Smeal Update: July 16, 2021
Return-to-work database decommissioned
University leadership has decided to no longer require faculty and staff to submit return-to-work (RTW) requests via the RTW database. With this decision, the RTW database was decommissioned Wednesday. Faculty and staff should now coordinate their plans for returning to on-site work with their managers/supervisors and unit leadership. In addition, it is no longer required that faculty and staff email their supervisor and Tamara Giluk/Rebecca Cianci each time that they visit the Business Building. However, employees should continue to coordinate onsite work with their supervisor as they would under normal circumstances.
Penn State asks employees to update personal information
Penn State’s Office of Information Security, Identity and Access Management (IAM) is providing improved self-service options for members of the University community to manage their identity and personal contact information in one convenient dashboard. As a result, all Penn State account holders should log in to accounts.psu.edu to verify their information and make updates as needed. This enhancement is part of an effort to improve data consistency across Penn State systems and to modernize the University’s identity and access management infrastructure. To that end, data have been normalized between the identity management system, LionPATH and Workday. Additional information may be found in this Penn State News article. If there are any questions, please contact the IAM team at identity@psu.edu.
Penn State 2021-22 payroll deadline schedule available
The University has released biweekly and monthly payroll pay period entry abbreviations and deadlines. Both charts are available online.
Flexibility of Penn State Online MBA a major attraction for student
Victoria Cerveny, a strategic operational management lead for Johnson & Johnson, said she "could never have done this MBA degree if not for the amazing flexibility of the Penn State Online MBA program.” Read the story.
Smeal to utilize push notifications on Penn State Go app
Smeal has a new tool in its efforts to communicate with the college community — push notifications on the Penn State Go app. Messages can be sent to community members who have downloaded the app and enabled push notifications. Recipients can be targeted by relationship to Smeal, including staff, faculty, student, department, major or class standings. Appropriate use cases include: Business Building issues that affect academic and research operations; academic advising alerts; and registration and/or start times for signature, college-wide special events (eg. Career Fairs, Executive Insights). To request a push notification, submit an online request form. You will be notified if your request has been approved or denied, or if additional information is needed.
Smeal in the News
DesJardine article reprinted on Salon.com
An article that Mark DesJardine, assistant professor of strategy and sustainability in the Department of Management and Organization, co-authored for The Conversation, has been reprinted by Salon.com. The article focuses on hedge fund Engine No. 1’s proxy fight with Exxon Mobil Corp. and its connection to the company’s record on climate change. Read the story.
Do you know someone who rocks? Nominate them!
Each month the Smeal Staff Advisory Committee names a You Rock! Award recipient. You can nominate a co-worker for the You Rock! Award online.
The Smeal Community Weekly Poll
This week's survey assesses breakfast preferences. Click this link to participate. Results will be shared during the next Smeal Community Zoom.