Special Updates

Employee Discount Portal for UMSL Employees

On March 28, 2012, the University of Missouri-St. Louis launched an employee discount portal with exclusive discounts for both national and local retailers available to all employees in conjuction with one of the nation's leading providers of such services: PerkSpot. Disclaimer and program information is available on the benefits page of the Current Employees section of the Human Resources website.

Tobacco-Free Policy for UMSL

At the University Assembly meeting on November 8, 2011, the following tobacco-free policy was approved for the UMSL campus.

Policy: Effective January 1, 2012, the University of Missouri-St. Louis will become tobacco-free on all campus property, both indoors and outdoors. The term “tobacco-free” means that the smoking or other use of any tobacco or tobacco-type product, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and pipes is prohibited. This does not include e-cigarettes. Campus property includes all owned or leased buildings, parking garages and parking lots; owned or leased vehicles; and owned or leased outdoor grounds and sidewalks. This policy applies to faculty, staff, students, contractor and consultant employees, performers, visitors and the general public.

Exceptions: The policy does not apply to individuals in privately owned or privately leased vehicles with the windows and sunroofs or similar devices in the fully closed position.

Another exception to the policy applies to individuals participating in academic research on tobacco-related topics or other such accommodations approved by the Campus Institutional Review Board, provided that the activity is conducted in an appropriately ventilated area.

The Chancellor may approve other exceptions to the policy after considering the intent of the policy as balanced against specific facts and circumstances set forth in a written request from a senior level administrator.

Smoking Cessation: University Health, Wellness and Counseling Services provides tobacco-related cessation programs for all students, faculty, and staff. Many of these programs are offered at no or minimal cost to the participants.

Respect & Responsibility: The success of this policy relies on the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of smokers and nonsmokers for its success. All members of the University community share the responsibility of adhering to the nonsmoking policy. They should also bring it to the attention of visitors. Any complaints should be brought to the attention of the appropriate University authorities. If conflicts or problems should arise, environmental health and safety considerations shall prevail.

Change in Hiring Freeze Process

Chancellor George has approved a change in the hiring freeze process for staff and students, effective immediately (April 19, 2011). The hiring freeze form will no longer be used. All that is required for staff is a Request-to-Fill form approved by the appropriate vice chancellor or by the chancellor.

Change in Posting Dates

Beginning with the August 6 , 2010 posting, positions will be posted to our website beginning on Friday morning and have application deadlines on Fridays.

This change will not alter any of the current posting procedures. To post a position, the position must first be approved for exception from the hiring freeze. Then the completed and signed Request to Fill form must be received in Human Resources by noon on Wednesday for the position to be posted that Friday.

If you have any questions, please contact Sylvia Poe at ext 5258 or Erik Smetana at ext 5381.
7/26/10

E-Verify Redesign

Effective June 13, 2010, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published a redesign of the E-Verify website. This means that anyone who uses E-Verify must take a 10-20 minute refresher tutorial. You can access this tutorial by logging onto the website here.

Errol Benson
Assistant Director of HR, Administration
6/11/10

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Human Resources