In the Know – Issue 79

From Foster Care to College Graduation

University provides a safety net for students formerly in foster care, homeless or without family support.

State Support for Preschool Children with Disabilities

More than $720K per year for three years from the Department of Education will support the University in providing resources and equitable access to educational services.

University Galleries Unveils Fall 2023 Exhibitions

Segal Gallery and Kasser Theater will host three free exhibitions on view through December 1.

In the News

• President Koppell contributed a piece to Inside Higher Ed and Times Higher Education about how universities like Montclair are helping to combat the mental health crisis among students.
• Katrina Bulkley (Office of the President) is mentioned in this Texas Tribune article about the state takeover of the Houston Independent School District and the expansion of charter schools.
• Christopher Donoghue (Sociology) is quoted in this NJ.com article about a call for the state to improve its anti-bullying laws.
• Jason Williams (Justice Studies) was interviewed for this New Jersey Monthly piece on the Paterson Police Department.
• Stephanie Silvera (Public Health) spoke to CBS News about Moderna’s dual COVID-flu vaccine. Silvera also spoke to NJ Spotlight News about the state’s rollout of the newest COVID-19 vaccine.
• Eva Goldfarb (Public Health) is quoted in this Rebellious Magazine article about sex education.
• A piece by Inside Higher Ed about disparities faced by Black student fathers highlights Montclair’s Male Enrollment and Graduation Alliance.
• Jaime Bedrin (University College) wrote a piece for Montclair Local about the “PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) to Schools” campaign in Montclair Township.
• Gabriel Rubin (Justice Studies) was interviewed by ABC7 New York about the Israel-Hamas war.

Upcoming Events

• Interested in grad school? Graduate Admissions will hold the fall 2023 virtual open house on Sunday, October 22. You will hear directly from faculty about our graduate programs and certifications.
• Register for the Montclair State University Blood Drive – Tuesday, October 31 in Student Center Ballrooms A and B. Appointments are preferred. Walk-ins welcomed if space permits. Photo ID required.

Your Input Needed

• LAST CALL! Staff and faculty are invited to participate in focus groups and individual interviews to share thoughts and insights on current communication channels specific to employee communications. Please help us out by signing up. For more information about the project, contact Internal Communications Editor Brittany John at johnbr@montclair.edu.
• The Montclair State University Center for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology is in the running for the Suburban Essex Readers’ Choice Awards Best of Essex 2023. Help the center win gold this year by voting.

HR News

• Open Enrollment ends on Tuesday, October 31. Now is your chance to review benefits and make changes for the next calendar year. All changes made during Open Enrollment will be effective on January 1, 2024. No action is required if you do not wish to change or modify your medical or dental benefits. Action is required to enroll and re-enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts. Log into the Benefitsolver to find out what’s new for 2024 and view resources about your benefit options.
• Jonah Nelson ’10 has joined Human Resources as Director of Employee and Labor Relations. He will work alongside Victoria Cantrella to deliver employee and labor relations guidance to all levels of supervisory and managerial staff. Nelson will play a lead role in the administration of collectively negotiated agreements and will address a variety of civil service, employee relations, discipline, dispute resolution and grievance matters in addition to providing support for labor negotiations and labor agreement implementation.

Reminders

• University Employees are encouraged to enroll with Rave Mobile safety to stay aware of emergency alerts and other vital information.
• Make an appointment today to reserve a flu shot at the campus flu clinics this fall. Walk-ins are welcome while supplies last.
• 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 online appointments are available.
• Mindfulness Meditation is held every Monday online, 12-12:30 p.m. and open to all with an interest in learning about meditation and developing mindfulness.
• Spaces are still available for Campus Recreation’s Learn to Swim program for ages 5-18.
• Visit the Volunteer Center’s updated site for ongoing volunteer opportunities through the 2023-2024 academic year.
• Faculty and staff are eligible to purchase the new $300 per semester flexible spending meal plan and receive $50 flex dollars each semester. The plan can be used at all campus dining venues, vending machines and convenience stores. Pay by payroll deduction, cash, check or credit card.
• Land on a broken link or dead end on montclair.edu? Report your experience.
• The new University Calendar is here. Powered by the University’s room booking system, 25Live, all event listings should be entered here. Still need training? Register for online or in-person training.

Support

• The Employee Assistance Program provides free, confidential support services for University employees and their families – including locating resources for substance abuse, mental health and self-help. For more information, see the attached CONCERN brochure.
• Worried about a student’s well-being? Please fill out a CARE Report form to connect students to 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 new nationwide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support, 24/7.

Kudos

• To Elizabeth Emery (World Languages and Cultures), who was invited by La Société des Amis du Musée national de céramique (France) as a lecturer in their fall series dedicated to 19th-century industrialization and innovation and its influence on the decorative arts.
• To Charles Sampson (Educational Leadership), who recently presented the NJASA School Safety and Security Survey to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Schools.
• To Katia Patz Goldfarb and Marilyn Moya (Hispanic Initiatives), who were featured in The Montclarion which profiled the Office of Hispanic Initiatives.

Social Media Post of Note

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.