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@PimaNews

April 16, 2020

Contents

  • A Note to @PimaNews Readers
  • College Updates
    • New STAR Impact Report on Coronavirus Impacts on College
    • Donate to Student Success Initiatives
    • Virtual Undergraduate Student Research Symposium May 8
    • EGTS Annual Summit to be Held Virtually April 28
    • Nominations Now Open for Diversity and Inclusion Awards
    • Benefits Open Enrollment Ends May 8
    • Donate Annual or Sick Leave to Pool
    • Employees Encouraged to Complete Online College-Directed Training
  • Employee Wellness
    • Biometric Wellness Screenings Under Way
    • Employee Wellness Resources and Program Info
    • Employee Wellness Moves to Virtual Workshops
    • Pima Healthy Rewards

 

A Note to @PimaNews Readers

Because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, until further notice, @PimaNews will focus on recent COVID-19-related policy and procedure changes most affecting employees. These will be revised and updated as the situation warrants.

 

College Updates

New STAR Impact Report on Coronavirus Impacts on College
College leadership is committed to communicate with you early and often during this uncertain time. However, sometimes all of that information and details can be overwhelming. Here’s a synopsis of where to find information, in case you missed something.

For the most current information for Pima employees and students, go to pima.edu/covid19, which also has a Student Notices page. Also, regularly check your College email.

The latest information and employee notices at pima.edu/covid19 includes:

For health-related info visit:

Donate to Student Success Initiatives
The Pima Community College Foundation continues to accept online donations for Student Success Initiatives, including the Student Emergency Fund. More than 1,500 students have applied to access emergency funds and more applications are expected.

Virtual Undergraduate Student Research Symposium May 8
Pima’s 11th Annual Arizona Undergraduate Research Symposium will occur online only this year, giving undergraduate students from across Arizona the opportunity to present original research.

The proceedings, including prerecorded video presentations, poster presentation and papers, will be available online starting May 8. The noncompetitive symposium is sponsored by Pima Student Life.

International award-winning writer, poet, activist and Pima Honors graduate Primrose Dzenga is this year’s keynote speaker. Dzenga, an Arizona State University honors student majoring in Global Studies and Creative Writing, will discuss her Machikichori Citrus Reforestation Project, a citrus orchard she established in her native Zimbabwe. Her ongoing study of community agriculture and this project are partially funded through the support of a Barrett Global Explorers Grant.

Student presenters are encouraged to register by April 27 at http://bit.ly/2020AZSymposium

EGTS Annual Summit to be Held Virtually April 28
The 5th Annual Ethnic, Gender & Transborder Studies Summit, “Healing Community in Coronatimes: Education, Migration, and Identity,” is virtual this year. The free public event is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 28. The flier has details on the event and how to participate. Staff professional development hours are available. Follow these instructions to register for professional development for the event:

  • Log into MyPima
  • Click the link: 5th Annual Ethnic, Gender & Transborder Studies Virtual Summit: Healing Community
  • Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click Request to the right of the session you wish to attend

For questions or assistance, call Organizational Effectiveness and Development, 206-4706. To request a reasonable accommodation to participate in training, email adrhelp@pima.edu or call 206-6688.

Nominations Now Open for Diversity and Inclusion Awards
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is accepting nominations for the College’s Diversity and Inclusion Awards. Each year, the College recognizes individuals, groups and organizations who demonstrate exemplary leadership that manifests the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusions in practical action. To be considered, complete the Diversity and Inclusion Awards Nomination Form. All nominations must be received by April 20. If you have questions, email pcc-diversity@pima.edu.

Benefits Open Enrollment Ends May 8
Open enrollment for the 2020-2021 benefits plan year is under way and ends at 5 p.m., May 8. You cannot make changes to your benefit plan outside of open enrollment unless you have a qualifying life event.

For this year’s enrollment period, Pima employees who want to keep your current coverage without any changes, you do not need to take action. However, medical waivers, along with proof of other coverage, and enrollment in flexible spending accounts must be resubmitted every year during open enrollment.

More on open enrollment:

  • Online enrollment fillable paper forms information on navigating through your benefits is available on the College Intranet, Employee Service Center page, Open Enrollment.
  • A benefits overview PowerPoint, including details on BlueCross BlueShield Arizona medical plan options, soon will be posted.
  • Schedule a 15-minute appointment with a benefits advisor: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., through May 8. You will be sent a Google hangouts link that includes a number to call.
  • If you have questions, contact the ESC Benefits Team, esc@pima.edu.

Donate Annual or Sick Leave to Pool
Consider helping your colleagues by donating your excess sick or annual leave to the College’s Donated Leave Bank. Donation limits apply. Your donations will help support Pima employees who are out due to an FMLA-qualifying reason. Donations will be anonymous and cannot be returned to the donor. Only the period of medical and parental FMLA that is supported by medical certification is eligible for donated leave. Email completed donation forms to Employee Service Center, esc@pima.edu, where you also can email questions.

Employees Encouraged to Complete Online College-Directed Training
While in-person services are suspended at the College, employees are encouraged to finish their online College-Directed Training. Those who complete their trainings each month are entered into a drawing for gift cards provided by the Pima Community College Foundation. A winner will be selected each month through June 30. Go to MyCareerCenter on MyPima to check your “(PCC Online) College-Directed Training” transcript to see what courses, if any, you still must take.

Employee Wellness

Biometric Wellness Screenings Under Way
Make your appointment with LabCorp to complete your biometric screenings, which are required for eligible employees to earn rewards points. You must print out your voucher and take it with you to your appointment. If you do not have printing capability, contact pcc-wellness@pima.edu for more information. Visit this Web page on LabCorp’s website to learn about protocols it has put in place to ensure patient safety.

If you do not wish to visit a LabCorp location, you can order an at-home Biometric Screening kit. At-home kits will require you to measure your own waist circumference, height and weight. If you do not have that capability at home, you may use last year’s circumference, height and weight to complete your screening.

Employee Wellness Resources and Program Info
Visit the Employee Wellness Intranet page for free resources and tools. Employees are also encouraged to visit the Employee Wellness website for additional resources, news and information. You also can keep current on the latest wellness news.

Employee Wellness Moves to Virtual Workshops
Due to the Novel Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) outbreak, Employee Wellness is moving to virtual workshops. Links to attend workshops will be emailed before each class. Sign up online and use the links below to view each flier (ignore location details).

Pima Healthy Rewards
College employees enrolled in one of Pima’s healthcare plans may receive a $260 or $500 credit toward their 2020-2021 medical premium or a contribution to their Health Savings Account (HSA) by participating in wellness activities. The Rewards Program uses the Pima Healthy Rewards Tracking Sheet. Activities must be completed by May 29. Not all wellness-related activities count for points. Employees are responsible for recording and verifying that activities qualify for points.

 

@PimaNews is an electronic newsletter for employee news of Pima Community College. It is published by the Pima Community College Marketing office. @PimaNews is published Thursdays, except when the College is closed, during the semester and every other week during the summer. Please send announcements and news items – 75 words or fewer ─ to pimanews@pima.edu by noon on Monday. Back issues are available on the @PimaNews Web page. The newsletter also accepts submissions about Pima employee accomplishments.

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