A Message from Alan

Thank you to those who took the time to participate in our Ball State University Engagement Survey conducted by Gallup.  We have recently received access to the results.  The cabinet and the Business Affairs leadership team have been discussing the high-level results and have started early conversations about how we will use this information.  The results were just released to supervisors. They are still going through some training and learning how to understand and use this important information.  Much of the engagement occurs with the relationships we each have with our direct supervisor, and so the results will be shared in meetings by your supervisor. Each AVP is developing their own priorities and communication plans, but you should have a meeting to discuss these results within the next several months.   The information gathered from this survey will be a part of regular meetings and discussions. It will inform how we do our work, how we treat each other, and the strategic alignment plan our People and Culture Office is developing.  Our goal is to create a place where we all feel valued and want to work.  Please let us know if you have any questions or comments.

Thanks,

Alan

Do me a favor. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and hit play on the soundbar if you haven’t already. Do you hear that? It’s the sound of movement and it’s happening all around us.  We’ve moved right into the second quarter. We’re moving forward with engagement. And the American Heart Association encourages more movement this month. Are you catching the theme? It’s time to get moving and in more ways than one. Need help getting started? Check out the Move More Activation Guide from the American Heart Association and the Quick Fit Tips provided by our very own Coordinator of Fitness and Wellness Programs, Eric Macha. Grab a friend and get moving today. Share your favorite forms of movement in the comments below. We can all benefit from them. Have a great month, Friends!

Moves in Business Affairs

Jayson Jarrett

Please join Student Financial Services & Systems in congratulating Jayson Jarrett in his new position as Assistant Director of Student Financial Services.  Jayson is the perfect fit for this position. He brings over 19 years of experience in different capacities at Ball State University. He is a BSU alum with a master’s degree.  Jayson’s most recent work as an Assistant Director of Veteran Affairs has been exemplary. He has strong analytical and organizational skills in addition to good customer service skills and finding solutions for our students and their families.

Jayson will be a great addition to our team as we continue to find efficiencies in our services & systems areas, expand financial wellness and help our students manage their educational finances.

Jonathan Mock

Please join Student Financial Services & Systems in welcoming Jon Mock, 2013 Ball State graduate and Student Financial Services’ new Financial Wellness Advisor.  Jon has a diverse background in consumer finance including mortgage lending, insurance, investing, and financial coaching as a business owner. Jon’s passion is to see individuals excel in their purpose in life without having to worry about the stressors of finances along the way.

Ellen Botkin

Please join the Employee Solution Center (formerly HR Solutions Center) in welcoming Ellen Botkin as a Human Resources Coordinator. In her previous role, she was the Travel Booking Coordinator in Accounts Payable. 

The Custodians

The custodians are on the move. While they are hard at work cleaning our buildings, they are intentionally getting their steps in as part of a friendly competition. Keep up the good work and thank you for all that you do!

News from Our BA Leaders

People and Culture – Darrell Clark

Last year, Ball State outsourced all FMLA and Parental Leaves of Absence cases to Ascent Risk Management Group (Ascent) to process. Other leaves, such as study leaves, military leaves, emergency leaves, and extended sick leaves, continued to be processed by staff in the Office for People and Culture (formerly Human Resources).  After evaluating leaves processes and carefully considering the impact on employees, it has been decided that, effective April 8, 2024, the handling of all leaves will return in-house to be processed.   

We are pleased to announce the hiring of Jennifer Cook as our new Leave Management Specialist as of March 11, 2024.  Jennifer brings a background of working in Human Resources with a focus on FMLA, Worker’s Compensation, and Employee Relations. She is looking forward to helping employees with all leave needs. 

Ascent will continue to process FML and Parental Leave requests through Friday, April 5th. After this date, please reach out to Jennifer for assistance by emailing Leaves@bsu.edu, or by phone at 765-285-1036.  

You can find general information about leave policies on our Time Off webpage. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact the Employee Solution Center (formerly HR Solutions Center) at 765-285-1834. 

Enduring Values

This month we are highlighting our enduring value, Social Responsibility.

Social Responsibility. We commit to act for the benefit of society at large.

Each Monday in April, a social responsibility prompt will be shared on our LinkedIn page, Facebook page, Telus Health, and under the Enduring Values tab right here on our blog.

What’s Coming?

One Ball State Day

• One Ball State Day is April 3rd. As a reminder, Alan Finn, VP of Business Affairs, initiated the Employee Emergency Fund  last year.  For every dollar you donate to the Employee Emergency Fund, Alan will match up to $1000 for OBSD! Let’s get donating!
• Come out to the Lewellen Pool to cheer on our own Darrell Clark, AVP for People & Culture during the Cardinal Dash and Splash at 12 p.m.

 

Workiversaries

Beginning next month, we will begin recognizing Business Affairs employees who reach an annual anniversary on a monthly basis. The Business Affairs form has been updated to remove the question about workiversaries, but all other previous preference options are still listed on the form.  If you’ve not yet completed it, you can find the link in the section below.

Questions & Feedback

Do you have quotes, recommended books, recipes, photos from departmental festivities, retirement news, an exciting life event you’d like to share, or just want to provide feedback? Send your contributions or comments to Kcwebb@bsu.edu. If you’d like to be recognized for your birthday, please complete the Business Affairs recognition form here. We’d love to celebrate you!