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HR Newsletter - October 2023

HR Newsletter - October 2023

With the academic year officially underway, bringing with it a sense of change and new beginnings, we welcome the crisp air and vibrant foliage, and welcome you to the October edition of the HR Newsletter.

We encourage you to explore the newsletter to stay informed, engaged, and connected. Thank you for your dedication and hard work in making Central Washington University a great place to be.
Together, we work toward creating a model learning community of equity and belonging.

Wishing you a productive and enjoyable October!

Direct questions about anything in this newsletter to hr@cwu.edu

Statewide Employee Engagement Survey Now Open

Your feedback is important! Survey results help us identify what we’re doing well and where we need to focus our attention as we look to create a better workplace. Results will be shared with all employees later this fall. CWU has participated in the state’s survey since 2021. Thank you for helping us make CWU an even better place to work!

Click here to take the survey* by October 27, 2023.
Welcome to the Wildcat Family!
- Justin Pringle – Campus Police
- Thomas Wilkinson – Campus Police
- Mikaela Hartmann – University Advancement
- Minerva Rodriguez – High School Equivalency Program
- Brandon Scott – Student Union Operations
- Diana Borges – Admissions
- Blanca Ramos – CAMP
- Timothy Love – Electrical Shop
- Kelsey Sullivan – Student Counseling Services
- Jason Jones – Institutional Effectiveness
- Giselle Kauer – Geological Sciences
- Melisa Corrales Saucedo – High School Partnerships
- Kathy DeWitt – Disability Services
- Jordan Vaughn – Exploratory Advising
- Bridget Culley – Student Involvement
- Lorelei Albrecht – College of Arts & Humanities
Congratulations on Your Retirement!

Allen Doolin – Housing Facilities
Gini Letson – Facilities Management Department
Paula Moffatt – Student Involvement
Tinja Wyman – College of Business
Exclusion from Disclosure for Violence Survivors

A new Washington State law allows employees who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, or stalking to be exempted from public disclosure of personal information.

Public employees or their dependents may request an exemption of the disclosure of personally identifiable information under the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), as amended by Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1533, if they are a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or harassment. Supporting documentation will be required.

To request an exemption of disclosure of personally identifiable information, contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202.
First Choice Health

Access Employee Assistance Program resources with username ‘CWU’ to login. Available to CWU faculty, staff, and their family members. Or call 800-777-4114 for immediate assistance.
Earn your 2024 $125 Wellness Incentive by November 30

Earn your 2024 $125 Wellness Incentive by November 30.

Login to SmartHealth and track your activities today.

Direct questions to 855-750-8866

*Earn 100 points for completing the Engagement Survey!
First Friday Leadership Talk

November 3, 2023 | 11 AM | Shaw 115

Central Washington History

What is the origin of the name “Kittitas?” How did fire and ice make a difference in our community? Why were railroads so powerful? Take a visual journey through time to learn about our local area in a way that shows our unique history, as well as how we developed in ways similar to the rest of the world. From prehistoric times to what we see today, learn about geology, Native American life, the origins of Ellensburg, the evolution of CWU, and a variety of other interesting topics.

Presented by: Bruce Simpson, a career counselor, adjunct professor, and employer outreach liaison in CWU Career Services. He served 33 years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and has lived in the Kittitas Valley since 1995, raising a family and establishing strong ties to the local community.

Register: MyCWU > Learning > ‘Search for Learning’ enter “First Friday”

Direct questions to cla@cwu.edu

Did You Know?

You may update your Address and Emergency Contacts within MyCWU under Employee > Personal > Personal Details
askHR
Q: When are Performance Management documents due?

A: Performance Management documents are due November 30.

Q: Is training available?

A: Training is available: ePerformance – Employee Evaluation
- In Person – October 13 @ 9 AM
- Zoom – November 2 @ 2 PM
- Zoom – November 6 @ 10 AM
Register: MyCWU > Learning > ‘Search for Learning’ enter eperf > select Enroll for desired session. Find additional resources on the Performance Management webpage. Direct questions to cla@cwu.edu.
Resources to help with your financial wellness
Central Washington University together with Fidelity, wants you to feel confident and in control of your financial situation. Whether you’re taking care of a loved one or thinking about buying or selling your home, check out the new resources accessible through Fidelity NetBenefits® (Log in > Plan & Learn > Plan for expected & unexpected events in life):
- Caregiving
- Supporting Charities You Care About Home Buying, Repairs, and Selling
- Protect Yourself and Your Family Financially
- Manage Your Personal Finances
- Preparing and Paying for College
Learn more about all the resources available to you and make the most of them today.
2024 Minimum Wage Increases to $16.28

Washington’s minimum wage is increasing to $16.28 per hour, effective January 1, 2024. This is a 3.4% increase over the 2023 minimum wage of $15.74 per hour.
Currently, Washington has the highest state-level minimum wage in the nation. The federal minimum wage remains set at $7.25 an hour. Cities can set minimum wages higher and Seattle, SeaTac, and Tukwila, currently have higher wages.
2024 Kittitas County Insurance Rates

You may have received a postcard from the Health Care Authority (HCA) Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) informing you that most medical plans are increasing their premiums for 2024. There are some large increases for some Kaiser plans, but the Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) premiums – plans servicing Kittitas County, are not as significant.

If you live outside of Kittitas County and are enrolled in a Kaiser plan, 2024 rates are available on the HCA’s website.
Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ½ cup oil
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease loaf pan.
- Whisk sugar and oil.
- Whisk in eggs.
- Stir in remaining liquid ingredients.
- Stir in pumpkin.
- Stir in dry ingredients until just evenly mixed.
- Pour into loaf pan.
- Bake 50-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan.