Inside WFU – news for faculty and staff

Updates from HR: Workshops, Affinity Experience, CARE referrals, retirement contributions and mask distribution

January 20, 2021

CARE Team: How to report

The Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (CARE) Team serves the University community by evaluating and responding to reports of disruptive, troubling or threatening behaviors and provides referrals to individuals in need of support, guidance or intervention. If you are concerned about a member of the Wake Forest community, please send an email to care@nullwfu.edu or complete the CARE referral form. 

Inclusive Excellence for Leaders: Jan. 21

Faculty and staff leaders and those with responsibility for leading diversity, inclusion and equity efforts with their unit are invited to join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Thursday, Jan. 21, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., for a RIDE Workshop.

Register for this workshop on the PDC website.

Strategies for Trans Inclusion: Jan. 21

Join Dr. AJ Mazaris of the LGBTQ+ Center on Thursday, Jan. 21, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., for a conversation about pronouns, chosen names and best practices for classroom inclusion, with a focus on both virtual and in-person teaching spaces.

Register for this conversation on the PDC website.

Spring Affinity Experience: Jan. 28

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is hosting a Spring Affinity Experience on Thursday, Jan. 28, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., to link underrepresented faculty, staff and allies to affinity groups and resources at Wake Forest University to create a sense of belonging and community.

Register for this event on the PDC website.

Mask distribution

Free face coverings are available for faculty and staff pickup at the following locations:

• Benson Information Desk
• Environmental Health and Safety Office
• Reynolds Gym Front Desk
• School of Business Student Engagement Suite
• ZSR Library Circulation Desk

If you would like to request masks for your entire department or have questions, contact Jen Haggas at 336.758.5707 or haggasjl@nullwfu.edu.

Update your retirement contributions

As a reminder, faculty and staff may change their 403(b) retirement contributions at any time by visiting the TIAA website or calling 800.842.2776.

Plan Number: 406897

“Let’s Stop Making the Easy Stuff Hard”

ICYMI: Allison McWilliams, assistant vice president of mentoring and alumni personal and career development, reflects on last week’s events in Psychology Today.

Read the full article on Psychology Today.

SAC updates: January 2021

January 19, 2021

The Staff Advisory Council (SAC) shared news about upcoming Wake Forest University events and workshops for faculty and staff, including:

• The 2020 WakeUnited Campaign
• D.E.A.C. (Developing Empowering, Affirming Communities) Allies workshops, offered by the LGBTQ+ Center
• R.I.D.E. (Realizing Inclusion, Equity and Diversity) workshops, presented by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Wellness and movement programs, offered by the Office of Wellbeing
• The WFU Healthy Weight for You program, offered by HELPS

View highlights below, and visit the SAC website to read the full newsletter.

Read More »

Spring Affinity Experience for Faculty and Staff to be held Jan. 28

January 16, 2021

The Wake Forest University Office of Diversity and Inclusion invites faculty and staff to join a virtual Spring Affinity Experience on Thursday, Jan. 28, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The event will be facilitated by Assistant Vice President for Inclusive Practice Malika Roman Isler and will include community updates and breakout room affinity spaces.

The Spring Affinity Experience will link underrepresented faculty, staff and allies to affinity groups and resources at Wake Forest University to support a sense of belonging and community.

Current affinity/identity spaces include:

• International
• African-American Women
• LGBTQ+
• Parent and Caregivers
• Women
• African-American Men
• Asian
• Latinx
• Jewish
• Muslim
• Disability
• Ally

Visit the PDC website to view full event details and register to join.

Updates from HR: Faculty-staff forum, MLK Day, revised COVID-19 Notice

January 14, 2021

Faculty & staff update: Jan. 15

Faculty and staff colleagues are invited to a joint update this Friday, January 15, at 4 p.m. via Zoom webinar for the most up-to-date information on public health and safety, vaccination planning, and a financial update.

Faculty and staff received an email from the Provost’s Office earlier this week with joining information.

University closed: Jan. 18

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the University will be closed Monday, January 18.

View 2021 holidays » hr.wfu.edu

Revised COVID-19 Notice

The COVID-19 Notice has been updated to reflect the University’s ongoing efforts to respond to the pandemic during the spring semester. Key updates include information regarding the approach to asymptomatic testing of students and encouragement that individuals receive a COVID-19 vaccine when available.

Read more » ourwayforward.wfu.edu

Returning from international travel

Those who are returning to the United States are encouraged to follow the new CDC recommendations for international travel. Including, but not limited to:

• Get tested 1-3 days before travel and again 3-5 days after travel.
• Quarantine for 7 days after travel, or 10 days if you did not get tested.
• If there are people in your household who did not travel with you, wear a mask and ask everyone in the household to wear masks in shared spaces inside your home for 14 days after travel.

Learn more » cdc.gov

Read More »

Spring Semester COVID-19 Update

January 12, 2021

Dear students, faculty and staff,

We are eager to welcome you back for the spring semester. As shared in earlier messages, our goal is to begin the spring semester on campus in late January. Given continued consultation with public health officials and careful evaluation of our health protocols, we remain optimistic that it will be safe for students to return on time. The intent of this email is to inform you of factors that have influenced our current thinking and to share what we currently know about COVID-19 vaccine distribution for Wake Forest faculty, staff and students. Read More »