Message from the Director

The Administrative Review and Restructuring (ARR) effort initiated by former President Ikenberry during December 2009, has dual goals of improving performance and reducing the cost of administrative services.   President Hogan and the ARR Steering Team have established several functional teams to lead the implementation efforts, flowing from the ARR Report, for Information Technology, Procurement and Human Resources.

In the Human Resources area several of the issues which are being addressed or will be addressed are the creation of an integrated University–wide HR Organization, utilization of Shared Service centers or centers of excellence, the labor relations/negotiations process and structure, integration of the Access and Equal Opportunity processes, Faculty HR issues, a Human Capital Strategy for Academic Professionals and overall HR process improvements.

Many of the items mentioned above are in a conceptual phase and in some cases progress has been slower than anticipated. But a couple of announcements by President Hogan on February 11th directly impacted the “old” HR. Steve Veazie has been appointed as Executive Director of Labor and Employee Relations to oversee the overall collective bargaining processes and agreements for the University. Also, Maureen Parks has been appointed as Executive Director and Associate Vice President of University Human Resources. Maureen will have oversight of non-academic human resources staff for the entire University. She is charged with overseeing HR issues involving civil service employees and non-instructional academic professionals. 

We know change sometimes occurs slowly in our University. How this will directly impact life at UIS is yet to be determined. However, I am very hopeful the development of a Human Capital Strategy for Academic Professionals, additional integration of AEO processes into our hiring, and development of Shared Service Centers will benefit the entire campus.

Bob Lael

Spotlight on HR Staff

Deanna Boyer administers university benefits for employees on the Springfield campus. Deanna, a Human Resource Officer, assumed her new responsibilities last summer when Bob Lael stepped into the role of Acting HR Director. She continues to oversee the Civil Service testing area in addition to her new duties. Deanna has been with UIS since 2007. She can be reached at 217/206-7144.

Join us in welcoming Lori Pinney to the HR office. Lori, a Human Resource Assistant, is responsible for maintaining official employment records and assisting with other key Employment areas. Some of you may know Lori, as she was formerly in Admissions. Lori’s knowledge and love of the campus will serve her well in her new HR role.

Employees take on LiveHealthyUIS Challenge

Fifty-six employees on ten teams have taken up the LiveHealthyUIS 100 day challenge. Teams from across campus chose to compete in weight loss and/or activity level categories.

The Celery Stalkers continue to top the leaderboard in weight loss; Fit-n-Fine is out in front with most activity hours logged. Moving up this week from 5th to 4th in weight loss is HR's Healthy Renewal team!

We're about one-third of the way through the challenge, which concludes April 29.

Performance Evaluation Workshops Offered

Supervisors will complete formal evaluations of their employees' past year's performance beginning April 1. Performance Evaluation workshops to equip supervisors for this process are scheduled for March 24, 30, and 31.

Register to attend a Performance Evaluation workshop

Retirement & Recognition Breakfast May 5

If you plan to retire from the University of Illinois Springfield this academic year, we would like to honor you at the May 5 Retirement & Recognition Breakfast.

We need to hear from you by March 4 with your planned retirement date to include you in this year's program and present you with a special gift.

Contact Monica Kroft, mkrof2@uis.edu, 206-7020.

Register to attend the Retirement & Recognition Ceremony.