It is impossible to exaggerate the significance of recuperation in the realm of fitness and exercise.  Both fitness enthusiasts and athletes aim to maximize their recuperation techniques in order to  improve their performance and lower their chance of injury. Active recovery and passive recovery are the two main methods of recovery . . .  read more

Ainsley Snow, benefits specialist

The end of the year can be full of excitement due to holidays and new beginnings, including the end of the current insurance plan year and the beginning of the new one. It is important to remember that the end of the year can be a valuable time for your benefits. Here are five tips on how to make the most of your benefits: 

1. Remember that at the end of the year, your deductible and out of pocket maximum reset—any amounts you’ve accumulated towards your medical or dental deductibles or out-of-pocket maxes will start over on January 1, 2024.

• If you contribute to a Flexible Spending Account, only $610 of unused funds will rollover into the new year – so use those dollars on eligible expenses before you lose them. You can check your balance on the Voya Health Money Accounts Portal: https://myhealthaccounts.voya.com/ 

• The holidays can be a busy time – remember that should you find yourself under the weather, if you are enrolled in a UCO medical plan you have access to MDLive. MDLive offers free telehealth to members on the PHP (Primary Health Partners) Sync, PHP Plus, and $1,250 plans for 2023, or any of the copay plans for 2024. Appointments are $50 or less for general health visits for those enrolled in the Health Savings Account plan in either 2023 or 2024. MDLive can be accessed using this link: https://www.mdlive.com/hch.  

• Retirement cumulations towards the annual maximums also reset at the end of the year. Feeling like you want to end 2023 or begin 2024 with a substantial chunk towards your annual maximum of $22,500? You can start/stop/change your voluntary retirement contributions at any time at employee.uco.edu. Note that if changes are made via Paycom after the approval deadline on the Payroll Calendar, changes may not be reflective on your next check.  

• The holiday season can mean greater stress and exposure to more people, meaning a weakened immune system – do not forget the access you have to preventative services and vaccines. 

Have additional questions? . . .  read more

Kari Lewellen, payroll supervisor

The time of year for Year-End Information Review has officially arrived which also means W-2 season is upon us. We’d like to remind faculty, staff, and student employees to verify their Year-End Form Paperless Elections. The Year-End Forms include Form W-2 and Form 1095. You can elect to receive all or only certain Year-End Forms electronically.

If . . .  read more

Cristi Moore, inclusion strategist

There is a reason this time of year is called the holiday season; it is packed full of various celebrations and observances. It can be easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of whichever special days you personally observe. Humans tend to subconsciously view the world in terms of their own culture or faith. What does this mean for getting along . . .  read more

Sonia Rodriguez-Escobar

1. What is your background?

I grew up in Chicago after immigrating there from Mexico. I am the lone girl sibling among four brothers. Isabella, my 16-year-old daughter, is my only child. I have nearly two decades of communication expertise, including work as a copywriter, digital marketing, television and radio, community engagement, and private consultancy. . . .  read more

Kuang-Chung (Glen) Hsu, professor of economics

The Faculty Town Hall meeting was held on Nov. 8 in the Liberal Arts Lecture Hall. Approximately 40 faculty, staff and students attended the meeting. Several important questions were raised, including concerns about a shortage of student advisors, low adjunct salaries and the working environment for student workers and graduate assistants. Many of . . .  read more

Mary Deter-Billings, director of talent management

As we are wrapping up 2023, it is time to start thinking about the annual performance appraisals. Performance appraisals provide a structured format to help individuals evaluate where they’re at and articulate where they want to go.

As a reminder, performance appraisals are employee-led, with staff members completing a self-assessment first. . . .  read more

 . . .  read more

Risk Management and Safety Operations

In a matter of days, we will all be free to relax over the holidays. Here are a few last-minute tasks to complete before you leave campus for the holiday.

1) Take down any seasonal decor you may have.

2) Turn off and unplug all electrical appliances.

3) Turn off any room/space heaters you find.

4) Take out the trash if the custodial staff does not clean . . .  read more

1) Written goals make everything easier. Be specific about how much savings you want to have at the end of the year. Begin plotting milestones on the way to the big achievement that help you know you are on the right track.

2) Have debt you need to get rid of? Consider using the “snowball” method. Pay off the smallest debt first to get a . . .  read more