Smeal Update: November 13, 2020
Smeal embraces Mister Rogers Calls sessions
More than 40 requests have been made so far to participate in Smeal’s latest community building initiative, which randomly pairs members of the Smeal community for informal, get-to-know conversations. For those of you who would like to give a Mister Rogers Calls conversation a try, the program will start again in December.
Smeal in the News
Farrell Center Experienceship Program a success
The Farrell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship overcame the challenges of the pandemic to execute a successful launch of its Experienceship Program. Read the story.
Diversity Enhancement Programs will benefit from Giving Tuesday
Smeal is partnering with the University’s Office of Annual Giving to raise funds for the Office of Diversity Enhancement Programs on Giving Tuesday, which will take place on Dec. 1. Read the story. Former Penn State women’s basketball player Meredith Monroe ’10 FIN, chair of the Office of Diversity Enhancement Programs’ Advisory Board, has pledged up to $2,500 toward a 1:1 match for gifts raised as part of the campaign. You can join the effort by making a gift or by becoming a “champion” to spread the word among your personal networks ahead of #GivingTuesday.
MBA Program ranks 32nd in Corporate Knights’ 2020 Better World MBA Ranking
The Penn State Smeal College of Business MBA Program has been ranked No. 32 in the Corporate Knights’ 2020 Better World MBA Ranking, which was released Tuesday. The ranking identifies the world’s top 40 MBA programs in sustainability performance. Read the story.
Spring admission available for Master of Supply Chain Management Program
Business professionals who want a graduate-level supply chain education from Penn State can now enroll in the University’s spring semester instead of waiting to start next fall. Read the story.
Joshi featured on Bloomberg Live Equity Briefing webcast
Aparna Joshi, the Arnold Family Professor of Management, was a panelist on a Bloomberg Live Equity Briefing webcast titled “What Gen Z Wants: Creating the Inclusive Work Environment of the Future. A recording of the webcast is available online.
Benefits Open Enrollment runs through Nov. 20
Benefits Open Enrollment will run through Nov. 20. You should have received a notification in your Workday inbox to enroll in benefits. Resources are available to help you decide which options are best for you and can be accessed here: Benefits Open Enrollment Resources. Remember, that you MUST re-enroll in the Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account/Dependent Care Savings Account and specify your contribution for the year; this will not “roll over” automatically.
Performance review is now open in Workday
The 2020-2021 performance review is now open in Workday for full-time staff. Check your Workday inbox for a notification titled "Set Content: 2020-2021 Step 1: Setting Goals and Expectations" and complete the Set Goals phase of the performance review cycle by entering the goals you developed during October into Workday. Be sure to add the Smeal Honor & Integrity goal to your review by clicking “use existing goal” as you are entering your goals; it has been cascaded to you so should appear in the drop down box to choose when you click this option.
Do you know someone who rocks? Nominate them!
Each month the Smeal Staff Advisory Committee names a You Rock! Award recipient. You can nominate a co-worker for the You Rock! Award online.
The Smeal Community Weekly Poll
The Staff Advisory Committee, in an effort to engage the Smeal community, is conducting a weekly poll. This week's survey asks for your fast-food preference. Click this link to participate. Results will be shared during next week's Smeal Community Zoom.
Frequently-asked questions from faculty
What is the status of walk-up virus testing?
For employees, voluntary asymptomatic COVID-19 testing is available as follows:
For faculty, instructors, and staff who have been working on campus at University Park, asymptomatic walk-up COVID-19 testing will close at the end of the day on Nov. 11. Beginning immediately and continuing through the month of November, all faculty and staff employees who are in the ‘Return to Work’ database may take advantage of a new process for voluntary asymptomatic COVID-19 testing. Employees wishing to initiate this process should visit https://vaulthealth.formstack.com/forms/psuemployee. Test kits will be mailed to home addresses and the test will be completed under virtual observation with Vault Health to complete the process.
University Park in-person testing options will resume after Thanksgiving week. Those details are being planned for December and will be announced soon.
What testing will be available for students who remain on campus past Nov. 20, especially during the week of Thanksgiving?
The University’s testing protocols for students and employees, which include walk-up testing and random surveillance testing, will continue through Nov. 20. Due to the holiday, there will be no surveillance or walk-up testing from Nov. 21-29. However, the University will be prepared to support students with health services for those who remain on campuses over the Thanksgiving week.
All random surveillance testing will resume on campuses on Nov. 30 and continue through the remainder of the fall semester for employees working on site and students who may continue to live on or near Penn State campuses.