Concurrent Sessions 1: Monday, May 4 • 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
1A: Senior Practitioners Forum
HR Strategies/Leadership
This session will focus on sharing new ideas, examining strategies that worked and identifying the needs of senior HR campus executives. We will also explore ways in which CUPA-HR can better serve our needs and/or ways that we can network more directly with one another.
Karl Sparks, Director of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
1B: Behind the Curtain: Integrating a Professionalism Ethic in Institutional Administration
Organizational Development, HR Strategies/Leadership
HR as a cultural change agent must focus on developing a professionalism ethic within an institution's administration. Attendees will gain perspectives and tools for realizing a positive effect on employee morale, as well as student-faculty-administration relationships; improving process efficiencies; and avoiding the hypocrisy of a do as I say, not as I do culture.
Scott Harrison, Director of Human Resources, Thomas M. Cooley Law School
1C: Dude! Where Are My Benefits? Leveraging Social Media for HR Communications
HR Strategies/Leadership
Presidential blogs? Open enrollment tweets? Proprietary social networks? Don't scoff — if your college or university hasn't embraced social media yet as a means of communicating with faculty and staff, it probably will soon. Social networking sites have changed the ways in which people interact with and stay connected to their "friends." Businesses are also starting to explore the commercial potential of social media to communicate with both their customers and their employees, and academic institutions are not likely to be far behind. Understand what social media is, how it works, and how it's being used in organizational settings. Learn about specific ways in which social media can be used to support various HR initiatives and services at your institution.
Courtney Hunt, Midwest Communications Practice Leader, Sibson Consulting, A Division of Segal
1D: Ideas at Work: Developing an Effective Retirement Strategy for Administrators and Employees During Uncertain Times
Benefits, Compensation/Rewards
Despite the recent economic instability and unrealized portfolio losses experienced by many investors in the equity market, higher education employers and employees continue to seek alternatives that will enable employees to retire as planned — with retirement that allow for their desired standard of living. This session will highlight options employers and employees may consider when faced with the prospect of executing an effective retirement strategy during uncertain economic times. Attendees will receive a historical perspective on the investment cycle and the dynamics of today's financial sector. The discussion will offer income solutions that are most likely to maintain employees' income flexibility over time, including a review of lifetime annuity options and systematic withdrawal plans. The presenters will also provide an overview of early retirement incentive programs that addresses institutional budget and headcount concerns.
Bernadette Davis, Vice President of Individual Client Services, TIAA-CREF
Concurrent Sessions 2: Monday, May 4 • 2:15-3:30 p.m.
2A: Women in Higher Ed Information Technology — Attracting and Retaining Them
HR Strategies/Leadership, Recruitment/Retention
Women in higher education leadership roles have many valuable experiences and lessons-learned to share with others. By becoming aware of opportunities and obstacles experienced by women leaders and methods used to overcome obstacles encountered in their pathways to leadership positions, HR leaders and individuals will better understand what's working and what's not for women seeking leadership roles. This session will share recent research findings regarding women leading higher education information technology organizations, and discussion will occur as to how such findings contribute significant information toward attracting and retaining women leaders in higher education.
Dr. Marilyn Drury, Director, ITS Educational Technology, University of Northern Iowa
2B: Integrating Competencies Into Human Resource Processes and Programs in Academia
Organizational Development, Training and Development
Building and sustaining momentum have been critical in Eastern Michigan University's (EMU) strategy to implement a competency based approach to employee recruitment and development. Participants will learn how EMU's HR department rolled out this initiative with cross-functional partnerships to help break down barriers. The presenter will share the strategic planning activities that helped garner support from key institutional leaders and divisions.
James Gallaher, Director of Training and Professional Development, Eastern Michigan University
2C: Violence Prevention in Higher Education
Training and Development, HR Strategies/Leadership
This session will provide attendees with innovative research-based strategies to assist institutions in reducing risk and creating a safer campus environment. Learn about the tools and training available to institutions that either have implemented or are planning to implement a threat prevention team, and get advice on policy development supporting the team.
Dr. Stephanie Hughes, Northern Kentucky University/RiskAware, LLC; Dr. Paul Joffe, Director, University of Illinois Counseling Center, University of Illinois; and Hamish Blackman, President, The Wellness Corporation
2D: Update on 403(b) Compliance — Industry Roundtable
Benefits
This session will recap the U.S. Treasury's decision to move the required date for plan documents to January 31, 2009 and examine those regulatory elements that were not delayed and must be in place today to insure plan sponsors are acting in compliance with the new rules. The panel will also update attendees on new retirement plan proposals being considered by Congress and the new Administration. Part of this update will look at issues such as fee disclosures, appropriate target date methodologies and the mandatory purchase of annuities for all or a portion of a participant's balance in retirement.
ING; TIAA-CREF; Sibson Consulting, a Division of Segal
Concurrent Sessions 3: Tuesday, May 5 • 8:30-9:45 a.m.
3A: Building a Successful Health and Prevention Program: What Works, What Doesn't
HR Strategies/Leadership, Employee/Labor Relations
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." This classic concept is being recognized by universities around the U.S. with the adoption of a variety of campus or other worksite health, prevention and disease management initiatives. University administrators, in response to escalating health care costs, have answered back with health and prevention programs that have reduced costs, lowered absenteeism, improved productivity and created happier staff and faculty (all of those positive results contributing to better financial results for universities).
Laura Kenerson, Director of Human Resources, University of Rhode Island; Anne Marie Ludovici, Hewitt Associates
3B: Immigration Enforcement: Academic Institutions Caught in the Middle
Legal Issues, Employee/Labor Relations
This presentation will guide key "front line" institutional managers through the complex maze of immigration regulation and enforcement. Attendees will get an in-depth overview of current enforcement trends and how these trends have impacted immigration compliance in practice. Learn about current federal and state legislation affecting the intersection of employment and immigration law, state E-Verify requirements, the proposed federal contractor E-Verify regulation, the current status of the Department of Homeland Security's no-match safe-harbor regulation and best practices to help the institution avoid liability.
Russell Ford, Attorney, and David Whitlock, Shareholder, both of Littler Mendelson, PC
3C: How to Maximize Your Recruitment Efforts With a Shrinking Budget
Recruitment/Retention
Discuss how colleges and universities can get the most out of their recruitment efforts, even as their advertising budgets shrink. Learn from the Chronicle of Higher Education and HigherEdJobs.com, the two leading experts in higher education recruitment, what techniques your institution can use to hire the best candidates with a limited budget.
John Ikenberry, President, HigherEdJobs.com; Eric Zack, Director of College & University Relations, The Chronicle of Higher Education
3D: Introducing Consumer-Driven Health in a Total Compensation Context — Restructuring the Rewards Equation
Benefits, Compensation/Rewards
Consumer-driven health plans have not been widely adopted by higher education. However, as colleges and universities need to attract new faculty, the mix of salary and benefit compensation will need to change to appeal to younger faculty with different expectations and needs. Additionally, research grant applications can be negatively impacted by the cost burden of very rich benefit programs. Finally, as public universities face declining funding from the financially challenged states, overall cost control without negative effect on the quality of the universities' operations remains a compelling challenge. Learn about one university's response and process for successfully introducing substantive change in a difficult environment.
Ellen Horsch, Vice President for Administration, Michigan Technological University; Janet Vermeulen, Vice President, Aon Consulting
Concurrent Sessions 4: Tuesday, May 5 • 10:30-11:45 a.m.
4A: Recruiting Online With a Human Touch: Strategies for Effective Hiring
Recruitment/Retention, HR Strategies/Leadership
Get practical advice for bringing the human touch back to the recruiting process — and landing great hires even as you take advantage of the efficiency of online recruiting. Learn how to make the information in your job database really work as advertising (think online dating, not online tax filing). Discover the three absolute no-no's of online recruiting and take an inside look at one institution's successful online recruiting practice. You'll leave with lots of simple, effective ideas for improving your online recruiting efforts — and the quality of your hires.
Kathlene Collins, Publisher, Inside Higher Ed
4B: Is a Consumer-Directed Plan Right for Your Campus?
Benefits, Worklife/Wellness Issues
Review how consumer-directed health plans work and how faculty and staff can use them. Learn how a CDHP can save your institution money and how to successfully introduce one on your campus.
Bob O'Brien, National Practice Lead for Higher Education, Aetna
4C: Shared Services — Concept for Efficiency and Maximization of Administrative/Transactional Services
Organizational Development, Technology (HRIS)
This presentation will provide steps and processes to move from a transactional processing department to a strategic and transformational human resource department. Consider the strategic impact human resources could have if transactional processes were minimized and more time focused on the strategies of human resources. This session will discuss the steps taken to move toward a business partner model at your institution.
Nancy Grassel, Director of Human Resources, Black Hills State University
4D: Strategies and Tactics When You Have Too Much on Your Plate
Organizational Development, HR Strategies/Leadership
Busy HR professionals have found that the needs for their services keep increasing, yet resources are not growing. How do you begin to close the gap? This session will examine and discuss strategies for the future of your HR program, as well as tactical ideas that will help with the workload. Come share your burden and learn not just how to survive, but how to thrive in this increasingly complex field of higher education.
Kathy Hagedorn, retired VP of Human Resources, Saint Louis University
Concurrent Sessions 5: Tuesday, May 5 • 1:00-2:15 p.m.
5A: Faculty Behaving Badly: Issues and Interventions
Organizational Development, Legal Issues
What do you do when the colleagues of a popular, gifted professor complain that his or her behavior is disruptive? What steps do you take when complaints give way to statements of concern for their own physical safety and that of their students? Regardless of the size of your institution, managing people may well be one of your greatest challenges. This session examines how institutions confronted with difficult personnel crises can partner with their employee assistance program to craft interventions that address the needs of the department, the faculty member, the institution and the students.
Hamish Blackman, President, The Wellness Corporation
5B: Preparing For and Surviving an IRS Retirement Plan Audit
Benefits, Employee/Labor Relations
This session will provide defined contribution plan sponsors with practical tools to successfully navigate the IRS retirement plan audit process. Attendees will gain an understanding of the current audit selection process, become familiar with the plan-related information and documentation the IRS will request and expect plan sponsors to provide, as well as current actions a plan sponsor may take to prepare for and facilitate a painless future audit.
Kim Solecki, Compliance Consultant, ING
5C: Operationalizing a Women's Health Care Initiative in Higher Education
HR Strategies/Leadership, Benefits
Women's health care issues and costs are on the rise. Consider steps that can be taken to improve the health and well being of female employees. Learn how to either start or advance an engaging and productive women's health care initiative at a college or university.
Rebecca Jackson, MD, Director, Women's Health Center, Ohio State University
5D: Reviewing/Redesigning Your Retiree Medical Program
Benefits, HR Strategies/Leadership
The session will provide participants with a process to consider when undertaking a review/redesign of their institution's retiree medical program. Take a look at the areas that are most often under consideration as well as trends Sibson has seen from studies conducted over the past few years. Learn about a recently completed review/redesign for the University of Oklahoma. This interactive session will also present a brief explanation of what the GASB/FAS Obligation really means to you.
Norman Jacobson, Senior Vice President, Sibson Consulting, a Division of Segal; and Julius Hilburn, Associate Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, The University of Oklahoma
Concurrent Sessions 6: Tuesday, May 5 • 3:00-4:15 p.m.
6A: The Art of Mediation (An Overview)
Benefits
This course will discuss the fundamentals of basic mediation and the mediator's role as a disinterested third party. We will discuss forms of dispute resolution and compare the pros and cons of mediation, arbitration and litigation. We will hold mock mediation sessions with attendees.
Charles Phillips Sr., Director of Human Resources, and Julie Benedict, Training Specialist, both of Eastern Illinois University
6B: Skeletons, Brooms and Baggage: Cleaning Out Your Closet With an HR Audit
Legal Issues, Employee/Labor Relations
Did you know that HR audits can actually assess workplace law compliance? This program provides guidance on the audit process and an in-depth analysis of key problem areas. Learn how to conduct an HR audit at your institution.
Kerri Reisdorff, Constangy, Brooks & Smith
6C: A Guide to Human Resources Web Site Accessibility
Technology (HRIS), Legal Issues
Ever wonder if your human resource Web site is compliant with the latest federal and state accessibility requirements? Join us as we review current regulations and Web design standards in a way that is easy for everyone to understand and apply. During our discussion, we will even review a number of sample sites to identify common mistakes and best practices relating to accessibility.
Brandon Phipps, Vice President of Sales & Business Development, PeopleAdmin
6D: Key Components for Conducting a Successful Classification and Compensation Study
Compensation/Rewards, HR Strategies/Leadership
In this session, we will discuss the critical key components of initiating, conducting and living through the implementation of a comprehensive classification and compensation study process. Learn to avoid pitfalls and empower everyone involved to come out with a winning final product, even in times of fiscal austerity.
Nancy Stepina-Robison, Partner, MGT of America, Inc.
Concurrent Sessions 7: Wednesday, May 6 • 8:30-9:45 a.m.
7A: "The Devil Is in the Details:" Building Employee Commitment/Contribution
Organizational Development, Employee/Labor Relations
Move beyond buzzwords to build staff commitment and contribution! Examine nine key factors that drive staff "commitment" and "contribution" to your campus and review organizational practices that have been found to strengthen or diminish each of them. Following a short presentation, the panel of presenters will interact with the audience.
Stan McKnight, President, McKnight Associates, Inc., and John Baird, Senior Partner, Baird/Borling Associates, Ltd.
7B: Wellness at Work
Worklife/Wellness, Benefits
Get a step-by-step guide on the implementation and tracking of a wellness program at your institution. Learn why a wellness program is a valuable resource for combating increasing health care costs, and practical steps any HR professional can utilize to promote wellness within their institution. This session also introduces the American Heart Association's START! Program. The START! program is essentially a "wellness program in a box," provided free of charge by the AHA.
David Pierce, Director of Human Resources, Southwest Baptist University; and Karl Schmidt, Regional Director, American Heart Association
7C: Maximize the Value of Employee Benefit Programs Through Data-Driven Communication Strategies
Benefits, HR Strategies/Leadership
Employees are increasingly looking to their employers to provide them with voluntary insurance options. However, research indicates that employees are confused about their benefits and making choices appropriate to their life stage. This session will explore employee benefit trends and the challenges to bridging the gaps between how employees engage with their workplace benefits, their life stage needs, and the educational tools they need to be able to make the right benefit choices. Discuss the importance of building a relevant and effective benefit communication plan, and how analytics-driven and needs-based strategies can help your employees make the right benefit choices. Learn tips for working with benefit providers and the power of developing a true partnership with key stakeholders.
Tracy Camarata, Marketing Communications Manager, MetLife
7D: Understanding IT Speak
Technology
Have you ever been thrust into a project or onto a committee to bring HR expertise to an IT project — and felt completely under-prepared? Have the phrases and terms used at the meetings left you speechless or afraid that you might look clueless? Do you know the differences among a business case, a business requirement and a business process? If you have ever felt these feelings of inadequacy, this may be the session for you. You will learn about resources, tools and terminology that make your seat at the table productive and effective. Every profession has its own language, and this session aims to help you deal with IT-speak while recognizing the difficulties with our own HR-speak.
Karl Sparks, Director of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
