Human Resources
HR Espresso
Your monthly source for express HR updates and news
September brings a new academic year and a renewed sense of energy across campus. As our community comes back together, we’re excited for the opportunities, connections, and accomplishments the year ahead will bring. Thank you to our faculty and staff for all you do to support our students and make CWU a welcoming place to learn, work, and thrive. Here’s to a great year ahead!
Direct questions about anything in this newsletter to hr@cwu.edu.
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Welcome New Employees to the Wildcat Family!
- Alek Ball – Student Rights and Responsibilities
- Deante' Barry – CWU Farm
- Cassandra Coder – SURC Kitchen
- Joyce Conkling – Curriculum, Supervision, and Educational Leadership (CSEL) & Sports/Movement Studies
- Hope Cusack – SURC Kitchen
- Jaylen Evans – Panda Express
- Marcos Flores – Custodial Services
- Lilu Greiner – Custodial Services
- Samantha Karimi – Athletics Administration
- Berrick Lee – Academic Advising - Exploratory
- Olivia Lawhon – University Housing and New Student Programs
- Jayda Mcfadin – SURC Kitchen
- David Metze – SURC Kitchen
- Mitchel Newquist – Grounds Maintenance and Shop
- Mikhail Newton – Village Grill
- Kamala Omarova – College of the Sciences
- Erin Ramer – Learning Commons
- Ruth Schuchman – Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC)
- Angi Sosa – University Housing and New Student Programs
- Katherine Stephens – College of Arts and Humanities
- Julio Torres – Student Union Operations
- Robert Vick – SURC Kitchen
- Carsten Wallace-Bailey – Admissions
- Abigail Wright – Marketing and Communication
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MEET WITH A FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
Our TIAA representative will be on the Ellensburg campus September 15, 16, 17, for in-person meetings.
No matter where you are in life—whether you’re just getting started or planning for retirement—a session with a financial consultant can help you create a plan for your goals. And it’s at no additional cost as a part of your retirement plan. You’ll get answers to these questions and more:
- Am I invested in the appropriate mix of investments to help meet my goals?
- Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
- How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?
TIAA is the plan administrator for the CWU Retirement Plan (CWURP) and the Voluntary Investment Plan (VIP). The CWURP is the mandatory faculty and exempt retirement plan, and the VIP is an optional retirement savings plan available to all non-student employees. Sign up today, as space is limited. Register for sessions at tiaa.org/schedulenow or by calling 800-842-2252, weekdays, 5 AM to 7 PM
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Earn your Wellness Incentive through SmartHealth!
Take the next step toward a healthier, stronger you!
If you earn 2,000 total points by November 30, you can qualify for a wellness incentive, (if eligible) and earn $125 off next year’s medical deductible or a $125 contribution to your HSA if enrolled in a CDHP.
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ROOTED in Gratitude Challenge
The SmartHealth Rooted in Gratitude challenge invites you to build a simply daily habit of recognizing meaningful moments. These moments can be small: something that made you smile, someone who supported you, or anything that stood out in your day.
Register by September 23 to participate. The challenge starts September 16 and ends on October 13.
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Learn more about SmartHealth on HCA’s website and then visit SmartHealth to get started!
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Financial Wellness Week
Are You on Track for Retirement?
Financial Wellness Week
Plan now to attend the in-person fall Retirement Readiness workshop series
October 6, 7, an 8 in the SURC.
Watch your email and Central Today for enrollment information.Workshop topics will include:
- PERS 2 & 3 Basics
- Retiree Health Insurance
- Choosing Between PERS 2 & 3
- Managing Your Money (Budgeting)
- Planning for the Income You’ll Need in Retirement
- Learning More about Social Security
Presenters include representatives from TIAA, the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS), and the Health Care Authority (HCA).
If you’re nearing the exciting milestone of retirement, visit our Getting Ready for Retirement webpage for helpful information and step-by-step guidance. Whether retirement is a few years away or just around the corner, this resource will support you in making informed decisions for a smooth transition.
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First Choice Health
Employee Assistance Program: Support When You Need It
Your well-being matters. The First Choice Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers 24/7 access to licensed mental health counselors. Just call 800-777-4114 for immediate support. You can also explore a wide range of confidential resources online, from emotional wellbeing to financial tools, parenting, legal topics, and more. Visit www.FirstChoiceEAP.com and log in with the username CWU to get started. Services are available to all faculty, staff, and their family members.
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Additional Mental Health Services for CWU Employees
Behavioral Health Services available through your PEBB medical insurance or call Uniform Medical (UMP) or Kaiser.
Local Helpline | 24/7 | Master's-Level Counselors | 509-925-4168
National Hotline | 24/7 | Dial 988 or Text 'Home' to 741741
online chat feature: suicidepreventionlifeline.org
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Nominate a Colleague for Employee of the Month
Every day, our colleagues go above and beyond to support student success and contribute to a workplace rooted in Engagement, Belonging, Stewardship, and Student Success.
Help us recognize the exceptional work happening across campus by nominating a classified or exempt employee for the Employee of the Month Award. Whether it’s through a standout project, a positive impact on others, or consistently living into CWU’s mission, we want to celebrate those who make a difference. Let’s shine a spotlight on those who make CWU a better place every day.
Who can nominate? Anyone
Who is eligible? Classified and Exempt Staff
What’s the reward? $125 and recognition at a quarterly celebration
Bonus: Monthly winners are eligible for Employee of the Year -
Wildcat Way
Celebrate a Colleague's Exceptional Efforts by nominating them for the Wildcat Way Spotlight—a heartfelt way to recognize their dedication and share their story with the CWU community. Each nominee receives a personal message of appreciation, and their supervisor is notified as well. It’s a simple, meaningful way to say thank you.
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You may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
The U.S. Department of Education can forgive student loan debt after 10 years of making 120 qualifying payments while working for a state agency or a qualifying public sector employer. To qualify, you must have Federal Direct loans. If you have Perkins or FFEL loans, you must consolidate into a Direct Consolidation. If you have Direct Parent PLUS loans, you may also need to consolidate. If you consolidate between now and April 30, 2024, you will not lose PSLF qualifying payment credit due to the IDR Account Adjustment.
Get Started: Use the PSLF Help Tool to complete a PSLF form and submit an employment certification request. Your form will be submitted to the PSLF servicer (MOHELA) for processing, which may take up to 90 business days. Create a MOHELA account to check on qualifying payment count. If MOHELA is not your current servicer, submitting a PSLF form will initiate a loan transfer from your current servicer to MOHELA, which can take an additional 90 business days.
CWU Employer Identification Number (EIN): 91-6000618
CWU contact email: employment.verification@cwu.eduSubmit questions about Public Service Loan Forgiveness on the Washington State Student Loan Advocate’s website.
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Exclusion from Disclosure for Violence Survivors
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.
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Baked Apple Donuts Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup milk low fat is fine
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour I used whole wheat pastry flour
- 2 tsp baking power
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 small apples grated
Topping
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or vegetable oil.
- In a large bowl, beat together sugar and egg until light in color. Add in vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add to egg mixture and stir to combine. Stir in grated apples.
- Divide batter evenly into 12 muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While muffins are baking, melt butter in a small bowl in the microwave. In another small bowl, combine remaining sugar and cinnamon.
- When muffins are done, remove from pan and dip muffin top in melted butter, then immediately dip in cinnamon sugar mixture. Cool on a wire rack.
- 10 Places to Go Apple Picking in Washington
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Quote
"September days have the warmth of summer in their briefer hours, but in their lengthening evenings a prophetic breath of autumn."
-Rowland E. Robinson
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