Link to ME Calendar

In response to several requests, we have created a ME Google Calendar which notifies people as to who may be out of the office on particular days.  It will also eventually have important departmental deadlines posted to it.  For example, when the spring semester grad student appointments are due to ME Payroll.  The link is on the ME website in the intranet section.

Here's the link:  http://www.me.umn.edu/intranet/index.shtml

If you have any questions or comments, please contact me.

Regards,

Pam

2016 Open Enrollment for Employee Benefits

November 2, 2015

 

Open Enrollment for 2016 for Employee Benefits has opened.  It is open through November 30.  Here's the link to the web site for open enrollment, http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/benefits/openenroll/index.html. 

There really aren't many changes this year.  You need to take action if you want to participate in a health care or dependent daycare flexible spending account.

You won't need to take action if:

• You are satisfied with your medical and dental plan and optional coverage choices. There’s no need to re-enroll if you don’t plan to enroll in an FSA or add disability coverage. Your current coverage will continue into 2016.

You can make a change if:

• You want to choose a different medical or dental plan option.
• You want to add medical or dental coverage or cancel coverage.
• You want to add coverage for your spouse or dependent children or cancel their coverage.
• You want to enroll in child life insurance without proof of good health.
• You want to increase short-term disability coverage up to $200 without evidence of good health.
• You want to add or increase the amount of long-term disability insurance, if you are a civil service or labor represented employee.

Paper copies of the various providers in each network in the medical and dental plans are located at the front desk.  Please read them at the front desk so we don't lose them.

If you have any questions, please feel free to stop by and see me.

Regards,
Pam

Travel Per Diem Rate Change, October 1, 2015

Per Diem Rate Change, October 1
 
When completing reimbursement requests for travel that took place on or after October 1, 2015, please use the new rates as published on the sites listed below.

Travelers are reimbursed up to the per diem for lodging, meals and incidental expenses in accordance with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for domestic travel or the U.S. Department of State for international travel. While these rates have remained the same for several years, the federal government did just update them. Keep in mind that the rates may change on October 1 of any given year.

If the daily breakdown amounts are needed, please use those published on the Travel Services website, Rates page, and look for the Meals & Incidental Expenses (M&IE) section.

Pam

ME Student Shop Summer Hours

August 5, 2015

After two years of working in the Student Shop, Jim Rowell has accepted an instructor position at Dunwoody.  His last day was yesterday.  We will be posting the position for a replacement. 

Peter is also planning to take vacation beginning August 13 through August 28.  During his absence, the Student Shop will be staffed by student workers with a reduced schedule.  Below is the schedule that the Student Shop will be open for use:

8/6/15, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

8/7/15, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

8/10/15,  10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

8/11/15,  10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

8/12/15,  10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

8/13/15,  Closed

8/14/15,  1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

8/17/15,  11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

8/18/15,  11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

8/19/15,  11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

8/20/15,  Closed

8/21/15,  1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

8/24/15,  11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

8/25/15,  11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

8/26/15,  11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

8/27/15,  Closed

8/28/15,  1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.  Your patience is appreciated as we start the hiring process for Jim's replacement.

Regards,

Pam

--
Pamela L. Wilson
Assistant to the Department Head
Mechanical Engineering
University of Minnesota
111 Church St SE, ME 1100B
Minneapolis, MN  55455
612-625-9315
651-470-6337 (Cell)
612-626-1854 (Fax)

POWER OUTAGE OLD ME AND AKERMAN LOWER LEVEL, SATURDAY, 7/15/15

July 8, 2015

 

There will be a total power outage of the old ME West Wing and the Akerman Hall Lower Level this Saturday, July 11, 2015, from 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  They need to de-energize electrical panels to convert feeders to the permanent power.

Please note no one is allowed in the building during this time.  Please be sure to power off your computers, refrigerators, etc. prior to leaving on Friday.

Note:  This outage does not affect ME Net's Room 10, panels CP$, CP1 & 2 or UNITE's chiller.  For Akerman, there will be no power in rooms 3,5,7,9 15, sub-basement of room 7 and sub basement IDF room.

Regards,

Pam

CHANGES TO UPCOMING WATER OUTAGES

June 3, 2015


Here are some changes to the upcoming water outages that I announced on May 27, 2015:

• On June 10, 2015 the water in new ME will be shut off for the work being done on the Scholars Walk.  The City of Minneapolis will be doing this work.  No restrooms will be available in new ME.  You should be able to use the restrooms in old ME.  I don't have an exact time for this shutdown, but I believe it is all day.

•  On June 11, 2015 the water in old ME and Akerman Hall will be shut down from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the installation of PRV stations in the restrooms and to tie in the new water lines to Akerman.  Restrooms will be available in new ME.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Regards,

Pam

UPCOMING ME BUILDING DISRUPTIONS

May 27, 2015


There are several upcoming building disruptions I want to make you aware of.  Please see the list below:

• June 10, 2015 from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the water in old ME and Akerman Hall will be shutdown to install PRV Stations and tie in new lines to Akerman Hall.  This means that the restrooms in these buildings will be unavailable for use.  The restrooms in new ME will be usable.

• From June 10, 2015 through June 13, 2015, the data networks will be demoed and the wiring will be re-pulled to the  1st and 2nd floor of Rapson.  So anyone with an office in the Rapson Link will not have any data jacks available to use during these days.  This outage includes data jacks, wireless, and telephones.  

• On Saturday, June 13, all of the power in old ME and Akerman will be shut down the the day.  The electrical outage is needed to take the fire pump off the temporary service and connect it to the permanent electrical service. 

Regards,

Pam