Northern Staff News SEPTEMBER 2017 Table of Contents President’s Corner ................................. 1 Non-Academic Unions.......................... 1 Current Hourly Employees Needed for the State Universities Annuitant Association ....................... 2 Fall Employee Training on Campus ..... 2 Homecoming 2017 ................................ 2 Operating Staff Council Profiles ........... 2 Employment Changes ........................ 2-4 Service Awards ...................................... 4 Ethics Training Annual Ethics Training for employees is upon us again. This is an online interactive training done yearly as a requirement by the State of Illinois for state employees. All employees required to take the training will be receiving an email notification to their NIU account with information to be able to complete the mandate. Departments will also be notifying their employees. Anyone who will need assistance in completing the training or does not have access to a computer, please call our Training office at 815-753-9192 to make arrangements. 2017 Flu Clinic for Employees The NIU Employee Assistance Program and Training Center, the DeKalb County Health Department and the NIU School of Nursing will be hosting the Employee Flu Clinic on campus this fall from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20; and again from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 in the Holmes Student Center, Regency Room. Complete details may be found along with the vaccine form by visiting go.niu.edu/x0n4m6 niu.edu/osc [email protected]President’s Corner Greetings from your new president! I am honored to have been elected by the Operating Staff Council as the president for the next year. I expect a busy and productive schedule ahead of me! The OSC is working hard to bring the concerns and issues of our whole group to the attention of those who can assist in solving problems and improving our campus life. I know we are all dedicated to serving our students and helping NIU start to thrive again with new leadership and a budget. There have been many sources of negativity coming from many directions, but the OSC is here to share in the governance and guidance of NIU as much as possible. Our skills and services are vital to the operation of NIU, and the OSC is promoting that at every turn. Please feel free to attend any of our meetings – they are open to you! We meet the first Thursday of the month at 9 a.m. in the Sky Room in Holmes Student Center. Or you can email your ideas and questions to [email protected]. I hope you all enjoyed the Civil Service Celebration on August 10! Thanks go out to Nancy Brown and her team who worked so hard to make it fun and successful. We brought in over $650 for the NIU Operating Staff Dependent Scholarship! Thank you to Jason John who donated back his half of the 50/50 raffle! I look forward to being of service to you. If you want to contact me directly, email [email protected]. Thanks for the dedication and knowledge that you bring to NIU. Moving Forward, Barb Andree, President Operating Staff Council 2017–2018 Non-Academic Unions The NIU Civil Service workforce has 17 unions representing a wide range of classifications campuswide, as well as each of the regional campuses. The unions are the exclusive representative for the classifications recognized in the collective bargaining agreements, specifically regarding wages, hours and conditions of employment. Because Local 1890 is now in initial contract negotiations, there is no contract shown. If you have questions about the “clerical” union on campus, please contact the president of the executive committee, Laura Harris at 753-8421 or email [email protected]. To see copies of these agreements, visit go.niu.edu/zw55i2. Employee and Labor Relations has developed a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to assist in answering questions from newer union members, as well as questions from current union members, regarding how membership in a union affects their employment at NIU. If you are not part of a collective bargaining unit, as a civil service employee you have the Operating Staff Personnel Advisor to answer questions and support you in meetings if needed. The OSPA is John Hulseberg and you can call 753-1174 or email [email protected]to reach him. Pictures from the Civil Service Celebration
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for the State Universities Annuitant Association ....................... 2
Fall Employee Training on Campus ..... 2Homecoming 2017 ................................ 2Operating Staff Council Profiles ........... 2Employment Changes ........................2-4Service Awards ...................................... 4
Ethics TrainingAnnual Ethics Training for employees is upon us again. This is an online interactive training done yearly as a requirement by the State of Illinois for state employees. All employees required to take the training will be receiving an email notification to their NIU account with information to be able to complete the mandate. Departments will also be notifying their employees. Anyone who will need assistance in completing the training or does not have access to a computer, please call our Training office at 815-753-9192 to make arrangements.
2017 Flu Clinic for Employees
The NIU Employee Assistance Program and Training Center, the DeKalb County Health Department and the NIU School of Nursing will be hosting the Employee Flu Clinic on campus this fall from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20; andagain from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday,Oct. 26 in the Holmes Student Center,Regency Room. Complete details maybe found along with the vaccine form byvisiting go.niu.edu/x0n4m6
President’s CornerGreetings from your new president!I am honored to have been elected by the Operating Staff Council as the president for the next year. I expect a busy and productive schedule ahead of me! The OSC is working hard to bring the concerns and issues of our whole group to the attention of those who can assist in solving problems and improving our campus life. I know we are all dedicated to serving our students and helping NIU start to thrive again with new leadership and a budget. There have been many sources of negativity coming from many directions, but the OSC is here to share in the governance and guidance of NIU as
much as possible. Our skills and services are vital to the operation of NIU, and the OSC is promoting that at every turn. Please feel free to attend any of our meetings – they are open to you! We meet the first Thursday of the month at 9 a.m. in the Sky Room in Holmes Student Center. Or you can email your ideas and questions to [email protected]. I hope you all enjoyed the Civil Service Celebration on August 10! Thanks go out to Nancy Brown and her team who worked so hard to make it fun and successful. We brought in over $650 for the NIU Operating Staff Dependent Scholarship! Thank you to Jason John who donated back his half of the 50/50 raffle!I look forward to being of service to you. If you want to contact me directly, email [email protected]. Thanks for the dedication and knowledge that you bring to NIU.Moving Forward,Barb Andree, PresidentOperating Staff Council 2017–2018
Non-Academic UnionsThe NIU Civil Service workforce has 17 unions representing a wide range of classifications campuswide, as well as each of the regional campuses. The unions are the exclusive representative for the classifications recognized in the collective bargaining agreements, specifically regarding wages, hours and conditions of employment. Because Local 1890 is now in initial contract negotiations, there is no contract shown. If you have questions about the “clerical” union on campus, please contact the president of the executive committee, Laura Harris at 753-8421 or email [email protected] see copies of these agreements, visit go.niu.edu/zw55i2.Employee and Labor Relations has developed a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to assist in answering questions from newer union members, as well as questions from current union members, regarding how membership in a union affects their employment at NIU. If you are not part of a collective bargaining unit, as a civil service employee you have the Operating Staff Personnel Advisor to answer questions and support you in meetings if needed. The OSPA is John Hulseberg and you can call 753-1174 or email [email protected] to reach him.
Employment ChangesMay 2017Welcome New EmployeesNicholas Coffman, Program Adviser—
Intercollegiate AthleticsAdam Vicencio, IT Technical Associate—
Application ServicesPaul Watson, IT Technical Associate—
Application Services
ChangesAbeer Elshamy to Food Service Area
Supervisor—Conference ServicesAndrew Helfers to Food Service Area
Supervisor—Conference ServicesJennifer Dooley to Radio Station Production
Supervisor—Northern Public RadioDavid Long to Assistant Director of University
Student Center—Holmes Student CenterBrian Thompson to Information Technology
Director—Office of Internal Communication
Department ChangesWade Duerkes, Manager Photographic
Laboratory to Office of Institutional Communication
Sonia Fagan, Office Support Specialist to Admissions
Jory Keller, IT Support Associate to Web and Internal Communication
Julie O’Brien, Accountant III to Accounts Payable and Travel
Scott Walstrom, Senior Photographer to Office of Institutional Communication
RetirementsPatricia Arndt, Business Manager II—College
of Liberal Arts and SciencesBarbara Ball, Graphic Designer Associate—
Biological Sciences
Operating Staff Council ProfilesBrian MihalikNIU Position/Building: Division of Information Technology, Service Desk Analyst, Wellness/LiteracyCame to NIU in: 2016Hometown: Carol Stream, ILProudest Achievement: Becoming a FatherHobby/Interest: Woodworking, Computers, Outdoors, Games, SportsNo One Knows That I: Created server training videos for Portillo’s Honey Jam CafesFavorite Movie, Play or Book: Labyrinth, Step Brothers, Austin Powers, So Many MoreInspired By: The love of laughter and my family
Patricia WielertNIU Position/Building: Administrative Assistant/Graham HallCame to NIU in: 1995
Hometown: Moved every three-four years growing up. We moved to Richland Center, WI when I was 13 and stayed until I was 18.Proudest Achievement: Elected as an Alderman for the City of Yorkville and as a Clerk for Pierce Township.Hobby/Interest: Estate Sale ShoppingNo One Knows That I: Am extremely shyFavorite Movie, Play or Book: Dr. Zhivago, Phantom of the Opera, The BibleInspired By: So many people have inspired me: my current and past bosses have and continue to inspire me to always do my best, my friends inspire me to be a true friend, my family inspires me to be a better person every day and never give up no matter the difficulties I encounter.
Current Hourly Employees Needed for the State Universities Annuitant Association Ellen Cabrera, AFSCME 1890 member, NIUAA member.I had the pleasure to meet up with NIUAA president Lynn Neeley, Vice President Deborah Haliczer and past President Joe Grush at the annual SUAA meeting in Springfield Tuesday and Wednesday, June 21 and 22, 2017. Being present for the keynote speakers and officer reports was most enlightening.I cannot express how critical it is for those of us here on campus to help our NIUAA executive board increase membership in the annuitant association from current/active employees. SUAA is THE force to be reckoned with in Springfield to protect state university employees’ pensions and benefits. They have a top notched legal advocate, Aaron Maduff LLC, who actually reads every piece of legislation being considered with our interests at heart.It struck me how little we current employees know about why the current battle over the pension funding deficit matters to us personally. I think many new employees of NIU automatically assume that whatever their parents or grandparents are getting during retirement will be the same for them. Anyone hired after 2011 already entered into a restricted system as Tier II employees. This current battle is laying the foundation for a Tier III category which will see dramatic reductions if left uncontested. I know it’s difficult to get our younger, civil service, minimum wage cohorts to consider their future 20 years down the line, but there are many proposals being made that will drastically affect annuities if passed. It is clear that our representatives in Springfield continue to look into ways to avoid replenishing the pension pool while reducing their future obligations by eliminating or restricting benefits to future retirees.In order to fight on our behalf, SUAA needs active hourly-wage employees and specifically, low-income wage earners to join the NIU Annuitant Association. The SUAA needs their voices to build the cases against these proposed changes because they will be affected the hardest. Membership costs $36 per year, and you can have $3 automatically taken out of your paycheck monthly (or $1.50 biweekly) so you don’t have to worry about renewing. This is OUR battle. Make sure OUR voice is heard at the Capitol. Sign up for NIUAA today by contacting Cathy Cradduck ([email protected]) or Pat Vary ([email protected]).
Homecoming 2017The Homecoming Steering Committee would like to invite all faculty and staff to help out with planning and execution of NIU 2017 Homecoming activities and events. Homecoming week is scheduled for Oct. 1-7. This year the theme is Destination: Huskie Nation (111 Years Strong). If you would like to get involved, please email Tifarah Jackson at [email protected].
Fall Employee Training on CampusThe Employee Assistance Program and Training Center will be hosting the fall campus workshops. To see a full listing, visit go.niu.edu/zjqfs0
Check out Huskies You Should Know and Appreciate! Visit go.niu.edu/2467my
Northern Staff News is published by the Operating Staff Council of Northern Illinois University.Editor: Barbara AndreeContributors: Barbara Andree, Ellen Cabrera, Kathie Dempsey, Judy Flores-Sender, Tony Gary, Sandy Hess, Jay Monteiro, NIU Today, Karen SmithNorthern Illinois University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, status based on the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran. Further, the Constitution and Bylaws of Northern Illinois University provides for equal treatment regardless of political views or affiliation, and sexual orientation.Printed by authority of the State of Illinois.www.niu.edu 9/17 94213
Linda Korth, Human Resource Officer—Human Resource Services
Ellen Smith, Chief Accountant Assistant—Controller
Ruth Stone, Building Service Worker—Building Services
Service AwardsMay 20175 YearsGarrett Balbach—DoIT-Admin-Business-
FinanceRonald Blomberg—Materials ManagementStephanie Brown—International Student and
Faculty OfficeJames Cutshaw—Building ServicesRyan Damhoff—Chemistry and BiochemistryLaura Harris—Special and Early EducationPhillip Manno—Physical PlantPeter Poterek—Bursar