HR Newsletter March 2026
Human Resources Newsletter
Reminder: Employee Engagement Survey
Institutional Research and Human Resources are collaborating on initiating the first campus-wide employee engagement survey. Vassar employees received an invitation to share their thoughts on the experience of working at Vassar. The survey closes March 31st.The survey is fully anonymous and is hosted by Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA (HERI). We look forward to hearing from you!
Responsible Use and Disclosure of AI in the Workplace
As shared in this week’s Staff Forum and Faculty Meeting, a new policy on Responsible Use and Disclosure of AI in the Workplace has now been published in the Vassar Policy Library (note: while we had also planned to introduce this at the Administrative Forum, time did not allow).
This policy applies to non-academic work and is not applicable to faculty teaching, student coursework, or research. It establishes guardrails for use, while recognizing that some employees may find AI tools helpful in their work. It also aims to clarify expectations for safe use, helps employees avoid uses that are restricted under the policy, and protects institutional data. Individuals remain responsible for how they use these tools, and for the resulting work.
Given the pace of change surrounding AI tools, the policy may evolve over time. It has been published with a link to a feedback form to support ongoing input. An FAQ has also been created (click below to read), and it will be updated as questions arise.
We invite you to attend a Q&A session; please use the RSVP form below to sign up:
- Monday, April 13 at 2:00 pm (Zoom)
- Tuesday, April 28 at 10:00 am (Zoom)
- Tuesday, April 28 at 2:00 pm (MPR)
- Wednesday, April 29 at 10:00 am (MPR)
Thanks to CIS, HR, and other employees who contributed thoughtful input to this – including members of the cross-functional AI Working Group!
RSVP to Information Sessions here
Performance Reviews in Workday
Year-End Performance reviews will kick off in mid-April. Human Resources will send further communication about these tasks in Workday as they become available to you. If you still have any incomplete review tasks in your Workday inbox from 2025, please be sure to submit them as soon as possible.
Join Us for Take Your Child To Work Day on April 22!
Have the kids in your life ever wondered what you do all day? Now’s their chance to find out!
On Wednesday, April 22, Human Resources is hosting "Take Your Child to Work Day," a fun-filled day designed for kids ages 10–14 to explore our campus, learn about the amazing work happening here, and see their adults in their Vassar habitat.
How to Participate:
1. Register Your Child by April 17th. We have a full day of interactive sessions planned from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It’s a great opportunity for them to see the college, meet other kids, and participate in hands-on activities. Employees are invited to have lunch with their participating child at Gordon Commons as part of the day’s activities.
Register Your Child by April 17th
2. Showcase Your Work!We want to show the breadth of what we do. Can you help pull back the curtain on your role? We are looking for employees to help make the day unforgettable:
- 10-15 minute conversations: Share your role and a "day in the life" story.
- 45 minute activity: Lead a hands-on demo or interactive activity. We are here to help you plan!
- OR Help with logistics and keeping the day running smoothly.
Professional Development Highlights
Gmail Training
New Date! Thursday April 16th, 2:30-2:30pm, via Zoom
Zoom link will be emailed to registrants prior to the training.
Staying organized and connected is essential to working efficiently across campus. This training will introduce both the fundamentals and more advanced features of Google Calendar to help you manage your schedule, coordinate with colleagues, and streamline communication. You will learn practical tools to organize your time, set priorities, and make the most of the platform’s collaborative features. This training is open to all Vassar employees.
Presented by: Emily Doucet, Human Resources Administrative Fellow
Register here
Vassar History Tour
Wednesday, April 29th, 1:30 - 2:30pm. Tour start: Inside Main Gate
On Matthew Vassar’s birthday—April 29th, join the Head of Special Collections and College Historian, Ronald Patkus, for an engaging tour that brings the story and history of our campus to life. Connect with other employees, and learn about the people and events that have shaped the environment we work in today! Open to all employees. Please note: Tour is limited to 20 people. After spots have filled, there will be a waitlist, and you will be notified if spots are available.
Presented by: Ronald Patkus, Head of Special Collections and College Historian and Adjunct Associate Professor of History on the Frederick Weyerhaeuser Chair
Register here
Evaluation
Tuesday, April 21st, 1:00 - 2:30pm, Ordan Room (Main Building, 2nd Floor)
It's common to struggle with the ambiguity of assessment—how do you judge someone's work, and how do you navigate these conversations? In this training, we will demystify the evaluation process, exploring the core components of assessment and teaching you how to define clear, measurable criteria, as well as navigating evaluation meetings with confidence. These skills ensure your evaluations are objective and transparent, leading to more constructive outcomes. Open to managers and supervisors.
Presented by: Ginger Jurecka Blake, Associate Vice President of Human Resources
Register here
Digital Acessibility Training
Digital Accessibility
Tuesday, May 12 at 11:00 a.m. (Jade Parlor)
Wednesday, May 13 at 3:15 p.m. (Jade Parlor)
Vassar is committed to equal access and the civil rights of all of its community, regardless of ability. This also extends to often overlooked areas that include documents, images, email, and other digital content. Learn about the considerations, best practices, and tools available for creating accessible content.
Open to faculty and faculty support; administrators, and staff.
Register here
Upcoming Training from The Office of Institutional Equity
Bystander Skills: What To Do When You're Not "In Charge"
Tuesday, April 14, 7:00-8:00 PM, via Zoom
Monday, April 20, 2:00-3:00 PM, Thompson Library, Class of 1951 Reading Room
Most bystanders aren’t “in charge,” but they are in the moment. Open to the entire Vassar community, this workshop builds practical, realistic bystander responses for both consent concerns and bias incidents using the 5 Ds (Distract, Direct, Delegate, Document, and Delay) through hands-on practice in common campus settings such as parties, residence halls, classrooms, student organization meetings, and online spaces. The session emphasizes three core skills: choosing the safest strategy based on power dynamics and urgency, using short scripts that interrupt harm without escalating risk, and knowing where and how to refer concerns and support impacted individuals without investigating or promising outcomes.
Presented by: The Office of Institutional Equity
Register here
Save More with PLUM Benefits!
Vassar employees can access exclusive discounts through Plum Benefits, including savings on travel, entertainment, dining, and everyday essentials.
The platform now also features Local Deals 📍 for nearby savings and FunLife Loyalty Rewards ⭐, allowing employees to earn points on eligible purchases.
Employees can explore Hot Spring Deals ✈️ for travel savings on flights, hotels, and rental cars; and Tax Season Savings 💼 for discounts on trusted tax preparation services.
To celebrate Employee Appreciation Month 🎉, Plum Benefits is offering limited-time promotions throughout March, including discounted theme park tickets 🎢 and a 4x Loyalty Points bonus ⭐ from March 6–13 (excluding theme parks).
Visit www.plumbenefits.com
and enter company code VASSARFUN to start saving today.
Learn More About Plum Benefits
How We Work Here: New Series!
Ever wondered how something works at Vasar? To help demystify the behind-the-scenes, we’re launching a new monthly feature: How We Work Here. Each month, we’ll provide a plain-language breakdown of a specific campus system or process—helping us all collaborate more easily and navigate our roles with a bit more clarity. This month, we're highlighting the principal gifts process in light of the new Dede Thompson Bartlett Center for Admission and Career Education building.
The new Dede Thompson Bartlett Center for Admission and Career Education has prompted curiosity about how major projects like this come to life. To better understand the process, I spoke with colleagues in Advancement about how large gifts – including those that support new buildings – are secured.
At its core, Advancement’s work is relationship-driven. They spend years, and sometimes decades, building connections with alums, families, and friends of the college. These relationships are not transactional; they involve ongoing conversations about personal values, philanthropic interests, and the college’s evolving needs. Most donors are alums, though some are parents or other supporters.
When a major project such as a new building is envisioned, Advancement looks for alignment between a donor’s interests and institutional priorities. Often this begins with securing a “lead gift,” in which a donor commits to funding a significant portion of the project. Additional gifts are then raised from others over time.
Because these projects are funded through philanthropy, they are inherently future-focused. Advancement works not only to meet current needs but also to support the long-term health of the college, sometimes planning years in advance. Donor intent is taken seriously, and many gifts are restricted to specific purposes that cannot be redirected elsewhere.
Before construction begins, the project must be approved by the Board of Trustees. Typically, a substantial portion of the funding must already be secured to demonstrate financial viability. Once that threshold is reached, planning can move forward – architects begin design work, and Finance manages project spending while Advancement continues fundraising to complete the total.
After a project is completed, the relationships that made it possible continue. Many donors give with a long-term perspective, sometimes to benefit future generations of students rather than immediate needs. Stewardship of those relationships is an ongoing part of Advancement’s work.
Major campus projects often develop over many years and involve many partners across the institution. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it plays a significant role in shaping the college’s future.
Written by: Fresia Martinez Olivera, Associate Director of Organizational Development and Employee Equity
Have a question on how something works at the college? email fmartinezolivera@vassar.edu-- your question could be next month's topic!
Operation: Mobile Outreach
The Office of Veteran Students Outreach and Support is pleased to host Operation: Mobile Outreach, a mobile veterans benefits advisement initiative offered by the Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs. Please feel free to post the attached flyer and/or share with others.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, April 8
Time: 3:00- 5:00 PM (Drop-in event)
Location: Student Veteran Center, Lower-Level College Center
Who Should Attend:
All veterans, service members, and military family members from the Vassar community are encouraged to attend.
What to Expect:
- One-on-one guidance on VA benefits, including education, healthcare, disability compensation, home loans, careers, training, and more
- Information on New York State and Dutchess County programs that complement federal benefits
- Resources for family members and caregivers to support their loved ones
- Opportunity to meet with an outreach coordinator from the Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System
*You will also have the opportunity to see a demo of the future Ask Banner replacement - MyVassar by our own Anne Wilthew.
Refreshments will be served. If you have questions or would like more information, please contact: Colleen Mallet, comallet@vassar.edu
Engaged Pluralism Wants to Hear From You
Engaged Pluralism is celebrating its 10th anniversary next year!
The EP Collaborative Team would like to invite everyone to offer suggestions for a celebration event planned for Spring 2027. Please take a moment to share your ideas for speakers and themes for this event using this form.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email ep@vassar.edu.
Join the Salt Line for their Grand Reopening of Lunch!
April 15, 16, or 17th from 11:00am - 2:00pm
The Salt Line at Vassar is officially re-opening its doors for lunch service! Whether you are looking to host a mid-day meeting, catch up with colleagues, or simply enjoy a moment of quiet away from the desk, our new menu is designed to be the perfect mid-day retreat.
Click here to make your reservation
See menu here
Click here for the flyer
Employees recieve 10% off their meal!