Human Resources - NMU Events and Announcements

Human Resources

Family status changes including marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, death of a spouse/child, marriage of a dependent child, etc., must be reported to the Human Resources Department no later than 30 days after the event.  Proper notification ensures accurate enrollment in benefit plans for new spouse/baby; prompt removal of those you no longer wish to cover; and correct withholding from your paycheck for the associated plan type (e.g., Single, Two, Family).  Contact Ms. Kimberly Hongisto, Benefits/Onboarding Specialist, at khongist@nmu.edu or phone x2470.

Human Resources

Nominations for individual and team recognition are now being accepted for the annual recognition. The nomination deadline is Monday, January 31.

To submit an entry, click on the appropriate link or visit the Recognition homepage.

• Excellence-in-Service Award
• Distinguished Team Award
• Innovation Award

These awards are a wonderful way to recognize individual and team accomplishments. Please take a few moments to reflect on the excellent work provided by an individual and/or team and consider nominating them for their outstanding contributions. Please feel free to contact Renee Sheen with any questions at x2331.

Human Resources

Save the date!  The 2022 Employee Benefits Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, October 5th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Northern Center Ballrooms III and IV.  One hour of released-time will be granted for employees attending the Fair.  Enter your chance to win a prize drawing by dropping off any non-perishable food items for the NMU Food Pantry.

The Benefits Fair gives faculty and staff the opportunity to learn more about their TIAA retirement plan, Blue Cross/Blue Shield medical and dental plans, NorthStar employee assistance program (EAP), and more!  In addition, Hello Heart, The Hartford, AFLAC, MEEMIC, and Marketplace Insurance Plan representatives will be present. The Fair is also your chance to get your flu shot from the nursing staff at the NMU Health Center.   If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Bjorne, Director of Benefits, at kportale@nmu.edu or phone 1030.

Human Resources

Congratulations to all of our November award recipients.

This month we recognized National Stress Awareness Day on November 2. We hope everyone was able to reflect on life's stressors and spend some time focusing on you and your wellness. Five award winners were randomly chosen and selected a $25 gift card to the sport shop of their choice. Congratulations to Nikki Loehr,  Keith O'Brien, Dianne Stone, Matt Van Grinsven, and Joe VanLinden.

November also recognized dedication and peer appreciation through the NMU STAR Award program. STAR awards are Small, Thoughtful Acts of Recognition that are presented between colleagues. Thank you to all who received these awards this month:

• Rebecca Schneiderhan
• Eric Johnson
• Lori Rintala
• Janece Hanycz
• Kate Hooper
• Laura Ingalls
• Lisa Sarvello
• Tracy VanAbel
• Andy Hill

A full list of past recipients and more information about the STAR program can be found at nmu.edu/hr/northernstar.

Human Resources

Nominations are now being accepted for the annual recognition program. The nomination deadline is Tuesday, January 31.

Faculty and staff are invited to recognize peers, subordinates and supervisors for the Excellence-in-Service award, Distinguished Team award or Innovation award. To learn more and submit an entry, visit the Recognition homepage.

April is Appreciation month. This year's events include:

• April 5 - Employee Appreciation Day
• April 12, 3-5pm - Faculty & Staff Recognition Celebration
• April 18 - Retiree Breakfast

Human Resources

Take the 2% challenge for America Saves Week

America Saves Week is February 21 to 25

Saving enough for the future doesn’t happen overnight. That’s why it’s so important to keep taking small steps now that can make a big difference later. To celebrate America Saves Week this year, challenge yourself to contribute an extra 2 cents on every dollar to your retirement account. That’s just 2% now with the potential for a lot more in growth by the time you retire. And with pretax contributions, more money goes into your account than comes out of your paycheck. To see your take-home pay when you save more, check out this TIAA calculator.

This material is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute fiduciary investment advice under ERISA, a securities recommendation under all securities laws, or an insurance product recommendation under state insurance laws or regulations. This material does not take into account any specific objectives or circumstances of any particular investor, or suggest any specific course of action. Investment decisions should be made based on the investor’s own objectives and circumstances. Investment, insurance, and annuity products are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, are not deposits, are not insured by any federal government agency, are not a condition to any banking service or activity, and may lose value. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC, distributes securities products. ©2022 Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America-College Retirement Equities Fund, 730 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 

Human Resources

Join Kristen Bjorne (Director of Benefits) and Rhea Dever, (AVP of HR) for a webinar designed to help NMU employees understand and access the many wellbeing resources available to them and their eligible dependents.  Join us for a quick 30 minute Zoom session, where we will tour these resources and provide insights into how to make the most of these benefits and services.  Two session days/times will be offered as noted below.  No registration is necessary.  Note that one session will be recorded and made available to interested employees.

Tuesday, April 11 from 12:00pm - 12:30pm:  Join the session using this link

Monday, April 17 from 12:30pm - 1:00 pm:  Join the session using this link

Human Resources

The contribution limits for employees who participate in the voluntary 403(b) and/or 457(b) plans has increased from $20,500 to $22,500 in 2023; and the catch-up contribution limit for employees age 50 and over who participate in these plans increased from $6,500 to $7,500 in 2023. 

This means if you are under age 50 in 2023, the maximum amount you may contribute into your voluntary retirement plan is $22,500.  If you are age 50 or above, the maximum amount you may contribute is $30,000 ($22,500 plus $7,500 catch-up).  Employees interested in adjusting their retirement contribution amount should contact Kimberly Hongisto, Benefits Specialist, at khongist@nmu.edu or phone x2470 and request a Salary Reduction Agreement.

Human Resources

The NMU Wellness Committee is sponsoring a lunch and learn opportunity for faculty & staff.  Join NMU’s Executive Chef, Derrek Estes, and Registered Dietitian, Brett Peterson, for a cooking demonstration and nutritional analysis on Wednesday, April 19th, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Founders Room at the Northern Center. 

The featured menu will consist of lentil chicken strips, Senegalese peanut stew (Maafe), and red lentil hummus with tortilla chips.  Participants will receive a booklet containing the recipe, nutritional analysis, and nutritional benefits about the food items utilized in the recipe.  Those interested should RSVP to hr@nmu.edu.  The session will be limited to 25 participants.

Human Resources

The annual employee Benefits Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, October 5th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ballrooms III and IV of the Northern Center.  Up to one hour of released-time is available to attend.  The Fair will feature representatives from University-sponsored plans and departments such as:  NMU Health Center, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Northstar EAP, Hello Heart, TIAA and more!  Donations for non-perishable food items are being accepted for the NMU Food Pantry.