UA News November 18, 2022

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four regents stand together at their last board meeting as regents

UA Board of Regents adopts FY24 budgets, union contracts during its November 10-11 meeting

The operating budget includes a $5.2 million state funding increase to build capacity to train Alaskans for the workforce, provide better service to students, attract and retain high-quality faculty, and increase financial aid opportunities.

A bluethroat in Nome. Photo by USFWS Luke DeCicco.

Gavin Migratory Bird Research Grant Applications Due by December 12

Scientists within the University of Alaska system, including graduate students and faculty members, are eligible to apply for the Angus Gavin Memorial Migratory Bird Research Grant that is now open for 2023 field season proposals.

artist rendition of future UAS Auke Bay Integrated Science Building

New Natural Sciences Building for UAS is Underway

UAS Auke Bay Integrated Science Building will create a new home for teaching and research associated with UAS' distinctive marine-oriented environmental and interdisciplinary science programs.

Screenshot from UAS day in the life UA/alaska travel TikTok promotion - a student jumps off a dock into Auke Lake on a clear day. Snowy mountains in the distance.

University of Alaska and Alaska Travel Industry Association launch joint workforce marketing campaign

University of Alaska and the Alaska Travel Industry Association, bolstered by support from Alaska Airlines, are joining forces to attract more students and employees to the state through a series of TikTok videos.

Four figures in heavy outdoor gear drill into ice amidst a snowy white expanse

Did you know that over the last 100 years the University of Alaska has built a tremendous foundation in Arctic research and education?

That foundation is our springboard for the next 100 years of Arctic leadership. Our leadership within the circumpolar Arctic is important not only to guiding policy, planning and infrastructure development, but also because we are nurturing and educating future leaders for our state.

Maxine Peterson, a small girl, stands in the snow with two adults. All three people are smiling, Maxine's mouth is wide open-happy. She holds a giant novelty check for $25,000 from Alaska 529.

Juneau third grader is winner of annual $25,000 scholarship account from Alaska 529

Alaska 529 announced Maxine Peterson was randomly selected as the winner of this year's $25,000 scholarship account giveaway. Maxine, 8, attends Kax̲dig̱oowu Héen Elementary School in Juneau, AK. Alaska 529 surprised the third grader with the announcement during a school assembly. She is the first winner from Southeast Alaska.

X'unei Lance Twitchell, a man wearing a plaid shirt, casually sitting on a desk teaching a Tlingit language class

UAS Professor X'unei Lance Twitchell Nominated for Emmy Award for his work on Molly of Denali

UAS Professor X'unei Lance Twitchell was nominated as a writer for an Emmy award for Molly of Denali (PBS Kids), awards announced Dec 10.

Human Resources News

auke lake two people on dock at uas

Important Family Medical Leave (FML) Updates

The University of Alaska (UA) has listened diligently to feedback provided by UA employees on the new Family Medical Leave (FML) process with Unum. UA and Unum have been working together to improve the FML experience and simplify the process.

a woman with short white hair stands in a classroom auditorium

Just Released: Educational Attainment Incentive Program (EAIP)

The University of Alaska is dedicated to student learning, continuing education, and the professional development of university staff.

hands on a computer

UA HR Training & Learning Opportunities

Be sure to check out the UA HR Training and Development and Benefits Upcoming Events calendars that have an assortment of offerings.

fruits and berries spread out, colorful, some squeezed to juice, white background

Livongo Program

November is diabetes awareness month. The University of Alaska and Premera work with Livongo to assist with diabetes management. If you are an employee on a UA Choice Plan and you qualify for the Livongo program, you can participate at no charge to you.

HR question of the month - text over sunset

UA HR Question of the Month: What are the timesheet submission dates impacted by upcoming December holidays?

12/4-12/17/22 - R26 - Paydate: 12/30/22 - Employees: 12/16 before 5 PM

Supervisors: 12/19 before 5 PM | 12/18-12/31/22 - R01 - Paydate: 1/13/23 - Employees: 12/30 before 5 PM; Supervisors: 1/3/23

circle image representing the state of alaska

2023 Alaska Minimum Wage Increase

The Alaska minimum wage will increase from $10.34/hr to $10.85/hr effective 01/01/23. Effective the first paycheck paid in 2023 (2023 R01), any employee earning less than $10.85/hr will have their hourly wage increased to the new rate automatically by Personnel.

illustration of hand adding bills to a bank.

Retirement Resources

Interested in meeting with a Fidelity representative one-on-one to discuss your current plan for retirement? Schedule a free virtual appointment today!

multiple rows of book spines at the library

Reminder: Updates to the HSA and 403(b) for Calendar Year 2023

The IRS has released the updated amounts for calendar year 2023 for the HSA and the 403(b). These increased rates are available beginning January 1, 2023.

snowy UAF

Reminder: UA Holiday Closures 2022

As a reminder, hard closure will be observed from December 23, 2022 - January 2, 2023. More information can be found in the Memo from Chief Human Resources Officer, Memry Dahl.

wellness clipart - sleep, yoga, healthy foods, etc.

Reminder: Wellness Rebate

The wellness rebate will be paid out with the November 18th paycheck. See our website for more information on the wellness program, or to start your activities for next year's rebate.

IT News

cookies on a computer screen with a red x over them

Beware of Bad Cookies

Cookies are one of the most delicious inventions ever, unless it's an HTTP cookie. Those, not so much. HTTP cookies are small text files that help web developers give you more personal, convenient website visits. These small files let websites remember you, your logins, history, your shopping carts and more. Because they remember this information, they can be a treasure trove of private info for criminals to spy on.

a person holds their credit card next to their smartphone

Home Router Tip of the Week: Terminology

Home routers, the ones provided by your Internet Service Provider, are your home network firewalls. These are the devices that let your home devices such as laptops, smart phones, security cameras, all connect to the internet. A firewall is a device that has security settings that control what types of internet traffic is allowed to happen. Without it, the only way to connect is via cellular, which can be extremely expensive.

Personnel News

a short haired woman, president pitney, smiles at the camera

President Pitney November Town Hall Overview and Recording

On November 8, University of Alaska President Pat Pitney held a virtual Town Hall with staff, students and faculty from across the university system. The Town Hall was held in advance of the November Board of Regents meeting, and featured budget updates, leadership announcements and other issues.

portrait of Harry need - a man with short hair smiles at the camera

Harry Need, CFRE, named philanthropy professional of the year

Congratulations to Harry Need, CFRE, Senior Director of Philanthropic Services at the University of Alaska Foundation. Today he was named Outstanding Professional in Philanthropy.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an equal opportunity/equal access employer and educational institution. The university is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.Unsubscribe

The University of Alaska is an equal opportunity/equal access employer and educational institution. The university is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.