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Brand Launch Party draws a crowdNearly 1,500 t-shirts and 750 hats with UAB’s new logo were distributed at the Brand Launch Party on Nov. 14 at the UAB Bookstore. See photos and a list of winners of UAB-branded water bottles.Study smarter, not harder: Strategies for a smooth exam weekExam week can be a high-stress time on campus. As the semester comes to a close, classes get harder and assignments become more complex. It can be tempting to let homework pile up as you prioritize fun activities, thinking you have plenty of time to study. But what if that thought shifted to how could you optimize your study time to set yourself up for success?UAB Strategic Investment Fund fuels projects with focuses on student enrollment and success, wellness, and sustainabilityLearn more about the seven 2024 awardees, which received pledges for more than $12 million over three years. The SIF backs cross-campus projects — designed and led by UAB faculty and staff — that align with the university’s strategic plan, Forging Ahead.UAB Printing and Mailing announces installation of a new state-of-the-art pressUAB Printing and Mailing recently installed a new state-of-the-art color offset digital press. While the print shop has been serving the UAB community for decades, this new press not only provides a quicker turnaround time for print jobs, its technology allows for enhanced precision of inks and color matches.Collat pilot project demonstrates significant savings through energy managementA partnership among UAB Sustainability, UAB Energy Management and the Collat School of Business allowed the school to save 40 percent on its monthly utility bills in July 2024 and unlock ongoing reductions in energy use.UAB AWARE celebrates veterans throughout November
The AWARE Disability Management Program is celebrating Veterans Day all month long with events and programs to honor the armed forces and give back to those who served.
Cutest Pet Contest returns, highlighting special bond between humans and animalsThis month, UAB Employee Wellness is spotlighting the impact pets have on our mental health — including those experiencing seasonal mood shifts — by bringing back its UAB’s Cutest Pet Contest. UAB employees are invited to submit pictures of pets now through Nov. 14.Working groups update for Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with PurposeSix working groups have been meeting to address infrastructure opportunities that will help UAB expand its research impact and expenditures through the Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with Purpose. Read more about how the groups were selected, their progress and next steps.Gurney Derby: UAB’s Unique Homecoming TraditionThe Gurney Derby, hosted each year by UAB’s National Alumni Society, has been part of every UAB homecoming since 1994. This year, UAB’s Gurney Derby will mark its 29th year, making it one of UAB’s oldest traditions.Open enrollment for benefits starts at 7 a.m. Oct. 18UAB’s annual open enrollment for benefits will be held Oct. 18-Nov. 4. Eligible employees can choose among dental, vision and health insurance plans plus voluntary plan options and tax-deferred spending accounts for health and dependent care for 2025.Look back at the 2024 Staff Council Picnic in this slideshowHundreds of UAB employees met for lunch and conversation at the annual Staff Picnic on Oct. 4. Here are some of our favorite photos from the event.Voluntary supplemental benefits to be offered during open enrollmentEligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital and UAB Hospital Management LLC may choose voluntary benefits during the annual open enrollment Oct. 18- Nov. 4. These programs are voluntary and paid for by employees and can be canceled at any time.Open enrollment for the Voluntary Employee Life and Voluntary Spouse Life insurancesThe Standard Insurance Company is offering a true open enrollment for 2025 Voluntary Employee Life and Voluntary Spouse Life insurance elections during UAB’s annual open enrollment Oct. 18- Nov. 4.6 things you need to know as election day nearsThere are several important things to keep in mind at UAB and UAB Medicine leading up to election day, as well as on and after Nov. 5, as a member of a community at a public university and academic medical center.
9 ways to reduce your health care costs in 2025Nationwide, costs continue to rise, and UAB is working to balance the impact of these costs on its employees and the organization. Here are some things you can do to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.Premium rates for health, dental and vision available for 2025For UAB to remain competitive in the market, stay in line with national benchmarks and keep costs down as much as possible for all employees, there will be medical plan design changes for 2025.Vision coverage from VSP available during open enrollmentUAB offers vision benefits, and eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital and UAB Hospital Management LLC will have the option to choose or decline that coverage during the open enrollment for benefits Oct. 18-Nov. 4.Dental coverage from BCBS is available during open enrollmentUAB will offer dental insurance during the annual open enrollment for benefits, and eligible employees must choose or decline that coverage between 7 a.m. Oct. 18 and 5 p.m. Nov. 43 traditional health plan options available for 2025Eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital and UAB Hospital Management LLC will have the option to choose or decline health care coverage from VIVA Health and Blue Cross/Blue Shield during the annual open enrollment for benefits Oct. 18-Nov. 4.Growth with Purpose Faculty Recruitment Fund helps bring more outstanding innovators to UABTake a closer look at the new fund, which was launched this summer by the Office of the President to help expand UAB’s portfolio of funded principal investigators as part of the Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with Purpose.
Consumer-driven health plan can make good financial senseA benefit option that enables employees to pay lower monthly health care premiums in exchange for higher out-of-pocket expenses for covered services continues to grow in favor among eligible employees.5 things to know about open enrollment this yearStay tuned to the UAB Reporter as UAB begins rolling out open enrollment information to provide benefit-eligible employees time to review upcoming changes and make informed decisions. Open enrollment begins 7 a.m. Oct. 18 and concludes 5 p.m. Nov. 4.Request a Safety Escort, Blaze Ride instantly using TransLoc appUAB employees and students can now request transportation from UAB Safety Escort and Blaze Ride using the TransLoc app, available for download on iOS and Android devices.
Board codifies institutional neutralityAs a diverse, public institution of more than 50,000 students, faculty and staff, UAB will remain neutral on political and social issues that do not directly affect the institution’s core operations.Retirement counseling and support is available from the UAB Benefits OfficeUAB employees who want to ensure their financial security in their golden years can take advantage of services provided by the UAB Benefits Office and UAB’s retirement providers, including retirement counseling and investment support for mandatory and voluntary retirement plans. If you are contacted by other vendors claiming to be authorized, do not give out your personal information.
Online submission for Equipment Disposition Forms starts Aug. 30Beginning Aug. 30, all Equipment Disposition Forms (EDF) will be submitted online. The new form and instruction guide will be accessible through the EDF app on the myUAB portal and can also be found on the Financial Affairs website.GreenMail becomes Blazer WeeklyUAB’s student-centered email newsletter transitions to a new name and template on Aug. 21. Blazer Weekly will continue to be distributed on Wednesdays to all enrolled UAB students. Faculty and staff who would like to subscribe may do so via the UAB Subscription Center.Faculty and staff to get extra holidays at year’s endTwo Tuesdays, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, will be designated as paid holidays to enable UAB and UAB Medicine employees additional time to spend with their families and friends.Honoring J. Claude BennettJ. Claude Bennett, M.D., who served as UAB president from 1993 to 1996, passed away on Aug. 11, 2024, at age 90.
Look back at a successful summer on campusBefore the new semester starts on Aug. 26, enjoy this glimpse of some of the many happenings at UAB and nearby this summer as captured by university photographers and special guests.Trade Safe Zone helps Blazers buy goods safelyLocated in the UAB Police and Public Safety building parking lot, the zone has video surveillance, a UAB Help Phone and is well lit. The parking spot is designated with a sign and bright green paint on the asphalt.Change your commute route Aug. 21-25 for student move-inAs students begin arriving on campus for the fall semester, UAB Transportation recommends traveling an alternative route to work during times when the most students will be moving into on- campus housing. This map will help you plan.How UAB is investing in the Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with PurposeFunds for recruitment and retention, enhanced research capabilities, new leadership roles and new infrastructure for interdisciplinary collaboration are all fueling the initiative's bold vision of growing the UAB research enterprise to increase our positive impact on people’s lives.With new partnership, Sustainability aims to spark UAB Medicine collaborationsThrough a UAB-wide membership in Practice Greenhealth, employees interested in making sustainable changes in their units can access seminars, white papers and data about projects that have been successful at more than 1,500 member hospitals and health systems. Find out how to access this information online.UAB selects new electronic research administration systemFinding a new electronic research administration solution to replace IRAP, the current tool, was one of the five key priorities for immediate action as part of UAB's Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with Purpose. After approval by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees early this month, UAB has selected an integrated, cloud-based platform that will be named myUABResearch.Working Group chairs and members named for Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with PurposeThe final report from UAB’s engagement with Huron Consulting and Urban Impact Advisors recommended forming six working groups to enable the goals of the Research Strategic Initiative: Growth with Purpose. In collaboration with the UAB deans and the chair of the Faculty Senate, the Executive Steering Committee has identified two co-chairs to lead each working group.Annual performance evaluation cycle opens July 1Eligible employees in Workgroup A will complete self-evaluations in the UAB Perform App and faculty evaluations will be uploaded into the app. Managers must have conversations with employees and complete evaluations by Sept. 30.McDew to be new AVP & Sr. Title IX CoordinatorAndrea McDew, Ed.D., has been selected as the new assistant vice president and senior Title IX coordinator for the UAB Title IX Office. She has an extensive background in Title IX and university safety, most lately at Texas Christian University. McDew will begin at UAB on July 1.Get free access to the Campus Recreation Center in JuneUAB kicks off its annual Summer of Wellness initiative June 1. This year, employees can get free access to the Campus Recreation Center throughout the entire month. Online registration is required to access the facility, as well as access to additional health and wellness opportunities including rewards for checking in throughout the month.Car smarts: How to protect your car and its contents from theftAccording to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, auto thefts are a continued concern nationwide—and not just the contents inside the cars, but the cars themselves. These habits can help maintain a secure environment.