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Human Resources

Category: Human Resources

Judge issues injunction postponing effective date of FLSA overtime rules

Late yesterday, Nov. 22, a U.S. District Court judge from Texas issued a preliminary injunction postponing the effective date of the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) changes to overtime rules. The judge issued the injunction in response to a legal challenge brought by a coalition of more than 50 business groups and 21 state attorneys general. It is expected the Department of Labor will appeal this ruling quickly, however it is uncertain how long the appeal may take.

Lawrence has already made the changes necessary to comply with the new overtime rules. At this time, we will proceed with the changes as they are put in place. We will continue to monitor the progress of court actions and communicate as we have new information.

If you have any questions, please contact your human resources representative.

Important holiday payroll deadlines

As we look ahead to the holidays, the payroll office wanted to remind you that the Lawrence campus will be closed the week of Dec. 26 and, since payroll falls during that week, adjustments to the time sheet submission/approval process will need to happen.

Below is a timeline of important dates to ensure the Dec. 30 payroll processes smoothly:

  • Thursday, Dec. 22: submit timesheet for approval to supervisor by 4 p.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 23: supervisors approve time sheets by 8 a.m.
  • Monday, Dec. 26–Friday, Dec. 30: campus closed for holiday
  • Friday, Dec. 30: payroll date

Also, the payroll on Dec. 30 will not have any benefits withheld, as this fiscal year we have 27 pay periods (instead of 26) and we chose this payroll to be the one to not withhold benefits—Happy New Year!

To meet the needs of campus during the week of Dec. 26, a small number of employees will need to work (e.g., grounds, security). Those who work during this week should have been notified by their managers to establish their work schedules and discuss paid time off alternatives.

We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

 

Careers at Lawrence

The following job openings are available. If you are interested, please apply online or send a resume to humanresources@lawrence.edu. View full job postings on Lawrence’s job website.

  • Assistant director of major and planned giving
  • Assistant director of alumni constituency engagement
  • Custodian, Warch Campus Center
  • Accountant
  • Head men’s soccer coach
  • Director of alumni admissions engagement, associate director of admissions
  • Assistant baseball coach (hitting)
  • Custodian
  • Tenure-track assistant professor, cello
  • Tenure-track assistant professor, voice
  • Assistant professor of ethnic studies
  • Postdoctoral fellow in Jewish studies
  • Campus safety officer

Faculty and staff appreciation gathering

Take a break from your day, gather together and have fun socializing over music, food and beverages. We want to take this time to relax and reflect on the accomplishments of each team member over the past year; such great work has been done. Thank you for everything you do to make Lawrence a great place for students, faculty and staff!

Please join us Nov. 28 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Warch Campus Center’s Somerset Room.

RSVP by emailing human resources.

New hires: Nov. 9

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

  • Amber Nelson, associate director of annual giving
  • Craig Thomas, systems and data services library
  • David Derfus, custodian
  • Lindsay Kehl, HR generalist
  • Zakiya Ciesielczyk, associate director of annual giving

Reminder: President’s Award of Excellence nominations due Nov. 17!

REMINDER to submit your submission for the President’s Award of Excellence. The award recognizes staff members who continually go above and beyond for the betterment of Lawrence.

You may nominate a staff member from your own department or another department by Nov. 17 (note new due date). Nomination forms are available on the PAE page and must accompany a one- to three-page, typed testimonial describing how the employee encompasses the award criteria.

The nomination form can be submitted by one of the following methods:

Email: Excellence@lawrence.edu
Fax: 920-993-6026
Interoffice mail: Rochelle Blindauer, Human Resources
Hand deliver: Rochelle Blindauer, Brokaw Hall Room 108

If you have additional questions, please see the President’s Award of Excellence FAQ page or contact Rochelle Blindauer at 920-832-6541.

Reminder: Submit your President’s Award of Excellence nominations

REMINDER to submit your submission for the President’s Award of Excellence. The award recognizes staff members who continually go above and beyond for the betterment of Lawrence.

Nominees must meet the following conditions:

  • Is an active, regular full- or part-time staff member with a minimum of one year of service (senior administrators, faculty, student workers/students and staff with less than one year of service or casual, temporary or leased/contracted employees are not eligible for nomination)
  • Exhibits consistent demonstration of the award criteria
  • Demonstrates and maintains consistent job performance that exceeds expectations while displaying high levels of commitment, stewardship and respect

You may nominate a staff member from your own department or another department by Nov. 11. Nomination forms are available on the PAE page and must accompany a one- to three-page, typed testimonial describing how the employee encompasses the award criteria.

The nomination form can be submitted by one of the following methods:

Email: Excellence@lawrence.edu
Fax: 920-993-6026
Interoffice mail: Rochelle Blindauer, Human Resources
Hand deliver: Rochelle Blindauer, Brokaw Hall Room 108

If you have additional questions, please see the President’s Award of Excellence FAQ page or contact Rochelle Blindauer at 920-832-6541.

Careers at Lawrence

The following job openings are available. If you are interested, please apply online or send a resume to humanresources@lawrence.edu. View full job postings on Lawrence’s job website.

  • Executive assistant for the Office of the VP for Student Affairs
  • Director of alumni admissions engagement
  • Assistant baseball coach (pitching)
  • Assistant director of athletics fundraising
  • Associate director of parent giving
  • Tenure-track assistant professor, vocal coach
  • Custodian
  • Tenure-track assistant professor, cello
  • Tenure-track assistant professor, voice
  • Assistant professor of ethnic studies
  • Postdoctoral fellow in Jewish studies
  • Campus security officer

Summary of Lawrence Retirement Readiness Plan changes

As you know, Lawrence made several changes to our retirement program, effective Jan. 1, 2016. The Office of Human Resources wanted to provide you with an update on some things that have—and have not—changed, to give you an update on some of these changes and to clarify some questions about the plan.

 

What Has Changed

What Has Not Changed

Number of plans and plan name

Lawrence used to maintain two separate plans: The Lawrence University Defined Contribution Plan and The Lawrence University Tax Deferred Plan.

We have merged these plans into a single plan: renamed The Lawrence University Retirement Readiness Plan.

The retirement plan provides for Lawrence contributions on your behalf and also offers you the opportunity to save for your retirement, up to maximum amounts set by the IRS.

Record-keeper

Previously, the plan used two record-keepers: TIAA and Fidelity.

We have selected Transamerica as the sole record-keeper for the plan.

Note: Transamerica will report all assets that are still with TIAA and/or Fidelity, however have no control over TIAA and/or Fidelity funds.

Investing your contributions

Amounts you contributed before Jan. 1, 2016 remain with the investment funds you have selected. Amounts you invested with TIAA funds remain invested in the TIAA funds you selected. Amounts you invested with Fidelity funds remain invested in the Fidelity funds you selected.

All amounts contributed after Jan. 1, 2016 will go into the new plan and be invested in funds offered through Transamerica.

You may direct that amounts invested with TIAA or Fidelity be transferred to Transamerica, but this is your decision.

 

New hires and new positions

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

  • Lauren Barnes, gift processing specialist (Development)
  • Christian Kortens, campus safety officer (Campus Services)
  • Chelsea Hamesiter, assistant men’s and women’s swimming coach (Athletics)
  • Alisa Jordheim, lecturer in music (Conservatory)
  • Aleeh Schwoerer, Conservatory tour and outreach coordinator (Conservatory)
  • Rudi Pakendorf, director of major and planned giving (Development)