News Briefs
Open Enrollment Underway Through Nov. 14
Open Enrollment for 2017 health care benefits continues through 5 p.m., Monday, Nov. 14. During this time, faculty and staff have the opportunity to review their benefit options and make elections for next year. Employees can only change benefit elections during Open Enrollment, unless they experience a qualified life or family status change during another time of the year.
New for 2017, Aetna will replace HealthAmerica as the HMO medical plan provider. Aetna offers a nationwide HMO network, which means that this plan will now be available to employees and covered dependents living outside the Pittsburgh region. Those who are currently enrolled in the HealthAmerica HMO plan will automatically be enrolled in the Aetna HMO plan if they do not elect another option during Open Enrollment.
Other changes for 2017 include some modifications to the Caremark prescription drug plans. Also, MetLife will replace Sun Life as the university’s life and disability insurance provider.
Open Enrollment Workshops are being held Friday, Nov. 4 and Tuesday, Nov. 8 to assist employees.
Learn more. And watch the video of the Benefits Open Forum that was held Oct. 25.
Seven Named Andrew W. Mellon Fellows
The Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences has selected seven Ph.D. candidates as Andrew W. Mellon Fellows. The doctoral students are preparing to start ambitious projects that blend research from the English, History, Modern Languages and Philosophy departments with cutting-edge technology to create new applications for humanities work.
“Our graduate students are coming up with novel research projects in digital humanities and promising concepts for enriching classroom learning,” said Andy Norman, special faculty in the Department of Philosophy and project manager for the fellowship. “Now, they have the support they need – and we expect great things from them.”
Toys for Tots Campaign Kicks Off Nov. 7
The College of Engineering’s First-Year Advisory Board and the Carnegie Mellon Police Department are teaming up for CMU’s 12th Annual Toys for Tots Campaign. The program is modeled after the U.S. Marine Corps program that has been collecting toys for needy children since the early 1950s. This year’s campaign runs from Nov. 7 through Dec. 6. Donated toys must be new and unwrapped.
Here are the drop-off locations:
- Carnegie Mellon University Police, 300 South Craig Street, Main lobby;
- Software Engineering Institute, Main Lobby;
- Mellon Institute, 3rd floor Security Desk;
- UTDC, Main Lobby;
- Morewood Gardens, Student Life Office;
- Warner Hall, Enrollment Services;
- Cohon University Center, Student Activities Office;
- College of Fine Arts, Room 104;
- Pittsburgh Technology Center, Technology Drive, Main Lobby;
- NREC, 40th Street, Main Lobby;
- Hunt Library, 1st Floor Lobby;
- Tepper School of Business, 1st Floor Main Lobby;
- Scaife Hall, Room 110;
- Wean Hall 4212; and
- FMS Service Response Desk.
If anyone has toys that need to be picked up, has questions or would like to participate further, contact CMU Police Officer Donald Campbell at dktb@andrew.cmu.edu.
Education Awards Seek Nominees; Deadline is Nov. 7
Nominations are now being accepted through Nov. 7 for Carnegie Mellon’s Celebration of Education, which recognizes the accomplishments of those who exemplify the university's standards of excellence in education.
The event celebrates distinguished faculty members and educators for their outstanding contributions to the university and their devotion to and effectiveness in teaching. It consists of six main awards: the Doherty Award, Ryan Award, Academic Advising Award, Barbara Lazarus Award, Gelfand Award and the Teaching Innovation Award.
Find out more, including how to nominate a qualified candidate.
Alumni Association Seeks Student Service Nominees
The Alumni Association is seeking nominations for its Student Service Award, which recognizes a student's service to the university community and in service organizations. Service to the surrounding Pittsburgh community also will be considered. To nominate a deserving student for his/her service to the university, go online to view the criteria and access the nomination form. Letters of support are strongly encouraged. The nomination deadline is Nov. 30.
Find out more about the Alumni Awards. Questions? Send email to alumniawards@andrew.cmu.edu.
Schedule Your Flu Shot Today
University Health Services (UHS) encourages all members of the campus community to reduce the spread of flu by getting a flu shot this year. UHS will be hosting several Flu Shot Clinics, both on and off campus. See the full listing of clinic dates and times.
Clinics are held at UHS from:
- 8:30 - 11:30 a.m., every Tuesday through Nov. 15;
- 8:30 - 11:30 a.m., every Wednesday through Nov. 16; and
- 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., every Thursday through Nov. 17 (except Oct. 20).
Students, staff and faculty can schedule appointments for clinics at UHS online through HealthConnect. Off-campus, walk-in clinics will be offered for community members at select locations (no appointment needed).
The cost of the flu shot will be covered for students on the CMU Student Health Plan and for staff and faculty. For students on other health plans and spouses and partners, the cost will be $25 (payable by student account or check).