon course last fall at Kent State’s East Liverpool Campus. For a class project, she created photographs of what it is like to live with a disability. Babb thought the project was so strong that it should be shared with more people.

“I was so moved by the imagery and the concept that I asked her if she would like to have an exhibit at The Butler Institute," Babb said. “I approached the curators there and they loved the idea." 

They worked on the show for a year and met every deadline. Babb tutored them and helped them along the way; however, she wants everyone to know how amazing these students are. 

“They need to be commended for the hard work and determination that it took to create this eye-opening exhibition,” said Babb. "Putting together an exhibit is difficult and time-consuming. They've done an incredible job."

Both Mayfield High School graduates, Daher is working toward a Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies degree with a concentration in applied business through Kent State University at Trumbull and minoring in healthcare systems management. Wagner is majoring in visual communications design and minoring in photography.

The Butler Institute of American Art is located at 524 Wick Ave. in Youngstown.

uConfirm Verifies Public Service Loan Forgiveness Forms

uConfirm is now accepting Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program forms on behalf of Kent State University employees. 

The process is as follows:

1. Send your PSLF form by email to verify@uconfirm.com  (checking on fax info)
2. uConfirm will complete the second page as well as provide an employment report.
3. The Social Service department will sign off as the authorized agent.
4. The PSLF form and employment report will be returned to you securely via email to upload to the PSLF portal.

This is a free service that may be requested at any time. If you are charged by a verifier for uConfirm's service, or if a verifier refuses to use uConfirm's service please contact uConfirm customer support toll free at 866-312-8266, or email support@uconfirm.com.

uConfirm also provides secure employment and income information to credentialed verifiers (mortgage companies, lenders, pre-employment screeners, etc.) on behalf of Kent State University. Employees can also request their own verification of employment and income reports as a free service. Look for new procedures to verify employment in an upcoming issue of Faculty/Staff News Now.

Annual Veterans Day Commemoration

All are invited to attend an in-person ceremony to pay tribute to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. A special invitation is extended to Kent State faculty, staff, students and community members who are veterans, active service members, or who have family members in the military.

Kent State will hold its Veterans Day Commemoration on Wed., Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. at Risman Plaza on the Kent Campus

The program, Honoring All Who Serve, will include:

• Flag Raising – Kent State University Army and Air Force ROTC
• Bugler – Tim Coyne
• Welcome – Master of Ceremonies Maureen McFarland
• Posting of Colors - Kent State University Army and Air Force ROTC
• National Anthem – Kent State Army ROTC Cadet Duet
• Invocation – Rabbi Michael Ross
• President’s Welcome – President Todd Diacon
• Keynote – State Representative Haraz Ghanbari
• Service Song Medley
• Retiring of Colors - Kent State University Army and Air Force ROTC
• Watch live at www.kent.edu/veteransday on the day of the event

Guests seeking an accommodation to attend this event should contact the Office of Compliance, EOAA 330.672.2038 or aa_eeo@kent.edu prior to the event date to discuss their request.

The 2022 Open Enrollment period has begun

Open Enrollment is an opportunity for full-time, benefits eligible employees to review current health plan elections and to update or make changes to ensure their benefit plan choices continue to meet their needs and those of their family.

As is the case for any Open Enrollment period, every benefits-eligible employee is strongly encouraged to log into the Open Enrollment portal, to verify their elections for the 2022 benefits plan year, review additional benefits, such as life, AD&D and LTD insurance options, and ensure that any eligible dependents have the benefit coverages you intended.  

As you are considering your healthcare plan choices for 2022, here are a few additional items:

• The university continues to offer the 85/60 PPO plan and the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Both plans offer preventive care services (i.e., routine physicals, age-appropriate screenings, etc.) with 100 percent coverage.
• The university is continuing its employer contribution to the Health Savings Account (HSA) for employees enrolling in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), ($1,100* – single coverage; $2,000 – family coverage).
• Employees enrolling into the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) for the 2022 benefit plan year must access the online Open Enrollment portal and select the Health Savings Account (HSA) option if you want to receive the employer contribution, even if you have an existing 2021 account.
• Flexible Spending Accounts require an election each calendar year. If no election is made during the Open Enrollment period, Oct. 18 – Nov. 5, no FSA (healthcare and/or dependent care) for the 2022 benefit plan year will be in effect.

Quick Resources to Assist With Open Enrollment:

• For more information on your 2022 healthcare options, visit https://www.kent.edu/hr/benefits/2022-open-enrollment.
• To view the Medical Plan Comparison Chart and Contribution Table, visit https://www.kent.edu/hr/benefits/2022-open-enrollment/medical-2022.

Accessing the Open Enrollment Portal:

• You can access open enrollment through the university’s secure Flashline web portal by logging into your Flashline account at https://login.kent.edu/ staring at 8 am, Oct. 8 through 4:59 pm, Nov. 5, 2021.
• Once logged in, under “My Dashboard”, click on the “Employee” tab, and select “Start or Review Your Benefit Elections” from under the banner or in the “Top Employee Resources” channel.

Faculty and staff with questions regarding benefit choices for 2022 may contact the Employee Benefits Office at 330-672-3107, 330 672-6947 (hotline), or benefits@kent.edu. 

Flash Your Arm by October 31 for $200

FLASH YOUR ARM EMPLOYEE WELLNESS REWARD

All full- and part-time employees who have completed at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, completed the survey and registered with Med+Proctor by Oct. 31 are eligible for a $200 Wellness Your Way reward as part of a special Flash Your Arm Employee Wellness Offering.

Flash Your Arm Wellness Rewards will be paid out within two pay cycles of your vaccine verification. All full-time, benefits-eligible employees who are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), with an accompanying health savings account (HSA) for 2021, will also have the option of having their $200 Flash Your Arm Wellness Reward deposited into their HSA. You can make this election on your survey form, if applicable.

For more information regarding the $200 Flash Your Arm Wellness Reward, bonus points eligibility for Tier 2 for 2022, and a list of frequently asked questions, visit https://www.kent.edu/hr/wellness/flash-your-arm-employee-wellness-reward.

Reminder: Know Your Numbers Health Screenings and Flu Vaccine Clinics are Underway Now! 

As part of the employee wellness program, all full-time, benefits-eligible staff and faculty are invited to attend an onsite Know Your Numbers health screening this fall. For your convenience, Employee Wellness has arranged flu vaccine clinics that align with health screenings at all campuses through December 2021. Flu vaccines are available to all full- and part-time employees, spouses/partners, and dependent children aged 18 and over. 

What Happens at the Know Your Numbers Screening? 
Kent State’s wellness partner, Be Well Solutions, will be onsite conducting the screenings, which include a finger stick blood draw, blood pressure, and height and weight measurements. Within a few short minutes, Be Well will provide you with a personalized profile that includes total cholesterol (HDL and LDL), triglycerides, blood pressure, glucose, and body mass index. This service has been provided to full-time, benefits-eligible employees for nearly eight years with excellent service ratings from employees. 

Participation in a health screening is incentivized through Tier 1 of the Wellness Your Way Rewards Program (screening can also be completed with your primary care physician). Registration is required for the onsite health screenings with Be Well Solutions. 

How to Schedule Your Appointment

1. Login to your private and secure Be Well portal. If you have never accessed the portal, follow these first-time login instructions. 
2. Once logged in, select "Worksite Screening/Flu Vaccine" under "My Appointments." Select a date and location that fits your schedule. Keep in mind that you will need to fast for eight to 10 hours prior to your health screening. 
3. You can schedule your screening, flu vaccine, and dependent flu vaccines all within the same registration. If you are only interested in receiving a flu vaccine, be sure to select the "flu shot only" link. 
4. Part-time employees can schedule a flu vaccine by calling Be Well Solutions directly at 888-WEL-SERV (935-7378).  

For more information, visit the health screening and flu vaccine web page or contact Employee Wellness at wellness@kent.edu or 330-672-0392. 

Visible Mending Workshop With School of Fashion

Bring New Life and Beauty TO Old Clothes

Do you have holes and rips in your favorite clothing? By learning visible mending techniques, you can keep clothing out of landfills and extend the usefulness of clothing while giving it your very own customer look.

Bring your garments to the second floor atrium in Rockwell Hall in the School of Fashion on Tuesday, October 26, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring your own clothing and preferred thread and yard colors. All mending supplies and instructions will be provided.

Kent State Adds Myhub from National Student Clearinghouse

The Office of the University Registrar is pleased to announce that Kent State University has gone live with Myhub, a free and secure online application provided by the National Student Clearinghouse. Myhub provides students with access to their verified education record from Kent State University and all other colleges and universities that participate in Myhub. Users can access additional self-service features that include:

   • Downloading and printing enrollment and “good student discount” certificates,
   • Adding digital credentials hosted on Credly to a Myhub learner record,
   • Accessing JoinFakt.com and signing up to earn money by taking surveys that will help shape leading brands
   
Through Myhub, students will have lifetime access to their complete academic record of enrollment and degrees earned from all participating institutions. Students will also benefit from immediate access to new capabilities and resources, which will serve them throughout their professional life as they are added to Myhub.

2021-22 December/January Holiday Schedule 

Kent State University's holiday closure schedule for 2021 will begin Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at 10:30 p.m. All offices will re-open on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

• The December biweekly pays will be on December 3, 17 and 30. The December semimonthly pays will be on December 15 and 22. 
• The January biweekly pays will be on January 14 and 28. The January semi-monthly pays will be on Jan. 14 and 31.

Employees not eligible for the paid leave include student employees, classified temporary staff, temporary agency staff, short-term unclassified appointments, unclassified intermittent appointments and employees in a lay-off status.

More information on the holiday schedule, including how employees should report time during that period, will be communicated in early December.

Labor Condition Application Notice

In accordance with 20 CFR § 655.734, Kent State University is required to provide notice that a Labor Condition Application (LCA) for H-1B Nonimmigrant Alien Worker has been led by Kent State University with the United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, United States Employment Service Certifying Officer. All LCA postings are provided for at the university's Legal Notices website.