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Human Resources

Category: Human Resources

Travel and Business Expense Policy Change

Effective July 1, 2019, the following will be added to the Lawrence University Travel and Business Expense Policy. 

PER DIEMS

LU recognizes that use of a per diem may be preferable in exceptional circumstances. The use of a per diem could be both an exception to the requirement of receipts and, potentially, to the daily maximum meal allowance. When authorized, per diem rates can be provided to cover lodging, meals and incidental expenses, or meals and incidental expenses only. 

In these circumstances, the per diem use must be authorized in writing and in advance by the Provost or a cabinet member and by the Controller.  When proposing a per diem for travel expenses, the requestor must include an attachment provided by Financial Services that outlines the following:

  • a justification for the use of a per diem;
  • the basis for determining the proposed per diem rate that will not exceed the federal per diem rate for the location of travel
  • the specific days to be worked away from home;
  • the location of where the services will be performed;
  • the business purpose of the travel, and,
  • if applicable, a sponsoring agency’s authorization to use a per diem.

Process Change – Staff Performance Review Timing

Staff Performance Review Timing

In February 2019, the Performance Review Taskforce, comprised of staff from across campus divisions, began meeting to discuss performance reviews and the process at Lawrence.  The taskforce finalized their recommendations regarding format, frequency, and timing of our review cycle in April.    

Supported by the recommendation of the taskforce, the University will move the time of year in which performance reviews will be completed.  While the complete details are still being finalized, annual staff performance reviews will move to the late fall/early winter timeframe.

As we approach the end of the fiscal year, it remains a good time to reflect upon both successes and opportunities for growth.  This reflection may include completing a full performance evaluation, but please note that both a self and supervisor evaluation will be included in the new process later this year.  If needed, it may be advantageous to have an abbreviated performance discussion in lieu of completing a full performance evaluation this summer.

We look forward to sharing more information regarding the updated performance review process.  Your HR Representative would be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns as we navigate this change in process.     

Accounts Payable Year End Reminder

As we approach FISCAL YEAR END JUNE 30, 2019, please be reminded of the following :

  • In order to allow the Financial Services office to prepare for Lawrence University’s annual audit, we ask that you approve invoices for the fiscal year ending 06/30/19and have them to the Financial Services office by Friday, July 12th. Any invoice received in our office after July 12th will be entered into the 2019-20 fiscal year regardless of the date on the invoice or the date of the delivery of the product or service. If you are expecting an invoice that needs to be posted to the 2018-19 fiscal year, but have not received it by the deadline, please contact Financial Services to work out a solution.
  • Unless there has been a consistent alternate posting method for a routine vendor invoice that Financial Services is aware of, invoices will be entered in the fiscal period for which the delivery of the product or service relates. For example, if an invoices is dated June 25th, 2019 but is for a services that will be provided after July 1st, the invoice will go to the next fiscal year. Conversely, if the invoice has a date of July 5th, 2019 but was for services provided prior to June 30th, that invoice will be posted back to the 2018-19 fiscal year.  Purchases or services that are to be reflected as June 30, 2019 expenses need to be purchased and received by June 30, 2019. 
    • Purchases WILL be considered made/paid by June 30, 2019 if they are purchased on an LU purchasing credit card, regardless of whether the item/service has been received by June 30
  • Down payments will not be considered an expense as of June 30, 2019.
    • LU has to be in receipt of the item purchased by June 30, 2019 to be considered a valid expense to hit the books as of June 30, 2019.
  • It is NOT necessary that the invoice be in hand by June 30, 2019; however, Financial Services needs to be made aware that the expense is to be dated for fiscal year June 30, 2019 if it will not be clear on the invoice when the invoice is received after fiscal year end. 
  • If you have a specific invoice for which you would like to make an exception, please contact Brandie Jewett X6542 or Amy Price X7164 with any questions.

Process Change – Staff Performance Review Timing

Staff Performance Review Timing

In February 2019, the Performance Review Taskforce, comprised of staff from across campus divisions, began meeting to discuss performance reviews and the process at Lawrence.  The taskforce finalized their recommendations regarding format, frequency, and timing of our review cycle in April.    

Supported by the recommendation of the taskforce, the University will move the time of year in which performance reviews will be completed.  While the complete details are still being finalized, annual staff performance reviews will move to the late fall/early winter timeframe.

As we approach the end of the fiscal year, it remains a good time to reflect upon both successes and opportunities for growth.  This reflection may include completing a full performance evaluation, but please note that both a self and supervisor evaluation will be included in the new process later this year.  If needed, it may be advantageous to have an abbreviated performance discussion in lieu of completing a full performance evaluation this summer.

We look forward to sharing more information regarding the updated performance review process.  Your HR Representative would be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns as we navigate this change in process.     

Travel and Business Expense Policy Change

Effective July 1, 2019, the following will be added to the Lawrence University Travel and Business Expense Policy.  This addition to our policy was needed to work within the constraints of federally funded grants that the University receives.

PER DIEMS

LU recognizes that use of a per diem may be preferable in exceptional circumstances. The use of a per diem could be both an exception to the requirement of receipts and, potentially, to the daily maximum meal allowance. When authorized, per diem rates can be provided to cover lodging, meals and incidental expenses, or meals and incidental expenses only. 

In these circumstances, the per diem use must be authorized in writing and in advance by the Provost or a cabinet member and by the Controller.  When proposing a per diem for travel expenses, the requestor must include an attachment provided by Financial Services that outlines the following:

  • a justification for the use of a per diem;
  • the basis for determining the proposed per diem rate that will not exceed the federal per diem rate for the location of travel
  • the specific days to be worked away from home;
  • the location of where the services will be performed;
  • the business purpose of the travel, and,
  • if applicable, a sponsoring agency’s authorization to use a per diem.

Last Call for the Collaborative

There is still time to confirm your attendance for the Learning at Lawrence Collaborative. Please join us to learn from staff and faculty members on topics revolving around how we interact as a community, function together, and ways in which we can become a more cohesive and inclusive community.

The Collaborative is on June 19, 2019 at 8:00am – 12:15pm in the Warch Campus Center. The confirmation of attendance, and to find more information on each session head over to our webpage here.

Collaborative Schedule
Time Activity
8:00 – 8:35 AM Morning Social with Refreshments
Somerset
8:35 – 8:45 AM Travel to Breakout
8:45 – 9:30 AM Concurrent Breakout Session:

Freshman Studies
Somerset
Garth Bond, Elizabeth Carlson,
Julie Haurykiewicz & Tim Spurgin

Accessibility as Inclusiveness
Esch/Hurvis
Kimberly Giertz- Karis, Jedidiah Rex,
& Jay Dansand
9:30 – 9:45 AM Travel to Breakout
9:45 – 10:30 AMConcurrent Breakout Session:

The Guiding Principles of Respect
Somerset
Shaniqua Crawford

Who’s in Charge Here? Shared Governance
at Lawrence University
Esch/Hurvis
Jake Woodford
10:30 – 10:45 AM Break/Travel to Breakout
10:45 – 11:30 AM Concurrent Breakout Session:

Non Binary Gender & Bathrooms
Somerset
Helen Boyd Kramer  

Self-Care: Developing Your Wellness Plan
Esch/Hurvis
Rachel Hart & Katie Huskey  
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM Light refreshments & Evaluation Somerset

Process Change – Staff Performance Review Timing

Staff Performance Review Timing

In February 2019, the Performance Review Taskforce, comprised of staff from across campus divisions, began meeting to discuss performance reviews and the process at Lawrence.  The taskforce finalized their recommendations regarding format, frequency, and timing of our review cycle in April.    

Supported by the recommendation of the taskforce, the University will move the time of year in which performance reviews will be completed.  While the complete details are still being finalized, annual staff performance reviews will move to the late fall/early winter timeframe.

As we approach the end of the fiscal year, it remains a good time to reflect upon both successes and opportunities for growth.  This reflection may include completing a full performance evaluation, but please note that both a self and supervisor evaluation will be included in the new process later this year.  If needed, it may be advantageous to have an abbreviated performance discussion in lieu of completing a full performance evaluation this summer.

We look forward to sharing more information regarding the updated performance review process.  Your HR Representative would be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns as we navigate this change in process.     

Still Time to Confirm Your Attendance to the Collaborative

There is still time to confirm your attendance to the Learning at Lawrence Collaborative. Happening on June 19, 2019 from 8:00 am – 12:15 pm.

This year’s theme will focus on Community. Topics will revolve around how we interact as a community, function together, and ways in which we become more cohesive and inclusive.

Please confirm if you are attending here

Collaborative 2019 Schedule:

TimePresentation
8:00 – 8:35 AMMorning Social with Refreshments
8:35 – 8:45 AMTravel to Breakout
8:45 – 9:30 AMConcurrent Breakout Session:

Freshman Studies

Accessibility as Inclusiveness

9:30 – 9:45 AMBreak/Travel to Breakout
9:45 – 10:30 AMConcurrent Breakout Session:

The Guiding Principles of Respect

Who’s in Charge Here? Shared Governance at Lawrence University
10:30 – 10:45 AMBreak/Travel to Breakout
10:45 – 11:30 AMConcurrent Breakout Session:

Non Binary Gender & Bathrooms

Self-Care: Developing Your Wellness Plan
11:30 – 12:15 PMLight Refreshments & Evaluation

Topics & Presenters

FRESHMAN STUDIES

Garth Bond, Elizabeth Carlson, Julie Haurykiewicz & Tim Spurgin

ACCESSIBILITY AS INCLUSIVENESS

Kimberly Giertz-Karis, Jedidiah Rex & Jay Dansand

THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF RESPECT

Shaniqua Crawford

WHO’S IN CHARGE HERE? SHARED GOVERNANCE AT LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY

Jake Woodford

Non Binary Gender and Bathrooms

Helen Boyd Kramer

SELF-CARE: DEVELOPING YOUR WELLNESS PLAN

Rachel Hart & Katie Huskey

Learning @ Lawrence

Please join us for the Learning at Lawrence Collaborative on June 19, 2019 from 8:00 am – 12:15 pm.

This year’s theme will focus on Community. Topics will revolve around how we interact as a community, function together, and ways in which we become more cohesive and inclusive.

Please confirm if you are attending here

Collaborative 2019 Schedule:

TimePresentation
8:00 – 8:35 AMMorning Social with Refreshments
8:35 – 8:45 AMTravel to Breakout
8:45 – 9:30 AMConcurrent Breakout Session
9:30 – 9:45 AMBreak/Travel to Breakout
9:45 – 10:30 AMConcurrent Breakout Session
10:30 – 10:45 AMBreak/Travel to Breakout
10:45 – 11:30 AMBreakout Session
11:30 – 12:15 PMLight Refreshments & Evaluation

Topics & Presenters

ACCESSIBILITY AS INCLUSIVENESS

Kimberly Giertz-Karis, Jedidiah Rex & Jay Dansand

THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF RESPECT

Shaniqua Crawford

WHO’S IN CHARGE HERE? SHARED GOVERNANCE AT LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY

Jake Woodford

FRESHMAN STUDIES

Garth Bond, Elizabeth Carlson, Julie Haurykiewicz & Tim Spurgin

SELF-CARE: DEVELOPING YOUR WELLNESS PLAN

Rachel Hart & Katie Huskey

August 5 Campus Closure

Facility Services will be conducting maintenance on the University’s transformers throughout the weekend of August 3-4, 2019.  As a result of this maintenance, the campus will be closed on Monday, August 5. 

Employees will be paid for their full regularly scheduled hours that day.  Employees paid on an hourly basis should enter their regularly scheduled hours into the Paid Time Off line on their timesheets.  No timesheet adjustments are required for salaried employees.

Please contact Facility Services should you have questions or concerns around the details of this outage.