Natalie Mireles

The following colleagues have been hired or rehired within the last weeks. If you see them on campus, please welcome them to Lawrence!

Sara Curtis – Staff Counselor (Wellness Services)

Sam Lee – Custodian (Custodial)

Eric Momberg – Head Fencing Coach (Athletics)

Victoria Wood – Diving Coach (Athletics)

Lindsey Wyngaard – Wellness Services Office Coordinator (Wellness Services)

The following colleagues have recently moved to a new position within Lawrence. Please take the time to congratulate them on their new position!

Jodie Bonikowske – Assistant Director of Campus Services – Warch Campus Center (Warch Campus Center)

Did you know our Employee Assistance Program, ERC, provides free webinars and live talks on various topics? Here is what’s coming up this month:

• Resiliency Today: Managing Strong Emotions – November 5th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
  • Go beyond identifying emotions and learn state-of-the art techniques and real strategies to help stay cool when in the grip of strong emotions.
• Parenting Your Child with Special Needs – Communication – November 10th from 12:00 – 1:00pm
  • This talk will provide insights, tips, and tools for building and maintaining successful conversations to improve the results of communication in any relationship or setting you may find yourself.
• Financial Wellness: Social Security Retirement Income – November 11th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  • Learn strategies to maximize benefits, how to calculate them and other important factors to consider.
• Parenting Your Teen: Friends & Family – November 12th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  • Discuss communication breakdowns, rewards and the importance of communication as well as best practices and advice for families with teens.
• Your Healthy Lifestyle: Stress Busters – November 16th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  • Explore the newest research, learn what experts are saying about the impact of stress on the body and the newest techniques to manage stress.
• Caregivers Network: CARE Conversations – How to Talk to Older Love Ones, Family and Work about Your Caregiving Role – November 18th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  •  Learn how to start the conversation with an older loved one about his or her future and end of-life care and will get tips on how to be empathetic and solve challenges that you both face.
• Succeed at Work: Creating a Positive Work Environment – November 19 from 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  • Discover how teamwork, finding meaning in work, accepting responsibility and humor can all lead to a more positive work environment.
• Holiday Budgeting – November 24 from 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  • At the holidays your budget can get blown out of control. Learn how to rein in spending at the holidays and re-examine your expectations of the holidays to stay out of debt.
• The Path to Inner Peace – Recording available now
  • Would you like to walk the path to inner peace? This webinar shows you the way. We identify where to start and explore pathways to obtain inner peace.

Click here to register for any of the upcoming Webinars. To log in to their website and view more resources, use the following credentials:

• Username: ERC
• Password: ERC

The 2021 Open Enrollment period will begin on November 1st and run through November 16, 2020. Our annual Open Enrollment period provides all benefit-eligible employees an opportunity to make changes to their current coverage or enroll in coverage that was previously waived.

Open Enrollment Benefit Fair

This year we are not be able to host our annual Open Enrollment Benefit Fair as we have done in the previous years. A pre-recorded webinar will be available online along with other Open Enrollment materials. This webinar will review important plan changes and provide a summary of benefit premiums.

Please watch for additional communication as we approach the start of the Open Enrollment period.

Lawrence University is excited to offer an employee referral program which offers a referral bonus of up to $250, less taxes, for the referral and subsequent hire of a campus safety officer or custodian. If you know someone interested in either of these positions, refer them to Human Resources via the candidate referral form.

If the referred candidate is hired, the referral bonus will be paid out in two separate payments. The first payment occurs once the new employee completes 1 month of employment and the second payment occurs after they complete 3 months of employment. For more information on this exciting program and eligibility, please visit the full guidelines here. 

Did you know our Employee Assistance Program, ERC, provides free live talks on various topics? Here is what’s coming up this month:

• Caregivers Network: The Juggling Act – October 21st from 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  • 1 in 6 employees are juggling work and caring for a loved one. In this month’s talk, participants will discuss the latest research on what employees want and what employers can do to support them.
• Your Healthy Lifestyle: Living a Healthy Life – October 22nd from 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  • This month’s talk provides tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle by reducing stress, better managing responsibilities and getting proper nutrition and exercise. 
• Maximizing Your Time – October 22nd from 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  • Time management and organizational skills are essential to successfully balancing work, life and family. In this session, you will learn strategies that will make a critical difference in the quality of your work and life.
• Strong Parents, Strong Families: How to Achieve Balance – October 28th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm
  • Develop a work/life plan, improve organizational skills, find quality time for loved ones, tips for on the job, commuting and transitioning from work to home, travel and overtime, self-care, and stress management.

The 2021 Open Enrollment period will begin on November 1st and run through November 16, 2020. Our annual Open Enrollment period provides all benefit-eligible employees an opportunity to make changes to their current coverage or enroll in coverage that was previously waived.

Open Enrollment Benefit Fair

This year we are not be able to host our annual Open Enrollment Benefit Fair as we have done in the previous years. A pre-recorded webinar will be available online along with other Open Enrollment materials. This webinar will review important plan changes and provide a summary of benefit premiums.

Please watch for additional communication as we approach the start of the Open Enrollment period.

Historically, Lawrence University had held annual Personal Health Assessments (PHA) on campus as part of a large initiative to assist with managing the overall health and wellness of our employees. By participating in this screening each fall, employees also receive a medical plan premium discount for the following plan year. The University has partnered with a local health care system, ThedaCare, to conduct these assessments since 2016. Due to the recent events of the pandemic, ThedaCare had announced their decision not to conduct onsite health assessment for the safety of their medical team.

Recently, the Benefit Advisory Committee (BAC) reviewed potential options for the PHAs for the 2021 plan year. Some options included an online tool as a substitute for onsite screening, employees completing the physical health screening through their primary care provider, or completely forgoing the process for the 2021 plan year. After discussion with the BAC, the University has decided that we will not hold a PHA event during 2020 for the 2021 plan year and that all employees and covered spouses/partners will receive the medical premium credit for the 2021 plan year regardless of past participation. We understand the benefit and value of this event and want to continue providing it to our employees, in the future.

We are hopeful that by next fall we can hold a PHA on campus for the 2022 plan year. Please reach out to your Human Resources representative if you have any questions.

Historically, Lawrence University had held annual Personal Health Assessments (PHA) on campus as part of a large initiative to assist with managing the overall health and wellness of our employees. By participating in this screening each fall, employees also receive a medical plan premium discount for the following plan year. The University has partnered with a local health care system, ThedaCare, to conduct these assessments since 2016. Due to the recent events of the pandemic, ThedaCare had announced their decision not to conduct onsite health assessment for the safety of their medical team.

Recently, the Benefit Advisory Committee (BAC) reviewed potential options for the PHAs for the 2021 plan year. Some options included an online tool as a substitute for onsite screening, employees completing the physical health screening through their primary care provider, or completely forgoing the process for the 2021 plan year. After discussion with the BAC, the University has decided that we will not hold a PHA event during 2020 for the 2021 plan year and that all employees and covered spouses/partners will receive the medical premium credit for the 2021 plan year regardless of past participation. We understand the benefit and value of this event and want to continue providing it to our employees, in the future.

We are hopeful that by next fall we can hold a PHA on campus for the 2022 plan year. Please reach out to your Human Resources representative if you have any questions.

The following colleagues have been hired or rehired within the last weeks. If you see them on campus, please welcome them to Lawrence!

Elizabeth Becker – Associate Professor of Psychology (Psychology)

Nicole Chodkowski – Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology (Biology)

Donna Clementi – Lecturer of Education (Education)

Rachel Doughty – Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry (Chemistry)

Christopher Ice – Instructor of French (French and Francophone Studies)

Amber Latimer – Practices Fellow for Spiritual and Religious Life (Spiritual and Religious Life)

Gregory Milano – Visiting Assistant Professor of History (History)

Kevin Miller – Lecturer of Music (Conservatory of Music)

Mark Musser – Assistant Director of Environmental Health & Safety (Office of Campus Safety)

Jensine Paoletti – Lecturer of Psychology (Psychology)

Kristin Roach – Lecturer of Music (Conservatory of Music)

Miriam Rodriguez Guerra – Assistant Professor of Spanish (Spanish)

Jeremy Schroetter – Mail Services Courier (Information Technology Services)

Daniel Schwandt – Lecturer of Music (Conservatory of Music)

Grace Subat – Sustainability and Special Projects Fellow (President’s Office)

Anandi Silva Knuppel – Visiting Assistant Professor of Religious Studies (Religious Studies)

Jessica Sommer – Instructor of Music (Conservatory of Music)

The following colleagues have recently moved to a new position within Lawrence. Please take the time to congratulate them on their new position!

Deanna Donohoue – Associate Professor of Chemistry (Chemistry)

Jose Encarnacion – Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies (Conservatory of Music)

Dylan Fitz – Associate Professor of Economics (Economics)

Anne Haydock – Assistant Professor of Film Studies (Film Studies)

Jonathan Lhost – Associate Professor of Economics (Economics)

Michael Mizrahi – Professor of Music (Conservatory of Music)

Lavanya Murali – Associate Professor of Anthropology (Anthropology)

Melissa Range – Associate Professor of English (English)

Benjamin Rinehart – Professor of Art (Studio Art)

As we prepare for the start of the 2020-21 academic year, we wanted to provide you an update on student employment, flu vaccines, travel, and staff work arrangements ahead of the fall term.

On-Campus Student Workers from the Fox Valley

If you are the supervisor to a student worker who is living in the Fox Valley and who plans to come to campus to work, the student must take part in the campus testing. Following the test, students will receive a certificate which they will be asked to show you before beginning any on-campus work.

Flu Vaccine

Influenza vaccinations can lessen the impact of COVID-19 by helping health professionals identify unvaccinated respiratory illness sooner. Since the SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses will be circulating in our communities this fall and winter, influenza vaccinations are strongly recommended for faculty and staff.

Travel

Lawrence University will follow the guidance provided by the CDC as it relates to travel. Review the university’s travel policy for guidance on this topic.  

Staff Work Arrangements

Staff will continue to work remotely unless their duties or other needs require them to work on campus or unless they would prefer to return to campus. Certain staff positions that were able to be completed remotely may now be essential on campus when students return. If you have questions about whether your position requires you to be on campus, a discussion with your supervisor is encouraged.

Stay Informed

As conditions develop there may be changes to procedures and protocols. Please continue to visit the Planning for Fall 2020 website regularly, especially the FAQ, for the most up-to-date information, including the mechanisms in place for determining the university’s path forward in the midst of the pandemic. And be sure to read the LU Insider, which not only includes important information for all Lawrentians but also tips for and celebrations of our campus community.