Onboarding programs consisting of a brief history lesson about the institution and instructions for how to get a parking pass aren’t likely to inspire new hires. Here are three elements of onboarding programs that go beyond the basics to create a deeper understanding of campus culture and a sense of belonging. Orient New Hires to... View Article
On April 25, the Department of Homeland Security announced another extension of the Form I-9 compliance flexibilities that was initially granted in 2020. The guidance was set to expire on April 30 but has now been extended through October 31, 2022. The guidance will continue to allow for remote inspection of Form I-9 documents in... View Article
Detecting bias can be a challenge, particularly when it comes to long-standing practices that are firmly rooted in our campus culture and systems. Left unchecked, these routine practices may create unintended barriers to inclusion and belonging. In the recent CUPA-HR virtual workshop, “Detecting Systemic Bias in Talent Practices,” Dr. Aarti Shyamsunder, DEI solutions consultant at... View Article
For institutions to become diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces for faculty and staff, HR must take a critical look at current hiring processes and analyze not only who’s being hired, but who’s doing the hiring. Are search committee members trained in DEI issues and prepared to conduct interviews in a way that exemplifies the institution’s... View Article
Throughout 2021, HR practitioners have proven their resilience time and again by positively impacting higher education not only in response to the ever-evolving pandemic, but also in building more flexible, diverse and inclusive workplaces. CUPA-HR captured many of these higher ed success stories, as well as leadership advice, helpful resources and workforce data trends in... View Article
Higher ed leaders worked tirelessly last year to facilitate employee transitions to remote work. Now that many employees are firmly rooted in their remote work routine (and in some cases hesitant or unable to return to campus), what was previously a short-term solution is becoming a permanent option at many institutions, and the next challenge... View Article
June is Pride Month, and many institutions are hosting LGBTQ+ programming and events to spread the message of inclusion in higher ed. HR pros can further this message and help make LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff feel seen, heard and valued by learning about the barriers and experiences of these individuals and ways to advocate... View Article
If 2020 has given us anything — aside from a new appreciation for the word “pivot” — it’s proof that higher ed is just as capable of adaptation as the corporate world. Before these unprecedented times, big names like Google, Facebook and Netflix were more often at the forefront of workforce innovation conversations than were... View Article
Higher ed institutions know how critical it is to have a diverse workforce, equitable hiring and compensation practices, and an inclusive work environment for all. Yet this work can be daunting for HR teams who don’t know where to start. After all, improving DEI for faculty and staff doesn’t have a one-time quick-fix solution —... View Article
Between pivoting with the COVID-19 pandemic, confronting racial issues, making strides toward more equitable workplaces, and managing already hectic workloads, higher ed HR has had its hands full this year. Yet in the middle of it all, resilient HR pros continue to find ways to positively impact the higher education landscape. As 2020 comes to... View Article
Wes Harmon, senior manager of learning and professional development at CUPA-HR, catches up with Heather Hart, executive director of human resources at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana-Lafayette. Heather shares ways her institution communicated across their 18-campus system and the work plans they developed to assist with identifying gaps and strategically deploying resources and people.... View Article
Whether you’re a CHRO or an HR manager, you most likely have staff who report to you. While the typical ways of celebrating Employee Appreciation Day (the first Friday in March), such as bringing in breakfast or throwing a surprise middle-of-the-day office party, aren’t bad, you can show your staff you care about them in... View Article
This blog post was contributed by Stephanie Hoffmann, assistant director of community standards and responsibility at Rollins College. Ensuring that student affairs professionals feel engaged with their institution, know what resources are available on and off campus and know how they can utilize their strengths can help them perform better in their roles and positively... View Article
Higher ed faculty require years of education but often work beyond typical retirement ages; jobs are stable, and turnover is very low; the pipeline for new hires is fundamentally limited; and competition for positions occurs nationally. As the workforce ages, this may create unique challenges for the management of a faculty workforce. To help higher... View Article
This blog post was contributed by Jennifer R. Burnett, Ph.D., senior principal at Cornerstone, Inc. In today’s higher ed labor market, unemployment is at an all-time low, a skills gap in the workforce continues to grow, and the workforce is made up of more generations than ever before. For colleges and universities to attract top... View Article
With nearly one-third of the U.S. higher education staff workforce age 55 or older, the implications are many for colleges and universities. New research by CUPA-HR on the aging of the higher ed workforce highlights some challenges institutions will likely face in the coming years as staff begin to retire in large numbers. Here’s what... View Article
CUPA-HR recently hosted an online discussion in the members-only CUPA-HR Connect General Discussion Group where higher ed HR practitioners shared their onboarding wisdom, their innovative and successful onboarding practices, and answered each other’s questions. From these online conversations, we have compiled questions and responses spanning all aspects of onboarding — from training for hiring managers... View Article
Editor’s note: You may have missed this article when we published it last March. It’s been updated here with additional resources and related content. For more on onboarding, drop by the members-only CUPA-HR Connect General Discussion Group this week, where higher ed HR professionals with innovative and successful onboarding practices will be facilitating conversations, answering questions and... View Article
Charged by the university president to become the most civically engaged institution in the nation, Drexel University began formulating a local hiring strategy that has resulted in reduced turnover rates, increased collaboration with community partners and career opportunities for West Philadelphia residents. Jennifer Britton, director for communications and special projects in the office of university... View Article
Another year down, and a new one underway! As you jump back into your work in this new year, we hope you’ll take some time to read about some of the great work your HR colleagues are doing at colleges and universities around the country. CUPA-HR’s The Higher Education Workplace magazine and Higher Ed Workplace blog highlight new and innovative... View Article
According to data from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health, the number of college students seeking mental health counseling services on campus increased by nearly 30 percent from 2009 to 2015. Similarly, a new study by the American Psychiatric Association found that the rate of treatment of college students for mental health issues rose from... View Article
This blog post was contributed by Drexel King, manager of learning and development at Baylor University and alumnus of CUPA-HR’s Wildfire program for early-career higher ed HR professionals. Transitioning to a new job can be tough for many people, but this transition can be especially difficult for the nearly 300,000 veterans that enter the U.S.... View Article
Student affairs has one of the most diverse workforces on college and university campuses today, particularly as it relates to women and African Americans in leadership positions. Student affairs is also exemplary for pay equity compared to the rest of higher education. According to findings from CUPA-HR’s just-released research report Focus on Student Affairs, 2018:... View Article
This article was prepared in recognition of National Preparedness Month. However, as our colleagues in North and South Carolina deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, Houston Community College’s story resonates for its lessons on both preparedness and recovery. On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast. For the next... View Article