Human Resources

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

Welcome to the Columbia University Human Resources (CUHR) website. If you are new to the University, please read and follow the New Officers & Support Staff checklist.

This site contains important news and information about the University's competitive benefits, our learning and professional development offerings, workplace policies, and other important HR initiatives.

If you have questions or need more information, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,
Lou Bellardine — Vice President, Columbia University Human Resources

News Highlights

Retirement Plan Enhancements: Transition to TIAA-CREF from Calvert Complete
As you may recall, we wrote to all eligible plan participants in February to share information about some enhancements to the retirement plans, including a transition away from Calvert to TIAA-CREF and the implementation of a new TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Fund. We are pleased to inform you that these enhancements are complete.

The blackout period for the Calvert transition to the TIAA-CREF platform has ended. As of today, April 15, you may access your balance and make transactions. Participants invested in Calvert funds may access their accounts at TIAA-CREF via http://www.tiaa-cref.org/columbia or by calling TIAA-CREF at 800-842-2252.

You will no longer have access to your Calvert account via the Calvert website. However, if you would like historical information concerning your account, please call the Calvert Service Center directly at 800-368-2745.

In addition, the replacement of the TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Funds - Retirement Share Class with the TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Funds - Institutional Share Class, has been completed. These new, lower-cost options will help put more money toward your retirement savings goals. Note that each new fund has a different ticker symbol, as you will see on your next quarterly statement.
Doing the Right Thing: Online Training Update
CUIT and other IT teams have disabled Java in web browsers for security reasons on many University computers. As a result, our online training programs through Skills @ Columbia, including the Doing the Right Thing training program, will not play as they require Java. Our team is continuing to work on developing a solution in conjunction with our vendor partner and colleagues from CUIT Security.

We realize this interruption in service affects our colleagues who wish to take an online course or who are required to complete the Doing the Right Thing program. As a result, Learning & Development is providing access to Java-enabled computers in Studebaker, 622 West 132^nd Street, Room 160 for Morningside Campus staff members.

Morningside Staff - Click here to reserve a date and time in the Computer Lab to complete the Doing the Right Thing Training Course.

CUMC staff members should still be able to complete the course online as usual. If CUMC staff members have any Java-related issues they should contact the CUMC IT Help Desk at 5-HELP (5-4357).
Register Now to Develop Your Skills with a Half-Day or Full-Day Class
We are pleased to announce registration for our Spring 2013 classroom courses is now available.

The spring offerings are designed to help promote individual development and team productivity. New courses offer tips on partnering with others to make new, insightful and innovative decisions. Be sure to speak with your manager and department finance contact to secure the account and project information needed to process the chargeback in ARC.

HR Learning & Development courses are open to all faculty and staff, for a minimal charge that may be paid by the department or by the individual.

To register or find out more about our offerings, visit: http://hr.columbia.edu/learn-dev/live

Manager Toolkit

Help Coach and Support Your Staff with Performance Reviews
Once a year, the University takes the opportunity to recognize the achievements of our administrative employees and begin the conversation about new and ongoing individual performance goals, as well as engaging employees in the broader goals of the department.

Writing performance appraisals allows you to support your staff by documenting their strengths, areas of development, and opportunities for career growth. These appraisals also build employees' relationships with their direct supervisor, which elevates performance. It's proven that this dialogue helps reinforce target goals for the individual, team, department and University at large.

To help guide you through these conversations and provide resources for leading the Performance Management process, we encourage managers and supervisors to review our Guide to Performance Management, available in the HR Manager Toolkit at http://managers.hr.columbia.edu/managing-performance.

For information on classroom training opportunities related to performance management, please contact hrlearning@columbia.edu.

It is University policy that Officers of Administration and Non-Union Support Staff receive a written performance appraisal once per year. The completion of year-end performance appraisals generally occurs between May 1 and June 30. However, some schools and departments may use their own form or timeline. Please confer with your local HR representative or HR Client Manager for more information on the process and timeline for your school or department, while using the information in the Manager Toolkit for tips and guidance.

Manager Toolkit