Category: Announcements

October “Get Outside” Challenge via Facebook

MTU Wellness challenges you to get outside at least 4 days a week for at least 20 minutes in the month of October!

Participants will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a $40 gift certificate to Coppler Farm.

This Challenge runs from October 1 to October 31, 2022. The winner of the raffle will be announced after October 31 on the MTU Wellness Facebook page!

Week 1: October 1 – 9
Week 2: October 10 – 16
Week 3: October 17 – 23
Week 4: October 24 – 31

To be eligible for the raffle:

  • Like & Share the “Get Outside” Challenge Facebook Post with a coworker/colleague employed at MTU
  • Must be a Michigan Tech Employee to win
  • Comment on the MTU Wellness daily Facebook posts with your activity (photos welcome!)

Questions about the October Challenge can be left in the comments section via Facebook.

Need inspiration?

  • Read a book
  • Walk/Run
  • Bike, Rollerblade, ATV, etc.
  • Yard Work
  • Play with a pet
  • Visit with a friend
  • Watch a sunrise/sunset
  • Watch a sporting event

Need extra accountability? Challenge a friend to do it with you!

For more information about Coppler Farm, visit their Facebook page.
Coppler Farm: “Come Riding”
Trail Rides, Lessons, Boarding

copplerfarm@up.net
906-201-1374
12080 North Laird Road
Pelkie, MI 49958

Blue Cross Blue Shield Liaison Visit

Please join Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Group Service Liaison, Tamara Yates, as she helps you understand your Michigan Tech employee BCBS health plan. Tammy will be on campus Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in MUB Alumni Lounge A (107A) to educate you on the following:

  • BCBS Health Benefits
  • BCBS Claims
  • Using the BCBS Website
  • Understanding Your Explanation of Benefits (EOB)

No appointment is necessary, simply show up!

On-Campus Meetings with TIAA Consultant

Ryan Hallowell from Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) will be available on Michigan Tech’s campus on the following dates and times for one-on-one-sessions:

  • Tuesday, September 27 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | MUB Datolite Room
  • Wednesday, September 28 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | MUB Superior Room
  • Thursday, September 29 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | MUB Datolite Room

No matter where you are in life – just getting started or planning for retirement – a session with TIAA can help you create a plan for your goals. There is no additional cost – it’s part of your retirement plan! You’ll get answers to these questions and more:

  • Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
  • Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
  • How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?

RSVP today, as space is limited.

Register for sessions with TIAA directly (click Schedule under the Your Employer category and select Michigan Tech from the dropdown menu).
Or, register by calling 800-732-8353 on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Labor Day Holiday Schedule

Due to the Labor Day Holiday on Monday, September 5, 2022, deadlines for payroll forms will be as follows for the pay period of August 21 through September 3, 2022 (Biweekly 18). As a department timekeeper, it is your responsibility to share this information with all employees in your department.

*Please be sure that all web time approvers have a designated PROXY set up.

Status Forms Due to Human Resources Thursday, 8/25/22 at 12:00 PM
EPAF Submissions Thursday, 8/25/22 at 12:00 PM
Deduction Forms Tuesday, 8/30/22 at 12:00 PM
Electronic Time Submission Friday, 9/2/22 at 12:00 PM
Web Time Entry Approval Friday, 9/2/22 at 2:00 PM

For instructions on how to set up a Proxy, please visit:

Web Time Entry Quick Reference Guide for Approvers

Have a safe Labor Day!

Memorial Day Holiday Schedule

Due to the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday, May 30th, 2022, deadlines for payroll forms will be as follows for the period May 15th through May 28th, 2022 (Bi-weekly 11). As a department timekeeper, it is your responsibility to share this information with all employees in your department.

Please be sure that all web time approvers have a designated PROXY set up.

-Status Forms Due to Human Resources: Thursday, 5/19/22 at Noon
-EPAF Submissions: Thursday, 5/19/22 at Noon
-Deduction Forms: Tuesday, 5/24/22 at Noon
-Electronic Time Submission: Friday, 5/27/22 at Noon
-Web Time Entry Approval: Friday, 5/27/22 at 2:00PM

For instructions on how to set up a proxy, please click here.

How to Record Comp Time

Eligible hourly employees will track their compensatory time balance using their time entry method (web time entry, department time entry, Time Clock Plus, paper time sheet). To use this feature, employees will record two different earning types; one to build the balance and one to use the balance. After each pay period is processed, the employee and their time entry approver can view the new compensatory time balance via Banweb.

Below is how the new compensatory time tracking will be recorded for each of the different time entry methods:

Web Time Entry
The earning type “Comp Time Earned” will be used to accrue (add) hours to the Compensatory Time balance.
The earning type “Comp Time Taken” will be used to reduce (subtract) hours from the Compensatory Time balance.

Time Clock Plus
The job code “Comp Time Earned” will be used to accrue (add) hours to the Compensatory Time balance.
The job code “Comp Time Taken” will be used to reduce (subtract) hours from the Compensatory Time balance.

Department Time Entry
The earnings code 450 will be used to accrue (add) hours to the Compensatory Time balance.
The earnings code 460 will be used to reduce (subtract) hours from the Compensatory Time balance.

Paper Time Sheet
The earn code 450 will be used to accrue (add) hours to the Compensatory Time balance.
The earn code 460 will be used to reduce (subtract) hours from the Compensatory Time balance.

If you have any questions, please contact Payroll Services at payroll@mtu.edu

Free Fidelity Live Webinars

Join the Benefits Office this spring for the following free, live webinars through Fidelity. You do not need to be an investor with Fidelity to participate in these webinars.

April 15 at 12:00pm (Noon): Learn the Basics of When and How to Claim Social Security
-Understand Social Security
-Considerations for claiming Social Security benefits
-Decide when to take Social Security benefits
Register for the April 15th webinar here

April 29th at 12:00pm (Noon): Prepare for the Reality of Health Care in Retirement
-Estimate retirement health care costs
-Understand available options before and after age 65
-Plan for retirement health care costs
Register for the April 29th webinar here

These webinars count toward Option 2 on your Husky Health Checklist!

Elimination of Departmental Time Sheets

Payroll Services is reorganizing the payroll processes which will change some of the ways timekeepers submit changes for department time sheets. This reorganization process is being done to in order to be more efficient in running the payroll process and to align submitting revised time sheets and reallocations with the normal process for those not on department time.

Beginning with Bi-weekly 06 (March 6, 2022 – March 19, 2022), payroll will be eliminating the process of sending department time sheets. Department timekeepers will be responsible for signing and submitting time sheets and reallocations. Paper time sheets will need to be submitted if there is exception time to report or if any index overrides are needed. If a paper time sheet is not submitted for index overrides, a Reallocation Form will then be needed to make the necessary corrections to the indexes. Exception time includes vacation, sick, personal, parental, holiday, seasonal, and bereavement.

Timekeepers can access Gross Earnings and other reports via Banner 8 as needed.

Upcoming Employee Financial Health Webinars through Fidelity and TIAA

Join the Benefits Office for these upcoming, free, live webinars scheduled this spring!

March 10th at 1:00pm:  Looking to turn your retirement savings into a “paycheck” for life? 
Join TIAA Sr. Director-Miguel Shefferson as he teaches you to diversify your investment portfolio before retirement to help offset risk.  A similar strategy can help see you through retirement.  Learn how creating a diversified income plan—one that uses a combination of income sources and includes annuity income that’s guaranteed for life that can help reduce the risks you may face in retirement and ensure you have income that never runs out. 
Register for the March 10th webinar here

April 15th at 12 noon:  Learn the Basics of When and How to Claim Social Security.
-Understand Social Security
-Considerations for claiming Social Security benefits
-Decide when to take Social Security benefits
Register for the April 15th webinar here

April 29th at 12 noon:  Prepare for the Reality of Health Care in Retirement.
Estimate retirement health care costs
-Understand available options before and after age 65
-Plan for retirement health care costs
Register for the April 29th webinar here

Lunch & Learn: Orthodontic Prevention: Oxymoron or Contemporary Paradigm?

February is Children’s Dental Health month! Please join our dynamic and entertaining speaker, Dr. Darin Ward of UPWard Orthodontics, on Tuesday, February 15 at 12:00pm in the MUB Ballrooom B1 as he discusses preventative orthodontics. Dr. Ward will explore why so many kids (and adults) today are told that they “need braces.” Dr. Ward will present his thoughts on the causes of crooked teeth and less than ideal jaw growth/facial growth and what you can do about it. It is a lot simpler than you think and unfortunately like most simple things, it’s hard to do! Whether you are an adult considering orthodontics or the parent of a child whose smiles needs attention, this presentation and discussion is a must attend.

Please email benefits@mtu.edu to reserve your seat today!

This Lunch & Learn counts toward Option 2 in your Husky Health Checklist.