In The Know – Issue 96

Celebrating Women’s History Month

View photos of the flag-raising ceremony and learn about programs and activities celebrating Women’s History Month.

First-Generation Warriors

An essay written by Montclair’s vice president for Student Development and Campus Life for The Chronicle of Higher Education.

How Alumni Launched a Record Label

Graduates of Montclair and Bloomfield merge their talents to help up-and-coming artists navigate the music industry.

In the News

• President Jonathan Koppell appeared in two leading Indian outlets as part of his trip to India last week. His contributed article in Financial Express discusses why Indian students prefer America as a study destination, and in the business news publication Moneycontrol, he explains how India remains the largest sending nation for Montclair.
• Chancellor Marcheta P. Evans (Bloomfield College of Montclair State University) contributed a piece to Times Higher Education about the tough road to leadership as a woman in higher education.
• Katia Paz Goldfarb (Hispanic Initiatives and International Programs) also penned an article for Times Higher Education, about the legacy she wants to leave as a woman in leadership.
• Jason Williams (Justice Studies) is quoted in this NorthJersey.com article about the fatal shooting of Najee Seabrooks that still casts a cloud over Paterson one year later. Williams is also quoted in this NJ Spotlight News article about funding for the state’s mental-health crisis response program, Arrive Together.
• Luis Portes (Economics spoke to ABC 7 New York about reports that fast food chain Wendy’s plans to introduce surge pricing.
• Fanny Lauby (Political Science and Law) was interviewed by French magazine Le Point on the choice of Joe Biden as a candidate for the Democratic Party in the 2024 election.

Important Updates

• W-2 forms are now available for print and download in Workday. From your Workday home page, under “Applications,” please select the “Pay” icon, then select “My Tax Documents.” Once in My Tax Documents scroll down and you’ll see a table with available tax year W-2 documents that you can view/print. If you do not see this notation, that means your W-2 was delivered by mail. If you were employed by Bloomfield College during January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2023, you will receive a separate W-2 for earnings during that time period. Questions? contact Workday Support at wccsupport@montclair.edu or 973-655-5000, Option 3.
• Looking to connect with colleagues, share information and learn about events happening on campus? Subscribe to campus lists.
• Select offices and support services will host special hours during spring break, March 11-17. View “What’s Open During Spring Break?” for more information.
• Mental Health First Aid training will occur March 11-15. This one-day, eight-hour course, teaches adults 18 years and older how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Register for one of the multiple one-day training sessions offered. For questions, email mhfa@montclair.edu.
• The Office of the Provost is now accepting nominations for the faculty and staff Excellence in Academic Advising and Career Services Awards. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, March 22. Please visit the Excellence in Academic Advising and Career Services website for more information and for nomination forms.
• The deadline for faculty and staff participating in Spring Commencement to order regalia is Monday, March 25. Advanced registration is required for all faculty and staff working Commencement and for those who are participating in the academic processional. Registration will close on Monday, April 15. Additional information about venue arrival times, event credential distribution, shuttle service, and more is available on the Commencement website under Faculty and Staff Information.
• The Department of Mathematics has initiated a new peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary publication called LASER Journal (LASER: Linking Art and Science through Education and Research). This journal provides a forum for mathematical, scientific and artistic discussions about the interconnections between math and art.

Upcoming Events

• The Department of Theatre and Dance Spring Dance Showcase will be held at the Alexander Kasser Theater, Friday March 8 and Saturday March 9. Purchase tickets.
• Attend the Critical Urban Education speaker series on Thursday, March 21 featuring Deonna Smith, educational justice advocate and former school teacher and leader. Learn strategies in community building and accessible academic frameworks.
• Montclair State University Day at Yankee Stadium is Sunday, April 7. Watch the New York Yankees take on the Toronto Blue Jays. Purchase tickets for Montclair section #334. Tickets include a free Yankees/MSU cap and a $20 food and beverage voucher.

Reminders

• Campus Recreation invites employees (and up to four guests) to its FREE Family Swim Night from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays, March 22 and April 26 at the Student Recreation Center pool. Guests must be over age 5 and accompanied by an employee with a University ID. Flotation devices that are USCG approved are allowed. For more information, contact Alex Sperling at sperlinga@montclair.edu.
• Make parking easier by downloading the Parking Logix app to check for available parking before you leave for campus. The app provides real-time updates on parking availability in the parking decks and lots.
• Request the company of our university pupscot, Pebbles at your upcoming events! Let Pebbles be a paw-sitive presence at your event, fostering a sense of well-being and support for everyone involved.
• The University has partnered with Ascendium Education Solutions®, a leader in student loan repayment support, to address any questions or concerns regarding federal student loans. Call 833-707-1220 or email successcenter@ascendiumeducation.org for assistance. Also check out the MSU GradReady website for additional resources available to help with managing your financial needs.
• Faculty and staff are eligible to purchase the 30 Block + $50 Red Hawk Dollar meal plan or the $300 Red Hawk Dollar meal plan. By purchasing the $300 Faculty/Staff RHD plan, you will also receive a bonus $50 Red Hawk Dollars. The plan can be used at all campus dining venues, vending machines and convenience stores. Enroll by payroll deduction or credit card.
• Take advantage of the State Employee Discount Program with access to discounts in various categories.
• EMS has installed hemorrhage/bleeding control kits and Narcan in Automated External Defibrillator (AED) cabinets on campus and is offering training sessions on how to use the hemorrhage control and Narcan kits. If you or your department would like to participate in these training sessions, contact EMS at 973-655-7836 or ems@montclair.edu.
• Did you know the Center for Writing Excellence is open to all University employees? The center provides free, confidential appointments for feedback on all types of writing including professional documents, emails, memos and improving general writing skills. In-person and virtual appointments are available.
• Land on a broken link or dead end on montclair.edu? Report your experience here.
• The new University Calendar is here. Powered by the University’s room booking system, 25 Live, all event listings should be entered here. Still need training? Register for online or in-person training.
• The email listservs “For Sale,” “Campus” and “Discuss” are now opt-in only. All members have been unsubscribed. Re-subscribe to opt-in.

Support for Staff and Faculty

• The Employee Assistance Program provides free, confidential support services for employees and their families – including locating resources for substance abuse, mental health and self-help. For more information, view the CONCERN brochure.
• Worried about a student’s well-being? Please fill out a CARE Report form to connect students to mental health support and resources. Faculty and advisors can complete an alert via Navigate for academic concerns.
• If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988, the nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support, 24/7.

Kudos

• To Anabella Poland (Communication and Media), and the students at WMSC Radio for taking home two first place awards and 14 finalist awards at the 2024 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards.
• To Patricia Virella (Educational Leadership), who was elected to serve a three-year term as chair of the Educational Change Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association.
• To Jessica Henry (Justice Studies), who participated in a post-play discussion at Luna Stage about the trauma of American prisons and whether people who commit violent crimes deserve release.

Social Media Post of Note

Happy #LeapDay Red Hawks Today’s an EXTRA special day, remember to make it count!

Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.